Seven Lost Lords: The Anomaly

Ch. 1: Assessment Day

It isn't easy being an anomaly, especially if that's how others define you.

Think you've got it hard? Look at me. I'm literally the living, breathing definition of weird.

Everyone else has color, or a cool special power to call their own.

Me? My special power?

It's being the ONLY ONE without EITHER of those things.

Yeah. You're literally known for being useless.

Welcome to my world, chumps.

But if you think you can sympathize with me, even just a little further than what I've told you, it's about time I told you the day my whole world changed.

My name's Aven.

And this is my story.

___________________________________________

I stepped softly into the clearing between the buildings and gave a quiet breath, then looked to the sky and grinned. Today was Assessment Day, the day when the High Officials from the Capital would come to cities across the nation and choose the best of the white manes to become servants in their presence. Sure, maybe not the best thing to think about, but it was certainly leagues away from just hanging out here, in the sleepy town of Gatesborn.

Of course, my brother was already at the courtyard. He had woken up hours before I did so that he would be ready for when the Capital Black Manes came. Typical Arius, always trying to impress.

"Hey, Aven!"

I turned my head to find a familiar face staring back at me. "Hello, Strudarin," I replied, shuffling my paws. "What's up?"

The tall green aetyr smiled as she came up to me and patted my back. "It's Assessment Day, right?" Strudarin asked. I nodded. "Sure is! I'm heading up there to spy on Arius. And you?"

Strudarin's eyes widened but all she did was laugh. "Typical Aven," She chuckled. "You really are something else. Make sure you stay out of sight, would you? You wouldn't want to get kicked out of Gatesborn for a week."

I flashed a wink. "Don't worry. I'm lighter on my feet than a cloud is in the sky! Nobody will know I was there. And you can be sure that I won't get exiled... hopefully. Heh, heh."

Strudarin rolled her eyes. "If you say so. I'll be expecting to see you later this evening, then?"

"No promises." I smirked as I wagged my tail. "You should know this by now, Stru. I can't say one hundred percent that I won't get my tail into a trap. By the way, are YOU coming to the Assessment? To watch, I mean?"

Strudarin shook her head. "Nope. I have to watch the shop while my nephew's at the Assessment. You know, just in case someone decides to buy a souvenir during that whole event."

I made a face. "Yeesh. You do you, I guess. But that sounds MEGA boring. In the meantime, I'll be having FUN spying on my brother and definitely NOT jumping into the middle of the courtyard and making a scene."

I dashed away, only to hear Strudarin's scolding reply off in the distance behind me. "AVEN, NO!"

I laughed. "Aven, YES!"

Before she could say any more, I climbed up a tree and hopped the nearby stone wall, disappearing from view.

After hopping a few more walls, I stealthily climbed another branch and sat there perched, shielded by a blanket of thorns and foliage. The ivy ran along the wall, so I was sure that within its shadow I would be disguised. It was a good thing the clouds overhead were partly covering the sun, too. If the sun was out, my blinding white fur would give me away.