The Last Spellweaver

The Last Spellweaver (Part 1)

40 Years Before Richard...

Jessica crept through the tall grass that waved in wind; keeping her eyes fixed on the forest edge. She knew she wasn't supposed to be there, but that only added to the excitement. She wondered, with a smile, what he father would say if he found she had come there. She slowly moved closer until she was at the foot of a massive tree. She jumped back into the grass as she heard a voice from the forest. She watched, holding her breath, as a tall young man stormed out into the clearing. He waved a fist up at the stars and kicked a cloud of dirt and grass up into the air.

"When will they finally accept me!?" The young man screamed and fell to his knees. After a few moments he got up and leaned against the tree, looking up at the sky. Jessica wasn't certain but she might have noticed a small tear trickle down his cheek. Just then, he turned and reached for his bow. Jessica leapt to her feet and held her hands out.

"Don't shoot! Please!" she stuttered.

"Who are you?" The man shouted in a mix of anger and surprise; still aiming his bow at her.

"J-Jessica. I was just taking a walk and I saw you so I hid."

"You startled me." The man said and slung his bow back over his shoulder. He looked at her strangely. "You must have walked a long way. I don't know of any homes nearby, but I know little of what is out there."

"I'm sorry if I frightened you. I'll leave." Jessica said and began to run off. But the man gently held her arm.

"No! Please stay, I...don't see many new people."

"Alright, but my father will be expecting me in a few hours."

"He won't notice a few minutes then. Come on, I always think better up in the trees." The young man began to climb up the large tree. He looked back and sighed. She was gone.

"You coming?" The man looked up to see her a few branches above.

"How..?"

"I like trees too." Jessica said, dangling her legs over the branch. She watched him nimbly climb up to her and sit beside her. They sat in silence for a moment before Jessica shifted awkwardly.

"Soooo... what's your name?" She asked, slowly at first.

"Valdor."

"I'm Jessica."

"Hello, Jessica." Valdor said and cleared his throat. She looked at him with a smile as he turned away and up into the stars.

"You really don't get out much do you?" Jessica laughed and Valdor laughed along, running a hand through his hair.

"No, not at all. This is as far as I am permitted to go actually."

"Same here." Jessica said and grinned. "So we both are breaking the rule. That is a good friendship starter haha."

"Oh I wouldn't want to get you into trouble." Valdor said quickly.

"No, I'll be fine, don't worry. But I probably should be starting for home."

"Thank you, Jessica."

"For?"

"For talking with me."

"You're welcome, Valdor."

"Until next time?"

Jessica hesitated a moment. "Until next time." She grinned.

Valdor heard a voice call to him from the forest. He turned and saw a man walking towards the tree.

"Valdor! Where are you boy!? It's much past sundown!"