Speronör #Wattys2016

Chapter 2: And so begins training...

[Ashlynn's POV]

The moment I laid eyes on the man I just stood there with my mouth open while my mind went 'What?' Yup, lamest response ever but that's how it happened. The old man cleared his throat and tried again in another language.

"Um, hi sir you can go back to speaking english we understand..." I said as politely and as calmly as I could in this situation.

"Wonderful" he smiled, "My name is Phillip and I'm sure all of you must have many questions and I am here to answer them all"

"Uh yeah could you give us a sec?" I asked and grabbed everyone closer. "So...this feels totally unreal... any suggestions because I'm not entirely sure if I should feel excited or terrified..."

"Yeah it- its like we are in a movie or a book...or maybe we fell asleep and this is a dream?" Leo mused. "there's no way we would all be having the same dream" Liash pointed out, "anyway let's just hear what the old man has to say."

"You think we can trust him?" I asked, "I mean if this is anything like the books and movies, the first person you meet could very well be the enemy."

"Well, its not like we have any choice... because what ever got us here doesn't seem to have a reverse button... or any button," Jillian said as she looked at the stone formation in which we tumbled out of. And she was right, the stone formtion looked like a random bunch of vertical stones (is that granite?) placed in a circle around a circular slab of rock that was completely black, "anyway" Jillian continued, "If he attacks the four of us can take him no problem."

I shrugged and moved over to Phillip who was already sitting on the soft grass. He motioned for us to do the same, "So Phillip right? You said that we are somewhere called Speronör? Is that like, in some European country or something? And how did we get here?" I asked.

"No Speronör is not Europe or anywhere else on your earth for that matter. You are in a different realm. How you got here was through that magic stone portal" Phillip explained, "and yes before you ask it will be open again once you've comleted your quest and all of you can go home –"

"A quest? But wouldn't that take more than a few days? Our parents will be so worried!" I exclaimed and everyone else nodded in agreement but Phillp just smiled and continued, "Well you need not worry about that. Time runs differently in Speronör and for the four of you, every night when you retire to bed, you will be returned to the exact place and time that you left your world so you would not have lost any time at all". 'That's convenient' I thought.

"Why were we brought here then? I mean why us?" Liash asked.

"Long ago there was a prophecy that predicted that every few centuries, there will be heros who come from another realm who are chosen to defeat the evil that exists in our land and these heros will become the most powerful and respected of their field. "

"Heros?" Leo asked, "but we are just normal people". Phillip smiled, "I wouldn't be too sure about that. See, the thing is when the four of you entered though the portal, the magic in Speronör gave all of you certain gifts, gifts that with training and time will give you the strength to defeat the evil."

"Oh my gosh, so you're saying that we have magic now?" Jillian said excitedly. Phillip nodded, "But each of you will likely have a different kind of magic which will play a part in determining if you become a wizard, a healer or a warrior."

"so how will we know which one we are?" I asked. "Well, if you're ready to trust me we will be going to my academy where you will be asked to perform a series of aptitude tests that will reveal your talent" Phillip said as he stood up and stretched. All of us sat there for a few seconds letting the information sink in, "so are you ready to trust me?" Phillip asked. We nodded and introduced ourselves as Phillip stood up and led the way to his academy.