Legends of Heretrua: Children of Light

Chapter One

     Genneviera tugged on her older friend's sleeve. "Rosalie."

The girl remained intent on eavesdropping on the conversation of women gathered by the edge of the stream and ignored Genne.

The little girl tried again. "Rosalie!"

"Sh!" The girl tilted her head towards Genne. "Don't draw attention."

"Why? Are you not supposed to listen to what they're saying?"

Rosalie sighed and gave up straining her ears. "It's not that it's wrong to listen. There's just nothing that says I should be listening, either." She turned to look at Genne. "What do you want?"

"Is it true? What people are saying about the girl?"

"They're only rumors, and not to be trusted. We've heard this kind of gossip before. But..."

"But what?"

Rosalie's eyes sparkled with hope. "It's different this time. I think whoever it is has finally come."

"Genne clapped her hands. "Are they really from another world?"

"That's what prophecy says. I figure they'd have to be. Besides, Prince Ty had to go rescue them from Scaolust."

Genne giggled. "He's quite a hero, isn't he?"

There was a soft laugh from the direction of the stream and Rosalie hushed Genne again. "Be quiet."

"Are things going to change after this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are things going to be better without Scaolust?"

"Well obviously. The kingdom will be rid of that evil. But I don't think we're going to notice any differences in how life goes on."

"Why not?"

"The king has done a very good job of protecting us from any true danger."

"And so has Ty."

"You shouldn't address him so informally."

"You're using big words again."

"By their first names. It's not proper, or respectful."

"Since when do you care about what's proper?" Genne's eyes held a mischievous twinkle. Rosalie nodded towards the stream.

"Since our parents were listening."

"I thought we were listening to them."

"They can hear us, too."

"Yes we can," called a cheerful voice from the sand bank. Genne turned to Rosalie with a grin, whispering, "Come on. Let's go somewhere we can talk about your heroes secretly."

"You know too much for your age, Genne," Rosalie retorted before they sprinted off across the green grass of the village outskirts.