Age Of Shifters

Chapter 1: Flames

Zaezen Dewshield

My names Zae. I am a student at the School for the Gifted. No its not the gifted school your thinking of. Its for kids with powers, handed down generation to generation. My parents went here too as my whole family has. Its been a tough life here, trying to hide from the Rangers. Professor Leint, that grouchy old goblin, has taken me in since the incident with my parents.

This is my story

It was the first day of the new moon. I was asleep when my mother came running in and drug me from bed. There was yelling from outside, the sound of horses trampling the ground and the sound of swords coming unsheathed. I didn't know what was happening, I was only 6.

I looked out the window to see a giant fire breathing drake, fighting the men outside. I looked up to my mother, "Why is daddy fighting those men?" She didn't seem to hear me and kept dragging me towards the cellar. As we headed down the stairs, we were shaken my a big thud, and a loud howl. Tears started to roll down her cheeks as she hurried me behind a crate. "Stay here my little Zae, everything will be alright." Her voice faltered as she tried to keep me calm. She kissed my forehead one last time, and ran back up the stairs to the fighting.

Everything went quiet until a mans voice broke the silence, "Find the child! There can't be any more Dewshields to stop us." Metal boots stomped above me, men shouting where to check. Footsteps started down the stairs.

I put my hand over my mouth to keep myself from squeaking, hot tears running down my face. The man walked up to the crates, but didn't look behind to where I was hiding. I held back a sob, knowing my parents were gone, and I was all alone, no one could save me.

But i was wrong. The yelling started up again for a moment, then vanished. Where the man once stood, now stood Leint. The old goblin motioned me to come out, "It is safe Zaezen, come with me, we need to leave before more come."

Ever since then, he has been like a father to me, teaching me how to control my powers, well tried to.

10 years later. I ran through the forest the day of my 16th birthday. Today Leint promised to teach me how to shape shift into a drake. I have been waiting for this day for a while.

As I ran up the stairs towards the school, where he waits for me at the door. I skidded to a stop, my snow white hair, now down to my hips, sways into my face. Leint laughs as I try to get hair out of my mouth.

"You might want to braid that hair back deary. Especially for today's lesson." I start braiding my hair back, staggering behind him twords the open field,"I'm so exited! I finally get to learn how to fly. I have always wanted to ever since my dad..."

I trailed off, trying a ribbon at the end, crossing my arms remembering that night, that terrible day. Leint glanced back, "I know you want revenge dear, but revenge isn't always the answer."

I breathed in deeply to calm myself, "Sorry, I just hate those rangers. I was only a child when they took my family from me." Leint only sighed. He looked back trying to change the subject, "I know Zae, lets forget about that now. You were just so eager to learn how to shift." I smiled, "I still am."