The Kingdom of Vanora

Shadows & Lies Part 1

'Korbin.'
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I shudder when thinking about the cold voice from last night. It was so damn smooth and velvety that it ingrained itself into my mind. I was up all night thinking about who that voice belongs to. Where it came from. I can't get it out of my head. If anyone else heard that voice no one tells. Even in the light of day it still haunts me. Seriously that voice—

"Korbin!"

Pettra's voice brings me out of my thoughts. I snap at her. "What?"

"Do you respond to people like that?"

"No..." I grumble. Pettra is my tutor. It was going to be Father but he's too busy. Spirits I wish he cared more. Why have another child if you're not going to give them any attention? Spirits. Sometimes I wish I was still a baby. At least then I was given attention. More than I want now but still attention nonetheless.

Pettra grabs the map from between us. She holds it up so only she can see it. She eyes me and asks what the capital of Severin is. "Kinreth "

"Good. Which Kingdom's capital is Malon?"

"Nuriel." Pettra nods. This is easy. I want to learn about other kinds of magic. I wonder if I can sneak into the archives? They should have books on other types of magic.
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29 Celeste (12 Years since Korbin's Birth)

Elysia's Pov

"Good now follow through with a...yes yes, push harder," Anylth urges me to finish the spell.

In my hands is a delicate flower made of fire, ice and metal. An accomplishment. Rarely is one able to use three types of magic at the same time. But it's not all me. Part of it is borrowing Anylths magic. Usually her energy. That is what I use most of the time. It's a part of the bond.

"Now I'm going to show you how to see the thoughts of anyone,"

What?

Anylth must have seen my confusion. She shakes her head and smiles. "It's not something only you can do it's something only I can,"

She gets up from her spot beside me and begins pacing. "A rare few light mages can tap into a weaker form. Only I have the full ability to read the minds of any species. The first king of Altearia could do it. He was quite proficient at it,"

"Many hated that he could. Some even avoided going to council with him just because they hated him snooping around there heads,"

She stops pacing and stares right at me. Her eyes bore into mine. "Now let's begin."
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22 Kore of the year 12781
(15 Years Since Korbin's Birth)

Korbin's Pov

'Keep your eyes on the circle...that's it.' The voice urges me on. A ghost of a shadow passes behind me. Its shadowy hand glides along my back. I can feel the power coming from the voice. Its power of persuasion is strong. Almost as if it's guiding me. 'Add more power.'

'That's it,'

'Keep going,'

A kneeling figure appears in the circle on the floor. Its head stays glued to the floor. I swear it wears the colours of Gaerwn. What in kaladrielion is it? 'What is it?'

'It is a being that will follow your every command.' I swear the shadow grins. It glances around. It's frowning. 'Our time is up, your Mother is coming to wake you.'

Wait. I'm dreaming? Of course, I am.

'Till tonight.' The shadow slides a hand down my face. A shaking feeling jolts my eyes wide open and I sit up. Mother leans back to avoid begin hit by my head. She wasn't expecting me to wake like that.