A young girl approximately 17 walked into the Ravenswood Lodging house
carrying a large leather bound book. A bunch of kids sat around a table
playing a game of cards. One of them rose to greet the new comer. "Hey, da
names Rebel. Whadda dey call you?" The young girl looked at Rebel. "I am
Rehla Loreh Mangini. But please call me Mysteria." Mysteria offered no
hand, she kept them both wrapped tightly around the book. Rebel could not
make out what the cover said. It was in some weird language. Maybe
Chinese. "I am looking for a place to stay. I will probably be around only
to sleep and study. I won't bother you much."
Just then an elderly lady stepped into the room carrying a tray full
of treats for the card players. "Molly," Rebel said addressing the woman,
"dis goyl's lookin' fer a place ta stay."
"Well, come over here," Molly Corcoran said putting the tray down and
walking over to a desk. "Fill this out and we will see about your moving
in."
Mysteria looked at the paper that the old lady had given her. Some of
the questions Mysteria was not sure how to answer, others she just didn't
want to. When she had finished she handed it back to Molly. Mrs. Corcoran
looked over the application and the girl. She was wearing a hooded robe
that was reddish-brown. After a while she spoke.
"Come, I will show you to your bunk. Where are the rest of your things?"
"This is all I have and all I need." Mysteria replied gesturing to the
large book.
"Alright, this way."
"Mrs. Corcoran, I'll show 'er where ta sleep." offered Rebel.
"I wouldn't want you to interrupt your card game."
"Nah, don't worry 'bout it. I'se losin' anyways." Rebel said as she
bounded upstairs. Mysteria quietly followed.
"So where ya from Mysteria"
"Far away."
"How'd ya get yer nick?"
"My uncle gave it to me. Along with this book."
"Here we are." Rebel said as she opened a door. She turned and
started to head beck down stairs when Mysteria spoke.
"Rebel, I have a few requests."
"Yeah?"
"When I am studying please do not interrupt me and no one should touch this book
without permission."
"Sure."
"Will you tell the others for me?"
"Yeah." Rebel went back down stairs and left Mysteria alone. She
opened her book and began to recite the strange words.
--
The next morning Mysteria was gone before the others even got up. By
11 a.m. she had sold all her papers and Rebel had found her. "Hey Mysteria!
You were up early this morning. Did you have somewhere to go?"
Mysteria looked down at her feet. She hated her shoes. Sandals were
so much more comfortable. She hated the color of her brown pants an felt so
confined in the yellowing shirt and pin striped vest. She wanted her old
clothes but she had to fit in. "Every morning I preform a ritual. The same
time every morning." Her voice was calm, controled.
"You wanna join me an some a da others fer lunch?"
"No thank you. I prefer to avoid people."
"Okay well I'll catch ya later den." Rebel headed off towards a cafe
and Mysteria went back to the lodging house. When she got there she began
to study her book. After a while she put her book aside. She reached under
her bed for the robe she wore when she had first arrived. Wrapped safely
inside was the belt with small pouches tied to it. She reached into one
pouch and drew out some sparkling white sand. Mysteria whispered a few
mystical words, brought her hand up to her lips and blew the sand form the
palm of her hand. It fluttered into the air and formed the shape of a
graceful dragon before falling to the ground. A slight smile touched
Mysteria's lips. The only time she was truly happy was in preforming or
studying the magic her uncle had taught her. The book was a highly treasured
gift she received after passing The Test. The Test was given to all
aspiring mages. It took much mental, physical and magical energy. Mysteria
had done unusually well. Better than most of the top mages when they had
taken it their first time. This had given her the title of Red Mage instead
of Blue Mage which is where most mages start. It also earned her her mage
name, Mysteria. Only she and her Uncle Raistalas knew why she had done so
well. It was the same reason her uncle had done so well. She not only had
a strong magical sense but also has the power of God behind her. Very few
Mages believed in the One God. Most thought they themselves were gods.
Mysteria stuffed her belongings back under her bed and headed to
Central Park, She needed to go for a walk. "Hey, ain't you da new goyl at
Ravenswood?" asked a boy sitting on a bench with a sketch book in hand.
"Yes." Mysteria replied quietly.
"Mysteria right?"
"yes."
"I'm Art." He offered a hand. She didn't take it.
"Ave a seat." He scooted down to make room for her on the bench. She
sat down and put her hands in her lap. She didn't look at all relaxed, or
happy. "What s'matter?"
"Nothing."
"You look sad."
"I always look sad."
"Why?"
"Because I don't smile."
"Why not?"
"There is nothing here for me to smile about."
"What made you smile where you used to live?"
"My friend Tassandra, my uncle Raistalas, Heero. Heero could always
cheer me up but I was hardly ever sad back home."
"Why'd ya leave then?"
"I had to"
"Why? Yer parents die? Did dey kick you out?"
"No, my parents loved me very much. They still do. That is why I was
sent away."
"Do you always ask so many Questions?"
"I'se sorry. I'se jist tryin' ta get ta know ya better." He paused.
"Why don't ya like ta talk much?"
"People tend to ask questions I don't want to answer."
"Well if I start askin' questions you don't want ta answer tell me an'
I'll stop."
"Okay."
"What's it like at your old home?"
"I grew up in a loving home and was schooled by my uncle who
lived next door. We didn't have an elegant house but it was better than
most. I have one older brother, Paithan, and a cousin, Diaze. We got along
great. My best friend Tass, was in love with Paithan."
"Yer brother and best friend huh?"
"They will probably be married when Tass turns eighteen." The sun was
beginning to go down. "Do you want to join me and some of the others for
supper?"
Mysteria nodded and quietly followed Art to a small cafe where the
others waited.
"Well hello, Mysteria. We didn't expect to see you here." Rebel said
as they entered. Mysteria said nothing. She sat down at the only empty
chair left at the table which happened to be by Remedy and Rhapsody a couple of the other girls in the Lodging House. A
waitress came and sat a glass of water in front of everyone.
"What'll ya have?" she asked. Every one ordered. Mysteria was last.
She quickly ordered a plain hamburger with only hot water to drink. She
took some crushed, dried, leaves out of a pouch from her pocket and put them
in the water.
"So where do ya come from?" Rebel asked initiating conversation.
"Far away." answered Mysteria distantly.
"Come on you can tell us I mean we're all friends here right?" WiseGuy
chimed in. "Where ya from?"
"Not here."
"no kidding?"
Mysteria was already half done with her hamburger.
"How did ya end up here?" Remedy asked.
"I was forced to leave my home."
"Why?"
Mysteria didn't answer. "Well?" still nothing. "Hey, come on, talk,
be friendly."
"I do not want friends." Mysteria put some money on the table and
left.
"I think you made her mad, Remedy." Painter said.
--
"Hey, Mysteria?" Remedy knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Hey, I didn't mean to upset you."
"I'm not upset. I just don't get along with people very well."
"if ya don't mind me askin', why did ya leave home? Did yer parents
kick ya out?"
"No. My life was in danger."
"Someone wanted to kill you?"
"yes?"
"Who?"
"An enemy of my Uncle's."
"Why?"
"To hurt my Uncle."
"Then why go after you? Why not your uncle?"
"Killing my uncle would not cause my uncle enough pain for him to be
satisfied. He had to kill the one my uncle cares most about."
"Oh." Remedy sat on Mysteria's bed for a moment while Mysteria got out
her book and began to study it.
"Well, good night." Remedy said as she left Mysteria. "Good night."
--
"Heero," Rehla smiled. "You shouldn't have! It, It's the most
beautiful angel I've ever seen!" Rehla jumped up off her chair and wrapped
her arms tightly around his neck. "I have one more surprise for you!" he
said when she let go. "I'm taking you to Dire's for Supper."
"Heero! You shouldn't! Just because I passed the Mage's Guild
Test..."
He took the angel necklace from her. "Turn around," She did. He put
the necklace around her neck she turned back around and kissed him.
"Reh," Heero said as he finished his main course. "What? What is it?"
She asked scared.
"We go to battle tomorrow. I just got the message today. I have to
leave."
"No. No." Rehla began to sob. Heero got up to comfort her. "They say it
is going to be short. We have a good chance of winning." He attempted to
cheer her up.
"They said that when Diaze went to war and look what happened to him!
And he was a mage! He had magic to protect him! You can't go! I won't let
you!"
"Reh, please, I am a knight. I must fight. I love to fight. It was
how I was raised. You know I love it more than anything."
"Yes, not even I can compare to your passion for fighting."
--
Many knights were suited up in their armor ready to march to battle.
The were all saying good-bye to loved ones. Rehla took Heero's hand and
closed her eyes. "Ki rah ta net kee saro." She whispered the spell of
loving protection, kissed him and then he went off to join his father and
the other knights. Rehla turned to see her uncle standing in his black
robes. He was one of the most powerful Mages. Rehla fell sobbing into his
arms.
--
"Rehla," Caramon Mangini, Rehla's father, knocked on her door. "Mrs.
Lia wants to talk to you sometime today. She said you could go over
whenever you wanted."
Rehla got up threw on her blue mage's robe and went to see Heero's
mother. On the way she met up with her uncle. "Rehla, you did so well on
your test last month that the council has decided to give you the title of
red mage and your mage name! The ceremony is tomorrow.
"That's Great!! I can't wait!" She ran on towards Mrs. Lia's.
"Mrs. Lia!! Guess what!!" Rehla exclaimed as she ran through the
door. Mrs. Lia's eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"Mrs. Lia, what's wrong?"
"They," She took a deep breath and tried again. "They are gone."
Rehla sat down on the floor. "Why, but, I, I. . ." Rehla stuttered.
"No!" She fell weeping to the floor.
"Deamon and Heero were both reported dead three days ago. But they
haven't found Heero's body."
"Then he isn't dead!! If there is no body then he is still alive. He
has to be, he. . ." She choked on her tears. The two of them sat and cried
for hours. Rehla spent the might there. They wanted to stay together to
mourn their losses.