Mistaria: The Story

Mistaria has always been peaceful. It is ruled by the beloved Queen Cassandra. But, when Mistaria's much loved queen falls ill, it is up to her daughter, Maria, and her friends to find the cure. But is it lost forever? And is the sickness more than just bad luck? Read on, and find out!

Rain splattered on the ground, and the sky was grey. Clouds covered the sun. Cassandra stared out the window, holding baby Maria in her arms. The young child was snoring soundly. Cassandra stood there for a bit, staring at the green hills of Mistaria. Leaves were flowing in the wind, making a calming noise. The baby smiled in her sleep. Soon, the sky cleared and the rain reduced. All of the clouds slowly drifted away but one,which was directly above the sun. It was pure white, and the sun seemed to be darker than usual. Then, the cloud began to drift away, but the sun stayed dark. Cassandra shook her head. Weird things like that happened all the time.

Cassadra brushed her long, brown hair back, stroking her child softly. It slowly awoke, it's huge blue eyes staring up at her. Cassandra smiled down on it. It smiled, cooing. It squirmed in her arms. Cassandra stroked the baby girl's head. Dew drops dotted the grass. As the wind blew through them, they blew away, making it look like it was raining. Shadows curled around the baby's room, and it relaxed Cassandra.

Fur brushed her leg. She looked down, and it was her cat, Farien. The old cat had worry in his eyes. "What is is?" Cassandra asked. The cat frowned. "Bad times are coming, Cassandra." He said.

Cassandra tilted her head in confusion. "Farien, what do you mean?" She asked him.

Farien sighed. "Even I, a Fairland cat, do not understand it. All I know, it that it will not be good."

Cassandra huffed, being slightly impatient, as usual. "Farien, that isn't any help! That's just another way of saying it'll be bad, and you've already said that!"

Farien sighed. "Well, I don't know much. I am sorry." He said. "We will know more, in time."

Cassandra sighed and adjusted the silver tiara lying on her head. She sighed. Maria began to softly cry.

Cassandra shushed her. "Hush, little one." She said.

Farien's eyes twinkled. He purred, and the infant giggled. Then, she closed her eyes. Her snoring was soft and light. Cassandra laid the child down in it's crib, then began to walk away. She smiled at the infant one last time, then flicked her wrist. The lights shut off, and the sun began to set, leaving an orange glow of light, streaming directly on the child.

"No, not like that!" Huffed Verin, looking down at his charred robes. "Not like that at all!"

Maria looked down, in both shame and embarrasment. Her fiery orange hair fell around her face. A furry face brushed her own. It was her Companion, Farien's daughter, Yanna. "You'll get it next time!" The cat mewed, her tail waving in the wind.

Maria patted the cat on the head. "You would know." She said, smiling. She was referring to Yanna's ability to see into the past present, or future, like all cats could. Or, at least, Fairland cats. Maria stood up.

Varien turned to look at her. "Are you ready to try again?" He asked.

Maria nodded. Her friends, Sarah and Luke, who were sitting on a fallen log, looked up. They smiled at her. She smiled back. Then, Maria held out her palm, and chanted, "Incantar!" Her palm lit up in flame.

Luke's firebird chirped, seemingly in approval. Luke nodded to it. Sara smiled at her younger friend. "Awesome, Mari!" She said.

Maria waved her hand over the flame, and it dissapeared. She glowed with pride. Verian nodded in approval. "Good job, Maria." He said. Maria's smile widened with her mentor's praise. Sarah and Luke had already done their fire-bringing spells.

"Back to the castle!" Verin said.

The old wizard began to walk back. Luke and Sarah were the children of the royal sorcerer, Roland, so they lived in the castle as well. They slept and ate in the huge cottage near it, but there free time was usually spent in their real home. The three apprentices walked inside the castle, and their Companions, Yanna, Luke's firebird, Alexander, and Sarah's Mini Light Dragon, Lola, were behind them, and they were talking with each other. Maria could only hear Yanna, though. She did not share a language band with the other two.

Her cat was saying, "Lola, stop! It's hurting my eyes!" But the cat added a small smirk.

The small Light Dragon's tail tip was shining brightly, directly in Yanna's face. Lola roared, in a type of laughter, and soon they were both giggling. Alexander looked at them in disgust, but Lola said something, and soon
the Firebird was laughing as well. Maria smiled at the Companions. She turned back to her friends. They were
talking about the lesson for the next day.

"Verin told me we're going to learn non-magical combat, in case we lose our magic." Maria said, jumping in.

Luke nodded. "Yup! Stuff like swords and bows. It's all very facinating." He said.

Maria turned and saw that Alexander was missing. "Hey, where's Alexander?" She asked her cat.

"He went off the collect some things. Oh! And he told me to tell you to tell Luke where he went. Kind of confusing."

Maria nodded. "I'll tell him." She said. She turned back to her friends again. "Hey, Luke?" Maria said.

Luke turned to her. "Yeah?" He asked.

"Alexander's off collecting things. He told Yanna to tell me, so I could tell you."

Luke nodded. "He does stuff like that all the time." He said, with an edge of nervousness in his voice.

Maria tilted her head in confusion. "You okay?" She asked him.

"I'm-I'm fine." He responded.

Maria shrugged. "Whatever you say!" She said.

Then, a bird's shriek filled the air. Luke's eyes widened. It was Alexander.

Luke dashed off, towards the sound.

"Luke wait!" Maria called, but it was too late. Luke had already sped off.

Sarah's eyes filled with worry. "Oh, no!" She said. She picked up Lola and dashed off after her brother. Maria exchanged worried glances with Yanna, before she ran off, her Companion directly at her heels.

They ran into the clearing, where Luke sat on the ground, staring at something. Maria jogged over, and saw a limp Alexander, lying on tne ground.

"Is he dead?" She whispered.

Luke turned to face her, then shook his head. "No, but he's unconcious." The small firebird was drenced in water, from head to toe. Aleather satchel hung around his neck."He must have forgetten this at the training area." Luke said. "He's so smart, but he always forgets everything!" Yanna licked her feathered friend, in attempt to wake him up.

"How'd he get all wet?" Asked Sarah.

Luke shook his head. "I'm sure it wasn't a non-living object, or else Alexander wouldn't have screeched so loud. But Maria's mom's powers keep vicious beasts away. Nothing here would attack Alexander, I'm sure." Luke spectulated.

"Yeah, everyone likes Zan! Right, Mari?" Asked Sarah.

As Maria nodded, Luke said, "You're lucky Alexander isn't concious right now, sis." Luke said. "Or he'd have clawed your eyes out. He hates that nickname." Sarah laughed, as Lola roared in amusement. Then she said something to Sarah, their language bands jingling in unison as she spoke.

"Lola says that she calls Zan that all the time, and her eyes aren't gone!" Sarah said, while brushing back her long, blond hair. Then, she burst out laughing again. Yanna began to talk with Lola, and Alexander began to stir. He squawked something as he woke up. First sounding urgent, then calming. Luke laughed, and Lola and Yanna did too. Sarah and Marina exchanged confused glances, but didn't say anything.

"Good to have you back, Alexander!" Luke said, perching the bird on his shoulder. The firebird attempted to take flight, but failed. All he accomplised was a sneeze. Alexander cawed something to Luke. "Yeah, you won't be flying until you're dry." Luke told his bird.

"Now, lets get back to the castle before Mari's mom sends half of the royal guard looking for us!" Sarah said. The six wizards and Companions laughed, then began to walk back. Lola was walking behind the three wizards, talking with Yanna. Alexander stayed perched on Luke's shoulder, the leather satchel stil hung around his neck. Maria watch as he opened it with he beak and looked through it's contents. Lume talked a bit with him, and tne two girls chatted amongst themselves.

"Do you think she's worried?" Fretted Maria, worried that her mom thought she was hurt.

"Maybe. She is a little over protective." Sarah said.

Maria shoved her lightly. "I'm sure she won't be. We've only been gone for what? A minute?"

Sarah shrugged. "Well, you know her better than I do." They reentered the castle, where Cassandra was stabding there.

"Thank goodness!" She said. "I though you could have been in trouble!"

"Told ya." Said Sarah.

Maria gave her another shove. "We're fine, mom." She said.

Her mother noticed Alexander. "Oh, my!" She said, adjusting her crown, a habit of hers. Maria usually never wore her own.

Alexander frowned a bit, and Luke said, "We found him, drenched and unconcious. He's awake now, but he still can't fly."

Cassandra frowned. "Poor thing. Hope he's okay."

The bird nodded. Meanwhule, Yanna and Farien where talking as well. "We're fine!" Yanna insisted.

Farien mewed a reply. Maria looked out the window. The sky was darkening. When tbe conversation had ended, between both the humans and the animals, the apprentices and their Companions left for Verin's cottage. They soon arrived, because kt wasn't far away. As they neared, they saw Verin's companion, a salamander named Mink, which Maria thought was a silly name, crawling around. Salamander's were telepathic, and could read minds. The companions nodded a hello, and Mink smiled back. The apprentices walked inside, their companions directly after. Except for Alexander, who still remained on Luke's shoulder. They ate a quick meal of beef and fish stew, then Verin quizzed them.

"Cast a sheild spell." He directed Maria.

She held out her palm and said, "Salandar." A sheild make entirerly of magical particles appeared in her hand. She smiled.

"Now make it dissapear." Said Verin. She rubbed her hand down the backside of the sheild in one quick move, and it dissapeared. Verin walked to Sarah.

"Quick, a counter spell!" She said, pointing his finger at Sarah and causing a small blast of ice to shoot at her. It wouldn't have harmed her if it had met, but Sarah's reflexes were faster than a cat's. "Barani!" She said. She sent the ice back at Verin, and hit him straight in the chest. He nodded at her as well.

His gaze turning to Luke, he said, "How do you make an invisibility potion?" He asked.

Luke calmly answered, "One Yachimen berry, two blades of Will Grass, and four dashes of Pecha spice. Some wizards add a pinch of Dronien Powder, to add to the taste."

Verin smiled. "Very good." He said. "Now, my pupils, you may rest. We will learn more tommorrow." The apprentices changed into their sleeping attire, then hopped into their beds. Maria rested her head on her pillow, and Yanna curled up beside her. "Good Night." Yawned Maria. " 'night" Yanna yawned back. Maria soon fell asleep.

Maria dreamed of a sun. Simple enough, to her. But then the sun darkened, and turned a shade of red close to blood. A pure white cloud appeared over it. For only a moment, the vision stayed. Then, Maria woke. She hopped out of bed and slipped on her clothes. She also slipped on her small cloak. She walked downstairs, where Luke already was, eating an egg sandwhich. He was dressed in his usual clothes, a white linen shirt and black pants. Maria sat down and made her own sandwhich. As she took her first bite, Verin walked in. "Good morning Lucas, Maria. Is Sarah not awake?" The two apprentices shook their heads in unison. Verin made himself a sandwich, and began to eat. Maria and Luke finished their meals. Sarah stumbled into the room, her eyes half closed. "Good morning, Sarah." Verin said. " 'Morning." Sarah mumbled. She walked outside. Luke and Maria exchanged glances, then stood up, following Sarah. They found her outside, practicing a spell. "Fratalos!" Sarah chanted. The leaf in front of her head to float. She moved her palm left and right. The leaft followed. She smiled. Then there was clapping from behind Luke and Maria. Sarah and the other apprentices turned. It was Verin.

"Very nice, Sarah." He said. She blushed. "Now, for lessons." Said Verin. "Reldalo!" He said. Nothing seemed to happen.
Something occured to Maria. "Incantar!" She said, reciting the spell from the previous day. Nothing happened.

"I knew it!" Said Luke. "You've removed our magic!"

Verin nodded. "Correct, Lucas. Today we will learn about non magical combat." He said. He waved his hand, and a table with three weapons appeared. There was two daggers, a sword, and a bow. "Choose." Said Verin. Sarah immediatley grabbed the bow. Luke grabbed the sword. Which left the daggers for Maria. She slipped one in her bag. Verin noticed, and shook his head.

"You'll need both." He said. "Appereto!" He said.

A large green Grunot appeared. It was six times the size of Maria, and had a large horn of it's head. It hands were clawed, and it wore a large snarl upon it's face. The beast roared. The three apprentices stared at it in fear.

"Attack!" Said Verin calmly, for it was him who had created the beast. Sarah shot an arrow, between it's eyes. It roared. It charged toward her. Maria's look grew determined. She threw a dagger at the Grunot's leg.

"Over here!" She shouted. The beast turned and charged toward her. She ran towards it. She ducked under it's legs, and ripped her dagger from it's flesh, causing it to roar and stomp angrily. It's leg narrowly missed her. She ran out from beneath it, and saw Luke running at it, his sword raised. He stabbed it in the stomach. It grunted in pain, and fell. As it struggled to get up, it clawed Maria's leg, causing her to fall as well. The wound bled heavily, and Sarah looked at her in worry.

"I'm fine." Maria said.

She stabbed her dagger into the Grunot's stomach, right next to where Luke had stabbed his sword. The wound opened farther. Sarah shot an arrow, at it flew, landing right in the wound. The Grunot groaned in pain, then fell still.

Sarah grinned. "That wasn't so hard." She said.

Then, there was a low rumble. Three smaller Grunots sprouted from the larger fallen one.

"Never underestimate your enemy." Called Verin.

One Grunot charged at each apprentice. Sarah shot arrows at her own, keeping it away from her. Luke slashed at his, but a few blows were delivered by the Grunot as well. Maria threw her first dagger at the Grunot's stomach. It peirced the green skin, causing the Grunot to fall back. The Grunot was about as tall as Maria herself. It tilted it's head forward in anger, and charged towards her, it's sharp horn aimed right at her. As it neared. She stabbed her dagger straight at it,s head, and pulled her other out. The Grunot hissed and fell. Maria then pulled the dagger out of it's head. The Grunot was dead. Sarah's had already fallen, and she was helping Luke. The three Companions were sitting on a tree stump, knowing better than to interuppt Verin's lesson by helping the apprentices. Before Maria could rush over to help her friends, Luke delivered the final blow, slicing open it's chest.

The three apprentices were covered in cuts and scratches, as well as grime. Verin flicked his wrist and the four Grunot bodies dissapeared.

Then, the wizard mentor said, "Regyon." Once again, nothing seemed to happen. This time, it was Luke who tested the magic. "Incantar!" He said, using the same spell Maria had. A flame lit in his palm. He grinned. The three apprentices looked up at Verin.

He gave a good natured chuckle. "My, you three are quite a sight!" He said. "But, you did well."

The apprentices smiled at the praise. Then, they heard yelling. "Urgent news!" They heard. They turned and saw a messenger running towards them. "The queen is ill!"

Maria frowned. "She is?" She asked. "What wrong?" The messenger frowned. "Roland says that it is a deadly illness called Melinhes. He also says that there is no way of her recovering. The only ointment, Jaspen, no longer exisists." Maria frowned even wider. "There has to be a way! I'm going to go see mom!" She said, a bit louder than she had meant to. She dashed off. Sara and Luke exchanged glances, then followed Maria. Verin calmly walked behind. Maria reached the castle, and pushed open the door. She quickly ran up the stairway to her mother's room, and pushed open the huge doors.