Lotasia

Chapter 1 A princess sang with great sorrow on a white horse. She had just watched her brother rush off to fight the dragon. She sang his favorite song as he disappeared over the hill. Maria was a 14 year old girl of Royal descent. She was a tall, thin set girl who had long blonde hair and startling blue eyes. Her parents were king and queen of Applana. It was a shining kingdom of about three million people. She headed for home to begin packing to go to boarding school at Crownwall Academy for royalty and noblemen. 10 months of learning boring subjects such as curtsying, ballroom dancing, and how to dress your hair. And even worse, the uniforms were horrid and uncomfortable. At least the boys got to joust and swordfight. She longed to go to Aldwynia’s Academy of Sorcery. Aldwynia’s taught things like wandwork, herbology, and horseback riding. The uniforms were loose, flowing and free. And best of all, the food was fantastic. You could do what you wanted on Thursday’s because you got the day off. She rode into the stables and started to care for her horse. She picked out his hooves, brushed his fur, sponged him down and combed out his mane and tail. She also went to fix his feed. 2 carrots, 1 apple, and a bucket of oats mixed with a special sauce. She went to her room and was surprised to see a snowy owl perched at the window with a letter in its beak. She paid the owl and began to open a heavy envelope made of parchment with a blue wax seal bearing a flame, a water droplet, a leaf, and a gust of wind, all surrounding a large A with a clock at the bottom. Here’s what it said: Ms. Maria Flannal, We are honored to accept you into Aldwynia’s Academy of Sorcery. Term starts on August 30th. We await your messenger by no later than July 25th. Sincerely, Aldwynia Longhorn, Headmistress. Maria couldn’t believe it. She decided not to tell her parents, they’d never let her go. So she decided she’d sneak out to go to Aldwynia’s in secret. She would go to Princess Train station on the 30th of August to get to school by train like everyone did. She’d send her parents a messenger once she got there explaining where she was and what she was doing. But by then they wouldn’t be able to stop her. She needed to send Kaleb a note quickly. Kaleb was her personal bodyguard. He was a huge, wildish looking gentle giant. He had crazy brown hair. He towered 16 feet tall with huge hands and feet and could carry Maria in the palm of his hand. He was a simple man who had a Texan drawl. The owl fluttered impatiently as she scribbled a note to Kaleb. It read: Hi Kaleb, I got the letter of acceptance to Aldwynia Academy. Meet me at the market near the jewelry shop tomorrow morning so we can go to Moragon Alley to buy my supplies. Thanks, Maria. She gave the note to the owl and it flew away. The next day, she met Kaleb in town. He took her to a deserted, desolate-looking alleyway. Kaleb pulled out a long cane and started tapping the wall on the left in a series of taps and beats. When he was done, he stood back and smiled. Maria watched the wall and couldn’t believe her eyes The wall began to rumble. Several bricks fell out of the wall until there was a hole big enough for Kaleb to walk through standing straight up. After they went through, the wall repaired itself behind them. She was astonished at some of the shops. There was Oleon’s wand shop, Blither and Blatt’s bookstore, Ms. Matilda’s robe shop, you name it, and it was there. “We gotta get your cash first.” said Kaleb. Maria nodded. Over the years, she had acquired a small fortune in sorcerer’s money from her sorcerer grandparents. Every Christmas, Easter, birthday, etc., they sent her 2 Brakens {big gold coins}, 5 Tozons {medium silver coins} and a small pouch of Torcs {little copper coins}. She had been alive 14 years now, and that was a lot of sorcerer money. They went to Galgons sorcerer bank. It was run by elves. Maria thought they were cute, with their long, pointed, slightly floppy ears and twinkling eyes. They bowed them inside big oak doors, ears brushing the floor. Along each wall was a long counter. Behind those counters were elves that worked as tellers at Galgons. Maria and Kaleb walked up to a free elf “Afternoon, we’d like to take some money outta Ms. Maria Flannel’s safe please,” said Kaleb. “Do you have your key, madam?” asked the elf. “Yes, I have it right here” she said, pulling the key out of her pocket. It was an odd key, quite large and old fashioned, engraved with a rose near the handle. “Everything seems to be in order” said the elf, “Torcan!” Another elf came to the counter. “What is it, Marcos?” he asked. “Take these customers to vault 505 and help them get their money. Then usher them out the door.” instructed Marcos. “Very well. right this way, madam. You may come along, too sir” said Torcan. He led them toward another pair of oak doors, reinforced with steel this time. Once they were through, they were in a long hall of marble lined with diamond vaults. Beside each vault was a little gold plaque with a number on it. There was also a series of automated scooters for guests and elves to ride on. When they got to vault 505, Torcan inserted the key into the lock and the door swung open. There were piles of Brakens, loads of Tozons, and countless Torcs. Kaleb helped Maria pile some of it into her spare purse. “There, that’ll be enough for a few terms.” said Kaleb. Torcan ushered them out the door and onto the street. Kaleb said they’d get her messenger first. They entered Bolkon’s messenger shop and left a few minutes later with an adorable husky puppy Maria had named Misty. The messengers were animals that were note carriers that served their masters. The master would write a note, give it to the messengers and the animals would take the messages to the assigned person. Nearly everyone had at least one messenger. They went to do shopping for things like robes and cauldrons. After they were done general shopping, they headed for Oleon’s wand shop. When they entered, a man Maria assumed was Mr. Oleon, told her to tell him the season of her birth. “Summer” she replied. “And your birthstone, Miss.” he said. “Ruby” she answered, not quite sure what was going on. He went to the back room muttering “14 inch crystal with ruby channel”. He came back with the most beautiful wand she had ever seen. It looked as if it were made of polished glass with a big ruby on the end. He handed it to her and said “Here it is. You must take good care of it, for this is the wand you will have forever.” She said thank you, paid 3 Brakens for her wand, and left. On August 30th, Maria met Kaleb at Princess Station, all packed and ready to go. Misty barked on the end of her leash. Maria boarded the train with a smile. Kaleb went to sit in the adult car. She had just settled in to her compartment when suddenly the door slid open. A young girl with jet black hair poked her head in and said, “Is anyone sitting here?” “No.”, said Maria. “I’m Jenny”, said the girl. “I’m Maria” said Maria. Jenny was a Duke and Duchess’s daughter. She had bright green eyes, she was short and she was extremely thin. She was headed off to the Academy as well. “Can I see your wand?” said Jenny suddenly. Maria pulled out her beautiful crystal wand with a ruby channel. “Can I see yours?” asked Maria. Jenny pulled a lovely oak wand with a zircon channel out of her purse. “It isn’t as nice as yours, but it’s a great wand if you like charmwork.” said Jenny. “Mine’s great with illusions.” Said Maria, who found Jenny almost as interesting as Jenny found her. “Do you like watching volleyball?” asked Maria. “Sure, it’s the greatest game on earth!” said Jenny, “what’s your favourite team?” “The Applainian Lions.” said Maria. “Me too!” exclaimed Jenny, delighted to have made a new friend who just happened to be the princess of Applana. Just then the compartment door slid open.