I called it Kureshi's Tale, and I submitted it in this writing contest in sixth grade. Looking back on it now, it is absolutely horrible. It was the longest thing I had ever written at the time, but since then I've participated in NaNoWriMo. What are your opinions?




Part I: PROLOGUE

Kureshi was born in the Birthing Cave, 12 falls ago, on November 10. The Birthing Cave was the most sacred place to be brought into the world through from Heaven. It was considered to be magical, to wish your newborn child good luck when they entered this world. Kureshi’s Parents, Kuruomo –father-, and Paye Reshi –mother-, were very wealthy, therefore, birthing Kureshi in the Cave, and leaving her a fortune, blessed by the generations before her, that most every Villager wanted in the Village of Radey, where Kureshi lived.
After Kureshi was born, her parents got the “Departure of the Old” ceremony. Kureshi never understood this exactly. It was when two parents of a newborn would be held into a casket together, to wait for death. They did this so that the secret island would not overcrowd with people.
The Village of Radey was on an unknown island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The Villagers were terrified of the Water, but Kureshi always found it fascinating. Since the young were not to know of what lie beyond those waters, most did not think of them as calming, like Kureshi. They thought of it as a great blockade, restraining them to the island’s capacity. The Villagers never wanted to go beyond this Water.
But Kureshi always had something else in mind.

Kureshi felt it was her goal, her destiny, to go beyond the Pacific, and see what should be seen. Others believed she was crazy, insane, to think that there was life past the Island. Although Kureshi knew that it was a bit odd, she stuck to her instincts, and never stopped her theory from entering her mind.
In fact, to her, it wasn’t a theory. She had seen two boats. One was just sailing across the horizon. Another actually came to the island, dropping off a little redheaded Southern-looking boy that Kureshi later learned to be Toghoshin. And also, her dreams.

Most of the Children wanted to become Leaders, or Teachers of the Children. Kureshi wanted to be an explorer, to look to the other side of the world. In her spare time, she would create maps of the Island, and tried to sell them to the Villagers. Most wondered why she couldn’t be like the other Children. If she did, they would adopt her. She was pretty, in School, and had money. But the Village, or, Mae Oarien, the Leader owned Kureshi. Kureshi appreciated Mae Oarien, but longed to have a family of her own. To have someone adopt her.
No one really liked Kureshi. Except Maelya. Maelya was a Schoolmate of Kureshi. Maelya was 18 winters old, therefore, much older than Kureshi. Since Kureshi was from the North, she had long dark hair, but Maelya, from the East, had blonde hair that only went up to her chin. But, no matter how different they were, the pair were the best of friends, and nothing could tear them apart. They both thought frequently of the world outside of the Island, but Maelya did not think as much of it as Kureshi did. Although they were different, they both found each other good company, high-quality friends.



Part II: ESCAPE

“Kureshi! Time to wake up! Now!” Mae Oarien screamed in her loud, shrill voice.
“5 more minutes, please,” Kureshi groaned.
“Iie! Now!”
Kureshi sighed. She sat up in bed and did her morning meditation. 1-2-3-4, she thought to herself as she breathed in, 5-6-7-8.
Although Kureshi hated the other traditions of the Island, she always found the morning meditation very calming. And peaceful. It was her only time to think clearly without Mae Oarien, the Western white haired Leader, or Naye Caelta, her Northern teacher, in her face.
Kureshi had a dream last night, about the New Land. This land had no limits, only freedom. To think what they thought, to say their ideas. Here in this hideous land, none of this was very possible. The Land was beautiful, with mountains scraping the sky, and waters that glowed with exquisiteness. What Kureshi felt when she had the dream was, just, indescribable. Impossible to explain. A mixture of love, peace, wonder. Of pure happiness. Just seeing it made her heart glow. She thought that if she would see it, well it would just leave Kureshi in awe.
Then, Kureshi saw the most beautiful thing in the world. It was a statue of a woman, holding a book and a candle lantern in her hands. There were tons of people staring at this wonderful work of art, studying its beauty.
“Kureshi!” Mae Oarien screamed again.
“Coming Mae Oarien!” Kureshi shouted back.
She undressed from her nightgown and changed into her clothes: a woven burgundy shirt with golden accents; a scarf around her waist; a pair of blue pants; and boots made of sheepskin. Kureshi grabbed her Mother’s necklace from under her pillow. It was the only thing she had left of her Mother. Kureshi wrapped the suede string around her neck and laid the shark tooth just right. Her Mother had found the tooth on lying on the beach one day.
Then Kureshi hurried outside to the Fire Pit, where breakfast was.
As Kureshi locked her cabin door behind her, she immediately smelt the burning ashes. She turned around to see dozens of Children running along the dirt paths and Women walking along.
Kureshi stepped into the path and headed for the Fire Pit.
“Kureshi!” Maelya greeted. “Konnichiwa.”
“Konnichiwa,” Kureshi greeted with a small bow.
“Here,” Maelya handed Kureshi a fish from the Water.
“Arigatou,” Kureshi thanked. “Let’s go down to the Water.”
“Hai!” Maelya also loved the Water.
Kureshi and Maelya walked down to the outskirts of the Village, the lovely Beach.
They sat on the shoreline, talking. Kureshi told Maelya about her dream.
“Do you think the statue means anything?” Maelya asked.
“I’m not sure of anything anymore.”
“You know, Kureshi? I think that someday, you will travel to the end of the world!” Maelya joked.
“You think?”
Suddenly, Maelya stood up, and jumped into the water!
“Ha!” Kureshi laughed. She slipped off her boots and jumped into a wave.
The pair laughed and splashed each other. Then, Kureshi lied in the Water on her back. Maelya followed.
“I love the Water,” Kureshi repeated over and over again. She closed her eyes.
Then, Kureshi saw her first vision. …Maelya…in the Water…gasping for breath…
“Kureshi!” Maelya screamed. Kureshi opened her eyes.
Her vision had arrived.
Maelya was falling into the water! Gasping for breath, she couldn’t wait longer. Kureshi swam over to her and helplessly tried to grab a hold of her. Maelya was screaming, though, flailing her arms for something to hold on to. Her arms caught hold of Kureshi, dragging her under.
Maelya next grabbed her Mother’s necklace. The tooth sank to the bottom. “Someone, help!” Kureshi shrieked with all her might. “Help!”
Horribly, Mae Oarien came to their rescue. She jumped into the water, as if she were rescuing her own Children. She snatched Kureshi and Maelya and dragged them to shore.
After catching her breath, the scolding came.
“Kureshi, Maelya, what were you doing in that Water?”
“Um…um…” Kureshi stammered.
“That’s it!” Mae Oarien scolded. “Both of you! To your cabins! Now!”
Kureshi slipped on her boots and walked up to the Village with her head bowed in shame.
“Tsk tsk…” Mae Oarien closed Kureshi’s door behind her.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Kureshi gave a questioning look and walked to the door. She opened it to see nothing.
“Huh?” Kureshi asked.
She looked down. There was a note! It read, “Kureshi, I saw your incident in the Water. Come to me, and I can show you an escape route at the Beach, on Monday.” It was signed “土語森”.
Two sentences were long enough for Kureshi to understand. But who gave the note to her?
Kureshi sounded out the kanji. “To-go-shin. To-go-shin. Toghoshin!”
I have to go! Kureshi thought to herself. But it’s on Monday! Today’s Friday!

The next days passed by too slow for Kureshi.
Of course, she told Maelya about the note. They were walking to School when Kureshi brought it up.
Maelya said that she needed to go.
“It’s your only chance to get off of this island for good!” Maelya pleaded. “You’ve got to go. Really!”
“Well, I’m going to see whether Toghoshin really meant it. When we see him at School,” Kureshi added. “Come on, hurry up.”
She passed Maelya. “I’ve never seen you in such a rush to get to School.”
Kureshi ignored that comment. She didn’t need Maelya to hold her back. She needed to find Toghoshin.
A flicker of red shined in the sun. Kureshi’s eyes searched around to find the red spot. Toghoshin!
“Toghoshin!” Kureshi shouted.
He turned around. And waited.
Yes, Kureshi thought.
“Um…” Kureshi started.
Toghoshin pulled her behind an oak tree off the Path. There were full bushes in front of it. Kureshi panicked.
“Shhh,” Toghoshin said in his Southern accent. He could tell she was afraid because he put his hand on Kureshi’s shoulder. “Meet me here after school. I will answer your questions then.”
Kureshi nodded.
“Now, come on. We’re going to be late for School!” Toghoshin ran off.
Kureshi followed.
When they finally got to School, Naye Caelta gave both of them a good scolding. “No, no, no. You know that is unacceptable. It is an honor to be in School. Treat it with care.”
“Now, now, Naye Caelta, don’t be so strict. There is no need to shame the Children,” Elder Peyta Armada spoke. “They have a good, long life ahead of them.”
Elder Peyta Armada was the eldest Villager. She was treated with great respect, but was very mysterious. Her voice was soft and flowing and seemed understanding. Her white hair explained she was born in the West, and her blue eyes twinkled like her hair. Kureshi always thought she looked like a unicorn.
“Fine, fine. But they were late. They should be punished.”
“Naye Caelta, you know you won’t win against me.”
Naye Caelta gave Elder Peyta Armada a hard look. Naye Caelta reminded Kureshi of Mae Oarien; they both scared her.
As Naye Caelta sighed, she said, “Alright. Everyone, School begins now.” She rang a cattle bell.
Naye Caelta rang the bell again when School was over with. The day had seemed so long for Kureshi since she was looking forward to meeting Toghoshin after School.
Kureshi causally left School and walked to behind the oak tree.
She sat down by the trunk and waited about four minutes. She jumped when she heard:
“Kureshi?”
It was Toghoshin.
“Konnichiwa, Toghoshin,” Kureshi replied.
“Hai, now then, what would you like to know?” Toghoshin quizzed as he walked down a smaller path.
“What you mean really, about showing me the New Land.”
“Well, you see, I was born in a place called America. It was a beautiful land. With tall mountains, and vast oceans, it was pure heaven.”
“I had a dream about that place,” Kureshi interrupted.
“Yes?”
“But, I also saw a statue. A lady, holding a book and a lantern.”
“The Statue of Liberty,” he sounded positive so Kureshi didn’t ask twice.
“Wow.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed you would have seen it yet.”
Kureshi was confused by this, but didn’t ask. She nodded her head like she understood.
“You don’t understand.” Toghoshin read her thoughts. “It’s best you don’t.
“Now, on Monday at dawn, I want you to meet me here, on the shore. Hide behind the oak until it is safe. Creep your way down, but be careful, for some Villagers fish around there in the morning. Be very careful. There are posers everywhere.”
“Posers?”
“Adults, Children, anyone. They try to cut us off from the real world, but I know better. Trust me, and you’ll stay safe.”
Kureshi nodded. “Arigatou.”
“Mmm. Now, you must go.”

That night, Kureshi sat in bed thinking about what Toghoshin said. Posers, she thought, I wonder who they are. He said they could be anyone. I wonder if Maelya is one. She could try to stop me on Monday! Or she could tell Mae Oarien! Or Naye Caelta! No, she’s my friend. She wouldn’t betray me like that.
Kureshi thought all of this, and kept thinking until she fell asleep. And then she had a dream, a vision.
…It was Kureshi…and a man…running…scared…chasing…Kureshi was behind the oak…

Kureshi peeked out of her door early Monday morning. Yes, she thought. No one in sight!
Silently, Kureshi crept down the wooden steps, avoiding the squeaky one.
Yes! So far, so good, she thought, Now to get to the Beach.
Kureshi slinked pass the few early-rising Villagers who were walking along the Paths. They were supposed to be watching her, but were obviously not.
Kureshi couldn’t help but smile as she was so proud of herself. Bad choice, Kureshi thought as a man asked her where she was going.
“Uh…?” Kureshi shook.
“Well?”
Kureshi ran. She was freaking out already. It didn’t help that the man followed after her.
This is when Kureshi was glad she had mapped the Forest. There was a small shortcut, but she had to turn by the two dead bushes. Or rather, bare branches. But to find them! Kureshi thought. She was getting frustrated.
There! Her head screamed as the bushes appeared in sight. She turned and jumped over the branches. She ran and circled around paths. The Villager was right behind her. She took a quick turn again, but jumped into bushes right away.
The Villager ran right past her.
After Kureshi saw the Villager go out of sight, she stood up from the branches. Her knees and elbows were scraped and scratched from the pointy thorns, but she had to get to the Beach.
She tiptoed past the Villagers as she walked out of the bushes. Every time someone looked around, Kureshi would lie low or jump into the greenery at lining the Path. Finally, she made it to the oak tree, gasping for breath.
That’s when reality struck her. She’d had another vision.
Kureshi didn’t exactly enjoy the visions. Some of them were scary. Like the one she’d gotten of her parents departure. Those visions had haunted her in her dreams. But some were nicer. Like before she met Maelya, she’d had a vision of her. Kureshi had always kept faith because of that.
Kureshi thought hard about the man. Just like Toghoshin said. He was probably a poser. But how did he seem to know where I was going?
A door slammed loudly and snapped Kureshi back. It was Mae Oarien and Maelya. “Kureshi!” they were screaming over and over again.
Kureshi was just about to stand up when a body pushed her back to the ground. Next thing Kureshi knew, Toghoshin was pulling her down the path leading to the Beach.
“What happened back there?” Kureshi asked.
“Those people, they were posers.”
“But they were my friends!”
“No one is your true friend.” Toghoshin said with a tone that said ‘Let’s not talk about it’.
So Kureshi just let it be.
As Toghoshin got nearer to the beach, the calling for Kureshi stopped. Finally, Kureshi put her foot onto the burning hot sand. Although it hurt, Kureshi and Toghoshin kept running in the direction of a large boat.
But Kureshi heard the calling again. She turned her head to see Maelya and Mae Oarien chasing after her along the beach. Just as Kureshi and Toghoshin stepped on the boat deck, the posers were just a few yards away.
Kureshi had made it! Yes! she thought. Free at last!
“Welcome aboard,” Toghoshin said.
Kureshi smiled. “Here,” Toghoshin said. In his hand he held Kureshi’s necklace.
Kureshi gasped. She took it. “But how did you -?”
“It was lying on the beach.”
“Arigatou.”
Toghoshin nodded. “Now, come there’s someone I want you to meet.”
He brought Kureshi to a young girl sitting in the corner. She only looked about eight years old and had white hair and emerald green eyes. She was wearing a torn dress that looked like it had never been washed. Kureshi felt embarrassed that she had such nice clothing. “This is Chase.” Toghoshin said.
“Konnichiwa, Chase. I’m Kureshi.”
“Hello.” She had a quiet, kid-like voice that made Kureshi smile.
“Alright,” Toghoshin said after a few moments of silence. “I must go help the other crew members. You two have fun. And be careful.” he warned.
Kureshi tied her Mother’s necklace around her neck. She wanted to say something to Chase, but she didn’t know what.
“Are you like Water?” Chase asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Your element. You seem very Watery.”
“I guess.” Kureshi said. Chase seemed mature for her age.
“Do you like the Water?”
“Yes. It’s my favorite place.”
Chase nodded. “Me, too.”
It was silent after that. Soon, Chase fell asleep and so did Kureshi.

When Kureshi woke up, rain was falling.
“Kureshi, why did you sleep so long?” Chase asked. “I like it when we talk, let’s talk more!”
“Chase?” Kureshi droned. “What’s wrong?”
“I missed you!”
Kureshi sat up. Toghoshin was next to her. Kureshi liked him by her and scooted closer to him. Her shoulder brushed against his. Kureshi blushed.
“Glad to see you’re awake.” Toghoshin said.
Kureshi nodded. “Are we there yet?” She knew she sounded like a little girl, but Kureshi was getting impatient.
“Almost. We went around a large island and now we are traveling north.”
“How much longer?”
“Another day or two. Now, let’s get something to eat.”
Kureshi stood up and stretched. Her stomach growled.
“I can see you’re hungry.” Chase teased.
“And tired.” Kureshi added. She sat back down.
Toghoshin brought some bread over by the girls. “This is all we have.” he said.
Kureshi gratefully took a big piece of bread.
“You’re a cow.” Chase teased again.
“No, I’m hungry,” Kureshi corrected angrily. She wasn’t used to putting up with younger Children.
She shoved the bread in her mouth and chewed. This way, if Chase said something, Kureshi would have an excuse to not answer it.
When Kureshi finished chewing, she said that she was going to look around the ship. Toghoshin said yes. So Kureshi set off.
First, she went down some steps leading off from the deck. There was a mewing sound at the bottom. Kureshi smiled as a kitten came into view. “Hello, kitty, kitty, kitty.”
She went up to pet it. The kitten purred. He had brown fur with a white spot on his back. Kureshi liked this kitten. It went up to her and rubbed against her leg.
“I will keep you,” Kureshi decided. “I will name you Neko.”
Neko mewed. Kureshi picked him up and carried him up the stairs.
“What is this?” Toghoshin asked.
“Neko, my cat. I found him on board.”
Toghoshin nodded. “We are almost to America.”
“We are?!”
“Yes. In fact, look.” He pointed off to the distance.
Kureshi saw it. She saw her world. She saw the statue of the woman holding a book and a lantern. She also saw the New World. The world of new opportunity and choices.
Ahead of her, she saw the world of freedom.



I had a part three and four planned, but never got around to finishing them. Sigh, how embarrassing.


Part III: America

“Sayounara, Toghoshin. Thank you so much for bringing me here. It means a lot to me.” Kureshi said sadly. Chase jumped off the boat deck with Neko in her hand and onto the Land. “I will miss you.”
“I shall miss you too, Kureshi.” Toghoshin said. “Someday, I will come to America and meet you here, on this very dock. Don’t forget it.”
“I won’t.” Kureshi said. She wanted to sob, but she knew she had to stay strong.
Toghoshin took Kureshi’s hand and kissed it. Kureshi hugged him back, wanting to stay with him forever. “I will never forget you, Toghoshin.” Kureshi whispered. “Never.”
Kureshi let go. “Good bye, Kureshi!” Toghoshin yelled as the boat set off.
“Good bye!”
Chase and Kureshi waved until the boat was out of sight.
“Now what?” Chase asked, petting Neko.
“I don’t know.”
All this time, the pair was facing the Water. They finally turned around when they heard a loud siren.
A shiny white object on wheels with flashing lights zoomed past them. Chase and Kureshi screamed and the pedestrians walking past stared at them. Kureshi gave them a weak smile, grabbed Chase and walked away quickly.
“Where can we go?” Chase wondered aloud.
“I don’t know.”
“How will we survive? We have no food or money!”
“Thanks for making me feel better, Chase,” Kureshi said sarcastically.
As it got darker, they arrived at a park and sat down on a bench.

 

 

 

Reply

Here is another one, though probably slightly more recent. Seventh grade? Called "Marajha" as a tentative title.


As Marajha was walking down a crowded market street, a piece of parchment blew towards her, pausing at her feet. ‘Purple eyed, Wanted’, it read in large bold runes. Marajha knew of the sign’s purpose, to find Empathic people for King Shahzad to control. The law enforced was that all of the purple eyed were taken to the King.
Marajha’s mother was a Haizea, a Mage with either telepathic or empathic powers, and was forced into hiding when Shahzad began looking for powerful Haizea Empathic people. She lived with many others of her kind, keeping to herself. The King’s soldiers captured many of the Empathic, but before she died, she gave birth to Marajha, an Empathic girl bearing their sign: eyes the color of amethyst stones.
She picked up the sign, folding and pocketing it. She would show it to her sister later.
Marajha went on until she came upon a small thrift store that had incense, candles, spellbooks, and other things needed for a Haizea. Marajha entered the store, smelling the aroma of her favorite herbs. Different trinkets covered the walls, and each of them with their own purpose. The girl walked to the counter at the end of the store, pausing before she whispered, “Azara, It’s me.”
A pair of olive eyes popped out from under the counter. “Oh, Marajha,” Azara, her sister began, “Shahzad’s men have come twice looking for you. I don’t know what to say to them anymore.”
“Azara, neither do I. But I have to escape them, leave the country, or do something!”
A look of horror crawled onto Azara’s face. “Marajha, quick! They’re coming! Upstairs, now!”
Marajha was terrified, but ran up the stairway behind the counter. As she turned a corner, she heard Azara say, “I don’t know where she is. Perhaps try later.”
“We have come three times today and she is still gone,” a gruff voice replied. “Has she left you? Has the Purple-Eye betrayed you?” The sound of rough laughter floated up the stairs, and Marajha clenched her fists.
“She would never!” Azara’s voice trembled. “She…she…”
“When did you last see her?”
“Two days ago,” Azara said, sounding like she was trying not to cry.
“What did she say?”
“I don’t remember!” Azara cried. “She told me something about visiting Cousin Kahim, but…”
“Kahim?” Another voice, this one sharp and intelligent, popped up. “Kahim Saref the bookkeeper?” Azara wailed an affirmative. She’s a good faker, Marajha thought, impressed at the actress she hardly knew was her elder sister.
“Shall we seek him?” the gruff voice said. “It is a week out.”
“If we find the Purple-Eye,” another man said, “Shahzad won’t care how long we are gone.” There were other agreeing grunts.
“We’ll be leaving then,” one said. There was loud stomping as the men left the store.
“May I help you?” Azara said politely. Marajha leaned cautiously toward the stairs. Who was still there?
“I am here to warn you and the Jewel of the Haizea.” It was the crisp voice that spoke before. “You were very good to lead them off somewhere far, though I doubt Kahim will thank you for it.” His voice became so quiet Marajha couldn’t hear his words to Azara. “Shahzad has taken a personal interest in Marajha. Your mother was a great Haizea, yes. But there is more than that.”
“Such as?” Azara kept her voice mild.
“Several months before Marajha was born, she had a fortune told to her that her daughter would be very important to the Empathic Haizea. I can’t use much detail here, but you must protect Marajha with your life. Great dangers await her.” There was a pause. “Tell Marajha, that if she can, she must go to the temple of Joqur and ask for Nanji.”
“Yes,” Azara croaked, her voice hoarse. She suddenly burst out swearing an oath quietly to the Great Goddess that she would die before letting Marajha be killed. “Thank you for your business.”
“It was a pleasure,” he said louder, and exited. When she was sure no one was there but Azara, she crept downstairs.
“This is bad,” she said.
“Really bad,” Azara whispered. “Maybe even catastrophic. How much did you hear?”
“Most of it,” Marajha replied. “Except the end of your conversation with that man.” She noticed that Azara was sweating. “Big sister, what?”
“You are to go to the temple of Joqur and ask for someone named Nanji,” Azara said carefully.
“Why?”
Azara’s expression was blank. “I don’t know. He didn’t say. I’d assume it’s to do with the Haizea.”
“Oh, yes,” Marajha sighed. “Some sort of meeting for us purple-eyed mages who’ll overthrow Shahzad. Why do I always get these invites?”
From the look on Azara’s face, Marajha could tell she thought that that was not why she needed to go to the temple. Resigned, she said, “I’ll go.”
“Tonight,” Azara said. “Under night’s cover. You’ll dress in my clothes, and I’ll try and magic your eyes to look like mine.” Azara, though underdeveloped in it, was a minor mage of a level called Ikhnir. Ikhnir were mages with barely enough magic to heal and make basic charms.
Marajha sighed. “I’ll go. Call me when it is time to leave.”

Sunset had arrived, and Marajha was looking out a window trying to forget what she might be losing when she left. But memories of her mother and sister resurfaced in her mind and were impossible to put away.
Footsteps crept up the stairway that led to their house on top of the store. A voice, her sister’s, spoke emotionlessly, “It is dusk.”
“I’m coming.”
Marajha stepped away from the window and trekked down the stairs to the shop.
On the counter, there was a dark cloak that Azara handed to her. “Good luck,” Azara whispered as Marajha slipped it on. Her sister looked her squarely in the eye. “Be careful. Call me telepathically if you need me; I’ll come as fast as I can.”
“Okay, Azara. I’ll be fine,” Marajha murmured. “I promise.”
“A’guaen.” She carefully pronounced the word, as Marajha’s eyes became a deep shade of green. Azara studied her sister, the brave girl with fair skin and champagne hair. Marajha solemnly looked at Azara.
Azara handed her a small round bronze token on a chain. “This is the talisman that will change your eyes back and forth between green and purple, if you need.” Marajha nodded and took it, placing it round her neck.
“I’ll miss you, too,” Marajha said.
Azara pulled her into a hug. “Goodbye, Marajha,” she choked.
Marajha paused. “Goodbye.”
The girls separated and Marajha walked out of the shop. She walked until she could hardly see her home. She turned around and saw a single lantern illuminating Azara’s sorrowful face. May the Goddess care for you, Marajha said.
And may She bless you forever. Azara struggled to reply the appropriate response.
With one last look, Marajha walked forward, leaving behind her sister, her home, and the life that she knew.
Pushing it all behind her, Marajha continued on her way on the journey her life depended on. To the temple of Joqur, she thought, trying to ignore her deep instinct that something terrible was going to happen.

It was quite a journey to the temple. Joqur was the patron god of the city Mukhalif, a city far to the south of the city Marajha lived in. On foot, it would take about a day to reach.
Marajha had begun this quest with only a drawstring bag filled with a loaf of bread, a bit of dried sausage, and some salted fish. She also had several coins in her bag, though they would only buy her a few pieces of fruit and a room in a sleephouse for a night. She hoped it wouldn’t take that long to reach Mukhalif. She also prayed that she wouldn’t be caught on the way there.
For that reason Marajha had taken the route south through the forest. Though it was a bit of a detour and harder to get through, it was harder to track in the forest, both tracking magic and trails. She wouldn’t mind the extra time if it meant staying alive. The king wanted Empathic Mages still living, but his men weren’t always careful, and they were rewarded for a purple-eye, dead or alive.
Marajha kicked a stick out of her way, watching as a hare scrambled in the bushes at the noise. A deer peered timidly through the trees. Birds chirped above her. It was tempting to believe the woods was a peaceful place—but that was foolish. It was too dark to see all around, and had a mysterious feeling that made Marajha shiver.
Just go as fast as you can, she told herself. It’ll be alright.
By this point she needed to eat and rest. She picked a sturdy, wide tree and sat down, pulling out the cheese and stuffing it in her mouth. She also ate half the sausage before she came to her senses. She was in a forest! There was food all around. A bit a searching revealed some mushroom she knew was edible, and those too, went down the hatch. She was regretful that there was nothing to drink, but was satisfied slightly by sucking the juice out of a rich berry found nearby.
She was tempted to think she’d been walking for days. In the forest, the canopy was so thick, you couldn’t tell what time of day it was. It must have been awhile since she started, because the air was cooling down, settling around Marajha in a way she didn’t completely like. Briskly rubbing her arms, she stood and began to walk.
Then she heard a sound: dripping water. She began to walk faster. The sound was small, but it tapped into her, unnerving her. It dripped faster, louder, echoing through the woods. She began to run.
The dripping turned into pouring, and that into rushing. She turned a sharp corner and tripped on a tree root, hurdling down to the ground. She closed her eyes and put out her hands, trying to stop her fall against the rough forest floor.
Suddenly Marajha couldn’t breathe. Her body was sinking, falling farther than where the ground should be. She was dragged to the right, first trying to stay, then giving in. She tried to grasp something above her, but only felt water.
Something grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She felt herself surge onto the ground, gasping for air and coughing up water.
“Okay?” the voice was soft and male, with a slight mountain accent.
She tried to roll herself onto her stomach and push herself up, but found her arms too weak. Her rescuer helped her sit up.
“I saw you take that plunge and saw that you were going into the stream.” He allowed her to lean on him, as she couldn’t sit up by herself. Marajha weakly turned her head to look at him.
It was a young man, maybe fifteen years old. He was paler than she was, probably from living in the dark woods. His hair was tousled and brown, and he was smiling good-naturedly. But the shock was in his eyes.
They were violet.
Marajha had never met another purple-eyed mage. While she’d met other Empathic and Telepathic mages with purplish-blue or purplish-hazel eyes, she hadn’t met any other mage with eyes exactly like hers. The reality surprised her.
The man saw the amazement in her eyes, and as she opened her mouth, he clasped a hand over it. “Are you a servant of Shahzad?” he whispered fearfully, yet fiercely. “Are you here to take me to him so I can be wasted? Are you—”
She reached to her neck and touched the talisman. Instantly her eyes returned to their usual amethyst color. “No,” she said softly.
“You!” he was flustered by this. “The Jewel of the Haizea! You—it—the fortune isn’t just a tale!” Marajha made a frantic gesture trying to make him lower his voice. Quieter he said, “Forgive me, I didn’t know!”
“What are you talking about?” Marajha asked. “‘Jewel of the Haizea?’ What is that?”
He was shocked in turn. “You don’t know? You don’t even know your destiny? I hadn’t realized. What is your proper name, by the way?”
“It’s Marajha.”
His face became thoughtful. “Most curious name. Means ‘Change.’ Never mind. I’m Joranoi. Joran for short.”
“Hello, Joran,” Marajha said sleepily. “I’ve never met another true purple-eye. Have you?”
Joran looked amused at her babbling. “I can’t honestly say I’ve met too many people for about five years now. I decided it’d be easier to live a garden life in the forest than hiding all the time. But yes, you are the first true purple-eye I’ve met.” Noticing she was starting to fall asleep, he said, “Don’t sleep yet. I’ve a bed in my cabin you should sleep on. It’ll be much more comfortable than the ground. Can you stand?”
Marajha could barely sit up, much less stand. She shook her head. “With help, maybe.”
So with his arm wrapped around her, and leaning on him, she managed to stand up, albeit somewhat wobbly. “Okay.” She was able to get into the cottage, find the small bed, and collapse on it. “I think I’ll just… nap a bit before moving on,” she said, and immediately fell asleep.
In her dream, she found herself looking at a large town, with Joran standing beside her. “We’re here,” he said.
“Goddess bless,” Marajha said, appealing to her sister’s patron goddess.
“Joqur bless, Taal bless, Chidimo bless, and Akwet bless that we’ve finally gotten here!” Joran said breathlessly.
The town was just outside the forest. It was a grand town, with big buildings and fanciful gardens. In the distance Marajha saw a humongous temple.

“Marajha? Marajha, are you okay?”
Marajha’s eyes flew open, staring into Joran’s concerned ones. “You were rolling around and gasping about how amazing something was.”
She sat up, and found she didn’t need help to do it. “No, I just had an odd dream about—” she paused, trying to remember. “Something, something big…”
“If you remember, tell me. Haizea sometimes have precognitive dreams, and it could be important,” he said, walking over to the other side of the cottage. Now that Marajha could see it better, she noticed it was small, but packed. On one wall was the bed. Next to and in front of the bed were bookshelves. On the opposite side there was a small kitchen-like area, and in the middle there was a small table with two chairs. She noticed that the whole building, furniture included, seemed to be made of wood and stone.
“I couldn’t bring much with me,” Joran replied when she asked. “At first my older sister lived here with my until I was thirteen. We brought the bedspread, books, and cooking supplies. Also the glass for the windows. But we made the house itself, and the furniture. That’s why I have two chairs.”
Marajha glanced furtively at him. “Where—where is she now?”
She caught his gaze and saw sorrow. “She was killed for refusing to give information on my whereabouts.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He took a pot off the stove and set it on the table. “We Haizea live hard lives these days. You know this surely? I’m assuming you don’t just go around in the open all the time. Even though I’ve been in this forest for five years, I’m still very up on what towns nearby are like now.”
Marajha nodded. “I usually live with my older sister in her shop. Sometimes I went out, but only with this talisman”—she tapped her neck—“and a heavy cloak on, like the one I was wearing.” It was still soaking wet, lying at the foot of the bed. “By the way, what exactly happened before?”
“Yesterday,” Joran said. “There’s a river that goes through the forest. I built my house here, because it was convenient. You were running, and tripped on the tree that hides my home. Then you fell into the river, nearly drowned when I grabbed you out. You remember?”
“Yes,” Marajha said, recalling the previous day’s events. Suddenly she remembered something important. “Joran! I can’t stay! I need to get to Mukhalif and the temple of Joqur!”
Joran looked startled. “Why?”
“I don’t know,” she said, slightly embarrassed. “A special man from the Haizea, I suppose, spoke with my sister and she said he wanted me to go to the temple of Joqur and ask for Nanji.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Nanji?” he repeated.
“Yes.”
“We should leave today,” he said promptly. “However, first you need to eat and rest some more. It’s near here, but still a fairly far distance.”
Marajha reached for her bag of food and began eating, first the sausage and some bread. Though neither were her favorite meals, it felt good to get something to eat.
“Delicous, eh?” Joran teased.
“Better than yours.” Marajha noticed his meal: some corn and a small round fruit she had never seen before.
Joran proceeded to eat his food, and Marajha lied on the bed she had the night before. She closed her eyes and fell into a slumber.

“Marajha!” Joran shouted. She woke in an instant to see a frightened look on Joran’s face. “We must go now! Shahzad has gotten notice of our whereabouts and is heading here as we speak. Get out of bed; we are leaving.”
Marajha climbed out of bed, touching the talisman to turn her eyes green. As they did, she grabbed the drawstring bag, slinging it over her back.
Joran was holding the cabin door open, sweating. Marajha rushed out of it as he followed. Joran led her to a white horse, which they mounted, Marajha in the back. Joran nudged the horse’s sides, and they were off. Far off, Marajha could hear the whinnies of other horses that she assumed to be Shahzad’s.
They galloped away from Joran’s home. Marajha turned her head to look back, seeing soldiers surrounding his house, which was being destroyed by axes and anything other destructive weapons they could find. Walls were Joran didn’t look back, but seemed to know of the happenings; he was trembling.



This one was never finished :[

 

 

 

Reply

And this story, I actually like. I don't know--something about princesses just seems so cute to me!

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there lived a king and queen. These monarchs ruled a piece of valuable land that had been fought over numerous times throughout the centuries. Among the many wars for this area, there was a terrible struggle for power that became more notorious than any other one before. A nearly immortal enchantress called Charis, known for her works of evil, claimed the throne as her own for a long period of time; no one dared to speak against her word or to plan of a coup for fear of their lives. But, one brave soul surfaced about two hundred years after the enchantress took power. This man, named Nikon, sacrificed himself to save his country by leading a brutal battle. Eventually he led his armies into victory, becoming king. His first act of restoring peace to the land he called Ryvain, was to shun the enchantress from his country forever.
Two generations later, a king called Nikolaos controlled his grandfather’s land. Ryvain had been thriving ever since the banishment of Charis, though the country never recovered its hate of magic. King Nikolaos himself set out the decree that no magic should ever be used in any public places. The king had worked hard to enforce that law in order to keep his family safe.
About two months before King Nikolaos announced his statement against magic, a western country called Kaspinya contacted him. They wished to join forces with him for his protection against Charis. The king Nikolaos agreed; he knew that would be valuable to him with an increase in protection and trade. One major problem with the two countries joining each other was government. The Kaspinian queen, Selina, had lost her parents recently and wouldn’t agree to loose her position entirely. The Ryvanese king believed that he should keep his throne since Kaspinya had wanted to join forces with him. As the debate continued, Selina and Nikolaos fell in love. It was just a few months after the couple wed that his bride pronounced the birth of a baby girl.
The newborn was named Kelitharete sa Nikolaos, Kelitha for short. She had pale skin and eyes like her mother, but raven colored hair from her father. Her delicate features and small figure reminded everyone of the queen, but her personality was nearly a mirror image of the king’s. This child Kelitha seemed perfect to her overjoyed parents. They cared for their daughter with all of their hearts, and their love was soon put to the test.
It was on Kelitha’s fourth birthday that the king’s messenger erupted through the doors with the fatal news. He said, “King, O Great King. I bear terrible news. The enchantress Charis has arrived in Ryvain and stands with an army outside your doors. She refuses to leave without your head.”
Kelitha could not remember seeing her father’s face look like it did ever before. It was a look of pure fear, but not for his life. The king feared above all others for his wife and daughter’s lives. King Nikolaos told Selina to take their daughter and run far away until she reached safety. The queen reluctantly obeyed, kissing her husband on the forehead. “I shall miss you,” she whispered.
“As will I,” was the reply.
Queen Selina took Kelitha’s arm and pulled her out of the room, down the corridors, and out the secret passageway that lead outside. From there, Selina put her child in her arms and ran away from the castle into a field of grass. Kelitha’s mother tried not to hear the screams coming from inside the castle, but she listened to it all with sad tears. It was when she heard one final cry of agony that she knew King Nikolaos to be dead.
Selina, who was greatly in love with her husband, followed her intuition without thought. Looking back at the castle where her husband was, she closed her eyes and planted a kiss on her daughter’s nose. “I love you very much, Kelitha.”
“I love you too, Mommy.” Kelitha hugged her legs, looking up at the queen.
Her face was much paler than usual, Kelitha realized. Wet tears streamed down her face, and her eyes had all of the rue of the world in them. With a heartbroken voice, Selina stammered, “My child, I must return to the castle to help your father. I need you to stay in this very spot and wait until your father or I come to you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Mommy.”
“Do not speak to anyone, or leave without us, no matter who comes.”
“Yes, Mommy.”
With one last kiss and hug, Selina ran towards the castle. The princess sat on the grass and watched her mother disappear.

It was nearly two hours after she had last seen her mother that a figure emerged on the horizon. The lady that appeared was not her mother, for she had dark hair with pale skin and intelligent green eyes. She was wearing a green gown with silver decorations and as she neared Kelitha, she seemed to grow several inches in height.
“Sweet child, may I ask what you are doing here, so near to danger?” The lady’s voice was sharp, but kind.
“I am waiting for my mother; she will be coming to get me soon.”
“Ah, I see. And, little girl, what be your name?”
“I am Kelitharete sa Nikolaos. What is – ”
“And what be your mother’s name?” she interrupted, looking interested.
“Selina, ma’am. Who are you?”
A sly smile grew on her face. “My name is not important to you right now. All you must know is that I can help you.”
“Do you know where my mother is?” Kelitha asked eagerly.
“No, my dear, I don’t. But, I can give you a present that you will enjoy very much.”
The small girl’s eyes opened wide. “What is it?”
The lady leaned close to Kelitha’s ear and whispered, “Magic.”
“Magic?! That’s illegal! Father doesn’t like it at all.”
“But do you want it?” she whispered smoothly. When Kelitha didn’t answer, she went on. “The ability to do whatever you want, whenever you want. Having the whole world right at your fingertips.” The lady waved her fingers.
“Well, it would be fun.”
“So you want the magic?” the strange lady said quickly.
“Well, I’m not so sure about – ”
“Then, I will magic you so when you are thirteen, you can be a mage. Yes?” Without waiting for an answer, the lady drew a wand and flicked it at Kelitha.
“There you are, Kelitharete. Use it well.” Just before she disappeared, she told the child, “And, since you were wondering, my name is Charis. You’ve probably heard of me?”
The enchantress Charis was gone before Kelitha could even reply.

Not much longer after Charis left, another person neared her, this time her father. “My dear Kelitha, are you alright?”
“Yes, Father.” The princess noticed wet steaks on her father’s face. “Is everything fine at the castle?”
Nikolaos closed his eyes. “No, my Kelitha, it is not. Unfortunately,” he paused. “Unfortunately, your mother has – she is…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Kelitha’s eyes opened wide. “She’s – dead?”
The king nodded, his eyes overflowing with tears. “Yes, my Kelitha, it is true. I am so sorry.” He pulled his child into an embrace. The princess was trembling, and her tears were wetting his tunic. “It will be fine, Kelitha. The gods will protect her. I promise.”


I have a bad habit of never finishing stories.

Reply