Alanna Zelen
Friendly!
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7 – Forseen Darkness set in, casting the orphanage into an abyss absent of light. From the main building where the caretakers resided, the sounds of rowdy drinking could be heard. Alanna quietly walked past to the main entry to the orphanage, occasionally removing her hand from underneath her clothing to shed light and avoid running into objects. Book was mostly silent under the orphan girl's arm. She had no supplies, but remaining now the other's knew she was a mage would be even more difficult. Walking what felt like hours in the dark after managing to leave the orphanage undetected, signs of a village started to appear. Fields full of produce were visible under the feeble glow cast by the moon whenever the cloud cover parted; different from the sparse lands she has seen around the orphanage. Her bare feet were starting to ache from walking on sharp stones littered along the road. Without fully realising it, Alanna had managed to walk into the middle of the village between moonset and sunrise. From the shadows a young boy ushered her to follow as the village slowly woke. “Hurry, before they decide to take you back.” Clutching Book she quickly followed the boy into one of the houses, surprised to see an elderly lady ushering her to sit down by the barely flickering ambers in the fireplace. “I knew I sensed a young mage approaching. You left the orphanage, correct? And you carry an item which contains a magic similar to your own... a book, it seems.” Looking into the lady's eyes it was obvious that she was blind. “How can you tell?” Book decided to break the silence he had observed since leaving the library, "She is a mage Alanna, with the ability to sense magic. I believe she was once an orphan like yourself. Is that correct?" The boy jumped, surprised, “A speaking book? What type of magic is that?” The old lady grinned, showing that she retained most of her teeth still. “That is correct, wise one. I did not think I would ever find myself speaking to an incanted book though. Alanna dear, tell me what you know.” Alanna shyly recounted the last two days, explaining how she had came to be a loremaster. The boy, who was named Nam, offered food. “No surprise they didn't come after me then. Snuck off when the supplies came. Brooke here woke to find me hiding in her house.” Brooke smiled again, “He's been a helpful young lad since then. But I won't be around for much longer... you should both leave here and find a better place. I'm too old to teach magic. Nam knows where I keep my funds. Take anything you need and go.” Nam hugged the old woman before going upstairs to retrieve what they would need. Brooke held out her hand. “My powers may not be what they once were, but I have gained an insight to the world I lacked before. Give me your hand Alanna; the runemarked one.” Alanna offered her hand, which started tingling on contact. Brooke didn't stir even when she sneezed, breaking contact after a few moments. “You have potential to be many things child. I see you learning much, and losing what you hold dear. I saw you amongst others fighting for something you believe. Your path isn't certain as of yet; but you have great potential as a mage. I advise you look into the past to find the future.” Nam returned, tossing a cloak and laden bag to Alanna. “We will have to get you fitting clothes later.” She hastily put on the cloak, pulling the hood over to hide her hair before putting Book into the bag. Nam finished talking to Brooke before she was ready, pulling his own hood up to hide golden eyes and brown hair. Wordlessly they left, begging the first of many journey's they would both go on.
< Message edited by Alanna Zelen -- 1/23/2012 4:45:40 >
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