Fan Fiction ❯ Fantasia ❯ Sarra's World ( Prologue )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Kitty@LooneyBinonSaturn 
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / / Martial Arts / Fantasy / Children's / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 04.11.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 497 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / / Martial Arts / Fantasy / Children's / Adventure / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 04.11.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 497 | Status: Completed
AN: MoshiMoshi::wave::! I wrote another first chapter to a fic, and hopefully I will have the second chapter to it before long! Heheh! Anyways, some of the idea's( you my notice some simalarites to some certain fantasy books), places and people are my creation.( Well Brian isnt but he's later....)
Fantasia:
Prologue: Sarra's World
Sarra made her way easily through the streets of Koume, Crecia's capitol city. Her familiar, Kearia, was huddled in mouse form in the folds of Sarra's hood.
"How long is it gonna take for us to get caught this time?" Kearia griped.
"Hush." Sarra said.
A sudden pressure on her back sent her reeling. Sarra fell, face first, into the hard, dirt covered streets of Koume. She reached back and grabbed a fistfull of hair.
"Ow! Oi, gerroff me!!"
Sarra smiled grimly and rolled over sending her captor to the ground. Kearia jumped out and changed into a wolf. Snarling she lept for the others boys familiar and pinned it. It yelped and, agitated, changed forms: snake, hawk, dog but Kearia never let go. Sarra sat on the boys chest, got a better grip of his hair and twisted. He yelped.
"Lemme go, Sarra! Lemme go, or else the other boy's will get ya!"
"That's Lady Sarra to you." she said grimly, surveying him. He had curly red hair and wide brown eyes. His brown freckles stood out angrily on his now pale face.
He glared.
"Lady's don beat men up," he muttered swinging his fist toward her head. Sarra caught it easily in her free hand and twisted his wrist. He yelled loudly and tried to roll over but couldn't.
"Give in?" Sarra asked.
"Aye. Aye!" he yelled.
Sarra smiled and rolled off, and Kearia let go of the other familiar, who yelped and lept into the boys arms.
During all this, none of the people passing stopped to intervene or even watch. Fights like this between children and their familiars were very common. There was a long rivalry between Richmond children, where Sarra was from, and Koume urchins. Richmond children, namely the young servants, the servants children and Sarra, were almost expected to fight.
Another enemy of Richmond was very rare. Every now and then, thieves from Medina, a city far to the east, came to Koume. Only then would Richmond children and Koume urchin's ban together to reek havoc on them. Last year when some of the thieves came to trade, Sarra and some of the other children threw mud at their wagons and set loose their horses. And then Sarra and a couple of friends stole into the back of a wagon, so that when the drivers left Sarra and her friends drove it away. They nearly got to the city gates when another wagon pulled alongside and they were forced to abandon for fear of being caught by the owner, a fiery titan called Kora Nomin. She had the heart of a lion, a temper of fire, and a mouth worse than a soldier when she was mad. She had smacked Sarra twice but had given her gingerbread three times. Sarra had not wished to even it out.
That was Sarra's world. It was rough and tumble at times, but she wouldn't change it for anything.
Sarra made her way back to Richmond, not in the mood for any more fights. On her way there, she surveyed the damage. Her black skirt was torn and her white blouse was dirty but nothing too bad. The fall to the dirt had raised a bruise on a leg and added some new scrapes to her knees. Kearia walked wolf-shaped beside her.
<You're a foolish one Sarra,> Kearia said in a voice only Sarra could hear.
"Why's that?"
<Lily is gonna kill you, that's why.>
Sarra winced. Lily Hamilton was a servant at Richmond who looked after her. While Lily knew of the fights because she herself had grown up here as a young girl, it exasperated her when Sarra came to her time after time with bruises, scrapes, and dirty, torn clothes.
"I'll do what I always do," Sarra said. "Hide."
When they finally reached the main gates, Sarra swung left. She followed the stone wall until she reached a garden in the back. She reached up and grabbed a tree branch and swung herself up. Kearia flew beside her in falcon form as Sarra climbed up the tree. She climbed until she was in line with the roof. Sarra stood and jumped. She landed with a slight whumpf! and rolled to take the impact. She stood and wandered around on the roof, kicking a small rock around. She walked until she reached a small alcove between the towers. In it a band of children sat. Sarra setttled herself between a small girl and boy.
"Oi, Sarra," One boy said in greeting, "You look roughed, what happened?"
"A townie sneaked me." Sarra explained. "I beat him up though."
"You're such a tom," a girl said, grinning. Sarra was legendary among the young children for her ability to annoy the scholar's and servants and live to tell the tale. Perhaps it was because she was so cursed fast.
"Oh aye." Sarra grinned. "Now, whats for eating?"
A boy tossed her an apple. "Here, and be warned: Lily is scouring the college for you. We are under strict orders to kill you when we see you."
Sarra's grin grew even broader. "Well, I better go, before you decide to carry out that order."
Sarra got up and walked to the edge. She knelt down and grabbed the edge of the roof. Using that she swung herself down through an open window. She landed cat-like in an empty room. She quickly ran out, and with Kearia cat shaped beside her, she made her way through the maze-like hallways of the college. She went up a couple of staircases until she reached of the top of a tower. She opened a door and walked in. Her room was small and neatly furnished. Her bed was pushed against one wall and her dresser was against the other wall. The evening sun filled the room and when it got dark, spirit lights would fill the room with their soft, eerie light. Sarra opened up her window and climbed out onto the ledge. Then she reached up and grabbed the edge of the tiles and pulled herself up onto the roof.
She sat up there for a while, watching the sun go down and letting the wind play with her long hair. Kearia changed into a puppy and curled up in her girls lap. Sarra held her precious familiar to her chest and carelessly hung one leg over the edge of the roof.
"Sarra Ryosei!!!" a voice called angrily from below. "Get down here this minute!!"
Sarra sighed. There was no hiding from Lily sometimes it seemed. Kearia changed into a falcon and flew through the window as Sarra swung herself down.
"Whaz the matter?" she asked as the 20-something servant filled a chipped washbasin.
"Good God's above,what the hell did you get into?" Lily exclaimed when she saw Sarra's ragged state. "Wait, nevermind. You got in another fight. Wash up girl while I find
you a dress you aint torn or gotten dirty."
Sarra obediantly stripped off her clothes and started washing as Lily nagged.
"Sarra, what in the world am I gonna do with you child? You're either in trouble or fighting."
"A townie sneaked me," Sarra grumbled. "What was I supposed to do? Let him beat me up?"
"If it would have saved your poor dress then, yes!"
Lily tossed a dress onto the bed. "There. I wish I had time to iron it but at least there's no tears and it aint too dirty."
Sarra sighed and dragged the light blue dress over her head while Kearia tried in vain to annoy Lily's terrier shaped familiar. Lily quickly dragged a brush through Sarra's hair. When it was mostly dirt free she quickly threaded a blue ribbon through it.
"What's going on?" Sarra asked, while Lily rooted through her dresser for a pair of shoes that werent crusted in mud.
"Banquet," Lily said tossing her a pair of brown leather shoes. "Here, put those on."
Sarra obediantly did so as Lily scubbed fiercely at her knees to get the dirt off.
'"Alright, now when you get down there you just be quiet and do as your told. And God's above help me, if you say 'Uh-huh', 'I dunno', 'don', or even one swear I will find you and thrash you within a inch of your life, hear?"
"Uh-huh." Sarra said grinning. Lily smacked her leg then yanked her up by her arm and opened Sarra's door. Sarra sighed and trudged down the stairs. Kearia changed into an ocelot, her most formal shape, and jumped onto Sarra's shoulder.
<I wonder why we have to go the banquet?> she asked. Sarra shrugged. Adults never gave answers that suited her. They liked to answer in riddles, while Sarra prefered to just have it out straight. At the bottom of the stairs, a Scholar waited for her. He eyed the dress, the fancy shoes, and the ribbon in amazement. He, like the others at the college, was used to the image of the torn shirt and skirt, bruised, rough and tumble little girl. Sarra scowled and the Scholar looked away. His familiar, a crow, clicked her beak and Kearia hissed.
"I am to take you to the Old Room, there you will meet with the Master and his guests. From there you will go to dinner." the Scholar said.
Sarra nodded. The Master of Richmond College was a 70 something old fart with the sense of humor of a rock. Her past memories of dinners with him and his guests were dull and boring.
On the way there some of Sarra's friends caught sight of this new, neatly dressed girl who was normally content to run across the roof, fight, and swear at everyone from the youngest child to the Master. (The thing was, no one could catch her when she did), and burst out laughing. Sarra stopped and promptly swore so vividly at them that all of them, including the Scholar, went white and the children familiars went to mouse form and hid.
Sarra scowled the whole way there and the Scholar seemed happy to drop her off in the Old Room. Sarra sat on a couch and sulked, far too annoyed to do anything else. She normally loved this room. It had a dark wood floor with ethnic rugs from the East. The couches and chairs had a dark red fabric on the seats. Everything was accented in gold and ivory. It had a wonderful view of the garden where the cherry trees stood out in the cold moonlight.
Sarra stood and walked around looking at the delicate china figures, and scowling at the portaits of the Masters before this one. She looked at herself in a gold paneled mirror and wondered if not for the first time if she had elvish heritage.She looked normal enough, pale with long dark hair and a slight frame, expect for her face. It had a definite point at her chin and a slight point on her ears, nowhere near as pointed as an elves or a fairies (which she had in seen in the streets of Koume), but pointed enough to make them noticeable. Her eyes were undoubtably the oddest thing about her. They were a violet color with the pupil ringed by a odd gold that made it look like it was ringed in fire.
But there was no one she could ask. The Scholars wouldnt know, and Sarra's parents had been killed when she was little. Her aunt, Aurora, always got a misty far away look when Sarra asked about her parents. And when Sarra pressed further, she simply said, "You'll understand soon enough."
Someone opened the door and Sarra shook the thoughts from her head. The Master walked in and helf the door open for his guests. Sarra counted three men and one elderly lady. Then a younger woman walked in. She had light brown hair and gray eyes. Her familiar was a hawk.
"Lady Sarra," the Master said. "I believe you know the Librarian, the Historian, and the Treasurer." He pointed to each man in turn. "Elena Corstone." he nodded to the elderly woman and smiled to the younger one. "And of course Aurora Coranova."
Sarra ran to Aurora and hugged her so tightly that Aurora laughed out loud and kissed the top of her head.
To those who are wondering, Sarra's parents were murdered in a brutal raid leaving Sarra alone and homeless except for Aurora. And since Aurora was a renouned explorer and Scholar, she left her at the safest place she could think of, Richmond College. Sarra had lived there ever since.
Elena stared at her. Sarra stared right back.
"So girl," she barked, surprising Sarra. She had thought all Master's were the same, old and calculating. "I hear you are quite the ruffian."
Sarra blushed. "I, uh," she stammered. But what could she say? What would this woman know of something a simple as a child's rivalry?
"Richmond and Koume children have a long rivalry." Aurora said, coming to Sarra's rescue. "And since Sarra grew up a Richmond child, isnt it natural she join in the play?"
"I suppose." Elena sniffed. "But be warned, if she comes to MY college, I shall _not_ put up with it."
"Your College?" Sarra said suddenly. "Excuse me, but my home is here in Richmond." She looked to Aurora desperately. "Isn't it?"
The Master coughed. "Well child," he said not sounding sure of himself. "We were thinking of sending you to Eastside College."
"WHAT?!" Sarra cried, both outraged and hurt at the same time.
"Sarra, hon" Aurora said putting a cool hand on Sarra's shoulder. "You're becoming a young lady. Eastside is a female only college, it would would be for your best interests to go there."
"But I-"
"Hush. But nothing."
Sarra sat back in her couch, too hurt and angry to say anything. Kearia reflected this by changing into a starved wolf and giving a soft howl before jumping into Sarra's lap.
Sarra didnt hear much of the following conversation. She just kept on thinking about what the Scholars would say once she was gone. Or worse, her friends. Would they miss her a little? Or celebrate when she was gone and when someone said, "Hey, wheres that little girl Sarra?" would they say "Sarra? Who's _that_?"
She pondered over those disturbing questions until something Elena was saying brought her back to the real world.
"- it's really remarkable how they do it really."
"Who does what?" Sarra asked.
Elena frowned. "Elves, my dear girl, elves. They can separate themselves from their familiars over vast amounts of distances. Some say an Elf can be on one side of the Earth and his familiar on the other. Honstly dont you listen?"
Sarra scowled. She noticed that Aurora wore the slightly annoyed frown she usually saved for when Sarra was being particularly smart. That was at least a small comfort.
"I think I could reason with the familiar, ma'am." Sarra said slyly. "I mean, after all, you can never get to far from an elf."
That got a few muffled chuckles from the scholars and several shocked gasps from Elena. Sarra was pleased to see that Aurora's eyes were crinkled in silent laughter. Sarra grinned. At least when she went to Eastside, she would have a fun time annoying this silly little woman out of her silly little mind.
*****
Dinner was dull. Mostly the talk was of politics, "What we do about the Fire and Forest Faire dispute?", or "What about the Demon rebellion's to the west?" All of that, coupled with a very warm and filling dinner, was enough to make any girl doze. And doze Sarra did, several times. Much later, a hand shook her out of her sleep.
"Huh?" Sarra said sleepily.
"Hush." Aurora's coaxing voice said. "It's alright."
Kearia changed into a white ferret and hid, curled around Sarra's neck. Aurora helped Sarra up as her hawk familiar landed on her shoulder. "All's clear," he said quietly.
Aurora nodded and some how got the half-asleep girl up to her room without being seen. She gently laid the little girl on her bed. Sarra smiled and instantly curled up, cuddling with her familiar. Aurora couldnt help but smile, Sarra looked so innocent.
<Does she know?> Aurora's familiar asked softly.
Aurora shook her head.
<You have to tell her.> he said.
Aurora sighed. "I know, Tael," she said addressing her familiar. "Believe me, I know. But as the God's as my witness, if her mother hadnt told me to do this, or I knew I had to I wouldnt."
Tael rubbed her face with his beak. Aurora smiled. "Let's go," she said quietly. She leaned over and gently kissed her nieces sleeping face.
"Good luck, little one, and may the God's guide you." Aurora said softly before walking away and closing the door, leaving her little neice in the moonlit room, not knowing what she was about to get into.
To be continued.
((AN: YES!!!::dances like a manic:: I F-I-N-S-H-E-D!! Pleaaasssseee Read and Review! I will only contuine if I get 4 reviews! I dont care if you flame, but review!!)
Fantasia:
Prologue: Sarra's World
Sarra made her way easily through the streets of Koume, Crecia's capitol city. Her familiar, Kearia, was huddled in mouse form in the folds of Sarra's hood.
"How long is it gonna take for us to get caught this time?" Kearia griped.
"Hush." Sarra said.
A sudden pressure on her back sent her reeling. Sarra fell, face first, into the hard, dirt covered streets of Koume. She reached back and grabbed a fistfull of hair.
"Ow! Oi, gerroff me!!"
Sarra smiled grimly and rolled over sending her captor to the ground. Kearia jumped out and changed into a wolf. Snarling she lept for the others boys familiar and pinned it. It yelped and, agitated, changed forms: snake, hawk, dog but Kearia never let go. Sarra sat on the boys chest, got a better grip of his hair and twisted. He yelped.
"Lemme go, Sarra! Lemme go, or else the other boy's will get ya!"
"That's Lady Sarra to you." she said grimly, surveying him. He had curly red hair and wide brown eyes. His brown freckles stood out angrily on his now pale face.
He glared.
"Lady's don beat men up," he muttered swinging his fist toward her head. Sarra caught it easily in her free hand and twisted his wrist. He yelled loudly and tried to roll over but couldn't.
"Give in?" Sarra asked.
"Aye. Aye!" he yelled.
Sarra smiled and rolled off, and Kearia let go of the other familiar, who yelped and lept into the boys arms.
During all this, none of the people passing stopped to intervene or even watch. Fights like this between children and their familiars were very common. There was a long rivalry between Richmond children, where Sarra was from, and Koume urchins. Richmond children, namely the young servants, the servants children and Sarra, were almost expected to fight.
Another enemy of Richmond was very rare. Every now and then, thieves from Medina, a city far to the east, came to Koume. Only then would Richmond children and Koume urchin's ban together to reek havoc on them. Last year when some of the thieves came to trade, Sarra and some of the other children threw mud at their wagons and set loose their horses. And then Sarra and a couple of friends stole into the back of a wagon, so that when the drivers left Sarra and her friends drove it away. They nearly got to the city gates when another wagon pulled alongside and they were forced to abandon for fear of being caught by the owner, a fiery titan called Kora Nomin. She had the heart of a lion, a temper of fire, and a mouth worse than a soldier when she was mad. She had smacked Sarra twice but had given her gingerbread three times. Sarra had not wished to even it out.
That was Sarra's world. It was rough and tumble at times, but she wouldn't change it for anything.
Sarra made her way back to Richmond, not in the mood for any more fights. On her way there, she surveyed the damage. Her black skirt was torn and her white blouse was dirty but nothing too bad. The fall to the dirt had raised a bruise on a leg and added some new scrapes to her knees. Kearia walked wolf-shaped beside her.
<You're a foolish one Sarra,> Kearia said in a voice only Sarra could hear.
"Why's that?"
<Lily is gonna kill you, that's why.>
Sarra winced. Lily Hamilton was a servant at Richmond who looked after her. While Lily knew of the fights because she herself had grown up here as a young girl, it exasperated her when Sarra came to her time after time with bruises, scrapes, and dirty, torn clothes.
"I'll do what I always do," Sarra said. "Hide."
When they finally reached the main gates, Sarra swung left. She followed the stone wall until she reached a garden in the back. She reached up and grabbed a tree branch and swung herself up. Kearia flew beside her in falcon form as Sarra climbed up the tree. She climbed until she was in line with the roof. Sarra stood and jumped. She landed with a slight whumpf! and rolled to take the impact. She stood and wandered around on the roof, kicking a small rock around. She walked until she reached a small alcove between the towers. In it a band of children sat. Sarra setttled herself between a small girl and boy.
"Oi, Sarra," One boy said in greeting, "You look roughed, what happened?"
"A townie sneaked me." Sarra explained. "I beat him up though."
"You're such a tom," a girl said, grinning. Sarra was legendary among the young children for her ability to annoy the scholar's and servants and live to tell the tale. Perhaps it was because she was so cursed fast.
"Oh aye." Sarra grinned. "Now, whats for eating?"
A boy tossed her an apple. "Here, and be warned: Lily is scouring the college for you. We are under strict orders to kill you when we see you."
Sarra's grin grew even broader. "Well, I better go, before you decide to carry out that order."
Sarra got up and walked to the edge. She knelt down and grabbed the edge of the roof. Using that she swung herself down through an open window. She landed cat-like in an empty room. She quickly ran out, and with Kearia cat shaped beside her, she made her way through the maze-like hallways of the college. She went up a couple of staircases until she reached of the top of a tower. She opened a door and walked in. Her room was small and neatly furnished. Her bed was pushed against one wall and her dresser was against the other wall. The evening sun filled the room and when it got dark, spirit lights would fill the room with their soft, eerie light. Sarra opened up her window and climbed out onto the ledge. Then she reached up and grabbed the edge of the tiles and pulled herself up onto the roof.
She sat up there for a while, watching the sun go down and letting the wind play with her long hair. Kearia changed into a puppy and curled up in her girls lap. Sarra held her precious familiar to her chest and carelessly hung one leg over the edge of the roof.
"Sarra Ryosei!!!" a voice called angrily from below. "Get down here this minute!!"
Sarra sighed. There was no hiding from Lily sometimes it seemed. Kearia changed into a falcon and flew through the window as Sarra swung herself down.
"Whaz the matter?" she asked as the 20-something servant filled a chipped washbasin.
"Good God's above,what the hell did you get into?" Lily exclaimed when she saw Sarra's ragged state. "Wait, nevermind. You got in another fight. Wash up girl while I find
you a dress you aint torn or gotten dirty."
Sarra obediantly stripped off her clothes and started washing as Lily nagged.
"Sarra, what in the world am I gonna do with you child? You're either in trouble or fighting."
"A townie sneaked me," Sarra grumbled. "What was I supposed to do? Let him beat me up?"
"If it would have saved your poor dress then, yes!"
Lily tossed a dress onto the bed. "There. I wish I had time to iron it but at least there's no tears and it aint too dirty."
Sarra sighed and dragged the light blue dress over her head while Kearia tried in vain to annoy Lily's terrier shaped familiar. Lily quickly dragged a brush through Sarra's hair. When it was mostly dirt free she quickly threaded a blue ribbon through it.
"What's going on?" Sarra asked, while Lily rooted through her dresser for a pair of shoes that werent crusted in mud.
"Banquet," Lily said tossing her a pair of brown leather shoes. "Here, put those on."
Sarra obediantly did so as Lily scubbed fiercely at her knees to get the dirt off.
'"Alright, now when you get down there you just be quiet and do as your told. And God's above help me, if you say 'Uh-huh', 'I dunno', 'don', or even one swear I will find you and thrash you within a inch of your life, hear?"
"Uh-huh." Sarra said grinning. Lily smacked her leg then yanked her up by her arm and opened Sarra's door. Sarra sighed and trudged down the stairs. Kearia changed into an ocelot, her most formal shape, and jumped onto Sarra's shoulder.
<I wonder why we have to go the banquet?> she asked. Sarra shrugged. Adults never gave answers that suited her. They liked to answer in riddles, while Sarra prefered to just have it out straight. At the bottom of the stairs, a Scholar waited for her. He eyed the dress, the fancy shoes, and the ribbon in amazement. He, like the others at the college, was used to the image of the torn shirt and skirt, bruised, rough and tumble little girl. Sarra scowled and the Scholar looked away. His familiar, a crow, clicked her beak and Kearia hissed.
"I am to take you to the Old Room, there you will meet with the Master and his guests. From there you will go to dinner." the Scholar said.
Sarra nodded. The Master of Richmond College was a 70 something old fart with the sense of humor of a rock. Her past memories of dinners with him and his guests were dull and boring.
On the way there some of Sarra's friends caught sight of this new, neatly dressed girl who was normally content to run across the roof, fight, and swear at everyone from the youngest child to the Master. (The thing was, no one could catch her when she did), and burst out laughing. Sarra stopped and promptly swore so vividly at them that all of them, including the Scholar, went white and the children familiars went to mouse form and hid.
Sarra scowled the whole way there and the Scholar seemed happy to drop her off in the Old Room. Sarra sat on a couch and sulked, far too annoyed to do anything else. She normally loved this room. It had a dark wood floor with ethnic rugs from the East. The couches and chairs had a dark red fabric on the seats. Everything was accented in gold and ivory. It had a wonderful view of the garden where the cherry trees stood out in the cold moonlight.
Sarra stood and walked around looking at the delicate china figures, and scowling at the portaits of the Masters before this one. She looked at herself in a gold paneled mirror and wondered if not for the first time if she had elvish heritage.She looked normal enough, pale with long dark hair and a slight frame, expect for her face. It had a definite point at her chin and a slight point on her ears, nowhere near as pointed as an elves or a fairies (which she had in seen in the streets of Koume), but pointed enough to make them noticeable. Her eyes were undoubtably the oddest thing about her. They were a violet color with the pupil ringed by a odd gold that made it look like it was ringed in fire.
But there was no one she could ask. The Scholars wouldnt know, and Sarra's parents had been killed when she was little. Her aunt, Aurora, always got a misty far away look when Sarra asked about her parents. And when Sarra pressed further, she simply said, "You'll understand soon enough."
Someone opened the door and Sarra shook the thoughts from her head. The Master walked in and helf the door open for his guests. Sarra counted three men and one elderly lady. Then a younger woman walked in. She had light brown hair and gray eyes. Her familiar was a hawk.
"Lady Sarra," the Master said. "I believe you know the Librarian, the Historian, and the Treasurer." He pointed to each man in turn. "Elena Corstone." he nodded to the elderly woman and smiled to the younger one. "And of course Aurora Coranova."
Sarra ran to Aurora and hugged her so tightly that Aurora laughed out loud and kissed the top of her head.
To those who are wondering, Sarra's parents were murdered in a brutal raid leaving Sarra alone and homeless except for Aurora. And since Aurora was a renouned explorer and Scholar, she left her at the safest place she could think of, Richmond College. Sarra had lived there ever since.
Elena stared at her. Sarra stared right back.
"So girl," she barked, surprising Sarra. She had thought all Master's were the same, old and calculating. "I hear you are quite the ruffian."
Sarra blushed. "I, uh," she stammered. But what could she say? What would this woman know of something a simple as a child's rivalry?
"Richmond and Koume children have a long rivalry." Aurora said, coming to Sarra's rescue. "And since Sarra grew up a Richmond child, isnt it natural she join in the play?"
"I suppose." Elena sniffed. "But be warned, if she comes to MY college, I shall _not_ put up with it."
"Your College?" Sarra said suddenly. "Excuse me, but my home is here in Richmond." She looked to Aurora desperately. "Isn't it?"
The Master coughed. "Well child," he said not sounding sure of himself. "We were thinking of sending you to Eastside College."
"WHAT?!" Sarra cried, both outraged and hurt at the same time.
"Sarra, hon" Aurora said putting a cool hand on Sarra's shoulder. "You're becoming a young lady. Eastside is a female only college, it would would be for your best interests to go there."
"But I-"
"Hush. But nothing."
Sarra sat back in her couch, too hurt and angry to say anything. Kearia reflected this by changing into a starved wolf and giving a soft howl before jumping into Sarra's lap.
Sarra didnt hear much of the following conversation. She just kept on thinking about what the Scholars would say once she was gone. Or worse, her friends. Would they miss her a little? Or celebrate when she was gone and when someone said, "Hey, wheres that little girl Sarra?" would they say "Sarra? Who's _that_?"
She pondered over those disturbing questions until something Elena was saying brought her back to the real world.
"- it's really remarkable how they do it really."
"Who does what?" Sarra asked.
Elena frowned. "Elves, my dear girl, elves. They can separate themselves from their familiars over vast amounts of distances. Some say an Elf can be on one side of the Earth and his familiar on the other. Honstly dont you listen?"
Sarra scowled. She noticed that Aurora wore the slightly annoyed frown she usually saved for when Sarra was being particularly smart. That was at least a small comfort.
"I think I could reason with the familiar, ma'am." Sarra said slyly. "I mean, after all, you can never get to far from an elf."
That got a few muffled chuckles from the scholars and several shocked gasps from Elena. Sarra was pleased to see that Aurora's eyes were crinkled in silent laughter. Sarra grinned. At least when she went to Eastside, she would have a fun time annoying this silly little woman out of her silly little mind.
*****
Dinner was dull. Mostly the talk was of politics, "What we do about the Fire and Forest Faire dispute?", or "What about the Demon rebellion's to the west?" All of that, coupled with a very warm and filling dinner, was enough to make any girl doze. And doze Sarra did, several times. Much later, a hand shook her out of her sleep.
"Huh?" Sarra said sleepily.
"Hush." Aurora's coaxing voice said. "It's alright."
Kearia changed into a white ferret and hid, curled around Sarra's neck. Aurora helped Sarra up as her hawk familiar landed on her shoulder. "All's clear," he said quietly.
Aurora nodded and some how got the half-asleep girl up to her room without being seen. She gently laid the little girl on her bed. Sarra smiled and instantly curled up, cuddling with her familiar. Aurora couldnt help but smile, Sarra looked so innocent.
<Does she know?> Aurora's familiar asked softly.
Aurora shook her head.
<You have to tell her.> he said.
Aurora sighed. "I know, Tael," she said addressing her familiar. "Believe me, I know. But as the God's as my witness, if her mother hadnt told me to do this, or I knew I had to I wouldnt."
Tael rubbed her face with his beak. Aurora smiled. "Let's go," she said quietly. She leaned over and gently kissed her nieces sleeping face.
"Good luck, little one, and may the God's guide you." Aurora said softly before walking away and closing the door, leaving her little neice in the moonlit room, not knowing what she was about to get into.
To be continued.
((AN: YES!!!::dances like a manic:: I F-I-N-S-H-E-D!! Pleaaasssseee Read and Review! I will only contuine if I get 4 reviews! I dont care if you flame, but review!!)