Magnus rolled around on the grass as he tried to alleviate his pain. He felt hopeless as he accelerated him towards a steep downhill. Everything on the hill cut into him, the little pebbles, the sharp and jagged rocks, and the spikes from the bushes. He felt nothing though, for he could experience no greater pain than the one he already did from the toxin.

“Stop, just hold still. The toxin will spread across your body faster if you keep moving frantically.”

Magnus opened his eyes. He was now at bottom of the hill, and sitting across him was a girl with long braided red hair , wide dimples, and hazel eyes. She bit down firmly on her lips and squeezed her shoulders tightly, and then exhaled long breaths.

Magnus saw a wound on her left arm and realized she had been cut by the same plant. It awed him though to see that she was holding back pain so well.

Then she screamed. Tears fell down her face as she looked at Magnus, “It will be okay.”

She closed her eyes for a few seconds, and spat out blood. This continued for about a minute or so, and Magnus panicked as he thought she might be exhaling her last breath as he watched her, not knowing what he would be able to do.

Except it wasn’t. The girl stood up and smiled, “That should be all the toxins.”

Her voice sounded much more pleasant now. So she actually did manage to get rid of all the toxins in her body, to Magnus’ surprise. The girl held out a pill and told Magnus, “Take this. It will stop the pain.”

Magnus swallowed the pill and drowse set in immediately. When he had finally awoken he realized was laying on a bed made from a stack of hay. He no longer felt any pain. He stood up and took a sigh of relief.

Where was he though? He was within moist walls, and the ceiling above dripped water. There was nothing else but a table and a few chairs in this room. There was a crumbled book laying on the floor, flipped open upside down and its pages dripped in a puddle. Magnus recognized the title of the book to be “Return of the Shepherd”.

He was curious and intended to pick the book up, but before he could do that, the door opened and the red-haired girl entered again. She was quite tall, and looked no older than Magnus himself. The first thing she saw was the book on the floor, which caused her to stomp her feet furiously, muttering, “Oh my goodness, this is so irritating.” She then picked the book up, shaking and slapping its pages frantically in hopes of drying the manuscript. Frustrated, she threw it onto the table, and turned to Magnus, “I got food outside.”

“Thank you.” Magnus replied politely, “Can I get your name?”

“Amelia.” The girl replied as Magnus followed her outside the shed.

There were a line of very small and beaten down structures on either side of a main sloping road in this town. The houses were largely made with stone, and some of them had flat wooden roofs. It was hard to imagine how well some of these structures would hold up against blizzard or thunder.

There was a fire pit outside the shed used for cooking. Amelia had given a plate of carrots, onions and lamb to Magnus and sat down at the edge of the fire pit. “How did you get lost?” Amelia asked.

“I didn’t.” Magnus replied.

“How did you end up in Desolation Hill?” Amelia stared at Magnus, somewhat jesting. “You were lost weren’t you?”

“Desolation Hill?” Magnus wasn’t familiar with the landmarks around the area.

Amelia smirked, “So how did you get lost?”

“I didn’t.” Magnus insisted.

“You contracted one of the most deadly poisons in the Hills, and you fell off a mountain.” Amelia shrugged, “Fine, do you remember where you came from at least.”

Magnus stayed silent. He did not know how far his descent had taken him. He also did not want to answer Amelia’s question with full honesty. So he replied, “A tavern in Dew Forest.”

“Dew Forest? How did you end up at the bottom of Desolation Hill from Dew Forest. Also, why would anyone travel to Dew Forest, there’s nothing there. What were you doing there, looking for the imaginary magic school?” Amelia mused.

“No.” Magnus replied, but he was glad to sidetrack the conversation. He knew Magic School is located somewhere in the Dew Forest. He had never doubted its existence until now, but that was of no interest to him. There was something else in the Dew Forest that he was interested in, though. “I’m looking for Antyllo. Do you know who that is?” Magnus wasn’t actually even sure if that was a person. Luft had told him that he had three things he had to do in the next couple years: steal the pennant, find Antyllo, and visit the Starlight Tower Ruins.

“You are looking for Antyllo? Just go to Medicine School.”

“Where is Medicine School?”

“In the Dew Forest, and it actually exists, I have actually been there.”

“How do you know that Magic School doesn’t exist if you have never been there?”

“Everything you hear of magic is a tall tale.” Amelia told Magnus.

Magnus contemplated this. Although he had never seen magic himself, he had vague memories circling in his mind.

“The fire needs to be gone from him. He needs to be absolutely free from any trace so they don’t track him down. He will grow up a normal boy. Well, not normal, but he will learn differently.”

That was the words he remembered. Sparrow had spoke to a strange man that day. Magnus had heard it all, but to this day, he still didn’t understand what it meant. He remembered two hours of pain, although from what he could not recognize. He swore he saw fire conjured, but whenever he asked Sparrow about it, Sparrow told him it was child’s imagination. After that, Sparrow started training with Magnus, and taught him things like bare-hand combat, swordsmanship, and self-defense. Sparrow was pleased Magnus improved in every aspect rapidly, and Magnus thought Sparrow’s instructions were always great, and he pinpointed Magnus’ weaknesses very accurately.

A horde of riders entered the town on the jagged roads. Amelia muttered, “Uh oh. We need to get out of here.” She hastily went inside the house and shut the doors. Within a minute, however, someone knocked clumsily on the door.

“Shit.” Amelia bit her lips, frantically looking around.

“Just ignore them.” Magnus whispered.

“No, they will just kick the door down.”

Surely enough, the door was broken down, and an angry man, with a misfit golden helmet, a fur coat, and large big boots entered. He did a great job keeping himself warm everywhere except his face. The helmet was so misfit that it could not cover his ears. Amelia certainly noticed, “Hey, is that cantaloupe you’re wearing really going to stop someone from chopping off your head?”

The man angrily pointed a finger at Amelia, “You won’t get away this time.”

Amelia chuckled, as the man withdrew his spear to attack. Magnus withdrew his own sword, ready to help whenever needed. Amelia, however, showed no fear. She was so swift that the man’s strikes could not touch within three inches of her.

Frustrated and furious at Amelia’s glee, the man threw his spear at her. Amelia ducked the flying spear and it shattered the window behind her. Magnus quickly stepped in, menacingly pointing his sword at the man, and threatened him to take steps back. The man, faced with Magnus and without arms, grunted and turned around to leave.

“We have to go.” Amelia hurried Magnus, and jumped out the shattered window. Magnus followed her, asking her, “Where are we going.”

“The stable. Get some horses and run away.” Amelia told him.

Magnus followed Amelia to the stable, and once they got there, Amelia hastily handed coins to the stable master and headed out south with Magnus.

“Why are we going South?” Magnus inquired.

“I’m getting chased by the Disconnect Hills Kingdom. They probably shut off all three directions to leave this land, but they won’t expect me to go right back.” Amelia smirked, proud of her wit. Magnus was not so sure this plan would work, but there were indeed no guards or soldiers as they rode down South.

“What if someone recognizes you?” Magnus asked.

“The people that recognize me are all probably going to be back up north. The people that’s after me here have never seen me.” Amelia got off her horse as they approached the gate of a city called “Disconnect Hills”.

“What do they want from you?” It was early dawn, as they walked through the gates, the shops were all closed, but there were some farmers that started setting up their stands. The smell of fresh vegetables awakened Magnus. Not that he ever got too sleepy, but after an entire night of riding, he felt a little bit tired.

“I can’t tell you that either, mister.” Amelia took her horse to the stable, which still had not opened, but she left it there, and Magnus followed, “Let’s go.”

Magnus hesitated, but followed her. She understood what Magnus was wondering about, and explained. “No. I don’t want to speak to people if possible. The money doesn’t matter to me. I have enough.”

There were several stable chains across different cities. How these stables worked is that a borrower would borrow a horse, put down some deposit, and get it back once they return the horse at a stable of the same chain. The deposits are usually pretty expensive, around five gold, which is about a month and half’s worth of food for the poor. It surprised Magnus that Amelia was willing to give up this much money, but he knew there must be a story behind her.

Later on the shops opened, and Magnus and Amelia decided to get a meal at a place called John’s. Amelia handed a few coins to pay as they ordered food. Moments later, a figure with a black cloak entered, the head was covered by a hood so the face couldn’t be seen. Amelia’s focus shifted towards the figure, as so did Magnus’. It was still early in the morning, so there was no one else in the restaurant, but even the server had disappeared. The figure slowly turned towards them as well, and Magnus and Amelia both put their hands around their waists, as they both had a good sense of danger. In this case, though, it was too obvious the hooded figure meant no good.

The hooded figure also withdrew a sword and went for Amelia’s throat. Amelia dove to her left to avoid it. The strike came so fast. Amelia looked so clumsy dodging this strike than she did when nimbly dodging the attack from yesterday. The figure went for Amelia again and Magnus met it with his sword. The sword flew out of the hooded person’s hands and went in midair, but the person caught it and retreated a few steps.

A few more people entered the restaurant. It was a familiar foe for Magnus, as Prince Harmon stepped in, looking at Amelia, then looking at Magnus. “I didn’t expect this one to be here, but perfect.”

The hooded figure angrily yelled at Prince Harmon, “What took you so long?!” It was a young woman’s voice. Surely enough, when the figure took off the hood, it was a young girl, probably little older than twenty, with blue eyes just like Prince Harmon, and blonde hair just like Prince Harmon, although a lot longer, tied back in a braid.

“Sorry sister, I had to get reinforcements.” Prince Harmon helped identify this woman in front of them. Magnus have heard of her. Princess Anya of Disconnect Hills, who was not only a fierce and quick fighter, but also an intelligent tactician in battle. She had won various battles for Disconnect Hills the past few years, fending off various invasions by the Vrie Empire. It was told that she was one of the reasons that Vrie could not break through the critical border between Disconnect Hills and the Vrie Glaciers.

“Come any slower I’ll add you to my tally here.” Princess Anya angrily yelled at Prince Harmon. Prince Harmon winced, and clearly did not take his sisters’ words for a joke, replied, “Sorry sis.”

As soon as the word ‘sis’ dropped, Harmon’s sword went straight for Magnus. Magnus parried it. Harmon was fearless, and Magnus admired that, but his technique was flawed and he left holes everywhere. Magnus parried an attack and kicked Harmon in the stomach, sending Harmon flying backwards, falling into a table. Immediately, about ten guards surrounded Magnus. Soon it seemed like more, and he was trapped between a sea of guards.

Magnus peeked at Amelia, who was dodging Anya’s attacks and waiting for an opportunity for her counterattack, but Anya’s technique was a lot more solid than Harmon’s, and she left nothing for Amelia to exploit.

“Where is the book?” Anya demanded.

“I don’t know. I don’t have it.” Amelia trembled.

“I will end you now.” Anya went for a strike directly to Amelia’s heart, and swift as an eagle sweeping through the air, the sword hit Amelia.

Magnus gasped. The strike was not one that could have been dodged. Surely, Anya had ended Amelia’s life. Magnus felt sick as he slashed two guards’ throats and tried to rush to Amelia.

But what he saw was that Amelia was gone. Anya’s sword had been broken into two pieces, and Anya was left dumbfounded. Magnus could not comprehend what had happened, but he did not have time to, as he struck at another guard.

“Stop!” Anya demanded at the guards.

“Sis. What happened. How did that wench get away.”

“Watch your mouth, Harmon. You know I hate words like that.” Anya responded angrily, and Harmon winced again, asking, “Okay sis, but how did she… did she break your strike?”

“Bullshit. Of course not. Golden-plated armor. That’s what it is.”

“Where did she get that?”

Anya ignored Harmon, and assessed Magnus, “There aren’t many people that can hurt my brother like that.”

“Honored.” Magnus replied coldly.

“Why are you with that girl?” Anya demanded.

“Do I need to answer you?”

“No, but do you think you will be able to get away from here?”

“I like my chances.”

“People that have been so arrogant in front of me don’t get good endings.”

“That makes me the first then.”

“Harmon, your sword?”

Anya tested Magnus with a strike, and Magnus dodged it. Anya followed up with three more strikes. Her third strike came in from the side, trying to slash Magnus’ arm. Magnus simply met it with his sword, and Harmon’s sword snapped in two. Magnus’ sword pointed at Princess Anya’s neck, and none of the guards dared to move.

“What a piece of crap.” Anya had never suffered a defeat like this against anyone, her pride was hurt and she had to find an excuse, “Harmon’s sword is horrible, you won’t get so lucky once I get my sword fixed.”

“But are you going to have the chance, I can kill you right here.” Magnus had no intention of killing Anya and Harmon, but he wanted to induce fear and see their reactions. He felt immature, but he was curious on how such prideful people would react to these threats.

“You.. You won’t dare.” Anya was showing a bit of fear, but she did not waver.

“Try me.”

Anya did not speak, but closed her eyes, awaiting her fate. Magnus glanced at Harmon, who yelled, “Don’t you dare!”

“Shut up if you want your sister to live.” Magnus told Harmon, and Harmon did not speak more.

“The name is Magnus. Hope you both remember this. Princess Anya, Prince Harmon.”

Magnus lowered his sword and walked out the door.

“So you do know who I am.” Anya yelled after him.

“And now hopefully you know who I am as well.” Magnus replied.

“I won’t forget.” Anya said spitefully.

Magnus knew she was right though. Harmon carried a spear and a sword with him, but Harmon only ever used the spear, so the sword was a backup. The quality was not horrible, but against top notch weapons, it could not win. Magnus knew he would not be able to get the best of Anya so quickly if she had a proper weapon.