The Hephaestia Chronicles - Book One

 Types of Mage: Builders: Can build anything from available materials in the near vicinity. Elementals: Have mastery over at least one of the five main elements. i.e. Earth, Air, Fire, Water or Spirit. Jumpers: Can jump (Teleport) both people and objects within a single realm. Enchanters: Cannot work on their own and must work in tandem with another mage. Can enchant objects with a specific purpose relating to the other mages ability. Leapers: Can leap (travel) between realms. Seers: Can see the many paths of the future. Uncom

The small young woman sneaks carefully up the front steps of an old, ivy covered cottage. Her hooded cloak moves gently, unsettled by her movements a mouse jumps out from beneath the falling apart porch and skitters across her feet. She jumps in surprise, a small gasp escaping her perfect red lips. She seems tense as she glances around. her nerves get the better of her and she double checks for any prying eyes hiding in the shadows. Before her courage deserts her, her hand darts out from beneath the folds of her cloak, pausing briefly before knocking on the wooden door. "Now, now. There is no need to sneak around like that. I know the reasoning behind your visit to me this evening." a voice croaks out from within. The front door slowly opens, as if propelled by some unseen force, to reveal a desolate, murky interior with very little furnishings. 

~Xander Cont.~ Heading up to my chambers within the palace was slightly more difficult than I had expected. Firstly I had to dodge my mother and her seemingly endless squad of unwed noblewomen who just happen to be close to my age and secondly avoiding my father as I believe he expects me to already be well on my way. As I step into my room I close the door behind me and drop my purchases to the ground. I slowly pull out the pendant and stare at it. The craftsmanship is amazing and the gold gleams in the candlelight, not a tarnish in sight, the ruby softly gleams as if enticing me to touch it. Placing it down upon my desk, I hurry to pack my supplies."I must leave soon. I cannot risk disappointing my father. The kingdom needs me."Hoisting my pack onto my back, I take a deep breath and grasp the penda

The last few minutes of my shift seem to drag on. My eyes continuously drift back to the clock on the wall, counting down the minutes remaining. “He’s waiting for me” I think. “I don’t want to go but for some reason I feel as though I need to. As if something terrible will happen if I don’t.” I hurry to retrieve my purse from my cubby in the kitchen. I rush towards the front door, nearly bowling over Beth. “ Sorry, and thanks for earlier!” I yell over my shoulder as I pass her by. As I turn my head back towards the front door I see Xander enter, his blonde hair waving like one of those guys in the hair commercials. “Sylvie.” His smooth voice falls over me like a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold evening. “Let’s take a walk”

“Crap, Crap, Crap.” I think as I gather my bearings after what was undoubtedly the worst portal jump I have ever been through. After leaping in to follow Sylvie, I would have thought that we would have ended up at least somewhere close together. Also, something must have gone wrong as normally a portal created by a Leaper, when you enter through a body of water, you generally exit from one too. To be honest, I thought I had felt something strange as we went through the portal. It was almost as if something was pulling us away. Reaching down I pull out the Fellstar pendant.    “I really need to find Sylvie. The gods only know what kind of trouble that girl has gotten into. Not to mention I need to figure out exactly where we are. At least it's the right realm.” I think as I look up into the sky to confirm my thoughts. As I wait for the pendant to tug me into the right direction, I notice