Continent Chapter One- Part One

         "I am going to be ill." Parker shifted from foot to foot, the crowd behind her jumping with excitement.

         Her sister rolled her eyes, casting an irritated look at the crowd. "You are not." She bumped her shoulder into Parkers and forced a smile. "You are going to do fine." She turned back to watch an older woman shuffle up the dirt path. "Tell her she is worrying for nothing, Nana!"

         "You," She huffed as she slowly reached them. "Are not worrying for nothing. The Oracle is a very sensitive being. The smallest slight and she will send you on a quest certain to bring you a painful death."

         "Hearth!" Jude snapped and swatted at the older woman.

         Catching the young girls hand, Hearth gently placed it aside and stepped close enough to close their circle. "Now is not the time for comfort, Jude. Parker goes someplace few have gone, to face a creature who has sent more than half of those to their deaths." She turned to Parker and grabbed her shoulders. "You must be very careful. No cursing.No small talk, you are not very good at it."

         Jude nodded quietly. "You will undoubtably irritate her with your massive brain and countless facts, so perhaps it is best to just speak when spoken to." Parker smirked at her sister and opened her mouth to retort, when Hearth started nodding.

         "Do not look at me like that, child. You are very bright, but even I have limits to how much I can listen about whatever has you entertained."

         Frowning, Parker crossed her arms. "So your advice is to be polite and keep my mouth shut or I risk boring her to death?"

         "Yes." Jude nodded until Hearth elbowed her. "Just use your big brain. Do what feels right."

         "So use my mind, but follow my gut?"

         Hearth and Jude frowned and turned to look at each other. "We are very bad at this."

         "We shall practice for next time." Hearth pulled Parker into her arms and sighed. "Just be careful. I am an old woman. My heart could not take it if something happened to you."

         Jude chuckled, then wrapped her arms around the both of them. "And an intense amount of pressure. Perfect ending to the worst pep-talk ever."

         "Parker?"

         The three woman stepped apart and turned as a reed thin man approached. His long black hair was braided, flowing down his back, to wrap around his waist like a belt. He smoothed the front of his robe and nervously looked at the trees around them.

         "Dedicate Squire." Hearth gave a small curtsy and Squire blushed slightly.

         "Dedicate Hearth." He bowed in return. "I give you my complete assurance that Parker will exit unharmed. The Oracle is touchy, but she has never harmed a student."

         "No, Sire. She just sends them to their deaths."

         He blanched slightly, then reluctantly nodded. "I cannot deny that some students in Parkers position have not returned home to us." He smiled sadly and stepped close enough to lay a hand on Parkers shoulder. "I have been unfortunate enough to know quite a few of them. But not one of them has been as talented as Parker. Both her and Jude have reached far beyond the expectations I had for them when they first arrived, twelve years ago. You have raised two beautiful, intelligent woman, Hearth. And if they are anything like you, I have no doubt that their future holds greatness."

         All three girls dropped their heads, their cheeks red, but none as dark as Hearths. "I thank you, Sire."

         "I mean every word." He released Parker, his gaze rivoted on Hearth.

         "That is a pep-talk." Jude whispered to Parker and waved her aside. The two girls slipped away, heading further down the path. Before long, the mouth of a cave came into view. Jude slowed her sister before they grew too close and pulled her in her arms. "I love you."

         Parker grinned and pushed her sister away. "I am not dying, Jude."

         "You do not know where it will send you." She reached out to smooth Parker's auburn hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. "You must do as Hearth says and not anger it. I could not bear it if you-"

         "I will." She swatter Jude's hand away and sighed. "Are we sure I am the oldest? You fuss over me like I am a baby."

         "Sorry." Jude crossed her arms and cast a glance at the cave. She looked away so Parker almost missed her whisper, "I am scared."

         "Do not be. I will be sunshine personified. The Oracle will have no choice but to give me something simple. I will have to save a Princess from the ravaging of her Uncle. Or find the enchanted sword of Tei Drakon."

         Jude scoffed. "You would get off easy. Save a Princess? Really?"

         "I hear Princesses are unbearable snobs. The sword would probably be easier."

         Smirking, Jude shoved her sister back. "No one has seen it in over a century. Let us hope for the Princess and her ravishing Uncle."

         "The Uncles tried to ravage her. He is not ravishing."

         "One could hope." She wiggled her thin eyebrows and smiled.

         "Alright, Parker. It is time." Dedicate Squire walked to her side and extended his hand. "Are you ready?"

         "No, but yes." She hugged Hearth and Jude once more before placing her hand in his.

         "Did no friends come to send you off?"

         "She only has two and they are utterly worthless." Jude shook her head as two figures raced up the path. "Ah, you call, they come. So they have one admirable trait."

         "Shut your mouth, Jude, or I will close it for you." A long legged blonde shot Jude a withering look before throwing herself at Parker. "I am so sorry we are late. Devlin had the worst time-"

         "But I am here." He stopped a few feet from them, his brow furrowed in concern. "We made it."

         "Barely." Sara squeezed her tight before releasing her. "We brought you gifts." Sara reached in her sky blue tunic and pulled out a small bundle, wrapped in cloth. She unwrapped it slowly and dumped its contents into Parkers hand. "It is for your nerves. My mother made it for me when I was throwing up before Dedicate Plume had us-"

         "I remember." Parker smiled gently and turned the charm over in her hand.

         "She told me as long as I wore it, I would remain level headed." Sara took it from her hand and slung it over her head, to hang around her neck. Instantly, she was filled with calm. "It did not really work for me, but your magic is so strong, I thought perhaps-"

         "I feel it." Sara's face lit up, her small shoulders dropping in relief. She threw her arms around Parker once more, then moved aside for Devlin.

         "I made it." He rand a hand through his shaggy charcoal hair and grimaced slightly before holding out a small charm. It was a carving of a small leaf, surrounded by a flame, no bigger than a fingerprint. Parkers throat constricted as he flipped it over in his hand. "It is just a token." He stepped closer to her and lowered his voice so only she could hear. "I am the leaf and you are the flame." His eyes met hers for a brief moment before he backed away. "You know I am not good with charms, so it is not enchanted, but-"

         "I love it." Parker reached out to take it, but he pulled his hand back.

         "May I?" Parker nodded eagerly and tried to hold still as he cautiously reach up and fastened it in her hair. "I hope it will remind you of us when you are away."

         "I could never forget you." She met his eyes, her cheeks reddening deeper. "Any of you." He nodded and moved to stand with Sara.

         "Alright, child." Squire held out his hand once more.

         With one last look at her family and friends, Parker laid her hand in his and let him lead her into the cave.