Collected my first year results from my university tutor today. After convincing me that getting a 2.1 instead of a 1st was not the end of the world, he asked me what I had planned for the summer. I ended up telling him about NaNoWriMo, and now I’m really looking forward to it.
“Your highness, I can’t tell you how relieved we are to see you again.”
Linden Hayber was red-haired, well-dressed and handsome. His dark eyes surveyed Sonya. She met them, and they looked at each other in silence for a few seconds.
“Is there any news of my mother or grandmother?” she asked.
“Unfortunately not. I only have bad news. The information we have gathered suggests that both Trin and Naria have been trapped in some kind of netherworld, the entrance of which lies in the Back Desert. We have been told there is very little chance of them escaping.”
“I have faith in them. They will find a way.” Sonya replied, stubbornly.
“We have no way of knowing.” Linden stroked his chin. “Where have you been?”
“Somewhere safe. Trin told me not to leave until she came back for me…” Sonya found herself reluctant to talk about the Natetic training ground.
“She probably did not envisage these events. She couldn’t have known. You are in the right place now.”
“How many people are here? What is your plan?” Sonya asked. Starved of information about Litia for the past four years, she was now eager for details.
“We’ve been trying to gather troops for a long time now,” He gave a short sigh. “About two years, and we have thirty recruits.”
“Only thirty?” she replied, sharply.
“Things will undoubtedly change now. We had assumed you had been taken by our enemies, along with Trin and Naria. With you here, things are different. People will fight if you are leading them.”
To Be A Magician 