Young Writers Society

This is my first attempt at a novel in a while, so please be as harsh as you need to be! I think I may use 'it' too much in the first section!

Prologue:

As the shadowy figure stole down the bleak alleyway, fleeting glimpses of fear protruded from the disguising cloak the lonesome being wore. The mission upon which it was about to embark would change a great many things. Time can do its part to heal wounds, but not for this one.

The Administration had decided, generations back, that magic was too dangerous a gift for mere humans to bear. They carried out great purges, which nearly destroyed magic forever… nearly. They were unaware of the Rogues that they had left behind, only the very strongest had survived, and they hid. They hid from society, the Administration and the desire to conform.

The cloaked echo found its desired location and uttered something under its breath, the night itself seemed to wonder upon its presence. The rotting door seemed an anticlimax, when the mystery of the cloak surrounded the visit. Nevertheless the door held secrets of its own.

Despite its appearances, behind that door was the safest place for this being to be. Slowly the form looked down at the ornate door knob which seemed, now it had been noticed, to demand attention. A single pair of eyes caressed the swirls and the beauty of this entrancing object, it cried out to be viewed, as though it had been neglected, it wanted to be seen.

A gentle hand reached towards it, but stopped. A pause, and then it returned, a thin piece of cloth providing a barrier between the hand and the dainty ornament. It seemed as though it would give way under the pressure to look at, but it was stronger than any mortal could imagine. The low moan of the hinges signalled to the room, that someone had arrived, and had avoided their trap, the doorknob had a spell attached to it, alerting the members of the party of any intruder.

The mood was sombre as magicians looked on, expectant. The hood was removed, and the mystery began to deepen. A young lady was revealed, her hair was a pale blue that was almost white, and her grey eyes looked out onto the crowd, with an understanding beyond her years. Her simple brown cloak hid her slight figure, but none of her beauty.

“I suppose you are wondering why I called you here?” She said, her voice barely carrying itself to the other side of the room. She looked around expectantly, the room was silent as she was looked upon with awe. She looked around the room, knowing that before her sat some of the most powerful men and women in the known world.

The wooden clad walls were beginning to rot and the chairs were crooked and riddled with woodworm, as were the beams and the floorboards. There were signs that this had once been a fine house. But never had it been so blessed as it was now, with candles lighting it eerily, with just enough light to see the faces of those around you. This was an honour indeed for such an understated place. It was inconspicuous, and therefore perfect.

She smiled and continued, “Well, the reason I called you here is to tell you that I have need of a small army. Now I know that many of us have not…” she was cut off by a deep voice.

“You want an army? To do what? You can’t really be planning an uprising? Who do you think you are? You can‘t just gather us up and ask us to walk to our dooms, we aren’t play things little girl!” He spat.

“This is not all of us.” She replied, her face devoid of all emotion.

“You say us, as though we‘ve already said yes!”

A flicker of annoyance passed across her face now, “If you’d let me finish…” she paused and waited for a challenge. None came. “Good, well I know it seems futile to try to battle against the Administration, but I have reason to believe that they are weakening, and that our forces can win.” A throng of voices began to fill the room. Anger and disbelief was rife amongst the magicians that had been gathered.

“You have to be joking, surely?” said one woman. “I have two children, they will be killed if I rebel, I cannot endanger my loved ones so. Do you not know how much you risk by gathering us all her tonight anyway?”

“It is a bold move I know, but no one will suffer due to this meeting. I have a camp ready for all the remaining magicians, your family would be safe.”

“And, pray tell, how many is that?”

“300 are old enough to fight.”

“Just because they’re old enough, it doesn’t mean they will.” retorted the man with a deep voice.

“They will." She stated bluntly, "I‘m just waiting on your replies now. You are... The elite, you would be my strongest asset, I need you. Without you we haven't even the hope of success.”

“Who are you?”

“I…” Her mysterious grey eyes bore into the hearts and minds of all present, “Am your leader, and that is all you need know.”

“I’ll not let a child lead me!” cried the deep-voiced man.

“I am no child! I have seen more in my 19 years than you have in your 50, I am more powerful than you can even dream of being. You have no inkling as to how big a mistake it would be to cross me, do I make myself clear?” time seemed to stand still as she threatened the man who was, in stature at least, almost twice her size. After the initial shock, the room became a throng of voices.

“Perfectly” came the reply through gritted teeth and a false smile. “But if I am to be led by you, then I will need a name.”

“You can call me…” She was interrupted as the door swung open, a scruffy youth clad in a dark grey cloak stumbled in.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“What business drew you away from us for so long?” Questioned the self-proclaimed leader.

“I… was detained.”

“We gathered, would you care to tell us how and why?” she said her small voice laced with sarcasm and condescension.

“My mother needed me.”

“Well we won‘t pry anymore.” She said, oozing false sympathy and impatience.

“Who are you?” the man asked, he seemed a little dazed.

“As I was about to say, before I was interrupted…” the young man hid his annoyance at her comment. “My name is Allysia Kayr.”

“How have you stayed unknown to us for all this time?” Demanded one of the magicians. “How do we know you aren’t with the Administration?”

“...You don‘t. I have been serving under my master… Kyranon, the greatest mage the world has ever known.”

The whole room gasped, and a murmur began again.

“Will your master be aiding us in this quest miss Kayr?” said the man with the deep voice, with a newfound respect for the dainty little figure.

“Yes.”

More whispers filled the room, and people rushed to press their seal on the page on the desk in front of Allysia. Plans were arranged for the Gathering, War was already playing on the minds of the magicians.