CHAPTER ONE:

-FIRE BEYOND THE TREES-

In the land of Vista the foreign people of the Novah tribe raised their tents. For ten years they had been wondering led by the high priestess Mailee. She was the youngest high priestess the Novah tribe had ever had. She had grown into a capable young woman, keeping alive the traditions of the first Octavians, but she was restless. She still held with the knowledge of her missing sister. This was the reason why the Novah tribe never stayed in one place for too long. She believed that this may be the place where she would find Pheone, but it was always the same. Disappointment reigned every time.

Now the tribe found itself in Vista where they lived an isolated existence. Mailee sensed danger, but she felt that this was the place they were meant to be. The moon was full that night, bigger than Mailee had ever remembered. Perhaps it was this land. This was the place where her dreams had brought her. Only with Peter her personal bodyguard did she share these dreams.

She stood by the shallow waters, only her toes slightly submerged. She could feel the flow of tiny currents caressing her skin.

“Maillee,” the voice of Peter came from behind her. “What are you doing out here? It’s dangerous to be away from camp.”

“Peter, you worry too much. Everything’s alright, so go back to camp. I’ll be along shortly.”

“I won’t leave, not without you. I gave your mother my word I would always protect you. That means…”

“Say no more,” she interrupted.

“Does this mean you’ll come back with me?”

“No, not yet.” She sank to the ground and stared out at the waters. For a moment she forgot where she was. The world she knew seemed to disappear. She was sent to another place. Somewhere where light and darkness did not exist. Sight and sound had no place. She sensed the presence of her mother and unknowingly called out her name.

“Aria,” she whispered.

“It was loud enough for Peter to hear. “I miss her, too, but we must go on.”