“Master Zion! The crystal ball is glowing! Maybe we will receive an oracle or vision,” A mage with shiny blonde hair busted in the Archmage’s office.

Zion sighed, “Isabella! What have I told you about knocking, and what is it about the crystal ball glowing?”

“The crystal at the top of the tower has started glowing. You and the Elders need to see what it has to tell us!” Isabella spat out.

It had been centuries since the Magic Tower had received an oracle from the crystal ball. All the mages present in the tower stopped what they were doing and rushed to the top of the tower. They were excited to have the chance to see the crystal ball glowing. This was a once in a lifetime experience.

Zion rose up from his seat, “Go and let the Elders know to come to the top of the tower. Tell them that it is an urgent matter, and they should be present.”

Isabella nodded and rushed through the tower finding the elders and telling them to head to the top of the tower. Once all of the elders had been informed, Isabella grabs her cloak and raced to the top of the tower. She is curious about what the crystal ball wants to tell them. When she reaches the top of the tower, she makes sure to put on her cloak. Isabella makes sure to cover her face with the hood. Carefully Isabella makes sure all of her hair is inside of her cloak. She stops at a mirror to make sure that no hair is visible. Once she reaches the top of the tower, the Archmage and the elders are near the crystal ball. The mages who had came to see the crystal ball, stood on the platform behind the elders and Archmage. Isabella joins the commotion and watches the crystal ball carefully.

Zion and the Elders began chanting some words then the white crystal ball turned blue, then green, then red. Murmurs erupted between the mages on the platform. They all notice the change in expressions on the Archmage and Elders’ faces.

Zion turned the mages, “We have received an oracle. This country will prosper in future years when a great mage and genius will be born. Although this country seems to have a bright future, there also seems to be a dark one following it. We don’t know the exact details, so for now you all get back to work. This matter will be discussed later. I would also like to see Isabella. Be sure to come down to my office.”

Everyone disappointed headed back down to the lower levels of the tower. The Elders and Zion, talked near the crystal for a while before heading down themselves. Isabella discreetly went to Zion’s office. ‘Am I in trouble from earlier?’ She wondered. She sat anxiously in his office until he entered with the Elders tailing him. Isabella quickly got up, bowed and greeted the elders.

“Hopefully you didn’t wait to long Isabella?” Zion rubbed the back of his neck as he sat as his desk.

“Not to long. Now Master Zion, what is it that you wanted to see me for?” Isabella inquired nervously.

“Have a seat Isabella. As you know, we got an oracle from the crystal ball. A great mage and genius is to be born into the kingdom of Cotia. We don't know exactly where in Cotia though. This person would bring great glory to our country of Ostia,” Zion began.

“That’s great news!,” Isabella responded, “But why did your expression turn dark if it is such great news? Also, what does it have to do with me?”

“Isabella, the crystal told us that the dark future for our country is a war. We don’t know how far in the future, but the outcome will be bad for us,” One of the four Elders spoke.

Another Elder continued, “But we do know that this genius person will go to the Academy here in the capital. So we will be sending you there to be a teacher for the students who have the ability to control and possess magic. This way we will be able to pinpoint who the person that the oracle is talking about.”

“So you want me to go to the academy and become a magic teacher so that we can find out who this special person is?” Isabella motioned with her hands.

“That is correct Isabella, the oracle said that we had to send the mage with golden hair to the academy. You are the only mage throughout this whole tower that has golden hair as the oracle says,” Zion explains.

The Elders take their leave, since they have business to do.

“But what about Jenny? She has blonde hair,” Isabella told Zion.

“Yes Jenny has blonde hair, but her hair is paler compared to yours. Yours looks more like gold Isabella. Please go to the Academy to teach magic. They have been asking us for a mage since the academy has recently opened,” Zion pleaded with her.

Isabella sighed she really didn’t have a choice, “Alright I will go. Let me get my bags packed. When do I need to leave?”

Zion smiled, “Next week. So prepare anything that you will need to teach magic as well. We will supply you with more when needed.”

Determined to fulfill the oracle, she sets out on her journey the next week to the academy. What happened was now in her hands.

Lucia carries herbs back to the small housing unit that she shares with Grandma Lu, who isn’t her grandma. Lucia’s mom died a week after giving birth from an illness. Grandma Lu, although having little to no money, took Lucia in and raised her as her own. They live on the poorer side of the kingdom. For Lucia’s five years of life, she plays with the kids on the street and merchant children who pass by. She is loved by everyone in the town and is known as a sweet shy girl.

On her way home with the herbs, Lucia is stopped by three merchants, who seem to be drunk. They called out to Lucia telling her to come here or throw small rocks at her. Lucia ignored them since she was used to it. As she kept walking, they began following her. Continuing to say vulgar and disrespectful things to Lucia. Lucia picks up her pace before she is grabbed by the arm by one of the men. He yanked her off of the ground so that they would be face to face with her. Despite being small for her age, Lucia tried fighting back. She kicked hysterically and spat in his face. Clawing at her wrist for him to let go.

“Lookie here, we got the little bastard,” slurred the guy holding her.

He was a big man, with a large figure. His muscles enlarged when he flexed them.

One of the other merchants looked Lucia up and down, “It pretty ain’t it. Maybe we can have some fun with her.”

They all smiled slyly. Lucia went into a panic. She hated how she looked because it always brought unwanted attention to her. Lucia felt the hot tears streaming down her face. She tried screaming out for help, but her voice was caught in her throat. While the merchants were pestering Lucia they didn’t see the three gentlemen approaching them. The next thing they knew, they were laying on the ground. Lucia scurries to a barrel and hides behind it. She peeks out to see what is happening.

“Oi kid! What was that for?” The other merchant said angrily. His frown quickly turned into a smile, “Do you want to get in on the action?”

The oldest of the boys spoke up, “Why would we want to take part in such shameless acts?”

His pattern of speech sounded like a noble, yet he was dressed like everyone else around the town. The merchants’ faces were filled with furry. They pulled out their daggers and charged at the boys. The boys drew out swords for defense. Lucia’s face glowed with fascination. Where did those boys get such pretty swords from? They don’t look very rich?’ Lucia wondered. The fight between the merchants and boys was over within a second. The youngest of the boys approached where Lucia was hiding. Lucia hid further behind the barrel.

“Hi, I am Christopher Vonvites,” He pointed at the two other boys, “The big one is Henry, and the redhead one is George. They are my older brothers.”

Lucia, still cautious spoke from behind the barrel, “M-my name is L-l-lucia.”

Christopher smiled and extended his hand. Lucia looked at it as if it was going to bite her. She then looked at the other two boys who were standing not too far from where they were. Lucia gradually put her hand in Christopher’s. She crawled out of the room behind the barrel. She looked at the ground and played with her hands.

“T-thank you for h-helping m-m-me,” she stuttered out.

The redhead boy George scratched his head, “It’s no big deal. I’m sure anyone would have done it.”

Lucia shook her head, “People a-around here wouldn’t e-even l-l-look in my d-direction, l-let alone help.”

A look of concern spread across the boys’ faces.

“Please raise your head so that we can look at you properly,” said Henry.

Lucia slowly raised her head and looked at the boys. Shock filled their faces. They looked at each other, then at Lucia. Christopher walked away from Lucia and back to his brother. They whispered and mumbled things under the breath. Lucia just stood there not knowing what to do. She looked to the side to see a metal container. She could kind of see her reflection. Her dark caramel hair was mangled for not having been washed in a while. Her face was dirty, and her dark mauve eyes were really pale. The dress that Grandma Lu made was getting worn and tore down. Lucia envied the merchant daughter’s whose hair and face were clean and their clean clothes. Lucia was shaken from her thoughts when she heard her name. She looked at the brothers.

Henry kneeled on one knee, “Who is your mom Lucia? And where do you live?”

Lucia, not liking eye contact, looked down, “My mom died, and I stay with Grandma Lu.”

“Could you then take us to where you stay with your Grandma Lu?” George piped in.

Lucia shook her head yes, then went to pick up the dropped herbs. She motioned for the young gentlemen to follow her. They walked past a lot of houses and a couple of shops, some of them were falling apart. Lucia led the boys to her house which was somewhat still intact. They entered to see Grandma Lu at the small stove.

“Welcome back Lucy, I was just fini-” she stopped mid-sentence when she turned around to Lucia with some guests.

“My oh my, we have guests. Please come and have a seat,” the boys filled her motions to a little table that had some chairs around it.

As they sat down, they watched Lucia wrap and store the herbs before sitting down and joining them. They all just stared at each other in silence. Not long after Grandma Lu came over with some baked bread. She looked at the boys’ faces, then bowed. Lucia tilted her head in confusion.

“Welcome my Lords, My name is Lucielle. How may I be of service?”

Henry looked at his brothers before speaking up, “We would like to know who Lucia’s mother is. Also, how old Lucia is, and her birthday.”

Lucielle nodded her head and went into the other room of the house. She came back with a portrait, letter, and a necklace. She handed them to Henry. He looked at the portrait and read the letter. He then passed them to George and Chris to have a look. Henry held onto the necklace. Lucielle offered them tea and butter bread before they left.

After eating, they said their goodbyes and left with the portrait, letter, and necklace. Lucia wondered if they would see each other again. As she looked after them while they walked away into the sunset.