A WILD KIND OF MAGIC

Chapter 1: The Calling

It was a warm summer day and I was bored. I sat and watched the ants roam freely around my front stoop for what seemed like hours. As I sat there and watched, I hoped that I would learn something from them. Interesting little creatures. Some seemed like they were wandering around aimlessly or frantically, while the others moved with a purpose. Who were these rogue ants? And where do I sign up? I just watched one carry off the dead body of what looked like a winged ant. What is he going to do with the body? Were they cousins? Brothers? Enemies? I was intrigued, yet still bored. I hope they don't eat him...

As my chin rested in the palm of my moon-soaked hand, I shifted my eyes upward. I saw a cobweb float slowly and gently across the sky, and I wondered where it came from and where it is was going. Then came the majestic, yet ugly, turkey vulture into my view just between the trees. It glided silently around the clear blue airways completely unbothered by anything; It's only concern being when its next meal is going to die. I would say the same, but it seems a bit morbid. Imagine being up that high surveying life from that view...Man, I envied that ugly bird in this moment. I wish we could become what we wanted to, in the moment we wanted it. Do you think it's possible though? Somewhere deep inside tells me why not? But willing it alone is not working. Hmph! I would be up there flying around with that vulture, and maybe messing my friends. Who am I kidding? I would definitely be messing with my friends and they would expect nothing less from me. Did I mention I was bored?

I really need a new hobby. I have several already, if you want to call stuff like sword-play a hobby. I'm not your typical gal, you see, never have been, never will be. My name is Ophina Fearon and there is magic lying deep within my DNA. I'm not saying that because I think I'm cool, I, for real, have gifts that I can't even use. (Wasteful if you ask me!) I guess I don't know if it is my DNA or if it's actually my soul that holds my magic. I guess I never thought to ask. I'm starting to wonder why I wasn't told! I have questions and I am getting more and more curious about the answers. Alls I know is that I possess it, but it hasn't been fully unveiled to me exactly what that entails. I demand to know! It's beyond frustrating, like trying to use your mind to move a glass of water across the table and you have your hand out willing it to move but nothing happens, yeah, its like that.

I guess you can say the way I look is magical, but I think all of us magic folk look that way, but different. We certainly look different from the human born. I'm about 6'1", mossy green eyes, moon-toned skin and my ears come to a gentle point. I'm a mix bag of tricks, at least that's what I like to say.

I always thought my magic was held in my hair. It's long, it's fiery orange and it is unruly, like me. I'm also kind, loving and witty, blah, blah, blah, so my mother says, but I think all mothers say stuff like that. My father on the other hand, tends to feed to my unruly side. It drives my mom crazy, but I think she secretly likes it.

My father is a blacksmith by trade. He taught me and my brother, Owren, how to hunt, fish, forge and fight. My favorite weapon of choice? The blades. Any kind really. I haven't tried my hand at anything too medieval, but I am always ready for something new. I have never gotten to use my skills in battle or anything, but my father thinks we should always be prepared...be prepared for what though? The crops growing too big? Someone's Bay Wolf eating the chickens? Seems suspicious if you ask me. Something is building, I can feel it.

Another two turkey vultures seemed to have magically appeared into view to join their friend. We were also "trained" to study nature. You learn a lot from watching your surroundings. I feel I have learned all there is to know at this point, but I also know that's what most youths like me think, the Elders would say otherwise. You would think I would be an expert on ants by now, but I'm not.

Right on que, as if they read my mind, my two best friends, Randolph and Inca showed up. Thank the Gods!

"Hey Ophie, out causing any trouble today?" Inca said with a flip of her long raven hair and a glint in her violet eyes. She understood me more than probably anyone.

Raising my hand to shield my eyes from the sun, "I wish!" I said very unenthusiastically. "I'm sooooo bored. Do you guys want to go mess around in the creek or throw axes or something?" I looked back down at the ants confirming my desire to flee.

"Looks like you and your ant friends are having plenty of fun to me." Randolph teased in his booming voice.

"Don't even get me started!" Then I hissed at him. This made his big dumb round face break out into laughter.

"I'm serious! I'm so bored out of my mind I'm about to burst into flames! Like, I think I could actually do it this time!" I pathetically flopped onto my back and threw my arm over my eyes. Did I mention I have a flare for dramatics? Well I do, and I love it.

"Quit being so dramatic! Get up." Inca said casually as she kicked my boot, knocking loose years of wear in a plume of dust. "You need to clean those things."

I peeked up at her from under my arm and smirked, "Why?" She just smiled and shook her head. I let out an unrelenting sigh, sat back up, slapped my knees and stood up. "Guys, I need an adventure."

I stared longingly at the thicket of trees (in my most dramatic fashion of course). But I truly did long for more...so much more, you have no idea!

"Did you ever wonder if there's more out there?" Still staring off as if I was in a trance, then again, it could have been from the heat. Randolph and Inca both looked out in the direction I was staring off to, looking around like they were suppose to be seeing something that wasn't there.

"More what? What are you rambling on about this time?" Randolph wiped the sweat from his brow, then proceeded to put his hands on his wide hips. I didn't tell you about how short he is. Looking at him sometimes makes me laugh. He's short, wide and hairy. He hails from a strong line of Dwarfs. He's built like a stone wall and is the toughest guy I know (besides my father), and also the sweetest. He is clearly not amused with my antics at the moment.

I had to try to explain to them how I was feeling in the best way I knew how, not very well. These were familiar feelings, but kind of different and stronger.

"More, you know?! More everything! You guys don't feel it?" Randolph raised his eyebrows looking completely lost. I started to get more frustrated and I'm not even sure why. I just needed to go. I needed to do. I needed to be (whatever that means). I just feel it. I needed to figure out just what in the hell it was, and be a part of it. It was like a "calling", yes, maybe that's what it was, a "calling". But what was calling me and why?

"Girl, I think you have finally lost your damn mind." Inca said watching me with great concern. As I locked eyes with my best friend in that moment, there was a split second where I thought she felt was I was feeling too. "Let's go."

Chapter 2: The Stirring