Real quick note ' means they're communicating telepathically.

A/N this chapter has been done for a while and was planned to come out with the rest on New Years but it's midnight and kinda feel like updating so here ya go. Next chapter and 5 votes or just New Years.

"Milady" my advisor calls from the door of my room located in the west wing of my family's cottage just outside the borders of Ombradon. Which became our hideout when my brother banished me. By our I mean my 3 advisors, 10 soldiers, one lieutenant (my best friend), a handful of spies that come and go and me. Turning to face him I motion for him to continue. "The spy has returned. He's fairly beat up and keeps murmuring your name and that he needs to see you refusing to say anything else." Exchanging looks with my best friend Michael who was seated by my window twirling green mist around his fingers. At age 9 all kids magic is unlocked each persons a different color which corresponds to your magical strengths. Mine telepathy and healing therefore mine is silver, Micheals creating weapons for magic and mind reading which makes him excellent in the military side. I all but run out heading to our meeting room the footsteps sounding behind me meaning that Micheal's following me.

~

Fairly beat up was a hideous understatement the spy, Lucas, is covered in blood one side of his face entirely unrecognizable. His pale blond hair coated in blood. Based on the size of the puddle of blood surrounding him it's a miracle that he's even still alive.

A few of my soldiers that have basic medical training are hovering around him trying to help Lucas but he keeps pushing them away saying that he needs to speak to me.

"Lucas I'm here but I'm not going to let you say anything unless you agree to let them help you." I say softly he calms hearing my voice and stops fighting off the medics allowing his body to relax laying back on the medical bed.

"Y- your brother " he says with pained gasps as the medics heal his wounds despite being less painful than the non magical way healing wounds still hurt. "There was a protest wanting you to rrreturn he order his soldiers to kill everyone who participated." He says before his adrenaline runs out and his exhausted form catches up to him his head rolling to the side eyes shut.

I freeze trying to process how my brother went from helping me with spells in the library to ending countless lives.

People can go from people you know to people you don't

~

Twirling shimmering silver mist over my fingers I stare out the window replaying the crown tournament on repeat..... what went wrong?

~

Two short weeks ago......

"Ready for this?" Micheal asks adjusts my sword belt on hip making sure it's tight. I shake my head looking over at Sage who was listening to his friend Nicholas. Reaching out with my mind I try to communicate with him.

'You okay? You seemed odd yesterday' I say into his head my eyes closed so I can concentrate.

'Get out of my head Anastasia' he replies forcing me out of his head. I groan clutching my head, when someone forces you out of their head it causes a pounding headache because instead of your conscious slowly easing away from theirs it's forced back.

"You okay?" Micheal asks now standing in front of me concerned.

"Not really Sage forced me out of his head." I say rubbing my temples. He goes to reply but my fathers steward calls us over first.

"Okay the rules are simple, there aren't any. Do everything in your power to get to the crown first. Said crown is hidden on the mountain in which your parents were buried whoever finds it first wins. Good luck" he say to Sage and I before stepping away. Sage takes off sprinting to the left I just stand there looking up at the sky waiting. The crowd murmurs around me about how I must not want the crown but I ignore them. My chipagon (Chet), a creature with the body of a chubby chipmunk with dragon wings about the size of a horse, flies to me allowing me to vault onto his back.

(This but bigger)

Leaning over his shoulder I show him the map pointing to where we need to go.

"If I take you there do I get snackies?" He asks in his child like voice. I shake my head laughing.

"Sure bud" I reply patting his back as he flies in the direction of the mountain. Running my hands through his chestnut fur I ponder if I actually want to win this in all honesty I never really thought about ruling I just wanted my parents to be proud of me now I don't really know what I want. Looking at the map again I focused on Sage's and my colored lines. My silver one is a couple miles ahead of his gold one but I'll admit he's moving pretty fast for being on foot.

Sighing I lay down on my back preparing for at least another half hour of flying watching clouds move through the sky.

~

Skidding off Chet's back and stepping into the ground surrounding my parents grave I glance around looking for Sage. Not seeing his I pull out my map following his line it shows him on the other side of the clearing looking over a see Sage looking down at his map.

"Sage!" I call his head springs up startled he had taken a step back when he heard my voice so its now dangerously close to the edge. "Sage watch out!" He spins expecting to find something behind him only to find his foot slipping off. He shouts turning to grab onto the edge running over I grab his hand trying to pull him back up the thought of the crown erased from my mind.

I manage to pull him up to his knees but before I can say anything or even think I'm the one hanging over the edge my wrist stinging from getting caught on a rock as Sage runs to the crown.