"In the land of Galasia, there lived King Lavro and the regions around him. To the North East was the smallest part, Aldan. All the way to the West where the plains lay, stood Alkamar. In the very South, where snow hid the Earth's warmth, was Rystyn. To the North was the mountain region of Ultr. Below the mountains was Tith, which was where Prince Andrion resided. No one knows why he lives there alone, but there is a rumor that the Prince hates the King."

"On the Eastern shore lay the Capital Entheria, where King Lavro resided. For the most part, the land was peaceful. However, a dark shadow loomed over the kingdom. Located in the middle of Galasia is a ruined city called Kalzr. It used to be a city of peace and trade; however, it's ruler, Lord Orzox, became consumed by powerful magic. King Lavro, though only a boy at the time, knew this was Druid magic. Anything related to the Druids was forbidden, according to his decree and decades of Kings before him. Willing to negotiate out their differences, King Lavro offered the sorcerer known as Lord Orzox of Kalzr another chance, to give up this dark sorcery. Orzox, unheeding, did just the opposite. He began teaching the magic all throughout Galasia.

Enraged at Orzox's insubordination, the King ordered Kalzr to be burned, the magic to be destroyed, and Orzox to be killed. That year became a massacre of many innocents and in the end what was left of Kalzr became known as the Dark Woods. Many of those who survived went into hiding. However, those who still believed in Lord Orzox's ways formed the organization of assassins rumored to be living in the Dark Wood's-" My brother Akyto went on, mumbling more about Galasia's history.

My mind wasn't on my repetitive studies. I wonder if I would ever visit the city of Kalzr?

Perhaps I could try to convince father again to let me go. The last time I tried asking him, he said it was too dangerous. Maybe next time I could convince him that I was strong enough. "Emilea are you even listening to me? You need to memorize this, you know." Akyto's dark blue eyes squinted my way.

"Yes, of course I was." I lied.

He gave a heavy sigh, tossed his breezy brunette hair away from his face, then continued his lecture. He waved his muscular arms theatrically as he spoke. How did he do it? He was going to be turning twenty six soon which would mean he would become eligible for a wife.

How would he find time for someone else? Akyto spent so much time teaching me, Yestin, the second oldest brother and Dalani, my younger sister, every day. Then again, he always found the effort to train and go about his own activities. Besides doing all of that, he was Father's successor. If you ask me I'd say that Akyto was Father's favorite, because Akyto did all the parenting part for him. Ever since our mother died giving birth to our younger sister Dalani, our father changed. He no longer smiled or laughed. Nor did he spend time with the family, other than an occasional joining for dinner. The only thing he did care about was how hard we worked.

Occasionally Father heard about our training from Akyto and would always say, "Life is not meant to be taken for granted. It can be taken as quickly as it is given. So show your gratitude by working hard." For some reason Akyto always told Father about my struggles which he would look to me and say, "Your mother and I had such high hopes for you. You were our first born girl." Why would that matter to me? Though I was three when our mother died, it did not affect me like the others, who were quite older. For some reason mother never connected with me. The memories I did have of her were short from happy. Sometimes, however, I would dream that we would sit down together and she would brush my short tousled hair, that somehow always got tangled, and then I would tell her that I loved daisies just as much as she did. But that never happened. She would mumble for Akyto to clean me, to bathe me when I was dirty, and to feed me when I was hungry. All I wanted was to be loved the same way my brothers' were. I wanted to have a relationship with her. I wanted to talk to her, not get brushed off to my brothers. If she just gave me the time I would have been able to ask her if she had bright blonde hair like I did when she was young. All of my siblings had dark sleek hair. The color reminded me of carobs, which I would secretly sneak from our kitchen pantry. The bitterness yet chocolaty flavor was my favorite thing. Perhaps I should search for more tonight?

The day's rays kissed my skin. I squinted up at the sky.

I had bet, if mother had talked to me, she would have confessed, that like me, she had hair as golden yellow as the sun.

But the moment never came and she passed away.

I always wondered why she behaved so towards me, I could only guess that it was for the same reason as fathers'. They were disappointed in me.

"Emilea, I do not find talking to myself amusing." He shut the book in his hand. I rolled my eyes at his frustration.

"Fine. I have a question for you. Why does everyone hate our King? Sounds like he did the right thing to me." I crossed my arms.

"Many people hate him because he killed many innocent people when they attacked Kalzr. There is also a theory that he blamed the druids for the queen's death just so that it gave him a reason to destroy them all."

"Why hasn't anyone stood up to him if he is so bad? Why hasn't our family?" I asked, curious.

"Our father was good friends with King Lavro. We don't believe those rumors. Though he did kill many, he did what he thought was right for Galasia." He looked at me as I yawned. "I've told you that many times before, Emilea. Are you really listening when I teach?"

"I'm sorry. I just do not understand why I have to remember this."

"Galasia's history is your own. You will do well to remember that."

I groaned.

"How are you ever going to catch up on your studies if you do not pay attention? Your sister is only twenty years old, and she can already recite our history in four different tongues!"

"Dalani is only three years younger, brother. She also is incredibly boring because all she does is study books. And what about Yestin? He is twenty four and he is the same as me, but I don't see you yelling at him."

"It's different."

"How?" I demanded. I felt like Yestin always got away with everything.

"You know our duties are different."

"Right, women aren't allowed to become soldiers. We have to keep to our studies and become wonderful wives."

Akyto sighed again.

"Why can't you just try to fit in, Emilea?" He grabbed my shoulder.

"You know that I have tried." I looked away.

"Well, we shall not give up, for father's sake."

I found myself chuckling. I do not know if that was a reasonable goal. After all, I had tried living like that for twenty three years, and look where that got me. Nowhere. Father still sees me as a disappointment.

Akyto's shook his head. I wonder if he had given up on me too?

"Why don't we get ready for archery lessons now?" He extended his hand, which I took.

Though I was glad we were moving past the studies, I was not too thrilled at the idea that I could fail another archery lesson.

"Practice makes perfect." He pushed me forward and nodded for me to get ready.

We met at the practice range. I had my bow and arrows, and Akyto had his. After setting his down, he came over to me and helped me with my stance.

"Do you remember what I told you?" He stood back. I grabbed an arrow, set it up, and drew it back, making sure to keep my arm straight and close to my face.

"Good, now exhale. Line up your shot and then release."

I obeyed. The arrow flew towards my target, hitting the farthest edge of the circle. My heart sank.

"Again."

I picked up the next arrow, drew it back, and released. Akyto stopped me on my seventh try.

"Remember, your inner elbow must be parallel to the ground and keep it drawn as tightly as possible. You are strong enough. Concentrate, Emilea. Feel where the wind is blowing and adjust." The wind was blowing slightly from the left. I drew my bow and was about to release when a horseman came riding up the drive.

"Well, look who it is?" Akyto chuckled.

Squinting in the sun, I could just barely make out the familiar face.

"Teren?"

"I wasn't expecting him back until the end of spring." I could hear the relief in his voice. "We will continue your practice later."

Was there any hope for me? To my father's standards there was not. I wanted him to approve of me. If mother could not then perhaps there was still hope for father. However, there was something I was hiding from all of them.