Sun streamed through the window into the small room of a teenage girl. The room was very simple containing no more than a bed and small dresser. The sunlight fell upon the bed in which the girl was sleeping. This girl was of no ordinary looks for her hair was an almost blinding white-blonde. Soon she began to stir and shake off the lazy feelings of a good nights rest. She opened her eyes, revealing them to be a stunning bright green. Seeing the beautiful summer morning, she quickly ran to look out the window. Outside the weather was perfectly fitting for the occasion of a fifteenth birthday. The girl quickly dressed and ran to where her mother was preparing a meal to celebrate.

Seeing her walk in her mother said, "I see that your up, Saphina. I didn’t want to wake you, seeing that it is your birthday."

"Thanks, it was a wonder I slept at all considering how excited I was for today," Saphina replied.

"I remember that as a child you kept your father and I up the whole night asking us if you were older yet."

Laughing, Saphina said, "I remember that. I thought that I only got older on the day of my birthday."

"Well thank goodness you finally learned different. I need my sleep, thank you very much," her mother said laughing as she went to check on a pot that was sitting over the fire in the hearth.

"Do you need help with any of this. I have nothing to do all day."

"Oh no, go on and have some fun. Why not walk around the village and see what you can buy," she said as she stirred the pot, "There a bit of money I had been saving for you in the jar over there. Take it and buy something nice."

Saphina walked over to the jar and reached in. She pulled out several coins which added to a small amount, the perfect amount for her to buy a small trinket.

"Thanks, I’ll be down at the market if you need me," she said as she turned and walked out the door into the sunshine. She walked down the familiar street to where the market was. It was filled with vendors of about anything a person could want, from herbs for healing to hand carved bows and quivers. Nothing caught Saphina’s eye as she passed shops she had been in countless times. Several vendors waved as she passed and she smiled, shaking her head, "I don’t need anything today, thanks though." She continued on eventually reaching the edge of the market where it began to change into homes rather than shops.

However, one shop, which Saphina had not seen before caught her eye. The window housed an exotic bird and several other oddities. Saphina cupped her hands to her eyes, trying to see what else the shop held. There was no sign above the door to indicate what was sold inside, which made her all the more curious.

"Are you looking for something, child?"

Startled Saphina turned around to see a woman dressed in material as exotic as the bird in the window. Her clothes were not the only things exquisite about her, for she had ice blue, knowing eyes and raven black hair.

"Oh, I was just looking, I mean not for something, just looking," said Saphina startled by this woman’s sudden appearance. She had not heard footsteps, nor heard the door of the shop open.

"I’m sure you wish to know what lies inside this shop, no?" the woman said with a cool voice.

"Well, yes, I do. I’ve never seen it before."

"How can you see something previous to its existence?" asked the woman.

"Then this shop is new?"

"If it did not previously exist as it is now, then yes it is new. However, the building has been here, so, no, in that instance, new it is not," said the woman decidedly.

"Oh, well, I thought so," Saphina said, more confused that before.

"You would like to see inside, no?"

"Well yes, I would. Are you the owner?"

"In a sense I am the owner, to answer your question simply, yes," she replied and then walked into the shop leaving Saphina to follow.

Saphina could barely see after entering the shop. It was dark, the only light coming from a small candle, which sat on a round table in the middle of the room. After her eyes began to adjust, Saphina saw that the edges of the room were lined with bookshelves. She walked over to one and saw that most of the books were in a language that she did not recognize. On a table near the bookshelf there were several strange objects including the skull of an unknown creature and a faintly glowing orb.

"My dear, it would be wise to not touch things that you do not know about," said the woman who was now calmly sitting at the round table stroking a furry animal on her lap. It was as if the woman had read Saphina’s mind for she had just thought of picking the orb up to examine it.

"Uh, that makes sense," Saphina said. Then, feeling the need to fill the uncomfortable air with words she added, "What language is that?" motioning toward the bookshelf.

"It is ancient, as much so that the name for it has been long lost. It is now referred to as Notem Fonre," she said. After seeing Saphina’s confusion she added, "It is the words "not to be found" in the language we speak of."

"The name suits it," Saphina remarked. "Does anyone still speak it?"

"Many, but none of which you would know. I am fluent, but it is not my native tongue."

"May I?" Saphina asked extending her arm to take a book from the shelf.

"With great care," was the reply.

Saphina chose a large book bound in dyed leather. Walking to the table where the woman sat, she traced the words on the cover, which said, "Griej Du Histode". She then set the book down and proceeded to flip through the pages. She caught a glimpse of an illustration and turned to the page. On it there were three stones, next to each was a paragraph in Notem Fonre. Immediately, she recognized one of the stones. Her hand instinctively went to the necklace that she had worn since before she could remember. This caught the eye of the mysterious woman, and as Saphina pulled the necklace from where it hung inside the neck of her shirt, the woman gasped.

"What?" Saphina asked looking up at the woman who had began to mutter in another language, which she assumed to be Notem Fonre. Concerned, Saphina asked, "Is something the matter?"

The woman looked at Saphina and said, "I suspected when I saw your looks, they are very much of the lost child. I had figured that it was just a coincidence. But, oh, you have a Mitre Asu. You must be the Silek Griej. All of my life, I never would have believed I would be worthy of fortune to be bestowed such as this honor. And what day is today, the third day of the sixth month, no? Oh, it is the Dai Rehnor! She is found, she is found!"

Throughout this exclamation, Saphina stared in wonder at the woman before her. Gone was the calm and reserve that she had seen before. "What is this woman babbling about, so what if my stone is just like that one?" she thought.

After the woman had settled down, Saphina ventured to ask her, "What are you talking about, I’m not what you are thinking. I am just a plain girl in a plain village."

The woman considered Saphina for a moment then said, "It is a story of which many do not know. It deals with places farther than you have ever though to venture and events spread wide through history. However, I am not the one to tell you this story." Seeing that Saphina was becoming frustrated she added, "However, there is a part which you must be told for your benefit. It is a considerably short part in the story spoken of but it will do."

"Now there are two opposing kingdoms, far from here, which were once one. One such kingdom is ruled over by a queen. This queen is obligated to select one girl-child, or the Silek Griej, to take the throne after the most unfortunate event of her death. This child is given remarkable power that begins to show around their fifteenth year, and at the time in which the power begins to show, the child is given training to become fit to be queen. As we speak that queen is nearing the aforesaid un-fortune, for she has been poisoned by slow acting venom."

"But then where do I come into this?" questioned Saphina.

"You, child, are the Silek Griej."

"Wait just a minute, I can’t be your Seelect-whatever. I’ve lived here my whole life. My parents are here, in this village. I’m not anything special and I don’t have powers."

"Oh, but they wouldn’t show until right around now, so how would you know. I’m assuming that it is your birthday soon. How else would such an occurrence take place?"

"Its today, my birthday I mean," Saphina said, now beginning to think that the woman was mad. "Maybe if I was to run for it," she thought. "Then I could go home and forget about this whole thing."

"Well then gratziantes to you!"

"Gratzi-whats?"

"Congratulations, of course," the woman said shaking her head at Saphina.

"Well if I am this "Griej" thing then why do I have parents living right here in this village? Prove to me that you are not just telling me some tale for your amusement." Saphina demanded.

"Well, for the question of your parents, there is a good explanation. Now, there is a short period of time, lasting for precisely one hour, which occurs with in the first year that the Silek Griej is born. This is a time at which the child can be captured by the other kingdom. An ancient tradition, this is, and though it can give great power to the queens enemies, it is upheld. It is formally called "Hora Me Caruse" or the "hour of capture".

Needless to say, the great advantage allowed to the enemies with each new Silek Griej is taken eagerly. There has been few times in history that the child has been captured, though not a substantial number. It is said that the Hora Me Caruse was mislaid in the minds of the queen’s followers, due to the time that had passed since the last Silek Griej. However, the opposing kingdom remembered, much to their advantage.

Not much is known about that night other than that you were saved by an earth nymph named Carlott. Somehow she was able to run with you into this village, lay you on the doorstep of the house you now reside in, and cast a spell to protect you. Since then she has not been seen."

One witness of that night survived, and that is the man formerly second in command of the opposing kingdom’s army. His name is Taverane and is known as a great wielder of magic. It is said that that night, in his frustration, he murdered the men under his command. It is assumed he used magic, for no bodies were found of his men. It is near impossible to know because in his return to his kingdom he had forgotten the whole night. He stumbled into the palace out of his head beyond help and yielded no answers even after magic was resorted to. He was taken from command and was placed in a wing of the palace to recover. These events were most likely was caused by a part of Carlott’s spell to insure your protection.

"Then how do you know so much about this if there are no sane witnesses? Also, none of this shows me proof what you are saying is the truth."

"Shush, shush, enough interruptions! I’m telling you all you need to know; so don’t worry about how I know. Now I’m sure you are wondering about the necklace you wear, no? That is your proof you’ve been asking for."

"Well, yes, you said something about it being a "Mitre Asu". But how does that prove anything."

"Yes, yes, it is one of the mighty gems. All I will divulge is that great care must be taken with it."

"You can’t tell me what its for even? I still don’t see proof in what you have said. I must have a right to know if I am as special as you say."

"Very well, a very persistent child, you are, I must say. That necklace is a way of releasing the power of which you have been bestowed. Along with being an important symbol of the kingdom it allows you to use your power. Few know of this, and those who do have the power to cause you much harm, and much good. This depends on the person.

Saphina still saw no proof in what she was told. This must have shown on her face for the woman added, "You are still not satisfied I see. Well why don’t you try a simple use of power. Now hold the stone child and say the word "enfaire". It should be simple enough."

Still doubting the woman, Saphina did as the woman said. When nothing happened, she exclaimed, "Nothing is going to happen, I’m telling you. I’m not whatever you say, and you are just a crazy old woman."

The woman did not seem shocked by this comment, to the contrary she seemed all the more animated. "How can you state that when the remarkable has taken place before your eyes! Look at the gem, child, it glows, bright and true."

Looking down, Saphina was astounded to see that the gem was lit up with a seemingly inner light. It glowed even brighter than the candle that was sitting on the table and gave off a beautiful, clear, blue light. Saphina grasped for words crying, "Did I do that?"

"Indeed, child, your use of Notem Fonre combined with the gem allowed power to light up the gem. It is one of the simplest acts of power first taught to those who it is given. Is that proof enough for you! You are undeniably the lost Silek Griej.

Now I must send word to the queen! All will rejoice when they hear the news that you have been discovered. Soon you will be taken to start long awaited training to become the next queen!"

Shocked at what had just taken place, Saphina barely noticed as the woman stood and started talking to the bird in the window. The bird seemed to nod, then took off, out of the door of the shop. The woman walked smoothly back to the table. Seeing the look on Saphina’s face she said, "Child, it will settle in. Give it time, and you will see. And to think, you wouldn’t have known the truth if I hadn’t told you! Now would you like a cup of tea, or some bread maybe, I might have something, let me see," she said as she walked to a corner of the store and started to rummage in a cupboard.

Saphina stared at her in disbelief thinking that the woman had to be insane. Standing she said, "Oh, um, no, thanks though. I better be going really." And without listening to what the woman might have had to say, Saphina walked out into the street and rushed home, knowing the only way she could solve all of this nonsense would be to ask someone who had been there that night.

The earth nymph Carlott hurried through the streets of a small village called Arlestend. The rain beat heavily on her as she quickly sped through a small marketplace, looking over her shoulder every few minutes. In her arms she carried a human infant of only few months wrapped in fine cloth, which had become soaked with rain. The infant was stirringly silent, perhaps aware but not disturbed by the action that took place around her.

Behind Carlott raced shadows of men searching the streets for her and the child. Carlott knew she could not hold them off for much longer for her stamina was beginning to weaken. This said much, for nymphs were known for their uncanny strength and physical abilities. The rain began to worsen making it all the more difficult for the nymph to elude her pursuers. Racing around a corner she saw a small house where, in the window of which, there was a flicker of light.

Carlott quickly knocked on the door. There was a sudden hush inside where before there had been faint talking. The source of light was extinguished. Sensing that the inhabitants were not going to answer, Carlott knocked again with even more urgency. She could sense those who followed her were closer than before.

There was again no answer to the knock.

Carlott began to panic for she knew if she didn’t act soon she would be captured along with the infant. Quickly considering her options, she summoned all the power she had and whispered the words, "Alegret parefna, seatre begrinaf, arusa beatreds" and then placed the child on the doorstep. After doing this, the nymph ran around the corner and disintegrated into nothing but a small pile of dirt.

After the words were spoken, those who meant harm to the nymph and infant suddenly stopped their search. All at once it was as if an invisible giant hand threw them outside of the town. They hit the ground with such force that several were knocked out on impact. The leader yelled, " Regroup, we must find that child of it will be your death!" The men cried a blood curling war cry and raced toward the village gate once more. However, as each man entered the town he was thrown back once again.

" Sir," they exclaimed, "entry is impossible! There seems to be a force keeping us out."

" Oh let me show you," snarled the leader as he walked toward the town. When he neared the gate he was once again thrown to the ground. "This cannot be the work of a single nymph, the sheer use of power would kill it."

"But sir, we killed all the others in the caravan. There’s no way that we missed more than the single nymph.

"And for that mistake, someone will pay greatly!" cried the outraged leader. After a moment of though he exclaimed "Grite Firah, the nymph must have committed suicide to place the spell on the village!"

"What can we do now, the Hora Me Caruse will be over before the spell wears off. To disobey the decree would mean certain death," said another man.

"And what of the Biell, they will not like it when we come home empty handed," inserted one man.

The rest nodded in agreement to what has been said, saying things like, "Will it be our heads for this slip up?" and "This is sure to fall on us."

"Silence!" yelled the leader. When they did not cease he raised his hand and yelled the word "Diamet". Suddenly each man grasped his heart and fell to the ground dead, disintegrating into a cloud of fog. Then suddenly, the leader himself, felt a terrible pain in his head, the force of which caused him to fall to the ground where he became unconscious.