***Currently being revamped into a completely new story with flying warriors, gravity-based magic that comes with a death sentence and a Native American-inspired country surrounded by enemies and constantly at war. New title: Skyfall.***
It is Marla’s dream to become one of the realm’s Protectors, warriors who guard the borders, seek justice, go on dangerous missions and do whatever is needed to protect the people. The best fighter in her age-group, Marla’s plan is unfolding exactly the way she envisioned until it is discovered that she has magic.
Despite the powerful forces at a mage’s command, they are social outcasts. Their magic has devastating consequences: baldness, exhaustion, sickness and the eventual deterioration of their bodies. There are no Protector Mages.
Forced to enroll in the Mage School, Marla must face her fear of magic, resentful classmates and the revelation that her parents were mages. Despite the harrowing effects using magic has on her body, Marla refuses to give up hope and continues training to become a Protector in secret, but it is only by conquering her fear and unraveling the dangerous truth behind her parents’ death that she will be able to discover if becoming a Protector is her destiny or if she will forever be a reluctant mage.
Sneak peek after the jump!
Marla focused on her opponent, ignoring the jeering crowd of boys surrounding them in the training yard. Thad charged, swinging his sword, but she blocked him and held her ground. He kept attacking, and their fellow novices cheered him on. He was bigger than her, but that didn’t matter; he couldn’t get through Marla’s guard.
Marla grinned and advanced with her own attack. Thad’s defense held, but she drove him backwards. The boys around them groaned and implored Thad to hold steady.
Marla almost felt sorry for them. They were all so desperate for one of the boys to beat her, but her early morning practices with her older brother were finally paying off. With his help she would win the Trainee Festival at mid-summer and convince everyone that she had what it took to become a protector one day.
Marla slammed her practice blade into Thad’s again and again. He was scrambling, but so far she hadn’t been able to finish him off. Marla gritted her teeth and kept up her attack; she’d find an opening eventually. Thad growled and took her next blow with two hands, pushing back with his sword. Marla stumbled. He pounced on the opening, but Marla spun away and hit him again before he was ready, his sword meeting hers awkwardly. She struck again before he could recover and rested the point of her practice blade at his throat.
Thad sighed and lowered his sword. The other boys closed in around him to commiserate, a few shooting glares in her direction as their group shut her out.
Justin Chandler joined her with a salute and a grin. “And your dominance continues.”
Marla shrugged and wiped her sweaty forehead on her sleeve. Sometimes it was tempting to let one of the boys win against her in hopes that they might be friendlier. But only sometimes.