I had to sleep on a prairie. I was freezing myself and even with my coats and capes and a fire, I couldn’t warm myself. And, of course, I had to beware of wild animals, like wolves or bears.

I missed the warmness and conformity of the tower, the deliciousness and variety of homemade food, the stories and adventures of Ariadnne, and the magic classes. Why was I doing that journey? Just to meten a person I didn’t knowen to tellen me my name. I had lived without a name my whole life. Why did I need to knowen now?

After passing through farms and lakes, I reached a city, the biggest city I had ever seen. High scarlet and light brown monsters with big wooden mouths and rainbow eyes surrounded the city. They were separated by little woods and passages with a myriad of floor styles.

People and creatures with pointy ears, big beards, blue, green, or hairy skins, sharp teeth filled the streets. People I have only seen in books and compendiums. So many stores selling a variety of objects and pubs and restaurants crowded. I crashed with so many people that I forgot the times I had to apologize.

I stopped at each store and was impressed by how many things I discovered. It was a new world to me. A world that was just a day away from the tower. I was so innocent that I forgot that I was outside the tower and dangerous people were lurking everywhere. While I was walking through a passage, six trolls surrounded me, three from the front and three from behind.



‘You’ll have to come with us.’ The troll, who was wearing a black armor with purple details, sounded aggressive.

‘Why? I didn’t do anything wrong.’ I told him. The troll grunted as if he was threatening me.

‘Madame Nayane requests your presence. I have no problem in “sleeping” you if I have to.’ I refrained from defending myself and followed the trolls.



I thought nothing could surprise me, but I was wrong. A purple castle with black windows and high towers emerged above the city on a hill. Guards of different races were lined up on the pathway that led to the castle.

I walked through big halls and corridors decorated with soft purple carpets, golden and silver chandeliers, paintings of battles and families, and painted roofs. The trolls tossed me and left me before a short woman with short blonde hair, dressed in an indigo long dress and boots with high heels. The smell of irises came from her.



‘What are you doing in the City of Darevia?’ I wasn’t paying attention to her. I was absorbed by the young woman next to her side. Her shiny hair and big oat eyes captured me. Her posture was so right that not an inch was curved. When she pierced her eyes on me, I turned my tomato face.



‘Answer!!!’ shouted the troll who brought me, taking me away from my thoughts.

‘I was just passing by’ I answered solidly.

‘Mmm… interesting… so you ended up in this city by pure coincidence.’ Her voice was so cold and harsh that it gave me goosebumps.

‘That’s right.’ My hands and legs were blaming me.

‘Did your parents teach thou that is not good to lie?’

‘I’m an orphan.’ I answered her. She was not even moved by my answer. Her face was as expressionless as a statue.

‘I’m sorry for that. Now, tell me the reason why you are here.’ Her voice became harsher as she was getting impatient.

‘I’m heading to Eversnow Mountain.’ I confessed her. She giggled as if I was joking.

‘You might prove useful. I can sense a great power coming within thou. Take him to the dungeon.’ I didn’t resist. The trolls took me, and I had to think about a plan before my powers were stolen.

© Jero Gandini