Excerpt: Zenith of Vigor

Nearly two decades ago, a very special child was born on a very special night. Lady Erina had insisted on no aid from the medical practitioners of Amberia Castle even though, Lord Alther, her husband, didn’t agree. This insistence had begun since she discovered that she was with child because she feared that they might discover whom she really was, a witch. Although the kingdom thought of her as merely an unusually adept human mage, she was far more than that. She was the last of the Vera, the most powerful of witches. She knew that this child must go on without anyone’s knowing. She must never know she was a witch. Her and Lord Alther were just beyond the fountain in the courtyard, and Erina was lying down on a soft patch of grass, awaiting the child’s arrival. Beside them is a basket woven by hand with a lavender blanket and a soft pillow inside, and a note inside the blanket.

“How do you feel being the father to the daughter of prophecy? A being of legend,” asked Erina.

“Pretty good. But, one question, how do you expect her to never find out? She is magical after all; it won’t be long before she starts showing signs of magic. And not parlor human magic either.” Questioned Alther.

“With this.” She pulled out a vial slowly from her pocked that was sealed with a wooden cork. The vial contained a dark blue liquid. “This potion will bind her powers until she needs them the most, but only her active ones.” Said Erina.

“Her active ones? What do you…” he stopped as he looked over to his wife and saw that she was in extreme pain. Her faces never showed so much pain when she had contractions before. He knew then that she was having the child. He moved quickly and grabbed the blanket from the basket and positioned himself in front of her.

“Just take deep breaths. Try to stay calm,” said Alther.

Erina tired her best to clam down, but shrieks of pain still escaped her throat. She had faced demons, dragons, and the evil eye she received from her mother-in-law at special occasions in the kingdom, all of which paled in comparison.

“You’re almost there,” said Alther as he looked under and saw a head of black hair.

Finally, he was able to grab the child and place her in the blanket and put her in Erina’s arms. Erina looked up in the sky and saw a red moon.

“The prophecy was right. She’s a girl obviously. Born under the Red Vigor Moon on All Hallow’s Eve,” said Erina.

“What do you think we should name her?” asked Alther.

“How about Vedyra?” asked Erina.

“Is it such a good idea to give her such a powerful name?” asked Alther.

“No, it’s a great idea. What better name to give the last of out line than to give her the name where it all began,” explained Erina.

“It’s fine by me,” said Alther.

Alther took Vedyra and placed her in the basket and ran towards the castle. He stopped at a door at the North tower and dropped her there and knocked on the door. He quickly ran away. As the door opened, en elderly, plump woman saw the child and saw a note in the basket and began to read:

Dear Emile,
Please help me. My daughter needs someone to care for her and raise her as her own. I know non-royals aren’t permitted to live in the castle other than servants, but she is so gifted that I am sure that they will make an exception. Please raise her as your own; I only want a better life for my daughter. Just treat her well and you will be rewarded.

Not being cold-hearted enough to leave a child outside to die, she took her in as her own flesh and blood.