Chapter 1 - For The Ones You Love

I ran to my brother's room, the sound of my scampering paws echoing throughout the halls. I held a bowl of soup, which burned my paws. It was still hot, thank goodness, but boy, did it hurt.

 I slam through the door into my brother's room, where I see the weak, sickly Aetyr lying there in the bed. "Here, Tophius. Here's your soup." With every word, I pant- I mean, I just ran across the maze that is my home. And the servants are too afraid to give the soup to him.

 I placed the soup on his nightstand, which was completely clear. He weakly turns to look at me with a look of disdain. He always looked like that, ever since he tried saving that Aetyr. His magic is too powerful, so he ended up hurting himself and the other Aetyr. Ever since, he has never been able to get out of bed. And even if he could, the other people wouldn't let him live normally. Even the servants won't go near him. 

Unfortunately, that resulted in him hating everyone, and everyone hating him back. I don't hate him, though. I don't think he hates me either- maybe. I dunno. I can never tell anymore.

I smile at him- I couldn't do anything else, because he doesn't like being talked to. He turns back over. "Go away.." he mumbles to me. I frowned. If only he knew how much I cared. I walked out. He didn't touch the food, but I know he'll eat it. He always eats the food he gets, it's always empty when I come back.

I walk back down to my room, and I take out a book. It's about the world and stuff, because I don't really leave the house, except for special events, and I'm not even allowed to talk to people. I walk aimlessly across the halls, reading my book- Walking helps me read.

 I get to the part about royalty, and I instantly think of Prince Illesior. Prince Illesior is the coolest. My family has close ties to his family, so we have it super good. Of course, that's also because we're Black Manes, and we Black Manes have power. At least, that's what Dad told me. I've never met Prince Illesior personally. I think it's pretty cool that we get a lot of power, but it's kinda boring when I can't go out and play with the other Aetryim. 

But... That's never stopped me from going out on my own before. 

I run back to my room, put my book down on my bed, and put on a cloak to hide my mane. Then, I sneaked out of the castle. I brought some money in case I get hungry, but not too much, or I'd be found out. 

Obviously, I've done this before. I only do it when I'm super bored. And I never get found out. I walk around, practically being just another White Mane. I hang out with some other Aetryim, and I was about to get some food when someone grabbed me by my arm and dragged me into an alleyway. They pulled off the hood of my cloak, and I was about to freak out when I saw that it was not a random Aetyr, but a very irritated Patroklos.

"This is the third time this week, Haekos...." He reprimanded. Patroklos is always stern and cold, but he's super strong. He was hired by my family to protect me, but all he does is boss me around. It's okay though, because he's a pushover if you know what he likes.

"Heeey, Patroklos... Mind letting me go this time? I'm super hungry." I feigned innocence. Nobody can resist the charm of a cute Aetyr like me- "No, Haekos. You will go home without complaint, understood?" Unless you're Patroklos, I guess.

We were walking back home when I overheard a conversation. Something about the assessment ceremony. I listened in and focused on the voice of the gossiping Aetryim.

"Did you hear? A magicless albino Aetyr went to the assessment ceremony! And went to the capital!"

"It was the courtesy of Prince Illesior, too. She's his pet."

"How did such an Aetyr become so lucky..?"

"I don't know, but it happened."

I paused. The words ring through my ears. Something doesn't sound right here. A magicless, albino aetyr, going to the assessment ceremony, and going to the capital, with the people who have magic. Could it really be possible?

 I thought for a while,  and then I got the best idea ever. Probably the stupidest one too. If an Aetyr who practically lost the genetic lottery can go with the Aetryim with magic, who says a young black mane with magic can't go on her adventure? "Patroklos?" I said, looking at him. "We have an adventure of our own to go on." Patroklos looks confused. I look at him earnestly and say, "We're going to find a cure for Tophius's disease."