Azora walked briskly down the stone hallway of the castle, her footsteps echoing against the floor. The Master didn't look at or speak to any of the advisors that tried to block her path.

She had just spoken to one of the mages below her and was now on a mission to find a certain spell book that alluded her for quite some time.

As of late she had been feeling more like an errand girl than a Mage, but she supposed it was because she didn't need to protect anyone in the castle.

No one had attacked, there had been no cause for alarm and Azora felt as though she needed something to do, even if it was a small disruption in the order of things.

The life of the Master was incredibly boring. All she ever did was practice her Etching and read, which she really didn't need to do, but it kept her occupied.

Azora read more spell books and mystical legends then what was healthy, but she always needed to be on her guard and ready in case something happened. Besides, most of them were at least somewhat interesting.

Her favorite was the book on Nature Etching by Sarven Farmayar, an elf from the Silver Wilderness. She had learned the art of Singing, coaching plants to grow in certain ways by using Elven songs to channel magic. There was much more to it then that, but she had mastered and practiced it over and over again, Singing moonblossom vines into beautiful shapes in the castle gardens.

She held in a sigh as she came to the wooden doors of the Library, pushing them open. Her dark purple cloak swirled around her as she entered and Tarvo, the Librarian, greeted her warmly.

He held a stack of leather bound spell books in his hands, searching for where to put them on the shelves. When he saw her his weathered face broke out into a wide grin.

"Back again?"

"Well, you know, there's always some spell book I'm looking for," she said.

Tarvo chuckled softly.

"Don't get lost, this place is a maze," he said, looking over his shoulder.

"I won't!" She called back.

The old Librarian was right. It had taken Azora years to memorize where everything was. The Library took up its own tower and had six separate floors.

When she was a child Azora and her friend Kristian would chase each other through the shelves, always getting under the feet of the Mages and Apprentices.

It got to the point where they weren't allowed to go into the Library. Their parents had to get books for them.

Now however she knew where everything was and could easily navigate her way through the many many bookshelves. Azora climbed the twisting staircase up to the second floor, going over to where they kept the books on Charms.

The Master searched through them, humming a song under breath as she did. When Azora finally stumbled upon the leather bound volume she been looking for a grin spread across her face.

Finally.

Azora checked to make sure that it was the right volume, gazing at the neat gold cursive writing on the spine of the book. It was and she took her leave, saying goodbye to Tarvo on her way out.

Azora shifted her cloak, suddenly aware of how tight the dress she wore felt. It was a simple Mage's gown, nothing as fancy as the dresses she wore to banquets or important events.

It still restricted her movement, and she hated it. Azora would much rather wear her armor, but, as she had been reminded countless times before, it wasn't 'proper dress for a lady'.

The only time she got to wear it was when she trained with Kristian, her friend and Captain of the Guard.

She saw him rarely enough, as he always seemed to have duties he needed to attend to. Another Mage passed her and she nodded, recognizing him as one of the Apprentices.

Azora needed to see if she could train with him again, she always enjoyed honing her fighting skills.

Azora climbed down the winding staircase and entered the Mage's Ward where several doors lined the hallways. Several were classrooms where Apprentices were trained and others were where Mages with specific gifts worked.

Some were gifted with Nature Runes and others specialized in Healing Runes. All of them learned every form of Magic but chose to focus on one.

As Master it was Azora's job to protect the Devines and the Mages below her. She was gifted in Battle Runes, powerful magic used for fighting.

She had enchanted weapons and armor, taught many Apprentices how to defend and fight with Runes and even created her own weapons.

Azora had mastered every form of Runes from Ether Runes to Nature Runes. Ether Runes were forbidden magic however, as they allowed Mages to summon demons from the realm where they were trapped, called the Ether.

One could use them to connect with the shadow world to speak to the beings within it or gain power from them.

They didn't teach it anymore, as far as Azora knew she and the Devines were some of the only ones who knew how to Etch and use Ether Runes.

The Apprentice she had spoken to earlier came up to her, looking at the book in her hands.

"You found it?" She asked, her bright blue eyes sparkling.

"Yes," answered Azora, giving her the old book.

"I think that you will find it extremely helpful as you study Aqua Runes." she said.

The young girl smiled, taking off with her newfound treasure. Azora smiled, watching her leave.

She had trained a great many of the students gifted with magic and loved to see them find where their power lay. Azora couldn't help but notice the wonder in their eyes when they saw her however. She knew they looked up to her, needed her to be their guide in the twisted world of magic.

Azora was happy to be that guide, and would continue to be as long as she could. The Master walked back down the hallway, opening the door.

When she did she was met with a familiar face. Kristian stood at the door, his sword hanging at his side. He wore the dark navy blue armor Iyenlor soldiers wore, a navy blue cape draped over his shoulders.

The cape marked him as the Captain, the shield and laurels of Iyenlor stitched in silver thread upon it.

"Azora," he said, nodding to her.

"Kristian," she said back.

"What brings you here?" She asked, walking with him.

He looked at her, his deep blue eyes locking with her fire orange ones.

"Something told me you needed saving from your boredom."

Azora laughed and Kristian's face cracked into a grin, his eyes sparkling. She looked at him for a second, taking in the thin scar above his collarbone and the short black hair that swept over his eyes.

Azora was taller than him by a good eight or nine inches, then again she was taller than most everyone in the castle. The Captain was about six foot four, which made her over seven feet.

She constantly teased him about it, she knew he didn't like it.

"I have some new men that need to be shown what fighting looks like," he said, "I thought you would be up for the challenge."

Azora smirked, looking down at him.

"Of course I would love to duel you, Captain." She said.

He glared at her but Azora saw the smile tugging at his lips. They walked out into the courtyard, passing the stables and going to the barracks.

Kristian turned to Azora and told to her go put her armor on. She nodded and went to the armory, hearing Kristian's strong voice bark orders at the men who were currently training.

When she entered she saw her armor almost immediately. She called for someone to help her and one of the men who was being trained came to her aid.

Her armor was black Eleven steel with fire orange Runes Etched into it. They were Protection Runes, ones that stopped attacks and lessened the force with which one struck her.

The Runes marked her as a Mage and Warrior, skilled in magic and combat. When the armor was put on the Runes pulsed, sensing her power.

She felt the man pull back, startled by the change in the armor. When Azora was fully dressed she slipped the helmet on and retrieved her sword, Flavëran.

Its name meant 'Firebird' in the Elven tongue.

The had had the sword for a long time, though she didn't remember where she had had it forged, or who had forged it.

Azora thanked the man and walked back out into the sunlight, finding Kristian standing in front of the barracks. Two rows of twenty men stood at attention, looking straight ahead.

Kristian turned to her as she approached, unsheathing his own blade, the blood red steel glinting in the sunlight.

The hilt of his was carved in the shape of a dragon's head, each individual scale adding to its beauty. The black onyx that it was carved from glinted darkly in the sunlight.

She saw several of the men's eyes widen as they saw the Elven blades, each forged to fit their swordsman.

Azora slid her eyes over the new recruits, watching some of them stare at her armor in wonder.

"Ready?" Asked Kristian, raising his blade.

"Of course." Answered Azora, smirking.

They waited for several moments, locking eyes, sizing each other up. Kristian was first to attack, slashing at Azora's head.

She parried the blow and the two began the dance of steel.