As Ruby sat under an oak tree and sucked a piece of straw, she was forced to her feet by the roar of some sort of beast. She ran to her flock and after taking a head count, discovered that two had gone missing

She rounds them up, picks up the twin blades her father gave her for her fifteenth birthday.

Ignoring the scrapes and bruises on her body as she darts off, she ends up in a clearing and sees her two sheep at the mercy of a frostbite leopard.

Shock turns to fright as she reasons that they're never out this time of yr and only the wizards can subdue it. Never the less, she runs out into the clearing with the loudest battle cry she can muster and saves her sheep before they are killed.

As she prepares herself for her possible death and stands for battle, she hears an hysterical laugh coming from behind her " You think you can defeat it. Well go ahead".

Ruby's determination increases and soon something rises within her and she gives a devilish smile and her eyes shine a deep crimson color. She races forward with no sort of fear whatsoever, much to the surprise of the hysterical laugher.

She jumps forward with twin blades in hand and delivers a brutal blow sending it backwards "Still think I can't do this"? The hysterical laugher looks shocked and blocks her path as she is about to kill the creature" You have proved your are worthy.... Your mother would be proud. I am Celeste and I will be here to make sure you fulfill destiny ".

She raises a hand to Ruby's hair and a streak of it turns white" Now sleep for destiny awaits you"

* * * * * * *

" What do you mean no", King Henry yelled at his son. On one knee facing his father's throne " Forgive me my liege but I see no point in any of this ". King Henry slams his hand on his throne " Asher!!! I give you one month, pick a bride or I will give the throne to your brother Ryder".

Asher raises his head " Father, this is between us. Do not put the whole kingdom in jeapordy ". Henry raises his head " How dare you speak to your king that way. My order is final. GUARDS!!!! "

Asher looks confused and his father points in his direction " Torture him until he drops. Maybe then he'll learn his lesson, unless he has something to say to me ". Asher looks up from where he's being dragged " Father, this is between us. No one else ".

Henry fumes and hits his throne once again " You will bring me your bride and then it stays between us my son, Take him away. NOW!!!!"

* * * * * * * *

Ruby woke up and soon realized that she was in the room of her old cottage. She wondered whether she was dreaming or not and realizes that the tip of her hair has turned white and soon Celeste appears " Your awake. Good. There are some men outside waiting for you".

" Bring the girl out or we come and get her. "

Ruby stood straighter as she peeped out her window and saw her parents talking with some armored soldiers. She looks scared and turns to Celeste "What did you do"? Celeste looks bored and looks at her " Not me, it was you"

Ruby's eyes suddenly grow huge"I'm the reason their out there? How did I get them here" Celeste looks at her " After I tried stopping you and putting a sleep spell on you, you woke up sooner than I expected and attacked those fine men outside"

Ruby looks shaken and hears one loud voice " Bring her out now or you'll all pay the consequences ". Her parents look at each other and are unsure. The man raises his torch " I know your in there. Come out now or I'll burn you out of there RIGHT NOW!!!".

Her parents look terrified. Her mother crumbles to the floor " Don't do this please. Our daughter didn't do this ". The man kicks her away "I know what I saw, I'm not insane ".

Ruby feels a sudden rush of rage overcome her. Without thinking she rushes out of the house " Forgive me sire. I am here. Please don't harm them. They've done nothing wrong".

Just as she finishes she feels a hot sting on her right cheek. She suddenly feels herself being hoisted other someone's shoulder. She hears her father and brothers " Where are you taking her ".

Before she falls back into unconsciousness, the gladiator's arena suddenly feels her with fear.

* * * * *

Asher sat alone in the rat infested dungeon with a pounding headache and a his eye swollen shut. He suddenly jerks and realizes someone is calling his name. He looks up and finds Willow staring at him, with a smile on her face " I brought you something to eat and maybe some company ".

Asher seems surprised" But why would you help me? Especially after how I humiliated you at the last week's dinner". Willow smile slowly fades " I really dunno why I'm down here but I am so you might as well pretend to enjoy my company ".

Asher stiffens " I didn't mean any of the things I said earlier. Forgive me, I had no intention of hurting you ". Willow tilts her head to the side " Don't worry about me. At least let me help you out ".

Despite Asher's incessant protests, Willow comes into his cell and begins tending his wounds. Soon he falls into a dreamless sleep

* * * * *

Ruby was awakened by the jostling of the cart she was in and the sounds of people moving about their lives. As she slowly began to collect herself, she heard a voice in her head.

" I was beginning to wonder when you'd wake up. "

" What, How are you in my head? "

" I'm here to make sure your safe and so that anything that isn't supposed to happen doesn't happen. "

Ruby sits up and massages her cheek. The men riding the cart turn back to her showing they know her presence.

A pair of intricately carved doors of gold and silver 50 feet high are suddenly opened. She hears Celeste's incessant laughter in her head again " Welcome Ruby to the beginning of your destiny "

Ruby felt rough hands dragging her across the court yard. The one who had kicked her mother " This is only the beginning. You'll pay for your crimes ". Ruby spat at him then " Nothing you do to me is going to change the fact that you were beat up by a girl. " That got her a stinging slap. " We'll teach you how to watch your mouth ".

Ruby didn't even have enough strength to look up now but she could feel the disapproving and terrified faces staring at her. Soon she could smell stale air and was surprised to feel herself landing with a thud on some cold cobblestone.

She looked up and realized she was in a cell. What startled her most was the two bodies not to far off from her. As she raised her knees to her chest she couldn't help but wonder what she'd gotten herself into.

\*

Asher woke up with a start and was surprised to find himself in his room and the servants trying to get everything ready for the day.

The physician who seemed to be taking care of wounds lately came in, in her usual long white robe and dark long hair, she gave him a small smile " I'm seeing more of you lately".

Asher ripped off his blood stained shirt and revealed the marks from the whips " At this rate, I'll be in the gallows soon enough ". She began rubbing a black solution on his back that made him wince " This doesn't seem to hurt anymore? ".

She then brings out a white solution and rubs it on his back. This makes him scream out in pain " Athena, what is that ". With a broad grin on her face " It's a special elixir for fine strong men like you ".

Asher rolls his eyes " You always enjoyed making me suffer ". She begins wrapping him up " That's because you always tried to hard to be strong and someone needed to remind you that your not ".

" Wise words coming from someone like you". Athena gives a small laugh " Thank you. It comes with the job. I need you to take it easy and laugh a lot more. It will be good for those broken ribs".

Soon she packs up her things " You should come watch the games at the arena tonight. It might help with a lot of things " and with that she was gone.

* * * * *

Ruby was rudely awakened by the sound of the prison door opening. Expecting to see the two brutes who brought her here. She was surprised to see an older man with too many lost teeth gesture her to come out.

Silently she followed behind and soon she could hear the distant sound of people stumping their feet. She was led to a dark passage way and given a sword and a shield along with a few pieces of golden armor.

Soon the shouting became louder and Ruby found herself standing next to a boy who seemed to be her age, with intelligent looking eyes and brown curly hair.

When he eventually stopped ignoring her, he picked his halberd and shield and turned to face her. When he spoke he sounded cold " Don't get in my way and if you do freeze up don't get me killed ".

Ruby silently nodded in the affirmative and soon she heard the iron chain and the metal door rose higher. She felt herself go numb and she wanted to run, run very far away from whatever was out there.