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~~The Isle of Guawyn~~ The Isle of Guawyn was an isolated place, set far apart from the rest of the nations. Secluded and isolated it provided the Order of Guawyn the perfect retreat to study, learn and train their mages. Magic flowed through this little isle and the occupants enjoyed a peaceful, harmonious existence. Only now the Isle was bustling because of the new arrivals. While royalty and nobility had often visited the Isle, it was never to this extent and usually consisted of a distant relative of a Lord, Lady, King or Queen. On rare occasions the seventh son of a King or the third daughter of a Queen might come to the Isle intent on forfeiting their social position and devoting their lives to the study of magic. It was a place of education, with prestigious scholars, writers, artists and poets often visiting for lengthy periods of time in the hopes of becoming inspired and creating a masterpiece. The Isle itself was surrounded by ocean and sat just east of the island country of Timon, Prince Dawson Leery's homeland and eventual kingdom. Prince Dawson Leery had been the first to leave after hearing Blue Mage Omyn's request. He had at first returned to Timon to settle some affairs before heading to the Isle of Guawyn. The young Lady Abigail Morgan was next to arrive and had promptly retreated to her room refusing to socialise with the locals of the Isle. Her attitude was that of superiority and annoyance at having being made to come to what she considered a prison isle. The servants had soon tired of a condescending and patronising behaviour, she was indeed a lady of the courts and was out of sorts at being forced to leave the political arena. She did however seem to be preening and primping herself in preparation for Prince Witter's arrival and servants had noted her remarkable change of personality whenever Prince Leery was around. Pacey, Jack and Andie had arrived next. It had taken five days since the Blue Mage's announcement to make it to the Isle. King Witter and Doug had spent much time impressing both Pacey and Jack on the importance of remembering their royal duty and that their loyalties would always and must always remain with Seretus. Pacey believed his father's words were something along the lines of: "If you screw this up boy...." They had all been shown their quarters and Andie discovered she was on the other side of the manor from her brother and Pacey. The servants had also seemed to have great deal of plans for Andie and she complied cheerfully to their requests. Unfortunately it meant that she had barely glanced at Jack or Pacey in the last two days. And the rest of them were still awaiting the arrival of Princess Josephine Potter and the young Lady Jennifer Lindley. Andie hoped that peace could be maintained and she knew that both her brother and Pacey as well as herself were eagerly awaiting and dreading their arrival.
Andie did not need to wait long. Joey and Jen arrived exactly a day later, in the middle of the night and were promptly shown to their rooms. The journey had been exhausting and both girls were glad to finally be able to rest. They had not intended to take so long but it had been necessary for Joey to return to Atiivar. Joey had to inform her father of the new turn of events and it had been an awkward meeting. She was not too sure if her father fully understood the implications of what she had told him but Joey had tried. Mike Potter was entirely removed from reality but even in his deluded and drunk moments he managed to portray his love for his daughters. And sometimes, just sometimes when he was lucid and sober Mike Potter expressed his regret at the problems he had caused Bessie and Joey and his utter sorrow at having lost his wife. It had been a tearful departure but Joey recognised the necessity that drove her and Jen to the Isle. Jen was not Joey's only companion. Gilk had come too. He came where ever she went and Joey was in fact unable to recollect a time when he had not been around. Some of Joey's earliest childhood memories consisted of Gilk - he had acted as her guardian and sometimes confidant. Yet he remained the ever elusive wolf. Gilk did not take too kindly to human company although he was devoted to Joey and fond of Jen. Bessie, Bodie and Alex were some of the few people Gilk tolerated, Prince Dawson Leery was not. What was strange was the fact that Dawson did not even seem to acknowledge or know of Gilk's existence despite the unusually large amount of time Gilk had actually spent in Dawson's presence. Perhaps it was due to Dawson's oblivious nature or perhaps it was due to Gilk's remarkable ability to remain hidden in the shadows. In fact most of the court of Atiivar seemed to be unaware of Gilk's presence. So it came as no surprise to Joey when the people who had greeted her and Jen did not seem to notice that a wolf had tagged along.
It was early morning when Jen found Joey. "Joey, our rooms are gorgeous! I love the decor of your room it so gorgeous and you have the most perfect view!! Who knew that such a secluded place would be filled with such beauty and luxury." "Yeah...c'mon we have to find the main hall, the servants say that Blue Mage Omyn is expecting us, we're all supposed to meet there in less than 3 minutes." "And we finally get to meet the rest of the group. I wonder what they will be like? I've heard that Andrea McPhee is annoyingly perky and as for Abigail Morgan..well I think the words stay away pretty much sum it up." "I think we met Lady Abigail Morgan once." "Yeah and the girl gave me the creeps�there was something distinctively off about her. I can't put my finger on it but somehow I don't quite trust her." "A courtier through and through..." "Anyways I can't wait to meet the guys...I wonder if any of them are cute? I mean we already know what Dawson is like...but the others...well there is room for potential." Joey made a semi-disgusted face. "Yes, yes, yes, Jo. I do realise that one of them is your mortal enemy. But forbidden love is soooo romantic. Besides, I wasn't really thinking of you...I was thinking of my prospects!" "Jen! Is that all you think about?" "Well I don't have a tall, dark, mysterious and incredibly sexy stranger to daydream about." Joey blushed at the comment. "C'mon, enough talk. We have to go." The two girls linked arms and laughingly went in search for the main hall.
Joey and Jen crept into the main hall during the middle of Blue Mage Omyn's speech. They managed to find two seats at the back and stared in awe at the enormous quantity of people around them. The hall itself was pretty impressive too with high ceiling, marble floors and velvet drapes that hung along the sides. Sunlight streamed through the aisle of windows at the left and right walls of the hall. Rows of people were seated, - servants, students, mages, scholars - listening attentively as Blue Mage Omyn talked about his journey to the Realm Keep. Neither Joey nor Jen could spot Dawson or anyone else they could recognise. The meeting itself was short and soon all the people who had filled the hall were gone. Jen and Joey were uncertain what they were meant to do next and were about to leave the hall when Blue Mage Omyn appeared beside them. "Ahhh. I see that you have arrived. I hope your journey was fine. Most of your days here will be spent training. You will be learning to enhance your magical abilities as well as your social and physical skills and much more. There will still be time for pleasure, the Order of Guawyn is not such a rigid, slave-driving school but we do expect you to perform. Your weekly schedules will be posted on your bedroom doors each Sunday morning. The other members of the group have already arrived sometime ago but I don't think they have all become acquainted as yet." Joey noted five people at the front of the hall. Their backs were turned to Joey and Jen so she could not make out any of their faces although Joey assumed the blonde haired male to be Dawson. From what Joey could decipher no one was really talking in fact everyone looked decidedly uncomfortable and awkward. She searched Jen's eyes to see if Jen had any first impressions but only uncertainty was reflected back. "Well here we are." They had reached the group. "Now I'm sure you are all anxious to be acquainted so I'll leave you to it." With that Blue Mage Omyn departed leaving the two girls to the rest of the group.
Pacey turned to face the group with a charming and friendly smile, "I'm Pacey Witter. And this is my friend Jack McPhee." Pacey could not see the two girls who had just arrived since they were semi hidden by Andie, Abby and Dawson. Yet both Joey's and Jen's eyes widened. They knew this guy. Only now they had a name to the face. A name neither had expected to hear in such friendly circumstances. A name Joey did not expect. Least of all as the name of her mysterious stranger. Pacey Witter. He's Pacey Witter. Pacey Witter of Seretus. Seretus, the enemy of Atiivar. The Witters, enemies of the Potters. Pacey Witter. My sworn enemy. All Joey was physically capable of doing was watching in shock as the introductions continued. Andie stepped forward and hugged Jack, "Hey big bro. Uh...for all of you who don't know Jack and I are siblings." Andie then went to Pacey and embraced him as well. "Hey McPhee." "That's Andie to you, Witter..." she then addressed the rest of the group, "My name's Andrea but call me Andie." Abigail interrupted Andie's embrace with Pacey, smiling seductively as she stroked his arm and offered, "I'm Abigail but call me Abby. Or you could just call me...." Joey and Jen who had been dumbstruck at realising that Prince Pacey Witter was Joey's mysterious stranger rolled their eyes at Abby's obvious antics. Dawson walked over to Joey's side placing a hand possessively over her shoulder and announced, "I'm Prince Dawson Leery and this is Princess Josephine Potter and Lady Jennifer Lindley." "Joey." "Jen." The two girls corrected Dawson automatically while Joey tried to shrug off Dawson's possessive grip. It is her. I can't believe it is her. She is here, right in front of me. Pacey stared disbelieving of his luck. Without realising it he now found the girl who had been haunting his dreams just across the hall from him. It did not matter that she was Josephine Potter, a girl who belonged to the family his own family had hated for centuries. It did not matter that they were meant to be nemeses. All that mattered was that she was here standing before him. Mesmerised both Joey and Pacey stepped forward, silently eyeing the other as they approached. They came to a standstill so that they were within touching distance. Everyone in the room fell into a hushed, attentive silence - two mortal enemies in front of each - would fighting and bloodshed ensue? Jen and Jack stood watching in fascination both realising the added significance of this meeting. Pacey's hand moved upwards...and landed at the top of Joey's cheekbone...his fingers gently caressed and stroked the side of her face until they finally came to rest, cupping her chin. "Truce.." he breathed the words. Joey's face broke into a startling bright smile as she nodded her acquiescence. Pacey smiled in returned and leaned forward his lips brushing first her left then her right cheek, briefly savouring the sweet taste of her once again. "Well I'm glad we're all friends now." Abby snidely broke the moment between the two mortal enemies and came forth, deliberately linking her arm with Pacey's while propelling him forward, "So don't you think we should explore this place?" |
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