The Ashborne Chronicles

Chapter 1 - Red Stew!

The Enchanted Forest was definitely "enchanted" by every sense of the word. It was a rhythm, a beautiful melody, and above all, it was a tranquil haven for any witch, wizard, or creature who sought solitude and rest.

It would be most egregious should anyone disturb the peace, but then the Ashbornes were specialists in just that.

"Damn you Kathia!! I'll get the sacred herb first!" Michael Ashborne's voice bellowed as he destroyed the peace of the forest, each of his frantic steps an attack on the tranquility of this beautiful forest.

"Not if I can help it! Tanya will most definitely receive the caucus leaves from me!" his companion screamed.

They raced through the underbrush, their laughter echoing through the trees, breaking the stillness with their energetic competition. Mike leaped over a fallen log, his fingers just grazing the leaves, but Kathia was right behind him, her swift movements closing the gap.

"This stew is delicious, Big Sister! Must be the herb that we got," Mike remarked as he stuffed his mouth.

"It's delicious because of the love she put into it! Any ingredient is only as good as the love by which it has been used!" Kathia snapped.

Tanya, Mike's older sister and the only family he and Kathia had in this world, was their sister, mother, best friend, and shoulder on which both cried.

"Did the Enchanted Wolves say anything to you?" Tanya asked as she poured more of her magical chicken stew into Mike and Kathia's bowls.

"No, but I think I may have made a few of them laugh. They do laugh, you know!" Mike laughed.

"They must be respected!" Kathia snapped.

As Tanya slept, she felt Mike and Kathia's arms slithering over her stomach.

"Ahem! Not that I'm scared or anything, but I need to hug you to make sure you're safe," Mike said sheepishly.

"And I'm here to make sure Mike doesn't disturb you!" Kathia smiled as she wrapped her arms around Tanya.

Tanya couldn't help her laughter. This was a routine she had gotten used to. Every night she'd tuck Mike and Kathia into bed, and in less than five minutes, both found their way to her and slept in her embrace.

"Tomorrow is Sunday, kids. We should go look for jobs to do after school. I have an interview with Agatha in her Mystic Emporium. I want you both to work there with me," Tanya whispered as Kathia and Mike dug their faces into her stomach.

Kathia remarked that Mike must be taken care of. Mike blew a raspberry at her and told Tanya he'd be the best helper the old witch Agatha had ever seen.

The next morning was tumultuous as usual with Mike and Kathia fighting over what to have for breakfast. The Emberstorm siblings showed up and joined the fun.

Lila was a tall girl with striking green eyes and curly auburn hair, while Finn was a lanky boy with a mop of dark hair and mischievous blue eyes.

Mike's eyes fell on Lila, and he immediately transformed into his beast form—a red dragon with large wings. He blew smoke rings to impress Lila and tried to flirt, but failed miserably as Lila ignored him and got to work helping Kathia with breakfast.

Meanwhile, Tanya returned from Mrs. Windwhisper's home. She always helped the old witch with morning cleaning and breakfast as Mrs. Windwhisper was getting old. Lila and Finn eagerly hugged Tanya when they saw her. Lila gave Tanya the meat pie their mother had sent. Tanya accepted lovingly before ordering Mike out of the house lest he burn something with his breath.

Finn also transformed into a dragon, and he and Mike quickly took to the sky over their home. Other teenagers also flew around in their various creature forms, enjoying their Sunday morning.

"Mike! Finn!! Breakfast's ready!" Tanya screamed into the sky, but the boys didn't listen, busy with their aerial acrobatics with the other teenagers.

Tanya then stepped out and her own magical transformation began. Glowing features grew out of her skin, and within a moment, she turned into a majestic white eagle with a magical blue glow surrounding her.

She took to the skies and grabbed the protesting Mike and Finn in her talons. Meanwhile, Kathia and Lila laughed.

"Breakfast! Now!" Tanya screamed as both boys went back to their human forms.

Lila and Finn's mother wanted her kids to go with Tanya to the city center to find jobs as well. Their father had been away on government business to Caladrius, the realm of the desert sorcerers, and she wanted the siblings to gain work experience.

As they stepped outside, they took on their beast forms. Kathia turned into a majestic white dove, while Lila turned into a white kestrel.

Standing under Tanya's wings, the girls took flight with Mike and Finn following in their dragon forms.

The girls joined Agatha in the Mystic Emporium, while Mike and Finn hoped to find work at the docks.

As they finished breakfast, Lila and Finn's mother, Mrs. Emberstorm, arrived at the Ashborne house with a determined look.

"Tanya, I'd like Lila and Finn to go with you to the city center today to find jobs. With their father away on government business in Caladrius, they need to gain some work experience," she said, giving her children a meaningful glance.

"Of course, Mrs. Emberstorm," Tanya replied warmly. "We'd be happy to have them along."

The kids quickly gathered their things, excitement buzzing in the air as they prepared to head out. Stepping outside, they each transformed into their beast forms. Kathia's transformation was elegant, her body shimmering as she turned into a majestic white dove. Lila followed suit, her form shifting into that of a sleek white kestrel with piercing green eyes that mirrored her human ones.

Tanya spread her wings, her white eagle form casting a protective shadow over the younger girls. With a powerful beat of her wings, she took to the sky, Kathia and Lila following close behind. Their graceful forms cut through the morning air, a beautiful sight against the clear blue sky.

Below them, Mike and Finn transformed into their dragon forms. Mike's red dragon scales gleamed in the sunlight, while Finn's blue dragon form was a striking contrast. With synchronized flaps of their powerful wings, they took off, following the girls above.

The flight to the city center of Adelfí was exhilarating, the wind rushing past them as they soared over the Elizabethan rooftops. The magical port city was a bustling hub of activity, with ships—both seafaring and flying—docking and departing, their sails billowing in the breeze.

They landed gracefully in a central plaza, drawing curious glances from passersby. The group transformed back into their human forms, ready to face the day's challenges.

"Alright," Tanya said, gathering them in a small huddle. "Lila, Kathia, you two will join me at the Mystic Emporium with Agatha. Mike, Finn, you both can head to the docks and see if there's any work for you there."

Mike and Finn exchanged a determined nod before heading off towards the docks, their excitement palpable. The docks were a hive of activity, with towering wooden ships being loaded and unloaded, their crews shouting orders and instructions. The boys hoped their strength and magical abilities would make them valuable helpers.

Meanwhile, Tanya, Lila, and Kathia made their way to the Mystic Emporium. The shop was a wonder in itself, filled with potions, enchanted artifacts, and spell books. Agatha, the kindly but eccentric witch who owned the shop, greeted them warmly.

"Tanya! And you must be Lila and Kathia. Welcome, welcome," Agatha said, her eyes twinkling with curiosity and warmth. "There’s much to do, and I'm sure you’ll find it quite interesting."

The girls quickly got to work, Lila organizing shelves of spell components while Kathia helped Agatha with potion brewing. Tanya managed the front, assisting customers with their various magical needs.

Throughout the day, the Ashbornes and the Emberstorm siblings worked diligently, each contributing their unique skills and talents. Tanya couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as she watched them. Despite the challenges they faced, they were growing, learning, and most importantly, supporting one another.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over Adelfí, the group reconvened at the central plaza. Mike and Finn were covered in soot and grime but wore proud smiles.

"We helped unload a shipment of dragon scales and enchanted wood," Finn said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"And we managed not to set anything on fire," Mike added, earning a playful swat from Kathia.

Lila laughed, her eyes sparkling. "We made some amazing potions, and Agatha said we were naturals."

Tanya smiled at them all, her heart full. "You all did wonderfully today. Let's head home and celebrate our first day of work."

With that, they transformed back into their beast forms and took to the sky, the promise of future adventures and challenges making their bond even stronger. Together, they could face anything Effugium had to offer.

As they approached their home, Mrs. Windwhisper met them in the sky, riding her broom with a grace that belied her age.

"Evening tea at my house, kids!" she announced, her cackling laughter echoing through the air as she descended.

Mike and Finn were quick to follow, swooping down after her. They adored Mrs. Windwhisper’s cakes and never missed an opportunity to indulge.

"Hey, Finn," Mike called out as they flew, "I challenge you to a friendly wager—whoever eats the least cakes has to do the other’s homework for a week."

Finn grinned, accepting the challenge. They both laughed as they neared Mrs. Windwhisper's house, but their enthusiasm got the better of them. In their haste, they crashed into Mrs. Windwhisper's front door, eliciting a chorus of laughter from Lila and Kathia.

Kathia smirked at Mike as he transformed back into his human form, rubbing his head. "Nice landing, genius."

Inside, the cozy warmth of Mrs. Windwhisper's home enveloped them. The scent of freshly baked cakes filled the air, and the table was laden with an assortment of treats. Mike and Finn dove in, eagerly stuffing their faces.

Tanya, Kathia, and Lila joined them, savoring the delicious cakes. The lively chatter and laughter made the small house feel even warmer. As the cake count rose, it became clear that Finn was in the lead.

In the end, Finn emerged victorious, having eaten two more cakes than Mike. Both boys, now with bloated stomachs, groaned in discomfort.

"Looks like I win," Finn said with a triumphant grin, patting his stomach.

Mike sighed, "Yeah, yeah. I’ll do your homework, but I can’t move right now."

Tanya shook her head, amused. "I wanted to teach you wind magic today, but it seems you two will have to stay behind. You can't fly with those aching bellies."

Leaving the boys to rest, Tanya took Kathia, Lila, and Mrs. Windwhisper to a large open area in the forest. The clearing was perfect for practicing magic, with tall trees providing a natural barrier against any stray spells.

"Today, we'll work on manipulating the wind," Tanya explained, her voice calm and instructive. "It's a subtle yet powerful element, and mastering it requires patience and focus."

The girls watched attentively as Tanya demonstrated. With a gentle motion of her hand, she summoned a soft breeze, which gradually grew stronger, swirling around them in a controlled vortex.

"Feel the air around you," Tanya instructed. "Listen to it, and let it respond to your will."

Kathia and Lila closed their eyes, extending their senses. Slowly, they began to mimic Tanya's movements. At first, their efforts were tentative, but under Tanya's patient guidance, they soon started to shape the wind with increasing confidence.

Mrs. Windwhisper observed with a proud smile. "You girls are naturals," she remarked. "With more practice, you'll be able to perform even more intricate wind magic."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the forest, the girls continued their practice, their laughter mingling with the rustling leaves.

That night, as Tanya slept, her eyes opened for a brief moment to notice Mike missing, while Kathia slept peacefully beside her. Without waking Kathia, Tanya looked around the house for Mike, when she heard the sound of sobbing from the roof.

As she climbed onto the conical rooftop, she saw the little red dragon with its wings folded and glowing golden tears cascading from its eyes. As Tanya approached, she noticed a grey rune in Mike's front talons. It shone a brilliant yellow as his tears dropped on it.

"Mom's rune," Tanya whispered as she stroked Mike's snout. Mike quickly transformed into his human form and began crying in his sister's lap.

"I miss her. She was the best mom in the world," Mike cried.

Tanya couldn't hold back her tears and cried with him. She assured Mike that they would definitely investigate the runes and find out more about their mother Alecia and her father Draco. Holding Mike's hands, she led him back to bed and stroked his head until he fell asleep.

Kathia was awake and looked into Tanya's eyes. Tanya kissed her forehead gently and assured her that she would do everything in her power to protect the little joys this family gets.

Kathia, having overheard Mike and Tanya's conversation, promised to do whatever it took to uncover the mystery behind Tanya and Mike's parents' disappearance.

Tanya nodded, and all three fell asleep.

From a distance, a female Enchanted Wolf stared directly at the siblings through a window, tears falling from her eyes. The other Enchanted Wolves looked at her and comforted her.

As the siblings slept, a soft, mystical light enveloped the rune that Mike had been holding, its glow intensifying momentarily before fading into the night.

In a hidden corner of Effugium, an old, cloaked figure stirred, sensing the activation of ancient magic. The figure's eyes, hidden beneath the hood, flickered with recognition and a hint of a smile.

"They have found the first clue," the figure murmured to themselves, their voice a whisper carried away by the wind. "Soon, they will seek the truth. I must be ready."

Back in Adelfí, as dawn began to break, casting a gentle light over the peaceful city, the enchanted forest seemed to whisper secrets of its own, the rustling leaves a promise of the adventures and revelations that awaited the Ashbornes and their friends.

Stay tuned for Chapter 2