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It was a seemingly normal day in the backwoods of North Carolina, the birds were singing, the crickets were chirping, and the sunset was beautiful. I was sitting under an ancient oak tree in my front yard, a tree so massive that I couldn't wrap my arms even halfway around it. I had a beautiful view of the sun setting over the horizon, and the few scattered clouds were painted with colors no artist's brush could replicate. I sighed, wondering how long my idyllic life would last, but I set such thoughts aside for the time being and simply let myself relax as I enjoyed the beautiful sight before me.

Once the sun had set and the fireflies had come out, I went in from outside, but not before patting the old friend I'd been sitting under. I opened the door to my house, and on the kitchen table was something strange - a letter, with a small medallion sitting on it. I picked up the letter, and for some reason I started reading it aloud.

My child,

If you are reading these words, then the danger you were in has passed and it is time for you to come home. I don't know what kind of life you've had so far, but I hope, with all my heart, that it was the best you could have had. When you're ready to come home, to your true home, then simply put on the amulet and you will be brought back to me.

Rhetia

The phrasing was formal, but there was also an undertone of concern and love with every line. My life had been hard, but it hadn't been terrible either. I enjoyed the life I had here, the peace and tranquility I enjoyed in my forest home.

But a little voice in the back of my mind was constantly telling me... 'Am I not meant for something more? Am I just supposed to survive, and not really live at all?' That part of me also told me to seek adventure, to seek excitement in my life, to strive for more than what I have, to be more than what I am, and it was that part of me that won out here.

I picked up the medallion, and it seemed to glow from within. Shrugging, I put it on, thinking that at worst it would just be an accessory I could wear on occasion. That's when things went nuts, quickly. A glowing spot appeared on a blank stretch of my kitchen wall, and within seconds it had grown into what looked like a portal, maybe six feet across. Again, the little voice won out, and I leapt into the portal after a whispered 'goodbye' to my beautiful home.

I stumbled as I exited the other side of the portal, and standing in front of me were two anthros, a dragon and a she-wolf, holding hands. They saw the medallion around my neck, and tears formed in the she-wolf's eyes. "You're home... You're finally home!"

She rushed forward and embraced me, and it was only then that I noticed the changes to my body. Or rather, my new one. I looked like a cross between the two creatures standing in front of me, and I liked it. It would just take some getting used to. "So, care to tell me where I am? And I'm going to guess that you're Rhetia."

She let go of me and smiled at me, the way mom used to when I was little. "Yes, I am. This is your father, Khorrin. We rule our respective races, and you're our daughter. As for where you are... You're home."

That's when Khorrin spoke. "We had to send you away when you were but an infant, Accalia. It was the hardest thing we've ever had to do, but it was necessary to ensure that you would survive."

Khorrin's words instantly set me to defcon one. "Survive what?"

"Several attempts were made on our lives, and on yours as well. Somehow, you survived all of them, and even protected us on one occasion. We believe the crystal in your chest is somehow the reason."

I looked at it, tapped it with a claw, and then I noticed a faint, pulsing white glow, as if it were shining with my lifeforce. "I had a decent life before I came back, you know. My human parents had died, mom from kidney failure and dad from lung cancer, but I dealt with it. My home was beautiful, and the last memory of it that I have is a truly gorgeous sunset over a forest in mid-autumn. But I'm ready for more. I'm ready to explore what's in front of me; what fate has in store for me here. I just need to know one thing."

"Name it, Accalia."

I smiled warmly, and it showed all the wonder and excitement in my heart. "When do I start?"

Those four words started me on a whirlwind tour of the world I'd left behind as an infant, and within a week I'd memorized all the races and the cultural quirks of each. I astounded my parents and my teachers, but I simply said I'd always had a strong memory. A week after that, I was tested and found to have incredible magical potential, more than double the combined levels of my parents. Soon after that I was informed that I would be going to Carlonis University, where gifted students of all races went to study science and magic. I packed my bags, promised to keep in touch with my parents, and was sent off to school after being given a small mirror that would let me contact my parents any time I wished.

I found out we were taking a ship to the school, and once in view of the docks I saw her. She was a massive three-masted beast, easily capable of holding several hundred people with room to spare. Down on the docks, once I'd left the carriage and had my bag in hand, I saw plenty of new students, most of them my age. At the dockmaster's signal we lined up and boarded the beautiful ship that would take us to our schooling. I chose a cabin and set my bag down, but before I could get settled in I heard a voice behind me.

"So, you're the princess. You aren't much to look at."

I turned around and saw a young High Cerdenian standing in the doorway of my cabin. He was patterned like a diamondback rattlesnake while he had a wide hood like an indian cobra. I merely shrugged and said "Looks aren't everything, you know."

He started circling me, slowly closing the circle as he spoke. "I could help you, you know. Teach you things, familiarize you with the basics of magic before we get to Carlonis. I can even help you get in with the right crowd. What do you say?"

I grimaced, knowing exactly what his idea of the right crowd was and not liking it. "I appreciate the offer, but I've already familiarized myself with the basics, and I'll find the 'right crowd' myself."

He didn't take well to that, and he let me know with a vicious-sounding hiss. "You're making a mistake, hybrid. A big mistake."

I returned his hiss with a warning growl and a flex of my claws as I settled into a combat stance. "No, I really think you are, Cerdenian. Leave, or I'll make you."

He saw how calm and prepared I was, and backed away from me. He left the room, but as he did he gave me a parting shot. "My name is Drachis. Remember it, hybrid."

He left, and instead of relaxing from my combat stance I flowed into one of my forms, a sort of moving meditation I used to calm my nerves. And did I ever need to calm them; I was nervous about going to Carlonis, but also excited. Who would I meet? What would I learn? Those questions and so many more were floating through my mind that I found it difficult to focus on my form. Once I finished, I laid down on my bed and opened a book, but before I could finish the third chapter of it a young Dekrii came running in. Being half Dekrii, I was instantly on alert.

"What's wrong?"

She was terrified, and as I stood up she all but threw herself under my bed. "Don't tell them I'm here!"

I was about to ask who she meant when two Korshani and Drachis burst in to my room. "You again. Harassing me on your own wasn't enough fun, eh Drachis?"

He hissed when he saw me, and demanded to know where she was. "I don't know who you're talking about, but if you want to press the issue I'll be more than happy to put you in your place. En garde!"

The Korshani lunged at me, and I winded the first one with a quick jab to the diaphragm, while I dropped the other one with a straight right to the jaw. Drachis was furious, and lunged at me with his fangs bared. I neatly sidestepped and brought my hand down in a powerful chop to the base of his skull, stunning him as effectively as a tazer. The three were groaning, and several older students rushed in to see what the commotion was. "What happened?"

"Drachis and his two accomplices were harassing a young female -" I felt a slight tug on my right wing and I looked behind me to see their intended victim giving me a grateful look. "- and she took shelter in my room. They barged in, I denied knowing her location, and they attacked. All I did after that was defend both myself and her." Then I looked at the young female I'd rescued. "By the way, what's your name?"

"Kina. Thanks for hiding me."

I patted her on the shoulder and smiled. "It was my pleasure. I think it would be best if you stayed with me until we arrive, for safety's sake."

She nodded, and once Drachis and his flunkies had been removed from my cabin Kina and I talked the trip away. It seems that everyone knew I'd been sent away, but nobody had known where to. Well, nobody but my parents, and they certainly weren't going to tell anyone. Once we arrived at Carlonis we left the ship and were greeted by the Headmistress, a Dekrii named Akantha whose bearing and demeanor told me she wouldn't tolerate any foolishness.

"Welcome to Carlonis, young ones. You have been accepted as students here because of your intelligence and eagerness to learn about the world, and while you are here I expect you to uphold this school's reputation of fairness and honor. Now, follow me and we'll get you lined up for the ceremony."

The ceremony. That's what I was most nervous about. Which Clan would I be put into? I was a skilled fighter, so maybe the Tanka Warrior Clan. Then again, I absolutely loved learning new things, so maybe the Kinis Scholar Clan. But I'd been tested and was shown to have an incredible talent for magic, so would I be put in the Halan Mage Clan?

But then another thought came to me. I'd heard rumors of students so gifted that they spent successive years in different clans, learning all they could. If the rumors were true, then perhaps I would be one of those rare few. -Nah. I don't think that would work for me, really. Hopefully I'll end up in Tanka Clan. I can still learn other things while I'm training, and they teach combat magic so there's that too. Tanka then, if I know myself as well as I think.-

We filed into the entrance hall single file, myself about two thirds to the back of the line, and we walked in between three tables, the line splitting into males and females, one from each line stepping forward to touch a crystal alternately. If the crystal shone crimson, the student joined Tanka Clan. If it shone cobalt, they joined Halan Clan. Viridian, Kinis Clan. I watched intently when Kina stepped forward, and smiled when the crystal shone with a viridian light. She'd impressed me with her thirst for knowledge during our brief talk on the ship, and I knew she'd do well as a scholar.

Soon enough, it was my turn to step forward. I took a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart and thoughts, and touched the crystal with my right hand. It pulsed white, then shone with a deep crimson glow, fulfilling my hope of joining the Tanka warriors. I joined my clan to rousing cheers and open arms, and was welcomed as a sister. One of the senior Clan members, a handsome black-scaled dragon, came over to me and said "Welcome to the clan, Accalia."

"Thanks. It seems you have me at a disadvantage; you know my name but I don't know anyone else."

"Malachi, I'm the Clan Senior."

"Head of the Clan, good to know. The Headmistress going to say anything before we eat?"

He gave me a vague gesture I took to mean 'not usually'. "Only on special occasions like today. Sit down, she's ready to speak."

We sat, Malachi sitting beside me, and we listened as the Headmistress gave a short speech about wanting this to be a productive and safe year for everyone, and to bid the new students a formal welcome. Once she finished she swung her arm in a sweeping motion across her front, and an incredible array of food appeared on the tables. Malachi told me to dig in, and I did so with a will. The food was better than anything I'd ever fixed, and I was no slouch when it came to cooking. Once I'd eaten my fill I whiled the time away getting to know my clanmates, and generally enjoying myself. It seemed that everyone knew I'd been sent away for my safety, but no one had known where, aside from my parents.

I told them about my life as a human, and they were fascinated by how humans lived without magic. "So they have no magic?"

"None at all. What they call magic is sleight of hand and misdirection, not true magic."

Another clanmate, a Korshani named Omri, spoke up. "Huh. What about fighting?"

"There are still some that train as martial artists, but they're fairly uncommon outside of the military."

Malachi nodded, then asked what what I meant by martial artists. "Unarmed combat techniques, ordered into a system, are called martial arts on Earth. I was trained in a three millennium old martial art called Karate."

He gave me a strange look, then asked how skilled I was. "Very. Karate uses a belt system to show a general skill level, and once you get to black belt you start learning devastating techniques."

"How far did you get?"

"Black belt, first degree. In my art there are ten degrees of black belt, with the highest being something comparable to a Grandmaster."

"I see. We all come from different backgrounds, and those of us with experience share it with the rest of the Clan. Would you be willing to share you knowledge with us?"

I nodded, and voiced my consent. "Of course Malachi. Is there any use of combat magic in the Clan?"

He snorted, holding back a laugh. Or maybe it was a sneeze. I dunno. "Of course. Once a week combat mages come to the school to teach those of us with the talent how to use combat magic."

"Good. I don't want to be entirely reliant on physical combat skills."

Another of the new clan members, an Equine female named Tanra, asked me why. "Physical skills, punches and kicks for example, have a limited range. If I can't get close enough to my opponent I'll be at their mercy unless I have a way to attack from a distance."

Malachi smiled and patted my shoulder. "Well said. I hope you have at least some talent for magic though, otherwise they won't train you."

"I've got the talent, and I'm eager to learn."

Malachi nodded, then stood up. "Good. Back to the Hall, everyone."

We all stood up and followed Malachi, and he led us to a large room with a statue of an armored dragon in the middle, a sword standing on its point under his hands. Malachi called the new members together in front of the statue, and told us to touch the statue's blade, one at a time, to receive our Clan Mark. I waited until the end, and when I touched the blade I felt a raging inferno of pure energy rush through me, condensing on the back of my right hand and forming a crimson three bladed tomoe.

Malachi came over and looked at my mark, then whistled. "That's a very rare Mark, given only to those with a powerful spirit."

Something about his words made me remember what my parents had told me about being attacked as an infant. "Really? I wonder..."

"About what?"

I resolved to ask my parents more about the attacks, but Malachi, nice as he was, wasn't on my list of people to trust yet so I dodged the question. "Nothing major, just something my parents mentioned. Where do we sleep?"

"Back of the room, up the stairs. The rooms are separated by species, so you have your choice of Dragon or Dekrii."

"Dekrii... Dekrii have something of a pack mentality, not trusting outsiders for a while. Taking that and a few other things into account, I'm going to choose Dragon."

Malachi smiled when I made my choice, but I wasn't sure why. "I was hoping you'd say that. There's a spare bunk next to mine, if you want it."

I wasn't sure of his motives, but I decided to accept his offer anyway. "Sure. Let me get my stuff set down and then I'm gonna meditate."

"Sure, but isn't meditating something mages do?"

"I do it to keep my emotions under control."

He nodded, then showed me which bunk was mine. I set my things down and slid them under my bed, which was simple yet comfortable, then pulled out my mirror and thought of my parents. Within seconds my mother's face appeared on the mirror in my hand. "Callie, how are you?"

"Doing fine mom. It's pretty nice here, and so are my clanmates."

Dad moved into the image and waved. "What clan are you in?"

"Tanka, just like you dad. Want to see my Mark?"

He nodded, and I held my hand in front of the mirror, prompting a gasp from my father. "What's wrong dad?"

Mom spoke, and told me something that filled me with dread. "The one who attacked us, and you, had that same mark, but cobalt blue."

I filed the information away mentally, being sure to keep it at the front of my mind. "Halan clan then... Thanks for the info mom, I'll see if I can't find out anything while I'm here, a name with any luck."

Dad nodded, then spoke with the usual parental warning. "Just be careful, Accalia. Your safety is paramount."

"I know dad, I know. I'll be careful, but I won't play it completely safe. After all, if there's no risk there's no reward."

My parents looked at each other, then mom walked out of view as Malachi walked into the room. "Let me speak to your Clan Senior, Accalia."

"Sure, he just walked in." I looked at Malachi. "My dad wants to talk to you, Malachi. Not sure what about though."

He nodded, and I handed him the mirror. They talked and I tried not to listen, but what I did overhear was dad asking Malachi to look out for me until he graduated. Malachi said he would and I rolled my eyes as he handed me back my mirror and I said my goodbyes. The image on the mirror faded and I looked at Malachi. "I know my dad wants you to look out for me, but I can handle myself for the most part. I'll ask if I need any help."

"As you wish, Princess."

"Callie, please. I don't want any special treatment while I'm here, I got enough of that before I came."

He smiled and nodded. "You got it."

He got settled on his bed in just his pants, and as the other Dragons came in I settled down and drifted off amid a myriad of whispered conversations.