Chapter One

The Patchwork Girl

It was a hot and stuffy day. The tall figure easily made a path for himself through the crowd. Towering over the heads of the others, people would move back to allow him space, giving him a wide berth.

The tall figure had his face covered by a large piece of black cloth, which concealed nearly his entire head.

The figure was dressed in incredibly fine clothing. The materials he wore were of velvet and silk, black and red in colour and lined in gold. The cuffs of his shirt were made of fine jewels, glistening in the bright light of the sun.

It was noisy here, very noisy and clustered. The constant murmur of the crowd was a little unsettling for the tall man. He would usually walk in fields of tulips, or the singing forests near his cottage home, or simply sit quietly inside, perhaps in his greenhouse, or in his rocking chair by the fire.

He was a recluse by nature, and loved the peace of nature undisturbed. But every once in a blue moon, he would venture out into civilisation.

Today was one of these rare days. Today, he was drawn to the market, in search of a very specific item.

He found something else in its stead.

The tall man slowed to a stop, turning his head to the side towards the low wooden bench beside him, upon which sat a line of women.

Their wrists were bound in leather, and each of them wore thick leather collars, a heavy metal hoop hanging from the front. Running through this hoop were chains, holding them in place.

Slaves. They were to be sold soon at auction.

One of the women caught the attention of the tall man, the one at the end of the line, and he could not look away.

‘My gosh…’ the tall man breathed, ‘you’re…’

‘Ugly’ the woman finished; head bowed. ‘I know.’

‘No’ the tall man shook his head. ‘You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen…’

She raised her head then, eyes wide in disbelief. At that moment, a gust of wind lifted the cloth that covered the tall man, and she was able to get a glimpse of his head.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she let out a slight gasp. What she saw beneath the cloth was not what she had expected.

Beneath the black fabric was the skull of an animal, with curved horns and eyes that glowed gold in dark sockets.

The girl knew instantly then what he was. He was a mage, a rare creature, and one both greatly feared and revered.

The girl never thought she would ever see one in her life.

Foxcall Tower