CHAPTER 1
There was a time long ago when great legends were lived. Enchantment and sorcery abounded and wondrous feats of magic occurred with the regularity of the changing seasons. In these times a beautiful girl lived whose name was Aleyña. This is her story.
Aleyña lived in the little secluded village of Tremore which was surrounded by a deep and dark forest. Way beyond the far reaches of the forest, more than a day's ride from the village on horseback, a huge daisy field stretched endlessly over rolling hills.
Aleyña loved to play in the daisy field in the flowering seasons. She passed many happy hours of quiet contentment alone amidst the wonder of this natural beauty. She especially liked the days when she could bask in the warm glow of the sun listening to the whir of the hummingbirds' hovering or hear the droning buzz of bumblebees in flight.
ILL 1: Aleyña singing and
picking daisies in
the daisy field.
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As she played among the daisies Aleyña would sing little songs which she composed spontaneously. She had several she liked especially, which she favored with repetition, but more often she sang whatever came into her head with joyful exuberance.
Aleyña had many friends in the village. They cherished her dearly for her happy songs and radiant smile. She loved them as much as they loved her. And this great love was equalled only by her unbounding love for the world.
Near the far edge of the forest was a high stone tower with a secret entrance way and a spiral stairway leading to a tiny room at the top. The vantage point from the windows of the tower overlooked views of the surrounding forest and the village beyond. If one tried very hard and had very keen vision, one could see the daisy field. But most peole missed the daisy field because it was obscured by the trees in the forest.
The tower belonged to the village and was used as a lookout post into the forest. Since one could survey the surrounding territory so well from its little room, it provided excellent security for the village.
Also in the forest, about twelve furlongs into it, following the first left branch off the main road, was a clearing that was surrounded by willow trees and in whose center was a stone well which the villagers called the Willow Well. This was the only place in the forest where one could obtain refreshment from the journey, and since it was a little off the beaten path and not readily apparent to strangers the journey through the forest could seem quite formidable to the uninitiated.
The village was run peacefully by a town council which heard the wishes of all of the people. Most beloved and respected among its members was a kindly old wizard whose magical herbs and potions had cured many an ache and fever and whose warm touch and soothing voice had calmed many a frightened soul.
The Wizard was especially fond of Aleyña. She gladdened his heart and lightened his load with her cheerful outgoing nature and her charming songs.
Unfortunately, there came a time when these tranquil days were to change for the worse. And it is here that our story begins.
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