Yes, this is a remake of my previous story, but this one is going to be more well-written (hopefully) and easier to understand. If you see any grammatical/spelling errors, please do point them out. Constructive criticism is, of course, always welcomed. Comments are greatly appreciated. Please do note, though, that I need someone to post in between chapters so that I can post more. A list of the creatures/people that appear in each chapter (as well as a link to the chapter) is in the next post. Now, onto the story! ^-^
Chapter 1: An Important Message
April gazed down at the Stream that lay in front of her. Eggs of many different shapes and colors bobbed in the waves, gleaming in the pale morning sunlight. A Black Tienko in her lap meowed, rising up onto his hind legs and nuzzling her chin affectionately. The Magi smiled, stroking his sleek black fur with her hand. Purring in satisfaction, the cat licked April's fingers as she pulled her hand away.
April was a water Magi, with the knowledge of healing and a special bond with feline creatures. She had come to the Keep to study water magic when she was just fifteen. Before that, she lived at her uncle Wapiti's farm up in the Alasre Mountains. He raised Amagnae, Ibex, and Alpacas, all of which lived happily in their rocky surroundings. April hadn't always lived with Wapiti, however. When she was just eight years old, her mother had taken her to visit her uncle for the first time. After they had greeted Wapiti, he had agreed to show them around. While they were traveling the mountains around his farm, April's mother fell off of a steep cliff. The water Magi remembered hearing her mother's screams as she fell, echoing in the canyon. When Wapiti heard April's sobs, he turned around to see his sister at the bottom of the canyon, a small blue fleck in the dusty brown landscape. Ever since that day, he had taken care of April, making her feel important by giving her easy tasks at his farm.
A neigh behind the Magi startled her, and she turned around to face Nutmeg. Nutmeg was April's Chestnut Kirin, and was commonly used as her steed. The horse was munching on a pink flower, like she usually does. Smiling, April picked Diablo up from her lap and placed him into her satchel that always hung around her neck. Inside of the satchel was a white Winged Cat egg and a now annoyed Black Tienko. Hissing in annoyance, Diablo shrank to the back of the satchel and curled up next to the egg. Taking one last glance at the Stream, April walked over to her Kirin and patted her.
"Are you ready?" She asked gently. Living on a farm had its advantages - April could easily communicate with animals, but only ones that were used to her presence. An approving whinny from the Kirin told April that she meant yes, and so the Magi mounted her steed and got her balance. A flash of milky chocolate covered Nutmeg's vision for a moment. That milky chocolate was her rider's cloak, which was lined with light blue swirls at the bottom, neck, and hands. Those light blue swirls were traced by dotted golden lines. Kicking her steed's rump gently, the Magi whispered "Go" to the Kirin.
As they traveled to the Keep, they passed many other Magi along the way. April didn't recognize many of them, but the ones that she did, she waved to. When they finally reached the long halls of the Keep, April hopped off of her mount and walked inside. Pushing open the large wooden doors, she quickly threw her arm over her Kirin so that she wouldn't wander off. The doors creaked from age as they closed, slamming into the stone walls that encased them. April strolled the halls of the large building, wandering to the gardens in the back. Once she reached the back, she opened the door and walked outside again. A gentle breeze ruffled her blonde hair as she made her way to the Xand Bears. They were owned by the healers of the Keep, free for them to use for good purposes. What April wanted was a flower for her beloved Antelope Hare Jackalope, Daisy. April's Keep was located in the Callisto Islands, all the way across the ocean, but she could always take the ferry. Right as she knelt down next to the bear, a Magi ran up to her, panting as they reached April.
"April!" They gasped for breath, "I'm so glad I found you!"
It was Zach, April's childhood friend. He wore a bright blue cloak and black boots, with sandy hair on the top of his head. Chocolatey brown eyes looked at her intently as they continued.
"Someone told me to give you this note." Reaching inside of his pocket, Zach pulled out a tattered piece of parchment and handed it to April, "Sorry the paper's so beat up - Tawai here wouldn't ease up during the flight."
A black Gryphon screeched from behind him, stepping up and looking at his Magi before walking over to April and showing off his shiny talons.
"Wow, those are nice." She giggled, scratching his neck. April took the note from Zach's hands and unfolded it. The note read:
Dear April,
- I haven't talked to you in awhile! Stop by the shop and we can enjoy some cider together.
Remy
"Remy!" April exclaimed, "I haven't seen him in forever!"
She stood up, using the Xand Bears for support. Smiling, she nodded to Zach and mounted her Kirin.
"Thanks." April said as she made sure everything was in place.
"No problem." Zach replied as he walked over to the Xand Bears. He knelt down beside them like April did, muttering a few words and grinning as a white rose bush began to grow. As soon as one of the beautiful flowers bloomed, he sprinkled a little bit of water that was in his canteen on it and handed it to April. She blushed, taking it and smiling wide. White roses were one of her favorite flowers. Zach nodded in satisfaction, walking back over to his Gryphon and waving goodbye as he mounted it and flew up into the air.
April watched for a brief moment before kicking Nutmeg softly and heading for Remy's Inn. Traversing through the crowd of Magi that walked the stone sidewalks, April sighed in relief as she finally reached Remy's door. She hopped off of Nutmeg and let her mingle with the other creatures that stood there before opening the door and walking inside. Remy looked up from behind his bar and smiled.
"April!" He shouted, getting up and walking over to her with arms ready for a hug. After embracing her friend, April looked at Remy and opened her mouth to speak.
"So, how have you been lately?" She asked. Remy hurried back behind his bar, starting a brew of cider and turning around to face a customer. April smiled and sat down at one of the bar stools, making sure that her satchel was in her lap. Remy talked to the customer for a moment before turning around and gently grabbing a Direwolf egg and handing it to the young student. Thanking Remy and handing over the gold, the student looked at April and smiled, cradling his new egg and walking out of the door. Remy looked at April again.
"Good, and yourself?" He sighed, catching his breath.
"I've been well. Daisy has given birth to her first child - she's pretty ecstatic." Nodding a silent thanks as Remy handed her a glass of cider, she sipped it and waited for a reply.
"Really? That's wonderful!" He exclaimed. Remy and April's uncle had been close friends, growing up together as children. Once he heard about Wapiti's sister's death, he purchased a Antelope Hare Jackalope egg from someone and sent it to Wapiti to give to April. Once April heard about the egg, she was excited. This would be her second creature - Wapiti had agreed to go back to her previous home and retrieve her Winged Cat hatchling. On a sunny spring day, April woke to see a bunny hatchling sleeping next to her in her bed. From that day on, April and Daisy had a strong bond with each other.
The door swept open as a group of people in jet black cloaks walked into the Inn, one accompanied by a Hellhound. Remy looked up from April and called out to one of them, waving his hand in greeting.
"Nabendu!" Remy shouted, "It's good to see you."
As the man walked up to Remy, he shook his hand and smiled. April was uncomfortable with their presence. They were of the Dark Brotherhood. She herself had once been a member, but the tattoo has since worn away and so has her loyalty to the members. Once she found out what they did, she quit. The man turned to her and smirked, dark yellow eyes glinting orange in the dim light.
"Well hello little lady," He scoffed, "I remember you."