Joanna & Lord Alonso

It was a warm sunny day in the Mainlands it often was cool but today the heat rose and the atmosphere felt heavier than Usual. Joana looked up at the sky as she watered the plants in the garden letting her light brown skin Absorb the sun. Being in a middle-class family she was able to get whatever she wanted but her mother always told her to be Grateful and humble so she stood by what her mother said.

A year passed when her mother passed away leaving her father in heartbreak luckily he was able to recover and remarry a woman named Debbie who caused nothing but trouble for her including her stepsisters who hated her very being.

Joana sets down the water can and hears something stomping towards her, she turns around and sees one of her step sisters Jillian holding a bucket and cloth.

"Joana's Mother said that she needs you to give get some hot water for her bath. Oh, an after that fix dinner we're starving." Jillian's voice was harsh and stern as she threw the bucket and cloth on the ground for Joana to pick up. As Jillian walks away Joana picks up the bucket and goes inside the house to start a fire in the fireplace. After she did that she placed the bucket on top of the fire letting it get hot before taking it upstairs to her stepmother.

Joana's father wasn't going to be coming back in the next two weeks. Whenever she tried to talk to him about the mistreatment she was getting from her stepfamily she was often scolded or told that she didn't know any better. Her father had changed an there was no way for her to reach out to anyone about her troubles. Joana knew that her stepmother was twisting her words to make it seem like she was the bad child an not her stepsisters.

Joana ran upstairs with the bucket heading to the bathroom to pour the hot water in the bathtub. Her Stepmother glared at Joana as she entered the bathroom slamming the door inches away from her face. Going back downstairs she started to make dinner; most of the time maids would come and do their job but today was their off day. While Joana cooked she overheard her step sister's Jillian and Eve talking in a low tone making Joana's ears perk up in curiosity.

"Did you hear Eve's mother is pregnant with our step fathers baby? You know I was thinking when the baby is born we can just get rid of our step-sister Joana."

Eve smiled at Jillian's plan "That would be better quite amazing wouldn't it? Joana's father is in riches that the people in the mainland wish they could have. Why do you think Mother married this sad excuse for a man? "

Joana covered her mouth in disbelif if she tried to tell a her father than he would probably accuse her of not wanting him to be happy. She heard footsteps make her wait towards the kitchen as Joana quickly went back to the pot of soup she was making for her step family.

"Are you finished cooking Joana we are straving." Jillian said as her and her sister sat at the table as Joana puts the bowls on the table.

Eve gagged at the sight of food that was infront of her. "Joana what is this, it looks revolting!"

Joana clenched the front of her dress tightly" It's potato soup, my mother use to make this for me. If you don't like it than go out an buy yourself some food. I'm not your maid, cook your own food next time."

Eve stands up from her seat taking the bowl along with Jillian who stood up as well throwing the hot bowl of soup on Joana causing her to scream in pain feeling her skin. One thing left to another an she felt her dress being ripped apart by the twins. Jillian walked over to the pot of soup picking it up careful as she was about to pour it Joana stands up quickly hitting Eve in the face knocking her unconscious. Jillian tried to throw the soup onto Joana but it lead to no affect, She looked into her eyes seeing them in a yellowish brown color. Joana smiled widely she raised her free hand causing her to smack Jillian on the face.

"Set the pot down an get out of my sight please." Joana's tone was calm but her eyes didn't match her voice.

Jillian quickly sets down the pot holding her hands up away from Joana she gently walk toward her sister eve dragging her out of the dining room. Joana's eyes turned back to her dark brown eyes, she didn't know what happened all she remembered was having soup thrown at her an her dress being ripped by her step sisters. Joana shook her head thinking about what she said but it was to late to take it back now. She decided to let the situation go than dwell on it any longer, cleaning up the mess they made Joana sat at the table enjoying her table soup before she heads out to the market.

Once she finished she made her towards the market seeing how lively it was had made her excited. Seeing one of her friends Cory she ran up to him giving him a big hug as he did the same. He had sliver hair and light blue eyes that sparkled in the sunlight he was lean an muscular for his age.

"Joana I see your back at the market again. Where's your dad he usually come with you."

Joana shrugged her shoulders "Eh he doesnt come with me like he use to, he's focused on his other family rather than me."

Cory pats her back "Don't worry Joana just focus the market we can look at the vegetables that's on sale. Oh Joana did you hear about Alonso Pidone you know the lord of Kingdom Edeissa. I heard there having a ball in which is one month from now, you know you can attend something like that while others can't."

Joana shook her head "I'm not to find of balls I know my mother liked going when she was still alive... I make sure to come an visit her grave everyday. Tell me is Kingdom Edeissa overseas? "

"It is so it would take at least a day an half to get over there if your early some people use magic to get over there. One of my Cousins live that villiage near by Edessia. Even if you don't like the ball you should try going at least this once. Though you are a middle class citizen you'll have a chance to see the Lord Alonso. Nevermind that let's start walking around an see what we can find."

Cory smiled at Joana as she did the same walking deeper toward the market. After they finished for today she walked home carrying lots of vegetables in her basket. Joana was excited to see what she could make with the vegetables she bought. Just as Joana was heading towards her home she saw her father an step mother talking outside making her run up to them. As she made her way to them she felt a sharp pain on her cheek placing her hand on her face she saw her father give her a glare as well as her step mother.

Her father raised his hand getting ready to salon her again but he held back his temper putting his hand down to his side. "Joana I heard from your sister Jillian that you knocked Eve unconscious. Is that true?"

Joana didn't say a word she was stunned that her father had slapped her. Seeing that Joana wasn't speaking her step mother pulled her hair suddenly.

"So you did do it you little bitch! John your daughter is nothing more than pesk a danger to my kids! What do you plan on doing!" Debby tighten her grip on Joana's hair making her grits her teeth.

"Its best to kick her out of the house teach her lesson to not mess with the family. You understand that do you joana. Joana I wanted to tell you what really happened to her mother. I had done someyhing terrible I killed your mother to move on with Debbie. Your mother was a kind soul I felt bad...I-I loved your mother..."

Joana looked at her father seeing the sadness in his eyes as he spoke. She noticed that something off about him the way Debbie was twisting and turning her hand in front of his face. It seemed like she was casting some sort of spell on him. Joana puts the basket on the ground as her eyes turned golden grabbing Debbie's arm twisting causing her to scream in pain causing her to let go of Joana's hair.

"So you controled my father and you treated me like a outcast made me cook for you clean take care of those brats!" Joana held her father tightly looking at him holding head tightly. Suddenly Joana felt something hit against the back of her head making her fall unconscious.

When Joana woke she was looking at the sky seeing that it turned dark she looked towards her right seeing her father as she was about to wake him up. She noticed cuts and bruises on his skin he was wasn't breathing either. Placing hee hand on his cheek she felt how cold his skin was, she cried having no mother or father was going to be extremely hard on her part. Joana scanned the area seeing nothing much endless trees in front of here and in the distance. Joana had figured out they were witches their was no family history about them nor records. She didn't have the time to think about that she had to figure out how she was going to bury her father.

Joana heard something in the distance causing her ears to perk up. Sensing the presence that was behind she slowly stood up having her arms raised in the air. As she turned around she saw a woman wearing a tunic an leggings with a particular design that she normally see her people wear.

Joana bows her head at the woman as others came behind her taking her fathers dead body.

"It is nice to see you again Joana please come with us the Cheif would like to see you. " The woman walked away from Joana going further inside the forest. Joana followed behind her wanting to know what the Cheif wanted from her.

Joanna puts on a tunic inside the hut as everyone was outside around bonfire. She peeked her head outside the hut seeing the Cheif wearing a War bonnet with many colorful feathers, it was good that the person who is cheif is greatly respected by many. They use to use it for war back than but it was manly used for ceremonies like the one they were having now.

Joanna steps out the hut walking to were the people who harmonized themselves with each other. There was a couple of people who danced with masked on an sticks of fire on their hands. Sitting next to a woman who singed like a angel making Joanna hum to the rhythm until everything stop quickly not giving her enough time to react. Seeing the cheif in front of her she lowered her head not knowing what he planned on saying nor doing to her she waited but nothing happened. Looking up to him she noticed the corners of his mouth up seeing how happy he was to see her.

The Cheif placed a war bonnet on her head. "My granddaughter, you finally come home to us." The people cheered as Joanna gave him a confused look on her face. Just as she was about to say something her grandfather gave her a note which was from her father. She could feel her eyes water thinking of the memories she had with her family.

"Why don't you read it Joanna your father told me to give this to you if he ever died. I would read it carefully if I were you."

Joanna nodded as she opens up the paper. As she started to read it she wept silently to herself feeling her back being rubbed by her grandfather as she reads the letter.

"Dear Joanna, If your reading this then it's been confirmed that I'm already dead. I always knew that Debbie was witch, she has controled and manipulated me. I'm so sorry for hurting you an making you feel alone. Therefore I need you stay with your grandfather Chief Neolin. When your mother died I was ina terrible state an Debbie helped me but also hurt me physically mentally. I went to Edeissa to talk to lord of the land to help you along the way, war is coming between the vampires and tribes. I need you to go to the party that will be held there and convince Lord Alonso to stop the war before it even begans. Joanna I know your a brave girl your mother taught you well. There is a possibility that you might lose control of your power. Neolin will give you a necklace to seal yout power away for the time being. Until your able to control that power I'm going to need you to stay calm and not get anger quickly. If you do happen to go back to the mainlands go to the house and grab your things without being seen by the witches. There's money and everyhting you need to know about Edeissa. Its not a safe place to be at night, I know you won't get in trouble...I hope. Take care My sweet Joanna. Love dad"

Joanna could feel her lips tremble as she reads the letter. She wished her father had told her this sooner so they could bother figure out a plan than having him take all the stress and worry to his grave. Cheif Neolin handed her a spear as she looked up at him she could feel his lips on her temples.

"Joanna use this spear to protect yourself, it will eventually come to mind on how you use it. I'm sure y'all understand right?" Joanna looked down at the spear seeing the engraved craving of symbols which she didn't understand that meaning behind them.

"Thank you Ch- I mean grandfather sorry for making you worry throughout the years. Mothers death was unexpected or so I thought."

Cheif Neolin stands making his way towards the bonfire "Your mother died of a illness, she is one with the spirits now watching over. That spear was made by the connections that I have with Lord Alonso. When you meet him I recomend that you be on your best behavoior. He isn't the type of person that is friendly towards people especially our people. Me an him go back to our young days so he repayed me with his kindness of forging me a spear and sheild. Joanna I shall give You the spear when I think your ready. Just think of it as a trial. You should leave if you still want your belongings. I hope your travels outside the mainlands is extraordinary."

Joanna stood up as she hugs her grandfather from behind "Thank you, don't worry I'll make sure our people will get the freedom that we all wanted for so long. "

Joanna lets go of him as she leaves the area making her way towards the mainlands which was a few miles away from where she was walking. Suddenly she felt something on her head, lifting her arm to see what is was. Until it suddenly chripped causing her to gently grab it from her head placing it in her palms.

She looked in the moonlight to see it was a small robin chirping away. joanna could hear small voices coming from head it sounded child like.

"Hello Lady!? Can you hear me?" The little robin's voice finally connected with hers. Joanna nodded slightly at the robin as it flapped its feathers in excitment. The Robin was a blue and brown bird which was considered a singing bird for good luck.

"Oh great! Your Cheif told me to take care of you on your journey. I sadly don't have name all the calls me is bird." The robin felt her rub its head with her finger tip which was making the robin feel fuzzy on the inside.

As joanna was making her way towards the mainland grounds she spoke to the robin saying "I'll give you a name, I think your name should be Cleo...I don't want to assume gender but may I ask."

Cleo bopped its head understanding her question "I'm a girl lady Joanna! Since were making our way towards the mainlands. What are we doing first?"

"Well first we are going to retrieve what's mine before the witches wake up and notice I'm in the house. We have to stay very quiet Cleo. One wrong move and it could be our deaths. I'll need to change my clothes this war bonnet it getting heavy along with this spear that's Tucked under my arm."

"That spear is more powerful than you think Joanna! That's not just a weapon you can just swing around there's magic in that thing as well. Cheif used it very often it was rather scary! " Cleo shudders at the thought.

"Thank you for that information, I won't let anything bad happen to you Cleo just stay put. Oh an when we get there give me signals if they wake up. "

Cleo chriped saying "yes ma'am" Joanna smiled placing Cleo back on her head as she takes her first steps towards the mainland. This is were the real adventure begins.