The past

A young girl strode through a forest, singing a song whose words were made up on the spot. Her long black hair flowed in the morning breeze as she walked down to a river for water. She walked, danced and skipped, without a care. Why shouldn't she? She was the only daughter of the richest man in her village. If anything happened to her, he could simply buy a solution. And besides, no one would try to hurt her. She was well-loved in her village, and already several of her classmates had claimed or expressed desire to be betrothed to her. The adults always smiled at her and waved as she passed, and she waved back.

The young girl smiled as the sun shone through the tree branches, though she noticed that happeneing less and less. The trees were becoming dense, but she wasn't concerned. This was a happy day! It was her 15th birthday.

She neared the river, enjoying the growing sounds of the water gently flowing past and crashing lightly on the rocks someone had thrown in long ago. She knealed and drank from her cupped hands. The cool water refreshed her and she sighed happilly when she'd had her fill. The girl sat on the shore and watched the water passby. It made her feel peaceful and calm, but the feeling suddenly changed to foreboding. Before she knew it, a person stood over her with the sun at thier back. The girl stood, smiling, despite being uneasy.

"Hello!" she said brightly. "Are you new to this village, or are you passing trough?" The person reamined silent. "Well, either way, pleased to meet you! My name is..."

"Marianne....Valengard." The voice was female, but very old. It sounded like she found it hard to speak even those two words.

"Th...that's right. Have we met?" The old woman bent down before the young girl and stared into her eyes. Marianne leaned back slightly.

"....You...are an apprentice Puppet-Mistress."

She gasped. "How do you know that?! I never told anyone!"

"Your skill....will be of great aid to those....you care for. But...it will also be their doom. Learn your craft, but....you must never use it unless the situation....is dire. It will cause...catastrophe." The old woman stood, painfully. It was in Marianne's nature to help her, but she was too shocked to do it this time. The old woman began to walk past.

"Wait!" Marianne yelled. She stopped and turned. "Who are you?"

"....Tell them I am...Naikrara." With that she left the young girl standing by the river.