Barbara Repczynski

The Prophecy Begins With Fire Barbara Repczynski

Morewood village was a dismal place to live. The villagers were poor peasants, superstitious, suspicious of outsiders and afraid of anyone who was different. Many of their superstitions centered around the 'Deep Wood', a huge forest that bordered the village on one side. Everyone knew the 'Deep Wood' was a dangerous place. It was populated by predators, ghosts, and they were sure, many other dangerous things. Nobody who went in ever came out. Mia's parents weren't originally from Morewood, but after fleeing their ancestral home, they had been grudgingly accepted because Mia's mother was a healer. Having a village healer was very prestigious. When Mia was four, she realized she was different. Not everyone could see the colored lights around other people. Full of fear, she approached her parents. Knowing her fear was good and necessary, they began to develop a plan. A plan that would teach Mia that the 'Deep Wood' was her friend. They taught her how to flee the village if she was ever in danger and which direction she should travel. She learned to keep a traveling bag hidden under her cot and what provisions to add to it if she ever needed it. They practiced fleeing late at night when no one would see them and sometimes during the day, if they could sneak off. Mia learned how to survive in the forest, which plants were edible and which plants were for healing. She learned to walk in the trees and how to build a small fire that would not smoke, along with many other skills that would help her get away. She thought of these lessons as games and she enjoyed learning. When she was nine, the unthinkable happened. In a panic and unable to quickly find her parents, she followed the plan and fled to her safe place in the forest. This is when she started her journey. One that took her into a world she never dreamed existed. Alone and with only her small pack, she met the woman who would become her teacher and mentor. A woman who nurtured her differences and gave her love and stability. A woman who was secretly preparing her to fight a war and become the Princess of Prophecy.