Omen

Golden eyes sparkled as her mother brought the stars down from heaven. Ophelia was finally a yearling, and soon she would be learning the Great Magics of her family. Her Mother, the Queen of Ellsmere, was showing her the possibilities of her magic, if she were one of Celestial magic. The room filled with blinking stars, clouded as if a nebula were within her reach. She pranced around the room, giggling and trying to touch the stars her mother brought forth.

The stars faded when her mother began to cough. Ophelia's ears went back and she rushed to her mother's side, her expression of awe overtaken by that of concern. She nudged her mother's chest, hearing the faint beating of her heart before helping her to her bed. It had been some time since her mother left these walls. Many feared that the Queen would soon pass, but the Queen feared for her daughter more than her people feared for their Queen. "My child, our lesson is over for today. Run along and enjoy the rest of your day."

Her mother's eyes looked towards the guards at the door, and without a word the two stallions came over and took Ophelia away. Ophelia was tired of her mother's weakness. Though she loved and cared for her mother, she was ready to begin her training as a mage. Being taught magic was something sacredly passed down from Mother to Daughter, and yet she feared she would not get that chance.

Ophelia made her way outside, heading towards the castle garden. There was one horse in all of Ellsmere that would listen to her woes. She entered the garden and headed towards the back wall where great trees stood to protect her from wondering eyes. Within those trees was her friend, the grounds keeper. He was a massive beast, one that many feared at first glance. He towered over most horses and stallions, but this giant of a horse was the kindest being on this earth. "Dear Oakland." She said, getting the stallion's attention right away. His eyes awakened with joy and he moved closer before laying down on the ground to be lower for her. 

Oakland loved the Princess as if she were his own daughter. He was the brother of the late Grand Knight, a massive warrior that was in charge of all the armies of Ellsmere. After his older brother's death Oakland seemed to had lost his voice and his will to fight. Instead, this magic using stallion used his abilities to keep the land within the walls of the castle grounds beautiful. 

Ophelia approached him, a sigh escaping her as her troubled mind wandered. "My mother is sick again. I fear I'll never learn magic." Oakland moved his great head and nudged her gently, as if to say "Don't say such things". Ophelia rolled her golden eyes and simply stomped her hoof on the ground. "It's true! If my mother can't teach me magic than there will be no one left in all of Ellsmere that would be willing to teach me. I doubt this kingdom even knows I'm alive..." Oakland's ears went back, his eyes shaded over with concern.

It was true that Ophelia's birth was unknown. The kingdom believed she was a stillborn, never given the chance to breath this world's air. about a year ago, the Palace was attacked by rebel horses that believed Ophelia was the next evil on their lands. There was a prophecy of a foal born from stars that would hold a great and powerful magic unseen by their lands. That put fear within the horses of their land, causing them to try and kill the foal before it was born. The Unknown magic caused chaos before it was even revealed.