Legend of Azaria

1

The cool night air followed her as she pressed tightly against a building. The stone wall brushed against the material of her emerald cloak. She huffed, moving slightly forward so that it wouldn't catch against the rough surface.
She breathed slow and adjusted her hood to hide her face. As she rounded the corner, hearing the muffled voices of soldiers, she knew she had to be careful.
She couldn't be seen outside if her plan was going to work.

Aya examined the courtyard from her position. There were soldiers stationed near the entrance of the building, but movement wouldn't be impossible.
She scaled a nearby wall - forcing her muscles to propel her up until she softly landed on a roof.
She knew no one was up there. But it didn't stop her heart from palpitating as she swiftly checked her surroundings.

So far so good.
She crawled along the flat surface and peered down at the soldier standing below her, while another patrolled back and forth between the entrance to the building and entrance to the camp.
If she timed it perfectly she could vault from the nearby tree and then to the frame just above the entrance and drop down in stealthy perfection.
She did it to perfection in her head.
Visualisation was a specialty.
As her opening was nearing she quickly darted her eyes at her surroundings one more time. Her limbs tingling with adrenaline. This was it.
She sprinted forward and expertly propelled herself from the roof toward the tree. As she soared through the air she was elated at the height and speed she travelled. Why shouldn't she make the jump? She had practised these types of movements for half of her life. She was good at it.

Aya landed on an extended branch firmly. Crouching and using her hands to steady herself.
It was always a gamble, being so sure of herself.
Her head jolted to the ground below, and she frantically looked around as the branch creaked and shifted against her weight.
It was an impulsive decision.
She sifted through her pocket, finding one of her glass flasks, and quickly threw it toward one of the buildings near the front of the courtyard.
The sharp shatter was enough to distract anyone who may have noticed the sudden sway of the branch. The guards nearby turned to investigate the noise.
With no time to spare she quickly launched herself from the tree and flung herself toward the frame above the entrance, before dropping down and shuffling inside.

~

A man sat at a poorly lit desk in a room filled with emptiness.
She straightened her clothes, pulled her hood away, and walked confidently up to the desk as her footsteps echoed a life she was leaving behind.
This was as far as her plan could take her.
The man behind the desk, with sharp auburn eyes, looked up from a mane of black hair and tilted his head.
He was not who she was expecting.

"A bit late for conscripts. Name?" He said.

She stopped in front of the desk, examining his expression and then noting the piece of parchment he held in his hands. Her stomach dropped.

She cleared her throat, "Aya Dalomeire."

The parchment would have told him anyway.

Her name materialised on the paper and the man folded his arms under his chin while a steel gaze met her own.

"Aya Dalomeire of Dalda?" He questioned.

Aya attempted to keep her face blank, half smiling, "That's correct."

"I was under the impression that Dalda never sent conscripts for the Academy as using altered magic was against their beliefs."