One particular day, somewhere among the lush green pines of the forests, there was a small clearing, with a shaft of light shining on a polished granite stone. It was on this particular day, that Aurora was born. Some who saw it say that the light shone so bright that they had to shield their eyes until it dimmed. And when they were able to see again, there lay a small Faerie on the stone, quietly sleeping, wrapped up in its long and delicate wings. Many fled from this place, but a weary traveler picked up the small Fae, and kept her with him for ten long years. Throughout these times, the traveler, once a kind and gentle man, grew cruel and harsh, ordering this Child of the Sun to work for her keep, not once noticing the quiet resentment growing deep within her. The Fae worked hard, nonetheless, and learned to obey orders without question.

One fine spring morning, while the quiet creature was resting up among the pines, she began reciting chants from a distant memory… asking to be rid of her chains and able to fly free. Suddenly, she heard a cry from the shack where her Master stayed. Fluttering down quietly, she peeked through a dusty window to see her Master lying there… dead. Her eyes widening, she burst into the tiny room, leaning over the lifeless body. The look that had been etched into the dead man’s features was that of fear and pain. The small Fae wrinkled her nose at the corpse, thinking of the harsh words that he had filled her keen ears with for so many years. Turning to leave, she saw a slight movement in the shadows. Peering into the corner, she saw a panther, staring her right in the face.

“Hello, Aurora.” The creature purred to the small Fae. The child leaped back, confused by what she had just heard. That name… and that voice… it was all so familiar to her. Again, the panther began to speak. “I have come in answer of your call. I know what ails you, and have come to correct it.” The large cat nodded its head towards the lifeless creature. “Never again shall you be tormented by such wrath, and I shall see to that.” Fluttering in from the open door was a butterfly, sapphire in its colour. “This is Amura.” The panther purred. “She will stay with you at all times, seeing to it that my word is carried out.” The small butterfly circled above Aurora, as if surveying her. Suddenly, without warning, the insect soared straight at the back of the Fae, knocking the wind out of her. She was gasping for breath, when she then realized that the butterfly was nowhere to be seen. The panther seemed to not take notice to any of this, and continued on. “I will take you to a town that is safe, and where you can hone your skills as a mage.” Aurora clutched her head in her hands, trying to be rid of the ache that was slowly creeping through her body. A stinging pain was on the back of her left shoulder, but she was too stiff to move her head and see what it was. The panther curled around the aching girl, and whispered to her, “Do not worry. Go to sleep, and everything will be alright.” As if the panther had charmed the small Fae, she fell asleep instantly, surrounded by the warmth of the gentle cat.

When she awoke again, she was in a bed, and out in the hallway was the sounds of laughter and clanking glasses which were drifting into the room in which she was. Aurora sat up, surprisingly energetic, and restored. She then remembered the panther. She looked over her shoulder to find the small sapphire butterfly, tattooed into the back of her left shoulder. She smiled softly to herself, knowing that she would never have to go through those terrible times again. She wandered Stonegate for some time, answering to the name Aurora, which the panther had called her. Not even a fortnight later, she was summoned by another Fae like herself named Evie. This Faerie told her of the toil in which Faeries have suffered, and how she will put together a group which will call the Faeries back to their home in Wortel! To Slyvatica! Aurora smiled to herself. She suddenly knew what the panther meant. Never again, will she live through such toil as in her past. She was home now… where she truly belonged.