Prologue

Adult voices echoed throughout the long, stone alley, coming to rest in the ears of a young infant. The baby had been placed in a woven basket, and wrapped in a thin green cloth. However, even with the chill of the autumn breeze and the noise of the adults, the child didn???t stir.

???Ain, no, we can???t do this!??? pleaded a female voice. It sounded as though the owner had been sobbing.

???Seika, we have no choice. This child will ruin us if we keep her!??? countered the loud voice of a male.

Now, with the shouting of the man, the child awoke and began to howl. The normally pale face was scrunched up and red, hiding the bright, emerald eyes from view. Short arms flailed wildly, barely covered by the sleeves of a tattered grey shirt.

A woman in an equally torn teal dress leaned over the child, trying to sooth it. ???Calm down, sweetie.??? She said softly, her necklace sparkling even in the dim light. Pale hands reached up to grab the precious stone, and the woman laughed. ???Sorry, Avani, but you???re not getting my necklace.???

???Come on, Seika.??? The man said impatiently, walking over to them. His grey pants provided no shelter from the cold night, and his shirt wasn???t much better. The girl in the basket began to sob even louder at the sound of his voice, and Seika glared at him.

???Ain, she???s terrified! We can???t just leave her here!???

???Seika, it???s better for her to stay. Helen will take care of her, don???t worry. I???m leaving a note.???

And sure enough, there was a note pinned to the cloth.

???Mistress Helen, this is Ain Drash. I???m leaving my daughter, Avani, with you. She is the Earth Elementalist, but do not tell her about her powers until she discovers them on her own! We???ll be waiting for her to come and find us in Ruby. Please take good care of her, and let her know that we love her very much and are waiting to see her.??? It said in Ain???s messy scrawl.

Seika was once again trying to calm the screaming child, but gave up her efforts when she was tapped on the shoulder by a solemn-faced Ain.

???It???s time to leave, Seika.??? He said softly, knocking on the door behind them. ???Avani will be safe here.???

The woman nodded slowly, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. And then, with one last kiss placed upon the forehead of a screaming child, they left. The baby???s cries still