The Daughters of Merlin
Chapter 28: Valia Greystone

Valia Greystone had always been different. Almost everyone thought that she was a Mage for her love and gift of potions was exquisite, not to mention the fact that her hair was baby blue. Valia’s hair had always been blue to her, but she frequently dyed her hair so that it had streaks of soft pink added to it.

Due to her strange appearance and her village having been destroyed when she was just a baby, being found and adopted by a traveler, Valia took to traveling from place to place. While residing in Caerleon, Valia was called before the Queen Annis. It was there that the Queen demanded that Valia leave her kingdom, saying that no magic folk were allowed in Caerleon and should stay in Camelot.

Valia hadn’t heard of Camelot until then, though she was very intrigued by it. So, asking that the Queen give her some directions and a horse, Valia set off towards the kingdom.

When Valia first arrived, she didn’t sense anything overly magical about the kingdom. The folk were all normal looking, though they definitely seemed happier and in healthier conditions than Valia had ever seen in a kingdom. There was nobody dressed in rags, wandering the streets, begging for scraps of food or some money. Valia took this all in stride as she continued on towards the palace, wanting to speak with the rulers more than ever upon seeing the condition of the people.

Upon arriving at the palace, Valia was again surprised at the calmness of the guards who didn’t even look at her strangely for her hair color. When she asked to see the King, they then told her that he was in the throne room.

Valia walked silently along the halls, examining the castle as she followed the Guards’ instructions. She was very surprised to see that the castle looked like any other, and yet it still seemed slightly less grander. There weren’t as many gold trinkets aligning the walls as she had usually seen in other palaces.

“Percy, how are things doing in the village?” Valia heard a man say as she finally reached the throne room.

“Things are well, your majesty. The walls are still standing just as strong as ever. A group of merchants arrived a few hours’ ago and have already set up in the market after we checked their wagons. They mostly had exotic fruits and other trinkets.” Another man, dressed in silver armor replied to the man sitting on the throne.

“And what kind of trinkets would those be?” A woman asked as she left a side room with a baby in her arms that was swaddled in white cloth.

Valia was surprised at the sight of the woman. The Queen was just as pale as Valia and her hair was as white as snow or seafoam.

“Nothing out of the ordinary, My lady.” Percy bowed to her though he gave her a slight amused smile as she came to sit on the throne beside the King.

As the Queen sat down, her ice blue eyes landed on Valia’s sapphire blue. For a moment, the Queen tensed up before she relaxed, though her eyes were still a little fearful as she adjusted her grip on the baby in her arms.

“Forgive me for intruding, your Majesty.” Valia apologized, bowing her head slightly to them, drawing their attention to her. She walked closer to the throne.

“It’s alright. What’s your name?” The King nodded to her.

“Valia Greystone. I’m a potion master. I was in Caerleon when the Queen told me to leave for my strange appearance. She said to come here; that there were magic folk here.” Valia explained. She glanced over and saw the Queen still examining her.

“Do you know who we are?” The Queen asked before the King could ask anything else, the question causing him to glance over at her.

Valia looked at them a bit confused. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no. My village was destroyed when I was born and I was adopted by a merchant passing through. I’ve traveled my whole life but I don’t know who you are.”

The Queen was silent for a few moments before she relaxed slightly, smiling a bit. “You said you were a potion master, correct?”

Zana sighed in annoyance as she looked in the cupboards for another bottle that wasn’t empty but having no luck. “Of course I’m out of wolfsbane. What other problem could I ever have?” Zana muttered to herself as she slammed the cupboard doors shut.

Zana walked back over to the table and sat down in the chair with a sigh as she looked over one of her father’s spellbooks. Just as Zana was beginning to get comfortable again, her temporary peace was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Zana groaned as she got up and walked over to the door. However, she wasn’t expecting to see the girl with eccentric hair that wasn’t that far off from Zana’s own. The girl was also wearing a baby blue dress with a faded pink corset wrapped around her midsection and a satchel slung across her shoulders. The girl seemed just as surprised by Zana’s appearance which then caused her to smile a bit awkwardly.

“Hello, my name is Valia Greystone. I’m a potion master and the Queen said that I should help you out as you were the Official Mage here. I like the color of your hair by the way. It’s nice to meet you.” Valia held her hand out to Zana.

Zana was tired and at the moment, wanted nothing to do with mortals except for Grace of course, but also knew that she couldn’t be rude.

“I’m Zana, Court Sorcerer.” Zana replied, shaking Valia’s hand. As she thought about what Valia had said (her thinking process being slower when she was tired), she realized that Grace had sent the girl. “I suppose my sister may be right. I guess I could use some help from time to time.”

As Zana allowed Valia inside the cabin, her brain also allowed her to fully register the state of Valia’s hair. Zana remembered that Merlin had once said that only people who possessed magic could bear such a strange feature.

“Valia,” Zana began.

“Yes? You seem concerned.” Valia replied, looking at Zana slightly confused and a bit worried.

“Your hair; how did it get like that?” Zana asked.

“Well I usually mix dye to make the pink streaks but it’s always been blue. I’ve never really thought about it that much. Since my parents and everyone in the village was dead I couldn’t exactly trace it to see why.” Valia answered with a shrug.

“I uh . . . . I might . . .” Zana cursed herself mentally for her brief shyness. “Can I see your hand?”

Valia was hesitant at first before she nodded, holding her hand out towards the Mage, it shaking slightly as the girl wondered what the Mage was going to do to her. Zana took Valia’s hand and closed her eyes. Valia’s own sapphire blue widened as a triangle appeared on Zana’s forehead and began to glow purple.