Synopsis or initial idea for the story:
A story of transformation, adventure, and love. Two close friends must journey to find a cure for a curse caused by a magic ring they found in the forest. How will their tale end, in tragedy? Or will a miracle unfold before they reach the end? Join Kale and Cara on this journey to beat the clock on this one of a kind tale.
Moon Phases
1. A Meeting in the Forest
“Kale, are you sure we should keep it?” A girl whispered in the darkness.
“Of course we should, Cara. There’s no one who comes out here but us. It’s fate. We were meant to find it.” Kale whispered back. “If it makes you feel better then think of it as a token of our friendship and a promise that we will always be together.”
In the darkness Kale held a single, solid gold ring in the palm of his open hand between them. The ring seemed to glow or pulsate in the light of the half moon.
“I don’t know Kale. I’m getting a strange feeling from this ring. I think we should get rid of it.” Cara said attempting to reiterate to him her concern.
“You worry too much. It’s just a ring. What could it possibly do?” Kale said. “Look I’ll even take it for the first few nights until we can meet again. You’ll see, it’ll be fine.”
Noticing that Kale was acting a bit strange Cara said, “If you insist, then we can keep it, but be careful, something about that ring is not right.” She looked at Kale as closely as she could in the dark. He didn’t meet her gaze. His dark green eyes seemed to be transfixed on the ring. He wouldn’t listen to her right now unless she had proof but still she was worried.
—
Cara and Kale had been friends since they were old enough to walk and made an instant connection. Both had lost their parents a few years back and had since lived on opposite sides of town. Their once constant connection was split with the distance and the two could now only manage to spend one evening a month together here at their hollow tree in the woods just outside of town. It was their secret place.
Cara was a magic apprentice who spent most of their apart time researching and practicing magic under the guidance of Master Aloe. Master Aloe had taken her in after the death of her parents and after a series of magic evaluations discovered that she was not only capable but also had a rare aptitude for it. Although she had a talent for it, her magic lessons usually took a lot out of her so when she wasn’t practicing magic, doing chores, or other things she could often be found resting under a tree in warm months or by a hot stove during the cold.
Kale, like the majority of the population, did not have a talent for magic. Apparently, there was some extra organ or something that allowed magicians to generate and use magic. Kale was just a regular old farm boy. He was taken in by his mother’s sister and his uncle after the accident and his days since had been spent tilling the fields and feeding the animals. He didn’t mind the manual labor as it made his days go faster and he wasn’t able to dwell on his parents death or how much he missed seeing Cara.
—
As midnight finally approached the two made their way back through to the edge of the forest. Before parting, Kale slipped the ring on the middle finger of his right hand while Cara stood watching a worried expression on her face. The ring felt cool against his skin and sent a quick shiver up his arm. He’d never worn a ring before so it felt a little weird but other than being a little loose it seemed natural.
Noticing Cara’s eyeing him he said. “See? Nothing wrong here besides it being a little loose.” He held the hand with the ring out for her to see.
Cara reached up and clasped his hand in hers. After a few minutes of peering at the ring, and seeming reassured that nothing would happen, Cara smiled softly. “Ok you win.”
They continued to stay clasping each other’s hands both reluctant to leave. After a few minutes Cara sighed and said goodbye then released her grasp to begin making her way home.
Kale stood watching her go. He hated parting but they lived on opposite sides of town and lived in two completely different worlds. Sometimes, Kale wished he could have some magical power or reason to stay by her but he was utterly normal; a simple farm boy with a knack for getting into trouble even though he tried his best to stay out of it.
He sighed, turned the opposite direction and began making his way towards the other side of town. As he walked he couldn’t help but look at the ring and wonder about the person who had lost such a prize. Surely this ring would bring him some sort of luck? Or at least help tie Cara and himself together in some way so that they would never be parted.
When Kale finally reached his aunt and uncle’s farm it was well past midnight. He entered the old cabin style home and went to his bunk. He sat on the edge of his bed for a few more minutes twisting the ring around his finger. It seemed a little tighter than when he’d first placed it on his finger but he suspected that was normal. Growing weary he lay down and immediately fell fast asleep.