Back to Atlantis

and good luck.”
She left the ballroom, her skirts swishing behind her.

Chapter 3
Training
It was seven in the morning when Yasmin woke up. Yawning, she looked out the window. It was Sunday, and from her room in the palace, she could see the gardens, blooming with winter flowers as the golden leaves fell.
She got out of her huge bed, and sighed. Last night she had cried herself to sleep. She missed her family, and even with this huge, amazingly perfect room, filled with everything a girl could ask for, it just wasn’t home.
Yasmin didn’t regret her actions. That was for sure. She knew what she was doing, but she did it anyway. She wasn’t sorry, but angry her temper had gotten away like that. Smiling ruefully, she prepared for the day, knowing it would be useless to sleep with all the things on her mind.
Wearing a red shirt and jeans, Yasmin walked through the corridors, quickly becoming lost. As she made her way through the various hallways, she had a feeling of déjà-vu.
Last night she had no memory after the guards escorted her away, because she was exhausted and hurt. Her body had been exercised so much mentally and physically that she just collapsed into bed, without even looking around.
But looking around, she knew she had been here before, either in dreams or in real life, since it most certainly wasn’t because of yesterday that she had this feeling. Yasmin’s stomach rumbled, ending all thoughts but her need for food.
Yasmin followed her nose and found the kitchen. They were large, and filled with wonderful smells from all the food. As she ate a small breakfast given to her by the cooks, she looked around. While she sat on a stool, there were tons of people working around her in the kitchen. And it was a great place for gossip.
“The queen was angry,” said a female voice that sounded frightened.
“She has ruled peacefully for years. We have no need to worry. The rebellion will end soon,” a soothing male voice said, though it shook.
“But what about what’s happenin’ now?!” someone to her left said. “A village raided by the rebellion had half of it burned down, and some people lost their lives!”
Yasmin burned with anger but continued to eat. There was no point in screaming in rage. The best she could do now was train, and bring people hope.
“I heard the new mage is downright coo-coo,” a nervous female voice whispered to her right. “They say she fell in love with the prince, but he dumped her after using her.”
Yasmin stood, knowing that if she stayed she would probably scream. But at least now she had a good place for gossip. Thanking a kitchen boy who showed her the way to the courtroom, she set for it, wondering what she had to do, and if she could keep her mouth shut.
On the way there, while she was daydreaming as usual, she thought about home. Was Digdig all right without her? She had missed him so bad the summer she went to Greece, but now she missed him more because she wanted a hug. Yasmin shook her head mentally. No, she thought. People get nothing from crying. It is useless. I can find my way without tears, and without help.
“Watch out!” someone called. Yasmin saw a big, yellow-brown head of hair before they crashed.
“Ouch!” Yasmin and the unknown person said at the same time.
Yasmin got up, rubbing her head.
“Who are you?” Yasmin asked. “And can you point the way to mage training? I’m kind of lost.”
“No watchers. I don’t care if you want to see me teaching the mage magic, people crowding around will make this look like a fair. This is the future of the kingdom.” the woman said without looking at Yasmin as she picked up her fallen books.
When she finally looked up, she gave a start. “Oh, you must be Yasmin, right? Nobody else looks this lost. My name is Stargazer. Gloriana Stargazer, best teacher known to spellcaster. I will be your new teacher from this day on. We will train your power to its maximum potential.”
Gloriana Stargazer was around five foot six, without heels. She was a friendly looking woman in her thirties, with brown-blonde hair, and honey-colored eyes that showed a large amount of intelligence. She wasn’t scary, but Yasmin didn’t want to cross her at the same time. She had a feeling that Gloriana was a lot stronger than she looked.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Yasmin said, a bit nervous at meeting someone new. Better late than never. “Gloriana, right? I suck at names. But I think I will remember yours.” She smiled. “Hopefully.” Yasmin added under her breath.
“Great. I have a busy schedule, and I want you in top-notch shape. What can you do so far?”
“I can draw, and I’m great at math, and I love creating things–”
“Not that!” Gloriana interrupted, looking annoyed. “What magic can you do?!”
“Oh, sorry,” Yasmin said, embarrassed. She had already messed up! “I can do some elemental magic, and bring drawings to life. I can also sort of fly, or jump really high, and I can meditate. David couldn’t teach me rune magic for some reason.”
“That’s it?!” Gloriana said, unimpressed. “Well, you can’t expect a prince to be a good teacher, but still! Someone who has limitless potential should have been taught a basis in at least three different types of magic!”
“Sorry?” Yasmin said, confused.
They had reached a courtyard. It was sixty-five by sixty-five feet, with stone columns surrounding it. The ground was covered with soft green grass that looked like no human had ever set foot on it.
“Well, whatever. Now, though we start anew. I fully expect you to listen to my every word. I have seen your grades. Apparently you are a smart kid. Your physical side–”
“You saw my grades?!” Yasmin cried, outraged. “How? Oh, wait! I know. Prince David! He is a perfect spy, isn’t he?”
“Why would we need Prince David to spy? We have been spying on