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  Chosen

  The Enchanted Trials Book One

  Shelby Hild

  Vivilyn has a deadly secret.

  In the Kingdom of Etilidus, two things are certain:

  1. Magic is dangerous and any hint of magical ability equals death.

  2. Every citizen excitedly awaits the Enchanted Trials, a competition that's held when a royal comes of age and must choose a match.

  Vivilyn Minette is a talented artist from the small town of Treelyn who dreams of raising her family's fortune by becoming a famous painter. So, when she is chosen to compete for the heart of Prince Aiden, an opportunity of a lifetime, she should be ecstatic. But while everyone else in Treelyn is celebrating her newfound fame, she is terrified that her secret will be discovered.

  Magic runs through her veins.

  Copyright © 2020 Shelby Hild

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author and publisher.

  ASIN: B087YYC4BS

  Cover design by: Enchanted Ink Studios

  Printed in the United States of America

  Mrs. K,

  Without you, I never would have finished my first story. In a way, you are the reason I've pursued writing. If it hadn't been for that gothic paper writing assignment and your gentle pushing that I can indeed finish something I start, The Enchanted Trials would never have been thought of.

  Thank you for being the guiding light I required when I didn't know I needed it.

  Chosen is dedicated to you.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Vivilyn has a deadly secret.

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Next Time on The Enchanted Trials:

  Acknowledgement

  About The Author

  Chapter 1

  Today is the day everything changes, Vivilyn thought. She leaned back against the rough bark of the tree trunk, one leg dangling from the branch she sat on. From the Dragon’s Spine Mountains to the north, a breeze gently caressed her face with the chilly announcement that summer would soon be coming to an end. The leaves rustled, whispering as though they were telling each other secrets.

  Vivilyn couldn’t help but wonder if they knew what changes the day would bring.

  The wind caught the edge of a branch above her, making it wave like it was saying farewell. Three red and orange leaves fell. They weaved back and forth in the air, slowly, as if daring someone to argue with its brightly hued warning of the changing seasons.

  When the leaves finished their descent, Vivilyn looked back towards the mountains.

  It was Vivilyn’s favorite time of the day. The sun had just begun her daily trek, causing the sky to turn into an explosion of oranges and pinks. A few clouds raced by and added doses of purple, blue, and indigo. On the paper in front of her, she added a few final touches to her sketch. Carefully, she closed her sketchpad and held it close to her heart before she leapt from the branch to the ground.

  I’ll miss this, she thought with a sigh. Someone stepped loudly behind the tree. Only one person would be out looking for her so early. It didn’t surprise Vivilyn when she glanced over and saw her brother’s large frame beside the trunk. In the lighting, Vivilyn could almost see what the townsfolk meant when they said Duncan and Vivilyn spent so much time with the plants, their hair turned the color of the trunks.

  “That’s a long sigh for a birthday girl,” Duncan said loudly. He held his elbow out for Vivilyn to take. Slipping her sketchpad under her arm, Vivilyn took his elbow gently.

  Duncan continued a little more quiet, “Goodness, you look as though you’re never coming back.”

  “I just have this feeling,” she began as they turned around and started walking towards the city, back home.

  “Wait,” he said as he stopped and looked down at her, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “Just a nerves feeling or—” he changed to a whisper and looked around to be sure no one could see them “— a feeling?”

  “I… I don’t know,” Vivilyn said. They started walking again before she continued. “It might be I’m nervous about my birthday or… or it could be more. I can’t tell.” The breeze picked up for a few seconds, knocking a strand of her hair free from its braid.

  “Well, it’s probably just nerves. It’s not every day you go to the Administrations Office.” He pushed her slightly to the side, “Man, Lyn, I can’t believe you’re seventeen already. This came way too quickly. Just yesterday I had to pull you out of a tree because you scampered up but couldn’t get back down.”

  Vivilyn smiled up at her brother.

  “You’ve always had a knack for pulling me out of trouble,” she said. At the edge of the southern side of town, the two-story building their family had rented for generations appeared. “I wish you could always be there.”

  “Lyn, stop talking like that. Of course, I’ll always be here.” He gave her a side hug.

  “Vivilyn!” Their mother’s voice called from the broken upstairs window. “Come on, you’ve got to get ready to present yourself.”

  Vivilyn sighed again as they went up the two steps to their door. No matter what Duncan said, the ominous feeling in her gut didn’t loosen its hold on her.

  The front door squeaked loudly as they opened it, followed by the jingle of bells to signify someone entering the shop. Vivilyn inhaled the familiar scent of freshly grown fruits and vegetables, herbs, and other grown goods. Tub after tub, crate after crate, bowl after bowl, all full to overflowing with items they grew on nearby land.

  “Sweetheart,” Magnar said as he looked up from the desk. “Your mother has been ransacking the house trying to find you. I’m sure upstairs looks like a gale has torn through it.”

  Vivilyn held back a small laugh as she moved her way to the counter at the back of the store. “We heard her from outside,” Vivilyn said with a smile.

  As she passed her father on her way to the stairs, he briefly lifted his hand to stop her. “Happy birthday, darling.”

  “Thanks, Papa,” She blew him a kiss as she moved the door to the living area.

  Vivilyn heard her father address Duncan, “It’s her birthday, not yours. You missed helping this morning.”

  As Vivilyn raced up the stairs three at a time, her mind began to drift again. This is the start. The beginning of the end. The end of what? She shook her head, not wanting to continue that thought.

  “Vivilyn,” Suzetta said. Vivilyn stopped at the top of the stairs and set her sketchpad on the small wooden barrel they used as a table. Her mother continued when Vivilyn looked up, “You are going to the Administrations Office, not your funeral. Smile, child, you’re an adult today. And it’s just in time.” She pulled Vivilyn into a tight hug. “They’ll be choosing for the Enchanted Trials next week.”

  “There are so many other girls to choose from, Mama,” Vivilyn sighed as she leaned into her mother’s hug. She breathed in Suzetta’s strong scent of chamomile and mint. After a few moments, Vivilyn pulled away.

  “Look at me! Why would they choose me
?” She lifted her dark braid and gestured to her larger than average ears.

  “Darling, you are stunning,” Suzetta said, her eyebrows lowering as she frowned.

  “Mama, you are biased.” Vivilyn said.

  Suzetta gestured to the sketchpad beside them, “Even if that were true, I don’t know of anyone who can bring things to life as realistically as you.”

  “Yes, because that is what they look for when choosing,” Vivilyn rolled her eyes as she gave her mother a wry grin.

  “What’s wrong?” Suzetta asked, as Vivilyn looked away.

  “I...” Vivilyn paused, not wanting to worry her mother. “I have a bad feeling everything is about to change.” She shook her head as Suzetta’s eyes began to widen, “And before you ask, I can’t tell if it is a normal feeling or a feeling feeling.”

  “It’s normal to be nervous about growing up,” Suzetta said as she peered at her daughter. “I was. Your father was. Even Duncan was uneasy about his seventeenth birthday. You’re an adult now. With that, everything will change. You will have responsibilities. No more going off to draw or goofing around before work is done.”

  “I know,” Vivilyn said. “But what if it’s more than that?”

  “If it is, then you’ll see something. Perhaps it’ll be something good. Maybe someone coming through for the Trials will see some of your sketches or paintings and decide you should be swept away to Shreville as a showcase artist.” Suzetta set her hands on Vivilyn’s shoulders, “But until we know what the feeling is, breathe. What is going to happen will happen. We have to meet it with a balanced head.”

  “Okay, Mama.”

  Suzetta looked Vivilyn over, then turned her to the washroom.

  “Go wash your face. You’ve got charcoal on your cheek,” Suzetta said, then looking down at Vivilyn’s hands added, “and everywhere else. Clean up. Then we will get you ready. You know they have requirements for getting your identification still taken.” As Vivilyn moved to do as her mother told her, she just barely heard Suzetta whisper, “My baby’s all grown up.”

  Chapter 2

  Vivilyn stepped out of her bedroom an hour later in a deep green dress and brown boots. Her mother had helped her tightly spiral her dark hair onto the back of her head. Vivilyn reached up to try and loosen a piece that pulled uncomfortably at the back of her head.

  “Don’t go messing that up now,” Suzetta said. “Your hair can’t be in your face. If a single strand falls and gets in your face, you’ll be sent away to get it redone. And if I have to fix it because you pulled at it, I’ll not be happy.” Despite Suzetta’s stern voice, she still smiled at Vivilyn. “Happy birthday, darling,” she said.

  “Thank you, Mama,” Vivilyn responded. They started down to the shop level.

  “Do you want us to go with you?” Magnar asked as Vivilyn and Suzetta came down the last few stairs. “Your mother and I would be happy to.” Suzetta nodded at Vivilyn’s side.

  “Papa,” Vivilyn said as she set her hands on her hips. “I appreciate it, but I think I can handle it on my own.”

  Magnar walked over to her and kissed her forehead. Suzetta gave her a firm hug. Her father then handed her a bag with a small lunch of fruits and bread.

  “I’ll walk you out,” Duncan said as he slid over the counter, almost knocking over a bowl of freshly picked mint. Vivilyn took his offered elbow before they left.

  As the front door of the shop closed behind them, Duncan turned to her with a serious look and said, “Don’t get lost. And buy yourself something sweet on the way home.” He slid four coppers into her hand as he kissed her cheek. “And make sure your still comes out better than mine.”

  “That won’t be difficult.” Vivilyn laughed. “You scowled and closed your eyes!”

  “I didn’t mean to, but the sun was bright through the window.” He lifted his hand to her head.

  “Don’t you dare touch my hair. Mama will skin you if you mess it up.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it. Now get gone before the line is miserably long with all these new people coming into town. They open in ten minutes. Tell Eric hello for me.”

  “Of course,” Vivilyn said as she started walking away. She sighed slightly and shook her head. Someday her best friend Ryso would be skilled enough to help his older brother with stills, but until then she’d have to deal with just Eric. Since Eric was Duncan’s closest friend, he’d become like the older brother Vivilyn had never asked for. She wondered what he would be like in a professional capacity, seeing that she’d never seen him take a still before.

  Despite Duncan’s warning, Vivilyn didn’t have to worry about getting lost. All roads eventually led to the Administrations Office, since it was situated in the direct center of town.

  Her right side warmed at the light touch of the sun’s rays. The mornings had been so much warmer earlier in the week. Four mornings prior, Vivilyn would have been covered in a thin layer of sweat. Just another reminder that summer was in its final few weeks and autumn would be moving in soon.

  With each step she took, an invisible weight pressed heavier and heavier upon her shoulders. It’s just nerves. Things are changing, she thought to herself. As she drew closer to her destination, the buildings grew closer together. The lack of trees in the center of town always made Vivilyn uncomfortable. She could never live or work somewhere that she couldn’t see a tree from a window.

  Merchants moved around as they prepared their stalls for the day. Most of the merchants she recognized, but there were a few new faces. More stalls were being constructed up and down the street in preparation for the traffic that would come through as the Enchanted Trials began. More vendors and more people in general would soon fill the town beyond bursting.

  As the city closest to the Ettravil, crown city of Etilidus, many people were expected. If the Enchanted Trials for Princess Elissa were any indication three years ago, then this would be even bigger since it was the Trials for Prince Aiden. These weren’t to just find the prince a wife. Between the royal family’s choice and the people’s votes, these Trials would determine the next queen.

  Down Innstreet, the three main inns of town were busy emptying any storage rooms to create extra rooms to house people. Her family supplied the inns with most of the produce they used for meals. All three had recently ordered four times the usual amounts of fruits and herbs in anticipation of so many more people to feed.

  Vivilyn was as puzzled by the sheer increase in people as she had been prior to the last Trials. Her father mentioned to her once that being within a day’s ride from the Trials made the people who could afford traveling feel closer to the action. She didn’t understand it, but it felt as though the city was preparing for a festival. It would help them sell more goods, so Vivilyn didn’t mind it.

  Vivilyn took increasingly deep breaths as she approached the Administrations Office. The red door stood twice her height. The gold trim reflected the growing light of day.

  She heard the latch inside release right before the door opened as the sun reached the spot in the sky that would allow enough light through the many window to brighten every room. No use wasting candles to illuminate the large building.

  Three people, all strangers, began to approach the door from a street to the left.

  Vivilyn hesitated at the door.

  She’d never liked going to the Administrations Office, with its large rooms and lack of colors or decorations on the walls. When people with magic abilities were discovered, they’d be taken to the Administrations Office before they were executed. She always imagined the building would somehow ferret out her abilities. On the rare occasions she was required to enter the building, she always felt that the walls were going to fall in on her, trapping her forever.

  This time was no different. Vivilyn rolled her shoulders backwards, preparing herself to go in.

  One of the strangers behind her cleared his throat.

  She took a step into the building and took a quick glance to the white wall to her left. In
the center of the wall, halfway between the door and the welcome desk, a large rectangle stood out even whiter than the rest of the wall, a ghost of the past. Vivilyn’s father had told her no matter how many times they’d painted the spot, it bleached again from the residue of magic that used to be there.

  She took another step and then another into the building. As she walked toward the desk set at the rear of the entrance hall, Vivilyn wondered, not for the first time, how things might have been back before magic was banished. There weren’t many visible scars left by magic remaining, at least not in Treelyn.

  One of Magnar’s history books mentioned the missing machine was a device with stored energy that recorded everyone’s faces, similar to the relatively new stills machine. As she passed the shape on the wall, she could almost see the ancient device there, waiting to be recharged by a local wizard.

  Vivilyn refocused on the present as she reached the desk. Imaginings such as that were not only dangerous if someone found out, but silly as well. The only remaining magical item in town from those days was the Energy Tower, dull and lifeless, as it no longer held any energy. The last of the energy had drained out back when Vivilyn’s maternal grandparents had first come into town, but it was too large to remove. Even if it were smaller, no one could determine how to get it out of the ground.

  Vivilyn saw no one at the desk.

  “Hello?” Vivilyn called toward the open door behind the desk. Someone cleared his throat and for a moment Vivilyn thought it was the person behind her again. Then she looked down at the desk only to have her eyes met by a small man with deep wrinkles all over his face. Tapping a pencil on a paper on the desk, he looked her over with a raised eyebrow. Vivilyn wasn’t sure how much he could see from where he sat.