Genevieve

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The forest is unfamiliar to me as I wonder around lost. My horse grumbles at me and I pat her neck to calm her. Its been days since we've seen anything close to civilization. Which means it has been days since I ran away from home to save my family. My heart constricts at these thoughts. The wound is still much to painful to bare. I had to leave otherwise my family would be taken off of the throne.

Ever since I was a child I've been able to do things other humans cannot. Up until recently I didn't realize exactly what I was considered: a geomancer. A race of people that everyone ostracizes from society. The why part of that is people are scared of them. Scared of what they can do. Correction: What I can do. I am one of them; therefore, I'm considered evil. Right off the bat I can't be trusted of people know what I am.

To top it all of I'm the Princess of my Kingdom Athenor. If it were to be discovered that I'm a magic user I would be killed and so would my family. People still hang on to the belief that its passed down within families. But sometimes, although it is rare, it can happen randomly to people. I'm an anomaly that most would want to keep a secret. Before I left I had been discovered by a servant. He threatened me with my secret on several occasions: taking away my innocence in the process. I had to leave to save myself. At least now people will think he is lying...maybe.

The forest runs out and all of a sudden I am in a clearing. The sun is currently setting in the horizon. I can see a Faerie Island floating above the sun. It is a beautiful sight and I smile. All of a sudden I am knocked off of my horse. I hit the ground hard and stars enter my vision.

"Ahhh, its a pretty little girl." Says a man above me. I cannot make out his face.

"By the looks of her she is rich." Another chuckles beside him. I am roughly picked up and thrown over the man's shoulder, "We are gonna have fun with you tonight, lass." I let out an ear piercing screech into his ear. Suddenly I'm on the ground again. I stand quickly, despite the dizziness I feel, and run towards my horse. Once there I grab my sword. It is heavy, but I know that it'll keep me safe.

"Stay back!" I yell as the men advance towards me once more. They do not listen to me and then they run at me. One runs straight at me and the other to the side. I stab one of them in the stomach before the other tackles me to the ground. Blood is now all over me and it makes me want to gag.

"You little bitch!" Exclaims the one that has been stabbed.

"You shouldn't swear around a lady." I spit.

"You won't be a lady after tonight, my dear." The one holding me whispers in my ear. I shiver at his words. Disgusted by him.

|| Once, long ago, the Faeries lived together in a grand kingdom high above the Earth. Joined forevermore by the magic in their blood, Faeries lived and thrived on the energies of the world itself; able to manipulate its bounty at will. They lived in solitude and tranquility in their floating kingdom, too high to be reached by the people of the Earth and Sea. There, in that floating kingdom, the Faerie King sat upon his throne of fire and directed the fate of Faeries everywhere, creating laws and punishments for all within its bounds; until the once loyal subjects began to question ‘why?’ Why obey simply because of tradition? Why toil in silence above the Earth? Why not leave the kingdom and seek fortunes elsewhere? The Faerie King was angered at the deliberate disobedience of his subjects and showed it by roaring into the heavens with rage. The voice he used resembled that of the Earth itself, groaning and growling and causing the heavens to shake and the kingdom to shatter. Thousands of floating island shards split and scattered all over the Earth, some to become lonely villages, others to become abandoned wastelands. Faeries everywhere were forced to choose between clinging to the shattered kingdom or falling to the Earth; many chose to simply fall. Those that did used their Faerie blood to assume the shapes of those around them, hiding their magical lineage in other guises. High above, on the largest of the floating islands, the Faerie King sits and he waits; waits for the day that his kingdom will once again become whole. He sits upon his throne of fire and he plans, taking many wives to bear many heirs to lead his new kingdom to glory. But having so many made him petty in his affections, son after son fell in battle with rival Faerie forces and forces of the Earth. Forevermore would the earth-walkers and sky-searchers be at odds, but when it came down to his last son he tried desperately to keep him alive and well. Silently he sent the young man away, to be hidden somewhere safe, secure; a place where he would never be found.

I am that young man, the last son of Cosrah-Lahn, Sylvek-Talani of the Cosrah brood. From birth I was destined for greatness, for glory among the stars of our flying kingdom. But fate is a fickle thing, and such a destiny would never be realized. No, my story is one of shame instead…

Now I’m forced to hide that shame, to assume the form of a human earth-walker and be hidden there beneath the ground. We cannot hide our wings, however, and have found we need to conceal them when in the presence of humans. I’m to be escorted to an underground fortress the ground-diggers tunneled long ago, locked away to never be found so that no creature can discover my disgrace… ||

The sun shone crimson against the western horizon, warning that dusk would settle in soon as three figures picked their way along a worn trail. They rode upon sleek yakrams, (a tall, cloven-hooved animal with ornate horns but a dexterous, nimble gait) their silence allowing the birdsong of the plains to wash over the three travelers as they picked their away along the trail. A figure ahead caused them to halt and hang back, one of the broader two moving to snatch the third’s reigns and halt his movement as well. They fell silent and remained that way a long time, debating on a course of action.

The third figure eventually scoffed and ripped off the deep hood over his face. His youthful features were clear in the evening light, his bright green eyes resembling glistening emeralds amidst fair skin and long hair a pale shade of blonde. “Why are we stopped?” The young green-eyed man protested, the dark cloak about his shoulders disguising his physique. “I thought we were in some sort of hurry.” He spat dryly.

The man holding his yakram’s reins turned to regard him with furrowed brows beneath the folds of his deep hood. “We cannot take risks, Your Majesty. You should put your hood back up.”

“Risks.” The young man scoffed again. “What risks?! Who in bloody hellfire even knows who we are? Or where we are? Or where we’re going?!”

“Young Master, please lower your voice.” The other man stated gently from beneath his hood. “And do as Jenan requests, please. Put up your hood.”

“Who exactly am I hiding from, hm?” The young man retorted. “Because I was under the impression I was being exiled, not protected. The earth-walkers could care less who I am!”

The other two men exchanged a glance, then the one with his grip on the prince’s reins spoke when he turned back, “No one must see us, Your Majesty. No one must suspect what we do or where we go.”

“And how could they if they don’t know what I look like, hm? I mean, honestly, what~” The young, blonde-haired man paused and changed direction suddenly, “Say, what’s that?” The two men followed his gaze and kicked their steeds to reach the rise of a small hill. It gave the three of them ample view of the scene below, the passing of a young woman on a horse and the arrival of other more threatening figures.

Things weren’t going well for the woman…

The two taller men exchanged a glance, but the younger, green-eyed youth furrowed his brows in concern before suddenly drawing his slender, shamshir-like blade. “That woman is in trouble!”

“It’s not our concern.” The leaner of the taller men remarked with a shrug. “We shouldn’t get involved.”

“Like hell!” The young man responded before kicking his yakram and charging forward. The distance between he and the scuffle traveled swiftly on the dexterous hooves of his nimble steed. At first the other two thought not to follow, exchanged a knowing glance but then pursued after their charge, each unsheathing their own weapon.

In an instant the nearest thug had the top of his ear neatly cleaved completely off, the young man’s motion from atop his mount fluid and sure. His right arm extended his blue-steel blade and was placed warningly at the nearest thug’s throat. “Ah-ah-ah, you’re lucky half an ear was all I took. On your knees, swine, drop your weapons! And release that young lady, now. Before I decide to relieve you of other more…precious body parts.” The fair-skinned young man’s sword and eyes dipped a moment to indicate the fullness of his threat.

He was swiftly backed by his two body-guards who came to a halt and glared with an intense energy from beneath their hoods. One held a loaded crossbow, the taller a pike-like halberd; and both looked more than ready for trouble.

One moment I knew in my heart that I was a goner. But then chaos ensued. I could hear the agony of one man and the threats from another. Honestly, I can't even believe that I'm a damsel in distress. After all of my practice with swords and my magic I;m the one that needs saving. To be honest it infuriates me. However, I do not have time to ponder over this as I'm dragged up off of the ground. My assailants arm is still wrapped around my waist and a knife is at my throat. I know better than to struggle so I just stand there and hope that everything will turn out alright."

The man that had attacked Genevieve grinned mischievously, "If you would like this beautiful young lass to be freed I suggest you free my friend as well. It was not very polite of you to cut off his ear." He pressed the knife against her throat tighter and she could feel the blood begin to trickle down her neck. It is then that she gets a glimpse at her saviors. She can see the creatures they rode on to get here and she realizes they are not human.

They are very intimidating and even if their anger is not pointed towards Eve she still feels like cowering under a rock somewhere. Their gazes are very powerful and very threatening. Genevieve decides last moment that she would rather fight her own battles than have someone else fight them for her. She realizes the risk of cutting her neck wide open as she leans her head forward and bangs it back into the man's nose. She can hear the sharp crack of the bone and once again blood is being poured onto her that is not her own.

She uses his brief moment of confusion to her advantage and reaches up to grab the knife out of his hand. His grip, however, is much to strong on it and she only succeeds in cutting her own hand by accident. She groans in frustration as she attempts to bring her foot back to kick him in the groin. Unfortunately the man is too tall for her to do so.

"Feisty little one, isn't she?" The cruel man remarks behind her. "Maybe I should teach her a lesson..." He takes the knife and plunges it into her arm. She screams in pain. "Now. Would you please release my friend?"

|| I remember being impressed at the young woman’s display. Even knowing full well that Jenan and Garle would be angry with me for disobeying them…but what could happen…? I mean…they didn’t know what we were. They had no idea the things we could do. To be perfectly honest…these bandits didn’t stand a chance.

Especially since this damsel seemed to be…quite capable of getting herself out of her own distress. Perhaps my jumping in was…premature.

But I have a hard time leaving anyone in need…even earth-walkers. ||

“I’m not sure your friend would like to lose his life over this. I WILL kill him, and my friend here, Jenan, he’s been known to pin a dragonfly to an oak trunk with that crossbow of his. Are you really willing to take that chance…?” The young man’s threat was anything but idle. He closed the gap between his blade and the bandit’s flesh, drawing his own trickle of blood in warning. “If you hurt her further, not one of you will live to boast about it.” His threat seemed full of far more than just the danger in his gaze. Something deep down…within the instincts of Men…it could be felt that something wasn’t right… The air felt as though it were suddenly charged with electricity, and those emerald green eyes of that same young man seemed to blaze with an unseen energy.

Everything felt close, quiet. Birds ceased singing and insects didn’t offer one buzz. It felt ominous…even the sky seemed to change color above them; the clouds taking on an odd, blood-red color that seemed to infect everything with a liquid slowness.

|| It was generally accepted that displays of vulgar magic were to not be performed around Men, but in this case…I figured we could make an exception. ||

“It’s your choice.” The man warned, and as though to solidify the point, Jenan took aim at the bandit who appeared to be the group’s leader. Garle was equally ready, his halberd ready to slay any who attempted to harm his charge.

“We’re waiting.” The green-eyed man threatened again, his voice seeming to surround the bandits and echo within their skulls.

|| I really hoped this would work… ||

This man standing before me with a knife to the bandit's neck is enchanting. His green-eyes are so...I can't put a word on it. Maybe magical. I can sense the magic in the air as if it were an odor. At least I tend to think of it that way considering it is the one thing standing between me and my happiness. I hate magic, but at the same time I love it.

The bandits holding Genevieve no longer seem to think it is so imperative that they get their way. They let go of the young Princess and she sags to the ground, obviously in pain from the deep wound on her neck. Her hand instantly goes up to it in order to stop the bleeding. It seems futile, however, because the flow of blood does not slow. I really shouldn't have fought back. She thinks to herself as the world goes darker than it was before.

The men, cowardice as they are, begin to run away from the dark scene. Its as if the intimidation from the men are to much to bare. Even if they do not understand the humidity in the air is magic they are still intuitive that something odd is going on. Even if the men that saved Eve will let him go, she is not as merciful. Suddenly some tree branches appear out of the forest and they skewer the men. It is then that they disappear into the forest.

I've lost my family, my home, and my friends. It is now that I've finally lost myself and everything I believe in. What other price must I pay for baring the gift of magic? She thinks to herself just before she loses consciousness. The world goes black and just before her eyes close she sees the beautiful green eyes that had saved her.