May 10th 1718
Alenia was walking along the cobble road when the royal carriage had stopped her. In respect she bowed towards the king.
Getting out of his carriage onto the hard cobble-stone road he admired her beauty. Circling around her a few times he kissed her hand. "Vous devez être Alenia "He spoke with a gentle tone. Alenia only raised her eyebrow, as she bowed her head in reply. "Oui Je suis, Que voulez-vous de moi?" She asked in clear fluent French, Even though she spoke English.
He paced as he spoke , "Eh bien, Mon autre épouse Sophia Dorothea de Celle, A décidé de me trahir. Je suis à la recherche d'une nouvelle épouse. Mon cœur vous a choisi Alenia" Looking to her for her response. Alenia was shocked by this knowing full-well what happened to his last wife Sophia. She respectfully declined to the king, and lied that she had already been married.
"Je suis désolé, Mais je suis déjà mariée à l'homme par le nom de Jérôme Gavreau"
This made King George angry, refusal was not the answer he was expecting. He began to threaten the own town he was born in.
"Si vous ne le faites pas, je vais tuer tous les premiers-nés dans cette ville. Épouse-moi Alenia et vous aurez la vie vous avez toujours voulu.Votre père vous a vendu pour de nombreux Thalar, des milliers en fait." He said with a smirk on his face.
She scowled and spit in the King's face, "I will never marry you" She said regretting using her English after that very moment. The King was then angered, and called his guards to arrest her.. She ran in her large dress that women wore those days. Every woman, child, and man's eyes were on her as she raced down the cobble road down a smaller dirt one into her cottage by the sea.
She blocked the cottage door with shelves and tables, Many bangs occurred for several minutes before all went quiet. After awhile she began to cry in fear of her life. During that night every First-born was killed in the town. She came out of her cottage the next morning, with a mob of people crowded around her small cottage with the bodies of their first born's. A young woman stepped up to Alenia giving her the dead body of her new-born covered in blood.
"You have done this Alenia..Speaking English has ruined us all,you, now it is your fault my baby new-born daughter Ava-Mia is dead. I told you... I told you..." She said as she walked away.
The crowd followed her as they all held their dead and sobbed. She scowled at the mention of being sold. "He.. sold me.. " She whispered softly wondering where he had ended up. "Father.. what have you gotten yourself into.." King George doubled the workload the following days as he tried to hurt Alenia for not marrying him. As the days followed the sun seemed to burn harder than any of the other days.
Strange waves began to circle in the ocean, The phenomenon had gathered thousands to sea shores to watch the tidal wives twisting into themselves.,The townspeople began to get frustrated with the taxes, double workloads because of the woman Alenia, Her father had returned that night. But his appearance was unrecognizable. He had been beaten by an inch of his life. His face was swollen and torn apart. He bursted into the council room as every eye lay on him. "Joseph.. we are glad you have returned. We have decided we must throw your daughter to the Greek god Poseidon, we have looked at our scrolls and we fear that he may be angry with Hanover. With some of us.. We have decided to sacrifice her to Poseidon. The sea may calm when he has been fed." A male village person explained. Joseph scowled at the thought of this, "No, No you can't.. she is my daughter. You can't.." He cried. The others stood up ready to bind him, "Wait, wait.. Okay.. I will allow it. As long as you allow me to carry the cage." He asked. The male nodded, "From one grieving father to the other, I will allow it.." He grunted as he sat down at the wooden table. Joseph nodded as a weight was lifted from his shoulders.
That night, Alenia stood at the edge of the towns. The breath of her lungs was shallow and slow. Maybe she was truly an outcast talking to herself as the ocean roared below. Easily she could throw herself off the cliff. Never to be seen again. To allow her spirit to fly away as her body crashed into the oceans wide arms. Could she fly somewhere with no pain? somewhere she could find peace for her soul?
Was there such a place on earth? Thinking these thoughts were useless it seemed. It never gave her anything but sour feelings. "No one would miss me.."Alenia softly mumbled. Her footsteps cascaded rocks to the watery death below. Making the choice to turn around, her gut wrenched as her feet began to follow the trail back to the towns. This wouldn't solve her problems.
Making her way into the village everyone looked upon her with scowls on their faces.. The village would have killed her if they could. But they were to busy with the new workloads. The heart of her soul began to break. It was as if all hope was lost. Her family had left her years ago. She began to think her father was bribed by a harlot, and the love of money. Leaving everything behind. Including his 10 year old daughter and 5 year old son. She was forced to take care of her brother Lucas, She loved him dearly. But that was all taken away the moment she refused the king's hand in marriage. As punishment for her Lucas was taken to the palace, she thought he was killed by the sword. The king was heartless and stone cold. Rejection never pleased him. She was long past the legal age of marriage. 10 years was her age, lost and broken. As she lay there sobbing over her 3 year younger brother. Everything that day was lost to her.
"Oh this is hopeless, my life is a complete mess!" She yelled in anger and confusion. Beginning to smash the pots on the table. Crying in a fit of rage, she overturned the table. Making crash sounds inside her hut. The whole village knew, they could all hear her screaming and shouting. Blood curdling sounds came from the cottage on the hill. A knock came on the wooden door. Frozen to the sound of the door, she picked up a shattered pot. Wiping the tears from her face. "Yes who is it." But no reply came from the other side of the door. The knock persisted as if it was urgent. Cautiously approaching the door, she opened it. To her surprise it was a messenger boy. He slipped her a piece of paper, before she had time to look up. He vanished, as if he was never there.
Closing the door she began to clean up her rage mess. "I need to buy more pots now..."Alenia softly frowned placing the broken pieces on the counter. Not bothering to put the table back. Laying down on her sack of hay sleep began to come upon her. With a heavy breath she slipped away.
May 11th 1718
Awaking with a startling jump, she found herself in a small metal cage. With the town carrying her far away from the village. "Hey! Where you taking me!!" She screamed. But the villagers didn't even look at her. "Let me go!! All I did was want to fight!, You think I am going to sit here and allow the King to bully us around like ants on a hill!! Let me go!" She cried shaking the metal cage. "At least tell me where you are taking me!?" She cried out.
The man beside her sighed and whispered quietly. "They are going to throw you off the cliff.." he said.
"What.."Alenia said with tears choked behind her breath.
"I agree with you," He mentioned.
"What? Who are you?" Alenia replied with a startle as she looked at the man from the cage. His hair was familiar.
" Alenia, who I am is not important, I said I agree with you. So I am going to help you. There will be a speech for your crimes when we get there, at that time I will give you the keys. You will have about 6 seconds before the cage reaches the water. In that time I hope you can open the door and swim away." The man replied.
Shocked this man was so willing to help her she questioned him.
"Why are helping me?" she simply replied.
"Didn't you get my note?"
Looking around in her pockets she pulled out a piece of parchment. With 3 letters on it. "RUN!" The words shook her heart.
"How did you know this was going to happen."Alenia questioned him.
"There is no time for answers my dear. Maybe later in life we shall meet again. I do hope you get far away from this place." he said with a breaking tone in his voice. He didn't glance at her at all, He didn't want her to see her father broken and battered.
The town chief gathered the people around him as he cleared his throat.
'This young woman has been sentenced to death, And I will now read the charges." He croaked out towards the people. "Murder, Heavy workloads, stealing, lying, and being a traitor to this town. Her body will be thrown into the sea for Poseidon to do as he wishes to her."
The town chief cleared his throat as the crowd was cheering. "Cast her away!"
At that moment keys slipped into her cage. She felt the cage fly through the air as she counted down her fingers fumbled at the cold wet cage. Her stomach flew into her throat as she fell. In a panic the waters were coming closer to the cage, as her fingers slipped. Crashing into the waters below, the old man watched from above. Along with the others they cheered but he prayed to Idor that she was safe.
The water rushed into her lungs like a hurricane as she rushed to get to the surface. But with each pounding wave it drew her further and further to the ocean floor. Struggling to swim; her head was knocked against a rock. Like a puffer fish all the air was pushed out of her. Alenia's unconscious body floated deeper and deeper into the tangled mess of seaweed. All seemed hopeless as she closed her eyes to a watery death.
A voice shouted through the deep blue waters. "SWIM! ALENIA SWIM!!" The commanding voice shouted. Instinctively she kicked her feet to try to reach the surface. The conflict with the pounding breaker smashed into her lungs. Coughing for breath she tried to swim for land. But it was of no use. The ocean current was pulling her farther from the cliff. She couldn't shout for the villagers might hear her and know that she wasn't dead.
Fighting with waves began to become tiring. She began to float without a care. As the island she once lived on was a little dot in the distance. "Where are you taking me great ocean.." She softly spoke under her breath. Trying not to fall asleep to the waves soft caressing rocking movements.
For days it seemed she floated endlessly in the ocean. Her body almost sinking into the water below. With what little air she had she cried out to the sky. "If there is a god above or god below, Please save my life, For I am not a sinner!" crying her words out with her last breaths. She allowed her head to sink below the water.
Watching the surface grow farther and farther, as she went deeper. She knew her life was at an end. Opening her mouth she allowed the water to fill her lungs, It burned as the water entered her lungs. Every part of her being wanted to survive as she choked on the water rushing into her lungs. She was dying slowly.. Her spirit was almost out, her eyes almost closed to sleep. When a slimy arm wrapped around her. Unaware what was going on. She was practically lifeless. As her body was dragged through the oceans swiftly. .
This one had long snake like arms that had scales run up each side of them. Very small and intricate and full of color that shimmered in the water..Alenia barley saw the creature carrying her. Her eyes were battered by the swift current. She could hardly see the creature carrying her. All she could see was large glowing quills on the outside of each calf.
The creature swam swiftly through the waters while Alenia was reaching the last of her life. She looked over to find that Alenia was beginning to turn blue from the lack of oxygen. The portal just lay inches away, the creature screamed through the waters as she threw Alenia with all her strength into the portal.
The portal seemed to reach out with wispy hands grasping her into its arms as she went down into a large passage. It stretched, pulled, and broke apart her body carefully. The atoms tightly fit through the passage as she was transported from everything she had ever known. The portal carefully reconstructed her as it spit her out into the middle of the sea. Where another creature of the water await her. Taking her lifeless body it dragged her upon the shore as correctly as it could as it returned to the sea.
September 12th 1880
The next morning she awoke on a beach with sand in her lungs. Coughing she rubbed her eyes. Looking around, "Where am I..?" She said looking at the unfamiliar mountains.
Her clothes were wet, she didn't have time to ponder where she was. Alenia had to keep moving, maybe there was town she could settle in. If she explained maybe they would give her a few nights stay in an inn. The warm comfort of a fire blazed in her mind as she shivered.
Her bare feet slipped into the slimy sand. She had to map out where she was. Whatever saved her she had to thank. Turning around she shouted at the roaring sea. "Thank you to the sea for being so kind to me!!"
She turned away to venture into the deep unknown woods. What little they had to offer she would have to accept. Wandering through the endless trees and bushes. Her feet were sore from the constant movement. "There has to be a trail here somewhere." She thought. But there was none in sight. She couldn't go back to the familiar beach. It was cold, rainy, and by the sound of her coughs Alenia was getting sick. She would be needing food, and water soon, but most importantly she needed to get warm.
Alenia was far too young to know any basic survival skills. Her golden blonde hair matted in knots, flying over her crystal blue eyes, and her ivory flawless skin caked with dirt from falling numerous times over the rough terrain, brambles, and roots.
September 15th 1880
Many days had past since she surfaced onto the beach. Many times she questioned how she got there. Alenia tread on-wards still with a shred of hope that there was a town somewhere. Her soft golden locks were in such a tangled mess. Brushing them out would soon be hopeless. Alenia would have to cut her long golden hair. The eyes of her soul were in dread of this journey. The body was weak from the travel. With nothing to feed on she began eating berries. Not knowing whether they were poisonous or not. Alenia didn't care, she was desperate for nutrition.
Her body became weak with lack of water. She was exhausted, her feet were bleeding, and most of the knots in her hair would tangle into branches. Desperate to survive she finally veered off her course. The straight narrow path was no longer satisfying. Bursting through the bushes at full speed. Frantic to get to a town as she screamed for help. 'HELP! SOMEBODY!" Alenia began to cry out in desperation. But only her voice echoed back to her. "There has to be a village, or town here somewhere in this forsaken forest!" She screamed.
The muscles in her legs pumped as she sprinted through the forest. With one last step she tumbled down the steep incline. The breath in her lungs fell out of her. As she dropped quite a distance. Her body crashed to the hard soil. The sudden impact knocked her out cold. She was gone, in-cognizant to the world around her mind.
The eyes of her mind opened as pain flushed through. Crying at the broken bones a hand touched her. Jerking she cried out.
"Oh shh darling it's okay." said a soft feminine voice.
"Who's there?" Alenia softly asked but still full of fright.
"Who I am doesn't matter, now you need to lie still, everything will be alright you're safe now." The women said.
"At least tell me where I am." Alenia asked.
"You are in the village of Cottonwood" The woman replied "Now rest, you need it."
Alenia complied to the stern yet gentle women. The fall had badly wounded Alenia she had broken two ribs, her right leg, and her left arm. The steep cliff went down about fifty feet. Before she had time to react Alenia was on the ground. But her prayers were answered. She had landed on an old logging trail. Which had saved the poor young woman's life. A daughter and her father were riding to the village when they saw Alenia laying on the ground. The daughter begged her father to help. He was resistant due to the fact he never trusted anyone. Hardly could trust his daughter at some points. Finally he gave into his daughter's persistent begging.
"Alright Anya put her in back" The old man croaked. Her life was saved in that moment. This would be the beginning of a much longer journey. One with secrets, terrifying nightmares, and adventure.
Many hours past as Alenia slept soundly. Anya took good care of the gal'. Hours turned into a few days without a drop of water or a bite of food. Alenia slept the days away. Recovering from her fall. About a week past when she finally awoke to minimal pain. Rubbing her eye sockets as she grunted. Sitting up she looked around the cottage. "Where am I.." She grumbled. She tried to stand up but her wounded leg buckled and she crashed into the table. Anya hurried down stairs. "Oh my! you're awake! You shan't walk right now!" she sternly said.
"I felt okay enough to walk mam."Alenia replied. "What's wrong with my leg?"
Anya helped Alenia back onto the cot. "You broke it when you fell down the cliff." she replied.
"Cliff..? Where am I." Alenia asked.
Anya laughed "You already asked that question silly. You are in Cottonwood Village."
"But where is Cottonwood?" She asked.
"I do not understand your question." Anya replied with confusion.
"What landmass is this, Is there a name." She asked Anya.
"Well if you mean by where are you besides Cottonwood, you are in Idor." Anya replied.
"Idor..I have never heard of it." Alenia softly replied.
"Where do you come from?" Anya asked her.
"A place ruled by a king, it is a very large island.." Alenia stopped abruptly.
"Why do you pause?" She asked her.
"If I told you, You would turn me in.." Alenia looked up into Anya's brown eyes.
"Why would I do that.." She gasped "Are you a criminal?" She asked her.
"No, but my birth village thinks so." She said.
"Why do they think that?" Anya asked her.
"Because I wouldn't marry the king." Alenia replied as tears started to stream down her face. "This is to painful may we do something else." She cried out.
Anya nodded and held Alenia in her arms, "Yes we may..Tell me your name? Mine is Anya." She said wiping Alenia's tears.
"Mine is Alenia." She replied.
"That is a beautiful name, and a start at friendship." Anya said.
"You wish to be my friend?" Alenia cried out with a bit of glee.
"Why wouldn't I want to, you are very sweet, Now you must get some more sleep. Rest while I get you some stew." Anya said as she carried her to the cot and laid her down. "You are safe here child." Anya softly said as she kissed Alenia's forehead.
Anya walked to the kitchen quietly whispering to her old man. "I think she may be the chosen one of the prophecy father." Anya said in a hushed voice.
He nodded in consideration to her observations. "We won't know for sure until the wolf from the prophecy begins to show its face." He said nodding as he looked over at the pale little girl.
"But father we must alert the troops that the prophetess has arrived, she must begin her training right away." Anya persisted but the old man became irritated.
"Anya that's enough, she will be doing no such thing. Not until I am sure she is the one. Being chief of the Army is no small task.. I must make my decisions carefully and well thought out. Now serve her the stew while I think alone for the night." He said walking up the stairs to the loft of the small cottage.
Anya sighed grabbing a wooden bowl and started slopping some lamb stew into the bowl. She walked over to Alenia with a scowl on her face as she pouted.
Alenia observed her facial expression with curiosity. "Are you all right?" Alenia asked her.
Anya glanced up at Alenia with a sadness behind her eyes. Just as she was about to spill everything to the poor frightened girl Bernard walked into the small cottage. "Anya, I need to see you.." He said with a strict tone.
He motioned for her to follow him up the small flight of stairs. Anya took a seat by his desk. "What is it father?" She asked softly. He exhaled softly,
"I have to venture away, other duties call me to fight the elves, they attacked our supplies, The shifters have warned us of the elves intrusion in our district. They can't know that the Prophetess has returned. Anya you must guard and raise her, Do what you see to be fit for her. Let not the elves find word of her, Be careful my darling daughter." He said.
Anya was shocked by the statement from her father. She began to shake her head no, "Father this is giving yourself over to Death. They will kill you and half your army. Only allowing one to escape to inform the remains." Anya complained.
Bernard shook his head as he stroked his white beard. "Anya, I have no choice in the matter. They can't know that she has arrived," He whispered softly.
Alenia sat at the bottom of the stairs hearing every word of the conversation. "Prophetess?, I wonder who they are talking about..?" She said to herself as the upstairs floor creaked. She quickly limped from the steps back into her chair as she scarfed down the bowl of lamb stew.
Anya came down the stairs as her footsteps clanked angrily down the wooden steps. "Son of..." She stopped as her gaze trailed over to Alenia. With a sad look in her eyes she shook her head at her. But it faded as quickly as it came her bright cheery face lit up as she shuffled towards her slowly.
"How was your lamb stew Alenia?" She asked. Alenia nodded as she became curious of the conversation that was held up in the attic. She hesitated for a moment before asking. Staring at her lamb stew she glanced up, "What were you and father discussing upstairs..?" she asked her.
Anya stared at her for a long moment before shaking her head smiling. "Oh nothing, He just had some important news to tell me.." She said turning around her facial expression changed to a worrisome face. Alenia only nodded thinking upon what she had heard, She thought to herself. "A prophetess, I wonder who she could be?"
Alenia yawned as she began to push the chair out to get up. "Where shall I sleep tonight Anya?" She asked. Anya smiled, "Go on up to the attic and take my bed, Father won't wake you. He's working on a few letters for some townsmen." She lied.
Alenia nodded as she slightly limped up the stairs to Anya's hay filled cot. She lay down onto the soft hay. It wasn't the least bit stringy or itchy as she was used to. It was soft, warm and comforting. Rolling over towards the wall of the house her eyelids began to shut as sleep came upon her. "Goodnight Father.." She mumbled quietly as she fell asleep. Bernard looked over at the small child when she mumbled those words.. "Good night daughter.." He whispered back softly to comfort her to sleep. As he looked upon his map he scowled and sighed, "The poor girl.." He softly whispered as he folded the map, blew out the candle and lay in his hay filled cot to get some shut eye before dawn.
ns 15.158.61.54da2
