Prologue
Year 812 after creation0
Seraphina awoke with hair clinging to her forehead. Her room was humid and sticky from the windows being left open and the curtains that were drawn back. That was the way her mother liked them. She said it made the castle feel more open as if it wasn’t already large enough.0
Her small feet padded lightly against the ground as she made her way to the sounds coming from the kitchen. The cling of dishes and the shuffling of feet told her breakfast would soon begin. She knew that she was late. Her family greeted her at the dinner table. They had been waiting for her. The sun was shining in from the windows and the scene seemed warm and cozy, but that was far from the truth.
As she took her seat, a new servant was staring openly at her as she filled her sister’s cup with bright orange liquid from the silver pitcher. Everyone ignored the servant’s rude gesture. They were all accustomed to people staring at Seraphina’s strange characteristics. She had pitch black straight hair. It was well below her waist now. Her complexion was much darker than that of her family, who was known for their fair skin and red hair. It was unheard of in this royal bloodline, yet here she was.
Her mother once told her a story of their ancestors. Someone in their lineage had married a person from the other kingdom, and that had strengthened the magic in their bloodline. She said that “this blood flows through your veins now my daughter. It is your choice to embrace your differences or let them break you.”
She always just nodded and asked for a different story.
Finally, breakfast was ready, but a somber mood took hold of everyone. Her father sat brooding in his great wooden chair. He looked proud and mighty, but his eyes grew colder every day that the war raged on. Her mother held herself with a calm and inviting look on her features. However, if one looked close enough, the wrinkle that only appeared when she was angry or worried was plastered on her forehead. Both of her older sisters, who had features so like their parents and so unlike Seraphina, were ready to bolt from their seats as soon as their father dismissed them. Whether it was from fear or anticipation, no one knew. All Seraphina did know was that she just wanted to grab her dolly, run to her room, and get away from everyone.
Her father was always busy handling things with the current war that had been going on. He always left and returned with fresh wounds on his body. His words replayed over and over again in her mind. He always told her that he was protecting them and trying to do what’s right. It always made her feel empty when he would leave, and when he was home he pushed Seraphina to study her magic and school work. It was rare that he gave them physical affection, yet every time she did well with her work, he always rewarded her with a kiss on her cheek. That was all that was needed to drive her to work harder.
When she finished the work that her tutor had assigned for the day, she started her usual trek to the garden. While she was creeping her way down the narrow halls, so she wouldn’t be seen, she overheard her eldest sister talking to her middle sister. Elaine said with worry in her voice, “I fear for father’s safety in his upcoming travels.”
Kalinda side glanced at Elaine and responded, “he is always precautious and returns to us mostly unharmed, Elaine. Try not to worry yourself so much.”
Elaine said, unsure, “I just have a bad feeling. Something’s not right within the nation. We’ve already lost so much. Is it not only a matter of time until we lose more people?”
Kalinda hushed Elaine quickly.“Quiet, Elaine! You know Seraphina is right down the hall. Let us not worry her.”
On that note, she retreated quickly and headed to the garden, where she was always at ease. The lush greenery and colorful scenery soothed her soul. Reddish-orange flowers, the colors of flames, were around every corner, and in the center was the largest tree she had ever seen. Its leaves were shaped like hearts and were the color of the brightest green. The pond that held small sparkling fish glistened in the fading light of day. She wished to remain in her serenity, but as the sun slowly took its descent, it was time to head back and get ready for dinner. Her mother would punish her for being late, just as she had this morning when she was late for breakfast.
She took the quickest path to the castle. It was a bit tricky learning which turns to take and not get lost, but she spent most of her time there so, to her, it was second nature. Whilst walking, there was a strange noise that was out of place in the usually silent garden. The servants were long gone for the evening. She ignored it, but the noises kept getting louder and louder. The curious creature that she was, she decided to investigate.
Her feet carried her to the darker side of the garden that was no longer tended to. There were no lamps or fires to light her way down these unknown paths. She used the loud noises to guide her way. She could barely make out the vine-like gray and gloomy plants that covered every wall. Dead roots and bushes littered every patch of dirt. It seemed no life remained in this morbid shell of forgotten beauty.
At the peak of the hill, She found the source of the noise that rang throughout the garden. She stopped dead in her tracks and her heart skipped a few beats. A silent scream bubbled up in her throat. Tens-no hundreds of soldiers holding the banner of her nation were marching up the far side of the hill, right to the castle where her family resided. Already silverswords were clanging against one another, creating the noises that drew her here. Arrows were streaming through the sky. At first, one would almost think they were fireworks until they realized that the arrows were actually on fire. Drums beat in unison with the horrible sound of the steps each warrior was taking.
Getting a grip on herself, she decided she was close enough to the castle to make it back, hopefully unseen. The only thing holding her back was what if the castle was attacked? Would she be safe when she made it? She didn’t get to think about the answers to these questions because something caught her attention. She heard it before she saw it. The sound of fire was one that she knew well. She took off running to the castle as fast as her little feet could take her.
The fire was now engulfing every dead plant in its path. She only hoped to make it back to the other side of the garden that calmed her so much. As she finally reached it she didn’t pause for one moment but knew that it was gaining on her. One moment all she knew was the white-hot blaze that singed her hair and burned her clothes, the sweat that clung to her body as her adrenaline pushed her to run faster, and her beloved garden being destroyed by the flames that were supposed to be so beautiful. The next moment, all she knew was the darkness.
Very good start. I like how the first chapter takes us right into whatever is about to happen.
Good hook. I like it. You've got a good grasp of how to get my attention. Thanks.
Very good ending. The red-orange flowers remind me so much of home. For someone who lives on a country where fire trees are common, this story feels like travelling down the memory lane.