Caged Birds Will Fly

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Chapter One: Welcome to Elevrly

H E L E N 

As the moon reached its peak, footsteps could be heard by two beings concealed by the dark by a cloak as they escaped through the forest; the wolves waiting patiently for their next meal. I crouched down on dead leaves, covering myself, saving Eli. Mother was dead. Father gone. Eli and I, abandoned. I sucked in a breath, clutching the brooch in my hand; a piece of jewelry from my mother. Pink jewels dotted with clear gems laced with beads that braided itself into my hair. I gazed up at the moon that lit up the Darkling Woods. The wolves howled in the distance. With the earth's tint coating my feet, I began to run. The pines scratched my arms, as I peered over a bush; a twig caught my foot as I reached out, pulling myself over. Eli followed carefully behind, breathing heavily. I looked over, "How're you holding up back there?", He drives his boot into the soft ground, "Still alive and in one piece". I look back at him: glowing green eyes, pale freckled skin, same eyebrows as me, and light strawberry-blonde hair. My little brother. He looked so much like Mother; I resembled Father with my oval pale face, blue eyes, and jet black hair. Reaching the cliff's jagged edge, I caught my breath. The wolves paced at my feet, inches from executing the kill. I looked down, then at the wolves. 'Forgive me, Eli', I whispered to myself. I took a breath and shoved Eli over. His face a mask of horror, shock, and... anger. Taking my knife, I stab at the wolf that lunges, sinking its fangs into my right shoulder. "Aghh!", I bellowed. I leap over the cliff and dive until I reach Eli, "I guess we're meeting Mother earlier than expected". We link hands as I closed my eyes as we sank deeper into the darkness. I regret nothing. Not now. Not ever. 

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My back ached as I got up. I should be dead. I lay my head down onto the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. I turned to my side, only to find Eli not there. I scrambled up, looked around, and shock enclosed me. Is he dead? No, then how am I alive? I frantically look around the room: it was large with a drawer, desk, closet, and dressing room. Next to that was the bath, training room, and washroom. A blue-eyed maid addressed me timidly, fiddling with her caramel braids. She has a frail figure. She seemed a least two years younger than me. She shuddered as she caught me looking. She whispered a 'good day, my 'lady' and went to my closet. I sat upright onto the bed, stretching. She brought out a low, simple dress with a white-collar. She placed me into the pale lavender gown, avoiding my gaze. The fabric glided onto my thin frame, ugly. It wasn't me. I stared into the mirror; puffy, red eyes, pale skin, sadden dead-like eyes, and an overall lost appearance. That was what I looked like. I buttoned up the collar as I thought about what happened: Father leaving, the fire, losing Eli, the wolves, and the leap off the cliff. "What the hell happened?", I murmur. I turned to face her, "What's my name?"

"Helen Matthews"

"What is my occupation?"

"You are the third child of Duke Henrald. Adopted"

Ha...ha, what is this? I sit there in silence, my head pounding. I search my mind for anything that can help me. Only a sliver of it remands... but it is enough. For now. I wave her out, searching for the library. If this was real...then I need to know more if I want to survive and save Eli. The hallway was lined with pictures of Queens and Kings, along with Nobles. I stopped at a portrait of a middle-aged woman with pitch-black hair; her blue eyes filled with hatred and power. I shivered as a word popped into my mind: Mother. This was my mother, my cold, heartless mother. She was my "Step-mother". Not my beautiful, poised, Mother who gave birth to me. My lovely mother was replaced. I clenched my fist. I touch the frame, gently letting the memories sink in. They are horrible, deadly memories that I felt my legs begin to give way. "She should be dead already"

"I know. I'll take care of it. I promise"

"You better, she is a threat to our house" 

Mother's voice and someone else's; I need to get away from here. Turning left, I found myself at a golden door labeled: Library. It was massive, a collection of books. A collection of knowledge I can use, I thought to myself. I read these in books that there were ranks that dictate everyday life. The nobles: Royal Family, Duke/Duchess, Marquess/Marchioness, Count/Countess, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness. Followed by the magical: Wizards, Knights, and Diors. Then at the bottom: the commoners. This... would be a change. I just wanted to return to Eli, but to do that I must abide by these stupid rules. I sat down at one of the tables and started to think about another urgent problem: My new mother. If this was what I thought it was, she would try to kill me soon or she has already started. I needed to live until I return to Eli. I walked around the library for a bit. I browsed through the other books; some were about Dragons, Witches, Nightshades, and diverse types of magic. I studied the books, the dim light casting a light shadow onto its pages. I read the books aloud, my voice echoing against the walls, "Elevrly is made up of 12 countries: The Capital, The Green Kingdom, Winters, Arcaid, Yama, Gris, The Neverlands, Aquaria, Ardor, Raven, Beast Territory, and Witch's Forest; and is home to multiple diverse monarchs. Each country has its own Royal Family, that governs the province till the Election, which occurs after the ruler dies; the most powerful is The Capital and Arcaid, followed by the lost city of Ardor. Elections: citizens chose which candidate from the Royal Family will lead the country. They must be over the appropriate age of 18." I live in the Capital, the strongest... and the deadliest. I traced my fingers over the countries. This is not Earth, I thought, not even close. I scanned other books as well, catching a glimpse of the Royal family of the Capital. Two boys looked back at me; one with pale blonde hair and golden eyes, the other with grey hair and crystal blue eyes. Crown Prince Aurous(left), Prince Sterling(right). I hear the bell chime; I must return to my room. I take the book with me. It may come in handy.

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I sat onto my bed and flipped through the pages, one was bookmarked; I turned, and there it was: a way to get back home. "Other than the Royal Family, the Empress or Queen, a Star Knight or Personal Knight may request an audience with the Royal Priest". If I became the Crown Prince's personal Knight, I could find a way home through the Royal Priest. My maid called me down to dinner. I dressed in a pale red gown with white bows. As I walked down the hallway, I got my first glimpse of my sisters. Not super tall, pale skin, and pitch-black hair like their mother. Violet and Naomi, I presumed. "Hello", I said. They stop in their tracks, pause, and turned back to look at me. I shift uncomfortably in my dress. I didn't want to get in trouble and not eat. "How dare you!", Violet sneered. I took a deep breath, ignoring her comment, "Shall we go in?". The tension in the air grows deeper until Naomi agrees and walks through the glass doors. Her sister huffed and did the same. I sighed and followed them in. Lydia sat at the far end; my sisters sat on either side; I sat near the center. The night was merely a women's talk, dangerous but seemingly pleasant. I stood up, "I will head to my room now. Thank you for the meal". There were a few moments silent before the Duchess allowed me to go back to my room. As I walk to my room, I pause. "What is your name?". My maid flinches, "Lilith. Madam". I need to get her to stop flinching in my presence, it hurts me to think that she thinks I might hurt her. I was only 15, turning 16 soon.

"Lilith, I have a goal that needs immense planning"

"And what plan, would that be, my' lady?"

"To become a Star Knight"

"If I may be so bold-", "You May", "you have to be a male to enter the Academy of Knighthood. There has never been a female Knightess". Hmmm. I bid her out, watching her petite form from my windowsill. I plopped onto my bed and sighed. My head hurt and I turned to my side to find that Eli wasn't there. I closed my eyes, hoping that Father would come in and Eli would hop onto my bed and shake me awake. I scowled at myself. I was being stupid. I needed to find the Priest and get back home. I would not give up until I did so. The years that followed I trained, secretly, and built up my status. I will survive. I was Helen, I am Helen; I will live as Helen, and I will die as Helen.