ALEXEIN

Iris Bird

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Arkavia, well known for its line of defense, lived a very peculiar and wisdom-driven girl, named Alexein. She lived in a run-down hut with her favorite aunt-because she’s the only aunt she’s got. Helping out with the chicken, pigs and sheep that they usually sell in the market every early tuesday morning .

“Aunt Lydia, should we not sell ol’ Frankie tomorrow? He seems sick, look!” – she said and gave one of her puppy looks to her aunt who was feeding the pigs. “Oh shush, it's either we get sick or they do darling, thats life ”- her aunt answered.

It was monday and tomorrow was their run to the market to sell what little they have left. The little girl finished feeding the chickens then went to the sheep and ran near the cliff where their hut was located. She breathed the air and observed the kingdoms’ church, the school, the dark alley that her aunt reminds her not to go to, and the castle Arkavia.

Such magnificence -she thought.

The golden barrier can somewhat be visible with the right amount of sun reflecting through it. Most people would never leave the kingdom in fear of the monsters outside.Only hunters and mercenaries would travel beyond the kingdom's barrier. Alexein wondered if she would ever leave the kingdom, find her parents, hoping they are still alive.

“Alexein! Help me get the things ready for tomorrow”- her aunt shouted from their hut. “coming!”- Alexein answered and rushed back to her aunt.

Tuesday

With her aunt manning the horse, Alexein sits in the cart all covered with her cloak and a mask. As they go downhill from their hut, she can't help but get mesmerized by the different attractions she could see in the kingdom. The children playing with balls made from grass growing in the fields, the different produces being sold, and the foods that makes her drool.

“Alexein, stay here. I’ll be quick”- Lydia and went to deliver the live stocks to another trader. Alexein kept still for a minute or so, until she saw a beautiful bird, locked away in a cage brought by Amadeus, a bulky scary looking hunter with scars in his face. Alexein jumped off of the cart and sneaked into the back of Amadeus’ carriage.

“Hey little guy”- she greeted the vibrant colored bird and as if answering her, it chirped back.

Amadeus must have the key to the cage – she thought. “ I’ll be delivering these to the palace” – Alexein heard Amadeus voice from outside. Oh no…

After a few minutes of riding the carriage Alexein tried to peak through a hole and they were already nearing the castle, Alexein had no choice but to grab the cage and jumped off the carriage.

“Ow! Ow!”- she groaned as she dusted herself off the dirt. She ran quickly to the forest and looked for a rock. "Excuse me for this" *CLANK the bird cage was now open . It flew out of the cage immediately and as if thanking Alexein, it repeatedly circled around her and flying.

“Your welcome lil guy, now go find a safe place this time, that Amadeus might come looking for you again”- she snickered and watched the bird fly away

“And pray tell, why you’d steal from me little girl”- Shocked, Alexein turned to see Amadeus face red in anger.

Peace Integrity Hall

“Calm down Amadeus, the girl doesn’t know what she’s doing”- one of the elders arguing with Amadeus in regards to what happened to the said Iris Bird or the Bird of colors which was said to be the familiar of Iris, the goddess of the rainbow.

“What are you gonna do about this Lydia, that bird was to be gifted by the prince to his betrothed “- Amadeus

Alexein felt so guilty, she wanted to help the bird yet ended up hurting her beloved aunt.

“Please forgive her Amadeus, I’ll pay you for what you lost”- Lydia

“But aunt—“- Alexein tried to stop her aunt

“shush Alexein!, you've done enough, I’ll take care of this”- Lydia, obviously angered by what had happened.

“That bird was worth more than 5 gold coins Lydia, where would you get the money?”- Cedric, one of the elders in the hall

“I don’t think 5 gold coins would cut it elder”- Amadeus

“Fine, 10 gold coins then”- Lydia answered

“Aunt—“

“Deal!”- Amadeus smirked and looked at Alexein as if he won against the child.

Alexein raised her eyebrows and sneered at him.

Elder Cedric closed the case having Lydia the debt of 10 gold coins to Amadeus and must be repaid before the end of the year.

“Forgive me aunt"- Alexein stopped in her tracks

"Oh honey, I'm not mad"

"But It was my fault, where would we get 10 gold coins when we barely have 10 silvers left?"-

"I'll take care of it, you don't have to worry about the money child"- Lydia, and hugged her

"Can we collect 10 gold coins before the end of the year?”- she innocently asked

“ We might have to stick to only bread till the end of the year”- Lydia, and laughed slightly

“That’s fine, I can make some jam from the wild berries in the forest tomorrow anyways, you love those right aunt ? ”- Alexein

That night, Alexein who was deep in sleep didn’t hear the silent sobs from her aunt’ s bedroom. The anxiousness of where to get the money to pay the bulky,scary scar-faced Amadeus.

Next Morning

Alexein took her basket before her aunt could even rise from bed. Found her way to the forest where wild strawberries would pile up. There were more of them than usual today, it felt like a blessing for Alexein.

Great, this’ll last us for 3 weeks, I could even sell some and have so much more left. As she was picking the berries she saw flowers blooming near, peonies that her aunt loves, lavender, and roses which was her personal favorite she decided to gather some to give to her aunt, and some to put in her room.

Alexein hopped like a rabbit, content with the berries and flowers she had in her basket.

Upon returning to the hut, she noticed a carriage outside it looked expensive and rich that she suddenly felt something ominous. “aunt Lydia?”- she called. As she puts down her basket on the table of their kitchen, Her aunt arrives and looked worried. "What's wrong?"- Alexein

Her aunt didn't answer but invited her to the table where a noble-looking man was sitting down all dressed in fine silk and jewelry looking all proud and rich. Amadeus was also standing on the noble side.

“ Your Alexein, correct?”- the noble man started. Alexein simply nodded, unsure how to answer the only rich person she has ever met in the whole of Arkavia “I am the Duke of house Spencerton, Charles Spencer, and you my child have created a grave sin to the crowned prince and to the Imperial Family”- the eight-year old child felt scared and weak, receiving the hostility from the man. “Please your grace, she’s just a child, she really didn't mean to”- Lydia pleaded. “Silence! She will be sent to the betrothed of the crown prince, in exchange for the Iris Bird, you will serve her highness- the prince' s fianceé who will arrive a week from now. Starting today onwards she will live in the castle and train for the next 7 days and for the rest of her life until the Bird is captured and replaces your place in the princess' side”- Duke Charles stood and ordered his men to capture Alexein. Such little hands she had still tried to break free from the hurtful hands of the knights. Amadeus smirked as he received the pouch money-full in his arms.

"No! let go of me! Aunt! don't let them take me"- Alexein continued to protest “ Your grace, take me instead, I beg you, you cannot do this”- Lydia cried for her only niece but stopped by the knights." If you don't do as I say I would rather have the two of you killed right here, right now"- Duke Charles. Alexein froze, she didn't want harm to her aunt.

"Fine, I'll come with you just don't hurt my aunt" - the child in some way grew mature that very moment. "I'll be fine Aunt Lydia, I'll see you soon"- she finally smiled and left.