Torn Angel

Chapter 4

“Again.” Jessica spoke out of breath. I was to as I took my stance. Rachelle and Tanisha where busy today so Jessica took up my training. She was not gentle. I have new bruises and I think I have to fix the uniform in a few spots but most of all I was able to give her a couple. She swung at me and I blocked before trying to stab to which she blocked and did the same. We hit stale mates for a bit before she managed to get me a good one across the face. “Oh my god. Avery I’m so sorry.”

“Its okay.” I spoke gently holding my cheek. I could feel the blood trickling down. I rose to my feed once more as I took my stance.

“That’s enough for today.” She spoke upset as she tried to reach me. I wasn’t done, I wanted to keep going. I lifted my arm to block her movement before I came around with my other hand. She was a little shocked but blocked the blow.

We went at it for a bit and it was actually enjoyable. I really needed it. I had so much pent up stuff the fact I was able to try and get it out, specially after Jessica hit me we dropped our weapons. Most of the fight was hand to hand.

“I’m sorry Jess.” I spoke as we tried to breath from where we sat on the ground exhausted. She chuckled as she looked at me.

“I’m the one that should be sorry. I didn’t mean to cut your face. You should get Thomas or Andrew to heal it.” Jess spoke as she grabbed my face to look at it.

“I’m sure it’s just a scratch. It will heal.” I smiled at her which was a little bad as it pulled on the wound. Nothing bad happened.

“How are you holding up?” Jessica asked as she sat close. “I know hundreds of people probably have asked but as I sister I need to know.”

“I am scared jess. Like really scared. There was mom but this is something way beyond even I can understand.” I told her curling my legs to my chest.

“I know Avery, we all are scared. Alex most of all. He hates it was you that got the magic and not him. He wished he had even an ounce so he could help you.” She gently said. “Even I wish I could do something but calling on a weapon to fight a man that can get inside your head is pointless.”

“I know, just you guys being close is all I need.” I told her with a fake smile. I really wish Andrew or Thomas where here. They said the area I was training had special shields up but I still didn’t trust it.

“Well I think we will be dealing with this new issue before looking for the elves.” Jessica chuckled. I nodded but in reality I have already discussed with my group to start looking for them.

“I would live to get something to eat.” I told her and she nodded as she rose. She helped me to my feet. We made our way to my room before she was pulled away from me to be replaced with another guard. I didn’t know this one which worried me but if Jessica left him then he had to be alright. He waited outside my door as I went in and changed.

With a sigh I took a quick shower and then got into a elegant flowing dress. With a gentle sigh I lifted my hand and called upon a flame. From that flame I made a bird.

“Please find on of my guards that are not busy and tell them I need them.” I spoke gently. The bird chirped before it flew away to fulfill my request. I brushed my hair before tied it up. The bird came back than and I knew everyone was busy. With a heavy sigh I walked out to the guard waiting for me outside.

He followed behind me which I didn’t like. I mean he wasn’t one of my guards so I couldn’t asked for him to stand with me. I made it to the kitchen where the cooks had food ready for me. They where some chicken ceaser wraps. There was yam fries and chipotle sauce. I was so excited because when I looked I saw the oil gently lining the yam fries and knew they weren’t the healthy kind. I was just so happy I squealed causing the guard to be worried but the cooks to giggle with excitement.

I placed up a reassuring hand to the guard who nodded. I grabbed my plate and walked into the dining room and found a seat. The guard stood at the door staring at the abyss. It was a quiet lunch for me. I mean not something I really wanted but something I knew was inevitable. My head began to spin causing a bit of worry. I tried to rise quickly but that was a bad idea.

“Princess.” The guard spoke racing over and grabbing my shoulders. He helped me sit back down before he ran for some water.

“Thank you.” I spoke sipping it gently. The pounding soon went away but the worry was still there. The guard looked more worried then me so I allowed a smile to crease my lips causing him to relax a little.

“Princess I want you to meet someone.” The guard spoke a little quiet and it looked like he pondered even say it out loud for a while. I smiled and nodded at him. He helped me rise and led me out of the kitchen and down the stairs. We walked out of the front door where two more guards joined us. One a women and the other a man. Both I have seen before.

“Hi.” A young girl and two others started to call as we got close to the closed gate.

“My little sister.” The guard spoke pointing to the slightly chubby girl. “Its her birthday and she has always wanted to see you. You’re her idle.”

“Really.” I spoke with a smile. The guard looked embarrassed but nodded. “Open the gates.”

“Princess?” The lady guard behind me questioned my intention.

“Are you not trained royal guards?” I asked looking at her. She nodded but I could tell she was going to still protest. “I think the three of you can stand up two anything if danger where to come my way. Plus I am not useless. My guards will be at my side with a snap of my fingers.”

“Princess your father has order for no one to enter. He fears for you life.” The lady spoke as the guard at the gate came up to us.

“Um sorry my lady but I can not open the gate.” He spoke with a bow.

“Alright.” I spoke stepping towards the gate. I placed my hand through and held it out to the three of them. The other two ran away but the chubby on grabbed my hand. I pulled her through to the castle grounds. Kneeling down I was at her height. “I hear it’s your birthday today.”

“Yes,” She spoke so shy and excited. “Brother said if I was a patient little girl he might be able to bring you around to see me. Your so pretty.”

“Thank you.” I said blushing as she squealed with delight. “How old are you?”

“8.” She reply. She was just swaying back a forward trying to hold in how excited she was. She then threw her arms around me taking me back a little. I placed on of my hands on the ground. The other was to stop the guards that where trying to grab her. She instantly let me go and put her hand son her face. “I’m sorry.”

“Its okay sweetheart.” I told her as I saw the tears coming to her eyes. I pulled her back in. This time she let me hug her so I wouldn’t fall. When she had her arms wrapped around me I stood with her in my arms and walked back to the castle. “Now what would the birthday girl like to do today.”

“Princess she just wanted to see you.” Her brother spoke worried as I lead us back to the castle.

“Really that is all?” I asked looking at her who had now leaned up from the hug. She was so shy but nodded. “Well I think this birthday girl needs to see how a royal princess lives.”

“What" the guards spoke.

“Really.” she squealed. I nodded happily till I heard her stomach growl.

“I think the royal kitchen is our first stop.” I spoke as we entered the castle. I put her down on the floor and she looked around. She was in so much shock took her a moment to grab my hand.

“This is the castle.” She exclaimed. I smiled as I dismissed the two guards at the door. The bowed before going back to there post. “Look Brayden, is the armor of the queens.”

“Brayden.” I spoke looking at the guard. He nodded gently before walking back to his sister.

“De I don…..”

“I think its neat you know of the armor. I am in the process of making it better.” I spoke talking over her brother. He face turned to me and smiled.

“Really, I think girls should wear pink color. It’s so pretty.” She happily replied. “And boys should be green.”

“Green.” I said.

“Yeah, blue is used to much for boys.” She exclaimed as she followed me. “Plus green is much prettier.”

“Is it your favorite color?” I asked. She nodded at me. I smiled happily as we walked by the armour and down the hall.

“Princess do you live here alone?” She asked looking up at me as we walked.

“No I have my guards and my brother. My father also lives here.” I told her with a smile.

“My mom always said the castle was empty and they where guarding it for your safe return.” The little girl spoke upset. “She said it use to be lively before death of the queen. Said the king use to make regular walks among his people but now they don’t see him.”

“Deanna.” Brayden snapped. I turned around and smacked him lightly on the cheek. “I’m sorry princess.”

“You better be.” I spoke gently. “She is my guest right now. She will be treated as one. You unfortunately are my guard.”

“I am sorry for over stepping my boundaries.” He spoke a little taken back.

“I understand. In the future when I have guest over they are to be treated as high if not higher then my own status. No matter who it is. She is in the presence of a princess so she to will have princess status while here.” I told him gently. His eyes lit up happily and I knew it was because of me.

“Thank you Princess.” He spoke gently as he bowed. My attention turned back to Deanna who was so happy to here she was a princess while here.

“Come let’s get you some lunch.” I told her gently. I kept thinking about what she said. I would have to talk with Papa about it. Specially if his people feel like they are being abandoned.

“Princess?” Deanne asked gently.

“Yes,” I said as we walked into the dining area. I led her over to a bench before I told her brother to go get something for her.

“If I where to join the royal guards when I am older will I be able to serve at your side?” She asked me. I was taken back a bit but smiled.

“Of course you can. But I have something better.” I spoke with a smiled. “How about when you get older and you finish your studies you come and be a lady in waiting.”

“Really?” She spoke excited.

“Out little secret.” I told her gently. Her brother soon walked in as she put her finger to her lips. I smiled at her.

“Oh no, a secret was just shared.” Brayden spoke as he put some food in front of his sister. He placed a cup if tea and a cheese scone in front of me. I looked up at him confused. “The cooks said you need to gain a bit of weight so they sent tea and scone.”

“Oh boy.” I chuckled lightly. I don’t think any of this is part of the diet Jessica wanted me on.

Deanne and I sat quietly together as we just enjoyed out lunch. Brayden gathered our dishes after wards and I took Deanne to the bathroom. We washed up and met him at the door.

“Now my dear where would you like to go?” I asked with a smile.

“Can I see your room.”

“Well of course.” I said as we began to walk once more. Brayden seemed to relax a lot more.

“I bet it all big and beautiful.” She spoke with a big smile. I gently chuckled.

“Its almost to big for me.” I told her as I watched her face get even brighter with the widest of smiles I had seen. This warmed my heart. I don’t know how but it chased away the fear I had. I mean not all of it but a little bit.

“Really?” She said causing both me and Brayden to chuckle. We reached my room quickly as I opened the door and let her walk in. She was in shock as she stood there and took in the beauty of the room. Brayden waited at the door and wouldn’t move no matter how much I told him to enter.

It was like a on switch was flick because Deanna soon went crazy. She started running around my room. She was in and out of the bathroom, my closet and the balcony screaming about all the cool things. I sat on my bed just watching her be so happy. I missed this age. I wasn’t aloud to be as happy as she is but I was still happy. My brother and Father showing me the farm work, helping them in the kitchen and the few days of being able to go into town with them. How I had to ride un the middle seat and every time we went around a big corner me and my brother would be I each other laps.

“Princess.” Deanne spoke as she stepped closer to me. I was lost in thought.

“Deanna.” I said with a smile.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” She spoke only after I realised tears where falling.

“You didn’t. These are tears of joy.” I said with a chuckle. I patted the bed and she came and sat right beside me. “Your happiness brought back good memories of my past.”

“Really?” She said shocked.

“Yep.” I chuckled.

“Your room is so beautiful. Brayden always talks about the kingdom when he gets a chance to come home. Always explaining how each room is so big and I never imagined this. It’s like each room is it’s own home.” She said all happy. “I’m glad a wonderful women like you gets such a beautiful room.”

“Thank you.” I spoke a little taken back. “Your brother says you idolised me.”

“Your so great and kind.” She said suddenly. “I was there that day you saved us from those monsters. I was so scared and I saw this purple cloud come and take him away. It was like it wrapped around me and comforted me. I wasn’t scared anymore when I heard rumors it was you. My mom always said the queen of our kingdom was so sweet and kind. She would walk with the villagers like she wasn’t royalty. The king would join her many of those time.

“Mom said the day the queen died there was a great pain that went through her people. It was like we lost our hope of life. I mean she always said it was so difficult for so many of them to get up and keep going. She was one of them. She suffered so much and still does.”

“Come, let us go and give the people hope.” I spoke as I rose. “if there hope his died because of my mothers death then let’s give them hope because I am alive.”

“Really?” There where tears in her eyes. “Can we start with my mom?”

“I as princess demand we start with bringing hope to your mom.” I said sternly as she grabbed my hand and we walked to the door. There in a crying mess was Brayden. He wrapped his arms around me as cried on my shoulder. I smiled as I hugged him back with gently Pat’s on his back.. “Come we must get started. There is so much ground to cover and so little time.”

“Princess, oh…” he started but couldn’t finish as he sobbed a bit more. “I’m so happy to be a royal guard.”

“We are happy to have you.” I said to him. We began to walk as I reached out my mind to anyone that wasn’t busy. To my display they all where. Andrew and Thomas weren’t reachable which worried me. I reached out for Jessica and Alex next but neither one where free. I then reached for mark and found him available.

“Princess Avery,” Mark called as he got to me. Two other guards behind him.

“I’m sorry to pull you away from your work but I am in need of some assistance.” I told him gently. He looked at the young girl then back at me. He sighed before he turned to the other two that followed.

“Stay outside of Princess Averys room. If anyone comes looking for her say she is with me.” Mark gently spoke. I smiled happily.

“Yes sir.” They both spoke before running off to follow his orders. He looked at me and smiled.

“Come we go into the village.” I said looking at Deanna who was so happy as we skipped down the hall. Mark and Brayden running after us.

“Your father isn’t going to be to happy with this.” Mark gently warned as we got to the gate. They where quiet the whole way.

“I know but it needs to be done.” I spoke gently. “The wrath I will have to face once I get back will be worse then the pain I feel now.”

“How so ?” Mark asked a little confused and worried.

“My people, correction our people don’t have hope anymore. With the death of my mother they have lost hope. My father hasn’t been able to walk into the village till the day he came to get me from Andrew’s house. But I fear that is not enough.” I told him as he motioned for the gate to be opened. The guard looked weirry about it but did as he was asked. “Its about time to give them hope that everything will be fine.”

“By showing them the princess has returned for her people.” Mark smiled before he chuckled. “don’t you think you should have a crown?”

“I don’t have one do I?” I asked thinking that was a dumb question. Out of no where flew a few birds where they placed a crown made of nature on my head. I smiled happily as a large rose made the front of the crown and small Rose’s formed the rim. I felt the branches gently weaving into my hair to help it stay in place. “I think this will do just fine.”

“Its so beautiful Princess.” Deanna said with a large smile. I couldn’t get over how pretty the smile on her face was. I looked out to the open rode and stepped out with confidence as she guided me to her home. I hope I can keep the fear if being out here down long enough to get back home.

She squeezed my hand as we walked and it helped comfort me. I mean it wasn’t Andrew or Thomas but I knew they where close if I needed them. I just had to be strong enough to keep my jitters away. Mark placed a strong hand on my shoulder to let me know he was there. I mean it was comforting and I knew Brayden was beside him but with everything that had gone on neither one could help me.

“This way.” Deanna spoke as she pointed to a beautiful house on the middle of a few houses. I didn’t realise how far we had walked. I must have really been in deep thought. “Alright mom can be a bit protective.”

“Deanna please tell me you told her you came to the castle gates.” Brayden gently growled. Deanna ignored him as she opened the door.

“Mom,” She called as I followed her in. Soon you heard pounding coming down the stares. A beautiful middle aged women came from a hall way as she came running to her daughter. She came to an instant hault when she saw me. I smiled happily at her. She instantly hit the ground causing me some fear. I raced over and placed a hand on her should as she just balled. I held her close even though she wanted to push me away.

“You’ll wreck your dress princess.” She sobbed.

“When someone needs a shoulder to cry on nothing can stop me from giving mine.” I told her causing her to just let go as she wrapped me in a hug. I knew right away who this was and my heart break.

“Clare, I came over as…..Princess Avery.” Randeta spoke as she came in. She helped pick up the women in my arms.

“She came back Ran, she actually came back." Clare cried now happy. “Oh princess if you could only fell how happy I am to see you.”

“I do feel it Clare.” I told her with the biggest smile on my face.

“Oh your mom would be so proud of you.” Clare cried as she held my hands and looked at me.

“Mommy your crying.” Deanna spoke.

“These are tears of joy.” Clare exclaimed. We all became a big ball of happy tears. Even Randeta was crying with us. “Oh my here we all are crying when I am sure you came with a purpose.”

“Yes,” I said clearing my tears. “I am here to bring hope back to the people that became hopeless after moms death.”

“That my dear is something these people need.” Randeta spoke.

“How do I do it?” I asked.

“There is a little waterfall in the middle of the village. When your mother died it broke. I bet if you fix it that would be a start.” Clare spoke.

“Your mom built that fountain so anyone in need if a but of hope can come and speak there mind. They can let there worry go. Some even went there to pass on good wishes to ones they don’t see any more.” Randeta exclaimd.

“Would you guys accompany us there?” I asked.

“Any thing for The Queens Daughter.” Clare spoke as she bounced up. Joy filled me as we all walked to the fountain. It was a lot further in then I had thought. Between the long training sessions and my exhausting nights I was actually tired. I didn’t show it however as I knew the moment I did things would be bad.

The fountain was in ruins. I looked at it trying to figure out how it was suppose to look and come up blank. Even Clare and Randeta had issues explaining it to me. With a sigh I closed my eyes and touched my rose.

‘Please help me make your fountain the way it was.’ I thought to the little rose as I pulled up my hand and began to swirl it. The rocks began to move at there own will but as soon as it started it was finish and there was a beautiful statue of a goddess and I knew right away it was mom. I smiled happily as the water began to flow freely. People in the area began to look our way and I could feel there hope once again flood the area. They came over and looked at the fountain with new happiness. Thank yous where passed around right till the sun was starting to set.

“We really need to get you home.” Mark said stiffening a little. I wanted home. I was tired and hungry now. We waved good by as the three of us started walking back to the castle.

‘Avery,’ A voice gently spoke to me. I smiled happily as I opened my live up to him.

‘Where have you been?’ I thought to him.

‘Thomas and I where investigating something. Where are you? I don’t feel you in the castle.’ Andrew spoke a little worried.

‘I am safe with Mark.’ I told him even though I really wanted him here. Night was really coming in now. It was getting darker then we had thought. Didn’t help I was tired so the pace I was walking was all I could muster.

‘I’ll come get you love.’ He spoke with a sigh. I smiled gently before two hands scooped me up. ‘You shouldn’t hide things from me.’

‘You didn’t ask. How could I hide them.’ I said snuggling in to him.

“Only two guards?” Andrew asked looking at Mark.

“Well at least these two guards managed to bring her back without a nick.” He huffed. I could fell Andrew become upset. I knew that was a memory that he would never be able to live with. I placed a hand on his chest causing him to look back at me. He smiled gently as he saw me look at him worried.

“What was my angel doing out here?” Andrew asked after a few moments of just walking.

“Bringing hope to Our people.” I spoke gently. He gentle rhythm had me feeling even more sleepy. Then when I was walking.

“She repaied the fountain.” Mark spoke causing Andrew to look at me.

“Avery.” He growled.

“I’m not magic exhausted so calm down.” I told him crossing my arms. I was now awake and I really wanted out of his arms. He however didn’t let me go as he held me tight. I was shocked when I felt the love he had going threw him. The growl wasn’t because he was angry but because he was happy with what I did. I could fell Parkers happiness. I smiled up at him as he smiled at me. “I have so much to learn.”

“You have to much to learn.” He exclaimed causing us both to laugh. I wasn’t ready for everyone who was waiting for me at the gate. I looked over and tried to hide my face in Andrew’s shoulder.