The Porcelain Doll

Once, in a land called Albion before Saint George ever thought of defeating a Dragon, even before Stonehenge was a dream in the mind of a Temple Cleric there lived magic. Such magic that has never been seen since, or will ever be.  Myths have been passed through generation of the Fair Folk, variations have been found all over the world. The wars that waged between the tribes were fearsome and brutal. Revenge was strife for anything, even an imagined insult.  The most brutal of them all was the war between the Fair of the Blaina tribe and the Fair of the Hinden Tribe. And this is where our story begins.  *-*-*-*-*-*-* Outside the war raged. Flashes and bangs pierced the darkness inside the hut as the women chanted their prayer. The prayer that would save the youngest members of the Blaina. One member in particular. The girl was golden-haired, her dark blue eyes drinking in the faces, the voices of her family as they tried desperately to save her, to send her to the future. She twisted the bracelet around her wrist but her aunt touched her hand, stopping her from removing it and revealing her true power to the enemy. She was born of royalty, her blood the most powerful in the land of Albion. She could end this war, this persecution of her people in moments. But that was not the way of the Blaina people. They valued life above all else.  Her aunt gave her arm a gentle squeeze, Alayneia stared at her back. A ghost of a reassuring smile danced across her mouth when the door slammed open. The guard that had been defending the circle fell through, dead.  "So. This is where you have been hiding." The cruel smile could almost be heard, cutting through the dust and debris that proceeded him. He stepped into the darkness, staring at his prize. The young of the Blaina were always more powerful. The untrained always were.  There were three green explosions as the women rushed at him, trying to get him away. Alayneia's aunt took her by her arm and dragged her outside.  "You have to run child." She urged. "We will hold him off."  Alayneia, ever the dutiful and loyal, did as she was told. She shook for a moment and brilliant azure wings appeared on her back. "I love you." She said quietly to her aunt, both of them knew that this was the last time that they would see each other. Her aunt touched her forehead against Alayneia's, then gently pushed her away.  Alayneia flew. She flew like she had never done before, weaving through familiar trees as the sounds of battle, of her family dying faded behind her. Eventually she stopped, her bare feet landed gently on the decaying leaves of the forest floor. Her breath caught in her throat and she gave a wordless cry for her aunt, her family, her tribe, her home.  Everything was destroyed. And she was powerless. She twisted the bracelet around her wrist. This had held her back. Alayneia fell to her knees, ripping the bracelet off and throwing it as far as she could. Her body heaved as her sobs wracked through her.  She was homeless. Her life had been ripped away from her. She had nowhere to go.  Alayneia stood suddenly, her ears pricked as twigs snapped in the distance, her wings appeared on her back but she felt herself freeze.  The cruel face that had haunted her thoughts for the last few moments appeared before her. She screamed as he carelessly tossed her aunt's body at her feet.  "Now." He said, stepping closer to her. He held up the silver bracelet. "Now, this was a mistake. With this on nothing could of hurt you. But now..." He raised his hand up slightly and Alayneia felt herself rise against her will. "And now... Now I bind you." Alayneia screamed loudly as her body started to contort and shrink, she was a Fair one and she could chose to be small any time she wished, but being forced... that was the ultimate punishment. The ultimate pain that could be. To her it was eternity, but in reality it was over in moments.  Lord Marakine Hinden smiled once again as he picked up the small porcelain doll, her face frozen in a scream. The delicate figure was wrapped up in his cloak. He chuckled and stepped through the portal in the forest.