Sun

The red door creaked open quietly as the young girl attempted to sneak stealthily out of the house. The wane morning light sparkled on the dew from the grass in the front garden.

“Are you going to the market?” asked a woman’s voice from inside the house.

The girl sighed, “Yes, mum.”

“Could you take the list and get me what we need?”

She shrugged, “I guess so.” The girl turned around and walked back into the hall, grabbing a slip of paper off a small table in the hall before walking out the door.

“Don’t be too long, dear,” called the mother.

The red haired girl rolled her eyes, “See you later.”

Effortlessly jumping over the wall around the garden, rather than taking the gate like a sensible person, the girl began to walk down the main street towards the village square and the market place. She exchanged greetings and polite waves with everyone she knew, considering she had live in this village for all fifteen years of her life, she knew almost everyone, as she continued her pleasant morning walk. Her sensible tan boots began to click as her feet found the cobblestones of the village square.

An older man with a dark moustache speckled with grey waved her over. The girl smiled and walked over to him.

“Lovely outfit, today,” he said in the manner only someone selling something could.

“You know very well this is the same outfit I wear almost every day when I’m working or helping out my mother.”

“Ah, well the long blue denim skirt and green shirt really suit you.”

The girl sighed with mock impatience, “Whatever it is you got in today, I doubt I’ll be interested.”

He grinned, “Anyway, it’s good to see you, dear. Your mum caught you again didn’t she?” he said noticing the slip of paper in her hand.

She sighed, “Yeah, it’s weird how she does that.”

“Ah well, no one has ever been able to sneak up on or away from her since she came to this village twenty years ago, well except your… father.”

The girl rolled her eyes, “You are allowed to talk about my father without the silly hesitation and the apologetic tone.”

The man laughed, “Sorry, I keep forgetting you’re all grown up now.”

“And don’t you forget it!”

The two of them chuckled, “Then again you’ve got better hearing that her, so I’ve heard,” Aleya just smiled pleasantly, “So… what can I do you for?”

She looked at her list, “There’s a lot. This would be easier if you could read.”

“Ah well, I can’t afford your mother’s fees to learn. Some of us like to eat.”

The girl giggled, “Well mum and I would like to eat too.”

“True, true. Well despite my misgivings you don’t seem to be doing too badly.”

“It’s going pretty well at the moment. I help out with the less erm… disciplined students.”

He chuckled, “You mean the one’s who’re too big and stupid to believe the stories about you?”

She grinned mischievously, “Something like that.”

“Well, anyway, what is it you need, dear?” said the man, clapping his hands together.

“I have a name you know.”

“Sorry, I keep forgetting you’re all grown up now. So… what is it you need… Aleya?”

--

“What do you mean, ‘home’?”

“Oh come on, boy, you know very well what the wretched girl means,” taunted the King.

“Don’t you dare talk about Aleya like that,” snapped Marrick.

The spirit shrugged, “I can talk however I like about those below me.”

“Whatever,” growled the boy, “What matters is why we’re here.”

“I’m going to prove to you that Aleya is an evil person.”

“By forcing her to witness something that she clearly does not want to see?”

The man in white bowed smiling smugly, “If that is what it will take.”

Marrick gestured at Aleya who was still on her hands and knees sobbing, “Look at how much this is upsetting her. How can you do that to her?”

He snorted, “Someone as evil as her deserves the pain she is feeling right now.”

“Aleya is not evil.”

“So you keep saying.”

“Your judgemental arrogance is horrifying for one who’s painting himself as some sort of superior being,” said the boy through clenched teeth.

“How dare…”

“Will you two shut up!”

The two arguers both looked in surprise at the girl who had gotten to her feet while they had stopped paying attention to her. She angrily brushed tears and her red hair away from her face and glared at them.

“If I’m going to be forced into reliving this then I don’t want to hear anyone talking. I hate it that you’re going to see this but I can’t do anything about that, as much as I would like to…” at this the King sniffed and folded his arms, a satisfied smile on his face, “So please just shut up and watch. I want to get this over as soon as possible.”

The spirit waved, “As you wish but remember what I said, boy.”

Marrick nodded, “Alright, Aleya. I promise to keep quiet but afterwards we’re going to talk.”

“I doubt it but whatever,” she began to walk towards the village, “Come on.”

--

“Ms. Solis?”

Aleya turned around to face the newcomer, “Your Honour?”

The man smiled and waved his hands, “Please you don’t have to give me my title in the middle of the street.”

The girl smiled timidly, “Ok, but as long as you call me Aleya.”

“Very well, Aleya.”

“Do you want me for something, Mr. Byre?”

He nodded, “Yes, I wanted to discuss my son with you.”

“Um… well,” her eyes darted back and forth looking for an escape, “Wouldn’t my mother be a better person to discuss with?”

“You’re the one that handles the unruly students, are you not?”

She blushed, “Erm… yes but only under direction from mum.”

The grey haired man smiled, “Please, Aleya, don’t be so nervous. I’m not here to complain. I just wanted to thank you for doing such a fine job.”

The blush deepened, “Tha-thank me? For what?”

“My son is like a reformed character after he tried to take you on.”

“It wasn’t quite like that. I just had to restrain him after he tried to take out his frustration on someone else.”

He shook his head, “Nevertheless, I still wanted to thank you and your mother for the good work you do in this village.”

She shook her head, “It’s no problem, really. We all have to make a living someway. Me and mum just do it by teaching.”

“Well may you continue to do it for the foreseeable future,” he bowed slightly, “Anyway, I’ll allow you to go on your way,” he glanced at the canvas bag in her hand full of groceries, “Looks like you have some things to take home.”

“Yes… Goodbye Mr. Byre.”

“Goodbye, Aleya,” said the man as he walked away, “Please, don’t stop being the wonderful young woman you’ve grown up to be.”

Aleya blushed once more before turning away from the Village Elder. Sighing with relief, she began to walk home with a bounce in her step that she had not had before. She needed to offload these things before she could go out to do what she had originally intended to do.

--

“Am I dead?”

A familiar voice chuckled, “Not quite. It’s time to wake up.”

The man felt lips brush against his as the other person kissed him tenderly on the mouth. He felt nothing and that brought a strange mix of joy and disappointment.

The storyteller opened his eyes and sighed, “It’s you.”

The dream-spirit sat back and smiled, “I know you’re not totally disappointed to see me.”

“Whatever,” he said while sitting up. He looked around. Everything was white - there was nothing except for him and the false Ice Queen. “Where are we?”

“The point between life and death.”

“I don’t understand.”

The woman sighed, “Yes, you do. Don’t you remember what happened before I woke you up?”

“I was running, then someone startled me, then I felt myself… falling.”

She nodded, “Yes and now your life hangs in the balance because of that.”

“What can I do?”

The spirit shrugged, “Nothing much, except try your best to stay alive.”

“So why are you here?” he asked deciding to change the subject to something less morbid.

“I came here to show you something.”

“Show me what?” he asked getting to his feet.

“Something you need to see,” she replied while holding out her hand, “Coming?”

He took her hand, “Do I have a choice?”

The woman shook her head, “We always have a choice.”

Everything around them grew dark and noisy. The sound of water pounding down into more water dominated everything except for the crack of thunder and the flash of lightning.

“This is…”

“The cave,” finished the spirit.

“How can we be here?” he asked in bewilderment.

“You hover between the point of life and death. There are many things possible that are not normally so. Anyway,” she said looking down below them, “please be silent and listen carefully to the people below us. It is important that you see and hear what is happening.”

The storyteller looked down and gasped. There were four figures below them, one lying on the ground with two on his right and one crouching over him on his left. He recognised the prostrate figure as himself, his mistress sat huddled next to him, hugging her knees to her chest with her head buried in her knees. Caliga had her arms around The Ice Queen and appeared to be whispering something to her. Lumen was crouched over the storyteller and appeared to be projecting light from his hand into the apparently lifeless man.

“Hurry up, Brother. Big Sister has got enough to be frightened about without losing her storyteller,” shouted Caliga over the din.

“I’m going as fast as I can, Sister,” growled the boy, “If you hadn’t of been so stupid in the first place then we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

“It’s not my fault,” she muttered petulantly before returning to whisper to her ‘Big Sister’.

A crack of thunder reverberated around the cavern making The Ice Queen jump. Caliga hugged the woman tighter and began to whisper more fervently.

“Please help him,” whispered his mistress pitiably from somewhere behind her knees.

Lumen sighed, “I am trying my best. I know you’re frightened but, please, I need to concentrate. I can save him, if you’ll let me,” he added smiling for the first time since the Storyteller had seen him. It was a nice smile, not disturbing like his sister’s.

“Is The Ice Queen afraid of thunder and lightning?” asked the storyteller in confused awe.

The fake Ice Queen chuckled, “So you’ve seen one of The Ice Queen’s great secrets. There is something in this world that frightens her.”

“It’s not just that, is it?”

She smiled and shook her head, “No, she’s afraid of something else. Can you tell what that is?”

He looked down at himself and the furtive looks his mistress kept sneaking at him between flashes of lightning.

“She’s afraid for me,” he said quietly, “I had no idea she could feel that way about anything.”

“Why?”

“Erm… well… she never seemed to have qualms about killing people.”

“Are you sure about that?” asked the spirit looking him directly in the eye, “Haven’t you noticed how upset she gets when she kills or when you challenge her about the killings she has done?”

“I thought that was just anger…”

“No you didn’t,” she replied, clearly getting frustrated at his insistence of ignorance, “Why do you persist in trying to vilify The Ice Queen? Is it so you can convince yourself to kill the feelings you know you have for her?”

He took a step back from the glowering gaze of the spirit while shaking his head, “I don’t have those sorts of feelings for her.”

“Yes you do!” shouted the spirit, “Why do you continue to try and lie to yourself? You both have feelings for each other. At least The Ice Queen is trying to show them in her own twisted way. I feel sorry for her, she’s never felt like that for anyone ever before and she has no idea what to do. It’s such a shame she had to pick someone who’s so deluded that he doesn’t even realise it.”

“That’s not true!” the storyteller shouted back, “I know she has feelings for me and I… I…” he hesitated, “I know I have feelings for her too,” he finally said, quietly.

The woman folded her arms across her chest, a satisfied smile on her face, “Now that you’ve finally admitted it to yourself. What are you going to do about it?”

The man bowed his head, “I don’t know.”

She sighed, “I’ll give you some advice,” she said kindly, “Treat her like the woman she so desperately wants to be, not the childish monster she wants people to think she is.”

“Why do people keep giving me advice on how to deal with her?”

The woman laughed, “Maybe, people just want you both to be happy.”

The man sniffed, “I guess.”

The spirit sighed, “Anyway, it’s time for you to wake up now. Lumen has finished healing you. Remember what I told you. Show her how she should truly show her feelings, and then perhaps you might save the world.”

“Save the world?”

There was no response as he was suddenly dragged back to reality and his own body.

--

Aleya placed the bag and her mother’s list quietly on the battered kitchen table. She began to quietly edge out of the kitchen hoping her mother would not realise she was back but it was to no avail. Her back collided with the front of the older woman as they both tried to pass through the kitchen door at the same time.

“Going out again?” asked the blonde haired woman while smoothing out the creases in her plain white shirt and black skirt, every inch a schoolteacher.

The red haired girl sighed, “Yes.”

“Are you going to tell me where?”

Aleya smiled roguishly and shook her head.

Her mother sighed and rolled her eyes, “Very well, you rebellious girl,” she waved her finger at her, “Just make sure you’re back in time for the kids in the afternoon and stay out of trouble.”

“Of course!”

The woman moved out of the way, allowing her daughter to pass.

“See you later, Aleya.”

“Bye, mum,” replied the girl as she closed the front door.

Sighing contentedly and shaking her head, she began to walk down the garden path (Jumping over the wall once more) before turning down the main road out of the village and towards the surrounding woods.

The girl did not notice the three figures staring at her at the entrance to the village nor did she notice them when she walked straight through one who looked just like her, except a little older and tired.

“That’s… that’s…” stuttered Marrick who was pointing at the younger Aleya.

Aleya sighed, “Yes, that’s me.”

“You’re not pale,” he said shocked.

“I wasn’t always this way.”

“But… you’re wearing normal clothes…”

The girl rounded on the pointing boy, “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

His face began to grow red, “Well, I’m just surprised. I always imagined you had been dressing like that forever.”

She snorted and turned to face her younger self again, “I only started wearing these when I lost my life. Before that, I dressed like any other normal girl my age dressed like,” she sighed, “I look so innocent, so happy, so… foolish.”

Marrick looked like he was about to say something but thought better of it. The King merely smiled his smug all-knowing smile.

The older Aleya began to follow the younger version, accompanied by the spirit and the boy.

“What day is this?” asked the boy.

Aleya glanced at the King but he said nothing. He merely smiled back at the girl, clearly expecting her to answer the question herself. She sighed once again.

“It’s two days before The Ice Queen came,” she wiped some moisture that was gathering in her eyes away angrily, “Today is the last normal day of my life.”

--

Jade awoke in absolute agony. Her skin was screaming at her and her brain pounded on the inside of her skull, begging for release. On top of that, she was soaked to the skin. Every shiver made her cry out.

“What happened to me?” she croaked.

- I pulled us out, answered Jet, Then bandaged up the wound as best as I could in the condition I was in.

How? I thought you couldn’t come out in the day…

Jet sighed, I can but as you can see it comes at a cost. I almost got us killed again with the exposure to the sun but I figured we would die if I didn’t try so there didn’t seem to be anything to lose. It hurt so much, though. Please don’t make me go through that again.

Stinging tears began to roll down her raw cheeks.

I’m sorry for getting us into this mess.

- It’s alright. Just pray it gets to night time before they return. Then I can heal these wounds and no one will be any the wiser.

Thank you.

The inner voice sniffed, - No need for thanks. I’m helping myself really.

True…

“Why did you put yourself through such a terrible thing?” asked a strangely familiar voice from seemingly everywhere.

“What?” gasped Jade.

“Do you hate yourself that much?” asked the voice full of hope and concern.

Jade recognised the voice now… “You’re the one who came to get Marrick. Why are you back?” she asked before breaking into a coughing fit making her groan as her clothing rubbed painfully against her burns. She shivered.

“I was worried about you,” replied the girl warmly.

“Why would you be worried about a monster like me? After all that’s what you called me,” she said angrily.

“I never called you a monster. I don’t think you’re a monster either,” she added in that same kind voice, much like Jade’s own kindness but younger and more hopeful.

“But you wouldn’t let me go with Marrick!”

The voice sighed, “My people don’t all agree with me. I was worried they might try and hurt you if you came. I was just trying to protect you. I’m sorry if I hurt you. I really really didn’t mean it. Please don’t hold it against me. I was just trying my best. I’m kind of new at this helping people thing and I was so worried about Aleya that I sort of forgot that you might have been upset by my people’s attitude. It was my own negligence, I’m sorry.”

Jade smiled, “You really are as nice as you sound. I’m sorry for being angry with you and I accept your apology.”

“Thank you so much.”

She groaned as she shifted position to sit up a little more, “Do you mind telling me your name?”

“My name’s Ílima,” replied the girl cheerfully.

“You have a very pretty name, Ílima.”

“Tha… thank you,” Jade could imagine the girl blushing if she could have seen her face.

“I’m sorry if I don’t get up but I’m far too sore to move really,” said Jade apologetically.

“I can help you with that, if you don’t mind…”

“What do you mean?”

The voice hesitated, “Well, I could heal you and dry your clothes. You might get sick if I don’t,” she added.

Jade coughed, “Probably, I know a bit about medicine myself.”

“So can I?” asked the voice with childlike enthusiasm.

“I… I guess so.”

The air around her seemed to glow with soft golden light, “I should probably warn you that I’ve never done this with someone who’s not a Forest Spirit.”

“What!?”

“Don’t worry! I’m sure it’ll work out fine.”

“I have faith in you,” she said sleepily as she began to grow drowsy from the heat that surrounded and comforted her.

“You trust me so easily?”

Jade smiled as she shut her eyes, “I trust easily and you seem to be a good person.”

- Too easily…

The burns on her skin began to fade, the wound in her stomach began to knit back together and her clothes became dry. Finally she stopped shivering as the heat and light surrounding her subsided.

She breathed a contented sigh which transformed into a yawn, “Thank you, Ílima.”

“It was no problem. I’m just so happy you’re okay,” said the voice kindly, “You better sleep now and get your strength back. I’ll watch over you for as long as I can.”

“Okay,” she mumbled in reply as sleep began to take her.

“Jade?” whispered the voice.

“Hmm?”

“Can we be friends?”

“Of course we can,” she replied drowsily before sleep took her completely.

“Thank you, my… friend.”

--

Aleya sat with her back to a tree trunk, her legs resting along the length of a large branch about ten feet off the ground. She rested her head against her arms and stared up into the green leafy canopy, waiting for someone or something.

“What are you waiting for?” asked Marrick to the older Aleya.

The older Aleya sighed, “Wait and see. Just please stop talking. I don’t want you to see this but evidently I don’t have a choice over this,” she said while throwing a look of pure hatred at the King who bowed mockingly in reply.

The boy sighed before lapsing into silence under the cold heat of the girl’s glare. He began to shuffle in boredom as time wore on. The girl on the tree idly shook her legs to some tune that she was humming. The older Aleya had to stop herself when she realised she had begun to join in with her younger self. It had been the first time in years since she had thought of that song, that stupid song about love and friendship conquering all…

The red haired girl suddenly looked down at someplace in the wall of trees.

“Finally,” she muttered.

Aleya began to check her hair to see if it was alright. She tightened the strip of material tying part of her hair in a sort of ponytail while the rest of her hair underneath and around it just flowed straight down to about half-way between her shoulder blades. Her mother called it a ‘Windbound’ style but that was pretty meaningless to her. She just liked it that way when she was trying to look nice.

After a short while, a boy about the same age as Aleya emerged from the trees at the exact point the girl had been looking at. He looked about nervously but he appeared not to realise that she was up in the tree.

“Took your time,” she teased.

He visible started before looking up at her and smiling. “Always one to show off, eh, Aylee?”

Aleya giggled, “Something like that.”

“So are you going to join us mere mortals on the ground?” asked the boy looking up at her with one hand over his eyes.

“If I must,” she replied loftily. With practiced ease, she leaped off the branch and landed on the ground two paces in front of the boy. She grinned at him before hugging him.

“It’s good to see you, Jamie.”

The boy returned the hug, “We only last saw each other yesterday.”

“Yeah, but I miss my best friend,” she said breaking the embrace.

Jamie laughed, “Better not let everyone know you’re so clingy.”

“I am not clingy! Don’t you dare tell anyone I am!”

He waved his hands, “Don’t worry. It’s not like anyone would dare make fun of you anyway.”

Aleya smiled wickedly, “True.”

“So what do you want to do today?”

“How about we walk through the lavender fields?”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea. We’ll both end up smelling of lavender. Surely people will put two and two together,” he asked in concern.

“Everyone knows we’re friends…”

“Yeah but they don’t know we’ve been meeting like this… on our own.”

“Oh… does it worry you?”

He blushed slightly, “Well people might think we’re together or something…”

“Oh… does that matter?”

“That’s not a fair question!”

“Why?” asked Aleya in slight irritation.

“Aylee, there’s no good answer to that question,” he replied, his blush deepening.

She sighed, “I guess… I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Let’s go for that walk,” he said smiling.

Together they set off through the woods in the direction of the lavender fields that grew on a small hill near the village. If the wind was right, you could smell it in the village. It was wonderfully refreshing on those days along with the sea air when the wind blew in the opposite direction. The village was truly blessed in Aleya’s opinion.

“You seem in a good mood today,” said Jamie as they both passed out of the forest into the open fields surrounding the village. The sound of the wind crossing the hills and the creaking of windmills punctuated the relative silence of the hills.

“The Village Elder complimented me today and I guess it’s just really pleased me,” she said turning around to pick a leaf out of the boy’s short brown hair.

“What did he say?”

Aleya smiled, “He called me a wonderful young woman.”

He nodded, “I can agree with that.”

Her face went red with embarrassment. “Erm… thanks,” she said turning around to cover her embarrassment.

The hillside turned purple as they finally reached the lavender fields. Aleya took a deep breath and sighed in contentment. She looked out at the calm shimmering blue sea and the little village nestled in the valley about a mile from the seashore.

“I never tire of this view,” she said happily.

“You really love this place don’t you?”

Aleya looked at him, her eyes shimmering slightly. She smiled and nodded, “I don’t ever want to leave. All the people here are so good to me and my mother is here too. My life is here.”

Jamie smiled, “I guess I’ll have to stay here too then.”

“Why?”

“Well if you’re so clingy that you miss me after one day then imagine how you’ll be if I leave,” he said with a wink. The boy yelped in pain and clutched his knee. “Ouch, that really hurt. You kick like a mule.”

She grinned wickedly, “Well you have heard the stories haven’t you?”

The boy sniffed, “And I know the vast majority of them are true.”

“So you know it’s dangerous to make fun of me,” she winked.

“Yeah, but it was so easy,” he said standing up straight again.

The girl sniffed and turned to look at the view, “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

“I doubt I’m going anywhere anytime soon anyway so it’s not like you’re holding me back or anything,” he said moving to stand next to her.

She leaned against him, her head resting against his shoulder, “I’m glad,” she yawned.

“Tired?”

“A little, not slept too well the past couple of days. Keep having these cold snaps despite it being summer and having to sleep without a blanket because it’s so hot.”

“Weird.”

She sighed, “Tell me about it.”

“Does your mother know?”

Aleya nodded, “Yeah but she has no idea, either. She reckons it must just be in my head since I don’t seem ill. Then again I’m not exactly normal, am I? It could be something to do with what I am.”

“I think you’re normal. You might be physically better than anyone else in the village but I don’t think that makes you abnormal - just really gifted and talented.”

The girl smiled, “You’re too sweet sometimes.”

Jamie blushed but Aleya was too busy looking out at the view to notice, “Ah… well, I just say what I think is right.”

“I don’t mind,” she said quietly.

The wind changed direction bringing the smell of the sea and lavender. Purple blossoms were caught in a sudden strong gust and blown between and around the pair, the strength of the wind making them stumble slightly. Aleya’s long red hair fluttered in the wind.

Jamie looked at her smiling face as she basked in the view and the wind, “Aylee…?”

Aleya suddenly pulled back the sleeve of her shirt, “Yes?”

“I…”

She looked at the watch and gasped, “Aw crap, class starts in ten minutes. I really need to go.”

“Oh… ok… you better go then,” he said disappointedly.

“Did you want to ask me something?” she said putting her sleeve back down.

He shook his head, “Nothing important, it can wait.”

Aleya smiled, “Ok, but you better ask me next time, ok?”

“Sure.”

The girl began to run down the hill. “See you tomorrow at the same time, okay?” she called back while waving.

“Alright,” he called back half-heartedly before sighing too quietly for Aleya to hear him.

The older Aleya sighed and folded her arms, “Both idiots. I could have stayed a little longer but I was oblivious. He could have said something sooner if he hadn’t been such a coward.”

“When did you figure it out?” asked Marrick.

“Not for months after today,” she replied sadly, “But it doesn’t matter now. It’s not like I felt the same way about him either…”

The King sniffed, “It’s not like it could go anywhere if you had…”

“Shut up!” shouted the girl.

He laughed as Aleya turned around and began stomping after her younger self.

“You’re taking far too much pleasure out of this for someone who’s meant to be a judge,” said Marrick glaring.

“I enjoy my work,” said the spirit shrugging, “Did you notice the boy looks a lot like you?”

“Shut up.”

--

Aleya quietly closed the backdoor before checking her watch.

“Two miles with two minutes to spare, damn I good,” she muttered breathlessly.

“A good person wouldn’t have left themselves so little time,” replied her mother walking into the kitchen. She shook her head and smiled, “You better get upstairs and changed quickly.”

“Alright,” replied the girl walking out of the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Aleya returned in a white blouse and dark skirt before slipping quietly into the back of the room that was used to take classes. A small group of children were arrayed in a small semicircle before her mother and a blackboard covered in fairly basic words that she was getting the children to read out loud for her.

Aleya smiled and waved at little Ana who turned around briefly to wave at her before turning back around in response to a polite cough from her teacher.

As the lesson wore on, her mind began to drift as it usually did when she had little to do. It was nice to teach the younger kids. They were far more attentive, ironically. She stifled a yawn and shifted her position on the desk she was perched on, slightly.

Jamie had been acting strange just before she had left. He had seemed upset about something, especially when she had to leave so abruptly. She sighed, hopefully she could find out what was wrong with him tomorrow. It worried her when her friends were upset about something. Maybe she was just paranoid that it might have something to do with her, after all she was not a normal person. It would make sense…

“…and now my daughter is going to teach you some mathematics,” said her mother, jolting her out of her thoughts.

“Yay, Aylee!” cheered a couple of the children as the mother and daughter swapped positions.

“We can see who’s the more popular,” whispered her mother as they passed each other, jokingly.

“Yeah, but we can see who’s the better teacher,” she replied with a wink causing her mother to laugh quietly.

The girl took up position in front of the now blank blackboard, “Ok, before we begin I think we should thank my mother for the wonderful lesson she gave today.”

“Thank you, Mrs Solis,” chorused the class dutifully making Aleya’s mother blush slightly.

“So does anyone remember what we were talking about last time? Yes, Ana?”

“We were talking about the times tables.”

Aleya smiled, “Very good, Ana,” she said warmly causing Ana to positively beam.

“Now let’s continue where we left off…”

“How can you call this the acts of an evil person,” whispered Marrick to the King.

The spirit snorted, “You have no idea what’s coming. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Funny advice coming from you.”

He sniffed and moved away from him to stand next to the older Aleya, “You had forgotten about little Ana, hadn’t you?”

“No,” replied the girl angrily, “I remember them all. I’m not completely heartless.”

“Oh really? Then tell me their names.”

“There’s Ana, James, Sara, Alin, Kai and Lain.”

“It appears I underestimated you,” said the King trying his best to suppress the disappointment and surprise in his voice.

Aleya smiled grimly but said nothing.

Once the lesson was over, the older Aleya turned to the King, “Is it possible to move ahead some time, nothing else of interest happens for this afternoon.”

He sighed, “I suppose your right and it’s not like we have all day. Very well, we’ll move onto just after dinner.”

She sighed, “If you insist.”

--

Aleya checked her watch. It was almost ten o’clock at night and Ana’s mother had still not arrived to collect her. The little girl stirred slightly in Aleya’s lap as she shifted slightly on the kitchen chair. Her breath came out in soft gasps as she slept with her arms around the red-haired girl’s neck.

“Still sleeping?” asked Aleya’s mother quietly.

She nodded, while absentmindedly stroking the young girl’s straight dark hair, “I understand that her mother needs to work this late but this is getting kind of ridiculous.”

“Tired of looking after her?” she asked while sitting down at the kitchen table opposite of her.

“No of course not,” replied Aleya, horrified, “I love Ana. It’s just she’s being seeing so little of her mother recently. I’m worried about her.”

Her mother smiled, while brushing her long blonde hair from her face, her pale green eyes sparkling in the dying light of day, “I’m sure it will be alright, they’re just going through a rough patch at the moment. It’s good that you’re willing to help her out.”

“I guess so…”

“Then don’t worry about it, you’re doing your best to help which is more than a lot of people. She wouldn’t be in this mess if everyone was as helpful as you.”

She sighed, “Maybe… at least I get to spend lots of time with little Ana.”

Her mother chuckled, “She really is your favourite. Try not to take that into the classroom, by the way. Children can tell, you know.”

Aleya smiled, “I don’t think that’s much of a problem.”

“Good.”

There was a knock at the front door.

“Hopefully that’s her mother,” said the blonde-haired woman getting to her feet.

A few moments later her mother returned with Ana’s mother who looked absolutely exhausted.

“Tough night?” asked Aleya.

She smiled half-heartedly, “Yes but I should only need to do this for another week then I can give you your nightlife back.”

Aleya smiled, “I don’t mind. I’m not really missing anything.” She gently nudged Ana who stirred sleepily.

“Aylee?” she asked while rubbing her eyes.

“Your mother is here to take you home.”

The little girl snapped to full wakefulness, quickly slipping out of Aleya’s lap to hug her mother, “Mommy!”

“Hello dear,” said her mother, returning the hug, “Say goodbye to Aleya and Mrs. Solis.”

“Bye Aylee, Bye Mrs. Solis,” she said grinning.

“Goodbye Ana,” said the two Solis’ together.

“See you tomorrow,” added Aleya.

She nodded then turned to leave. Her mother led her out by the hand while Aleya’s mother wished them one last goodnight before shutting the front door and returning to the kitchen.

Aleya yawned, “I’m tired.”

“It’s rather early for you. You haven’t done the dishes either,” she added.

She yawned again, “Well, I’ve not been sleeping too well. How about you do the dishes then I cook and do the dishes tomorrow?” She gave her best attempt at a pitiful look.

Her mother just smiled and shook her head, “Alright then since you’re willing to try and look pathetic. Give your mother a hug before you abandon her and go to bed.”

Aleya sighed jokingly before getting to her feet and hugging her mother.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, mum.” The girl moved to the door, “Good night.”

“Good night Aleya.”

--

“Why can’t we see anything?”

The King sighed, “Think about it, boy. Aleya is asleep now so of course there will be no memory of this.”

“Oh… so why don’t we skip ahead?”

“Because I’m about to wake up,” replied Aleya.

Suddenly reality snapped into place as the younger Aleya awoke shivering. She hugged herself as she looked around her room. Someone was in her bedroom with her, she could feel it.

“I know you’re here,” she said quietly with chattering teeth.

“Oh you’re definitely special,” said a female voice frosted with sarcasm, “I think you’re the one.”

“Who are you?” asked the girl as she got to her feet. She wished she had worn more than just shorts and a t-shirt but it had been so warm…

“Someone who cares a great deal about you,” replied the stranger.

Aleya began to pace around the room trying to catch sight of the intruder but she could not see them.

“Come out,” she said angrily, the image ruined by her continuing to hug herself.

“Now is not the time, my little princess but trust me, we will meet very soon.”

The girl leaned out of her open window suddenly, “Found…!”

She caught a flash of white hair before someone vanished right before her eyes. Who in the world had that been and how could she vanish like that? Aleya shook her head, perhaps she had been imagining things. Lack of sleep or something like that. She sighed and went back to bed. It was not until she lay back down again that she realised she was no longer cold. Despite the relief from the biting cold it took her a long time to sleep again. A feeling of dread had settled in the pit of her stomach. Despite her best efforts to ignore it, she could not shake the idea that something very bad was going to happen.

--

She felt someone gently shaking her.

“Aleya, wake up,” insisted her mother.

“What is it?” asked the girl sleepily.

“Something’s going on in the village. I’m really worried. Please get dressed and come with me. We need to find out what’s going on.”

Aleya sat up and yawned, “Alright, give me a minute.”

“Thank you,” said her mother with a half-hearted smile before leaving her daughter’s bedroom and shutting the door.

A few minutes later, she descended to join her mother who was standing impatiently at the door, a look of concern on her pretty face. Aleya ran a hand through her red hair trying to put some semblance of order into it. Thankfully it was not a difficult task. Her hair had always been easy to work with.

“Ready to go?” asked the woman hastily.

Aleya brushed some imaginary dirt from her dark trousers and green t-shirt before nodding. Together they walked out of their front door and headed for the village square. The streets were eerily empty as they passed through the well trodden streets. Finally they found most of the village gathered in the square. There were anxious mutters and the occasional cries of fear. What most dominated the scene was the roaring of a man who sounded like he had been subjected to the most painful tragedy in the world.

Ignoring her mother’s protests, the girl pushed her way through the crowds to the front to see what they were looking at. She gasped when she saw the man.

It was Markus the blacksmith and gun seller. At his feet lay his wife covered in blood, she was not moving. A blood-soaked sword lay next to the woman between her and the man. Aleya gaped at the scene before her. What was happening?

“Markus please calm down,” said the Village Elder, holding up his hands to show he was not a threat.

“It’s… it’s not my fault, Joseph. She… she tried to kill me… it’s not my fault!” wailed the hugely muscled man, massive tears rolling down his cheeks.

“I know, Markus. Please, come with me and we can sort this out, alright?”

“You don’t believe me,” said Markus darkly, “I can see it in your eyes. You want to kill me don’t you? Just like her, just like everyone here… but I won’t let you. No, not any of you. I’ll stop all of you murderers. Not one of you will get me,” he reached into his coat and produced two pistols, “Not one…”

“Markus… what are you?” asked Mr Byre, his face a mask of terror.

“You will never kill me!” screamed the madman.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the gun seller raised his pistols at the Village Elder. There were two thunderous bangs followed by two meaty impacts. Joseph Byre was thrown from his feet landing heavily on the cobbled ground on the square. Blood poured from him terrifyingly fast as he went still.

There was a silent moment as the shock of the killing held the assembled villagers in its spell. A cry broke the spell and with that, the courage of the people. The crowd scattered in every direction possible, some running away from and some running past the gunman. The square was a riot of sound and movement as people tried to hide or call for help.

In the middle of it all stood Aleya transfixed. She stared at the body of Mr Byre who had only just spoken to her yesterday and the killer standing over him, a strange mix of despair and triumph on his face. No one noticed as the girl continued to stand completely still and stare. No one called her, no one tried to drag her away, they were all too worried about themselves.

“Aylee?” squeaked a voice.

Aleya shook her head and looked around. A little distance off stood a small dark haired girl who was looking at her, her face covered in tears. Terror took hold of Aleya’s heart.

“Ana, what are you doing here? We need to go right now.”

“I was worried about you…” she began before a roar interrupted them both.

The girls’ blood ran cold as they realised that Markus had noticed them.

“You going to kill me too, huh?” raved the man.

“Ana, run,” she whispered.

Her tentative steps backwards came to a halt when the large man aimed on of his guns at her.

“You would kill a child?” shouted Aleya, uncontrollable rage building up inside her as she watched the helpless girl breakdown in the sights of the gun.

“I won’t let her kill me,” he gibbered, his finger beginning to tighten on the trigger.

“No!” screamed the red haired girl.

There was a bang and the dark haired girl fell to the ground. She looked up at the man and began to cry.

Aleya continued to hold onto the man’s hand as he struggled to bring it down to take another shot.

“Ana, RUN!”

The little girl struggled to her feet and began to run towards her own home. Aleya would have breathed a sigh of relief but the rage inside her blinded her to anything else but the man who she grappled with.

“So it’s the freak who is trying to kill me,” he hissed while trying to bring his other arm up.

Aleya howled in anger but said nothing. She twisted causing the man to howl in pain as his arm was practically snapped in half. The other arm was also broken just as easily. The massive man almost a foot taller than Aleya and twice as broad fell to his knees clutching his arms. His pistols clattered on the ground, falling from his useless hands. The girl picked up the sword lying next to Markus’ wife and raised it up over the kneeling man who looked up at her in terror. He began to beg but she heard nothing. All she could hear was the rage pounding in her heart and mind.

“How dare you… How dare you kill your own wife who loved you with all her heart,” the sword fell cutting into his shoulder, his own blood now pouring onto the ground, “How dare you kill the man who was your oldest friend,” the sword fell onto his other shoulder making him cry out once again, his blood splattering on the girl who was slowly killing him, “And how dare you try to kill the closest thing I have to sister. For that there is no forgiveness.” The sword fell once again cleaving through his neck almost severing his head, bright arterial blood fountained out from the dead man drenching the girl in blood. The lifeless body of Markus slumped to the ground. The sword came up once again. Madness, grief and rage shone in her pale green eyes as salty tears ran small trails through the blood on her face.

“Aleya stop!”

The girl looked around and saw a woman standing there. Her blonde hair was a mess and her clothes were covered in dirt. It looked like she had been trampled.

“Mum?” croaked Aleya.

Her mother staggered towards her, “It’s over Aleya. You saved Ana. She’s safe with her mother.”

“Ana’s… ok?”

She smiled and nodded, “Yes.”

Aleya let out a great racking sob, the sword falling from her hands. She sunk to her knees and wept, her body shivering uncontrollably. “What have I done?”

The woman knelt down beside her daughter and drew her into an embrace. She kissed the top of her head, “It’s alright, Aleya.”

“I killed him… so easily…”

Her mother’s hug tightened, “Don’t think about that. Think about all the people you’ve saved.”

“I feel sick,” she said quietly.

The sound of clapping caused the mother to look up. A man wearing black clothes, black gloves, black cape and a broad brimmed black hat that hid his face except for a sneer was applauding at the opposite side of the square to them.

“Such strength, such rage, such pain… Impressive for a mere mortal… I can see why she likes you. You certainly interest me my redheaded beauty.”

Aleya’s mother got to her feet, brushing her blonde hair from her face. She glared at the newcomer, “I think you best leave,” she growled.

The man laughed, “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

“I don’t care. My daughter has gone through enough today without some thing upsetting her more so.”

He scowled, “I am no thing. I am The Deceiver of Men, a being greater than you could ever hope to be. If I willed it then I could make you kill your own precious daughter,” he smiled, “But I won’t. It would upset my mistress.”

“So you’re the infamous Deceiver,” she replied quietly.

The Deceiver bowed, “The one and only. I have a message for you and since I’ve got your attention, then now is the best time,” he theatrically cleared his throat, “My mistress The Ice Queen will come to this village tomorrow. At that time she will demand a sacrifice from you all. If you refuse then the consequences will be dire,” he chuckled, “And with that, I will take my leave. Goodbye Aleya, I’m certain we will meet again.”

Her mother sighed and returned to her daughter.

“Is he gone?” asked the girl timidly.

“Yes, now let’s go home.”

--

Aleya lay in bed shivering. It had taken hours of persuasion to finally convince her to come out of the bath and rest in bed. She lay there in the same shorts and t-shirt she had worn to bed the night before. Her hair was still damp but at least all the blood and the horrible smell had gone. She could not see the three figures in the room with her.

“So this is the ‘terrible’ crime that Aleya committed?” asked Marrick in slight irritation.

The King snorted, “Of course not, while perhaps overly violent. What Aleya did this time was fairly justified.”

“It still haunts me,” whispered the older Aleya, “At the time I didn’t realise it was the Deceivers doing. In fact, that made it worse when I realised I had killed a mostly innocent man.”

“Not like you haven’t done that before.”

She sighed, “But this was my first.”

The spirit nodded, “Yes, the first is always the hardest.”

“Why do we have to sit through this?” asked the boy, “Wouldn’t it be easier if you just showed me this ‘terrible crime’ that was committed or better yet for Aleya to tell me what she did.”

The blonde haired man smiled, “You don’t understand. One, Aleya would never tell you what happened because there is no way she could possibly put it into words. Two, in order for you to understand how truly evil this act was, you need to see the events and what sort of person Aleya was leading up to them.”

“I think you’re just doing it to torture, Aleya,” he muttered angrily.

“I have far more effective means that that if I wanted to,” retorted the King with a grin on his face.

“Shut up, you two. You’re bickering is just making this worse.”

The spirit sniffed while Marrick apologised. Aleya just sighed (She had been doing a lot of that this day).

A soft knock at the door made everyone in the room look up.

“Aleya, can I come in?” asked her mother through the door.

The older Aleya moved over to the window and stared out of it, refusing once again to look at her mother. She had reacted this way every time her mother had entered her memories. It was beginning to worry Marrick but he was too afraid to ask what the problem was. All he knew was that whenever she heard her mother’s voice, there was so much despair and anger inside her that it almost overpowered Marrick’s senses.

The younger Aleya just grunted in response before rolling over in her bed to face away from the door. Her mother opened the door quietly and shut it down behind her. She moved over to the bed and sat down next to her. Her hand ran gently through her daughter’s long red hair.

“How are you?”

“I’ve never felt so bad in my life,” she groaned.

“I’m glad. If you felt anyway else then I would be worried,” she said warmly.

“So you’re not worried about me?” asked Aleya, hurt.

Her mother ruffled her hair, “Of course I am. I would just be really worried if you didn’t feel terrible.”

“Thanks… I guess.”

The woman smiled, “I’m glad you still have some of your humour left.”

“I feel so guilty. What happened to me?” she whispered.

“You were afraid for Ana and you protected her,” her mother said simply, stroking her daughter’s hair.

“But I got so angry. I’ve never been so angry. I couldn’t think clearly. I just wanted to kill him. What if that happens again?”

“Aleya, you are a good person. One of the best people I know. I don’t think you would ever do something like that again without good reason. Remember what I said back at the square. If you hadn’t of done that then many more people may have died. I’m sorry you had to be the one to do it. No one should have to… especially someone as young as you. It’s not fair…”

“Life is never fair.”

Aleya’s mother shook her head and smiled, “No, it’s not but sometimes we just need to say it’s not fair just to make us feel better.”

She smiled half-heartedly, “That doesn’t make sense.”

“It doesn’t? Oh well, just ignore me then,” she chuckled.

“Thank you, mum.”

Her mother ruffled her hair once again, “I’m your mother. I’m here to help. Besides… you’re not the first person I’ve had to talk to about this. Your dad was just like you when he was forced to kill bandits who attacked this village.”

Aleya rolled over to face her mother, “Really? But I remember him being so strong.”

She shook her head, “His strength was that he still had feelings even after everything he was forced to do while he served this village and later this country’s army. He had a heart just like you do. Don’t ever think having a heart is not strength.”

“I’ll try…”

A warm loving smile appeared on her mother’s face, “Good, I’m glad.”

Aleya sighed, “I miss him.”

“I miss him, too. Maybe he’ll come back some day.”

“Maybe…”

“Do you feel up to coming down to the kitchen to have something to eat?”

Her daughter nodded, “I think I can handle that.”

--

Aleya awoke in the village square. She looked around franticly and saw her mother standing next to her. They were both fully dressed: her mother in a white blouse and grey trousers, Aleya in a black vest and jeans. Her black boots rattled restlessly off the cobble stones as she turned around to see who else was here.

Her eyes widened as she looked around the assembled crowd. Everyone in the village was here, every single one of them. They all appeared to have just woken up like her. They all spoke to each other anxiously demanding to know what was going on but no one seemed to have an explanations.

“Everyone seems to be here. Let’s begin,” said an eerily familiar voice.

“It’s her,” muttered the girl to herself as she began to push her way through the crowds towards the voice. As she got closer to the woman she felt the temperature drop. Eventually she was shivering despite it being a summer’s morning. Finally she caught sight of her, the woman who had been haunting her sleep for the past few days.

The white haired and literally white skinned woman stood before the assembled people of the village, a smug smile on her beautiful face. Her armour creaked slightly as she folded her arms across her chest. Her long white hair fluttered in a breeze from the sea.

“Who are you?” asked Aleya over the general din of the villagers.

The woman looked at her with her disturbing white eyes, her smile turning from smug to warm for a brief second, “I am The Ice Queen, Aleya. It’s nice to meet properly for the first time.”

The village suddenly went quiet. Aleya could feel eyes staring at her as she looked at The Ice Queen. Others cried out in terror as recognition sunk in.

“How do you know my name?”

The Ice Queen chuckled, “I know everyone’s names but I really must get back on track,” she looked out over the crowd, “I’ve come with a simple offer. Give one of your children to me or you all die. You have exactly one day to make your choice. In the mean time, everyone who is not of age is to be kept in the Village Hall. I don’t want to see one get away.”

“Why should we do what you say?” shouted one man from the back of the crowd.

The woman’s eyes flashed, “Because if you don’t then you don’t even get a choice. I will kill you all.”

The crowd muttered amongst themselves. They knew that the immortal before them could kill them all easily and that to resist was to perish. After a few moments a decision seemed to be reached.

“I’m sorry,” said a man that Aleya recognised as Jamie’s father, “But you’ll have to go to the Village Hall with the rest of them.”

“You’re not seriously going to listen to her?” asked Aleya incredulously.

“They don’t have any choice, Aleya,” answered The Ice Queen, “Now once that’s done. The parents of the children should stay here and the rest will leave. It’s the parents’ decision. I will not have them influenced by those who are selfish.”

Voice rose in angry protest but a look from the white haired woman terrified them into silence.

“Please, Aleya,” said the man urging her, “I’m sorry about this but you’re not of age and we need someone responsible to take care of the little ones. Please trust us to make the right decision.”

“We can fight,” she protested.

He shook his head, “Not even you could scratch her. What chance do we have?”

“You can always try.”

“Aleya,” interrupted her mother, “There’s nothing you or anyone else can do this time. Please do this… for me.”

The girl bowed her head in defeat, “Okay but please don’t make the wrong choice.” Reluctantly Aleya followed the children into the Village Hall. She looked desperately at her mother as the doors were shut and locked.

“Please don’t let me down,” she begged.

--

“The beginning of the end,” said the King ominously.

“I don’t like where this is going,” said Marrick sadly.

The older Aleya just sighed and sat down in a dark corner by herself, hugging her knees to her chest with her head bowed.

“You’re hurting her, badly.”

The spirit shrugged, “This is her life. It is nothing new.”

He shook his head, “You’re forcing her to relive this with witnesses on top of that. I’m surprised she’s been so tolerant of our presence.”

“I thought you were supposed to be the insightful one.”

“What?”

The man shook his head and sighed, “For two and a half years she has wandered across the world searching for The Ice Queen, two years of that on her own. She has never told a single soul why except for ‘To get my life back’. Despite her protests of strength and maturity she is still like a child. Her soul cries out to be heard but she does not speak because she has always been alone… until now. She needs to share her pain but she is too afraid to do so. I’m forcing her to, to prove her evil to you and to force her to face one of her fears.”

“If she is so desperate to confess then why do you continue to condemn her as evil? Surely she is showing remorse and a willingness to fix her mistakes?” protested the boy.

“I suppose all the dead bounty hunters are a testament to that?”

“Well…” he hesitated, “I always got the impression that she was willing to give up once she had found The Ice Queen…”

The King sniffed, “Perhaps but can you really trust her to do that?”

He nodded, “Yes I do.”

“Then you are a fool.”

“Better a fool than an arrogant one.”

The spirit snarled, “Watch your tongue boy! I will not have someone speak to me like that. I am a King!”

“Then act like one rather than an arrogant child with delusions of maturity and grandeur.”

“WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP!” roared Aleya before bowing her head once more.

“I’m sorry, Aleya,” said Marrick, moving towards her.

“Please, Marrick. Just leave me alone now. I know what’s coming and I just need to…” she lapsed into silence.

“Alright, but I’ll be here if you need me.”

“Thank you,” she replied quietly.

Marrick was worried. He had never seen someone so miserable in his life. Aleya was suffering a great deal with having to relive her past and according to her it was just going to get worse.

“What happened to you, Aleya?” he whispered to himself mostly.

He knew the answer was coming but he wished that it was not. Once he had desperately wanted to know Aleya’s past but to see her in this state before even the worst was to come was heart breaking. He prayed that his friend would be strong enough to live through the coming tragedy once again without completely succumbing to the despair that clearly had its claws on her since that day two and a half years ago.

--

Hours passed and there was still no word from outside. The younger children were complaining about being hungry and Aleya had tried her best to comfort them but her patience was wearing thin. She was stressed and anxious enough herself, any words of comfort sounded so hollow in her mouth and some of the more astute children recognised that. At least, they had the courtesy to act like they did not.

“Aylee?”

Aleya looked up from the spot of floor she had been staring at for the past hour while Ana refused to let go of her. She sighed, “Hi, Jamie.”

“Hello Jamie,” said Ana in the tiny voice she always had when she was scared.

Jamie smiled and tousled the little girl’s hair, “Hello Ana, are you okay?”

She nodded before returning to bury her head in Aleya’s shoulder.

Aleya smiled, “Sorry, I guess neither of us is in the greatest mood today.”

The boy nodded, “Yeah, I can appreciate that,” he sat down next to her, “So how’re you holding up?”

The girl looked down at Ana then back up again. She was not sure if she should talk about how she was truly feeling in front of her but then again, this was Ana…

“Terrible,” she said with a sigh, after a few moments of silence, “I’ve never had such a bad couple of days in my life. I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do.”

Jamie slipped an arm around her shoulders, “Everyone is scared. Don’t feel too bad about it.”

“It’s not just that…”

The boy sighed while hugging Aleya to him, “This is about Markus?”

She nodded.

“I didn’t see it but you did it to save Ana, right?” he said positively.

She nodded again.

“Then I… think you did the right thing.”

“I… know but… I can’t stop thinking about it. I can still feel the blood and the sword. It felt so right at the time but now… I feel so horrible, dirty. Am I a killer?”

“Of course not!”

The girl sighed, her head falling to rest on his shoulder, “I’m so scared. I’m afraid they’ll give in to that thing.”

“It’s not a fair decision,” he said sadly, “I think they will…”

“Why?”

“Because it’s easier to sacrifice someone else than yourself.”

“I guess but I don’t want to lose any of you.”

“Neither do I but it’s not our choice is it?” he said hugging her more tightly.

“It should be,” she said angrily.

Jamie nodded.

“I don’t think I could forgive them if they give in…”

The boy looked at her concerned, “What would you do?”

“I… I don’t know,” said Aleya quietly.

He sighed, “Just please don’t do anything you’ll regret if it comes to it.”

Following Ana’s example, she buried her head in his shoulder.

“I promise,” she mumbled from his shoulder.

“You’ll be ok,” piped up Ana from Aleya’s shoulder.

The trio lapsed into silence as they sat awaiting the dreaded summons to the village square to hear their parent’s decision. Time slowed to a crawl as minutes then yet more hours began to pass.

Finally at the beginning of evening, the decision was made and Aleya was called for. The assembled mass of people ranging from infants barely a couple of months old to teenagers who were a few months short of eighteen raised their voices in protest but they were all ignored.

“Aylee!” screamed Ana.

“Don’t worry. Ana, I’m sure I’ll come back,” said Aleya trying her best to lie. It was not something she was good at.

The Ice Queen stood there triumphant before her. No one else was present in the square.

“Your ‘loving’ parents have come to a decision.”

The older Aleya suppressed a sob as the following moments hit her like a tidal wave. She had tried so hard not to think of these moments but here it was being played out in front of her. There was a clank as she fell to her knees. It was too much, she began to cry.

Marrick looked at her and felt his heart breaking. So much pain and anguish… it was almost too much for him.

“They are going to give you to me,” she said beaming.

Only one voice rose in protest, just as Aleya remembered.

“No!” shouted the younger Aleya, “How can they give into you? Don’t they love their children?”

The white haired woman laughed, “A good question but too late, I’m afraid.”

“Mum, please don’t do this,” pleaded her daughter, hoping that perhaps she might here her cries wherever she was.

The older Aleya continued to cry.

“They’re not here and they won’t come.”

“My gods, no…” said Marrick clearly in some sort of pain.

The younger Aleya fell to her knees, “No,” she whispered.

“How could they abandon her like that?” whispered Marrick with great effort, “Don’t they care?”

“They don’t,” said the King sadly.

“Mum, please… help me…” pleaded the two Aleyas. “Mum,” she shouted, “MUM!” she screamed, “Mum…” she whispered before breaking down completely, “Mum...”

The older Aleya curled up into a ball and went still as the memories took her completely. Marrick fell to his knees clutching his heart crying out in agony. The King looked at Marrick in sudden understanding. The Ice Queen sauntered up next to the girl and leaned over.

“No one cares about you,” she whispered into her ear.

Aleya screamed. It carried over the entire village and beyond, echoing down the many valleys in the hills around about. Such rage and despair was in it. It was the cry of the forsaken, of the damned. For the next year neighbouring settlements whispered of evil deeds in the village by the sea and shunned it for many months.

Finally the red haired girl slumped down, her eyes glazing over as her heart finally shattered. She did not react as the gauntleted hand of The Ice Queen took her hand.

The immortal sighed as she looked down at her in silence. She appeared to be thinking of saying something but then thought better of it. Her grip on the girl’s hand tightened. “This isn’t the end,” she said quietly before the pair vanished never to be seen by the villagers again.

--

The Ice Queen entered the room and sighed. Aleya had not moved an inch since she had brought her to this room over four hours ago. The girl just sat on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest, her head bowed so she was practically a ball. She reacted to nothing and said nothing except for shivering with the cold.

The woman held a dark bundle in her arms. There was the glint of metal amongst the black cloth of the clothing in the bundle. A sword in a black scabbard was across her back. The sword and bundle were placed on the bed next to the girl.

“Put these on,” commanded the Ice Queen, “You don’t have a choice. I’ll change you myself if I have to…”

Aleya did not even twitch but continued to shiver.

She signed in frustration, “Do you want to see your village again?”

The girl’s head suddenly shot up, staring at her with a strange mixture of anger, grief, hope and blankness – a look of madness. She nodded.

The Ice Queen smiled in triumph, “We’ll go in an hour, on the condition that you change into those clothes next to you.”

The red haired girl nodded again before the immortal turned around and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Aleya unfolded herself from her position and began to look through the clothes mechanically. After a few minutes the girl began to pull off her vest.

“I think we can skip this part,” said the King hurriedly.

The scene wavered a second before being replaced by the girl standing in the clothing she had been given and the sword across her back. Her eyes stared blankly at the door waiting for The Ice Queen to return.

“So she got her clothes and weapons from The Ice Queen,” said Marrick quietly, “That makes sense.”

The spirit nodded.

The boy looked at the older Aleya who sat in the corner of the room just like the younger Aleya had done on the bed. She was empty inside. The memories had killed all the feelings in her heart.

“Look what you did to her.”

He shrugged, “I did nothing. It was her weakness.”

“It was you who made her relive this time in her life!” shouted the boy.

“She knew what was coming.”

Marrick shook his head, “There is a difference between knowing something and living it. She always had these memories but making her watch it happen before her eyes in such a vivid way, like she was there, with us watching, was cruel. You disgust me. You are no King, just a pathetic man who takes delight in hurting those in need of help.”

“How dare you!” yelled the King, his face full of fury, “I will not have some ill-informed boy talk to me like that.”

“Please… you don’t have the right to harm me. I’m not evil, just like Aleya.

“I’ve tried so hard to fill the emptiness inside her with feelings of love, friendship and just being there for her. I know it was working but you might have undone all of it with your thoughtless act.”

The spirit growled but said nothing.

The boy smirked in triumph before turning to face the older Aleya. The smile fell from his face as he looked at her. He sighed.

“Aleya?” said the boy softly, crouching down in front of her.

The girl did not react.

“Do you remember the first time we met? What you said to me while we both looked at my village just after we met?” asked the boy trying to sound as positive as possible, “You said: ‘You’re not alone’. At the time I threw it back in your face but I was glad you were there. Despite how uncomfortable it made you feel, you tried your best to be there for me,” he put a hand on her freezing shoulder, “It must have been so hard for you to act like that, to trust someone after so long. I knew that you had been hurt but I did not realise it was like this… But you have to realise something, what The Ice Queen said isn’t true,” he held her by the shoulders gently, “You are not alone and there are people who care about you. I care about you and so does Jade. We’ll always be here for you so don’t shut us out. You saved me the day we met, let me do the same for you.”

Aleya looked up at the boy, her eyes red with tears. “Marrick…” she said hoarsely before her voice broke and more tears began to flow, “I’m sorry…”

“For what?”

“For being so weak.”

He shook his head, “You’re not weak. Having feelings and making mistakes is not a sign of weakness. It’s only weakness if you refuse to learn from them or move on.”

“I’ve not moved on,” she said quietly.

The boy smiled, “You have. We wouldn’t be friends if you had not. You would not have saved my life in Bardus or consoled Jade when she found out about Jet. These aren’t the actions of a weak person. You are one of the strongest people I’ve met in my short life, Aleya. I just wish you would stop dwelling on your mistakes.”

“Thank you,” she said smiling half-heartedly despite the tears. Her bare hand came up to rest on Marrick’s hand.

“It’s time to move on,” said the spirit, “The Ice Queen has arrived. Time to see your greatest crime, Aleya.”

The girl nodded and composed herself before standing up with her hand in Marrick’s. “I’m ready.”

“Very well then, let us go and see the final acts.”

The scene shifted once again and they were standing in the same spot that Jamie and Aleya had been standing in two days ago. The Ice Queen and the younger Aleya were occupying it now.

“There’s your village,” said The Ice Queen.

“They abandoned me…” replied the girl devoid of almost all emotion.

“They did.”

“Even mum…”

The woman nodded, “Does that seem loving to you?”

“No.”

She looked at the girl, “When a village willingly gives up one as a sacrifice then I know that they do not have any love. Those without love need to die but… I think it should be your choice. Who lives and who dies in this village?”

Aleya face hardened, despair and rage flooding her eyes. Her body began to tremble as she turned her back on the village and began to walk away, “Take them all.”

The white haired woman smiled, “With pleasure.” She vanished.

Marrick sighed in disappointment, “Oh, Aleya.”

The older Aleya bowed her head in shame, “I’m sorry.”

“So many deaths on her hands… How can you say she is not evil?” asked the King, his smug smile returning to his face.

The boy squeezed the girl’s hand, “Because she is my friend and I know she is not evil. I do not feel any evil in her. She makes mistakes… terrible ones but not because she is evil. It’s because she’s been alone. We all do terrible foolish things when we’ve been on our own for too long.”

The spirit snorted, “You still delude yourself. Why is it that you defend Aleya but she does not defend herself?”

“Because…” her expression hardened, “I shouldn’t have to defend myself to an arrogant fool like you! I came here because I was told you could help me find The Deceiver of Men but instead all I found was a pathetic excuse of a King who seems to take great delight in judging people and tormenting them with their own memories, all the while somehow believing himself to be ‘superior’. Screw your judgements! I don’t want your help even if you do miraculously change your mind and decide I’m not evil.”

“That is enough!” shouted the King, pointing at her with one long pale finger, “This trial is over. You have failed miserably.”

Aleya smirked, “It isn’t over yet. You dragged me here so we’re going to see it to the end,” she turned around and began to walk after her younger self, dragging Marrick, by the hand, with her. “Come on, you’ve already seen the worst and I’m tired of hiding. I want someone else to know because it’s too hard for me to carry on my own.”

“What are we going to see?” asked Marrick, hurrying to keep his footing.

“You’re going to see why I look like this.”

“Won’t the King stop you?”

The girl smiled grimly, “He wouldn’t dare.”

--

Aleya took plodding steps across the hills and away from the place she had called home all her life. They had all abandoned her when she had done so much for them. Teaching them, helping with chores, looking after their children, being a good as friend as possible and just trying to be helpful in anyway she could. In return, when it came down to it they were too worried about themselves to help the one who had helped them as much as they possibly could. Everyone in that village deserved to die.

Her body still quivered with rage as her heavy footfalls carried to the top of a high hill. She stopped when she came to a high cliff. Her gaze dropped to stare at the bottom many feet below her.

It would be so easy. The rage and despair burning inside her hurt so much. The pain of falling would be brief then she would be released.

She looked down at her hands and blinked. One was armoured and one was not. Why had she put these clothes on? They were far too immodest and tight. She looked around confused. Why was she standing here? Her gaze snapped back in the direction of the village. Guilt and anxiety washed over her, drowning the rage inside her. She had condemned her village to death.

“What have I done?”

“You’re as strong as I had hoped,” said The Ice Queen appearing out of nowhere.

Aleya stumbled back in shock, her foot brushing against the edge of the cliff.

“You didn’t give into weakness and thought back against the emptiness you felt. You’re definitely what I was looking for,” said the woman, smiling maliciously.

“How could you do this?” shouted the girl, her fists clenching.

The immortal laughed mockingly, “It’s rather easy when you’ve been doing it as long as I have.”

The sword appeared in Aleya’s hand, “I’m going to kill you for what you’ve done. You’ve taken everything from me.”

She folded her arms, “I would like to see you try.”

Screaming rage, the girl charged. The sword came down but hit nothing but air. She tried to bring it up to attack again but her arms would not move. The Ice Queen held them fast in her freezing hands. She could not even struggle. The woman was just so much stronger. Her strength waned as the cold leeched into her.

“You can tell you’ve never used a sword properly,” she mocked.

“Let me go!”

“I’m afraid not, it’s time to end this.”

The pair vanished and reappeared in a cemetery full of fresh graves. New clean gravestones were all around.

“Where the hell did you take me?” demanded Aleya.

“This is just outside your village,” replied The Ice Queen in her usual mocking tone.

“We don’t have a place like this.”

She smiled, “You didn’t until I made it to bury all the people of your village in.”

“No…” she whispered.

“Yes, here is buried all the people you condemned to death for their lack of love to you. Unfortunately… your condemnation showed your own lack of love and selfishness. So you are going to join them, although you won’t get the privilege of a burial.”

The girl began to struggle, “No, I won’t let you.”

“You can’t stop me.”

The immortal picked Aleya up effortlessly and threw her against the wall of the cemetery. The wall cracked under the force, some stones falling on top of Aleya. The girl slumped to the floor under the weight of the stone, the sword falling from her gasp. Her breathing came in gasps as she struggled to get her breath back and free herself.

“Now you’re going to find out why no one can touch me,” said the woman crouching down before her. Her bare hand reached out and took hold of Aleya by the neck, lifting her up over the woman’s head.

Aleya screamed.

--

He was cold and wet. His body shivered as he slowly opened his eyes to his mistress’ face who was smiling at him.

“Glad you could make it,” she said in her usual semi-sarcastic tone before a flash of lightning caused her to wince slightly. There was an uncharacteristic tremble in her body as she knelt down next to him.

“Good to be back,” he said while sitting up, “Where are Caliga and Lumen?”

The immortal looked at him strangely, “How did you know they were here?”

“Uh… well I saw Caliga just before I fell so I assumed Lumen must have been here too…”

She smiled, much to his relief, “Yes, they were here but they’ve gone now.”

“Oh… ok.”

Another rumble and flash caused her smile to falter for a second.

“Are you alright?” asked the man.

The Ice Queen looked away as she sat back down next to him, “I’m fine, why do you ask?”

“Because you’re clearly not. You look terrible,” he said shuffling up next to her.

“Why thank you,” she said with as much sarcasm as she could muster which was surprisingly little for her.

Treat her like the woman she desperately wants to be.

“Alright then,” he muttered to himself before taking a deep breath. Putting his arms around her, he pulled the Ice Queen into an embrace. He felt himself growing colder by the second but he ignored it.

“Wha… What are you doing?” asked his mistress in horror, her whole body going stiff.

“You don’t have to hide. I’m here for you,” he said quietly into her ear.

“What are you talking about?” she said with panic and confusion evident in her voice.

“You’re scared,” he said kindly, “You don’t have to hide it in shame.”

“I’m not scared of anything,” insisted the woman as she began to squirm slightly.

“Liar, you flinch every time there is a rumble of thunder or a flash of lightning.”

The Ice Queen sighed and stopped struggling, “I’m so embarrassed.”

The man chuckled, “Because you’re not the unfeeling monster you keep trying to make yourself out to be?”

She sniffed, “No, it’s because I panicked for no good reason because you hugged me first.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

The woman put her arms around him and returned the hug, “I forgive you and thank you.”

“For what?”

“For trying to comfort me.”

“So now what?” he asked after an hour of silence where they just held each other with the occasional flinch from The Ice Queen when lightning struck before the storm finally blew itself out.

“I’m tired, I think I’ll go to sleep,” she said yawning, “Let’s go home.”

“Sounds good to me,” replied the storyteller before they both vanished. It was strange but for some reason, he really did feel like he was going home.

--

It was cold, so cold. Her eyes would not open, her limbs would not move, her mouth would not speak.

Am I dead?

Surely there was more to this afterlife if she was dead? Can death be only to be damned to eternal stillness? Unmoving, unseeing, unfeeling, unspeaking and so cold… so very very cold.

What have I done to deserve this… this nothingness?

She knew the answer: her sin. It stained her hands red but now she was damned to never see her hands again. That man had died because of her rage. They had told her that she would be alright. That what she had done was the right thing. They were wrong. No, they were not wrong, it was worse. They lied to her. How long had the people she had loved lied to her? Told them they cared about her?

I died because of them… I suffer because of them… Why should I be damned for them?

Cold bitter tears ran down her frozen cheeks, the first she had cried since everything she had known had abandoned her. At that time the pain had been too much, too close. Now the emptiness had subsided and made room for all the emotions she had expected to feel: grief, loneliness, pain, agony, despair, anger, hatred, denial, bitterness, rage, sorrow, misery. Her cheeks became drenched as the torrent continued.

It’s not fair.

What had she done in this life to deserve this? She had lived her life as best she could. No one in need had gone un-helped if she had seen them. Her entire life had been spent in the service of others. The reward? Abandonment, absolute rejection even by those who were closest to her. They did not even look at her when they gave her away to that white haired monster to die. Every single one of them turned away, even her own mother who she had loved with all her heart, one of the few that truly understood her… or perhaps, after what happened, she never really did and it was just another lie.

They had not lived long enough to dwell on their fortune of surviving by leaving one of their own to die. She had made sure to that.

Her heart screamed.

That was why she was damned. She had killed them all… even the little children who could not have known any better.

What have I done…? I killed them all. All the ones I loved and cared for. Naro at the market, James, Sara, Alin, Kai, Lain and little Ana, sweet innocent little Ana, Miriam her mother, Jamie my best friend and my own mother. They all died because of me. I killed the only people I loved…

She screamed and with that… Aleya knew she lived.

--

The world swam into focus as the girl’s eyes blinked open. As her sight returned so did her awareness. She clutched at her head as sudden pain lanced through her skull almost making her cry out. It hurt so much. It was like someone had shoved razor sharp blocks of ice into her brain.

Her eyes focussed on her hands. Aleya gasped.

“What’s happened to me?”

The girl checked everywhere she could see in the clothes and armour she was wearing. It was the same everywhere. Her skin, tanned from the summer heat, had become almost white.

In a panic she pulled some of her long red hair in front of her face. “Don’t let me have turned into her,” the girl pleaded to herself. Her hair was still red. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Her body was still so cold. How had she survived? She should be dead but she was not. Instead she had… changed. What had she become?

A yelp of surprise snapped her out of her thoughts.

The world around her finally came into view. She sat, raised up, in a red brick room with no windows. Firelight flickered wildly casting confusing shadows on the wall but she could see no fire. Stone steps led up and out of the room. Cowering on the steps was an old man dressed in black clothing. He pointed at her in terror.

“How? How? How can you be…?” he gibbered.

Aleya looked down. Panic welled up in her once again. She knew where the firelight was coming from now. It was the pyre she was sitting on.

How was this possible? How could she have been so lost in thought that she had not even noticed the inferno raging about her?

She could not feel anything. The wood she sat on was there, the fire was there. Her hands stroked the wood, it felt like wood. She placed a white hand in the fire. There was nothing. The flame wreathed her hand but she did not feel anything. Her hand did not even redden in the slightest. It remained as pale as ever. Why did her clothes remain undamaged?

Swinging her legs around, she sat on the edge of the pyre and looked at the man.

“What is this?”

“A… a fu-funeral pyre,” he stammered.

“Why the hell am I on a funeral pyre?” she asked angrily.

“Well… you’re… dead.”

“I’m not dead. How couldn’t you tell?”

“You were in a coffin. I didn’t see you.”

The girl pushed herself off the burning pile of wood and began to walk towards the old man. The man quailed further up the steps.

“Who gave you the coffin?” she asked stopping in front of the man while looming over him.

“Some man all in black. Told me to burn it and give him the ashes the next day. Gave me a tidy sum too,” said the man clearly cooperating in the hope of escaping rather than in the interest of helping some girl he had almost burned alive.

Aleya stood up straight, her hand instinctively going to her hip and pulling out a dagger she had not even known was there.

The old man’s eyes went big with fear as he stared at his reflection in the shiny silver blade.

“Wh-what are you going to do with that?”

“No one can know I’m alive and the man in black expects one body.”

The man began to back hurriedly up the stairs on his hands and knees, “No!”

His throat was cut before he could even make it another two steps. A few moments later, his body was burning on the funeral pyre. No one saw the girl leave and no one could ever figure out what happened to the old undertaker who burned bodies in an old brick outhouse behind his home.

--

Aleya fell to her knees before a small stream. She stared in horror at the stranger reflected before her. It looked like her but it could not be her. Her face was so white, like some sort of ghost’s. Is that what she was now? Some vengeful spirit? It would explain why fire could no longer harm her.

A sharp object jabbed gently into her side. She made to stand up but a harder jab made her reconsider.

“That’s right dear. Don’t move and everything will be fine,” said a man’s voice behind her.

“Just leave me alone,” she growled angrily.

“You’re in no position to be making demands. Just give us your pack and any money you have and we’ll be on our way. No one needs to get hurt today.”

“I don’t have a pack you moron.”

The blade jabbed into her side again. It was beginning to irritate her.

“What the hell are you talking about? There’s one on your back!” said the man angrily.

“Really?”

“Are you stupid or something?”

Her fists clenched, the metal of her gauntlet creaking under the strain. “No. Just go. Now,” she said with clenched teeth, that painful terrible rage was burning in her heart again.

The man sighed, “I don’t think so. Just give us everything you have.”

“No.”

“I’d rather not hurt you.”

“You can’t hurt me.”

He laughed, “I wish I had that sort of faith.”

A knife appeared in Aleya’s hand, “It’s not faith,” she said while suddenly twisting around to stand up, “It’s knowledge.”

Her assailant tried to stab into her side but the knife could not penetrate her clothing. The girl’s knife flashed once and the man fell over clutching at his neck, bright red blood gushing out from between his fingers.

“John!” shouted another man holding a rifle.

Aleya wiped the knife on the man’s clothing before sheathing it once again. She drew the sword, feeling reassurance from its weight.

“Leave,” she said simply, trying to control the anger inside her.

“You sick freak! You killed him!” shouted the man raising his rifle.

The red haired girl charged. The other man fired. Aleya let out a cry of pain as a bullet nicked her left forearm. The man died with her sword opening him up from shoulder to the bottom of his chest.

She staggered back looking at her own blood marking her white skin with a trail of red. Already the bleeding was beginning to subside. She had always been a fast healer.

If she bled then she was not a ghost.

So what am I?

--

She stared at the black coloured pack before her. It was astounding she had not noticed it on her back but maybe she was just so disorientated that she had not noticed. Curiosity burned in her but she just kept staring at it.

After twenty minutes of staring she finally built up the will to open it. Opening it cautiously, like she was expecting it to explode, she peered inside.

There was a black hat which she pulled out and put on. Some black cloths, a sharpening stone, a water skin, rations, blankets and a sheet of paper. She pulled out the sheet of paper and held it up to the campfire so she could see the writing on it. Her eyes narrowed when she saw who had written it.

To my Little Princess,

If you are reading this then clearly you somehow survived. How good for you! I think you’re probably the first person ever to do it. You’re so special which is what I want my Little Princess to be!

You probably want to find me don’t you? Well there is a way… find my Herald: The Deceiver of Men. If you can convince him to tell you where I am then you can find me. There really is no other way so don’t bother trying to cheat. You don’t get to see me, my precious Little Princess, if you don’t follow the rules.

Hope to see you soon!

Your loving Ice Queen.

Angrily crumpling up the letter, she tossed it into the fire.

“Who the hell does she think she is?” she muttered angrily to herself.

Unfortunately, the letter was right. Aleya did want to find her and force her to give back everything she had taken from her. It galled her to have to do it like The Ice Queen said but it was the only way she could think of.

Lying down on the blankets to sleep, she made her vow: she would find The Ice Queen no matter what and she would take her life back.

Tomorrow she would start hunting the man in black.

--

Everything faded back into black.

“So that’s how it was.”

Aleya nodded, “Yes, now you know who I was.”

Marrick shook his head, “You’re still that person. You just need to get past everything that’s happened to you.”

Aleya smiled and squeezed his hand, “I wish I could share your faith in me.”

“I know what I see.”

“That’s nice,” said an angry arrogant voice, “Now that you’ve finished making a mockery of this trial. I will pronounce your judgement.”

“Whatever,” replied the girl dismissively, “I’ve already told you what I think.”

The King’s face twitched in barely controlled rage, “Yes, you’ve been rather vocal about that…

“Nevertheless, you have failed this trial. Normally we would have you executed to remove your evil from this world but… my people disagree. You are to be… released instead.”

“But you still won’t help her, will you?” asked Marrick angrily.

“No.”

“So this was a waste of time then?” shouted the boy, “What the hell was the point? You get your laughs from torturing someone’s mind then you tell them to leave? So much for a wise and superior race. You make me sick.”

“Not all of us think like that,” said a familiar young female voice.

“You…” he said in surprise.

“Ílima!” bawled the King, “How dare you intrude on this trial… wait, now I understand. It was you that let this boy in wasn’t it?”

The girl sighed, “Yes, father it was me. I knew you would never understand her but I hoped that Marrick would at least make you consider that Aleya is not actually truly evil, just misguided.”

“How could you break so many laws so casually?”

“Because they are unjust.”

The old spirit growled, “Manifest yourself this instant!”

“But they’ll see me,” replied Ílima in shock.

“It matters not. You’ve already revealed your presence to them.”

The voice sighed, “Very well, father.”

One instant there was nothing. The next instant a girl appeared. She was short, a few inches shorter than Aleya, bony and very young looking, about thirteen or fourteen. She wore nothing except a very plain white sundress, reaching down to just above her knees, with broad shoulder straps just like something a little girl would wear. Her long forest green hair contrasted strangely with her large dark violet coloured eyes. She had long ears just like her father. Her pale long fingered hands were clasped to her breast before her.

She smiled nervously at Aleya and Marrick before giving a little bow, “Hi, I’m Princess Ílima.”

“You needn’t bow for the likes of them.”

Ílima glared at her father for a split second before returning to her nervous look, “I don’t consider myself superior to people as gifted as them.”

“Thank you, Ílima,” said Aleya.

The young spirit looked confused, “For what?”

“For letting Marrick help me.”

She blushed, “Oh that,” she waved before returning to clasping her hands in front of her, “It was nothing, really.”

“You saved her life, thank you.” said Marrick.

The girl turned around trying to hide her face. “Please, it really was nothing. I was just doing what I thought was right,” she said quietly

The King coughed, “If you’re finished. I would like you two to leave. I’m sure Ílima can show you the way.”

She turned around again looking horrified, “You’re not going to help them?”

“Of course not.”

“How could you!?”

He shook his head, “Because she has been judged evil. We do not help evil people.”

“I told you she’s not evil!” said the girl bouncing up and down on her toes, her hands still clasped to her chest.

“The people have spoken, Ílima. Stop your insolence. You’ve done enough today.”

“No.”

“No…?”

“If you won’t help them then I will,” she said trying her best to look determined.

“You wouldn’t dare,” said the King taken aback.

The girl nodded, “Mmmhmm, I’m going to help them with or without your blessing.”

“Why?” asked the other three people in unison.

“Because I think you will rid the world of evil like the Deceiver of Men,” looking and smiling warmly at Aleya, “All you need is guidance.”

“Nonsense!”

“It’s true, father! I wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t. So I’m leaving with Aleya and Marrick. I’m sorry.”

The man sighed, “Not as sorry as I am. You know you’re breaking laws that even I cannot ignore for your benefit.”

She bowed her head, “I know,” she said quietly, “I will accept the punishment. Whatever you deem fit.”

The King walked over to the Princess and laid a pale hand on her head, “Ílima daughter of Emeon,” he said formally, “I place a geas upon you as is the punishment for associating with mortals. While you travel with them you must remain manifested and you may not fly. Do you understand?”

“Yes, father.”

“Now go my daughter,” he said quietly, his voice showing some emotion apart from anger or arrogance, “Please come back to me safely.”

The girl threw her hands around her father much to his embarrassment, “I promise Father. I love you.”

The old spirit smiled and returned the hug, “I love you too. Now go and take those two with you.”

Ílima looked at Aleya and Marrick, “Follow me.”

The King began to fade out of existence as the three of them left the cavern.

“Goodbye my daughter,” he said quietly as he returned to his natural form, “You have no idea how proud you have made me today. I just hope you don’t end up too hurt by what is to come for those people.” With one last sad sigh, the King returned to his people while his daughter, the Princess, led the mortals out of his kingdom and back into the forest.

He prayed that he would be wrong.

--

“Jade?” said Marrick, gently shaking the sleeping girl.

“Huh? What?”

“It’s me, Marrick,” he said quietly.

Jade smiled blearily, “You’re back. Are you all alright?”

He nodded, “Yeah, we got back just fine. We have someone we’d like you to meet.”

The girl sat up and brushed her chestnut hair from her face. Rubbing her eyes she looked around the campsite she had set up but all she could see was Aleya, Marrick, their packs and the campfire.

“I don’t see her.”

Aleya shook her head and smiled, “She’s hiding behind me, for some reason.”

Reluctantly Ílima stepped out from behind Aleya.

“Hi, Jade,” she said sheepishly.

“Ílima?”

The girl nodded.

“You two know each other?” asked Marrick in surprise.

“Well… she helped me after I tripped and fell. I hurt myself but thanks to her I feel great now!” she said smiling nervously.

The boy looked at her quizzically, “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Jade stood up and began to pull her boots on, “Positive,” she replied not looking at him.

“Oh… okay.”

The young spirit blushed as Jade walked over to her and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you, for helping me, Ílima. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I’m sorry I was a burden on you.”

“You’re not a burden on anyone,” she replied, nervously returning the hug.

“So what happened while you were all gone?” asked Jade once they were all sitting around the fire.

Aleya was sitting with her knees tucked under her chin across from Marrick and Jade who were sitting together, Jade resting her head on his shoulder while he had her arm around her. Ílima was lying flat on her back to the side of them looking up at the night sky through canopy of the Great Forest.

“It’s a long story,” said Aleya with a sigh, “After going through three trials, I was judged unworthy but Ílima here defied her father the King and decided to come with us to lend us her aid and ‘guidance’.”

“That wasn’t a very long story.”

“Well… I didn’t tell you what happened during the trials.”

The girl shook her head, “I don’t want to know. I can see by the look on your face that it was something important and hard… but you look like you’re alright now. You don’t need to burden yourself with telling your tale,” she paused, “Unless you want to.”

Aleya shook her head, “Maybe someday but not today. Today has been enough… Thank you, Jade.”

“Why are you thanking me for what I said? I sound so selfish…”

“Maybe but I know that’s not your intention.” Marrick yawned. “I think it’s time to sleep,” said Aleya looking at the boy. “Goodnight everyone.”

--

Marrick stared up at the night sky wishing he could sleep. So much had happened today, his mind was racing and it would not calm down. He was worried about Aleya but on top of that he was worried about Jade too. Something had happened to her but she would not tell him what it was. He had an idea, though.

He sighed. This was just so difficult for him. He was one person, how could he possibly help both of them to the best of his ability? It was not fair but he felt that soon he would have to make a choice between Aleya and Jade. He really did not know what he was going to decide. Both of them desperately needed help, either of them being left alone could be disastrous….

“Damn it,” he muttered quietly to himself.

“Can’t sleep?”

The boy looked down at the girl who was cuddling up to him. Her green eyes, full of concern, looked up from his chest into his deep blue eyes.

“My mind’s just too full at the moment. Did I wake you?”

She shook her head, “No, I can’t sleep either. I was just trying to rest when I heard you speak, thought you might like some company.”

“You don’t need to do that if you don’t want to. You can rest some more,” he said while stroking her hair, “I’ll be fine.”

“What I would like to do is maybe something that will help us sleep…” she said leaning up to kiss him passionately on the mouth.

“But Aleya is here and Ílima!”

“No they’re not.”

“What!?” said Marrick sitting bolt upright dislodging Jade much to her displeasure.

“Don’t worry. They’ll be back… just probably not for a while.”

He looked around, “How can you be sure?”

Jade sighed, “Because Aleya left her pack and I doubt Ílima has just decided to leave all of a sudden. Also I seriously doubt anything in this forest could harm Aleya or Ílima.”

“I guess…”

Her arms slipped around him and drew him back down next to her, “So how about it then?”

The boy smiled and shook his head, “I guess you’ve thought of everything? Of course, I will. It’s been too long.”

They kissed.

“Yes, too long,” said Jade.

--

Aleya sat on a tree branch staring at the stars in the sky and the top of the forest stretching out before her. She always liked to climb trees and sit like this. It had been far too long since she had last had the opportunity. Her trial had reminded her how much she missed doing things like this. Perhaps the pain of reliving it had been worth it.

She looked at her hands, her skin almost glowing in the moonlight. It had been strange to see her younger self. Her body had been like this for so long now that she had forgotten what she used to look like. It made her more determined than ever to find The Ice Queen and get her life back and whatever else she took from her when she touched her.

“Something on your mind?” asked Ílima suddenly swinging down in front of Aleya from the branch above her. Her legs gripped onto the wood leaving her hanging upside down before the startled girl. Her green hair hung down almost touching Aleya’s outstretched legs. Bizarrely, she still clasped her hands to her breast.

“Dear gods, I was ready to put a knife through you.”

The young spirit smiled, “Wouldn’t have worked. I am surprised though… I got the impression no one could sneak up on you.”

“I had something on my mind,” she muttered.

“I do kind of have an advantage of being insubstantial when I want to. Cuts down on noise,” she said with a giggle.

“I guess.”

“Can’t sleep then?”

“Do you think I could sleep considering what happened today?”

She sighed, “I guess not. So would you like to talk then?”

Aleya shrugged, “If you want.”

“I’m really surprised you don’t want to know anything about me. I just appeared out of nowhere, almost literally, then join you and you accept me with no questions… why?”

“I figured that I really couldn’t stop you.”

The girl looked surprisingly hurt by her response, “Is that all?”

“No… you just seem like a very good person, like Marrick,” she said with a sigh, “I don’t think you’re someone not to be trusted. If anything I think you can help as much as you say you can.”

Ílima beamed, “Thank you so much. I’m so happy you think I’m a good person.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So do you want to ask me any questions?”

“Alright… why doesn’t your dress fall down over your head?”

“Excuse me?” said the girl, her puzzlement plainly written on her face.

“You’re hanging upside down. Your hair is hanging down over you head. Your dress is really loose so why hasn’t it fallen down?”

“Oh…well I have control over the properties of my clothing since it’s not made from my essence. I make it from the essence around me so I can change its properties. I just stiffened the material so it wouldn’t fall.”

“Alright then… do you wear anything underneath that dress?”

Her face went scarlet, “Why are you asking things like that!?”

“Because I’m finding it funny confusing and embarrassing you,” she said her face devoid of expression. “Now answer the question.”

“Erm… well… yes… of course.”

“Good, so if you fall over then I won’t have to worry about Marrick’s eyes popping out of their sockets quite as much.”

She held her hands up to her face in horror, “How could you say that about him?”

Aleya laughed, “I’m kidding, mostly. He’s not that bad for someone his age. Besides he’s got Jade to keep his eyes only on her.”

“I really don’t understand your humour…”

The red haired girl did her best to pat the green haired girl on the head, “Don’t worry. You’re innocent. It’s really a great thing to be.”

She sighed, “I can’t tell if you’re making fun of me or you’re being serious.”

Aleya smiled, “If I was being serious then I would not be as kind.” She looked at the moon and sighed, “I don’t think I’ll be sleeping at all tonight… how about you?”

“I don’t sleep.”

“Alright then, tell me about you.”

“Like what?”

“Things like where you come from, what you used to do, how old you are, your parents, any funny stories you can think of.”

“That could take a long time…” she said thoughtfully.

The girl made herself more comfortable on the branch, leaning back to rest her head on the trunk of the tree with her arms between her head and the tree, “Well we’ve got until morning.”

Ílima cocked her head to the side and smiled warmly, “Alright then, I’ll start from the beginning…”

--

The four travellers stood at the edge of the forest looking at the green country before them stretching into the distance.

“So what do we do now?” asked Jade, leaning on Marrick.

Aleya sighed, “I really don’t know,” she turned to look at Ílima who was hanging back from the rest of the group, “How about you Ílima? You said you wanted to ‘guide me’.”

The Forest Spirit grinned while stepping forward, “We should go south. There is another kingdom of Forest Spirits in a tropical forest there. They might help us.”

“Sounds better than any ideas I had,” Marrick interjected.

“I guess we head south then,” said Aleya looking to the south. “Come on,” she said looking back at the group.

Together the three girls and the boy began their trek to the south and the tropical forest that the Forest Spirits were said to dwell in.

Looking around at the people with her, Aleya could not help but smile. The reopened wounds in her still hurt but not as much as she expected. When she had first started this journey, she thought she would always be alone. She had actively enforced that belief but Marrick had seen straight through her, much to her surprise and initial anger. Now she was so thankful for it. She had friends now, something she did not think she deserved or would ever get.

She sighed, she just wished she could shake the feeling that she was going to lose it all again. The memory of being abandoned still burned brightly in her and it was so easy for history to repeat itself. Especially with someone as cursed as she was. Everyone she loved eventually left her. It had been the story of her entire life.

Maybe this time it would be different. She was a different person from those times, stronger and more determined. The next time it happened she would fight, no more surrendering, no more running away.

She looked at her hands. Enough mistakes had been made. It was time to fix them and atone for what she had done. She did not want any more innocent blood on her hands. That was all part of her flight from her heart. It had cost her too many friends…

Wiping a tear from here eye, she looked up at the clear blue sky. “Mother… Ana… Jamie, Naro, James, Sara, Alin, Kai, Lain, Miriam… Father… please forgive me for breaking my promise.”