Alice's POV

Any normal day, I would be reading a book out in the open. Or perhaps playing my violin for the children at the orphanage. So how is it that I'm currently located in a horse riding next to Peter Kresten, the heir to the kingdom of Anglentia, heading toward the Capitol?

I guess it would be a bit confusing for those of you that don't understand where I live. I believe an explanation would be in order.

There are five countries. They are located on each of the four corners of the map. The fifth, being the outlier, is in the center of the four, known as Anglentia. The most northern country is Ordon, which specializes in fishing and lumber mostly, but they have their moments. Lucurium, the country to the south, is focused more on agriculture and trade. The country to the east, Austral is the mining country, and the most technology advanced, with its finds of drills and tools. The West Country, Elluel, the ancient lands where people live with the more mythical creatures in harmony and such. And finally, Anglentia, the country that supports the other four, also the one that thrives through trade and is the crossroads to all the other countries.

I lived in a small secluded town near the borders of Elluel and Ordon. We and another town just next door lived in peace. News of anything rarely reaches us. That was fine with me though. I mean there was probably a chance of me heading to the Capitol, but I was content with always living in Arcini. It was surrounded by forest mostly, but there was always a large trail just outside of the town. When I mean outside of town, I mean a good three miles out, with 30 feet trees blocking any civilization in sight. Rarely any travelers visit, unless they have business in town. Mostly head over to Olvini, the town next to us, where it's more populated and more opportunities are present.

And that's where I was, when this whole adventure started. But I shouldn't say it was me, since nobody knew it was me, besides the few that I've revealed it to.

Over there, I'm known as Black. Black Vine. I'm not sure who came up with the name, but it seemed to stick, so who knows? Of course, the name sounds creepy, but what I do isn't all that bad. Actually quite the opposite, I work miscellaneous jobs, volunteer, play some music and attend the archery competitions there. I always wear a mask, and the details are made by vines. That and my choice of black clothing lead to my nickname. Wonderful.

The only people that know I do this are Elliot and Anna. You're probably thinking that there's a million and one Elliots and Annas out there. It might be true but to me, Elliot and Anna are more to me than anyone else in the world. I love them.

Anna, a woman in her 50's, runs the orphanage where I live. Yeah, I have no parents. I'm not sure if I care or not, the only thing linking my parents to my current life is a white folder that I have to wait until I'm 16 to open and a necklace that I later discovered to be a portal to an empty space. (I'll explain later.) When I was younger, I was ready to burn the folder. If they didn't care about me now, why should they care about me when I'm 16? Anyways, Anna's a sweet lady, brown hair turning grey, five foot four height, and very active; she took me in when I was six. Can't remember anything before that. I owe my life to her. Plus, her cookies are just to die for!

Elliot, more of a brother than a friend, is a 24-year-old who came to live with us a year after I came to the orphanage. He tall, thin, blonde, and looks like he could take on anyone at any time, except when he's in an apron, of course. I took a liking to him immediately. I'm not sure; it just felt like I knew him a long time ago. I'm not sure now, and I can't remember anything past six.

Our life was quiet, peaceful, and fun. But that ended during the current autumn. I'm finally 15.

"You look tired today," Lily commented, concerned.

"You always say that! I'm fine," I answered," it's not like I'm running myself on coffee." We were going home from Olvini; I had my violin and my purse, with the hood to my cape up as always. I met Lily a few years back, saved her from some snakes actually. She's been with me ever since.

"Buuuuuut..." She drawled out.

"No buts. I'm fine, Lil," I responded, she landed on my head, looking at the horizon, where a dying sunset was located, "Do you think you'll leave here someday?" Lily asked me.

I rolled my eyes, "You know you don't have to stay with me. You might be summoned any day." Lily flew around my head, stopped and hovered in front of my face, "Don't remind me," she said with such a serious face we started laughing. There was a sharp crack! heard a few moments later, acting on reflex I summoned a quiver of arrows and a bow from my necklace when I finally realized a fire was going about fifty yards in front of me and a soldiers was ready to jump me.

"Lily, get down," I whispered, aiming an arrow to the man in front of me. She dove for the open pocket in my purse as I put my violin case down.

"Calm little girl," the knight said in front of me, raising his hands in surrender, trying to swallow down a chuckle.

I narrowed my eyes and let the arrow fly. It nicked the knight on the cheek, but flew toward my true target. A huge spider, the size of a bear, now dead, was crawling on the side of the tree. These campers happened to walk right into a spider's lair. Before the knight could even blink, I'd already notched another arrow and shot another spider. How stupid are these people? Definitely not from these parts.

At the end, at least 20 spiders were lying dead. I was left to my last three arrows, breathing heavily, with another arrow notched just in case. Thankfully, I'm a good shot. After another moment I recede my equipment into my necklace and assessed the situation. Besides the spider corpses- ew- four other people were sitting or standing near the fire along with three horses to boot, frozen in shock or assessing the situation. Three of them seem to be the same age as myself, but the forth was a small child. I saw several of the men sizing me up as well, thinking if I was an enemy or something.

"I'm not here to kill someone," I commented quietly breaking the silence. Lily lifted herself out of the pocket and sat on my shoulder, "you could at least introduce yourself."

A black-haired boy dressed like royalty, stood up at walked over. "Peter Kresten. Prince of Anglentia," Peter responded, holding out his hand, "and who might you be?" He questioned.

I was taken aback; I mean come on, a prince? "," I returned the handshake, "Nice to meet you, prince." I felt an arm snake around my neck, "oh come on little girl, you've got to have a name," the soldier grinned.

I gently pushed his arm from my shoulders and walked back to the trail. I picked up my violin before whispering something and headed on my way home.

Peter POV

"Did she just say Es?" I heard Lawrence ask as he sat down, "and what the hell was with all the spiders?" He rubbed his cheek which now had a small cut.

"Who cares? It's not like we're going to see her again," Alex responded, poking the fire.

"I think we are. Did you see how well she shot? Not one miss! That's better than what Luke can shoot!" Lawrence defended.

"Enough, we're traveling through the forest tomorrow. Get some sleep," I responded, tucking my little cousin, Charlie, in. Why did he want to go with me to Elluel in the first place?

The next morning, the group broke camp and headed through the forest, following the river. What they didn't expect to see was the town of Arcini. By the time they got there, it was almost noon when they walked through the town, looking for a tavern to eat lunch in when suddenly a hand yanked me off the horse and the shop nearest us just exploded! I fell to the side when I felt something cover me and everything faded black.

Alice POV

It's almost lunchtime... *yawn*

"I must've not gotten enough sleep last night," I yawned again.

"You think? You're like the walking dead!" Lily commented, carrying a packet of pocky with her. I looked up and saw the small group traveling down the street behind me, and I wasn't the only one looking. But I was the only one noticing something different, the shop I'd just come out of was empty. Someone was planning something.

It was like everything was running in slow-mo. I dropped the groceries before sprinting towards the group, just as I had pulled the person I recognized as the prince, and a small boy, only four years old, the shop exploded. I had enough time to cover the child with my body as the remnants of the shop flew off onto the streets. There was a tugging sensation inside me, like a firefly trying to escape a bottle. Something beside me shifted and everything became dark.

I don't know how much time had passed, but after a while, I began to see light through my closed eyelids. Seconds later, someone shook my shoulder. I groaned and tried lifting myself into a vertical position and felt something wet on the side of my face. I lifted my hand to my face but before I could touch my skin, someone stopped me. I turned and saw Grey shaking his head before I noticed the boy I protected trying to get my attention.

"Wy's peeter sleeping?" the child asked me. I looked around and noticed the prince being lifted by two of the boys in town before getting dizzy. They were probably being carried to the town clinic.

"Peter's just really tired," I answered, patted the little boy's head.

"Will he wake up soon?" The child asked.

I nodded, "Are you hurt?" The boy shook his head, "You protected me." He looked like he was about to cry.

"Tell you what, we'll go to the doctor's and then I'll give you a treat!" I suggested.

"Ok!" the boy said, smiling as Grey helped me up and to the clinic like the others. Once we arrived I gave him a piece of chocolate with mint in the middle. Thankfully, I just had a thin coat of ash and some dirt on the side of my face and a cut from a shard of glass that must've flown off during the explosion. Although my hearing was blown to bits for a good while. After about 15 minutes, I left the clinic with the little boy in my arms when Lily flew right into my face.

"Oh my Queen! What in Queen's name happened to you?!" Lily gasped, turning my face to the side.

"Nothing. Did you get the groceries home?" I asked, picking the boy up.

"Of course!" Lily huffed out, "what kind of fairy would I be if I can't even transport a bag of vegetables! Oh yeah, Elliot said that he'll make lunch today" Lily informed me, "Which means you have to entertain the children." I responded with a nod and turned back to the child, "so what's your name?"

"Charlie," he answered.

"Well Charlie, would you like to come with me until Peter wakes up?" I ask him. He nodded and so I brought him home.

The orphanage was just finished being remodeled just two months beforehand. People ranging from 12 to 4 were present, but there was a lot of us, so since I was the oldest and Elliot had been living here for years, we decided to pitch in and help Anna out. I've been working jobs and earning money since I was 12. Apparently, playing the violin gets a person a lot of money out in Olvini. After a year and a half of savings between me and Elliot, we had enough for renovations and to celebrate with cake and soda, even splurging on the occasional wine for Elliot.

Anna was sitting on the front porch reading a book when I arrived. "Hello Anna! I'm back from the market!"

She looked up and smiled before it vanished without a trace, "My! What happened to you?"

"Accident," I explained quickly.

She shook her head, "you should take care of yourself more! Who knows what lucky fellow will court you!" She winked and continued, "Elliot's inside cooking. The children are having themselves a doozy!" She grinned. "And who is it we have here?" She asked, referring to Charlie.

"This is Charlie. I'm taking care of him for now," I explained. She nodded and continued to read her novel after saying, "nice to meet you dear Charlie."

I opened the door to find a chaotic mess, the pre-teens hanging around, while the little ones running around, probably playing tag. "Hello!" I announced for some people to hear. The teens looked up and had questioning looks about my face since I had a bandage on my cheek. I just signaled that it was an accident and to not worry. The smaller children rushed over to me, saying how fun it was and how I should join them.

I smiled, "Would you like me to play a song?" They nodded frantically. I set Charlie on the piano seat in the living room before bringing my violin case out from my necklace and setting it on the floor. Lily landed on top of Charlie's head.

The jewelry was in the shape of a crescent moon, and surrounding it was a sun. The moon was a milky-white jewel that enabled me to use an alternate dimension as a storage compartment. It was as big as the circle you make when you put your index finger and thumb together.

I set up my violin as the orphans gathered closer. I stood up and tuned my violin, thankful that my hearing was finally returning, "Is there a particular song you would like me to play?" They shook their head. I sighed and lifted my violin, might as well go for something fun and cheerful. I took a deep breath and began playing "Eine kleine Nachtmusik." Shortly after I began, several of the children jumped up and started dancing, or at least we're having fun, even little Charlie was being very entertained with the antics the others were displaying. "Another, another!" They giggled, chanting the word for more fun. I complied and was ready to play when I heard a gasp and the next thing I know, Elliot's face is right in mine, examining the bandage on my face.

"How'd you get this!" Elliot exclaimed, referring to the wound on my face. I sighed, this was probably the only thing bad about Elliot, so overprotective!

"Accident. It's fine Elliot! I had the doctor examine it already!" I explained whacking his hands away as the little children had finally noticed the white bandage on my light skin.

"We'll what kind of accident?" Elliot questioned, and eyebrow raised.

"Um... the explosion kind?" I squeaked out, preparing for the worst. And sure enough, as soon as the words were processed through Elliot's brain, he went on a rampage, scolding me for not staying at the hospital and walking out of the house to probably cool down.

"Wah?! You got into trouble?" Several children asked with fearful eyes. The older people were chiding the younger how I was fine. I sighed and started to play "The Boy Paganini" which is a more complicated piece, but I manage. Halfway through the piece, when I had just gotten to the pizzicato (the motion where u pluck the string instead of using the bow) the front door slammed open, leading to an abrupt stop in my piece and several angry children looking for the cause of the sound with a murderous intent. I swear, if they had it their way, they would've been armed with cookie dough and vegetable swords. Rushed footsteps were heard down the hall as several of us tried to calm the children. Little Charlie was asking to be hold though, so I had to comply before he started crying.

"Um… is Charlie here?" the prince asked, rounding the corner. Oh sorry, Peter, asked. His clothes were slightly dirty and ruffled, and his hair was matted with dirt and ash. He looked and saw him in my arms, "Charlie! Thank God you're ok!" he exclaimed, rushing over. I saw Charlie reach out towards him and I was about to lift him up to hand him to the prince, but apparently Charlie was gripping the hem of my cape pretty tightly.

"… He's not letting go of me," I notified him, after a small tussle with the four-year-old. Peter grinned, "I think you're right!" he chuckled, "I don't think he's ever shown such an interest to someone not part of the family before," he responded. "Peter," he said holding out his hand. I smiled, "You told me," I took his hand. Peter froze and I heard another voice from behind, "Oh, so you're gal from last night!" I heard the guy say, "You're Es right?" it was the guy that I'd cut the night before.

Author's Note:

Hello! :3 I would like to thank everyone for reading the beginning of my first FP. I don't see myself as a very good author, but I wish that this site will help me come out of my shell if just a little. ^_^

Please Read and Review! Constructive criticism is accepted but not favored. I wish to continue this story, but I would like it if others felt the same.

~Lunifix