Author note: Hey! For once I own everything man, this is cool! ^-^ Well, I just thought I'd write a fantasy story about girl's going on an adventure that usually only knights do, you know? Well it's in like the mid-evil times (in a different world though) where dragons and fairies are there and black magic and everything like that, so ^_~ don't forget to review!

Vince: Read
Vale: and
Fantasy Girl: Review

Tomoe/Thor: ...TA DA!

Fantasy Girl: ...this is mostly my story...so enjoy!

THE JOURNEY
CHAP. 1
BY:
Vince, Vale, Fantasy Girl (Saturn Angels)

Once upon a time in a land known only as Zantacia there lived twelve women. They were ordinary women of course; held their tongue when they were meant to be quiet, never disobeyed orders from higher ranked adults, never made crude comments. Yes, in fact they were more normal then others in that world, at least on the outside they seemed to be normal; no one would have guessed the adventures, which were in store for their future.

Vincentia and Valencia were both sisters and were of the Kudu Tribe; they were trained to be agile and levelheaded. The Kudu Tribe was a band of people who had lost their homes in a war or from the attacks of wild beasts, such as dragons; they lived high in the mountains and were rarely seen around people who were not from their tribe. Vincentia and Valencia had lost their family in a battle between Maishii and Taishii, the biggest cities in all of Zantacia.

Althea was a favored healer of King Theodoric and best friends to Solveig. It was indeed strange that they were best friends on account that Althea was a healer and Solveig practiced black magic. Althea practiced healing, and casting spells such as protect, which would keep an object or person safe for all eternity; this spell was usually cast on royalty or those of noble blood to ensure them safety. She trained each day to become a better healer.

Solveig was a thief and could not be trusted. She was learning to become a sorceress with the help of Ambrose. Ambrose was a sorcerer whose only desire was to destroy the world's peace by corrupting the major cities of Zantacia one by one. No one knew why Solveig really served him, after all in her childhood she was a friend with Althea, they were both very nice. Solveig never showed any hints of evil, or corruptness. They say that before she started her training as a Sorceress, or Black Mages as they called them...she had her heart set on being an explorer and only wanted to travel around the world, that all changed when she met Ambrose and first learned of evil. Most say she joined him for the new found greed that lurked within her, the greed for power.

Marina and Naida were close friends and both spent all their time at the coast of Dajin a small town with a small population of seventy. They spent their time at the ocean. Marina played a flute and Naida a harp, together all day they would play beautiful music, made from the heart, neither thought of the notes they were playing but only concentrated on the good side of things while they play, people would come from all over Zantacia to hear them play, though both of them never noticed the crowd, all they wanted was to play, and to have fun and peace.

Reva; a servant of King Frederick, was more of a dreamer and sat around in peaceful places instead of working. Reva is of the elfin race which can explain her usually dreamy state. She longs to be at home in the woods, but her love for the royal family of King Frederick makes her unable to leave them.

Almira was Princess of Taishii, daughter of King Theodoric. Almira was renowned around the world for her natural beauty and kindness she was honored and glorified all throughout Zantacia.

Sarah was Princess of Maishii, daughter of King Frederick. Her brother was Prince Archibald and the two never got along well for the fact that Sarah was hardly ever able to hold her tongue, and spoke her mind freely and frequently.

Marcella and Carelia would often try and pose as men to go off somewhere and hunt dragons. They loved war though since being as they were, women, they could never go and fight a battle even though they did have the skill to better any of the men there.

Hermia was a messenger who was chosen throughout Zantacia to deliver the utmost important messages to royalty, so she would see many magnificent things while in her many destinations, and meet many people. She is quick to temper, yet most of the time has a calm demeanor. This is where our story begins...

*****

Hermia walked quietly through the castle gates in search of Princess Almira, she was sent by King Frederick to deliver a message for her eyes only. The azure evening dress that she wore swept gently along the marble floors disturbing the silence the slightest bit. Her jade eyes glanced about her as she passed the Chamber of Pictures, which was a long hallway with images of the former rulers; the Castle of Taishii was the only palace that had one. After a long trip she made it to the throne room in which the king and his daughter were seated elegantly in their rightful thrones. The queen had died years before when the princess was only a small child leaving the father, or rather the servants to care for her, and Princess Tifarah had left with her mother.

Hermia bowed close to the ground when she was close to the thrones, "Your Majesty, I bring an important message from Lord Frederick"

King Frederick and King Theodoric still didn't get along too well considering that their two cities had raged war only scant months ago. They had agreed to arrange Prince Archibald, King Frederick's son, to marry Princess Almira to create peace between the two lands.

"You may rise," he motioned for Hermia to stand and present the message, "What is the message you bring?"

Hermia stood tall and asked her question as politely as possible, "The message I bring is for Princess Almira. May I have acquiescence to speak to her privately?"

The king was silent for a moment before nodding, "You have my permission"

Hermia bowed slightly, "I thank you" She left the throne room, Almira following her.

Once they were outside in the castle gardens among assorted varieties of flowers each different colors with no one to hear them; besides of course the birds, but they wouldn't tell anyone the secrets they'd heard now would they? The smell of lilacs, freesias, roses, and more drifted past the two slowly allowing them to sense their heavenly scent.

"What is the message?" Almira asked serenely.

Hermia curtsied and brought out a long pallid envelope, "Lord Frederick asked me to deliver this, and I know not what it contains"

Almira took the envelope with great care, "Is it addressed to me?"

Hermia nodded, "Yes, I believe so"

Almira nodded as well, "I thought as much" She proceeded in opening the letter it read as follows:

Princess Almira,

Hopefully this letter got to you, I trust you've met my messenger. A spirited girl if I may say so myself. How are you and your father? This message is mainly about the wedding between you and my son; he looks forward to it with great eagerness. The wedding draws near, and the peace of the people of Zantacia with it! Tell your father that it was a wise choice, I'm sure once you meet Archibald you will love him, as much as I. Until then we will be making preparations for the wedding.

Best of Wishes,
King Theodoric

P.S. There are rumors that people are trying to stop the wedding. Be careful.

After Almira read the letter she placed it back into the envelope and handed it to Hermia (you see in Zantacia one was to read the message and give it back to the messenger for them to burn in case of it falling into the wrong hands whether it be important or unimportant) "Thank you for bringing the message"

Hermia only nodded, "It was no problem, I do my job, and I do it well"

Almira smiled briefly, "Have you met Prince Archibald?"

Hermia shook her head in means of saying no, "No. I have not, I hear he has studied to become healer, and that he is handsome and generous. I have not actually seen him Your Highness"

Almira took a deep breath and sighed, "...It's strange..." She looked around her at all the different flowers of many sorts and many colors.

"What is strange, Your Majesty if you do not mind me asking?" Hermia said silently.

"...Getting married to someone you don't even know. Isn't marriage to be to whom you love?" Almira asked as she turned her attention back to Hermia.

Hermia looked down at the green grass that spread carpet-like around them, "It usually is not. It never has been, and never will be. In this country princess, people only marry to preserve the peace, and to create an heir to the throne. Love? I see, nor feel that there is any love in this country, the only thing that is important to the rulers is that the proclamation of peace is ongoing, which the state of peace at this very moment is teetering on two people," Hermia smiled sadly, "Forgive me princess, I may have been the first to tell you the truth that fairy-tale romances will never happen, but I assure you I will not be the last. Come. Let us return to your father, he may feel that something is wrong lest we stay here any longer" Before Almira could say anything Hermia began to make her way back to the throne room.

* * * * *

Hermia knelt before the king once more as Almira made her way back to her seat; she waited patiently to be dismissed.

The king waved his hand, "You are dismissed Messenger you've finished what you came to do, you may leave"

Hermia stood up and nodded once to signify her gratitude and turned around and left the room as slowly as she had come.

The princess watched as the azure color of the messenger girl's dress disappeared out of view behind a wall. Her emerald eyes gazed at the door for a long while wondering if what the girl had said was true. If so, what was the point of living? She wistfully twirled a long strand of her midnight hair between her index finger and thumb. What was she to do now? Just go on, and play the role as everyone was expecting? They expected her to just be a puppet in this little 'masquerade'? That was all there was to do...she soon realized that was exactly what she was; being royalty it meant that there were expectations that needed to be filled, she was a marionette: a doll with no life of it's own, everything was decided by the puppeteer who controlled every move as long as the strings were bound to her. She would await the day...the day that the strings would be cut, and the people would have no power over her. All there was to do...was wait, and for now...play her role as heir to the throne of Taishii...

~*~*~*~*~
To be continued...