Chapter 1

The sun’s golden rays curled around the treetops far to the East as Faria stepped onto the doors threshold.  She took in a deep breath of the sharp, winter air and watched as it left her lips in a cloud of vapor.  She felt the cool stone beneath her bare feet as she stepped further into the courtyard.  Rubbing her right arm, she made her way to the parapet and gazed at the empire her husband had created. 

Shoulder length, copper hair whipped around her face as she peered past her slender fingertips to the city below.  The clustered houses reflected the rising sun off the thatched roofs giving the citadel a warm glow.  Women starting their daily chores dotted the streets, shooing eager children and rousing sheep and cattle.  As Faria’s gaze rose, vast expanses of frost covered fields stretched before her.  Far to the left the ocean sparkled like a mirage and she could see the sky above it filled with birds attacking the water’s surface for fish. 

Faria shivered when a breeze ruffled her dress.  Gathering her shawl tighter around her shoulders she turned to go back inside when she heard a fuss from the bushes.  Assuming it was one of the dogs she called out expecting one of the hounds to bound out.  When no response followed, Faria approached the shrub and peered down.  She gasped as she beheld a baby through the gnarled rhododendrons. 

Curious green eyes stared back at Faria as she bent low to gather the cooing babe in her arms.  Royal blue cloth swaddled the naked child.  As Faria stroked back the short black locks from the baby’s forehead the child grabbed her thumb with both tiny hands.  Their eyes locked in an intense stare.  Emerald saucers reflected through Faria’s cerulean irises.  A prickle slowly crept down her spine.  A sense of overwhelming destiny smothered Faria and her eyes instinctively flicked to the cold edge of the rampart. Before her eyes returned, the baby lightly squeezed Faria’s thumb before releasing it. 

Faria felt a pang of shame as she beheld the child again.  Though only a babe, Faria sensed a fiery passion within.  Centuries of struggle lay beneath the child’s eyes.  The infant’s appearance was deceived only by the eyes, which echoed an aged wisdom.  Icy fear gripped Faria as she imagined what this child had seen.  Holding the child close to her she whispered with gentle conviction, “I will protect you and watch you always, little one.”  She swiftly entered the citadel and descended the long staircase with quick, deliberate steps, her charge still clinging to her lips. 

Author's Note

This is just a rough introduction to my story that I've been working on in pieces. I'm still working on getting out the kinks (i.e. if it's cold outside would there really be birds eating fish from the ocean, etc). Any suggestions would be helpful.