Hi, so I'm totally new at this but I really like to write. Please excuse all the mistakes and constructive criticism is really appreciated as long as it's not hurtful. I really want to know if you like this story but I'm glad you checked it out. I'm just doing little snippets of different point of views for now but it will be better and more stable as the story goes on, I promise.

Happy reading!

-Van

SUMMARY – Clarissa Fairchild lives in the country of Idris with her single mother and older brother. When the king - Stephan Herondale of Idris - dies, his sons Jonathan (Jace) and William Herondale want to honor him by building a tomb in his name. Clarissa sees this as the perfect opportunity to earn money for her poor, commoner family and put her artistic ability to use. The only problem? Upon signing the contract to be a designer for the tomb, Clarissa finds out that after being paid for her services, she is to be killed. Idea taken from COLS when Sebastian says the king took out the maker's eyes after he finished building, etc.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments, Cassandra Clare does. And it makes me sad.

Chapter One:

Clarissa looked around the farmer's market and then at her purse. It was a pathetic little thing, a small, fuzzy, green wallet, really. Her father had got it for her, before he'd passed away. The pathetic fuzzy green wallet became even more pathetic when she looked at the cash inside. There were precisely twelve dollars and fifty cents. She looked around the colorful stalls for food once more before snapping the fuzzy green thing shut.

Clarissa wandered around the streets filled with peddlers, except this time she wasn't looking for food. She was looking for a job.

Her older brother Jonathan was away in Apprentice College. For his second year of training the entire family and her mother and father's friend, Luke, had pinched for pennies, going as low as to pick up nickels and dimes of the floor. Now they were broke. Luckily, her father had bought the house they lived for and they didn't have to pay for it. That was probably the only good thing that had happened so far, that and the fact that Luke and her mother, Jocelyn, were now engaged.

Clarissa stopped and a stall of paintings with a short, friendly looking woman in a floral blue dress with a name tag pinned to the dress proclaiming Lilith on it.

"Hello dear," the woman said. "Would you like to buy anything?"

"Umm no," Clarissa took a deep breath. "Actually, I was wondering if you were hiring. I really could use a job and I'm pretty decent at painting and drawing."

"Well, actually we are," the woman said, smiling, "and you look just like the kind of person I want working here. What's your name, honey?"

"I'm Clarissa Fairchild."

"That's a beautiful name dear. There's only one requirement. How old are you, Clarissa?" The woman's smile did not fade.

"I am seventeen years old," was all Clarissa said.

"Oh," the woman's smile vanished into thin air. "Well Clarissa, child, I'm so sorry but I simply cannot hire a minor." She sighed, and then brightened. "But I know who might! The prince himself, that's who. Have you heard the news? The king Stephan just passed away and his sons Prince Jonathan and Prince William want to honor him by building the best tomb in the world. They are hiring a few people to design it and then some to build it. If you're good at art then you should go check it out. Anyone with any artistic ability can try for the job. And you get paid very handsomely if I do say so myself." The woman wiggled her eyebrows. "Go check it out. It's at the palace, at any time. But you might want to hurry. There are many more people auditioning. Go child. And please do tell me if you get in dear!" The woman gave Clarissa a shove and that was all it took. Clarissa started to the castle.

Maybe now everything will change for the better, she thought.

Clarissa moved with a strange sort of nervous energy coursing through her. She could feel the rhythm of her pulse in her fingers and her toes.

After a long three miles of walking, Clarissa exited the commoner part of town. She took the safest path through the lands of nobility and finally stopped at the palace gates. The only two things that were on her mind were that she hoped to get a job and she hopped she would be able to make it home before the dark of night. She didn't want to get caught in the rain and the sky was already showing signs of a heavy storm.

She shivered at told the guards at the gate that she was here for the new job opening. The guards scoffed and let her in.

She was a small, tiny thing. A harmless child who could do no damage. She probably wouldn't even get the job, they teased as she passed by them.

They were wrong, Clarissa thought and she marched towards the towering building without a second glance.

She paused at the palace doors and hesitated. In front of her was a series of guards, blocking her way.

"What are you here for?" One of them asked her, obviously impatient.

"The job for designing the king's tomb." Clarissa squeaked nervously.

The man's impatient expression disappeared, replaced by one of fear and concern. "Do you know what happens to people that get the job?"

"They get a lot of money." Clarissa replied firmly. "And that is all I need to know."

The guard nodded grimly. "Well, it is nice to see young people like you. Not many more left nowadays. Prince William seems to be about your age, and he wouldn't ever do something like this, maybe under different circumstances, but not now. Good luck, child. I will you well." The guard watched with sad eyes as Clarissa nodded in thanks and moved past him.

"She's too young to die, Robert." The man standing beside him said solemnly.

"I know Michael. She's probably Isabelle's age. I miss my children and she reminds of my daughter so much. One can only pray that Izzy doesn't come marching up these steps." Robert the guard moans.

"You shouldn't have left your family Robert." Michael Wayland told his friend.

"I had no other option. I wanted to keep them safe. At least I still have Alec." His voice was wistful and his eyes showed that he was in a faraway place.

In the distance the men could see a small figure stop by the gates. It was most definitely a girl. The girl did not march, but instead walked like a defeated person would. Despite her clothing, the girl was gorgeous. Glossy black hair, eyes a shade lighter that her black, tall, just beautiful. She stopped in front of the men.

"Hello I'm looking for a job. The king's tomb, I believe." She tapped her foot impatiently.

"Isabelle," whispered her father.

"I demand entree to the castle." Isabelle's gaze landed on her father, challenging him to stop her.

"Isabelle," Robert tried to stop her.

"Robert," Michael warned gently. "We do not possess the ability to stop her. There is nothing you can do."

Robert's stomach flip flopped, but he moved out if his daughter's way.

Isabelle stepped inside.

Michael glanced at Robert, taking note of the way his shoulders sagged. He didn't say anything, for he knew that false words would provide no comfort. Instead Michel put his arm around Robert's shoulder.

Not a few minutes later a young man wearing big, round glasses of black color appeared at the door. He was tall. Not muscular, but tall in a lanky, clumsy way, as if he had yet to learn how to maneuver his long arms and legs. He wore worn, baggy clothes like most commoners, but the way he wore them gave off the impression that he would wear them even if he had a choice.

"Hello, um I, um I'm here for, um the whole, um..." The boy stuttered.

"Are you here for the job, son?" Michael asked wearily.

"Yes," the boy stood up straighter. Actually I am."

"Well," Michael sighed, "good luck."

"Why do you need a job, boy?" Robert glanced at the tall child.

"My family. They need the money." He replied uncomfortably.

"And they were okay with you being here?" Michael wondered curiously.

"No. I did not tell them where I was."

"Your name, sir?" Michael asked.

"Simon Lewis." He replied.

"Go on in." Michael nodded.

He obeyed instantly.

Okay, well that was purely an introductory chapter and there was no Jace. He'll be in the second or third chapter though! And YES I made an Apprentice College. Sue me (don't really sue me please).

Anyone want to be my beta-reader?

Actually let me rephrase that; I am in desperate need of a beta-reader. For some reason I cannot edit my own stories, but then can edit everyone else's. I just don't understand. Also I don't understand this Fan fiction slang. AU means alternate universe and OOC means out of character. That is literally all I know. Can someone please explain the other ones to me?

-Van