Chapter 1

The skies were a beautiful, crisp, crystal blue and if you stared at it long enough you would not be able to seperate sky from sea. A few transparent clouds seemed to mix with the blue instead of standing out against it. Wrapping my fingers around the iron bars I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply enjoying the fragrant scent of freedom.

"Up with you. Time to go" One of guards grumbled harshly.

I gave a deep sigh of sadness before opening my eyes. Even though I was starving, dirty and exauhsted I knew better than to let it show on my face. I released the bars hardening my stare before turning to face my now open cell. The guard was massive like the rest and covered in shining silver armor. He looked down at me with a smug expression as he shoved me forward into the arms of another guard who caught me only to clasp shackles around my wrists before turning me around roughly. I was dressed in a ragged brown tank top with matching pants that felt as if they were made from the same material, potato sacks.

Although the burlap material was itchy to the point of madness and rough against my skin the one good thing about it was it allowed the freedom for my wings to stretch and flap freely, well as free as the tiny cell would allow, still, it was better than nothing. I loved my wings. They were a pearly white color and the slight irredescence could be seen in both sun and moonlight. It took nearly forever for them to grow in. Honestly, that's not true but when you're eight years old and everyone else already has their wings it makes waiting difficult. I would never forget three days after my twelvth birthday tossing and turning in my bed covered in sweat as the constant itching and ripping of flesh made me whimper and cry in pain. My parents kept a constant watch over me filled with concern and sadness knowing there was nothing they could do to ease my pain. Even in knowing this fact my parents stayed by my side attempting their best to verbally relieve the pain. Half way into my wings ripping through my flesh I passed out from the pain thankfully. The next morning I awoke to the beautiful sight of my uniquely colored feathers. They continued to itch from time to time until they grew to their full length and the embarassment from learning how to fly was still fresh even if it was years ago.

The guard painfully pulled my wings back making me hiss quietly while the click of the shackles kept me from flying away. The urge to flap my wings and defy my captors was strong but not worth it in the end so my shoulders simply drooped in defeat. I followed the two guards from the cells up to the court room. I could feel the narrowed gazes and hear the buzz of whispers as I was placed into a chair made from solid gold. Most of the court room sat behind me while I faced the Judge. His dark olive complexion seemed to radiate against his golden robe and matching head dress, signifying he was a powerful and respected figure or authority among our kind. His long black hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. I avoided looking into his light brown eyes at all costs although I knew I could not avoid it forever. He raised his right hand towards the crowd making everyone fall silent.

"Zahara Namid you have been deemed guilty of the charges against you. Do you wish to speak on behalf of your defence?"

I did not answer, instead, I just lowered my head letting my hair that resembled something close to a rat's nest fall and conceal most of my face. The judge sighed with pity.

"You will look at me when I speak to you" He boomed although his ear ringing tone lacked the anger it should have held.

Slowly I lifted my eyes to his and felt my heart ache at the silent plea behind them. A part of my mind told me to say something, anything, but the sensible part of my brain told me it would make no difference. I was already seen as guilty and it wasn't like I could tell them the truth there was too much at stake. I lowered my head again breaking our gaze. If I continued to look at him I would have seen his eyes drop with sadness as he sighed in defeat.

"Very well. It is my decision to sentence you to banishment" The judge ordered.

My head lifted in surprise as I stared up into the familiar brown orbs once more. Silently I questioned him but he turned his focus to the papers below him as he signed my sentence. What was he doing? No. This was wrong I wasn't suppose to be banished I was suppose to be dead.

"No" I pleaded making the courtroom quiet down. That single plea amounted to the most I had ever spoken since I was arrested.

This caused the judge to turn his gaze towards me with hope.

"You're supposed to kill me" I pleaded.

"Quiet!" He commanded with stern eyes that fell back to the papers in front of him.

I shook my head back and forth as tears gathered in my eyes.

"No. Kill me!" I cried.

"Remove her" The judge ordered disguising a pained expression.

The guards that escorted me here roughly yanked me out of my chair.

"She is shackled. There is no need to be rough with her" The judge warned the two guards making their grip loosen a little.

The guards bowed respectfully.

"Take her to the chamber"

One guard gripped either of my arms as I was escorted out of the courtroom. Once we were safely out of earshot from the courtroom one of the guards chuckled evily.

"I knew he was going to be soft on you. Oh well doesn't matter at least you won't be our problem anymore"

The walk seemed to fly by as we approached the sentencing chamber. The huge brushed nickel doors were etched with three-dimensional hieroglyphic images telling the stories of how the most notorius criminals and enemies of our people met their demise. A rotten stench burned my nose the closer we came to the doors. I turned my head to the side as if that would provide fresher air. The second guard which, remained quiet this entire time, knocked on the large doors. With a loud groan the doors slowly opened, the guards pushed me inside, and the doors began closing behind me. Lanterns hug on the walls of the chamber but I could barely make out what lay a few feet in front of me.

"Come closer child" A voice called from the darkness.

I took a deep breath squaring my shoulders back while lifting my head high as I ventured into the darkness. The further I walked the more light lit my path until I came to a figure dressed in a dark cloak. Judging from the voice I guessed it was a man. I now stood less than a foot from the cloaked figure whose back was facing me.

The figure turned and lowered his hood revealing a man of an odd marine color and scaly complexion. His eyes were like two pits of fire catching the flickering of the light as they danced in his eyes. My breath caught in my throat as fear pulsed through my veins. I continued staring into his fiery gaze causing him to smirk.

"I have seen many guilty ones come in this chamber. Ones that have done heinous crimes, but you my child...you are innocent"

"That does not matter. Your job is to kill me"

His thin lips pulled back into a smile.

"No one has ever asked me to kill them before. May I ask why you wish to die so badly?"

"No" I croaked dropping my head as I felt my strength and bravery quickly leaving me.

His claw like hand brushed through my hair almost comfortingly.

"I have something for you" He said trying to draw my gaze back to him.

I let myself be baited as I raised my eyes to find his clawed hand outstretched to me. In his palms sat a silver necklace. The chain was thin and a dainty charm in the shape of two crossed swords hung from it. I looked at him in confusion. He smirked again and placed the necklace around my neck.

"From a friend" He said. "Now let's get started"

I watched the dragon-like man walk behind me and firmly grab one of my wings. I was unprepared for the pain yet to come.

Screams clawed up my throat until it burned raw and the feeling of my lungs threatening to burst as blood flowed down my back. I fell to my knees huffing as my vision faded in and out.

"Almost finished. Hang in there" The man said calmly as if ripping my wings from my very body were mere routine.

He kneeled in front of me placing a jar gingerly against my lips as he muttered words I could not decipher. The sound of his voice bounced around my head overshadowed by blinding agony. I gagged and my eyes stretched as cold fingers of mist shoved their way down my throat ripping the breath from the depths of my very being. The more I struggled the worse it seemed to get until I was drifting in and out of consciouness. There was a brief moment of darkness and then a startling change to bright warming light. I struggled to keep my eyes open as my hair whipped wildly around my head and with a gentle push to my chest I was falling.