Hi, this is my first story. If you were hoping for something to do with the book this is categorized in, sorry. It doesn't have anything to do with it. Please, just give my story a chance...

Prologue

The healer emerged from the medicine tent, covered in blood. His tired body was drooping with exhaustion; his face filled with sorrow. When he lifted his head to address the gathered flock, they instantly went quiet, tension saturating the air. The words that slipped from his mouth then changed the life of the Goraidh people forever; "Queen Zephyr is dead."

For a few moments, disbelief kept the crowd silent. But then the news sank in; the silence didn't last long. Shocked voices filled the mountainside.

"Impossible!"

"If this is supposed to be a joke, it sure isn't funny."

"I'd rather it be a joke than it be the truth!"

"What are we gonna do?"

"Who did it? I'll kill them!"

"We have no leader! What're we gonna do?"

While the group voiced their opinions, the healer stood quietly and waited for them to settle down. When they didn't, he said patiently, "Please. If you would all just quiet down, we could discuss this like civilized people."

The group quieted to look at the doctor. A frightened-looking man stepped forward and said softly, "Conan, what happened, exactly? How did she …die?"

Conan sighed, wiped some blood off his glasses with a his tunic, and said, "As you know, Zephyr announced that she was ill around four seasons ago. She refused to see anyone. She wouldn't even let me see to her. She continued to lead us through her servants for a long time. Then, three days ago, she permitted me to visit her. Apparently, she wasn't ill- she was, er, pregnant."

Another awkward silence passed through the flock. For a long while, nothing was said. Then Conan cleared his throat and said formally, "As you have probably guessed, she died in childbirth. We have no idea who the father is; she wouldn't say. Please, wait here a moment."

He slipped back into the tent, then came back not seconds later with a young, sad-looking woman. She was carrying a small bundle. He took the bundle gently from her, unwrapped it, and held the contents up for the whole flock to see.

The baby girl opened her beautiful blue eyes for the first time.

Thus began the life of Princess Azizah.

I'm not good at writing prologues. Review and keep reading! :)