Chapter one

A symphony of trumpets and drums echo throughout the kingdom, spilling over the walls and drifting into the surrounding forest. People dance and rejoice, relishing the special occasion – as royal guests from neighbouring kingdoms arrive to join in the celebration of the princess' eighteenth birthday.
Though the princess herself, is yet to show herself to the celebrating crowds. Her guards are sent to fetch her. But to the king and queens' dismay, she cannot be found in her chambers, nor in any other part of the castle.
"Perhaps she is already amongst the crowd." The king comments wishfully.

"Don't be ridiculous. We both know very well where she'll be." His queen gives him an irritated glance.

"But she promised that she'd be on time today."

"When has she ever been on time?" She questions and the king sighs in defeat, summoning the captain of the guards.

"Yes, your majesty?" The man bows and awaits orders.

"Andreia is … missing. Please hurry in finding her and bring her back before the welcoming ceremony."

"Of course, my liege." The captain bows again, as much as his armour will allow, and he hurries off.

"Stubbornness. She gets it from you." The queen mumbles.

"Me?"

"Yes, you. It's entirely from your side of the family."

"I don't think so." They continue to squabble in between greeting guests whilst they wait for their daughter to arrive.


Just beyond the surrounding forest, past the glade, lays a wide meadow – where long grass sways calmly in the mid-morning breeze. The young princess hums to herself whilst gazing up at the ever changing plumes of whiteness, peering at the creature that flies gracefully in between the breaks. But her bubble of serenity is popped suddenly when the murmur of trumpets reaches her ears. She flies up right and scrambles to her feet. "Oh no." She breathes to herself. "They're going to kill me." She sprints through the grass and leaps into the tree line like a frightened deer. She hurries through the glade and the sun-dappled fields, leaping over protruding roots and thorny thickets. Soon she hears a familiar voice over the sound of trumpets and drums, calling out to her. "I'm here!" She calls back as Borivor, the captain of the guards, comes into sight upon his horse. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I lost track of time!" He extends a gloved hand to her and she takes it, and with some effort she is pulled upon the chestnut steed – who has been done up nicely for the parade, along with his rider.

"Quite alright, princess. As long as I have you back before the ceremony starts." He replies with a smile. Her arms wrap around his waist as he nudges his steed into a fast gallop.

"You must tire of running after me." She comments.

"Of course not, madam. You give me something to do. Keeps me sharp." Borivor laughs in a reassuring way.

"Well you're looking rather sharp today." She compliments, admiring his black leather armour that hugs him tightly - no large clunking bits that usually make him look like a cluttered mess of metal.

"Thank you princess." He laughs, his walnut hair spiked into its usual coiffure hairstyle – so stiff that it's like it was ironed into place – not even the wind can make it falter. And as for his carefully trimmed beard and curled moustache – nothing could ever falter that.

"Are they mad?"

"Your parents? No more than usual." He informs. "Of all days, did you really have to go out today, princess?"

"I had to feed Phoenix."

"I'm sure that beast is capable of feeding itself."

"He's not a beast. He's a magnificent creature." She corrects.

"However you want to put it, your parents will still be furious if they find out that you have any connection with it."

"Hence the reason it's called a secret."

"Ha, yes. But I worry that they'll soon catch on. You disappear more often than you are around these days."

"I know, I know. And I thank you for keeping my secret. I hope you know how grateful I am of you."

"You can show your gratitude by hurrying inside and changing, or else it will be my head on the chopping block." They ride in over the bridge and enter the gates. They are met by a handful of guards who escort the princess through the town and into the castle without being noticed by many. They enter through the kitchen doors, where Andreia then waves at all the kitchen maids as she dashes away to her chambers.
Once in her room, she takes a quick moment to catch her breath. She then wipes her face, pries herself from her current dress, and examines the one that has been draped across her bed for her to wear. She beams at the crimson garment – she'd been eagerly looking forward to receiving the dress ever since her first fitting for it, which was two months ago! Her mother had requested the best tailor in all the kingdoms, who was named as Madam Resar. Andreia was thrilled when she heard the news – as Resar is known to use magic in her work, she's been rumoured to have worked for the Elven king in the northern lands and even be associated with the Order of the Red Riding Hood Sisters (who are a league of legendary guardians in the Red Forest, in the southern isles.)
The young princess lifts the dress off the bed to further examine it with joy. She calls for one of her maids to assist her in getting into the garment. The two straps fall gently past her shoulders whilst the corset is pulled in to show off her hourglass waist. Her chest is pushed up whilst each tier of floral lace flows down from her hips into a full skirt. She twirls in front of the mirror, the skirt swishing out and then falling back into its place.

"You look stunning, your majesty." Her maid steps back in admiration.

"Thank you." She sighs and quickly rushes to fix her hair, brushing out her long raven locks. Her maid then sits her down and re-braids it for her. Andreia then orders her maid to leave, and when she's gone she retrieves her locket from under her pillow, the turquoise dragon eye cover staring back at her. The golden chain hangs around her neck whilst the dragon locket hides bellow her dress line.

The king and queen are seated and are ready to address their guests, but are still waiting for their illusive daughter to make an appearance. The king gives Borivor a warning look, and he tries to give a reassuring smile but it's more of a nervous grimace. "Come on princess." He mumbles under his breath. "Show up on time, that's all I asked. Just once." Impatiently, he wanders along the outskirts of the crowd and issues the guards to open the doors – so that he may pass. To Borivor's surprise, as the wooden doors part, Andreia enters through them (less than gracefully) as she attempts to enter in an elegant manner. Relief shines through in Borivor's smile as he extends his arm for her to take. "Right on time." He smirks.

"And you still have your head." She whispers back to him, playfully.

"For now. You look magnificent, princess." He comments as he leads her through the crowd and up the stairs and onto the throne platform. She curtsies at her mother and father as she walks and takes her place next to her father on his right side – Borivor standing slightly behind her throne. "Happy birthday, princess." He whispers to her and she smiles whilst looking forward, into the crowd of royal and noble faces.

"Thank you." She whispers back and her father stands - the ceremony beginning.