9 September 2008 - I can't remember what my old blah-blah that was up here was, but I've done some fixing up in the chapters, and I'm starting writing again.

Common, But Still Queen

Chapter 1

My back was pressed against the wall of a solid made, sand coloured, dusty building. From my vantage point, I could view the whole street; the many coloured, stretched awnings that made up the Saudi Arabic marketplace. My dirty, limp, dark hair hung in front of my eyes. I swiped at it with a sun-tanned hand in vain, each time I removed the obstruction from my vision, it simply just fell back, blocking my view again. I sighed and moved, crouching slightly as I quickly covered the short distance from the wall my back was previously pressed against to the edge of the building I was now perched upon. Nimble as a cat, I dropped from the top of the small, hovel-shaped building, falling the short distance to the ground and landing lightly on my feet.

My life as a streetrat had given me an agile build, and a rare finesse. I was one with the world that was around me. I was quick on my feet, accurate with a weapon, sharp of tongue and wit, skilful at scaling walls, and graceful as a cat.

My name: Yukia, Princess of the Common. Although my blood is not royal as those who rule my country, I hold my own in the palace of thieves and the common blood people of my family's court.

Rising to stand straight, I strode purposefully towards the marketplace I had recently been surveying.

Those who bustled around the marketplace paid me little to no attention. This did not deter me, as today there was a purpose for my presence here, other than to steal from the owners of the petite stalls. I changed my demeanour, now walking with the air of one who did not wish to receive attention, deliberately making my steps small and shuffling. I bowed my head and checked to make sure the hood of my cloak was covering my features. I tugged the small veil that was around my thin face, making sure it was in position. My grey eyes glittered as I took in my surroundings as I made my way slowly towards a stall.

Reaching my destination, I stood and waited, my right hand resting just above a dagger that was concealed beneath my dark brown cloak.

"I'm seeking a way to stop what is to pass," a man nearby said. I could only make out his dark frame, and judged him as having a taller-than-average height and a muscular build.

I nodded, "I have such a way," I spoke, addressing the man.

The man strode towards me, ducking his head slightly to see my grey eyes, the only part of my face visible due to my veil. I focused on remembering every detail of his face, in case I needed to meet him later or if he goes back on his word and he needed elimination. His skin was clear of any blemishes, save for one small scar that ran from directly under his right eye (my left while looking at him), diagonally across his cheek. The scar was 1.5cm in length. His eyes were a deep blue and glinted in the sun. His lips were full and his skin was dark from the sun. His hair was a dark brown and cut short. I nodded mentally to myself, knowing I would not forget what he looks like.

"Yukia, it is you!" he whispered in astonishment, "You grew up." He gazed at me, raking my cloaked body with his penetrating stare.

I felt my face redden; despite the fact that I knew I was fully clothed.

"Hurisho, I told you not to say my name! If anyone sees me, I will be the cause of the death of you," I whispered furiously.

"My Princess," he bowed mockingly.

Hurisho was an old friend of my family's. He was 32 years of age and had known me since I was a child, though I had not seen him in many a year. He had to disappear from the court as rumours had been started about his loyalty. I knew better than to trust him, but he was the only one that had the skills for the job I needed to complete.

I sighed and waited while he rose to his feet. I tilted my head so I could see into his eyes.

"So what do ya want?" he asked.

"I need a favour," I muttered.

His eyebrow rose, indicating his unasked question.

"I need help to take someone out," I explained, averting my gaze from his, embarrassment exploding in my stomach: The Princess asking for help…

"Who?" Hurisho's voice now held a pitch of excitement.

"I don't have a name yet, just a profile," I said, "he's threatening to take out my parent's empire, I need him gone, and so do the People."

"Involving yourself a bit much in the problems of your parents, aren't ya?" he asked.

"They can't know, Hurisho," I said as a warning.

"Yeah, yeah. So when do I get to have my fun?"

"Soon. Don't think of running, and don't think of blabbing to anyone because I have eyes and ears everywhere-"

"Don't worry, my Princess, I wouldn't dream of running. But I must ask: what's in it for me? I'm not just about to risk getting caught to help you, even if I've known you for your life."

Reaching into my cloaks pocket, I drew a bag. Jingling it softly, I watched Hurisho quickly judge how much gold he thought was in the bag before placing it back inside my cloak. His eyes swelled with greed and I smiled.

"You get it after the job. I know where to find you, you'll hear from me later."

With that, I left. My cloak billowed around me as I strode towards a place where I could access the roofs of the sandy buildings. I broke into a run and with a quick jump, landed on the awning of a shop. Ignoring the yells of the angered shopkeeper I used my momentum to propel myself onto a roof. Crouching, I landed, a lone gust of wind knocking the hood of my cloak down. My long dark hair instantly blew about before settling upon my shoulders, not glinting due to the amount of dirt held in it. I ran quickly across the rooftops, jumping the small gaps between the buildings. I dropped onto the ground once again and wound my way through a small crowd of people before disappearing up some steps and reappearing on another roof. I ran straight for the edge of the building, counting the steps in my head

4..5..6..7.…I jumped.

My timing perfect as I dived off the edge of the high building, landing in a somersault on the other side of the street. I crouched and rolled, dropping onto a lower building and hiding in the shadow of the higher one. I made my way, once again, over the rooftops, keeping in the shadows made from overhangs as much as possible. Although I was deathly quiet, I can still be seen for my cloak is dark, and most people aren't appreciative of others on their roofs, even if such a person is their Princess.

My dizzying path eventually ended with me arriving underground; The Palace. I chose my way carefully through the people that were accumulating in the large underground space. No matter what time of day, the Palace and its Court were always populated.

The Palace and its Court was a large underground space, with many tunnels leading off from the main underground hangar. Light filtered into the Palace from the various openings that allowed access to the Court and mirrors were used to reflect sunlight in from outside, lighting the whole structure and at night, oil lamps were lit. There were many entrances and exits, too many to name of. There were royal chambers to the left of the biggest entrance that I had just used. Secret chambers exited onto many different streets from the royal chambers. Other tunnels leading away from the main space turned into kitchens and sleeping chambers for travellers and special guests of the King and Queen.

I entered a tunnel on the left of the main space that wound its way around to the right before splitting into 4 tunnels. I took the second tunnel in from the right and kept walking. The tunnel opened up into a fair size chamber, my royal bedroom. I placed my dusty, dark brown cloak on a bench and dropped onto the mess of blankets, pillows and mattresses that was my bed. I sighed, thinking of how could I possibly remove the threat facing my parents without them knowing? Restless, I stood, pacing my near-empty room. So much for royalty…I thought.

My reflection in the full-length broken mirror that was placed against one wall caught my attention. I was of average height, not short, but not tall either. My grey eyes glittered with ferocity and intelligence. My long dark hair was limp and dull, mussed and dirty. My frame was small and thin, although not frail, I was undernourished. My clothes were caked with mud and hung off my body. They were ripped and torn, even the veil that covered my face.

How can I be royalty? I thought spitefully. I'm worthless…just a stupid streetrat!

Frustrated, I slammed one fist into the reflective surface. The mirror smashed, the shards dropping to the dusty ground. Red liquid dribbled from my fist and combined with the yellow sand on the ground. I scrambled to rip a piece of material from my sleeping area and wrapped it around my hand. The pressure applied to the cuts eventually stopped the bleeding and I examined my wound. Thankfully, it was clean of glass. I ripped a fresh piece of cloth and tied it around my fist, covering the cuts.

Lying back down on my bedding, I sighed. How on Earth am I going to do this? I thought, I'm only 16…I'm no Princess, and I'm no warrior. I'm just a kid that lives underground and on the streets…