Hey. So this is the start to a story I'm re-writing. This is just the prologue. Please comment/review. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS GOOD just don't be a jerk. Just a warning, my spelling and grammar is awful. Sorry in advanced :)

The crowded street seemed to hold a bountyless realm of colors and sounds. The street is overrun with merchants, shouting and waving their goods for all to see, and the innocent people, just trying to walk from here to there without being buried in a mountain of goods that they do not need. Wealthy landowners riding horses and wearing robes of bright colors tried to push their way past the mobs, their shouts of annoyance adding to the deafening din. The colorful stalls and loud sounds easily drew the eye of anyone who happens to be watching from a distance, causing their eyes to drift over the ragged girl sitting against a building, excluded from the others by her hollow stomach and and empty money bag.

A wealthy man, dressed in blue robes and escorted by a collection of soldiers brushed past the girl without giving her a second glance. She curled against the wall, pressing herself against it, trying to avoid the pounding of iron boots that followed in his wake. A young woman, wearing a long brown dress and red shawl, noticed the girl and pushed the merchant away from her, despite his protests that his apples were the freshest in all the kingdom of Estill. She walked towards the girl, who had buried her head between her knees, her sobs inaudible above the clamor. The woman stood looking down at the girl, pity written across her face.

"Hello darling. Are you alright?" the woman had to shout to make her voice heard. Her voice was sweet, but it was a sickly-sweet sound, the sound of someone fake.

The girl raised her head, her red hair falling over her shoulders, her thin arms pushing back the strands that fell in front of her eyes. Her eyes. How they seemed to glitter in the light that filtered over the stands and through the crowded city. At least, one of them did. Her left eye was a bright amber color, like honey that caught the light and seemed to radiate a bright glow. But her right eye was dark as night, her pupil unable to be distinguished from the iris. Her eyes were made even stranger by their red color and puffy eyelids because of her silent sobs. The women looked at her and took a step back.

"A..A Graceling." the women spluttered, the sweetness gone from her voice. The girl held out her hands, hoping for any coins of pity but the women turned and melted into the chaos of the street, rather risking being harassed by merchants then stare into those strange, sad eyes.

A boy pushed his way towards the girl, his long blonde hair falling over his face and dark clothing standing out against the bright colors of the street. The girl looked at him, her puffy eyes challenging him to back away in fright. But he continued walking, growing nearer and nearer with each step, seemingly unfazed by the strangeness of the girls eyes. He stopped, towering over her. Only then did his eyes meet hers, one green and the other brown. The girl looked at him, surprised as he sat down facing her, four colors, aimed at each other.

"What is your name." his voice was the voice of a child, which came as a surprise to the girl. Although he didn't seem much older than her, his demeanor was that of a much older man. She continued to stare into his eyes.

"Can you speak?"

"Yes" the girl's voice was rough and squeaky, as though she hadn't talked in awhile.

"Well then what's your name."

"I don't have one."

"Come on. Everyone has a name."

"Not me."

The boy sighed, recognizing the look of stubborn determination on the girl's face.

"Fine then. Well I'm Oak"

The girl snickered. "What kind of a name is Oak"

"The kind I gave myself when my parents got rid of me" her giggles stopped. "They didn't want me so I don't want them. I'm not going to keep the stupid name they gave me."

The girl looked at him, respect and awe across her face.

"If you don't want your old name make up a new one."

"Alright uh.."

"How about one around your Grace." he glanced at her surprised face "It's part of who you are, not something you should be ashamed of" she nodded and thought.

Her left eye twinkled and she smiled.

"Shade, my name is Shade"

"Nice to meet you Shade. I'm Oak and i'm ten"

"I'm eight"

"Here let me show you around" Oak stood up and brushed himself off. He reached out and gingerly grabbed her skinny arm, helping her up. She grinned and stood, following him as he led her through the noisy street, trusting him entirely.

Hope you enjoyed. Please review. I will try and add more soon but no promises.