Eden awoke to beautiful music emanating from the outdoors. Its flawless tune carried her into a deep sleep. Again she woke, begging to hear the lovely song again, but it was only a dream.
She looked around and found herself in a vacant room with only a bed and sheets. There was a door but it was shut tight and locked. Eden let out a long sigh finally realizing where she was.
The large door swung open revealing the little girl she met before holding the small yellow tulip in her hand. The girl had a small smirk on her face.
"Look who's laughing now. "? The girl laughed sticking out her tongue.
"I'll wipe that smile right of your little demented face." Eden growled. She just grinned and skipped off. Two large bulky men grabbed her by the arms and lead her through dozens of hallways. They stopped in front of gargantuan double doors. One of the men tapped it once revealing the throne of the king and queen. The queen sat on the left hand side in the deceased king's chair. The child sat next to her.
"Well isn't it another thief for the tournament. I have to say I am impressed with your courage for stealing something from a royal, but don't you think you were taken down too easily?" The queen said.
There was moment of silence. Eden heard the sound of feet and a pebble drop to the ground. She quickly moved from her position dodging daggers and arrows coming from above.
"Splendid! Splendid! I knew you had to be good!" she giggled.
This woman is insane! Eden said to herself. The queen clapped twice. A man came out of the shadows in a long black cloak. His face was covered except his eyes, which were grey and soulless. His eyes narrowed. She glared back.
"This was the winner of our tournament, Damien. Say hello Damien." The queen said. He bowed his head in acknowledgment.
From the tournament? But that would mean…
"He did wonderfully; everyone was slaughtered by him. It was truly a sight to see." She said.
Eden let a tear escape, but quickly wiped it away before they could see.
"You seem to be capable of being my thief also. So here's what I'll do; maybe I could create a contest? Oh yes a contest! The winner will get my little girl's locket. All you have to do is steal a certain book from one of the seven kingdoms. The locket contains powers and is surprisingly valuable. Something that will fit both of your interests." She smiles revealing unnatural pointed teeth, "How about it?"
"Sounds interesting, but I will have to decline. I'm afraid I might not be capable of such a task." Eden says.
"Oh, is that so? Well that's fine, I'm sure Damien will be able to navigate by himself. My guards will guide you out." The guards came and stood next to her. "Do remember not to speak anything to others about this little get together please. Or your life would be most unpleasant." The queen makes a small hiss, then as if collecting herself smiles and waves Eden away.
When she was out of the palace she decided to take a walk around the city center. Eden was about to walk into a nearby bar, when three men were tossed out. One had golden blond hair and a well-sculpted face, for a peasant of course. There was also a pair of twins both had spiked brown hair and were unnaturally tall. The only difference there was there eyes which where blue and green.
"Oy! You better watch it. You're looking at the next idols of this century, sir!" One of the twins yelled.
"Yeah! How dare you!" said the other twin. The last man remained seated on the ground head looking up at the sky.
"Hey guys cut it out. It was just another bar, we can find a new one." The blond one said. He sighed and got up. He looked at Eden. "What do you want? Are you another groupie?"
"Hey, Sae isn't that the girl who was dancing and singing in the bar?" The twin with the green eyes asked.
"Yeah she looks like that girl." The other said.
"Huh? Nah she's not nearly as pretty." The blond one, Sae, said.
"It is she! We should say hi. Right?" A twin said. They were still bickering about it until she caught something from the side of her eye. The thief she had met in the castle was loading a cart. When he was about to leave she made a dash for him.
The contract should be valid if I am able to steal that book the queen wanted. Eden inferred.
"Oy! She's getting away. Come on."
And so it began…
Copyright © 2011 by J.M Bryce