"Liora, wake up darling."

It was barely dawn. The sun just beginning to peek over the eastern horizon when she heard her mother calling for her with a gentle but panicked tone. She sat up, sleepily rubbing her eyes. Her room was still dark with only a soft glow coming from little orbs of light hidden amongst the hanging Ivy and Wisteria that decorated her room. a woman with short orange hair stood in the doorframe looking worried, almost scared.

"What is it mama? Time to get up already?" she said, voice still hoarse from sleep.

"Yes, now hurry and get dressed. No dawdling.

Her mother quickly grabbed the packed bag that was sitting at the end of the bed and rushed out of the young girl's room. She stared blankly at the door for a moment. What was the rush? She thought to herself. She quickly changed out of her nightgown and into the clothes that had been laid out for her. A tan blouse and a forest-green skirt with black suspenders and stockings. Finished dressing, she smooths her hair, that was identical in color to her mother's, before stepping out of the room.

Entering into the rest of her small home she could her the hushed conversation between her parents in the kitchen. She felt as though something was wrong, the normally warm and cozy home felt thick with tension that put Liora on edge. She almost wanted to run back into her room and hide under the covers until whatever this feeling was passed.

She took a step towards her parent's voices, then she heard it. The village alarm bell. It was loud in the distance, almost like it was right outside their home.

She ran towards her parents in a panic. She flung herself towards her father as he reached to swoop her up into his arms. His usual steady hands now trembled as he held her in a tight embrace. Hazel eyes meet each other as he pulls away to look his daughter in the eyes. She can see pain written across his freckled face. Remembering how he always pat her head when she was scared, Liora reaches up to try and comfort her father. She pats his head, carefully avoiding the two horns poking up through his fluffy brown locks.

"It'll be okay papa, I'm sure the bell will stop ringing soon." She says quietly.

She hears her mother stifle whimper but before she could turn to look, her father rests his forehead against hers.

"I'm afraid not little meadow lark. The bell will ring until you are safe."

A swift knock on the door caused her father to tighten his grip on Liora and drew a gasp from her mother. Liora's parents glanced at one another before her mother hesitantly reached for the door, delicate iridescent wings twitching against her back. They all stared hard as the door was opened to reveal a man with thin brown hair and gray eyes. He adjusts his glasses as he glances around.

"Weston, Nina. Is she ready? We need to hurry; they have made it halfway through town already. "His voice shook as he stepped further into the house.

Weston placed a quick kiss to Liora's temple as he placed her back on the ground. She looked up at him with wide questioning eyes. He placed his hands on her shoulders and dropped to his knees as Nina kneeled down next to him, taking Liora's hand in hers.

"You need to go with our friend Gavan here. He'll keep you safe." Weston said

"What do you mean? I don't want to go anywhere! I want to stay with you and mama!"

"Liora please, It's not safe for you here anymore. The soldiers are here and they won't spare anyone, not even children. You must go! You must live! Nina cried as she gripped her daughter's hand tighter.

Tears welled up in Liora's eyes as she felt her mother's trembling hand on hers, her father's heavy gaze memorizing every detail of her face. Why was this happening? Why are the human soldiers attacking her village?

"Don't cry meadow lark, you will be safe with Gavan. Everything will be fine as long as you do exactly as he says." Weston whispered as he hugged her once again. Feeling as if this would be the last time, Liora returned her father's embrace. The scent of vetiver and fallen leaves surrounded her as her father whispered his final words to her.

"Be brave my little meadow lark."

He stood and quickly made his way to Gavan, handing him the packed bag Nina had taken from Liora's room. Nina quickly took Weston's place and pulled Liora into a tight embrace holding back her sobs. She smelled of lavender and green tea, a scent that was always able to soothe her.

"Oh, my light. I love you so much. Don't you forget that."

She pulled away to get one last look at her daughter's face. She blinked tears from her amber eyes as she brushed a tear from Liora's freckled cheeks.

"Remember that we will always be with you. From the things we have taught you to the parts of you that prove that you are ours. From the wings on your back to the freckles on your nose, you will always have a piece of your family."

Grabbing Liora's hand, Nina led her to Gavan. He gave her a soft, pained smile as he reached a hand out to her. She glanced from her mother to her father before taking Gavan's hand. She noted that it was surprisingly warm and comforting as he began to lead her out the door. Liora glanced back at her parents once more. Their faces sad with a hint of hope, hope that their daughter would survive.

"Mama! Papa! I love you!" She shouted to them as Gavan lifted her up the horse he had arrived with.

Behind the house she could see her village set ablaze. She could hear the cries of fear and pain, The clash of metal on metal as villagers desperatly tried to fight back. This place she had called home her whole life was being destroyed before her eyes. The villagers that she has always known were being slaughtered, one by one, and all she could do was run. What else could a 12-year-old fairy do?