Prologue
The little, noble daughter of Black-star Manor was happy. Her seventeen-year-old brother was coming home and had promised to bring her a present.
The little girl was turning eight soon, on December 21, 1256.
"Mamma! Hurry, here he comes."
There he was, coming slowly through the gates. His horse at a slow walk just to annoy her. He had reached the door and was dismounting as the rest of the family came out.
"What is our surprise, big brother?"
"Okay, settle down. I have three surprises, one for you, one for your sister, and news for Mother and Father."
"Well"
"Here is that porcelain doll you have been wanting. For your sister, I have a diamond necklace."
Her sister was fifteen and allowed to wear jewelry. The necklace had clear diamonds then round sapphires alternately. In the center though, was the most beautiful ruby pendant she had ever seen.
"It's beautiful!", the sister exclaimed in an awed voice.
The little girl though was interested in something else.
"What is the news for Mamma and Papa?"
Proudly her brother stated, "Mother, Father, I have been accepted into the Alnec empire."
As the young child looked back at her family, to see their reactions, she noticed a maid yelp and run inside.
All three family members had unreadable expressions; her sister's was the strangest.
Her parents exchanged a look, like they had come to an unspoken agreement. "Come into the study, Son, so we can talk."
She didn't hear the conversation that went on but when her brother came out his face looked ashen. He took a moment to look at them all.
"I am sorry it has come to this. I truly love you all, but I am bound by my allegiance.
"Alnec, protect your cause!"
From everywhere they came, black spider-like creatures with fire in their eyes. They covered the girl's mother and father.
"Will you join the Alnec cause or will you share their fate," her brother demanded as he motioned with his hand.
The creatures dispersed from the place their parents were. Only nothing was there except for her mother's long necklace.
The little girl stood there stunned, staring at the necklace, the place her parents were just a few precious moments ago. Her sister, it seemed, was affected exactly the opposite. She was livid.
"How dare you? I became an Excalier Duchess not long ago, and with their help I will avenge Mother and Father. Sister, will you join me?"
Reacting instinctively, the little girl jumped through a stained glass window that was nearest her, grabbing her mother's necklace as she went.
She ran across the courtyard behind the manor. The sound of the creatures, gaining on her with every step, spurred her on as fast as her legs would allow.
She heard them slowing down and yelling curses when she entered the forest behind her home. Being small she could squeeze through the branches and thorns, while they were entangled in the thick briars.
She kept running, long after sounds of pursuit had died, until she stumbled and fell. She grew still and lay there with only enough strength to pray they didn't catch her, and cry herself to sleep still clinging to her mother's necklace.