Keeper of the Phoenix

Chapter 1

"Over here!" One of the guards yell out. "She's over here!"

The feeling of my heart trying to escape my chest, just makes me want to run faster. The bag that I carry holds three fresh fish, that I may or may not have stolen. My feet pound against the smooth sand stone of the city, and I breathe in the fresh smelling air. I sprint past the old man with the white hair, the little girl playing with her dolls, construction workers that have been working on the same building for 2 months now. My long red hair flys behind me while I run towards the wind, but away from the Kings Guard. I revolve around the corner of a building, feeling the soft sand move between my toes.

I glance behind me and notice that the Guards have gotten faster since that last time we meet. "I must be giving you a good workout boys!" I shout as I move my head back forward, scanning the obstacles that are in my way.

"Stop running!.... You are under... Arrest by order of .... The king!" His breath runs low, ignoring the comment I have made.

I jump a fence in one flawless move, that is connected to a rich persons home. Dashing past kid toys and entering the house, which is not to small nor to big. Two small children , one boy and one girl, sit at a wooden round table. With noodles hafe way in there mouths as they stare up at me.

"My word?!" A older women steps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. She is wearing an apron with oven mitts. I peer back towards the door, a smirk runs across my face once I realize a guard trying to copy the leap I had made, only to fail and flop over onto the other side of the fence.

"I'm so sorry ma'am." I say quickly moving around her and sliding under the table, after finding no way to the other side of it. I hear the children giggling as I exit the front door.

As I tie the fish bag to my belt, I notice a grey brick building. "Perfect." Grabbing hold of the cold stone wall, I begin my climb. My muscles are now screaming out to me, begging me to stop. I put my hands on the top of the roof, hoisting myself up on my four arms and making an embarrassing roll to the top. Standing up I see below me 5 guards getting kicked out of a women's house, attempting to search for me.

"She couldn't have gone far." He runs a hand over his short blonde hair. "You three go this way." He says pointing to the left. "We will proceed right."

A younger guard with black hair, and a wide nose lets out a sigh of annoyance. "Come on." He orders the two men, as they travel off.

Once they are nowhere to be seen, my legs automatically leap across to another building. For that moment I'm soaring weightlessly through the air, letting the wind safely carry me across the sky, and letting my feet land smoothly on the roof . I keep running, never stopping for a breath, until My feet reach the forest trees, indicating the end of the city grounds. Not wanting to stop I Force my way down and head towards home, satisfied with the food inside my bag.

Sun set is almost here and I still have to feed Aithusa. The holes in my jeans have been ripped wider, and my green stringy shirt is covered in sand mixed with sweat. I think about the guard that tried so hard to copy my moves over the fence, and I catching myself laugh at the embarrassed look on his face. Moving deeper into the forest I find myself feeling closer to home, and closer to my best friend. As I enter the familiar spot of the forest I untie my belt, and throw it by a small pile of my other clothes. But keeping the bag in my hand. "Athiusa!" I call, but when I hear nothing I put my fingers in my mouth and let out a screaming whistle.

My blue feathered stunning Phoenix flys over my head, landing gorgeously onto a smooth rock. Her crystal blue eyes dart towards my bag, as she lets out a song of happiness. "Hey I got you-" Athiusa interrupts me by pushing her head under my legs, causing me to topple onto the back of her soft blue neck. "Athiusa we can't fly right now, I brought you some food." She sadly lowers me back down onto the grassy floor. "Here." I empty the bag and the three fish fall out. Badly beaten by all the running that had to be done. She swallows the fish whole one by one, and thanking me by rubbing her beak against my cheek. Athiusa pulls back gazing at me with wide eyes. "What?" She tilts her head "I already ate." I lie.

The most disappointing look crosses her face almost if she is saying "I know your lying to me Juniper!"

"I wasn't that hungry today anyway. I'll have something tomorrow." I walk over to my pile of clothes and pull on a more comfortable pair of pants. "Besides i'm tired." I sit down covering my swore body in the warmth of my Phoenix's wings. I carefully unwrap the minty green cloth covering my wrist. Studying the dark curvy markings, that are woven together to make the Phoenix symbol.

The sky is blended with the colors of Orange and red. I close my eyes, praying to receive nothing but good dreams.