Fire Princess

Chapter One

Phoenix of Firebirch glanced out her window at the sprawling forest that bordered the palace grounds and village beyond that. She had once made a friend out there, but he had disappeared when she was eleven. Her gaze moved from the forest to the town laid out before her. Everyone moved about their daily business, some people selling their wares from their market stalls, children laughing and running on their way to school, and some ladies were chatting and drinking coffee out the front of a café. Phoenix loved Firebirch, the home of a famous fairytale prince and princess. People also adorned their houses with the same pride Phoenix held, with the flag of Firebirch…a deep blue with a grey tower illuminated by a phoenix flying around it.

She startled as the flurried movements of the maids stopped and spoke in soft unison. “My lady.”

Phoenix turned around and her eyes lit up when she saw the Queen.

“Mother!” she sank into a low curtsey, some of her hair falling over her shoulder.

Queen Rapunzel walked over, her slippered feet barely making a sound as the maids resumed their work of packing Phoenix’s trunk. She had insisted she could do it herself, but the maids were just as stubborn as their crown princess.

“Are you sure you’re packed?” Rapunzel asked as the maids fluttered around her daughter’s room before closing the trunk. The Queen’s long hair was braided, but it still dusted the ground.

“Yep!” Phoenix nodded, before giving a respectful nod to the maids. “Thank you, lovelies.”

The maids all smiled and curtseyed before exiting.

“And you’ve got your bag of hair products?” Rapunzel asked, brushing her hair behind her ears. “Long hair isn’t easy you know.”

“I know.” Phoenix smiled.

Rapunzel smiled too. “Long hair, don’t care.”

“Long hair, don’t care.” Phoenix repeated.

A bird flew through the window and chittered. Phoenix clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling as it spoke.

“Oh yes, you’re absolutely right.” Rapunzel nodded. “Phoenix, would you like to walk quickly and say goodbye to your brothers and father?”

Phoenix exited the room and walked quickly, as instructed since princesses did not run unless they were in mortal danger, down to the throne room, where her father was sitting and discussing kingdom matters with his advisor.

“Hello Pierre.” She curtseyed to the advisor.

“Good morning Princess Phoenix.” The advisor bowed.

“I’ve come to say goodbye to father.” Phoenix told him. “I leave for the Flowerground in a few minutes.”

King Flint smiled proudly at his daughter. “My eldest is off to the School for Good already. Study hard, I’m very proud of you, Phoenix."

Though Phoenix had her father’s golden eyes and brown hair, she had her mother’s long hair and slim build. Phoenix also had a mix of their personalities; naïve, forgiving, and friendly as well as stubborn and strong willed.

“Your brothers are sparring in the courtyard.” King Flint said. “Good luck my daughter.”

Phoenix curtseyed respectfully. “Thank you, father.”