whispers of Phoenix

chapter three: when change strikes

Don't say this, don't say that
I'm not playing by the rules if they were made by you
I won't break just like that
I'll make my own mistakes 'til I'm wrong in all the right ways
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Rosia pov:

The raging storm outside seemed to only fuel the storm inside of me as I tried my best to relax, meditating wasn't even helping matters at all and I felt my temper continue to rise.

Sitting my legs still crossed I remembered what had happened in the training ground a grade three protector had challenged me again, the fourth time this month.

 They always riled me up, trying to see what the daughter of the head protector could do. I almost lost it today, nearly giving in to the rage consuming me. 

Sighing, I gave up on meditating when I heard a knock on the door of my room.

“Your grace”, a new recruit to the protectors stood at my door, head bowed. I rolled my eyes; the honorifics were starting to annoy me. It was beginning to sound more like a mockery than respect. “Can I help you?” I asked, my voice coming out harsh, and I see her flinch a little.

“Elder Julius asked for your presence in the main hall,” she said, her voice wavering. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. “Thanks, you can leave now.”

Shutting my door, I wondered what Elder Julius wanted again. I had just come back from the training ground and was done with people for today. Knowing I couldn't disobey his order, I dragged my unwilling self to the main hall, seeing a lot of the protectors there.

Walking past them, I felt a lot of eyes on me and sighed again. This was one of the reasons I didn't deal with people. Stopping at the end of the hall, I bowed a little to the three elders of the tribe, keeping my expression neutral.

Elder Julius, getting straight to the point, said, “It's that time of the year again, child. The elders have to go under for a while. I doubt leaving the tribe in your hand will be much trouble, as Dustin is by your side to help you whenever you need help.”

Bowing my head as a show of respect and acceptance, I said nothing. Looking at me for a while, he shook his head, dismissing me, knowing I wasn't going to say anything anyways. 

As I walked out, my palms tightened on their own accord. I should have been the one in Dustin's position, and Jaren accepting to protect the clan. But instead, they all pretended to forget he was the rightful head of protectors. For the last five years, I had seen them pretend that all was well, making me take on a role that wasn't mine in the first place.

Feeling a presence beside me, I ignored it. “You should clear the scowl on your face, Princess. It's becoming a part of you,” I heard her stupid voice mocking me.

“It's here again,” she continued, “where the fate of the whole tribe rests solely on the shoulder of a stubborn child who never seems to grow.”

“I wonder what the elders will come back to this time around. Their precious phoenix antique will finally be no more. Not like it hasn't almost happened before,” she continued, laughing.

Seeing as I wasn't paying any attention to her, she stepped in front of me, tilting her head mockingly. “Is the head protector now deaf? Is this your way of dealing with constructive criticism, just avoiding it? Tsk tsk, you're getting worse, Rosie dearie. What is going to happen to us all?”

Finally looking at her, I sighed for the nth time today. ‘Flora.’ She was beautiful, really, black long hair and amber eyes, with a height that got even boys jealous. But even with her good fighting skills, her beef with me blinded me from seeing all her good qualities.