Starbird (UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 1

Prologue:

In the stars above us, there lives a race of fairy called Valena. They watch over the planets and the stars, caring for them and keeping their environment the way it should be. Earth lost its Star Maiden after the humans continually prevented her work.

Odette pov:

"Oh, Neana, stop blinding me!" I cry out, shielding my face. I whirl away and transform into a swan, completely white but for black eyelash marks above my eyes and a ribbon of black around my throat. I flutter over to a nearby tree, transforming back into a Maiden and landing on a branch. The Shimmer Pool, a magical prophetic pool that carries messages and prophecies, wavers and King Frederick's face appears. He speaks one word,

"Odette." I jump down from the tree and land by the pool, pulling my hip-length raven-black hair over my shoulder nervously.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I command you to leave Valena and go to Earth under charge of mishandling your planet."

"What?!" Neana and I exclaim at once.

"Your Majesty, I have done no such thing oh." King Frederick's face disappears from the pool, leaving a shimmering, rippling surface. Neana stares at me in confusion.

"What did you do?"

"I don't know. I wonder if the bit of water that dripped off my hair and landed on the Sun's surface is why I'm being banished. Anyway, no one can argue with the King." I turn, transforming into swan form and flying toward my home, a simple house made of wood and sunbaked bricks, all the while holding back the torrents of tears that threaten to come. "Hello, Mother, Father. Veriahn." My mother comes up and hugs me, noticing my tear-stained cheeks.

Veriahn, my younger sister, comes up and grabs me around the knees, saying, "Look, Owette, I can make wight!" Veriahn makes a small ball of light, holding it up for me to see.

"Very good, Veriahn." I embrace my father, then motion him into the hallway. "Father, I have something to tell you that has been brought about because of an accident."

"What, my girl?" I take a deep breath before continuing, willing the tears away.

"I've been banished to Earth by the King for mishandling the Sun."

"WHAT?!" Father's face goes red and he transforms into an eagle, motioning with his head for me to follow him to a tree. I turn into a swan and fly after him. He lands in the tree, and I sit down by him. "Explain everything."

"I think some water might have dripped off my hair and onto the Sun's surface."

"But it is just water! Nothing that'll give us away!"

"It wasn't just water." I sob softly. "I tripped and fell into the Shimmer Pool earlier that day."

"Oh." Father rubs his chin, thinking, when I stand abruptly and turn away from him, trying to hide my tears. Why, Manarak, why did I have to be not looking where I was going that day? Why can't I be like my mother? She never trips! I ask. I turn back into a swan and fly back inside my house. Father follows me, looking as though he's keeping a secret. I run into my room and collapse on my bed, sobbing my heart out. After a good bit of that, I stand and begin grabbing all my things. I pack the portraits of my family, my dresses, my hairbrush, and my mirror. As I open another drawer, I find my dancing shoes, and pack them too. Every precious thing goes into my bag, and at the end, I pack the blanket my mother made for me when she was waiting to birth me. I clasp the bag closed, and agree to stay one more night at our home before leaving in the morning. I am glad Veriahn can't grasp what's happening. My parents will tell her that I am going on a very long trip, so long that I have to be escorted by guards, and won't be back for a while. When she's old enough, they'll tell her the real reason.