Lightning And Light

Chapter One

A/N: I really hope whoever reads this likes it!! I've had the idea for a while and started to write it on paper, but I work faster by typing it out. I don't know how long it will be but I was inspired by Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen. The book is amazing and I'm in the middle of reading the sequel. Well, here's the first chapter!

My mother's words repeated in my head as I slipped through the busy crowds in the plaza. A lady of the Kingdom of Divos should not go out and get herself in trouble. I sighed, making sure the hood of my shawl is far enough over my face to cover it up. The plaza is about the size of the main dining hall in the palace, but it is enough to hide myself in between all the rushing bodies. My blonde hair is in a braid behind my neck, not wanting anyone to recognize me. Sentries are posted around the plaza, on guard for anything that could happen. I could see the main gates about twenty yards away. I started to pick up my pace, but a rough hand on my shoulder stopped me in my tracks.
"Miss Maren, you can not go out of the gates. Orders from the Queen." I rolled my eyes as I turned to face a sentry looking down at me. His face is stern, but his eyes have a warning glint in them. I reluctantly follow him, still hiding my face so I won't get bombarded by shoppers. The sentry leads me back to the palace, going the back streets so no one will suspect anything.
     When I got to my room, I sighed and sat down on my bed, looking at the maps on my wall, showing every bit of our Kingdom's territory. A bookshelf stood in the corner, holding some dusty books I never read, but then holding newly binded ones, my most important ones. I got up and picked out a dress. The straps cross, sleeveless onto my shoulders, displaying the colors of our Kingdom. Light purple and dark blue surrounds my entire life, making it hard for me to blend in with the village and city people.
     Maids hurry into my room, getting the rags off of me and then putting me into the too familiar dress. I sigh as they have me sit down and do my makeup. Simple eyeshadow and eyeliner, but just enough to make me look like a true princess. They leave as fast as they came, without a word as well. Leaving me alone in my room, letting me put my crown on myself, but I scowl as I look at myself in the mirror. Before I go out into the castle as the princess I am born to be, I take one last glance at my rags and shawl, and turn to the door to walk out.
     My personal sentry, Lecia greets me at the door to my room. I smile a genuine smile to her, since she's one of my closest friends. We head towards the meeting hall, which is a big room, with a long table in the middle. This room is used for war and government meetings, which I have to attend to all of them. Lecia stops at the door and nods gently to me, giving a quick smile and soon disappears into the vast halls of the palace. Behind me, I hear my mother's voice. "Maren, just in time sweetheart." I turn around and put a smile on my face. I walk over to our seats, and sit next to my sister, Caton. She smirks slightly and leans over to me, "Did you make it out of the gates this time?" I rolled my eyes and smile, "Not yet." Yet.
      My mother looked over at us and we silenced ourselves, facing towards the doors that were now opening. "Queen Malleta," a tall and lean looking guy bows towards my mother. "King Reeve." The tall man takes a seat at the head of the table, "General Caine. Nice to see you my friend," my dad's voice booms loudly but is full of friendliness. My mother smiles towards the general and looks towards the doors again. More people fill the room, and Caton and I smile and nod toward the lords and ladies that join us. The meeting passes by me in a blur, names and strategies for the current war jumble in my head.
     I feel grateful when the meeting is over, and I head towards the door I came through to after everyone says goodbye and finished their last thoughts. My mother's voice cuts me off, stopping me in my tracks. "Love, come here for a second." I turn around and walk towards her, pushing my fear down my throat. "Yes, mother?" She let's her eyes lower, showing me that I have nothing to be afraid of. "Maren, please, don't sneak out again. Your father and I already have so much to deal with. The war, rebels. I don't want something to happen to you, darling." She embraces me in a loving hug, and I hug her back. "Promise me you won't?" I look up at her and reply, "I promise I won't, mother." She smiles and kisses my forehead, and I kiss her cheek. She let's me go, and I walk off towards my room for peace and quiet. I sit on my bed, and take off my crown. My single earring, on my left ear stays in, being a dear gift to me from a friend.