Caged Birds Will Fly

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Chapter Eleven: The Cursed

H E L E N
That was the calm before the storm. A terrible calm, but a deadlier storm.
Maybe it was because I was too used to my new life that the thought of a war frightened me momentarily. King Aurous looked more like a king when he was serious, his brow was furrowed and his mouth set in a firm line. We knew the fight would be bloody, thousands would be lost. The Green Kingdom, our closest ally, and our biggest threat. I knew that Ivory was from the Green Kingdom, yet he said he'd fight alongside me. He was loyal. As a girl, many thought I would faint at the slightest hint of blood, but I have seen more blood in my childhood than many in their life. There was nothing worse than the war that occurred in my hometown; millions of children captured, and many slain. I watched my men get ripped apart by Green soldiers. I have also killed many enemy troops, but every time they fell, I would be reminded of the stained of child's screams. I use my power, growing my wings, cutting men to pieces. A large group of enemy troops comes my way, but I reflect all their powers, killing them all. I feel no sorrow now. The feeling is gone. Aurous was also vicious on the battlefield, killing more enemy troops every second with his sword. The rain started to pour, washing off some of the blood splattered on my white and gold armor. I touched the crescent on my right breast, brushing my fingertips over the colorful gems. I, Helen Matthews, was now a real Knight. The war was over before I knew it.

When we returned, I headed to my room and found Lune on my bed. I sighed. He shifted, meowed, and started to grow. I turned to see him growing. Fast. Large. I watched in awe as he fills the room. I had to take him outside. The garden was just around the corner, but as I turned the corner, I bumped into Madalin. "Madalin! You've returned.", I hugged her, "Sorry I cannot talk but I have to get Lune out to the garden". She stared at me. Dark circles. Just like Dad. "I can prepare a room if you want", she suggested. "Yes! I mean thank you". Lune seemed to be pleased with the arrangement and leaped into my arms. Lune did get cuter as he grew, but he needed his own room and sulked for a week.

Aurous was in a skittery mood today. His actions spoke anxiousness and he was always alert, never letting his guard down. Sterling and I walked past the post, books in hand sword in the other, "Sterling. Can you tell me why his Majesty is so agitated lately? It worries me"
Sterling looks at me in surprise, "You didn't know". I blink and shook my head no. "There is going to be an Engagement Party soon, that means a bundle of women at your house, trying to win your affection" He looked disheartened. "Wow. Sounds dreadful", I agreed. "If only you wanted to be Empress, I'd accept you". I tilted my head and smiled, "Even if that were the case, I'm happy for the chance to protect the people I love".

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The maids prepared my gown, always so excited about balls and whatnot. My gown was yellow and was short in the front, but long at the back. The arms draped to my wrists. It flowed as I walked, like a butterfly in a meadow. Aurous looked handsome in his pale blue and gold Royal suit. His cape draped effortlessly on his broad shoulders. In the distance, I spotted Sterling wearing almost the same thing, except the gold was silver for him. Now that I think about it: Aurous means "gold", and Sterling mean "silver". I giggled to myself. "What's so funny?". I turned to see Madalin in a red and copper gown that draped around her shoulders. She does look like a witch. She smiled, her eyes glistening at me. "Helen, there is something I must give you". I turned to fully face her, "What is it?". She hands me a yellow necklace with golden-white flowers. "Mother's...where did you get this?"
"That you needn't know", her eyes cast downward and for a second I thought I saw pure hatred. I wrapped my hands around her and rubbed her back, "It's gonna be okay", I promised. She nodded into my chest.

The next day, I awoke expectedly and prepared to oversee the Engagement. My hair was put into a bun and I settled on a large buttoned shirt with green stripes, navy jeans, and black knee-boots. The princesses came in slowly, all in a single-file line. They were elegant and poise, yet they seemed sinister and wicked to me. They glanced at me a couple of times. Madalin stayed by my side the entire time until Ivory and the Baker came. Madalin dragged me to them, speaking sound words into my ears. I stood in the middle. My knees suddenly feel weak and I let myself fall to Gaia. My head felt foggy and vague. Something brushed my cheek, leaving painful aches in its place. I floated in a sea of vines that choked me and moved me in different directions. Their voices speaking kind lies that I foolishly believed. 'You'll make it Helen', 'Don't worry, I'll protect you', 'I'll always be there for you'. Lies that tangle themselves to my core, crushing, annihilating it to pieces. Please don't leave me alone. I am scared to be alone. My voice left me. Faint. Lost in a sea of howls. Deaf.

S T E R L I N G
The ballroom was filled with different princesses as I walked around to find Helen. My silver collar scratched my neck, begging to be ripped off. Helen stood beside a girl. I want to talk to Helen too. Helen moved towards her friends and me but didn't make it there. She collapsed to the floor, breathing heavily. " Helen!!", I screamed. Her body was hot to the touch and she kept muttering 'please don't leave me alone' under her breath. The dark man carried her to her room. I stayed with her, sobbing her name repeatedly. She didn't wake up for about a month. We thought her dead. I gazed hazily at her, pale lips, heavy breathing. My big brother, Aurous, came and went, staying no longer than five minutes. The days were long and filled with a heavy silence. Her chest lifted with faint heaves over and over again, as if she couldn't wait to fall into a deathly slumber. Doctors passed through the doors, only to leave discouraged and unable to help and disheartened. Her face was laced with fever, fingertips gripping the sheets in agony. Her eyebrows furrowed with pain and I gently pressed my cool palm to it to ease the ache. The days went by, her pulse getting weaker and weaker. Only slight words came from her mouth until her lashes fluttered and her blue orbs gazed upon me and her pale hands gently brushed my face. "You...would not believe what...just happened". I looked at her and gripped her hand, "Tell me".

H E L E N
The darkness formed a figure. It took my hand and lead me down a narrow road. My house stood at the end, shining through the dark forest. My mom and dad held me in their embrace. I wanted to go there too, but the figure held me firm. I cried till' my voice sounded cracked and hazy. My eyelids drifted down. I awoke in a valley coven. The cold drips of cracked water seemed unlikely to hold such creatures. I stood before a dragon, its scales a vivid blue and green. Its eyes a bright tangerine. My hand reached towards it, the figure allowing me. The puff of pink smoke surrounded me, consumed me, comforted me. I stayed with the dragon, Era, its name giving it pride. Era told me stories and tales of the true story of heroes. She was extremely impressed with my goal of becoming a Knight, but I had to promise not to slay her. I scoffed at the thought of killing such a wonderful dragon but promised anyways. I spook of Lune and my friends, the Academy and my departure into this world. She listened to all my pains and all my happiness. But it was time to return home. I bid her farewell. "Make sure not to forget me, Helen!"

"I won't"

The journey home was a hot and unsightly one, leading me to wish I had brought the figure or Era with me. The crunches of vines slithered around my ankles, pulling me down. The places they touched stung and burned. It was Hell. I woke to a familiar ceiling and in agony. "S-sterling is that you?", I ruffled the silver hair and went back to sleep. It seems that my slumber worried everyone. Yes, the journey to the Valley of the Dragons was a feverish and harsh one, but it was definitely worth it. I told them about the Valley of Dragons and about Era. Aurous seemed to think it had something to do with the message: The Valley of Dragons lies where pure of heart sleep. Madalin seemed the most interested in the subject. The others seemed shocked about me meeting a Dragon since they were so rare. I didn't tell them about the figure, though I still wonder about it late at night. My training seemed harder due to my journey to Era. "Helen, if it hurts so much you should stop", Mao remarks tactfully. She is in her maid uniform and her tail swings anxiously. Her hair is brown, while her skin is light brown, her hair in two buns and her ears seem anxious. I wobble and she rushes over. I sometimes think of her as my mother. She is 35 years old and is still very energetic when it comes to safety. " Helen, please rest for a moment or two"

"But Mao, I got to train"

"NO! You will rest for a while"

I listen and head to the table. Mao gives me some tea. It soothes me for a while, but I really must practice. The tea tastes like lemons and greens. I relax in my seat. Mao sighs, "I sometimes don't get why you train so much. One day you'll pass your youth-", she stops as Ferric comes from behind the tree.

"Hello Helen"

"Hello Ferric"

He seems more mature than the last time I saw him. His gray hair is combed back, making him look less arrogant. His blackish-brown eyes hold no more sexist thoughts towards me, rather they hold respect and remorse. He steps towards me. "I apologize for my sexist behavior towards you. I seek your forgiveness.". He seems apologetic to me. "I think I can forgive you Ferric". He rises and smiles. I never knew that his smile was so refreshing. Mao looks touched to see me make peace with Ferric. He helps me train, while Mao looks frightened everything I stumble. I was surprised to think having Ferric as a friend wasn't so bad.