Phoenix ashes

Chapter 1

Minli jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen. She made some toast, and quickly shoved Phoenix maps she had been studying in a leather backpack. She was wearing a red shortsleeved t-shirt accompanied by her dark olive green cargo shorts and a black and red plaid hoodie around her waist. "What's the rush, Min?" She just about fell on the floor, it was her grandpa. "You didn't have to scare me like that grandpa." They laughed a bit and continued packing her things. 2 maps, a Phoenix book, and basic camping gear. She packed a lighter, though she doubted she would need it considering her Phoenix like powers aloud her to light fires. "Oh, I see. Your going to look for them now?" He was happy for her, but he was sad she was leaving. He had raised her like his own, and now she was leaving. He handed her a note pad, it was full though, "Grandpa what's this?" She looked at the notes and sketches on the pad. "Flying notes." She smiled. "You came through with the deal!" She had a beaming smile on her face. "Well I gotta go, love you grandpa!" She hugged him and ran out the door. She studied the notes carefully, and slowly, it came to her. She opened her wings. They were large with red, purple, and silvery blue feathers. "Blue!" She shouted as she flew upward. She read through her own notes. Her notes read, 'crimson and shimmery midnight blue feathers are a symbol of a strong king/queen Phoenix' she looked down the page. "Silver blue feathers are knight/protector colors!" She beamed. She knew the rout on the maps all to well. She hiked the mountains with grandpa every year. One problem, she needs a turquoise stone and moon stone cement to open the gate to the Phoenix pass. To get these things, she needs to go to the black market, and find the so called "Phoenix dealer". Minli began flying towards the oak ridge mountain summit for directions. She landed near the summit and ran to the nearest traveler. "What can I do for you?" The traveler looked her up and down. "I need" "Ah Ah Ah! I know what you need. Get in the wagon. "It can't be this easy" she thought, " but I'll do it if I can get to the market". She slid on her hoodie and curled up in between some hay bails in case they were going to sell, or kill her. The hay bails provided good cover, as there was a space just big enough for her to hide in without being seen or heard. 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————About four hours later, the wagon pulled onto a dirt road. She was tired of not being able to see outside. She pulled out her pocket knife, and slowly but surely, hatched a small peep hole in the wagons canvas covering. She saw lights and stands of every color, the moonlight shone down upon the place, revealing mountains, slick water covered ones at that. Upon the sight of the wet mountains she noticed something, it was raining. Not super hard, but it was a mild rain storm. The wagon pulled into a large tarp covered area. At first it was hard to tell what they where, but she began to make out cages and mythical creatures within them! Once she was sure the wagon driver couldn't see her, she took the keys from the front of the wagon and started unlocking other cages. Then she heard it, a loud bellowing laugh she would recognize anywhere. She had only met him once, but his laugh stuck with her. It was dads boss. "Run!" She whisper shouted. She set a small flame to the wood tent supporters. She ran, and before she knew it, she was at a crimson tent hidden away between the larger tents. "Phoenix girl?" The tent owner questioned. "Yes sir..." she said. The man running the stand grabbed. What looked like a bag of stones and powder and ran. She followed silently.