Aventurine Wings

Chapter One

Being telepathic is a pain. I can't say this from experience, of course- but I'm sure it would be. Just being able to know what's going through somebody else's mind, knowing their honest feelings, what they think of you, how they judge you- it wouldn't be pleasant.

As I scanned the faces of the Myrefallians that walked through the marketplace around me, I would notice little things. Eyes narrowing, jaws clenching- they recognized me, they knew me.

I didn't have to read their minds to know that they hated me with a passion.

Well, to be fair, it wasn't exactly me that they hated. It was my family's reputation. The women, in particular. We had been different from your everyday Myrefallians for years, all organizing quests to 'save Myrefall from a horrid fate,' and other such nonsense. People just assumed that I was going to be the same way, that I would bring my kingdom into danger while searching for some enchanted rocks or whatever.

Though I never had any sort of intention of doing so, I couldn't just change the minds of Myrefall's citizens. We were infamous for our stubbornness.

It didn't help that I was also an 'outcast,' having been banished from my hometown years back, after my mother passed away, and I had to be escorted everywhere by a palace guard anytime I was within the borders to make sure that I didn't get into anything stupid.

I looked at my escort for the day, who was staring at his feet. Eliott Mason- he was a newer recruit for the palace guard, and he often got stuck babysitting me. It was quite funny, seeing as he was only a month or two older than me, he didn't know quite how to be firm.

Oddly enough, Eliott didn't look like he despised me the same way most everyone else did. I liked that about him.

"Lyn, what a pleasant surprise!" A deep, sarcastic voice said, interrupting my thoughts. I raised an eyebrow, looking for who it was that had recognized me. "Ah, and good old Eli."

Nieko Immon stepped closer to Eliott and me, a grin spreading across his lips.

Eliott looked at me, obviously confused. I shook my head and shrugged, as if saying that I wasn't sure of what to do either.

Nieko stepped closer, eyeing me with his menacing hazel eyes. Eliott moved closer to me as well, hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Sir Eliott, I can handle this, it's fine," I assured him, hoping that the confidence in my tone was real.

He didn't move, his grip only tightening on his weapon.

"Sir," I whispered. He shot me a harsh glare, and, startled, I stepped back.

Eliott trained his gaze on Nieko. "I demand that you leave Miss Evelyn alone, sir."

"Hm," Nieko shifted his weight. "And why should I listen to you?"

"I am Sir Eliott, knight for the Palace Guard." Eliott took a step closer to Nieko, his tone threatening. "I don't suggest you disobey me."

For a moment, I almost thought I saw fear in Nieko's eyes. If it ever was there, though, he hid it quickly.

"Oh, but wouldn't it be nice to be rid of her? It must get so tedious, having trained for years only to be told that all you can do as a knight is babysit some irresponsible traitor," Nieko taunted.

Eliott's unwavering confidence remained. "She is my charge, my job is to keep her safe, not get her killed."

"Actually," Nieko sneered. "I think your job is to keep Myrefall safe from her. Isn't she the daughter of Lady Esma? You know, the one who got half the woods burned down? The one who got my parents killed? The one whose utter insanity nearly killed the King himself?"