Bandit

Chapter One-Haunting Footsteps

A single staircase, a hushed whisper, and the gliding motion of fabric on marble give way to my entrance into the large ballroom. Keeping my face hidden behind strands of dark ebony hair, I glance at the remaining eyes still fixated on me. I try not to make eye contact as I continue my descent. "Breathe," I whisper to myself, trying to resist every urge I have to run back up the marble stairway. I see my father's face, strong, sculptured, and eloquently taking to a man in a dark robe who is hanging on to his every word. Its not hard to find my parents in a sea of people such as this. They are the king and queen after all, and as people see them they can't help but somehow gravitate towards them. My father is a powerful man whose booming voice can captivate an audience at will. My mother's frail physique somehow adds to her overwhelming charm. I was supposed take after after my parents, being a child born with not only great beauty but charm to match. Sadly I somehow found myself to be clumsy, pale, and an utter bore for most to be around. Id rather be a shadow, hiding behind my parents then deal with the constant accusation that I can never live up to their expectations.

As my foot hits the cold marble floor I am forced once again to greet my guests, putting on a smile and hoping I can make it through this night. My mother ushers me over in hushed tones, gesturing me towards her. I let my feet guide me, trying as gracefully as I can to avoid the mob of people surrounding me. "I see you finally decided to join us Odette," my mother says through a smile, trying not to look as annoyed as I know she is feeling. "There is someone I am dying for you to meet." She secretly points to a woman and a man across the ballroom who's bright blonde hair and crystal green eyes mark them as neighboring visitors. "The King and Queen of Malvolia. Your father says they've come here on business but I think otherwise." My mother gave me her look that says she is up to something. Her small petite mouth curved up in a smirk and her eyes glimmered like she had a new trick up her sleeve. "Odette I know you hate me meddling but they have a lovely son..." I stopped her right there, know that whatever she had to say wasn't about to end well. " Mother, listen. we are not about to have this conversation again. I'm not going to pounce on any man you fling my way." She seemed a little disappointed but I wasn't about to have another arranged marriage thrown at me. I had just narrowly dodged marriage from the prince of Kilonar, who had a nasty habit of setting things on fire. It ended in a near death experience which thankfully also ended our marriage. It also had ended any chance I thought I had about finding a man who wasn't hand picked by my parents. This one didn't seem any different. "Im sorry but you'll have to excuse me," I flashed my mother a quick smile," Im in need of some fresh air." I looked around for my father but he was no where to be found. It was very unusual for him to disappear from his guests for such a long time.

As I made my way out to the balcony I couldn't help but let out a sigh as I looked out over the veranda. It wasn't unusual for my parents to forget things, they were busy people after all. Still I couldn't believe their daughter's eighteenth birthday would slip their minds. This ball they were holding was a statement piece, a way to show superiority. A birthday party probably had seemed out of the question. My mother was more worried about suitors than whether I was happy. The fresh air helped to cool my head, and the peaceful silence in the garden made me forget all these silly troubles. I let my head rest on a nearby pillar, wondering whether or not I should go back inside. My mother probably would be worried by now but the cold moonlit garden beckoned me towards it. I pick up the hem of the dress, venturing out into the rose scaped paradise. I hadn't been out here since I was a child, when my head barely could reach over the buches. As I venture further in I hear a slight rustling coming from in front of me. As soon as the rustling ends it is followed by a glowing green light that peeks through the leaves. This light spans over the grass, casting an eerie glow over the garden. Immediately I hid behind the nearest tree, wondering whether or not I should peak out to see what it is. The light is everywhere now, pulling me in towards it. I cant help but peek over the side of the tree, wondering how anything like this could happen. "A tree isnt a very good hiding place darling. A little bit of light never hurt anyone. " A woman's voice, calm but just as equally haunting. It was smooth like glass rippling over me, sending shivers to coarse through my body. "I peak around, curious to find the source. She stands before me. Her long black hair the swarms around her like poisonous snakes. She smiles once she lays eyes on me, and at that moment I felt like I was looking into the face of death. A blade rested at her side, still dripping with blood. Im speechless, trying to muster any sense of composure I had remaining. There was something demonic about her, and this was only heightened when her eyes morphed into red black slits. She fell backwards, her arms splayed out on either sides. I made a move towards her but decided to keep my distance. Her lips began to move, uttering words in a strange foreign language that I had never heard. "after the war has ended, and nations are struggling to pull the pieces back together, evil will bring darkness to the lands. There will be no struggle, no fight to overcome the darkness, just death. Those who choose to surrender to the ways of evil will be turned into the darkest part of their souls, nothing left but pure evil. The good may try to fight back, but and struggle is useless. Only a select few can overcome the downfall of the nations. Death to all betrayers."

As she uttered these last few words the green light is heightened in strength blinding me for just a moment. When my gaze is refocused she was gone, leaving me speechless with too many unanswered questions.