• Part One: Meeting One Another


    As I watched the full moon rise above the kingdom with my deep maroon eyes, I smiled slightly. The reason why is because it was my first visit to the kingdom of Alencia, and I was promised I would enjoy my stay very much. Looking out the window of the white coach pulling me towards a large castle, darkened in the night sky but lit by the moon, I saw an attractive male, no more than the age of nineteen, staring in my direction. It was then I realized that he was Abry de Meyer, in which I was engaged to by his saying, and was to be married to him the next day.

    Abry’s long, shaggy black hair flew slowly in the breeze, while his black cape was blowing quickly and wildly when the breeze ran through the trees surrounding him and the castle. His outfit was golden armor, and though the material looked heavy, the diamonds, sapphires, and rubies embedded in the shoulders and crown showing great wealth made his outfit look as light as a feather. Looking down I checked my own outfit: a dress with a maroon top, its sleeves tight against my arms, but freely flowing once they reached past my elbows, and the black skirt reaching past my feet. Feeling my hair, I made sure the black bun of my hair was sitting properly up, and straightened the diamond chocker hanging on my neck.

    Closing my eyes, I took in the scent coming from outside the window. When I opened my eyes again, the coach was stopping, and my door was being opened for me. Stepping out of the coach, my maroon eyes immediately looked across the trees surrounding the castle. The trees were all pines, and each seemed to sing to me when the wind blew and I stepped out. My eyes finally reached Abry, who’s own red eyes were staring back into mine. Abry walked over, and got down on one knee, kissing my hand. Abry rose, and smiled at me. Looking back, I nodded my head as a signal for the coach driver to take his leave. Looking back at Abry, I smiled, and began to speak.

    “So you are the Abry I am to be wed to?” I asked, smiling and trying to stay as calm as I could be. Abry laughed.

    “You look nervous. Yes I am. The name is Abry de Meyer, my dear. You are Cassandra Alore, are you not?” Abry asked, smiling. I nodded my head, and he continued, while leading me towards the castle. “This is my home. Tomorrow it shall be yours. Cassandra, I have loved you ever since we met over a century ago. When I was told I have to marry you to keep peace between your country of vampires and my own, I could not have been happier.” Abry explained. By the time he had finished this we were inside the castle. I looked around at the high ceiling and the large chandelier hanging above my head, and got dizzy.

    Falling down, I passed out on the floor, and turned cold. I found myself being locked away in a dungeon; only I was a little girl, and not eighteen. The last thing I heard was myself screaming out Abry’s name for help, and blacked out again.

    “Cassandra. Cassandra! Are you alright?” I heard Abry say to me. I slowly opened my eyes to discover I was in a warm and large bed, and next to the bed was a window overlooking a large, beautiful river and a large forest surrounding the river. I heard myself groan, and I sat up automatically, and then stared at Abry.

    “How did I get into this room?” I asked Abry, and then reached towards my head to discover my hair was down, and there were several bandages on my head.

    “Cassandra, you passed out right in the entrance hall. The doctor came to see you, and noticed that something was raised in the back of your head. He said it is only a small bruise from falling. Have you never done that before?” Abry asked. I heard water running, and looked down to see a bucket of water next to my bed, and Abry was getting a cloth wet to stick on my head.

    “I have actually never done that before. I’m sorry.” I frowned. Abry laughed at my expression, and then gently put the cold cloth on my forehead. Abry let go of the cloth, and caressed the cheek on the right side of my face.

    “Don’t worry about it. Try to get some rest. Tomorrow will be important for the both of us. Tomorrow, right after we are wed, you and I are to start ruling this kingdom together.” With that, Abry moved the cloth, and quickly kissed my forehead. He put the cloth back in the same spot, and strode out of the room quite happily.

    Part Two: A War On The Wedding Day


    “You look gorgeous, your highness.” One of the maids said to me. Looking in the mirror, I gazed at the horror that was I to be wed. The white dress was skin tight, and the white skirt had a long trail, while the top had a connected white cape. My black hair was tied back in a bun, and white flowers had been placed in my hair to help ‘brighten’ my pale skin. I frowned at the picture I saw, but knew that I was to be happy because it was my wedding day.

    “I don’t look like I should.” I said silently to myself while the maids gushed over how I looked. Hearing the clock strike midnight, I walked out of the room, and descended the stairs that led to the chapel, which were conveniently enough near my room. The dark winding staircase made me feel more like myself, and I walked down the pathway lit by torches, and walked through two open doors. Stopping, I looked around the room to see Abry was standing up front, as nervous as could be. Everyone stood when he or she saw me, and when the organ began to play, Abry looked at me, and smiled.

    I made my way towards Abry and the priest that was to marry us, and waited patiently for my part: to say ‘I do’ and be kissed. The hour seemed long, and it was finally time to be kissed. Grimacing on the inside, I turned towards Abry, and waited for him to kiss me. Abry reached down, and slightly kissed my lips. The royal families sitting in the pews cheered, and Abry and I quickly made our way down the isle and up the stairs. Abry took my hand, and ran at a super-fast pace through the halls, everything a blur to me. Abry slowed his run to a brisk walk, and led me through large red curtains.

    The curtains led to a balcony above the castle town, and before me sat two seats. Abry led me to mine, and gently sat me down, then retired to his own chair. “My friends and fellow members of the Castle Town, I would love for you to meet my beautiful new bride, Cassandra Alore.” Abry smiled, and motioned towards me. I waved, and everyone in the crowd cheered at me. “We have come out here for entertainment. Forever lives this town!” Abry called out once more, and smiled as the music played and people danced before us.

    I smiled, and watched the festivities, until my eyes caught sight of someone riding into the town. Standing up, I gasped and noticed it was one of my own men. Everyone quieted down to see him ride through the town, and setting several buildings on fire. The knight then stopped, and bowed before me. Taking my hand, he kissed it, then stood back up, and unrolled a scroll he was holding.

    “To the rulers of Alencia! You are hereby sentenced to fight in a war with the kingdom of Finnel! You are called to this because of your strong army, and land is wanted that is located in your kingdom!” The man said, then taking my hand again, the man looked me straight in the eyes, and began to whisper to me. “Please, forgive me…” With that, the man collapsed, and I pronounced him dead. Looking up, I watched the buildings burning down, one by one. Looking back at Abry, I smiled, and then looked at everyone in the town.

    “Everyone, listen to me! You need to get out to the forest towards the river. At the moment, that is the safest place you can go. Go, now! Leave no one behind! If they are in the buildings, it is too late for them! Run, hurry!” I shouted at everyone. The crowd panicked, and ran towards the gates to the field that went to the river. I ran up to where Abry was, and took his hand, crying silently. “Why would my old kingdom want land? We’ve always been at peace, and this is why you and I were to be married, to keep that peace.” I cried. Abry picked me up, and ran through the burning town, towards everyone else.

    Part Three: Kidnapped


    Later that night, I sat in the castle library with Abry. Abry was spread out on the daybed lying in the corner, and was staring at me with wide eyes while my maroon eyes stared at the fire. Several chills ran up and down my spine, and the flames flickering sent a message of heat to my head.

    “Cassandra… I never knew you could control all those people with your mind.” Abry said, a little scared of me. I nodded my head, and looked at Abry. I could feel my eyes watering, and I slowly walked towards him. Abry hugged me, and smiled. “I still love you, no matter what you can do or what you are. I could care less if you were human. At least you aren’t thought. That wouldn’t end up well.” Abry joked, then kissed my forehead. “Love, I am going to bed. I will talk to you tomorrow.” Abry smiled at me, and then took off.

    I walked back to the fireplace, and then watched the flames dance again. A crash went through the window next to me, and before I could react, a bag was placed over my head. I felt myself being dragged away from the warmth, and felt cold air blowing around me. The dress I was still wearing from the wedding stayed calm, and something picked me up. I was thrown onto someone’s back, and was taken away, unknowing where I was going.


    Waking up, I recognized the pattern on the wall of stone, and noticed the black bars and stone floor. The dungeon had a cold, rusting smell, and when I tried to stand up, a chain connected me to the ground, causing me to fall back down. Something was tied around my mouth, and someone walked up, staring at me through the cells of my imprisonment. The person laughed at me.

    “The great Princess Cassandra Alore finally caught in her own dungeon. Since you can’t talk, or more importantly sing, I may as well tell you my identity. Cassandra, my name is Damien. I am the one that waited patiently for you to leave so I could take your place. Funny how it was so soon.” Damien said. My eyes grew large with fear as I recalled the name. A memory flew through my head at that moment. I was a teenager, the age of sixteen, and the man standing before me was taking me away. Then I saw Abry step in, and save me. I looked up at Damien angrily.

    “Ah, the ‘kingdom’s little hero’ has remembered. About time!” Damien yelled at me. Damien then laughed. “I have offered your ‘lover’ a trade. His best fighter is to be traded for you in return. If it were I deciding, I would just let my enemy keep you. You are a nuisance not needed in this world.” Damien said lastly. Damien walked out of the dungeons, and I sat crying until I was sure it was the next evening.

    As my eyes stopped watering, the room was pitch black. I heard the opening of my cell door, and saw a flambeaux being lit before. The face that held it was a male face. He looked no more than my age, had deep ruby eyes, pale skin, and high cheekbones. Black hair covered his right eye, and his eyes looked as cold as ice. My throat stiffened as I held back a gasp, and the man took the chain off lightly, the ripped me up off the stone floor. One of his cold hands fit mine easily into his palm, and he pulled me away from the dungeon with a strong force.

    “Time for war, my sweet!” The man joked. “You haven’t seen my face in a while, so I thought this would be the best way to remember me!” He laughed, and I recognized the voice as Damien from previous hours. Damien blindfolded me throughout my own magnificent castle, and dragged me with force outside. I felt myself being lifted into a cage, and heard others call out my name in mourning. I felt cold wind surround me, and my eyes filled with blood-red tears. The cage moved around me, and I was sure I was in motion. Closing my eyes, I fell asleep from crying for a long period of time.


    Part Four: Traded, War Begins With Life and Ends With Death


    When I woke up, I was being pulled out of the cage I was in. The blindfold came off, and I discovered I was standing in an open field. The night sky was unable to be seen because of dark, ominous clouds, and a small slit of what appeared to be a crescent moon was visible. Looking back across the field, I gasped at the sight of Abry and his best man, Dante, walking across the field. Gasping for air, I was pulled foreword like a prisoner about to be executed. Abry was dressed in all black, and his hair was pulled back in a ponytail, a helmet hiding under his arm. My capturer laughed at Abry.

    “You’re an obsessed fool. Any smart person would gladly have this woman killed. Trading your best fighter for her- how pathetic!” Damien spat out, and then wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Personally, if I was you, Abry, I would just give up the land to my enemy and let this one die. Her powers are quite dangerous, and apparently you can’t understand that. When we fight I will enjoy killing you.” Damien said, then pushed me foreword. Dante walked past me, a helmet on his head, and smiled. I walked past Dante, without saying a word, and ran into Abry’s arms. Damien laughed behind me, and walked away.

    “The war has begun, Cassandra. I’m glad to have you back.” Abry said silently, and then led me towards his side of the men. Abry took me behind some trees, and pinned me against one of the small oak trees near the entrance to the forest. “Cassandra, stay here. You’re no good to anyone dead.” Abry smiled, then left. I ran back into the clearing, but saw the battle was commencing on. Men were slicing at one another, and arrows were fired through the night sky. Rain began to pour down from the night sky, and lightning bellowed through my ears. I watched patiently for Abry to emerge from the crowd, but saw no one.

    I then got an idea. Walking foreword, I opened my mouth and began to sing a haunting tone. Men fighting near me dropped like flies, and as each one of them fell, I began to see Abry and Damien fighting one another in the distance. I was unsure of what they were doing, so I stopped singing, and got closer. Everyone stayed on the ground, and those left standing cowered in fear from me. My eyes stayed on the fight between Abry and Damien, until I saw that Damien had severely wounded Abry through the heart. I screamed, but the scream was covered with a crash of lightning. Abry fell downwards, and I heard Damien laugh triumphantly.

    “Abry, this is your end! Die with all the rest of your pitiful men and your who-“ Damien said, then I saw him cough up blood and fall. “Curse you to the pits of Hell, Abry!” Damien cried out. I then watched Damien fall to the ground, and call his last call of pain. I walked over to Abry, and put his head in my lap. My blood-red tears hit his face, and I quickly wiped them away before they reached his slowly dimming eyes.

    “Cassandra, know I’ll always be with you in spirit. Let me die here, but the pain is too much for this body. Please, sing something, anything for me so I can die knowing you are the last thing in my mind.” Abry begged, placing a bloody hand on my small, pale face. Smiling, Abry closed his eyes, just after they turned black. I sang one small note, and felt his body soften under me, and his head becoming limp and heavy on my lap. The blood continued to flow from my eyes, and I laid his head on the ground. The ran poured down on me, and my white dress stuck to my skin, and my black hair, pulled down because of being a prisoner, clutched against my face and back. I slowly but surely made my way to the enemy force, which then screamed at the sight of my ghost, and ran away, unsure of where they were to go. I turned to face the way my back was before I turned, and slowly made my way back to the Castle Town in Alencia.

    Part Five: A celebration in Abry de Meyer’s Memory.


    The crowd rejoiced in jubilation as the full moon rode clear in the night sky above Alencia. Smiling, I sat before the crowd, laughed along with the dancing, and clapping to the beat of the music. A small child brought several red and black roses up to me, and I smiled at the child, and took them. Everyone that came up to me bowed, and asked about the war each time. I had somehow become the hero, yet I knew it was Abry who should have been alive and enjoying the celebration of peace. The last person who came up was Abry’s best fighter, Dante. He told me he had escaped Finnel’s grasp, and came back to ask of his long-time companion. He asked how I had become a hero, and I gave him the same answer as I had everyone else.

    “Friend, it should not be me receiving this title. I am alive because of a little control and a power I should not have had. I know not of my past, and I guess that is what makes me a hero today. If anyone is to be exalted, it should not be me. Instead, I would like you to honor someone else in my stead. I want Abry de Meyer, my husband and love, to be given the title as ‘Hero’.”