Chapter One: The Celebration
It was that time of year again: the birthday celebration of Princess Ruby Saffir. She would be turning eighteen, becoming a young woman, and (perhaps more importantly) attracting suitors. The royal family had gone to great lengths to prepare the festivities, but one kink in the plan had made its way into the preparations: the royal cook had fallen terribly ill. No cook, no cake. This problem needed to be resolved as quickly as possible.
So this was how Alyxander Legume, Celest's one and only local baker, was stuck with an order for an enormously large cake for someone else on his birthday. Oh how lucky he felt.
Aligeri - Chapter 2 Part I by Cei-Ellem, literature
Literature
Aligeri - Chapter 2 Part I
Chapter Two: Friends and Enemies (Part I)
Clarice nodded as she took the box from Feles. Standing, she smiled and thanked her for the tea and said her goodbyes before she was soon out the door again. She remembered passing the bakery on the way there... it was four down, wasn't it?
Making sure that the box was safe in her arms, she walked down to the bakery, her mismatched eyes looking around her, trying to remember as much as she could about the streets. It wasn't long before she had arrived at the bakery, and once at the door, she called inside.
"Hello?"
There was an abrupt scuffling inside before someone answered the door. It cracked a
Aligeri - Chapter 2 Part II by Cei-Ellem, literature
Literature
Aligeri - Chapter 2 Part II
Chapter Two: Friends and Enemies (Part II)
"O-okay..."
Hesitantly, Ellen took the charm bracelet from Feles, putting it around her wrist and looking at it curiously as she thanked her and went out to join the others again, who seemed ready to leave.
"Hey Ellen!" Chay said excitedly. "Guess what Alyx said!"
"You repeat that out loud, and I'll change my mind," Alyx warned. "Remember, we're not out of the city yet."
The sprite stuck his tongue out and pouted. Ellen smiled a little at Chay. Whatever Alyx had said, it must have been a good thing for him to be so excited. She figured that she'd find out soon, anyway. So they made their way tow
Aligeri - Chapter 3 Part I by Cei-Ellem, literature
Literature
Aligeri - Chapter 3 Part I
Chapter Three: The Hawk (Part I)
When they looked up, Clarice and Ellen's eyes both went wide. Immediately, Ellen resumed her hiding (well, actually she had ducked for cover after the sound), and Clarice breathed an, "Oh... no..."
She had recognized that sound, and what she had seen had just confirmed her thoughts.
It was an aligeri.
The large creature circled around the arena several times before it suddenly swooped at the unsuspecting crowd. Chay and Kit both joined Ellen cowering behind Clarice as the bestial aligeri skulked around the area. Everyone at the main table had jumped to their feet, guards appearing to escort the queen and P
Aligeri - Chapter 3 Part II by Cei-Ellem, literature
Literature
Aligeri - Chapter 3 Part II
Chapter Three: The Hawk (Part II)
Now it was apparent where the sound of a waterfall had been coming from: in this little area surrounded on all sides by rock walls was an oasis of sorts, with fruit-bearing trees, a crystal clear stream with a waterfall flowing into it, and several patches of flowers. Just on the other side of the stream was what had to be the silver magesbane; the blossoms were silver, after all. Guy was grateful to be out in the fresh air, and he beamed.
"Ooooo..."
It was quite beautiful in here. The prince looked around, and soon his eyes caught onto the silver magesbane.
"Okay! So now I just have to go over the stream
Chapter Four: Showdown
Clarice looked at the floor as she tried to calm herself down. A new tunic and a new cloak. Right. She took a deep breath and bent over to pick up the tape again.
"W-Well..." she started, still trying to completely compose herself. "I'm going to have to ask you to not say such things, I don't want to startle my brother in the other room..."
She kept her voice soft, both out of rising nervousness and not wanting her brother to hear the conversation if he was awake.
"Sorry," Accipiter grumbled. "I didn't know."
He shifted his shoulders again.
"Do I... need to take off my cloak?"
Clarice nodded, slightly calmer now.
Chapter Five: The Ring
"More errands, yay!" Guy exclaimed. "Your errands are so much fun, Feles!"
Who knows how someone could find picking up clothing and food fun, though?
"An errand? What kind of errand?" Clarice repeated after taking a sip of the tea.
"Just a simple one, really," Feles explained. "I need a pebble from one of the pools in the cliff-side caves just outside of town. It needs to be tiny, about the size of a grain of rice, so I would appreciate it if you brought a handful. Take Kit with you too; he'll have fun, I'm sure."
"Oh... alright," Clarice smiled. "I don't mind going."
Guy grinned.
"Yay! This one goes out of town
Chapter Six: Twins
The next morning, Guy awoke refreshed and ready for the day with excitement bubbling within him. Today was the day he was going to meet Princess Ruby! And he was going to take her to the midsummer festival! It was going to be great! Dressing nicely and making sure he had his money and his sword, he traveled out of the inn.
Meanwhile, Clarice had gotten up early, awake and lively as well. She had taken to cleaning up the shop a little since she didn't really have much else to do, sweeping and smiling. It was a beautiful day outside, and she had a feeling that it was going to be a good day. It just seemed nice and cheery ou
Chapter Seven: The New Challenge
Guy and Clarice looked up, startled as they heard the noise.
"Wha... sister!?" Guy exclaimed, shocked. That woman on the creature looked like Feles! Was that the sister that Feles had mentioned earlier? She didn't look too happy about what had just happened, either. This looked like it was going to be trouble.
"Of what crime have you accused my sister of?" the woman questioned. "Of what crime have you murdered her for?"
Another thunder crack as streak of heat lightning shot across the sky.
"Answer me!"
The king and queen had been viewing the execution from their own platform, and it was the queen who rep
Chapter Eight: The Third
The night was peaceful, the beds surprisingly comfortable. None of them had ever slept so well. In the morning, Alyx was up early making a breakfast for them all. He was a little anxious about returning to the castle. He wondered what Feles had in mind for them.
"Oh, good morning, Alyx! You're up rather early," came the cheerful voice of Clarice as she came out into the room. She smiled at him, seeing how he was making breakfast.
"Would you like any help?"
"If you could set the table, that would be great," Alyx said. "I'm almost done cooking these eggs."
The others were slowly idling out now. Kit, for one, looked