Neptune Glazier

My eyes begin to adjust to the lighting, my ears listen out for aid and my nose breaths in the damp, moist air.

My mind was a clouded haze. The last thing I recall was merely standing in this cave's doorway.

When, it all becomes that more clearer I spot Jo squatted down by a fire. I took interest in his presence, not because he had changed since I last saw him but, the fact he was talking to someone, someone that was greatly unfamiliar.

It was a young girl, that was still blossoming with innocence. She sported lengthy brunette hair, that was neatly tucked behind her ears. She had a flower hair clip in her hair and a floral dress worn sweetly over her body of inoccence.

However, what took away from this child's inoccence and purity, was the fact they had no comfort for their blistering feet. They had scars, bruises, blisters and burns all over their body. Their life of inoccence taken away by a fate worse than death.

On, noticing I'm awake Jo beckons me to join them. Now, I wanted to know more but, a certain doubt of uncertainty lingered in my mind. They were both just strangers, unknown to me and my land.

However, despite my unknowing, I sit comfortably by this fire. This was all simly because they gave of an aura of trust.

"How are you feeling?" Jo asks in a manner that implied we were friends.

"Still a little groggy but, other than that I'm fine." I weakly respond. This whole ordeal taking the strength out of me.

"Oh, where are my manners, Neptune, this is Abrina, Abrina, Neptune."

I take the child's outstretched hand, shaking it gently, while smiling a grin of friendship and empathy. The child copies my gestures but, within her smile I see a hint of sadness.

"It's nice to meet you." I say in a gentle, motherly voice.

The child seems nervous of my presence, uncertain if I was someone to be trusted.

"Abrina, go on, you can tell her. She is not like the rest of them."

I sit their in silence, to afraid that I may break the fragile bond between Jo and Abrina. It was evident Abrina felt comfortable when around Jo, she had opened up her arms to him.

Now, Jo was trying to convince her to do the same with me. He takes her hand and beams with joy and life, comforting her through this challenging step.

After, a moments hesitation Abrina agreed to tell me her story.

"I am Abrina Bloom, the daughter of Finch and Marigold Bloom. I lived in the Kingdom of Plantis, a belonger to the floral pods. We believed nature was our salvation." she seemed to break of in tears, as she remembered her past, those dark memories, that inflicted a deep sense of pain.

Naturally, I knew about this kingdom and it's unfortunate end but, in all our books of facts and fantasies, no survivor had ever been mentioned.

Jo and me sit beside her, comforting her, alowing her to dictate the story in her own time.

"We had what you would call magic in this land, but in ours it was known as dervinty, an act of God. We believed firmly in the Goddesses of Nature. We concocted what you would say were spells but, to us were medicines. We wandered around our land unclothed, seeing clothes as a materialistic missue of Nature. Our plants were only ever used for its medcinial value. A value our Goddess would be proud of."

"Although, the other kingdom's soon learned about our cures. They came from everywhere and nowhere, demanding we fixed their plaqued kingdom's. At first we agreed, freely supplying what was needed for each kingdom. But, one day, we stopped, the kingdoms betraying our own trust, stealing from our land, so as to better their own. Many of them understood, many but, not all. Because one  ruthless ruler in particular was determined to get his hands on this infinite power of life. It could cure any sickness, any disease. It could keep him alive forever. He burned down our entire kingdom, my home, my family, the only place I had ever known gone in a flash. I was just a baby when it all occurred, completely unaware of what was going on. I just kept wailing, sensing the terror in my mother's voice. She set me in a basket and placed me in a stream. With my father by her side, they watched me be blown away to saftey. That was the last time I ever saw them. Everyday I cling on to the hope that they're still alive." she takes a moment to collect herself before, then continuing on with her unfortunate tale.

"Thankfully, I was taken in by a shepherd and his wife. My life there was one of isolation with a protective barrier surrounding the walls of the barn. I tired of the same old life and one day, I regrettably left my place of sanctuary. I ventured of into the kingdom of Alieas and ran directly into the Kings carriage. Now, the King was beyond fury, a resentment so deep, that in his eyes he saw that it could only be punishable by death. I was absolutely petrified and confused. I called for who I had thought were my parents in a wild, childish tantrum. I kicked, spat and screamed at this evil man but, no matter what I did I had no power over him. I thought this was going to be the end of my short lived life but, I was wrong. The shepherd had heard my cries and now stood armed and prepared for a duel. He no longer wore his tacky white shepherd cloth and instead a suit of pure metallic armour, armour that helped in capturing his hidden bravery. He held a weighty blade in his hand, that seemed to shine in the palace's light. That day the shepherd took down the king and was soon rewarded that role himself. He became known as the Saviour Shepherd as well, as your father. That day the  name Venus Glazier went down in history."

On finishing her story, I give Abrina a wide grin. I felt a deep sense of pleasure and hope, hearing my father's heroic tale through someone elses perspective was a feeling of pure indescribable delight. I knew that my father had stood couraglesy before a murderous ruler but, I had never known he had done it for the security  and safety of a young  girl he had grown
to love, as if she was his own.

Although, this story contained factual elements of my past, two unexplained anomalies contradicted all that the child had just said.

Firstly, if my father had adored this child, then how come I had never in my life seen them before.

Secondly, my father seemingly only ever had one wife, my mother, the Queen of Locklonsalis.

So, the biggest question here was, who was this woman and where was she now?

Author note: There was meant to be another element of this chapter but, I don't want to make the parts to long, so I will add another part that explains how the girl turns into a beast as soon as possible.