Sacrificed

Alice jumped and reached for her sword as something clinked behind her! Her hand clasped only air as she remembered that the rules for these capricious parties meant that she had to leave her weapons back at the dorm. She turned around and saw a man and woman bump wine glasses and laughing animatedly. Alice hated everything about these honor parties. She especially hated the unassuming blue dress that her roommate insisted she wear because it matched her sapphire eyes and highlighted her pale skin. If Alice had her choice and the time, she would have preferred something black to match her midnight-colored hair.

“Can I get you anything, miss?” A waiter noticed her startle.

“No, I’m fine,” Alice answered quickly clenching her fist and rolling her eyes.

These types of gatherings always left her feeling on edge and annoyed. In this realm of magic and combat, she felt naked without her sword, daggers, and magic cloak. The first time she attended one of these, she asked her uncle why he couldn’t bring his sword or any of his other magical arms. He explained to her that it was customary and something the first king had decreed long ago as he felt the royal guard had more than enough fire power to handle any threat. To Alice, it sounded more like a chance for some puffed up old man to flex his army like wooden soldiers.

“Isn’t this one of the best honor parties you’ve ever been to?” Her roommate, Treasa, lunged at her and wrapped her up in a hug. “The waiters, the food, and the blue, white, and silver decorations! See? Aren’t you glad you went with the blue dress? You are, right?”

“It’s definitely-“Alice started before Treasa continued.

“I can’t believe that your uncle and his men put all of this together in your honor! Come on! Aren’t you excited?”

“Well-!” Alice hesitated. Not even one of her closet friends seemed to understand why coming to these over the years had never gotten any easier for her. Maybe she should just lie about how she felt.

“Well, I have to go find Tai. I swear that boyfriend of mine acts like he’s not supposed to stay at my side at all times.”

Why couldn’t she just be honest about how she felt? What would it hurt? It wasn’t a secret that the last time she attended one of these, her life was forever changed.

Alice remembered every detail of that day. She had just turned five. It was the first time Alice had worn all black. She recalled holding her uncle Razzario’s hand as the two of them walked toward the front of the room where two photographs sat on stands. Alice remembered staring at the goofy, smiling face of her mother and the stoic, hard to read face of her father and being confused about where the two of them were. Perhaps, the most painful sight carved into Alice’s brain was the pained expression on her uncle’s face as he held her hand. Her uncle’s faded, red hair pointed in every direction and his bright blue eyes were clouded with the tears he tried to fight. His jaw was clenched in frustration and trembled in pain. Even at five, Alice knew how close her uncle and mother were. The two of them were abandoned on the streets as kids by their parents. Her uncle Razz raised his sister, Ruby, all by himself and always did everything in his power to protect her. It took a bit longer for her uncle to warm up to her father. Her uncle had always told her that her father, Alexander, was born to a wealthy family which made him suspicious until his dad gave it all up to be with his mother. It wasn’t until Alice was born though that her uncle completely accepted her father.

Alice didn’t have very many memories of her parents, but the few she did have were good ones. Her mother was a vibrant woman with red hair as bright as the color she was named after. Her mother’s bright blue eyes were forever filed with joy and cheer. Alice’s mother could make just about anyone laugh which was perfect since her father was appeared to always be in a serious mood. Her father’s raven colored hair was matched in darkness only by his piercing, ebony eyes. Her father always talked to her as if training her for the fierce world she was unaware of at the time. It was only when her mother entered the room that her father smiled and chuckled.

It was hard to believe that twelve years had passed since her parents died leaving her in the care of her uncle. The two most important people in the world to her gone in a single night. It pained Alice to know that her parents ever the heroes would have sacrificed themselves again if the situation demanded it. They were in service to Queen Eriene and King Tharseo after all. Her parents had known the queen and king back when the two were just a princess and her young guard. Her parents were bound by service to protect the royals, but Alice knew her parents never thought of it that way. They didn’t die to protect the throne that night. They died protecting their best friends.

That first party Alice attended was to honor her parents sacrifice along with so many others who fought in vain to stop the Evil Sorceress, Abyssinia, from cursing the king and queen and from killing the royal children. The king and queen now slept under a terrifying curse not known to anyone but the Sorceress. The princess and her two brothers got away that night because her parents battled the Sorceress her uncle told her.

Why did the warriors and casters train so hard just to be fodder for enemies of royals? Although, this party proved that she was no better. Alice, Treasa, and Tai had just returned from a mission protecting a prince from another land. Alice dove off a cliff to protect the ten-year-old boy when he fell off during a scuffle with a trio of werewolves. Luckily, she was wearing the teleporting cloak her mother had left for her. Alice did choose to attend the Royal Guard Academy of fruition, but that still didn’t mean she wanted to be a sacrificial lamb for some future king, so why did she dive after a kid she barely knew? Maybe anyone would have done the same.

“Alice!” Treasa brought Alice back to her current situation.

Tai was holding Treasa’s hand and leading her up to the main stage where the three of them would be presented with medals and applauded for their mission.

“Sorry,” Alice caught up to the two of them and whispered. “My mind was somewhere else.”

“Don’t trip on the stairs.” Tai teased Alice.

               Tai and Treasa were friends that Alice met in her second year at the academy. She was the girl whose parents died who wore all black and seemed to have an affinity and an obsession with weapon related spells. This didn’t make her popular with many of her classmates. Luckily for Alice she wasn’t the only kid who was cast out in a school full of wild personalities. Tai’s talents aloud him to summon and commune with spirits. This type of magic was and still is exceedingly rare. The rest of the school avoided the two of them so much that Alice and Tai couldn’t help but take notice of each other. Tai became Alice’s first friend. Their dynamic changed as they both quickly rose to the top of their classes. Alice found a rival in Tai and felt compelled to give her classes everything she had. The friendly rivalry continued that way for months until Treasa transferred into their classes. Treasa was little different than the two of them. Treasa was more sociable and seemed to enjoy talking…a lot. Alice noted that Treasa could have been one of the popular kids and wondered if the teacher assigning Treasa to their study group might having something to do with her social downfall. Treasa told Alice and Tai that her family were nobles, but her father lost his title and job after taking the fall for something his boss did. Treasa added that most of the rest of high society wanted nothing to do with her and her family.

               The three were a team ever since. While not very well liked by their peers the teachers and advisors took notice of their skills and they started taking advanced classes together. In a lot of ways Tai and Treasa reminded Alice of her parents. Tai was an introvert who didn’t say much and Treasa was a bright and cheerful girl who talk enough for the three of them.

               “You don’t have to push yourself,” Tai whispered as they walked to the middle of the stage. “But, you deserve this. You put your life on the line to save that kid.”

               Alice sighed, “I know. It’s just disheartening that we’re all rewarded for risking everything to defend a bunch of spoiled kids.”

               “It isn’t at all about that,” Treasa whispered. “We did something to strengthen the countries ties with a foreign power. I for one think we at least deserve a party like this.”

               “I’d like to introduce you all to the reason we are here, Treasa Alcove, Tai Sinclair, and of course, Alice Chaput. With what you three have done, the entire kingdom owes you a great deal. Alice, as our special guest, we welcome you to give us a speech.” The professor stepped away from the microphone.

               Why did she have to be the one? Alice was just the one who was closets to the kid when he was pushed. Having to give a speech seemed more like a punishment than a reward. Alice stepped up to the podium tentatively.

               “I appreciate this party being thrown in our honor…” Alice paused as some kids snickered. Alice looked into the crowd nervously looking for the face she needed to see most right now.

               Alice’s uncle smiled up at her proudly. Alice’s uncle always seemed to know what to say in the moment.

               “We’re here today because of the sacrifices made by so many others. This is a celebration for everyone who has lost their lives in the line of duty. The future is bright because of so many people and I hope that those people looking on at us proudly.” Alice stepped back from the podium to rapturous applause.

               How much of that did she believe herself? She desperately hoped that her parents were proud of her, but would they be if they could see the contempt she felt for the royals? Would they love her even though she despised the very people they died to protect? Alice followed her friends off of the stage.

               “Did you guys here that the Royal Guard has found the Royal children?” Treasa shouted excitedly. “And one of the princes is our age! I even heard that they all might be attending the academy soon!”

               Alice hoped more than anything that this was a rumor. Who would it cost her to have the royals in close proximity to her? Alice wished that she wouldn’t ever have to find out.