She had always been different then everyone she knew. Her skin was a touch lighter then all the others in her land. That was not what made her different, that chore belong to her eyes. They sparkled in a bright turquoise color. Where she was from everyone's skin was dark. Darker than even an entire week in the sun could make it. All her life she had seen no one lighter than herself, this fact saddened her. For if there was someone different. perhaps then she would have some friends.
As it was her only friend was her father, Morpheus Nightstone. A man of high dignity. His daughter was his pride and joy, a gift her mother had taken for granted. He cast his light brown eyes to his ebony jewel and smiled softly, though she would never see this smile, or any other, it simply was not his way. "Simone!" He snapped in her direction. The hay bristled broom fell from her hands as she turned to him. her eyes cast to the ground as a slave's would be when addressing her master. Her voice was soft, but low as she answered. "Yes father?" "I need you to go to the market and get us some jars. Do you think you can handle that?" Morpheus asked. A smile crept across Simone's features, small, pointed, white fangs slipped over her bottom lip. "Oh yes Father! I can do that." She nodded as she put the broom down. Morpheus handed Simone a few pieces of gold as she bounded out of the door. When she was out of sight, he smiled again thinking Rhianna was a fool to have abandoned such a child.
Simone looked to be about sixteen years of age, her mind was a little behind her body, She was almost child like. That was her father's fault. She grew up sheltered. The only time she had been allowed to play with the other children, they had laughed and pelted her with stones. Morpheus had beat her and forbid her to leave the house again unless she was told. She loved her father, regardless of the beatings and the yelling. She enjoyed keeping their small home clean and cooking the meals of the day. This was her life, she would never dream of changing it.
The sight of the market brought her out of her thoughts. She tilted her head to the right and looked around. Not many shops were open today, that was unusual. She walked over to the small tent shop where she bought her jars and spoke to the shop owner. "Good day Sir. Do you know the reason for the shops all being closed?" She was quite disappointed to find all but a few open. She liked to look at the pretty jewelry many sold. "The King is making his rounds Lady Nightstone. The shop owners have fled in fear. It is different for us then it is for you Nobles. The King's men destroy our shops if we do not pay." The shop owner explained as he placed four glass jars in a paper bag for Simone. "We Noble houses have it just as you. though our home has never gone a moon cycle without paying our King. Do not worry fair shop owner, things will get better." Simone said as she smiled as she handed the shop owner two pieces of gold for the jars and one for himself. Little did Simone know her "tips" to the shop owner, where what saved him from the King's wrath month after month. "Thank you Lady Nightstone. With you around I know my little shop with thrive" The shop owner smiled back as Simone started off for home.
She entered her house, that smile still plastered on her face. It quickly faded as she smelled something wrong. The house smelled of blood. Her large eyes darted around as she looked through the debris of her home. Everything had been destroyed. she dropped the jars, they shattered on the stone floor, as she ran into her father's study. "Father?! Father! Where are you?" She called, panic rising in the pits of her soul. She walked into his bedroom and gasp. There he lay, on his bed, A large gaping wound on his chest. She walked over to him and knelt beside the bed taking his hand in hers. "Oh father....What happened here?" She asked as she felt tears well in the corners of her eyes. "The King my sweet fallen angel. We did not have the gold to pay him for the month. They wanted to take you, I told them I had to sell you to make the little gold I had given him. They will be back by night fall, you must go Simmy. You must leave this land far behind." Morpheus answered as he started to cough. "Where will I go Father?" Simone asked, her tears starting to slide down her light mocha cheeks. "You have family...On your mother's side...An aunt and uncle... They have a clan in a far off Kingdom... You must go to them... I knew this day was coming Simmy...I sent them word...They are waiting for you." Morpheus explained as a trickle of blood seeped from his lips. "I love you Simmy...I am sorry I treated you poorly... They will treat you better.. They will show you what family is... Now go....." Morpheus pleaded as he swallowed hard. "I will not leave you Father. Come with me." Simone begged. "I can not Simmy... My time is just about up... Now go my Simmy. Find love and family. The place you seek is Lacastra... Follow the crimson path...To the rock shaped like an arrow... Follow the direction the arrow points... Beyond that is Lacastra and King Byron... He will lead you to Lady Catrina and Lord Devil Darkrose. They are your family....Good bye Simmy..." Morpheus said as a tear slid down his cheek. Then his form slowly faded, turning into a pile of ashes. Simone silently cried for her father.
As the sun started to set, Simone left her home. As she stepped out of her village, she turned and took one last glance to the place she had called home since she was a baby, then silent steps carried her to the Crimson Path.
The Crimson Path was a road made out of red rock. It wound all through Vitae Pass, which was her home land. The landmark rock was located far beyond at the end of the path. She walked endlessly, taking cover during the long days in convenient placed caves along the road, to stay out of the sun that was her kind's enemy. She soon came upon Arrow Head Rock, the rock her father had told her to follow. She glanced up, to look over the rock she had heard of in the Kingdom legends. The point of the arrow pointed to the right, toward the hazy mountain range. She would have to make that distance in one night since there were no caves around to protect her from the sun's rays.