The Lost Eye of Pheona

By Feacus Fidelle

A flood of tears streamed down Rosei's face and she lay on the meadow floor, curled in a fetal position. Her 9-year old mind was pounded with emotions and she could do naught but lie there on the meadow floor and cry.

"Why do Mommy and Daddy keep fighting?" she wailed of a sudden, caught up in all her misery. By now her once-white shirt was covered with dirt and grass stains, but Rosei did not fear the admonition her mother would give. She filled with such sadness, a sadness that she could not describe with words. Rosei wiped her bloodshot emerald eyes, catching a gleam of gold in the corner of her eye. Making a small sniffle, she lifted herself up off the grass. Wiping dirt off her leather hide pants, Rosei scanned the meadow floor for the object and momentarily forgot her troubles. As she peered into the knee-high forest of wildflowers, she spotted the golden item.

Fascinated, Rosei reached for the shining object. Pushing away a clump of dandelions, Rosei picked up the golden sphere. She discovered to her amazement crimson inscriptions marking its surface. Rosei felt inside the small indentions with her slender fingers, intrigued.

As she traced the last figure, blinding light suddenly shot out of the sphere. With a gasp of surprise Rosei recoiled, dropping the orb. As her eyes slowly adjusted to the intense light, Rosei realized in wonder that the sphere was hovering above the ground.

As she peered into the radiating orb, it began to melt under intense heat; gold and crimson poured onto the grass. The sphere continued collapsing and its core was revealed. Hidden inside layers of gold lay an eye-size sapphire radiating a soft blue light.

Rosei had completely forgotten about why she had fled to the meadow, gaping at the flawless jewel in all its resplendence. Curiosity got the better of her and Rosei slowly reached out her arm to touch the hovering jewel.

As her hands clasped the smooth gem, Rosei suddenly heard a strident call erupt a few feet behind her. She slowly turned around, afraid of what she might encounter. Rosei's eyes turned to the source of the scream, a gasp escaping her throat.

Standing five feet in front of Rosei was a huge phoenix, its leviathan body plumed with bright golden feathers. The phoenix stood with its wings outstretched, sapphire eyes boring into Rosei.

Rosei froze, her lips quivering. It'll go away if I don't move, she hoped. As if sensing her thoughts, the phoenix did a most astounding thing.

"Child," it said in a mellifluous voice, "I will not harm you. What is that in your hand?"

Rosei slowly opened her hand, revealing the jewel within. "It's a sapphire," she said, somewhat calmed by the phoenix's soothing voice.

"How did you find that?" asked the phoenix, its eyes observing the gem.

"I came to the meadow," Rosei said, "and I saw it lying in the grass. When I picked it up, it melted, and I saw this gem." She paused for a second. "Are you angry with me?"

"No child," responded the phoenix with a hint of patronization, "I am not. On the contrary, I am very proud of you. You do not realize what a great deed you have done in discovering this jewel."

"What do you mean?" asked Rosei.

"You have found the Lost Eye of Pheona," responded the phoenix in a solemn voice.

"I don't understand," said Rosei. She heard never heard of the Lost Eye of Pheona. Looking down at the jewel in her hand, Rosei wondered what it really was that she had found.

"Have you heard of Pheona?" asked the phoenix, sapphire eyes locked on Rosei.

"Yes," Rosei said, remembering the bedtime stories her mother used to tell her about how Pheona, the phoenix goddess, would watch over all the little boys and girls.