Kairui Sho, princess to the throne of Imperial China, breathed in deeply, relishing the crisp spring air.  Small and petite, Kairuiâ€™s long, silky black tresses were pulled back and up into a traditional, eloquent womenâ€™s hairstyle, while her deep blue kimono, decorated with silver lotus flowers, spoke volumes of the pristine and lavish lifestyle she led.  Today, however, she was regretting that very lifestyle: if she could wish away the fanfare and ignore the four guards trotting dutifully behind her, she might have been able to fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings and clean air that she loved so much.  Here in the heart of the Lao-kang district, crystalline waters flowed freely at their feet, and birds sang in the branches overhead.  Workers in the rice fields had stopped to bow as she passed, and her gray mare, Fei, danced energetically beneath her, longing for a run.  She didnâ€™t dare let her, thoughâ€”the last time sheâ€™d been spotted galloping down the village roads on a morning outing, her father had spared some stern words.  Clearly, such activities were not suited for an Imperial Princess.<br/><br/>She couldnâ€™t help wishing for it, though, just as Fei did.  Sheâ€™d never found much companionship in her servants and attendants; despite her social upbringing, sheâ€™d always been painfully shy and quiet.  She preferred to spend her days alone, relishing in the peace of her garden, practicing calligraphy, or playing on her lute.<br/><br/>The entourage emerged from a deep, winding road between two of the high hills that made up the surrounding landscape, and the road sloped gently downwards into a beautiful green wood, colored here and there with new blossoms.  Daring to release Fei just a bit, Kairui allowed the mare to break into a gentle canter down the avenue of flowers and leaves.  Her guard quickened to a trot behind her, but did not crowd.  They knew well enough by now that she didnâ€™t intend any harm.<br/><br/>Slowing to a brisk walk, Fei shook her magnificent head with a snort, shaking loose some of the falling petals that had clung to her mane.<br/><br/>Dismounting gracefully, Kairui handed off her reins to Gao, the leader of her guard, and ventured into the soft grass beneath the trees.  Sheâ€™d been sure sheâ€™d heard something, but it didnâ€™t seem to beâ€”there! A long, keening cry, like that of a wounded bird, carried to Kairuiâ€™s ears.  Lifting up the train of her robe, she hurried forward, ignoring the alarmed cry of her guard that she shouldnâ€™t go on, because it was just too dangerous for a princess.  As always.<br/><br/>The cry came again; high and melodic like music, but tinged with a note of distress.  Sheâ€™d never heard any sound like it.  Emerging into a small clearing, Kairui gasped at what she saw.  Lying on the ground was a creature that appeared to be a large, graceful bird, colors tinged with magnificent hues of red and gold and yellow.  Before her eyes the creature seemed to flicker and shift, becoming something that was neither wholly human, nor wholly animal.  Before her sight could process this, it had shifted back into the creature she had first laid eyes on.  She couldnâ€™t be sure it had even been real and just some trick of the senses.<br/><br/>â€œPrincessâ€  Gao had caught up to her by now.  â€œStay back!  You donâ€™t know what that animal is.  It could be dangerous.â€<br/><br/>â€œNonsense, Gao.â€  She replied, voice soft and reprimanding at once.  â€œCanâ€™t you see heâ€™s injured?â€<br/><br/>â€œPrincesâ€¦â€  Gao tried to warn again, and again his words went unheeded.<br/><br/>Kairui approached without hesitation, kneeling in the soft grass to gently touch the wounded birdâ€™s feathers.  Up close the colors were even more magnificent if that were possible, and now she was certain that she had never heard of any bird like this before, nor seen a picture or even heard tell of it.<br/><br/>â€œShhh, hush.â€  She soothed, eyes softening at the sight of the injury.  â€œI mean you no harm, little one.  Weâ€™ll see that youâ€™re made well again, I swear it.â€