Gifts of The Divine

Chapter 1

The ground beneath my feet squished between my toes as I walked along the forest line keeping my eyes attached to the small brown doe jumping over the logs that had fallen over during the winter season. I watched her as I raised my bow, with an arrow nocked, pulling the string back until the blue feather of the arrow was brushing against my cheekbone. Before I could release the arrow into the open space Accalia soared through the air; her white fur glistening in the sun and her glacier blue eyes trained on the neck of the doe. Accalia's white canines plunging into the neck of the doe killing her instantly, hesitantly I lowered my bow to my side retrieving the arrow and placing it back into its rightful place. I walk over to the dead doe and watch as the loyal wolf, destined to reign by my side, goes against every instinct in her body not to take the doe as her own. The conflict is clear in her eyes, I slowly approach her careful not to startle her into mistaking me as a threat.

"Accalia, come." I call the valiant wolf back to my side. As she calms and approaches me, scanning her for injuries and taking in the state of her, her breaths coming out in short pants, blood clashing against her coat making the grey patches black with blood and the white fur a vibrant red, the blood drips from her muzzle onto the damp ground beneath her. I pull out the rope from my bag, wrapped around my hip, tying up the deer. I place doe on Accalia's back securing it there with more rope. We turn and make our way back to the edge of the forest when we reach the old stump I had placed my shoes in only minutes prior. Retrieving the tan flat shoes I place them back on my feet and we carry on our walk back to the castle.

When we arrive back home it is almost night, the castle settling for the night. We stop at the kitchens first and allow the chefs to prepare the deer for later use. Gently smiling at the chef we carry on our way,down the halls and up the dark cold stairs feeling the humidity in the air lessen as we travel upwards to the great hall. Once we have arrived in the great hall I am ushered into the dinning area where my family sits quietly finishing their meal.

"My Gods Sybbyl do you really need to come in reaking of death and looking as if you have not bathed in a month?" My mother chastised me, decorated from head to toe in diamonds and blue jewels, the magnificent diamond crown glistening upon her flaming red hair.

"Must you make a comment everytime I come back from a hunt?" I rolled my eyes and sat in the empty chair to the right of my father and the left of my little sister, Amycia. I was greeted with a warm smile from my sister while my mother babbled on about cleaning up after a hunt. Groaning I piled the chicken, potatoes, and other vegetables onto my plate. After supper I walked back down the dimly lit halls of the castle back up to my room which was on the complete other side of the castle, right next to my sister's bedroom while my parents room was in the Royal Tower where every monarch in my family has ever lived; where I will soon take my place.

The maids swarmed as I entered my room and was soon in a warm bath that had been prepared upon my arrival from dinner. They scrubbed my hair and scrubbed my skin until all the dirt and blood from the day had been scrubbed off. Leaving my pale skin smooth and my now blonde hair cleansed from the mud and sweat that was caked onto each strand. The oils in the bath filled my senses of rose and lavender, once I was out of the bath I was once again swarmed by maids covering me in more oils. Once the night dress had been placed on my body all maids left except for one, Lucy, she had been my lady's maid since I was 14 years old and she was about 16.

"How was your hunt milady?" Lucy hummed as she brushed my damp hair.

"Please Lucy we can talk plainly here, and it was good Accalia finished the hunt before I could fire a single arrow." I smile softly looking over at the giant wolf licking herself clean.

"Of course Sybbie. Would you like me to turn the bed down?"

"No thank you Lucy, you're free to leave." With that Lucy curtsied and exited the room.

I sigh as I look in the mirror. My high cheek bones, eerie green eyes, long black eye lashes lining my eyes, pouty lips, and a strong nose all feature from my mother and not a drop of my father except for the hair. My sister on the other hand looks like my mother from the hair, features, and the body type, both are curvy, thick, and beautiful women. I on the other hand still have the curvy gene from my mother but years of training have toned my body, accompanied with my fathers genes of having a slim build.

I heard a soft knock on my door. I knew exactly who the person was, there was only one person in my life aside from my sister that would knock on my door this late at night. Jumping to my feet I run to the door flinging it open as fast as possible.

"Gwen!" I exclaimed. My child best friend stood outside the door in her silver armor, the dragon figure on her shoulder, the dark blue cape with a silver dragon etched onto the cape swayed at her feet, with her hand on the hilt of the white and silver sword, her armor clashing against her dark skin. Gwen was the picture perfect Dragonguard soldier, the picture of power.

"Wonderful to see you again, my Princess." Gwendolyn bowed.

"Gwen you know not to use my title or formalities around me." I giggled. I then grab her hand pulling her into my room. Gwen and I have been friends our entire lives since her mothe,r Amora, was the General of my father's army. We spent countless hours training against each other and learning the battle strategies of our kingdom. We even chose our dragons together while also learning to ride them. Neysein is Gwen's dragon whereas mine is called Abeloth, only those in the royal family and high ranked members of the Dragonsguard can choose to have a dragon. We would spend hours riding them and learning every detail about them. My father's dragon died many years before and since then he hasn't chosen to receive another dragon, he feels as though he would be betraying his old one.

"How was the journey to Anthurius?" I ask. Although Anuthurius is our enemy kingdom we still have a treaty to resign yearly, this year Gwen Accompanied the General to the enemy kingdom to discuss the upcoming treaty signing in a few days. This year the King and I will be travelling to Anthurius since I will be the next ruler of Illsmyntar.

"Smooth as usual, I saw the elder Prince for the first time."

"I've heard he always has his face hidden behind the hood of his cloak and wears all black making it impossible to recognize him" I rolled my eyes.

"Yes that would be correct and my gods he was hot, even if I never saw his face." Gwen laughed.

"I have heard that he is quite the ladies man and his brother is no different." With a look of disgust I walked onto the balcony where Abeloth was sleeping in the field. He was one of the bigger dragon to be chosen paired with the most unique look. The pure white scales that covered his entire body, except for his belly which consisted of golden scales, but it was his mouth was what made him peculiar. Passed down in his gene, the inside was dark blue which matched perfectly with the fact that his fire was black like smoke; which can be poisonous depending on the command.

"I have also heard that." Gwen chuckled. She followed me onto the deck, leaning on the stone rail.

"I wonder if Prince Arthur will attend the treaty signing."

"From what I heard the prince has a mission to complete that will run through the signing, meaning that he won't be able to attend it." Gwen commented.

"What a shame, I would have liked to see what all the maids talk about for myself." I laughed.

"Then again I don't have time to feed an egotistical Prince." I sighed.

"Sybbie you know you will have to marry one day."

"Who says? I can rule as Queen by myself without a husband." I snapped.

Gwen looked at me from the sides of her eyes. "I should go report to my Mother before going to bed. I'll see you in the morning Sybbyl" With that Gwen left my room. Once the door latched shut I headed over to my bed blowing out the candle before I allowed the peaceful darkness to take over. These next few years are going to be challenging when it comes to preparing to rule Illsmyntar.