Rose's Thorns: The Wolf's Prophecy

5

Josephine's pov

"What business do you have here? And why the secrecy?" Standing tall and looking as if she knew exactly what to do next was Josephine's specialty. She had a chambermaid light a fire with a twitch of her eye and another bring tea with a snap of her fingers. Being the heiress to the throne came naturally and performing adequately was her top priority. That and protecting her soon-to-be kingdom. strangers coming into the kingdom set off all of her internal alarms and when she first heard what they wanted, she was at a loss of words and every plan in her head vanished like ice in the heat of summer. That made her angry, for she was never at a loss of words. Never. And she could not afford to not have a plan. Ever. But now? Now she is standing with as much courage and confidence as one could have, looking as comfortable as anyone could look. They all wore hoods made of a dusty brown fabric that covered their faces completely. All but one stranger. This individual wore a rich blue velvet cloak that also covered their face.

"We come with nothing but peaceful intentions and important news" one spoke up, an older man maybe. Josephine motioned for the guests to be seated and they complied, though she did not know exactly how they knew she had mentioned it, for as far as she could see, they could not see anything.

"Continue"

"We've brought with us a seer, one who has foreseen what is to come, and wishes to share it with you." Another spoke up, a female. "Her name is Flying Wolf, and she has come with a message. A warning. A prophecy" another man, older still. By this time, Josephine was listening to every word, on the edge of her seat mentally, but laid back, in control physically. "Take off your hoods if what you say is the truth. If you truly come in peace, introduce yourself to the heiress of the Meadow" she said coolly.

In a blinding flash of light, the hooded cloaks disappeared, all but one. Three people stood in the firelight, two men and a woman. From what Josephine could see, they seemed all to be related. Siblings perhaps? They looked exactly alike with a few noticeable differences. Grayer hair, fewer age lines, height contrast.

"I am Alira" the woman spoke up, her voice warm like honey. She had deep brown hair and eyes, and soft wrinkles that made her look wise and kind.

"I am Arin," the oldest man said, bowing low. He shared his sister's eyes and age lines, but his hair seemed severely grey, almost silver in the dying light.

"And I am Alin your majesty" the last man spoke. Of the three strangers, he seemed the youngest. He had the smoothest skin and the brownest hair. His voice gave him away to be at least in his mid-forties, but he looked only a little older than Josephine herself. she nodded her head slightly, welcoming the, but paused as she remembered the fourth figure. "and you must be Flying Wolf"

"Child" the women rasped. It was not a nice sound, but it was oddly comforting. "You heiress?" she asked, well, rather told brokenly. "I am, and what message might you have for me?" With an ever-brighter flash than before, Flying Wolf's beautiful blue cloak flew off and landed in a neat bundle on the floor in the corner of the room. What remained behind was an incredibly aged woman with large jewels hanging from her fragile neck and fingers. She wore colorful feathers in her long silver hair and rags for clothing. Her outfit seemed thrown together, but it suited the witch well. Flying Wolf looked at Josephine with a calculating look and then began "fourteen years ago, a child was born of the evil man known as Rovax." She wheezed and coughed but gave no notice to Josephine's horror-struck face. "The child was well known in territory but disappeared months ago. No one has seen nor recognized him since. Another child for 13 years ago. Great power the child wields. Stars tell that Rovax's child and this new mystery child will bring relief. Rovax's child and other will bring us peace. A prophecy.

"A rose that blooms in shadow and the ones who accompany her will overcome the king of shadows himself"

Rovax is looking for a child, and his own" Flying Wolf said, a gleam of knowledge in her wise eyes.

"We've been going to every kingdom with this news, but still the meaning remains unclear," Alira said "the children of our kingdoms can save us. The only thing we know is-" she glanced at her brothers- "is if they're found by the warepval, they will be destroyed, and hope will be lost"

"How would we decide who these children are?" Josephine asked quietly. But the trio said nothing, and in a flurry of movement, the shapes of three large owls and what looked like a large wolf fled the room.