Lady Wolfe | The Beginning | • Wattys 2022 •

1- The Return to Cagred

She inhaled the air. The city was so unfamiliar to her. The salty sea breeze had a strange scent. She hasn't stepped foot in Cagred for more a decade. It was a strange city, seated next to Port Rye, the national port. She barely remembered the castle she grew up in. Castle Wolfe, the home of the King was a weary old building that stood far East. It has definitely seen better days. As old as it looked from afar, it was truly a formidable fort. Many have tried conquering it, but it's strong walls has long protected the rulers of Cagred from being usurped.

She remembered running around the castle halls when she was younger. Her cousins Reagon and Ronan used to join her too, annoying the maids. Meela could remember her aunt, Queen Shaye scolding her sons when they got Meela into trouble, though it was quite the opposite. Meela was mischievous.

She remembered her own mother too. She was so lovely, so kind and loving. Lady Faye was as graceful as the queen. She was the Queen's sister, she shared the same grey eyes and red hair as the latter did.

Meela wanted to go back to the castle. She wanted to run her hands along the old walls down the halls. She wished to see her old chamber again, see the stables where she used to hide with her cousins. But returning there will remind her of what happened...

Meela shook her head, choosing not to dwell her thoughts on the castle any further. It was a long time ago. The past was the last, she must learn to put it behind her.

She was on her horse, riding for Cagred.

Anyone who saw Meela could recognise her. The Wolfes shared very common traits. They had the bluest eyes, dark brown hair, they were tall and broad shouldered, they were all known for their tanned skin and their handsome features.

Meela was a great beauty. She had doe like eyes, big and round, a small nose and plump lips. She wasn't only pleasing on the eyes, but she was an accomplished warrior. She was brilliant, skilled and brave. It seemed a little difficult to comprehend because one doesn't simply come across a brilliant and pretty woman. If there were, they were often subdued into silence, for no man would wed a pretty face that came with a wild mouth as they say. Women were still treated as undeservingly and poorly as they were decades ago.

It was that exact nonsense why Meela chose to live in the Isle all her teen years. No one there was treated as such. No one was controlled to follow the norm. You were trained to become knowledgeable and use your appearance to your advantage. It was why the race of warriors was unimaginably attractive looking and intelligent. They were made to be as such.

Meela could recall her childhood. Even when she was younger, Meela was anything but a graceful lady. She was a mischievous rascal who always landed herself in trouble. She remembered the old guards and wet nurses she used to run from. They all must have retired by now, or maybe even dead. She missed them all.

Sir Wallace, Sir Brego, the old maids who took care of her, her eldest cousin Ronan, even Kane.

Oh, Kane...

Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered that name. She hadn't thought of him in a long, long time.

Sir Kane Black, simply known as 'Scar' was a man Meela admired as a child. She fancied the widowed knight. Maybe far too much.

He had grey eyes, with long black hair. His eyes were tiny, it always squinted when he smiled, which was as rare as a red moon. His lips were always pursed. Sir Kane was always stoic looking, his expressions and demeanour were intimidating. He often scared a lot of people, especially the children. It wasn't only due to his 6 footed stature, but also because of the scar he bore over his face. A long scar that began from his left eyebrow across right cheek.