Rose's Thorns: The Wolf's Prophecy

23

The day following the day that the castle opened to the public, was that of the 16th. Rose was sitting with Orion near the large open doors on the first floor, looking out onto the courtyard. There were many arbors that you could walk under and secret ways that led to beautiful sitting areas. Somewhere nearby the sound of a stream trickled, and birds of many bright colors flew here and there, chattering in voices only Rose could understand. The heat of June was overbearing, so the children were content with only viewing the landscape. "What are they saying, Rose?" Orion asked, pointing to two songbirds by a trellis. She picked at a scab on her arm and looked intently at the animals. "The lyrebird is mad at the starling for not knowing the code. There is a code, that all the lyrebirds remember, it goes. 09, which is the number of minutes a song can be at its longest. 06 which is the number of times per day they can sing the same song. 300 days of the year that they can sing at all and 65 days where they must remain silent. 6 different songs, 95 sounds, and 4 places to live at most, it is like a code of honor. A law. Every Lyrebird strives to live by it, but some birds do not have the same code. The same laws. Like the starling, who has a different code. It does not revolve around numbers. It revolves around flight patterns. It is odd. It's like politics." She looked at the two birds, who were indeed in a heated argument. "It can't be the same for every animal, but Lyrebirds are awfully into the "correct way" to live."Orion shook his head and Rose could just determine that he was in disbelief or awe. They sat in silence for a while longer, or at least until the starling had had enough and flew away, muttering a nice assortment of curses to the lyrebird. "Can I have an actual tour?" Orion asked. "You already know the castle." "But I mean," he picked at his fingernails. "Legally." "Maybe later, I want to eavesdrop more on the birds" After the two had talked all they could about the different politics of the creatures of Tobias, they began to head up towards the library. Rose needed a new book, and Orion was interested in further research concerning Tobias and the animal kingdom. Still, they chattered on about different topics, as old friends might. Soon enough, the talk turned to opinionated accusations. "You looked well in red today," Orion said, too carelessly. "Most roses are red after all." "How do you feel about the open gates though?" "It's different for sure. There are so many faces and yet, I still feel alone." "You seemed to enjoy the attention though." Rose stopped and looked at him, rather confused. "and what do you mean by that?" "I mean it's clear you miss the inspection you might've gotten when you were younger." "I don't miss the attention, and I damn sure don't love to dwell in the limelight for too long. If anyone knew anything about me, that would be what was written on my gravestone." The conversation lulled and it was quiet as they finished the walk towards the large oak doors. "The boy..." Orion said suddenly. Rose looked up expectantly, "Which one?" "The star-struck boy who couldn't take his eyes off you." "What about him" "He seemed to think the same of you... that you looked well in red I mean." Rose laughed, and Orion visibly unwound. "Ah" She was startled but in turn, raised her eyebrow and rolled her eyes. "He didn't seem to know how to make conversation. That is all. The poor kid." She thought back to the flustered boy, and how red his face had gotten, then the accusations. The secrets and the rumors. Her laugh shut down. She put on the mask that had become her perfect smile. Though it felt like a grimace, she knew that it would fool anyone and that it had always been able to deceive even the most observant in the Meadow Kingdom. Rumors. What more rumors were there, other than the ones of her exceptional power? What more could her people think of her, when she had never done anything to harm her image as a caring child of the beloved king? What could she possibly be doing wrong? Then the memory of the dark-haired boy with the cruel eyes. "There are worse rumors, even darker than the ones that encircle you. Those you feel most confidential could be the ones who will harm you the most." What could he possibly mean by that? Was he preparing her? Or threatening her? She cast a glance at the boy who she had met such a short time ago, and in such an unexpected way. She thought of the friendship that bloomed between them and grew stronger every day. Her friendship was not only stronger than the relationship she held with her father and sisters, but it was stronger than the one she held with herself. Then she remembered what she had seen in her head when she had collapsed in the clearing. Was it a vision? but, she could not picture Orion hurting anyone on purpose. "Rose? You look a million miles away." She shook her thoughts away and realized that she had stopped several paces back and Orion was looking at her with concern. "oh yes... No, I am fine. Just lost in thought as per usual." She quickened her pace and caught up with Orion. She felt her worries trail off as they neared the library. "It's that boy, isn't it? The last boy, before me?" He said gently. "What did he say?" As quickly as she had worked to rid her already cluttered mind of the day's events, Orion brought back the stress anew. Rose looked at Orion carefully and decided that it was safe. If she could not trust him, then who could she trust? Yourself. A voice chided in the back of her mind. You can always trust yourself. You bring all of the mistrust to yourself, your stupid girl. You allow someone in, and you know you will most likely end up getting hurt, but yet you do it anyway. No. Rose knew that was not the case. She knew that in all of life there would always be ups and downs. If every day was a great day, or every person you had ever met was a good person, then what was it that made them so good? How would you know the difference between good, and normal if you had nothing to compare them to? That was what bad days, bad experiences, and people were for. To help you remember all that is good in the world. "I'll tell you later tonight." She assured him, as she opened the heavy wooden doors that led to the library. "When we both have clearer minds." They continued on through the library doors and saw that many of the older people who lived throughout the kingdom were in the library as well, admiring every crevice of wood and cover of books. Rose began to say something to Orion but was stopped short when she saw the familiar face of her father's advisor, and most trusted guard, Jake, walking towards them. She cast a glance towards Orion, mentally telling him to act as if they hadn't known each other. As Jake approached the two, he gave a polite smile to Orion but motioned for Rose to follow him. "Princess," Jake said, "If you'll please, You are being requested in the word of your father." With an apologetic look, she turned to Orion, "Well, I hope you enjoy your stay." then, without a single backward glance, she left the library behind and headed towards her father. On the way, she thought deeply about things. She often put herself in these moods, where she lost herself in the corridors of her own mind. It was an odd thing, but it often led to comfort. Here, in her mind at least, she knew who she was. As her thoughts bounced around, thinking of the strangest things, she found herself at the conference hall, in which her father and her older sister were waiting. Josephine as always looked a bit cross and put off at the arrival of Rose. She couldn't help but smooth down her wild hair and ruffled her dress. After Rose was seated, the King cleared his throat and spoke out, though he was at a near whisper, It was impossible for her to not hear every word he uttered. "My daughters, many full moons have passed since we've had any mention, nor whisper through the wind of the activities that encircle the Shadowking. Rovax's old followers- at least the ones we knew of- have long since shown their faces to the outside world. Though very recently, merchants who've come across the great water from Krestsights, and through the dark woods from Jerlin's Hold, have told of a great movement originating in those two territories in question. They speak of their desire to tear apart our home of Tobias and slay the true and noble bodies of our land. They wish to capture the uncaptured and steal the respect they have not earned. They speak of the great and terrible horrors of war, my children"Rose was quietly startled, though she knew it would never show on her face. She felt her knees begin to shake, and for once she was thankful she was wearing a dress. She snapped to attention and felt herself physically relax, but her mind was still going erratically. All of her senses seemed to freeze and then go into hyperdrive. A deafening buzz filled the conference hall, and she felt herself entering a dream-like state. Snap out of it Rose. She told herself fiercely. but still, a tiny voice in the back of her mind screamed out "No, this isn't true, it can't be true." Though one glance at Josephine's tired eyes and drawn face was all the confirmation she needed. It was very very real. Seeing his daughters matured faces, King Aris continued. "Which is why we are holding such a large event. We are hoping, my dears. That we can uncover the enemy before they are developed enough to strike us first. Maybe then will we have a chance to avoid such casualties. No matter the cost, our kingdom shall not fall."Rose looked at her father and she could feel his desperation to be a good king. She feared the times when his duty would come before his role of being a father, but she understood. This was the way the game was played. "That being said, do have fun, meet new people. But never forget- Our enemy could be hiding behind any friendly face, any beautiful promise, and any kind words. So be careful. If you see anything unsettling report straight to the nearest guard- but" he added much more quietly "In particular, Jake"Then Rose and Josephine were sent on their way and Rose was left with the depressing thought that her mind was very far from clear and she didn't even know where she would begin when it was time to tell Orion about her day.Through her walk, she reviewed everything King Aris had told her, and she couldn't help but feel upset with the ever-rising expectation that Rose was expected to act as a child would, always doing as she's told, and then also be able to tell who an enemy was just through a couple of words. If she made any mistakes. Then she could welcome the enemy further into her kingdom, and then where would the advantage of the war lay?