The Green Wolf Warrior

Chapter 4: Dont lose your head.

A week had passed since Nania was thrown into the Dungeons for the murder of the Duke. The council had allowed his brother to claim the spot of Duke officially. So the new Duke had made his first proclamation that both Nania and Atreus would be beheaded. He set the date of the execution to be after the party he was going to throw to celebrate him taking the spot he wanted since day one.
Nania spent that time with her nose in books and writing on paper. Sometimes she would try sending notes to Atreus, try to plan with him on a way to escape. But guards would get her notes and burn them in front of her.
Not long after the day for the execution came around. Mia was brought into the dungeons and came straight to Nania's cell. It seems she was forced to bring clothes down to Nania for her to change into. Apparently they want her looking presentable when she is executed, or the duke wanted her to be eye candy. Nania quickly changed into this white skin tight dress with a very low cut front and back that showed off the scar from the dragon. It seemed almost like a night gown and a wedding dress all in one.
Mia helped Nania get ready, she braided Nania's hair and then pulls it up into a bonnet so her hair was out of the way of her neck. Nania tries to keep a straight face and shows no emotion. When Mia is done she looks at Nania and hugs her quickly staining her neck with tears.
"Its ok Mia! No need to cry!" Nania pats Mia's back and then places her hands on Mia's shoulders and slowly places her forehead on Mia's. She makes her look into her eyes and whispers to her. "You and Ruta get things packed. I have a plan!"
Nania smiles as she walks towards the Guards who were ready to escort her. The guard placed cuffs on her wrists and then motioned for her to walk forward. Nania looked back and noticed they were roughly getting Atreus out of his cell. She catches his eye and then winks at him before continuing on.

Outside in the main courtyard stood most of the public. Nania was brought out and a bunch of people cheer in her favor, screaming things about how she 'Didn't do anything wrong' and stuff like that. Nania smiles and lightly waves to the crowd. She looks into the back of the crowd and notices her parents. She rolls her eyes thinking 'Of course they would be here' as the guards escort Nania to the top of the stage.
The new Duke comes out onto the stage and looks Nania up and down and a large sadistic smile forms across his face. He then moves to the center of the stage in his gaudy fancy clothes that have too much fur on it.
"Alright ladies and Gentlemen, Today, in my brothers name, end the life of the slut and her love slave that look his life from us." Most of the crowd boos as he speaks, this just makes him laugh.
He motions to the guard who roughly grabs Atreus and starts to move him to the chopping block int he center of the stage. Nania's eyes widen and she holds out her hands and calls out.
"No! Take me first! Please sire!" Nania begs and pleads to the Duke and he looks at her and smiles and then nods to the guard who puts Atreus back in line. Atreus gives Nania a look of pure fear as the guards gently guide her to the chopping block. Nania mouths 'I love you' to Atreus as she walks past him.
Once she is at the chopping block, she stands there looking out to the crowd and smiles at everyone. The guards unlock her cuffs and then back off a bit. Nania nods in thanks to the guards and takes a deep breath before looking back out at the crowd. The members of the crowd who are in favor of Nania all start to cry for her.
Nania curtsies and then bends down placing her neck on the chopping block. A very large man dressed in all black from head to toe and holding a very large axe slowly walks towards her. Nania turns her head away from this man so she doesn't have to look at the weapon that is coming down to her neck. The duke walks forward and bends down to look Nania in the eye.
"Oh no last words? I wanted to hear your beautiful voice before i get to mount your head on a pike outside the mansion." He chuckles as he starts to run his finger up and down the scar on her back from the dragon. Nania spits in his face and starts laughing at him. He stumbles back and growls and just nods to the executioner.
The crowd boos again to protest, some of them turn their heads so they don't watch. Nania smiles as she closes her eyes, the sound of the executioner raising the axe above his head causes Nania to shake a little in fear.
Suddenly, a light howl is heard from to gardens of the Mansion. Everyone stops and looks in that direction. The duke grabs everyone's attention and nods to the executioner to continue. He repositions his axe and then as if it was all in slow motion he starts to bring it down.
The edge of the axes blade lightly touches the back of her neck almost making a full clean cut as a flash of black and green suddenly pushes the executioner out of the way and covers Nania's body. Everyone on stage and even the crowd all flinch and when everyone opens their eyes and all look up to see what happened, there stood a growling wolf. This wolf was larger than any wolf anyone has seen. The fur black with hints of green in it, the eyes an emerald green as well. Under its hulking body was Nania, head still on her body. She looks up and as soon as she sees the wolf, she recognizes it.
"I knew I would see you again!" Nania smiles as she quickly moves from under the wolf and hops up onto its back. She gives him a quick scritch behind the ear and then giggles.
"Alright, now lets show everyone here who truly deserves power!" Nania smiles as the wolf raises his head and howls. She points the wolf to focus on the Duke, as he slowly turns and faces the duke a low growl forms in his throat and his lips curl showing his teeth. The duke freaks out backing up little by little as the wolf slowly steps forward. His mouth slowly opening, drool dripping from his teeth and jowls.
"Oh, no last words? I was really hoping to hear your beautiful voice!" Nania says in a mocking tone as she glares down at the Duke pushed up against the wall with the wolfs open mouth around him just waiting for Nania's instruction.
Atreus takes this moment when everyone is focusing on Nania and the wolf to knock the guards off him and in one quick move of his arms he breaks the cuffs off of his wrists. He looks up to see the horrid revengeful look on Nania's face.  Atreus rushes up next to the wolf and places his hand upon her leg.
"Nania! You dont need to do this. We can get out of here. We can leave!" Atreus pleads trying to grab Nania's attention. She shoots a look at him and her eye twitches.
"This creep and his entire family do not deserve to live. They do not deserve to rule!" A low snarl starts in her voice as she snaps at him. He reaches up and places his hand upon the side of her face.
"Nania... Please trust me!" He smiles and his thumb caresses her cheek. Her eyes widen as she sighs and then pats the side of the wolfs face in a calm manner. The wolf moves back closing its mouth, still growling at the Duke. Nania makes the wolf turn away so she can face the crowd.
"People of this fair city. I leave this asshole to you! Do as you see fit!" She smiles as she turns her attention to Atreus and holds out her hand to him to help him up on the back of the wolf. She then looks to where Ruta and Mia stand and nods for them to follow. Ruta nods and grabs Mia throwing her up on the nearest horse. The wolf jumps over the crowd and lands in the back. Nania takes one moment and looks down to her parents who look up at her in fear.
"Sorry I couldn't have been a better daughter to you." She bites back some tears as she requests the wolf to continue on. The wolf and the horse bound off exiting the city.