Bleeding Silver

Prologue

"They're coming closer Ray!" The little girl started another batch of tears from Raven's back. He only held her legs closer as he ran, wishing he'd never left the castle with her

The moon was full and bright, casting a silver glow over the forest. A lone figure ran through the trees, his breath ragged and his heart pounding. He knew he was being hunted, but he refused to give up. He had to reach the cabin, where he would be safe. He had to warn his friends, who were unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.

He glanced behind him, hoping to see no sign of his pursuers. But he was not so lucky. Raven heard a low growl, followed by a loud howl that echoed through the night.

He felt a surge of fear, knowing that they had found him. They were faster and stronger than him, and they would not stop until they had him.

He had enough adrenaline,  would make sure nothing happened to Lilly. It wouldn't be enough for her,  or their parents. She begged to go with him on another of his adventures to the neighboring village.

He couldn't say no to her. Now he wishes he did. 'I should have left her behind

Raven ran their lives, dodging the arrows and spears that flew past him.

Raven. A name that suited him well, for he was as clever and cunning as the black bird. He had learned to survive in the harsh and cruel world, to use his wits and his charm to get what he wanted. He had learned to lie, to cheat, to steal. He had learned to hide.

But he could not hide from the king's guards, who had tracked him down to the edge of the city. He had no choice but to flee into the forest, a place he had never been before. He had heard stories of the forest, stories of wild beasts and ancient magic, stories of danger and mystery. He had heard stories of the protector of the forest, a powerful and mysterious being who guarded the land from intruders. He had heard stories of the curse, a curse that bound the protector to the forest, a curse that only the chosen one could break.

He did not believe in stories. He did not believe in magic. He did not believe in curses.

He was wrong.

He reached the forest, hoping to lose his pursuers among the trees. He ran deeper and deeper, ignoring the signs of warning that he saw along the way. He ran until he came to a clearing, a large and empty space that seemed out of place in the dense and dark forest. He stopped, panting and sweating, looking around for a place to hide.

He did not see the eyes that watched him from the shadows. He did not see the figure that emerged from the trees, a tall and slender woman with long silver hair and piercing green eyes. He did not see the staff that she held in her hand, a staff that glowed with a faint and eerie light. Hidden was the wolf that followed her, a large and majestic animal with fur as white as snow and eyes as blue as ice.

He did not see them until it was too late.

"Who are you?" the woman asked, her voice cold and stern. "What are you doing here?"

Raven was startled by the sudden appearance of the woman and the wolf. He had not expected to find anyone in the forest, let alone someone who looked so strange and powerful. He tried to act calm and confident, as he always did when he faced a difficult situation.

The woman looked over to Lilly. Raven stood taller, brought her closer to him,  trying his best to hide her.

"I'm sorry, miss, I didn't mean to intrude," he said, smiling and bowing. "I'm just a traveler, looking for a place to rest. I didn't know this was your land."

The woman frowned, not buying his lie. She sensed something in him, something that made her uneasy. She knew who he was, even if he did not. She knew his name, his past, his future. She knew what he would do, what he would become, what he would cause.

This was no mere traveler, this was the one who would break her curse.

The one who would destroy her forest, end her life.

She looked behind him, knowing how close his followers were,  despite not being able to see them. Looking back at him, she felt a surge of anger and pity.

She raised her staff, pointing it at him. She spoke a word, a word that echoed through the clearing, a word that sealed his fate.

"Raven, you shall be chained to this forest, never granted to leave. Your presence will never be known, only when the wolves are asleep."

Only three things can be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

And he was hidden by all three.