The Wolves and the Foxes

Chapter 15: Freedom?

Inside a hollowed out willow tree, ShimmeringTopaz reads notes she has taken during her stay in the kingdom.

ShimmeringTopaz_Blue Jay: Hm..... No, that doesn't seem right. *places notepad down then looks around* I can't believe this place is still the same way it was. Though it is covered in dust. *sigh* It's been so long. And while this place, remains the same, the kingdom has changed. *lightly laughs* I remember when I first found this place, I was so upset. I was so young then. Hm... Why was I upset? Oh, yes. I remember I was jealous. I had wanted to play with Saph, but she had yet again decided to go to the orphanage to play with Akira. They always were with each other, almost like they were attached at the hip. Of course I was Saph's friend as well, but I never had as deep a connection as those two. *looks down* So much has changed. They grew apart. I don't understand why though. Yes little Moonz, died but that's no reason to grow distant. It's not what Moonz would have wanted. But then again Akira has her own reasons. She has lost so many, her parents, friends, and then when Moonz died it must have crushed her so she distanced herself. Or at least that's what I can assume. I do hope that their friendship can be fixed. After all they were such close friends. When I first came here I was disliked by Saph, she hated the thought of her brother marrying a stranger. Gradually we became friends, *chuckles* oh the fun stuff we did. *picks up a small metal box* Still so much memories here. This was where I went to escape from others, they so frustrated me. My parents were the worst. *Pretending to be parents* Oh, let's have Topaz marry a prince from another kingdom., No Topaz you can't play with the citizens you're a princess act like one! *throws box against the wall* Why did they think such things! I should choose who I am to be with, and who my friends are. And now they wish me back. I don't want to go back. I know that they are going to have me married to some bird. I refuse! I... I want to stay here. *sigh* Luckily I have had the ability to travel the world and learn things. But I only went to those places to see if I could marry the prince from that kingdom. Thankfully it never works, but I.... I don't think I can refuse anymore. But I am not leaving until this kingdom is happy again. And then there's that matter. It seems everyone is blaming Abraxas for faults in the kingdom. But those faults are all things that his father had done. Abraxas is only trying his best. He has looked so stressed as of late.

Topaz cleans up the hidden willow hideaway, dusting off items, stacking and organizing books, and putting things in their appropriate places. Once she finishes she decides to go back to the castle or perhaps go elsewhere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene change~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three birds walk through the forest in a dark manner. Two seem very aggressive while the other just seems plain amused.

Zalen_Wood Owl: Come on, the both of you!

Lonnen_Great Tailed Grackle: Hold up, Zalen. It's kind of hard to drag a vulture behind me.

Carno_Vulture: *Struggling mildly to shake Lonnen* Well, if you'd just let me walk-

Zalen_Wood Owl: No can do. I can't trust you yet, so forget about walking on your own. You'd only fly off.

Carno_Vulture: *Sigh* So tell me again why I'm here.

Lonnen_Great Tailed Grackle: Oh, you'll find out soon enough. *Jumping around* Oh, oh, you'll love it!

Zalen_Wood Owl: Lonnen, stop that this instant. No patronising the prisoner.

*Lonnen stops bouncing*

Carno_Vulture: *Amused* Prisoner? Hmm, that's an interesting prospect.

Zalen_Wood Owl: *Looking back* Comply and we won't have to use that term.

The three walk a little further until they reach an old alcove. This alcove hums a dark tune. It's cave opening is large and dark, deeper than life and drearier than time. The three stop their fighting and Lonnen releases Carno. They walk slowly inside.