Prologue

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"Please, follow the protocol."

The two burly men dressed in a coat of metal looked down upon the woman in front of them. Their hands were gripped loosely on their weapons, ready to use any force necessary to "subdue" the trembling woman. The noise from the market seeped past their shoulders and tip-toed into the house, taunting her. I have to escape.

Her eyes darted between the men and then back towards the room where her child lay in its crib. What could she do? The protocol demands that the king's servants inspect all newborn children, to put their records in the royal archive. But most importantly, they were to find and take any child who possessed... different qualities. A heavy sigh passed the lips of the knight with cropped brown hair. "Miss, please let us in. If you don't we will be forced to detain you." His voice was adenoidal, like he was breathing out his mouth and talking through his nose. "O-of course," the brunette stuttered, taking a few half-steps backward and opening the door wider to let the men in.

The men studied the rather young woman a moment before entering the store-home combination. A blanket of tension filled the air, although no one acknowledged it. The woman shuffled around to situate the knights, wringing her hands as she stood idle a moment. "I'll make some tea. Please sit," she motioned and began to walk away. But the men stopped her. "Miss, we do not have time for pleasantries. Show us the child and we will leave." Was she the only one burning up? Or was it always so hot in Quinlaan?

"Ah, yes of course. If you will give me moment to clean up." A small smile tugged at her lips as she hurried to her child's room after a suspicious nod from the man with brown hair. Her heart was racing like one of the king's famous race-horses. Luckily, when she entered the room her child was fast asleep. A warm smile graced her lips as she cradled her newborn in her arms for what may be the last time.

No.

A determined gleam flashed in her eyes. She would not abandon her child to be slaughtered by the king. They had to escape, but how? Her head swiveled towards the open window to her left and then down upon the sleeping newborn. There was no time to gather the necessary items for travel, so the clothes on her back would do. Footsteps lazily echoed in the house with the call of the men, startling her into action. Quickly and carefully, she climbed out the window and into the back alley behind her home. Unfortunately, the baby stirred and began to whimper.

"Hush my darling, mother is trying to escape--"

"THERE!"

The woman cursed under her breath and began to run with her wailing child held tight against her chest. She weaved through the crowded market, shoving and pushing other civilians out of the way. Pounding footsteps followed behind, shouting orders to anyone listening. "Stop that woman!"

Very few tried to stop her, and those that did cautiously failed at gripping her arm. With burning lungs and screaming limbs, she made one last dash into the dense forests that surround the kingdom. She did not know how far those men were willing to go, but she wouldn't risk it. Even if she had stumbled into the Brae-woulf forest.

Darkness loomed overhead, taking the form of trees that threatened to crush them. "Shhh, It's okay darling. Mother is here. I won't let anyone hurt you." She cooed, nuzzling the small bundle of happiness. The wind had completely stopped, no birds chirped nor insects buzzed. Her small frame huddled against the nearest tree to rest. She was in no shape to be running anymore, and with nothing to replenish her energy...

Suddenly, there was a low growl, freezing her in her spot as her child giggled and pawed at the ring secured around her index. "No, no, no," she murmured as she stood slowly and began to back away. Glowing red eyes pierced through the foliage, watching her every move intently. There was to be no sudden movement, for if she did suddenly run, the beasts lurking in Brae-Woulf would certainly tear her apart.

I must think this through, for my daughter. I cannot run, this added weight will slow me down and we both die. But we die either way if I stand here and wait for them to pounce. Forgive me, but I must run.

"Gods protect me." She murmured as she turned and dashed down the path. She wasn't stupid, she knew that if she had run deeper into the forest those beasts would surely catch her. On the path there was a chance she could be saved by a passerby or maybe she would outrun them.

As if reading her mind, the sounds behind her turned to guttural laughing. It was meant to scare her, but all it did was harden her determination. For my daughter, I will run until my legs will not run anymore.

Heartbeats roared in her ears, Her vision began to falter. How long had she been running? Days, weeks, minutes? In her momentary lapse, something latched onto her leg, causing her to cry out and fall. Wailing cries from both mother and daughter echoed the forest. "Go away! Leave us be!" She cried and kicked until she was released. The path was lost, there was no way she would make it. No. There has to be a way. Gods grant me one last miracle...

The brunette limped forward as fast as she could, stumbling into a clearing. Her throat felt incredibly dry and she was bleeding terribly. But up ahead, as if her prayer had been answered, lay a lone cottage. Although It looked a little old, she willed herself to make it to the door.

"Please," she whisper-yelled as she pounded on the door with her free hand "Please let me in!" She didn't care if every wicked creature heard her, this was her last chance to get her little girl to safety. She was about to knock again, when the door suddenly slammed open. A man, no older than 32 gazed down upon her bleeding form with stony suspicion. His stormy grey eyes looked her up and down, seeming to analyze everything about her. But when his eyes met the child, his expression faltered. Although she hadn't noticed it, the man held a dagger in his hand, ready to attack. But finding there would be no use, he tucked it under his belt.

"Come inside, quickly!" He ordered, bending down to pick up the young woman who looked sickly pale. The woman shook her head frantically, shoving her child to the man. "Please," she begged, tears streaming down her face, "Please keep her safe. I don't have anymore time..." A howl pierced the air, making her flinch. The man couldn't hide his surprise, but he just nodded and took the crying infant. He couldn't help but frown as the strange woman smiled and placed the ring that once was on her index, in his hand. " Give this to her as soon as she can walk. It is important she never takes it off."

She coughed up what resembled blood, but looked more like an inky ichor. The man instantly knew what kind of creature stalked the trees. "I-I'll lead them away." The man didn't say a word as he stared at the woman who stood there, dying. How did a nice sunday morning turn into this?

"Wait, what is her name?" He inquired, furrowing his brow as the woman began to glow a faint white. "Her name..." She mused, turning and limping away, glowing even more. "It's Gwenaelle." In those moments, the child had grown quiet. Nothing more was said as the woman began to disappear, a blinding white light illuminating the clearing, revealing a grand nine-tailed fox.

The man clenched his jaw, then looked down at the life in his hands. That's right... it was a life. It didn't matter what form it took. With lack of expression, he closed his eyes and sent out a prayer for the fox spirit, vowing to take care of her child as if his own.

"Grata Domum."

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