The Rise of the Wolf Child

Chapter 3

Rose rode for days in an unknown direction. She hadn't paid any attention to where she was going at all. All she knew was that she had to get away from the castle as far away as possible. She had only stopped to let Arion rest for a moment and to change info her tunic, because riding without a saddle in her nightgown started to hurt her entire body. She knew she was pushing Arion to his limits, but she had to move on. If those men would get to her, she would be dead.

On the third day of her escape she finally had the nerves to rest a bit longer. They rode past a narrow river where she found a good hiding place, just around the bend of the river. It was covered by thick bushes and trees. Nobody would find her if they didn't know where to look.

Rose dismounted Arion and led him to the river where he immediately started to drink. She felt a pang of deep guilt rushing over her, for pushing her sweet horse to his limits. She stroked him on his neck and silently thanked him for his help. He was amazing, this horse. Arion deserved some rest, but Rose knew she had to move on soon. But where would she go? She had no idea where she was or what to do next.

Suddenly a rush of emotions fell over her and she sank to the ground. The adrenaline has started to worn off and she started to cry. She had lost everything. How was this all happening? Her father, murdered by that evil man. She knew she could never erase the memory of her sweet father, lying in his own blood from her mind. And her mother... Oh, dear mother. How desperate she had looked at her daughter and screamed to her to get away. Rose didn't even know if she was still alive. Would she ever feel her mother's warm embrace again?

This made Rose cry even more.

And then there was Amy. Her best friend, whom she couldn't save. She sat down and pulled up her knees. She wrapped her arms around her legs and placed her head on top. She felt so guilty, she didn't stay to help her family. All she wished was that she would wake up and realize that this was just one big, bad dream.

Rose whipped away her tears and reached for the pouch on her back. It wasn't much, but for now it was all she had left of her home. She took out the necklace and in the sun it shone bright. It was her mother's gift and she held it close to her chest. Memories of her birthday flooded her mind.

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(Flashback)

Powell Castle, Lumea, Terra Kingdom – one day before the attack

Today has been amazing. She had become 20 years of age and the entire castle was up to celebrate the event. Everywhere she looked there were ribbons hanging from the ceiling, flowers that smelled so sweet and people laughing, dancing and drinking. There had been so much fun and things to do and all her favourite food had been prepared. She received gifts from all kind of people, from a flower in her hair from the cook's daughter to a new dress from her father. Even though he knew she didn't really like to wear dresses, he still wanted her to look like the Princess she was.

She grinned widely, tucking her tongue between her teeth. She loved her father so much, although he was constantly reminding her of her duties as a Princess. But as stubborn as she was, she did everything her own way. She loved to train with her sword, not very lady-like, but it helped her relax and she loved it to bits. Ever since she was a young girl she wanted to be free and do what she wanted. She still could remember the time she sneaked out the castle to go watch while her father's guards were training. When she gathered enough nerves, she managed to steal one of the practice swords and hid it in her room. From there she had a great view on the training grounds, so she would often be practicing along. But she couldn't do that in a dress, so she often would wear a tunic. Too bad her father found out rather quickly and gave her an angrily speech on how to behave like a lady. After she had yelled at him in anger and told him that she wanted to live her life like she wanted, he shouted at her that when she was old enough she had to marry to be Queen of Terra and sword fighting wasn't one of a Queen's duties!

Rose shivered at the thought of marriage. Give up this free life and obey some kind of horrible man? No way. If the time came, she could be Queen all by herself. Her mother managed to calm her father down, and made a deal with Rose and her father. If Rose would deal with all the preparation to become Queen, she was allowed to continue practicing with her sword. Rose and her father had mockingly agreed. But since then she had some of the guards to train with her, even though her father had often given her an angry look. But she loved the training so much, that her father, she still couldn't believe it, had gifted her a sword that was especially made for her. She hugged her father and thanked him. He had wrapped his hand around her and told her he loved her, not matter what.

"Rose."

Rose looked up from her place at the large wooden table that stood on a platform on the far side of the throne room. She saw her mother standing beside her and she held a small gift, wrapped in red silk and a golden ribbon.

"Rose, darling" her mother said. "I wanted to give you my present."

She handed the gift to Rose, who stared curious to the carefully wrapped gift. She unwrapped it, to see it contained a small wooden box. It looked ancient. On the outside there were symbols she couldn't read and she stared at it. Inside the box she saw a necklace. It was entirely made out of gold and in the middle of it there was a Wolf, who held a bright red ruby. Rose thought it look absolutely beautiful.

"This is our family's crest and it's a gift that is handed down from generations to generations. Your father and I wanted you to have it. So you'll always remember who you are and where you are from."

Rose looked at her mother as tears of happiness filled her eyes.

"It's gorgeous, mother" she said as she put it around her neck.

The Wolf shone brightly on her chest and it gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling. She looked up to her mother in confusion.

"Well, it is said that it has some kind of mystical powers. It would give the bravest hope in their hour of need. But I don't really know if that's true. It never did anything for me." her mother grinned.

Rose laughed at this and hugged her mother tight.

"Thank you, mother. I love you." she said.

"I love you to, sweetheart. And so does your father."

(End flashback)

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Rose sniffed at the thoughts of her father. Anger started to take over and Rose gritted her teeth while fresh tears were running over her cheeks. She thought back when she had seen the man standing over her father and mother and the devilish grin he had gave her when he spotted her. He was a very dangerous man, she knew, and she had to stay out of his grasp.

Suddenly she remembered what he had yelled at his soldiers.

'Get her! She's mine now!'

It continually repeated itself in her head. Who was this man and what did he wanted with her? Why did he killed her father? And how did he manage invade the castle so easily?

These questions started fueling her anger even more and soon she was exhausted. She yawned as she looked over to Arion, who was now eating some of the grass that covered almost the entire shore of the river. Rose smiled. At least she had her horse with her and she knew Arion wouldn't wander off, even if she'd closed her eyes for a bit. Just a couple of minutes sleep, no more, she said to herself. She laid herself down to the ground and closed her eyes.