Inheritance (Animal Jam)

Jamaa Township

I hold my breath, my lungs protesting, my heart seeming to jump from my chest. Mage still holds my paw, his shoulder fur brushing mine. We crouch against a cold stone wall criss crossed with vines. My ankle aches and I grit my teeth from the pain. For a few long moments there is no sound but the beating of my heart and Mage's breathing. Then he lets go of my paw and relaxes,
"Okay, come on," his voice is still much a whisper. I follow him blindly, glancing uneasily into the bushes; and expecting to be attacked at any moment. But that doesn't happen. I walk as easily as I can on three legs, letting myself lean against Mage's shoulder. Soon I hear jolly music and the chatter of jammers. Mage leads me along a well worn path through a patch of bamboo. I follow his footsteps, still uneasy. Suddenly I see it. A rooftop against the cold black sky, glowing diamonds radiating from the sides. Grey stone walls. Then another rooftop. And more! Thatched with straw, lined neatly across my vision. Jamaa township! My breath catches in my throat. I'm really here! Mage stops at the edge of the bridge, standing in the shadows of a low hanging tree.
"We can't be seen," he says. I am very confused, and knead my paws in the dirt, wanting to explore,
"Why?" I want to run and find Blooming's house at once. Mage growls under his breath, and I flick my ears back.
"It's dangerous, no one must see you."
I am still confused, but don't question again. Mage leads me along the side of the stream, padding along the backs of buildings. He stops and leaps over the running creek, landing behind the last building in the row. I follow him, still excited to be in the township. A streak of pain shoots through my ankle as I land.
"Now we wait," Mage pulls out a battered looking phone and taps something.
"They should be here shortly," his confidence makes me feel better, but who are we meeting, my father? The thought suddenly scares me. He's trying to keep me away! Take me back! Shut me away! Just like father! I wait until Mage's back is turned then run, sprinting into the township. It's hard to run with three legs and my ankle throbs but I can't risk it. I hear him shout, but don't listen. I can't go back to father. Not now. Not ever. I am suddenly surrounded by jammers. They hustle and yell and laugh, shoving me as I try to get past. I need to hide. The first building I find I dart into. Cold stone floor meets my feet and white light makes me blink. The tinkling of bells fills my ears. I gasp at the beauty. The floor is grey stone, rounded into perfection. Sparkling blue diamonds are set into it, illuminating a powerful glow. Before me a tall stone statue stares coldly. The arctic wolf statue. Around in this circular building are sets of armor, den certificates, music records, and even pets! I touch the little platform where a little polar bear pet is sitting next to a kitten. It is round and adorable, with big black eyes that sparkle. I pick it up and it yips and licks me. I hold it, stroking its fur. There is a tag around the little polar bear's neck. Three diamonds. Is that the cost? I don't have diamonds, much less gems. I only have twenty gems I had saved up. I set the bear down and stroke his fur. I want this little pet. But I can't afford it. I say goodbye and walk over to the far side of the room. Here I admire the shiny pieces of armor, and the silky clothes. I spot the armor set my nanny had bought me. I'm amazed that she spent six diamonds on the entire set when I hadn't even touched it. I watch as a otter tries on leg armor clicking it around its paws.
"Ember?" I hear Mage's voice and freeze, crouching below the statue. The otter looks at me as though I were insane.
I hold my breath. Why was I stupid to trust him? He'll just take me back to father!
"Ember why did you run?" The wolf looks genuinely annoyed. I crouch back and flick my tail.
"You can't take me back!" I protest. The otter rolls its eyes,
"AJ drama these days,"
I am confused, but I turn back to Mage. He looks calmer now, the anger completely gone from his expression.
"You're trying to run away?" His voice drops. I nod, my heart in my throat. Mage clicks his tongue and looks around, making sure the room is empty,
"I won't take you back to your father, if you promise you won't run from me like that, okay?"
I bite my tongue, can I trust him? I gaze into his blue grey eyes and suddenly feel safe. It's like I have a connection with him unlike any other. As if something bonds us.
I nod and he turns for me to follow.
"I want to go to my friend Blooming's den." I say as we hurry back to the shadows behind the huts. Mage takes a deep sigh.
"Ember, you don't understand. Your..." he looks lost for words, "your life is very coveted."
I don't understand what he's trying to say.
"Well what a surprise," I scramble backwards at a growling voice from the shadows. Mage leaps in front of me, pulling out his pirate sword. An arctic wolf strides out of the forest. His chest and ears and tip of his tail are navy blue, and the rest of his body is a silvery grey. There is a light in his icy blue eyes that makes me shiver. I pull out my bow, wanting to protect myself.
"Stay away Daring!" Mage snarls, his eyes alight with hate. The navy blue and silver arctic wolf shrugs his muscular shoulders,
"And should I heed the request of such a pitiful wolf like you, Major?" He glances at me, his eyes cold,
"Who's this, did you manage to finally capture the princess for me?" his voice makes me shiver. I growl and retract my claws,
"You better back off, jerk!" I aim an arrow at his face. Mage pushes me back,
"Ember stop!"
"What do you want?!" I continue.
Daring smiles;
"I want a lot of things," he paces back and forth,
"But that doesn't matter right now," he stops and steps towards me,
"A certain little kitty and puppy have wandered into my zone." He smirks and with a swipe of a paw hits Mage in the head, bowling him over. I panic, shooting my arrow. It doesn't miss. My arrows never miss. The stone point embeds itself into Daring's shoulder. Dark blood flows through his shiny blue fur. He yowls in pain and turns to me, snarling. My paw shaking, I aim at him again. He backs off.
"This won't be the end, kid." He leaps across the stream, limping as he leaves a trail of red droplets behind him. I hurry to Mage's side, my heart thumping. A trickle of blood runs down his muzzle. I shake him,
"Mage wake up!"
He grunts and opens his eyes,
"Ember? Where's Daring?"
I help him up and sit down,
"I shot him with my bow."
Mage's eyes widen, "Is he-"
"No, he ran off." I wonder if Mage even cares at this point. I mean, if this wolf is an evil enemy, who is willing to kill me; I wouldn't care if he was dead meat for the vultures to pick clean. Still, I think of the arrow thudding into Daring's shoulder and feel sick at the thought of him dying because of me. I keep my thoughts to myself. Mage sighs and wipes the trickle of blood from his muzzle with a paw,
"Lets go, we're digging ourself a deeper hole the longer we stay."
I agree and stand up shakily. One thing thing I've learned, is Jamaa Township is a lot different than I've imagined. There's no happy families shopping and sunshine and candy and laughter. It's just darkness, fear.
Hate in icy blue eyes, and the sticky metallic smell of blood.

I finally got a bit of inspiration to write!
I'm working on updating my other stories, so look out for new chapters!
Who do you guys think Daring is?
And why does Ember feel a connection with Mage?
Why does Daring hate Mage so much?

Predict in the comments!

And as always,
Catch ya later jammers!
-Sky ⛅️