Forbidden Love

Chapter 1

The young apprentice tied her hair up into a bun as she heard her mentor Astra Peters call for her again. "Come one, Zoe! It's your assessment today!" Astra called again, her voice brisk as she paced the clearing in the crispy spring morning.

Zoe was mentored by Astra for 9 years since she was 3 years old. Astra had insisted to Scorpius that she mentor the unidentifiable baby. Although Scorpius was reluctant, he let the young warrior have her ways. When Zoe Hunt was 3, Astra took care of her, teaching her how to hunt, fight and take care of the Tribe. Zoe was a quick learner and a skilful warrior, to which Astra sorrowfully related to her mother. She knew Astoria and Zain would be proud of their daughter. She wished to tell Zoe but Scorpius had forbade her along with Lyra Summers, Jason Peters and Blaise Quinn. Astra was so lost in thought, she didn't see Zoe until she made the most noisiest approach yet. Zoe had learnt never to question Astra about her zone outs. She learnt it the hard way, of course. Her questions would lead to a grumpy and very demanding Astra and Zoe did not want that during her warrior assessment.

"So, can we go yet?" Zoe asked cheerfully. "Let's go." Astra said with a small smile, snapping out of her trance. "Astra!" Scorpius called from where his cave rested underneath the cool stone. Astra turned. "I want a word!" The leader called across the clearing. Astra' fists clenched as she asked in an annoyed tone. "What about? I'm assessing Zoe today." Astra snapped. "It's about Zoe." Scorpius Lycon said lazily, ignoring the panicked looks he was getting from Zoe's friends and Zoe herself.

Zoe could feel anger rolling off her mentor as she stalked towards the leader, her poster stiffened and her eyes burning with cold fire. "What do you want about Zoe?" Astra snarled as she neared Scorpius. Scorpius only looked amused by her anger as he said, "Sit, Astra."

Astra didn't sit, but lay a hand over the hilt of her dagger. Scorpius looked even more amused by Astra's antics. "I was thinking of promoting her as deputy a couple weeks after she passes her assessment, which I'm sure she'll pass." Scorpius announced. Astra's right eye twitched but she didn't let any expression slip. "I'm sure you'll be proud of her? With you being her mentor after all. And don't worry. Grain was just telling me he was going to retire to the Elder's cave." Scorpius drawled. "Don't think I'm fooled, Scorpius Lycon. You're just doing this so she would not think why some Tribemates give her weird looks. She will not be fooled either. Zoe is an intelligent girl. She will guess the truth in the end and you doing this will just make it more suspicious." Astra hissed. "Well, you talking about this openly will just expose the secret and it will no longer be between us and your patrol." Scorpius spat, his voice laced with venom.

Zoe had taken this time to step closer to the two and was hanging onto every word. Since she was 7, she had been looking for answers of why no one would tell her who her parents was.

"Astoria Hunt- no. Astoria Sky was a disgrace to Eagle Tribe!" Scorpius hurled. "Do not insult Astoria!" Astra shrieked, her dagger pulled from its sheath as she glared at the Eagle Tribe leader. "What are you going to do about it? You can't attack your leader. And even if you do, you'll loose the chance of your apprentice becoming deputy and you can't deny. Astoria was a traitor to our Tribe." Scorpius smirked, his voice mocking.

There was a scream when Astra charged, letting loose her ball of anger as she scraped her dagger down the arm of her leader. Their Tribemates watched in horror as Scorpius drew his dagger. He jabbed the dagger into Astra's arm and she cried out in pain. The corners of Scorpius' lips upturned as he heard the painful wailing of Astra. His smug look was wiped off as another shape barrelled into him.

Fury washed over Zoe as she let her anger take control over her. Astra was like a mother to her and she would die protecting her. The silver knife in Zoe's hand flashed under the soft sunlight as she flicked it all over the place, blocking all of her leader's attempts of attacking her. She then easily disarmed Scorpius and shoulder flipped him onto the grassy floor. Zoe's hunting knife was pressed to Scorpius' throat and her knee on his chest. Her right hand held the knife in place and her left hand grasped a fistful of Scorpius' collar.

Her voice was raspy as she spoke. "I don't know who Astoria is. I don't know why Astra attacked you first. I don't care if I can't be deputy after this, but no one attacks Astra and gets away with it. No one, Scorpius Lycon. You heard me?" Zoe's hand trembled with fury. Her voice was singed with furious anger.

She stood up and let go of Scorpius, her head light from fighting the bigger sized and elder warrior. Scorpius was more experienced and stronger, but Zoe was lighter and swifter. It took a lot of her strength to take him down. "No of course not, Zoe. You're still going to be promoted as deputy. It must've took much to take me down." Scorpius laughed forcefully. Zoe gave Scorpius a fuming look and helped Astra to her feet. Blood poured from her wound on her sword arm and blood oozed from the slash she had above her left eye. Zoe was less injured. Her only wound was a nasty-looking cut on her right knee.

"Brush up and good luck in your assessment." Scorpius told Zoe. Both mentor and apprentice ignore him. Astra struggled to her feet and with the help of Zoe, managed to limp to the Medicine Cave. "Art." Zoe called for her older friend. Artemis Moon was a close friend while she was younger, while she was still training to be a Healer, Artemis took care of Zoe whenever Astra wasn't free. (Artemis is 4 years older) Artemis came out, her face crinkled with worry as she saw the two. "Oh, Zoe. What did you get yourself into this time?" The 16 year old quickly disappeared into the cave and reappeared with herbs in hand. She treated Astra first because Zoe insisted then turned to Zoe.

When both of their wounds were dressed, Artemis stood up and looked down at Zoe. She leaned down and whispered by Zoe's ear.

"Eight will rebel, one will hand onto Life by the thinest threat, and a new tribe shall spring from the blood of the former." She whispered. She stood straight and gave Zoe a smile. "Good luck, Zoe."

Ooh! Zoe is given a prophecy! Yea I know. It sucks. Oh well ;) Hope you enjoyed it!!

Katrina C. Heathers (Howler)