Artemis

Chapter 1

-7 years Later-

"Navene careful!" 

I scold watching him leap over falling trees while Tesara (Tess-a-ra) runs along with him. She has grown beautifully into her gray coat. She is strong just like her mother. Her and Navene have become the closest over the years. We have traveled all over the country in our years together. I still remember the young boy he was and the young man he is growing into. 

"Artemis, stop worrying." 

His long blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes gleam at me with a broad smile. He is panting but the happiness he exudes makes me smile as well. Tesara takes the opportunity to pounce on him making him fall to the forest floor with a thud. He chuckles at her while she continues to lick his face. 

Her ears perk up and the other wolves follow suit. Navene looks around drawing out his sword getting into a defensive stance. I close my eyes and let my mind expand. Then I hear it, soft crying and pleading. I open my eyes to see Navene looking at me determined. I give him one nod and he understands. I give a low whistle and wolves begin trudging towards the sound. We follow close behind seeing what is going on. 

I pull my emerald cloak to cover my features. Navene looks over at me and helps me put my metallic hair inside to keep from anyone's views. It now reaches my butt and I braid it often. My dark eyes seem to have taken on the same trait as my hair. Navene says I look like a warrior. I have taught him much in the years he has been with me. The wolves now understand his body gestures and listen to him as well but my word still is law. I have also received and interesting inkling mark that started on shoulder and has expanded to run down my arm. It's intricate and beautiful. I have never seen something like it. Navene was captivated by it. We didn't know what it meant until we had a run in with a bear. I learned that I can speak to other creatures other than just wolves. The more animals I spoke to, the more the ink expands. I still run with my wolves however we help any creatures who we can along the way. 

A low howl pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up to see the wolves have stopped. Navene is standing beside them. I climb a tree close by while seeing Navene take slow calculated steps towards the commotion. I link the wolves to stay back. I let my mind expand to see further. 

A golden chariot has been abandoned and the horses are being held by one man. They are hissing at him making him yank on their reigns.  I link them both and they stop and look up towards me. The man holding them immediately gets scared drawing out a dagger and turning around trying to see any danger however he can not see me. I slowly pull out my bow and arrow and line up the shot. He still is look everywhere but up. I let the bow fly and see the man drop with a thud. The horses buck up but Navene is quick to them. I jump down from the tree and raise a hand up with palm forward while I softly sing. Both horses immediately relax and keep their eyes trained on me. I get to them and place my palm on each of their heads. They slightly bow their necks showing their submission. 

They settle and I can begin hearing sinister laughing coming from up ahead. I pat the horses snouts one last time before following Navene towards the sound. The wolves begin growling lowly while following us wrapping around us both securely. Navene holds up his hand signalling for us to halt. He turns his gaze towards me and his eyes go to a nearby tree. I nod and begin climbing once again. Our wolves getting dangerously low to the ground getting ready. 

I get to the top and look over the scene unfolding in front of me. I see a group of barbarian looking thieves circled around two people, one young man and one little girl.  The young lady wearing a ballroom pink gown. She seems to be around 10 or 11 years old. Her long dark hair delicate braided to make a halo on her hair. She is holding tight to the back of a man. The man is wearing royal blue cloak with white dress slacks underneath. He has charcoal hair with emerald green eyes. He is looking around at all the men while the little lady whimpers behind him still clutching at his back.

I look closer to unruly men and recognize the leader, Dante. He is a ruthless man I ran into when I was a small child. He tried to capture me however my wolves attacked him leaving him with a nasty scar on his face... One that I can recognize clear as day. 

I watch as Navene steps up to them without their knowledge. I open my mind to Navene telling him the name of the leader. He gives me a slight nod letting me know he heard. 

"Let them go Dante." 

All heads snap in his direction causing my muscles to tense. I trust him however my protective instincts always kick in when I sense danger near him. I have trained him to be as fast, and as fierce as me. He knows how to wield his sword like a true warrior. I gently pull my bow out and aim between the eyes of the leader. They take slow calculated step towards Navene still not sensing my presence. My wolves begin growling deeply telling me they want to attack. I softly hum in their mind easing them slightly. My eyes go back to the thieves now flanking Navene. Navene being himself doesn't seem worried. Arrogant young man. I shake my head and grin slightly. My thoughts abruptly come to stop when I see Dante raise his sword towards Navene's neck. Navene continues to hold his stance but my body goes rigid and stiff. 

"How do you know my name?" 

Navene begins chuckling darkly making me grin. All the men now raise there swords towards him but I can see clear as day. Fear. Their eyes are swimming with the emotion. They should fear him... and me. 

"Oh Dante I didn't know your name... but you know someone dear to me." 

"Spit it out boy!" Dante snarls out his eyes jumping around trying to see anything... more importantly trying to find me. I see Navene signal the man. Navene locks eyes with Dante before saying the one word to make their eyes go wide. 

"Artemis."