shattered

1, favors

maple walked slowly up to the front gate the sky was clouded and there were two angel guards standing at the entrance. They braced up as soon as they saw her.
"Who goes there?" One of them asked calmly wings fluffed and gripping there spear tightly.
"Its me, maple leader of the insects. I'm here to speak with hope, leader of the angels." Maple said calmly. She knew the rules. No guard could oppose a meeting of leaders. And even so they couldn't attack someone of that much authority.
"right this way the. Blu keep guard while I escort her to hope." one of the guards said. The guard supposedly named 'blu' backed up and the other guard waved forward for maple to follow him. She did her dragon fly styled wings folded neatly behind her back and her antenna straightened. The bug-wolf followed the guard to a large wooden door, probably made of holly wood, and opened it slowly.
"What is it now grey?" a voice spoke annoyed on the other side. The guard whispered out of earshot from maple.
"Well why didn't you say that in the first place?" The voice said again.
"Come in! Come in! Great to see you!" a small greyish-pink wolf stepped out grey wings extended in a greeting. Maple nodded to her not moving. She beckoned her forward and maple followed slowly. they walked through the dark halls of the castle only the sound of there footsteps echoing through the space. They walked in silence maple could sense the uncomfort in the small wolfs movement. she laughed quietly twitching her wings once out of habit. They entered a large room with a light blue rug that lead to a large amethyst throne. On top the throne was hope, a tall bluish-grey wolf with four light blue wings two were smaller than the others. She had four arms (like maple) two of them crossed and two of them resting on the armrests of the crystal throne. she looked down at maple narrowing her gaze her red eyes piercing into maples light yellow ones. the pink wolf ran up to hope muttered a few words and hope shooed her away and she ran closing the door behind her.
"Greetings." maple started a little nervously. She had only been leader for a few months so she had to get a good first impression on hope.
"Hello there. I don't believe we had formally met. My name is hope. I assume you are maple?" hope spoke icily at maple. She nodded not showing weakness when on the inside all she wanted to do was run. She put her hands behind her back bowing slightly to hope
"That is correct pleasure to meet you." Maple stated voice ringing clearly across the room.
"I come bringing good wishes to you." Maple said smoothly. She heard hope get off there throne and step close to maple. She looked up hope right in front of her face she didn't react but it scared her on how quick they were.
"Now, why are you here?" Hope asked quietly. Maple swallowed taking a deep breath. But hope was quicker.
"Tell me if this sounds familiar." Hope interrupted starting to circle maple. She stood still stiffly not looking around at hope keeping still. Hope was one of the strongest leaders of them all. The demons leader wasn't at all as intimidating as hope. which- seemed off. Might be because hope was part bug as well.
"You decide its a good idea to prance into my kingdom without any kind of guards to guide you here, and on a blue moon might I add? One of the most cherished days we have. and you decide you would like to come into my throne room without any kind of letter of warning when you were coming-" hope paused maple started to feel stupid. No escort no letter I'm not very good at this am I? Maple thought to herself trying not to show weakness.
"And wouldnt you know it, wow! Your here in front of me! oh what a pleasure it must be to see one of the strongest leaders in existance in front of you. Isn't it?" Hope continued still circling maple. She stood still as stone not daring to move.
"Oh this is a brilliant idea! Oh how nice will it be for me, maple, to drop by for a visit of my best pal hope!" hope mocked maples British accent. She stiffened in anger but took a breath. Don't loose your temper in here... You might start a war.. Maple reminded herself calming down a bit.
"Oh I'm sure hope isn't busy running a kingdom after all they always have time for little. Old. Maple." hope spat out the last three words harshly. Maple felt rage bubble inside her but said nothing.
"now. why are you really here sweetheart?" Hope said her voice smooth and soft but with a hint of aggression.
"I come asking a favor." Maple stated strongly still frustrated at hope.
"Oh? You need MY help? Do go on then." Hope stated. Hope stopped in front of maple hands behind there back wings extended. Hope gave her a look of well, what is it? and hope stepped back. Maple took a shaken breath and started.
"As you know I'm the new leader of the insects." She started hope nodded not breaking there gaze from maple.
"And if you know I had no proper training-" she paused.
"Obviously. But you could already see that." Maple joked quietly. Hope gave a light chuckle. Okay... Good start... Maple thought. She took another shaky breath.
"And I come asking you, leader of angels to help me, learn how to be a proper leader." Maple finished quietly. Hope straightened up looking down at the young leader in front of them. maple looked up at them not moving. a long stretch of silence reached across the room the torches flickering quietly almost like everything was waiting to see what hope would say. Hope stepped forward drawing there sword maple stiffened oh no I fucked up... She thought tensing. She closed her eyes tightly ready for hope to stab her.
"i, hope, leader of the angels, hearby appoint maple, leader of the insects as my new apprentice." Hope said clearly. The blade lightly hovered above each of maples shoulders then was held blade down on the floor. Maple looked up at hope in shock. Hope smiled at her.
"If were going to keep the peace between the different kingdoms we will need you to be a good leader." hope stated. maple felt relieve wash over her and she lowered her gaze and bowed again. hope straightened out there arm and used there hand to pull maples gaze back to hope.
"But training will be cruel and harsh and you must follow everything I say." hope warned maple nodded quickly fear pushing its way back into her stomach.
"Very good. We will meet every Saturday. Bring an escort. Ill send a list of things to study by letter and the meeting place shall be at..." Hope thought for a moment.
"What about that willow tree by the river marking our borders...?" Maple suggested. Hope looked down at maple.
"yes, that is a fine choice my dear. The willow tree.. good start. Taking charge. What a leader always needs to do." Hope said half to themself. maple nodded feeling proud of herself.
"Now get out of my sight." Hope said waving her away.
"Thank you I promise you won't regret this!" maple said happily backing tword the door.
"I sure hope not." They said and maple was out the door being escorted to the border.