Heart of Sapphire

Blood everywhere, a young girl was witnessing the events in front of her. It was war and her parent's kingdom was being conquered. Knights were fighting and as she was walking past them blood landed on her as she was going unnoticed by them and walking towards her bedroom. She was once told if something like that was to happen she would wait in her room and to not let anyone in. Looking once more at the fight she closed the door waiting for the next move. Life or death?
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Frantically he cut is way through both Knights of both sides that were in his way. He had a sacred duty to complete and anyone who got in his way would die by the sword and shield that had been passed down through the generations in his family. Blood soaked the magnificent onyx colored metal of his full body suit of armor and he looked like a wraith as he charged through the carnage. As he closed in upon his quarry he noticed that the enemy was breaking down the door where his charge was supposed to be hidden. "Back away from that door or your life blood shall feed Obliniax the Black Blade!"
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She could no longer wait for assistant. She instead took out her necklace that held the family emblem within the engraving of the sapphire stone and put it near the wall in which it opened a secret passage way. Going through it, it automatically closed and went on forward to go to safety.
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As the last corpse fell the floor he forced his way into the room. Looking about he realized his quarry was not there but saw signs that only a trained eye could see of the secret passages recent usage. Removing his amulet from around his neck he used it to open the passage. As he entered it once again closed behind him. Turning to his right he smashed the mechanism that caused the door to open and close forever sealing it behind him. Running down the hall as fast as his armor would let him. He had to find her fast or else all he had trained for his entire life would be in vain.
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Seeing the dim light of the sun shining through the cracks of the walls, she knew she was near the country of Volloroka. She tried to steady her breathing as she had been running through the passageway to get to her destination. Now out of breath she stopped for a moments rest but upon hearing sound of footsteps she had to keep on going guessing that it may be an enemy that found the secret behind the walls. Raising her necklace towards the wall it began to open showing the beauty of the country. It was a peaceful country in which stayed neutral and it was a place to start a new beginning. She felt at ease and walked out for the wall to only close behind her. As told at a young age she went to the Shrine of Darvankil to await her escort, she was told she would know who he was upon appearance.
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Coming to the end of the passage his heart sunk as he realized the princess was not there. Opening the passage he continued onto the next location, The Shrine of Darvankil. When he reached the Shrine he entered and walked into the back room. Putting his pendant and his Wolfs Head Emblem into two special designed slots he walked into another secret room. The room was fully furnished with a bed in the corner. After seeing who was on the bed he breathed a sigh of relief. Removing his helmet and sheathing his sword and shield upon his back he knelt before the princess laying both his emblem and his pendant on the edge of the bed. "Princess...I have come for you by the sacred oath that has bound my family to yours for centuries. I am Karl Wolvesken and I am to be your escort."
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Upon seeing the man in front of her she already knew who he was, for only royals and guardians knew of the hidden locations spread throughout the continent. For the Shrines were just decoys to keep away unwanted people from the hidden walls.
"Good morning sir Wolvsken. I see you have finally located me. What is the news of the Kingdom?"
She looked at him with exhaustion for she hadn't slept since the night of the war. She already knew the answer for she was a sharp girl but she still wanted to hear it from the direct source who stayed behind to witness the outcome.
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"The news is not good milady...the kingdom if not by now will soon be lost but I received word that our allies in the north prepare to retake the kingdom and replace its rightful heir upon the throne." The knight bowed his head at the next bit of news he had to relate. "Your parents are dead....I could not save them...my kinsmen are also dead...We are the last of both our lines Princess but I swear I shall get you to the Northern Kingdoms alive."
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As she heard the words come out of his lips that her parents were dead she just looked at him in the eyes only showing sorrow. She wouldn't shed a tear for she must stay strong for the Kingdom of Sapphire. Even at the age of 12 all she could do was stay strong. She was trained since young of how to rule if something were to happen. It was her time to make a choice to weep or to continue moving forward. Weeping had to wait for she had to build an army to reclaim her Kingdom.

"May they rest in peace they were wonderful rulers and parents. Sir Wolvesken...I am truly sorry for your loss. As you may know we can't weep until we form an army to take over what was once ours. If there were any survivors they would have been taken hostage and put to work. As of now I must take responsibility to form alliances. We must depart to the Kingdom of Aldemer before they reach Volloroka. I don't want these innocent people to suffer. I Maya Kyren will reclaim my Kingdom..."

She started to feel dizzy and before she could speak again her vision blacked out and slept soundlessly on the cot.

Karl sighed as the princess passed out from exhaustion. He quickly removed his armor so that he was only wearing a light brown tunic and same colored pants. He sat down to polish his armor singing a lullaby that his mother had sang to him when he was but a small child. Now at the prime age of sixteen he had completed his knights challenge and was tasked with protecting the royal heir. As he finished his song he knelt before the sleeping form of Maya Kyren and repeated the sacred oath that had passed the lips of every Wolvesken male for generations. " By blade of onyx and blood of crimson I bound myself to Thee Maya Kyren. By the fang of the wolf and the strength of my ken my existence is bound to thee." As the last words crossed his lips he sank his sword deep into the earthen floor in front of him. There he waited in that position in a trance that could not quite be called sleep waiting for his mistress to call upon him.
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Maya was in deep sleep unable to hear her surroundings. All she could focus on was her dream in which involved witnessing many people's death. She was surprised no enemy noticed her after all she was small for her age. That was one advantage she was glad about. She started to twist and turn on the cot seeing how many people risked their lives to save the Kingdom of Sapphire.

"N-no...don't fight..you...won't win...please...stop...." muttered Maya.
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Karl was woken from his reverie by the moans of his mistress. Seeing that it was a bad dream he placed his hand upon hers and whispered gently into her ear. "Hush now Maya you are safe. There is no death around you. Be at peace."
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Upon hearing someone's soothing voice she opened her eyes to see that it was Karl's voice who she heard.

"Thank you Sir Wolvesken, but it was just a simple dream. I know that harm will not come to me. It was..just a dream..."

She shivered knowing that it was real for she was there to see many people sacrificing their lives for the royal family. Maya knows she was the last of royal blood. She must take action in order to get her Kingdom back.

"Sir Wolvesken we must keep moving towards the neighboring Kingdom of Aldemer to ask for assistant if possible. We can't waste time....time is the essence."

Maya looked into his eyes seeing if he would also agree with her continuing on the travel for it would take days even weeks to get to the Kingdom for they must travel by water.
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Karl knew better then to protest against his ladies wishes but in this instance he had to. "Milady, allow me a few hours to gather up the supplies and prepare your disguise. Please rest until then it is a few hour horse ride to the nearest safe harbor." Karl then moved and opened a closet revealing womens clothes including a long riding jacket with a hood and a full face mask. "Please put these on... I will return shortly." Karl then left the room closing the chamber behind him and moved to go get the horses in the nearby stable saddled and ready.
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Maya stood up to look at the clothing that was shown to her. She looked at each one and decided to pick a simple pale blue dress with long sleeves that was tight at top but flowed freely at the bottom to make it easier for her to walk. She picked the black cloak to outshine her emerald eyes. She ignored the face mask for she didn't need one. Once fully dressed Maya put on blue slippers which were much easier to walk in than heels. She sat on the cot waiting for Wolvesken to return. Maya tried to stay awake but her body was telling her to sleep. Her eyes felt heavy and before she knew it she was laying on the cot sleeping once again.
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Wolvsken returned to find Maya sleeping upon the bed and frowned to see that she discarded the mask. She would need that for when they passed through cities but he wouldn't force her for now. He resumed his position at her side waiting for when she would need him.
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Feeling someone's presence she awoke and looked to see Wolvesken by her side. She blinked a few time as her vision was a bit blurred. Once she regained her vision she stared at him directly in the eyes wanting to know more answers.
"How was the gathering? Any news from the people?"
She looked at the direction of the face mask. "Why do I need that for? We are safe for now Sir Wolvesken. Need not worry for my safety I am not a child. I know what to do in the adult world." She looked back at him waiting for his response.
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Wolvsken looked up at his mistress disapprovingly. "You know why you have to wear the mask when we reach cities...your enemies know your face mistress. We wont make it if you don't. So please." Wolvsken got up and started to make breakfast. "the horses are ready as are our supplies but we must first have a good breakfast. So I will make you some eggs and bacon so please eat up."
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She looked at the mask and back to him. "I know that you want me to be safe sir Wolvesken, but you underestimate me. I know how to defend myself. Even at crisis like these I know what to do. I am in front of you alive and that should prove how I went unnoticed by the enemy." She stood up and handed him the mask. "The cloak is enough to hide my identity, nothing else."
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Wolvsken sighed as he put the mask down on a side table. "So when we go through a checkpoint into a city your hood will be enough to keep a guard from seeing your face and recognizing you....?" Wolvsken sighed and walked from the room and started sharpening his blade for the 8th time that day.
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She looked down at her feet not knowing what to say. For he was right about someone recognizing her. It took Maya a couple of minutes until she was able to give him an answer. "......the checkpoints...the guards only want to know where the person is heading. They are also given a specific instruction on what to search for a princess. I am not wearing such emblems on me that show of royal background." She walked to the door and stopped for a moment. "I suggest we head out now while it's still daylight. I will be waiting for you outside."
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Wolvsken sighed knowing he lost the argument. He sheathed his sword and grabbed the supplies and headed outside grabbing the horses. Hoisting the princess up on one he got on the other and started to lead the way into the dark woods nearby. "Keep close...these woods are dangerous."
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When entering the woods it turned dark. The trees were blocking the sunlight from entering. It was dim and barely showed the trail in front of her. A sound of a branch snapped and the horse jumped standing on its hind legs. Maya tried holding onto the reigns only to lose control. She closed her eyes knowing she would feel the impact.
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Wolvsken jumped from his horse with a speed unheard of for a human catching Maya in his arms. Anyone observing closely would notice that his ears had become sort of pointy and a bit hairier then normal. When he stood and put Maya back on her horse his ears had reverted to normal. "Are you ok...Maya?"
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She opened her eyes when she realized that she hadn't hit ground. Instead she saw Wolvesken holding her and getting her back on the horse. She was light headed trying to gather what just happened. "Ummm....yes...let's just continue before night falls upon us." She held the reigns and made the horse walk ahead leaving him behind to follow her.
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By this time Wolvksen had had enough. He rode up beside Maya and grabbed the reigns of the horse from her hands forcing it to stop. "You will stop...and you will listen to what I have to say." Instead of listening to him Maya did what was typical for her and hopped off her horse and kept walking. This burned Wolvskens blood and he hopped off his horse and caught up with Maya grabbing her and bending her over his knee spanking her. "YOU...WILL...LISTEN," he yelled at her words pierced by the sound of slapping. He stopped the onslaught soon after and held her up so she could see his face. "Princess Maya...the danger out here is real....stop fooling around and listen to what I say or you WILL die..."
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She looked at him in shock and tears started to form behind her eyes. "Y-you hit me.....why would you hit one who is superior than you?" Her tears flowed down her cheeks and she began to wipe them away. "How can I be in danger? I know better. I am not a child..." Maya hit him with her fists as hard as she could in anger from what just happened.
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Wolvsken grunted patronizingly at the punch to make maya feel like she actually hurt him. "Hmm with a punch like that maybe you arent a child but Maya I hit you because you refuse to listen or pay attention to danger around you. Maya...If anything were to happen to you...I would never forgive myself."
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She had been watching them for a while now. Such an interesting pair they were a young girl and her stalwart defender. She was shocked however by the man's actions.

'Time to speak up me thinks.' she thought to herself. She ruffled her feathers for a moment wondering what they'd do when the hawk sitting in a tree above them spoke.

"You know i thought striking the one you are supposed to protect is against the rules or something." She called out still in her Red tailed hawk form.

'An interesting pair indeed' She thought awaiting to see their reactions.
Maya stopped hitting Wolvesken. "I am sorry to worry you, but you know I can handle myself." She looked at him with a gentle smile. "I promise to be more careful and to not worry you as much. I just want to be treated as an adult and not a child. I just dealt with losing many people and my own parents. I have to be......"
Maya heard someone speak and she looked around not seeing anyone. "Wolvesken please tell me I am not hearing things? I just heard a voice yet no one is by us."
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Karl growled and stepped in front of Maya drawing his onyx sword and readying his shield. "Show yourself you knave...or I shall find you and end your pitiful existence right now in a pool of blood. If you don't want your blood to fertilize the trees and your corpse to feed the beasts of the wild I Karl Wolvsken demand that you show yourself!" Karl scanned the woods preparing for what was to come.
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"Oh ho ho fiesty are we?" She laughed deeply. She looked down at the two and smiled inside.

" up here children" she called drawing the two's attention to her hawk form. The shock on their faces was priceless. In a burst of magic and feathers in place of the hawk sat a 20 something looking woman in a brown cloak. He hair a blood red and her serpentine amber eyes glowed with mirth and mischief.

" nice to meet you darlings what may I ask are you doing in my neck of the woods?" She asked with a smile.
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Wolvsken looked up feigning surprise to throw off the stranger. He of course knew what she was.. He had heard of such anthropomorphic creatures before but had never actually seen one. "That is none of your business...name yourself and your purpose before I cut you down where you stand."
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" hmmm so you were on guard the entire time?" She said seeing the young man's stern look.

" my name is Krane( cra-nay). I am a sorceress. Also one who has no power here should not demand things of the one who could kill them on a whim. Yet I will answer little boy. This is my part of the forest and I wish to know why YOU are here." She jumped from the tree branch and landed easily in front of the pair.

" I am the witch of these wilds. So do tell me why you have entered MY woods." Her voice no longer sweet silk but stern and hard Krane stared at the two awaiting an answer.
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Maya shifted her body to see what was in front Wolvesken's view only to see a woman who appeared out of nowhere. When demanded Maya stood aside him. She stood her ground and finally replied. "I am Maya Kyren, we are just passing through to travel to a nearby city. We do not mean any harm. Please forgive us for disturbing you. This is my companion Karl Wolvesken. He can be overprotective over me at times."
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Krane raised a brow at the girls determined stance. She sighed deeply and shook her head.

" I see. Well these woods are not safe at night. Come I will give you shelter lest the were ones get you." She said kindly.

" you have a courageous heart young lady I like that. Come with me you two. night will fall soon."

She looked towards Wolvesken. "Shall we go with this creature? For we have no other options. It's either putting our trust on her or stay the night in the open area where we can easily get a surprise attack? Your call Sir Wolvesken." She knew he had to choose wisely for he wouldn't want her to be put in any type of danger. It was whether he can put trust in a stranger or act almighty and not sleep a wink to keep an eye on her.

Karl growled but replaced his sword. "Lead on...creature...but I swear this upon my forefathers....if this is a trap....you will regret ever crossing me...you will beg me a thousand times for death before I finally allow you to slip from this world into whatever hell you believe in." As he said these words his eyes began to glow and the air became heavy with arcane energy. He had spoken an oath, and when one of the Wolvsken bloodline spoke an oath it was bound in ancient magical laws forcing it to be carried out if the conditions were met. He had made two such oath's in his life...this was now the third.
His eyes faded along with the arcane power but unbeknown to the group a black mark appeared upon his back in an arcane sigil. It pulsed slightly as it was written in by the magic of the curse of the Wolvsken clan. Karl could feel the sigil as it burned into his skin but he ignored it. "We are waiting...beast..."

Krane shook her head exasperated. She walked along as the pair followed her.

"I may at times be a beast. Yet i am still a woman. May i have a little respect?"

They followed her deep into the woods to a house. A pristine wooden house stood deep in the woods.

"Welcome to my home be at peace and safety here."