Some Kind of Quest

I am an outcast to my people I can’t even really call them my people I am part of a clan of warrior shape shifters but as is common knowledge the shape shifters were confined to their forest with a barrier and each shape shifter has a mark on their cheek or neck or somewhere on them that if they cross the barrier line they will die from a poison that comes from the tattoo but I am one of the very few who does not have a mark and can leave the forest. As a child I was known as no mark and made fun of by the majority of kids but no longer because I stay with my mother and I tend to the trees and connect with there spirits I am an accomplished shape shifter because I am eighteen and I have all of the required skill beads and I am an excellent warrior but none of the people beside a friend knows this so I keep it hidden. Soon I will be leaving the forest because I don’t belong here or so says the elder he blames me for the death of the trees he says I have tainted them this is mainly because I am not a pure blood shape shifter.
I have already packed my bags to leave I know it is my time to leave I have to do something to fix the forest because if I don’t my mother will die if the forest dies so do the shape shifters that live with in it.
My mother asked them not to send me out but they will not here her pleas they said that we owe them a debt and that they now want to collect it I am to go out and see what it is like beyond the forest and to retrieve medicine but I have never been outside of the forest I hate that they have to torture my mother for having me with an energist I don’t understand it. One thing I do know though is that the priest leaving the forest before I get my papers cannot catch me. You see from what I understand the priests are a mix of many different races of people elves and shape shifters and humans.
Humans have three levels of magic from what I have heard and one of the reason for the priest is that if they have shape shifter blood in them they can work with metal you see we are the only ones that can stand the conditions of the mines I am not suppose to know as much as I do but if I didn’t I know I would give myself away as a shape shifter in no time and I have plenty of money the new king has just been put on the throne I wonder if he will free my people. But to me the barrier was more to protect us from them we are more afraid of them then they are of us, and why is that? I don’t know but today is the day I leave I had to make a men’s tunic for myself it id rather comfortable to be honest I actually like it. I stopped at the edge of the forest I stripped and then said a quick spell and my belongings became as small as a pebble or pill like a medicine I swallowed it and then I began to flex into a new form I became a hawk it had been much too long since I had changed my form and it felt refreshing but the flying was much harder than you would think it to be it was like running for a few days without stopping I had to be careful as I flew though keeping a look out for priests who might be able to sense my use of magic but I had gotten rather good at hiding it isn’t easy it takes a lot of energy out of me I flew maybe twenty miles from the forest and I had to stop I got far enough into another forest and began to change back and flex into my essence my body I can’t change my appearance or gender I can only change animal forms because my essence is female my power doesn’t come from inside me as it does for humans I am my magic it is what and who I am. I tapped the tree with my mind it welcomed me I climbed into the tree and I left my mind open it wandered and then I saw a man at a table of other men he was pointing out something on a map and then he sensed me he had green eyes he was young maybe twenty but his eyes were cold I had to get out of here but how and then I was awoken by someone pulling me from my tree and hoisting me a couple inches above the ground.
“What do we have here” asked the man holding me upside down
“Looks like a young lad to me” one said
“We’d best take em to Jerel” he said
They think I’m a guy that is a good thing I think but I am surprised they didn’t notice my boobs yet
“That’s a woman” one man said
“Oh your right I didn’t notice the bodice”
He said
“Uh duh” I said
“Oh so you do talk” the man said
“Yeah just when I am mistaken for a man” I said
“Dell we sent you to find meat and you hunt a girl now what are we gonna eat?”
Said the cook I suppose
I just now noticed that this Caravan was all men and that was very unusual and then it hit me they were soldiers of some kind or perhaps something else this Caravan has as many secrets as I do I guessed.
He haled me to a Caravan it was the smallest one inside was a man who looked maybe twenty one no twenty he had black hair and green eyes but his were the most unusual eyes she had ever seen they had a hint of purple to them
“Who is this”?
He asked raising his brow quizzically.
“Dell we found her sleeping in a tree I thought she was a man but she is young girl of maybe fifteen”
Fifteen please but oh well the sooner I am out of here the better I am nineteen and if he had looked more carefully he would have known I was that age I had my spell on making me look much younger than I am. Garland one of the elders in the forest thought this was a good idea and she said that if anyone asked that you were looking for medicine for your mother. Which really wasn’t too far from the truth if you think about it that is what I am looking for.
“Girl what is your name”
“Razz”
“Why are you traveling alone”?
“I am looking for medicine for my mother”
“And there were no men in your family to do this”
“No”
“Well it appears we have an opening for a horse attendant if you wouldn’t mind joining us I assume you are going to the capital city”
“I am”
It would look more legit if I was traveling with a group only one problem I can’t keep my spell on all the time but I do need someone to travel with and I can restrain my needs to talk to the tree and river spirits I f I really try I can pull it all off.
“Alright I’ll take it,” I said
“Good Dell show her what to do”
“Yes Jerel”
Well now I’m stuck with a troop of men and I am the only woman it is rather strange I have to admit to be an all men trading group and the leader in his yes I could see there is something more going on here. Lucky for me my father is still alive he is a noble man in the Capital I haven’t seen him in so long and I need to tell him about momma you see my father is an energist. I can’t eat meat I hope I can survive here.
“Here are our horses”
I noticed there were six wagons and each would have to be led by two horses so I had twelve horses to take care of at least.
“So twelve horses then”
“Yes observant one”
Then we over heard.
“Why did Jerel let a woman come along”?
“I don’t know what he was thinking”
“Don’t mind the men they’ll get used to you here”
“This is Cook he yells when food is ready”
“I see”
“Well you go attend to the horses you can sleep over there in the last wagon”
“Okay”
I walked over to the horses I take it there last horse boy couldn’t handle these horses thy seem to be black stallion very gorgeous horses I tapped into one of there minds to calm him and then I started to brush it’s main and it seemed calm and content with me it knew I wouldn’t hurt it.
“It really seems to like you “
“Oh hello”
I said Jerel seemed to have just come out of nowhere
“We move out at dawn tomorrow”
“Okay the horses will be ready”
I said his eyes didn’t leave me for a couple minutes then he left I wonder what he wants I know he expects something of me. I just don’t know what yet.
I laid down on the comfortable sheets and slept for a few hours and woke up before dawn I got the horses ready swiftly and quietly as not to wake everyone they will wake in about an hour I bet then I heard some rustling in the bushes I reached out toward whatever it was with my mind it was a rabbit it had hurt its foot so I walked over to the bushes and I knew that these animals didn’t know how to heal themselves like the ones in our forest. I ran my hands over its foot and it thanked me it said it would repay me I told it not to worry about it, and it hopped on.
Then I sat by the fire that had gone out my stomach could survive two days or so before it had to eat. Then I heard rustling out came Jerel and Dell both rather surprised that the horses were ready to go and that they hadn’t heard me get them ready I had went into the forest and I had to refuel some of my power I found a tree and asked it to heal me a bit and it did grateful to me for helping the rabbit that lived in its forest and for keeping the other trees in my forest safe and healthy.
I walked out and now I could keep my spell up for a while I’m not sure how long but it will last. Came out of the forest and got to my wagon where Jerel was waiting for me.
“Where have you been”?
“In the forest I had to gather some herbs”
“Oh well you can ride with Dell okay”
“Yeah”
“Hey girl you think you can handle a sword”
One of the men teased
“You should know the answer to that without having to ask”
Jerel laughed loud and deep he was quite handsome but I have to remember my quest. There is something strange about this traveling Caravan. My owl Nicodemus came and landed on my shoulder he is a shape shifter who cannot shift back to his original form.
*Nico*
The owl hooted
*Razz all is not well in the forest the priests have attacked and the woods are becoming weaker and weaker*
*Well then I’ll have to quicken my ride to the capital shant I*
*I don’t know how to tell you this your mother is dead Carlyn put her in front of him and she got jabbed in the stomach with a sword*
*Well then I have no need to return but to save the forest that is all that I care about our people are hateful and selfish but I shall still try to save them although I know how to keep the tree’s in the forest from dying when I tapped into a tree he showed me some herb and I collected them take these back to Talon*
I handed him the herbs in the form of pill just as I had done for my clothes before all I do is spit them out and take the spell off and they are fine.
“You seem to have a connection with nature”
“Yes I have always loved the tree’s and animals of the forest “
“Well good I hope that they all remain alive and safe”
“Thanks Dell”
“Of course”
This evening I stayed as far away from everyone as I could my magic is weakening it must be the priests and maybe the impact of my mothers death my hair was changing to it’s cream color and my eyes to there blue green shade instead of the brown I had made them and my hair is supposed to look like that of a villager not of a forest spirit so I’ll have to put my hair up in a pony tail.
*Nico could you tell my father that I am near and I am coming to see him*
*But of course Milady*
*Nicodemus don’t make fun of me like that I haven’t been a Lady in a long time but one thing I promise you is that I will set you free*
*Thank you and I will be on my way then*
“Hey Razz are you not eating”
Jerel asked walking toward me
“No I am not eating”
“I wont have it the” cook said
Handing me a bowl of stew that had meat in it
“I am sorry I don’t eat meat”
I said and I know I had just betrayed myself by the way Jerel was smiling and if I don’t get out of here soon I could be in serious trouble not that I think they will betray me because I know they have a secret of there own and they wouldn’t risk letting there secret get out. But I don’t know what I should do maybe I should fly out tonight.
I started to think why would the Priests want us to die because then they would have complete control over the forests and trees and river they have already tried to control some of the rivers and if they are able to control the land then they control the people who own that land they already had control of the old King but thankfully he died after two hundred years and it is not normal for a King to live that long but the way he stayed alive was through sacrifices by killing animals and stealing there natural healing powers. But something strange is going on now with what I have heard Dell and Jerel say there are two rulers great friends each rules over a different province.
“Here then have some vegetable stew you can’t stay the size you are why Jerel could throw you like a Javelin and you being fifteen and not spoken for that is vry odd”
The cook did have a point I am nineteen and he could throw me like a Javalin that is really sad and I am not spoken for because the guys in my tribe treat me as an outsider.
“Everyone get your weapons we’re under attack”
Priests why are we being attacked by priests wait come to think of it from what the men were saying in the first town we stopped in the they were talking about the King that had to leave they said he was traveling he wouldn’t have any women along with him and he would seem to hav many soldiers this would be the perfect escape from the Capital city or not escape but the perfect way to survey the land.
“Jerel what do we so with the girl she can’t fight”
“Your right here stay behind me Razz”
I am the princess of the forest and if anything happens to me then my forest and any others I have helped along the way will die you see the thing the elders in my tribe did not mention to the others is that when my Brother died you see my brother had a mark and before he died he passed his powers to me my brother didn’t have the same father as me but he still treated me as his sister the Priest killed him during the war I haven’t explained about the rebelion against the king Shape shifters were forced to work in the mines and they didn’t like the way that they were treated this was when the Priests were still good but somewhere in there they changed I’m not sure why or how but they changed and my Brother was protecting us and he died but passed his power to me and he was destined to be the Lord of our people he was part Tree he had made a deal with the tree’s and that is all I know. The Elders didn’t like his choice and ignored his wishes so this is how everything ended up.
“Okay” I said moving behind him I had no choice I can’t let my secret be discovered at least not yet but
“These aren’t the normal Priests” Dell said trying to cover up there secrets
But it was too late now I had already figured it out.
Jerel got hit by one of the magic attacks used by one of the Priests he used a magic sutra I recognized it I think I can counter there attacks if I tried but I would need to get my clothes I cannot fight or attack in these constricting clothes
“Dell watch Jerel I’ll be right back” I said and ran quickly
I changed into my clothes and took off the cloaking spell off I had on my traditional clothes a green/grey top that covered my body tightly but it doesn’t cover anything past my mid stomach and a green/grey skirt that slit up the side and ties up the sides of the slits of it with leather strings my hair is still its browns with white son at the tips of my hair and my eyes are green/blue and my face a pale white.
“Where is Razz”
“she has been gone for a short while Jerel”
I knew they would be done fighting them by the time I had been able to get out of here I can no longer stay with them. I then heard the hooves of horses coming. Now why would horses be coming this way none the less thy sound like imperial horses if they are trying to get in unnoticed.
“We are looking for a Lady of royal descent Miss Alanna” he said
“I do not know that name and I only have one woman with me in my caravan and she is not even here right now her name is nothing similar to that” Jerel told the men
After everything had settled I wandered into the forest as I looked up at the sky from the tree I heard someone below me.
“planning on leaving so soon” Jerel asked leaning against the tree
“I don’t know” I said as I flipped out of the tree
Jerel’s mouth dropped open at my appearance I think he would have been expecting it but maybe it was the moon that made me seem to glow my hands a gloomy cream color he stood. He seemed in awe
“is it good for a King to be Gawking like that?”
He started to laugh then we both became silent something was in the forest I heard an animals cry someone killed it just to kill it for sport and then a Priest caught us he took us to the temple where they were holding a ceremony for their long lives and we were to watch for tress passing in their forest it is not their forest no matter what they say I just have to be careful here I cannot be careless I am too close to the capitol.
They brought in a new born deer I touched it’s mind it was afraid to die and it had just been born I almost cried as the knife slit the deer’s throat and then they poured it’s blood into a goblet and they began to drink it Jerel held my hand keeping me from fainting once the ceremony was over I contacted the deer’s spirit it comforted me it was happy to see someone morn for it and said for my kindness it would bestow a gift upon me that may prove useful it will become known to me when it is needed I thanked the deer and then it crossed the river of life.
“Are you alright”
He asked
“I’ll be okay”
I said as we walked toward the Caravans the Priest just let us go for some reason it really makes me wonder maybe it was a test to see if I was a shape shifter.
“so how long have you known about me Shape Shifter”
“A few days now, I know you knew the moment you met me”
“but I did think you were fifteen so how old are you really”
“wouldn’t you like to know”
“come on you can sleep in this wagon since yours was kinda half destroyed”
“thank you” I said
I must have went straight to sleep I woke when someone touched my mind. I woke next to Jerel he was shirtless I couldn’t believe I had shared a tent with him I left without making a sound. He came out about an hour later looking for me I came out of the forest wearing the men’s tunic and he started laughing I know he had a smart alick comment but he kept it in I knew he had a question for me a favor I could read it on his face,
“could you do us a favor?”
“you would like me to change and scout ahead for Priests and which is the best gate to enter at the city”
“exactly”
“I’ll do it”
Jerel smiled I went deep into the forest and stripped and put a spell on my clothes so that I could swallow them and then be able to spit them back up when I have to change back. I began to let my body flex and then I took on the form of a Hawk it has been far too long since I have done this my wings were soar but I would have to deal I started to scout ahead the road was clear and I scouted the roads for any people that might be Priest but I didn’t see anything suspicious I found the least guarded gate and It was now almost dark I’ll have to hurry back to them I lost my grip on using my wings and I punctured my rib I have done worse I’ll just have to hurry I then flew into a forest near by them and changed back bandaged my ribs then I drew them a pictographic map and it showed where they are now and where to go in at.
I walked quickly out of the forest they had camped not far off.
*Hello*
*Nico how is Dad*
*a little excited but he is fine he was sad to hear about you mother very sad to hear about her*
*did you see anything suspicious as you flew?*
*no not really there was this Priest he is Darting from road to forest*
I tapped into his mind so I could see what he had and I drew where he saw the Priest on the map. Jerel was pacing back and forth as I walked into the camp.
“here”
I said I think I startled him a little he looked a little concerned I think he could smell the blood on me I felt a little faint before he could ask me anything I headed into the forest I talked to a tree spirit he said the Priest is looking for me and that he is almost to this Caravan and that I should hide until he has left it if I hide in a tree and become one with them that will work.
“Jerel” I said quickly
“you won’t see me anymore tonight and there is a Priest coming this way none of you have seen me instruct your men it is very important”
“okay I owe you so I’ll do as you say”
“thank you”
“is your rib okay”
I looked astonished he smirked
“I’ll be fine” I said a little flushed how had he known about my ribs I wandered but oh well I walked deep into the forest and became one with a tree my magic could not be traced now because tree’s have a magic of there own one that a Priest could never understand no matter how much of a shape shifter he may be. My mind was free and I sifted through things and then someone touched my mind I had no choice but to respond
*hello*
*hello* I replied
*you are the princess of the forest a shape shifter*
*I am*
*I am the last of my kind a Prince of the forest*
*really and you need my help*
I said
*yes I am in one of your forest and I feel your presence reveal yourself*
*nice try Priest* I said sharply he was no where near me he was wrong of course he would feel my essence I am one with the forest it would be safe to leave now it was morning and I am sure Jerel had already been searched and is waiting for me so we can leave. I walked out of the forest tired and weak my energy is much too low I can barely feel anything besides pain and that isn’t a good thing I need more energy but I can’t obtain it as easily here as I could in the forest of my youth and my wound is worse than it was last night.
There the Caravan was and I just now realized it was still night maybe a little past midnight in the tree a full night had past I forgot time here is much slower and of course that Priest is still long gone I walked to the fire no one was out I didn’t even see Jerel I took a seat by it and I could feel my strength starting to regain itself as long as I got up to half my usual strength I could heal myself with my energist powers that is I could do it in shape shift form but I am much too tired for any of that.
“Hey” Jerel said stepping out from his wagon
“hello” I replied
“what happened this priest was looking for a female Shape Shifter who had escaped the forest”
“oh so you don’t know then” I said sadly
“Know what”
“The Priests have some shape shifter in them or some of them do I should say see the forest the Shape shifters were confined in is Dying and I am the only one who has freedom to leave as I please because I have no mark and the Priests can’t risk me getting the antidote to save my so called people and they were hoping by killing my mother that I would come back to the village then they could brand me like everyone else because you see when the forest dies they die and I become gravely sick because I am part of that forest so I have to preserve it.”
“So that is what is going on”
“Yes”
“Your Female and there are no men in your family who could do this”
“No I have no brother”
“Father” he asked
“What about you”
I was going to ignore his last question I don’t want him to know yet.
“Me I am a King the new King and my brother and his wife Lynnette are the other rulers and I was surveying the land and doing other things and thanks to you I have found out things that need to be dealt with in a major way.”
“Well that explains a lot” I said
“Why do you have no mark?”
“Well that’s a long story and you’d better get some rest we go into town tomorrow your highness.”
“you’re so funny”
“Thank you”
“Looks like your stuck in my tent again” He said
“It appears that way” I said
“Wait I have one more simple question is your full name Razz”
“No it is Razzel” I said
“Razzel” he said as if testing it for future reference
“Well we should get some sleep” he said
We stepped into the wagon and he took off his shirt I tried not to look but he was well defined he was very striking he was like a god.
I was the first up again I got the Horses ready for us to move out and I fixed a wheel that broke since none of them knew how to work with metal. I think it is the least I could do to help them because it wouldn’t be long at all until we got to the city. We traveled a ways and then we were there and we were inside the city and there was Gabriel waiting for m and to my surprise Nico my father must have been able to return him to his original form.
“I believe this is where we part path’s your highness” I said stepping from the Caravan as a bunch of soldiers ran up to the Caravan they must have been waiting for him.
“Farewell Razzel”
He watched as I walked toward the two bigger men standing to the side.
“Hello”
I said with a smile to Nicodemus who gave me a hug that lifted me off of the ground and I could still feel Jerel’s eyes on me. And we got on the horses of course Nico helped me up to mine I would finally be returning to wearing women’s clothes thank god I hated looking like a man it bothered me. When I got to the house my father was waiting pacing outside in front of the house.”
“Hello my Dear Darling Lilith”
“Hello Father”
He seemed ecstatic to see me I know why he hasn’t seen me for many a moon or year. He did look a little more aged than I had expected and I was wondering where my adopted little sister is.
With Jerel
“Hello brother”
“Jerel welcome back”
“Thank you we have a lot of work to do”
“Really what should we start with first take a load off and tell me about your Journey”
“Well I met a girl a Shape Shifter and I learned more of the Priest’s treachery from the girl she is the only one allowed to leave the forbidden forest and the Priest’s are trying to kill off the Shape Shifters for there land and if they control the land that the Shape Shifters govern they will control us all.”
“That is a grievance indeed and we shall deal with it right away but Lynnette wants to throw a ball of sorts for your return and I don’t know how to turn her down.”
“Okay she can throw a ball I don’t mind”
I wonder if Razzel will be there and who those men were that greeted her they looked like body guards of some sort but why would a girl her age need body guards.
“Oh did I tell you Lynnette met a girl this morning who is living with our count really pretty she is his daughter.”
“Oh”
“I figured you would be more excited you need to get a wife soon Jerel.”
“I know”
Razzel where could she be.
“have you ever heard the name Razzel?”
“I think I might have once before but I don’t know where why?”
“Oh no reason”
I’ll probably never see her again but it was nice to meet her she was really different for a girl and I never knew her age and I would have really like to.
“Um your highness a Miss Lynnette has asked some Ladies to the palace so that you can take a girl to the ball”
“Great I should have known”
“Oh it’s all in good humor my brother now go have fun”
Back with Razzel
Well this strange woman invited me to a ball she knew I was a Shape Shifter and Princess of the forest I almost thought it was Lynnette a child hood friend she was a seer but I must be imagining things I think I will go and see what it is like to be a Lady again.
I decided to take the spell off my hair finally the spell made my hair look brown with a white sun color at the tips now my hair is an Deep red with streaks of white sun throughout it and I am wearing the traditional clothes of my heritage which consists of a deep red silk shirt skin tight and a skirt that is a deep red colored silk and it slits all the way up but it has ties of black made of a rough fabric that tie up the sides and it is tied up to a little above the knee and I wear a deep red colored lipstick and I have a black red colored eye color that covers my eyelids these skin make ups are made from herbs in the forest. The ball of types is tonight and I am now ready for it I wonder who will be there if I know anyone there I doubt Jerel will be there he doesn’t strike me as the get together type of person to be honest because I don’t know what he would think of me now with what I look like but I have to admit I kinda liked him he was nice and sincere and he didn’t treat me like an outcast. And well anyway I have to go get my father and so forth now were in the carriage and we’re headed to where they are expecting us I guess we go to the door and Father walks in front of me of course.
“Count Montemorency”
They said and my father walked into the room and then it was my turn and I look like my name states Princess of the forest and It kinda scares me especially the fact that this will be my first doing something like this in seven years.
“Lady Lilith Princess of the Forest”
I walked down and I didn’t realize we were at the palace until now and I was standing in a room full of strangers and then I saw Lynnette and made my way across the room quickly.
“Lynnette”
“Razz” She said and gave me a hug
“I didn’t expect to see you again I didn’t think you would step out of that forest and how is your dear mother”
“Well I didn’t think I would step out either and mother she is no longer alive”
“Oh how tragic”
“Yes but how about you the last time I saw you was when I stepped into the eternal flames”
“Yes I know I got married I would like you to meet my husband and his brother they are in a room all alone not much for parties”
“Alright” I said cheerfully
“I have been married for about two years.”
“that long”
“Yes I know it is strange to think of it isn’t it”
“I suspect I’ll grow an old maid”
“You said that when we were younger too”
“Well it was as true then as it is now”
“You say that now but you’ll eat your words when a guy catches your eye and you catch his”
“When that happens our people will be free”
“You never know that could happen”
“Right not while I am alive wait I am immortal”
“You are so sarcastic”
“Yeah yeah”
“Aiden”
“We’re in here Lynnette”
“Oh good I would like you to meet Lilith Princess of the Forest”
“Hello”
Said a tall man and then I realized by the way he was dressed he was a king and then behind him was another man who hadn’t looked up yet and I knew who he was it was Jerel well this is great just great I knew something like this was bound to happen I just didn’t think it would be so soon but then again it has been two weeks since we first arrived I already acquired my medicine I gave it to Nicodemus who took it to the forest and the forest now thrives again and the Priests are pissed.
“Brother say hello to our guest”
“Good evening your majesties”
“You should so see your face nothing ever phases you” Lynnette said
“Oh you’d be surprised”
“Hel---lo”
“Hello Jerel”
“This is Princess Lilith of the forest the one I told you I met in the market or you might know her as Razzel”
“Lynette you always surprise me one way or another”
“I know but I could never get anything passed Razz when we were younger she was cold as ice”
“Really” Jerel said
“So how do you know Razzel Jerel”
“You remember the Shape Shifter I told you about this is her”
“She is much more than a Shape Shifter”
“Yeah well that really wasn’t public knowledge” Jerel said staring at me
“Well let me put it this way strange girl traveling with all male Caravan like I was going to tell all my secrets”
“Did I mention she is a skilled Assassin”
“Okay Lynnette you said enough unless you want me to tell them something about you”
“Okay I’ll take my hint”
“Good girl”
“Why you little”
“What”
“Um who are you staying with”
“Oh I am staying with my Father”
“Well when you have some time you have to come see me when or are you planning on leaving”
“Oh probably actually tomorrow tonight is my last night here you see my father is going out of town so I thought I should probably return to the forest”
“PRINCESS”
“Princess Lilith”
“I told you not to leave my side”
“Like I really need your help”
“Nicodemus is that you”
“Lynnette”
“Uh Huh”
“It is nice to see you again”
“Uh yeah same Razz you should be going now the elders have just contacted me and you know what is about to take place”
“But of course if you will excuse me it was nice to meet you and it was nice to see you again Jerel”
“It was nice to see you too” More than nice he thought to himself
“Shall I see you again soon dear friend”
“Perhaps”
“Well Jerel is leaving again soon and he will be passing through your part of the forest so welcome him”
“Of course you are always welcome in my forest”
“Well we had best get you home safely princess”
“Just shut up Nicodemus and don’t make me say your full name”
I said walking out.
“Don’t you just love her”
“She seems like a wonderful person dedicated to her duty”
“Maybe a little too dedicated because her life is her duty she has never even been courted and she was the loveliest girl in our village but she was an outcast because she had no mark and I suspect the Elders refuse to tell the villager she is the Princess of the Forest but she doesn’t have the will to just leave her people and I respect that but still I feel sorry for her I was the only one who would talk to her that didn’t have a rude comment”
“Why was this”
“Oh well lets see I’ll begin from the beginning”
Flashback
“Lilith come here” Called Kalob my older brother
“Coming”
Back then people would talk to me because my brother was the Prince of the forest and was suppose to join the council of Elders or become its head but there was a leak in the tribe and a Priest found out and this of course was when the old King was still in power and things were much different than they were today.
“I need you to go find me these herbs in the forbidden forest you seem to know your way in there better than me so will you go for me” he asked
“Sure no problem”
This was a lie he knew the forest as good as I did but I agreed to do as he said something was a foot I knew it this was a farce for something so I went and got the herbs as he had requested. On my return I saw horse tracks and that was abnormal meaning someone was at the village something was going on so I took the back root to the house the one that was underground and cam up in the cellar I heard my brothers voice and one of the elders too I stayed quiet until I heard my brother yell and scream I stepped out of the cellar when I heard the horses disappear and there he was laying on the floor covered in blood I ran up to him and laid his head on my lap and then he began to say a prayer and the elder begged him not to not to me he said I didn’t understand it then but he was bestowing his power upon me.
“I will always love you Razz don’t worry when you get older you can get out of here and be free for us both I want you to live your life and don’t let the others say ignorant and cruel things to you and if they do never resign to violence always trust the forest and it will be good to you and help the animals at all costs I love you”
That was the last thing I remember I cried for three days I wouldn’t eat and my mother was just as sad because we found out that father had died too that he had been found on the road the priests had took him from the forest and left him outside the barrier too far to be able to return before he died.
You see since her brother died the Prince of the Forest all her friend were no longer her friends she was the outcast because she could betray them she could leave the forest and she wasn’t suppose to be born in the first place but Caleb loved her the most and she took his advice and she never let anyone talk her down too much I mean yea there were some times when she would get discouraged.
End Flashback
“Damn she puts up with all that and she wants to go back and protect those good for nothing people”
“Yes she does it is her duty and she will honor it until it honors her” Lanek said
Rahzel
Everything we needed was packed and we began our way through the forest we thought it would be best to stay off th roads it being just the three of us Nico, Me and Dunyazad.
We made excellent time we were a third of the way back in one night since we were all shape shifters we all changed into our forms and flew but that took a lot of energy and it was almost too late I allowed Nico and Dunya to escape but me on the other hand I had gotten caught by a man he was around Jerel’s age. He had long white hair tied back and I of course was a woman traveling alone I had just enough time to change back his eyes were a piercing blue he was very masculine his cheeks were sharp.
“Hello” he said as the large man unhanded me his hand went all the way around my small arm and his hand was able to grasp my entire waist his hands were big.
“Uh…hi” I said looking at the big mans hands who was standing next to me.
“Where might you be traveling young lady”
“I am going to the forbidden forest to trade” I said
“Well we are headed that way why don’t you come with us” he said with a smile
“I’m sorry but I was traveling with a party already we just seem to have lost each other in the forest”
“I see” he said and he motioned to the other man to let me go
“Thank you for your kindness”
Something was wrong something was very wrong here that man he wasn’t normal there was something very strange about him something sinister.
I headed toward the direction I could feel Nico I felt vibrations from him one of my many gifts but aside from bestowing the gifts to m the power I already had because I was his sister and because I am from the family I am and because I developed them from how I grew up strong and beautiful was what my mothr had always said but I will never forget seeing my brother die and I will never forgive the man who killed him but reveng is pointless it just starts more blood shed.