The thunder sounded loudly overhead as the lightning cut through the dark sky, as the rain poured down. Wind howled like angry demons on the march, and the trees swayed back and forth, merely silhouettes against the night sky. The Community was a perfect scene of chaos, clothes flying through the wind, unable to stay on their lines. Food that was supposed to last for an entire No-leaf was tossed through the wind like a child's play toy. The rain felt like a thousand needles going through their skins every second. In the distance, a tornado ravaged the forest. Animals ran left and right, trying to save what little they could, and heading to underground shelters. Many of the old, and young, were swept up and carried away with the rampaging winds.
A young fox, hardly more than a year old, her fur a dull amber, wandered through a field, unaffected by the devastation occurring around her. She giggled in delight when she heard the thunder, and squealed in delight when lightning cut the sky, clapping her hands and demanding more. The roof to a house tore off, showering her in dirt and grass, however, it bounced over her and was carried into the sky. The rain drops were almost half the size of her, and she felt soaked to the bone, but still she smiled and giggled. Then the lightning struck the ground with such force that even the carefree fox stopped dead in her path, her furry ears perked up.
The sound of a hundred crashes echoed through the forest, drowning out the sound of the howling wind momentarily. The fox ran through the forest, towards the sound of the crash, catching her dress on a thorn bush as she ran by it. She turned and tugged at her dress, however she only succeeded in slipping in the mud and falling on her back. She finally tore it free and kept running, her tiny legs on the verge of giving out beneath her. Her smile was gone, replaced by a terrifying fear as she saw many of the males from the Community gathered around a newly formed crater.
Twelve trees lay splintered and split all around the crater. However, one tree was split perfectly down the center, and lay across the diameter of the crater. The young fox gazed in awe, having never seen anything of this sort before. Then she felt a pair of paws pick her up, and she kicked and screamed, demanding to be let go. "Hush now, young one, you are safe. I promise everything will be okay, this storm will end soon," said the voice of an Elder Owl. She looked into his eyes, and saw the warmth in them. She started to settle, and the Elder carried her back to the village, the wind beginning to die down. The fox looked over the Elder's shoulder, and saw a group of animals gathered around the bodies of two foxes.
The young fox asked what had happened as the Elder set her down in a bed. "Nothing, little one. Stay here and rest, I need to attend to several important matters." He rose and walked out, his arms in his large sleeves. She lay down in the bed, her mind reeling. She let out a small yawn against her will. She wanted to know what was going on, and she knew that she wouldn't learn anything by falling asleep.
She rose from the bed, but when she stood, the floor was not there, and she fell. She flailed her limbs, desperately seeking something to grab hold to. She screamed, but no sound came out. Suddenly, in all the blackness, and the pit that seemed to have no end, a shining blue eye cracked open and stared inter her soul. A voice spoke to her, but she could not hear it, however she felt the words being burned into her mind.
The crown of the banished prince
The sword of the Forgotten Lover
Unlock the door never meant to be opened
To catch or save, with a moments breath
Determines whether history repeats or continues
Seven will hear her call
Only half, will return
The Forgotten Lover, in her eternal slumber
Yearns to right, the ancient wrong
Colette bolted upright, panting heavily. She had had another nightmare, she rubbed her temples, trying to get grotesque images out of her mind. Her vision was still blurry, and she sighed irritably, rubbing at them. She blinked the blurriness away, then crashed back onto the bed, and pulled her covers back over her. She blankly stared at the wall, reflecting on her recent nightmares, trying to make sense of them. She had had them for the past month, and they always ended the same way. She always fell through a black void while those eyes stared her down, and the cryptic words were repeated. However, now these nightmares were turning to her memories.
She was interrupted mid-thought by a knock on her door; Colette knew immediately that it was Sier, her foster mother. She sighed softly, and looked out her window on the second floor of what was practically a small mansion. Her eyes drifted to the Crater, which was little more than a shallow dip in the ground, with not a single living thing growing in it. Thirteen years ago, there had been a devastating storm that killed her parents, along with another dozen creatures. She had only been a cub at the time, and very adventurous, from what she was told. There used to be a small shrine to Iska there, with a strange piece of shiny material jutting from the top. Lightning struck the shrine, obliterating it, and every animal that had been praying to Iska for the storm to end.
Sier's knocking at the door continued, and Colette sighed once more, now agitated. "What is it?" She asked as politely as she could manage, something about her stepmother always seemed to anger her.
"Colette, I need you to get into your finest dress today, it's a very special occasion!" Sier called happily through the door. Colette threw her door open, not knowing that today was going to be different from any other day.
"What do you mean today is going to be a special day? Why was I not told of this?" Colette hated getting out of bed earlier than noon, and the sun had barely risen over the tree-line.
"Oh I know it's short notice sweety, bu-"
Colette cut her off abruptly, "short notice? I wake up, and the first thing I hear is that there's some big event today that I wasn't told about!" She threw her arms out wide, "what is this even about anyways?" She asked agitatedly.
Sier tapped her foot impatiently on the ground, a sign that she was angry. Colette rarely ever screamed at her like that, but when she did, it was usually after waking up. "I cannot tell you right now. Delvin told me not to. Now turn your tail, and get dressed in something presentable to Patriarch Naska!" She scolded, staring down Colette.
Colette stood stock still, almost not believing her ears. "Did you say Patriarch Naska? What does he want with us?" He was the leader of the entire community, and a very kind and gentle man. He had a daughter, Quinnle-
"Quinnley, oh no not her.." The owl Quinnley always set Colette on edge. For reasons she did not understand, Quinnley held an intense hatred of her. Every time she had the opportunity, she either embarrassed or found a flaw with her. Her arms were always folded inside a long, elegant robe, and her yellow eyes could pierce through the thickest oak tree. She walked with a regal, and very lethal, stride.
"Patriarch Naska wishes an audience with us regarding an agreement we have reached." Sier said through the door as Colette donned a white dress with emerald-green trim at the waist. She had always hated dresses, but this one was tolerable. She looked longingly to her wardrobe, where her travelling gear was stashed. She sighed and opened her door, half smiling at her foster-mother.
"Is this good enough?" She asked innocently. Her mother scrutinized her, eyeing her from ear to tail-tip. Colette shifted on her paws nervously, always hating it when people stared at her, judging her.
"Yes, that will have to do. Remember your manners; this is a huge event, and a very happy one," Sier almost glared at her, "do not do anything to ruin it," she said almost menacingly. She turned around and starting walking down the hall, passing by a painting of Eyna, a female badger who was known as the greatest adventurer of all time. She had apparently travelled across the world, discovering that it was round, not flat like they had originally believed. However it was nearly a thousand years ago, and her actual accomplishments were long lost. Colette crossed her arms and leaned against the frame of the door, an eyebrow raised quizzically.
"I still wish you could tell me what in the name of Iska this huge, fun, happy event that I wasn't told of is," Colette said. Sier turned back around, her brown eyes alight.
"You mind your tongue and never take the name of Iska in vain! Now come along, right this instant young klafta!" Sier growled at her.
Colette rolled her eyes and started walking down the hall, trying to compose herself to look as decent as possible. Sier held the door open for her, and she looked out at the Community, a bustling village of various animals, from squirrels and moles, to otters and owls. It always brought a smile to her face, seeing everyone going about their business. It brought some peace to her, but she simply did not know why.
"Colette, are you done daydreaming?" Sier asked irritably. Colette smiled and followed her, her spirits lifted. Colette noticed Sier glancing at her occasionally, but did not think anything of it. After walking through the windy paths of the village, they walked up to the gigantic palace. Four stories of masterfully carved wood, and the acorn insignia carved into each and every doorway. Sier turned to Colette, "best behavior now, young lady," she said matter-of-factly.
A feeling of unease began to seep into Colette's bones. She knew something was not right, she just didn't know what. "Sier, now that we're here, are you allowed to tell me what is going on?" Colette asked, glancing up at the mansion sitting atop the Hundred Steps.
"I'm afraid not dear. Now compose yourself, and be on your best behavior." She said sternly. Colette started walking up the steps with Sier, darting her eyes all around, suddenly paranoid. A bead of sweat ran from her forehead to the tip of her nose. She casually wiped it off, and took a deep breath. Nothing bad was going to happen today.
"All the old animals are probably just getting together to talk about new taxes," Colette thought encouragingly. Sier didn't tell her because she knew Colette would throw a big fuss. "That's all this is, just a boring old meeting." She thought. Before she knew it, they were in the Great Hall. A massive space, with a platform stretching around the room in a square, and in the center, a square pit was dug around four feet into the ground, and a fire almost always burned inside. Surrounding this fire, was a circular table. This was where the Council met and either had meals with guests, or carried out important discussions.
Today, however, the fire was not lit, and the table was abandoned. On a balcony, the Patriarch, and several others, were at a small, square table, deep in discussion. Sier led Colette up another flight of stairs, and onto the balcony, overlooking the pit.
Patriarch Naska stood, his heavy robes a dull brown, with bright green trim running in seemingly random directions. He reached a feathered paw towards Sier, and they shook. "Welcome! Welcome! We have been awaiting your arrival! And Colette, you are looking simply dashing today!" He exclaimed happily. Colette nodded and curtsied, a ghost of a smile on her lips. Naska was always happy and cheerful, and picked up the moods of everyone around him. Yet despite all this, his governing skills left more to be desired. "Come, sit sit! I'm sure it was a long walk!" Naska pulled up two wooden chairs, then took his own seat at the head of the table. To his right sat Quinnley, eyeing Colette suspiciously, and to his left sat his eldest son, Quimer.
Quimer was known across the Community as the romantic type, always singing to a different female each night. Colette had always been repulsed by his garish appearance and personality; however he managed to swoon nearly every other girl in the village. To Quinnley's left was Colette's foster father, Delvin. He was smiling at Colette and Sier across the table, obviously excited about something. Sier sat next to Quimer, and Colette next to Sier.
"Has everything been arranged?" Sier asked the Patriarch
.
"Yes it has! Your husband and I have struck a most generous deal!" Naska proclaimed enthusiastically.
Colette darted her eyes to everyone at the table, unaware of what they were talking about. She knew it was not her place to speak, lest she embarrass Delvin and Sier in front of the Patriarch.
"Have preparations began for the ceremony?" Sier asked, her paws folded on the table.
Delvin placed his paw on hers from across the table, "everything is going along perfectly my dear, the preparations have begun!" He said happily. Colette wanted so badly to raise her voice and speak, but she had the faintest feeling that she did not want to know what they were talking about. She looked to her left to find Quimer staring at her, like a fisherman eyeing his catch for the day.
"I suppose now is the time to tell the young one, is it not?" Naska said. Colette politely looked up, trying to appear as uninterested as possible.
Sier turned to Colette, "well dear, you are aware that Naska is becoming elderly, and he has acknowledged that his son will take the title of Patriarch soon, correct?"
Colette glanced to Naska. He indeed was getting on in his years. His drooping chin and baggy eyes, along with greying feathers were proof of that. "I suppose I know now, but what does that have to do with anything?" She asked.
Delvin beamed at Colette, obviously very pleased with whatever he had done. "Patriarch Naska has observed you, along with Quimer, and through careful negotiations, we were able to reach a compromise." He spoke eagerly.
Colette started to shrink in her chair. "Oh no.." She thought to herself. Her panic rising, she swallowed the lump in her throat. "W-What did you c-compromise on?" She asked nervously.
Sier hugged Colette, words practically fumbling out of her mouth, "Quimer has agreed to take you as his bride under the next full moon! Isn't that incredible? Married to the next Patriarch!"
Colette's breath briefly left her body, and her heart skipped a beat. A rolling storm of emotions ripped through her. From betrayal, to sadness, to shock, and finally, to anger. She rose abruptly, and stared everyone down with an icy glare, even Quinnley, who was actually surprised. "And why am I just now being told of this!? Do I even have any say in the matter? Where do you get off-" Sier swiftly stood and lead Colette to the stairwell.
Delvin watched them go, then stood up and bowed deeply. "I am so humbly sorry, Patriarch, it appears she needs some time to get used to the idea of marriage, I'm sure she'll come around."
Naska raised his hand, a smile on his face. "It is fine, Delvin, she is a young fox, and simply needs time to think about these things."
Sier slapped Colette, her anger pouring out of every word, "do you have any idea how much you have embarrassed us?! We have spent months trying to get this arrangement to work, and you just get up and insult the Patriarch?"
Colette glared back, "where in the name of Iska do you get off determining my own destiny for me? Did it ever occur to you that maybe I did not want to be married to the most disgusting man in the Community?!"
Sier quickly glanced behind her, worried that the Patriarch heard her, she turned back to Colette and grabbed her wrists. "I told you never to take the name of Iska in vain! And I did not think you would have a problem marrying the future Patriarch for goodness sake! You will have anything you want, with just a few words! The finest meals! The best drinks! The softest bed! And you would turn all of that down?!"
Colette tore her wrists from Sier's grasp, and tried to contain her voice. "I don't want to be coddled and pampered! Nor do I even want to be married to that disgusting owl! Who knows how many women he has been with during this past week alone? I cannot believe you would do something like this to me!"
Colette ran down the stairs, ran out of the mansion, and she ran into the forest. She did not know where she was running, she just ran. She ran until her legs wouldn't carry her another step forward. She collapsed on the forest floor, stirring up leaves and tiny insects. She began to punch the ground as hard as she could, tears streaming down her face. She knew that there was nothing she could do to prevent the marriage. It would happen one way or another, whether she liked it or not. Her knuckles began to bleed, but she kept pounding a mini-crater in the ground. Once her knuckles had become raw, she looked up at the clouds. A voice somewhere inside her head started whispering incomprehensible words. It was a soft and melodic voice, and it soothed her, calming the raging storm inside of her.
Suddenly, her eyelids began to feel heavy, and she guessed she wore herself out. "I guess I'll just take-" she yawned loudly, and curled up in a patch of grass, "a little nap.." She drifted into a peaceful sleep, innocently dreaming of anything but the harsh reality she had been flung into.
