Forest Child
Chapter One
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The journey to the neighboring land would take King Phillip and his son Alexander though the forest. There was to be a banquet held in Phillip's honor and the union of the two kingdoms through marriage between Phillip and the king's niece. He was taking Alexander much to the lad's reluctance because his mother Olympias had told Phillip that he was not to take her son anywhere nears that man stealing harpy. But Phillips word was law and once he had the final say in the matter there was nothing Olympias could do. So she watched as Alexander was taken away against hers and his wishes from the window of her room. Alexander looked back up sadly. From the top of his powerful warhorse Thunder Phillip caught him looking.
"Come along Alexander." He snapped "NOW!"
"Coming father." The boy replied
This was a time before Alexander and Bucephalus. Alexander mounted a speckled gray mare called Storm, one of Thunders offspring. He didn't look back and kept his head down as Phillip and Thunder led the way, Storm followed in her father's lead then came the twenty strong entourage made up of soldiers, servants and slaves.
As the night began to draw in the travelers set up camp.
A shuffling woke Alexander. He lay in his travel bed in a tent he shared with Phillip. Listening in the darkness. When he heard the noise again he lifted his head and looked towards where his father was sleeping. Phillips was laying on his back snoring loudly he gave one loud snort before rolling over on his side so that his back was to Alexander.
Alexander was about to settle back down when he heard the soft thud of something bumping into things. Feeling brave Alexander got up and in the gloom he saw something small and furry dart under his bed. Getting down on hands and knees Alexander found a small wolf cub cowering under his bed.
"Hello little pup." He whispered holding out his hand.
He felt the press of a wet nose followed a flick of tongue then very slowly the cub crawled out and into his lap.
"Are you lost?" he asked as the cub licked under his chin. "Let us see if we can find you mummy."
The cub leads the way but Alexander paused at the door of the tent to check if they had disturbed Phillips slumber, they had not. The guard at the door had nodded off and Alexander knew that he should wake him or at least report him but for now he simply slipped past and followed the wolf cub. As soon as they were free of the camp the cub ran off.
"Hey wait for me!" Alexander called out breaking out into a run.
By the time Alexander caught up with the cub he didn't noticed he was now lost. They were in a clearing and the cub was sniffing the ground and then the air as if he was comparing the two. His ears went up and then suddenly its tail began to wag. Suddenly from one of the trees a figure dropped down causing Alexander to yelp in fear and stumble backwards over a tree root. Looking up he saw that the figure was just a boy. Older but not by much the newcomer had short brown hair and his eyes were big and blue. He was naked apart from the dirt and grime of the forest. At the sight of the boy the wolf cub began to jump up and yelp with happiness. The boy crouched down so that he could scoop the cub up before standing holding the cub under his arm.
"Hello." Said Alexander "Are you lost too?"
The lad said nothing just stared at him, studying him with head to one side.
"Do you have a name?" he asked as he pointed to himself "I'm Alexander… Alexander. "Can you talk?"
When it was clear that the boy didn't understand anything he was saying Alexander ran out of things to say "I should be going, my father will be worried."
He turned back to face the way he was sure they had came but looking around he saw that everywhere looked the same and he was unable to pick a way out. His bottom lip trembled and tears began to fall from his eyes. He felt something in his hand and looking down saw that it was the free filthy hand of the boy. He began to tug at Alexander's arm; it would seem that he wanted Alexander to come with him. Seeing no other choice Alexander went along.
The boy moved through the forest with ease and confidence while Alexander jumped and flinched at every sound and movement. He wished he was back in camp tucked under his furs and blankets. They arrived at a cave where at its entrance paced a rather large gray male wolf. At the sight of another wolf the cub in the boy's arms began to wriggle until he put it down. After much nuzzling the large wolf picked up the cub by the scruff off the neck and carried it inside. The boy began to follow them inside but in fear Alexander let go of his hand and stood ridged to the spot. The boy came back and took his hand and dragged him inside.
Inside were another wolf and more cubs. The wayward cub was returned to the fold and the male wolf collapsed in a heap on its side and was sleep instantly. As the boy entered with Alexander in tow the females ears went up and she began to growl low in her throat. The boy pushed Alexander behind him and just stood there and stared at the female. The warning growls ceased and she backed down returning to her cubs.
As one by one the cubs settled down to sleep the boy lay out in amongst them sharing their warmth, he encouraged Alexander to do the same. Feeling exhausted Alexander did so but laid there ridged. Alexander found him so very cold, his teeth were chattering and his body trembled suddenly he felt the boy's arm snake around him and pull him closer to the fold. As the shared warmth began to fill his body Alexander nuzzled closer and slept soundly.
In the morning the boy lead Alexander back through the forest until they could hear the shouts of his name. It became clear that the boy would not come any closer. He pulled the boy into a hug
"Thank you."
He let the boy go and ran towards the sounds
"I'm here." He called. "I'm here
He stopped once to look back but the boy had vanished back into the forest.