And he, brave hero,
Will live on in the memories of Phaerie-blessed Aria
He, golden prince,
Our saviour
-Eulogy of Prince Darinoth
Chapter 1
All that I knew of my father I had learnt from tales and the breathy whispering of far-distant Court. Yet by the time those tales traversed time and distance to reach our eager ears here in Fallthorn, they were far warped from truth.
Because of this, I could claim no true knowledge of my birth my father at all and nor, in most respects, did I care.
As far as I knew my mother also did not live. Of her, the rumours and tales carried nothing. She did, as all women are wont to do in Aria's history, fade to nothing beneath her husband's splendour. And like my own fate, the flighty people of Aria quickly forgot her.
Perhaps if I had been a son there would have been a place for me at Court upon his death. But I was not a son, and Court was no place for the raising of any child, girl or boy.
The moment my father fell from his horse, fatally wounded in an enemy's unseen attack, and my uncle placed the Crown upon his own head, I was carelessly bundled up and sent away.
As far away, I suspected, as my uncle had been able to arrange.
But this also did not disconcert me. The Duke and Duchess who took me in, as one would a stray dog, treated me with a kind of bemused and casual affection that suited me well enough.
They fed me and clothed me, housed me in a pretty bedroom, and required me at social dinners. Beyond that point, they had not need for me in their household, and left me free to do with my time as I will.
They were shrewd enough people I knew, to understand that outside the Royal Court I had no political value and so they cared little for what I did in my own time. But still, even a useless princess is a novelty, and because I worked wonders for their social standing among the throaty aristocracy of the Borderlands, they kept me.
Because of their disinterest (they had sons of their own, what room had they in their hearts for a dead mans daughter?) I grew up how I wished, and in relative freedom. I was still expected to be about the mansion at night, but during the day was my own time.
For companionship, I turned to Fallthorn Forest itself.
It was an old forest, one steeped deep in the magic and mysteries of the Old World, before the Kingdoms of Aria came under human leadership. It was ferocious and dangerous as all truly wild things are, but beautiful too. And it was my home, I loved it as much as it would allow.
The nymphs of the air and water were my companions in the forest, and waited eagerly for me in the Sighing Glade each day for me to come running, hair flying, into their welcoming arms.
I did not understand how unusual this was, though looking back, I do now. The nymphs are shy, wary creatures, rarely appearing to human kind. That I, a mortal child, had been welcomed as a sister, I never questioned. If I had, perhaps they would have left me afterall.
They had something new for me each day, a small trinket perhaps, a new path through the forest I had not tried before, or a cool stream above which they fashioned a swinging vine, so we could climb up and then drop, shrieking, into the cool depths.
Each visit they came to me, and drew me further into their own world. Sometimes they would sit about me, laughing, as they played with my hair. Other times they would take hold of my arms and feet and fly up into the trees, so we could sit on a small branch and watch the sun-set, or perhaps rise.
Never did they ask my name, or where I lived, or whose child I was. (For always, I had been his child, lookat his child go. Look how beautiful she is, his child Did any of my foster-family's guests know my true name? I knew not. But Nymphs had no care for names, and no interest in the mortal world. Nor did I ask theirs, or question their lives when they were away from me. We understood one another, and that was all we needed to be accepted.
XXXX
On my 10th birthday, they greeted with a companion.
As I fell through the trees into the glade, smiling a welcome and pulling small lily flowers from my hair, I sensed something different. An air of nervousness perhaps, uncertainty. I looked at them, struggling to understand, but their smiles were evasive.
"Come with us," they called, and danced away, hair flying, deeper into the forest.
I followed trustingly, as I had always done. The nymphs were mere glimpses before my eyes, but they led me unerringly, never allowing me to fall or trip or lose my way.
Finally, we came to a small clearing, and beyond that, a shelter made of branches and vines.
The nymphs stood about the shelter, and watched me closely as I approached. Their playfulness was gone, and they looked serious, even grave. I felt as if this was a test of some sort, and they were uncertain whether I would pass or fail.
I walked towards the shelter carefully, taking care to make no sound, as the nymphs had taught me. Slightly, I heard a faint whimpering, and bending down, I saw the source.
A small, silver wolf cub lay in a bundle of leaves, shivering.
A small sigh escaped me, and at the sound, the cub raised its head. I stared into his eyes, a crisp, summer-sky blue, and was in love.
I sat down quietly, holding out my hand to the small wolf. He reached out his nose delicately, sniffing quietly, and then slowly, slowly, rose to his feet.
He moved forward hesitantly, his eyes holding my own, and I saw a deep intelligence there that marred his air of youthful innocence. There was nothing of fear in this cub, he was judging my worth. That he hesitated at all saddened me.
Perhaps he saw the flare of pain in my eyes, or perhaps it was something else, but in an instant, he was in my arms, and I held him close, that small, soft body, and murmured quietly to him again and again.
I am Ria, I told him again and again, I am Ria and these are my friends. Will you come with us?
And to my surprise, he answered, the voice quiet, hesitant in my mind. Will come. His voice was like dark velvet, soothing and warm and safe.
I looked up, around me. The nymphs were standing back now, but their faces were tender, sad almost, and their eyes gentle, as they watched me and the small wolf. I wondered at their reasoning, for even I knew this was no ordinary wolf. A Phaerie creature perhaps? But why had they brought me to him?
What is your name?
He answered, quietly, still sounding unsure, though he licked my face quickly. Am called Moon Shadow. But you call Shadow.
He said this with such quiet dignity that I smiled, and bowed me head to him courtesy. His coat was unusual, silver moonlight on the outer fur, but when you brushed your fingers through it was black as the night sky beneath. Moon Shadow indeed.
"Come sister, the sun is night setting, and we must get you home."
And laughing, their playfulness returned, they danced towards us and lifted Shadow and I up in their wispy arms, holding us tightly, flying through the trees as a wind sifts through the leaves.
And at the edge of the forest they halted, and went no further, staying within the shadow of the tress.
"Until tomorrow, sister-ours," they said, kissing my cheek gently, one by one. And like their voices, their bodies faded to nothing, and they were gone.
I looked at Shadow, standing still beside me. He stood straight and proud, watching me with those strange, intelligent eyes.
"Will you come with me?" I asked again, almost fearing the answer. I could not imagine this wolf inside the cold stone walls of the Dukes castle. But no longer could I imagine the dreary mortal world without him.
Will come.
XXXX
We woke as the sun rose, his body soft and warm beside me, and I realised that I had curled into him, my arm across his smooth, furry chest, holding him to me.
Awake now. His voice whispered in my mind, and I sat up, pushing myself away. He gave a small whine and nuzzled closer. I laughed.
"Awake means breakfast." I said, making my voice as firm as possible, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I winced as the cold stone floors screamed the warmth from my feet.
With a sigh, I felt him stand, and on wobbly legs (for the mattress was very soft), he made his way over to the edge and leapt down. He looked at me quizzically and padded over to the door, waiting for me to open it.
I smiled and shook my head, "Dress first."
I slipped out of my nightgown and into the clothes the maid had set out for me the night before. They were the same always. A grey, thigh length tunic, black undershirt, black trousers and soft black boots. It was child's clothing. Even with my limited understanding of the way the world works I knew that when I turned 12, the maid would stop laying out child's clothing and start laying out dresses. I dreaded the day. How could you climb a tree in a dress?
I ignored the small voice in my head that whispered that young ladies in dresses didn't climb trees at all.
"Im ready," I said, making my way over to the door. As I prepared to turn the knob, I looked down at my small companion. And frowned. He was a wolf, and none would miss that fact. How would they react, even? Would he be allowed to stay? I hadn't thought of that when I accepted the nymph's generous offering. Hadn't thought about the fact that in the mortal world wolfs were hunted and killed.
Wrong?
His soft, hesitant voice pierced my thoughts and I shook my head. I would just have to hope for the best. There was nothing that standing my bedroom would do to change their minds, whatever their decision was.
And I had never lived by their rules before. Why would I start now?
XXXX
I entered the breakfast chamber quietly, and as usual, the Duke, Duchess and their sons took little notice of me. Only the Duchess looked at me, brief interest in her eyes, quickly gone. She did not notice the wolf at my side.
'Take a seat, Rianna," The Duke said indifferently, waving his hand negligently at an empty space between he and his eldest son, Lord Ronin. Ronin glanced over casually, he was leaning back in his chair, one booted leg up on the table, carving an apple calmly with his dagger, popping each piece into his mouth and chewing slowly.
I looked at him warily as I took my seat, and Shadow crawled under my chair, cautious too. But Ronin was looking across the table at his brother, who was reading a letter opened on the table before him.
"What did she say Michael?"
Michael, the younger son, didn't bother to glance up from the letter. "She said that she looks forward to our visit next summer. And to bring her some," he wrinkled his nose, "dainty country fruit." This last was said in disgust. "Whatever made you offer for her Ron? She's revolting."
Ronin shrugged casually, slicing off another piece of apple. "She has excellent connections. Once I get to Court, I'll break the engagement. She's done her bit in just getting me there."
Michael snorted and muttered something under his breath. I thought it sounded like 'heart-breaker'.
I glanced at the Duke and Duchess, but the Duchess (Anna was her name, though it was never used) was ignoring her sons, intent on the small catalogue of ribbons she'd placed on the table before her.
"What do you think of this one, Adrian? To go with the silver dress I ordered last week." She pointed out the ribbon to her husband, and with a sigh he looked over at appraisingly.
"It's lovely, dear."
The Duchess wrinkled her nose. "Really? You don't think it's a bit to…bawdy?"
The Duke was uninterested.
"It is at that" he murmured, waving a footman over and his tray of food. He speared some sausage and fruit and absently shoved them on my plate. Ronin, without even looking, handed me a piece of bread. I accepted the food quietly, and glancing around to make sure no-one was paying attention, slipped the sausage down off my plate and into Shadows eager mouth.
Nice. He sounded pleased.
The Duchess huffed in annoyance, and glared at her husband. "Well, it's obvious you don't care at all. Don't you want me to look nice for the Dukes visit here?"
Another Duke. I wrinkled my nose.
Adrian didn't look up from his food.
"Im sure you'll look lovely dear."
Shadow went unnoticed, and when breakfast was finished I left the mansion quietly.
The nymphs were waiting for, as they always did, smiles of welcome on their lovely faces.
"Come sister, into the woods we go!"
And they danced away, with Shadow and I following them joyfully.
XXXX
Shadow went unnoticed for two days.
On the third day, I sat next to Michael at breakfast.
He was, like his brother, arrogant in his charm and elegance. But he was quieter too, and calmer in his temperaments. Ronin had a terrible rage, and we all learnt to avoid him those times he let it loose.
I liked Michael, more than I did most others at the Mansion. He was intelligent and easy to talk to, and I knew that he missed few of the happenings of our small estate. He would make a good Duke, should Ronin be carried away into the glittering promises of the Royal Court.
He was, unfortunately, rather more observant than his brother, and seated next to me, he didn't miss the casual disappearances of the food on my plate for long. With a sudden exclamation on discovering the source of the disappearing food he pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet.
"Fie! But what is this?" he demanded loudly, startling a passing footman, who, upon discovering the outcry had nothing to do with him, hurried from the breakfast hall.
"A little beast? What is this, Ria, a little friend from your forest wanderings?"
The Duke and Duchess stood up, as did I, and Shadow crept out from his place under my chair and stood defiantly beside me.
"Well Ria?" The Duke looked wary, his eyes never the leaving the wolf cub. The Duchess stepped back a few paces from the table, but she kept silent. Ronin stayed seated, calmly slicing his apple, his dagger swift and efficient.
"Its Shadow," I said quietly, "he's my friend."
At this, something passed through Michaels eyes (for I was still looking at him. I knew, of everyone here, Michael had the most influence over the Duke). It looked like pain, but I couldn't be sure. Never-the-less, he was swift to change tactics.
"You have so few, that you would claim a dog your only friend?" he asked me quietly. I would have taken offence, had not his eyes been suddenly gentle. There was no hint of malice in his tone.
Shadow bristled at my side.
I am not dog. He said indignantly. Tell human I am not dog.
"He is not a dog," I said obediently, "he is a wolf."
I heard a snort. "Aye and that is much better than a dog." Ronin said, his voice mocking. I ignored him, appealed to Michael, the softness in Michael eyes.
"He is my friend," I repeated. "He will not hurt anyone."
Really?
I placed a gentle hand on Shadow's back. "Really. If he wishes to stay, he will not hurt anyone."
Shadow grumbled.
I saw Michael glance up, once at his father. The Duke must have read his younger sons judgment there, for he scoffed suddenly.
"Bah, let the chit have her entertainment. If it's a wolf she wants, than a wolf she shall have. Sit down Anna." He snapped this last at his pale wife, and she, the wolf forgotten in her indignation at being called 'Anna', sat with a furious thud, and eyed her husband angrily.
Michael did not sit immediately, and I watched with surprise as he bent down slowly, holding his hand out to Shadow. Shadow, polite, reached forward and gave it an obliging sniff, but did not allow himself to be patted. He was, as he had told me earlier, no dog.
"What is his name?" Michael asked softly, taking his seat again, now the introductions were over.
Shadow took a place beside my feet, now his place was secure at the mansion.
I reached down to touch the wolf gently.
"Moon Shadow" I replied, just as softly, "But you may call him Shadow. He likes that more."
Shadow gave a rumble of approval.
I returned to my breakfast, and feeling someone's stare, looked up.
Ronin was watching me, speculation in his eyes.
I met his gaze unflinchingly, and with a small smile, he dropped his eyes back to his apple and sliced another piece.
XXXX
