This chapter was done with the help of Krisstilts as Shoshanah, since that's her character in the RPG.
A Friend Is MetHe woke in the morning
his heart a little heavy from the night before. :: What am I going to
do. I have nowhere to go specifically. No one left in my life,
besides brother and half sister. :: he thought. :: Wait there is one
person but would she even want me around:: he remembered when her
first met Shoshanah.
FLASH
BACK
While out hunting one day he
ran into a young woman. She looked a lot different then anyone he had
ever seen. Her hair was black but had highlights in it. He skin was a
different color then he'd ever seen, and those eyes of hers the color
of the hottest fire. Not sure what to do, he decided to make his
presence know but not in a threatening way. He walked on all fours to
her right; he looked over at her with curiosity. Shoshanah looked up,
her eyebrow lifting as she looked at him. She rose slowly curtsying
formally "Hello" He tilted his head at the curtsy but
managed to figure out the language. "Hi" he kinda looked
her over with his emerald green eyes. He was only wearing some
leather shorts at the time, a traditional male look. "Well, who
might you be?" She said looking at him intently her eyes that
intense purplish blue that was reminiscent of a flame. It matched
almost perfectly the color at the bottom of her black skirts. A one
strapless fitted dress that kind of flared out at the hips with a
blue flame hem. He stood up on two legs. He was a big guy since he
stood 6' 5" and weighed around 260 lbs. Looking at her for a
moment before responding "I'm Prince Avilik of the Nuka River
Pack. And you are?" She looked up at him, whistling lightly.
"The name is Shoshanah Quinlan, Fire Genasi" She made up
the last part as a sort of joking importance. He tilted his head. He
wasn't sure what a fire Genasi was. "Fire Genasi?" his face
had a rather quizzical look on it. "I have magic and it is all
associated with fire." She explained, still looking up at him.
He nodded in understanding. "So why are you here in Nuka lands?"
"I suppose I didn't realize I was, just moving on to the next
town" "What town are you headed to?" his face now
somewhat serious. His ears angled in slightly different directions to
see if anyone or anything else was near by. She looked at him
skeptically. "Why do you care?" "I care because a the
neighboring packs might kill you for trespassing. I know them and
might be able to ensure your safety." He looked around after
hearing something move. She laughed lightly looking past him slightly
in the direction she planned on heading. "I thank you for your
concern, but I assure you that if they were to attack me, they would
find me a force to be reckoned with." "You are not the only
one with magic Shoshanah. Royal werewolves like my self also know it.
Though we do not use it that much, the elders are very strong. You
may not even know when they attack. Being silent in our attacks is
what we do best." His eyes flash a little. He turned his head to
see another wolf. He signaled to him and he came over. He was much
younger and much smaller. He spoke in Wolfen to Avilik. Avilik
responded back then sent him on his way. "That is nice."
Shoshanah just kind of walked around him, not really in the mood to
be stopped by anyone, even a royal werewolf. Avilik grabbed her
wrist, after seeing the direction she was headed. "That is not a
wise direction to head. The bridge the leads across the gorge is
broken and then next town in that direction was destroyed 3 days
ago." She looked at the wrist he now held, her eyebrow going up
again as she wondered if perhaps she should show him a little of her
strength. "Excuse me your highness, but I really must be going,
I have traveled on my own since I was about 13, I will be fine. This
is the way I have always done things and shall continue to do so."
He didn't let go. "That may be true but I would prefer you
listen while in my territory. Unlike the other packs I don't kill
trespassers on sight but I do ask that they stay in my sight."
His face was stern. Her eyes flashed dangerously as she took another
step towards him "Then why don't I leave your 'territory' so
that you won't have to worry about me and some other pack can kill
me." She said sarcastically as she wrenched her wrist out of his
hands. He looked down at her. She was very brave for her size he had
to give her that. "You don't know where the boundaries of my
territory even are. For now you will join my pack. I will escort you
to the boundary in the morning" "You would like that
wouldn't you, but I think not." She winked at him, though her
tone was overly sarcastic as she just began to head off in another
direction since she wasn't about to go the way she had originally
planned. He let out a growl. Making a single short howl his pack came
out blocking her way. "You will join us. I will release you from
custody tomorrow" She looked around taking a short count of how
many there were, but realizing she was stuck for now, but perhaps she
could get out tonight. So she just raised her hands in a sort of
surrender. "Alright, but just for tonight." She said
grudgingly. He smiled and signaled to them. He walked up to her.
"Then you'll ride with me" he got back down on all fours.
Looked at her and motioned for her to get on. She looked at him,
waiting for him to start laughing or something signifying he was
joking, but it would seem he wasn't. "I think not" He
growled again. "You either ride with me or I will carry you back
with us." "I have my own mode of transportation" He
looked at her. "What would that be then?" She sighed
lightly just kind of sitting into what would seem to be thin as but
was caught by something rising up slowly. "It is a cloud of
steam, I created it just this past year, it follows me everywhere,
though as of right now only I can ride on it." She explained
with an almost annoyed edge to her voice. "Very well then. It
better keep up and down near the ground. Otherwise you my fine your
self in some trouble young one" He looked around at his pack
growling something to them as they moved around her. He moved in
front of everyone, looking back to see if they were ready. She
mumbled something under her breath, but stayed low to the ground as
she prepared to follow, she hadn't mastered it the cloud so it would
only go so high not allowing her to escape on it. He ignored the
mumbling and started his pack of toward their den. It was in the
original direction she was heading but slightly to the left. Before
long they passed two stone pillars that resembled a wolf's ears. Then
came to their den. A large crystal cave at the bottom of a mountain.
They walked inside before stopping. The rest of the pack greeted him
with kisses and affection. She just watched staying to the back
slightly away from them all, not quite sure if she really trusted
them. The whole talk about killing on sight hadn't exactly endeared
him to her, so she remained wary. He growled commands to his pack and
they went back to what they were doing before he had arrived. Then he
turned around and looked at Shoshanah. "Come with me." "You
know, for a Prince you don't seem that polite." She said staying
exactly where she was. "Do you know anything about wolves?"
His face growing stern again. "A little, not much." "Then
I will teach you. For a wolf I am being very polite. I am the
gentlest one around here. I suggest you know about what you speak
before speaking it" He signaled her to follow him. She remained
just as she was. "Do you know anything about fire Genasi?"
"No. Only because none have come to this area before." He
turned to her. "Not surprising. A fire Genasi usually has a very
bad temper and because of it can be considered evil occasionally.
They have been known to start fires burning down entire cities if
treated unfairly, so tread lightly." "Oh really. I would
love to see you try to burn down a cave. You stay in my good grace
and you'll be treated like a princess. Other wise I can get mean if I
wish, I have a short temper. Now come with me please." he
stepped in the direction he was trying to get her to go. She smiled,
he had finally said please and just followed, she wondered if he
realized that fur wasn't exactly inflammable. He led her to a room.
It shinned from the ceiling being clear crystal. It had everything
she would need. A bed, vanity, chairs, fireplace, and table. Closing
the door behind her as she came in. "This will be your room
while you stay here." She looked around impressed. "It is
very nice indeed, and this is only for tonight, correct?" She
said straightening out her skirts feeling a little vulnerable in the
room. "That is correct. I will lead you to the border in the
direct you choose to go." he smiled to her, seeing her
discomfort he smiled even more. :: She won't be able to set much on
fire here and she knows it:: "Fine, and what do you propose I do
until tomorrow?" She said backing up a little as she did. "You
can walk freely though out the area closest to the cave. My scouts
will be at the boundaries of it. They always are. I will send for you
when dinner is ready. You can stay in my company if you wish a learn
more about wolves or go out and do something else. It is your choice.
If you are harassed just let me know and I will take care of the
problem." He smiled gently to her. She nodded still not quite
sure what to do so she just waited for him to leave, figuring she
would simply stay in her room. "You don't have to worry about me
but stay away from Rawbones. If anyone will try anything it'll be
him." He turned a walked toward the door. "I will see you
at dinner FireKeeper" then left. "Firekeeper?" "Many
will refer to you as that." he chuckled and closed the
door.
Later at dinner.
He
came to the door a knocked. He was dressed better then before. In an
oriental style of clothing, blue silk with golden tigers on it.
"Dinner is ready" She whistled again. "You look nice,
I feel like I should change, unfortunately, I have nothing else to
wear." He walked over and pushed a button on the wall that
opened a closet. "Pick out what you want to wear. I'll wait for
you outside." He walked out and closed the door. Shoshanah
looked through all the dresses, rather amazed before she picked out a
nice red dress it was form fitting all the way though the top didn't
connect to the sleeves on the shoulders, instead it left those open
connecting on the side. It almost looked like two gloves rather than
sleeves and came to a point at her middle finger on either side. The
color of the dress accented her cinnamon brown skin as well as
brought out the streaks of mixed red and orange hair that framed her
face. She left the streaks down and simply pulled up all the black
hair in a ponytail. She looked in a mirror wondering if perhaps she
shouldn't have changed but figured she had wasted enough time already
and walked out of the room slowly, looking for Avilik. He walked up
to her when she had emerged. Looking her over. "You look
beautiful." He put out his arm like a gentleman would. She
frowned slightly scrunching up her nose, she had never liked
compliments. She whispered a thank you as she slipped her arm in his.
He led her to the dining room. A rather fancy crystal room in the
cave. It was adorned with any thing from amethyst, to emerald, to
ruby crystals. The table was carved tiger maple, same as the chairs.
He led her over to a place on the end of the table. Pulling out the
chair for her to sit down. Only the high-ranking members of the pack
would eat with them, about 13 other people. She sat down studying her
surroundings as she did; it was a nice place indeed. "You did a
rather good job picking this place." "Thank you. But this
cave has been in my family for generations. I did not choose it."
he pushed her chair in. then walked to his seat at the other end.
Telling the others to behave in his own language before signaling
every one to start eating. Shoshanah began to eat, not taking large
bites she had never been a big eater so she just kind of pushed the
food around on her plate giving the illusion that she was eating.
Suddenly another wolf burst into the room. His eyes looked at
Shoshanah, then started toward her. Avilik jumped into the air and
landed in front of him. "I think you forget your place Rawbones.
Now leave here at once." The wolf laughed at him and dodged
around him. Avilik grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, and threw
him backwards to the ground. He growled at him "Leave Omega."
He said to her. "Shoshanah be careful of this one"
Shoshanah turned around in her seat looking at him intently eyes
widening a little, yet she just nodded. Turning back around to shift
more food on her plate. He managed to throw Rawbones to the ground
but was caught off guard by him. Rawbones managed to get his jaws
around Shoshanah's neck and threatened to bite down. Avilik growled
at him. He looked at the candle then back at her hoping she would
take his hint the pointed to his jaw. At first taken by surprise she
thought about fainting for a moment before she saw what Avilik was
doing and just closed her eyes. As she exhaled slowly all of the
suddenly the flame on the candle sprang to life jumping out. It
connected squarely with Rawbones' jaw, as all she could do was pray
that would make him move rather than bite down. Rawbones let go
immediately trying to put the fire out. Avilik came up behind him,
applying his own jaws to Rawbones' neck. The pressure he applied KO'd
him with in minutes. Shoshanah just kind of slid down in her chair,
well that was more than she wanted in a night as she let Avilik take
care of the guy from there. Avilik scolded the other members of his
pack for doing nothing. Then order them to take him away and lock him
up for awhile. He walked over to Sho. He bowed to her deeply. "I
am terribly sorry about that. He will be punished for his
insubordination, and for doing that to you" "Why did he do
that?" "He is the omega the lowest one here. He is trying
to find a mate and he is becoming quiet an annoyance. I will keep him
lock up for the rest of your stay here. Since he refuse to obey his
alpha. I told him to leave you alone." His eyes looked into
hers, showing that he was sorry and embarrassed about the whole
ordeal. "I see, but does the 'mate' not have a say in the
matter, are they just chosen?" "By wolf law the female
decides who she is with. However, I don't know if he would follow
that." She nodded, feeling a little better after that
explanation; it had really worried her for a moment. "Rawbones
has been known to defy law before. So he will be imprisoned as a
precaution" "I see, I suppose this is kind of like a little
kingdom on its own." "You could say that. We have
everything we will ever need in this system of caves and in the
forest surrounding them." She nodded, looking around again as
she once again found herself alone with this guy. "So any after
dinner entertainment, or was that it?" "We are having a
jousting competition in about 15 minutes. Anyone can join so this
should be interesting." He smiled gently. "I would enter,
if I knew how to joust, that would make it very interesting indeed.
Are you competing?" "Yes. Jousting is very simple. You ride
on a horse with armor on and try to knock your opponent of his horse
with your lance. Or just score the most hits. You can join if you
wish." "I think I will pass, I stick with my magic pretty
much, not big on the physical strength part." "Then I will
take you to the viewing platform." He held his arm out again She
nodded, once again taking his arm as she followed by his side. He led
her to the platform out side. Showing her to her seat. "I must
go now but my Beta will be here with you. Her name is Moon Seeker"
She nodded curtsying to the woman before she sat. The woman got a
quizzical look on her face. Avilik explained to her in Wolfen. Then
she nodded to Shoshanah. Avilik took his leave. Shoshanah silently
wondered what he had said to the woman but just sat they're silently
ready to enjoy the joust. He rode a midnight black Clydesdale. His
armor made of gold and his lance painted with a gyrphon on it. He
knocked his opponents off left and right but one other did the same
as well. It came down to the two of them. Having enjoyed it thus she
was rather intent to see who would win the final. Her hand was
growing white with how tight she was gripping the arm of the chair so
tightly. Avilik nodded to his opponent. Then his opponent nodded back
they both took off. Avilik getting the first point but not knocking
him off. The second time around his opponent getting the point. It
came down to a final run. She gasped every time the lances met and
had actually found she silently cheering for him. They went into
their final run. Both pushing their horses hard. They both struck
each other. His opponent fell but he also went backwards. Letting go
of his lance he managed to hang on and get back up on his horse.
Before she knew what she was doing she up cheering for him. However,
she quickly regained herself sitting down in her seat and clapping.
He heard her cheer, and smiled. Taking off his helmet he met with his
opponent. His opponent took of his helmet and everyone gasped at whom
it was. Avilik just smiled and nodded to him. She looked at his
opponent as well, wondering why everyone gasped so she turned to Moon
Seeker. "Why was everyone so surprised?" Moon Seeker looked
back at her and responded, "Because that is the princes younger
brother. He was exiled a while ago. Avilik said it was for a good
reason. The reason being he needed to get out a live on his own. He
was too weak in Avilik's opinion" "I see, he seems to have
done well for himself." Avilik now spoke. "Make my brother
welcome. He has labored hard and shall be rewarded greatly. Welcome
back Tank" he hit his chest and held out his hand. Tank did the
same. Grabbing each other's wrists. Avilik said "Live Free"
and Tank finished "Die Well" now everyone cheered and
saluted them both, including Moon Seeker. Shoshanah just followed
suit not really sure what was going on, but she didn't want to look
disrespectful or something. Avilik now walked toward the platform as
his brother was showered with affection and respect. He walked up to
Shoshanah. "Thank you for the cheer, but you surprised me when
you saluted." "I didn't want to seem disrespectful, I
didn't know if that would get me between the jaws of more of this
clan, so I decided to play it safe." "The others would have
ignored it. They know you're an outsider, but thank you for your
respect nonetheless. Did you enjoy your self?" his eyes
softened. "Yes, I suppose I did. Though I don't think I would
ever want to try, seems rather dangerous." He chuckled. "It's
not that dangerous. Not with the armor and padding." "Perhaps
not for you, but you have to understand you are quite a bit bigger
than I am, and as well are used to it." "Very true, however
young pups compete too and some have done very well. They are
normally smaller then you" She frowned slightly, not really sure
if she enjoyed being compared to a pup. "You should be stronger
then them." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't take
it the wrong way." She moved slightly the hand falling from her
shoulder. "Of course not, so is it bed time now, or more
excitement?" He gave her a strange look and shook his head "Most
of the males go out hunting this time of night. I must go lead them
but you can got to sleep if you wish" he looked up at the sky
for a moment almost zoning out. Then shook his head. He put his arm
out to walk her back to the cave entrance. She sighed lightly,
slipping once again her arm in his. "I don't understand why you
are treating me like this?" "Told you as long as you stayed
on my good side I would treat you like a princess. And you have
stayed on my good side. Another reason maybe because you're a very
beautiful woman. Like any male of this clan I reguard women with a
high respect. The ones who don't are punished for it." He smiled
gently to her. She frowned again, compliments never sat well with her
so she was quiet, allowing herself to be lead, which was a little odd
for her. "Is something the matter?" They were coming close
to the cave now. "No, not really." He gave her a look of
disbelief but didn't push the issue. He stopped at the cave entrance.
Slipping her arm out of his then kissed her hand and bowed. "Now
if you will excuse me I must go lead the hunt. Moon Seeker will be
with you if you need anything" Brushing her hand casually, she
made her way inside. He pulled off his fancy attire and would hunt in
traditional male attire like the rest of his hunters. He started the
Hunt song, leading the chorus of voices. Shoshanah looked around
feeling the walls, they were a little cold, not that she was at all
chilled, even her bare feet which padded on the earthen floor
remained warm. Deciding to explore she retraced her steps back to the
room that they had dined in, peering inside to see if anyone was in
there, finding no one, though the table had been cleared. To be
continued........