Seed of War 5

Thanks guys for being patient (even if you weren't XD)! I’m ganna work on it a bit more, so more may be up soon!!
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"You're a legend, you know." The Prince whispered to me as I walked in, mouth gapping, and eyes wide, to his palace. DANG IT WAS HUGE! All I could do was nod, and continue to stare.

"You aren't getting what I'm saying. Have your parents never told-"

"My parents didn't like me." I said, looking up at him sadly. He looked irritated being interrupted, then his face softened.

"I'm so sorry." He said smoothly, smiling lightly. I nodded, then walked in through the large doors. They were wooden crafted, marvelous designs swirling through them. The doors stood tall, ten feet or so. I looked over through the palace, a narrow, swirling stair-case standing not far off. I stared up to the top, seeing three floors, not including the one I was standing on. Does this place EVER end!? I thought quietly to myself. The Prince watched me, and laughed. I looked up at him, suddenly happy wolves don't blush. I grinned sheepishly, and looked down. He waved his hand for me to follow, and we headed towards the stairs.

"I'll have to tell you the legend tonight." he said smoothly. I nodded, a little confused why he couldn't tell me now. I stayed close to him as we walked up the stairs, and we stopped on the third. He lead me into a large room, filled with a GIANORMOUS bed, pillows everywhere, and howling wolves carved above the head on the bed. Once again I humiliated myself by dropping my mouth open. I really need to get better, I hissed at myself. He looked down and held in a stifled laugh. I snapped my mouth shut again, and looked at my paws, sheepishly, once again. He knelt next to me, sending shivers up and down my spine. Not only does the Prince never kneel to someone, even when speaking to them, he never looks someone in the eye, unless it was his parents. He looked me straight in the eyes. I gasped and held my breath as he stroked my head softly. I felt paralyzed. I couldn't look away from his eyes. His sparkling blue eyes-STOP IT! I growled to myself, and forced myself to look away. He laughed almost silently, then stood up. He held his hand out to the room, and I walked quickly in. I felt so foolish.

"The healer will be here soon. She says she can change you human again." He looked at me in the eyes again. His eyes flashed, catching the light. I bit my tongue and nodded simply, suddenly interested in the wall. He sighed, then left the room. Great going, Tanya. TOTALLY MAKE A FOOL OF YOURSELF! I sighed, and shook my head. At least I was safe. And look where I was! The palace! With the Prince-an image of his sparkling eyes tormented my mind, and I shook it away. Sanity is a good thing, Tanya.

I curled up, placed my arms crossed under my chins, and closed my eyes. At least I'm safe...

There was a soft knocking that woke me up. I opened my eyes drearily. "Yeah....?" I said in a low, but tired voice.

"I'm the healer," replied a feminine voice, "I've come-"

"To change me back." I interrupted, and nodded. "Come on in, sit down."

The woman sat down, and I looked up at her with lazy eyes. She was tall, skinny, her features soft. In short, she was beautiful. In a way, she looked like my mother..... I shook my head, blinking.

"Tanya, is it?"

"Yep. And you are?"

"Swift."

"Swift?" I looked her up and down, to check if she was kidding or not. She nodded, "Yes, that's what I like to go by."

"But it's not-"

"No. It's not my real name."

"Ah..."

There was a pause. She reached into a small pouch and pulled out some herbs. She fumbled with the fragile leaves, then paused, looking at me.

"May I..?"

"Yes."

She pressed the leaves against the center mark that came together on my forehead. It stung. A headache ragged through my body. I ground my teeth, and yet, nothing happened. She pressed harder, and murmured something under her breath. The sound made chills run up and down my spine. I bit my tongue. Nothing happened. I bit my lip. Still nothing. I drew blood, and finally, I felt myself change. The fur disappeared, the fangs falling back into my mouth, my head changing to where it should be. My hair fell on my back, and I wiped my lip.

"Ow.." I glared at Swift.

She smiled kindly, "I'm sorry..it doesn't usually do that. Do you have a headache?"

"Yes." I said bitterly.

Swift sighed, "It will pass. It may clutter your thoughts however."

"Like how?"

"Catch this." She passed something lightly to me, and it hit my hands, then slipped out.

"Huh?"

She laughed, "Just don't do anything dangerous, alright?"

I nodded slowly, a little confused. All I heard was, "Blah blah blah-THROW SOMETHING AT YOU!-blah blah, don't do anything dangerous."

"Uh...I think I won't..."

She chuckled, then gathered the leaves, and stood up. I got up after her, obediently. She looked at me slightly confused, shrugged, and headed downstairs. I followed her down, and paused on the first floor, watching her go up to the Prince, whispering something softly to him. He handed her three gold coins, then she smiled, and left. The large wooden doors opened up to her, the light blinding me, and when they closed the Prince had my hand in his, she had left, and he was leading me down the hall. I hesitated, staring at the hand in his. What?? Why?? I don't understand, Prince! What's going on!

He paused, then turned to me. I felt heat rise to my face. Don't do anything foolish, I warned myself. He smiled, pushed my red-streaked-blond hair from my ear, and leaned over to whisper. My breath caught. I felt my headache pound against my temples, and he talked soothingly to me.

"Come, Tanya. Do not worry. I have a few gifts for you."

"G-g-gifts?" I stuttered out. Heh, great job! Stuttering freak....

He nodded as if he wasn't bothered by my stupidity. He continued to hold my hand, and lead me down halls. And halls. Oh wait!-no, more halls... Finally, when I was about to pass out from exhaustion, he paused. He looked at me with worried eyes, "Are you alright?"

I nodded, saying between gasps, and leaning against a wall, "Just....fine....where exactly...are we...going?"

He smiled, then pointed down the hall a little way. There was actual, normal sized doors, and beautifully carved handles. Was anything in this palace not beautiful? Especially not—CUT IT OUT! I took a small gasping breath, holding my head as it throbbed. He pointed to my temple, "We should get something for your headache. Just hang on a bit longer. I can carry you there if you like." He grinned mischievously as I blushed and looked down.

"No...I think I can...walk.." I pushed from the wall, and walked towards the doors. He wrapped his arm around my waist, and I was taken back. I paused and looked at him. He smiled kindly, then led me along. He opened the doors and two large couches sat across from each other. He took his seat in one, and I quickly turned, and took mine in another. He sighed, then smiled simply, reaching behind him.

"Now, this first one is only for a gift. Then second, is for your protection."

I nodded slowly, and he held out a box for me. I stood up, took it, then sat down across from him. I opened the wooden box, and stared at the thing glittering back up at me.

"It's a necklace," he said, and I was able to hear the smile in his voice, "its from the first Marked Wolf to walk this place."

I looked up at him, "How'd you get it?"

"My family has known the Wolves and other Changers for some time now. It was a gift from her."

"Her?"

"The first Marked wolf was a her."

I blinked, then smiled, looking down at the pendant. There was a small blue crystal, silver holding it from the top, and chains wrapping around the back. The crystal was in perfect condition, well, almost. There was one, only one, scratch across the front. It was a simple scar, and was to be expected. It didn't take away from its beauty at all.

"Its...beautiful...thank you so much."

Prince nodded, grinning. "Shall I help you put it on?"

I hid my mixed feelings, slowly nodding. He stood up, and sat next to me. He picked up the necklace from my frozen hands, and moved behind me. I felt his hands come around me, and the cool silver rested against my neck. Then he let go, and it hung there. It didn't go too low that it fell down my shirt, but hung just high enough so that it wasn't annoying, and simply looked stunning. Sadly, I was scratched and dirtied. Well, every beauty has its faults, right? The Prince stood up and looked at me, grinning once again.

"Beautiful."

"I'm so-"

"Don't worry. There's tons of baths here. We can order a massage at the same time. Would you like that?"

I looked at him, mouth gapping again. I nodded as he laughed, "Y-yes..that would be nice." My heart ran into overdrive. It was so weird...I felt well, something for him, and yet...there was this overpowering feel of fear. Why? He's done nothing but help me... I sighed and dismissed the thought. I could think about it at another time. When I came back to reality, the Prince was sitting next to me, with this silver like bracelet in his hand.

"What's that?" I inquired. The thing sparkled in the light, and rubies and sapphires shone brightly when the light hit them. He popped it open, and now there was two pieces. He still didn't answer me, and remained silent. After a minutes of silence, he spoke up.

"Its thick with power." He said. What the hell is that supposed to mean!?

"What does that mean?"

"It means, that as soon as you leave the palace gates, it will tell me."

"Why would I-"

He turned quickly to me. "People like Beryl want to hurt you. They'll try to take you away. They'll drag you out of the palace and do what they will away from here. With this on your arm, it won't happen."

I nodded, then asked, "What if they just do it here?"

"That's the tricky part. I'm setting up guards around your window, the roof, and the door to your room."

"The roof? Isn't that dangerous?"

"You're more important."

There was a pause. I quickly looked away, biting my lip. Don't...nothing foolish....ow, my head... My headache got worse, and I looked at him, rubbing my head.

"Here," he said, coming closer to put it on, "just-"

"GET AWAY!" I screamed, backing up. I jumped to my feet, my back to the door. Something wasn't right with that thing. But, of course, I made a fool out of myself. Safety first, though, right? He was on his feet suddenly as well, fury clear in his eyes. His jaw was hard, and his eyes narrowed.

"Put it on.." then his eyes softened again, "Please. I want you to be safe, Tanya."

"Something's not right with that thing. Don't come any closer with that.." I warned. I had a map of the palace in my head. A few turns, then a long hall, then a right, then directly towards the door. Problem is that I could barely walk here, nonetheless run! Still, my hand was on the handle, turning it slowly. He came closer. "Easy there, Tanya. I don't want to force this on you. To keep you safe. I want to protect you-"

I was out the door as his hands nearly came across my arm. The one part that had actually stuck on me, fell of as I ran out the door, a large crash sounding through the room. FOOL, FOOL, FOOL! I hissed at myself. But I was already running. I turned on my heel, dashed down another hall, and glanced over my shoulder. He was running. Screaming my name. He looked me straight in the eyes. Damn it, damn it! Don't stop, keep running! Something's not right here. You know it. Get out of here now. NOW. My breath was labored. Fists were clenched. Throat was sore. My headache became worse, pounding louder. This isn't a good thing to do, Tanya. My mind told me. You can trust him, all he wants to do is protect you! I shook my head, still running. I spun on my heel again, turning down another corner. I stopped dead in my tracks. Three well armored guards stood shoulder to shoulder, spears crossed. They looked at me, and raised an eyebrow. My head screamed. I turned around quickly. The Prince was there.

"Tanya, I know you're scared. Please, I don't want to hurt you."

"Don't touch me with that." I warned, backing up slightly. He stepped closer.

"I need to put it on to keep you safe." his eyes locked on mine. I couldn't look away. I became speechless.

"Come now, Tanya. It's alright. You're safe. Hold out your arm."

My arm obediently lifted up, and my face twisted with surprise. He smiled and walked towards me, locking it against my upper arm. The cold metal clung to me, a small clicking sound echoing through the halls. I pulled away quickly once I had control of my arm, my fangs growing in, and biting the cold metal against my arm. I pulled at it with my other hand. I tore at it with my teeth. Nothing happened. Then I felt something against the back of my head, and I could remember no more.