Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Priestess of the Moon: Return of the Lunar Dragon ❯ The Elf Maiden and the Wolf ( Chapter 1 )

Kiya Shichin walked into the Sea Dragon Inn. The young elf maiden lowered the hood of her cloak and shook out long hair so black that it had blue highlights. She smoothed out her green satin dress, the divided skirts rustling softly.

 

“I want to go home Kiya. Why do we have to be here?”

 

Kiya looked down at her companion. Mitt Lightpaw was an anthro kitten. Although she was Kiya's age, Mitt was a little over four feet tall and all cute, but that was how her species was. “Don't worry, Mitt. We'll be home soon. But we had to stop for the night.” They were coming back from Mountainside Village. Kiya had delivered a message to the army that was stationed there from her father, Aubrey, leader of elven kind.

 

Kiya walked over to the innkeeper and asked for a room for the night. Once the innkeeper gave her a key and a room number, Kiya and Mitt sat down at a table and ordered something to eat.

 

Mitt sat on the table, since the chairs were too low for her, and looked around, her long tail swaying, her large cat ears twitching. Kiya looked around as well, taking in their surroundings.

 

Blackwolf had been a werewolf village before the armies had run them out into the Dead Lands. Kiya understood why Mitt didn't want to be here. But the village now had elves and other beings. Werewolves didn't live here anymore.

 

They were given their food and they ate, talking every once and a while, but it was mostly in silence. It was then that Kiya noticed that someone was looking at them. It was a young man with elbow length black hair that was tied back in a pony tail and golden hazel eyes. He was good looking except for the strange look in his eye, especially when he looked at Kiya. If she didn't know any better, Kiya could have sworn it was hate.

 

“Who's that guy looking at us?”

 

Kiya jumped slightly and turned to Mitt. The anthro kitten had a little bit of milk on her chin and nose. Kiya shrugged and said, “Not sure. But I don't think we have to worry none.”

 

Mitt blinked and then with a shrug, she stuck her face back into her milk bowl. Kiya glanced back at the man, but he had busied himself with a cup of wine he had been served. She couldn't help but have a weird feeling about him.

 

~*~

 

Reiku Karanchi sat at a table in a corner of the inn, leaning back on his rear chair legs. He has been staying at the inn for a while now, but he would have to leave soon, with the full moon coming.

 

 

Reiku was a werewolf, and if he was caught on this side of the Spine, he might as well sign his death sentence. With all the elves here, he was in dangerous territory. He would be leaving tomorrow, camping out in the forest until the moon began to wane again.

 

The door of the inn opened and Reiku watched as a young elf maiden and an anthro kitten walked in. Sudden anger flared in him when he saw the elf maiden. She was Aubrey's daughter, he knew it. He could tell by the look of her; she looked a little like the elf lord. Reiku snarled under his breath. He watched the two as they paid for a room, sat down and ordered something to eat. Reiku ordered a wine and as he waited, he watched the elf maiden and her companion. The elf maiden glanced at him and their eyes met. He knew he'd been caught. The girl looked away when the anthro said something and his wine came. He busied himself with his wine, sipping it slightly.

 

It was strange, how the maiden was in these parts, when she should be home in her safe, cozy palace. Those bloody elves! They didn't deserve anything they had. Everyone thought in this bloody country that the elves were as grand as they seem. But if anyone knew of their dark side, of Aubrey's dark side, they would fear for themselves. The wolf kind had to find out the hard way.

 

Reiku looked at the girl again. She was beautiful. Despite her kind, he couldn't help but think that. He was thinking that when the explosion rocked the building.

 

~*~

 

Kiya gripped the table as a sudden explosion rocked through the inn. People inside started screaming and another explosion sent everyone flying from their seats. Kiya hit the floor as bits of the ceiling pelted down on her. Dust filled the air and Kiya looked around, but couldn't see Mitt.

 

“Mitt!” she screamed, searching around for her friend.

 

“Kiya!” Mitt came from the dust and gripped Kiya tight. “Oh, what's happening?”

 

“I don't know,” Kiya said, “but we have to get out of here.”

 

“Come on! Get up!” Someone pulled Kiya up and started pulling her in a direction she was guessing was the front door. Kiya noticed that it was the man who was looking at her before. Kiya gripped Mitt's hand and let the man lead them out of the building.

 

When they got outside, Kiya saw large creatures moving through the streets, setting everything on fire.

 

“Orcs!” the man said. He rounded on Kiya. “Do you have horses?”

 

“Yes,” Kiya answered, “They're in the stables.” They went around the now burning inn to the stables. The horses inside were whinnying with fear. Kiya ran in and lead her chestnut mare and Mitt's cream colored Shetland out. The man soon came out with a black stallion. After quickly saddling up the horses, they mounted and started to canter down the street.

 

Kiya stayed alongside Mitt. The Shetland Mitt was riding was quicker than it seemed; it easily kept up with Kiya's own horse. But Kiya didn't want to lose her friend in the madness. The man had drawn out his sword and was slashing at the orcs to keep them at bay. He finally lost his sword when it got lodged in the chest of an orc. He cursed and turned to look at them. “Hurry! We're almost out.”

 

After what seemed like ages, they broke out of the village and went full speed towards the forest. Kiya leaned towards the mare's neck, urging the horse to go faster. She managed to stay right behind the man and Mitt's pony kept up with the both of them.

 

Once in the forest, they didn't stop until they were well in. Then the man slowed his stallion to a slow walk. Kiya slowed her own horse down and looked down at Mitt. “Are you alright?” she asked the anthro kitten.

 

Mitt nodded and looked at Kiya. “I still feel uneasy about that man,” she whispered, “I don't like it. His scent is strange, but oddly familiar.”

 

Kiya smiled and shook her head. “Don't worry. He saved our lives. He can't be that bad.”

 

Mitt grunted softly, but said no more. Kiya knew that her friend could be stubborn at times so she let it past by.

 

None of them spoke for the next hour or so. Finally, when Kiya thought she was going to fall asleep in her saddle, the man stopped. “We'll camp here for the night,” he told them as he dismounted. Kiya sighed as she dismounted as well. Mitt handed her horse's reins to Kiya, mumbling something about going to find something to eat before going out into the forest. Kiya tied the horses to a nearby tree and tied their feed bags around their muzzles, filled with feed, so they could eat. Once she was done with that, she went over to where the young man was setting up a tent. When she got over there, he looked at her. “You and your friend can sleep in here,” he said.

 

“Where will you sleep?” Kiya asked.

 

The man smiled slightly and gestured to the ground. “Out here,” he told her, “under the stars.”

 

Kiya smiled and looked down. “I want to thank you,” she said softly, “for what you did back at the village.”

 

“It was nothing,” the man said. He shoved in the last peg and straightened up. He looked at her and gave her an uneasy smile. “I couldn't just leave you there.”

 

Kiya smiled slightly. He seemed nice enough. “My name is Kiya.”

 

The man hesitated for a moment. “I'm Reiku,” he said after a while.

 

Suddenly, Mitt came flying from the tree nearby. Snarling, she landed between Kiya and Reiku. “Kiya, we have to go! He's a werewolf!”

 

Sudden fear gripped Kiya at the word. She staggered back as Reiku cursed. “W-what?” she stammered.

 

“I knew he smelled familiar,” Mitt growled, “and I realized it. That's why he was looking at you that way back at the inn.”

 

Kiya stumbled back, farther away from the werewolf. “Werewolf?” she whispered fearfully.

 

Reiku moved quickly. He grabbed her shoulders and glared at her. “Yes,” he snarled, “I am a werewolf. And don't forget, I just saved your life Princess. So right now, I own you.”

 

Kiya trembled fearfully and Mitt stood ridged on the spot, every hair on her tail standing on end. Reiku then lowered his eyes and let go of her shoulders. “I'm sorry,” he said softly, “I shouldn't have said that. Look, I won't hurt you, and I will get you home safely.”

 

Kiya didn't hear him all the way. She was now filled with anger. “No,” she said bitterly, “you shouldn't have. You do not know who you are talking to.” She lifted her chin and then looked at Mitt. “Come on Mitt. We're going home.”

 

“Did you not just hear me?” Reiku said angrily, “You can't go out there by yourself. It's too dangerous. Those orcs know who you are and if they catch you, you're as good as dead. I will take you home and you'll never have to see me again.”

 

Kiya looked at Reiku for a moment, and then nodded. “Alright then,” she said, “but one wrong move, and I'll turn you over to the first army we come to.”

 

Reiku nodded, now with bitter hate in his eyes. “Fine,” he said coldly, “Don't even know why I bothered to apologize. I'm going to look for firewood.” With that, he then stamped off into the woods.

 

Kiya watched him go and snorted softly. Then she went into the tent, followed by Mitt.