When I awoke the next morning, I began my day as usual. I bathed and changed into a casual dress that I wore around the house. It was a faded blue with short sleeves. I wouldn’t get ready for tonight’s festival, the Night of the Dragon festival, until later. I brushed out my hair, then danced to the dining room.

Our dining room had tile floors and a long oak table that sat on a beautiful rug. It depicted the scene of the wolf, bat, snake, and dragon being banished. It showed many beautiful and graceful people turning away from the creatures, who were snarling with eyes glowing red.

I sat down and a servant set my meal in front of me. I ate quickly so I could head to the market. I wanted a new necklace for the festival, and I’d found the perfect one. My mother gave me a small sack of gold coins and I danced out the door.

“Jace!”

Juliet ran to my side almost the second I stepped out on to the cobblestone street. I liked the girl, but she got annoying every now and again. She always clung to me. And no matter what I did or where I went, I couldn’t get her to release her grip on me.

“Where ya going?” she asked

“Market.” I responded simply. “I’m going to get a necklace.”

Lucky for me, Juliet spotted her betrothed, Bane, and ran to talk to him. I hurried off before she could come back. I walked the crowded streets, looking for the jewel vendor who had been selling it the day before.

Suddenly I heard yelling and all thought of the necklace (Well, not all of it.) was wiped from my mind. I pushed my way through the market, ran down the streets to Main Street. People were moving aside so the Hunters could come through the street.

I could tell something was wrong.

For one thing, Father wasn’t leading them in. He always led them out of the village and into it. For another, the Hunter leading the group was also leading Molly. She had no rider and was limping.

I stepped aside and watched them pass. Molly DID have some form of cargo. The dead wolves were tied to her back. Their eyes were unstaring and their tongues flopped out of their slack mouths.

Good. I thought. Good and dead.

One of the Hunters noticed me and stopped. He slid off of his mount and walked to me. Carefully, he took my hand. “Jace, you should come with me.”

I didn’t bother turning him away. He helped me on to his steed’s back and climbed on. He broke away from the others and directed the creature to my home. He tied hs unicorn to the post outside and had a servant take Molly to the stables. The Hunter took me to the door. I opened it and led him in.

My mother came.

“Melina…come with me. I need to speak with you and your daughter.” the Hunter said.

Mother nodded and began to lead him to our den. “And what brings you here Mister…”

“Aaron.” the Hunter replied.

In the den, there were shelves of books and fine furniture. My mother and I seated ourselves on a sofa while Aaron remained standing. He looked a bit uncomfortable and remorseful. “Miss. Melina…I’m very sorry…but Kemen ain’t coming home.”

Our eyes widened.

“W-Whatever do you mean?” Mother asked.

“During our hunt, we tied our mounts to a log and went out on foot. As we walked, we heard the unicorns going crazy behind us. We ran back and saw a bunch of wolves attacking Molly. When Kemen shot one of the wolves with his bow, the others attacked him. He…he couldn’t be saved.” Aaron explained.

My body went numb and my eyes widened. Father? Dead?! No! No no no! NO! I jumped to my feet and ran out of the room. I could hear my mother’s voice behind me, calling me back. I ran out of the house, down the streets, down the dirt roads in the outskirts, over pasture gates, and to the forest. I kept running until I tripped and fell.

Then I started to cry.

I didn’t even notice where I was. I was in beast territory. And I still don’t know what had brought me there. All I know is that I froze when I felt something cold touch my cheek.

“Hey, lady.” a little black wolf pup said. “Why you cryin’?”

I screamed and scrambled to my feet. Quickly I backed away. “S-Shoo! Shoo! Go away! Go away!” I picked up a rock and threw it at him. It bounced off the ground close to him, but it scared him. I threw another rock. “Be gone! Go away demon! Devil! Monster!”

The next rock hit his head. He yelped and ran away, whining with his tail between his legs.

“Come now…there’s no need to be so cruel to a little pup.”

I turned and relaxed. It was a maiden. A beautiful one, too. She had long, wavy brown hair and dark green eyes. She wore a white dress that was torn at the hem and sleeves. Though somehow, she still looked beautiful.

“Who’re you?” I asked.

The woman was quiet for a moment, but then she spoke. “I am all there was, all there is, and all there will be. I created the stars and the land. I nurture all of the creatures that I created so long ago. Man, or beast.” She smiled. “And you, my dear Jace of Yellowcaster, are going to do a little job for me.”

I blinked. This woman was crazy! “No thanks. I’m out of he-”

Suddenly she was only inches away from me and gripping my wrist tightly. How did she move so fast? Not even a cheetah could move like that!

“I have found that you can not truly understand one’s feelings or hardships until you experience them yourself.” the woman said. “You are going to endure those hardships, Jace of Yellowcaster. The hardships of a beast. You will know what it is like to be hated and hunted.” She smiled. “Then, you will do my wonders.”

Then, I blacked out.

XXXX