City of IF

[Christalnightshade]

Prologue: stupefaction

The room was shrouded in darkness. In the corner of the room was a cradle with pink blankets. The baby girl in the crib had her eyes shut and in a deep restful sleep.

Something startled the baby and she opened her eyes; her eyes reflected a person staring over her; black hair hung over his face hiding his features, glowing sharp blue eyes in the darkness. "I'm taking you home"

The baby replied with a small cry, "Waa…grrr" drool came down the corner of her mouth.

"Come Samantha" The black gloved hands of the man picked up the baby with care. As quite as possible he walked out with the baby cradled in his arms. A black horse coach was waiting at the front of the shabby house made of bricks.

A woman wearing a casual red dress hurried out, "Is the mother still asleep in the house?" Pyre nodded assuring Merniva.

Looking at the baby in his arms she said, "You done well Pyre Bane. This little princess is going back to her real empire, she has lived long enough in this dirty old house"

He looked at Merniva and handed the baby over to her. Suddenly a scream came from the house. The mother had awoken to find her baby wasn't in her crib.

Quickly Pyre and Merniva climbed into the horse carriage and moved away from the brown house.

The mother ran out of the house seeing the carriage driving away, she ran after it, but couldn't keep up. She cried, "Come back she is my baby!"

The driver did not try to stop for her and rode on over the bridge and onto the dusty road leading to the northern empire. The imperial palace.

The imperial palace was gigantic with a big mote. The horse carriage came to a stop at the end of the road. Merniva climbed out with the little bundle in her arms.

Pyre followed as fast as he could, he bent down and his body formed into a dire wolf. His fur was as black as the night and his eyes were still glowing Sea green.

The baby cried as she was passed over to an elf waiting outside the castle walls. The elf's eyes were green and he wore buffalo hide armour, he was decorated in tether like beads and had a staff strapped to his back by the looks of things he looked like an Indian mage.

The mage smiled at Merniva and tapped his staff once and he disappeared from sight into the castle.

Pyre and Merniva walked through the open castle door and picked up a bundle of some sort from another elf, it was their reward.

Merniva took the bundle and walked off down a corridor.

Pyre however went down the other end of the hall and entered a room where the king was seated at a thrown.

Turning into his human form he said bowing to the king, "King Lorem, your child is back in the kingdom"

The king rose from his seat, "Have you received your reward?"

Looking up he replied, "Yes, my liege"

The king had a pleasing look on his face, he proposed, "How about you work for me Pyre? You would be a great allie"

Pyre laughed, "My king, I work for you my whole life."

The king said, "How about captain of my imperial army?"

Pyre accepted, "Thank you, my liege"

The king gave Pyre a sign to leave. Pyre bowed one more time and converted back to his dire wolf form.

Pyre quickly rushed out the door and down the hall. He turned left to find Triston the elven mage wearing his tethered, beaded robe and carrying the baby down toward the thrown room.

Turning into his human form he exclaimed, "Taking her to the thrown room are you?"

Triston replied half-heartedly, "Y-yes, and you are?"

Pyre replied, "I am Pyre Bane. The shadow...ahem…the captain of the imperial army"

Triston said, "I however don't have a title. So if you don't mind. I have to show the proof that his sire's little girl is here…" holding onto the baby he asked, "Do you think the queen should be instated?"

Pyre grinned, "Immediately, yes."

Triston said, "Now that the baby is here the queen will follow her, one day she will convince him to give her rightful thrown"

Pyre nodded, "His highness might start a war."

Triston laughed, saying, "This quest has taken a lot out of me and so has it taken a lot out of you. I can see black rings under your eyes. One day the queen will stop living as a peasant"

Pyre departed, Pyre threw his cloak to one side and strode off to his quarters.
Triston strolled into the thrown room and the king immediately gave a gasp jumping from his golden engraved oak thrown

"Samantha is here…" The king ordered servants to take the baby from Triston's arms. The baby was placed into king Lorem's arms and he whispered, "Samantha, your mother doesn't know she's a queen. I should have never have gone as a peasant into the town, but on second thought having you as my child made me the proudest father. You're living the royal life from now on."

Leaving the room Triston's beads on his robe jingled as he walked out the door.
The baby cried and the king realised someone had to feed the baby.

Morning came and Captain Luis entered the thrown room; he wore his silver armour and he bowed to the king and said, "Sire, a child has been stolen by someone and fled by horse carriage. I ask you if I may order the imperial guards to go in search of the thieves"

The king smiled, "Captain Luis there is no need to search for a missing baby. I have her in the castle."

Looking up Luis said, "Must I take her back to her mother"

In a harsh tone the king said, "No, you must bring Gloria here. Oh… since you are sixty years old you are resigned as captain, I have found someone to replace you."
Frowning at a black wolf entering the thrown room. Luis pulled his sword out and pointed it at the dire wolf.

The king said, "I have replaced you with Pyre. The one you point your sword at"
Nodding Luis said, "Yes, sire. I shall take my leave. It is a pleasure meeting you Pyre. If my king wants to replace me with a dog… Gah! Bye" and Luis walked off

The shaggy, black dire wolf reformed back to his human form. Pyre was handsome for a human shape shifter; usually shape shifters had purple tint to their skin, but he had tanned skin. His face was in good proportion and there wasn't a flaw you could see.

Addressing Pyre the king said, "You, Pyre. Go and find Gloria and bring her here. You may take one of the stable horses"

Nodding he dashed out the room, his cloak dragging behind him and his daggers strapped to his belt swaying as he ran.

Luis watched Pyre from the barracks; where soldiers are trained. Pyre ran to the stables and grabbed a black steed. Luis clutched his sword tighter that made his hands ache. That was his horse. It was bound to happen that one day he would be ordered to take his belongings and live in town.

Mounting the black steed Pyre rode over the drawbridge.

The trees passed Pyre as quick as the horse galloped. Pulling on the rains of the steed made him take a turn down a rocky road.

Foam covered the corners of the horses muzzle, it happens when a horse enjoys the riding, but mostly it was because the metallic object in his mouth obstructed his mouth from closing.

Pyre's hair flew wildly behind him as he closed in on the shabby looking house on the corner of the road.

Pulling to a stop his horse whinnied and stomped around on the ground.
Dismounting he knocked on the door.

A voice came from the house, her voice was distressing, "W-who is there?"
Pyre replied casually, "It the captain malady"

She opened the door to look at his face, but shut it as quick as she could. Pyre shoved his foot in the way and said, "I am the new captain. The old one has been resigned. I'm here to bring you to the castle. Your baby is there."

Slowly opening the door she walked around in her house and went down the corridor saying, "My baby can't be at the castle and I can't leave this house."

Pyre implored her to come, "Malady please. Your child's father is the king, he has your child."

Looking at Pyre she shouted, "Why didn't he tell me!"

Puzzled Pyre asked, "I thought you knew he was king?"

She looked at Pyre once again and entered her room and then bent down to pick up a bundle from a crib. "I can't come. My baby boy…"

Knowing what she meant by that he nodded saying, "You need not say anymore, malady you will always be our queen"

She smiled and said, "Call me Gloria, please. Watch over Samantha for me"
Pyre turned around, mounted the horse and left the little house.

Coming up to the black walled castle, its walls weren't cleaned in a while and the drawbridge was as well built as ever, the chains however had a bit of rust on them. In about a few years the chains would cease to work correctly.

Bringing the horse to a standstill at the stalls he dismounted. Looked at the wooden stalls and took off the rains and saddle and led the stallion back into his stall with the number one on it.

Locking the stall he looked at the stairs leading into the castle. Moving as quick as he can on the rock-paved road. He walked up the stairs and entered the castle only to find Luis staring at him in the hall.

Luis took off his silver breastplate, walked up to Pyre and shoved it into his chest, "A captain should never be out of uniform."

Taking hold of the armour he said, "I like my clothing…"

Luis said, "A captain should never disagree with the king, nor have an incomplete quest."

Pyre was frustrated, "Look, I don't want this. I couldn't complete the quest because the queen does not want to come to the castle."

Luis was surprised by the sudden anger and replied, "I will not stand in the way of your duties. I however have to train you for the post as captain."

Pyre said, "I never wanted this job, if I hadn't accepted I would have insulted the king."

Luis nodded, "Well now you just have to live with being a shadow shape-thief and a captain."

He was taken aback, how did Luis know he was a shadow thief.

Luis laughed, "I know you are one. You are the one that ordered the capture of Samantha."

Pyre spat back, "You dare not tell the king I'm a shadow thief or he'll have my head."

Luis said, "I shall take no pride in killing someone. Even if it’s a shadow thief"

Pyre headed off to the thrown room, carrying the breastplate in his hands.
Entering the thrown room he bowed and said, "Sire, Gloria does not want to come"

The king stood up from his thrown, "Is there no way that she'll come here?"

Pyre nodded, "It doesn't look like she's going to come, sire"

The king spoke to a servant and then said to Pyre, "I here by send you to watch over Gloria. You should go in your dire wolf form."

Pyre wanted to object, but could not do so in risk of losing his post and the trust of the king, "I shall do my best"

The light diminished and nighttime came. The full moon was out and the stars shone bright on the small town of Lorem and Halo hill.

Pyre dashed off to the house on the corner of the road in his wolf form and scratched at the door.

Gloria reluctantly opened the door, but seeing a wolf she froze, "Nice wolf"

Pyre bowed at her feet and crawled closer. Gloria patted his head and said, "Your tame aren't you. Where is your master?"

Dashing into the house he jumped onto the closest chair, turned around and looking at Gloria.

Closing the door she went into another room. She looked at the baby in the crib and said, "Sweet dreams, Jea"

[Christalnightshade]

Chapter 1: My home is somewhere

The bard, Rupert was standing in front of a crowd, his brown long hair hung to his knees and he shouted, "It was fifteen years that passed since the war against draconian colony. Fourteen years ago shadow bandits had raided the castle and killed the well-known king Lorem. Luis had become an advisor and stood by the side of any king."

Bending down he smiled at a girl and continued, "A year later Halo hill had a new crowned king, Lucifer. Naturally the kingdom now belonged to Lucifer, but all was not well."

Lifting up his hands, "Taxes were raised and farmers weren't paid if there was one flaw on the food. A war had started between the northern forests filled with dragons."

Raising his voice, "And now the princess is in constant fear of her uncle Lucifer. He sent her to the highest tower and the maids do everything for her."

His voice turned into a whisper, "Underground rebellions were formed and the draconian colonies grew to such an extent that they are currently posing a threat to human life."

One person in the crowd asked, "What are draconians?"

Replying he said, "A draconian is dragon minions, the draconian law states that if a human were to step on their land that they will be kept prisoner."
One man asked, "How do you know of all this?"

Rupert shouted, "I was the king's bard. Bards need stories to sing a song, but I give up I can't make one song without thinking of these high taxes and the new ruler of our land"

Imperial guards arrived and they grabbed hold of Rupert on top of a wooden box and one guard said, "Causing commotion are you?" They dragged Rupert away and what all the citizens could do was just watch.

Between crowds was a girl cloaked and hooded, relieved that the guards didn't notice her. Turning around she walked over to her white mare, mounted her horse and rode off.

It wasn't long ago that she had left the palace about two days had passed. Uncle Lucifer was beginning to scare her so she left the castle with the help of the servants.

A snake slithered in the road her horse whinnied and ran faster than before.
Pulling on the rains the horse came to a sudden stop. The mare was out of breath and distraught, "Relax girl it was only a garden snake."

Hearing a rash shout and horses hooves, she looked behind her to see several bulky armoured guards on horses chasing after her.

Thinking she tried to gain her composure, 'Ok, relax Samantha. No one is going to find you. They are just going to pass by you" waiting a few seconds she watched the guards gallop by her.

Relieved this time she was going to get away from this royal life of hers.

Noon came and she arrived at a little inn called, 'The two headed horse inn'. It was homey and comfortable to sit at the chairs near the bar.

The noise was deafening, over the noise she asked the bartender, "Water please" She ensured the place had no guards drinking in it.

The bartender nodded, threw water into a glass and passed it to her.

A man staggered up to her and said, "Now what is a girl like you doing at a bar like this?"

His smile was yellow and his eyes wondered around her body.

Calmly she said, "Sir, please leave me alone…"

Looking at the bartender he said, "Get this girl a beer."

The bartender poured a drink passed it to her. She looked at the drink, it was bubbling with foam. The man next her came closer to her. She impulsively threw the drink into his eyes and ran out the inn. She jumped onto the saddle of her horse and galloped off.

Stopping at a temple she tied her horse to a wooden pole and entered the holy place.

Passing a group that was fighting she walked up to the statue in the middle of the room, put her hands together and sat down to pray. Her hood was still up and her heart was beating in her chest.

Listening to the fight she heard one man shout, "What are you saying, that dragons are bad!"

Another shouted, "No, I didn't insinuate that. You as a dragon master should know that dragons have a temper and most of the time misunderstood. Short stuff"

The other man said, "Well, when dragons are threatened they naturally have a temper, or ells they wouldn't survive."

Standing up from the floor a priest dressed in a brown robe walked up to her. He was a wizened man and he looked like he could help her out.

He said in a soft tone, "Don't listen to them. They have been fighting here since the morning."

"Father, Does a princess have to be one?" she asked

The priest said, "On my opinion if they don't want to be one then they don't have to be."

Smiling she thanked him, "Thank you…"

A small breeze blew her hood off and the priest gasped, "Your Samantha!"

Clasping her hand over his mouth and she said, "Please father don't tell anyone. I want to run away. I don't like this life. Living day in and day out in that high tower. The maids helped me escape"

Her eyes flicked around, she continued, "I only need some place to stay for the night"

Looking at her he said, "If you want to hide. Then you have to change the way you look."

"And how would I do that?" she asked

Laughing he dropped a coin in the charity box, "Dress as a nun, hide your eyes with make up and bang you're different"

Smiling she knew he didn't know much of women and said, "It's just crazy enough to work"

The priest took hold of Samantha's hand and led her into a room. He let go of her hand and said, "I'm just going to get the robe, child"

The room was a bedroom, a small cramped room with two small tables, a bed and a closet. Watching as he dug in the closet he pulled out a black and red robe with a black hood; the markings on the hood was elven it read: 'Priestess Merniva"

He said, "I'm sorry, but this is all we have. This is Merniva's robe." handing her the robe he said, "Here you go"

Bowing quickly; her head bowed low she said, "Thank you"

He motioned her into another room and he exited back into the foyer. The room she entered was beautiful and looked stylish, with white drapes and a golden imbedded cross in the wall. There however was no windows, it was a bit stuffy.

Closing the room door she took off her robe and pulled on the robe the priest gave her. Looking at her self in a mirror in a corner the red robe was a bit long for her; the cloth hung to the floor and her hands were gone from sight. "Maybe one of the nuns could fix this."

Pulling the hood over her head and she barely recognized herself.

Giggling she opened the door and walked out the room and into the entrance hall.
Finding the priest standing by a shrine of a god she watched as he tried to light a fire in front of a statue of a god; the god had two swords in his hands and had a fighting stance. The small fire boomed to life as he brought the in-scents closer.

Turning away from the shrine he said, "I barely recognise you." His wizened face was enveloped in smoke coming from the fire and he waved it away.

"Really… I mean doesn't this look a bit big. I think it was better that I was hidden in peasant clothing, I blended more into the citizens' crowds"

Smiling his white teeth showed, "If you think it is better… You may come here as a peasant or even as a priestess." pointing at the front entrance, "but remember the imperial guards are looking for a missing princess."

Looking at the statue once again she turned her gaze to the guys who were fighting earlier. The two friends were sitting far from each other on the same wooden bench.

Waving to the priest she walked down and passed them. The one at the end of the bench grabbed her arm and said, "Your not going out there alone are you?"
Responding she said, "I don't know." She pulled his grasp from her arm.

He said, "I'm Lanier and my friend here is Nick. We could escort you back home"
Moving closer Nick lifted his arm and hit Lanier's head, "We can't, and we have a job you know. Not escort pretty looking girls"

Shaking her head she walked out of the temple and took the rains of her mare. Walking down the road, she was rather tired and she hadn't drunk anything.

[Christalnightshade]

Pleased with this she was going to get away from this royal life of hers. I couldn't edit the work so I dropped what I edited in here.
That is it for now. Take your time in replying, I know it is frustrating trying to read sentaces starting with Walking, Looking and Jumping. Just bare with me and please critisize as much as you can.

[Christalnightshade]

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