Chapter Two

Chapter Two

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A dark force stirred Deep in the mountains. This darkness stirred slowly, awoken by a shift in power that no one knew about yet. Its conscious Slithered and stretched and took stock of its surroundings. A band of thieves and a cult were nearby; it took over all their minds making them do its bidding spying on everything now. He Found The castle where the artifact lay, but it was too soon to act he was still weak, Then in his minds eye he found a girl a girl who just became a druid. She was perfect in every way. She MUST be his. But he needed to be stronger so he mush wait.

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She awoke the next morning, Feeling like she had gotten no rest. She had her Servants help her get ready for the day. She ended up going with a simple Dark Pink Dress, which was very plain and good for horseback riding, which is what she was planning on doing. She went downstairs to join her father, and some of the other nobles, for breakfast. As she walked into the dining hall she saw Ayren Sitting next to her father, the only other Spot was next to Ayren.

 

As soon as she sat next to him a Servant came to take her breakfast Order, she ordered her usual meat, Fruit, cheese, and nuts its the simplest thing and wouldn’t take too long to get to her.

 

“Good Morning Daughter. I have some news,” Her Father said hesitantly “I Have Invited Prince Ayren to Live With us for the next 6 Months.”

 

Izara Sat there a little taken aback, But she knew once her father made up his mind that there was no changing it. “if that is Your Wish Father then who am I too argue,” She said Gently. Her Father Beamed Proudly At her< and she saw a Huge Smile on the Prince’s Face as well. Her Breakfast Arrived and she Quickly Ate Eager To get to today’s Studies.

 

Izara was studying with the Druids and had been for the last 6 Years. She Had learned a lot from studying with them And tonight she was going to be a full Druid. Her Mother was a Druid when she and her father met so she wanted to follow in her footsteps.

 

Out in the gardens she practiced the magic the druids have taught her But little did she know that someone was watching her.  The Prince looked on From a nearby Tree, he admired her more for learning Druidic magic, Possibly the Hardest to master. At this Moment he knew that this is the Girl who would win his heart, now he just had to win hers.  As he was watching animals started to appear, Little Squirrels and chipmunks at first, and then larger and Larger Animals, A Great Grey Owl Landed on her shoulder. And a bear Came Walking into the Garden. This Made the Prince Nervous, so he revealed himself after an hour of watching Her.

 

“Princess, There’s  a bear behind you.” He said drawing his sword, the Bear Roared at Him. “ Stand Back and Ill Protect you.”

 

“What are you Doing here Prince Ayren? Spying on me?” She Talked to the bear and the Bear lay on the Ground next to her. “these animals will not harm me They are my companions, they come every day to see me.” The bear Made a happy Purring sound while still staring Daggers at the intruder. “Now Prince Ayren, I Will ask you to leave, this is my Private Garden.” She Turned towards Him And Crossed her arms. He Sheathed his sword but did not leave.

 

“I would like to stay, at Your Discretion Of course I Rather Enjoyed watching you Practice. I’ll Not Interrupt again.”

 

She thought about it for a long time an eternity for him. “No. You may Leave now.” She waved her hand and dismissed him. He really Wasn’t surprised and left without another word.

 

All the tension left Izara’s Body when he left, and she went back to Practicing until the arch druid, Nester, Came to Get her and take her to make her an official druid. It was a small Ceremony, mostly communing with nature for a few hours then a small Druidic artifact.

 

After the ceremony she bathed in the Lake. Undignified for a princess but expected for a druid. Izara also didn’t feel like going home yet she didn’t want to deal with her father or the unwelcome guest. At was growing dark and she figured she should go back to civilized life. As she was dressing again she heard a crunch from behind, not close but close enough for her to be wary. She wasn’t afraid of animals it was humans that she was afraid of.

 

She slowly turned around and asked “Who’s there?” she waited a few moments and was greeted with silence, someone was watching her. It made her Feel uneasy being out here alone. “Show Yourself!” She shouted into the forest.

 

She stood there a few moments more and from behind a tree a Figure appeared. It wasn’t a figure she recognized. It was humanoid and seemed to be a male. He started to approach quickly.

 

“Stop. I don’t advise you come any closer.” She said, her Voice Wavering a bit But she stood her ground. The figure however didn’t heed her warning. When he was within 20 feet of her, she held up her hand towards him and Vines sprouted from the ground and twisted around his ankles and up his legs successfully stopping him where he stood. “who are you?”

 

The man Seemed human, late 20’s, he stood there entrapped by her spell, she knew though if she stopped concentrating on it for even a second he would be freed and the vines would wilt away. The man Continued to stare at her. When he finally spoke it was in a very Broken elfish. “I am Savan Heath. A Blacksmith from the nearby village. I'm sorry to startle you miss, But I’ve been lost in this forest for a few weeks. Yours is the First Face I have seen.” He tensed against the vines. “Can you Let me down Miss?”

 

She took a second to think, and as she relaxed a but he broke through the vines that were holding him. She Lost Concentration when he did, she Stepped away from him a few paces.

 

“Don’t come any closer or it’ll be the last thing you do.” She said threateningly. He raised his hands in an attempt to look harmless.

 

“I mean you no Harm Miss I only wish for food and Directions to the nearest Town.”

 

She held her hands out and conjured some berries. She Took the Kerchief she always carried and Wrapped the berries in it. “The nearest Place to rest is at My House.” She said Softly and held out the Wrapped berries For him to take. He closed the Gap Quickly And Fell to his knees in gratitude for the food.

 

“I am Eternally Grateful to you miss. What is Your name?” He stood and started following her.

 

Izara Debated on telling his her name or not but he would soon find out anyway. “Izara,” She Stated Simply.

 

“Izara… That name sounds Very Familiar.” He said, thinking, as they walked briskly through the forest.

 

“High Princess Izara of the Ironstone Kingdom.” She turned around when she didn’t hear his footsteps behind her. He was Now Kneeling before her his head bowed low. “You don’t have to kneel Mister Heath, I do need to get home and this is holding us up.”

 

He stood, and they both heard rustling in the bushes to her left. They waited, and tension filled the air. Ayren came stumbling out of the bushes and righted himself when he spied the Princess.

 

“Princess I…” He Saw the man standing near her. “Princess this man isn’t a druid he could be dangerous, Come here so I can protect you.” He said and drew his sword Assuming a defensive but aggressive position. Izara Stood her ground and even went so far as to step between the two men.

 

“I’ll do no such thing. You may escort me and my guest back to castle and you will not harm him.” She Said with authority.

 

“I…” Sensing this was an argument he wouldn’t win he gave in and Put His sword back in its sheath. “Very well I’ll follow you back then.” He let her take charge and lead the way.

 

It didn’t take long For them to reach the Castle. As soon as they entered the castle she summoned a nearby servant and got the man some food and water and a room in the castle for the night.  When Savan was taken care of she turned to Ayren.

 

“Prince Ayren, May I have a word with you.” She said sweetly, And with her tone he knew he was in trouble. She let him to the throne room. “I don’t know what your problem is, But I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself I have been doing it for a good number of years. I am Adept in nature magic tonight was just the ceremony to make me an official druid. There was absolutely no reason for you to follow me out into the woods.” She was too busy pacing back and forth to notice the amused smile on his face, then she finally turned around. “Don’t follow me again, Prince Ayren.” She Had her hands on her hips, and then noticed he was smiling at her Clearly amused by her speech.

 

“Yes Your Highness You have made yourself Clear. I however will follow you To my hearts Content.”

 

“Again with this boldness why do you insist on following me?”

 

“I find You intriguing Princess, you are much different from any other Woman I have ever met. Besides I want to find out more about you since I intent to Make you my Wife.”

 

She Stepped back in surprise. “ I have told you that is never going to happen, I will not marry someone for political gain…”

 

“Only for love.” He said at the same time. “Yes I know But I am going to make you fall in love with me.”

 

“You’re doing a poor job of it so far all I feel is annoyed.” She then turned and walked towards the stairs and went to bed. Izara Had Dreams about a creature tearing apart the land that night.