Saccura's Claim - Open

Lots Wilson waited for the princess on top of her black panther midnight. She petted the large cat saying " she will get here midnight that bear of hers knows how to keep her safe". She felt the cold and shivered. She did not like being out here in the cold but when it comes to duty the weather has no meaning. Besides she had no place to question her captions orders. She felt the large cat moving from side to side ready to get out of the weather just as much as she.

Prince Galium cut through the falling snow, driving his horse on through the wind and the deep powder. Predator plowed on relentlessly, his muscles working tirelessly. The Captiol of West Daangh was only a few miles away now, and he was bored of the road. He had left his royal escort behind, much to their displeasure. Their steeds had no chance of keeping up with Predator, however, and Galium wasn't worried about being attacked in this weather. He pushed his horse onward, not letting the minor discomfort of the snow blowing into his face slow him down.

At the city gates he emerged from the blizzard, barreling toward the guardposts. Galium thought that the guards were going to hurt themselves with their own weapons in their scramble to meet the rider who had appeared in front of them with no warning. He reared his horse and stopped him on the spot, a flurry of snow loosing from his thick cape and adding to the effect.

"Good afternoon," he said, "I was wondering if you could open the gates for me."

Saccura pushed her bear on, he was gaining speed and loosing time. As she neared the girl she sighed happily. A soldier on a panther mount stood out literally black on white in this snow. She slowly approached them; Windsock tired already. She felt bad for her let because it was fearfully true he was growing old and would not last another couple decades. No matter what those shaman and doctor, even vets put into him. It only gave him more side effects and less pain. Saccura slid off the thing, hitting the ground harshly.

"Saccura of West Daangh Capital; Princess. Are you my escort?" she narrowed her eyes at the girl, and made a very clear movement to show her proof; a golden pendant engraved with three names; Orven, Loucis, and Resciald. The three first kings of Saccura's kingdom. It was like an FBI agent with an ID. Only the royal family used it to remind commoners of their powerful position. If it were to be stolen, the kingdom might as well crumple in on itself. Saccura stepped away from her beast and pure out a pale white hand; as delicate as porcelain.

Lora got off her mount and taking the hand said "yes I'm your escort Lora Wilson lets get going my caption wont like to be kept waiting you made good time so far that is if your bear can keep going". she gave the hand a nice firm shake but not too hard. She hoped on her black panther and said "this is midnight". the cat let out a nice roar to let the bear and the princess she was ready to go as well they was good hands. Midnight pawed the snow with anticipation.

Lora petted her cat and waved to the princess as she turned her mount around and said "ready". she waited for the princess to get on her mount and head out.

Saccura looked up at the girl on her mount. She nodded her head an smiled lightly, returning to her bear. Windsock started to growl, rising his voice. And as Saccura slid upon him he darted off to the west; while the Captian was South. She screamed and clung to her mount; as he roared in a furious rage that bursts to life. A lone wolf was sprinting towards Windsock. Saccura gasped. "No Wind, you'll only hurt it!" the bear merely grunted in reply. She had no power over the polar bear as he tore at the brute. Blood stained his muzzle as he went down I the wolf with bared teeth.

Saccura screamed for the soldier to help her, and couldn't help but start to cry. She never wanted any animals to die for whatever reason and yet she knew the wolf would of just attacked her if Windsock didn't kill it. She clung to the neck of the beast, stroking it's fur as she silently cried her way through the killing. Windsock rose his head and turned it so he could see the princess, he whined with worry. Now lost because of the strong sent of blood on his nose he couldn't find the path. They had only ran about a mile but the trees were thicker here and neither of them could see the girl or panther. At the moment Windsock launched onto his hind legs and bucked Saccura off, flinging her into the wolf carcass. She screamed but the bears roar was ear shattering.

Xavier was riding Angel through the snow as they traveled to meet up with the princess. He was wearing his silver armor with his two katanas strapped to his back. He was sure that Lora could have handled herself well but the storm was what worried him. He didn't want to lose a soldier or the princess and would gladly put his life on the line before their's. Angel bounded through the snow with expertise, she was a natural her body was made to survive through harsh winters. But as a scream tore through the forest they both stopped and listened. Xavier knew instantly who it was crying out for help and Angel looked back to him whining wanting to run off to help her. All it took was a nod and she was off running at full speed and it wasn't long before they could see the bloody scene. Xavier slid off of Angel and began running out to her. The snow white wolf fell into place running out to distract the bear. She was nearly the same size as the giant anyways so she would be just fine. Dropping to his knees he tried to help the princess. "Miss? Are yu ok?" Even in danger he kept a respectful and proffessional tone. Xavier pratically grew up with the princess but as time went on he tried not to get in the way of her personal life.

Lora cursed under her breath "dame bear". "Lets go girl" the took off after the bear at top speed and when they heard the scream midnight let out a mighty roar. The big cat picked up even more speed and Lora got there soon for at this speed the cat would tire soon.

Lora saw the caption there and cursed again thinking she failed her mission and him. The cat slowed down to a steady run as they made their way over. Lora got off and walked over to the caption "sorry sir the bear caught me off gaurd won't happen again".

The bear roared less angrily, as more familiar faces appeared. He stood back on all fours and sniffed at Saccura. She patted his nose and let the Captain help her up. In his arms, she looked up with blood dripping down her right temple; the wolfe and not her own. "I'm...fine. It's nice to see you Xavier." she said softly and looked at Windsock, who had no intention of following Angel. "He's been I'll recently, I don't understand why he's acting like this. But that wolf could have killed me, it was not like Angel." she said loudly. The girl looked away when she saw the soldier and it probably looked bad that he was holding her like that. The princess broke away and mounted her bear again. Even with glistening red blood on her, she looked royal. "I had to come today to tell you something Captain." she said coldly, her chest tightening. "You must come back with us because the Queen is dead." she talked quieter now. No one outside of the family knew her mother was dead; until now everyone thought all was well in West Daangh Capital. After Saccura's mother past, Windsock had been getting sick. And the king had been depressed. There was never a darker day under her father rule. The family kept it a secret so that when prices arrived no one would think twice about it. Everyone had known this year was the courting year for Saccura. So it was normal. But all she wanted was to be alone and alive; free from power.

Xavier helped Saccura to her feet taking a look at the blood that was running down the side of her face. But looking closer he noiced that it wasn't her blood at all but the dead wolf's blood. He turned now to the poor thing and felt bad for it, he always had a love for animals but wolves they were majestic and mighty. But he couldn't do anything else at this point. Angel walked back over to see the body and whimpered nudging up under Xavier's chin. He turned to the soldier wanting to put her worry to rest. "Lora its fine accidents happen and I know you weren't too far from rushing in to save her. I just want you to learn from your mistakes it makes us stronger." He gave her a soft smile before turning back to the princess and her bear. "The good thing is that your alive and that Windsock hadn't turned on you."

He patted the side of the bear looking him over. "You are getting pretty old but don't give up on our princess just yet she needs you more than ever now." He knew that being in close quarters with the princess might have been a little odd through the eyes of other people but he honestly didn't care. He wouldn't deny that he cared about the princess' well being or maybe just about her in general. He felt the weight of the queen's death on his heart and he could only guess how it must have been on Saccura. He needed to stay strong and have a clear mind for the both of them. "This is grave news indeed. I'm at your service princess. Where and whenever you need me I'll be there." He he scooped up some snow an mounted Angel taking out a piece of cloth he mashed the snow into the cloth. When it was wet enough he leaned over to Saccura and wiped the blood off of her. "There now you look pretty again."

Saccura smiled, "And I was not before with a little wild blood on me?" she barely laughed, the gesture touching her. Her mothers loss surely was the sole reason she came out here but, was just as glad to see him again. She looked over at Lora and blushed; she was acting so improper with a commoner. "We'll head back now." she said in a professional tone and flipped her mount around. Windsock licked his muzzle a few times, the blood dissapearing. Saccura was worried about who she would see as a prince in the palace; and only thought about being a child when she didn't have to worry about things like that. When all she had to do was behave and play with friends, friends that were always there for her like Xavier. When they reached the gates, a guard snickered. "Prince Galium of Turpinlink has entered for you, I see you are bloody." his co guard forcefully kicked hi
And they opened the gates.

Windsock looked at the guard and growled, baring his teeth and snapping at his face. This made the man shut up. They entered and many people looked both shocked and delighted to see the princess. For she was still bloody on her back but a very nice person to her commoners. As a child she had no royal friends because Turpinlink was all old people besides the prince. So she played with everyone else. And many of them grew on her to become good friends; like Xavier.

Prince Galium took his time while inside the city. He expected that he would be tied up for the rest of the day once he introduced himself at the palace, and so he wasn't terribly eager to go there. He took let Predator meander along, making some mental notes instead of the physical ones he would be making if the falling snow wouldn't have ruined an open notebook. He expected his retinue to catch up with him on his way to the palace, if they didn't miss him entirely and arrive there first.

A few stray dogs came out along the way, possibly to beg for food, but turned away when they got near. Most other animals didn't like Predator all that much, and even most humans found him at least a little off putting, even if he was a magnificent beast. He was loyal, though, and a perfectly congenial creature as long you weren't foolish enough to attack either him or the Prince.

Lora nodded her head to the princess and turned Midnight around. she followed the princess keeping an eye out in the snow for any more wolfs for she wont let the bear take off on her again. It was her fault the princess looked all bloody. she took one quick look at Xavior and knew he was not angry at all with her by what he had said and she could not see why he was not cross with her.

When they got to the gates and the bear growled at the guards she was quickly at the side of the princess but saw no trouble as they was let in. she let a small sigh escape her as she petted the big black cat. she also noted some of the people did not feel safe around Midnight cause for a black panther she was bigger then normal and they thought she could not be tamed and when Lora did they thought it was wrong for they wanted her to have a horse. Her own family did not like it much but let her keep the cat. Some however was the op piste they loved the fact she had midnight for they felt safer when it was around. she watched the mixed expressions of the people of the city but just ignored it.

"No no you still looked stunning but blood doesn't suit you." He chuckled enjoying being able to see his friend once again. If it were not for the terms of which they were meeting things might have been a lot better. Xavier picked up the change in her tone and figured he should do the same. Things were fine when they were kids but now she was ascending to a level he could not follow. Maybe it was time to let his friend go... he prepared for this day but he still couldn't come to grips with it. "I'm ready to return with you princess." He gripped Angel's fur lightly and followed after Saccura. He took up the front and rode ahead a few times to scout out the area. He didn't want any more unexpected danger. But they made it to the gates in one piece which was a relief.

Xavier let the princess lead on from there as they entered the gate he caught the guards remark and as he rode up he stopped. The guard's eyes caught sight of the angry captain glaring down on him. No words needed to be spoken because he knew he would be enduring harsh punishment later. He was a gap behind the other two and he watched their expressions as some people look terrified or in awe. As Xavier came into view a few cheered and some kids came to pet Angel. He along with his pure white mount were a symbol of protection and the kingdom's good will and fortune. They protected and watched over the people like a beacon of light or a sword of justice wielded by the royal family. When the people moved back some he gave Angel a small nudge and she caught up with the others.

Lora stopped and watched some kids play a bit knowing the princess was safe once inside of the city but she wont let her get too far out of sight. She smiled as she watched them play and when one came up to the big cat bright blue eyes looking at her the small girl asked "can i pet the kitty". Lora knew she might not get some happy parents but she told the girl go ahead . she had to show just how gentle the big cat was. Midnight just stood there watching the little girl pet her upon the side of her head. Lora showed the girl all of Midnights favorite spots then told the girl "if you see one like midnight and I'm not around tell someone try not to pet it okay ". The little girl nodded. As she ran back to play Lora left to catch up with the princess with a look on her face of sadness for when she was little she did not play much but took on her fathers training with all her heart. She shook her head saying quietly to herself "no I had a great child hood for if not me and my long line of family loyalty someone else might try to use this spot to wipe out the royal family".

Lora took every thing so seriously hardly ever in a playful mood that people kinda drift away. She only seemed to get alone with Xavior when on duty did not talk to him much when she was off duty for she was off practicing with her sword. She also would explore the land where she was at getting to know the lay out to use against her enemy. She trusted her mount to always get her back home by leaving scent trails.

Prince Galium noticed a slight change in the atmosphere of the city. He recognized the mood: it was the way the people began to act when royals were nearby. He thought it unlikely that anyone here would know who he was without announcing himself, so he surmised that someone important had just arrived in the city.

Saccura smiled as the children swarmed the three of them. These three creatures were something of pride and great honor. Most children grew up to ride horses or oxen. It was a shame that not everyone got tigresses and wild serpents. Saccura sighed, "That will change when I rule." she said to herself quietly, realizing it was a lighter side to her having to rule. As the kids returned home, a few adults still waved eagerly and grinned lopsidedly. Windsock grunted and strained forward. The princess soon became tired of her blood stained coat, and as they reached the inner gates to the palace she peeled it off and set it in front of her. Without hesitation; the guard pulled the leevey and pushed down the first gate that led to the stables. An awkward black horse sat in Frinch's stable; her fathers award winning Rhinosaurus. She frowned. Saccura slid off of her mount and looked her Frinch. Her father must have been out. Without warning, windsock crashed into his own pit, the ground giving off a little vibration. She sighed and waited for the rest of them to set up their own mounts as she crouched down and curled her fingers in her bears fur. "I guess fath-King is out." she started but then cleared her throat. The girl had always called him father around Xaiver, it was never a problem either. But around everyone else it was a given that he be called king....no less and no more. Saccura stood, clapping her hands together to wipe some dirt off. Only a few flights pure white marble stairs and they'd be home free. Dangerous clouds hung low over the castle, threatening rain and lightning. Windsock was always terrified of thunder, Saccura heard him whimper as a clap of it boomed. "It'll be okay, I will send you upstairs if it gets worse." Saccura smiled comfortingly and the bear nodded. The war room was also an extra mount room for Saccura in times of a storm.

Prince Galium reached palace as the sun was begging to set. He gave the stablehands careful instructions regarding Predator before dismounting. Not long after he was walking into the main hall.

"Greetings," he announced loudly, before the herald had the chance. "Prince Galium of Turnpike at your service".