Nafplion

1753

Eden’s mother Tricia Dreyhart was a wonderful woman that went down in history for her kindness and devotion to help others when in need. The poor that were always shunned by the Riches and naturally the Royal family, she sneaked some fruits and fresh bread to them whenever she could. No one batted an eye when she did these kind things, her devotion was admirable by many even the Royalty admired her. Until one night it all changed.

Tricia was in the amidst of prepping to sneak off with many different fruits and some fresh bread to give to the citizens of Dreyfen, to be exact the Poor. She shoved it into a pocket of her well used cloak before putting on her leather shoes to blend in.

Her outfit consisted of all worn leather that looked like what either the travelers wore or the Poor wore and a midnight black cloak that seemed a few sizes bigger than her. Her golden blonde hair was bright against the night sky, a small smile quirked onto her lips -- excited for her second journey of the week.

Tricia gathered the last bit of things she needed before leaving the place she called home, flipping on the cloak’s hood to hide her identity from the guardsmen and stealthily sneaking away into the night.

She walked along the stoned pathways until she reached the point where she needed to go, skipping happily to a few men and women who were huddled into a corner for warmth in the freezing cold air. Their leathers were worn to bits, barely holding together. Their faces so pale with many dirt specks from lying on the grassy grounds and a few mud piles. Tricia felt a pang of sympathy and wished she could do so much more but she was only a Lady and Ladies do not hold a lot of influence like the Royal Family. She went over to them, smiling softly. ‴Tis lovely to be back and I got some fruits.″ Her voice was melodic, it was like she was singing when she wasn’t.

One of the woman, Risa stepped forward on shaky legs but smiled warmly back but it doesn’t reach her eyes. ″Thank you, Lady Dreyhart. ’Tis is very kind of you.″ She rasped out.

Tricia dug through her cloak’s pocket and grabbed the fresh bread slices and handing it over to Risa with a very gentle smile. ‴Tis is no problem. Hopefully my next journey here will be with fruits and some newer leather.″

Risa collected the bread slices before handing it to Cay. ″You’ve done so much for us already. We do not want you to get caught by the Royals.″ Like always, Risa was being very rational with this ongoing situation. Risa always tried to get Tricia to stop giving them fresh food and leathers because It could cause Tricia a lot in the future if she does get caught. Yes, she hasn’t been caught for four years now but the fear still lurks within Risa as she deeply cares for Tricia like a sister.

Tricia dismissed the thought, because she was confident that she wouldn’t get caught. ″You worry too much, Risa. It’s been four years and It’ll be fine. I’m confident it wouldn’t happen but if it manages to happen. I will be fine.″ She reassures Risa.

Cay who was listening to this conversation between the two women decided to speak up and unsurprisingly takes Risa’s side. ″Risa is right to worry. Just because you haven’t been caught in four years doesn’t mean you would never get caught. ’Tis is treason and the Royals will never accept you doing this when we are shunned upon on a daily. I worry for you, Lady Dreyhart.″ His gruff voice filled the air, worried lines were apparent on his face. He had a close relationship with Tricia, like a father would as he was old in his late 50’s and has seen the worst of the worst in his time.

Tricia looked over to Cay, a small frown appeared on her lips as she looked at Cay who looked more worried as the days went on it seemed. ″I know but it doesn’t matter at this moment. Let me fetch the fruits.″ Yet again, dismissing the topic and changing it.

She dug through her other cloak’s pocket and fetched a few fruits before handing it to the quiet couple who were chattering away until seeing the fruits that were passed to them.

Dan gave a hesitant smile to Tricia. ″Thank you, Lady Dreyhart. May the gods be with you.″ His very raspy voice spoke and his usual saying came again.

Tricia nodded. ‴Tis is not a problem. In a couple days, I will be back with more fruits and leathers to keep you warm and fed. After that, I may have to pipe down on my journeys to keep the suspicion away.″

Risa had a very uneasy feeling in her gut the whole time Tricia’s was here and somewhat beforehand. She didn’t know what it was, but she knew it was very bad but she didn’t know how to put it out into words to Tricia. She decided to leave it be, but little did she know nothing would ever be the same.

Cay nodded understandingly, he knew she had to pipe it down before the Rich or the Royals start looking her way in a new light. He, himself was once a nobleman for thirty five years of his life before he made a foolish decision that banished him to the Poor for the rest of his life. He regrets it to this day but never can take it back. He dreams of taking it back but reality always sinks in. He spoke. ″We all appreciate your kindness, Lady Dreyhart. We wish you a safe journey back to your home and your husband and newborn.″

The quiet couple nodded, like they agreed of what he said as well as the mute Janis.

Risa quickly hugged Tricia as a ‘see you soon’ kind of gesture which Tricia returned. ″Send a greeting to your husband and your newborn. ’Tis was a lovely time to see you again. It will be also lovely to see you again.″ Risa gave a warm smile despite the uneasy feeling growing and growing as every second passed.

Leon, Tricia’s husband and the bundle of mischief. He is from the Royal Family, the cousin the future King. Leon always has the a glint in his eyes that showcase mischief, known for small to big pranks in Kingdom Dreyfen. His uncle -- the current King sometimes joins on these mischief adventures no matter how bad they may seem at times. Leon isn’t a sappy romantic like most are, he isn’t much for commitment in the earlier years as he slept around quite a lot before he met Tricia. He’s not too much of a affectionate type and Tricia doesn’t mind.

Tricia nodded before speaking one last time before she will head off. ″I will see you soon, my friends. Be safe.″ She smiled before walking off into the distance.

She was walking along the quiet pathways that filled with deserted stalls that had old expired fruits and stale breads piled on it. The only sounds were being heard was her slightly silent footsteps, the hoots of owls in the distance and the soft mewls of a kitten.

She went over to the sound of the mewling and found the small baby kitten that was filled with dirt. The fur was a light shade of brown, the eyes were a bright green and the tail was light brown with a bit of pure white at the tip. Tricia slowly went over to the baby kitten and lightly petted it. ″What are you doing out here, little cutie?″ She murmured, curiously and in awe.

The baby kitten mewled and purred in response, happily taking the attention. No sight of injuries, just a lot of dirt she concluded. She wasn’t sure if this was one of the many strays’s or not but it wasn’t fair to keep the poor kitten cold and alone so she decided to take the kitten home.

As she was about to pick up the baby kitten, a strange noise was heard -- a terrifying howl that spooked off the kitten into a different direction far away from the noise.

She tensed for a moment before murmuring. ″It’s just a wolf, silly me.″ She looked around cautiously anyways because the fear was still lurking after that howl.

She shrugged it off before continuing her journey back home to her husband. Zoning out along the way but somehow keeping on trail.

Another howl was heard but it was much more closer but Tricia was too far off in her own mind to hear. It wasn’t until beautiful yet deadly snow white wolf that seemed slightly bigger than her appeared in front of her that she knew she should of listened to her instinct.

The last she thing she saw was the white wolf charging at her before the world went black.

The next morning her dead body was found in one of the alleyway’s. She was mauled to death, very deep scratch marks on her chest that easily ripped through her leathers that seemed very gory. Organs were spilled out, a huge bite mark on her leg that was close to the bone and a large scratch mark near her neck. It was a very gruesome death and everyone knew about it the second her body was found.

Everyone mourned her death like she was a close friend, relative, etc. Even the Royal family as they never expected this and she was mauled in the middle of Kingdom Dreyfen, not even close to the outskirts. It was clear to them, a werewolf did this but whom? that was an unsolved mystery.

1761

Leon never stopped mourning the death of his beloved even after eight years have passed. His and Her daughter Eden just turned eight two weeks ago and he was happy then for Eden. His mischief was no longer apparent as it dulled to nothingness as his beloved died a very horrible death.

Yet, he would never make Eden worry or be sad if he is too closed off. He put up a happy persona for her that almost seemed real but in the inside he felt so dead. It was for her, his beloved would want him to give the world to his daughter and so he would with the best of his abilities.

His own father, wants him to marry another woman to gain alliances with other kingdoms but he refuses and his uncle doesn’t force it upon him ever. His uncle and himself were always close but they got closer over these years since Tricia’s death.

He wishes to better for his daughter and he wants to try his hardest even if it is so painful without his beloved at his side.

1763

The hope, the fake facade he held up for his daughter was now gone.

For the past year that is,

he drowns himself in bourbon and wine everyday.

Becoming a man who nobody knew, constantly reminding his daughter Eden how she looks like his beloved in very negative way.

Eden didn’t know what was wrong with her papa, she blamed it on herself as she cried herself each night to sleep.

She didn’t know what changed in papa in a matter of two years, he was lovable, protective and caring just two years ago and before that.

‘What changed, was it me? is it my fault?’ that was on her mind ever since the day he changed.

She knew he drank multiple glasses of the same drink each day, she thought it was a normal drink like water or juice.

She didn’t know what to do, one night she called Uncle Fabian who was the future king and the cousin of her papa.

He answered within three rings. ″Eden? Everything good?″

She sobbed loudly and that very much alarmed him. ″U-Uncle, is it my fault papa is so mad and mean? i-is it me?″ She stuttered before sobbing again.

″Darling, it isn’t your fault. Your Papa just is having a hard time coping with.. your mother’s passing still. Do not blame yourself, take deep breaths and give your papa time. Time means everything.″ Uncle Fabian spoke, with a steady voice even though some words were painful to say. He knew of how his cousin has been acting, He didn’t know how to really help in this situation but just give advice.

Eden tried to stop crying, eventually calming down after a couple deep breaths. ″I’m sorry Uncle.″ She murmurs, feeling guilty at calling him this late.

″No worries, Please rest and never blame yourself. Send your papa my regards and remind him of a meeting in a week. I love you, darling.″ He said, with a softer tone at the end.

Eden murmured. ″Of course and I love you too, Uncle.″ She had a small smile on her face before she hung up.

Then she went into a peaceful sleep, dreaming of many wonderful things. Where no worries lie, just peace.

This may not seem important but it is. As the white wolf will become a main character. ;)

The rest of the book is in present time, from time to time there will be flashbacks for Eden and some of the other main character’s pasts. I will obviously put a warning to let you know beforehand.

This is my first attempt at a book like this, so go easy on me?

x mil