Forever Autumn: Shadows of Red and Silver- Part 3
((Another long awaited snippet of my story, it's alittle longer than the previous two. Feel free to send some ideas my way along with constructive comments. Enjoy :)))
The autumn sun shone bright through the little gap in the tree roots and glanced across Arianne's cheek, the silver of her fur shimmering in different shades as the light caught the single fur follicles. Her eyes flickered open, unfocused for a moment before she gave a gentle yawn, her canines glinting in the light.
Suddenly the relaxation was broken and she let free a startled snarl, her fur standing on end as she moved from a lying to an almost arched position, much like a frightened cat. "Easy darling'..." Todd whispered, stroking her already ruffled tail. Arianne huffed in agitation, pulling her tail from his grip, "Why the hell are you in my room Todd, you scared the fur off of me..." The male's eyes roved over her sun shone body and his tongue brushed over his lips, almost salivating, "I'm sorry..." he croons. Arianne rolled her eyes and leapt from her bed, landing nimbly on her foot paws before disappearing from the room. When would he ever learn she was one of the fastest of her kind?
After a wolfed down breakfast Arianne shifted form, stretching and bouncing on her paws as she riled herself up, ready for the days hunting. The larger dog fox, a beautiful fiery red muzzled her shoulder but she didn't protest. She yipped gently in appreciation and licked his ear before climbing out of the earth flanked by two others.
Today she would venture into the heart of the town disguised in wolf scent and a cloak to buy food for the others, her alluring shape and young female features would stop the wolves from looking too closely at her and finding her true identity.
The village was beautiful, a typical almost medieval appearance with the red and orange trees casting their leaves to form a carpet and the peasants' feet.
The village itself was spectacular, the heavily guarded castle looming in the mountainside, shadowed by the fortified walls enclosing it. At each corner of the wall stood a guard's tower holding the finest archers in the lycan guard. Any creature that smelled even remotely like a shapeshifter was usually killed where they stood before even entering the royal grounds. Although the castle gave the village a dark and deadly atmosphere the peasant village was quant and beautiful, the streets were lined with tiny straw thatched cottages, many of which would have a daily business including butchers, bakers and merchants that brought rare and valuable belongings from over sea to sell. The village and its inhabitants were surrounded by thick forest that encouraged wild animals that were often killed for food and wood that was cut down and sold off for building equipment and furniture making. A shimmering little stream ran through part of the village, offering somewhere for the children to play as well as fresh water that eventually lead into the sea. In a sense the village was trapped, mountains to the North, forest to the West and East and finally the sea to the South, the residents rarely left the island unless they owned a ship or could afford the immense fees to travel that were set down by the King himself.
Arianne stepped silently from the shadows of the cottages, her crushed velvet cloak hood pulled over her head, hiding her features almost completely apart from the tip of her black nose and the delicate feminine curve to her muzzle. Her body curved the delicate material of her golden gown, the corset top providing little to the imagination and if the wolves were as they had always been she would have no issues with distracting them from her face. She had managed to acquire the dress from her cousins before they had been murdered, giving her sufficient cover when she ventured into the village. The peasants did not harass royalty if they wanted to keep their lives so she began her exploration of the many stalls outside of the cottages. It was a busy Saturday, the peasants buying their food ready to prepare their Sunday roast and ensuring they had enough to get through some of the week before they had to buy again. She snaked her delicate paws out, handling the food briefly as to not leave her scent, the bottled wolf scent she had acquired did not take long to wear off.
One of the male foxes had followed her under Todd's orders, carrying a basket for her belongings much like any royal. She would hand over the food she purchased before waving her hand delicately so he would move away from her. She was a good actress and often enjoyed it back in her younger days when the kingdom was free and happy.
After buying the food, material and cotton she needed to repair clothing and feed the new youngsters she headed back to the forest.
Without warning a large paw wraps around her wrist, yanking her back to face the village, a deep rumbling snarl echoing around the clearing, "You think we wouldn't smell your vermin scent did you!" Raven had returned, the wound above his eye still healing. He yanked at her hood, his eyes dilating and focusing again when he realises just who she is, "Perfect..." he sneered. The male fox growled and stepped forward to help defend her, only to receive the hilt of a sword to his forehead that knocked him unconscious. "Oh, you were the one I bit right?" she spat angrily, her fur standing on end as she struggled against his grip. Raven growled again and slapped her sharply across the face, she fell to her knees with a light whimper. When the wolf raised his paw again to strike her another blow it was blocked by another, "Even a vermin female should not be struck!" Kasa snarled at the older wolf. Raven gritted his teeth and stalked off, shoving his sword back into its strap.
"Come with me..." Kasa sighs, tying her wrists with the thin cord and leading her back towards the castle.