Traveling to the Cold Palace was a journey many hoped to never take, in their long lives as Werewolves. The Cold Palace was a death sentence, And for good reason, many who entered, never made it out alive. Hundred Years ago, the cold palace would be considered the Best place to be in, There was a compassionate Queen and Luna of the biggest pack of Belrig, A king and Alpha who listened to his people and a common respect between The Crown and its body. That was the Belrig my ancestors enjoyed, but the Belrig of now, was one that many wished would never exist.
There was insecurity in the kingdom, An unstable hierarchy between slaves and masters and more noticeably, A king whose true nature scared the world. The Hidden Beast Alpha, Lucan. All feared him, All who wished to live a long long life. The cold palace was forbidden if you wanted to stay alive, But She Was willing to die, if it meant She got to Kill The Alpha herself. ..
Erica's body shook again, She gripped the soft couch for support, It was the Hundredth time she was shaking in this godforsaken Carriage that Couldn't stop moving. She waited for the shaking to stop, before she released her hands from the grip and stabled herself on the seat, She stretched out her leg and let out a yawn, It had been a long journey from where she had begun and she knew only a longer Journey awaited her from here on.
"Erica You can Do this". Erica muttered to herself, She closed her eyes and Let out another long sigh. It was dark all around her and she loved the darkness as it helped her concentrate. She Calmed herself further and shut her eyes tightly.
The darkness disappeared suddenly, She saw dim lights that lit up the hallway ahead of her, There were people by her side, They seemed to be whispering at first but when she listened clearly she heard their voices clearly and understood what they were saying.
"You should be happy Erika, It's finally time", Margret One of her friends said as they walked further down the long hallway, Erika looked around, There were guards on every side and they looked at her keenly, She frowned, although she felt happy on the inside.
"Yes, I am It's finally time". She replied Just as enthusiastic as the friend on her left. She felt heated on her right so she turned to give her other friend a glance, She seemed down and refused to look ahead though their hands were linked.
"Nia?, What's wrong, You don't seem too enthusiastic as Margret, or me?". Erica asked concerned.
"Should I be ?, Are you Enthusiastic about Dying?,". Nia asked Scoffing, But Erica Felt no need to answer, it was very visible in her eyes that she was willing to kill The Alpha, so she gave her friend a short nod as a reply.
"Erica you could die!" Nia Shouted in a whisper, But Erica only paused to turn around making sure, they were looking at each other with their eyes.
"Nia, I lost the will to leave Five years ago when..... I have nothing left to loose".
Erica Opened her eyes, She felt exasperated, She Gasped for air, And looked around the place, She was still in the carriage. Erica reached for the window of the carriage, She opened the small Closing and inspected the Outside.
The weather was beautiful on the outside. The huge green trees reflected from the sun a beautiful luxurious green colour that attracted the eyes, She smiled as she watched any tree she place an eye on, disappear into the distance. The Carriage was fast, so She saw things for a brief second before they disappeared into Thin air. This was her third day of her journey from Crisan to The Cold Capital of Belrig and she still saw the warm trees, It was cold in Crisan as well, But As they passed through the states, Erica began to enjoy the warmth she felt from all the different states.
Still looking around, She wondered where they were now, She decided to ask the carriage head, Mr Trice.
Erica pushed herself out from her seat, and opened the second window. "Mr Trice!!", She called out as loudly as she could carry her voice.
"What may I Offer You Erica?". Mr Trice asked, His usually deep voice sounded more light as it travelled through the wind to her.
"Which State are we?", She asked, She had already made some calculations before, It generally took Two weeks to travel between all the state, but for someone with a fast carriage it was 12 days, a person Traveling from her state Of Crisan was roughly four days.
"We entered the capital not too long ago". Mr Trice said casually.
The smile on Erica's face faded into thin air, Her hand hung in the air for a while before she had brief realisation and brought it to her Laps, Her hands were shaky as she pushed herself back into the seat. The cold breeze that blew through the window Caused a shiver to run down her spine. Erica was scared and finally alert of everything, The realisation was deep and it caused a thrill in her.
"We are Here, We are finally here". Erica muttered to herself.
"Erica You have been summoned by the King", Kane said Ushering her out of her tiny room. Erica got up A little unsure of herself, but She quickly changed that by forcing out a confident smile and fixing her posture. Kane walked Behind her, he was far away for it to look intentional, but still close enough for her to know that she was being followed.
They walked down the hallway together, it was a silent walk for them both. Erica had no idea where she was headed to, So she felt strange leading the both of them when it could have been the other way around.
They were getting close to the end of the hallway when she heard the first and only command from Kane. "To the left, The first door and Good luck". Erica took the left turn, just like she was instructed, She kept walking Until she noticed a door, It was brown and seemed Normal until she got close to it. She stood in front of the door, "Do I go in?", She asked turning to the side But stood startled when she found the hallway empty, Kane was long gone and she was now all alone.
Erica was suddenly self conscious, She eyed the door carefully, It seemed like a regular door at first but it wasn't, First it was a door without a handle and then she noticed that it was slowly changing form, She stepped back immediately. The brown door contorted itself to form a design of a snake and a dragon, it was the symbol for the house of Savages. She eyed It carefully, though it seemed to be crafted From wood, The snake and Dragon felt Alive and well.
Intrigued, Erica stepped closer, She could hear the hisses and a roar that came from the dragon, The both animals were making a move at each other and only stopped when she stepped closer.
"What Do you seek Human?". She heard one of the animals say, But she was unsure which did. Nonetheless she Gave an answer.
"I seek the King of The Savages". She answered Bowing. She heard the hiss of satisfaction before the sound of the door unlocking and then the door opened.
Erica did not doubt anything else, She walked through the door with a calm mind. Staying in the mansion for so long, Erica was well versed on the legend of the magical door of The Savages. It was Gifted to Lugard Savage, The former Patriarch of the Savage Family and the Father of the now deceased Luna. It was a gift from the King and has since been A part of the Savage Family's history.
Erica walked into the cold dark room. She Felt cold immediately and rubbed her hands for warmth. She looked towards the door for a source of light but the doors closed behind her and it became more chillier. She couldn't see anything as it was pitch black. Erica took a step forward to find some light but she heard a voice that stopped her on her tracks.
"Kneel!". It was a chilly voice and she found herself reached fir the ground with her knees. She found the voice to be familiar, It was that of Derek Savage. No one knew how he looked like, especially Erica who had only ever met him twice, The second being here.
"I am only a servant To you Leader of the Savages". Erica said Raising her hands up to show respect.
"Very well, There is an object on your left pick it up and tell me what it is". Derek's loud voice echoed again.
Erika searched by her side, She touched a carved object so she Picked it up and place on her laps to inspect it more. It felt wooden at first Until she touched iron. It was so sudden that she cut herself on the sharp edges, It was a painful realisation as she felt her finger and the knife, they were wet from her blood.
"A Dagger My King!". She said with a single tear rolling down her eyes, Age felt suddenly dizzy from the Cut, Her gut feeling already told her that it wasn't a normal cut. She had been poisoned.
"The Dagger isn't just any dagger, It is one laced with the blood of the Alpha, The only thing that can kill him. You are now bound to this dagger, Your only goal is to kill the Alpha, before he kills you, Do you understand".
Erica's Head was spinning and she felt dizzy, She felt her body and mind slowly giving up , "I do!", She managed to say before her Body limped to the floor, letting out a loud thud. That day she has made the most important promise of her life, She was going to Kill The Alpha.
She opened her eyes, It was much brighter in the Coach, She turned to the source of the light, It was the door that was fully open. "Welcome to the Cold Palace". Mr Trice said to her.
The Palace in front of her was Huge, White Tall buildings, Huge trees and statues of past king’s that had ruled the Kingdom of Belrig. It was a large expanse of land that stretched far, She couldn’t see the End nor the beginning it felt endless. .
Her bag in hand and A wooden bix on the other, She stood in front of the huge gates of the grand palace, Confusion was clear in her face, Her head constantly spun around as she tried to figure the situation out. Something didn’t feel right, Everything felt unfamiliar.
“Mr Trice, I beg to ask, Where are we?’. Erica asked, She heard Mr Trice Close the door shut, before she felt him by her side. He grabbed her bag, but she pulled it away from him again.
“You seem on the edge,” Mr Trice said standing by her side, Erica gave him a side glance, She rolled her eyes and looked back to the gates. There were Seven guards at the gates, they seemed inhuman with their stoic expressions, But Erica saw their eyes move to their direction earlier, when they stepped out of the carriage. Erica held her bag tightly, She shifted to the side a bit,, She hated being close to Mr Trice. “You can’t be, This isn’t a place where being on the edge helps you”.
“I know”, She choked out, Mr Trice was a Character, One that Erica hated a lot. Mr Trice was a werewolf of the low rank, But he was a very pompous man. He was middle aged, clearly, all speaks of white hair filled his curly hair and his wrinkles were coming out. He was still undeniable a handsome man, despite being older now. Erica hated how he treated the slaves at the Savage Mansion, even though he clearly was a slave as well.
He got closer to her, She stiffened as she felt His hot breath on her neck. Erica closed her eyes tightly, “I understand”. She rephrased her statement, not giving room for Mr Trice to speak more. Her plan was a fail as he only got closer and closer, She tried pulling away, but he hissed forcing her to stay still, it was the harsh reality of being a slave, No matter the rank of the werewolf, they were still very superior. Mr Trice was old but he could tear her apart at any instance.
She felt tortured and hoped for a saviour as she felt Him getting closer to her.
"I see you have arrived already". Erica heard the soft voice of a woman forcing her to open her eyes. She couldn't feel Mr Trice's breath or presence around her and when she looked to her side, Mr Trice was now a feet away from her, He straightened his back to push the awkwardness away. It felt like a miracle To Erica making her to find the source .
A Young Woman stood in front of them. She was fair skinned, Her black locks was packed in a bun. She looked simple in her silk corset dress and Simple jewellery. She had her hands folded at her back and a calm half smile that seemed Forced considering the situation. Erica let out a Silent sigh of relief. She took a bold step forward to greet the woman. “My name Is Erica Reydes I was sent from the house of Savages to work”. Erica said bowing to the woman.
She bowed back, “Well, It is nice to meet You Miss Erica. My name is Gareth and I work as the Main Palace keeper.”. Gareth stretched out a hand for her to take and she did, Giving it a gentle squeeze. Gareth gave her a soft smile before Turning to Mr Trice who was still standing a bit uncomfortably.
“The Cold Palace thanks you for bringing a new addition to the palace safely. Thank you”, She bowed again, but Mr Trice felt too uncomfortable to reciprocate her politeness.
“Thank You Too, She is in safe hands now I believe?”, Gareth nodded, “Very well then I will be on my way”.
Erica watched Mr Trice Climb the Carriage, He Grabbed the ropes and immediately commanded the horses, She watched him keenly at first, but as the carriage went further away, her eyes drifted to the drawing on the curved Carriages, She felt the unsettling feeling in her gut, It was the Drawing of the Snake and the dragon. She remembered the most important thing...
"Never Let The Palace Suspect You, Or Your death would be like the ones before you, Cold and lifeless. "
