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The Prince and the Pauper
The Prince and the Pauper
The ground was getting softer the farther away Vinnie ran from the castle gates. Living in the soft marsh of the woods she was used to it. The guards following her did all they could to keep up. When she thought she was safe from their sights she tried to hide. The guards walked nearer and nearer to her hiding spot. Vinnie’s heart raced so fast she thought for sure they could hear it. “How I wish I had a prince to come and save me. Then he could sweep me off my feet and marry me. Then I wouldn’t get into this mess anymore.” She thought.
The guards seemed to retreat. They walked back the way the came, towards the castle. When their footsteps disappeared Vinnie came out of hiding. She sighed and started to walk towards her house. Suddenly the guards ambushed her. They walked around the area in a small circle and had her now. The savage guards held her by the wrists and raised their swords high in the air. “Please, DON’T!” she shrieked as their swords glimmered in what little light shone through the trees towering above.
She closed her eyes tight waiting for the pain to come. She only hoped that the guards would end her life quickly. The grip around her wrists suddenly loosened. She opened her eyes to see the guards turning around. A large canine like beast was snarling down on them. Even now that she was free, the fear this beat instilled in her bound her feet and mouth. She couldn’t move. The guards, cripplingly scared, tried to attack the beast. Its fangs quickly grabbed the blades and crushed them in its mouth. The guards proceeded to run but the beast massive powerful paws swatted them to the ground. Vinnie managed to close her eyes in time to not see their horrible demise. Now she cowered in fear of her own demise.
The beast slowly approached her. It opened its gaping mouth and Vinnie cringed closing her eyes. The beasts coarse tongue gently caressed her face. It nudged its head against her and she tried to back away slowly. Lowering its body, the beast stared at her. Vinnie felt compelled to stand up and climb on the beast. She climbed on its back and felt the warm soft fur in her hands. “You’re not exactly a prince, but you saved me all the same.” She said hugging the beast. She was confused. “Do you have a name?” She asked it. In response the beast turned its head to look at her. It whined. “Right, like I could understand you anyway. I’ll just call you prince.”
The beast stood up. Vinnie was frightened of the height she was from the ground. It was as if she was riding a horse sized wolf. Maybe even bigger.
The beast ran around the forest with Vinnie holding on tightly. It finally emerged from the forest appearing behind the old church far from the castle. It slowed its pace and walked slowly to the church. An old priest greeted it with a smile, petting its face as it lowered itself, allowing Vinnie to get off. “My lord you have returned so soon. Is this the one you have chosen?” The wolf let out a bark. “I see. Very well then. Come my lord. And you two girl, there is much to discuss.”
What Vinnie didn’t know was this was the start of a long and perilous journey for her, and she may very well lose her life.
End chapter 1
Chapter 2
(Narrated by Vinnie)
I sat on the floor at a small table with the old priest. The beast just sat beside me listening intently to the old man. I believe he must have been insane. The wolf would bark when he was done and the old man would respond like he was having a conversation with it. I just wanted to leave and go home, but I feared the beast may attack me. Suddenly the old man’s eyes flashed at me. “Yes?” I asked, thinking I had done something wrong.
“The master allows me only to say this. He is cursed and has chosen you to help break his curse. Take this.” He said handing a necklace to me. “Wearing that you will be able to hear our lords true words. When he feels the time is right, he’ll tell you his story.” The old man smiled get up and leaving the room.
I could only stare blankly at the old man as he left. My eyes then went towards the necklace. It wasn’t very pretty at all. But supposing I should, I put it around my neck. “This is crazy.” I said aloud with a sigh.
“Heheh. You’re telling me. No one told me I’d have to deal with stuff like this when I got my new title.” I heard a voice say from my left. I turned my head, thinking that was impossible, the beast is sitting there. I looked and saw only the beast staring back at me. Its mouth moved but I heard no bark. “What? Is there something on me face? IS IT A SPIDER? If it is get it off.”
I shrieked and jumped back. “What’s going on?” I started to stand up and walk away backwards very slowly. “You can’t talk…”
“Who are you to tell me what to do?” It asked standing up and walking towards me.
“I’m not telling you what to do… you’re an… animal. Animals can’t talk.” I was about to turn and run when a hand rested on my shoulder. It was the old man.
“I guess we should explain a bit more.” The old man laughed. I looked up at him, my eyes saying the message the I need not say. ‘Ya think?’ “This beast you see before you is nor ordinary animal. You know that recently our King has passed away. This is his only son. The prince.”
“The prince is a wolf?” I looked at the old man now knowing he was crazy. “If you don’t mind I just want to go home.”
“The lord’s personal assistant, Nol, had placed a curse on him. The curse turned him into exactly the kind of animal he is. A proud, noble, majestic beast of beauty and might. He need to defeat Nol to remove the curse so he can become king. So say the prophecy. He needs you to help him fulfill that prophecy.”
“Why does he need me if I should choose to believe any of this is real?”
The beast came over and put his paw in my face. “Thumbs. You have thumbs. Get it now?”
“NO!” I yelled. I grabbed the old man’s hand and shoved it in the beast’s face. “HE HAS THUMBS TOO!”
“The lord is to choose the person who will accompany him. That is the prophecy.” The old man spoke moving away.
“Why did you choose me?” I asked the beast annoyed now.
“Because I saved you, so you owe me. Plus it will be nice to have someone to talk to. This old man is no fun to talk to.”
“If you don’t mind master, preparations are ready.”
“Ah, alright. We’ll be right there.”
And from here, I know I was going to be away from home longer than I wanted. I only hoped my mother could hold out with out me for a while.
End Chapter 2
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