"My King." Lady Elys states, curtseying as the rest of us take a knee. "Yelisviet (Thank you for this meeting). I have brought you two of the finest wolves I could find from this year's crop. I hope they meet your standards."
The king muses, as he stands up from his throne and walks towards us. His movements are graceful, for I cannot hear his feet touch the floor, smiling down upon us as if he is delighted by his gifts. He, the king of the race that enslaved us for years, to be so merry? It was shocking, almost as if he wished to be my friend.
"Velsie (Arise)," he says as Lady Isla and Brucian stand upright.
He then looks over to us, his calm smile making me feel uneasy. "Rise if you please."
I do so, yet my eyes feel like they are glued onto this man. It was almost as if I was being controlled, for I could not break away even though I willed it. The King breaks his stare and then looks over at Caspa, who stands in the same zombie-like state.
"My daughter and I require your services," he says, turning his back to us and looking up at the beauty.
"I will take you," he says, pointing in my direction.
"Fieva!" I hear the princess command, standing up in her chair. "Ilyvian tuw! Masa re yemenc!"
These words I was unable to understand. The king eyes his daughter, placing his left hand questioningly under his chin.
"Delum meh (My my…). Well Lady Isla, it has been decided. You may leave us."
With that, I feel Lady Isla push us past the court, yet my eyes stay on the princess' until she suddenly looks away. My mind begins to wander, unsure of what just happened. Yet, when Lady Isla chuckles, my attention darts to her.
"What is so funny?" I ask as Caspa's eyes shoot towards me, like I wasn't supposed to speak.
Lady Isla, of course, ignores me as I Brucian slightly shakes his head. I wasn't sure if he was laughing or just disapproved of my actions, but nonetheless, I shut my mouth. Instead, I inspect my surroundings as we are lead to a hallway near the east which strays to a white room. As the door swings open, my eyes strain to see what's before us: as a strong ray of light blurs my vision. Yet as we near, I can see a large bath. I want to jump in! The cool waters sit still as steam slowly rises from its core. I have not once had the pleasure of sitting in such a glorious bath…and I wish my mother was here to enjoy it with me.
On the side are some more Government officials, all elves dressed in white silk with dark brown hair and vibrant blue eyes. Mesmerizing they are, so much so that I have to dart my eyes away. And when I do, I am met with the stern face of Lady Isla.
"There are some rules in Eloisa that you dogs must follow, am I clear?" she states, as Brucian stands by her side.
Wolf guards suddenly enter the chamber, grasping Brucian by the arm and start dragging him away. He calls out to Lady Isla, his eyes wide with fear. Caspa and I can just watch, as my heart races. What is going on?
"First," Lady Isla continues as Brucian's screams disappear. "Is that any plan to overthrow Eloisa will result in death."
My heart stopped. She had heard our conversation…and now I'm responsible for another wolves death! Her smirk only solidified my reaction, as she took a step towards us.
"Next," she continues, "In Eloisa, you are not to speak until spoken to. You are your masters property, thus any disrespect will be treated by the lash, imprisonment, or death."
Caspa and I are silent, as I hear an elf approach: sliding the brown cloth off my body. I want to jerk my cloth back from her hands, flustered that I have to stand naked in Lady Isla's presence. Yet, I exhale roughly, feeling her push me towards the spring. The second my feet touch the water, I feel as if the scars on my back and chest where being healed. What was this place?
"Wolves are not allowed any attachments in Illandra," Lady Isla continues.
The elf leads me into the waters depths until I am fully submerged. To my left is a glass bowl in which the elf pulls out a sponge, cleaning me. I am rather uncomfortable, grasping the sponge out of her hand when she tried to go where she shouldn't. I begin to wash myself as she laughs…what strange creatures.
"Your masters may do with you as they please, but you may not touch them in any way. Such things are forbidden and unholy in our empire."
I couldn't contain my chuckle. I…be toyed with as if I was nothing but a trophy? I began to laugh when a sharp pain ran across my neck as a black band slips around my neck. The pain spreads to my nervous system, almost leaving me motionless as I begin to fall over like a lifeless corpse. Yet, I am stopped by the elves hands behind me as the pain starts to subside.
"That, Kaesar, is what will happen to you and any other dog who disobeys their master or any other elf in the Eloisa. Am I clear?"
"Yes Lady Isla," I say, feeling my mouth contort as I slowly get up, shaking off from the agonizing pain. The Government sure did know how to keep us in check. Even if I wish to turn into the black mist, doing so would be costly with this devilish collar. I have no choice but to obey.
"Good." Lady Isla purrs, as the woman in front of me takes a pair of scissors out of a basket. She grabs my face in her left palm, which is so smooth that I almost wanted to close my eyes and melt into it. With her right hand she studies me and begins to trim my hair as I see clumps begin to fall to the ground. My hair was rather long, shoulder length, and I never had any means to cut it. My mother wanted it kept long for it reminded me of my father, but it always got in the way.
"In your quarters," Lady Isla states, "your soul purpose is to guard the royal court. That is where you will spend your days and nights. You will be the King and Princess' guardians whenever they go. You will hold their umbrellas as the mutt did for me."
I scowl at her words.
"You will be by their side at all times and any task they wish for you to perform, you will do. Am I clear?"
"Yes Lady Isla," Caspa and I say together.
After her speech, I feel the elves hand fall from my face as she holds up a small mirror for me to see her handiwork. I stare at myself in disbelief. I am rather handsome, more handsome than I could have imagined. My blue eyes were similar to those of the empire; however, they are as dark as the depths of the sea. My hair is a dark black, like the mist, fitting my face. I have a rather strong but young face...
One filled with desire.