I ran with all my strength. Dominic was already in his lion form chasing after me.
Behind him were three of his body guards.
Two were tigers and the other was a wolf.
It was just a matter of time for them to catch me. But i was determined to never let it happen, only the gods knew what they'll do to me.
I sighed in relief when i saw the market and ran towards it. Loosing these predators would be easier because i knew my way around the market.
I ran under a vegetable stall and immediately turned right. I transformed quickly back into my human form and slid inside a pig stall.
I waited for a long time making sure i was safe before i came out of my hiding spot.
I looked around the market lost, i had no place to go to.
I couldn't stay outside because of the predators around.
I began walking towards the temple.
Maybe the gods would save me.
The Temple was at the centre of the kingdom.
It was a place where every one prayed to our goddess clopin.
According to legend, goddess Clopin was the creator of animals.
She fell in love with the god of creation, Hugo.
One day, Hugo created human beings, Clopin saw that he loved his creation so much, she decided to gift his creation with the ability to transform into animals.
It was a crazy story which I find hard to believe.
When i reached the temple, i walked towards the alter and knelt down.
A little temple boy approched me and offered me an Bay leaf oil.
Bay leaf oil was known to chase away bad luck.
I applied the oil on my forehead and stared up at the sculpted figure of our goddess Clopin.and prayed.
"Help me goddess clopin. I have no one in this world. I am alone. Please help me survive. You are the only one that can help me. "
After praying i sat on on a chair which was made available for those that came to pray. I watched as people came around to pray.
I looked around the temple and still marveled at its size and beauty.
The temple was decorated with golden statutes. These statutes were twelve in number. Each statue represented a god. There was six at my left and six at my right hand side.
The Temple was really high, the temple walls were decorated with pictures which told the story of our people.
At the alter was the statue of Clopin. In Cipriano we worshiped Clopin. We also prayed to other gods like Areya, the god of vegetation.
My thoughts was interrupted by the loud noise of people outside. I noticed there was tension inside the temple.
I called one if the temple workers, an elder lady.
She wore a white gown with no shoes. She had on a red cloak and her arms were decorated with markings.
"what is the noise all about ?" I ask.
"The princess just arrived at the temple" she answered and quickly left towards the temple entrance.
I have heard about the princess. Her name was Catherine. People said she was a very terrible person.
I turned around towards the temple door and could see her as she walked majestically towards the alter. Behind her were a dozen servant girls.
When she got to the alter she knelt down and prayed. I wondered what she prayed to the goddesses about, the girl was already living a lavish and exotic life.
I watched her as she prayed.
Princess Catherine was very beautiful. She had big brown eyes with cherry red lips.
She had long brown hair that reached her waist.
She was putting on a red dress, it was beautiful and looked expensive.
She wore a big round golden earring and tied a red scarf on her head.
After praying, she opened her eyes and stood up in a very majestic manner.
She made a sign to one of her servants and the lady presented a box to the high priest. She opened it and it was filled with fancy oils.
"High priest, please accept my offering to our goddess" she said.
The high priest thanked her and accepted her gifts.
I thought she would leave but she turned around to address us.
I rolled my eyes and scoffed.
Ofcourse, her aim was to make us support her father, Prince David
It was not a secret that the late king's brother David wants to become the next king. But unfortunately for him, the late king had an heir.
I was not in the mood to listen to her speech so i stood up and left.
I needed a place to spend the night. It was not safe for preys like me to spend the night outside.
I went from house to house begging for a place to sleep but i was turned down.
I was dejected.
i walked aimlessly for more than an hour and came across a brothel.
A brothel is not a place i would ever want to go to but i was desperate.
I walked into the brothel feeling out of place.