Valoria Kingdom
Shay stumbled through the woods squinting his eyes to attempt to make his way through the overgrown forest vegetation.
Life as a royal was not as glamorous as people made it out to be. Shay was being told what to do on a daily basis - when to eat, how to dress, when to attend classes, whom and whom he couldn't befriend, and what hobbies to enjoy - honestly - Shay wouldn't have been surprised if they made him breathe a certain way.
He had less than thirty minutes to get back to the town square with his catch. Though Shay loves archery, shooting or killing animals just for sport never appealed to him. Instead of killing the animals - the contesters were challenged with finding an endangered species that would be useful as a house pet.
If his father, King Davis ever got wind of this, Shay was sure he'd be punished. He shifted the bow on his shoulder and bounded past a tall oak.
The rain let up slightly and Shay moved faster, leaping over tree limbs and dodging branches. In the distance, he heard his fellow competitors whooping and cheering. They'd already found an animal but all he's managed was a couple of bug bites.
Gritting his teeth he kept moving until he ran into a clearing where he saw a young six-tailed fox two years ago.
Shay believed the baby had been abandoned by its mother - when he found her she was weak and shivering. After a couple of weeks of coming out to tend to her, she'd managed to heal enough to move around and play.
When his nursemaid at the time told his father about him venturing out to the forest - his dad, enraged, stormed the forest to search for the beast. Shay had followed them, hardly able to stay upright on his horse. He remembered screaming for Ember to run away.
His father had come to knock him from the horse to stop his shouting. Shay had been thrown into a tree, and it was hard for him to stand afterward.
He heard a familiar growl -Ember- she leaped out from behind the bushes, coming to land before him. Her six tails were swishing about wildly so close it tickled his nose. Her red-orange fur was sticking up, and her teeth bared.
She'd gotten so much bigger - her size rivaled his father's war horse.
"E-Ember..." Shay rasped, trying to push himself up into a seating position. "S-Stop! You n-need to r-run."
Ember did a slight head shake as if telling him: No. I will not stand by and let them hurt you. Stay here.
With a growl, she leapt toward the nearest guard and horse taking them down swiftly.
A moment later a ring of blue fire encircled him and a white six-tailed fox jumped from the brush. On its forehead was a symbol that looked like the fire element, its amber eyes studied him intently.
Amber had a child!
The fox gently nudged his arm, moving it off his leg before licking at his wounds. As if by magic - the blood began to dry up and his bruises vanished. The flame flickered, and the fox turned toward the direction where Ember was fighting, it whined as though it didn't want to leave.
Shay patted the fox gently on the paw and the creature stooped to lick his face once more before disappearing into the forest. When the flames died down, Shay stared in horror at the sight before him.
His dad was wielding his flame sword which he had through Ember's chest. She'd taken out the rest of his men, leaving his father standing. Many of the corpses were on fire thanks to Ember's rage.
Her gaze slid to his full of pain and sorrow. I'm sorry. Then she disintegrated before his eyes.
....
The memory still haunts him - even now. His heart pounds in his cheat and his hands begun to sweat.
He collapsed on the darkened patch in the grass where Ember died, tears stinging behind his eyes threatening to spill. branch cracked and he jerked to attention getting to his feet to look around. Figuring it was one of the boys he was competing with he released a sigh of defeat.
"You may as well come out. I heard you."
The vegetation was pushed apart, but instead of a couple of boys entering the clearing - a large white fox did. The fox came up to his chest - familiar amber eyes studied him. Ember's child!
Shay sunk back to the muddy ground, his shoulders slumping with relief. He still hadn't been able to figure out its gender, but he was glad the fox survived. The fox cocked his head - its gaze drifting to the darkened patch.
A deep voice filled his head, bouncing around his skull. He startled.
Were you there?
So. It was a boy.
Shay nods. "Yes."
You know we can communicate this way, we have a bond now.
Shay stared at the fox as though he'd spoken in a foreign language. Bond - with him?
Surely this must be a mistake or joke of some sort. He squinted his eyes at the beat waiting for the punch line.
This is no joke little one, my mother told me about your kindness. You took care of her when you were five - if memory serves me correctly.
Shay blinked, wiping at the tear the slid down his cheek. "She told you? I-I though she forgot about that."
An act of kindness such as what you did is unforgettable. The fox gently nudged his shoulder. I am grateful. If it hadn't been for you, my mother would've died and I wouldn't be here.
"How do you know we're bonded?"
Look at you arm, lift your shirt sleeve.
Shay hesitantly lifted his sleeve to see a glowing symbol on his arm that looked similar to the mark on the animals forehead. He looked up to see the symbol glowing on hi fox too, but the tips of his fur was ablaze with blue flame.
You can also hear me in your head. Is that enough proof for you? Do you not have a challenge to get back to?
Shay nods, flabbergasted.
The fox lowered its head. Climb on.
....
Shay's father and a dozen palace guards were waiting for him when he emerged from the forest.
No other animal was in sight as he took in the town square - everyone had gathered on the outskirts of his father's group to watch with curious eyes.
The other children stood there with smirks on their face. Each of them was holding a heavy coin bag - Shay's blood boiled.
They sold him out for gold.
His father studied him for a moment. "Shay, I though you weren't allowed to participate in these challenges."
Shay opened his mouth to defend himself but his dad held up a hand stopping him.
"Your so-called friend was happy to alert me of your mischief." he cocked his head toward a freckled boy.
Stan. He'd been Shay's closest friend - or so he thought. He met him a few months ago when he'd been searching the piles of trash on the edge of town for food. Since then their bond had been unbreakable - until now.
Shay's gaze slid to Stan's parens who looked as shocked as he felt. His mother was holding her round middle with both hands, eyes glistening.
He tore his gaze away to face his father who appeared to be calm - too calm for the situation.
Then Shay realized that this was an act.
If he hurts you, I'll kill him.
"Dismount." his father commanded climbing from his own steed.
Shay did as he said and watched his father approach him. He expected to feel a slap, but his father reached behind him instead. By the time Shay realized what was happening - his father had his wooden bow clutched tightly in a fist.
"Father-!"
Seconds later, flames engulfed the weapon and Shay stared in horror as his remaining gift from his grandmother was demolished before him.
Tears stung his eyes but he refused to cry. he balled his hands into fists praying it would be over soon.
When his father finished - his bow was a blackened piece of wood that crumpled when he dropped it onto the ground. His father left soon after, the crowd dispersing. Only Stan and his family remained.
Shay stared at the ramins of his bow for what felt like ages. When Stan approached him, Shay quickly backed away keeping his gaze glued to the cobbled street.
Sensing his discomfort the fox growled low in his throat. Stan stopped to stare.
"Shay, you - I didn't mean for this to happen I-"
"Go away Stan."
Stan blinked, his chin trembling. "Shay, please. You've got to believe me!"
"Stan-"
"My family needs the money - my mum, she's with child." Stan blurted. "My little sister. If I had know this would've happened I-"
"You what Stan?" Shay snapped. "What could you have possibly done? You got your reward now stay away from me."
Stan sniffled. "Please-"
"You were my friend - my only friend - someone I thought I could trust, but you went behind my back for gold." Shay seethed. "I could've given you twice that much had you told me what was going on."
"Shay, I'm sorry!"
"Are you really?"
Stan tossed the bag of coins at his feet. "Yes, I am." he sniffled. "Believe what you want, but I'd do anything if it meant earning your trust and friendship back."
Without waiting for Shay to reply, Stan ran off after his family leaving Shay alone.