6 Time

Belladonna's view:

For the past six and a half years I ran from the place I belong and in turn continued to reject it and myself. Over the last few months, I have been preparing for the day I make my move. Tonight was the night everything would change and it was as if everything but the people knew. The skies were thick with storm clouds, the forest silent, the rivers raging, yet the people were as oblivious as a newborn. I left the kingdom for the first time in weeks to travel the half days journey to my old pack. I watched silently from the forest as they had children running and playing, warriors training, teens making out, and smoking, the alpha was talking with my siblings as my sister held tight to what was once was supposed to be mine. For every minute I watched a memory would resurface. Growling a few miles away caught my attention but not theirs. I watched as the rouges who had been stalking the sidelines charged the pack from two angels quickly dispatching the older guards. I watched as they screamed and bleed but desperately fought. Pulling up my hood I vanished through the thick brush leaving them to face karma. I always craved a vengeance but had always refused to return, who knew that when I did Id witness the very karma Id begged to dish out.

Once back to my camp sight I got to work sorting my minimal possessions and stuffing them into a bag I found a few years back and was able to patch up. Crossing a nearby river I stashed it the roots of an old weeping willow. Today was the day and as I breathed one breath I thought about how it was one of the last few that would be of freedom and how soon a new set of shackles would be placed upon me. Shaking loose the thoughts I analyzed my look and made sure it fit all needs from practicality, maneuverability and versatility, and overall stealth. Combat boots with an ankle knife on both feet, hunter green cargo pants littered with small blades and potions, one old but reliable belt sword, A newly fitted blacktop that covered everything but hugged the curves I had gained over the years. Lastly, I had my trusty dagger necklace the best purchase I have ever made well technically it was won in a poker game a few years back. The simple silver chain complimented an antiqued triangle shape design with a beautiful blue opal stone at the bottom tip, push up and pull out and it reveals a small but deadly and sometimes poisoned tipped blade. Gathering my long locks I relied on using a piece of leather to tie back my unruly locks so that my movements would not be hindered or complicated by the classic face full of hair mistakes. A final look around knowing it may be the last time I slept in the forest alone and free of burdens.

Tonight wasn't like any other night where I stalked and killed just to do it, no tonight I am staking my claim through blood and fear. Through much research, I have learned of multiple double-sided individuals and criminals who are hiding within the walls as mere staff after tonight they will no longer exist. Over the few weeks, I was able to remove the ones through the village with ease but the castle was harder and needed a quick attack to take out all the pons. The plan was simple as the only ones I worried about sensing and alerting the guards were either asleep under the compound or in the forest on another false trail. The plan was run and rerun in my mind over and over to account for and plan for any and all possibilities. The west entrance is known as the staff's gate that is just through the garden and was easy to get to by going over the bridge that stood over the odd-shaped but massive koi pond. I guess this also served as a zen garden where any and all could connect to and pray to their gods and goddesses.

Though stakeouts were boring they proved fruitful and always worthy as any information gained was still information one could use. This information would lay the groundwork for any move to be made. thus tonight like previous nights I watch and wait for the clan of maids who bustle in and out and gossip amongst themselves while the guard fails to catch the attention of a maiden across the way who was too busy spying on the stable hand just past the garden's edge. The benefit being the maiden never stayed long and plucked a few flowers from a patch of wildflowers to return home with. I watched and waited but tonight when the maids came their talk seemed rushed and hushed compared to other encounters, the guard noticing the maiden tried to avoid her eye instead of the usual muscle display and the maiden was pale and sickly in complexion yet tried to watch the stable boy who seemed to be working at a new level of dedication as he hammered out anew set of horseshoes. Seeing the differences was interesting as it was the first time the changes had occurred. I watched a bit longer than I had planned but I was able to reason it as a needed moment to assess the situation. Once satisfied nothing was immediately different or able to halt my plan I got to work. One small change emerged as I Used a trick of my witch to create a small fog that envelops the lands sending those in it to a restless slumber. Once satisfied that it was working and thick enough I proceeded to leap from the branches and rush forward. Quickly I stopped and examined the girl and found her ailment is an infection of a poisonous plant I conjured what was needed and quickly synthesized a cure and left her to rest. The innocent should never suffer this was a primal belief and though some would die this night there was no reason for her to be one of them. Placing the flowers she had dropped in her hand with a note stating a simple phrase " Best wishes- royal court" the fog was dispersing and the effects won't last long after its departure. Saving her delayed things thus my advantage would soon fade.

Every step forward lead me closer to my destiny and soon the belt was off and snapped together. One after another the tranquil fields turned red as bodies fell with every drop of blood off my sword. Catching bone I made the choice to abandon the sword and use my claws leading to a messier sight and blood to coat my once clean clothes. I made quick work of those outside the palace and soon was inside, where I was able to question the more coherent individuals. Through questioning, I learned why the normal events of the first victims were so different and made sure to store the information for a later date. I had really expected more and was becoming disappointed at the ease I was experiencing. Then everything changed the minute my feet hit the throne room. The high of the hunt was gone, the fear of the unknown faded, and the past became just that a past. Seeing the throne so mighty and elevated a pull so fierce that it reminded me of the rivers by the piercing chill that consumed me. I instantly knew that once I sat upon it nothing would be the same and I was ok by it. Through the haze of personal realizations, a handful of guards rushed the room most of them appeared to be on my list to slaughter but a few were not but they had seen my face, and that wasn't ok yet. The pure fell with the wicked as their slaughter was drawn out and bloodier. Seems the strongest guards remained inside, providing me with the fight I had craved so viciously early in the evening, The battle was longer than planned but the minute it was over and I was able to catch my breath I eyed the throne once more. Striding proudly and yet tentatively forward a haze settled on my mind and I vaguely remember running my fingers over the stone that was my throne. That very stone retracted and bent and shook till the simplest beauty of a stone slabbed chair was gone and a new throne more fitting of who I was stood in its place. black cushions that felt like air and were as smooth as silk covered the interior of the chair. The tip was a cluster of skulls human and monster, while the body of the chair was straightforward but it had elongated and held indents the size of my wings allowing my lean back with comfort when they were free. The base looked like twisted roots that united into a solid mass once to the armrest. Sitting didn't do it for me and by the time the doors were thrown open, I was sprawled out as my legs swayed and my arms were in unique positions. I could hear the surprise be it directed at me or the bodies on the floor. Though I could feel the anger and confusion by the death surrounding them it mattered not to me. I was content and wanted to enjoy this small moment of victory for as long as I could.

I remember that before much more could occur I gave an order for the other soldiers to leave but they merely retreated and held tight to their weapons leaving Mason and myself to converse in an openly but non-private manner. This little offense was to be looked over.