Noble Wolf ©2008

[Ezekiel]

I posted this On KItsune Jewel and Jae has already seen it but I thought I would post it here as well since I want lots of people to read and comment on it. Please give feed back but nothing stupid like U SUXORs or something in that range of unwanted critique. And if you notice a typo, I will try to fix it when I find it, but more importantly....NO STEALING MY WORK, I put a good amount of time into projects like these and I don't like them to become copied and claimed as someones elses. So you know, do not steal it is rude.

Below is the Prologue and Chapter one.
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Noble Wolf ©2008
By: Ben Vickers

The woods were silent with the exception of the breeze that occasionally rustled the leaves of the trees and bushes around him. He had been sitting in the same spot since early daybreak waiting to catch a glimpse of a wood spirit but so far he had no luck he had spent six weeks trying to see one but so far he had so nothing more than a squirrel, a rabbit, and a doe and her fawn. He sighed and moved as the wind blew roughly in his left ear shocked he swatted the air to hit nothing. He had always been told that wood spirits sometimes play tricks on those that look for them could that have been one of their tricks? “You got me this time but next time I will see you!” He shouted playfully as he ran back to his hut near the edge of the forest where he and his parents lived.

Approaching the hut he didn’t notice the knights until he was right on top of them, his heart stopped, he was old enough to be a soldier now for the king but it wasn’t in him to kill others. “Never mind Captain I found the boy.” Spoke as voice that sounded like an echo from behind him as he was grabbed by the back of the neck and lifted into the air.

“Please don’t take Maxwell, he is just a woodsman he couldn’t kill another person with out reason.” Cried his mother as two Knights kept her and his father inside the hut as he was carried by his neck to a horse, where he was strapped to the back of it. “Please no.” Continued Maxwell’s mom as the Captain of the Knights removed his helm and stared at the Maxwell’s parents.

“Please forgive us Madame, but His Majesty needs all the soldiers he can get to protect his kingdom. You will be paid for his services in His Majesties army and he well be taken well care of do not worry next time you see your son he will be a true man.” Reassured the Captain as he replaced his helm and strode over to his horse and mounted it. “Come men, we must be on our way His Majesty awaits our return.” Added the Captain as the Knights scrambled for their horses and cheered.

“Don’t worry mom, I’ll be okay!” Shouted Maxwell, as the horse he was on was lead away from the hut that he once called home, little did he know it would be the last time he would see it. His training as a knight would be long and he would have to kill many but his kindness made it difficult for him to kill other people, this attribute made the Captain and his superiors unhappy.

Two years later…

Maxwell sits in the dim candle light of the stable he has slept in since he arrived at the castle his Captain standing in front of him breathing hard clearly enraged. “No, no, no, that is not the way it is done, if you want to speak to His Majesty without insulting him you must do exactly as I say!” Snapped the Captain as Maxwell didn’t respond or acknowledge his superior. “God damn it Maxwell answer me!” Shouted the Captain slapping him across the face as Maxwell instinctively pulled the sword from its sheath but stopped when the sword was half way out.
At this the Captain smiled and patted Maxwell on the cheek and chuckled. “You see, you have not the spine to kill me or anyone else you are too good natured. Get your head out of your ass and look at the real world not the one that you lived in with your parents!” Snapped the Captain as he raised his hand to slap Maxwell again as the sword tip found the Captains Adam’s apple stopping him cold. “Go ahead finish it, show me you have spine, do it or I’ll have your parents killed.” Laughed the Captain as Maxwell gritted his teeth and slammed the flat side of the sword against the Captains skull stunning him but not killing him.

“Men the door!” Ordered the Captain as the doors burst open as six armed knights burst into the stable and pointed their spears at Maxwell as he skidded to a halt. “Well done Maxwell, you have passed you are now a knight but I am warning you, disobey me and you and your parents will die. Now sleep while I go to his Majesties side to inform him of the good news.” Smiled the Captain making his wishes clear to Maxwell as he looked both shocked and enraged at being foiled from escaping to protect his parents.

“Yes Captain.” Replied Maxwell as he moved away from the door and to his cot where he slept every night and awoke to the life of a knight in training everyday. He watched as his Captain smiled and left the room as the knights followed him out leaving him alone in the stable with the horses.

Kings Throne Room…

The Captain entered the room and knelt in front of the throne in which the King was sitting in before he spoke. “Your Majesty, Maxwell has passed his is now one of your knights. Is there a quest that you wish to send him on that may prove his worthiness?” Asked the Captain as the king snorted and grumbled he was likely asleep until the Captain had woken him up.

“Yes there is a wench that lives to the south three days from here, have him kill her and bring me back her head as a sign of his worthiness.” Instructed the King as the Captain looked at the king curiously.

“Her? But I thought you had made peace with her that and she threatened if one of your knights came into her tower she would kill them then come for you?” Asked the Captain confused.

“No, no, she is the one that will see if this Maxwell will be a worthy knight you have spoken of his kindness, he will be unable to kill her, she will likely have her way with him then toss him aside once she bores of his presence.” Spoke the king with a chuckle as the Captain understood what his king meant, he didn’t want Maxwell but he didn’t want to kill him either this left room for an excuse to the boys parents explaining Maxwell’s unfortunate end.

“You are brilliant your Majesty, he will suspect nothing and once it is too late he will be cursed.” Laughed the Captain as the King laughed with him.
“Of course I have not ruled this land since my fathers death perfectly for nothing, I am a brilliant tactician. Now leave, inform Maxwell of his great ‘quest’ in the morning, tell him no more that what is necessary I don’t want him to get suspicious.” Added the king as the Captain bowed and walked out of the room.

Chapter One: The first quest

Maxwell walked through the forest it was the same as he had left it the day he was taken and trained to be a knight. However one thing was off he was following a maiden wearing a white gown he didn’t recognize her, but he knew that no one was allowed in his families forest, but he couldn’t help but wonder if it was a wood spirit. Walking forwards he spoke out to the young woman. “Who are you?” He asked as she turned around and held out her hand and motioned for him to follow as she moved across the ground gracefully he feet barely touching the ground. “Wait who are you, are you a wood spirit?” Maxwell spoke again following the young woman as she moved faster as he broke into a run to keep up with her.

Maxwell could feel his clothes catching on limbs and briers as he pursued the girl but he didn’t care he was curious as to who she was and why she didn’t answer his questions. Several minutes later he came into a clearing where the girl stood in the middle of a small spring, he knew it to be the spring that he was taught how to survive in the woods by his father. The one thing that now made him more curious was the girl was standing, now standing in but on top of, the water while the wind that had picked up ruffled her gown.

“You have followed me well, you are quite the woodsman. But I am afraid to say it will be a shame to lose such a handsome one, your family will miss you dearly. Return to these woods, seek out the white one and he shall help you. Your kind and gentle nature should not be diminished, believe in yourself, do not lose your hope and let your will be broken. Be strong and fierce like the-“ Spoke the girl as the dream shattered as he felt a stick prodding him awake.

Maxwell opened his eyes to see his captain was poking him with his sheathed sword and was holding a rather old suit of armor one that looked beat up and had seen numerous battles. “Hey kid you got your first quest today, the king wants you to prove your worth he doesn’t believe you have what it takes. Get all this on and meet me by the front gate with your horse and I will explain the rest,” The Captain wiped a fake tear from his eye “, it makes me so happy to see you are actually catching the kings eye but he wants to be sure you can serve him with out hesitation.” Continued the Captain as he left the stables and laughed once he was out of earshot of Maxwell. “Poor kid won’t be coming back, good thing there was that old armor laying around.” Chuckled the Captain as he walked to the gate to wait for Maxwell.


Several minutes later Maxwell exited the stables with his horse as he led it to the gates where the Captain would be waiting for him. “Its rather odd how all of a sudden they are sending me on a quest, they use to not trust me with polishing their armor now a quest something is not right.” Thought Maxwell as he mounted the horse.

Maxwell exited through the gate as the Captain turned and faced him. “Okay, your quest is to head south of here, there is a tower that a witch lives in, you are to kill her and bring back her head. Don’t fail the majesty or he’ll have your head.” Spoke the Captain tossing Maxwell a sack and frowned once the last sentence left his mouth as Maxwell swallowed hard how could he get around this he was smart but how could he get around the fact he had to kill someone.

“Yes sir, I’ll try not to fail His Majesty.” Replied Maxwell spurring his horse south.

“Don’t try, just do it. And never return.” Replied the Captain whispering the last part watching as Maxwell headed south to the Witch’s tower. “Now, time to find some more recruits.” Laughed the captain as he turned and walked back into the gates.

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I am still working on Chapter two, I plan to have it where it can be posted tomorrow. I appreciate that those that have read this did it make me happy to know that I am a decent, or more so, writer.

[jae]

U SUXORs!!!


I mean... I still like it ^_^

[Ezekiel]

><! o.o ^^" Thanks I got worried for a second. I am glad you still think it is good.

[Ezekiel]

I apologize for the double post but I managed to get chapter 2 finished. Enjoy but remember no stealing.
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Chapter 2: Betrayed and Bewitched

Several days past as Maxwell made his way to the Witch’s tower, he was trying to figure a way he didn’t have to kill her. But like wise he didn’t want to die either, he knew the king would do as he says but there was little he could do to avoid it. His stomach growling cut off his thoughts; he hadn’t eaten since late last night and it was now the middle of the day. He spotted a bush laden with berries leading his horse to the bush he picked himself a handful and popped them into his mouth they were not ripe leaving him with a bitter taste but it was better than nothing.

Retrieving his horse after letting it graze for a while he continued until he could make out a spire in the distance, he didn’t need to be told that was the tower the witch resided in. Spurring his horse to move faster he rode towards the tower still trying to figure out a way to not have to kill the witch he hoped she might understand since she likely had now wish to die. “Why do I get the feeling that I am not going to like what I find in the tower?” Mumbled Maxwell as he drew closer to the tower as he noticed that there were fruit trees surrounding the tower as well as fields of herbs and other plants. He figured she grew her own crops to survive but he couldn’t help but wonder if she had help to do so.

Maxwell dismounted his horse and walked to the large wooden door and reached out to open it as it creaked open revealing a poorly lit room. “I have a bad feeling about this,” thought Maxwell as he entered the tower. Suddenly Maxwell heard the large door close behind him as he turned around there was a stonewall where the door had been. Reaching for his sword he was caught in the side of his chest as he was hurled across the room as he crashed into the wall opposite of where he was standing.

Looking up he saw a massive creature as it strode towards him the creature flexed its clawed fingers as it neared then suddenly stopped. The creature whined as the air chilled for a second and it was hurled into the wall as iron bars burst from the wall restraining it where it could not move. Maxwell struggled to his feet as he saw a young woman walk down the stairs and strode gracefully over to the creature calmly. “Now who let you out?” Smiled the girl as she waved her hands in front of her as the creature vanished along with its bonds that held it to the wall. “I apologize for my pets actions, we don’t get that many visitors, especially knights, that must have been why he attacked you, he is such a bad dog sometimes.” Laughed the young woman as she walked over to Maxwell as a chill ran down his spine something about the woman made him nervous and by her show of power to what she had called her dog he could only assume this was the witch he had to kill.

“E-excuse me but are you the witch?” Asked Maxwell as the woman stopped and raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly.


“Yes, but I am a healer, but of course with such Barbary these days I can’t go with out knowing some magic, since I have only my pets to keep me company.” Replied the woman as she noticed one of her tables were smashed beneath Maxwell’s feet as she pointed at it and then moved her hand to the opposite side of the room where the parts flew and then reassembled. “Please join me for a while, I don’t get much company, and I know so little of what goes on outside of my forest, please tell me what goes on outside my little world?” Asked the woman as Maxwell opened his mouth to speak as the woman rose her hand silencing Maxwell. “No not here, follow me to my study, then tell me, I want to make you comfortable as you tell me.” Added the Woman as Maxwell nodded and followed her up the stairs he looked back to see the door still wasn’t there, could it be a trick was it still there but he couldn’t see it?

Maxwell followed the woman into a large study with shelves crammed full of books most of them where well taken care of but there were a few that appeared to have worn spines showing constant use. “So you said you was a healer? What kind of medicine do you make?” Asked Maxwell curiously as the woman sat down and opened a large leather bound book.

Ones that cure illnesses of course, but I do experiment with some medicines like ones that can allow transporting yourself to another place and things of that sort.” Replied the woman as she smiled when she said she did experiments.

“What was that that threw me across the room?” Asked Maxwell as the woman looked up Maxwell could see something in her eyes it made him worried and he didn’t like the feeling he kept getting.

“That was Marques he is a good friend of mine I had him since last month he was a mongrel when I found him so I changed him to be a good watch dog. I can see he is doing a good job by his actions against you, I do apologize for that are you hurt?” Asked the Woman as Maxwell noticed his armor had been bent in but he didn’t feel any pain.

“I don’t think so Miss- may I ask you your name?” Replied Maxwell as the woman stood and walked over to him.

“My name is Garnet. Now let me look at your side.” Answered Garnet thrusting her hand under Maxwell’s armor as he gritted his teeth in pain as she retracted her hand. “I think your ribs may be cracked but I think bed rest is the best thing I can for you that and maybe some of my medicine.” Spoke Garnet as she walked to a table in the corner and pulled a bottle from the back of crimson liquid.

“Thanks, I-I apologize I shouldn’t be getting this friendly.” Said Maxwell as Garnet turned and look confused but smiled anyway.


“I guess you would, I knew someone would be sent to kill me it was all a matter of time. Before you kill me please take this it should help your injury.” Replied Garnet handing Maxwell the bottle and sat down please take it now then take my life, the king dislikes me helping I have even helped his daughter but he dislikes me because I know magic.” Added Garnet as Maxwell took the bottle and drank it but he didn’t notice Garnet smiling as he did so.

“I apologize, may you find peace Miss Garnet.” Replied Maxwell reaching for his sword as Garnet lowered he head as he walked up beside her.

Three hours later…. sunset…

Maxwell looked at the ground sadly he didn’t want to do it to Garnet but he had to but he was glad that she gave him medicine to help him heal but he had started feeling strange he chest had started hurting and his whole body was starting to hurt. Dismounting his horse he made camp for the night hoping in the morning his body would not be hurting and that his injury would be better.

In his dreams Maxwell had the same dream but for some reason he was closer to the ground he could smell things he could never smell before. But this time he followed the girl to the spring then to a almost dead part of the woods, a place he had avoided because of a rumor that was going around about a dragon living there but he followed anyway this was a dream after all. “Maxwell, you have fallen under her spell, you must not lose hope, I am sending an ally to free you. Once you are free come to the forest and search for the white one, he resides in the deepest parts of the forest, I trust you will make haste to get there.” Spoke the girl as Maxwell woke up.

“Ah you are awake, I was wondering if you would ever wake up.” Spoke a familiar voice Maxwell figured out it was Garnet. “How is my big wolf doing? You were a problem to get here because of your size. I am surprised that you are so big, almost higher than my waist.” Spoke Garnet as Maxwell adjusted his head where he was looking up at her and it startled him but he growled at her much like a wolf would.

“I can’t believe she tricked me, wench!” Thought Maxwell he looked around and took in that he was in Garnets study but then he noticed everything around him start to warp and distort and take on a grungy filthy room.


“Welcome your new home, you will serve as my guardian like the others get used to it, if you try to attack me or disobey me I will punish you I will give you a small taste of what it feels like.” Smirked Garnet as she held up her hand and snapped her fingers as Maxwell felt pain shoot through his entire body after it stopped he lay on the ground his body twitching from the ‘punishment’ he had just received. “The king doesn’t like those that are weak of heart but I will break you of that but he won’t get you back once I have broken you of your kindness you are mine for all eternity. The medicine I gave you also makes you invulnerable to being stabbed, burnt, crushed or any other such attempt to kill you, you can only die by my hands or someone of my bloodline.” Added Garnet as Maxwell struggled to stand up.

Maxwell let it sink in while he stood up; he had been betrayed by the king, he had made an oath to protect him and now he had been tossed aside like a dirty piece of cloth. “Asshole, I’ll kill him.” Thought Maxwell as he managed to get to all fours.

“Now look me in the eyes-,” Started Garnet as a roar drowned out the rest of her words. She turned and looked out the window to see a massive dragon flying towards her tower she panicked and held her palm out at the dragon as a blast or frigid ice shot towards it as it gracefully grabbed the frigid spear and tossed it at the tower as it smashed into it destroying the tower. Maxwell closed his eyes but before his world went black he noticed the witch, Garnet, vanish in a explosion of light, then Maxwell felt his entire body be crushed his world now black.

[jae]

wooo~ Gimme more! ^_^

[Ezekiel]

Lol okay. Here is Chapter 3, Chapter 4 might not be ready for a while since school starts tomorrow for me. *is thrilled* -.-"
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Chapter 3: Break for the woods of his past

Maxwell stirred opening his eyes he could only see rubble surrounding him that once was Garnets tower. Standing he walked the best he could on his new legs he felt like a newborn having to learn to walk, but he knew he would have to learn to do everything differently now. He knew farmers hated wolves and that put him at risk but Garnet told him he couldn’t be killed it was a comforting thought but he didn’t want to die and be resurrected in such a manner from now on his life was going to be a living nightmare.

“Now what? I can’t go home like this; I certainly can’t go back to the castle, wait in my dream the girl said go to the forest, looks like I have little choice maybe there is someone there that can help me.” Thought Maxwell as he walked and tried to run as he tripped and crashed to his feet and climbed back to his feet, which were now paws. Maxwell didn’t look back at what was left of the tower as he moved to the west where he knew the forest that belonged to his family laid.

One day later near farming village…

Maxwell noticed it quickly he had smelt the smoke from the village when he was approaching a mile away; during the night he had gotten the hang of his new body he could smell out almost anything and hear things before he ever ran into them. He wished he was able to do when he was his old self it would have made hunting so much easier not to mention he would make his father proud but as he was he couldn’t make anyone proud. Maxwell then smelt something different in the wind he didn’t know what it was but he could tell it was sweaty. Before he could look for the source a heavy net fell over him as two heavy objects dropped on top of him and pinned him down as another tied his feet and muzzle shut where he could neither struggle or bite.

Maxwell looked up at his captors to see they were human and appeared to be farmers and pleased they caught him with little to no struggle. “Never seen one this big before, almost not sure if it is a wolf, what do you think?” Asked the one holding a long dagger as he and the others stooped over Maxwell.

“Its either a wolf or a large dog, I have seen some fairly large dogs before but none this large. Maybe he is a wolf missed with a herding dog, they can get pretty large.” Replied another with a band wrapped around his forehead.

“He is wolf or at least part wolf,” Said the third wearing a necklace that Maxwell knew to be a wolf fang on the end, taking the dagger from the first one and traced it across Maxwell’s body. “, See here his muscles are large and he is likely a good hunter since he appears well feed and in good shape, if we break him he might be a good hunting dog or maybe a good pelt for when the winter times come.” Continued the third as Maxwell’s heart stopped at the last comment, he didn’t like the last of the two options that were being laid out to be decided on.

“What are you three doing this time?” Broke a female voice as all four turned to see the owner of the voice was a tall brunette in farm clothes.

“Rachel what are you doing out here, I thought you were told to stay in the house and take care of the chores?” Asked the first annoyed.

“Never misjudge the working power of three girls we can do things fairly quickly, we might be able to give you boys a run for your money at hunting.” Laughed Rachel as the three stiffened, Maxwell lay there he was laughing at the girls comment he knew girls often took after their father if there were no sons to follow them.

“Really? Well we caught this wolf before it could even get to our flocks, bet you girls couldn’t have done that.” Taunted the second kicking Maxwell in the side as he yelped in pain as the girl frowned at the headband-wearing boy.

“You are so cruel, I believe our flocks have been pinned up in nice strong oak gates, no wolf can get in, over, or under them. Let it go or I might let the rumor about you and Natalie slip and get going around the village.” Smiled Rachel slyly as the headband-wearing boy stopped cold as the other two started chuckling as their friend cursed under his breath.

Jack, cut the bindings and let the mongrel go, listen Rachel next time we see that wolf around here again we’ll kill it and put its pelt up to been seen for the entire village.” Threatened the headband-wearing boy as he walked off after Jack cut Maxwell free as he followed the others back to the village.

“Run along now, you heard what they said, I managed to save you today but I might not be able to do so in the future.” Added Rachel as she turned and left Maxwell sitting there he didn’t want to leave but he knew if he stayed any longer he would certainly be killed by what he used to be. He turned and left the edge of the village taking the woods surrounding the village instead of being seen out in the open and risk being shot by a hunter’s arrow.

Maxwell stopped for the night under an oak he couldn’t sleep; he kept recalling what happened in the tower before it was destroyed. Garnet had exploded in a shower of white light but he couldn’t say she was dead, he had the feeling she was still alive and looking for him he didn’t like the thought of her catching him. Her show of power was enough to make him worried if she did manage to catch him she might kill him and there would be no resurrecting from that death. “I need to move now but I need to rest up for a while so I can get moving quickly tomorrow.” Thought Maxwell as he drifted to sleep losing awareness of his surroundings.


Maxwell awoke something felt out of place; looking over to this left there lay the carcass of a dead animal he could smell the blood. Standing up and walking over to it he noticed it was his wolf body, something must have killed him in the night to have him as a meal. Turning to leave Maxwell began to wonder if he would ever be human again he missed being able to talk to others of his kind and not being a meal for other animals. He wasn’t sure if he ever would be normal again maybe that is why he was going to find the forest behind his home and try to find the White one.

He broke into a run, if the one that could make him human lived in the forest then he wanted to get there quick he longed for his old body. “I can’t stay like this forever, I don’t want to live forever.” Thought Maxwell as he dodged in and out of trees and bushes as he made his way back home where the forest lay in wait for his return.

[Indigo]

Ha, okay. Here's the thing: I've been really busy lately, so I just don't have reading time. I read a little bit of it, and it seems good, I just... Well, now is not a good time, and I'm tired of avoiding my own forum for the shame of having neglected your story. I'm sorry, and I'll read it eventually. ^^;

[Ezekiel]

Its okay, I am used to my stories not being commented on except by a slim few. But I am glad to hear you will read it when you can. Lol the fourth chapter might take a while since (1) School is being a major bitch, and (2) I promised a friend last semester I would finish a story for him and didn't so I am trying to keep a promise to him while keeping the school, parents, and myself happy and not on a war path. I think I understand your problem since I am having something similiar.

[Indigo]

Except for the part where I haven't had any time for writing, either. And you'll see the new strip is unfinished. XD I bring these things on myself. Again, I'm sorry.

[jae]

Moo~