Chapter Text
In the land divided by many countries, kingdoms, and empires, is the kingdom known as the Overgrown. Neighboring it one side is the Elven Kindgom of Rivendell. On the other, lays the Throughgate Empire, having tripled its size in the last several decades through military conquest until its border met the Overgrown's. Naturally, this sort of thing would make a ruler nervous, and for a kingdom such as the Overgrown, renowned for their diplomatic actions, it was obvious that a treaty of promised peace would need be written. As such, not that long ago, King Alderein Blossom of the Overgrown met with King Poluks Reidstain of Throughgate and made a favorable agreement for the two countries. An agreement, for trade and passage, and for the formal union of a member from each's family in marriage. So it came to be that King Alderein's niece, Lady Katherine of House Blossom and King Poluks' second son, Prince Cathor, were to be married.
Katherine stared out of the window of the carriage that was being driven down the dirt path that connected her home kingdom to the Throughgate Empire, or what was to become her new home. The trees and meadows she had grown up around had long since given way to a dense jungle, said to once house a great empire that had been lost to time. The pastel flowerbud design of the carriage looked out of place in the murky foliage. Katherine shuddered. It felt like they were being watched.
This close to Throughgrate, half of her escort had rode ahead to speak with King Poluks about her arrival. If they were to be attacked, now would be the best time. Already, she had heard from the guards about what had looked like a failed ambush from the first day, discussing it when they thought she was asleep. At this point, Katherine really wouldn't be surprised. The carriage literally had jewels inlaid into the window frames, and with a smaller entourage, it was practically begging for some robber to try his hand at getting something worth selling. Or even, Katherine realized with a shiver, someone worth ransoming.
Most of her luggage was in an entirely different cart, but Katherine had been allowed a handbag for a few personal belongings. Aside from the handkerchiefs and fan and other "ladylike" things, Katherine had managed to conceal a small dagger wrapped in silks. Such was her feeling of unease that she grabbed this dagger now, hiding it in the folds of her dress. As the carriage shuddered to a stop, she knew with a sinking feeling that she was right to be worried. She sat still in the carriage, even as she could hear a scuffle outside. There was shouting, as well as... a strange roar? Then everything was silent.
The silence was broken as all of a sudden the door to her carriage was swung open. She came face to face with a wild green eyes and messy blonde hair, as well as very vibrant clothing, before she was being dragged out of the carriage, a golden knife against her neck.
"Weapons down, or she gets it!" The highwayman cried out. The House Blossom guards that had their crossbows and swords pointed at him glanced at one another. After a tense moment, with the knife pressed closer to her, the captain dropped his sword. The rest of the guards followed suit. The highwayman's face broke into a grin. "Perfect. Now I'm going to take my goods-" As he said this, Katherine noticed a bag he had slung over his shoulder, with a handful of riches poking out "-and you're not going to stop me if you want Miss..."
"Katherine." Katherine helpfully supplied. She much less scared that she probably should have been, but she truly wasn't worried. She gripped the handle of her dagger, letting the silk that covered it fall to the earth. In the corner of her eye, she could see a flash of silver.
The highwayman continued. "If you don't want Miss Katherine here to get hurt, don't try anything funny." He kept the knife to her as he started to step backwards, until he suddenly stopped. The reason became quite clear once Katherine noticed the arrow embedded into a tree right above his head. "Oh come on!" He cursed under his breath, turning to see who had fired it.
Jumping down from the trees was a woman, dressed in a teal cloak over dark green and silver armor, with black boots and finger less gloves. Her dark brown hair was tied in a braid, but noticeable was the mask she wore. It was wolflike, silver in color with teal markings and glowing green eyes. She held a dark brown bow in her hands, another silvery arrow already nocked. "Joey Graceffa" She growled.
The highwayman, or Joey, glared back at her. "Fancy seeing you here, Dog breath." He hadn't moved the knife, but Katherine noticed his hands were slightly less steady.
The woman seemed to glare even through her mask. "You as well, O' Lost Emperor"
This standoff continued for a minute, while Katherine stood, tense. Finally, Joey broke the stare off with a laugh. "You sure haven't changed, Wolf Spirit. How's the vigilante business been treating you?"
He was answered as the Wolf Spirit gave a wry smile. "Pretty good, actually." She shrugged. "I would ask the same of your robberies, but if you don't let go of that woman in the next twenty seconds, we'll both know the answer to that." Her smile was gone, but there was still a hint of humor in her voice.
Joey sighed heavily, making a big deal of seeming to consider it. "Nah. I think I got this one." He seemed about to say more, when Katherine made use of his slackened grip. She stabbed the dagger in her hand backwards, into where Joey's leg was. He yelped, dropping his own knife. Katherine ducked to the ground, rolling herself away from him. Upon seeing this, the guards who had been watching the whole exchange had their weapons pointed a Joey once again within mere seconds.
After all of this, Joey stood in shock for about a second, before he shrugged, dropping his bag on the ground. "Ah well. You can't have everything, and I've got a boyfriend waiting for me." He looked around, before winking at the Wolf Spirit. "I'll see you next time, because now it's my cue to use the time honored tradition, of running away!" With that, Joey leapt backwards, catching hold of a tree branch, and using it to swing himself away. The guards gave chase, but the Wolf Spirit did not. She just stood there shaking her head, before approaching Katherine, offering a hand to help her up.
Katherine accepted the hand, dusting herself off. She suddenly felt very self conscious about being covered in dirt. "Thank you for saving me. I don't what I would have done if you didn't show up." She bowed her head, feeling a blush.
The Wolf Spirit shook her head. "Honestly, I think you had that covered, with that dagger. In anyway, Joey's all dramatics and no bite, so to speak. He wouldn't have really hurt you."
"Sounds like your familiar with him, then?" Katherine asked, curious. The two of them had certainly exchanged banter like old friends.
She was met with a shrug. "Not the first time I've stopped him from petty theft." She caught Katherine's looked and laughed. "According to him, any theft he commits is petty, because he's petty. In any way, like I said, he's mostly harmless. Still, I'm glad everything ended up okay with you, Miss-?"
Katherine smiled, heart beating rapidly. "Katherine. Lady Katherine of House Blossom."
The Wolf Spirit smiled back. "Well, Milady Katherine, I must take my leave, as your escort is returning. I hope to see you again at some point." She bowed deeply, before springing up into the trees once again, disappearing into the foliage.
Katherine was still standing, staring at the treetops when her guards returned. The captain knelt on the ground to address her. "Are you alright, Lady Katherine? As your protectors, we failed to keep you safe."
The noble shook her head. "I'm unharmed, don't worry about me. If there are none wounded, I say we continue our journey. I certainly have had enough of this jungle."
The captain nodded. "I understand." He stood, barking orders to the rest of the guards. "I want to get going again as soon as possible, so let's get going."
Before long Katherine found herself back in her carriage, as it continued along the way. Yet this time, she felt a lot less worried. After all, the Wolf Spirit was in the area.