Castle Sanctuary

Chapter One

Waking with a sudden fright from a deep sleep, I found myself in another lifetime. As I looked around, there were no familiar surroundings. The shapes looming out of the blackness resembled demons coming up from hell.

Dampness filled the air with a heady aroma of mold mixed with a foul odor. A strange taste of a residue lingered while it slid across the back of my throat. As a result, I found it difficult to breathe. I choked with each breath.

At last, I managed to sit upon the soft pelts, and my fingers grasped tight at the fur. In a panic, I searched the cave for an opening. There had to be a way out. Everything was blurry. But after a few moments, my eyes adjusted to the darkness.

As I got to my feet, my head spun and pounded with the rhythm of a heartbeat. “Oh, my head!” came out in a hoarse whisper I did not recognize. “What is wrong with me?”

To balance me, I leaned against the walls of the cave, which were cold and damp to the touch. Meanwhile, I made my way toward the cave entrance. Each step I took landed with care to avoid stumbling upon the loose stones scattered on the uneven ground. Wonder how long I lay in this cave unconscious.

After a short time, I emerged through the opening and saw the moon hanging over the treetops in the distance. The walk took minutes compared to the hours I expected. Deep breaths of fresh air filled my lungs. The spinning in my head slowed, although the pounding continued. I tried to familiarize myself with the surroundings.

A helpless sensation overwhelmed me, and my skin crawled as the night sounds pulled me into the darkness. Each of my senses soared as my body became alive. What is this place? It has such a strange pull on me.

Air blew through the trees with a low whisper, yet sounded crisp as the winter wind called out to me. I could not think. The night creatures in the distance filled my head with their sound. I covered my ears. Still, their loud screeching, as banshee in the night, overwhelmed me as I tried to block them out.

A strong, musky scent mingled with burning wood filled the night air tickling my nose. As I looked around, I noticed a path below the cave; it led to a dense forest with elder oaks that reached up to the sky. Smoke drifted above the tree line from a campfire. I could see the flames as they flickered through the trees, imitating lightning bugs dancing on the leaves. A natural aura surrounds this place; why are these woods familiar?

The strange pounding in my head continued nonstop. An attraction pulled at me as it drew me closer to the woods. I could not resist the force, so I crept toward the forest, silent as death never took my eyes off the firelight. As I got closer, the pounding became louder, as the beating of a heart, slow and steady.

Careful to stay hidden, I lurked behind a large elder oak. A man was sitting on the ground next to a campfire cleaning a sword with care. His musky essence and a strong scent of flesh cooking over the fire overwhelmed me with intoxication. The aroma stunned me for a moment, but the pounding continued in my head and brought me to my senses.

I watched as he put the sword away wrapped in an old cloth. Then he grabbed a piece of wood that lay next to him on the ground in a calm manner. He tended to the fire as he leaned back against a fallen tree next to him. I started my approach. The ground felt soft beneath my feet.

With no expression on his face, he turned toward me, “I have been waiting for you.” The sound of his voice froze me in midair, leaving me speechless.

I took extreme care as I moved; how could he have known I was there? A glimpse of his face showed striking features, which took me by surprise. Green eyes that glowed from the firelight, the flames danced in his eyes. Unshaven but trimmed face and a wisp of dark hair lay on his brow as he stared from his hooded cloak.

In a tense position, I searched for something to reply. Meanwhile, curiosity consumed me. I did a quick scan of the campsite but saw no sign of any other travelers. In a low voice, I whispered, “Have you?” As I came closer, I scrutinized his every move.

Without flinching, “Yes.” His breathing kept time with the beating of his heart. His heart never skipped a beat. Someone approaching from behind without speaking is rare unless they plan to cause harm. Regardless you think a man’s demeanor to be overwhelmed with surprise.

I caught a better glimpse of his face in the light of the fire as I circled around the camp. By the gods, he is handsome, not as I imagined from his voice. There is compassion and warmth that emanate from his eyes. A serious aura surrounds him. But when he speaks his voice is gentle and soothing.

Apprehension tried to take over, but I kept control. “How did you know?” Never looking away from his eyes, I searched for a clue. There was no expression or reaction.

“Three nights ago I brought you here because of the significance this place holds to who you are.” He turned his attention toward the fire. Then picked up a small piece of wood and threw it on the smoldering embers. Sparks of light flew into the damp night air while he stoked the fire.

After a long pause, he turned his focus back to me, “The story is long but true.” His eyes never left me as they scanned every part of my being, as he tried to read my body language.

"Since I awoke, my head pounds and the sound of the night creatures are loud. My senses are intensified. Wish I knew what happened, but I cannot remember.” I sat on a tree stump near him so we faced each other while we spoke.

“First, you must eat to regain your strength. Then I will tell you everything.” He leaned toward the fire and cut a leg from the rabbit he had been cooking. The aroma filled the air as he ripped open the cooked skin with his blade. The meat hung from the bone and the juices dripped as he offered it to me. Each drip hit the ground with a loud sound. “Eat; you will need strength for the journey which lies ahead.”

I took the leg and began to consume the flesh, with an unquenchable hunger deep inside, which overwhelmed me. Without blinking, “What journey?”

For a few moments, he stared in silence. “Can you remember something before the attack?”

I tried to swallow and speak at the same time. Choking on the mouthful of meat, I managed to answer. “No, I cannot remember. My mind is hazy.” Although my curiosity peaked, an empty feeling in my stomach persisted. I continued to eat, never allowing my eyes to stray.

His handsome face had a stern look as he turned, “Your name is Ameera, a great princess warrior. While traveling on a quest, you met a man unlike any other, part wolf and part man; a werewolf.”

Now, this was more than I expected. I stopped eating and dropped the leg in the dirt, “A werewolf!” The pounding continued in my head as the night sounds sang out in unison. When I heard him speak, the sounds did not bother me, “A princess, a princess warrior?”

“Yes, I tell the truth, my princess.” He reached over to the cloth he had wrapped the sword in earlier. It was leaning against the fallen tree where he sat. He pulled the cover off a magnificent sword with a gold handle, and gems embedded sparkled in the moonlight. “This is your sword.” A slight hint of a smile formed at the corner of his lips. He handled the sword with care as he offered it hilt first with the blade resting on his arm. “While you rested, I kept it safe.”

Amazed, gripping the handle, I stood up, "What a magnificent sword and feels right in my hand." As if lightning struck, a bond formed between the sword and me.

“Something else that is extremely important, you need to understand. You are not a simple mortal, but a sorceress princess, born to a mortal father and a powerful sorceress mother. You have magical mystical powers too, with no mortal weaknesses. Since your birth, these traits have destined you to be a powerful leader.”

“So, this explains why sounds and smells intensify. Are you a werewolf or sorcerer?" Amazed by everything, I awaited his answer with anticipation and intent on understanding with full attention.

“No, my princess, after I tell you everything, you will understand.” For a moment, he looked at the fire. “This man, the werewolf, never possessed the skills to defeat you, but an evil sorceress helped him.” With concern, he looked up, “The werewolf set out to destroy you. Once he fooled you, he tried to kill you. His goal was to steal your kingdom. I found you lying on the path to the village. Your heartbeat was faint, and your breath shallow. I feared you were dead, but I brought you here to heal your wounds and nourish you back to life.” He pointed around, “A magical boundary encompasses this cave and these woods. It kept you safe and unseen from the evil source. As far as they know, you are dead. It gives us time for you to recuperate.”

Amazed, I walked around the fire to the far side. “Why did you do this for me?” With a slight kick in the dirt, I turned and looked at him with bewilderment.

"Two kingdoms share a hot and humid realm. A winding river flows through a lush, dense forest separating the kingdoms. I am a prince from the west kingdom, and you are the princess from the east kingdom. We were allies before the sorceress' army crossed the vast desert, invaded and massacred many of our people. They continue to suffer terrible fates. It is urgent to regain control, destroy the sorceress' army, and rescue our kingdoms. First, you need to gain your memory back.” He stood and walked towards me, never taking his gaze from mine, “We must move fast before they become stronger.”

“Tell me everything, help me remember.” I looked at the Prince as I searched for answers in his eyes. There is more than he was telling. He acts with much care for me, not as a friend or an ally. What person puts their life at risk to save a friend or takes extraordinary care of a friend’s sword. He knew how special and precious it was.

“Since childhood, we have been friends, but I will start from the beginning.” A curious look came over his face. I could tell he was holding back information he was not ready to share.

I walked to where he had laid the cloth that covered the sword. The sound of his footsteps followed mine, and his breath was warm on my neck. As I turned away from him, I picked up the cloth and covered the sword to protect it from the damp air. “What shall I call you? I still do not know your name.” I turned slowly, not wanting to make any quick moves.

He reached out and took my hands with a tender gentleness, “Your hands are freezing. Do not worry, as your memory should return soon; meanwhile, I will help with everything.” Then he reached for his knapsack and took out a thick wool blanket. “This blanket will keep you warm.”

I pushed the big sticks and stones away from a spot next to the fire with my foot then laid out the blanket. The dew was fresh on the grass, and the scent floated through the air. I laid on the wool blanket and felt the softness as it cradled my body. The fire’s warmth engulfed me, and soon the chill had gone.

I could see he was watching me through the flames as he laid out his blanket on the other side of the fire. After a long pause, “Call me Sayyid. I will tell you more in the morning after you have rested. Sleep well, my princess.” His voice was soothing.

A warm sensation had come over me, but I was not nervous. I felt relaxed and safe, knowing that I was not alone. I rolled onto my back, looked up at the sky, and counted the stars. My heart appeared lighter, and my lips found a smile. Soon, my eyes grew heavy; I could not keep them open any longer. I drifted off to sleep