"Mia! Mia. Are you alright? " Lin asked very concerned as he put on a pile of hay.

Mia opened her eyes. Stared blankly at him for sometimes and then began hitting him with both her hands. He didn't move. He silently took all her blows. She went on hitting until she broke down in his arms and began to cry pathetically.

"Where were you Lin? Where had you gone? " then she suddenly pushed him aside and asked suspiciously "tell me honestly. Are you really from the Wolf Clan? "

"Mia.It shouldn't have mattered which Clan I was form. Neither you not I knew that you weren't a human. We both thought you were mortal but it did turn out you were from amongst the wolves after all" Lin tried to explain.

Mia stared at the tall handsome figure infront of her. His hair flowed like flowers in the spring breeze, his smile danced like the mountain river. He was what perfection would look personified.

"But why? Why did you lie to me? You aren't from the wolves. You are not. The curse wouldn't have been evoked otherwise. Why did you lie Lin? Why? What are we going to do now? There is nowhere to run" Mia was beating her hands against his chest once more as she went down on distress on her knee.

"I have my reasons Mia. My missions. I had thought we have a life time together where we could discuss all that. I thought it didn't matter whether or not I even was an immortal , for you" Lin looked at her with questioning eyes.

"It didn't. It still doesn't. But look at what it has got us into. Lin you have no idea what happened to me in these past few days. These eyes have seen horrors I shake even to mention it to you" Mia was dead serious at this point.

"I know Mia. I am so so sorry you had to go through all these alone because of me. Trust me Mia, if I had even the slightest knowledge about your father, I would never ever have come near you, even though it would have tormented me for eternity. I am really sorry" He said as he looked down at Mia's baby bump. Mia instantly caressed it with both her hands and replied

"Never.i will never me sorry for my baby. Nor am I sorry for our love" She stood up facing him " What I am sorry about is tthe turmoil the baby will have to face because of us. The blood that rushes through our veins. Our forefathers. For no sin of ours, we have been eternally cursed" She sighed heavily "whatever are we going to do now Lin. ? "

" I wish I knew that answer" Lin replied helplessly "but I promise Mia I won't give up that easily. I will fight fate of I have to, but I will fight till my last breath" Lin held both her hands in his and kissed "For now I will take you to the sacred Sea. There is the ridge between the living and the dead. You will be safe for the time being. I will seal your aura too. Take this" He gave her a blue scarf " Never take it off. You do have your foxtail ring on, right? " He flipped her hands and checked " Good. Good. Never take it off. This way I will be able to find you no matter where you are"

"But Lin, where will you be going? " Mia felt lonely once again.

"To find an antidote for this curse. I will visit the Ancient Tree of knowledge. We hardly know much about this curse. Everyone is too afraid even to talk about it . But we need to learn more about the enemy we are fighting. Only then can we have a fair chance"

"But Lin. We might not have much time left. Nobody ever heard about any thing that could undo the curse. That is why it is so feared in all the realms. I don't want you to waste our last few days, wandering here and there for something that might not exist" Mia was clearly disheartened.

"Mia.there are many things which seem different apparently but as you dig deep, something else unearths altogether. Everybody remembers what the curse unplugged centuries ago but why, where or even what is it all about, no one knows, nobody cares. Even I was indifferent to it. But now it's personal. Mia trust me, you too must not give up. Where there is a will, there surely come up a way. For our family, for our baby, we must not give up. You understand? " Lin held up her chin as Mia nodded agreeing eagerly. Tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks. She had give up all hopes, but this slight flicker in the dark made her smile again.

As Lin came out of the Hall after the meeting his father had held, he let out a deep sigh. He was the seventh Son of the Fox king. After sealing Mia in the ridge, he had come home to pack some essentials for his travel to the Tree of knowledge, but his father had called him and his brothers for this urgent meeting.

"Where to brother Lin? " asked a sleek young fox as he rolled right at his feet.

"Busho what are you at again. If you so badly want to be a stray fox I can leave you in the human realm. There are plenty of them" Lin joked.

"No.No no. I just like to mimic yoru elegance your grace. I am just a humble bird you see, if you had not rescued me back then, those wolves would have torn me to pieces" The fox turned to a parrot and then into a handsome young man.

"Ah.dont mention" Lin tried to drive him away and go off to his destination, but he would not budge.

"Why can't I come along? " He asked

"Because the road is too dangerous" Lin replied.

"If only I had been a fox, you would not have said that" Boshu blackmailed him "where is this dangerous place you are going to anyway? "

"I will be going to the Tree of knowledge to learn more about this curse that has got everyone worrying" Lin half lied. Then he half heartedly agreed to take Boshu along "ok.come along. But i will not be responsible for you"

"I will. I will be responsible for myself" He clapped and chirped happily.

Before leaving Lin went to meet a very old lady in her death bed.

"Lin.you have come. What news do you bring? Did you find the pendant? "She asked as she stood up eagerly.

" Nana. Don't stress. I haven't found it yet. Something big came up. The curse has been evoked. Things have become very complicated. I will not be able to disguise amongst the wolves for the time being. But as I promised, I will bring back that pendant for you. I will" He patted the lady's head lovingly as he lowered her down to lie down.

"Ah.ok ok. Take your time. Be cautious" She patted his hand "ahh.tell me about your beautiful wife then. How is she. I haven't seen you much since you got married" She urged as she smiled.

"Ssshhhhh! Nana. Slower. You know you can't tell anybody about my marriage. You are the only one in this palace that even knows about it" He looked up to check if anybody was nearby. " She is fine now. These last few days have been rough. Pray for us Nana, won't you"

"Of course I will. Everything will be alright. Why has it been rough Lin? " She asked.

"Can't tell you now. Even I need some answers. I will tell you the next time I come visit. Alright? " He winked at her.

"Ok.if you say so" She replied and then suddenly her eyes changed. She held Lin's hand in iron tight grip as she levitated. Her eyes we're totally black with just a red spot. Her hair had turned red too. Her body changed into a canine like shape in silhouette and then her head started twisting at an unusual angle and she started talking in a completely different voice. It was more like a chorus. It said

"The clenching of the chest doesn't stop. Neither does the coiling of the blood. The veins seem to be rupturing with force, with no ailment known. The sickness of the being is difficult to fathom, that has left behind it's roots in another kingdom. How the song ends, how the story goes, is anybody's guess because nobody knows. The howling might stop, the stars might shine once more, the game of waiting will pass in labour. The question you ask, the truth you seek, might leave you startled, unable to speak. Look carefully, look inside to cope, when home seems like a distant hope. "

Then suddenly the colours went away and the lady's limp body fell right on the bed with a thump.

"Nana.Nana.are you alright. Nana. What happened? Nana. Somebody help. Help" Lin yelled almost terrified to from what he witnessed.

The maids ran in and somebody ran to fetch the doctor. The news spread and other members of the family rushed in too. The doctors checked her up and said "she seems to be ok. She is just sleeping. A very deep sleep indeed. What had exactly happened? Who was with her? "

"I was with her" Lin came forward and explained what had happened.

"It's the oracle. It hadn't happened to her for ages. What exactly did she say? " asked an elderly aunt, very concerned.

"I don't remember clearly, but something like" And Lin told them a portion of what he had heard. The moment he heard oracle, he knew there were secrets hidden in the message. He cautiously choose to hide the majority of it, only revelling a portion to the audience.

People heard with great attention. Lin got assured by the doctor that his Nana would be alright, but she might sleep in for some days or may be years. That would totally depend on her and that the doctor could do nothing about it. After this he left immediately without wasting anymore time. Now he had some verses that might be a sneak peek into the future. And if you knew about the future, you might be able to change it. This gave increased his hope and courage "Hold on Mia. I will get us out of here" He murmured as he flew past over the ridge towards his destination, The tree of knowledge, with Busho in tow.

At the Wolf camp the situation was very intense. The entire palace had gathered for this important meeting.

"Hail The King" echoed through the Hall way as the Wolf king made his way to his throne.

The people in his presence included all the ministers, his children and queens.

"What do we have here today? " he asked the minister sitting at his right.

"My Lord, we have gathered here today to discuss about the reemergence of the curse" He bowed with a long scroll in his hand with details and particulars of the event.

"And what are the developments? " He asked.

"We have eye witnesses claiming the involvement of the Foxes in this" He reported.

"Idiot. Ofcourse both the clans have to be involved for this curse to emerge. Do we have any lead to the offenders' identities? " He was furious.

"No my Lord. None as of yet" He replied sheepishly.

"No? Not even the one from our own tribe? We can't even trace to committed such a heinous crime from our own Clan and we dare to point fingers at others. Do you want us to look like the laughing stock amongst all immortals? " The king stood up in anger.

The entire court went down on their knee to ask for forgiveness.

"Please forgive us for our incompetence Lord. " They echoed in a chorus.

"Stop wasting my time and get to some real work. I want results and quick. Is that understood? " He roared past them.

"Understood " They replied in unison.

As the king walked towards his chambers, he whispered to one of his queen

"You know very well but the others don't"

"What do I know my Lord" The queen stopped in her track as she faced her husband.

"The fact that somebody from our Royal Family is involved in this. The entire world just knows that any for of blood tie evokes the curse. Nobody, except a few, have the knowledge about the fact that the blood tie that actually evokes the curse must be formed between members of the Royal families belonging to the two clans" He said pointing at themselves.

"I am well aware my Lord. But what are you implying? " She asked with inquisitive eyes.

"I am implying that as the Chief queen you must keep your eyes open. Somebody amongst us have is responsible. They might have some ulterior motive in evoking the curse. We must get to the heart of it before others do" He gave her a knowing nod.

"Yes of course my Lord" She agreed as they strolled to their respective chambers.

In the meantime the princes had gathered around to discuss the happenings at the court.

"I marvel at the courage of the defector. Whosoever amongst our clan might have had the courage to brave the curse for love" Remarked the mischievous twelve th prince.

"Ssshhhh! Soso, do you think this is a matter to joke about? " His elder brother tried discipling him with a nudge.

"But how to we trace the person? " Asked the tenth son.

"That is the question we all are wondering about. " The fifth one replied.

As they were having this discussion, an arrow from afar came rushing towards them. It hit the ground as they dispersed. A beautiful lady swam down behind it, laughing her heart out, quite amused at the princes' reaction.

"What are you all have this discussion about Brothers? " She poked them.

"Roe.you are a young lady now. You must try to behave more in a lady like manner" Her eldest brother tried rectifying her.

"Says who? The King of this land, my father has given me full permission to do what my heart desires" She retorted rather angrily.

"Yeah we know. He is the one spoiling you" The second prince nudged.

"Enough.stop bullying her all of you" The third one, her favourite, Xie, came to her rescue.

"Anyway.we were developing strategies as to how we should find the culprit from our tribe" The eldest said "would the princess have any insight to it" He almost mocked her.

"Do you really want to know? " She teased

"Do you have one? " They asked together.

"I just know one fact.The curse finds the defectors. So if you sit patiently enough, one day or the other the curse will itself follow the defector to our tribe. You can arrest him then" She rolled in laughter as she teased them. Their bewildered faces gave her too much satisfaction. She then went away hurriedly.

From there she had gone directly to her room, to pack her stuff before her journey. She had hoped to sneak out alone at the middle of the night. When all the lights went out, she tip toes out of her room and bounced on top of the terrace. Just as she was about to make her jump outside the boundary walls, a pair of hands held her hands.

"You? " She asked shocked.

"I knew something was up with you. Where are you heading this time? " Xie asked worried.

"I will tell you if you promise not to stop me" She urged.

"I promise" He assured

"Brother, I thought about the curse situation. No matter what you do it comes back to the dead end, unless" She stopped.

"Unless what? " He was genuinely curious. His sister was one of the wittiest in their clan

"Unless we get to know more about it. And there is only one place we can gather such information" She looked at him.

"The tree of knowledge" He replied.

"Precisely.So I am off. Bye bye" She tried freeing her hand and make an escape.

"Mei mei wait. The road towards the tree of knowledge is very dangerous" Xie replied.

"I know" She was still tugging and pulling.

"Let me come along with you" He insisted.

She immediately stopped pulled and asked in amazement "you will accompany me? "

She was very happy.

"Since I can't stop you, I better try helping you. It's about the future and safety of our tribe after all" He winked.

"You are the best Xie" She hugged her brother tight before they both jumped ,to embark on their secret journey, in the silence of the night.