THE FORGOTTEN WOLF

Chapter 7

Prince Philip made his way outside the outskirt of the palace walls to visit a friend of his.

Someone who could tell him the meaning of his dreams.

He went into the village; no one paid him attention because he was in disguise. No one knows their king was in their presence.

He came to a halt when he saw who he was looking for, he went straight to greet the village washerman, Ben.

Ben was surprised to see Prince Philip, he was used to his disguise by now but was still surprised to see him. 

Ben a  tall young man blessed with gray eyes that young ladies love to look at. He was handsome but takes his work seriously, he loves doing charity works for the villagers, he washes clothes for free and he was highly recognized among the villagers. He possesses hidden powers of visions that no one knows except the Prince. He can see into your past at the mere glance of your palm or your eyes to see your future. He and the Prince had met when Prince Philip went hunting one sunny day, he and the Prince shot on the same game. They were surprised when they saw each other, Prince Philip kind in heart told the young man to go with the game, that he would look for another one. That was how a friendship was build between those two.

"What is it my prince", Ben whispered quietly.

"Can we talk in a more private place, its important". 

Ben gestured for the Prince to follow him in the inner most chambers of where he washes the villagers clothes, having making sure they were alone he asked the Prince again.

"What is it my Prince?" 

"I have been having some strange nightmares lately".

"What nightmares my Prince?" Ben asked softly.

"A girl, I think we are lovers. I saw her dying in my arms and I saw myself promising the girl to wait for her. I saw a war, I think. Look, Ben, you have gifts of interpretation of dreams that was why I sought you out, to help me interpret this strange dreams I keep on having every night". Prince Philip told Ben.

"Okay, stretch your palms to me",

The Prince did as he was told, Ben peer down into his arms, his forehead wrinkle in concentration. After a while he stare at the Prince his eyes and balls now violet.

"Someone blocked your memories, whoever did this I think was trying to protect you. Go and ask your father, he knows more. There is a story behind your dreams".

"I don't get you, speak more clearing".

"Your dreams and your past are connected, the bond between you and the girl you saw in your dreams are stronger and can never be broken; I think, perhaps, you might have met with her previously because she has been reborn; maybe that is why you keep on those dreams".

"You are somewhat right, I think I met someone who looks exactly like the girl in my dreams, when I was in Crescent kingdom in my disguise".

"The answers you seek are within you, ask your father". His eyes went back to his normal gray eyes.

"Thank you Ben, I owe you one". Prince Philip thanked the young man again and left for his palace.

He was going to have a word with his father.

The old man better tell him the truth.

****************

Queen Annabel was not at peace, she was pacing round her room. After the high priestess left, she quickly excuse herself and left for her chambers.

'If Arizona is back won't old feelings re surface again after so many years?'

Annabel thought to herself.

No something must be done.

She has to visit them again for a much stronger magic to keep the king from knowing his mate.

"All these years I thought the stupid wolf was dead, why would the high priestess opened an old wound again?" Annabel asked no one in particular.

She has to stop Arizona, she has to kill the wolf once and for all.

She was to rule all kingdom like she was promised.

She had used magic on the king to wage a war 90,000 years ago. She had made sure Odin was killed.

But what baffles her was Arizona.

How did she escaped from the claws of death?

Would the king remembered his true mate?

No everything must be the way it was supposed too.

She will kill anything that stands in her way.

No one knows the real her.

"Black shadow",

A shadow was seen in the wall.

"Kill the two guards sent to announce the message. After that come back, you have a message to take for me to the Elite sisters".

The black shadow disappeared.

Queen Annabel smiled evily.

Her plans will work again, since she had killed the one to end her 90,000 years ago.

"What!?" 

Arizona smiled again.

"Yes, I know you. In your past life, we were enemies; but I have now know better and seen the truth Odin". Arizona said.

"You speak in riddles, I still don't get a thing you said Arizona and what truth are you speaking of?", Odin asked.

"Do you want to know, why you were kept hidden from the world by Chloe(Odin grandmother)? Do you want to know the reason why you have that dream?"

With Odin nodding of head in confusion, Arizona proceeded

"Well, it all began 90,000 years ago. You and your half brother Reed love and cherished each other.. well, until the kingdom was paid a visit by the Elite sisters".

90,000 Years Ago

Odin was in her garden, tending her flowers when her brother rushed to meet her, he was happy.

"You can't guess what happened today my dear Odin", the prince said elated as he stare at his sister.

Odin gave out a smile, "Out with it already Reed, you know am not that good in guessing. So what happened?"

"I think I have found my mate my dear Odin", 

Odin smiled lovely at her brother "Wonderful, so who could she be? Do I even know her? Is she from this kingdom?" Odin asked 

"Yes, you know her. My wolf has been going crazy ever since I met her, she is so beautiful", Reed said dreaming.

"So who is she, tell me, I am impatient", Odin said suddenly curious.

"Well, it's no other than the head priestess, Arizona".

The smile in Odin face faded away, the flower in her hand slowly died as she stare at her brother.

"What!!?"

Surprised by her outburst but still continued. "She is so beautiful, you know the head priestess steps out from her house, once every twenty years, I did not even know we have such women as beautiful as her here", Reed said smiling, not minding the look Odin was throwing at him.

"Of all the people in this planet, why her? You know very well, she was the one telling the whole kingdom how cruel I am and evil. People are afraid to near me just because of the fear she had placed on them. I won't allow you marry her. My word is final".

Odin said and left the garden and went to her chambers.

"She doesn't mean harm". The white wolf said as he appeared.

"Who told you, she is the person spreading what is not true about me".

"You never can tell, things might be hidden beneath the shadows". The black wolf said as he appeared.

"Whatever",

A knock prevented them continuing their conversations.

"Yes, who is it?"

"Your highness, the Elite sisters are here to pay homage to you", a guard answered.

"Elite sisters, what are they doing here uninvited?" Odin whispered to herself.

"Tell them I am coming", Odin replied as the guard left to give out the message.

"I wonder what they are doing here", the yellow wolf said.

"Homage under my foot", Blue wolf said.

"I don't trust them a bit Odin, please be careful with them; you know they are into witchcraft?" The red wolf said.

"You wolves worry too much, the Elite sisters are good people".

The Odinlete wolves snorted, not agreeing with her.

"Well, I will be right back my dear wolves", Odin told them and left them.

Odin met with the four Elite sisters, Liva, Olivia, Ara and Annabel.

"What a pleasant surprise to have the Elite sisters in my kingdom", Odin said as soon as they sat down.

"We were not present on the day of your coronation, so we decided to to visit you today to congratulate you"  Liva, the eldest of them said.

Odin smiled, "Well that is very kind of you, I am glad you came after all",

'Lies, can't you see that she is lying, I can feel it'

The red wolf said in Odin's mind, Odin simply ignored her and continued her conversation with them. 

Later on, she called one of the guards to take them to the guest room prepared for them.

"Didn't I tell you that they mean no mean, you wolves are judgemental towards them", Odin said to her wolves as she stepped into her chambers.

"You are making a grave mistake by allowing them pass a night in your kingdom Odin, a grave mistake". The black wolf said all Of a suddenly.

"Whatever, they are too kind and funny to be evil, leave that for Arizona; she is the evil one. Good night my dear wolves, tomorrow is my date with my Prince charming".

Odin told the wolves yawning in process. She slept off.

Back in the chamber the Elite sisters were, Liva, Olivia, Ara and Annabel were sitting in a circle form, black candle burning in their midst.

"You know what to do, Annabel, once the prince sees you, he would forget about anything else and do what you tell him to do". Olivia told their youngest sisters.

Annabel nodded.

"I know sisters".

Liva started making some incantations. A ghostly form came out right from the black candle.

"You know what to do" Liva said to the ghostly form as it disappeared into the night.

**************************

Early that morning, the people had gathered and were lead by the high priestess Arizona to the castle, shouting .

"We must kill the witch. She must die".

Odin came out of the balcony of the castle building and stare at the people below, her eyes hardened when she saw Arizona.

Where was her brother? Since that morning when Odin had opened her eyes, took her bath and ate her food, her eyes have been searching for her brother.

But for now let her focus on the matter at hand.

"Good Morning great people of this kingdom, to what do I own this august visit?"

"Keep your greetings to yourself witch" an old man barked

"Your cups are full". A pregnant woman said.

"Today, will be the end of you". Another old man said.

Odin confused "What is going on? Why all this names?"

"Yesterday night, you came into my farm and destroyed my corps and animals. What did I did to you witch?" A man said, Crying.

"What? I did not go outside yesterday eve".

One by one the villagers came out to tell Odin what she has done.

"But I wasn't outside.."

"Lies, you are lying; then explain how those villagers saw you? You are the only wolf who has white hair". Arizona said.

"I don't want to argue with what I know I did not do, I will surely get to the bottom of this, that's a promise". Odin said and left the balcony, angrily.

The sky changed.

'Control your anger Odin, if you do not those villagers would believe what they had seen and said are true', the yellow wolf said in Odin's mind.

Odin calm down at those words.

'Thanks'.

Odin didn't know things are going to get worse than that.

After the villagers went their various homes, wishing that Odin die a horrible death.

The fake Arizona smiled evily as went home, when she was sure she was alone, she changed back to Ara and disappeared.

Prince Philip made his way home after he had met with the village washer man. 

As soon as he got home he went straight to meet his father in his throne room, the father was with their general, Leo, discussing the affairs of the kingdom.

"Father, I would like to speak with you privately", Philip said immediately he sighted his father. King Alexander seeing the serious look on his son face, told general Leo to excuse them. When Leo left them, he turned to face his son and asked him.

"What is it son? I don't like the look on your face".

"I know", Prince Philip said simply.

"You know? Oh, you mean you know of your arrange marriage I and the king of Crescent Moon kingdom are making between his beautiful daughter, Princess Erica and you? I was going to inform you soon son, when you are not always disappearing everyday from the castle", King Alexander said in flow.

"What I want to know is for you to tell me about my past and who removed my memories of my past life. I need to know....."

The full statement of what his father said processed into his head.

Prince Philip was speechless and shocked. 

"What!!?" He thundered.

"I know you are surprised by this, but it is for your own good Philip, I want to put the end of the endless fight these two kingdom are always fond of having, and the only way to end it is by marriage". King Alexander said causally as if it was simple, trying to made his son forget the question he just asked.

Who had told him he has a past?

Prince Philip breathing through his nose slowly as he said.

"Marriage you say? Marriage my foot. I will not get married to a mannerless girl who calls herself a Princess, if you know what is good for you or for this kingdom you'd better tell them I won't get married to Erica".

"My son, you have to see reasons to this, Princess Erica is good for you. She is beautiful, kind and a well behaved lady who would make you happy". King Alexander said smiling at his son.

"And like I have always told you or anyone who cares to listen, I will not get married to anyone who is not Odin". Prince Philip said not knowing how the words slipped out from his.

He looked surprise and so was his father. But his father, has a look of fear in his eyes which was unlike him

"Odin? Who told you that name?"

"I know who she is father, which brings us to the matter at hand, Who is Odin and what was she to me?"

"I don't know what you are talking about?" King Alexander lied through his teeth.

"DO NOT LIE TO ME", Prince Philip shouted bellicosity, thunder was heard outside. For a moment he saw fear in his father eyes.

"Like I told you I don't know what you are saying son, I don't even know who is Odin".

Prince calm down and turned to go then pause.

"If I eventually find out you know and you are hiding the truth form me, I will cause a great havoc in your kingdom and that of Crescent's". He said calmly and walked out of the throne room leaving his father to his thought.

King Alexander was greatly troubled. If his son eventually find out the truth like he said he would, then everything they had worked for will be gone in a blink of an eye.

No, he cannot let that happened.

He left the the throne room and went to his chamber. As soon as he got in, he fasten the door and locked it securely.

Then he went to his closest, opened it and  pushed out his clothes to reveal a door. He said some magic words and it opened.

He went inside the secret door, and looked at the only occupant in it.

A beast. 

White, huge, hairy with horns that adorned its forehead, he has wings but his eyes were that of rainbow color. The Beast was chained with a razor blade chained, on its neck was a black chain; all over his body were chains of different magic that were made not to free him no matter how he pulled.

The Beast saw the king and laughed softly.

"What brings you here Alexander?" He asked.

"What did you do to my son? He asked me of Odin today", the king asked.

"Your son? I once told you Alexander, a day is coming when I will be free from this bondage and unite with my real body. When he remembers all, I will be free. I told you Alexander, my Odin will be back and when I finally unite with her, I will make you pay Alexander that is a promise".

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you and Philip".

"No, you don't hate us, you only hate the fact that we don't follow your rules Alexander. You can't keep me bound here forever, I am Philip as he is me. We are one, and you Alexander can't change it. I have know when Odin was born, felt the pains she has passed through, once Philip remembers, I am out of here; isn't that the only way to break this magic?". The Beast said smirking.q

"Gloat all you want Philip, but I can assure you, I will win over you again".

"Like you did to me 90,000 years ago? I doubt it Alexander. You seems to have forgotten so soon, that my Odin has been re born again".

"Re born?" Alexander asked suddenly surprised.

"Beat me".

King Alexander left the room angrily.

"It is our destiny Alexander and no one can change that", 

The beast voice said as he locked the secret door with magic, no matter how much noise the beast made; no one can hear him.

The Beast and Philip were connected that was why it had lived through those years.

It takes only strong dark magic to separate Philip and his breast from his body. The Beast hold all memories of their past. 

And if Philip eventually remembers then he will have his memories back.

"What am I going to do?" Alexander asked no one in particular. "I can't see everything I have worked for all these years disappeared with a flip of a hand".

Should he call the witch again? 

**************************

Erica was in her brother room, Eric was pacing around.

"There is something they are not telling us Erica, I can feel it".

"Me too Eric, but they do not want to tell us what is really going on", then gasped Did you see the look on mother, when the high priestess made mention of someone Arizona?" Erica suddenly asked.

"Yes I noticed, something within me tells me that there is more, something ancient that they are hiding and I am going to find out whatever it is". Eric said

"Me too brother".

***********************

King Reed has been pacing around his throne room after the priestess left them, his wife with an excuse left them followed by his children, but that was not the case. His wonder was,

Who was the girl that had released the evil Odinlete wolves?

**************

Annabel was still in her room when the black shadow came again.

"Very good of you black shadow, you did well, now go and tell my sisters that a war will begin soon. Tell them Arizona isn't dead, they should find out where she is and kill her once and for all".

The black shadow vanished leaving Annabel to herself.