Once upon a time.. In the land of Ashmeer a land of lush green fields, dark brooding forests, and spiney mountaintops there existed two kingdoms. The first was the kingdom of Gala, a peaceful kingdom of white gold towers where the scent of violets was heavy in the air. A kingdom ruled with grace and diplomacy where art and culture flourished where anyone could be anything if they worked for it. The second was the kingdom of Kartag, a militant kingdom of black marble that harbored a perpetual dark cloud of ash and smaug produced by the endless forges beneath the city. Here there were two castes, warrior and smith. Over time the two kingdoms grew in their own way, Gala through harmony and respect and Kartag through opression and fear. One day the two rulers of each kingdom realized that they would soon encroach on eachothers territory and so a meeting was called between them to descide the fate of the kingdoms futures. The meeting was held in the ash wastes east of the two kingdoms which was considered neutral territory. First to arive was the envoy from Gala a carriage of white and gold carried Queen Aratea Gala and her son, crown Prince Darres Gala. The Queen emerged from the carriage with the grace of a butterfly landing on a white lily she was beautiful indeed clad in white with silver hair adorned with precious saphires. She called to her son Darres to emerge her voice a soft yet strong echo that could make a hurricane pause and remain still. Darres emerges from the carriage a kind handsom young man with his mothers silver hair and deep blue eyes sporting an expression that said he was obviously bored with his duties as prince. Then the second carriage from Kartag arrives a forboding transportation of Iron and black steel pulled by machanical horses with eyes that glowed like embers in the dark. first to come fourth was King Gregorie Kartag a stern looking man of few words tall as a mountain and colder then ice he called to his daughter Princess Elaina Kartag to his side a young woman who knew she was royalty and didnt mind reminding others who could have them exiled for any infraction under the sun. Her blonde hair and red eyes a testimate to her fathers, in a red gown of satin she emerged from the carriage. The two rulers clearly having great respect for one another aproached a table of stone with a map of their two kingdoms. The two begin talking of borders and bargains, Queen Aratea began proposing trade deals and King Kartag spoke of land aquisitions this went on for some time until the two descided they would write up a treaty securing peace between their two kingdoms, a peace that would be secured by the successful marriage between Crown Prince Darres and Princess Elaina. The prince and princess upon hearing this were both shocked and dismayed by their parents descision yet both equally unable to do anything to disway them. shackled by circumstance the two young royals leave in another carriage. they were to spend the next two years getting to know one another in eacthothers kingdoms the first year in Gala and the second in Kartag. And so it was a year in Gala had past and prince Darres and his newly fiance were prepairing to leave for their journey to the kingdom of Kartag. Prince Darres had grown tired of his bride to be's constant nagging and belittlement of his postion believing herself to be a superior ruler. Princess Elaina believing Darres to be an incompatent boy who knew nothing of ruling spent every waking moment tormenting him and reminding him that if anything should go wrong with their parents agreement that her kingdoms superior militant force would wipe Gala from existance. The poor prince soon became known behind closed doors as The Shackled Prince a title befitting his circumstance. nearly a day has passed and the two young royals are finally on their way to Kartag. The whole way the princess constantly complaining about every discomfort when suddenly their convoy is halted by a massive tremor prince Darres calls to the driver to discover what has happend and the man reports that a massive collapse of the road in front of them has seperated them from the path and not only that but they are cut off from the rest of there convoy they will have to seek an alternate route the only other road to Kartag would take them through the Shadow WIlds an ancient forest of mystery were the trees themselves are said to guard from outsiders, many travelers have reported strange beasts missing carriages and hearing whispers that pull you deeper into the forest never to be seen again. TIs also said to be the home of a powerful sorceress that lures in hapless mortals to drain their lifeforce. Darres and Elaina neither one putting any stock in legend and rumor inform the driver to take the road into the wilds. A fog creeps along the ground under the carriage as they enter the wood so dark is it that night seemed to have come early the carraige moving slowly now cautious of the unkown turrain the driver now fearful of the noises hes been hearing, the shrieks in the distance and chilling wind making the hairs on his neck stand at attention. The princess growing impatient as ever egging the elderly man to go faster whilest the prince tries to convince her that his caution is for their safety to no avail. Suddenly a loud crack of what sound like a bolt of lightning struck before the front of the carriage causing fear and panic and out of a flash of light standing on the carriage rose a strange yet beautiful young woman clad in black with olive skin and green eyes and hair like the night sky. She spoke in a loud tone behold for I am Tilara The Witch of Shadows and I have come to claim you. With a flick of her wrist the roof of the carriage flies open and the driver is thrown off scuffled but otherwise unharmed. Looking at the two strange passengers the witch says i have indeed made a fine claim i shall take you the princess as my hostage and prize. Prince Darres fearing for what would become of his kingdom begs the witch to take him instead. Tilara pauses for a moment finally noticing that the prince is indeed easy on the eyes begins to turn a shade of red then suddenly shouts NO DEAL I have my prize and im leaving! a shockwave of force erupts from the witch knocking the carraige away and the prince down to his knees. The two vanish from sight and prince Darres is heart broken not at the loss of his fiance but at the potential danger his kingdom now faces. The driver asks the young master what he will do. Darres replies I have no choice I must go after them for my kingdoms sake. Meanwhile deep in the wild the witch happy with her prize having turned the insufferable blowhard princess into a more mannagable stone figure in the palm of her hand happily makes her way to a path in the wilds guarded by Trolls. Greedy unforgiving beasts who Tilara just so happens to have a debt with by which she means to settle with the now pint sized princess a fine ransom worth twice what she owes. The group begin talking and with a shake of the hand and a small bag of gold the witch happily returns to her home in the wilds. Some time later the prince having regained his composure and resolve takes up his sword from the carriage and tells the driver to make his way to Gala to inform the Queen of what has happend and that he intends make things right. The driver tries to convince the prince that going alone would be folly but the prince ignored him and journeyed deeper into the forest. hours pass and our prince has come far suddenly a were beast emerges from the wilds black emaciated boney flesh with beedy yellow eyes and a set grin of teeth creep toward Darres. Back he shouts the beast unconcerned lets out a spine tingling shriek of horror and now sprints after the young prince. Routed he by the terible cry and gripped with fear Darres runs to avoid the creature hopping over log and running under branch until SNAP a branch under the foot of the prince breaks over a cliff were jagged rocks await at the bottom the boy hanging on for dear life to vine that may tear at any moment the creature creeping closer careful not to join the princes fate yet determined to make him a meal. Darres fearful and not wanting to die yells in terror help please help me some one anyone. Tilara the witch living nearby hears the young mans cries for help wreastles with the pros and cons of saving someone when suddenly she realizes shes heard this voice before. Her curiousity gets the better of her and she descides to investigate. apearing above the cliff seamingly out of nowhere floating above the princes head she is shocked to discover the prince she had seen before now dangling above certain death. Glibly she states fancy meeting you here. Interupted by the angry Shriek of the were beast trying to ward the sorceress away from its meal. She glances at the beast for but a moment with a flick of her wrist the beast is destroyed by shockwave of force leaving chunks of filth where it once stood. Returning her gaze to the prince now moments away from death tells him to quicly grab her hand warry at first he clasps her wrist just as the vine snaps releasing his weight. Suddenly the prince begins to float the witch using the same magic on him she uses to fly. their eyes meet and Tilara begins to blush once more. Darres having a good look at the witch that had once terrified him now too began to turn a shade of red. The suspense is broken when the two begin stumble each trying to make words come out instead of awkward small talk. The two introduce themselves and Darres reafirms his mission to reclaim his kidnapped fiance. Tilara dawns a look of shock and says, wait you were going to marry that cow like on purpose. The prince knowing all to well his situation simply knodds. She replies, what you do lose a bet and begins to laugh. Triggering a a smirk on the young princes face. He recites his situation to Tilara and the two become closer. Tilara now knowing the situation confesses to Darres that she actually already sold the princess as collateral for her debts to the trolls. The prince both shocked and appauled asks why she would do such a thing. She tells him that shes a witch and thats what witches do besides being hard to imagine that anyone would miss a girl like her. The prince reminds her that insufferable or not without her his kingdom is doomed to ruin and he must rescue her. Tilara understanding his situation and harboring dormant feelings of affection toward him uncharacteristically agrees to help him recover the lost princess and the unlikley pair journey together to save the lost princess. Finally the two arrive where Tilara had once made the deal with the trolls who now stood watch over the path ahead. Tilara signals to Darres to let her do all the talking and she homies up to the trolls who give a an brow raised stare and ask why she has returned. She replies, yeah about that see...Im gonna need that princess back you know the one I sold you. The begin Cackle an unearving laughter and say Not sold given as collateral and further state that they will not return the girl. Annoyed by their behavior signals the prince to go around and draw his blade from behind. Tilara places her hands on two of the trolls her eyes glowing piercing green as she saps their lifeforce and memories the last troll done in before he can act the princes sharp blade piercing him from behind. Tilara tells him that they stashed the princess in a cave nearby the two pause for a moment realizing that they make a good team noticing their accomplishments once again the two engage in awkward small talk before returning to the task at hand. The two blushing and starting to notice their companions other assets. quietly thinking to themselves what ifs. "What if I didnt have to marry this princess" and "what would he think of me if I were anything but the witch he fears". Their thoughts are quiet as they enter the cave warry of trap or ambush as trolls are known to do. they wander deeper into the torch lit cave were the trolls stash lies guarded. The cave is lined with minerals that make it hard for Tilara to use her magic limestone to name one. With this realization she warns Darres to be on guard for her magic is weak here, she able to use basic magic however and scans the stone halls for danger detecting traps and enemies before them. The two dodge pitfalls and spikes while trying to remain unseen and unheard suddenly Darres pulls Tilara close to him their noses touching. Tilara cant help but blush at the sudden development. shhh he tells her and points to the ledge above them. Towering there over them the tallest Troll any has ever seen and sharp yellow eyes that pierce shadow. This must be the Trolls leader they think they wait for his gaze to shift before slinking out of sight. The witch realizing the prince hasnt let go of her hand and saying nothing wishing for the experience to continue. Darres realizes this however pulling his hand away in embarassment. Suddenly a glint of light catches Tilaras eye and the two make for source of this light. They are astonished to find a room filled with treasure the likes of which neither of them had seen before. They marveled at the vast horde of riches for a moment and knew this is where the princess must be. The two begin searching when they are both halted by a tremor beneath their feet. They pause to look at the ground when the tremor repeates and cracks begin to form at a nearby wall of the treasure trove. through the crack apears a piercing yellow eye. They quickly realize they have been spotted by the leader of the trolls when a loud enraged snarl bellows out from the dark. INTRUDERS the troll cries INTRUDERS IN THE TREASURE TROVE. The two are panicked and huddle back to back prepairing for a fight when suddenly Tilara recognizes the small figurine that had once been the princess and her eyes widen. Quickly she tells the prince she only has enough power in this cave to performe one teleportation spell and that she has spotted the princess she signals him for a distraction turning herself invisible while she creeps over to the statue. SHe grabs the princess quickly and rushes over to the prince before he is over taken. With a loud cry she yells in a strange language a single phrase, "Tela Borma". And in a flash they vanish from the dark lair of the trolls. apearing five feet above the witches lair in the wood. Tilara glides down gracefully while Darres falls into Tilaras cauldron legs sticking out and hair a mess. she cant help but laugh herself to tears embarassed and slightly purturbed he gives her a glare but soon begins laughing himself the two had risked life and limb and come out unscathed lucky to be alive. Over joyed the prince asks Tilara if she can now reverse her spell on the princess. Tilara asks if he wouldnt wrather keep her this way till they arrive at Kartag and she promises to undo the spell there. He knods and agrees that it would be better for the both of them not having to put up with her constant wailing. And so days pass with the two passing through the Shadow Wilds growing closer to Kartag and closer still to eachother. The two exchanging stories likes and dislikes how theyve lived and what theyve done. They grow very close indeed yet it isnt until they reach the end of the wood when they realize their feelings for eatchother are undeniable.They reach the gates of Kartag and the two share a brief kiss between them as the witch releases the spell on the princess she tells Darres that their love can never work because witches dont get happily ever after he is hurt by this statment but unable to reply as she vanishes back into the wilds both of them in tears. Suddenly a loud shriek from the princess startles Darres as she calls for the guards to arrest the traitor. He cries out to Tilara who only faintly hears his cries looks back in shock to see the prince being carried off in chains into the dark fortress she cries out his name name before he is out of sight. The shock passes and all she can think of is saving the prince who has stolen her heart. But such a feat will not be easy powerfull though she may be she is one witch verses an entire kingdom designed to be an army of unstoppable force. But the witch is never alone for the wilds have always been her home and a swell of power from deep within calls to her. It is the wilds themselves whispering to her very being I am here child of shadow what is thy bidding. She cries for Forest to help her she must rescue the man she loves and save his kingdom from destruction. This was all her fault and she could not bare to lose him. She would give anything to make things right. The forest replies you have all the power you need. You have only to descide where to go from here. She rises to her feet her tears gone and she says finally.."To War". A quake of unimaginable force can now be felt all the way between both kingdoms and the wilds rise and writhe and at the witches command all manner of creature emerge from the wilds bewitched by the Sorcerous and her new found power. Vine tooth claw and wings press fourth from the wilds toward the kingdom of Kartag the witch hovering over her army of horror. they grow close to the gates met by the armies of King Gregorie. Halt he cries you go no further Witch. she points toward the kings army and a single word leaves her lips "Attack" Vines erupt from under the king and his daughter the army now fully engaged with the terrors of the wilds unable to aid their King. Tilara makes her way through the city dispaching guard after guard. shouting for the prince. DARRES she cries DARRES WHERE ARE YOU? suddenly a chambermaid of the princess tells the sorcerous that Darres has been brought to the dungeons to await execution. The chambermaid leads Tilara to the princes location quickly they fly down the stair and into the halls of cages and chains. Tilara is horrified to find the Prince hung from the walls of the dungeon by his wrists his body beaten and bloody. He had been tortured for information about his kingdoms defenses. his clothes torn his body weak. He looks up and his eyes widen TILARA he cries. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ITS NOT SAFE. not knowing what she had done to get there. She stated he had nothing to fear any longer as she heals his broken body. She tells him that she has come to save him and his kingdom. his hands now free from his shackles hold Tilara in a tight embrace tears in his eyes. I thought Id never see you again. And the two share a deep kiss as if the world around them had fallen away. The prince jokingly asks Tilara I thought you said witches dont get happy endings. She smiles and tells the prince to the devil with who ever came up with that rule and reembraces Darres again before the two teleport out of the dungeon and to the safety of the WIlds. The King and his armies now devastated by the awe inspiring wrath of the wilds were no more of a threat to Darreses kingdom. The two finally make their way back to his home and declare their love to the Queen. She asks what of King Gregori and his army will they not seek revenge. He replys no mother but even if they did they would no longer be a threat to our kingdom. She asks how this is possible and Darres glances over at Tilara and says "Because a witch descided to become a hero and changed her story" The Queen gave the couple her blessing of their union and Tilara finally found her Happily Ever After...!
