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Chapter 1

"Lord Fable?" I awake, as a pair of small hooves press on my shoulder blades, rocking me back and forth in my bed gently. "It's time to get ready. Your father is requesting a council meeting."

I groan as the grogginess sets in, my forehead almost throbbing in pain. I shove my muzzle in my pillows in retaliation. "Again? What's he want this time?"

"He had not told me, but he requires you there, as per usual." the soft voice replies.

"Of course he does." I simply grunt, breathing in the scent of my silken pillows.

"Unfortunately so, but It's okay, my lord; I've already drawn the bath."

My ears perk up at the word, and I feel more relaxed just thinking about warm water around my body, soaking my fur. I eagerly spin onto my back, facing upward to see my maid, Aethia, sitting on my bedside with a smile pasted on her muzzle. "Fine." I say, blinking a few times. "I'm ready."

Aethia stops and leans in toward my face. "My, My, Dear, your eyes are quite bloodshot... Long night?" She crooks her head, and her ears lie back with worry.

I start to sit up despite the muscles in my body giving much protest. "Yes, well, last night was just a fiasco consisting of me, a book of spells, and a tall bottle of wine." I say smugly as my legs lay over the side of the bed.

"Oh Fable, you know as well as I do that your father w-"

"Would not be pleased." I cut her off. "Yes. I know. I just didn't think he'd be dragging me along for yet another goddamn committee meeting this morning."

I flick off the covers and stand up, walking over to the bath in the corner of my room, taking off my sleeping tunic and leggings, rubbing my left eye with a closed fore-hoof. "How are you always up this early, Aethia? You always find a way to wake me up on time." I say, slowly hovering my sore body over the tub.

"Well Fable, I'll be honest, but I like working. It's easy to pass time in this boring little keep when I get to simply clean up after you lovely noble-types." Aethia giggles to herself as she walks over to a wall to pick up a rough sponge. "Bucks tend to be so messy, and you're no exception, my dear."

I let out a snicker as I lower myself in. The borderline boiling water soaks into my chestnut fur and loosens my tender spots. I allot a nice long sigh as the pleasure hits in torrents. "I thank you regardless, Aethia." I say, motioning my body in such a way that my antlers hang out the back of the tub, my muzzle facing the ceiling. The light from my stain-glass window flickers across my face, and I feel as though I'm about to pass out from the bliss.

Luckily, I feel Aethia grab hold of my left antler and she begins to scrub hard on the velvet surface of them, scrubbing between the off-branches of my eight pointers and all. She starts talking again, and I try not to doze off when I listen. "So, you say that you worked on spellcasting. Did you learn anything? Or... did the wine inhibit that?"

I playfully splash some water. "Psh. You underestimate me. Of course I learned something." I smile, and shudder as I feel the sponge go behind my ears. "Mm~" I bite my lip, taking in the best part.

"Anything in particular, my dear?" She says, seemingly noticing how much I like the ear wash, focusing on that area.

"Well, I learned how to cast a light spell... Mage hand... uh..." I start drifting, but Aethia scoops me from under my armpits and slides me backwards in the tub to better expose my torso.

She continues to wash and scrub my fur as I ramble about the spells that I learned, which, I'm grateful she encouraged me to talk about, as it helped wake me up for the most part... but the worse part had not been over. I still needed to get dressed, which, with Aethia, took forever. I grumble. "Please tell me you already picked an outfit for me. I don't feel like standing around for too long."

"Oh hush. You know how I do my work. I need to see your dimensions to get a truly proper outfit." Aethia snaps at me in a startlingly polite tone, handing me the sponge, and I wash the rest of my torso. She starts draining the tub, the dirty water rushing out of the hole in the back of the tub, and through the hole in the floor just under.

"Okay. Fine. But I never said that I wanted to do anything complex. You simply insist on it." I say, kinda annoyed as I scrub the rest of my fur before the water was completely drought-ed.

Aethia just giggles and gives me a towel, which I use in combination with a gust spell that blow-dries my fur.

I look at her as she drags a stool to the center of the room and sets up a tall mirror behind it, and I roll my eyes when she waves me over to it. I put on my loincloth and step up upon the stool, as she begins to rush around me, grabbing bits and pieces of clothing articles, holding them up to me, shaking her head in disapproval, and running back to repeat the cycle.

"Try to do something red. I'm feeling like red today." I try to demand of her, but Aethia stops and looks me dead in the eyes, looks me down, then goes back to glaring at me. "Mmmm...No. We are going to stay traditional dark green with gold seams." Aethia smiles and grabs a dress-like robe of a dark green shade and throws it to me, which I catch with poor, fumbly hands. "Besides, green is your favorite colour anyways."

I raise a finger. "Uh... No it's not." I lie to catch he off guard.

"Yes, it is." She snaps back.

I chuckle. "Well then, What do I know about myself? Foolish me."

I start to clamber to get the clothes on, and Aethia swiftly ties it behind my back, and she puts her hands on my shoulders and shoves me down, sitting me on the stool. "Fable, hold still now, I'm doing the jewelry."

I smile. Though I don't like to admit it, Jewels were always my favorite part. Even as a child. They always made me feel confident for these kind of gatherings. I shake my antlers in agreement, and lean back to let her bejewl them.

With that, the door to my chamber slowly swings open with a big, bulky, and overall masculine stag wearing wearing gold armor standing behind it. "Good morning Lord Fable. 5 More minutes till the meeting starts, would you like a rundown?"

"Okay I guess." I say mindlessly, kinda distracted as I stare at his large, broad, sexy frame, which was definitely one of the more brutish types If I were to guess by his 12 point antlers. I was never a large stag, especially in comparison to other bucks, but this guard put me to shame. I smirk at the thought, and I have to cross my legs to hide my loins.

"M'Lord?" He shifts, his armor clicking and rubbing on itself. "Did you get all that?"

I bite my lip and lie as a first reaction. "R-right. Just the important stuff. Also-"

"M'Lord, my apologies, but I must leave, time is near up. I'd hurry if I were you, young sir." He says before scuttling off down the hall. I look over my shoulder to see how the jewel progress was going, and as my antlers swing, I hear crystal jingling from them. I smile as I see my reflection in the mirror shows the brilliant assortment of green and gold traditional jewels drooping from my now-stoic antlers. I'd never had pure confidence in my facial features, but I'd be hard pressed to say that I wasn't proud of seeing myself like this.

Shortly after, I feel Aethia's hand on my shoulder. "You like it? I think that guard did~. Nothing but sparkles in his eyes, that one." She chuckles and stands up next to me.

If fur had not blocked my cheeks, I'm sure I'd be bright as a rose. "What? N-no he didn't."

"Oh hun, are you calling my work shotty?" She snaps back, tightening her grip on my shoulder with a squeeze.

"No, I-It's beautiful, b-but I don't think a buck would look at a male prince like that. That's not how it works." I lie to her, pretending as if I was uncomfortable with the notion.

"Oh hun, your father is the only one that believes in that medieval mindset. We are people of nature, and we move with the times. But yes, I understand, I know you mustn't feel that way."

"Glad to see you've found the clerity in that." I say, standing up, grabbing her hand. "Thank you Aethia. I honestly don't know what I could do without you." I kiss her fore softly, my muzzle lightly nuzzling the it afterwards. I soon run out of the hall in a hurry, the chains and jewels jingling as I turn the corner.

During early hour, my home Keep seems insanely quiet and abandoned, making my hoovesteps clock across the wood floor with a higher volume than usual. I scuttled down the rounded steps in the cylindrical tree trunk that my home resides in, and I maneuver through the hallways til I get into an outdoor table sitting under of tree foliage. The grass outside is dewy and cold, and I cringe in uncomfortable displacement as I walk up to the table.

I eye my family down, which seem abnormally distraught. Especially my mother, or as others would have her, the Queen of the Elwood family name. "Good evening everyone. Mother, Father, Friends." I formally say, bowing before sitting in the oak chair.

My father, who in many ways resembles a gritty version of my own self, stands up slowly from the table. He has large bags under his eyes, and a worried expression to compliment them; and when he talks, his voice is hoarse and raspy. "Good morning, family and council. I assembled this meeting not to discuss daily matters, but to bring grave news."

He bows his head, murmuring something to himself before looking back up, the jewels on his larger rack of antlers rattling as he stared at me for a short moment.

"As you know, our Cervidae faction has been at great odds with those of the Lupis faction for reasons of conflicting ideologies and land claiming disagreements. Recently, our scouts report that those wolves have been gathering their numbers for the last couple of years." He stands and pinches his nasal bridge next to his eyes, as if trying to hide tears from my mother and I.

"They... Recently attacked one of our outposts to the north... and they aim to head here. To our home kingdom of Antler Green."

There is a collective murmur of concern from the table's war officials and scholars, myself included. Lead general Carren Darkfur stands up and slams on the table. "BASTARDS. I knew they were methodical, but attacking in the night!? Those COWARDS."

My father raises a forehoof in request for silence. "We need not discuss the wolf's cowardice, rather, what we need to do as a response."

"What response!? Those reserves were the last we had, King Umber. We're damned!" The general responds pacing in place, the head arcane dignitary piping in shortly after.

"Well not exactly, Lord Darkfur." A doe stands, taking off her hood. Lady Mooriil. "Mind you, we don't know there numbers for sure, but we are the proud owners of the druidic circles!" She looks around at the table for input. "Magic is definitely a force that those dumb mutts have always neglected."

"That is true..." My father says, stroking his white stringy beard. "We must put every piece of magic we have on the defense, but the question is, are your students able?"

I pipe up, crossing my arms, trying to give a hopeful smile despite my absolute dread of the revelations. "Yes, father. I-I and many other students are ready to fight the opposition. But, I must remind the council that these are students, after all. They've never seen battle, and... I must say, the idea of bloodshed must be taught to them if we aim to use our magical practices for defense."

"Mmmm... Yes Fable... Valid point." He glares at me before looking at Morriil, and tilts his stoic head and antlers. "How long would such preparations take?"

"Well... If I set up more training routines, I'd say... a-a month?" she says, fidgeting on the table with her hoof.

General Darkfur snorts out his nostrils. "Mmm... That should be enough time... The post is about 3 months travel north. We should be ready for their arrival... Magic, In my experience, can demolish armies. It is what we did to the hyenas so long ago."

"Its a tool of great power, but it's our only hope." My father says, crossing his arms. "Now then, what's next?"

We seemed to talk about the wolves and deer war for hours, battle plans, roles to play, and other ramblings from those who question my father's final choice. We all feel uneasy, and its not hidden that well. We wear worried and weak faces as we walk out of meeting area, knowing that the days to come would be harder that before.

My father pulls me aside as we walk away from the table. "Fable, my son. A word, if you will." I nod. "Yes father?"

"Fable, the last time our great kingdom saw combat was many centuries ago. When you were but a fawn, we clashed with so many other great nations in a battle of blood and steel. However, it was with magic that we came out on top as one of the most prosperous. I just want you to know that. We need not worry."

I smile, bowing to my father. "I do not worry. The canines were never too smart anyways... However, Father, I'd like to ask you a question." "You may." He replies, unsure, his muzzle tilting up.

"I'd like to fight with the people, father. I've been working on my arcane abilities, and I've been climbing the ranks of the school quite quickly." I lay my hands together, hoping for him to agree.

He snorts and crosses his arms. "Ah yes... I was afraid that you would ask. However, you will do no such thing, Fable. As a prince, you are supposed to be a role model for the people, and heir to my throne, should I perish."

"But shouldn't I be there as an inspirational figure?" I say, looking at the ground. "I mean, I feel like people would like to know that the king and his son are willing to fight with the kingdom!"

"Fable, No. It is final. It is only for your safety. Good day, I have much to do." He says smiling with a hint of irritation toward me as he turns heal and leaves.

I sigh, slumping my body. "Alright... Guess I'll just... stick to my books." I soon turn around and head outside, adjusting my saddlebag to my waist. Many things ponder through my mind as I walk outside in the great lord's garden. It's now about mid-day, thanks to the meeting, which went by much faster do to it's content.

I search around for a while, looking for a nice tree to hide in the shade of the warm summer day that bounds around the area. It takes me a while, but I eventually find a nice oak tree at the far reaches of the garden, and I sit against it, grazing my antlers along the bark before thumping on the soil.

I reach into my bag, and take out a tome of arcane techniques of Abjuration. But before I can read a word, I hear a low pitched voice run up to me, along with the sound of thumping hooves against soil. "Fable? Fable! Hey!"

I glance up, and see a familiar face straight out of my childhood. He is a tall, casually dressed, dirt brown-coated stag that is bounding at me with a vigor of excitement. I react. "Brawn! Where have you been!? It's been ages!"

Brawn, smiles beamingly before throwing his body next to me at the base of the tree, his height towering over mine. "Nowhere important. Just taking walks. Nothing too big." He ruffles my hair with his left forehoof, which is almost as big as the entire top of my head. "What about yerself? I hear that you've been attending more council meetings now that you're eighteen!"

"Ah, you'd be right." I cross my legs. "I've been doing a bit of this and a bit of that but it's kinda annoying that I can't find time to hang out with you I start to blush, my face getting warm. "I mean, it's just been so long."

He gives me back his signature warm smile, hugging me with his left arm. An act that makes my heart jump. "Yeah. Shame. I remember wrestling and dickin' around in the garden. Times were better and less... impactful."

I linger on the hug longer than what could be platonically normal, and almost press my face to his chest, but I stop myself and move back into my original position on the tree. "Y-yes. Impact is definitely a word for it." I give a worried frown.

"Oh?" He pries with his eyes, and I bend under his warm gaze.

"Yeah. Well... Things just got heated at the council table. But you mustn't tell anyone." I say mindlessly, catching myself as I expose the secret information to him. "You know, forget I said anything."

He playfully flutters his eyes, but soon after gives a hearty chuckle. "Now Fable, You know me well enough, don't you?"

I smirk back. "I dunno, do I? Its been a while. Perhaps you've become a equine double agent."

"Psh. Horses are our allies. And Yeah. Im silent as stone. Tell me anything." he crosses his arms and looks seriously at me for a moment.

I nod. "Okay fine. But if it goes around the kingd-"

"Fable. It wont. I wouldn't do that." He put his hands folded in his lap.

"Okay so... the Lupis kingdom has invaded our northern outpost. It'll be a couple months, but they plan to attack us." I say, looking down.

He looks at me with his big brown eyes. "You're messin' with me. What's the real news?"

I look back up, right into eyes and time slows. "No! This is real! It's happening. I'm dying inside because I think you are the only person in this kingdom I trust enough to tell."

He looks back down with me this time. "Oh." He twiddles his thumbs. "I see. So the mutts finally make their first move." He gets up and crosses his arms. "Did we at least put up a valiant fight? Us bucks aren't the easiest to push aroun-"

"They snuck in and slit their throats in the night, scouts say." I interrupt, exhaling. "It's not a fair fight with the wolves. It never is. That's why they are of the strongest kingdoms in the land. It's why they almost drove the Fox kingdom to extinction, and its why they drove the bulls into savagery and hiding."

Brawn looks at me, hope leaving his eyes. "Gods... Cowards."

"I know. I don't know what to do. I want to help, but my father never lets me." I open my tome back up and turn to the page I was on. Brawn looks down at me from his lumbering height. "Well, Lord, your presence helps enough as it is. Don't make it worse by getting yourself killed." My face warms "Well, what the hell kind of prince would I be if I wouldn't die for my people? This situation is so damned, I need to do something!"

He seems to have a hard time keeping patience with me, but he keeps the empathetic smile upon his muzzle. "Well, you'd be sane, for starters." he pulls me close, and I can smell his wonderful scent on his mildly musky fur. "And you do help by your presence alone. The royal family are such good people to rally behind, and you're no exception."

"God damn it Brawn, I just... I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm saying." I say, laying my head against his chest, not really thinking.

He starts to pet the neath of my neck while talking. "I get it bucko, you're just passionate about your people... We are lucky to have a prince like you."

I sputter into his chest, flicking my other ear. "Right." I lift my head and glance up at him, changing subject so my mind can take a break from lingering on it. "Enough about me! What about you? Did you get into the guard yet?"

He smirks down at my head, and my heart skips. "Yup! That's why I'm glad to talk to you! I get to tell you where I'll be working."

"Yeah?" I ask, tilting my head inquisitively.

He presses my head back to his chest, hugging me tightly. "Kings Guard! That's right buddy, I get to hang out in the royal palace with you and all the other little Elwoods!"

I jump up to my feet with him, jumping with a hint of glee. "Wait! Really? I thought you weren't gonna make it because of the tests!"

He puts a fist on his hip. "Hah. Well, it turns out that I'm a much better sword fighter than the other champion recruits."

I feel like kissing him I'm so happy. "I'm sure you were! W-when do you start?"

"Well, tomorrow, actually." He responds, his tone more gruff.

"Oh wow! What does Carri think of your new job?" I say, but I can almost immediately tell that saying that was a mistake as his tone bitters, and he looks at the grass. "Oh, yeah, we uh, we split up."

I immediately try to fix my mess-up. "Oh goodness, I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't know."

"Oh Fable, I couldn't expect you to. Between both of our respective trainings, it'd be easy to miss anything going on between us. We walked our separate ways a month or two ago."

"Oh my. Thats alot of time. I guess I've been blind." I confide, bowing my head. He takes hold of my chin and lifts it. "No, no. It's okay. I'm just glad to pursue my career with my best friend."

"But what of you, Fable? Do you have any changes in relationships that I'm not aware of?"

Brawn smirks and leans against the tree, putting his body weight against the lumber. "Any doe's that have been tearing down your chamber doors? I gotta know who to stop if they start invading your quarters." I have to look away while muttering. "Right... uh, no. No Does per se." I giggle nervously, the air bouncing in my throat.

"Oh come on, you can't tell me that nobody's been trying to jump your bones." He steps forward, almost with a sensual tension as his body moves inward. He was right, does had been trying to hit on me left and right ever since I was inaugurated into a royal position. However, I always turned them down, just as they began to raise their tails toward me.

"No, I'm honest. Only uh... only ugly ones." I lie, shifting away from the tree. "I uh, I'm probably going to head out. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" I say, shuffling away.

"That's fine, Fable, but I'll get the truth!" Brawn says, as I shuffle further away.

Well, if Brawn wanted the truth, the truth would probably weird him out. Truth is, I lusted after Brawn ever since we turned 16 and were nothing more than teenagers. I loved his protectiveness over me, and I'd always wanted to tell him... It's just, I'm not exactly good at that. If anything, now would be the opportune time, now that he is single, but I couldn't even begin to imagine all the hoops I'd need to jump over.

I try to clear my mind of Brawn and our encounter, and I make my way through the Elwood keep back to the tea-study area, trying to focus on political affairs. All these people in this kingdom could die soon if the wolves get here too soon, and my feelings for my friends won't matter if all their throats were slit.

I repeat this thought as I open my tome again, having a nearby maid make some green tea, and I begin to study some warfare spells - purley out of curiosity