Visara marched on the human lands with her armies. Upon hearing her message of eternal peace, she was also joined along the way by other groups of human soldiers. They left their warmongering King to side with her. The Capital city where he resided was not as large or developed as it is today. However, his fortress was well protected. Visara marched at the very front of her army, leading the way. She slew anyone in her way and even the King's fortress could not keep her out. It did not take long for it to fall and for her armies to ransack the place.

She took the King prisoner. Not letting the rage get the best of her. She stared into the eyes of the man who raped and killed her mother and imprisoned him instead of torturing him. Knowing that she was not the only one that he hurt and the rest of her country would want justice too. Once she seized control over the humans, it was all over. She ruled every single race. Fighting stopped as treaties, laws and contracts were made and agreed to.

Once the lands were united, Visara's name was sung across the country. She was worshipped and loved by all. From then on, there was no need for the lands to be called The Bloodlands as it had been known for as long as anyone could remember. A new name was needed and the people turned to their saviour.

Visara Dulavelle. Wanting both a part of her own name and the name of the Peace God who fathered her to be the title of their new lands, they finally came to a decision.

From then on, the Kingdom was to be called Vivelle. It was a new era of peace, prosperity and equality.

The History of Visara

My mouth is dry as is my skin. It is so hot and the heat is relentless. Though I have to admit, there is something uniquely special about the Northern Deserts that make up the Lupine Territory. I had always assumed they were just endless miles of rolling hills and dunes made up of sand. But no. The ground is dry and solid underfoot. It is like hard mud and sand mixed together and a dark burnt orange colour. Like it can't decide whether to be orange or brown. The ground is also covered in thousands of plants. The leaves and branches a mixture of dark greens and straw-like yellows. The branches and leaves are dry and sharp. Then, there are the mountains. They are unlike any mountains I have ever seen. Nothing grows on them. They are just huge mounds of that same burning orange stone that rise from the flat ground. There are no gradual inclines. Just a completely flat ground and then boom. A tall mount of stone, it's summit just as flat as the ground it sits upon. They are spectacular and dramatic. They don't link together though. They stand alone as they make up the horizon.

It is endless though. The horizon is nothing but a wobbling haze from the heat with no sign of any villages or life. I don't see any animals but the ones we ride. There is no rivers or lakes which isn't exactly surprising. The sun is high in the sky today. No clouds cover it and the heat is horrendous. I have to wear clothes that cover my body completely otherwise my skin would be fried. I am sweating a lot.

We have been travelling for a week now and I can truly understand how so many people get lost. With the heat and the endless wilderness, I can see where the mind could get confused. That and the lack of any water and shelter, well, anyone underprepared would be long dead by now. Though the path we have taken has been mostly flat, I have seen great canyons in the distances. There is a lot more to these lands than I could ever have imagined. I was completely right with getting the Lupine themselves to take me to their lands. They have all the necessary supplies to keep us alive and know the way. Getting lost out here would be terrifying.

We have only come across one pack of Kintara wolves. They weren't a big pack and the wolves were nowhere near the size of the wolf that is being ridden by the woman who leads this group. Because of the Lupine with us, they left us alone. However, if we were on our own, I suspect we would have been torn to shreds. I wonder how these beasts survive in this climate and heat. How do they not boil to death in their own bodies? Like any wolf, they are covered in thick furs. The horses struggle, but somehow the Lupine who lead us have an endless supply of water and food to help the horses. I think, that there are secret water and food stashes along the path we are taking that they are accessing when we are either sleeping or when one of the Lupine in our group suddenly veers off in another direction, they are going to the stash to swap over supplies.

It is just a theory. I don't know if it is right.

I let out a long huff. I still sit on the horse in front of Wyatt. He has grown a little friendlier with the group and jokes and talks with them a lot now. We ride almost alongside them instead of a couple of meters behind. Not quite with them though.
"Something wrong little Brinya?" the woman asks with her harsh, deeply accented voice. They had adopted the nickname of little Brinya with me. Wyatt told me that Brinya means Princess in Lupine. However, in the Lupine culture Princess is an insult instead of a title. Basically mocking the Dulavelle royals. If a Lupine calls someone a Brinya or Princess, they are basically calling them a spoiled, weak, entitled, useless brat. Unsurprisingly, us royals are a mockery to them. Of course, the irony of the whole thing is that they are actually calling me by my official title so I have no idea if that cancels out the insult of not.
"I am fine," I reply softly. She smirks and mutters something in Lupine to the others. I think I have actually pissed them off. Not wanting to fall into that entitled rich girl stereotype that they hold over seemingly everyone who isn't a Lupine, especially over Vivelle's wealthy, I have made sure not to make a single complaint or make a fuss over anything. Even though they seem to be mocking me in a language I can't understand, I think it really gets to them when I don't really give them as much of an excuse to make fun of me. When I act against their stereotype. It gives me one small slither of satisfaction.

We set up camp for the night. Camp being a loose term for it. There is no need for a fire. It is still hot as fuck. There is no need for tents because the chance of rain is very slim. I sit on my own, segregated from the group. I watch in awe as the sun sets in the sky. The sky is lit up in an array of vibrant pinks and golds. The sun itself burns a dark, bright orange. It is spectacular. Another beautiful part of these lands. The glow casts against the burning orange stone makes my eyes widen in awe. With every day that I pass through these lands, there is something else that seems to draw me in. Yes, it is brutal, barren and hot. But the strange mountains, the peacefulness and these sunsets seem to just take me away from all thoughts of thirst or pain. This place is so enchanting in its dangerous, unique beauty and I am beginning to understand why the Lupine are so protective over their harsh homeland.

"I bet you've never seen a Lupine sunset before this journey, little Brinya," one of the Lupine says as he sits down next to me. His voice deep and his accent so thick that I have to take a few seconds just to figure out what he said.
"No," I reply with a soft whisper. He chuckles and ruffles my hair. I laugh and push him away lightly. He pretends as though I have actually had the strength to get his bulking hand away from him. He had been the most friendly toward me since the journey began. I have found out his name is Karn and he is pretty high up in the ranks. He is the one with the other wolf. Though the wolf is not big enough for him to ride with his huge bulking form. As I think about his wolf, she walks over to us and sits down next to Karn. She is beautiful. Her coat is a dark brownish-red colour with patches of greys and white. She is the size of a pony. Her eyes are jade green. The same shade of jade green that colour Karn's eyes. Karn himself is fairly attractive. His skin is golden and tanned and his hair is a very dark brown. It is tied back with a thick leather band, pulling all of the long brown locks off his face into a low ponytail of sorts. To keep the hair all in one line, every few inches another band is tied on the ponytail, sectioning the long line of thick, dark hair. It ends halfway down his huge back. Karn is a huge man. He must stand at almost seven feet tall. His shoulders are massively broad and muscles are bulging and defined. He wears no shirt so, with every movement he makes, you can see the muscles ripple beneath his tanned skin.
"You are a strange southern girl," he shrugs as he continues our conversation. "Most of the time when southerners see us, they are screaming in terror." He frowns and then continues. "The men scream too." I laugh.
"That is because you are ransacking their villages," I tell him. He shrugs.
"Perhaps if they learned how to put up a fight, we wouldn't be able to steal their stuff so easily," he tells me. I don't say anything. The Lupine seem to be very big on strength. Both physical and mental. If a man or woman actually tried to fight back, even verbally, they would cease to raid their home. If they cowered and screamed then they believe they have every right to take their belongings and even their lives. As if he knew my train of thought, Karn speaks.
"If someone isn't brave enough to defend what is rightfully theirs, then it doesn't truly belong to them," he tells me. I nod my head. I wonder what it is like in the Lupine city where everyone has this mentality. Do they all have this mentality or is it only the warriors who have it? So much I will have to learn about these people.
"Here, little Brinya. Eat this," he says and hands me a dull, browny green plant. Dryweed. It is repulsive stuff. Bitter and muddy in flavour. It is everywhere here and they use it in everything. They make tea from it, they eat it raw or cook it to have with meats. But, I take it and munch away at the grassy weed without fuss.
"Strange southern girl," he mutters again and stands up, walking back to the rest of the group.

It takes a while for me to sleep. The stars this far north are completely mind-blowing. The sky is so clear and that allows the thousands of little glowing lights to shine brightly. The moon is even more spectacular. Never have I seen it so large or bright. It's calming. A flapping of wings tells me Nianzu has landed next to me. I lie on nothing but a thin, scratchy blanket and I have another one over me. Despite the burning day temperatures, the nights do cool slightly. He doesn't transform. His crow form just hops over to a rock next to my head. Nianzo has been keeping an eye on me from the skies. Though we learned early that he should follow from a distance. The Lupine will hunt and kill any animal that isn't a wolf and though I know that they would not be able to get to Nianzu, it wasn't worth the fuss.
"Everything okay?" I ask through our link.
"It's fine. Nothing around to kill you and the Lupine are all asleep. We could go now. I could carry you straight to the city. I know the way, I've been there before," he tells me. I sigh. Nianzu is not very happy about my decision to get the Lupine to escort me into the territory. I know full well he could just shift into a dragon and fly me straight to the capital. Heck, we could probably walk there without the Lupine whilst he gives me directions from the sky. But he does not have the same knowledge of the lands as our current company. He doesn't know where there is water or shelter. Plus, travelling with these people is the best way to prepare myself for Lupine life and culture. I already know that just landing in the middle of their city unannounced with no warning will not gain me any favour. They are defensive and protective over their lands. They don't like people just showing up and making demands. I am sure that this way is the best way.
"We've already had this conversation, Nianzu," I tell him with another sigh.
"I know," he replies with a sigh of his own. "I just think it is very dangerous. These people are unpredictable and highly skilled. If they decide in a split second that they don't need you anymore, you'll be dead before I can even get to you," he tells me. I don't doubt it. I shrug.
"I have to take risks for this to work. That is the whole point of the True Trial. Plus, I think I'll be able to hold my own for a few seconds. Enough for you to be able to get here and save the day," I tell him.
"We still have to worry about your safety when you are in the city. They could still kill you at any moment." I nod my head in agreement.
"I need them Nianzu, this is the only way."
"You could just kill their Solavar. You kill him then you become their Lunavar and leader. Then they have to follow you." I am not sure if he can see the glare I am giving him.
"You know it doesn't work like that, Nianzu," I snarl. "Before you can even think about killing a Solavar, you must have the support of some of their other leaders as well as be liked by the people. If you have no support behind you, then you will be killed just as quickly as you killed the previous leader. They follow their leaders because they respect them and love them. As soon as a Solavar or  Lunavar loses favour, then they are dethroned and replaced without a second thought. If it is the same Solavar I have met before, then killing him is not an option and that is final," I almost growl. I can feel Nianzu's annoyance.
"Why are you so defensive?" he asks. I sigh.
"Just leave it, please Nianzu," I plead. "I respect you and your opinions. But this is my trial and I have to proceed the way I think is best and going in and killing their leader is not the way to get these people on my side. I have to work with them. I have to show them I an genuine in my beliefs that I want to change them. To prove to them I am not my father."
"I understand, princess," he replies before the link goes quiet and he flies off. I sigh again and close my eyes. I hate fighting with Nianzu. But sometimes, he gets too overprotective. Or I get too careless. Maybe it is both. However, at the end of the day, we still work well together and care for each other. I know if it was Nianzu doing what I was doing, I would be as annoyed as he is with me.

I wake to the sound of raised voices. The heat hits me straight away as I stand up slowly. Wyatt is fighting with Karn. Not physically thankfully, but they are muttering angrily at each other. Zoran stands next to me wearily. I frown as I look up at him, my heart racing in my chest. Have they decided I have nothing to really offer? Is Wyatt trying to argue for my life to be spared? Karn turns to me and smiles. I gulp then look at the other Lupine. She is looking between the two amused before she shakes her head and barks out an order. I lick my dry lips nervously. They continue to bicker and she walks over to me slowly. Zoran grips my shoulder tightly and slightly stands forward. I prepare to call for Nianzu. She grins as she sees Zoran's protective stance.
"Relax," her deep, heavily accented voice says. "You will still get credit for her arrival," she smiles as she looks at me. "It seems as though you've enchanted two Lupine with your pale southern flesh," she chuckles as she looks to where Wyatt and Karn are. I force myself not to chuckle. There is no way Wyatt is 'enchanted' by me. But, if it keeps me safe, then I suppose I can't blame him for giving that impression. "Though Karn is attracted to anything with a pulse," she shrugs before laughing and walking back. She shouts at the two in Lupine and the argument ends with Karn smiling and Wyatt giving me a worried look. Zoran leans down to whisper in my ear when they aren't looking.
"Looks like you are riding with Karn today," he tells me. I sigh and square my shoulders.
"This could be interesting," I tell him and try not to let my own nerves show. It only takes seconds to pack everything up. I just stand watching. My hands are still bound and the skin around the rope is very sore. The group begin to move out, racing off before it gets too hot and they have to slow down. Karn mounts his large horse in one smooth movement before racing the beast toward me. I don't move or flinch as he swings down and scoops me up from the waist and lifts me onto the horse in front of him. Wyatt gives me a worried look and I smile.
"I'll be fine," I mouth to him. He gulps and nods his head before urging his horse on faster.
"Good morning, little Brinya," Karn says.
"Morning, Karn," I chuckle. Leaning against Karn is very different from having Wyatt behind me. I am surprised that with his bulking figure that there is any room for me on the horse as well. He almost encases me with his huge upper body. I have no choice but to lean against the smooth skin of his chest. Not that I mind. I get a good look at the small, white scars that most Lupine have across various parts of their bodies. His sit across his pectorals. Little, neat white cuts all in line and cut into the shape of his body. The other Lupine man who I have not even talked to has these little white marks around his neck. The woman has them over her arm.
"So, why am I riding with you today?" I ask. He lets out a low chuckle.
"Because I think it is time for a change of companion," he tells me with his heavily accented voice.
"I was perfectly fine with Wyatt," I reply and cross my arms. He laughs again.
"You are very strange, southern girl," he tells me.
"So you've said," I reply.
"You know," he begins. "I quite like you. I will ask the Solavar not to kill you," he grins. I raise my eyebrows.
"Thank you, Karn. You are so kind," I reply sarcastically. He laughs again, his whole chest shaking.
"You are welcome, little Brinya," he says. "So," he begins, changing the subject. "Tell me about your city. I am interested in what the Capital looks like. My Solavar visited there a few years ago. But they never told me what it was like. My Solavar didn't like to talk much about it. Something upset him whilst he was there," he shrugs. My heart races in my chest as I remember when the Lupine visited. I gulp and push it down, focusing on the question.
"The Capital isn't that great," I sigh. "It is a bit of a shit hole really." He laughs again.
"Okay," he replies. "Then tell me of a beautiful place you went to during your travels," he begins. My mind thinks back to my journey so far.
"The fjords of Aldorn," I tell him and even I can hear the dreamy tone in my voice.
"What are they like?" though his voice is humerus now, I can sense a longing of sorts.  
"They are spectacular, Karn," I begin. "The water is so blue and the mountains rise up around long deep lakes in spectacular, jagged grey cliffs. The villages are small and perfect, nestled on the edges of the fjords. The rocks and banks were covered in rich green grass and trees." I smile as I think back to Aldorn. The first place I managed to find after I left the long flat farmlands. Where I met Iwan and Emmaline. The Lupine woman who escaped the capital many years ago and found love in a small village. Then Iwan, her son, who manned the ferry.
"I met a half Lupine there," I tell him. He raises his eyebrows.
"Really?" he asks.
"Yes, he was the ferryman," I tell him. "His mother lives in the village too."
"Interesting. The fjords must be a magical place if a Lupine can live there," he sighs.
"It is beautiful here too," I tell him. He nods his head and grins.
"Yes, we are very proud of our home. I would never be able to live anywhere else. I would miss the orange stone and the sunsets too much," he grins. I chuckle and lean back against him with a sigh.
"I wasn't expecting it to be like this," I tell him.
"No, most aren't. But it is very dangerous even if it is beautiful," he warns. I nod my head.
"How do you remember the way through? How do you learn the paths?" I ask, genuinely curious. His chest lets out a low rumble as he laughs deeply.
"Now the paths are for Lupine knowledge only. Nice try though little Brinya," he tells me. I shrug.
"I was just curious," I tell him. He chuckles but doesn't say anything.

The two of us chat for a while. It is surprisingly easy to talk to Karn. We don't talk about anything important. It is mostly just random thoughts. Neither of us want to reveal much about our own cultures to the other. Things turn odd when an odd sparkle catches our eye. Like the sun reflecting off metal. It comes from the top of one of the strange flat cliffs. Karn comes to a stop and looks around the cliffs. There are a few around us. Tall and jagged. He looks down at his wolf whose name I have discovered is Nyxa. She is alert. The other Lupine have all stopped now, just as alert as us. Watt's hand rests on his weapon and he gives me a look.
"Nianzu, can you see anything? I think something is wrong," I ask through our bond. He replies quickly.
"I've been flying behind you so I can keep an eye on you. I do not know what is ahead but I will check," he tells me. I look up and see the crow high up in the sky flying overhead. The bright, reflective light catches my eye again. I frown. Karn has tensed up now and is muttering harshly in Lupine to the others. I am focused only on the reflecting piece of metal on the cliff. I frown and lick my lips nervously. There is tense energy in the air and I don't like it.
"Illyana! It's the Fae!" I hear the whistle before I see the arrow. Out of reflex, I lift up my hand. It wraps around the neck of the arrow and catches it only inches away from Karn's chest. He looks down at me with shock. I look at Wyatt with wide eyes.
"Fae!" I shout as I twist the arrow around to the arrowhead undoes the rope that binds my wrists. At the word Fae, the Lupine draw their weapons. Another arrow comes flying toward us, but Karn swings his sword and cuts it in half. Only a second after, a large group of Fae to appear from the cliffs around us. There must be at least fifty. They are all dressed in smooth, gleaming silver armour. It is so delicate and light and I wonder how they aren't melting beneath it.
"Get out of our lands Fae scum!" the female Lupine shouts. Her wolf growling beneath her. One steps forward. He has silver skin beneath his armour and I can tell he is a future Fae. How the hell did they manage to get this far into Lupine lands?
"We are here for the Princess. We heard she was near the Lupine borders and assumed that her next stop was to your Solavar. We have seen that the Princess has yet to venture into these lands but we know that this woman holds valuable information as to her whereabouts. Hand her over so we can get the princess and return her to her father to resume the Queen's Trial." I feel anger burn inside me.
"Fuck you!" I shout. The Fae raises his eyebrow.
"We are acting on the King's orders. Fail to comply with his request and you are committing treason."
"Bringing the Princess back home without letting her attempt the True Trial is also treason," I reply, my voice cold and angry. My mind still reels as to how they managed to get this far into the lands. Yet, as I look at the Fae I can tell their skin colours are those that would glisten off the skin of a Future Fae. Perhaps, they used their visions of the future to navigate a path and intercept us in this place where the cliffs are closely packed together and there is plenty of places to hide. The female Lupine laughs deeply.
"You think that you can just walk into our lands and demand custody over our prisoner?" she laughs. "You pampered pricks think that everything belongs to you," she snarls and her wolf growls too. "We are taking the girl to our Solavar where what happens to her will be his decision. You get out of Lupine lands or this will be taken as an act of war," she growls. The Fae smiles.
"Very well," he sighs and looks to his soldiers. He barks out an order in the Fae language. They immediately draw their weapons and surround us. I clench my fists and look to Wyatt. He nods his head, knowing what to do. The wolves both growl and we ready to fight.
"Do not worry southern girl, when it comes to Lupine against Fae, Lupine are always victorious," Karn snarls in my ear as the Fae rush in to attack.