Chains around her arms are the first thing Thana sees when her eyes open. She sits up groaning from the pain on the back of her head. She looks up and realizes she is in her fathers throne room. She gazes at the regal paintings around the room. One of her great grandfather and great grandmother. The first Royals of Grimland. They both are standing proud in the portrait. Her great grandfather's eyes stand out to her, they are a sharp golden color. Just like hers. She glances at the portrait of her nana and papa. They are young in the painting. Their eyes showing the happiness they had together. Finally it lands on the last portrait. It is of her father Randolf and Gwendiline. He is holding a small child with dark red hair sticking out of the blanket. She never really believed she had that much hair as a baby.
Thana's eyes then land to the floor in front of her. It has a pool of blood drying on it. She winces and looks away, feeling a burning in her chest at when its scent caught her nose. She feels herself begin to shift but the chains start to burn her wrist. Out of shock she stopped to look at the chains. Raising her head she looks at shock at the man sitting on the throne in front of her. 562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwGw6gbRNj
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"Father, what is happening." She whispers to him.
However the man just looks at her in disgust and turns his head. Thana's eyes dart around the room. She sees her step mother in the corner consoling her youngest sister who is weeping, Her other sister is leaning on the wall looking smug. Uncle John is standing to her right looking angrily at The King. Looking back down at her hands, she closes her eyes refusing the tears to escape. She broke an accord, no one is going to answer her. She feels her hands start shaking, and her chest feels like its burning.
"Just kill me already." She shouts.
She stands up and takes a step closer to the man that was supposed to be her father. She stares at him till he makes eye contact. Gasping she takes a step back realizing his plan. She watches as his eyes with tears and one drips down his face.
"Thana, due to the information discovered at your prior execution, the King has decided to send you to the Forsaken Legion rather than death. The decision was based on your past training for army commander and rather then let that talent go to waste we decided to use it to help the kingdom." Her uncle said gently.
Thana looks at her uncle and then her father. You go see her face warp in anger and outrage. She shuts her eyes taking a deep breathe.
"I told the truth in the beginning, you don't care about the truth or my training. You're just too afraid to anger the gods further. You killed him because you believed Elenor over me. He was mine and now you are all going to force me to live with half a soul." Thana screams.
She grabs her chest and falls to her knees. Shaking in rage and pain she hears the clip clops of high heels over the tiles of the throne room. She see pink high heels in front of her face. She groans knowing who it is, her eyes trace up to see her half sister Elenor. She has a smirk on her ugly face, her nose turn to far up. She rocks on her heels looking like it was her birthday.
"Uncle forgot the best part sister. You will also be given a hundred lashes for your crimes." Eleanor says
Thana stands and opens her mouth to say something back, when she sees a flash of blonde crash across the room.
"No that's not okay" Eva screams.
Thana lowers herself to eye level of her little sister. She looks at her small sister. Realizing that this would be the last time they will see each other for a long time if ever. She moves a curl out of Eva's face and tucks it behind her ear. She then wipes the tears from her face. Leaning in Thana kisses the top of her sister's head.
"I will be with you always little one. Your tears are not worth this. I'll always be fine, as long as you grow up nice and strong." She whispers to her sister.
Thana then waves to her step mother to take Eva. The queen scurries to collect her daughter. Fussing over her she turns to leave, Thana grabs the queens arm. Guards around them get into position to attack.
"If you harm her, I will be back to end your life Queen." Thana says
She then releases Gwendoline and allows the guards to come and grab her arms. Eva begins to cry and scream. Suddenly the glass dome above them shatters. In comes a10 foot golden griffin with a missing leg and a bright pink collar around his neck. He flies down landing over the crying child. Cooing and clucking while bringing his wings around her in a cocoon. No one in the room moves knowing who the beast is. Finally once he realizes she is okay he turns his head to Thana, who is still being held down by guards.
"I suggest you let go of me, since Thief doesn't like people touching me." Thana says
The guards immediately let go of the princess and backs away. Thana turns her head to the Griffin.
"Come here boy, she's just sad." Thana speaks to the griffin.
Cooing he jumps up and hobbles to the girl. Lying at her feet she starts to stroke the beasts head. After everyone is calmed down from the events she stands and turns to her father.
"I would like to request that Thief is allowed to follow me to the Forsaken Legion. As I raised him since birth and he doesn't like many others. Along with my mother's weapon since it is now mine. " She says
Her father stays silent for a moment. He then nods agreement. Thana smiles tightly before shedding her dress top. Gasps go around the room looking at the girl standing in the middle of the courtroom. She is in pants and a binding however it's not the half naked girl herself that caused the gasps. It is the marks covering her front and back. Thick lines covering her body. Some as pale as snow, others are red and angry. She turns to her oldest sister looking at the girls paling face. Then to her step mother who is hiding Eva's face from the scene. Her face is twisty and red with anger. Then she sweeps her eyes over the remaining council, to finally rest on her father's. He is in shock at his daughter's body. He is looking around for clues from others faces.
"Don't worry Eleanor, your mother has made sure to expose me to the ways of a whip. I am not afraid. I accept my punishment and banishment to the Forsaken Legion. I hope the guilt of my body, and the death of my mine eats you away till your nothing, Mother would be ashamed of the man her mate turned out to be. A man to choose his whore and bastard child, over his true princess. Your kingdom will fall, I am marked a half-soul because of your actions. Nothing can control me anymore. You killed your only hope. The only reason I am not tearing this kingdom apart is for Eva and Uncle. Remember that in the future." Thana announces.
With that she turns to the guards and holds her hands out. The quickly change her and start the walk to the public square for her punishment. As she walks out the throne room the progression starts. First her uncle and Thief, then the council, then the royal family. They arrived to the palace entrance and stop for a brief second. Thana feels a hand on her shoulder. Turning she sees her uncle with a grim smile.
"Eyes up Little Dragon, Show everyone who you are."
He then grabs a leather tie and puts her dark red curls in a bun on her head. He then traces the mark on her shoulder. The wings of a dove, half looking lively full of feathers and the other half just a skeleton of the wing structure.
"You are strong and I'll be there to help you." He pats her shoulder one last time and steps back.
She gives him a nod and takes a step forward.
"Uncle, being the Army Commander, I know it has to be you. Don't fret, this changes nothing between us. There is nothing you can do and I am aware of it. You are still the closest thing to a parent I have. Mother would be proud of you."
Thana can see her father physically wince at her words. Ignoring it, she cracks her neck and raises her chin. She then rolls her shoulders letting her dark red wings out from her back. She shakes them out. Thana then feels her horns coming from her head, and her eyes taking on the dragon sight. She knows they look like glowing gold. This is the sign of a true dragon princess, the half shift. Controlling the beast within without fully giving into its whims. She gives the guards at the door a nod.
They then open the two giant doors. The setting sun's glare lands on the group. Looking out the door Thana sees the people of the kingdom were lined up on either side creating a parted see to the square where the whipping pole was placed. She raises her head a little higher while taking her first step down the palace stairs. She can hear people screaming at her. Whore,Killer, Bitch. None of that bothering her, she is aware that they know nothing of the truth. She hears others wails seeing the princess's body and hearing of her punishment. It can't be true, She shouldn't have to fair this as well. She smiles however she knows that isn't true as well.
She broke the Supernatural Conduct Accords. She slept with a human, she killed humans and supernaturals, and she shifted in the throne room of all places. She knows there was nothing to do at this point. The council and her father ignored her truths and then she rose against their actions. It takes fifteen minutes but they finally make it to the whipping post. Taking another deep breath she turns to her uncle.
"Please put a rope on Thief and give Eva it to hold. That way he doesn't interrupt." She says
Without a response he ordered the guards to do just that. While they were restraining Thief, Thana walks up the steps to the post. She then places her hands above her head and let the guards clasp them in place. Her uncle then comes to stand on the stage. Walking over to the guard that has the whip in his hands. Her uncle then clasps the whip in his hand. He turns to face the crowd. With tears streaming his face he begins to speak.
"Princess Thana as you know has been found guilty of breaking the Supernatural Conduct Accords. However due to recent findings her punishment has been changed from death to banishment to the Forsaken Legion. She will be stripped of her titles and power. Along with this she will be given 100 lashes. After that she will immediately be sent to the Legion."
He turns to his niece, his hand gripping the whip till his knuckles turn white. Raising the whip over his head he lets it down over her back. Thana doesn't make a sound. However a thin line of blood is coming from her back.
"One." Commander John croaks
This goes on till forty seven lashes when Thana starts to sway. The stop long enough to lower the chains so she can knell since her legs won't hold her any longer. Her eyes still open staring off into space. She can see her griffen screeching and pacing back and forth, clearly in distress. Eva is clutching the rope while crying on top of the griffin hiding her face in his feathers. Her sister Elenor is next to her mother smiling at the pain of her oldest sister. The queen has a cold face as ever. She feels the next lash come across her back. She grinds her teeth to withhold a scream. Thana refuses to make a sound.
"Forty Eight." Commander John says
The Whipping continues till Seventy two at that point Thana's vision goes in and out and she welcomes the bliss of unconsciousness. She is awaken from a shaking on her shoulder. She realizes that she is on her stomach and her uncle is kneeling next to her. She lets out a small smile knowing that he is hurting as much as she is.
She looks around and sees that the crowd has left along with her family. She sees Thief standing behind her Uncle waiting to intervene if I were to command it. She then looks back to her uncle and feels her chest tighten. Being removed of her title means that he is no longer her uncle. It hurt her to lose him after everything else she has lost. She tries to move but the pain of her back makes her let out a pained groan. Her uncle places a hand on her arm to get her attention.
"I am going to lift you onto Thief. He will fly you to the Legion, I'll meet you there. I have already picked a squad to place you with. We will get you some medical attention right away." He says while wiping sweat away from her brow,
"No, Commander. I would just like to go to my squadern and get some sleep. I can heal on my own." Thana whispers.
"I'm still your uncle kid, no matter what titles are taken." He says
He carefully scoops Thana into his arms and walks over to the now loose griffin. He gently places her on his back and secures her there. He then walks to Thief's face stroking his beak before taking ten steps back. He removes his shirt and starts to shift. Standing in his place is a 20 foot green dragon. He licks Thief, causing a shriek from the surprised animal. Her uncle then turns and launches into the air. Thief follows cashing the giant dragon across the night sky.
Their destination is only an hour flight, the farthest east corner of the kingdom cut off from the rest. This is where the Forsaken Legion residents. The old stone covered in thick vines. Bits and parts chipped away from training and fights. There are thirty squads at the moment containing five to seven members. In charge of dealing with anything outside the walls. They are the first line against herds of jesters or holders of posts outside the walls.
Thana grabs her griffin's feathers and braces herself as the descent to the ground begins. Once they land her uncle shifts back into human form. He grabs pants a shirt from a guard standing ready for their arrival. Once clothed he starts walking towards the barracks. They walk for ten minutes before entering a building. They enter into what looks like a living room. He then walks up to Thana.
"Stay here, I'll be right back. I am going to find your squad leader and introduce you to your squad members."
Thana, too tired to speak just gives a nod and a wave to her uncle. He shakes his head mumbling about how they do have an infirmary here and that she is just as crazy as her mother for not going. Thana smiles and softly strokes Thief as he wanders around the room. She slowly drifts into a sleep.
She is then woken up to a shrieking man playing tug of war with her griffin.
"These are my underpants, you dumb three legged monster. How did a griffin get into our living room? GIve them back!" The floppy blonde haired man argues.
"WHY ARE YOU MAKING SO MUCH NOISE." Bellows another man as he walks into the room.
Thief in response yanks on the underpants once more. Thana shakes her head softly.
"Thief let go of this man's underpants please." She croaks out.
Her speaking startled both the griffin and both men. Thief lets go of the underpants causing the man to fall over. Thief then turns his head around and coos at her. Happy she is finally awake. Thana turns to the man who entered the room. He is looking horrified to see her. She realized she recognized him as Kolt. Kolt was a known drug and arms dealer. He used to deliver her the green herb that help calm her mind and body from her aunts whippings. He even helped clean them once they got better acquainted.
"Princess, what are you doing here? What happened?" Kolt asked.
Before Thana could answer the door opens and in walks her uncle and three other people. Her uncle smiles at both men while the other three are horrified to see a griffin in the middle of the room.
"Ah there you are Linkin, and Kolt we were looking for you. See as you already met Thief, and Thana." He says.
Linkin hides the underpants behind his back before saluting the Commander.
"Commander, what an honor it is to meet you again. Why is there a Griffin who likes to steal underpants with a girl strapped to it in my living room? Also did Kolt just call her princess?" He blurts out.
Linkin admittedly blushes realizing he said it out loud. The commander lets out a laugh and Thana could see the tall man next to him put his head in his hand mumbling idiot. Her uncle then walks to the blushing boy and pats his shoulder. He turns to Thief and pats his nose. Thana looks at the three people who entered with her uncle. Two men and one woman. She recognized the women in an instant. It was Teagen Grimore. She was a notorious thief in the kingdom. She would steal from the rich to feed the orphanage she was from. They became sort of friends in their teens when Thana caught her stealing from her room. Before she could say hello her uncle began to speak as he untied her and help her to her feet.
"You all remember Thana, she is the reason all of you aren't dead. She is now known as the sixth member of your squad. Please make her feel at home while she adjusts to being here. Can one of you show us to an empty room." Her uncle tells the group.
" Wait, what is her crime." The tall man steps forward.
Thana stands and takes a step forward to face the man.
"I broke the Supernatural Conduct Accords, Captain Erzah." Thana says remembering who he was.
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