The Crown And The Claw

Prologue

Maeve followed behind her mother, her breath misting in front of her, as the warm breath from her lungs melded with the chilling air of the Kingdom.

Maeve glanced up at her mother,a swirl of confusion clouding her gaze. Why had they entered the lower ring, abode all the commoners? Maeve was a Princess, not a common wretch as her father would call them! And being a young girl, her curiosity knew no bounds, and she demanded answers.

Maeve pleaded with her mother, her small frame shivering in the cold despite clinging to her mother, "Why are we here, mama? I don't like it, it's too cold! Can we pleeeease return to the castle? It's warm there!" She whined, her youthful childlike features betraying her frustration. Despite the princess's incessant complaints, her mother smiled softly.

No matter how pitiful and demanding the young royal became, the queen's love and infinite patience remained unshaken, as only a mother could understand.

"Shh, my sweet," whispered her mother, soft and reassuring. "We're on a secret mission okay? We won't be gone long. This will be a wonderful lesson for you. I'm sorry for waking you in the wee hours, but you'll see it's worth getting up for." Her mother softly explained, gently squeezing her daughters shoulder, the touch conveying reassurance and affection.

"Ok mother... but it's still cold!" She complained, her small nose scrunching up as she frowned.

Her mother looked down at her, a soft smile playing on her lips, softly chuckling at her daughter's complaint, "I know my little one, it's quite chilly out. But as I said before, we won't be out long." With practiced ease, her mother lifted Maeve's small frame into her arms, the tender smile lingering on her lips.

"I think you can deal with a little cold, hm?" Her mother coaxed, Maeve nodded again though her chubby arms gripped tighter around her mothers neck, And in a quiet voice she whispered,

"It's too cold!" She whimpered, pulling her face away from her mothers chest, her eyes watering and chubby cheeks streaked red with tears.

Her mother hummed softly, a mix of empathy and compassion in her eyes, "Oh my sweet, you are a resilient girl, I know you are, a little cold won't hurt you." She mumbled reassuringly into the small princess's ear, she clinged around her mothers neck with small hands. Maeve softly murmured in her mothers ear, her voice so small and scared it made her mothers heart ache at the sound of her daughter's distress.

"Do other kids really live like this? Don't they have big fires that keep them warm?" Maeve asked quietly.

"My darling, yes, other children do live in these conditions, it's harsh, I know." She said softly, looking at her daughter's red, tear stained face looking up at her. Gently her mother cupped her face, wiping the tears off with her thumbs.

Queen Aaberg gently set Maeve back on the cobblestones of the road, fixing her scarf so it sat warmer around her neck. "Come now, my dear. The sooner we get moving the sooner we can get you tucked into your warm bed"

Maeve's small footsteps followed behind her mother, the soft pattern of steps echoing off the flagstones the only sound in the deserted streets. Her mother navigated the labyrinth network of twisting alleys and storefronts with confidence, following what seemed to be invisible signs. Though it was most likely a familiarity that spoke of many past visits.

The two came to a stop in front of an aged storefront that seemed deserted, the boarded up window revealing only a faint glow seeping through. If not for the dim light of a solitary lantern illuminating the window, the building would have appeared completely forsaken.

As they entered the dim confines of the aged building, it revealed itself as an old jewelry store. Despite the meager warmth provided from the lone lantern, the old walls provided shelter from most of the cold winds.