Meet Wren! (Her story)

Wren -

Silent and dangerous, but only if she needs to be. Don’t let her stern exterior fool you, however. Wren is delicately adorable when her switch isn’t turned on. Mostly preferring solitude, citizens will sometimes spot her perched atop a castle wall doing what we can only hope is “people watching”. She’s the Queen’s right hand. Loyal to her and her alone. Though that wasn’t always the case.

Originally from a neighboring kingdom, Wren was a street rat through and through. She learned how to fend for herself, mainly by pilfering. That, and how to fight for what was hers. What began as pilfering grew to stealing more valuable items that would build a reputation around the fox. Her head became the highest in value.   When her only friend Hazel was caught stealing from a royal guard, Wren stepped between the two and silently gave herself up to be punished in her friend’s stead. Surprisingly, they did so.

After months in her cell with barely any food or water, the king came to the dark dungeon himself to greet her. With a devilish grin he informed her that her friend had suspiciously gone missing. Wren snarled her teeth at the pretentious crown. The king proposed a deal. To become his spy. To infiltrate Mahi's domain and try to find proof of the Queen’s evil rule. Such rumors were always spread about her. After all, the king had been wanting to overthrow Queen Mahi for generations. In exchange he claimed he would bring Wren’s friend Hazel back. He flung a pittance at her, but she swatted it away. She agreed, but wasn’t taking charity from one such as him.

First discovered by Shani, the fox-girl was found asleep in the castle kitchen, tucked away deep in a closet with half-eaten food stores littered about. The girl awoke immediately and tried to clamber away. If it were anyone else but Shani that found her, it’s no doubt the lightning fast fox would have escaped. Thankfully, after a fierce scuffle, Shani pinned the girl.

A thief in the queen’s castle was rare, and so Shani took her to Queen Mahi herself. Despite the little fox’s ragged appearance, Mahi’s eyebrows rose at the report. 

“Impressive. She’s clearly been at this for a while. You only now noticed?”. Shani made an audible gulp. Judging by the embarrassed look on Shani’s face, and all of the marks and bruises on her from the scuffle, Mahi knew this girl was a rare individual.

The Queen stepped down to greet the girl personally. When she asked her name the fox-girl opened her mouth and mumbled something unintelligible. She asked again. The same response only louder and more frustrated, turning the fox’s face red with embarrassment. 

Only then did the queen realize the fox girl could not speak despite her best efforts. For the first time Mahi softened like a mother to a lost child. Shaking her filthy hand as if the girl was an honored guest, Mahi suggested she live there. Offering her a bath, lodgings, and food.. All she asked was that Wren learn to be useful around the castle. She could have any lessons she desired.

 Wren was left awe struck. Never was she treated with such respect from a stranger. She was sure there’d be a catch, but there never was. Over time Wren refined her skills. From cleaning and organizing, to kitchen help, as well as honing her fighting instincts with the finest trainers despite forever having a “wild style” as Shani would put it. As for education, the girl dreaded reading. Despite Serena’s best efforts to educate the girl, Wren positively despised those lessons. She made a habit of disappearing from her studies. 

Wren is a curious girl that clings to Mahi whenever she can. On several occasions Mahi would have a challenger in her bed chambers only to spot those little fox ears poking over the edge of the bed. Mahi keeps telling her to “Find your own, little one”. She never liked to share. Wren’s seen a lot from her master, and wants to give it a try. 

Regardless of the girl's new life, Wren knows a day will come when she’ll have to return for her friend. If only she could find a way to explain it properly to Mahi…