RONNThe sharp smell of magic hits my nose with its characteristic itch that automatically makes me sneeze; almost immediately, I regret it, as half a dozen glares are thrown my way. I hold up a hand in apology. 'Magic, it's thick in this forest', I whisper. Argell nods and points slightly to my left. 'The king's glade should lie somewhere down that path. What you smell are his wretched rexume, grown by the elves he conquered and subjected to his whim', he says with a bitter twist to his mouth. Staring at those maroon eyes, I don't think there's any one else who hates the deer-demon-king as much as Argell. 'Press on', he says and continues down the uneven forest path.When Argell had mentioned "ranging", I didn't exactly have this in mind: the alpha of the Eldad pack leading six wolvens on a hunt of sorts. Or scout, depending on what Argell felt like calling it. Gylen wasn't allowed to come, Argell saying he can't risk any more injuries. Apparently, the rest of us can afford to.Pedra
CYRANThe "cave" is basically a hollow in the west wall of the village trench, covered mostly by the gigantic roots of a tree growing above its mouth. Gylen once said not to go near it, but I'm quite sure he wasn't serious. Candidly, I need a place away from all the "wolfishness" in the camp.It's dark and quite damp in here, and all I can smell for a while is moss and something else I can't place. It's welcoming, though, a good spot to wait out the full moon in fact. They've been weird in all ways, manifesting what must be moon reactions; Dell had grinned quite excessively at me all day, and Jenna the third elder female wolven in the pack had actually growled at me when I stopped by to say hello. Not to mention the wolves howling loudly in their hut; even though it's a long distance away from Eldad, it does sound awful. And scary.I settle on a rock at the back of the cave and dig in my coat pockets for the apples I had found earlier in the storage room (Quite a daring expedition, I
RONNThey don’t number much, but they certainly are a bunch. I still can’t believe Argell opted for us to cut and run. No matter how he puts it, he’s giving in to a threat that shouldn’t even be in the first place. And now more than ever, I see the need to take Keilen’s advice. If she offered it in the first place.I hear the sound of her feet before catching her scent; that of wet leaves and the faint sharp tang of magic. My nostrils flare in reaction as I ask, ‘What are you doing here?’ ‘What are you doing here?’ she asks right back, and in spite of myself, I chuckle. ‘You’re bold, I’ll give you that. It’s quite admirable’, I mutter. ‘I get that a lot’.She sits next to me but with quite a distance between us. She leans on the tree, and drops her legs so they swing over the cave mouth below us. We both look out at Eldad, as Hustin, Seirmon and the others escort the old and the young out of the huts in groups. ‘Are we all leaving?’ she asks. ‘No. I’m to stay behind with Gylen and Arg
RONNCaivan walks in casually, swinging the bottle with an easy movement that unsettles me for some reason. His black coat sweeps with the grace in his steps as he approaches us, his gaze centered on Keilen.She grins at him and holds a hand out for the bottle. 'You saved my life, black wolf', she says, prying the cover open, 'Who would've thought'. Caivan doesn't reply or regard either of us as he watches Keilen down the drink furiously. 'Veesa said you were unwell, but didn't say how much. What happened?' he asks with an even tone. She shrugs and I hold my breath. 'It's all sort of a blur, really. Where've you been?'He pauses, squinting at her quietly for a while. Then he directs his gaze to Saelyna and he smiles thinly. 'Good to see you back on your feet', he says. When she doesn't reply, he turns to me, his face once again a brick wall. 'I suppose it's good to see you, Ronn'. 'I suppose', I reply. 'I just met with Argell and Veesa. They're holding a meeting. You should come'. I f
SAELYNAArgell's place is lit up with sticks of fire hung around on the walls at strategic positions. Argell sits in his high chair ahead, while Caivan sits at a smaller one by his side, Veesa occupies her rocking chair still knitting, Jenna and Haron sit next to each other at the table.Cyran nudges me before I begin walking, slowly, towards the table. They were talking before we came in, and as soon as we sit, Argell continues like nothing happened.'And the network?' he asks Caivan. 'I haven't heard from them', he says, 'It would seem they are compromised. The shot was taken, not only at Xanwed, but at Lionel'. I hear Cyran let out a breath beside me, and I hold mine briefly. The Lord of Tussel was murdered. I can't or don't want to think about what that would mean for the south, with Tussel being one of the largest cities in Quindar. Caivan certainly makes it seem graver than I can imagine. 'The deer is wily. I wager
RONNTwilight has never looked so inauspicious as it does now. The camp is quiet, the most quiet I've heard in years as I head for the one hut behind the plateau. It's all very absurd. That we would slink back in the face of those cursed wolves. We have the advantage. And it ought to be used.I skirt the slope of the tableland carefully, and when I circle to the other side, I find Gylen in front of the hut. He sits cross-legged on the grass next to Laen, Allos and Farden, a small fire between them, with meat roasting on a spit.I consider my options. Sure they won't buy my idea, at least if I don't sell it properly. My second option, and the most agreeable, is to attack them. Take them out before they react, and then take the wolves. They could sniff me out on time, but the wind is in my favor; it's blowing north, against me.I flex my fingers as I tense for action. Before I move though, Allos asks, 'What is Ronn doing here?'. I pause. I'd certainly underestimated his skills, and now
CYRANIt's very disorienting, not to mention unusual and bad manners, the way they all stare at me. Argell and Caivan both have askant looks, Jenna, beside me, peers like she's seen me for the first time (or maybe she is, she had her eyes only for Saelyna when Veesa had introduced us), Veesa has worn that calculative frown, and Saelyna…Well, she's staring as well. I just wish they'd all stop.Haron sits up; he's the only one who's not been gaping, even though he's opposite me; and he leans forward. 'I suspect you haven't had these…visions for a very long time. Otherwise, Saelyna here would have noticed', he says gently, holding me with feeble eyes. 'Uh…' I'm not comfortable talking about stuff like this, not here, not now. I have just come out of a trance, I'm sure what I had said was horrible, maybe, but right now I just want to get out of this dark place. 'And you see us…losing. Again', Caivan says. I don't reply him. I'm still figuring out his deal. 'Just another thing to worry abo
RONNIt all happens in blinks; it moves like lightening, a flash of white fur and fangs, and its jaws clap down on Pedran's shoulder. I hear a sickening crunch, followed by his scream. Someone yells a curse, Edril leaps at the wolf, two others leap into the circle, their eyes glowing like sapphires in the dark as they attack Allos and Farden.I don't wait before letting my wolf out. Transformation hurts sometimes, but not when its swift, not when adrenaline takes over, when all I feel is the primal urge to attack. I flip the curtain in the back of my mind, letting go of all control.It's harder to rein the change this time, given it's the full moon. The sight around me lowers inch by inch as my calf stretches, my night view grows brighter, and it becomes hard to think. When my fangs rip out of their gums completely, I act on impulse, and I don't think at all.CAIVANThis was not what I had envisioned when I was on the road back from Qarax. Sure, there was bound to be some disquiet, bu
Reflections Their progress was slow, and the constant motion did little to lessen the stress that weighed heavily on their hearts. Each minute brought them closer to the witch, closer to the woman who threatened the safety of the people of Eriu and their future. Every inch took them further away from home, further away from their families and their friends. Time was running short, and soon enough they would be forced to make a choice. Either they could save their Kingdom or die trying. They had lost track of the number of times they had narrowly escaped the clutches of the witches; yet, none of them gave up hope. A feeling of uneasiness settled inside of them, an uncertainty that they were approaching the center of the witch’s domain. Finally, the group reached an intersection, and all eyes turned in unison towards the hallway that split down the middle, one path leading to freedom and the other to destruction. The Queen raised a trembling hand towards the rightmost passage, ta
Their progress was slow, and the constant motion did little to lessen the stress that weighed heavily on their hearts. Each minute brought them closer to the witch, closer to the woman who threatened the safety of the people of Eriu and their future. Every inch took them further away from home, further away from their families and their friends. Time was running short, and soon enough they would be forced to make a choice. Either they could save their Kingdom or die trying.They had lost track of the number of times they had narrowly escaped the clutches of the witches; yet, none of them gave up hope. A feeling of uneasiness settled inside of them, an uncertainty that they were approaching the center of the witch’s domain.Finally, the group reached an intersection, and all eyes turned in unison towards the hallway that split down the middle, one path leading to freedom and the other to destruction. The Queen raised a trembling hand towards the rightmost passage, taking a deep breath,
With the amulet clutched tightly in his hand, Caivan rejoined Saelyna and Gylen, his expression determined. “I’ve found it,” he declared, his voice filled with a mix of hope and determination.As Cyran continued to engage the witch in a fierce battle, Saelyna stepped forward, her eyes meeting Caivan’s. “Give me the amulet, Caivan. It will amplify my magic and weaken her grip on the Queen.”Caivan nodded, passing the amulet to Saelyna with care. “Use it well, Saelyna. We’re counting on you.”Saelyna held the amulet close to her chest, feeling its power resonate within her. She took a deep breath, channeling her courage, her determination, and the collective strength of her friends.In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The air crackled with anticipation as Saelyna prepared to confront the witch head-on, armed with the ancient incantation and the newfound power of the amulet. The final battle was about to begin, and Saelyna was ready to seize their chance at victory.The room puls
Caught in the crossfire SAELYNAQuain let out a long sigh, he was very curious, but, seeing how I answered, he thought he didn't want to disturb my concentration. I tried to concentrate as I thought about the sentences I had read from Gylen's writing.The sound of the door opening made Quain and I turn our heads. Caivan had just come out in the clothes he had changed into."Quain," Caivan called, causing Quain to raise half an eyebrow in surprise. "Me, Saelyna, Cryan, and Gylen are leaving. I trust you to take care of the others. Stay alert and keep an eye on the surroundings. Don't trust anyone except Prince Charles. I'll be back in a little over an hour, but if we're not back in an hour, I authorize you to take the others with you. Caivan gave Quain a message, then reached for me. "Leave the stone the queen gave to Quain, so he can access it if anything happens to us."I immediately nodded in understanding, it was only fitting that Caivan became an Alpha, famous for his ruthless wa
Walking togetherCAIVANThe one I've been waiting for has finally arrived. Saelyna and Cryan came into my room."There's Gylen too," Cryan said to himself, then Gylen told him to sit by his side while Saelyna sat next to me."Why are you all here? Are you having a little meeting?" Saelyna asked with a half-raised eyebrow in surprise."No, we're just having a little discussion," I replied, standing in for Gylen.While Saelyna just nodded in understanding. "What about when you met Prince Charles? What did you talk about?" Saelyna suddenly remembered and asked me and Gylen."I'll explain it to you, but first I have to ask you," I grumbled as I looked at Saelyna from the side, then I picked up a map and some notes we had made because it would be useful for Saelyna and we didn't have to go too far in explaining it. It was all done by Gylen before the two of them came to my room."Everything is summarised here. I'll explain later. But where are you going?" I said, wondering when I saw that
An unsolved mysterySAELYNA"Are you called the Queen?"I nodded my head as Caivan asked. "I will see her now." I quickly closed the door to the room as Caivan made way for me. Maybe Cryan had told him. "When I get back, tell me what happened while you were talking to the prince."Caivan followed my footsteps towards the room where the Queen was. "Of course, you must be careful. I will be waiting for you in the room." When we reached the centre room, with the Queen's room in front of it, guarded by several soldiers, Caivan told me to leave and that he would return to his room.Feeling my heart pounding, I steadied myself before walking over. The soldiers made way for me to pass, apparently they had been informed by the Queen that I was her guest."Excuse me Queen, it's a pleasure to be here and thank you for inviting me." I bowed slightly and waved my hands in front of my stomach.The Queen, who was in her seat, smiled at me and then told me to sit down in one of the empty chairs she
An unsolved mysterySAELYNA"Are you called the Queen?"I nodded my head as Caivan asked. "I will see her now." I quickly closed the door to the room as Caivan made way for me. Maybe Cryan had told him. "When I get back, tell me what happened while you were talking to the prince."Caivan followed my footsteps towards the room where the Queen was. "Of course, you must be careful. I will be waiting for you in the room." When we reached the centre room, with the Queen's room in front of it, guarded by several soldiers, Caivan told me to leave and that he would return to his room.Feeling my heart pounding, I steadied myself before walking over. The soldiers made way for me to pass, apparently they had been informed by the Queen that I was her guest."Excuse me Queen, it's a pleasure to be here and thank you for inviting me." I bowed slightly and waved my hands in front of my stomach.The Queen, who was in her seat, smiled at me and then told me to sit down in one of the empty chairs she
First mission CAIVANI saw the Prince's legs move, he was about to turn and face us. This was the first time we had met, and I had sent the Prince a letter before we had spoken by telephone."Yes, you are my people. And we should protect you if you need our help." The Prince smiled broadly, he was quite handsome and authoritative. He shook his robes back, then walked over to me. I sat up and looked at him seriously. "Have you looked around your room?" he asked again as we faced each other."I have, Your Honour." I wasn't the only one who answered him, my friends in the back also replied."All right, just call me Charles. Are you the leader of them? Is your name Caivan? It's good to see you here, I hear you're a great fighter. If you are not tired from travelling and have more time, perhaps we can have a chat first. Or if you want to bring your deputy with you, that's fine too.I smiled broadly at that, then nodded briefly. "At your service, Your Honour." Then I turned to look at Gyle
Prince's welcome SAELYNAI don't want to, he must be very tired. And who really needs to be carried by Caivan? We decided to walk together. Five minutes was not too far and long, we could observe each other's surroundings and make small talk."Later we will come to a village where people live a simple life and we have to be friendly, don't make any noise. Be polite if you want to pass through their area, when we walk again we will meet the market before entering the city park and there we can see the huge city of Lexington. Then our goal is to find one of the kingdoms there, the kingdom of Brahzeil is the largest and has a lot of knowledge we can seek. There is a prince there who will help us, I hope you don't make a fuss. This prince is called Charles". Gylen explained to the others as Caivan's representative, while they all nodded in agreement. There are ten of us on this journey. We had a well thought out plan and had made sure that we would not betray each other.After about five