He’s standing right in front of me, with a murderous glint in his eyes, staring straight at me. It is the sort that possesses wolvens after a kill, the “curse” that manifests itself as bloodlust under the full moon. He snarls once, and in that moment; that sight of his claws dripping blood of his last victim, the fur that falls from his body in half-transformation, his fangs bared in a grim smile; in that flash of time, I see myself. I see a wolven brother.Then he’s there all of a sudden, a ravener, snow white fur flashing like lightning, claws digging into Allos’ chest, spurting blood in my way of sight…I jerk awake to the sharp sound of slapping ropes that stab at my ears without mercy. I wince, wondering why the hell it sounds so painful, until I realize that I can also hear the clip and clips of the horses' hooves like they are next to my ears, the sound of Sirgil's breathing, and my own tbh ping heart, I see through the woods clear as day. That only happens when I switch those
SAELYNASigrid is the girl's name, though she doesn't exactly introduce herself. I found out when Ryon asked her to show us to our accommodations. Her face was blank when she led us away, each of us as reluctant as the other to leave. 'Fear not, my friends. You are safe here,' Ryon had said. He looked like something out of one of the books about the Seven, like Aranon on the edge of the world, watching over his flock. 'Rest up. We'll talk in the morning.'Presently, Sigrid leads us back through the camp, with that dark air of silence wrapping itself around her being. Up close, I notice the long lashes that lies hooded over dark brown or hazel eyes; I can tell when with the glow of lights around us.I'm distracted when someone bumps into me. A child, about six years of age, with long blue hair and eyes that sparkle much like Ryon's. He grins up at me, with the same charm that makes me smile as well, then he bolts away, laughing wholeheartedly as another child gives chase.Something cat
CAIVANSomething smells great. It's something cooking, yes, but I've not smelt one like it in a long while, one strong enough to waken me from sleep.I swing my legs over the side of the bed, and sigh with relief when the crack of stiff muscles and bones reaches my ear. I sit up sharply, my ears picking up different sounds at once. Fire is burning with loud crackles, steel clashes on steel, men yell in shock and rage and fury…I slip on a shirt at hand and open the door as quietly as I can. The sounds come more clearly now, making me cringe in embarrassment.The strum of strings, banging on wood, laughter and cheers. The bar must have been filled up, as it is night outside and the rain has stopped falling. I just didn't expect them this much, given the tidings they must have heard, and the dark reception they had given us.I pause on my way down the stairs, and (very reluctantly) knock on the door next to mine. Camille opens up almost immediately, her green eyes shiny with must be exp
SAELYNAI can't sleep. I never hoped for it anyway, but it had taken me away without warning immediately I had touched the soft cot laid out for me. Then came the dreams, stabbing leaks of Cyran's consciousness coupled with mine that keep waking me up.The last one had been about Quain. He stood on the knoll, behind our cottage overlooking the village, staring down at me. And he was dead. I knew from the glazed look in his white eyes, and the blood that stained his jaw. But he's still there, like a statue, I'm moving. And then the spear flew in, it struck through his chest like he was no more than a rag doll. He dropped to the ground with an echoing thud, far from my reach, too far. 'You let this happen,' he said, blood dripping down his mouth, staining his clothes and the shaft, 'You let me die. You both did.'I take deep breaths of air as the dream replace in my head. It doesn't do much Quain still stares at me in the darkness of the tent, he's all around me, he's reaching for me wi
CAIVANI try not to think of Palma when Brien lights a pipe, and sits back on the bed, crossing her legs as she does so. She's completely naked, her red hair lies in scattered, jagged spikes around her nape, covering her breasts, covering the bite marks I had made, that still make me cringe with the thought of how close she had been to being bitten. Of course she would not know about that.She puffs a cloud of smoke and shakes her head, revealing one of two full, sinuous breasts. She catches my gaze, and she smiles wryly. "Wanting more of this, are we?" I grit my teeth against each other with an effort. She had said so herself as she led me upstairs an hour ago, she had said she was like a drug, addictive and very hard to let go off.And I found out the hard way, literally. I had taken her twice already, and I still feel a longing in my groin as she lies back on her elbows, parting her legs slightly. I had always wondered what an elf would taste like, seeing as they were not the kind
CYRANI jerk sharply to the touch of his hand on mine. 'Gylen?!' I gasp wildly. His face is vivid, clear and solid as stone…'It's just Ryon, I'm afraid.' He looks at me with a hint of amusement in his smile, that annoying expression he carries about is etched on his face like writing on stone. His hair is scattered, curly, now that they are unbound, but they lie neatly around his ears. It's admirable, the effortless beauty around this guy. In a flash, those dark blue eyes are brown and they are searching, bloody and scratched….I jerk back as he reaches out. 'You look positively hurt,' he says gently. I frown confusedly. 'Hurt? What do you mean, "Hurt"?' He tilts his head, narrowing his eyes as he does so. 'Not on the surface, my friend.' I turn away. The dreams try to come back in then, but I shut them out with the sounds of activity outside the tent. I focus on the shuffling feet, on the flapping clothes, on the sound of the whistling wind.When I open my eyes, I catch sigh
SAELYNA He means it. It's written in his eyes, I can almost feel it. They're alive. They survived Halden. I press my hands together and bring them to my mouth. My breath feels hot on my palm as I exhale deeply, but I don't allow the relief and excitement get too far. Mother used to say Varga exists to puncture holes in man's balloons. 'Do you know where that is, exactly?' I ask. He shakes his head. 'I told you, it was all blurry. It must be a town, one close to Halden, maybe. Which one do you think it is?'I shake my head. 'I don't know any towns near Halden, and all we've heard about is Tussel.' I pause, chewing on my lower lip thoughtfully. 'Are they in some kind of trouble?' 'No, they were not. Just in a room.' 'Like a cell?' It's his turn to pause, and I suddenly fear for the worst. 'Could be. I mean…it was all blurry! Couldn't see much, but I saw a window.' He looks up at me, his brows furrowing together as he does. 'What are you thinking?' I run a hand through my hair
Facts found SAELYNA"Report, there are three people holding it," said Haron, who had gathered all the information.I nodded my head slowly, already knowing that one of them had to be Prince Charles. "Who are the other two?" I asked Haron."The Queen and her youngest daughter, Princess Larasati." Haron whispered quietly and we quickly left the deserted corridor. We had to make sure there really weren't any humans around to overhear our conversation. If we knew that, we could plan something and organise a plan with the others. I told them to relax and keep watch before I gave them any orders or instructions.Meanwhile, I was still waiting for Caivan to return from the prince's place. She was still in the Prince's room talking about something. It had been about three hours since Caivan had come out at all. I didn't know what they were talking about, but the important thing was that it was now lunchtime and one of the royal servants told us to gather in the dining room, where several kin
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