I looked at the twelve warriors who had chosen to accompany me. Each of them brought unique strengths and skills to our group, and their loyalty and courage were evident in their determined expressions. I was glad we did not lose anyone in the first battle and maybe we do not have to lose anyone if Karim does his job very well.Here are the twelve, including Karim:KarimKarim, the seasoned hunter, was the leader of the twelve. His keen senses and extensive knowledge of the land and its creatures made him an invaluable asset. With a rugged appearance and a calm demeanor, Karim was a man of few words but profound wisdom. His ability to track and anticipate the movements of the enemy was unmatched.Leif
As the early morning light filtered through the trees, casting a golden hue over our camp, I called the twelve warriors together for a final meeting. Their faces, etched with determination and concern, mirrored my own resolve. We had prepared meticulously, but the gravity of what lay ahead weighed heavily on us all."I told you I had a plan," I began, my voice steady but filled with urgency. "The situation in the Hinder lands is dire. Karim's reconnaissance has revealed the full extent of the bandit threat. But instead of launching a full assault, I propose a different strategy."I paused, meeting each of their gazes, drawing strength from their loyalty and courage. "I will go alone to confront the leader of the bandits. If I can eliminate him, it may destabilize their ranks and save us the bloodshed and loss of life that would come
The first order of business was to establish a stable government. The Hinder Lands had been leaderless for too long, and the absence of a strong, fair authority had allowed chaos to take root. We needed to set up a council of elders and counselors to govern the land, ensuring that power was distributed and that the voices of the people were heard."People of the Hinder Lands," I called out, my voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "We have come together to bring peace and order back to your homes. Today, we will establish a council to govern fairly and justly, and we will appoint a leader to guide you through these challenging times."The crowd cheered, their faces lighting up with hope. Among the twelve, we had already discussed potential candidates for leadership. After careful consideration, we decided to place Torin, a se
The celebration in Border Town was short-lived as pressing matters weighed heavily on our minds. As night fell and the townsfolk began to retreat to their homes, my inner circle and I gathered in the council chamber to discuss the invitation from Alpha Jo.Captain Hyde, Karim, Zaza, and the other members of our group sat around the large wooden table. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, adding to the somber mood."We can't ignore this invitation," I began, breaking the silence. "Alpha Jo has summoned all the Alphas to Nashville to discuss the bandit threat. We need to decide how to respond."Zaza was the first to voice her concerns. "Ava, we have to consider the possibility that this is a trap. We've already learned that the bandits are receiving orders from Nashville. If we walk into this meeting unprepared, we could be walking into a dangerous situation."“Come on Zee, I can take care of myself,” I said not knowing how it came out of my mouth.“I don’t want
Masa thought he had the upper hand. Believing we had left for Nashville, he launched his attack on Border Town, confident in his imminent victory. What he didn't know was that it was all part of my plan. We had spread the word of our departure to Nashville as a strategic maneuver, anticipating his move. This deception was crucial in drawing him out and catching him off guard.I did not know whether the executed plan could succeed, but I had little or no option. I was not going to hand over the town to a very arrogant and greedy general who only capitalizes on his king’s weakness. As Masa's forces attacked, chaos erupted in the streets of Border Town. His men poured through the gates, their confidence high, expecting minimal resistance. But Captain Hyde and our soldiers were ready. They had fortified the town and positioned themselves strategically, awaiting my signal.From my vantage point, I watched as Masa's troops advanced. My heart pounded, but I remained focused. This was our mo
Alpha Jo stood before me, his eyes wide with shock, as disbelief grew into his every feature.For a moment, it was just the two of us, facing each other across the expanse of our shared history."I can't believe it's you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ava... my wife. How is this possible?"I felt a pang of pity for him. His confusion and mixed emotions were palpable. I thought he was saying he knew who I was. It looked like he only wanted confirmation. He had not expected to see me again, certainly not in this guise as Alpha Ayar or rather an emissary from the King of Border Town."How did you survive? And how did you become an emissary?" His questions were laced with a mixture of awe and sadness.Taking a deep breath, I began to recount my story, feeling the weight of the past press upon me. "After the council's judgment, you banished me from the pack. I was alone, with nothing but my wits and my gift to keep me alive. The world outside was harsh, and every day was a
Maria was not shocked to see me. As Alpha Jo’s sister, she held a commanding presence in the room, speaking with authority that seemed to turn the other Alphas into her puppets. Every word she uttered was met with nods and murmurs of agreement. It was clear she wielded considerable influence over them. The grand hall of Nashville, usually a place of unity, felt like a stage where Maria pulled all the strings.I stood, my gaze fixed on her. "This strategy is wrong," I declared, my voice cutting through the murmurs. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to me. Maria’s expression hardened, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.Alpha Garin, already known for his quick temper, rose from his seat. "Who are you to challenge our decisions?" he demanded, his voice booming. "We’ve followed Maria’s guidance because it’s sound."I met his glare, without any fear or intimidation. "I am the only one here who has actually faced the bandits and defeated them. I know their tactics, their weakness
Alpha Jo wanted me to stay. His eyes, usually so full of confidence, were now shadowed with worry as he pleaded with me to reconsider. Zaza, on the other hand, was adamant that we should leave. She could sense the undercurrent of tension that ran through the town, especially around Maria. “We need to go, Ava. I don’t trust Maria, and something feels off about this place,” she insisted, her eyes darting around nervously. “There’s a darkness here. I can feel it.”But I had my reasons for wanting to stay, the most compelling of which was my family. I hadn’t seen my parents for a long time, and the longing to reunite with them, especially my mother was a powerful pull. “I need to see my parents, Zaza,” I argued gently, though my resolve was firm. “My mother… I need to know she’s okay.”Zaza’s expression softened with understanding but remained resolute. “Evil is lurking here, Ava. I can feel it in my bones. We need to be careful.”As the night wore on, the tension in the air seemed to thi