Breaking free from the castle was easy.
The soldiers were easily swayed by Erriene's act, his weeping cries of how much he missed the warlord. Of how he had visions.
“I know he's wounded! I just know it! Bleeding on the snow, no healer around. Oh, please, guide me to him! Take me to the horse so I can go to him! The wolves will keep me safe.”
“I do not need company, thank you for your kindness…”
“Now look closely into my eyes.”
He left them sleeping on the stable, afraid that his magic wouldn't last long.
The weeks spent in the castle only honed his healing skills and his knowledge on herbs- because Alarick never failed in returning from hunts and patrols hurt in one way or another- and watching him ignore his wounds was unnerving.
Erriene had left any other studies behind, focused on this task and car
Erriene’s head was pounding and he was hearing echoes.The hands cradling his head were warm while everything else was cold. He tried to speak but could only cough violently.Trembling, he tried to calm his heart. He knew it was the panic that was making him confused, and promptly controlled his breathing.“That’s it. You’re doing great… You’re safe now, do not worry,” the voice… Aefstine,said to him quietly.He opened his eyes again, flinching away at the light but it soon made everything become clear.He looked up… and was fascinated.Aefstine looked exactly like the painting back in the castle, but still, it was surreal to see himin person.After so much time hearing descriptions from Alarick, he almost expected to see a god-like creature, but Aefstine was much more simple.Much more gentle…andmuch morebeautiful.
“W- What? Why?” Erriene was more confused than ever.“It is the plan of the giant that took me. I don’t know his name, he never told me. They want to break the cycle; they want Alarick to believe that his blood can’t sire any child. That the god’s power, and blessings ends with him and no more,” Aefstine said, hugging the baby to himself, “And so, when Alarick failed to bring forth an heir, the giant and the one that carried and birthed the boy, they want to make their chieftain take Maud back.”Aefstine’s grey steel eyes looked straight at him, face somber, “Then, they would kill them all.”Erriene’s eyes widen. The whole plan was an act of treason. It was against the god’s design.“That’s ridiculous,” Erriene said. “Alarick is not stupid, by the second time, he’d have the mountains raidedand sacked.”Aefstine
They found the cave quicklywith the help of the shaman’s strong sense in magic and the wolves, under the heavy snow that was now falling down.The wolves were desperate, now fueled with confidence knowing their master was with them. Growling at the mouth of the cave, they challenged whoever dwelled in there to come forth. Their howls and growls echoed against the darkness within.Alarick unmounted, and so did the others. Randal unsheathed his sword, and walked along Alarick towards the entrance of the cave.It was deep and too dark to see, so Thorne provided a torch. They all entered the cavern, which seemed to be empty and abandoned at first, but they kept going, trusting Skadi and Umbrato guide them.Finally, they began to see bones thrown about on the floor and piled against the walls. Some were makeshift weapons, and others still had meat and blood on them.Alarick saw leather and makeshift benches and further, s
Alarick's voice was almost childish and fragile, as if he was afraid to look down and see the worse.Aefstine's voice responded, trembling and small. He was crying."Alarick!" Aefstine called. "It's me, my sweetboy, help us get out.""Quick now!Let's rip that open," it was Randal's voice, and soon they could see him too, looking down. "I'm here, love. It's over now."Aefstine covered his mouth, but still a sob was heard and tears fell down his grey eyes.Both warlords managed to rip the iron bars from its place, and Thorne came through with a rope which he dropped down.It was not such a high ceiling but Erriene was still worried about the child. The boy was now awake, looking up in awe.Aefstine climbed up first, and they manage to get the child up by tying a small branch to the rope, and making a seat. Erriene helped him to hang on to the rope, and performed a small spell so he wouldn't fall. Then, he climb
Severn went livid when he saw his older brother at the doors of the temple.Maudian servants were putting Erriene’s belongings on the ground, looking confused and lost at their Dalli, not having been given a lot of information. Well, neither has Severn been given any information about this.Erriene looked absolutely awful. He had bags under his eyes and they were slightly puffy, and he was looking at Severn in a way he had never done before.Everything was still for a moment as Erriene just stood there looking inside of the temple, as if not sure it would welcome him once again.It only lasted a second.Severn went to him, embracing him in a tight hug while the people around the temple brought his things to his previous room which had remained untouched and intact.Severn had missed his brother and seeing him in this condition after such a long time was making him panic a little.Erriene froze in his arms for a whi
Two weeks had passed and Alarick found the female giant that birthed his son. She was decapitated along with the male who drank his blood and had mated with the female, as well as all the others that conspired against the child. Randal was with him the entire time, and the borders were tense and dangerous, Maudians coming and going all the time. Chieftain Faizahcomplied, but Alarick knew it was only a matter of time before a more charismatic giant convinced him and changed his opinions. The giants had already been expulsed from so many territories across the lands that they were forced to act more civilized now for the sake of survival. Hiding their cruel nature and sadistic ways, they were few, and they knew their race was vulnerable. Alarick could see right through their eyes. They were just waiting for a reason to betraythem. Alarick and Randal left the city under the watchful eyes of the Frost Giants, and
Erriene gazed at the sunset in Kalise.He was at the top of the temple where he could see far in the distance. It was a beautiful place, with a hidden herb garden and glass windows and it worked as a greenhouse in the winter.He opened one of the windows a little, and the evening breeze blew in.Out in the distance, between the trees, he could hear a wolf howling. It was what brought him there.The wolf was not real; he was sure of it. There were no wolves in the Land of Kalise, and unless one of Alarick’s giant wolves had followed him there, the wolf howling wasjustin his imagination.There was another possibility.It could be Alarick. Not HIS Alarick,no,but the MaudianWolfGod.He wanted to go back to Maud desperately now. It was a longing that has taken over him.The problem was, he know Alarick would not take him. He thought Erriene was holy or some other nonsense.
Kalise’s sky was golden and quickly darkening as the sun disappeared when Alarick reached his destination.The normally three to four days’ travel shortened into just a whole night and a whole day for him in his haste. He travelled without stopping aside for a few moments of rest for his horse.He unmounted in the small stable of the temple, and walked up to the doors with no formality. He is with a few companions as Kalise was well patrolled by his soldiers now.The temple was quiet as it was close to nightfall and near time to lit the candles. He entered, seeing only the usual dwellers who greeted him in fear or surprise. Or both.“Where is he?” Alarick asked no one in particular.They all knew exactly who he was searching for, and a woman with long and brown braided hair meekly responded.“Heisat the top of the temple, my lord.”Alarick nodded and he turned to the soldie