They found the cave quickly with 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 Umbra to 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
The first thing Erriene did when they got to the castle was to ask to see the child.Alarick smiled at him and followed, hopeful that Erriene was already missing Uldrik. He wanted Uldrikto have someone like Erriene in his life, and he hoped the elf would naturally care for the boy.Erriene smiled at the sight of the child who was being watched by a servant.She bowed when they entered and greeted, “Dalli meg, Xiath meg,” she stepped back andwentaround them as she made her way out.(My Queen, my King)“He looks so much better,” Erriene gushed, walking closer to the crib.Seeing the child in person was so much better than just seeing him in his vision.Uldrikwas up and talking nonsense, and Erriene picked him up easily. He had way more experience than Alarick, apparently. The boy laughed when Erriene's long hair tickled his face.“Of course he does,” Alaric
“Are you really going to leave, Aefstine?”Aefstine smiled at Erriene as he ruffled his hair. They were sitting by the garden and watched as Uldrik played not far from them. Randal and Alarick had went hunting that afternoon.Aefstine nodded. “Do you know that I’ve always wanted to be a traveller? I plan to go to different places and see the world with my own eyes after I finish my apprenticeship at the temple. But unexpected things happened along the way.”Unexpected things like being married to Randal and suddenly becoming Maud’s Dalli and Alarick’s mamkka.Erriene watched as Aefstine’s pretty face turned solemn as if remembering something and he had no doubt that he is remembering the past.“I will miss you. Alarick and Uldrik will surely as well,” he said emotionally.He couldn’t help it, he had grown close to Aefstine and despite his young face, Maud’s
SummaryA travel back in time to when it all started...*****The only daughter of the Elsyanne Noble House is set to marry the Warlord King.Aefstine, the youngest child of the Elsyannes along with his family is set to arrive in Maud for the wedding. Naive to the ways of the world, he has nothing but bright eyes and optimism in this new land of adventure.For him, it was like a dream…What Aefstine did not expect is that it will soon turn to be his worst nightmare.*****Randal has it all- the bravest warriors, a massive castle, and unmeasurable riches.Except for a queen.With a heart as cold as ice and hard as stone, the Warlord King didn’t think much of it when his soon to be Dalli arrived for their upcoming wedding. It was nothing but a political marriage anyway, and he had no intention of getting involved emotional
Aefstine’s breath hitched and his hands trembled as Randal moved towards him.Randal was only in his undershirt, his black hair still wet from bathing. His eyes was full of adoration a few minutes ago, but now… it was mixed with desire.Randal stopped in front of him while he slowly put his pen and paper aside. For a moment, they were just staring in silence, there was nothing but the flow of the river nearby.And their breathing… their pounding heartbeats."Randal…" he whispered in a soft voice.Randal let out a grunt as if something hurt and in a move too fast for such a huge man, he was suddenly in front of Aefstine and lifting him by his waist.He rested his hands on Randal’s shoulders as the man placed him over his lap, his legs automatically went on each side of Randal’s thighs. As he straddled the man, he immediately felt Randal’s arousal beneath him.Randal moved his h
Present Day…Aefstine smiled wide as he stared at the bustling city as the carriage stopped.Another city that he had yet to explore. He can not wait to check the new place out.The hand holding his tightened its hold, making him look to his side where his spouse was sitting. Randal had on an amused expression while staring at him. Aefstine squeezed back on the hand holding his and grinned at Randal.They had left their horses at the border of Maud when they left a few years back- Alarick will take the horses back to the fortress and take good care of them until they return. And from there, they would hire a carriage or hitch a ride from passing carts. It was really fun.Ever since he came back from being captured and detained, five years had gone by and now, Randal had developed the habit of always holding on to him- more than before- and he can’t blame the man for being clingy.He was not complai
Aefstine heard the sound of someone running irregularly along the corridors, and turned around already expecting his brother.He heard the knocking on the door, and called out. A limping Kynanentered his room. He felt a pain in his heart, and was surprised to notice he had missed his older brotherthat much."Kiddo!" Kynancalled, smiling.The guard immediately appeared behind him and shifted, hand going for the sword, looking threateningly at his brother.Kynanlooked at the guard, bemused. Aefstine was surprised too."It's okay. It's just Kynan," he told the guard. "Close the door," he said and the guard namedTyke-he recalled- hesitantly closed it.Kynanshook his head at him."I'm... so sorry, Aefstine. We were staying in another wing of the castle. People here are so nasty, no one speaksour language. I tried to get to you, but a little chubby lady said I wasn't to ‘bo
"You don't know that, you don't know Maudians. You assume that's what they want!" Aefstine cried."And you know them so well, don't you?" Cheanamocked. "Befriending those animals, you deserve to be here," she moved narrowed eyes at him, looking at him from head to foot and back again as if scrutinizing him. “Do you have any idea how insulting this is for me? I am a beautiful lady from the ElsyanneHouse, a noble one, and I get rejected, by a king. All because of you!”She pointed an accusing finger at him, as if it was all his fault. Maybe it was. May be notHe doesn’t know anymore.She took a step towards him, gritting her teeth. “How could he choose you? How could he like you?Over me?!”Aefstine had never seen his sister so angry before- no, she was not angry. He had seen her furious before. When things don’t go her way or there’s something she want but was not able to
In the midst of his tears and dizziness, Aefstine had barely heard the rushed, desperate words the warlord king had said over and over again, barely felt himself being lifted and curled in the naked man's lap.When the tears had dried and the panic gave way to anger, his waist was red and sore from the way Randal's arms clung to himtightly. The king’s worried eyes were searching for a reason, looking around the roomas if the one making him feel this miserable could be found aroundand then back to Aefstine, and he had felt something he never felt before.A deep, mysterious thing that uncurled from his chest like a newborn sparked to life.Aefstine felt a little better by it, a little comforted, and caressed the man's jaw with small trembling fingers in appreciation for something he didn't know how to pronounce yet.But saying ‘I'm okay now’ over and over hadn't quieted the big man down. Aefstine had to spen
The finger went deeper and when it rubbed against something strange inside, Aefstine shivered all over and arched his back like a cat.He spread his legs further apart, bum sticking out and seeming to fit perfectly in the man's big hands."Randal…" he whispered.Mind blanking out, Aefstine wanted it again. He heard the king’s chuckle and felt himself get even hotter with arousal.Randal only held him tighter, and he felt a hardness at his lower back that wasn't there before, but now that the king was closer, Aefstine could feel it. It could only be Randal's cock, and he shivered with the knowledge.It felt really big, and the fact that it was probably going inside him made him shiver in fear and curiosity.Soon,there was another finger joining in, and the burn came back again. He shifted uncomfortably, and Randal growled softly at him, leaning and bending his bodyoverbehind him, tucking his chin i
Finally looking around him after a tense ride, Aefstine could see the woods up ahead, but he wasn't in the forest anymore.Randal had slowed the pacing. This hidden place was full of stones and bushes, nestedon itwas some kind of pond, a lagoon that was surrounded with dark slippery rocks.The lagoon itself was beautiful and he noticed hot steam in the surface. Actually, this place was warmer than the forest. Aefstine could see the shade of the castle in the distance.It must be the hot spring.Still with the arm around him, Randal leaned in to kiss the skin at the back of his ear a few times, which made Aefstine's heart set off again into an unhealthy pace. He tried not to move, and Randal didn't seem to notice.Randal dismounted from the horse and Aefstine saw him carefully take his own cloak, boots, and shirt off. Aefstine, with his head still pounding, managed to take his fill of the muscular chest in front of him.
Aefstine looked closer, walking up to the border of the stream, and saw that small silver fishes were jumping up and down the river.The bigger ones were at the bottom.Randal brought with him a quiver that was as beautiful as the bow, but Aefstine spent less time looking at it, quickly taking an offered arrow.The first arrow went straight into the river, but came floating after some seconds. Aefstine gave Randal an embarrassed smile and the king’s lips twitched again in that almost smile of his.He went to take the arrow back, but looked down at his new clothes and frowned. He didn't want it to get wet. The water was probably really cold too.Randal appeared in his vision with a thin and sharp long lance. He threw it at the river with such an easy, calculated strength that made Aefstine take a step back.The lance went straight into a big one at the bottom. The fish trashed a little but the lance had gone through
Aefstine walked to the dinner table guided by Phye, and was surprised to see his family already there, having an early dinner.He walked up to themand took an apple from the fruit bowl on the table-this freakishly tasty maudian apple - and sat on a chair. There was no sign of Syteiner, nor the WarlordKing.Aefstine nodded to his father, and did a double take when he received a smile back. His mother was also smiling, looking relaxed for a change. Cheanawas a little downcast, but that was to be expected.Kynanlooked at him curiously."Those clothes are strange.""His Highness Randal invited me for a hunt today. He told me to wear these clothes," Aefstine said, picking at the fur and the oversized brown cotton shirt.It looked like it was made for a Maudian but it was pleasantly warm, something that Aefstine was unwillingly starting to associate with the Warlord King.