Protectors: The Valdronius Kingdom

Choose the path, a luxury

The path chooses you, a greatness set forth

The path chosen for you, misery

I was in a hallway that was lined with pictures and drapes. Walking over to the wall I moved a drape away. A mirror. Blue eyes and blond hair filled the glass picture frame. Who am I? Movement to my right caught in the corner of my eye, a young man walking towards me. He was familiar to her. His smile was kind and his dark eyes were bright. I’ve seen them before, even the whites were black. We turned to him as he came closer. His hand was soft as he tipped her head back. I tried to move away but my actions were not my own. Her arms snaked around his neck and his lips crashed into mine. The kiss was passionate and intense. Our cheeks burned with fire from his touch. His arm snaked around her waist as he brought us closer to him. His hand cupping the side of her face. His lips were soft, the pressure rough, our fingers tangled in his hair pulling him closer. Voices sounded and she pulled away, a panic settling in. Our hands were caught in his. His eyes gazed intently in mine, and I could feel love bleeding from him. My hand was turned over and a kiss was forever sealed in her palm. I watched him as he drifted away into the shadows. The voices claimed faces as they turned the corner. Walking past them they bowed, their words forever unheard. I turned the corner and I try to avert a collision into a man but I… the girl keeps walking forward and I’m forced out of her. I stand there watching her walk away. I turn around to find the man looking at me. Who is he? His eyes are pitch black, even where the whites should be. I stare into them, a bright blue ring lines the pupil. They aren’t like regular eyes…are they? Are my eyes like that? His gaze stares at mine with the same intent as the man before. He has short black shoulder length hair, a light beard like he hasn’t shaved in a week. His clothes are not fine…he doesn’t belong here…in the…where is here? The castle. Her castle.

“Embry?” My eyes widen.

I jolt awake my sight once again sightless. I slow my breathing. How did he know my name? Who was that man? I’ve heard that voice before…in the other dream, the one where I’m running. The voice was muddled though, like he was speaking through water. I swing my legs to the side of the bed knocking something to the floor. The sound catches my attention. It wasn’t soft, so it wasn’t my bag. Slipping to the floor I find a box, its square with a bow on top. Memories of Jeffery flick through my mind, absent mindedly touching my bracelet. I go to open it then stop. Was it for me or did someone leave it here for Damien? It’s his room after all…but why leave it on the bed? Why leave it at all? Realizing someone was in here while I was sleeping I shake away the shivers and open the box. The inside feels soft like velvet; my fingers touch something smooth, like glass. It’s about a foot in length. I pick it up and hold it in my hands, it’s cylindrical and one end is fatter than the other. I hold the fatter end in my right hand, confusion strikes because I feel like I’m holding a…wand? I stand up holding it out and resist the urge to ‘swish and flick’. Whatever it is, it warms in my hand and a pulsing takes effect. I can feel it…growing? I inspect it with my left hand, the smoothness turned to one of sharp smooth edges like crystals would have. It reminded me of the rock candy I ate as a child. The length is longer and reminded me of a cane. I gently lower it, perfect length. I can still feel the warmth pulsing through it. I kneel finding the box and place the object beside me. Not that I can read the words, I search for a card. If it was meant for me then maybe, found it. Sure enough braille. There was only one words printed.

“Unbreakable.” Who would give me an unbreakable…cane? It’s kind of perfect since my last one broke. A smile creeps on my face. Damien. I reach for the cane and it’s smooth and small again. I stand up and hold it out. The warmth spreads through me, a pulsing sensation I didn’t notice before flows through the cane. The smooth surface turns to the smooth jagged surface again. The tip of the cane hits the floor, it feels sturdy.

I feel for my glasses. Where are they? I don’t remember having them when I came to my room. So I didn’t have them when I was walking with Felyx, and I don’t remember them being on me when I was walking with Alecko. I left them in the infirmary. I walk forward finding the door opening it softly. My gift tapping lightly on the floor is the only sound around. I walk forward till I find the wall, trailing it I find the banister and the stairs. My cane finds the first step, the heel of my foot slides easily down the step till I find solid ground. I take the last step and turn left; the sound of my cane echoes off the walls, the pulsing in my cane was starting to get stronger. Coming up to the hallway with the weapons I turn right, and take a sideways step to the left remembering the last time I was too close to the wall. The grip on my cane tightens as the pulsing starts to hammer. There’s a loud crash which was more of a heavy thump. I walk forwards, the crashing getting louder. The sounds lead me straight to the infirmary. I can feel heat…the sound of howling wind coming from inside. I place my hand on the door, it was hot. I jolt back as a loud crash hits the door and the howling wind died.

“Nowhere to hide now, is there morph!” Morph? It was Felyx.

“Ya need to stay away from him! He’s mine! He doesn’t need a soulless blaggard in his life do ya hear me! Stay away from him!” There’s a crack, like something was broken. The heat faded away and footsteps were getting louder. I stepped to the left and pressed myself up against the wall. The door opens and slams shut. My heartbeat racing, I take a breath. The pulsing in my cane fades away to nothing. What was going on? Who was Felyx talking to? He was so angry. I catch my breath and listen at the door. Hearing nothing, I open it.

“Hello?” No answer.

“Is someone there?” Nothing. I move forward my cane tapping softly. The room is cold. Where was that heat coming from? My cane hits something, a stool was toppled over and missing a leg. Pieces of the wood were splintered. I push it out of the way and find the table, my hand feels over broken pieces of plastic and glass. I guess I know what that cracking sound was now. My glasses were in pieces. I gather the pieces up and leave. I stop at the door as my cane starts to pulse slowly. I can sense something coming, like the last time I was with Emlyn.

“Hello?” As quick as the pulsing came it went. I listen for any sound, nothing. I move quickly as I can down the hallway and turn left. I make my way straight to the main room. Do I ask Felyx about what happened? Do I mention it at all? I stop just outside the doors. ‘He’s mine’ that’s was he said, he must have been talking about Alecko. Right? Who was he talking to though? No. Whoever it was or whatever was going on, it was his private business. I reposition the cane in my hand and slide the door open. I walk in, voices quietening.

“Embry darling just in time.” It was Ameilius, his voice was cheery.

“What’s that ya have luv?”

“Um...my glasses…I um…I broke them…stepped on them …by accident, it happens.” Hands cupped under my hand with the broken pieces, I let them go.

“I’ll see what I can do.” It was Emlyn, I could feel her stiffen.

“…Ameilius?” There was concern in her voice.

“Nae, not that. The stick you’re holdin’.” I hold it up and I can feel it shrink.

“I woke up and a box was beside me. This was inside, I’m not exactly sure…”

“Midnight Crystal.” Ameilius answered my question.

“Nae bloody way! I thought that crystal was banished?”

“Midnight Crystal? Banished? What…what are you talking about?”

“It’s a rare sort of magic that was banished from these lands a long time ago. Its pure crystal, called midnight because of its color and the way the light of the moon is supposed to shine through it.”

“Is it dangerous?”

“That depends.”

“Depends?”

“If it was meant to harm you or not. But I don’t think it is meant to harm you.”

“Why not? Not that I want to be harmed.”

“It would be very difficult to get any magical weapon in this house; even if someone could get it in, getting it to you would be well near impossible. This house will protect anyone under our care. We would have been aware of it. No I think it is meant to protect you. May I see it?” I nod and hand it over to Ameilius.

“I thought Midnight Crystal was supposed to have the essence of the moon flowing through it. How come it’s red?”

“Yes, in its purest form it does. But it seems someone has put their essence in it instead.”

“I don’t understand, why is this one red?”

“Someone put their own blood, their essence in the crystal.” There were footsteps behind me.

“That’s punishable by death.”

“Where have ya been?”

“For a walk.”

“What does Felyx mean, punishable by death?” The crystal was put back in my hands and I was lead to a seat.

“A very long time ago, Midnight Crystal rare as it is, was common. It was found to have a pure magic. People used it for good, for healing or protection. Then people discovered that you could meld your own magic with the magic in the crystal. Doing so came at a cost, part of their soul would be forever lost in that crystal, binding them in a way to the person the crystal was meant for.”

“Why would someone do that?”

“To protect the ones they held dear, the ones they loved. Whoever the crystal was meant for, once they touched the crystal, they in turn were the protector of the crystal as the crystal was the protector of them.”

“Why did they have to protect the crystal?”

“The crystal is almost indestructible, but not impossible to break. It takes a certain type of magic to break Midnight Crystal. But if it were to break, that part of the soul that was lost would be shattered, forever gone. Severing a piece of your soul is different from shattering it, causes people to go mad.”

“Protecting someone is good right? I mean you said it was banished?”

“Just as you can put love and affection in the crystal, you can also put hate and malice in it. People found out that doing this would drive their enemy to torment, and in some cases it led to death. Once they touched the crystal very little could be done. The Kingdom would receive these crystals intended for the Monarchy. So they banished all Midnight Crystal from the land. Anyone who was caught with the crystal was fined, any one discovered to have put their essence in the crystal was punished to death.”

“If it’s punishable by death why do it?”

“Sometimes protecting someone is worth the fate.”

“So someone put a part of their soul into this crystal I’m holding right now, to protect me, no matter the cost?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want anyone to die for me, shouldn’t I have had a say in this!”

“The only way they could be put to death is if they were found out. And as far as we know, we don’t know who it was.” I automatically look down.

“Aye, we don’t. But she does, don’t ya luv?”

“I…there was no name…I …it was just…”

“No, don’t tell us. Don’t tell anyone. Ignorance in this case my dear, is bliss. No, this secret is forever your burden I’m afraid.”

“I didn’t ask for this. Why would anyone risk their life for mine? I also don’t want anyone bound to me. What does that even mean, bound to me?” My hand was patted.

“Embry, I’m sure whoever did this knew of the consequences. They didn’t do this on a whim. They obviously thought that you were in need of being protected. Being bound to you isn’t quite what you think it means. If this was meant to protect you, then if you were ever in trouble they would be able to sense it. If anything we have an answer to a question.”

“What question?”

“We now know you are a part of this, whatever this is. Now the question is, why are you a part of this and how?”

“You said they would be able to sense me. Would I be able to sense them?”

“No, I don’t think it works like that. Though there was a legend if I remember correctly…”

“Yes?” He was taking too long.

“That the person’s soul fragment would call to them when they were near, to my knowledge a significant piece of the soul would have to be severed.”

“Call to them?”

“The legend goes on to say that the crystal would vibrate, some said that the vibration was a …” I take his words in slowly; the pulsing it’s a…

“Heartbeat.”

“I guess there’s more to the legend after all. You’ve felt this?”

“It pulsed, earlier. It kept getting stronger when I went to look for my…um…the crystal it was pulsing really fast.”

“What were ya looking for luv?”

“Oh, um...well…” Crap.

“Her glasses.”

“How do ya know Felyx?”

“I saw her and helped her find them.”

“But she said she stepped on them. Why would she…”

“I broke them.”

“How come?”

“It was an accident, he stepped on them. They happened to be on the floor.”

“How come ya said you had broken them?”

“I…um...didn’t want to embarrass Felyx. He felt really bad about it.”

“It was an accident, and I do feel bad about it. Why so many questions Alecko?”

“What aren’t ya telling me Felyx?” It got quieter as the tension grew stronger.

“I…”

“NAE! NO NO NO I’m sorry! I’m so very sorry Felyx.” Alecko’s voice rang out, he was desperate and scared. I felt the tears in his voice. What just happened?

“...what’s going on?” Now he sounded just as confused as we all probably were.

“Now boys, do you really want to hash out your feelings with me around?” A woman’s voice echoed from outside the room in the hallway, probably snapping all of us out of the moment. Her voice was plain, no accent but her attitude, that was something else.

“Get out of my head ya harpy!”

“You’re the only harpy I see Alecko oh wait Felyx is here too.”

“Get out of his head Helenna.”

“Sheesh, you could give children nightmares with that tone of voice Felyx. Fine I’m out.” Multiple footsteps were taken disappearing out of the room, probably Felyx and Alecko. I felt bad, I didn’t mean to start anything, but this woman seemed to make it worse. Who was she?

“What’s wrong with them?” Helenna asked.

“How were your travels?”

“Fine thank you Ameilius. Damien won’t…

“Damien?”

“Helenna this is Embry; Embry this is Helenna.” The lady sat down next to me, my hands taken by hers.

“My you are pretty, those eyes…” I look away.

“Helenna she is…”

“Blind. Yes, I know. Damien told me.”

“And where is our friend?”

“He told me to tell you that he won’t be back for dinner and no he didn’t tell me where he was going.” When would he be back?

“Embry was it?”

“Yes. What did you do to Alecko?”

“Curiosity my dear really did kill the cat.”

“But satisfaction ‘my dear’ brought it back.” I countered. I was starting to see what Alecko had against her.

“Oh, I like you.” Her voice dropped an octave. I wasn’t sure if her liking me was a good thing or not.

“What did you do to Alecko?”

“I manipulated what he saw in his mind’s eye.”

“What does that mean?”

“Alecko has a temper, one that he is not fond of, I simply made his nightmares feel real.”

“Helenna you didn’t!” More emotion came out of Emlyn than I had heard before.

“That will not be tolerated in this house Helenna.” It was Emlyn, her voice sounded dangerous.

“Stop speaking in riddles!”

“I made him kill Felyx.” She said it so easily; I felt her shrug like it was no big deal.

“Why would you do that? How could you do that?”

“I didn’t, he did. I can’t make him see something he hasn’t already seen in his mind’s eye.”

“Why would you get between them like that? You must know how they feel about each other!”

“To remind Alecko of exactly what he has.”

“I think Alecko knows his private life better than you.” I stand up my cane in hand.

“Interesting, Midnight Crystal if I’m not mistaken, and look someone’s done something very naughty with that crystal…I wonder who that could have been.”

“Is that a threat?” If she wasn’t on my nerves before she defiantly is now.

“Observation.” My question left unanswered. I move away.

“Embry?” It was Ameilius.

“I’m going to get some fresh air.”

“Dinner’s about to be served.” There was that pop sound.

“We’ll save you a plate child.” Emlyn was next to me, her hand on my shoulder.

“Thank you.” I smiled at her. I can feel Helenna’s eyes on me as I walk to the door. I refuse to let her get the best of me. I think of Karmin; she would have had a smart remark. She wouldn’t have put up with Helenna. I close the door behind me and take a breath. I turn left. Why would Damien ask someone like her to come here? She’s just so…twisted. Forcing someone to see what they have nightmares about…but what would cause Alecko to Dream about killing Felyx? My cane taps the door, I find the handle and the door opens. The air is cold but there’s no wind. I walk out and look up. I wonder what I would see. A sunset…the Stars or the sky changing from day to night? I shake away the thoughts and walk the six paces forward. Twenty steps were in front of me, no banister. Right. I take it slow, making sure of my balance each time. Grass crunches beneath my feet, walking forward my cane taps on something…gravel. Didn’t Ameilius say there was a stables if I followed the gravel? I follow the walkway.

Felyx is a piece of work, and completely wrong on my intentions. He could have made his point without the violence and magic, jealous brute. So much for Helenna’s theory on him not using it. Speaking of which, she will need to take it down a notch or five. She can’t be terrorizing the group. Embry was so close…to what? Seeing? She’s blind you idiot. Hearing? What did she hear? Obviously enough to get her attention, enough to scare her. Enough to call to me. Blood stained the water as he cleaned his face, just another…scratch. Damien! Ameilius? Embry is missing.

“Missing? How can she be missing?” I found Ameilius in the front of the house.

“What happened to you? Never mind, I went to search for her, she went to get some air. The gates they are open, all of them.”

“How is that possible? Get Emlyn and Alecko. We’ll split up.”

“The moon is up Damien and Helenna is on house arrest.” Emlyn found us.

“Emlyn, you and Ameilius take the east and south gate. I’ll take the north; we’ll meet at the west.” As soon as Damien ordered the plan they were gone, howling broke the silence.

Sounds of what I hope were crickets sounded, hoots of owls echoed in the distance. How far were the stables? I thought I would have been able to make out a smell or hear horse noises. I wonder how late it was, the air turned to a crisp coldness. Not to cold that I needed a jacket but cold enough that if I was out here for any longer I would need one. I hoped Alecko and Felyx were able to talk things out. That woman should never have done that to Alecko. I see her point; I know her point all too well. The ones dearest to you could be taken from you in a moment’s notice. But still the way she went about it was wrong. And where did Damien have to go? Damien. Why would he give this Crystal to me, what was I to him exactly? He severed part of his soul to protect me. Now he was bound to me. Why would he do that? He told me he was called to me before, when I was in trouble. Why do this? My cane hit something solid, I reached my hand out, and it was a tree. Why would a tree be in the walkway? I place the cane in my corset and feel around the tree. I slid my feet across the ground, I wasn’t on gravel anymore. Something stirred in front of me; I could feel something coming again.

“Damien?” A musty scent catches my attention. It almost smells like a wet dog only worse.

“Hello?” Something snaps towards me, forcing me to take a few steps back, my heart quickens.

“Whose there?” I can hear thumps on the ground and more snapping, this time a howl caused me to scream. Wolves! I was surrounded by wolves. I back up into the tree, nowhere else to go. Something stirred in front of me, coming towards me. I shrink down and wait for the worst.

“I told you it wasn’t safe out here.”

“Damien?” I reach my right hand up connecting with his arm. I stand up, his arm forces me to stay back. My left hand finds his arm as my right arm finds his shoulder, I was on his left his back to me. The growling became louder and the snapping more frequent.

“Walk slowly.” His left hand came around pushing my waist to the right, my hands grabbed the shirt at his shoulders as he walked with me. Growling told me that the wolves were to close for comfort. I startled backwards, his hand gripped at my waist pulling me back to him.

“Careful, one step at a time.” We leave the tree.

“They’re behind us.” I whisper.

“They do that.”

“You mean wolves do that when they have found prey, no kidding.” I could hear the panic in my voice.

“These aren’t your run of the mill type of wolves.”

“What does that mean?”

“They’re Wulvers.”

“A what?”

“Wulvers. You probably know them as lycan’s.”

“Lycan’s! That’s folklore…lycan’s shift from…”

“Well it just so happens to be the first night of the full blue moon.”

“Blue moon?”

“Why couldn’t you run into wolves?”

“Oh because there is such a difference! Both have sharp teeth!”

“Well wolves are nicer.”

“Nicer, well there you go. Why couldn’t they be the nicer type of wolves? Then all we would have had to do was ask them. Please nice wolves leave us be!” My whispers came out harshly. We kept inching slowly.

“Please be quiet before we get eaten.” My hands clench tighter, my face buried in his back. I listened to my breathing, my heart beating so fast I swear it would have beat right out of my chest if given the chance.

“Can’t you do that shadow thing and get us out of here.”

“I would love to except I can’t”

“You can’t?”

“It is pitch dark out here.”

“It’s night time?”

“We can discuss your time management skills later.” I feel Damien move his arm away.

“What are you doing?” I grab for his arm.

“Stay still.” I do as he says. Something cuts through the air, it twangs.

“What is that?”

“A sword.”

“You found it?”

“Not that one.” More growling and snapping ensued.

“You’re making them angrier.”

“I noticed.” I can hear their paws on the ground.

“What’s happening?”

“Silver, it makes then antsy.”

“Stop making them antsy.” He starts moving in a circular motion.

“Why are you circling?” His was facing me now, my hands clenching his clothes at his shoulders.

“You ask a lot of questions…I’m counting. There’s too many of them.”

“I would think one of these Wulvers would be too many.” Suddenly there was a pop as if a bomb went off. Yelping and crying started like the wolves were in pain. There was movement all around. We’re knocked off balance and I fall on something, from the grunt it must have been Damien. I go to push off.

“Stay down!” I hear snapping behind my head, I bury my head into his chest. I can feel him struggling. I felt his legs spread around my sides pushing up against the Wulver. I hear yelping and growling. My back starts to become wet…drool? Or blood.

“Try not to kill them!”

“Well aren’t you compassionate today?” Whose Voice was that? The commotion behind me stops and a thump sounds next to me. Damien’s legs relax on either side of me. I take a breath and push up when my arms are grabbed and I’m rolled over to the side. I hear thuds pound the dirt in front of me. I can still feel Damien’s knees on either side of my hips. Snapping and clanking happen over my face. What I’m hoping is saliva hits my face. I can hear the pads of the Wulvers feet dig into the dirt.

“Ameilius, I could use a little light over here!” Ameilius?

“A little busy mate!”

“Get her out of here Damien! And close the DAMN gates!” Emlyn? Something banged next to us. I could feel heat on my face.

“Grab my belt Embry. Whatever you do, don’t let go.”’ My hands go up finding what feels like leather, I hold tight.

“Ok.” A yelp sounds above me and another thump. I’m pulled close and rolled over. A sinking feeling took over. I could feel darkness around me, that safeness in the darkness calming my nerves. A pulling sensation brought me out of that safeness. We were still rolling when I’m abruptly stopped by what felt like a wall. I felt my ragged breath vibrate through my body as I try to gain the breath that was knocked out of me. A warm hand touches my face.

“Are you ok?”

“Ye…yes.” My voice cracked, I nodded my head just in case.

“I’ll be right back. I have to go close the gates. Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yes, yes I’m fine. Go…go close the gates.”

“Embry?”

“Yes?”

“You can let go now.”

“Right.” I force my hands to unclench from his belt. He groans as he gets up.

“Damien?”

“Yes?”

“Are you ok?”

“Just a scratch.” His feet shuffled away echoing on the wood. A door creaked open just a few feet away. I sit myself up my hands shaky. My body aching more than the other day. I can feel the welts on my back from hitting the grooves in the wall. I use that same wall to stand up, leaning against it I rest my hands on my knees, breathing slowly. Voices start to come closer.

“You said you would protect the girl Damien!” It was Emlyn’s voice.

“And you said you would watch her while I was gone.”

“Easy you two. Blaming each other won’t get us anywhere. I think the better question is, why were the gates open in the first place?” I could hear their feet on the gravel, then up some steps, finally pounding on the wooden floor.

“No excuse!”

“Come now Emlyn.” Footsteps faded away. I stand up all the way.

“Embry dear are you alright.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s get you inside shall we? Get you some water or tea?”

“Water please.” I felt an arm next to my left, we linked and started walking.

“Wait! You’re hurt.” It was Damien, hands were at my shoulders.

“It’s not my blood.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” I pull Ameilius forward. We walk a few steps forward then turn to the left, after five steps we stop. Doors slide open, we make our way to the table. Sitting down I hear water rushing.

“Was anyone hurt?”

“No dear, everyone is fine.” We were quiet again. A cold glass was given to me and I sip the water. My throat was dryer than I thought.

“I swear I didn’t know I was off of the property. I was on the gravel and I remembered you said that there was a stables along the way if I followed the path. That’s where I was headed, I got lost in my thoughts and I only noticed that I wasn’t on the gravel anymore when my cane hit the tree.”

“Cane?” It was Damien who asked.

“You know, the cane that…oh.”

“Embry here received a present while you were out.” I fished the cane out of my corset. Too tired to even care about anyone watching. The small form grew, I set it on the table.

“Midnight Crystal? How about that, someone has guts. How’d they get it in?”

“No Idea. Emlyn has been looking into it.”

“And how’d the gate get opened?”

“No idea. Emlyn is looking into it.”

“Right. More unanswered questions.”

“We should all just go to sleep and regroup in the morning.”

“Brilliant plan Embry, I concur.”

“Grab your cane Embry, I’ll help you back.” I grab my cane and stand up.

“Goodnight Ameilius, will you tell Emlyn I didn’t mean…”

“It’s not your fault my dear. If anything I am sorry. I should have kept a closer eye on you, not that you need it. But you are a guest in our home. Very well, goodnight all.”

“See you in the morn Mils.” There was the pop sound. My left arm was taken.

“I am perfectly able to get to my room on my own, now that I have a cane.”

“My way is faster. Will you step to your right about two steps?” I give up and step over, I’m instantly back in the darkness. I wobble a bit as we come out of it.

“Careful now.”

“Where are we?”

“In the bathroom.” Water starts running.

“What are you doing?”

“Running you a bath. I like my sheets the way they are, clean. Besides, you’re caked in blood.”

“Right.” It was quiet.

“Damien?”

“Yes?”

“Are you staying in here?”

“I need something out of the chest, it’ll only take me a moment.” I heard the door creak open and close. I make my way over to the counter, laying my cane on the top. I reach the tub and place my fingers on the inside edge, waiting for the water to rise high enough. I kick my shoes off. The water reaches my fingertips and I find the knobs turning the water off. Reaching behind me, made my arms ache. I try again but the laces are knotted at the bottom. What kind of knot is this! I try pulling it off with no luck. Damn it all!

“Damien?” Nothing, did he leave already? I concentrate.

Damien? Embry? Will you…will you help me with something?

“What is it?” The door creaks open.

“The laces at the back, Emlyn knotted them, I can’t get them unknotted, will you…”

“Of course.” I turn around, pulling my hair out of the away. I could feel his fingers working, making their way up my back pulling the laces through.

“Did you find what you needed?”

“Yes.” With the last lace undone the corset was taken off.

“Thank you.”

“Lift your shirt.”

“What? Why?” I turn around.

“I want to make sure you’re not hurt.”

“I’m not.”

“Please?”

“Fine.” I clear my throat and turn back around. With my hands on opposite sides I lift my shirt up half way. Cold knuckles ran beside the welts on my lower back, knuckles turned into fingertips that traveled up to an older injury, the worse injury. I let my shirt fall and turn back around.

“See just a few bumps and bruises, not injured.”

“Embry…”

“Thank you for coming for me, in the forest…with the Wulvers.”

“It shouldn’t have happened. You should have been safe, I apologize.”

“No, it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault.”

“Right, well goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Footsteps and two doors closing told me he had left.

A scar plagued her back. Just like the ugly ones that line my skin, and yet on her...She could have had more, if tonight’s events went differently. How did tonight’s events even unfold? Emlyn? Where was that wretched woman? EMLYN! I am at the north gate you insufferable boy!

“How is it possible that the gates were opened? The magic that binds them were in your care.”

“You dare take that tone with me boy?” The ground was hit with Damien’s knees as she forced him down, slowly grinding them into the hard dirt.

“Your torture methods do not scare me Emlyn, give me your worst.” His hands were next, his fingernails started to recede as his fingertips dug into the ground.

“You need not fear me boy, you need only to remember that your power is no match for mine.” Ameilius? Yes? Your wife…

“Now dear, Damien’s frustrations are not with you. I dare say his responsibility to the girl is the culprit.”

“He has no respect Ameilius.”

“You are not wrong. Be a dear and let him up. We have all endured too much excitement for one night, wouldn’t you say?” A groan escaped Damien’s lips as she let go of him.

“You’re a crazy old bat, you know that?” Ameilius watched as both parties went the opposite way.

“Where are you going Damien?”

“Anywhere away from her. Back to the attack site!”

“I’ll come with.”

“I rather be alone.”

“And that is exactly why I am coming.”

“Shouldn’t you tend to your wife?”

“She needs to cool down first. Unlike you, I don’t ask for punishment.”

“How can you stand her? She’s demented.”

“She had a life before you Damien, a much harder life than both of us put together. Antagonizing her will not help your case nor will it be tolerated do you understand me?”

“I’m not the bad guy.”

“Damien?”

“Yes, alright. Can we get a move on? With any luck some of the Wulvers may be waking up and returning to their tribe.”

“A Wulver tribe so close?”

“It’s highly unlikely they are settling so close, but I am not leaving anything to chance.”

“You think they could be travelling?”

“Maybe, but where to? And during the phase of the Full moon? They try to stay away from people. Coming this close into Crotan Territory, its suicide.”

“Why are you stopping?”

“We’re here.”

“Are you sure?”

“There are signs of a scuffle in the dirt. This is the place. We can’t be more than ten minutes away from the Manor.”

“This doesn’t make any sense. There were no traces of Wulvers at the other gates. Why this path? You think it a coincidence?”

“Maybe. The gates opening could be part of another plan. The Wulvers could have picked up her scent?”

“They have a good sense of smell but not that good. They would have had to be in the vicinity to begin with.”

“But that makes no sense, the tribes purposely go out of their way to be out of reach from people, before the change takes place.”

“Did you find something?”

“No, I thought Embry said there was a tree here.”

“There are many trees around Damien.”

“Yes, but…” What are the chances that she was mistaken?

“Yes, but?”

“Nothing. There is nothing here. We better get back, check to see if the Manor has been breached.”

“Are we to expect more company?”

“No. I have asked no one else to join us.”

“Then I shall seal the pathways. It is very curious as to the people you have aligned yourself with.”

“What are you saying Mils?”

“I know you Damien. You are building an army, for a war. Whether you’re going to start it or not, I do not know. Do you even know what you are doing? Or are you blindly following orders?”

“Better safe than sorry Mils, better safe than sorry.”

“Then you are not on any official orders?”

“No mils, I am not. Before you question my intentions. I know what I am risking and I know the outcome of my actions.”

“Then we will stand beside you.”

I was laying on the ground watching the clouds pass. The wind ruffled the wild flowers around me. In the distance I could hear the pitter patter of hoof beats and wagons. People in the town trading, the children laughing, a fussy baby wanting his mom. The guards would start conversations of their time before they came to this land. My eyes closed, what wonderful sounds. The sounds ceased to exist. I opened my eyes and red dust covered the sky. I sat up, the grass turned to dried dirt. Torn flags sagged on fallen posts. No more children laughing, the town was bare of anything good. The sound of metal clanked, feet echoed to a rhythm. Horses screamed and orders were barked. Two men grabbed me by the arms pulling me off the ground. Armor replaced my clothing.

“My Princess, the north gate has been taken. We need to get you to safety.” Felyx?

“Not till my people are safe!” My voice was not my own.

“Your people will be no more if you do not survive.”

“You will do as I say. Get everybody, take them through the creek. Blow the entrance when everyone is through.”

“What about you Princess?”

“I will meet you on the other end. Draksius you’re with me. Now go, all of you!” I reach up but only the girl was pulled atop the horse.

“Where to Princess?”

“The North gate.” The horse is forced into a gallop. I look around, fire crackles in the distance, smoke covers any sign of light. Drums sound behind me, a canon blast rings in my ears.

I jolt awake with thunder in my ears. Wind rushes in the room and rain spits on the floor. The doors to the balcony bang open and closed on either side. I get out of the bed to the right, one of the doors hit my toe causing me to curse. I get them closed and make my way over to the other set of doors. I stop when I notice there isn’t any more banging.

“Damien?”

“Glad to see you’re in one piece luv.”

“Alecko? What are you doing in here?”

“Right nasty storm out there. I was walkin’ down the hall when I heard doors bangin’.” Thunder cracked in the sky causing the doors to tremble. I climb back into the bed.

“What time is it?”

“Early morn, four thirty or so.”

“Can’t sleep?”

“Early bird gets the worm, now doesn’t it?” He sounded tired.

“You’re not a bird.” I feel the corner of the bed sag.

“Right ya are luv.” I toss a pillow towards the end of the bed.

“Where’s Felyx?”

“He’s a sleeper that one. I swear you could bang pots and pans and he wouldn’t even stir.” We were quite.

“Hey Alecko?”

“Yes luv?”

“About yesterday, I’m sorry about lying, I didn’t...”

“Don’t worry about it. Felyx told me it was an accident.” It wasn’t an odd silence, just a ‘my brain is asleep like I should be’ type of silence.

“Hey Felyx?”

“Hmmm?”

“That lady, she said that she made you see…some terrible stuff. I’m sorry.”

“Aye. She’s a right harpy, but that’s not your fault luv. Besides I heard I missed the real excitement. Running into some wild Wulvers, during a full moon mind you.”

“What are they exactly?”

“Wulvers? They’re just people, well during the day and most nights. Cursed to change with the full moon. Ya ran across wild Wulvers though, they’re a right piece of work. Savage beasts they are. Not that all beasts can’t be savage.”

“So there are non-wild Wulvers?”

“Aye. Once in a while you’ll cross a Wulver that is aware of the change, aware that they have a humanity in them. They’re not so likely to attack, so long as they don’t feel threatened.” I heard him yawn which made me yawn.

“How do they become aware?” The thunder cracked again and the rain continued to patter against the windows.

“If you can get to them young enough, younger the better. You can help them learn to not hurt others. Working with them, they start to realize things.”

“Kind of like training a dog new tricks?”

“…Aye, I suppose.” We were quite for a little bit. I could hear his breathing. It was odd having him at the foot of the bed…a man in my bed really. Even if he was gay, for the most part. But it made me feel secure, almost like having Jeffery down the hall. I missed him, but being here without him made me realize that I rely on him so very much. He never once complained, never blamed me or treated me like a charity case. Alecko was like him in that aspect.

“Alecko?” I whispered. Nothing but his steady breathing. I closed my eyes, this time I slept soundly.