“Nothing to see here! This is official clan business and it does not concern the general public! Carry on!”
“What has he done?” someone yelled.
One of the two legionnaires descended on the wolf with the pommel of his sword, striking him over the head. The victim yelped and curled up, left helpless as the legionnaires continued to batter him.
“What are you doing to him?”
“There is nothing to see here!”
The legionnaire beat him one more time before he lifted his limp body up, barely conscious. Aided by his partner, he began to drag him away towards jail. A third legionnaire joined them while the rest of the cohort held a perimeter.
“Arnold!” his wife cried, rushing out the door. “Arnold!”
Rohesia could see the small shape of a cub behind her, standing there with eyes wide and mouth agape in a face of confusion. He had no idea what was happening. Her heart sank as she knew the meaning of his father’s arrest would be lost on him, deflected by his cubhood innocence.
“Since when has Opulus had authority here? You can’t just arrest people for no reason!” someone protested.
“This is a matter regarding Winter Baron Tiberius and individuals who wish to disrupt the peace and integrity of this clan. Move along!”
“You dragged a father away from his cub and his wife! You’re disgusting!”
The crowd of onlookers began to yell at them, a chorus of barks and snarls. Some civilians edged closer. The leader did not fall back – instead, he yelled to his comrades in New Opulusian. The legionnaires behind him stepped forwards, short swords at the ready, while their comrades levelled crossbows at the crowds.
"We have orders to ensure the clan is secure and that all co-conspirators of Lieutenant Ziedik are punished! If you do not disperse immediately, we will use force and arrest those who resist! This is an unlawful gathering! Disperse!"
None of the wolves dared challenge the array of swords and crossbow bolts aimed at them. Many turned and hurried away, looking over their shoulders at the site of the arrest, but Rohesia lingered. She watched the mother.
She hugged her pup, shielding him from the conflict outside, whispering something to him. His face retained that same bewildered expression, unchanged, without a trace of understanding.
Poor pup.
She saw a legionnaire turn his sights on her.
“Final warning! Disperse or be met with the consequences!”
Rohesia knew she was no longer welcome and continued on her way towards the Sedrid household.
Days had passed since Ragnar Sedrid was dragged from his home, kicking and yowling as the rest of his family watched in horror. Raids on households across the town increased in frequency with each passing day. To her horror, Rohesia had witnessed many such assaults. Mothers and fathers were torn away from their families, restrained by cruel dogs. Anyone who tried to resist or intervene was beaten ruthlessly until they were barely conscious.
Everyone is being accused of trying to overthrow Tiberius.
Something wasn’t right in Grand Wolf Plains, and she imagined that the same regime of terror and punishment was being imposed across the clan territory. The order that the Sedrids had brought before was torn apart by the new leader.
Her face fell as she thought about Corsair.
There’s no reason for Corsair to be arrested. He’s done nothing wrong.
But Ragnar hadn’t done anything wrong. He wasn’t the kind of wolf to become a revolutionary. She had not spent as much time with him as she had with Corsair but knowing him for so many years had allowed her to develop a moderate understanding of his brother’s character.
Conspirator wasn’t one of the words she’d use to describe him.
She hoped no further action would be taken against the Sedrids.
“They just dragged someone away to jail!”
Rohesia saw a group of citizens surrounding two wolf soldiers, complaining in bulk as they gestured in the opposite direction.
“We can’t do anything about that,” a guard said, crestfallen.
“Why not? It’s your job to protect us, go help him!”
“Our orders are to make sure Opulusian raids go on unhindered. There are a few people who Lieutenant Ziedik knew that are still unaccounted for. Once this is over, the raids will stop.”
“He’s not even the real Winter Baron. That helmet belonged to Arthur’s son and they exiled him.”
“I don’t understand why you don’t intervene,” another civilian said.
“Because we can’t,” the guard said.
“Why can’t you?”
“Our orders are‒”
“Why the hell do orders matter when those dogs are arresting people in front of their pups and beating them to death? Do something!”
“I have pups to feed, I can’t afford to disobey!”
Rohesia walked on past the debate.
If our own soldiers can’t protect any of us… are we safe? At all?
“I am not smuggling anything!”
Rohesia looked ahead. On the left side of the road, surrounded by a team of legionnaires, was a carriage that had been halted. The ictharr roared and yowled in panic as the driver was forced on to the ground. Legionnaires turned the interior upside down, hurling boxes and crates out of the door. A trio of legionnaires dragged the boxes to the side of the roadway and tore them open, rummaging through the contents.
“What are you doing?” the carriage driver bellowed. “Those are my goods! You’re ruining my business!”
“You are suspected of smuggling contraband,” a legionnaire said. “We have orders to investigate.”
“Contraband? What contraband? I just got here!”
Rohesia quickly left the scene, walking down the road. She stepped in front of the Sedrid door, lifting her paw to knock, but stopped when she heard a whimper from around the corner of the house. Her ears stood and she looked left, taking a step back.
Quickpaw and Harangoth.
She looked back to the door.
I can spare a minute.
Padding through the snow, she rounded the corner and arrived in front of the three stalls that formed the stable. A lone servant stood in front of a stall, heaving a bag of food and dropping it to the ground. Quickpaw’s snout rested on the door to his pen, whimpering in boredom, until his eyes fell upon the black wolf and he began yapping in excitement. He stood and rested his front paws on the top of the door, eager to rush out and greet her.
She looked to the stall on the left.
Harangoth did not display the same excitement as his friend. He stood upright in his stall, staring past Rohesia and towards the main pathway in front of the house, not averting his gaze for a moment.
She stopped in front of Quickpaw’s stall and scratched the scruff of his neck. He turned his head and craned it forward, eyes closed to enjoy the pampering Rohesia provided. After a few seconds she brought her paw back and patted him on the head, calming him down.
“I bet you’re feeling really stuffy in there.”
Quickpaw yapped.
“I can’t take you on a ride. You might have to wait a little bit longer.”
He whimpered in disappointment, sitting down and resting his snout on the top of the door again. She patted him on the bridge of his snout a final time before moving on to Harangoth’s stall, stopping beside the servant. She watched as they poured some fodder into a small metal trough, lifting it up and lowering it into the pen. She placed it beside the door, right in front of the stoic ictharr’s body.
He didn’t move.
“Has he been eating?” Rohesia asked.
“He ate a little this morning,” the servant sighed. “He’s smart enough to eat so he can keep going every day but… that’s it. He doesn’t stop staring at the pathway.”
Rohesia murmured in response, stepping past the servant as she moved on to feed Quickpaw. Harangoth was unresponsive to her movements and seemed almost catatonic. She leaned in and re
sted a paw on the side of his neck, stroking it gently.
“Ragnar will come back. You won’t have to wait much longer.”
Harangoth gave a small whimper, one so quiet and short that she wondered if she really even heard it, but did nothing more. She gave a sad smile, admiring his undying loyalty to his master before picking up the trough and moving it towards him.
“You need to eat. You can’t be strong without food.”
Harangoth, as expected, ignored her. Knowing the servant would look after them well enough, she turned and walked away from the stables. Arriving back in front of the door, she knocked three times and waited for it to be answered. She heard hushed whispers on the other side and then heard someone approach it. The lock clicked.
The door creaked open and a green eye peered out through the crack, identifying the individual.
“It’s Rohesia. I’m back with ingredients for dinner.”
Recognising her, Corsair widened the gap and allowed her entry to the house. She stepped inside and let the door shut behind her.
Silence.
The calm of the house was unusual. When she had visited the house before Arthur Sedrid’s death, it was filled with life. Servants had bustled from room to room, Corsair and Ragnar held loud conversations in the living or dining area, and the atmosphere was joyous.
Now, apart from a few servants carrying out tasks in deathly silence, there was not a sound to be heard. It was as if the spirit of the house had been dragged out through the front door with Ragnar. All that was left was the emotionless, soulless carcass of the building.
“You got everything?” Corsair asked.
“Yeah, I got everything. I checked in on Quickpaw and Harangoth before I knocked on the door.”
“How are they?”
“Quickpaw is anxious to go on a ride and Harangoth is just… staring.”
He didn’t answer. The effects of his brother’s arrest were visible on him. His eyes were dull and lacking the energy they once had, more deprived of life than they were before Ragnar’s exile. His fur was ruffled and unkempt, ears twitching, tail flicking back and forth with paranoia. He held his sword tight in his paw, ready for an encounter that Rohesia hoped would never come.
“Put it on the table.”
She followed his instructions without hesitation, placing down the sack of goods. A servant, remaining silent, took the purchases and carried them into the kitchen, the door opening and shutting without making a sound.
“Thanks,” Corsair said.
“Everything was okay while I was gone?”
“Nothing happened. You?”
She opened her mouth just as she heard the kitchen door open. She looked over her shoulder.
Ophelia Sedrid was not attempting to look presentable any more. Grief had made her indifferent to the condition of her tail, the fur standing up in places and flattened in others. Her usually flawless dress was covered in crinkles and crumples, lines of age showing on the material, and Rohesia noticed that her paws trembled somewhat.
“Thank you for bringing the ingredients in, dear,” she said, a forced smile upon her face.
“I’m happy to help, Lady Sedrid.”
“Are you going up to bed, Mum?” Corsair asked.
“Yes. You’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be okay.”
“Can you fetch me a pitcher of water from the kitchen pail?”
“I’ll do it, Mrs Sedrid,” Rohesia offered.
“No, darling, it’s fine.”
“I can do it, Rohesia.”
Corsair walked off towards the kitchen and disappeared through the door, retrieving her drink.
“I’m so happy you’re living with us,” she said. “You are a delight to have around. You always were. I wish we had invited you years ago! So polite.”
“Oh, thank you,” Rohesia giggled. “I’m happy to hear I’m not annoying company, Lady Sedrid.”
“Not at all, darling, not at all. Is your bedding comfortable? If not, there is always…”
She winced.
“There is always Ragnee’s room.”
Rohesia glanced over at the fire. Laid out on the carpet before it was a rectangular sheet, a pillow placed at the end with a folded blanket at the other. While many would turn their nose up at the accommodation, Rohesia regarded it with gratitude.
“No, no, I am completely fine, Lady Sedrid. I appreciate the hospitality and I wouldn’t want to disturb the room.”
Ophelia nodded, understanding.
“I have something to ask you, darling. I apologise for its severity.”
“Of course. What is it, Lady Sedrid?”
“I need you to make a promise to me.”
“A promise?”
“A promise to keep Corsair safe from harm.”
She didn’t know how to answer.
“He’s my cub. He’s all I have left now – my husband is dead, my eldest son has been exiled, and now all I have left is him. If he were to be taken away from me, I… I wouldn’t be able to cope. He’s my treasure, the most precious thing in this world to me, and I can’t bear to see a wolf or dog touch a hair on his body. So… I’m asking you to promise me that you’ll protect him no matter what. That you’ll make sure he stays safe in this house.”
Rohesia nodded.
“I promise, Lady Sedrid. I’ll look after Corsair.”
“You’ll protect him?”
“With my life. You can rely on me, Lady Sedrid.”
Ophelia sighed and hugged Rohesia. She hugged back, feeling it was the right way to respond, and could hear the tears in her voice.
“I don’t want to lose anyone else. He’s all I have.”
“You won’t, Lady Sedrid.”
She felt her tighten her grip.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
As Corsair entered, she stepped back and wiped away a tear.
“Here you go, Mum. Do you want me to carry it up?”
“I’m fine.”
“Okay. Take as long as you need.”
Rohesia watched Corsair and his mother hug, remaining in the embrace for several seconds, before the bond was broken and his mother disappeared up the stairs. She listened to her walk across the landing, the wooden floorboards creaking above them, and then heard her door shut.
Not another sound came from above them.
Corsair turned and walked in the direction of the fire, sitting down on the carpet and resting his sword beside him. Rohesia remained where she was for a moment, glancing up at the ceiling, before she followed and sat down beside her makeshift bedding.
Corsair stared into the fire, eyes focused on the flame.
She knew what he was thinking about.
“Ragnar is strong,” she said. “He’ll be fine. Even if it is the north.”
Corsair didn’t look at her.
“I hope to God he is.”
“He is. I promise you that he is.”
Silence reigned supreme throughout the house, not a sound coming from the servants as they continued to work. Rohesia let Corsair speak at his own speed.
“The last thing you expect to see is your brother being arrested in the middle of the night, your mother crying in the corner, every servant fearing for their lives on the landing. When I walked in that night, I… I didn’t know what was happening.”
He continued to stare into the fire.
“He was so scared. Ragnee’s always been the big, tough brother. He’s never let his guard down, never allowed anyone to best him, and there he was – eyes wide open and struggling for his life. He thought he was going to die. I did, too.”
He paused.
“I’ve never heard Mum scream so much in her life.”
Rohesia kept her eyes on the wolf. The lively spirit he used to possess, the jovial character that she used to play with in the snow as a cub, was gone. What sat before her was a person filled with despair and misery, unsure of what further torture the future held, a being living in fear.
&
nbsp; “I’m going insane in here. I’ve checked that door repeatedly every day since Ragnee was taken. I don’t know how many times I’ve thought, ‘This is it, they’re here to take Mum away,’ when someone just walks past the house. I’m… I’m so scared. What will they do to her if they drag her away, kicking and screaming? They could kill her, Rohesia. Those monsters could kill my mother.”
“You’ll be okay, Corsair. I’ll make sure that you’ll both be okay. And maybe, if it makes you feel better… pray? God will listen.”
“God doesn’t care. God hasn’t cared for days now. What has he done for me? What has this great, all-powerful God done for me other than kill Dad, have Ragnee taken from me, and left me with a despairing mother who won’t stop…”
He shielded his face, body trembling.
“She won’t stop calling out for Ragnee in her sleep. I can hear her. When I check on her she’s reliving that nightmare every night, trying to protect him, and all I can do is watch her suffer.”
Rohesia remembered the look of terror on his mother’s face, terrified not for her own wellbeing but her son’s. She had watched her crumple and curl up on the ground, reduced to a sobbing hysterical mess.
“What can I do? I’m trapped in this situation and I can’t see a way out. We’re not safe. The guards who were posted outside were ordered to go somewhere else. We can’t take any carriages out of here without being stopped and sent back. I can’t ride Quickpaw because they’ll stop me. We can’t go anywhere.”
Rohesia wanted to say that some people could travel freely, that they could smuggle themselves aboard a carriage, but she remembered how legionnaires ransacked a transport on the side of the road.
They get caught and they’ll be in a lot of trouble. There’s no leaving through the gates if they’re checking everything that comes in and out.
“You know Ragnee didn’t do it, right?”
“Do what?”
“He didn’t write what Tiberius said.”
“No, of course.”
Corsair nodded.
“Ragnee isn’t a revolutionary. The cruel monster said it himself – it wasn’t like him. He’s been framed. He has to be.”
The Sharpened Fangs Of Lupine Spirit Page 26