by Lance Wilson
“No one could really tell you what was running through his head, I would like to see you on this thrown. As the young lord of this castle you can oversee the prosperity of the people. You could also be close to the capital, in case you need some guidance.” Mecmed says and gently turns Mellyruna so that he is now looking at him.
“I would like to think about it first” Mellyruna says and looks over at Neckity, there is so much that he wants to talk about and right now she is about the only one that he feels he can trust although he’s not sure why.
“Vary well, I shall leave you here with the guard to clean up. If there is anything you need you know where to find me. I’m sure your mother will want to hear of your flawless victory” Mecmed says and with that goes to walk away.
“Actually I would like to borrow Neckity from you. I have found her to be a great advisor to me. If you can spare her that is” Mellyruna says and watches as Skorm looks at his young apprentice.
He wonders what his young apprentice is up to. So she has been advising the young prince, but why and to what ends. He must keep an eye on her.
“Well that is more up to Skorm then myself, so, what do you say Skorm, can you spare her” Mecmed says, his voice is calm and inviting, but Skorm can see that his eyes are saying that he has no real choice.
“Of course, my duties for the moment have been slacked lately, and it will give me time to run though some of my books. I have been dealing with a bit of a quandary and haven’t quite found the answer.” Skorm says with a bit of a growl. He hates leaving his apprentice unattended, but Mecmed has given him no real choice in any of this.
“There you have it, we shall be going and leave you to your tasks as new lord” Mecmed says and walks away with Skorm.
Yes this is perfect, Mellyruna will take over the castle, he shall learn what it is like to be a lord and have a people to that depend on you. And yet at the same time he will be able to keep a close, vary close eye on him. He can still pull the strings of him, and yet make is seem so easy for him to believe that it is his own doing and not by him.
Almost instantly after Mecmed leaves the room the captain of the group of soldiers walks in and drops to one knee.
“What are your orders my prince” the captain says and keeps his eyes on the ground.
“Return all that has been stolen, it is not the property of the lord, but rather the property to the people. I also demand that the lord be given a proper funeral, burning, let him meet his gods with honor and pride. That is all for now” Mellyruna says knowing now what he has to do, if he is to lead anyone he has to be a better person, stronger, smarter.
“Yes my lord” The captain says and walks away
Once again Mellyruna and Neckity are left alone, this time she is wearing her mask he has to say, it bothers him but just a bit.
“I would like to ask you something Neckity, and this is quite important so no matter what your initial reaction or motives might be, please answer honestly.” Mellyruna says and smiles at her.
“Vary well” she says and turns her back, he is about to move past her control right now she can feel it.
“Tell me, is there a squad under Mecmed’s control that seem a bit more, wild, less controlled. Skilled but free minded” Mellyruna says calmly, he knows that there is usually one in every kingdom, a free minded mercenary group that the lord has little to no control over, but would be hard pressed to do without.
“The Wolfpride, they are the most skilled fighters we have, but Mecmed hates using them, they are too out of control, skilled and strategic but out of control none the less” She says and smiles, she is almost sure that she can guess what he is looking to do, and the Wolfpride are the right group for it.
“I would like to meet with them, but not here, I want to go to them. Do you know where they are stationed?” Mellyruna says again turning and looking out the window.
“They are not far from here, half a days ride to the east. I warn you, they may not welcome you with open arms you know. Sure you are something of a prince to the people here, but the Wolfpride bow to know man.” She says knowing that this will only encourage him.
“That is just what I’m looking for. Thank you Neckity, I shall let you get back to your other duties. If you would please come back tomorrow when I talk to the Wolfpride” Mellyruna says his voice much like that of a child, worried and unsure of himself.
Neckity only smiles under her mask and bows to the young prince, of course she will be there when he talks to the Wolfpride, this is a wonderful opportunity to find out what path he will be taking and how she may be able to sway him to what she needs. With that done she walks out of the room and makes her way back to the main kingdom leaving Mellyruna alone in the thrown room with his thoughts. As he walks around in the thrown room his mind begins to reel at what has happened, all that has happened. For the first time he has been taken from his home he is alone to think, without some kind of task or some kind of manipulation. He walks around, looking over everything, this place is not so different from his own home. And that is why he cannot stay here. No, he shall try to join the Wolfpride; he knows that the only way to find yourself is by looking. Sitting on a thrown pretending to be a kind or lord that he isn’t will get him nowhere. He will talk to the Wolfpride, talk to there leader, try to join them, maybe in the freedom of being only a soldier he can find out what it is he is, and what it is he must do to feel whole again. He watches from the window as all the bodies are given a proper burial, and the young lord who killed himself is laid on a bed of straw and set ablaze. He’s not sure why, but watching this strikes a cord with him and he feels tears stream down his cheeks. He didn’t know the lord, so why is it that this one strikes him so. Quietly with the moon high in the sky and the days work done Mellyruna makes his way to an empty room, lays on the bed without even undressing, and falls deep into a slumber.
It is early the next mourning when he wakes, calmly he makes his way to the courtyard, as he walks though the halls he notices that all the soldiers that had taken the castle are still there, standing guard and making patrol, are they now stationed here. It is not his concern, this is not his castle and if he can help it, it will never be his. Once in the courtyard a young man walks to the young prince, leading his horse knowing that he will want to ride out immediately. The young man quickly drops to one knee once he is close enough to Mellyruna and with great care he hands Mellyruna the reins of the horse.
“Thank you, but I will not be leaving until Neckity gets here. Have you gotten word from her” Mellyruna asks wanting to get on his way as soon as possible. The young man slowly reaches into the folds of his shirt and pulls out a piece of parchment that has been rolled up and tied closed with a ribbon.
“Here, I believe this is from her. It came before dawn” the young man says and hand Mellyruna parchment.
Calmly Mellyruna reads the parchment, it is just as he thought, and she has backed away from the agreement. The parchment says a lot of things, but the jest of it is that Skorm wouldn’t let her go and that he is angry at him for taking her as his advisor without talking to him first about it. No matter, he will just go to the Wolfpride without her. With that thought a twinge of fear flashes through his body but he can’t say exactly why. Halves a days ride to the east. That is what she told him that is where he will find them. Without hesitation Mellyruna mounts his horse and points it to the gates, then kicks it into a trot. The horse moves through the castle as guards and workers get out of the way, before he is even close to the gates someone opens them for him. He smiles, this is just as it was at home. They look out for him and try to make sure they are one step ahead of him. Once outside the gates he kicks the horse into a full run. He will get there in time to talk, and if he has to be back here before dusk that is if he plans to not go as he hopes. Mellyruna rides the horse hard straight east. Loosing himself in his own thoughts, he has to do this, he
has to fight with these men, and he has to find out more about his own self before anything else can be done. The sun is already high in the sky when he comes across a camp; the camp is like many he has seen before simple tents set close together. He is sure this is it, the Wolfpride; something deep inside tells him that this is them. Not caring about etiquette of how to go about things he only rides hard until he is soon in the middle of the camp. Instantly he is surrounded by men in black armor, their spears pointed at him ready to kill him with a single command. Mellyruna quickly dismounts his horse and watches, as it seems to be dragged into the crowd leaving him alone circled by these warriors. As he looks at all of them he sees one thing, these are not boys, all of them look to be at least 200 years old and there faces have the look of men who have seen two much battle, wrinkled and worn, scared with a fire in each and everyone’s eyes. Knowing deep in his mind that it is probably the wrong thing to do he draws his blade and prepares for battle, he will not allow them to take him like this. The circle of men slowly tightens around him and he feels the anger and eagerness for battle from each of them. He can’t defeat them and only a fool would try. It is then that the crowd parts and he sees someone that throws him off completely, it is a young boy, maybe his age at best, he is dressed in shimmering white armor and his hair is beautiful silver. His eyes, his eyes are a piercing golden color, there are fierce and inviting all at the same time.
“What do we have here?” The young man says, his voice sounds as if he hasn’t even hit puberty yet, but then again Mellyruna can hardly talk, his still cracks and squeaks now and then.
“I am prince Mellyruna of the Unagi clan. I wish to speak to the leader of the Wolfpride” he says and listens as they all chuckle at him. What has he said, what is so funny.
“I am him” He says smiling, this young elf who rides in here so daring has him curious, no one has dared to charge into the Wolfpride’s camp.
“You, but your” he says and stops not sure how to say what he wants to without insulting them.
“No older then you, and you are a prince. But titles mean nothing in this matter. We are the Wolfpride, a prince and a pauper are the same to us” He says and smiles to hear his men grumble and chuckle.
These are the forgotten men of society, people cast aside cause of some reason or another, some where thieves, some murderers, some just poor that fought day after day just for survival.
“I meant no disrespect.” He says bowing his head slightly
“Say what you want and say it well, but do not try to think you can fool us with fancy words or proper etiquette, it means nothing in this camp, we are all what you see before you. That is how things are here. We say what we mean, and do everything with our convictions” he says turning his back on the young prince.
“I wish to join the Wolfpride” Mellyruna says sheathing his blade now.
“And what makes you think you are worthy” One of the man behind him says with a growl.
“Yes I think you would, I saw you fight yesterday, Orisk the bear slayer. I believed I learned more about you in that one battle then you even know about yourself” The young man says and turns away.
“Oh and what is it you think you know about me” Mellyruna says with a growl, how dare he be so arrogant as to think he can see into a man with only one battle.
“You seek to find your own soul, you charge into battle never caring about the risks or cost to your own life, you seek to find your soul by defending it. Am I right” He says but knows already the answer seeing that this answer has stunned Mellyruna.
“If… if your so sure you can judge me in battle, then let us battle and you can judge to see if I am worthy to be one of you” Mellyruna says anger and fury filling him now.
How dare he, how dare he look into like that, read him so casually. He has to fight this young man, he has to fight him and beat him. He is an Unagi and they are not to be wielded like a kind of puppet, no he will fight this man and show him that just cause you might see into a man doesn’t mean you know them. The young man then raises his hand and the circle gets larger, each man lowering his or her spears to the ground. He can hear chuckles and laughter between the men as this young elf steps closer to Mellyruna
“If that is how you wish it,” he says, his voice sweet and soft.
Before he even knows it Mellyruna swings his sword already trying to cut the elf in two, he didn’t even remember making the decision to fight. The young elf however jumps back, almost like he is gliding, flying even. He goes to strike again, a downward slash, the elf only sways out the way, a slash, horizontal, the elf only drops and rolls, still not even drawing his blade, another slash, another dodge, Mellyruna howls in fury, how can he be this way, how can he be so young, but so fast, so skilled. Slash after slash he strikes at the elf, but the elf only sways and dodges out of the way. In his anger and hate of the elf now he goes for a downward strike, the elf sidesteps but the sword makes contact with a post in the camp. The elf then makes his move, he steps close to Mellyruna and draws his blade, the handle of the blade hits hard into Mellyruna’s gut, dropping him to one knee. Then before he knows how the elf did it or even when he feels a sharp pain in his side… he looks over, his own blade stuck in the post. The elf is standing there, his arm outstretched his blade stuck deep into his side… . he follows the elf’s blade to see where he has struck him; it is in the side, a deep pierce. He feels the blood seep through his cloths and armor; the blade is a thin one and seemed to find a way through the links of chain. Mellyruna feels his vision begin to blur, mustering all he can he pulls his blade free from the post and stagers forward as the elf removes his blade. He feels his energy slipping from him, pouring out of him with his life’s blood. He only gets about two steps before darkness overtakes him. The last thing he hears is the cheer of the Wolfpride.
It is early in the mourning and the sun is just starting to crest over the mountains. Inside one of the tents the young silver haired elf sits next to a still sleeping Mellyruna. His eyes watch Mellyruna with wonder and pride. He is a strong warrior and they would be a fool not to accept him into the Wolfpride. However, they must also show him that being one of them is more then just being a soldier, every man here is his brother, or sister, and they will treat him accordingly. They must also show him that though Mecmed hires them often, they do not serve him, he is not there lord, and no man rules them. With a groan Mellyruna begins to stir and soon he slowly opens his eyes and glares at the silver haired elf.
“Forgive me, we were never properly introduced. I am Griffin, like the mythical creature. It is a pleasure to meet you Prince Mellyruna of the Unagi clan.” He says with a smile
Mellyruna just growls, how can he be so happy, so inviting. Just looking at him infuriates him, and yet, there is something in his eyes. A kind of inviting light, something, something that makes him want to be this mans friend, to follow him. With this kind of skill, this kind of charisma, he could lead any army. Yet he has choose the bottom of the barrel, this rag tag group of misfits.
“Well I will give you credit, your more skilled then I gave you credit for. You defeated me fairly, I shall be on my way.” he says and starts to get up. But is stopped when a flash of pain drops him to his back, his teeth gritting in pain.
“Easy, I hit you deeper then I intended. You’ll need some time to heal up, I’m told two days. And by the way, for your information, I accept” he says and starts to get up to leave.
“What are you talking about” Mellyruna says snarling now, mostly out of the pain
“You came here to join us didn’t you? Well, I accept. We’ll talk more about it when you’re better” he says and with a light wave he walks out of the tent.
Once outside the tent he lifts his head and smiles at the bright blue sky. The prince of the Unagi, he has heard legends of that clan as long as he can remember. Warriors to the vary core of there being. To have one as his fr
iend and ally, yes, this will put all of his plans into play. He will show the world that this world is not built by the hands of generals or kings, but by the hands of the soldiers that die on the battlefield. He will teach them, teach them by showing them with his own soldiers. The Wolfpride are already the most feared force on the battlefield, they are known as the plague of death as they pass through the enemy’s ranks. They even held a fortress for three weeks when no other group could hold it for even three days. He knows Mellyruna is skilled, but it is his temper that undid him this last time. He was frustrated and wanted payment for the comment he made, he saw too deep into Mellyruna’s soul for him to be happy. It was with that frustration and rage that he was able to defeat Mellyruna but he is sure that if he were to fight him when they are both calm and ready, well the results might be quite different. As Griffin waits outside Mellyruna thinks about the fight that he had just lost, he was wrong. He had failed one of the most important lessons that Feff had every taught him. He let Griffin get in his head and work his temper to his advantage. It’s just the way he talked to him. To look that deep into him and then talk about it as if it were nothing. How is it that this kid can know so much about people? No matter one thing that went right is that he was accepted. He can work with the Wolfpride, work with them and learn from them. Griffin was right about one thing, he is searching his soul, and he guesses he has been ever since he found out about Attonnan. How his father beat him, he has always admired and loved his father and then to find out that he did that. It plays with a mans mind, who is he to look up to now, he always thought that his father was the one he wanted to grow to be, but now. Now there is Mecmed, he is not sure what to think of him, all that his father has told about him seems to be a lie. But the young lord, he threw himself from the castle rather then face the lord Mecmed, why, no one does that for no reason, it makes no sense. Nothing makes sense anymore. All that he knows is that if he is to make his way in this world, then he has to know who he is. Perhaps fighting with these men, the left behinds of this world, maybe with them he can find something, something that will call to him to tell him what kind of man he should become, what kind of man that lays deep inside him. As he lies there his mind swirling with all these thoughts he hears the tent flap open up. Quickly he spins; leans forward supporting his weight on one arm and grabs his sword laying next to him. Just as quickly the pain flashes though him and he falls flat on his back letting out a yell of pain. The woman that has just entered walks over to him shaking her head. She wants to yell at him for doing something so strenuous when he is healing, but really she doesn’t blame him, he is in a strange camp and anyone would be jumpy. She is dressed in armor like everyone else in the camp, black armor with red trim. It would remind anyone of the armor worn by the Hojo, and for good reason, they stole their armor from the corpses of the Hojo they slain in a battle. She has darker skin and short cut black hair with dark brown eyes. She walks over to Mellyruna with a slight growl. She doesn’t like him, what kind of man just walks in here like he owns the place and demands to join. And to top it off, for Griffin to just give it to him, it upsets her. She knows that he is working with Mecmed and she would hate to think that Griffin is letting someone into the camp that would endanger his own life. Mecmed hates Griffin, he was a prince in the Kainith elf kingdoms, but even before Mecmed took his land he had relinquished his rule, choosing rather to wander the lands and be free. People follow him cause he has a light around him, a kind of beacon calling all lost souls to it, Mecmed knows that if Griffin were to choose to use it, his army and power could rival even his. Instead he only leads the Wolfpride, although they are strong enough to drive fear into the heart of Mecmed. She wonders if Mecmed sent this young elf to spy, kill, or if what Griffin says is true, that he is only here like the rest of them, to seek out something deep inside that is lost. Her hands move gently over Mellyruna’s naked chest and side. It is time to change the bandages, the wound is healing but it will need more time, two days. She will try to keep him in the tent away from the others for those two days. She wants to talk to the others; all she wants to do is keep Griffin safe.