Second Born

by Lance Wilson

  Noin lets her eyes drift from Mellyruna to Griffin, what is it about him that makes Griffin trust him so deeply. He is nothing more then a barbarian, a swordsman without control or tact. Though she wants to ask all these questions she only nods and walks out of the tent, a certain sternness in her step.

  “I lied to Noin just now. I didn’t ask why the day early but I have a hunch it is on the queen’s request. Your mother Rin. I must know Mellyruna, where do your loyalties lay, with the Wolfpride, or with Mecmed.” Griffin asks his eyes piercing and deep.

  “You are confused. My mother hates Mecmed, and though I am beginning to see his side of things, I am far from agreeing with the method. My loyalties lay with myself, and my family, whether that be my mother or the Wolfpride.” Mellyruna says wondering if that answer would be good enough for him.

  Griffin stares at him for the longest time. Most of the answer he expected. He knew that Mellyruna was loyal to family and that he really showed no loyalty beyond that. He also knows that his mother has never seen eye to eye with Mecmed, though she did bare him a child. What he didn’t expect was the fact that Mellyruna was seeing things in the same light as Mecmed. Wonder hits him thinking where he might apply that belief. He shall have to watch him carefully, make sure his ends and Mellyruna’s play out together. He has been a vary important part of the Wolfpride; he would hate to loose him. Once Mellyruna steps out into the open air he finds that everyone is in an uproar. They are preparing for the trip to the moon elf capital; many of them are ready and more then willing to go. It has been a dream for many of them just to see the capital. Noin seems cold and distant as always. She never did like it when Griffin trusted him more then her, or talked to him about something leaving her out of it. She was one of his first generals and now she is being passed over. Mellyruna can only guess how that feels, he can’t say for certain. And he won’t talk to her about it. That would only add salt to the wound.

  Like Griffin said it takes them almost an entire day to get to the capital, just before they get into the capital however Griffin makes them take a break and rest that way when they march down the streets they look fresh and revived. He is almost sure that the capital will make a huge deal out of it. When camp is set and ready and many of the generals are sitting eating Griffin sees that Noin is sitting alone by her own fire, a small pot of stew in her hands. He is sure that she is still steamed about him taking more to Mellyruna then her. It is time he put an end to this simple squabbling and fixed it. Carefully he walks over and sits next to her. Noin however doesn’t even look up. She’s furious at him and she can’t even begin to put it into words.

  “Noin. I want to talk to you. You’re clearly angry about something. I think we should clear things up before it affects the rest of the men. If one of my generals is upset the men will respond, it causes a ripple that moves through the entire pride.” Griffin says with his sweet never faltering smile.

  “Why, why do you trust him so much more then anyone else. You know nothing about him. He is wild and unpredictable. In battle he has no care for his men and rushes in recklessly no matter what kind of orders you have given him.” She shouts at him.

  Both are shocked at the sudden outburst. Griffin knew that she didn’t like Mellyruna but he had no idea that it went this deep. Noin however is just shocked that it all came blurting out at once. She had meant to bring one thing up at a time, but apparently her heart had a different idea and now everything is out in the open.

  “I don’t trust him more then anyone else. I just know that I can have him at my side in times that I can’t have others. Times that only people like him could understand, just like now I am with you. Do you think I would talk to him about things like the emotions of a general affecting the men? No, and he wouldn’t care. You are a far more caring and trusted general than he is. I think you are wrong to judge him so harshly. You are making him out to be far more complex then he really is. As for his rushing into battle without a thought of his men you are wrong. Yes he rushes in and yes he disobeys my orders. But I plan every strategy with that varies thought in mind; in truth I plan and often abuse his temperament. But he always thinks first of his men. He would never put them in a possession that they would be hurt intentionally, I think he would do anything to see that all of them came out without a scratch, even if it meant his own death.” Griffin says and gently smiles at her.

  “It just seems” she starts to explain, but words fail her and she can only look down.

  Slowly Griffin reaches down and gently strokes her cheek.

  “Not everything is as it seems.” Griffin says and with that gets up and goes to his other men. He must prepare them for the ride into the city.

  Noin only watches him as he leaves. She wishes that she could believe him about Mellyruna, but it’s so hard to understand him. He seems so simple, just a dumb barbarian, but when she looks into his eyes she knows that there is so much more behind them. She wonders if he has Griffin fooled or maybe he is just letting everyone think he is fooled. Slowly she finishes her stew and then is off to bed, there is one thing he is right about, and that is that she needs her sleep, they all do. The battles are finally done for now and they are about to ride into the capital for a long earned and well deserved rest.

  It is early the next mourning when Griffin wakes the man and has them dress in there best. All of them do as they are told, all except Mellyruna, he stays in the grayed and battle worn armor he has always worn, refusing point blank to put on the shimmering armor set aside for him. He will not go to them as someone he is not. Once on their horses they ride into the town. As the gates open they find the streets packed with men and women cheering at them. Some even throw flowers at the ground before them. All of the men are in shock and awe at this display of cheer and gratitude, all but Griffin. He sits upon his horse his head held high and on his face that sweet never faltering smile, the smile that his friends and enemies know alike. It is almost as if he knew this would happen, as if anything less would be foolish to consider.

  “How can any man have dreamed of a day like this so many years ago? But one man did, only he saw it. It’s amazing, he did it.” Mellyruna says in shock at it all. It is all just too much to take in for him.

  Up in the a balcony of the palace the princess is frittering around trying to make herself perfect for the men down on the streets.

  “How do I look?” She asks her face flushed with excitement.

  “As beautiful as you did in all the others, you’ve changed dresses three times already, if you don’t pick one soon your going to miss them” Her lead maid says shaking her head with a smile.

  Just then there is a roar of the crowd just under her balcony. Not waiting for an explanation she rushes out and sees that the Wolfpride is just passing under her. In the lead is general Griffin. Her face flushes even more and her heart skips a beat as she watches him look up at her and his smile become a bit more sincere. Not all those who watch the passing of the Wolfpride are happy about it though. In the dark ally of the city the queen watches her face covered by a fan. It is the first of the queens of Mecmed, Salania. Her face is pale and has a grim and angered look to it. Behind her stands an older noble; he is tall with a thin build. His hare is a raven black and his face has a long beard cut to a point and twisted just slightly. His eyes are a smoldering green as he looks at the scene in front of him.

  “Have you made the arrangements?” Salania asks her voice as cold as ice water

  “Consider it done my lady,” the noble says, his voce just the opposite vary warm and inviting.

  “Perhaps we should hold a celebration, a tremendous feast when all is set into place. To express our regrets about his untimely passing” Salania says a slight chuckle to her voice

  “How deliciously ironic, the white hawk of the battlefield shall end up caged by the vary walls he has defended. How fitting he should meet his end on this day, the most not
able of his brief existence, one might even think it merciful.” the man says stepping to her side watching Griffin pass beside them, Griffin doesn’t even seem to see them, doesn’t know they are even there.

  It is just then that a young man in the king’s garb runs up carrying a scroll at his side.

  “Minister frost I bring a letter addressed to you sir” the young man says and with a bow presents the letter to the lord

  “A letter who on earth could it be from” he wonders slowly taking the letter and breaking the seal with his fingernail

  “I don’t know it was given to me by a lady of the court she entrusted it with me” the young man says and with a quick he bows and dashes off again.

  As frost reads the letter his face goes pale and the queen can see sweat begin to form on his brow. She watches as he takes a deep breath and then rolls up the parchment quickly and smiles at her. He is sure that he has put up enough of a front that she cannot know that the letter worried him, but he is wrong.

  “What is the matter minister?” she asks her voice calm and casual as if nothing has happened.

  “Nothing is the matter my queen, I have a small errand to attend to, if you’ll excuse me I shall take my leave, good day to you.” Frost says in a slightly quaking voice and with that snaps her a quick bow and walks out of the alleyway.

  Once out of sight and sound of the queen he quickly bursts into a run. How could this have happened, it was all set and now. How could he, he knew, but how, all this rushes though his mind as he runs down the streets away from the center of town. The queen however pays no attention to the situation she is sure that something has happened and that frost perhaps is going to get cold feet, but no matter, the plan is too perfect and besides she has a backing of the king himself.

  Once the parade is finished the troops are lead to a hall where they are told where they can stand and eat if they need to. However the same young messenger that had talked to frost slowly approaches Mellyruna with another scroll in his hand. Mellyruna smiles and takes it graciously and slowly unrolls it.

  “Well what is it” judo asks his in children voice one of excitement and curiosity.

  “Nothing, just a summons from my mother. Griffin if your done with me I think I’ll go now” Mellyruna says and turns not waiting for his response.

  The messenger smiles and makes his way though the halls with Mellyruna leading him to his mothers chambers. It takes them almost no time and then they get to the door the messenger opens the door but steps to one side for Mellyruna. Rin’s eyes fill with tears at the sight of her son. He is so different then when he left her. The two stand staring at each other in shock at first but soon it wears off and they run embracing each other, Rin in tears as she buries her head in his chest.

  “Mellyruna, it has been so long. You have grown into a fine young man; you look like your grandfather. Please sit tell me of your adventures. I hear you have seen much battle since you have joined the Wolfpride.” She says and sits watching him take the seat across from her.

  “Battle is battle, there is nothing I would like to talk about when that is concerned. Mother I have missed you so much. What has happened since I left? Where is Radu” Mellyruna asks.

  Rin only lowers her head. Radu is his younger brother, the only son of Mecmed’s bore to him by her. She knows that he was sent to the battle with Musashi but word has not come back to them on the condition of the battle and she fears the worst.

  “He went to fight the Takunen clan. It is said that he fights the ghost” She says a tear slipping down her cheek.

  “We don’t know anything then.” He says keeping his voice calm and sure of itself. But he himself has already given into the fact that his brother is probably dead.

  “Let us not dwell on this. I have been told that tonight will be quite the event. The king has started up a stir for your return.” Rin says smiling

  “I’m not sure what I think about him anymore. I haven’t forgotten what he did to our home, our family. But his dream of uniting the elflands, he’s not the only one with that dream. Griffin thinks the same,” Mellyruna says and steps back from his mother.

  “I’m not sure about this Griffin either, he seems like a good man, but I have heard things, things I’m not sure I like about him.” Rin says and lowers his head.

  “I know what your thinking. I’ve heard a few things, probably not as much as you but I have heard things. But I’ve seen him in battle and with the other generals, he’s a good man” Mellyruna says and smiles at her.

  Rin takes a long look at her son. In his eyes she can see that he is telling the truth, but she also knows that he could have just got caught up in the charisma of this young man, everyone else has. Even she who is well versed in such things found herself lost in his eyes.

  “Just watch yourself, I would hate to loose you as well” Rin says and smiles at him.

  “I’ll be fine mother. And I have news of my siblings. Neckity has informed me of the progression of both Byrdi and Maeraer, Byrdi fights under a lord in the north. And Maeraer is the heir to the Oda thrown.” Mellyruna says happy and proud that all of siblings have been doing so well.

  Both he and Rin were so worried when the family was split up, it was Mecmed’s wish to break them all down and lessen them as fighters and leaders. But it seems that his plan has backfired and it has done just the opposite. Rin has been keeping tabs on her siblings as well and has far better information. Byrdi is not only fighting under a northern lord but has become his youngest and most trusted general. And Maeraer is still undergoing secret training in a temple in the Oda lands. She is said to be the most prized student of the grandmaster and will probably graduate soon. The silence in just a moment but in the time they both lower their heads. Attonnan, the missing son can’t help but be a shadow on this good news. Ever since the family was separated haven’t heard anything about him, both can only assume that Fuma had killed him. She knows that Mellyruna has accepted this but she also knows that he feels guilty for it. His father had asked him to protect his brother before he died and Mellyruna was unable to.

  The day passes quickly for Mellyruna; he sits in his mother’s chambers across from her talking. Telling her of the men and the plans the Griffin has, tells of his own hopes and dreams. Rin smiles and listens to her son knowing that Griffin has not even tarnished the young prince that he was. It is only an hour before the party that she reluctantly lets him go. She knows that they both must get ready, she will be expected to appear at Mecmed’s side, like all his other wives, and Mellyruna will enter with the Wolfpride as the kings honored guests. Mellyruna makes his way to the entry hall where he finds the rest of the Wolfpride, all of them dressed as if they too were nobles. He admits that the look fits some of them, but none the way it fits Griffin, it is if he were made to be a king. Mellyruna himself only walks in still dressed in his raider clothing. He had made a vow to stop playing parts that are not made for him. Seeing that Mellyruna if finally with them Griffin gives everyone a slight nod and they enter the hall where everyone is waiting for them. For a moment everyone stops in shock. But soon the entire room erupts into applause and cheers.

  “Puff out your chest a bit, it would look down on you if you don’t look confident” trays says gently to Judo who is shrinking away in the crowd

  “I feel so nervous that it’s embarrassing.” judo says his face flushing

  “To think we came this far to walk though these halls like this,” trays says with a smile looking around him

  “Ya your right, I can’t believe that I’m standing in a place that I’ve only heard existed in fairy tales. If I had never met the Wolfpride I never would have imagined it. Me in a huge castle like this surrounded on all sides by nobles. Not even in my wildest dreams” Judo says and once in the main hall flushes even more as the Wolfpride splits up to mingle with the guests.

  Instantly all of
the members are surrounded by people asking them questions, many of them young women wanting a dance and fawning over the young warriors like pieces of meat. Many of the members like Trays, Millardo and Zeques take it as an opportunity to sow some wild oats and of course tell the stories of battles that the young girls ask for, emphasizing their parts every chance they get. Mellyruna is surrounded instantly now being known as the general of the Wolfpride raiders, the roughest of the prides factions. In his younger years he might have been ready and even used to this, but so much has changed since then and he cannot find himself dealing with it now. He tries to move out but only finds that each time other woman corners him. The only member that seems at home in the court is Griffin, women fawn over him the most but he seems to handle it with an elegant ease. In the middle of this however no one seems to notice that several members of the court are displeased at the appearance of the Wolfpride. Mostly nobles that have come from a long and distinguished family history. The idea of allowing these commoners into their world disgusts them. Finally it is near the middle of the affair that Mellyruna seems to find a moment to himself, he sits on a couch near the wall and gets a chance to look around. It is then that he notices that a few members of the court are missing. The first is the high queen Salania, The second is Neckity, he had hoped to see her, she had helped him so much when he first showed in this world. The last is Skorm, Neckity’s master. He can only guess why the three are missing and he is sure that it is nothing so he quickly lets it pass from his mind.

  “My god this is miserable, what are they doing” Mellyruna says to himself and he stretches back relaxing a bit.

  His relaxation is short lived as suddenly he is grabbed by the arm and dragged a short distance.

  “Hay wait a minute, who are you” Mellyruna says ready for a fight

  Mellyruna is shocked to see that it is Noin when she turns around, she is dressed in a vary elegant and seductive golden dress, her hair done nicely and her face given just the right amount of emphasis with make up.