by Owen Black
Avryn leaned back in his chair. “So why my son?”
“He never revealed his motives. I can only guess at this point. You have no reason to believe me but there is no doubt in my mind. If you stay here you will die.”
Avryn suddenly became animated and slammed his hands on the table sending forth an echoing boom throughout the hall. “I’m tired of running! You came to kill my son and now you expect me to listen to you?”
Mordigal sighed, it was hopeless. “If you won’t leave then please let me help you. I killed one of my own and the others will report back to Fatalis. You know I can’t go back and I am no use to you locked away.”
“Whatever your intentions, they would sooner throw me in there with you than set you free to roam among us.”
“You of all people should know my love for Trussil. She won’t leave without the rest of you. I lost her before because of your stubbornness and if you don’t let me help you I will lose her again.”
A few moments lingered while Avryn considered what he had heard. “What is it you propose?” he asked.
“Caballus, one of the horses we brought, is actually the leader of a large herd that Fatalis has gathered over the years. I promised this man that I would help him rescue the others. If used in war they would provide a great advantage for either side.”
Avryn shook his head in disbelief. “And you believe you can do this? Walk in and break this herd free and make it back alive?”
“I made a promise I intend to keep, with or without your blessing.”
Avryn stood up. “It won’t be my blessing you need. I would just as soon be rid of you.” He yelled to the guards standing outside. “Take him back to his cell!”
The doors creaked open and the two guards briskly walked in. They each took Mordigal by an arm and waited for direction.
“The Council will be here soon,” Avryn told the men. “We will send for this one when we have reached a decision.” He then added, “Send Trussil and the newcomer Caballus here. We will need to speak with them.”
As he was led from the chamber Mordigal called out, “I meant what I said. You need my help. Please believe me!”
Avryn watched quietly as they left, leaving him a tiny sliver of peace in the now empty room. Soon it would be a scene of heated debate, he was sure of that. His life had been turned upside down in just a matter of hours. It was going to be a long morning.
Chapter 13
The day crept by slowly as Mordigal sat on the floor inside his cold, makeshift cell. The sky had grown dim, occupied by puffy grey clouds that warned of possible snowfall. No visitors had come to see him since he had returned from the keep. His only contact had been with the guard who had brought him lunch - a truly sour fellow in no mood to talk.
His meal had been dried fruit and some rye bread. It was bland and quite tasteless. He sighed at the thought of his newly acquired diet. It would take some getting used to for sure.
Footsteps approached and he slowly stood up and stretched his aching muscles. The door opened and the grumpy guards that had been assigned to him quickly entered.
“Good to see you boys,” Mordigal said with a sarcastic grin.
“Smile now dog but we’ll see if that lasts,” one said with a snarl. “Time to go learn your punishment.”
Those seated around the table turned as Mordigal was led into the Great Hall. He looked tired and weary but he knew they had no pity for him. They despised his kind and rightfully so.
Mordigal peered over his shoulder as the doors closed behind him and then glanced around the room. There was no sign of Trussil or Caballus and this made him nervous.
One by one, he then studied each of the members of the council. Both male and female, they varied in shape and size and mostly stared at him with hate filled eyes. He knew his fate even before words were spoken.
Avryn stood at the head of the table opposite Mordigal and said to the guards that had brought him, “Keep him there, this won’t take long.” He then paused and looked over the council. He appeared conflicted and Mordigal sensed his hesitation. Finally Avryn turned to Mordigal and continued, “You came here to kill my son and although you failed in that task, four of our people are now dead. You have since declared your desire to help us, even assist Caballus in the rescue of his people. He and Trussil have made a case for your freedom here today and provided a glimpse of the man they believe you really are. Although…some of us may support your plan, the deaths of our people cannot go unpunished. You will spend your days for now locked in shackles. Perhaps in time we will reconsider, but we have a possible war to prepare for and cannot be distracted by the concern of having you on the loose and the possible motives you might have.”
Mordigal’s heart sank. He shook his head and stumbled for words. He was not completely surprised but a part of him had hoped for a better fate. Anger and frustration raced through his veins and overtook his usual self control.
“Don’t you know what will come for you?” he yelled to the Council. “You have what? Four or five hundred here? Fatalis will send five thousand! Your homes, your families will be destroyed. All that you love here will perish!” His eyes began to water and his face turned red.
Avryn raised a hand to quiet him.
“No!” Mordigal roared. “They should hear this. Your people have no idea what Fatalis will send. He is a monster, an abomination of the worst kind. He will not rest until you are all killed or captured. You need help and more than just mine or you are all doomed!”
Semu suddenly stood up and pointed to the doors. His deep voice boomed throughout the hall. “Take him back to his cell!” he commanded the guards. “We have heard enough from him today!”
Mordigal gave one last glance around the room, taking note of the faces and scents of the fools who had turned him away. Empowered with the instincts of a hunter, he could use this information to track them down and perhaps force them to reconsider their decision. It was tempting but he needed to think. The outburst had been unlike him and his emotions were clouding his thoughts. He needed sleep.
***
Although it was still afternoon, Trussil lied down on her bed and rolled onto her side. She had learned of the decision of the Council and her heart had been crushed. She could not blame them; she knew some had lost family in the attack.
She wondered what would be worse – never seeing the man she loved again or having him locked away just a few feet from her for the rest of their lives.
Tears formed in her eyes. She was not going to cry, she was strong. With her hands she wiped the hint of tears away. She would not give in. Things happened for a reason, she knew that. There had to be something she could do.
Then, when Trussil had calmed herself down, a wave of sadness enveloped her. It was all too much. She buried her face in her hands and cried.
Chapter 14
The next morning, Papio awoke to a stream of sunlight that seeped in through an open window. He wiped the sleep from his small round eyes, pushed the blanket from atop his thin, wrinkled body and sat up in bed. He then sniffled through his long, angular snout that was connected to his narrow, peculiar head that was topped by a small tuft of grey hair. His nose was running; he must have been catching a cold.
Papio was often considered the wise man of the village. He had been one of the first members elected to the Council and he, like most of the others, had decided that Mordigal belonged locked up. Papio happened to be the oldest in the village and was the only baboon among them, facts that made him something of an icon. Although he rarely admitted it, he was somewhat fond of the notoriety.
A breeze through the surprisingly open window rustled something lying on the bed near his feet. Papio looked over at the window. He was certain that he had left it closed. It was winter after all.
He then turned his attention back to the curious paper. He found this quite peculiar for he never stored loose documents in his bedroom. He was a man of utmost order. Something was amiss.
Papio
grumbled then reached down and picked up the note. He began to read it and before he finished he leapt from the bed and started for the front door. In his haste, he nearly forgot to dress. Fortunately for all, he remembered.
***
Across the village, a loud thundering knock startled Avryn and made him spring to the door. He glanced out the window, it was barely dawn. He opened the door and shivered when he was suddenly assaulted by a cold gust of wind.
A short young guard had been leaning against the door and almost stumbled inside when it opened. He was breathing heavy, sending small puffs into the air.
“My lord, they need you at the Hall right away. The assassin has escaped!”
“What? How?”
The guard struggled for air then replied, “We…we don’t know sir. But they need you to come now. I will stay here in case he comes for your son.”
Avryn wanted to believe in Mordigal but he needed to keep in mind that he was, after all, a wolf. He was the enemy. Despite his concerns, Avryn had planned to plea for his release but escaping was certainly not going to help his cause.
“Alright, let me get dressed and check on Thane first,” he told the guard. “I don’t know what he is up to but I don’t think he will be heading this way.”
***
Avryn could hear the commotion even before he opened the doors. When he did so he walked into utter chaos. The council members were scattered throughout the room, arguing and yelling with one another. It was obvious that most had rushed to dress, some even wore sleep clothes. Semu was busy trying to calm them down but so far he had not been successful.
It was then that Avryn noticed that most people in the room clung to a piece of parchment. Although the content of the writing was a mystery, Avryn carried with him a similar document that he had found just moments before.
“Everyone quiet!” he yelled as he walked to the front of the room. The chatter slowly died to a murmur.
Papio, who was seated near the head of the table, began, “We each awoke to a rather startling surprise this morning.” He passed Avryn the document he had been holding.
The others watched with interest as the king read over the letter. His face showed no emotion as he read. This was not unusual for Avryn, he maintained his composure well.
Avryn then placed the paper on the table and glanced to Semu who was seated to his left. “Before we begin, have we found Mordigal yet? Have there been any attacks or other incidents of any kind?”
Semu paused before answering, clearly embarrassed by the escape. He did not like failure. “Nobody has seen him yet so we think he slipped out of the village. Should we extend our search beyond the gates?”
“No, not yet. Thank you Semu.” He turned his attention back to the council. “Now about the letter, I did not receive one myself but my son received a similar note. I found it in his room. Before we rush to judgment, I would like to read them both and then we can decide a course of action. Agreed?” He paused and waited while the others declared their agreement.
He read the letter Papio had given him first.
“I regret if this finds you at alarm, you must understand that was not my desire. However, I must make my point and I fear we will run out of time if I do not act. While you slept I escaped my cell, found this parchment as well as a quill and ink and wrote this letter. I then crept into your home without being spotted, tracking you down by your scent, and placed this on your bed without stirring your sleep. Had my desire been to do so, you would have never awoken again. Please believe my intentions are for the best. My destiny, my love and my heart lies within your walls. I swear I shall defend you with my life. A certain death will come your way and without my help, you all, including my love, will perish. Before the night is over, a similar letter will be delivered to the others. Please reconsider my offer. If not, I will stay outside your walls and join you on the battlefield when they come, unless you shoot me in the back as I defend you.
Sincerely,
Mordigal Longshadow”
Avryn took a breath and then placed the curious letter on the table. “I take it all of your letters are essentially the same?” He waited while the council members rather quietly agreed. “Alright, now you should all hear the letter I found on Thane’s bed. He was still sleeping when I found it, but I suppose I shall give it to him shortly.” He then read the letter.
“Master Thane,
My name is Mordigal Longshadow and I am the man who had been sent to kill you. You must know that I deeply regret my actions but I do not believe I could have ever completed my task. You are a special boy, perhaps more special than you know. Your village is in grave danger and without my assistance I fear you shall all be captured or worse. I am hopeful the council will reconsider my offer to help them. Your teacher, the Lady Trussil, is my dearest love and I cannot live another day without her. She adores you like a son and I truly regret my actions. However, if you cannot forgive me for the fright I gave you I shall leave you all, despite what the council decides. Please consider this carefully and believe me when I say I would defend you with my very life.
Sincerely,
Mordigal Longshadow”
Silence lingered in the hall. Eyes darted around the table and minutes passed by without a word. A loud rapping at the door suddenly jolted the room to life.
Semu stood and walked to the doors and leaned his head out. He could barely be heard conversing with someone outside before he closed the door quietly and returned to his seat.
“Apparently the assassin has been found,” Semu said rather flatly.
“Really?” Avryn asked, surprised. “Where?”
The hulking guard paused and then swallowed. He was clearly shaken by the news.
“Sitting outside the front gate sire,” he replied. “He apparently yelled to the guards to get their attention. I shall reprimand them.”
Avryn raised a hand and smiled. “No need, no need. I think this one is a bit unique.” He then spoke to the council seated around the table before him. “Well then, it seems that we have been forced to reconsider our decision.”
***
A few hours later, Trussil was awakened by a quiet knock at her door. She looked down at her clothes and realized that she had not changed from the day before. Her head ached and she was still groggy.
“What is it?” she said as she opened the door.
Mordigal stood before her smiling and holding a small freshly-picked daisy. She was shocked to see him but was embarrassed by her appearance. Her eyes were swollen and puffy, her hair a mess and her clothes beyond repair. He, on the other hand, had changed, bathed and shaved. His cloak was gone and he wore brown wool pants over dark boots along with a light shirt and a wool vest. He looked at her with his piercing blue eyes. He was never more handsome.
“You look ravishing,” he said as he handed her the flower. “Still your favorite?”
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “How? Yes…yes of course they are still my favorite.”
“I thought I should be the one to tell you, the council reconsidered. Apparently I am now a member of your village. Avryn even loaned me some clothes and I had breakfast with he and Semu - delightful chap that one. He went over the rules of my stay. It’s been a busy morning.”
Trussil was shocked. Her jaw opened but she remained speechless.
Mordigal grinned. “Well, I will be around if you would like to have dinner sometime.”
Without a word Trussil leapt into his arms and kissed him passionately while tears trickled down her cheeks.
Chapter 15
Thane turned in his seat and glanced eagerly at the door leading into the classroom. He sighed as a few younger children wandered in from the bitter cold, rubbing their hands to gather heat. He was anxious. Class had not been held for nearly three weeks, since just before the Winter Festival, but that was not the reason for his anxiety. A new student was beginning school that day, one that had captured his thoughts since the day they had met.
> Javan was seated to the right of Thane, his regular position since the two had become good friends. He peered at Thane and noticed that he was staring intently at the door.
Javan shook his head. “Don’t be so obvious!”
Thane ignored his rotund friend.
“Oh just admit it,” Javan needled. “You have a crush on her.”
“Whatever. I haven’t seen her since that first night and she was a real mess.”
“I will tell her you said that.”
“Hey, why don’t you go bust us a new hole in the wall?”
Thane shifted his gaze back to the door just as she walked in. Time stopped. His jaw dropped. He had not seen her since the night she first morphed and now, bathed and well-rested, she looked amazing.
She wasn’t tall, actually quite short, with big green eyes and high cheekbones. Her long blonde hair was pulled back and braided and she was wearing a long white dress with a matching shawl draped over her shoulders to help fend off the cold.
The room had fallen silent. The rest of the students joined Thane in staring as the newest member of their class was led by their teacher to the front of the room. Lady Trussil then turned to the class while the new student feigned a smile and clasped her hands as she peered at the class full of strangers.
“Class, this is Alia,” Trussil said.
An awkward silence fell over the room and then, without thinking, Thane whispered her name, “Alia.”
As soon as the word left his mouth he grimaced. It was too late. Although a whisper was his intent, in a room filled with children, some with innately advanced hearing, such careless use of words did not go unnoticed.
A small wave of giggles broke out around Thane. He began to blush. He only hoped she has not heard. Slowly, he opened his eyes and peeked at the front of the room. Sure enough, along with Trussil, Alia was staring at him with a smile.
Javan leaned over, “I think your secret is out.”