2025-05-20 21:21:05As the sun rose over the mountains, I emerged from my hut, feeling the cool morning breeze and warm sunlight. The quiet and beautiful moment tempted me to take a stroll around the village, but before I could indulge me-self, Ragnar came running towards me.
"What’s wrong?" I asked.
“I got word from the Nightwatch before the sun came up. They’ve been hearing strange sounds all night. They say it sounded like shriekers but every now and then, they would hear a howl. I was going to come and get ya after I finished setting up the defences, but Tumak insisted I call you now.”
“Where’s he now?”
“At the gate.”
We quickly walked to the gate and found Tumak with a few Vikings. “I don’t remember ya being an early bird Tumak,” I said once I got close to him.
“I couldn’t go back to sleep once the howling and shrieking started. So, I came to help with the defenses.”
“And what were you planning to do after that?”
“Create a scouting party.”
“Scouting Party!?”
“Ay. It could be one of your kelorian friends out there, ya never know.”
He’s not wrong, but then again, why would one of me friends be out here. We all just got home a day ago. “Alright then. Let’s go.”
“I haven’t formed the party yet.”
“Tumak and Ragnar, ya’re with me. The rest of ya will remain here and alert the village.”
“I don’t think three Vikings will be enough.” Tumak protested.
“It’s only a scouting party. We don’t need many people. And besides, we only have three horses.”
We followed the sounds to a valley and thought it best to leave our horses at its edge. Walking a little further off, I signalled my men to lie low in the grass and use the trees’ shadows for cover, as we peered into the valley beneath us for any signs of life.
“Over there,” Ragnar whispered, pointing to the south. “I saw something climbing up the mountain side.”
He started to move in that direction, but I yanked him back and whispered, “For now, we watch and wait.”
I had barely finished speaking when the creature that Ragnar was talking about, began to move in our direction.
“The shrieker has seen us.” Tumak said.
“There’s no way it’s seen us. We’re completely in shadow.”
“Smelt us then?”
“Get a hold of ya’self lad. We’re down wind and I don’t think that thing is a shrieker. Look, it’s using the shadows just like we are. Shriekers aren’t that smart.”
“Speaking of shriekers, I don’t hear any and I don’t see any.”
Tumak was about to speak when the creature stepped on some loose rocks and sent them tumbling down into the valley below. The echoes grew louder and louder the further the stones fell. We froze and held our breath, and it looked like the creature did the same. For a moment it seemed like everything will be fine. The creature begun to move again when suddenly, the shrieks begun and the entire mountain side was full of shriekers scampering and stumbling towards the creature.
“We better go.” Said Tumak
He and Ragnar started to crawl away but before I could join them, I saw him. In that moment of despair, the creature climbed as quickly as he could and by doing so he came into the light.
“Wait! We need to help him. We need to help Deven!”
**********
Monica and I arrived at sunset in the capital of the human kingdom and were led to Queen Verona who, apparently, had been waiting a long time for reinforcements.
“It’s about time,” she said once we entered her throne room.
“Greetings, your majesty. I-”
“Spare me the pleasantries. I have been waiting for two days! Care to explain why you kept me waiting?”
“I was-”
“We share a border, do we not?”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Then why did you take so long, young prince?”
I will tell you if you would let me speak. “Your majesty, I was attending the Fairy Queen’s coronation.”
“If you were so busy, why didn’t your father send the other young prince, Rurik?”
“My brother is tied up with the Elves at the moment.”
“Excuses. That is all I get from your kind. We wouldn’t be in this mess if you had done your part perfectly.”
How quickly she forgets that she played a part in hindering our progress and ability to play our role effectively.
“In any case, your majesty, we are here now. We will do what we can to ensure the safety of your city.”
“For both our sakes, I pray you’ll do it perfectly. That will be all.” With a wave of her hand she dismisses us but as we turn to leave she says, “Wait! I need to speak to my kind. Monica, remain.”
Monica and I shared a quick puzzled glance before I turned to the Queen, bowed and walked away. I decided to use the little sunlight that was left, to check the city’s defences.
It was well after sunset when I arrived in my room. The Captain of the City Guard was kind enough to escort me around the city, before showing me to my room. I find it strange that most humans are kind and gentle despite having a queen who seems to have no patience nor remorse for any creature in Kelor. I then remembered how the Queen wanted Monica to remain behind.
It mustn’t be easy dealing with a ruler like Verona.
Just then I heard a knock on the door. I was hoping to see Monica at the door, but it wasn’t her. A servant stood there with a loud beating heart. At first, I thought he was frightened of me but then I noticed he was panting.
“Sir,” he said. “The captain is calling for you.”
“Why what’s the matter?”
“A wave of shriekers has been spotted near the southern wall.”
“Lead the way.” Shutting my door, I followed the servant into the dark silent night. Little did I know that I was witnessing the silence before the storm.
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Chapter 28
As the sun rose, Sif and the coalition army prepared to descend on the city. We sent a few scouts ahead but it didn’t take long for them to return.“We have a problem.”“What is it?” I asked.“A large group of shriekers are attacking the city.”“From which side?”“The eastern side.”“Well, there goes our element of surprise.” Sif said.“True. But we can still use this to our advantage. Sif, I want you to attack the shriekers from behind and support the werewolves.”“Wasn’t I supposed to be attacking the wolves’ army? Why am I helping them now?”
Chapter 27
As we travelled from the human capital back to my home, I noticed that Monica wasn’t well. I had asked her about it, but she simply waved it off as nothing, but as we went on, her health deteriorated. Two days away from the castle, we made camp by an oak tree.At noon I walked into her tent. Her breathing was heavy, and her skin was pale. The wound on her side had grown and dark veins spread from it to the rest of her body. She was slowly turning into the monsters we had fought against. I couldn’t help but question if it was all worth it or if there was something I could have done differently to make sure that Monica would remain human.“Hey, lets go for a walk,” she said, stretching out her hand towards me.“I don’t think you should be moving in your condition.”
Chapter 26
“They don’t want me.”“And what about those who do?”“They’ll be fine without me.”“I don’t believe that and I know you don’t either.”“What makes you think I don’t?”“Because you’re a kind man, Deven. If you’re King, you’ll find a way to live in peace with those who don’t want you as their King, but I don’t think we can say the same thing about your brother or that General of his.”“Valark and Gunther wouldn’t hurt one of their kind.”“I may not know much about your rules and cultu
Chapter 25
“Is this some kind of joke?” A’el asked.“Nice to see you too, Queen A’el. I take it the coronation went well.” I said. “Why do you seem confused?”“I’m not in the mood for political mind games, General Gunther.” She clenched her fists as she slowly approached us. “Why is Valark wearing the crown and where is Deven?”“Deven isn’t here. He’s been banished from the kingdom for his treason.” said Valark.“Treason?” A’el asked. “How could the heir commit treason?”“He-”“It’s a delicate matter your highness,” I said, cutting Valark off. “We will notify the nations of Kelor in due time. If I may be so bold, why did her majesty travel so far away from home?”“I came to talk about my wedding with my fiancé.”“Ah yes, the wedding. Seeing as it was not only meant to be a wedding but a strong tie between two nations, why don’t we go ahead with the wedding?”“I was planning on going ahead even after seeing Valark with the crown. All I need is the information of Deven’s whereabouts.”“No, your ma
Chapter 24
At the top of the wall, I met with the Captain of the City Guards. “How far are they.”“Out of our archers’ range, my lord.”“What of the Trebuchets’ range?”“They’ll soon be within their firing range.”“Good. Tell your men to light-up the boulders moments before they fire.”“Yes, my lord.” Before he could turn away, I placed a hand on his shoulder. “One more thing. Have you seen Madam Flaughan?”“No, my lord, but I sent for her.”“What? Why would you tell her to come here?”“Isn’t she your escort my lord? I assumed she should always be with you. Was I wrong to call for her?”“No, it’s fine. Go and instruct your men.”I stayed on top of the wall for a while trying to survey the land outside the city’s southern wall. It was barren land for about a thousand paces making it difficult for any army to mount a siege without suffering heavy loses. This strategy was put into effect all across the major cities in Kelor during the Great Orc war. I couldn’t help but feel as if the Orcs were prep
Chapter 23
As the sun rose over the mountains, I emerged from my hut, feeling the cool morning breeze and warm sunlight. The quiet and beautiful moment tempted me to take a stroll around the village, but before I could indulge me-self, Ragnar came running towards me."What’s wrong?" I asked.“I got word from the Nightwatch before the sun came up. They’ve been hearing strange sounds all night. They say it sounded like shriekers but every now and then, they would hear a howl. I was going to come and get ya after I finished setting up the defences, but Tumak insisted I call you now.”“Where’s he now?”“At the gate.”We quickly walked to the gate and found Tumak with a few Vikings. “I don’t remember ya being an early bird Tumak,” I said once I got close to him.“I couldn’t go back to sleep once the howling and shrieking started. So, I came to help with the defenses.”“And what were you planning to do after that?”“Create a scouting party.”“Scouting Party!?”“Ay. It could be one of your kelorian fri
Chapter 22
As soon as my carriage came to a halt within the castle walls, I rushed up the stairs.“GUNTHER!” I yelled as I pushed the castle doors open. I was surprised to see Valark seating on the throne while Gunther stood beside him. “Valark?! What are you doing?”“I’m taking what is mine.”“Well said my king,” Gunther remarked with a grin. “In order to avoid any problems in the future, I suggest you get rid of the halfling.”“Don’t listen to him Valark, he killed the King.”“Me? I did no such thing.”“I saw it! He left the King to die while he ran away.”“Really?! Did you see him saving one of his men? Did you see the shrieker that bite him? Did you see him change?”When I could neither deny nor confirm any of the questions he had asked, he said, “No. You didn’t. I have many men who can tell you exactly what happened.”“No matter. I’ve already heard their reports, and it seems the new alpha has no evidence to prove that the Commander killed the King. I may not be fond of you, brother, but I
Chapter 21
Thanks to Naisha's persistence, we arrived early. The place wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be. Naisha led us to an area she called the special guests’ wing. It was located on a high platform on the eastern side of the arena. The corridor leading to the guests’ wing was well guarded and for once it felt good not to have creatures glaring back at me as I walked past them. However, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of these guards would glare at A’el as she walked past them. Did they do it openly or in secret? In any case, Naisha and the other fairies who oversaw protecting the Queen and her family were aware of them.“Here we are,” announced Naisha as she abruptly stopped near a door. “Please be seated and wait patiently for the ceremony to begin.” She walked off without another word.Seeing as I was in front of the group I opened the door and walked in with the others close behind. The wing was quite spacious with chairs in the centre and a large window that overlooked the a
Chapter 20
Before the sun had completely set, Naisha came over to our rooms to deliver our clothing for the ceremony, and when she didn’t find Leroy and Monica, she began to worry.“Perhaps I should go and look for them?”“Calm down. Leroy and Monica know how important the ceremony is to A’el. They won’t miss it,” I said without looking away from my reflection in the mirror“Would you stop admiring yourself in the mirror! I have to escort you and Sif to the venue before I go and hunt for those two love birds.”“Alright, alright, I'm done!” I responded as I followed her out of my room and into the corridor. When I came alongfor her, I said, “A’el picked out some very impressive clothing!”“Yes she did, but she didn't do it alone you know. I helped her.”“Yes, I can tell. The colours were most likely her idea while the rest was yours.”“Not true. Yes, the colours were her idea but so were the cloaks and single gloves. I'm the one who chose the full length cloaks and long boots.”“Will all the gues
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