The Wolf Queen
Chapter 23: The Moon and the Blood

THE MEMBERS OF THE Order of Night sit around the table, a map of Laneyth laid out in front of them. Runir has painstakingly marked the cities of Polia and a Centaur tribe on eastern coastal fields. Their newest allegiance. Since they failed to take the capital, William thought it best that they continue to gather allies.

“I’m sorry to send you out so soon.” Will apologizes, “The King is likely to send men to the Sister Cities. That’s where we spent the most time, so that’s where he thinks we are.” He glances over to Channin for any input.

The blonde leans back in her chair and folds her arms over her chest. She has been a mix of emotions since her return. Sorrow over the loss of her mother and mentor, anger towards Svetozar and Peytra. Anytime the King or Dragonspire is mentioned, she closes her doors and shuts everyone out.

Will sighs and continues, “Runir and Abarrane had the most success in Tokia, so I want you two to go to the sisters. See if you can convince them to fight back.”

Abarrane nods.

“Ian, Raoul and I are going to Tokia and Toma to begin training soldiers.”

“Why do we need soldiers now?” Channin grumbles, “Is it because I lost?”

“No, Channin.” Will hardly spares her a glance. He has been leading in her place for weeks now, stepping carefully to avoid upsetting her further.

“That’s a large part of it,” Raoul says, putting his third cup of mead down, “But not it in its entirety.” The werewolf speaks his mind more often than his General would like.

“Raoul.” William warns, “The King is looking for us. Have you seen the wanted posters?”

“Then why split up?” Channin snaps.

Runir comes to Will’s defense, “Because our top priority here is you. If Svetozar gets you or Will, the rebellion dies. We won’t have anything to fight for anymore.”

“Then I should be out there helping.” Channin doesn’t shy away from turning her anger on the Elf, “Not stuck here, playing house maid.”

Will moves to put his hand on her, she leaps back. “Channin, no one said-“

“That’s how it will always be. Isn’t it? Protect the Princess. I can protect myself, William.” She’s on her feet, “I thought you were going to be different, but you’re just like every other general out there.”

Runir is up suddenly, “It wasn’t his idea for you to stay here, Channin. It was mine.”

The room watches anxiously to see how she reacts. Runir doesn’t give her the chance.

“You are way too reckless, you care too much and you are trying too hard to be someone you aren’t.”

The Shifter doesn’t change her stance. She’s angry, but lashing out will only prove his point. The restraint she is showing is more from stubbornness than actual restraint.

“You aren’t Aleksander and you are not Isaac. You will never be a lower-class minority. You don’t understand what these people have gone through the way the rest of us do. It’s written all over your face. Channin, you are royalty. Will loves you. You are a sister to the rest of us. We gave up everything for this rebellion. How do you repay us? By being a selfish royal. You want to accuse William of being the same as the hundreds of other generals you have met, look in the mirror first.” The Elf slings his bow over his shoulder and storms out.

Channin stands still for a few minutes and races out. They hear the backdoor slam shut.

“Nice going, Raoul.” Ian punches him in the arm. The werewolf doesn’t budge.

A fragile silence fills the room.

“Let’s just finish this meeting.” Will rubs the back of his neck with his hand.

Runir and Abarrane reach Ombu as the sun sets. Hana greets them like heroes. She brings them into the Inn and fixes them a meal. Deer meat, fresh bread and vegetables.

Runir pushes the vegetables around on his plate, not eating.

“Are you still pouting?” Abarrane steals a carrot. He glares at her and she shrugs, “Somebody needs to eat it.”

“I am a General of the rebellion and as such, I do not pout.”

She tilts her head, a condescending tone taking over, “You don’t stop talking in the forest. I’ve ridden places with you. It’s all ‘look at the pretty birch trees. Oh, sycamore, we are near a water source’” she forces her voice into a higher pitch to mimic him. “I know when something is up, Road Snacks.”

“It’s Channin.” He sighs, “She’s been really moody lately and I’d just had enough. Now I feel awful about it.”

“Will is going to make it all better.” Abarrane assures him, “You know they still- share a bed- Right?”

“I would have preferred to go the rest of my life without knowing that.” Runir places his fork down.

“Your room is next to his. How did you not know he doesn’t sleep there?” She tilts her head the other way this time.

He shrugs, “Ignorance is bliss?”

Hana jogs over to the table, an Orc in tow. “Tell them what you just told me.”

The Orc sighs, “The King has sent a few scouts to check the stables. They are searching for a white stallion and a large bay horse with a white face, three white feet and a spot on the base of his neck under his mane.”

“They got Kaiser down pretty well.” Runir stands up, “We will be on our way.”

Abarrane follows suit, “They aren’t looking for you or me.”

“No,” Runir grabs his coat and pulls it on, “But they will have descriptions of every horse we have.”

They sneak around the back of the building and up to the stable. Hana and the Orc are distracting the soldiers and the pair easily take their horses from the pasture. They don’t have time to fully saddle the horses so Runir tosses a blanket over them. He helps Abarrane onto her horse and scrambles onto Gray’s back.

Abarrane and Runir have dodged the King’s men. The moonless night makes navigating the narrow cliff path difficult. Abarrane’s golden horse stumbles, nearly tossing her off the cliff. She rides close to the wall the rest of the time.

The lights of Ozim are already out when they ride in. A dog barks and a small flicker of life comes from the Inn. Hilde rushes out.

“What do you want?” She brandishes her Warhammer. She is just like he remembers, short, angry and always itching for a fight.

“Whoa, Hilde. My name is Runir, we came through with William Starker last year.”

Hilde drops her hammer, “My gods, the rebellion has come knocking. Come inside children.”

After telling her about Ombu and the King’s men, Hilde tucks them away in the attic.

“Don’t you come out of here until I come to get you.” She warns, “We will hide your horses.”

The room fades to darkness.

“What’s the plan if they find us?” Abarrane whispers.

Runir shrugs, “We can fight our way out. Unless it’s Able, they don’t stand much of a chance against a city full of Orcs. Hilde could take them all by herself.”

“We could always go to Polia. Your family would hide you, no?” Abarrane asks, pulling her hair over one shoulder.

Runir chuckles, half-smiling, “I don’t have family in Polia.”

She frowns, “I thought that’s where Ian said you were from?”

He nods, “That’s where I met Will, but I don’t have family left.”

Her frown is replaced by shock, “I am so sorry I didn’t know.”’

“It’s alright.” He pushes her with his shoulder, “It’s hard to know things when you don’t care about anything.”

She punches his arm, “I know lots of things.” She is insulted by his accusation.

“But are they things you care to know?”

She thinks it over and her silence is his answer.

“If you must know, there was another Elven city, on the other side of Dragonspire, Sashia. We kept herds of elk for the King. The thing about elk, is they spread disease between each other. We had to kill some to stop their suffering and keep them from infecting the others.”

“That’s why you’re so good with a bow.” She announces her realization.

He nods, “The king at the time, not an Ozera, but I don’t remember who. He obviously noticed the decrease in elk and accused us of stealing them. Our own Elk. When he sent men to Sashia, the elk were all but gone. They said we were hiding them and wouldn’t listen when we tried to explain it. They burnt the whole city to the ground. Just like Paedleigh. Except no one came to stop them.”

“I didn’t hear about this.” She mumbles.

“It was kept really quiet.” Runir shrugs, “Until the King died from poisoning. I don’t know who did it, but I can’t shake this feeling that it was one of our elk.”

“Well it serves him right. You aren’t so bad, Road Snacks.”

“Are you saying Elves are good?” he flashes her a surprised look.

“Absolutely not.” She looks offended, then grins. “But if there are more like you, then maybe they’ll gain an ally.” She lays down, “I’m going to sleep now.”

His attention turns back to the window. He sits for several more hours, thinking about Sashia and her people, the King and the Elk

“Abarrane. Get up.” Runir nudges her, “Do you see that? On the mountain?”

The Vampire stirs, “I’m sleeping, Snacks.”

“Abarrane, there’s smoke.”

She sits up quickly, watching the skies. Sure enough, there is a plume of pale smoke coming from the valley.

“Ombu.” She breathes, “We’ve got to get everyone out.”

Runir races for the door and opens it, “Hilde, they are coming.” Within seconds, the bell on the Inn starts ringing. Citizens flood into the street, gathering around the Inn. Runir scrambles onto the railing, “Everyone needs to get up the mountain to Ige. There’s a tunnel that will lead you to the western side of the mountains.”

“What if they haven’t finished it?” Abarrane asks quietly.

“They have.” Runir assures her, not questioning the Dwarves. “We need to go now or else we won’t make it in time.”

“What about Ombu?” an Orc asks the question on everyone’s mind.

“Ombu has done nothing to support the rebellion. The citizens won’t be harmed.” He lies so confidently he almost believes it.

The Orcs share a look of knowing and hurry to leave.

“I’ll get the horses.” Abarrane says leaping from the porch.

Runir jumps after her to help.

“Hilde?” someone comes down the path, it’s Hana. She’s covered in soot and ash, leading ten people. All that’s left of the City of Bliss.

“Hana?” the older sister races forward to hug her, “What’s going on? What happened?”

Runir and Abarrane rush forward too.

Hana holds out her hand, “They said to give you this.” She holds out a small badge. It has a bear and reads ‘First General Blatz’. There is still dried blood in the recesses between the bear’s teeth.

“They killed Isaac.” Runir sighs, he takes the badge and feels part of his soul sink. “Get up the mountain with the others.

The sisters nod and join the party.

“Abarrane, take Gray.” Runir sighs.

“What are you- oh no. I’m not leaving you here.” She stamps her foot.

“Listen to me.” He takes her shoulders, “They won’t stop until they find someone. You know that they’ll keep burning villages.”

She recoils, knowing he is right. As much as she wants there to be another way, it’s either him, her, or the remaining citizens. Runir isn’t selfish enough to allow her to stay behind.

“You’ve got to take these people back to Ravenguard.” He brushes her white hair back, “The rebellion is at stake. They are the face of it. Svetozar has taken everything from these people. That’s the push they need. Isaac is gone but I can still fight them. Take Gray, I’ll be right behind you.”

She hesitates and backs up a few steps, “You don’t have to do this.”

“I’ll be right behind you.” He leans forward and kisses her cheek, “Now get out of here.”

The Vampire stands still for a second and races off for the stables. A few minutes later, Runir watches her ride up the mountain trail leading the way to Ige. The lower citizens behind her. He sits down and waits for Able’s army. He keeps an arrow strung and at the first sight of the King’s men, he puts it between a soldier’s eyes.

The Elf shoots three more arrows, each hitting their mark before they reach him. He tosses the bow and kneels without another fight.

“Well, if it isn’t the little Elf General.” Able stops his horse and dismounts, “I’m not surprised they sent you to guard three cities. It’s the response I’d expect from a woman.” Able signals his men to tie Runir’s hands and then tells them to search the city.

“You won’t find them.” Runir smiles.

The troops report confirmation of the Elf’s threat. Able turns back to Runir. “Then they are cornered. The cave city of Ige has one entrance.”

The soldiers pull Runir to his feet. “What should we do with him?”

Able glances over him, “Bring him along. Let him watch how he’s damned them all.”

“You won’t win.” Runir says, trying not to smile for once, “We are wolves. We will not be caged. We will not be silent and passive. And we will not perform for Kings.”

“We will see about that.”

Helge is already awake. The people of Ige saw the smoke too.

“Where’s the Elf?” Hilde notices his absence.

Abarrane hesitates, “He’ll be right behind us.” She sounds like she truly believes that.

The sisters share a concerned expression and Helge takes the command.

“Everyone to the tunnels. Dwarves, lead your brothers and sisters.”

The refugees make their way to the tunnel under the city. The ground shifts violently, several people scream. Abarrane looks back down the mountain side. The glow of Ozim as it burns lights the night sky. She can smell the fire as it burns houses and fields.

Her mind flashes back to the catapult as a boulder slams into the doors. She instinctively throws a shield up to protect them.

“We’ve got to hurry.” Helge urges Abarrane forward.

The tunnel is wide enough for the carts to easily pass through. A human woman has taken the lead.

An Orc helps an old Dwarf woman onto a cart and carries her bag. Abarrane watches as everyone helps each other into the tunnel. They divide around her, as she searches the group. She knows Runir isn’t among them but is looking anyways.

The human woman weaves over to Helge, there is a brief exchange of words and a goodbye kiss and the human passes Abarrane again. This time, tears fill her blue eyes.

“Lady Abarrane, you need to go with the others.” Hana says calmly.

“He said he would be here.” She pushes against her towards the entrance to the tunnel.

Hana brushes her hair back, “My Lady, he’s gone.”

Abarrane looks over her shoulder to Gray, who hasn’t left her side. She abandons the horse to bolt for the door.

She is met by Able. She crashes to the ground, shocked. Did he just hit her? The stinging on her cheek answers her.

“My, my. Lady Abarrane, looking for something?” The Vampire grins, tilting his head. His scars catch in the firelight.

Abarrane pushes herself up, “Where is he?”

“Who? The Elf?”

She can finally stand, she readies herself to summon a shield. “Where. Is. Runir?”

“Calm down. He hasn’t been hurt. Yet.” Able lifts something from his back and Abarrane recognizes it as Runir’s bow. “Though, you should probably take this back to General Starker. A token of goodwill.” He laughs.

She doesn’t move. She can’t make herself take the bow, throw a shield or even turn around. She mentally screams, begging herself to make a move.

“Oh come on dear. That was a joke, you can laugh.”

“I don’t find murder funny.” She manages to summon a shield and hold it close to her, ready to hit him at a moment’s notice.

“I do.” Able grins.

Abarrane’s shield flickers and she holds her breath to calm down. “Able, stop this. You aren’t a murderer.”

“How do you know what I am?” He hisses and steps closer. There is no logic to him. No sympathy. No mercy. Certainly, no soul.

Abarrane panics. She forces the shield forward into Able. He drops the bow and she dives for it. She hits him with another shield to buy her the time to get back to the tunnel.

Hana, Hilde and Helge stand at the door.

“Go.” The oldest sister says, “Lead them to their new Queen.”

“What?” Abarrane stares at them for a second.

“These bastards have taken everything from me.” Hilde says, her hammer coming back out, “I’ll be damned if they’re taking my city too.”

“Go.” Hana urges, “Put up a shield and protect them.”

A Dwarf cuts through a heavy piece of rope and the entrance to the tunnel collapses. The sisters turning together to face the army is the last image before the dark closes in around them.

Something touches her shoulder and Abarrane jumps, it is only Gray. An Orc hold her reins and offers her a torch. She is shaking as she takes the horse’s bridle and makes her way to the front of the group. “Everyone stay close.”

A few torches light up the tunnel but they do little against the darkness.

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