The Wolf Queen

“SHE’S BURNING UP.” AMARYLLIS pulls her hand away from Channin’s head, “Abarrane, will you help me?”

The Vampire moves over to the bed, “Why don’t you go kill some small animal?” she glares at the soldiers, huddled near the door.

Will stands up, “I’m going to look for Alloumera.” He ducks out the door and the other three follow him. The snow has blown up against the side of the cabin, a narrow path worn up to the door.

“How do you know he isn’t dead?” Raoul asks, “He’s a horse. They aren’t known for being the best survivalists.”

“Raoul has a point.” Runir says timidly, “His home is Dragonspire, he probably went back there.”

Will pulls himself onto Kaiser, “Are you coming with me or going hunting?”

The Elf sighs and takes his horse’s reins, “Right behind you.”

“Do you smell that?” Amaryllis asks Abarrane, concern laced through her words.

She nods, “Decay.”

“It’s infection.” She carefully pulls the edge of Channin’s shirt up to study the wound. It isn’t as deep as Runir made it seem and only about as long as her palm. But the center of the wound is starting to turn black. Will had stopped the bleeding, which had saved her life, but the infection had to come from somewhere.

“And I’ve lost my appetite.” Abarrane winces.

“We need to get it clean, I’ve got Goldenseal and Comfrey Root I think and those’ll have to do. Get my bag, find the water pouch and go fill it with snow.”

Abarrane does as told, she pulls her hood up and looks back to Amaryllis, “The Queen was right. You can save her.”

Amaryllis looks up, “Honestly, I don’t know.”

The Vampire frowns slightly and then smiles, “I believe in you.” She tries to reassure her.

Outside, the sun reflects off the snow giving Abarrane a head ache. The sunlight burns her hands and the cold air doesn’t help. Two sets of footprints leave into the forest. Another pair of horse tracks head back across the bridge and towards the path. Raoul and Ian’s horses stand beside the cabin, close together.

She finds a patch of snow untouched and gathers enough to fill the bag. “How does Ian do this?” she mumbles. Abarrane returns with the bag and nestles it close to the fire. In a few minutes, they have water.

Amaryllis pours some onto a rag and pauses, “I’m sorry Lady Channin.” Despite her effort to be gentle, Channin still wakes up from the pain.

Abarrane has to dive forward to hold her down.

“Your highness, you’ve got to let me clean it.” Amaryllis backs away.

“Where is Will?” she growls, gripping her arm.

“He just stepped outside,” she tries again to calm her down.

“Alloumera.” Will calls quietly, “Where are you?”

“We are looking for a white horse, in the snow.” Runir sighs, “What have our lives become?”

“You won’t look at anyone when you talk.” Will notices, “Is everything okay?”

Runir stops Gray, bushing her hair to one side of her neck. “I’m not sure.”

“We’re still brothers.” He pulls Kaiser to a stop, the bay horse turns sideways in the path, “Did something happen?”

Runir nods, not removing his eyes from the horse’s neck. He picks up a lock of black mane and starts twisting it. It’s a trait Will has noticed about most archers, when they are nervous, they have to move their hands.

“Runir?”

The Elf sighs deeply and looks up to the sky, “It’s Lorbeck.” He pauses, “They executed him.”

Will is stunned for a moment and allows Runir to continue.

“Will, they are executing everyone wearing your badge. Even the ones who fought with Able. The way it sounded to me is that they are asking for information and if they don’t like the answer, well, you get the rest.”

The General blinks a few times and cracks a smile, “You walked right into Dragonspire and they didn’t catch you.”

Runir finally looks at Will, “How is that funny, Will? They caught Mack.”

Will forces a smile, “We can’t change what is happening. When Channin is better, we can ride back and explain to them what happened. They don’t have the full story.” He turns Kaiser and continues down the path. Runir sends Gray forward, blocking his path.

“You don’t get it. People are dying. Your people. You can’t reason with Able or the King. You can’t diplomatically weasel your way out of this one. It’s too late for talking. Channin and Raoul will see it the same way.”

“I’m not fighting anyone. I will never be King and I don’t care to be.” He tries to move around Runir, the Elf stays in front of him.

“It isn’t about being King anymore, Will. It’s about doing the right thing and fighting for the people who can’t fight for themselves.” He sighs and looks back down, “If they don’t have hope, what do they have?”

Will sits up straighter, “What do you suggest we do?”

The Elf is suddenly confused, “We stand up. You and Channin, you can unite the people. Hell, you made Dwarves and Vampires get along. We show the King that he’s making a more powerful enemy than he knows.”

“And when he starts to burn the villages?”

“We burn with them. You can’t be a King of nothing.”

“You’re suggesting we turn his people against him?”

Runir thinks for a second, “When you put it that way it’s less appealing.”

Will sighs, “I think we should make this choice as a whole.”

Runir agrees and they continue their search for Alloumera. The two search until the sun begins to set and return empty-handed.

“No luck?” Raoul asks, when they enter the cabin.

Will shakes his head, “Looks like you had a successful day.” He notes the fire and stew pot.

“You are the only ones that didn’t.” Abarrane smiles, “Amaryllis is a great healer.”

Will moves over to Channin’s side. The little shapeshifter already seems to be more comfortable.

“There’s something we should talk about.” He turns to the others. “The King is executing our brothers and anyone else with our badge.”

Raoul and Ian exchange a look of concern.

“If you want out, now is the time.”

“Why? What are you planning?” Ian asks, still concerned.

“If King Svetozar wants to have a rebellion, who am I to deny that?” The fire light catches his eyes, turning them gray.

The room falls silent as everyone thinks it over. Amaryllis stands up first, “I can’t use a sword, but I can heal.”

“A lady beat me to be first.” Raoul nods, “I can’t have that.”

“Ian and I can talk to Dawncliff. The Dwarves can craft your weapons.” Abarrane grabs Ian’s hand, they look at each other and nod “We will fight with you.”

Runir sighs, “I can talk to the Elves and see if they will join us.”

“Raoul, the werewolves around Dawncliff might be willing to help.” Ian mentions.

“I don’t want anyone going alone, when Channin is better, take her.” Will warns. He is being cautious and for good reason. The King is likely to have Able and all of his available men searching for them.

They nod.

“Runir, Raoul and Amaryllis, you three go to Polia. Talk to the Elves. Ian, Abarrane, you say you can get the Dwarves and Vampires?”

“Absolutely.” Abarrane says confidently.

“Good.” He waves them off, “Ride carefully.”

“Wait.” Raoul stops, he pulls his badge off and puts it in Will’s hand, “Shouldn’t get seen with this.”

Ian copies him, his badge is newer and without the dents and damage of Raoul’s. They look to Runir, expecting him to remove his and place it with theirs.

“I left it in Dragonspire.” He grins, “It’ll be there for a while.”