The Wolf Queen

THE RIDE BACK DOWN the mountain seems to take twice as long as the ride up, just as Helge warned. The horses are nervous and several men have to lead them through parts of the path. By the time they reach the village, they are exhausted and frustrated and the sun is beginning to sink into the mountains.

Hilde greets them in front of the inn. It is smaller than the one in Ombu, but just as homely. “We are already celebrating, come join.”

“Celebrating what?” Channin asks.

Hilde starts to say something, but stops herself and shrugs, “Life, dear Lady. The blessing of life.”

Raoul passes his horse off to someone and vanishes into the building with Hilde. Their small army makes camp just outside the village, tying the horses up before heading back to the Inn.

The werewolf’s loud laugh travels to them as they enter. “There he is! William!”

Will glances over to Channin, “Going with?”

“He called for you.” She points out, “Maybe I’ll go drink with Ian.”

After Raoul calls a second time, Will gives in and heads for him.

“Tell them about the Empty Army.” Raoul begs.

“You were there.” Will chuckles, “You tell it.”

“It’s better when I tell it,” The werewolf says to his new friends.

“Tell it then.” Will makes a presenting movement with his right arm.

He tilts his head and then laughs again, “Of course.”

“We were in the deserts of Loskayze, no water for three days, no food for six.”

Channin finds a table nearby and sits down. Close enough to hear the story, but far enough away to avoid getting dragged in to it. She pulls her sketchbook from her bag. A server brings her a glass of the strawberry mead.

“Finally, we find an oasis, beautiful, clear water and massive trees. We race in and start to restock for the journey and then out of nowhere come the Empties. With their massive fangs and pale skin and animal ears.”

“They don’t have animal ears.” Will sighs.

“Like Elf ears but huge.” Raoul corrects himself, “There’s gotta be a hundred-no- a thousand of them. They start attacking us from all directions.”

“You’re very good.” Ian says, sitting next to her.

“It’s one of the only things my father approved of. Even then it was more tolerance than approval.” The picture she’s working on now is of Will and Kaiser in the city of Redpost.

Runir follows him, sitting on the other side of the lady, “I think he approves of you more than you know.”

“And the General here, starts pushing all of them back. One at a time until their prince comes charging in, and runs him through. No joke, William turns around and pulls this spear from his side and breaks it in half.”

“This story gets bigger every time he tells it.” Runir mumbles, as a bar maid brings a round of drinks to them.

Ian smiles politely at her, “That’s probably why Will continues to let him tell it.”

“To see how big it’ll get before it falls?” Channin raises an eyebrow.

Ian and Runir nod, “It could fun.” The Vampire adds.

Channin seems to realize something and looks quickly between the two, “I thought Vampires and Elves didn’t get along.”

“We don’t.” Ian explains, “We hate each other. Right Runir?”

The Elf nods, “Pretty much.”

“But, you are friends?” she is more confused.

They look across her to each other and respond in unison, “No.”

Runir laughs at her concerned expression, “The way Will says it is that we are not friends. We are a family. No matter what happens, we are all brothers.” He takes a drink and corrects himself, “And sister.”

“And that’s the story of how William practically wiped out an entire Empty army.” Raoul finishes the story, and his mead, at the same time, “Can anyone top that?”

No one says anything and Raoul drinks another glass of mead.

“I’m going to get some air.” Channin stands up and closes her book. The two cups of mead have left her a little shaky. She’s only outside for a few minutes when a voice startles her.

“I saw you leave.” Hilde says, “Is everything alright?”

Channin nods, “It’s just been a long day. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

Hilde leans against the railing next to her, “I’m going to be honest and up front. Why are you here?”

“What do you mean?” She forces down the insulted part that wants to defend herself.

“You’re Channin Ozera, the heir to Laneyth. What are you doing with a raggedy band of soldiers?”

“Oh, that.” Channin looks towards the mountains, not sure what to say. “I’m trying to see what makes people happy. If I’m going to be Queen someday, I want to be able to help the people.”

She sighs, “You’ve got a good head, your highness, but a warrior’s spirit.”

“What does that mean?”

“Think of it like a fire. If you fuel it steadily, it stays alive. If you fuel it all at once, it’ll burn out of control and hurt someone.”

Channin turns around and watches through the window. Raoul is laughing at Ian for something. Runir and Will sitting nearby. The Elf is laughing too, but Will is trying not to. He’s half-smiling.

“If you don’t hold on to that, you’ll lose who you are.”

Her attention snaps back to Hilde, she’s messing with her silver hair. “Didn’t you just tell me to not fuel it?”

She smiles at Channin, “No, I said don’t fuel it too much. If you don’t feed it, it dies. Find someone to fight for, someone that fuels your fire for you. From one warrior to another.”

“What about you?”

Hilde’s smile fades and she pulls a locket from her shirt, “My husband and my little boy.” She opens it to show an Orc and a small Orc boy smiling, “They went to fight in the war. When his father didn’t come home, Lorbeck went to Dragonspire. He writes every now and again, but they are few and far between.”

Music travels through the air.

“You hold on to your fuel, Lady Channin.”

Almost as if on cue, Will comes bounding to the door. He’s beginning to look flushed and Channin notices right away.

“Channin, come dance.”

“Oh no, I’m alright.” She tries to argue, but he takes her hand and leads her back inside.

He quickly spins her into the dancefloor, refusing to let go of her hand.

“Don’t tell me you only know the one dance.” He asks, trying to coax her into it.

She shakes her head, “No, but I don’t know how to dance to this.”

“I’ll teach you.” He grins again, “Just follow my lead.”

Channin is quick to copy his movements, spinning in circles until she’s dizzy. When the song ends, her face hurts from laughing and she’s tired.

Raoul challenges Will to a drinking game and he accepts, Channin takes this time to escape back to the porch. Will is out in a second behind her.

“Channin, wait.”

She stops and turns, “Yeah?”

“You aren’t upset,” he observes.

“No?” he has confused her, “I thought Raoul wanted to drink.”

“We all know he’ll win.”

“But you’re going to let him think that he can challenge who ever to whatever?”

He stops, “He’s not like that.”

“You’re right. It’s getting late. I’m going to go start camp.” She moves for the stairs and he catches her arm and pulls her back.

Before she can stop him, he leans over and kisses her. It’s less in the moment and she can tell he’s been thinking about it a lot. This time, she realizes how soft his lips are. The taste of strawberries still on them. She hears the door open and slam quickly shut and a few seconds pass and the door opens again.

It’s Raoul this time, his laugh gives him away. “I’ll be damned, Runir. You were right.”

Will has already leapt back and looks genuinely upset that someone saw the two of them. “I’ll see you back at camp.” He quickly says, brushing her hair back into place.

Channin simply nods and takes off back down the stairs.