The meeting at the Broken Brooch had been brief with terms agreed upon and no questions asked. Now they were a party of eight: Kai, Sekari, Derec, Godrik, and the four Knightmares known as Shiv, Blade, Sword, and Archer. They traveled light, their intentions rooted in secrecy rather than open confrontation, unless utterly necessary. Though most of the party wielded longswords, Sekari carried her mother’s Towandan spear, while Godrik sported a beautifully decorated longsword with a pommel shaped like a wolf. The Knightmares kept their masks firmly in place, concealing their identities.
Their ride lasted a day after meeting at the brothel. They journeyed on horseback to the edge of the Forest of Crows, one of Tymeria’s largest forests. On a windy night under a full moon, they reached a halt in the woods at a crossroads. Godrik gestured towards the crest of a green hill overlooking any travelers. He wore rusty green and brown attire, blending with the forest like a ranger. Beneath his cloak, he wore a shirt of steel rings.
“They’ll be riding through here tomorrow night,” Godrik said.
“You’re certain?” Blade asked, her voice assertive and confident. The redhaired woman was the second tallest of the four, her presence commanding respect.
“They’re either taking my sister to the Paladin headquarters or Cair Earendel, where they can make coin off her,” he answered. “Either way, they’ll need to take this road.”
“Then let’s make camp,” Derec suggested.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, Blade spotted a suitable camping spot. The blonde female Knightmare, Archer, lit a fire in a deep hollow shrouded by thick shrubs, and within moments, their meal of freshly killed hares was being prepared. But Godrik remained vigilant, and Kai noticed his behavior. It was as though he had elven eyes himself, the young noble gazing down the road before looking down at the rest of the party laughing and chatting.
“Care to join us?” Blade asked, her tone friendly.
“Someone needs to keep watch,” Godrik answered, keeping his distance from them.
“Is the meat ready?” Kai asked.
“Yes,” Sword answered, the tall human male seemingly nonchalant as he worked over the flames.
“And it smells fantastic,” Derec added, a playful eagerness in his voice.
While the others ate around him, the Knightmares raising their masks just below the nose to eat, Kai reached into his small bag. He pulled out the one non-essential he had brought along, a book on the histories of other nonhuman races. Kai preferred having conversations with books over people.
But as he began to read, Blade reached over and snatched it. “No reading at dinnertime,” Blade said, forcing a stereotypical noblewoman’s voice.
Kai almost threw his body like a child trying to get his toy back. “I was reading that!”
Marking his place in the book with her knife, Blade closed it and held it out of reach. “Read it after the meal.”
Kai growled and grabbed it back.
“What were you reading about?” Derec asked.
Kai finished swallowing a strip of bacon before speaking. “I was reading on the history of the War of Fang and Claw.”
“Does he always spend his time reading books?” Shiv asked Derec. The short male was the most facetious and rude of the four.
“Pretty much,” Derec replied with a chuckle.
Kai ignored them. He took pride in educating himself to the maximum. They were free to say what they wanted. He didn’t care. Books were preferable to socializing. They contained greater knowledge than any person could.
After finishing his meal, Kai moved himself to a more private spot against a tree and began reading where he had left off. The book continued into the history of unique nonhuman races. Kai had a fascination with them. Elves and dwarves were well known, but the most feared and rare races were studied by very few.
There were rumors of a wolfborn’s bite having the effect of turning one into a wolfborn. Others said the creatures were weak against silver weapons and purportedly mated with human females to impregnate them with more wolfborn pups. Kai had read enough to know such myths were utter nonsense. As silly as the myths saying a vampyre could only be killed with a wooden stake to the heart or by sunlight. The tales originated from Litian scholars, clearly intended to promote their religion.
“Again, with the books?”
Kai raised his head. Godrik stood a few feet away, eyeing him curiously. Kai marked his place in the book with a piece of torn cloth and said, “I prefer them over idle chatter.”
Godrik lowered his head politely. “Apologies, I meant no offense.”
“None was taken,” Kai reassured. “It’s rare for a human to offer an apology to an elf.”
“If I may,” Godrik began, “How old are you?”
It was a question he was accustomed to hearing. “I’m only one-hundred and forty-three.”
“Many humans would kill to live that long,” Godrik mused. “I wish my family could. I can’t bear the thought of seeing them die.” His amber eyes stood out in the darkness, a hint of sorrow within them.
Godrik looked away for a moment. “Tell me, can we trust these Knightmares?”
“They should be alright if they’re well paid,” Kai said. “Can I trust you’ll keep your promise? Will House Lupelle support the Zela’ken? Will you be ready to fight alongside us if war breaks out?”
Godrik looked him right in the eyes. “House Lupelle sided with Emperor Robben. We’ll fight for equality between humans and nonhumans once again.”
Kai smiled. “I hear honesty in your voice.” Though something in Godrik’s gaze unsettled him, those amber eyes catching moonlight like an animal’s. With a grunt, he rose to his feet. “I suppose I can read another time. I’m off to rest.”
Godrik agreed to keep watch. It was his sister who had been kidnapped, so naturally, he would be on high alert. Kai found a secluded spot against a tree, allowing himself to drift into a fitful sleep. When he awoke, all was silent save for the sounds of night insects and other creatures stirring in the darkness. The bright light of the full moon broke through a gap in the clouds, illuminating the serene forest.
He rose, spotting Godrik atop the hill with Sekari at his side.
No matter what, Sekari was always the first to awaken. Smiling, Kai hiked to her side. “Can’t sleep?” Kai asked her.
She raised her hand. “Quiet,” she whispered. “Godrik said he heard something. Do your elven eyes see anything?”
Godrik pointed down the road, and Kai concentrated his vision. The distance sharpened into focus, revealing the faint light of a torch flickering in the wind. “They’re coming,” he said.
“I’ll wake the others,” Sekari said, swiftly turning back to the camp.
“How did you hear them? They’re several minutes away,” Kai asked.
“They’re coming,” Godrik insisted. “That’s what matters.”
The rest of the party soon joined them. All had slept in their fighting attire, masks on, and Sekari kindly brought Kai his bow and curved sword.
The party crouched down and laid on their chests. The torches in the distance grew closer, and Archer pulled out her small spyglass. She extended the small tube and peeked through it, releasing a slight gasp.
“I know that armor,” she whispered. “Those aren’t sellswords. They’re Paladins.”
“Paladins?” Sword hissed. “You never mentioned she was taken by Paladins.”
“Sword, we can handle them,” Shiv said with a tone of confidence.
“You don’t know that,” Sword said with a raised uncertain voice. “Paladins aren’t to be trifled with. Have you forgotten they hunted down the Knightmares to extinction?”
All Knightmares glared at Godrik. “Please, she’s my sister.”
“Now more than ever, we can’t leave witnesses,” Blade said. “We can’t start a war with the Paladins.”
“They’re getting closer,” Archer warned, her voice tense. “Wait…I see a wagon with a cage. There’s a girl inside. But there might be too many men in that company. There’re only eight of us.”
Kai’s heart pounded rapidly. Paladins were well-trained, the finest soldiers in Tymeria, and numbers provided a great advantage.
“How many?” Kai asked, anxiety coursing through his nerves.
Archer counted in silence, the sounds of distant chatter growing closer. “Twenty-five Paladins. Too many.”
“Archer and I can thin them with arrows,” Kai offered.
“Not in the dark. I don’t have elven eyes,” Archer said. “And we can’t let them flee.”
“Then how?” Sekari’s voice was tight. “We’re outnumbered.”
Godrik was scratching his wrist, his nails almost digging into his skin. His head was low, but Kai heard his deep heavy breathing. He sensed something in the young noble, a growing nervous tension. Godrik gazed up at the full moon as a patch of clouds moved over and darkened the night.
“Are you deaf?” Sword asked with a snarl. “We can’t save your sister without risking all of us dying. Do you have an idea, or can we go home?”
“Their numbers won’t be a problem.” Godrik rose slowly. “I’ll provide a diversion. On my signal, attack.” Before anyone could utter a word, Godrik began removing every piece of clothing until he was stark naked.
“My goodness,” Archer gasped. “What are you doing?” She almost rose until Sekari grabbed her wrist and yanked her back down. “I’d rather not be crouched down at this moment.”
Derec’s eyes went wide while Sekari averted hers with disgust.
“Godrik, they’re men,” Shiv quipped. “We need a woman if that’s your plan.”
“Don’t you dare,” Archer warned.
He scoffed, “Wasn’t going to ask you to do it.”
“Excuse me?” Archer growled, a faint fire in her eyes.
“Just be ready,” Godrik said. “I apologize for the deception, but she’s my sister, and I’ll do whatever I must for my family.” With that, he strode away into the darkness, but Kai picked up his footsteps and listened to the sound of him sliding down the hill onto the road.
Kai reached back and pulled an arrow from his quiver. Godrik stood at the crossroad, close to the wooden sign directing the roads.
The sound of hoofbeats and the distant murmur of voices grew louder, signaling the approach of the company of Paladins marching toward the crossroad. At their center, a large wagon creaked and groaned as it rolled, with a young woman seated quietly in a cage it carried, her body bound by absurdly thick shackles designed to restrain powerful creatures. Kai recalled a page he had read regarding blacksmithing; such shackles were more suited to hold a bear than a person. At the front of the company, the commanding Paladin halted his men, their torchlights reaching Godrik’s position.
“Is that a naked man?” one of the Paladins called out, surprise lacing his tone.
“A drunk?” mused another.
“Who are you?” asked the commanding Paladin. “Were you robbed? We have extra breeches for you.”
Godrik didn’t answer.
A growing feeling of concern rose in Kai’s chest as he eyed Godrik, who stood quietly with his head bowed low, concealing his face in the dark. The uncomfortable silence following the Paladin’s question lasted several long seconds before it was broken by the gale’s chilling howl, its gust snapping an old branch from a nearby tree, startling Archer. The wind drowned out her gasp.
Kai’s elven ears listened in on Godrik’s murmuring, “I’ve put this off long enough.”
Above, the clouds moved aside, and the full moon cast a pale light over the road, illuminating Godrik. The noble raised his head, inhaling deeply as if the moonlight was energizing him.
Kai shivered, a chill slithering up his spine as the wind howled eerily. Something was wrong. What was Godrik planning? What was he hiding?
Kai glanced at the Paladins. One of them, a golden-haired young man, seemed to share Kai’s thoughts. The Paladin’s trembling hand gripped his sword’s hilt, brow furrowed with suspicion. Several horses whinnied too loudly, their riders struggling to control them. They were frightened by Godrik, but why?
Sword’s fists shook. “What’s that fool doing?”
“Something’s wrong,” Sekari whispered.
“Are you well?” the commanding Paladin barked. “If this is a jest, I’ll have you arrested!”
Godrik whispered to himself, and Kai’s ears heard it all. “Forgive me.”
Then, it happened. An instant grotesque sight Kai would never forget, one that made his breath catch in his throat. Godrik’s face contorted into a hellish mask of agony as he suddenly let out a pained yell. His body went rigid, limbs shaking as his body swelled. The muscles in his arms flexed and grew, a terrible snarling sound following.
Godrik was changing.
Bone and gristle crackled loudly as his head and jaw elongated into a lupine shape while his body lengthened. Large, pointed canines grew in his protruding maw. His immense shoulders hunched and expanded as he rose a half meter taller, thick bristling mottled black and white fur sprouting across his whole body, while his fingernails grew into dagger-length claws. A wolf tail grew on his backside as his ears grew tufted and pointed.
“Impossible,” Kai whispered, staring in awe and disbelief.
The others gasped, their eyes wide with shock and fear. “Dear Litiah,” Blade uttered, her voice barely audible.
“L-Light almighty,” Derec stammered.
Bathed in moonlight, standing erect on powerful hind legs, the transformed wolfborn threw back his large lupine head and released a deep, penetrating howl into the night, Awwrruuuuuu!
With it came a brief chorus of distant wolves, blood-chilling howls echoing all around them. They were answering Godrik like he was one of them. His amber eyes focused on the commanding Paladin, whose paled face matched the moonlight.
Kai’s hands moved on instinct, nocking an arrow even as his mind reeled.
Shiv was the first to charge, sliding down the hill with his twin blades drawn, followed by Blade, Sekari, and the others, while Archer raised her crossbow.
“Kill it!” The wide-eyed Paladin commander drew his sword and screamed, “Kill the fucking wolfborn!”