Chapter 2 - Premonition

The entrance to the Helirica pack is guarded by a magnificent gold gate, standing tall and imposing against the backdrop of the dense forest. Crafted with exquisite detail and adorned with intricate patterns, the gate exudes an aura of grandeur and mystique.

The metalwork is masterfully wrought, with delicate filigree designs intertwining along the edges, reminiscent of ancient symbols and tribal motifs.

Two towering pillars flank the gate, each intricately carved with scenes depicting the history and legends of the Helirica pack. Wolves in fierce poses, adorned with tribal markings, seem to leap out from the stone, their eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

At the apex of the gate, a majestic wolf's head is sculpted, its eyes seeming to follow every movement with an uncanny intelligence. The jaws of the wolf are slightly parted, revealing glistening fangs, a silent warning to any who dare to approach without permission.

Yet, despite its imposing presence, there's an undeniable sense of reverence and awe that the gate inspires. It serves not only as a physical barrier but also as a symbol of the Helirica pack's strength, unity, and connection to the ancient traditions that have shaped their lineage for generations.

The gate was magnificent as ever looking at it gave me the reassurance to continue walking through the gates to prepare for a journey full of unknowns. 

As soon as I passed the gates the outer town was somewhat deserted replaced with military barracks, training areas and cooks and medics either returning to reorganise or walking into the abyss like war. Strangely even the air wasn't as dense behind the walls.

It was heart breaking to see the amount of wolves on stretchers groaning in pain, bodies unable to heal from the wendigo attacks for reasons we don't know yet. 

'These are my people and I'm hopelessly failing them'.

My wounds weren't dire but I didn't love the feeling of bleeding out so I quickly walked towards the emptiest medic tent I could find. I walked into the tent raising my hand to part the white curtains decorated with embroidered images of the echinacea flower on either side. The scent of blood, sweat and medicinal herbs mixed together and greeted me as I walked inside, rows of beds at least 10 on each side were tended to by 5 or so healers. They wore all white dress with aprons over them and consistently washed their hands in basins of steaming hot water and soap. At the very back was a old lady probably a grandmother to one of the patients brewing weak soups for the patients to drink. 

Some people looked to be on deaths door bandages wrapping them up soaked in crimson red only ever showing signs of life to groan in anguish, whilst others stared dazed at their surroundings unable to comprehend. 

At the sight of me some of the nurses quickly bowed and then continued to scurry around fetching herbs and bandages, I nodded back and made my way towards an empty bed towards the left. All the beds were separated by sheets of white cloth to give a semblance of privacy for the wolves and shewolves being treated here.

I take a seat and examine my shoulder a green hue surrounds the torn flesh and yellow puss bubbles at the surface. 

'The more I look at it the more painful it gets argh.'

I raise my hand and gently tough my left brow the crusted blood and dirt caked over my would thankfully stopped the bleeding, compared to some my wounds aren't that bad so I resign myself to wait until someone is available. 

Not too long after a short man hesitantly bows and greets me, 

"I apologise for the wait Your majesty we have been very busy today... unfortunately.". The wolf looks around my age nineteen or maybe slightly older, healers usually had to study for quite sometime before they could work independently.

"It's fine, I understand".

"Thank you Your Majesty! My name is Finn I will be tending to you today." Finn says softly as his hazel eyes scan over my body leaning to either side as his chestnut waves swing to either side. 

"I see you have a shoulder wound and a cut above your brow, is there any other injuries or internal pain Your Majesty?" Finn asks firmly opening a notebook that was tucked in his apron jotting down his observations. 

"No Finn that is all, I came to get bandaged then I must head to the castle." I wish I didn't sound so tired, or is the better word defeated. 

Finn's eyes instantly went wide like two brown saucers, "I apologise Your Majesty I do not mean to impede you I will quickly bandage you!". 

"Thank you."

Finn unlike his somewhat childlike features and slender frame was diligent and sturdy. He quickly and accurately disinfected my claw wound and wrapped it tightly without breaking a sweat before dealing with my brow would in the same manner. Before I knew it he was done. 

"All done Your Majesty, I've removed any flesh that came into contact with claws of the wendigos and disinfected both areas. You body should begin to heal itself." Finn quickly listed off whilst he gave me a final scan. 

"Thank you, I will be on my way many thanks." Finn bowed again and stepped aside to clear my path, as I walked out of the tent I felt my body becoming slightly sluggish. 

'It was probably all the medicinal herbs that calmed me a bit'. 

As I walked further into the familiar town I noticed the stable full of war horses, originally it was closer to the inner city where the royal family and nobles would use them for hunting games and archery even though they could not match our speed during such festivities it was a great way to unwind.

As I reached the stable the smell of hay and horse dung were happy replacements to the stench of blood and herbs, I spotted my horse Lucky sadly I had named him when I was young and no one seemed to want me to forget it. Grabbing her reins I slowly patted her head leaning my body against her feeling her heartbeat vibrate through my chest. It was the first time since my father agreed to let me go my hand had stopped shaking, initially I had thought it was excitement but it all boiled down to pure fear. 

"Your majesty! Your back from the front lines thank the goddess." The voice came from a woman around twenty five years old with dusty blonde hair contrasting her brown skin, wearing long brown cotton pants and a white tunic with a horse trailing behind her. Tattoos decorated her skin of various patterns covering her arms; Sera Stead first born to the lower noble house Stead, their name fitting as they were tasked with taking care of Helirica's royal horses since the kingdoms inception. After the war started however they trained every horse they could find to be ridable and ready for battle which usually consisted of travel and moving supplies. The only offensive purpose was the archers riding them, they were trained to stay calm and steady.

"Sera, how are you?" a warm smile emerged on my face as Sera quickly bowed before meeting my eyes with the same smile. 

"I'm fine your majesty these dummies keep me busy" She remarked patting the horse beside her,

"I have no doubt we are now winning since you've returned so quickly, the Queen will be pleased!" Sera smiled brightly unfortunately every word left her lips only added to mountain of shame that weighed on my heart. 

'I'm a failure she just doesn't know yet... I basically ran from the battlefield. No. I left to find another way right?'

I did my best not to show my reaction to her words. 

"Yes... with the King there we have been able to keep them at bay, we'll see a breakthrough soon. I came to see if Lucky could be prepared to leave tonight?" I adverted my gaze to Lucky as I lied to Sera, around the second year of battle the council decided that the true severity of the war should be hidden for the time being to avoid panic which wasn't hard who would want to talk about the demons that lay outside our walls. 

"Of course your majesty I can have Lucky ready to go before dinner, it's no problem at all." Sera replied lightly as she lead her horse back into the neighbouring stable and shut the latch leaving it to feast on its hay. She joined me stroking Lucky's mousse coloured fur gently.

"Can I ask where your headed?" She looked up to me as she said these words, I hadn't realised we were so close as I felt her hand bump into mine, the scent of apples wafting from her towards me.

I'll admit Sera was beautiful when I first found out about mates I prayed it would be her, she embodied so much beauty, grace and strength.

'How could I not admire you? When my birthday comes I hope its you.'

"I guess you could say I'm headed on an exhibition, scouting and things like that, why? Will you miss me?" I want to hit myself for saying something so embarrassing but as I gaze down into her deep brown eyes, like rich earth warmed by the summer sun holding all the warmth and goodness of the world. 

'I can't help but make a fool of myself when its you'.

"Of course who would not, a knight that leaves their post is always missed" Her words left me with more questions than answers but that's how she always was never giving a mile. 

"I'll be headed to the castle now I'll be back at night fall for Lucky will you be here." I hoped she would be standing, waiting for me. 

"Unfortunately not Your Majesty I have to tend to my father he often falls ill in the winter, my mother can barely handle when I'm gone during the day. 

"Of course its no problem... I'll be off then sorry for troubling you" I stare at her once again, its strange when you feel as if you see your future wrapped around someone. 

She curtsied this time, gently saying my name exciting me and my wolf in ways I dare not to mention, "No need for apologies Prince Cain it is my pleasure to be of service".

My walk to the castle was tedious having to first pass the gates of the outer walls then the inner walls, I chose to weave through the more secluded alleyways to avoid any conversations that would drag on due to formalities especially as I got closer to my home. Speaking to nobles can sometimes take hours yet all you would've learnt is that business is going fine and their daughter is of marrying age.

I reached the entrance of my home, the imperial palace of the Helirica Pack I remember reading a history book that called it a majestic testament to the power and prestige of our lineage. At first I thought the writing was just trying to get a raise, but after not seeing it for the past few months the glory and beauty truly stood out.

I ascended the grand staircase guards littered along the way, statues of legendary wolves, 'My forefathers'. 

Under the staircase was a pond of water that stretched around the entire castle surrounded but varies shrubbery, a blend of natural beauty and timeless elegance. Two massive oak door began to open as soon as the guards recognized me,

"Your Majesty, welcome back!" They declared back at me with their heads bowed.

As the doors opened with a solemn creak the scent of cedar, pine and flowers fill my nostrils as if even as wolves build we cannot leave the forest, stepping into the grand foyer the ceilings soar overhead and for a moment I don't feel as suffocated by the duties I must preform as prince. Tapestries of silver and royal blue; our houses colours draped on either sides of the windows illuminated by the gilded chandeliers littered throughout. 

My boots are quiet on the polished marble floor and I'm thankfully I'm not leaving tracks as I proceed to ascend the stairs and head towards my quarters. I know I should greet my mother and sister but the pressure of their proud eyes when I know in my heart I do not deserve it is too much to handle. As I walk through the hallway to my room varies maids and guards bow and greet me enthusiastically, regardless of how bad the war got my father vowed to have guards here to protect my mother and seeing him fulfilling his promise reminded me of the love I have to look forward to. 

I had hoped to stay looking at routes to the guides covenant and talking to the historians in the royal library instead as soon I entered my room I collapsed onto my bed, the soft silk sheets cooled my skin and let me fall into a deep sleep.

I'm in a forest running, I don't know what I'm running from but I can feel my legs ache and I've long lost sensation in my feet. I finally leave the dense dark forest and happen upon a large clearing. I don't see anyone, actually there's no sign of life, am I alive? I look down at my body and I'm naked with cuts and healed over scars I don't remember having. I ignore this foreign body and spot a desk. Why is there a desk in the middle of nowhere? I run towards it, I'm not sure why I'm still running I could just walk but the tickling of the grass on my soles feels nice. I reach the desk and theirs a moleskin notebook bound with worn string. I unravel it almost unconsciously, even if I tried to stop I couldn't. The notebook has myself, my true self Prince Cain Nikkole standing on top of a dead wendigo with a smile I don't recognize. It looks as if two invisible hooks are stretching my mouth either way. A small blot of blood falls onto the image I'm staring at, then another, then another my vision is getting blurring. I drop the book and bring my hands to my face blood is gushing out of my eyes I can't help but let out an agonized scream, the screen goes black.