Chapter 14: Father of the Wolf

“Before I came to the cathedral, Before the Black beast appeared. I was tasked with a mission, to assassinate Lord Ti shin. But, a man changed my mind. He gave me hope. That man, was Zayav.”

11 years ago

Wolf walked down the corridor towards the throne room, as he neared the entrance the two guards looked at him with disdain.

“Lord Ti shin is waiting for you”

They open the door, letting him through. As he entered the whole room went silent as the eyes of the nobles immediately fell on him. Most people would feel pressured having an audience with so many people around, but even though he was young Wolf showed no signs as he kneeled before Ti shin he could hear the whispers of the court.

“why is that savage here? Its just a child. With the exception of Zayav I’d thought our lord exile his kind? His majesty obivously wants another pet for a trophy.”

Wolf ignored them, he glance up to see that next to Ti shin stood the most powerful warrior of the dog kingdom. Zayav.

“leave us” Ti shin ordered the people in his court.

The nobles left until the only ones in the room was Ti shin, Wolf and Zayav

“your name child?”

What was that?... fear? Was Ti shin that afraid of his kind that the presence of a one bhediya, a child at that?

“your Lord ask you your name”

That sent a shiver down Wolf back, firm, demanding. Hearing it you could tell that this was not a man you’d want to ask the same question twice.

“My apologies Lord Ti shin, My name is Wolf.”

“which clan do you hail from?”

“The clan Fenrir my lord”

“do you happen to know a woman named Carmilla?”

A test. An obvious one, she was the leader of that clan.

“Yes, she leads that clan”

Wolf answered honestly.

“that tribe... not our?” Ti shin asked.

“no... I have long since left and enlisted within your army Lord Ti shin”

The back of Wolf neck felt cold as the sharp edge of a blade laid on top his neck, it felt as if his whole blood could freeze in an instant.

“the legendary sword Shiva, they say this blade was once a demi-human like us. Till she rebelled against the gods with her lover. As punishment she was turned into this blade forced to slaughter demi-humans forever”

Ti Shin grew more confidence as he spoke now that there was a blade to his neck.

“now, I’m only going to ask you once. Did Carmilla send you?”

Wolf will say this, Ti Shin doesn’t waste time on the pleasantries

“My lord, while it is true, I was born to Carmilla’s clan I do not share her ideals. I wish to rebuild the bridges between our people”

“hmmm does that mean you would be willing to fight against your own clan, even take their lives if need be”

Wolf didn’t hesitate

“if you would ask, I would even take Carmilla life”

Ti Shin seemed pleased at those words

“Zayav, what do you think?”

Wolf did not dare look up, he couldn’t if he wanted to, the blade remained on the back of his neck.

“there is always a chance Carmilla sent him to kill you My Lord. It would be the quickest and most efficient way of ending this war”

Wolf tensed himself, it didn’t seem like Ti shin noticed as he pondered Zayav words

“true, I can't put anything pass that woman. And it's far too suspicious that one from her own clan would leave willingly... kill him”

~

“whoa whoa whoa they were just gonna kill you like that!?” Monkey interrupted, eyes wide as he listened to Wolf tale.

“yup, the king paranoia was getting worse by the day and regardless, they were right. Carmilla did send me to kill the king. Now, anymore questions or can I continue my story?” Wolf asked patiently

“oh, sorry. So, what happened next?”

~

“Lord Ti shin if I may” Zayav spoke

He kneeled down before Ti shin. Wolf was confused,

“what is he doing?”

“what is it Zayav?”

“My lord, it is true... the possibility of him being an assassin sent by Carmilla are more than likely. But, if there is a chance that he isn't an assassin and truly wish to serve wouldn’t it be better to have him under your services.”

Wolf couldn’t believe what he was hearing, Zayav was asking his lord to spare him.

“are you telling me to risk my life keeping an assassin by my side Zayav?”

Ti shin asked

“never, I’m asking that you let him stay by my side my lord. By my side he shall remain until you decide if his loyalty to you is genuine, if at any moment he should make a move towards you I shall strike him down. If you decide that his loyalty is false at any moment I will strike him down. But I’m asking you my lord, please give him a chance to prove himself to you. And if you can gain the aid of another bhediya then the rest will see that following Carmilla is futile.

So Zayav planned to be Wolf watchdog, and should Wolf ever stray or make any attempt on Ti shin life... then he will also be his executioner.

“So be it” Wolf thought.

It was a risk coming this far and gaining an audience. If he could survive this then he would be one step closer to ending Ti shin life. His mother could then bring this war to an end.

Ti shin considered Zayav words than nodded.

“very well, he shall be under your care if he should do anything to threaten or fail to prove his loyalty to me than Zayav. I expect you to take his life where he stands.”

Zayav bowed.

“thank you, my lord,”

“leave us, Zayav will come for you soon”

Wolf left his majesty court, if it wasn’t for Zayav he would be dead right now. Which begs the question, why did Zayav save him?

It didn’t matter, now that he made it this far all he had to do was wait. Wait for the moment to take Lord Ti shin life.

~

The next day Wolf was outside the barracks practicing as Zayav approach.

“I’m surprised, I heard the king never lets you leave his side”

Zayav chuckled at Wolf words.

“being here for so long I would be surprised if you didn’t hear about that”

Wolf stop, sheathing his blade.

“we’re too make our way east. Towards the border, we have word that Carmilla in there trying to enlist aid from Skoll and his clan”

It made sense. At the moment it was just Carmilla’s clan and a few smallers ones that had joined her cause. But it was the bigger clans that guard the East and West borders that she needed if she wanted to fight against Ti shin. But fear kept them from joining. And it was Zayav who installed that fear.

The borders of the dog kingdom. The coldest point, the god of the dog kingdom placed a powerful magic on the edges of the borders. An endless winter, the winds blew so strong that most demi-humans would feel as if their skin was being torn off, the area was so cold they would freeze within minutes, only a rare few could survive, let alone live in those condition without magic. And the Bhediya was one of the few races that could.

Zayav whistled and a howl could be heard, moment later a direwolf appeared. The giant beast seemed to loomed over Wolf as it stared him down.

“easy boy” Zayav pat the beast. The direwolf wagged it tail, immediately happy at the sound of his master

He climbed on top of its back then reached out a hand to help Wolf up.

“I can do it myself”

Wolf attempted to climb the direwolf, but the wolf simply grabbed his shirt in between his teeth helping him onto his back.

Zayav laughed as direwolf took off east.

“so, what do you know about the tribe in the east” Zayav asked him

Wolf thought about it.

“They’re known as the wulfings in terms of brute strength they’re the strongest. They would be the strongest clan if it wasn’t for the Fenrir clan. Their leader is Skullfi, though the wulfings are a wild bunch they say Skullfi is the one who was bless with both wisdom and strength. It's his strategies that has saved our nation many times from attacks from others.”

“That right.”

Zayav agreed

“but I hear that there are some who call him a fool? Because he was the first to agree to live in a constant snowstorm. Something only a madman would do.”

Zayav laugh

“a fool or a madman huh? I wonder which one he is? I wonder...which one am I?”

He said those last words in a low whisper.

~

After a few days of travel, they finally made it to the edge of their border. A blizzard roared before them. Zayav and Wolf got off the direwolf and approach the dog kingdom first line of defense, Wolf reached out into the storm he flinched at the touch, quickly sucking in air but force his hand through. He pulled his hand... it was only in there for a few seconds but it was already numb, he slowly flexes his fingers.

“can you handle it? Once we enter it’ll be quite the hike towards the first village”

Wolf turned towards Zayav and watched as he entered into the storm without hesitating.

“can I handle it?” Wolf repeated to himself

“I was born in this storm” he said as he followed Zayav.

The cold bit at his exposed skin. The wrapped his arms around himself. Its been years since he been in this storm but he won't freeze in it. He could barely make out Zayav figure in the distance, Zayav moved as if he wasn’t affected by the cold at all. He couldn’t catch up but keeps pace as best as he can as to not lose him in the storm. It was going to be a long a walk.

An hour pass before he noticed that Zayav had stopped in the distance when Wolf finally caught up, he saw that Zayav was staring at a wall made of ice. He placed his hand on the smooth surface, Wolf could tell his was pouring his magic into the wall. Guessing correctly, suddenly the wall open up a path inside.

He looked towards Wolf then nodded his head towards the opening, telling him to go in first. Wolf did without question. The quicker he could get out of this storm the better. Once they were inside Zayav closed the entrance behind them.

It was dark, Wolf could make out a single light in the distance. He walked towards it, Zayav behind him. As they grew closer Wolf could make out voices ahead, faint at first but grew louder as they neared.

Once they finally made it to the end of the passage Wolf was greeted by the sight of the Wulfing tribe village.

Before he could take it alll in though 2 guards greeted him.

“name?” one of the guards demanded. But his expression quickly changed once he saw Zayav

“General Zayav... what brings you here?” the guard entire attitude changed as he spoke to him

“WE, are here on business from Lord Ti Shin. Where is your leader? Skullfi?” he asked

“this way, I’ll take you to him” the guard said as he led the way into the village.

As they made their way through the village Wolf looked around, seeing children running around playing. Some adults chatted amongst themselves but stopped to stare at them as they walked through their village. They came towards a crowd, roaring and cheering.

Making their way through the crowd Wolf could see two men in the center fighting. One was a huge brute, tan skin tone, sides of his head was shaved while the top fell down to his back. The other was a medium build, hair fell mid length, lighter skin tone. They stood inside a ring, their hand interlocked. It was surprising see the smaller man able to match the brute strength or so Wolf thought until the brute started pushing the small man back. He was losing ground and he knew it, he used the brute knees as a footing kicking backwards landing a clean hit on the brute chin, the man quickly seized on the opputune moment and rushed the brute landing some more blows on his body, it seems he chose to relay more of speed but the brute turned out to be quite agile himself.

They exchanged blows back and forth the crowd getting more excited started throwing in weapons.

The man tried to kick at the brute head but the brute caught it, easily lifting the man up into the air slamming him into the ground. The brute lifted the man again, slamming him back into the ground... then tossing him to the side like a ragdoll. The brute picked up one of the weapons that was thrown into the ring, an ax. The man slowly picked himself back up reaching for a weapon but he didn’t get one in time as the brute made easily closed the distance in seconds bringing the ax down chopping of the man arm, the man howled in pain as the brute rolled him onto his back. The crowd roared once asking, no... demanding for the man head the brute rose his ax and brought it down freeing the man head from his body.

He lifted it for all to see as they cheered him all. .

“Skullfi!! Skullfi!! Skullfi!!”

Skullfi shouted, “is there anyone else that seeks to challenge me!? Is there anyone else that questions my rule!!!”

The crowd continue to cheer. They cheered for their leader.

Skullfi.

~

Wolf and Zayav waited for Skullfi in his home, the man had trophies everywhere. The skull of bears mounted his walls, their pelts covered his floors not just bears. Blood red antlers decorated Skullfi throne. Intimidation. If he didn’t know better he would think that Skullfi thought of himself as a lord if not a god himself.

“So, what do I owe the honor of having the great warrior Zayav gracing me with his presence” Skullfi gave a hearty laugh as Zayav stood and embrace him

“it has been too long my friend” Skullfi said to him.

“indeed, I wish my visit was under better circumstances but I’m afraid it not” Zayav responded.

Skullfi looked him for awhile before nodding his head in understanding.

“Carmilla has been here, once again trying to recruit us for her cause. What you had just witness out there was the results of one foolish enough to believe her words and challenged me.”

He said as he sat down on his throne.

His eyes fell on Wolf, as if noticing him for the first time. They shown recognition as he stares at him

“and who the pup Zayav?” he asked

“this is Wolf, he been serving in the king’s army for a few years now” Zayav said

“and finally earned himself a promotion. Tell me boy, what it like serving a coward?” Skullfi asked

“Careful Skullfi, a friend you may be but disrespect our lord in front of me again and I will have your head” Zayav warn.

The guards moved to protect Skullfi, they weren't taking no chances. Truly these were Wulfing finest warriors, staring down death in the eye. And death is what would come when facing Zayav.

The room stood silent.

“if our lord is a coward? Then what does that make the man who allowed a coward to force his people out of their lands and into an eternal storm?”

Skullfi glared at Wolf before giving a light chuckle

“well said” Skullfi made a small movement with his hand signaling his guards to stand down.

They did, returning to their position.

“Keep an eye on this one Zayav, he’ll be one hell of a warrior.” he paused for a second before continuing “When Carmilla left my men told me she left west” he said

Wolf eyes shot open at the news, did they somehow miss her on the way here? He should be lucky, if they had met... he stared at Zayav who seemed to be lost in thought as well. Would he have to fight his mother to keep up the charade? Or would he take Zayav life? Doing so would be a huge blow to Lord Ti shin and his army. No, he was thinking about it all wrong. The question wasn’t would he take Zayav life? it was COULD he take it? Zayav wouldn’t go down easy and Wolf abilities even with his mother, it wouldn’t be enough to take him down.

He felt a hand on shoulders. Someone whispered into his ear.

“that a dangerous look to be giving a man, you better be careful”

Wolf quickly turned around to see who the man was instinctively reaching for his blade but the man stopped him from drawing his blade.

“Skoll, stop playing around and show some respect to guest”

Skoll release his grip from Wolf and bowed towards Skullfi

“apologies father” he said

He turned to Wolf

“sorry for scaring you” he said with a grin.

“wasnt scared” Wolf replied

Skoll just shrug and turned back to his father

“well?” Skullfi asked

“they are some who are upset with how things turned out, but none are planning anything far as I know” Skoll reported.

“unsure with the loyalty of your own men?” Zayav ask

“its a precaution. You know how Carmilla is, she can be very persuasive and it no secret that all of the bhediya want to see Ti shin dead. While I do rule there are some fools who think they can do better and if they cant beat me in a duel, well... they try other means... well I should say they don’t get the chance to try.” he laughs

“well, I hate to leave so abruptly but if Carmilla is heading west its more than likely she going to try and recruit the western tribes to her cause. We'll take our leave” Zayav said

Skullfi nodded understanding as he stood embracing Zayav again. Wolf noticed however that Skullfi whispered something into Zayav ear but couldn’t make out what it was.

“if Ti shin ever lets you get away from that castle again you must drop by. We'll have a feast to celebrate your freedom” he joked

“Lord Ti shin” Zayav said again

“right, right lord Ti shin” Skullfi said mockingly

Zayav sighed “one of these days Skullfi you’re going to push him too far, he’s already on edge because of Carmilla”

“trust me Zayav, those nobles will push him long before I ever get the chance” Skullfii responded extending an arm

“May the wolf mourn our passing”

“May the howl guide us to the pack” Zayav responded clasping Skullfi’s arm.

~

Once they were out of the storm Zayav’s direwolf was waiting for them, it wagged it tail licking Zayav when they approach.

“he sure is affectionate for a wolf” Wolf stated.

“well, I found him injured one day, driven out of his pack” Zayav explained

“you see, a pack is only as strong as its weakest link. And if you’re the weakest you get driven out of the pack”

Wolf stared in the direwolf yellow eye.

“he’s not weak at all, in fact, I think he’s stronger”

Wolf reached up petting the direwolf, it sniffed his hand before allowing him to run his fingers through his fur

They rode back to the capital, Though it would be best for Zayav to continue to pursuit Carmilla he had to report back to Ti shin and the king wouldn’t want his most powerful warrior away from his side for too long. Wolf was curious though, he had to ask.

“why do you serve Ti shin with such loyalty? Don’t you care at all for our people?”

Wolf instantly regretted his words, he made it sound like he was still loyal to bhediya. He looked at Zayav but the man kept his sights straight ahead, after a moment of silence Zayav responded.

“I love my people...I’m proud to be a bhediya. When I see my people hurt, discriminated like this I hurt with them. It pains me witnessing all that is happening to them.”

He went silent again, gathering his thoughts.

“long ago I bore witness to something, something horrible. A good friend of mine became the target of a enemy I couldn’t defeat, no. More like I wouldn’t dare raise a blade towards this foe. So, I stood there. Watching my friend take harsh punishments, to be beaten relentlessly. For no other reason except to be a stress reliver. After witnessing such horror, watching him withering on the ground in his own blood. I could not abandon my friend anymore. I swore then and there that I would be by his side till the end, that I will never betray him.”

Wolf listened intently; he didn’t know what to say, Wolf has been alone all his life. Friendship was a foreign concept to him, if he did make a friend, could he go against his clan for this one person. He looked at Zayav. This man could, taking the hatred of his own people he chose his friend, through Ti shin is falling deeper into madness Zayav stays by him.

“do you really think Ti shin can come back to his old self? That he’ll let our people come back home, no longer having to live in that storm?”

“I do”

Zayav spoke without hesitation, without any doubt.

“if I can get him away from the lies of the nobles, if I can just persuade him. I’m sure the old Ti shin will come back. But persuading will be nigh impossible if we don’t stop Carmilla”

“we?” Wolf asked

Zayav nodded then turned back to look at Wolf

“I’m asking you to help me stop Carmilla, if she continues this revolt it will lead to our people downfall. I don’t want to see my people spill any more blood in this fight. I don’t want us to continue fighting each. But it won't stop, not until we stop Carmilla”

Wolf scoff at the idea of going against his mother. What was even more ridiculous was the idea that she could even be stopped. Sure, she was having trouble convincing some of the tribes but the more Ti shin isolates them the more they listen to her words. Not just that but with each bhediya that joins her, she gets a greedy look in her eye. Wolf has seen it; she’s done serving and now wants to lead. Not just her people. But the nation as well.

“Wolf, what do you think will happen if Carmilla kills Lord Ti shin?”

Wolf thought about the question.

“well...they’ll be a power vacuum, once he's dead the nobles will all try to obtain the throne for themselves.”

Again Zayav nodded.

“Carmilla think she’ll be able to take advantage of the chaos and get the throne for herself, and she just might. But do you think the kutta will follow a race they once treated as slave?”

“They won't have a choice” Wolf retorted.

“you’re wrong, they can still choose to die”

That when it hit Wolf, the kutta... they were just a prideful as the bhediya there no way they’ll just roll over and Carmilla she ruthless on those that stand against her. If the entire race continued to fight against her.

“genocide” Zayav said as if reading Wolf mind.

“Carmilla will take no chance if she take the throne. If the kutta will not kneel she will kill them. I heard of her deeds. The battle she fought the settlements she attacked, the women and children were spared. But those same women and children lost brothers, fathers. Do you really think they’ll serve her?”

Hatred.

It was a powerful poison that could destroy any kindness given hatred could last weeks, months, years even. It doesn’t matter how merciful Carmilla has been to some of them their hatred as whole for her and the bhediya would not dwindle so easily. And Wolf realized, he didn’t want to subjugate the kutta to the same treatment they’ve been exposed too

“help me Wolf, I don’t want our people to die. I don’t want to lose Carmilla. If we can stop her fast enough, I can convince our Lord to spare her life. What do you say?”

~

Present time

“” I don’t want to lose Carmilla” I just thought he was a just lover of hers. I was a fool, those words were someone who cared for her, cherish her. Someone who heart broke each day he had to fight her. After talking with Zayav that day I gave it more thought and realized that he was right. After that moment I decided to go against Carmilla orders and fully devote myself to stopping her. I was able to join the king personal assassin group, I slew informants, spies, carriers anyone that proved a threat. I crippled my mo.. Carmilla as best as I could. But it was all pointless in the end. Carmilla proved victories. I just hope that Zayav fears aren't proven true and that it doesn’t come down to genocide for the kutta.”

Wolf finished he story, him and Monkey sat around a fire. Monkey listen intently as he stokes the flames, around them were walls of ice to give them some protection from the creatures.

“but... that won't happen right? I mean you saw what happened before we left, Sozen joined her” Monkey stated as he continued to look at the flames

“yes” Wolf agreed “I’m surprised at how easily he joined. Though I suppose the real test started after we left. I mean letting them join her in battle immediately after their defeat, it the perfect set up for betrayal”

Monkey thought about it some more.

“doesn't it seem weird though. The army from the west suddenly appearing like that”

Wolf looked at him.

“what do you mean?”

Monkey rose his head staring back at him.

“I mean, Li chi said she was able to sneak her troops by the castle, west right? And made it to the capital unharmed at first, I thought they were just naturally talented at hiding their presence but then you told that wasn’t the case. It was just her that her skin blended in perfectly with the snow. But still, even with the ground covered pure white. Wouldn’t it be impossible to sneak an entire army pass undetected?”

Wolf shook his head. “I know where you’re going with this. But Li chi is as loyal to Carmilla as any other Bhediya, when Carmilla was recruiting she was one of the first to join with her in the war.”

Monkey shrugged and went back to the fire.

“maybe not a traitor then, but what if the kingdom to the west had let her pass.”

Wolf eyes grew wide but Monkey didn’t notice as he went on.

“I mean this whole war started not cause of Ti shin, but of Ti shin fears. And who kept feeding his fears? The nobles at his side. What if, one of the nobles did this so the bhediya would have no choice but to rebel against Ti shin. Then, after the battle the army from the west can easily swoop in and dispatch the victor all the while claiming that they killed each other in the battle.”

“hey, hey...where is this coming from? You haven't been here longer than a week and yet you came up with quite a story” Wolf said.

Monkey laugh “I guess it does sounds abit paranoid huh? But, don’t you think it strange at how fast the army gathered? Almost as if they were waiting.”

Wolf curiosity got the best of him.

“waiting for what?”

“well, you said it yourself the main threat that could've stopped Carmilla was Zayav right? What if he was also an obstacle that someone on the inside wanted to get rid of? If there wasn’t a traitor among Carmilla army then what about the kutta? Could someone there want Lord Ti shin death?”

Wolf didn’t say nothing for a moment, thinking it over. Then he quickly stood up opening a path in the wall as he ran back towards Akita castle, Monkey followed calling out his name.

Wolf heart pounded in his ears as he ran, He never once thought about it. Noone did, everyone was focused on either Carmilla or Ti shin. It had never once crossed his mind that there could be a third person. Someone moving in the shadows, Monkey was right. The army from the West arrival was far to convenient.

The sounds of battle could be heard as Wolf came closer to the clearing, yes. Hours later and the battle was still being fought. No rest for the wary. As Wolf made it out of the forest the sights horrified him. Akita was surrounded. A siege. The army that came from the west seem to have gotten larger, reinforcement? This soon? Impossible to be a coincidence. This was planned.

From the distance Wolf could hear the howls coming from the castle, he laughed. Yes, it didn’t matter if the odds were stacked against them. They came to far now, the bhediya would fight till their last breath.

Monkey looked down at the battlefield.

“what do you want to do?” he asked.

Wolf thought about it. It used to be so clear, so simple what he wanted. He wanted his people to be free. But then he thought about Zayav, his father and the fact that his mother hid the truth to use in this very moment.

He turned around and walked away from the battlefield.

Hatred was a poison that could last a lifetime.