Howling Thunder Ch16: Monument of Prosperity

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Mother shakes her hand at the man, “Go bathe boy, I don’t know what your mother was thinking mating with that skunk fellow. If you weren’t gifted with swordplay there's no way I’d let you within miles of my castle. Regardless, I don't need a guide for these walls I helped raise myself.”

She pats her ever flowing red kimono before marching towards the castle doors. Before the servants can even hurry to open them she waves her hand and a previously unseen engraving of a flaming lotus flower erupts with soft white and pink flames on the door itself.

They swing open with force as if the castle itself was celebrating her arrival. With a look back she grins before marching forward, we quickly follow.

The entry hall is framed by massive white columns reaching several floors tall, bright white light cascades through hundreds of glass windows near the ceiling. Blue banners adorn the wall, paintings of alphas from many tribes, murals showing bloody battlefields. Even the white stone floor looks polished to a point of reflection.

After passing dozens of side hallways we stop at a small door positioned beside a suite of armor mounted on a pedestal. It simply seems to be an older version of the current royal guard uniform, lots of shining silver and blue cloth.

The room appears to be a guest waiting room, small, lightly furnished, a single book shelf and a small desk.

Mother stays in the doorway, “Wait here for a couple hours pups, I will meet your father before heading to the throne room. You will be presented to him in front of the court of Yoden nobility… no matter what the servant who guides you says, you are not to bow. You are the children of a living god, and chosen of heavenly gods. Especially you Nox, a barghest bows to no one.”

Barghest? She leaves before I can ask what she means.

Walt broses the books while Aka lays down on a couch. I take a seat on the desk with a hop and pull out a dagger, black mist starts to swirl around it.

Akane asks, “What ya doin with that anyway?”

“Maug said that he can’t make metal disappear into the fog, magic involving metals is apparently a trait in the alpha bloodline of our father’s tribe.” I can’t help but look at Walther’s silvery fur as I say this.

Adding on, “Something about how thick a material is..no he said dense… why does he know such complicated stuff but not counting past his own two paws.”

From my tail a small cloud rises up a bit into the air, I make another form near my feet stemming from my own shadow.

After Walt sees Aka stupidly grinning as I make the knife repeatedly fall from the top cloud into the lower one without end, “Little brother….no, nevermind.”

I scoff, “Dear older brother, if you have a more worthwhile use for magic I’d love to hear it.”

Without a word he raises his hand, the dagger stops mid fall and shoots across the room, landing neatly in his hand. He spins it absently in his hand as he continues to read.

“.... Showoff.... Don’t suppose you’ve heard of the word barghest before?”

He shakes his head.

Sighing I look over at a painting of a bird’s eye view of the city.

The white castle with its countless towers overwatches a city connected by webs of waterways stretching to the many towers. To the North of the plateau, large estates. To the East, a massive arena, it’s details vague, surrounded by homes and guild towers. The South, innumerable workshops, wisps of smoke are painted drifting upward from the smithies. Lastly the West, the trade district and the entrance which we came in over the river.

A few buildings stand out, a pair of twin towers with many bridges connecting them, a fort in the northeast corner, and a large water garden in the northeast. Other things I guess to be buildings Patra told me about, a large indoor marketplace several stories tall, the mercenary training grounds.

After what feels like an eternity the door opens revealing an orange hair and furred woman. The color matches the fox tribe but her features resemble Patra somewhat. I shouldn’t be surprised at a mixed breed or two I guess, I myself am a wolf and fox mix myself though no one would guess… In fact, judging by the reactions of the people in the city rather than guessing most would turn in fear.

She holds the door open, “If the young lord alphas would please follow me, the guests have all arrived to the throne room.”

Really, we were waiting on nobles too busy to show up on time?

We’re led to the very back of the main hall from earlier.

As we approach an enormous carved archway, Akane pokes me and whispers, “They look like you brother!”

She’s pointing to the carvings on the left side of the arch, amongst armored humans, elves, and dwarves there are beastly large lycans. Their arms thick and clawed, tails ragged, mouths fanged with teeth that look ready to shred a hundred or so throats.

I can’t help but give a nervous laugh and scratch at the stubble on my chin, “How exactly do you see me dear sister?”

While joking I look at the right side. Men with scales and thick tails, cat folk, clawed men with massive wings. The top of the arch stretches high, the left side shows a ferocious man leading the human army, his head completely wolf like, a werewolf? The right side army is led by a man with goat legs and ram horns.

In the center a beautiful goddess looks down over a proud standing lycan soldier raising an axe into the air, I’d bet the first Fenrir. To his sides, facing the two armies are fox kin, bird folk, bear men and delicately winged women.

Walking under the archway we head down a few steps before coming to a large circular room, the bottom of the central tower. The sound of rushing water thunders off the walls, the center of the room is a massive waterfall descending from up high beyond sight and passing us to depths unknown. Torchlight dimly illuminates the tower in lack of windows.

Wooden walkways at various levels span across the cavernous tower. Large wooden water wheels are mounted here and there using the falling water to propel rope systems leading off who knows where. In front of us is a large wooden platform held aloft by thick wet ropes.

The guide beside us smiles, “The pride of the jackal tribe, the Great Tower Water Works. The ropes lead off to workings in the entire castle including this elevator which is for the exclusive use of the royal family, it will take you directly to the throne room at the top of the tower. When you arrive, enter immediately, bow before the Fenrir, Queen Emese, and Goddess Inari. Do not speak unless spoken too.”

She waits for us to board the lift before pulling a large lever. A massive wooden wheel slides into the waterfall and with a lurch we begin to rise.

As we ascend I watch as we pass various wooden walkways and jackal tribesmen working to maintain the wheels, ropes and other parts. The sound of water drowning out all other noises.

Akane grins, “As Mother had said we were instructed to bow.”

I laugh, “Well someone is going to be upset with us today.”

Walt just nods.

Taking another peek down at the waterfall, it descends from and into darkness, I can’t help but be reminded of playing with my dagger earlier. I turn to look at Walt, he seems to be nervous, staring up in anticipation.

I punch him in the shoulder, “How bout you give my knife back, I might need if someone gets mouthy up there or gets ideas for our darling little sister.”

He sighs but smiles at my joke, taking the knife from his belt and giving it back.

The red haired girl standing a head taller than both of us now has a different kind of nervous expression. Really, I was joking, I’d like to meet the fool who thinks he can tame this dress wearing brute.

I pat her back, “Maybe I should worry the opposite instead, perhaps little sister will finally find a noble boy to catch her eye and snatch him up. If you pick out a toy be sure to take care of him, food and water every day at least.”

Again she takes me seriously, eyes furrowed, now lost in ludicrous thought.

Both Walt and I start to laugh.

Walt smiles, once more looking up, “Now the idea is in her head, these poor nobles have no idea what storm is about to walk into that throne room.”

Grinning I also look up into the darkness, “If it’s a storm just leave it to me.”

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