A/n: a wild ruff appears! boo dropping ranks again.

Howling Thunder Ch37: Troublesome Truth

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An hour later has me standing in my father’s office back in the castle. Outside a loud thunder booms in the night causing Akane to scoot closer to Mother on the couch, clutching Monty the carbuncle in her arms.

Walt is standing near grandmother, doing his best not to bring any attention to himself. With Akane’s pet in the room, any lie about where he’s been today will be immediately noticed. I myself have no intention to hide that I visited Asta should it come up.

...This might be a chance at a bit of fun, but he did tell me where to find the twins before. Oh conscience, you pain me so…. You get off easy this time brother.

A small chuckle escapes me resulting in Father clearing his throat.

“Ahem, so…” He looks to the remaining people in the room.

Queen Emese is gazing out into the storm as if she’s overlooking the cliffside above the Turul estate. Hevel is standing behind a kneeling General Miklos, he is carefully examining the odd stone, once green, now black.

The man of the hour, Miklos, is staring at the sabres of his son on Father's desk in front of him.

Father asks simple questions, “Did you know your son was the leader of these rebels as of late?”

Miklos shakes his head, “No.”

His eyes don’t move from the blade, his voice is slightly hoarse.

Mother glances towards Monty and nods back to the Fenrir.

Next question, “Do you have any idea where that stone and staff came from?”

He looks behind him to the stone, “No Lord Fenrir, not at all.”

Turning back and locking his gaze with father, this seems the first I’ve seen the man break his respectful manner, “Skoll, regardless of everything that must happen next, find who put these ideas to my son. You were my friend long before you became the ruler of beasts, you know I’d do the same for your children.”

Grandmother barks, “This is hardly the time to make demands,”

Father raises his hand, glancing at another nod from Mother before continuing, “You know I will Milo, but as you said, I’ve no choice in what happens next. The father is responsible for his children by Yoden law."

He stands and walks around the desk, “General Miklos, you are hereby stripped of rank, you shall be hung by the neck, your family exiled from Yoden,”

Miklos shouts at the floor to interrupt, “I request the right of challenging the alpha!”

Everyone stares at the man, Grandmother further angered, “Are you daft you damn bird! We are centuries past the age of primitive nomades, such traditions are long dead.”

He shakes his head, “The very founders of this city promised to keep traditions alive, I will face the goddess of justice and know who whispered lies to my son! My family will not be sent from the walls of our holy city!”

The queen finally looks away from the window, signs of tears in her eyes, “Skoll…”

I can’t tell if she’s upset over the events of tonight or that father was just challenged.

Mother speaks up, “Accept, give your friend the death he requests. The sooner we have answers the better.”

Father nods, “Then it will be so, I trust you know the way to the dungeon old friend, I won’t have you led like a criminal but these laws were created by your own ancestors.”

Miklos nods and stands, as he turns to leave Grandmother once more speaks, “Even such a primitive tradition will not stop the other consequence. In this room stands the last Queen Emese. The Turul estate will be turned over to the city as a public temple.”

Mother stands and adds, “It should also serve as refuge immediately. The ferocity of the storm outside threatens the lower district homes, the storm seems locked in place.”

Grandmother nods in agreement.

Emese looks back outside, “Such benevolence in the name of The Holy Mother will distract the people from the guilt of the Turul.”

Miklos nods and exits the room. Ulfa slips in the open door with Mora in tow, the pink object in her arms.

Hevel briskly walks over and begins to look it over.

Father scratches his beard and sits back down, “What are these things Hevel?”

The old cat gently knocks on the pink orb the size of his head, “This should be an egg, but the color leaves me at a loss to what it may hatch.”

Akane perks up in her seat, the storm quickly forgotten.

I laugh, “Whatever it is I believe Sister should have no trouble reigning it in.”

Mother takes it from Mora who quickly steps out of the way and against the wall respectfully.

“Did the young birdman speak of this at all?”

I glance at the silver scepter leaning against father’s desk, “I believe he called the staff a divine weapon belonging to the daughter of the God Zephyr. If that is an egg then I suppose that's the daughter. He spoke of possible punishment from the god.”

Hevel, “Ah! A harpy, really the unique color did throw me off, age is a horrible curse. Still, having another divine artifact in the castle is a boon.”

Grandmother nods, “I agree, and we now find ourselves in need of someone to raise as leader of the Yoden Avians.”

The Inari sits back down with the egg and smiles at Akane’s fixation on it, “Seems we’re to adopt a pup of a different feather.”

Father sighs, “That's fine and all but what of the stone which the bird boy had attempted to bring here to the castle. Is it even safe to have here?”

Hevel frowns, “This should be a tide jewel from the naga. Our first real clue towards who fired up the young Turul lord. A connection to the war in the south is indeed concerning.”

I ask, “So what was the plan, is that jewel why I lost control of the storm?”

The old cat nods, “Indeed, you are of no blame on that matter child. I imagine the plot was to deposit this into the holy fountain, flooding out the castle and the entire city in one swoop. Instead it was activated by your fog. This storm will likely linger for at least a week and no doubt cause a great measure of damage, but it is a fraction of the calamity should the aqueducts had flooded the city in one go.”

Grandmother asks, “To be sure the jewel is spent?”

With a nod, “Yes Miss Winter. Now, that should be all you need of these old bones tonight, goodnight everyone.”

He ambles out the door, placing the stone in my hand with a smile on his way, “Have a souvenir of your battle young lord.”

Grandmother glances my way, “Let it also be a reminder of your carelessness, don’t forget the damage this storm will cause and the tremendous amount of work that will come this week. By the way, my assistant in the academy notified me that you staged your raid tonight from my school.”

Oh damn, “Yes, gramps bailed me out of a tight mess early in the afternoon. We chatted for a while before I left for the turul estate at dusk.”

Mother asks, “What did he tell you...aside from family secrets?”

I look to the Fenrir who seems tired, and then over to Mother, “He explained an old game to me, I’m looking forward to playing.”

Her hands shake slightly, “I would rather my darling pups never left my sight.”

She looks to Ulfa, “Educate him faster Ulfy. And Miss Mora,”

Mora snaps to attention like a soldier.

Mother continues while standing up, “Never let his back out of your sight.”

As she walks towards the exit I stop her, “I’ve no clue what to do with the bird girl, she’s still cursed in a box.”

Queen Emese speaks up, “Give the girl to me, I’ll make her into a decent alpha. My family depends on it.”

Mother nods and gives me a hug, “there you go pup, good night my fuzzy, I’m glad you made it home safe.”

She does pause outside the doorway, glancing back in at me then Walt.

“Hildy, ask these boys what else they did at the school before Aka leaves the room with the carbuncle.”

Walther seems to disappear in a blur.

A loud clash sounds from the doorway, Walt is on the floor looking up at Father who’s grinning figure blocks the exit. The desk chair is knocked over across the room. Mora is the only one shocked at their speed, her mouth wide open.

Grandmother’s ear twitches, “Boys, where ….no, did you visit the twins?”

Walt says nothing as usual, looking over to me to reply first.

Sorry brother, I walk over to Aka and try to scratch Monty’s head, the little bugger snaps at me with it’s oversized front teeth.

“I’m happy to inform Grandmother that I’ve been hard at work in my championly duties beyond battling traitors within the city walls. It was nice to see that dear Asta is every bit wild as ever. I’d love to hear from brother how Sassa is doing.”

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A/n fun note, this chap puts us past 70k words, a few more chaps to round out book one! stoked for some Alpha vs Alpha combat! see ya in the comments while i mope over the rating drop.

thanks for the reviews/votes Posto and Riokunai! glad ya like the story