“My King, Lords...” Kimi said lowering to one knee, his fist to his chest.

“Report.” Rurak said with Draxz and Goren close behind.

“Of course, of course. You will be delighted to hear your queen has birthed you a strong son. They wait for you in your chambers.” Rurak smiled wide at the news.

“Assemble the high generals, elders and Ider with any reports of oddities in the kingdom. Collect reports from the past few months from the Mountain and Wolf legions.” Goren said letting Rurak walk ahead. “I want all recent reports on movements of Aύok and Lykos.” Kimi raised his eye brow curiously.

“It will be done.” Kimi placed his fist to his chest and walked away.

“A son! Chaos was pleased with the blood we spilt!” Draxz growled out clasping Rurak’s shoulder, breaking the silence Kimi left in his wake.

“You are blessed brother. It is a glorious day indeed.” Goren said.

Draxz held a grin, his hand still tightly gripping Rurak’s shoulder while Goren stood still, his face neutral, the tension still thick.

“Bathe and come see my son before we discuss this attack. Chaos has looked down on us in favor.” Rurak smiled again and turned away, honor guards in tow.

Draxz and Goren eyed each other for a moment before going their own ways.

Draxz walked through the mountain castle, two wolf legionaries at his side. When he reached his personal room, he nodded to his guards.

“Dismissed, I will not be killed this night with the birth of my nephew. Rest and join me tomorrow morning.” Draxz said opening his door. His legionnaires slammed their gauntlets to their chest plates and walked off, speaking in low voices. Draxz entered his room and walked to his personal bath. Inside a chain dangled attached to a hidden bell in the slave quarters adjacent to his room. He pulled it once and began to unbuckle his blood and gore covered armor, grimacing when the armor rubbed a cut or gash. Doors opened from the bath chamber and human woman walked towards him, their heads down. He raised his arms and the slaves helped him unlatch the armor until he stood in nothing but his undergarments, stained with sweat and blood. He ripped them off and tossed them to the side where they were quickly picked up.

“Have my armor cleaned and fixed by tonight. I will need it.” A slave nodded and his armor and weapons vanished through the slave doors. A few others approached when he stepped into the always warm bath. He was handed a sponge and soap and he scrubbed his body clean of the past days build up. When he left the bath, the slaves approached him tending to his many gashes and cuts lining his body. He felt pain on his lower stomach and held back his immediate reaction to kill the woman cleaning the wound. Within moments she had a needle and thread and was stitching up the gash Rurak’s new pet had created. More hands covered his body and more cuts and gashes were assessed and stitched. Satisfied with his wounds taken care of, he walked out of the bath house and into his room to find Lyngren sitting on the edge of his bed. He stopped, frowning when her eyes glided over his naked body, stopping for a moment at the stitched gash on his stomach. She quirked a smile which made him think that maybe it wasn’t the wound she stopped her gaze on. She stood up, walking towards him, her hands unbuttoning her blouse which always showed more than any of the others. Her hand touched his inner thigh, tracing and old scar then looked up to meet his gaze.

“Not today.” Draxz said even though his body answered differently. She ignored his words, reacting to his body. He sighed in pleasure for a brief moment, then gained control of his thoughts, pushing his primal lust to the side.

“I said not today.” He removed the woman from her task, easing her away gently. She looked up at him, her face devoid of emotion.

“My lord?” She asked a spark of curiosity flashing in her eye.

“Leave me.” Draxz said walking past the slave woman. She backed away slowly and vanished through the slave door. She was one of the many before her that Goren had handpicked to seduce and stain his name. What he promised them to make them perform their jobs he would never know. Draxz looked in the taller mirror to see a minotaur he hardly recognized anymore. Old scars covered his body, even to his own eye he could see the monster everyone claimed him to be. He looked down at his hands, a fresh cut from a wolf still scabbing over. He snorted glancing back at the monster who stared back him.

You have become the very creature they see you as

Even his horns which made even Rurak envious had furrows and cuts from using them in battle. Looking away, ashamed at his own image, he dressed and left his room to meet his new nephew.

~

Draxz walked through the castle towards Rurak’s room joined by Goren. They walked in silence; tension thick between them. When they reached his door, two honor guards saluted and knocked on the door, peering in.

“Lord Draxz and Lord Goren…” He started, but was cut off by an elegant feminine voice.

“Let them in Krux.” Tiata responded from inside the room.

“Yes, my Queen.” The honor guard opened the door and they entered.

“Good evening my queen.” Draxz and Goren went to one knee, their chin up and fist to their chest.

“Ohhhh get up you two. Save that for the peacocks in public, lets enjoy this moment as a family.” Tiata said waving her hand at them dismissingly. They rose smiling and walked over to her, each accepting a tight hug. She stood as impressive as the three brothers. Only Draxz towered over her like he did everyone else. Her frame was just as agile and strong as Goren.

“How are the Nimblewalkers?” Goren asked kissing her hand.

“My family is well, and overjoyed at the announcement of the prince. Thank you for asking.” Goren nodded and walked over to Rurak.

“I see your covered in wounds, but my husband is not. It looks like you did your job keeping him safe for me. Thank you Draxz.”

Draxz grinned looking over to Rurak and Goren.

“Go on, you are Heir Guard, go to your nephew. Enjoy it before he starts turning your fur gray.”

Draxz laughed and joined Rurak and Goren.

“What is his name?” Goren asked, holding the small bull.

“Ithicus.”

“A good name.” Goren said smiling his eyes still on the new born.

Draxz’s smile lessened slightly and he glanced over to Tiata knowingly. She was smiling, but her eyes bore into Draxz, silencing his thoughts.

“A strong name to continue the Aesturion lineage.” Draxz growled out, his fake smile covering his distaste of its origin. But it was quickly replaced with true joy when Rurak placed the young bull in Draxz’s arms. He looked down and grinned. “As your heir guard, I will make sure you become the strongest king yet to rule Kreet.”

Tiata smiled, patting Draxz shoulder.

“He will indeed become a name remembered for centuries to come. Now, by look Krux is giving us, he has something to say. Go ahead, out with it.” Tiata smiled taking the babe from Draxz arms.

“Thank you, my lady. Per your request my lord, the throne room is ready at your convenience.” Krux said, fist to his chest. His words wiped the smiles from the faces of the brothers and with a deep breath Rurak walked out of the room.

The throne room was full when Rurak entered with Draxz and Goren in tow. Fists hitting chests sounded as he walked over to his throne chair at the end of the table. Great flowing tapestries lined the walls displaying a bloody battle between armored horned creatures with long beards and gray skinned creatures of various sizes armed with spiked teeth and odd mismatched patches of bone and hide armor. The tapestries were riddled with holes and the edges black, from a forgotten fire. The battle looked incomplete with all the missing patches, but the images that could be seen were striking and fierce. Rurak took his seat and the rest of the pure bloods around the table followed his lead.

“What we speak of here does not leave this room, if it does, your life is forfeit. Do I make myself clear?” Rurak said breaking the silence. Low murmurs flowed around the table at the words and Rurak looked to each minotaur and stopped at the three elders. He looked to the oldest, his great grandfather, Orthus. He was still strong, and his mind was sharp, his eyes flashed dangerously in the candle light. His horns curled like a ram from the centuries of not maintaining them properly. His skin was tight to his muscles, which he still maintained. Next to him was Rurak’s grandfather Voldun, his horns also starting to curl and his beard long and gray with thick patches of pure white. He was the largest of the three and could see the similarities to Draxz. The third elder was Rurak’s father, Hirtus. His horns still sharp and his body ready for battle at a moment’s notice. They were all true warrior kings who bled for their kingdom. And each replaced by the one before through trial of combat.

“No exceptions.” Rurak said still staring at the elders. After a long pause to let it set in, he began.

“I have called you all here because we must address a breach in our lines. Aύok has crossed over to the human lands.” Everyone around the table began talking at once, asking questions. Rurak rose his hand, palm out to the table and everyone went silent.

“Goren, give them the details of the situation.”

Goren cleared his throat and spoke without interruption of the attack. After the recount Goren sat back as everyone soaked in the information.

“You are sure it was Aύok’s wolves?” Orthus asked in a smooth, controlled voice that still commanded attention.

“They matched the color of the wolves we fight in the wastelands.” Draxz responded.

“But did you see him? Aύok?”

“No, I have never seen him, nor has anyone since your time.”

“Hm… the bodies left behind?”

“Decapitated and burned. But one.” Goren said clapping his hands. A door opened and a wagon rolled in covered in a sheet. An honor guard removed the blood-soaked sheet revealing a white-haired lycan. The eldest stood up and walked over to it with only a slight hunch and limp from his old age. He looked it over and matched its hand to his.

“Fodder.” Orthus said spitting with distaste. “Nothing more than a slave wolf on two legs. More wolf than…” he said going quiet at the end.

“More wolf than what?” Rurak asked

“It lacks intelligence is all, my mind falters with age.” Orthus said looking to the King and his brothers.

“We have been fighting Aύok and Lykos since before my grandfather, never have they broken the wolf legion’s lines nor the gates.” Orthus looked over to Rurak. “How did they now?”

“That is exactly why we are here. Draxz, what says your latest reports.”

“Last known skirmish with Aύok was three weeks ago.” Draxz flipped though his papers until he found what he was looking for.

“They came in waves, testing the lines from all angles at night. Not overly unique enough to cause concern, but enough to catch my eye. They pushed the line to the east, closer to Lykos. The commander reinforced the eastern legion to prepare for an attack from Lykos. Often Aύok and Lykos will attack as one until they get too close, then they focus on tearing each other apart, giving us a fun show to watch. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does it’s a spectacle of tooth and claw.” Draxz was grinning and then put the paper down. “That was the only skirmish worth mentioning. Others were small night raids by starving, desperate wolves from both sides.”

“If there is a threat to our workforce, we must see to it immediately.” Rurak said looking from the other elders then to Goren.

“Agreed.” the elders said after another.

“We have kept them safe for centuries, let’s not fail them now.” Hirtus said looking to Rurak. Snickers went around the table. “We should not debate on this, we keep them from the horrors over and under the mountain, even if they do not know it.” He continued in a stern voice.

“Yes, lets protect the slaves, without them we would only have the halvras work force.” Orthus said sarcastically waving his hand.

“Enough, what is proposed for the humans?” Rurak interrupted. The generals talked amongst themselves, then stopped. And one spoke up.

“We suggest the Mountain Legion should start scouting the local cities and towns and work their way to the human capitals. If there is an infestation it will be found. Evidence of their attacks will be hard to cover.”

“Pure bloods only, we don’t want unsanctioned raids and rapes.” Rurak added, letting the general continue.

“All access to the mountains will be reinforced and kept on high alert, nothing unusual will escape our eyes.”

“As for the wastelands, the wolf legion should reinforce the fortresses lining the mountain and create a line of defense along their borders.” Goren said, snaking in his idea.

“Draxz, you are the best tracker, and your legion is built perfectly for the task of discovering answers to the mystery.” Draxz looked over to Goren with his one eye and narrowed it, but Goren continued.

“With you at its lead, we all know you will find out how Aύok did it and you will crush our enemy before they can form a full assault.”

“I am heir guard now. I will have my best general lead it.” Draxz snarled out, trying to keep his anger in check as his fist tightened. Goren simply shrugged nonchalantly and let Draxz’s words dissipate in the air.

“Prince Ithicus is only a babe; he will not be doing anything for a year or two. Goren will act as heir guard in your place until your return.” Orthus said motioning to Goren.

“My duty is here, not in chasing wolves!” Draxz began raising his voice, his anger boiling. “It is my right as your second. Let Goren chase the wolves in that desolate land of dust and bone.”

“Your knowledge surpasses all of our best generals when it comes to the wolves Draxz. You are the best fit.” Goren said dismissing Draxz’s hostility.

“Goren, your venom will not strike me this time, I will not be pushed out my rightful place by you again.”

“Enough!” Rurak shouted as Goren began to respond.

“Draxz, finish this mystery quickly and you will take your rightful place as heir guard and teach my son the ways of battle. Until then, Goren will take your place. Your unique skills are shared by none other I trust. Your value to the kingdom in this is unparalleled. You will ride to the border and hold off their horde if they sense our weakness.” Rurak said looking to Draxz. “You will be given additional forces to fortify your position.” The room was quiet and Draxz wrestled with his internal anger, the eyes of the room judging and stripping him of his mental wall he kept up against the looks.

“Yes… My… King.” Draxz rumbled out and looked over meeting Goren’s eyes. Goren returned his look, but his face stayed controlled and expressionless as if heir guard was a common job.

“You leave tomorrow after the celebrations Draxz, your dismissed.” Draxz stood up and Goren watched him trudge out, his anger rolling in his wake.

Now if only their fangs would find his throat. Goren thought to himself watching Draxz leave.

Keeping his emotionless mask intact he turned his attention to the council.

“Ider, what say your contacts among the human cities?” Rurak continued.

Goren couldn’t help the smile his confident eyes may have shown as his plan slowly began to fall in place.

“Within the human cities, all is normal. Well, except for Lasteel. Now that the city is in ruin, shipments have been delayed. Their blacksmiths were a keystone to their metal work. And…”

“Enough, I care little of economics at this time. What of suspicious sightings or murders.”

“Right, of course my king. My apologies for my digression.” Rurak waved his hand dismissing the apology.

“Yes, right.” Ider coughed and continued. “There was a murder of a small hunting town not far from Lasteel. Death by knife though, not by fang. Not a single survivor either. The humans may have a murdering gang or new religious cult we are un aware of perhaps.” Rurak’s eye bore into Ider with disapproval and sighed.

“Anything wolf or wolf-like news throughout the human lands?” Rurak said putting his hand to his head, rubbing his temple.

“There was… uh… well… um…” Ider’s eyes darted from left to right.

“Out with it fool.”

“No, my king. Nothing out of the usual.”

“There was a small horde of wolves and there are no sightings? Not a single scream in the night regarding them? Not a single dead body?”

“No, my king, there was not.”

“Not likely Ider. These creatures do not just appear from the dark and not kill everything in sight. They kill, eat and devastate the land they are in. There must be evidence of their existence.” Rurak stopped rubbing his temple and narrowed his eyes making Ider flinch as if his body was covered in ants.

“You will find this evidence and bring it to my attention immediately. Until then, you will not have the comfort of your estate. You will travel the land with your spies until it is found.”

“My king, I assure you, my…” Rurak held up his hand and Ider shut his mouth.

“Speak again, and your family will be removed from your estate within the hour with you.” Rurak looked down at the overweight, balding minotaur with flamboyant colors laced into his oversized tunic. “This journey will do you good. When was the last time you journeyed from Kreet?”

Ider looked over at the king and was about to speak, but his mouth shut seeing the devious nature of the question.

“Ha, so a fool who can learn. Good. Learn what you can of their presence and be gone.”

Ider slammed his fist to his chest and walked to the door.

“My king, we require as many of the Machikero as we can muster. We require them to fortify the border and to travel quickly along the mountains. I suggest all non-essential nobles to lend us their mounts during this time of crisis. I recommend calling it a training drill.” Goren said just loud enough to be picked up by the sharp hearing of Ider. The guards by the door kept their weapons locked together forcing Ider to stop. His ears flicked in anger and the guards narrowed their eyes. With a sigh, Ider turned around and forced a smile to his face.

“It would honor me greatly my king if you accepted my family’s contribution to the.” He paused looked pointedly at Goren. “Drill. My stable holds over one hundred machikeros, you may use as many as you see fit during this time of need.”

“I accept.” Rurak turned to Kimi. “We require all of clan Darkwater’s machikero for the task at hand. Have them assembled and counted immediately and equally distributed between Mountain and Wolf legions.” Kimi nodded and continued writing in his rough leather-bound notebook. Kimi whistled and a young pure blood mute appeared.

“See to our kings demand.” Kimi ripped out a piece of paper and grabbed a candle, pouring a small globe of melted wax. He held it before Rurak who pressed his ring into the wax in silence. “Take this, show it to all who question you.” The mute with its trimmed horns bowed and walked backwards until it left the room.

“We appreciate your contribution; you have been dismissed Ider.” Kimi said looking down at his notebook continuing to write. The guards removed their weapons and Ider huffed about to take a step.

“Oh, please make sure your personal mount stays within the stable. The king requires all available mounts.” Kimi said, the scratching of his pen still filling the silence after his words. Ider kept his mouth shut and his heavy footfalls sounded until the doors shut.