An Elemental Twist of Fate

Chapter Two - Wolves at the door

Wolves at the door

Mono knelt on one knee, placed his sword at his feet, and looked up at the Clan leader Rek. He waited patiently for a reaction to the news he had just delivered with no small amount of trepidation. Being Rek's clan blood brother did not prevent the sliver of fear running through his veins. Even now, Mono worried whether he imagined what he had seen earlier. For more than an hour after first witnessing the arrival of the woman in red robes in the forest, Mono had walked the area, digging in the snow-crusted dirt looking for clues to understanding what had occurred.

Helios forest clans were not overly spiritual or superstitious people, preferring to rely on logic, fact, and instincts to ascertain the truth when needed. Rek's clan was one of the most powerful and feared in the Quadrant and relied on these aspects to remain so. Unfortunately, with this bizarre event, logic and fact were thrown out the longhouse window and all Mono had left was instincts. He had no trace of evidence to support his tale and as a result, conceded his leader might think him crazy. Such a weakness, if that was Rek's decision, would certainly not be tolerated. As Mono waited for Rek to respond, he hoped someone as intelligent and cunning as his leader would find some political advantage out of this to elevate their clan.

Living mostly in the deep wooded valley just outside the Quadrant of the ancient Lims Vale forest that bordered the royal family's massive estate, the clan was renowned throughout Helios for their political savagery. During the last three years their raids and debauchery had brought about the extinction of four other once-powerful clans. Now their attention was focused solely on bringing down the most powerful family in the Quadrant.

Although young in comparison to previous clan leaders, Rek was a powerfully built and ruthless warrior who currently sat passively upon a rustic throne crafted out of burnished steel, inset with a dozen wolf skulls. Each positioned in a way so the gem-encrusted eye sockets glistened beneath the overhanging candelabras. For a moment, it seemed he was ignoring his chief's presence until he glanced down with deep brown eyes, revealing a growing bemused expression.

Mono didn't realize he had been holding his breath as he awaited praise or a thrashing; one could never tell the whim of a leader with a temper such as Rek. With his heart thudding wildly, Mono dared a quick breath and looked at the gathered warriors and advisors, their mute expressions gave him nothing. Then to Mono's surprise the longhouse erupted with the sound of the clan leader's boisterous laughter. Mono whipped his head back to see Rek raise his chin to the roof and start howling, his long dreadlocks swaying like thick jungle vines down his bare back.

Rek offered his usual serious scowl and a raised eyebrow at Mono. "As my trusted war advisor, I assume this is no ploy of deception? Pray tell you are not under the influence of the coming Blood Moon, Mono?"

Mono shook his head. "No my lord. It is the truth, I stake my life on what I saw."

"Ah. Let me see if I've heard right. You were in the forest when you felt a great storm approach. When you went to investigate, you saw a whirlwind of earth, wind, and ice rushing through the trees. When it disappeared a woman dressed in red robes was lying in a bed of snow with smoke rising from her body."

Mono nodded once.

"Then you saw Prince Calen step out of the trees, walk over, pick up the woman and leave? Have I left anything out?"

"No, my lord. It all occurred in less than a dozen heartbeats."

Rek's expression became dangerous. "You did not think to reach the woman first? Or put an arrow through my brother's heart?"

Mono was slightly taken back by Rek's comment and tried to defend his inaction. "I was some distance away and only turned when I heard the unnatural sound through the trees. If not for the icy wind at my back, I would never have seen them. Your brother was closer to her by a half and yes I wished time and a clear view to loosen my bow. But I feared the woman was a Blood Priestess."