Everyone was gathered around her now, listening. "Who's coming," Raven asked. With a sigh she started, "Long ago, after my great grandmother started this war, a council was formed. This council was to oversee the reigning queen, basically to be the first line of defense for the kingdom and its people." "A failsafe," Garrick said. "Yes, but there was an even bigger plan, a secret failsafe. Should the council ever be destroyed in its entirety The Ancients would awaken. Summoned by a magic spell placed on the council that only activates in the event of their deaths. They will follow the blood beacon of the rightful queen and secure her," she said sounding suddenly weary. "I've never heard of this," Gregori said shocked. "You wouldn't have, this is a secret to all but the core of the royal family and of course the council. Those clouds in the distance? Those aren't clouds, not natural ones anyway. The power of one Ancient can be felt from miles off. The power of six? Can level whole cities," she said. "Well, who are these Ancients," Garrick asked. She looked up at Gregori, "I don't know them all, but I am very familiar with one in particular." "Who is it Darra," Aiden asked nervously. She looked at him then let her gaze scan the room. She sighed, "My grandmother."
Garrick couldn't take his eyes off her. Outside the keep she paced nervously as the silver haired knight tried keeping her calm. As he observed the darkening sky, he knew something was coming. He could feel it. She'd tied her hair into a tight bun hiding the white of her hair. Why was she hiding it? That was something else she was keeping to herself. Raven appeared next to him, pale and frightened. "What's going to happen," she asked. He looked down at her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I don't know but everything will be alright," he said quietly, "I hope." Darra stopped pacing suddenly and turned toward the castle gates. Even from where he was standing, he heard her when she said, "They're here." There was suddenly silence, no sound from anything or anyone. Even though the wind was blowing like a coming hurricane, it made no sound. Erie it was. Just as he thought they would have to go inside for cover, the wind stopped. As Garrick's eyes adjusted, he saw six white haired figures surrounding Darra and Gregori. A sudden chill raced down his spine and before he could understand why, he was all out running to get to Darra.
She stood stone still, well aware that they had her surrounded. She could feel the swell of their power battering at the walls of her mind, it gave her an instant headache, but she allowed none of them entry. Then it stopped, the pain, the prying. "Will you stay silent, child," the woman before her asked. Darra crossed her arms over her chest, "Why are you here?" The woman in front of her furrowed her brow, her eyes flickered from ice blue to red and back again. Her pure white hair was cropped short on the sides and back but long and slightly wavy on the top and front causing her to blow the strands out of her eyes. "You know why we're here," she growled. Darra clenched her teeth so hard Gregori heard a loud crack. "You are supposed to be attending the queen. I am not the queen," she said gingerly. That woman gave a hearty laugh as she moved closer to Darra, "You sound so much like your mother." And with that she embraced Darra in a hug that would've crushed lesser men. Garrick slid to a stop just inside the circle of Ancients and stared. Both women looked at him confused. "You have a pet," she asked. Darra sighed and stepped away from the woman, "No grandmere, this is King Garrick of the Wolves." She froze and then as one The Ancients turned towards him. Darra moved with that preternatural speed and stood between him and The Ancients. "Stop, he is an ally," she shouted. Her grandmother paused and seemed to study them, "Brenna?" "I see it too my Lady. They are bound," the woman to their right said. Crossing her arms, Darra said, "I know not what you mean."
Marie was very observant; you didn't live to be her age without acquiring that particular habit. Her granddaughter was very much in love with this wolf king, but she was resisting it. Something more was going on here. "The council has been destroyed, what has been going on under your rule," Marie asked. Her granddaughter became guarded, her arms crossing over her chest for protection as well as agitation. "I told you, I am not your queen," she said softly. Without turning she addressed Gregori, "Boy! Who has been ruling in the Queens stead?" When he didn't answer immediately, she turned her full gaze on him. He cleared his throat nervously, "The Queens younger sister Marra." Marie turned eyes of crimson on her granddaughter, "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?" Marie's shout made Darra wince but not before her own eyes swirled with crimson. Unable to manage her rage and not wanting to make a spectacle of herself Darra turned on her heel and started towards the armory. Besides the stables it was her only refuge. It was then that they all noted the scars on her back, backs of her arms, shoulders and neck. To all who were watching Marie really did disappear and then reappear behind Darra. She grabbed her upper arm and spun her around. Darras precarious hold on her rage snapped and she bared fang and claw at her grandmother.
