WITCH - The Queen

Bonus 13

Paul was excited.

For the first time, he would pass on a message to rebels. To other rebels. This was his first errand. He felt as nervous as he did when he turned twelve, hoping to wake up as a wizard right on his birthday.

The queen always said that he was mortal. But he hoped. Ingried had also hoped. Peter hoped. In this regard, the siblings did not differ. They all had to realize that their mother was telling the truth.

As a child, the world in the palace seemed wonderful to him. His parents were strict and had high expectations, but his childhood was still a happy one. Until reality caught up with him.

And reality led him to the rebels.

He had received an invitation to a bread contest in the city a few weeks ago. The place 'Schönhein' was a small town known for its many streams and lakes. The news seemed strange to him until he discovered a small symbol. A crossed-out diamond. Did the letter come from the rebellion?

So Paul traveled to the city. The baking competition was accepted as a reason for travel by the patrolling soldiers, after all, it was about his profession. And the contest had been properly registered, approved, and announced by the mayor of the city.

Bakers from the surrounding villages and towns took part. They should bake their best bread. The winner was promised a second bakery in town. Many bakers came hoping to be crowned the best.

Paul did not win, even though his bread was well-rated. But the competition was, as suspected, only a sham. Among some of the candidates were messengers like Paul, who were given a note at the end of the competition with a small instruction to whom the letter had to go.

Paul's letter was addressed to a werewolf. In the small village where he regularly sold his bread. There was no name on the note. But this: "Rye bread. Wait for confirmation. Wolf is already awaiting the letter. He will come to you. Another messenger was caught. So be careful.' He now hid the note under his goods while he made his way up to the village. Paul did not know who was the messenger before him. A doctor? But the doctors rarely came to the werewolf villages. Maybe that's why they needed Paul as a messenger.

In between, a few soldiers stopped him, but they already knew Paul and let him pass quickly. Paul thanked them politely and tried not to let it show how afraid he was of a check. But this did not happen. The soldiers recognized him and let him through.

So he continued his way to the marketplace. Once there, he sold bread, rolls, and cakes as usual. He handed out cookies to young children and talked to their parents about their everyday lives. Sometimes he also talked about his children and about his wonderful wife.

A wolf bought rye bread, but the words of recognition were not said. But he bought two small cakes, which would probably disappear very quickly in his thick belly.

Finally, a wolf approached him with dark brown curls and sun-tanned skin, which was generally slightly darker than Paul's fair skin. The wolf walked proudly through the crowd and smiled sublimely at Paul.

"Baker Paul, how nice", he greeted him.

"Hi, Arthur. May it be something good? A cake maybe?", asked Paul as usual. He had been told very clearly that he had to wait for the secret words. The distinguishing mark of the rebels. So that he gave the letter to the right wolf.

Arthur, the alpha's brother, looked at the merchandise thoughtfully. "All this looks great, but... I forgot to wash my socks. Forgive the smell. I'll take a rye bread."

Paul nodded. "I have fresh socks in the drawer." He handed the letter to the werewolf hidden under the rye bread. "That goes on the house."

"Thank you very much." Arthur took the bread and paper and walked away as usual.

Paul breathed a sigh of relief. He had done it.

(c: sasi)