The Return of the Beast Princess

Chapter 62 - Moving forward

It has been five days since the fight between the beasts of Baylor and the wolf village ended.

The beasts of Baylor are slowly rebuilding the stonewalls that got knocked down from the attack. It was still a good thing that the wolves didn't get the chance to enter the kingdom for no stone houses were destroyed.

The remaining wolves that helped Barda attack were all given to Tarik as to his plea from the king. He promised to take care of the wolves and punish them accordingly. From that day, the whole red wolf bloodline ceased to exist in the beast world. And for the gray wolves that didn't join the rebellion, Tarik left them at the wolf village and let them live for themselves. In the near future, before the upcoming dead season ends, the wolf village at the Abundant Plains was no more to be found.

Asha helped healing the wounded beasts from the battle. Along with Chiron, Leroy's novice, who was saved by Tarik and his pack from the hands of Lupa, they cared for the wounded day and night. Chiron held firm and strong even if he is still distressed with what happened to him and to their witch doctor Leroy. The deep grief scarred him for life but Asha guided and counselled him whenever they are free, teaching him meditation to free his mind from all the troubles that's been disturbing his thoughts. Little by little, the young horse beast had accepted his fate. He promised himself that he will be brave and will continue Leroy's teachings and help the wounded and the needy.

Tarik has been around wherever Asha is, and it pissed Dumu nonetheless. He wouldn't get near her but you will see him always at a distance, watching and guarding her from anything that he finds threatening his saviour. He's not scared of Dumu's provocations, he just ignores him as if he didn't hear or see anything. He still respects him though, for he is his saviour's mate. He knows that it will make Asha unhappy if something bad happens to him.

As for the remaining gray wolves, they have decided that they will all follow Asha. One by one, they started to show themselves to her and just like Tarik, they guard her at a distance so not to disturb their new alpha. They even rented the stone house near Asha's so if she needed help, they will be available to command them anytime.

The whole kingdom of Baylor also held a funeral in memory of all the beasts that died during the attack and for their witch doctor's death. At first, they plan to honor all of the dead with a king's speech and then throw all the dead bodies down the cliff at the far end of Baylor. Asha was shocked and told Souta that there's a better way to dispose the bodies and still honor them at the same time.

They burned all the carcass in a spacious area outside of Baylor while all the beasts watched nervously. But as soon as Asha knelt in front of the burning carcass, all of them watched what she was about to do.

"We all pray for all your souls to be guided and receive peace in the hands of the gods. Bless these kind souls and let them receive what is right for them, if not in this life, then on the next. We ask this, from your undying benevolence."

Asha bowed her head and as if on cue, the fire roared high like it was reaching the sky. And because of how superstitious beast men are, they all believed that Asha's prayer was received by the beast god. All of them followed suit as they all knelt and bowed and mumbled praises and prayers. A large stone was carved as a marker for this area that serves as a burial site after they collected the ashes and buried them. This act was the beginning for beasts to hold ceremonies for the dead in the beast world, and the hunt for the female who is rumored to possess the power to communicate with the gods.

But it wasn't all sad news for the kingdom of Baylor. For their king's mate has born an heir. Souta and Giada were very happy as their cub was introduced to all beasts of Baylor. They are all celebrating a grand feast now that is being held at the public square. Wooden long tables filled with fruits, vegetables and even meat can be seen everywhere. Everybody was delighted, it is one good reason to celebrate and be happy to get away and forget, even for a while, the tragedy that befell their kingdom.