Wolf of Eden

Yugen

I wonder if anyone's thought of making tea out of despair.

My mind is rife with different thoughts as I walk through the corridor with Kier beside me. The only sounds were from my footsteps echoing off of the walls.

When we reach the heavy oak door, Kier pushes it open and steps inside without a look back. King Malleus already sits there, seated at a long weathered table that looks like it's held more secrets than the weight of books. For a fleeting moment, I feel like a school child in front of their teacher.

The thought is absolutely ridiculous because I've never even been to school.

Kier stands like a phantom besides me. Eerily still as if the discipline of a hundred ghost soldiers reside within him. I try to mimic his posture while fighting the urge to fidget.

The King's presence is commanding as he watches us with calculating eyes, taking in every detail. Kier is serious and solemn even though I can't see much behind his hood.

There are no signs of the playful banter and strange connection that we've started to form. Even if it is one sided. Instead, the weight of what we just uncovered settles on to me.

"Your Majesty, we recovered these from the remnants of the old mill. There is evidence to suggest that someone from within is involved," Kier's tone is formal as the mask of duty sits firmly in place.

Much like it always does.

The wolf takes the box from his arms and places it on the table, displaying the contents inside it. Everyone made sure that the shadow root stayed within the safe confines of the box.

Malleus sports a grim expression as he nods. He rifles through the yellowing albeit crisp paper.

"This confirms a lot of my suspicions," His voice is measured as he looks down at the table, "The coded messages and maps clearly point towards something far more sinister. It doesn't appear to be mere treachery."

Before any of us can answer, the door creaks open. Kier stiffens as two figures enter.

The War General and her mate. I've seen them briefly, even though I've made several attempts to get close to my mate's sister. Regardless of the War General's title and job, the woman is sweet and a sharp distinction from her brother.

Ezra smiles as bright as ever as he wanders inside. His features resemble Queen Fie much to her mate's annoyance. The two cousins were close but Fie still enjoyed her silence when Ezra wasn't around.

Rui follows behind her mate, her face composed and serious as ever. There was a clear contrast between the two mates but there was a certain ease to their match. Ezra's joyful and carefree demeanor balances Rui's unfaltering focus.

Ezra plops himself into a chair with no hesitation. It clearly aggravates the King as Ezra leans into the chair as if he owns it.

"Where's Fie? Still completely shattered from all the wine she chugged last night?"

King Malleus stares at Ezra with a look that combines the fragile nature of exasperation and an unfortunate unspoken admission of truth. Clearly, Ezra isn't completely off of his mark.

"She's resting. It was a long night," Malleus states in a clipped tone.

Malleus' opponent chuckles as he clearly enjoys himself.

"Right. I'm sure it's the wine. That's what did it."

Rui shoots Ezra a warning glance but it was obvious she put up with his antics. Malleus, on the other end, only seemed to tolerate Ezra's annoying banter of love for his Queen and large dollops of long-suffering patience.