The crown of wolves

Chapter Four

Back at the first tavern, the prince and Silthgrad had been seated for hours. They watched as everyone behaved surprisingly well. There were no fights; everyone seemed chatty and light-hearted, with compliments exchanged freely.

"Who would have thought?" the prince said, making orders for some beers and pies. "If he was wrong about them, surely he's wrong about the pies and beer."

They were promptly served. The beers appeared nice, and the pies smelled tasty. But as soon as they took a bite and a sip, they were hit with a harsh, repelling taste. Both Silthgrad and the prince spat out the horrid concoctions, nauseated.

"This is terrible! This is so bad and terrible!" the prince exclaimed, his words drawing the entire tavern's attention.

The prince, still vomiting and spitting out bits of the pie, was tapped by Silthgrad, who noted a change in the atmosphere. Evil grins and sinister eyes began to circle them.

Silthgrad drew her sword as the prince hid behind her, also drawing his sword. Clearly outnumbered, defeat seemed inevitable. But then a voice cut through the tension.

"That's enough, everyone."

The prince and Silthgrad were shocked to find Aidan's father, the king, seated with a councilman.

"Father!?" the shocked prince exclaimed.

Silthgrad was caught off guard as heavy nets fell on her, trapping her to the ground. The prince stared in disbelief as his father rose, the councilman beside him, both wearing expressions of authority and control.

Moments later, Eldredge and Silthgrad were forced to kneel before the gathered crowd. Eldredge looked terrible, his face swollen and bruised from the Skull Brothers' work. Silthgrad's stoic demeanor had not faltered, though her eyes betrayed concern for her battered companion.

Prince Aidan stood in heated argument with his father. "You can't just dismiss them as kidnappers. They've risked everything to help me."

The king's face was stern. "You come home, leave this nonsense about saving a princess behind, and they can go. You are the prince of a vast and powerful kingdom. I can't have you chasing fairy-tale princesses across the world with that crazy, half-mute knight of yours and a wanted witch-hunter."

Aidan's eyes flashed with defiance. "I won't go back. You can't force me to. I doubt you've ever been in love. I doubt you even know what love feels like. Princess Lyedia is all I care about, and I will rescue her."

The king studied his son's face, contemplating his words. "Your wedding is in three days. You know that, don't you? You have until then to come home. I can't allow you to continue this journey with those two. But perhaps you should take—"

"They are my friends. I go with them and only them."

The king's eyes hardened. "You will listen to me, young prince, or I will drag you back home myself. You will take the Skull Brothers with you. They've been well paid. They'll be my eyes and ears. Take a bird with you; I expect reports every hour. Do you understand?"

Aidan nodded reluctantly, realizing it was the best compromise he could achieve. Just then, the Skull Brothers stepped forward.

"We do have one more request," Malron said, his voice dripping with malice. "The witch hunter—he's ours after this adventure is over. We have some unfinished business."

The king nodded dismissively. "What you do with him is your business. Get my son back safe, or I will have your heads."

The next morning, the sun had barely risen when the newly expanded group watched the king and his entourage ride off. Eldredge, his face still puffed and bruised, snorted, grunted, and spat on the ground.