The crown of wolves

Chapter Eight - Final

Night fell, casting long shadows across the village. Eldredge was restless, unable to sleep. He quietly gathered the group, and they moved stealthily through the hallways, making their way to the library. The air was cold and filled with the scent of old books and dust.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Malron whispered.

"Yes, she said to meet her here," Eldredge insisted.

They waited in the dark, the silence broken only by the sound of their breathing. Suddenly, they heard growling from the shadows. Eldredge reached for his dagger, only to find it missing. Panic surged through him as the realization hit him – someone had taken it.

"You must forgive me," a voice echoed through the library. "But I don't think you're welcome any longer."

King Elydias stepped into the dim light, his form twisted and grotesque. Night wolf creatures prowled around him, their eyes glowing with a menacing light.

"I don't like witch hunters," the king continued, his voice dripping with malice. "Never did. You must forgive my daughter as well. She tries to warn them every time, but it's always too late for them."

Eldredge's heart pounded as the creatures began to close in. "There's no hiding place for you three. We made sure your silver dagger has been hidden away. The prince was nice to let us know that you two have no devil's fire, which makes things easier for us. The prince will marry Princess Lyedia tonight, there is no room for delays now. This kingdom will stay safe and blossom while others perish, and I will be born again," the king said with a sinister grin.

Chaos erupted as the creatures swarmed the library, destroying everything in their path. Eldredge, Silthgrad, and Malron fought bravely, but it was a losing battle. Malron was the first to fall, his body crumpling under the weight of the beasts. Eldredge and Silthgrad huddled together, surrounded by the snarling creatures, prepared for the worst.

Suddenly, a white night wolf, larger and more terrifying than the others, burst into the scene. It attacked the creatures with a ferocity that took Eldredge by surprise. In the midst of the chaos, he realized who it was.

"Princess merith?!" he exclaimed.

The white wolf fought off the other beasts, protecting Silthgrad and Eldredge. Seizing the moment, they found an exit and began to move hastily through the darkened hallways.

"We need to go get the prince," Eldredge said urgently.

"Where are you going?" Silthgrad asked.

"I am going to go loot us some king's treasure," Eldredge said with a determined grin.

Silthgrad burst into the room where Prince Aidan and Princess Lyedia were sitting, talking and laughing.

"Oh, we were just talking about you guys. Where have you all been?" Prince Aidan asked, smiling.

"My lord, we must leave. It's not safe here. The king—"

"Leave? The prince isn't leaving. He has just agreed to our wedding. In fact, he has agreed we do it tonight," Princess Lyedia said with a grin.

"My prince, these people are lying. Malron is dead, and the creatures that attacked us, I think they are—"

"Princess Lyedia has explained all she needs to. The night creatures are the result of a curse by an evil witch on her people. Our union is the solution. You see why I have agreed to the marriage more than anything. This was what she needed me to do," the prince explained, though Silthgrad felt there was more to the story left untold.