The Merlinian Legacy (working title)

Chapter 2: Startling News

"No, no, no, dragon eyes are to calm the patient's mind, improving concentration so they can focus better. It's the dragon's bones you use to ground their spirit and treat insomnia!" insisted Rowan. "You always conf—"

"High Priestess Rowan, Priestess Alderwyn, thank the spirits I found you!"

"Sergeant Garrick! Please, what's the matter?" Alderwyn exclaimed, waving her front paw to steady both herself and the anxious Sergeant. His sudden rush to greet the two Druidic priestesses in his wolf form had startled her, nearly knocking Rowan off her perch atop Alderwyn's furry head, snapping both of them back to reality.

"Oh, look, it's the High Priestess and Priestess Alderwyn! You've finally returned!" an approaching voice called out excitedly from the shadows of the forest.

"You missed the entire fight!" added another, their tone a mixture of excitement and respect.

And sure enough, after a moment, two werewolves could be seen, both their tails wagging as they ran their way.

Sergeant Garrick barked at his approaching subordinates, his previous anxiety seemingly forgotten at their arrival.
"Nightshade! Ashwood! Front and center!" he commanded. As soon as the two sentinels sat on their hind legs in front of him, tails tucked between their legs, Garrick began, "Now, explain to me how I managed to arrive here before two of my youngest sentinels?"

Alderwyn sat down, making herself comfortable, realizing she and Rowan would have to wait until the Sergeant finished disciplining his subordinates to find out what all the commotion was about.
"Well, apparently some sort of fight broke out while we were in town," Rowan chirped, still perched atop Alderwyn's head.
"Yes, and it sounds like it's already been resolved," Alderwyn agreed, nodding slightly and causing Rowan to sway atop her head.
"Hey! Careful!" Rowan chirped, steadying herself.

Alderwyn responded with a weak attempt at suppressing laughter. "Mmm, sorry, sorry, I forgot I had a bird on my head."

"Now, both of you, run back and fetch the priestesses' robes—on the double! And no changing to your human form to do it, no shortcuts!" Sergeant Garrick concluded.

As the two young sentinels ran off to execute the order, their tails still tucked between their legs, Sergeant Garrick Longtooth turned his attention back to the Druid priestesses. "High Priestess, Priestess, please forgive the disturbance. They won't learn otherwise, and perhaps the extra running will help their training," the Sergeant added with a grin.

"That's quite all right, Sergeant. Now, what was that fight Finnian Nightshade mentioned?"

"Oh, that? It's nothing," Garrick replied casually as the three of them made their way through the forest. "Just a couple of Betas—the twin Captains, Rhydian and Lysander Vale—decided to challenge the Alpha. But do not worry, High Priestess. Priest Taran refereed. It ended in a tie—all three of them knocked each other unconscious." Garrick sounded slightly disappointed about the fight's outcome. "Priest Taran and some of the Acolytes are tending to their wounds," he added reassuringly.

"But don't worry about that, High Priestess," Garrick continued dismissively. "That's not what I wanted to discuss with you."

"So? What is it you wanted to tell me?" Rowan inquired curiously.

"High Priestess, we have apprehended an intruder within the community's boundaries!" Garrick announced.