Wolfborn Saga: The blood crown.

prologue

As he stared into the flickering flames of the torch, he unconsciously drummed his fingers rhythmically on the table. The faint sound of his tapping, though subtle, was nerve-wracking. Would his land burn in these very flames? Everything depended on tonight. Suddenly, a voice was heard from behind: "Your Majesty, what is your opinion on increasing taxes?"

He stood up angrily and slammed his hands on the oak table. The trembling table silenced the ministers. Tyroth¹ shouted, "The kingdom is on the brink of destruction, and you ask me to decide about taxes? If my child is not born tonight, you will tear each other apart like savages to seize this throne!"

The doorman abruptly entered and said, "Your Majesty, the court physician requests an audience." Tyroth nodded his permission. The physician entered with a distressed face and, panting, said, "Your Majesty, if my tongue doesn't become mute, I must inform you that to save your child's life, the mother's womb needs to be cut open. Otherwise, we will lose both of them."

Tyroth's face turned red with anger. He roared loudly, "You came here for this nonsense? I don't care about the mother's life. Save the child. Do whatever is necessary, or I'll hang your head and your family's on the walls of Soladis². Now go and do what you must!"

Tyroth moved away from the table and went toward the window. The moon was full, and the moonlight illuminated the Thrynd³ River. Soladis stood atop a hill overlooking the city. The view from there was spectacular, but he did not see this beautiful night.

He stroked his white beard. Before his death, he had to save the thousand-year-old Nourthan⁴ dynasty, especially now that the Adinis were threatening the eastern and western borders of the realm. The slightest mistake could lead to the downfall of Tyrothy⁵.

At that moment, his young nephew, who held the position of Prime Minister, approached him and said calmly, "Uncle, don't you think it's better not to show your feelings toward that woman in front of others?" He always called him uncle in private. He continued, "You know how quickly news spreads. After all, she is your wife, and there are rumors among the people."

Tyroth barely opened his lips to speak: "After the death of my son—my last son—the only favor I did for her was to keep her alive. If she doesn't die during childbirth, I'll kill her myself after the child is born."

The Prime Minister said confidently, "Uncle, those are just rumors. No one knows what the truth is."

Tyroth replied indifferently, "Whether it's true or not doesn't matter. Only the child is important. This child must survive. Send them along with Valedran to Arvakel Castle. This secret will remain between the three of us. If this child also dies, even my own life will no longer have any value."

The Prime Minister paused for a moment and then said, "Uncle, the nobles demand a marriage promise tonight. What have you planned about this?"

Tyroth sighed, "If the child is a boy, we can postpone the marriage issue. But if it's a girl..." His face hardened for a moment. "She must marry your son Soev. Tyroth must remain within the family! I promised your mother this."

The Prime Minister kissed his hand as a sign of respect and said, "It would be an honor for me and my family, Your Majesty."

Tyroth turned his gaze toward the ministers and saw their whispering. With a gesture, he invited the Prime Minister to the table. At that moment, the High Priest said worriedly, "Your Majesty, tonight the red comet has appeared in the sky. According to the sacred scriptures of the temple, this is not a good sign."

Tyroth said in a heavy voice, "Why didn't this ominous star come before the death of the crown prince? When those accursed Adin-born sent me my son's severed head, where was your star? They had shaved his long golden hair, gouged out his eyes, and cut out his tongue. That night, where was your star?"