Ouroboros: A The Ascendance Series Fanfiction

Part One

Tobias's POV

Why me? Why my family? Why Carthya?

I just met the most fearsome woman I ever have- and ever will- meet.

It all started the day we heard the wolf calls in Drylliad.

"Wahoooooyaah!" It sounded like the devils were knocking on our door. Not surprising, considering our king and his reputation. There was a clattering of flagstones outside the castle wall, and then a huge shout went up.

"Carthya's Border Wolves, here to see King Jaron!" I was in the courtyard at the time, taking a walk with my wife, Amarinda. I placed my hand over hers worriedly, and she smiled at me.

"Pay them no mind. I recognize that voice, and they would not hurt you for all the gold in Drylliad. However, if they are here to see the king, then they will see him." I nodded, staring into space, and heard Jaron coming up behind me. His slight limp gave him away.

"What's all this commotion about?" I tilted my head towards the portcullis, where something resembling a brown snake was stealing our soldiers' weapons.

"Carthya's Border Wolves, here to see you. Did you hear the wolf call as they came up?" He nodded, and pulled his patented smirk.

"I was up high enough to see them when they did. It's six or seven wagons, pulled by six horses each, and going faster than Mystic on a good day. Strange enough, they were all led by- Oh, here they come now." The wagons pulled out in a semicircle around us, and the lead driver hopped down from his post. Or, rather, her post.

She was a medium-sized, black-haired woman wearing a leather rider's uniform with a wolf-fur cuff around the neck. She sauntered over, her hands on her hips.

"Amarinda! Didn't expect to see you out and about like this. Who's your escort?" I pulled myself a little higher as my wife answered the rider.

"This is my husband, Tobias. What brings you here, Carrill? Or do you prefer your given name?" She snorted.

"Carrill works fine for me, and it always has. Your Majesty," she said, dipping her head to Jaron. He scratched his chin.

"I can't say I've seen you around. Call me Jaron- because it appears that you've met Amarinda before, and any friend of hers is a friend of mine." Carrill nodded, smiling a crooked smile.

"My preferred name is Carrill Lupus, and the other one won't be necessary. As to knowing Amarinda- of course I know her! We're cousins, and I haven't seen her since I left the inn so many years ago. Anyway, I hope you reprimand your guards." She cracked a long riding whip, and it formed a loose curlicue before she rolled it up and stuck it into her belt. "Their grips on their weapons are far too loose- it was easy to pull their bows from their hands." Jaron smiled and nodded.

"I'll remember to do that. What is your business in Drylliad?" Carrill arched an eyebrow, toying with the end of her whip.

"Checking in on my cousin, of course. Although me and my she-wolves would be happy to be of help, if you should need it." I took a double-take. All of the wagons had been led by women- except for the last one, which was headed by a wiry man about Carrill's age. He was brushing down a white horse as we spoke.

"Will you be wanting anything during your stay here?"

"We can take care of ourselves, thank you, Jaron." I tilted my head at Amarinda. She nodded, smiling, and we continued on our walk with the backdrop of snorting horses.

Roden was not happy to hear about the Wolves.

He stormed into the room about an hour after Carrill's gang had arrived, already complaining about the security risk.

"It's just not safe!" He had begun his tirade before he even entered the room, and he was out of breath. Carrill immediately met eyes with Jaron, who waved the guards out of the room, and stood up.

"If you want to complain of me and my Wolves, you will do it to my face. Now. What did you intend to say?" Roden's eyes widened, and he ducked into a sloppy, hasty bow.

"Apologies, milady. I was not aware that you were in the wagons that-" She cut him off.

"Cannonballed through the city's streets? Whooped and hollered like the devils themselves? Made fools of the guards outside the gates? Of course, Captain. Why do you reprimand me for something I am quite aware I did?" He nodded slowly, sitting down at the table we were seated at.

"Yes." He turned towards Jaron, a question in his eyes. "Were they searched?"

"Of course, Roden. All it was was a sizable amount of gold coins, enough fodder for the horses to live on, food for the Wolves, and a collection of harmless smoke bombs that quickly passed inspection." Roden scratched his chin.

"I think it is time to know what the lady does for a living." Carrill turned her stern eyes on Roden.

"The lady is here and she will speak for herself. I am a smuggler." I inhaled sharply, and Amarinda softly smoothed out my fist. Carrill held up her hand and tilted her head before continuing.

"I steal profits from Avenia, and sell them in Carthya. Contrary to popular belief, I have never cheated an honest man, and with the saints' help I never will." Roden nodded again, slowly. He opened his mouth, and then seemed to rephrase his words.

"May I speak to the authority?" I whistled softly. That was not the right thing to say, and Roden knew it as soon as Carrill stood up. There was fire in her black eyes. She leaned forward, drew a knife, and embedded it in the wooden table.

"I am the Wolves' authority. And you may not speak to me."

She stormed out of the room, leaving her knife behind.