The Merlinian Legacy (working title)

Chapter 13: Black Knights and Draconic Wisdom

The Alpha pack made their camp on a grassy patch of land beside the road leading from the forest to the human town of New Avalon, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over their makeshift settlement. Seren watched with a mix of awe and curiosity as each werewolf in this pack of Alphas used their unique mutations to aid in the myriad tasks required to establish their temporary home. It was impressive, seeing the way they seamlessly worked together, like a well-oiled machine—each member using their particular skills to pitch tents, secure supplies, and build makeshift fortifications.

One of the Alphas with serpent-like traits used his elongated, scaled arms to reach high branches, tying ropes for the canopy that would shelter them. Another, whose mutation had given him powerful ox-like legs, stomped out a level area for their meeting space with just a few steps. A third, whose limbs shimmered with an almost crystalline glow, drove stakes into the ground with the precision and force of a blacksmith hammering steel. Each of them seemed to have found a way to turn their changes into strengths, their cooperation smooth and wordless.

Seren couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as she watched them. She was still getting used to her new state, adjusting to the way her body responded unpredictably to her commands. The chaotic nature of her mutation made it difficult to know what to expect from herself, and the realization stung. She'd mastered the skill of partial transformations before her mutation, able to shift a hand into claws or extend her senses with the ease of an artist. But now, the once-familiar control seemed beyond her reach.

Her frustration grew when Raina Redcloak, her new mentor—an idea that still felt strange to her—suggested she practice her partial transformations while the pack settled in. Seren could see the logic in the advice; even a small improvement in control could make a world of difference. But putting it into practice was proving more difficult than she'd imagined.

Standing near one of the tents, Seren concentrated, closing her eyes and willing her hand to shift into an elephant's leg—strong, powerful, perfect for driving a stubborn tent stake into the ground. For a moment, she felt the transformation take hold. But just as she swung her newly formed limb downward, it shifted unexpectedly, turning into the softer palm of a gorilla. The force of the swing sent pain shooting through her hand as it struck the iron stake, causing her to yelp and shake out her hand, biting back a curse.

Raina's voice rang out from across the camp, steady but tinged with a hint of humor. "Focus, Seren! Don't try to force the form—let it flow naturally, or it'll snap back on you like that."

Seren gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to snap back. She could hear the wisdom in Raina's words, but that didn't make the process any less frustrating. She glanced over to see Raina directing other members of the pack, her red cloak catching the last light of the day. For a moment, she caught Seren's eye and offered a small nod of encouragement, but there was a firmness in her gaze that reminded Seren of the hard truth: this was no time for self-pity. There was work to be done, and her brother's trail was already growing cold.

Alderwyn, of course, had wasted no time and slipped into her raccoon form as soon as the pack decided to camp out side of the infamous town, and scurried off to follow Alaric's group's scent into the town, and to gather information. The Druid priestess moved with a practiced ease, her small masked face barely visible as she slipped through the underbrush and across the road, her quick paws carrying her toward the bustling streets of New Avalon. Even in her small form, Seren could sense the curiosity and determination radiating from her friend—no detail would escape Alderwyn's keen eyes and sharp ears.