I am frozen, stunned at this auspicious yet ominous sight. Mother scuttles away from her table, Lisa following in her wake toward me. My gaze flicks to and fro along the faces of the smiling she wolves of the Iron Court. Resplendent ladies with twinkling gazes that shift from the Cunning Lord to the Scythe.
Their Princess Helena who has led this betrayal of her brother's kingdom, allowed for his Queen to invite in this unknown enemy right under his nose. I glance to the left to see Helena still seated, having only moved to pull her mother's head out of her bowl.
The Cunning Lord's attention turns to her, a quick shift of their hood being the only indication. With grace and precise steps the Cunning Lord walks over to the head table. The cat eyed man follows with a loping gait just a breath behind. His long hair flutters down his back, a cascade of dark shining oil.
They stop in front of Helena, both sides appraising one another, sizing up each other, a display of will, of power, one where weakness cannot be shown. The Cunning Lord bows at the waist, dipping their head slightly in time with the scarred male.
"At long last we meet your highness," the lord drawls, turning their body toward me just as Mother and Lisa reach my side. "And a great honor it is to have been called by your queen. Called to free her kin from this place, and to begin the first of many trials to give the she wolves of the Eastern Kingdom true freedom."
The Cunning Lord straightens, extending a hand toward the male at their side. "As I speak, my followers are distributing the same tonic to the rest of the citizens of the Silver City. All will be told to slip it into the food and drink of any male wolf over the age of twelve, and to anyone who is untrustworthy. Those slipped the tonic will sleep for three days."
"Once all have been placed in their beds, my cunning folk, helped with the soldiers brought by Prince Aydan of the Golden Dune Pride and ally to the Western Packs, will see all who wish to flee this city brought to safety. It is the mission of my people and allies to bring peace to this land. To build a new world where beings of all races and sexes are respected and equal."
The Cunning Lord pauses, head pulling up as Mother slides her finger round the collar about my neck, hoping to find a latch or hinge. Lisa holds my hand, a silent assurance yet trembling with nerves as the Cunning stars to walk toward us. All eyes follow the robed lord, the fluid movement like water rolling of stones, a breeze fluttering over long grass, a mountain lion that has scented the blood of fresh kill.
"Fear not little shaman," the lord croons, their toothy grin expose to my gaze as they draw closer to the high table's middle. "I have not forgotten about the queen. This sweet wild queen that will be the key to this tyrant's downfall."
Like the snapping jaws of a viper, a curved dagger appears in their hand, one they hack down onto the table top. With wide eyes I watch the dagger's blade fall, cutting into the flesh of King Evander's finger. A finger connected to the hand he had rested close to my left one. The finger that bares the very ring that controls the collar round my throat. To make me obedient, to take away my control, my safety, my sanity, my will to live. Never again will he be able to. Not without a fight, not without me binding him with the roots of the earth and tearing his pitiful black hearted corpse apart.
A series of shakes erupts starts within me, a trembling that does not cease even as the Cunning Lord retrieves the Alpha King's finger and removes the ring from off the severed digit. Mother and Lisa help me up from my chair as the hooded lord hands the finger to the male at their side. He takes it without a word, opening a purple sack from his long robes and dropping the finger inside.
His lord walks round the table just as I'm helped away from my chair and positioned in front of this figure, who I once thought to be no more than a mere campfire tale. A waft of earth and winter roses rushes up my nostrils, a wave of scent that makes the hair on my arms and neck stand on end.
YOU ARE READING
Forest of Lies
FantasyA thousand years past, the world was run by humankind. But it changed, when countries became embroiled in a war that gave the werewolves the opportunity, to recreate the earth in their own image. Now humans are the lowest on the food chain, little m...
