Pleasing the Darkness

Ch.2

After a few hours in the cell with Cedric, I had learned all I needed to and more. I'm pretty sure he would have spilled the story of his entire childhood, had I asked. I found out that there were no actual escape routes, but simply a couple of decoys. All of the decoys lined with trigger happy explosives, and no wolves wanted to be inside the caverns when they went off, so they would all be left unguarded.

I had then sent the clan historian to get all of the scrolls detailing the attacks we had arranged on the werewolves. I studied exactly what went wrong, what we did right, the previous battle strategies, our weaknesses, their weaknesses, and any other tactics I would need. After that, I planned what I hoped was a foolproof plan of attack, all while sipping on a goblet of blood.

At around five AM, I finally decided sleep sounded like a good idea. So with plans for the following night, a stomach full of hope, and anticipation for the following attack I tried to fall asleep. I guess the key word is tried, because let's just say sleep had decided it hated me. I tossed and I turned, but was unsuccessful in all attempts. At about six AM I heard the most curious noise. It was the gentle clicking of the gears in my door knob. Though I never locked my doors, some people still thought it necessary to force my door, whoever this intruder was, they understood gentleness. Although I'm not a particularly gentle person, I also don't feel like replacing my things every few days so I compromise.

My intruder didn't flick on the light to alert me of their presence. Immediately knowing something was going on, I slipped the blade from my dresser under the sheet, and grabbed the revolver from under my pillow loaded with wooden bullets. It didn't matter the species of the intruder, if they meant me harm, they were going down.

I watched as a slip of light came in the door and framed the silhouette. She had long hair, a tall body, and a gown. Okay, so maybe not an assassin, but probably not friendly either. Whoever it was, closed the door, and crept almost silently to the bed. Only problem was, they hit my bureau on the way to me, and the room seemed to erupt in noise. She hissed and I guess because she assumed she had awoken me, she called out into the darkness.

"Are you awake?" I was startled by the voice to whom it belonged.

"Princess?" What business could she possibly have in my room at first light?

"What's going on? I don't smell blood, so you're not hurt. Is the cavern under siege?" As the train of thoughts hit me, I instantly became even more alert. If the royal line was in danger, my first job as the official war lord was to protect them at all cost.

"We're fine," at that I relaxed a little but not entirely. "No need to panic, I just... well... I was unable to sleep and I thought... it seems so silly now, but I thought you might be able to help." I was taken aback. My body went on a different kind of alert as she spoke those words.

"Princess, you know I live to serve, but this is more than a little outside my jurisdiction. I protect, it's what I do, but I'm not the royal teddy bear, and I don't exactly tuck people in to bed at night." My mind was a little out of sorts. As many possibilities had gone through my mind from finding an intruder to knowing it was her, this was never one of them. Never in my wildest dreams had I ever pictured the princess asking me to tuck her in at night, especially with what she saw me do today. Maybe that's what it was; maybe my earlier actions had panicked her poor, sheltered mind.

"I'm not asking to be tucked in, I want to know if... well... you know what, it's stupid. I better just go, forget I was here. I'm sorry for intruding on your sleep."

"No, I know you. You worked up the nerve to come here, and I'm betting it has something to do with what you witnessed today. Now say your piece, and I'll give it consideration." I don't know exactly what she wanted to talk to me about, but I guessed I wouldn't need to consider it long.