Alysia

Prologue

     Deep in a specific kingdom in Alysia, two wolves were at work in a forgotten workshop type of place. It was hidden underground, taken care of by the king. The black floors remained polished and fairly clean, the walls stable and without a crack in them. Chandeliers hung from the roof of the large room, with old paintings lining the walls. Stacks of books were placed in the corners, overflowing the few bookshelves provided. Everything seemed to be in fairly good condition, though.

     "Where is it?"

     Hawk jumped, her ears flicking up and down in an attempt to calm herself. "U-Uh, I'm not sure... I swear I put it over here..." She shoved several books aside with her muzzle, squinting at the covers. "Um."

     "What's taking so long?" There was a hint of a growl in their voice this time.

     "S-Sorry! I promise I'm l-looking..." Hawk coughed, clearing her throat. Anxiety gnawed at her belly and her legs shakily shifted. The king never stopped being intimidating toward anyone in his presence. Hawk was sure she wasn't the only one who expected her throat to be slit when he walked by.

     "Aha! Sir, I think I found it..." Hawk brushed some dust off of the cover with her paw, reading over the cover before gently sinking her teeth into it. She flung the book at Azzeric, who easily caught it and set it down at his paws. Hawk hesitated before carefully approaching, sinking to the ground as she neared him. "So... Uhm, w-what should I do now?"

     "Get out of my sight, Hawk. I have something to do," Azzeric growled, flipping open the book. Hawk let out an embarrassing squeak. "Uh, yes sir..." Hawk didn't hesitate to bolt out of the room, leaving Azzeric alone. 

     Azzeric's eyes narrowed slightly in concentration as he scanned the table of contents, looking for a certain chapter. If the old trader wasn't lying to him, then this book contained exactly what the king needed. Of course, if he did lie, Azzeric wouldn't hesitate to have him tracked down and killed in an instant. Wouldn't be too hard...

     Aha. There it was. He quickly flipped to the chapter and read each page, mentally taking notes until he knew exactly what to brew up for this plan. Azzeric closed the book, shoving it aside and rising to his paws. He trotted to several shelves, checking them over and over for certain things he needed. This had to work. He hadn't done all that he had for nothing.

     Azzeric paused as a memory came to him... Ashes being born, the panic, the excitement, the joy, the love... Raven's eyes. Tired, but they were still full of light, somehow. Grief stabbed at his heart, but he refused to let it overwhelm him like it had done so many times before. Raven was gone, he couldn't do anything about it. 

     As Azzeric straightened himself, he didn't hear the door opening, or the faint tap of claws hitting the ground as someone entered. "Dad?"

     Azzeric whipped his head around, staring at Ashes. His son had grown quite a bit since the last time they'd talked... Broader shoulders, the same perked ears as his mother's... He shoved the image of Raven away. Not the time. "Yes?"

     Ashes stood by the entrance nervously, his paws shifting. "Well, I just wanted to ask... What are you going to do about the festival?"

     Ah, the festival. He had completely forgotten. "We'll still be going, of course. Don't worry about it, Ashes." 

     Ashes nodded, looking straight into Azzeric's eyes. He seemed to be searching for something. Azzeric blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Alright. I'll... see you." Ashes nodded again, confusion lighting his gaze as he exited. 

     The only one who can keep a steady voice, Azzeric thought, feeling just a hint of pride. As expected. He looked back at the shelf, his claws brushing the side.  Not many ingredients here... He'd have to ask the healers.

     This is going fairly well. If I'm lucky, the darts will be brewed up in a month or two, and those foolish goddesses will be in my paws. Power isn't that far away, it seems... Azzeric thought, his claws curling. 

     Perhaps I underestimated this situation entirely.