The Heir of Kings

Chapter Eight: Telix's Offer

Relma felt a little afraid as she trailed behind them through the halls. It wasn't the detached fear she'd felt with other things. This was a genuine fear; all she could do was stay in the shadows and not bolt away in terror.

She could only imagine what Marsha and the others must have been feeling. They were kneeling before the wolf god, far closer. You could feel his hot breath in the air, making Relma shudder. There were many terrible stories of Telix and his adventures in Escor, particularly during the Civil War. There, he had eradicated House Star. Those who behaved with dishonor paid the ultimate price at his claws. Relma knew well not to make an enemy of him.

"You are... Telix," gasped Marsha.

"Yes," said Telix. "I am the Master of the Pack. The son of Baltoth. The Lord of Wolves. And I did not bring you here lightly.

"Rest assured. It is a matter of great import."

"What... what matter?" asked Marsha, voice trancelike.

"How shall I put this?" asked Telix, putting down his cup and leaning down to look at them with dark eyes. "Although I am a son of Baltoth, my loyalty has never been to Calisha. I was sired while he was hunting for Anoa IX. And although I am of his blood, I do not serve him.

"For a long time, I wandered the lands of Harlenor. I have had many enemies among those who dwell within it and many friends. But, unfortunately, with the rise of tensions with the Calishans, I am less welcome.

"And as my pack grew, it became dangerous to move about.

"So it was that I decided to make a place for myself. And at long last, I have succeeded with the help of Adrian Wrynncurth."

"But..." gasped Marsha. "You attacked our homes..."

"Indeed, I did. However, it was nothing personal. One must defend their allies. When one of Adrian's children was killed, I was obligated to respond in kind," said Telix. He lowered a massive claw to force Marsha to look up at him.

"Why... why are we here?" asked Marsha.

"That is an interesting question," said Telix. "Although my pack has swelled in numbers, I desire mortal servants. I want to create a small kingdom of my own in time. When I came to this forest, I found many bandits and vagabonds wandering it. They were thieving off the countryside.

"Adrian desired that I destroy them. However, I found a more artful solution.

"My children and I hunted them, finding the strongest and best of them. These we blessed with our will, gradually transforming them into greater beings. You would know them as werewolves. Where once they were murderers and thieves, now their minds and bodies have been reshaped in my image."

He motioned, and a group of men came forward from the shadows. They were like Ajax, but they were more wolves or more men. Their transformation could have been better.

"I desire that these bandits yield and become the subjects in my dominion," said Telix. "Unfortunately, most of them are men. There are too few females among them to make a sustainable population."

"You... wish us... to become their wives..." guessed Marsha.

"I leave such arrangements to nature," said Telix dismissively. "No, I will merely offer you a choice. A unique chance.

"If you accept this chance, then one of my children will pass their blessing onto you. In so doing, you will become like us. Your senses will be sharpened, and your life will be extended. And you will be blessed with my divine will.

"Your existence will be given a purpose far beyond any other."

The other girls arose as if in a trance. "Don't listen to him!" shouted Marsha. "He's a demon! He'll corrupt us!"