It all begins when a silver dagger goes missing.
For her entire life, a human named Cora Gabris has known that lycans were searching for her, as she was born as a Ruby -- a human that, when turned into a lycan, will become much stronger than any of...
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Ludovic's elbows leaned on his knees while watching Roman guide Cora out, eyeing the Omni carefully. She smelled like dirt, horse, grime, her own unique smell, and carried the unmistakable scent of Dagma's tree, which all the Rubies and Omnis had.
He did not envy her position in the slightest and immediately admired her for her story. Lycans were pack oriented and she was defending her very small one in the best way that she knew how.
He had only met two other Omnis before and they were both timid. The other traditional Rubies were born and then quickly raised among lycans, whereas the Omnis seemed to be found later in life. The thought of having to transition from one's life of reclusive living to being on such display, in his opinion, meant that that Cora deserved a lot more patience than he knew Theran would give.
Cora's appearance was curious to him as well, in that most in Kamas were rather pale with rich brown hair, a few blondes, and the occasional flaming red hair.
And yet her skin was warm, her hair so black he could hardly see a hue in it. Right away he knew she wasn't a native of these lands, and she fit those humans near Steigen. He doubted she had any idea the magnitude of that. It seems our reign of peace came to a harsh fucking halt...Steigen will come for her.
Grimshaw Steigen was a lycan of the Old Ways,who fought tooth, nail and flesh for to get what he wanted, no matter the cost. Ludovic himself was capable of such determination, but he didn't want to have to sacrifice any of those in Reiger either. I don't think we have a choice.
When Cora was nothing more than a lingering scent, Ludovic eyed the throne and his cousin that sat in it, the one their shared grandfather used to occupy before Theran's father.
Theran would get them all killed if Steigen came.
Mina leaned into Ludovic's ear once more, as she had done the whole night, and whispered, "I saw the boy she spoke of. And the witch. I don't think she is lying, Magna."
Magna was a title given to those of the highest Clans and was earned after a lycan's first hunt. Mina Trita came from a Thaella Clan, which sat below Borda and subsequently below Magna. The Trita Clan was the only other one to specialize in human translations, and while small and less powerful, they were incredibly loyal and diligent.
Ludovic trusted the Tritas, unlike the Ashmores who were one of the Clans to speak of reverting to the Old Ways to strengthen Reiger's weakened resolve, claiming lycans had grown soft. It was a sentiment that spread through the Bound Six, mostly spurred by warnings from their Seers, coupled with a recent human threat. No doubt a pack like Steigen would fair better in war than any in the Bound Six. While Ludovic agreed with that, there were aspects of the Old Ways that he did not savor.
"Go outside and greet our Omni," Ludovic commanded to Mina.
She left without a word. Mina's role was more than to just give a private translation, but also because he chose her as Cora's confidante. If he was to watch over her, then he would make sure she was well taken care of, especially now after hearing her story.
