VALERIA

Chapter Eleven.

Azalea had gave them her wolf whistle. Was it just a common thing that werewolves were always out to help? They were dogs. Maybe it was the need to please in them. Either way, Hildwulf had come again to rescue them from the smelly swamp. And the wolf man from earlier was there too, having tagged along. Apparently, he was Hildwulf's son — Fenris. Up close he was actually rather handsome.

He was sitting up front but turned towards the two teenagers, aggressively adjusting his tie. He was dressed in a suit, presumably for the Love Healing. "So uh," He began after awhile, finally looking up. "What time will I see you guys at the party? You're still going, aren't ya? Because the King is a little far away . . " The accusatory tone was annoying to Batty, especially coming from someone she just met. "First of all, I don't have to answer to you," The girl said icily. "Secondly, of course! We aren't liars! But she knows I came here for something first and I'm doing that before anything. I'm not sorry."

Fenris frowned at that, looking more wounded than angry that she had gotten lippy with him. His tall ears flatten against his skull, "She would just be super irate if you lied, is all I'm saying. You shouldn't lie after she helped you." It was as if the wolf was voicing everything that was already on Batty's mind. "And I'm not," She said again, but this time, she forced herself to sound happier. "But like I said, she knew I had other things to do, so. Family first. Surely you understand as much."

He was happy to leave it at that but Batty could feel he was uneasy. She didn't understand why it mattered to him so much but then again, he had been the first on the scene when she appeared. Then, Batty noticed the animal's occasional glances up at Connor. It clicked. The girl frowned; he was jealous of Connor. Azalea had liked him a lot, called him handsome. But he wasn't interested and he could tell him that. Batty scoffed. He was bitter for nothing.

The rest of the ride was in uncomfortable silence. When they arrived at the castle, it was quite bustling. Guards were walking to and fro and there was a tight line of them guarding the entrance. Hildwulf frowned a little, leaning back so the others could hear him, "Hey, looks like Aztan might be in. You might not be able to visit." Fenris looked up from his busy paws and blurted, "What do you want with him, anyway?"

Batty blinked, standing up from her seat. She made her way to the door, popping it open. Connor got up to follow. "He's got my shit," Batty said simply with a shrug. "I'll figure out how to get it. It's for my Mom so I have to. Anyways, thanks again, Hildy. Thank you, Fenris. We will see you at the party." And with that, she sent the wolf a toothy smile and hopped out. Connor followed, walking to catch up with Batty. "Nosy mutt," The boy joked. "What was his deal anyway?" Batty shook her head. She didn't want to voice her theory. Now that she thought on it, it was kind of silly. "No idea."

They slowly approached the line of guards and immediately they wielded their weapons, which were swords and axes, and positioned them to fight. The largest of them all, an orc with shaggy black strands of hair, hobbled forward with a raised hand. "Stop here, heathens! The King is not taking guests at the moment." It bellowed, practically shaking the earth. Connor stood back, shielding his eyes so he could view the beast. Batty crossed her arms and stopped a meter away, eying the creatures with disdain.

"Tell him it's an emergency then!" She shot back, trembling inside, but unable to back down. She felt all the witches in the forest lifting her spirits. "He's got something that belongs to me and I will not leave until I get it back!" She could feel Connor shake beside of her but he did not run. She wished she could cast her power onto him, to remind him that she had his back no matter what. Nothing would hurt them today.

The orc recoiled in shock, but it was hard to tell, what with his deformed features. His grip on his axe strengthened and he brought it into position, spinning it around his thick, sausage like fingers. "I've never had a little human girl talk to me like that before," He huffed through his nose, a thick cloud of smoke. "I HATE IT. SOLDIERS, FOWARD. Blow these little termites outta their boots!" He roared, saliva flying past his lips. Batty squeaked in alarm; what? Charging now? She was only a kid and so was Connor, what could they really do?