I don't have much to say this time. School's still going on and I had enough time in my schedule to write this. I hope you enjoy it.



Wolfen - Part 32

Once again, the wolfen were lead around the interior of the human castle. This time, they were moving much farther than before. Verik got a much better perspective on just how massive this fortress was. Now that he was walking around inside, it seemed like the hallways and staircases were endless. Surely they should have made it to the other side by now, he thought, but they just kept going.

“I’m surprised that they are able to make it anywhere inside this fortress without the use of a map. It’s a damn maze in here.” Verik said in a hushed tone, per the human escorts’ request. The majority of the humans living in here were already sleeping. “The only way I would be able to get out of here is to follow our scent trail. Humans can’t even do that.”

Emmaline nodded and leaned towards his ear and whispered, “All the humans that work here are required to memorize the floor plan of every single floor. For the soldiers, it is especially important for all of them to know the details of this place in the event of an attack. Anyone that tries to invade and get to the king would be at a severed disadvantage.”

“Unless one of the workers is a spy. How do they prevent that?”

“The king is actually aware of the dangers, but his answer is a little disturbing. The room that the maps are held in are secured and guarded at all times in a room that has so many magical wards around it that you can feel it anywhere within thirty feet of the room.

“After that, the king had the most powerful magicians in his service cast some kind of spell on everyone who sees the maps. This spell makes it so that if they try to give any details about the maps to anyone else that does not have also have the spell, their body suddenly shuts down and they die instantly. The same will happen if they try to write it down on anywhere.

“Everyone that works here are aware that there are strict punishments for anyone that tries to share or copy the maps, but none of them are aware of the spell; not even the soldiers.”

Verik scowled. “He didn’t seem like he was that paranoid when we met him both times. He better not try and put spells on any of us, or there will be some problems.”

“The king is very good at hiding his true emotions. Though he may seem friendly, he is still suspicious of us. While you were in that room, waiting for the king to summon you, one of his magicians was standing outside the room, trying to get into your minds. They were unable to succeed, since wolfen minds have much stronger defenses than humans, but they are still trying. They haven’t tried to put any spells on us, yet, but I will know whenever they try.”

The humans turned left in one of the hallways and lead them up yet another flight of stairs. “That’s good, at least. Who did you get all this information from?”

Emmaline pointed to one of the soldiers near the front of the group. “He isn’t a real soldier. He’s one of the king’s magicians in disguise.”

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Really? What is he doing?”

“Still trying to hear our thoughts to no avail. The majority of the magicians are all around the city, taking on different roles and keeping an eye on the city.”

The group finally came to a halt at the end of a hallway. “The king is waiting for you inside.” The soldier in the lead said and pushed the door open. Stepping to the side, he motioned for the wolfen to enter.

Everyone followed Keil into the room. Inside, there were no torches lit anywhere. The only light was from a large bowl-shaped object sitting on a pedestal in the center of the room. It was filled with a strange water that emitted a soft blue glow. It reminded Verik of the meditation room where they met the Elders.

Surrounding the pool, there were several humans in robes, most likely the king’s magicians, leaning over the edge and staring into the liquid. In the back of the room, the king was speaking with a few more of them, his back turned to the Wolfen who just entered. One of the magicians gestured to the wolfen.

The king turned around to see. His eyes squinted in concentration for a moment and then a large smile spread across his lips. “Ah, you’re here! Welcome to the mana observatory. Before we get started, have your leader wear this.” He held out a long chain with a smooth purple stone pendant.

“What is it?” Verik asked, taking it from the king’s hand, examining it closely.

“It’s still a work in progress, but it has had several enchantments placed on it so that we can understand each other’s language without you having to translate.”

Verik handed the object over to Emmaline. “What do you think? Is it safe?” He asked in his own language.

She looked at it for several seconds and then gently placed her hand over the pendant, closing her eyes in concentration. Once she was finished, she handed it back to Verik. “As far as I can tell, it’s exactly what the king described. Nothing more.”

Verik gave it to Keil and explained what the king had said.

Nodding in the direction of the king, he slipped the chain over his neck. When the chain hit his shoulders, his eyes suddenly went wide and his whole body flinched.

“Are you okay?” Verik asked urgently and instinctively readied his claws.

Keil recovered and waved his hand dismissively. “I’m fine. That was just a strange sensation.”

The king’s smile widened. “Wonderful! It works!” He cleared his throat before continuing. “I apologize. I should have warned you. That feeling you got was just the magic taking effect. You get used to it if you use any kind of enchanted items regularly.”

Keil smoothed out the bristled fur on his neck. “Hopefully that won’t happen.” He muttered.

“Well, we have much to discuss. Come over here and speak with speak with me and my advisors while we wait for the prisoner to be brought up here.” The king walked back over to the back of the room with Keil.

The door to the room opened behind Verik, and the light of a few torches poured in for a few seconds. Verik looked back and saw Myorakk walking in, the door shutting behind him. “They already let you free?” Verik asked and joined him.

Myorakk’s expression was particularly foul. “These humans are pathetic.” He snarled quietly.

“Did something happen? What did they do?” Verik asked, surprised at his anger. Then he noticed a silver collar around his neck. “And what is that?”

“I explained my case to them and they already heard it from you guys that I am on your side, but they still fail to see the truth. All these overly cautious cowards see is that I look like the enemy and that is enough for them.

“Despite everything I’ve said, they placed this enchanted collar around my neck as a failsafe. If they suspect me of betrayal, then they can activate the enchantments and it will blow my head off. If I try to remove it without before it is disenchanted, then it will activate on its own and blow my head off. I’m completely at the mercy of these fools.”

Veirk grasped Myorakk’s shoulder comfortingly. “Just stick with us and don’t do anything rash. They’ll discover who you really are soon enough.”

Myorakk looked at him skeptically. “I doubt that very much.”

“You never know.” Verik shrugged. “I’ve heard many bad things about humans and their foolish stubbornness. But I’ve also witnessed humans join together with us to take down Erebos. And then create a truce between our species.”

“Just because there is a truce, does not mean you are friends. Old ways are tough to kill. You know quite well that the humans still think very lowly of you. Just don’t place too much trust in them because you don’t know that they won’t stab you in the back once you are no longer useful.”

“No, I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I have to assume that they will. They probably think that way of you.”

“You have a point.” Myorakk sighed and folded his arms. “Just try to be prepared for anything.”

The door behind them into the hallway opened up again, revealing several men holding a large wood and iron box. They walked it over to the center of the room and placed it down next to the pedestal.

“Ah! The prisoner has arrived!” The king announced. “Let’s get this started, then.”

To Be Continued…