Great Hall of Ederath, Capital of the Kingdom of Ederath, Early-Summer 15 AR

“Off fishing once again, dear sister?” Dani rose to her feet as Prince Lief walked into the suite, interrupting the group's discussion about their past few days' exploits.

“It’s quite enjoyable, you should try it… dear brother,” Astrid responded, ending with a mocking tone that was mostly fun with a little sass. It seemed to take the Young Prince aback for a moment but he recovered quickly.

“I see you’ve all become quite close,” he said, giving a slight nod to Jaes and the others. It felt like praise that she didn’t deserve. The first week of spending time with the princess seemed forced and awkward. It was to the point that she spent a lot of time studying her spellbooks just for an excuse to escape. The first fishing trip wasn’t much better but things had slowly become more tolerable as everyone began to get to know the princess and vice versa. Astrid seemed to like the activity and they’d just gotten back from their third outing to the pond.

“Hmph,” Astrid pouted. Something she had done a little less of late. Dani looked at the girl and saw her eyes moving up and down before fixating them up, right at Prince Leif’s face. He smiled back while he played with a wheeled string-toy. “That one’s mine you know.”

“I know,” Prince Leif smirked as he caught it. “Been missing this for… how long has it been now?”

“Two years,” Astrid glared at him as he placed it in a pouch.

“Well, I’ll keep an eye out for it. If I see it, I assure you, you’ll be the first to know. But you must stop losing your things, dear sister,” She knew the man was very charming in public but it wasn’t the first time he’d picked on his sister right in front of them. Dani honestly wanted to tell Astrid to slap him but that probably wouldn’t end well for her. As in, Dani getting arrested for attempting to incite violence against the prince. She could imagine Astrid being just fine after.

“So that’s where that’s been?” a deep voice came from the doorway that made Prince Leif suddenly pale and Astrid to smirk victoriously as she quickly stood. Dani could make an educated guess on who just came in as she stood as well. She could only think of one person with a deep voice who could make the Young Prince look like he’d just got caught stealing sweets. Throw in the fact that Astrid stood up.

“Daddy!” Astrid said as Dani finished turning towards the doorway and the room's newest occupant. She barely made it around before bowing deeply.

“Rise,” the King instructed them, the only two who hadn’t bowed were his children, “First… give it back Leif. And more importantly, I must speak with Miss Jaesmin for a moment. I have learned of your brother’s whereabouts.”

“My King?” Jaesmin asked while every set of eyes in the room moved to her. Dani knew about Leofrith but she didn’t understand why the king himself was bringing the news. It seemed Prince Leif didn’t either.

“Father? I’m sure Miss Jaesmin appreciates your involvement but…” the King raised his hand and Leif paused.

“I’m sure you’ll discuss it with your friends, thus I’ll inform those here as well. I know you’ll talk and perhaps even make plans to save him but I must ask you not to do that,” the King looked at each of the group including his own daughter and son to drive the point. “This is a matter between Kingdoms, understood?”

‘A what? How does Jaesmin’s brother disappearing turn into a matter of inter-kingdom relations?’ the King’s words caught her and seemingly everyone else off guard, including the two younger royals. When the others answered, she did too, “Yes, my King.”

“Very well,” King Herald said and gestured to the seating area. The group hesitated and waited for him to be seated first before following his unspoken instruction. “Word was sent to ascertain his whereabouts just as Erik had promised but the response had been that he’d gone back to Everton and Novaris had no idea where he’d ended up. Word was put out to any Ederathan or Elvanni in Stilyra to keep an eye out for him. It’s simply too large of a country to search and we have no jurisdiction to do so… A rider from the Elvan just arrived, a merchant had just been with the Stilyran second army where he heard stories from the soldiers that they’d fought off an attack from werewolves. Every story includes your brother in some way. They even mentioned his name-”

“He’s fighting for Stilyra?” Jaesmin cut him off as she stared at the king with a furrowed brow and wary expression.

“Yes, although not voluntarily,” the King ignored her interruption. “The stories claim he was a Stilyran noble that tried to secede from the kingdom after becoming a lycan and tried to take his lands with him. He was branded a rebel and sentenced to a lifetime of slavery.”

“Father! That’s ridiculous! It violates the Treaty of Wolfheim!” Leif yelled in outrage but didn’t go any further. Dani had me the Young Prince more often than any royal except Astrid and this was the first time he’d seen him mad.

“I know. Even if he had done anything of the sort, they’d still be required to give him to us for execution. Lycans cannot be enslaved. I spoke to Erik and he explained to me what he knew of House Barling’s lands. I feel they’ve taken the agreed upon period of the orphans growing to mean he is still in possession of the land. Although, something of the sort should have been discussed with our ambassador to clear up. No, I believe they intended to use him as a weapon… But let me finish,” the King looked at all of them. Dani agreed. If there was more, there was no reason to interrupt. Jaesmin however looked like she wanted to say more.

Dani stood up and sat next to Jaesmin, who’d gone from confused to a complex emotion while her mouth opened and closed like she was trying to turn her thoughts into words. Dani had no idea what Jaesmin wanted to say but she could imagine though. If she were in Jaesmin’s position she’d probably be angry and scared at the same time and in several different ways at once.

“The merchant wasn’t able to see Mister Leofrith because he’d been sent with a group of former legionnaires and knights under Count Viabold of Nola to hunt down the werewolves that had fled the battle. No one had seen them since but the Elvan has already dispatched Rangers to comb their side of the border, looking for the wolves and your brother… I promise you Miss Jaesmin, we will not let this go unanswered and we will find him.”

“Thank you… my king,” Jaesmin squeaked out after a moment of awkward silence. Dani stroked her shoulder with one hand and held Jaesmin’s in the other. She could tell that of all the scenarios that Jaesmin had played out, from Leofrith getting stuck with politics, sick, lost, or dying, Jaesmin had never considered slavery. “And if the wolves get him before he’s found?”

“We’ll deal with that if, and only if, it comes to it but I promise you. Rest assured there will be consequences regardless. It’s never come to it before, so they may not realize that we meant it, but the penalties for violating that particular part of the treaty are exact. Those responsible for enslaving a lycan will be sent here to Jorvik where they will be tried and if found guilty, beheaded. The Kingdom of Stilyra will also have to accept the old borders which include the Duchy of Saena. I will let you discuss amongst yourselves. As you can imagine, there’s much to be done with the southerners violating the treaty. Again Miss Jaesmin, I am sorry.”

The king rose and so did the others. They bowed as he departed the room. Other than quiet sobs from Jaesmin it was silent for a full minute. There was a lot to take in.

“Saena was part of Ederath?” Astrid asked Leif suddenly. Dani was glad that Astrid was the one to ask the question because she was about to.

“You skipping history lessons?” Prince Leif questioned her.

“I’m not sixteen yet! I’m still studying the new way,” Astrid shot back. Dani had become familiar with the old way but had yet to see the new way. Cara and Jaesmin had no idea and Arn politely declined to speak of it. It was apparently impolite to share how the new way worked to someone that was going through the old way. Once one of the two was started, they couldn’t use the other and it was bad manners to rub the less brutal way in the bruised and bloody face of one that had gone the other route.

“Fine… Yes, a few hundred years ago the border was the Ousta until it met the Varna river and at its headwaters, it continues west along with the Little Varna. It’s a creek that goes all the way into the eastern range of the Elvan,” Prince Leif explained.

“So what changed? Did Stilyra conquer it, my prince?” Cara asked.

“No, we gave it to them,” Prince Leif answered and continued his history lesson, “The treaty was put in place to ensure that lycans couldn’t be enslaved. If one of us were to go into debt in foreign lands, they are supposed to contact us. The kingdom will pay the debt and deal with the debtor in our own way… usually a special tax until it’s paid. If it’s a criminal offense. Again we handle it. The point is, the risk of someone owning a lycan trying to get him or her to bite their other slaves was too high. A second lycan pack wouldn’t be terrible but hundreds of slaves turning into werewolves would be-”

“What does this have to do with Saena?” Astrid asked but he just stared at her for a moment. “Sorry.”

“But it’s a big ask, it meant special treatment for lycans, and there needed to be some give and take. Each of the kingdoms of the isles has a different clause, even the tribal lands, for Stilyra it was giving them a large tract of land as payment. If they ever fail to do so, we have every right to take it back.”

He seemed finished so Dani chanced a question, “So if they ummm… If something happened to Leofrith?”

Dani felt bad asking but she wanted to understand. Jaesmin didn’t object though and remained quiet occasionally sniffing and rubbing her eyes as she listened. She hoped it never came to that.

“That? no. If Leofrith is a slave, they’ve already violated the treaty. If something does happen? Well, it’s not good to dwell on bad news before even receiving it,” Leif smiled lightly but let it go. Jaesmin didn’t seem to want to hear it.

“So what about the others?” Astrid asked, “What happens if they enslave a lycan in Dain?”

**********

Jaesmin listened to the discussion of the treaty. Sure it was interesting that, except for the Elvan, Ederath had each kingdom in the isles over a barrel. They’d all agreed to severely damaging things and if they refused to honor the treaty, they’d be looking at war with Ederath and the Elvan. Even the tribes in the north had been threatened with an invasion of the entire region if a single lycan was taken as a slave. Slavery didn’t include prisoners of war but the terms were the exact same if a prisoner was forced to bite someone. While on the mainland it was accepted and enforced by the legion, with high command not wanting to deal with random outbreaks of werewolves while they focused on the main lines.

She would have enjoyed listening and discussing it or been ecstatic that the Duchy of Saena could be the Jarldom of Saena. That being said though, there wasn’t much cause for joy considering the reason for the discussion or potential border change. She could hardly understand it all.

‘He’s a slave? How could they make him a slave, he never did anything. He didn’t give up his lands outright to make sure the countess took care of the others in the orphanage. He wasn’t scheming to make a corner of southern Stilyra a part of Ederath! That’s moronic,” She shook her head at the stupidity involved but realized it was less about ignorance or lack of wit and more because they chose to ignore those facts.

“Perhaps we should discuss something else?” Prince Leif suggested. “There’s a copy or two of the treaty in the library if you wish to learn more.”

“You can keep talking, my prince. If I may, I think I’ll retire,” Jaesmin said in her most courteous tone or at least the closest she could muster at that moment. She just felt tired.

“You don’t have to,” Astrid said, sounding worried.

“It’s okay, I just need rest,” Jaesmin said and stood up to give a bow before departing. She should have technically waited for permission or dismissal from the two royals but she wasn’t in the mood for it. They did bid her a good night though.

She laid in the dark for hours, replaying what the King had just told her. More than once she decided to ignore his command and find Leo herself but then she would decide against it. She would only cause problems and there were already Rangers looking into it.

After a few more hours of tossing in her bed. She slowly drifted off to sleep. She dreamt of fishing but it was at the lake at Willow’s Point. Her friends and even Mrs. Elaine, Diana, and the orphans were there and of course, so was Leo. They all talked and laughed. She told the young ones a story of the Arena. When she finished she looked back and realized Leo was gone. She stood up and looked around frantically. She didn’t understand why she was panicking but she needed to find him. She started searching the area but there was no sign. She then looked out towards the water and spotted three werewolves standing there, watching her with hundreds more running behind them. They were coming!

Jaesmin jerked awake and sat up in bed. She looked around rapidly to take in her surroundings. It took her a moment to realize where she was and that it’d just been a bad dream. She groaned as she dropped backwards onto her pillow.

“Stupid fucking dreams!” She harshly whispered. It wasn’t the first time she’d had the dream about the three werewolves at the lake or the three that had bitten her, Jon, and Leo. The inclusion of the orphans was new and of course, the need to find Leo hadn’t happened before either.

She saw a soft glow and looked over to see Solara using a pillow like a giant mattress. She wasn’t sure when the fairy had joined her but she didn’t mind. The fae wasn’t asleep though and was looking at Jaes.

Solara flew up and bent in to kiss Jaes on the lip before patting her nose. Jaes smiled slightly. It was at least good to see that Solara wasn’t upset anymore or was at least feeling better. It began a few days prior, her tiny friend wouldn’t look at her, wouldn’t talk, and even looked like she’d been crying. Jaesmin wasn’t sure why and Solara refused to tell her but whatever it was it must have been bad news for the fae. Jeasmin told her that she wouldn’t ask as long as Solara promised to talk when she was ready. The fae had popped out of existence after giving a quick nod. Although for some reason Jaes felt it wasn’t going to be that easy.

**********

De’ Aray, Port in the Kingdom of Darvony, Early-Summer 15 AR

“Gods will you look at that!” Raould exclaimed as Aneesa and thousands of others looked towards the Legion’s line of forts and earthen walls in the distance. They’d heard of the devastating attack on the Dragon Legion a few weeks prior but the legionnaires had eventually won the day and sent the surviving werewolves packing.

Now though it was the Griffin Legion under attack. They were too far away to tell exactly what was going on but it obviously wasn’t good. Plumes of fire and lightning bolts could be seen scorching a section of the lines as magic users of all types fought something. No one needed telling though.

“They going to get through?” Someone asked next to her.

“Nonsense, they’ll hold. The legion has faltered but never fallen, my child,” an elderly priestess said but she too looked concerned as she looked at the distant showing of light.

Gasps and a few screams erupted through the crowd as a second section of the line started fighting just as hard as the first. Then a third and a fourth.

“It’s alright people!” the priestess said, her voice not enough to reach many. She groaned and tried again, “IT’S ALRIGHT PEOPLE! THE LEGION WILL HOLD!”

“I’m not so sure bout that. If that were the case they’d be further away. It looks like they're fighting right at the walls of the fortress,” Raould said and Aneesa was terrified that he could be right as more sections of the line started burning spells. It was the same stories from those fleeing north four years prior, trying to keep the legions between them and the ever-advancing wolves.

“Do not stir mass hysteria,” The priestess admonished him. “The gods will ensure their victory. See they even send a rider to calm us.”

Sure enough, Aneesa could see someone on horseback running towards us as fast as the mount would carry him. The man seemed to be saying something but between the distance and the wind, none of them could hear him.

“KEEP YOUR MIND AND USE [AMPLIFY]!” the priestess yelled at the man. Aneesa had no idea how she knew the man had known the spell but a moment later, she no longer cared and only thought of her little Haifa and Verud.

“THE LEGION IS FALLING! WE CAN'T HOLD THEM! WARN EVERYONE AND RUN!”