The Last Spirit Wolf (Elena Norwood)

-Noah-

"That piece of shit." Eli slams his fist against the table, causing it to lightly fracture.

"And you're certain of this information?" Asks Caleb.

"It's coming from a trustworthy source," I tell him.

"The source is Liam," Elden says.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I was purposefully trying to keep my source a secret so as to not put him in danger, but Elden is too blunt for his own good. I trust all of the people here with my life, but this Castle, even now, has ears for walls. "Fuck, then it's true," Eli says, scratching his stubble, "So, what do you wanna do? Should we start raising an army?"

Of course, leave it to Eli to always look for the violent resolution in every scenario, looking quite content about it nonetheless.

"Liam will try to get us a meeting with their leader, Sadira I believe, and we'll see from there. If we can't come to an agreement with her, then yes, we would have to look for alternatives," I tell Eli. "What makes you think the rogues won't double cross us, too?" Caleb asks.

"It's a risk we will have to take. For now, let's all go about our day as we normally would. Eli, see into possibly raising an army, a few thousands if only to keep the Castle."

Eli nods and leaves, looking a little too happy about the task at hand.

"I never knew the problems ran this deep," Caleb muses to himself. He catches me staring, before, I mean, with Alexander, I never knew the Houses were terrorizing their people to this extent."

I stay silent. I never knew the man, but I don't like what I'm hearing thus far. He was the King, how could he not know what was happening right underneath his nose?

"He was a good man, Noah, he had the best intentions. Honestly, I strongly believe that's what got him killed in the end. He never understood that the people around him didn't have such a noble heart."

"I don't question his heart, Caleb, I question his intelligence."

Caleb purses his lips. I know he doesn't like me talking ill of Alexander, they were best friends after all, but he has to admit the man was not the most politically sharp.

"None of that matters anymore. Alexander's story was written the moment he decided to go against the Council and Alistair without a solid plan. Let us not make the same mistakes," Elden says, then he turns to me, "when is Vera coming back?" he asks. "Hopefully soon." I respond.

"Hopefully, for the sake of all of us," he says and turns around, leaving for his library.

I frown as I watch him go. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but every time this man speaks it sounds like a premonition.

I shake my head as it once again wanders to Vera and what she might be up to.

I walk towards the door, exiting with Caleb right behind. We have a meeting to go to.

After walking through several halls, we arrive at the Council meeting room where, just as expected, another meeting has been summoned.

Walking through the doors, the Council member seats are eerily empty; only a few Council members are at their seat including William. I take my seat at the head of the table and I'm about to speak when the doors dramatically open.

I make an effort to not roll my eyes. Why am I even surprised?

"Council member Alcott, I'm happy to see you still consider us worthy of your presence," I say.

"Oh, I'm sorry Your Highness, I had business to attend to back at my main House, nothing worth troubling you with, I assure you."

He takes his seat.

"Well, Council member Jeremiah had called for this meeting, but I see he is still not here. Does anybody know where he is and why he may be running late?" I ask.

"Your Highness, if I may," William stands up, "he had urgent matters to attend to at his home, you see, rogues have entered his territory and stolen a big portion of the crops gathered as taxes."

I stare at William, not amused that my time is being wasted.

"Well then, if I may." Alcott says, standing up.

William sits down.

"Your Highness, I really think all of these meetings should be halted until we have a resolution for... well for your case. Given that we actually have no proof of your lineage, it is questionable whether you should be allowed to make decisions until such evidence is provided," he says with a smirk.

"Should I go gather Alistair's remains, whatever is left of him, and show you why I should be here?" I ask him.

"Oh please, there is no need to be so crude. All I'm saying is, maybe if there is no real royal line left, then the future King should be someone selected through a popular election."

I remain quiet and rather serious. It unnerves him.

"So, I motion to resume these Council meetings once the matter of His Majesty's lineage is settled in four day's time, unless you'd like more time, Your Highness?"

Most of the Council members here voice their support for this motion, making these series of events all that more interesting. The majority of the missing members don't necessarily agree with Alcott and his methods, and today that he proposes a motion, they're all gone?

"I don't think that's wise," I interrupt them. "There are rogues moving into Council member Jeremiah's territory, meaning they are only a couple of days away from the Castle. It's closer than we have ever seen rogues come to us, we should address the matter, unless, of course, the present Council members would disagree with me?"

Alcott is surprised I'd even challenge him. Truth be told, most of the time, I just go with whatever is settle amongst them without any challenge; that's because most of the time, my mind isn't even here at all.

"I think His Majesty is right," William says, "if the rogues indeed have come this close. something must be happening, we must take action."

"I suggest we send a party of twenty, myself included, and go... negotiate terms... with the rogues," I say, causing everyone to look at me, surprised.

"Negotiate... terms... Your Highness?" Alcott asks.

"Sure, I've heard their leader, Sadira, is a great beauty, wouldn't you say, Council member Alcott? I sure would like to see this for myself."

He suddenly turns serious, the color draining from his face.

I stare at him for a long time, further unnerving him. It must be a great surprise for him that I even know her name; it's something that had never come up before.

"Well." I finally say, standing up. "if it is a four day vacation this Council wants, then I'm inclined to agree with you all. After all, I too have matters to attend to."

I make a point to stare at Alcott as I say this. He stares at me defiantly, but just a second ago, I saw him gulp.

I smirk and rise to leave the room.

Caleb follows behind me.

"You really didn't have to rattle him up like that," he tells me once we are out in the corridor.

"But it's fun, isn't it?" I respond with a smirk.

Caleb simply shakes his head in disapproval.

Thanks to Liam, I have hopefully now caused Alcott to rethink his entire strategy. That might give us a chance to talk to Sadira or for him to get desperate and make a mistake. Either way, throwing a wrench in the enemy's plan is always a good idea. Now, we wait and hope that Liam comes through with the meeting the rogue leader.