The Wolf Prince

by Claire M Banschbach

“Killing wolves isn’t going t’ bring your brother back!” She stepped back a pace and tossed her head.

  “Lars, it’s me!” Killian whined in frustration and took a half-step forward.

  Lars lowered his crossbow, his eyes bright with tears. “What else am I supposed to do?”

  Killian growled in frustration and jumped at Lars, hitting him in the chest and sending them both tumbling to the ground. The girl gasped, drawing her bow in an instant, but Killian kept his paws on Lars’s chest. The terror in his brother’s gaze faded to confusion as Killian berated him in short growls.

  “Lars, you stupid, idiotic, irritating excuse for a brother—”

  Killian stilled as Lars settled a cautious hand into his fur.

  “What’re you doing?” The girl hissed, her bow creaking as she shifted her grip.

  “His eyes,” Lars muttered. “It has the same eyes as my brother.”

  Finally. Killian swished his tail back and forth in triumph.

  “Killian?” Lars’s voice gathered strength.

  Climbing off his brother, Killian gave a small hop on his forepaws, looking at his brother expectantly. Come on, Lars. Don’t make me keep questioning your intelligence.

  Lars rolled to his knees. The girl lowered her bow, brow furrowed in confusion.

  “You’re Killian?” Lars repeated.

  Killian sighed and reared up, putting his forepaws on Lars’s shoulders and looking at him.

  A slow smile spread over Lars’s face. “Killi, you’re alive?”

  Killian rested his head on Lars’s shoulder as Lars wrapped an arm around him. “How? What happened?”

  Killian growled his frustration. “If I could talk, wouldn’t I have told you already?”

  “Killian, I can’t understand you,” Lars interrupted.

  Killian huffed. I noticed.

  The girl returned the arrow to the quiver and sank to her knees. “Are you mad? You think this is your brother?”

  Lars glanced at her. “Yes, I suppose—this is Killian.” He ran a hand over his face, shaking his head in disbelief.

  Killian pushed up on all fours. This is awkward. How is a wolf supposed to politely greet a human? He settled for lowering his head and brushing her hand with his nose.

  A slow smile crept over her face. “Nice t’ meet you, Killian. I’m Rose.”

  He whined softly. “Nice to meet you. Thanks for not letting my brother kill me.”

  Rose laughed again, breaking off abruptly as she noticed the bandage on his right shoulder. “You’re hurt?”

  Killian glanced back at the faery’s dressing. Spots of blood leaked through the bandage, no doubt caused by his flight. Lars knelt beside him, inspecting the bandage.

  “I’ve some medical supplies at my camp,” Rose said. “We can put a fresh dressing on it.”

  Killian touched her hand with his nose in thanks.

  “How far is your camp?” Lars glanced down at Killian, then back at Rose.

  “Not far. Just back across t’ river.”

  Lars looked down at Killian, frowning. “Should I carry you?”

  No thanks. Killian dodged his brother’s grab. Last time you tried to carry me, you dropped me.

  Chapter 5

  Killian wove through the forest ahead of Lars, blending with the shadows, and occasionally glancing back at them as if to ask, “Are you coming or not?”

  His little brother could be a bit pushy. Apparently not that much really changed.

  “I’m sorry about...” He glanced at the girl. “I’m Lars, by the way.”

  “Nice t’ meet you—Oh my! You’re t’ prince!” Rose’s eyes widened in horror as she realized she had threatened the heir to Calvyrn. “And so are you!”

  She pointed at Killian, who paused and gave an impatient flick of his tail.

  Lars rolled his eyes and shouldered his crossbow. “Of course we are. Don’t bother curtseying now.”

  Rose straightened, a frown tugging at the corner of her mouth. “But—”

  “He still needs your help, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Killian growled under his breath, canine eyes watching them, and then disappeared into the undergrowth.

  She jerked her head in a nod, mouth tightening in a quick line, before following Killian.

  They splashed back across the river and a few yards into the forest before reaching Rose’s camp. A thick tree had come loose from its roots and leaned against a short rocky outcropping, where Rose settled into its shelter.

  She pulled out some bandages from her pack. Killian lay down gingerly, favoring his wounded shoulder, and Rose sat beside him and inspected the strange bandage.

  Lars sat across the fire from them, watching. If I had gone out with Killian like I promised, I could have prevented this. It’s my fault. He’d always been so protective of his little brother and he hadn’t protected him the one time it really mattered. Killian would never blame him and that made it worse.

  “What are you doing out here?” He glanced at Rose, shoving his guilt to the back of his mind.

  “Looking for my father.” She splashed some water over the rent in Killian’s fur. “He’s a Ranger and he’s been missing for two weeks.”

  “If he’s a Ranger, I’m sure he’s fine.”

  “You don’t understand. He was sent off on some important mission and he hasn’t come back. I know when he was supposed t’ report back and come home. Head Rangers won’t tell me anything. I don’t even know if they’re looking for him.”

  “So, you came after him yourself?” Lars smirked. Now I’ve seen everything.

  “He trained me. Says I’m as good as any of t’ Ranger recruits, and he’s t’ only family I have left. So yes, I came after him myself.” She tossed her head in an impatient gesture.

  “So, you’re as good as a recruit. What happens if he’s really in trouble?”

  Killian growled low in his throat as she tied off the bandage.

  “Don’t know. I’ll figure it out. I want t’ be a real Ranger one day.”

  Lars laughed outright. “You’re a girl!”

  “So? Not an actual rule against it, is there? Not that you would know anyway.”

  “Excuse me?”

  She turned a bright shade of red. “Nothing.”

  “Was I not supposed to hear that? You said I wouldn’t know about the Rangers. Do explain.” Never mind that he didn’t even know the current Ranger commander’s name.

  “Well, I’d thought since I was in t’ area, I would go to t’ castle and try and see t’ prince—you—and ask if he could do something about my father since the head Rangers won’t. But everyone knows you don’t care. You’ve never done anything with t’ Rangers and you’re in command of t’ Company! Sire!”

  Killian glanced between the two of them, ears pricked, body tensed in alertness.

  She’s right. The nagging thought killed Lars’s protest, and he turned his glare to the ashes of her campfire.

  When he turned eighteen he had been given command of the Rangers Company and the brigade of knights that investigated reports of magical animal attacks, such as baedons, trolls, wyverns and the like.

  But since none of those reports actually involved wyverns, he never cared to look at them. Or attend meetings. Or anything really. Same with the Ranger Company. It was just dull reports on what the various Rangers had seen on their trips through the kingdom.

  Rose bit her lip, obviously waiting for his outburst.

  Lars glanced at Killian, who watched them with solemn amber eyes. Rose had voiced what Killian and Pauline had been telling him for the past two years. Longer really.

  He cleared his throat.

  “My uncle mentioned a Ranger missing, so they might be looking for him after all.”

  Wait! Uncle said something else about the Ranger! “He also said that there were reports of a sorcerer in Calvyrn searching for creatures of magic.”

  Killian’s head flew up and he barked. They both turned to stare at hi
m.

  “Is that what happened to you?” Lars scowled. “The sorcerer?”

  Killian barked again, scratching at the ground.

  “But how…?” Lars’s eyes widened as a rough letter took shape under Killian’s clumsy paw. “N? Noak! He disappeared that night. It was him, wasn’t it?”

  Rose gasped. “Father mentioned someone named Noak. Said his mission was t’ find him. My father went after a sorcerer? He could be injured or—or…”

  The three of them sat in somber silence. Lars began to fidget with his hands after a few seconds.

  “Why’d a sorcerer go after your brother?” Rose curled her arms across her stomach.

  “Haven’t you heard the legend?” Lars curled his lip in a faint sneer. “Many years ago, a witch cursed a king, telling him that wolf’s blood would run through his line until we repaid the debt for turning her away. Everyone thinks Killian’s cursed because wolves happen to howl on his birthday.”

  “Wolves howl all t’ time. They’re just talking.”

  “Well, if you’re superstitious, you believe the opposite. They thought that about my uncle, too.”

  It’d long been a bitter point for him. He had few memories of his Uncle Hugo, none of which included the supposed madness people whispered about in corners or behind closed doors.

  “There must be some sort of truth in it, though, if Prince Killian was turned t’ a wolf by a sorcerer.”

  Lars narrowed his eyes in anger and she hastily continued. “But why would he need a creature of magic anyway?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s find him and ask. He can change Killian back while we’re at it.”

  “You want t’ go after a sorcerer?”

  “Why not?” Lars challenged.

  “Sorcerers are dangerous!”

  “So?”

  “She’s right.”

  They both whirled to face the speaker, knives drawn, but Killian pricked his ears and whined a greeting. The stranger wasn’t tall, and an unfortunate cowlick sent his pale hair sticking out from behind an ear. A faint shimmer like rippling water flashed around his figure and vanished.

  “Who are you?” Lars gripped the knife in his hand, half-hoping the man would confirm his suspicion.

  “I am Alfar of the water faeries.”

  Rose’s jaw dropped in surprise and Lars barely managed to snap his mouth shut. The oldest chroniclers had been young when the last faery sighting was recorded.

  “A friendly dragonfly told me when you crossed the river and I came as quick as I could. I helped your brother shortly after his transformation, Prince Lars.” The stranger bobbed his head, eyeing the girl curiously.

  “I’m Rose,” she said.

  “I came to find you.” Alfar glanced down at Killian. “I have a warning for you, and now for your new companions.”

  Apparently, this whole mess can get worse. Lars sheathed his knife.

  Killian whined and stood, favoring his injured shoulder.

  “Noak, the sorcerer, is pursuing you, Prince Killian. I have spoken with my people. We’ve had news through the waterways.” The faery glanced at Lars and Rose. “The sorcerer began in Myrnius. He is trying to make a spell that will destroy the magic of our Myrnian kin. But the disease will spread to the rest of faery races and kill us all. The last piece of his spell is the blood of a magical animal.”

  “Killian?”

  “Indeed.” Alfar nodded. “I have given your brother some protection. He is hidden from Noak’s sight in this country. Once he steps across the border, the sorcerer will be able to find him. We believe that Noak will attempt to enact this spell on the summer solstice when the world’s magic is at its strongest. He will have to find Killian before then. This must not happen.”

  “Well, then, it’s simple,” Lars said. “He doesn’t leave Calvyrn.”

  Killian growled, obviously annoyed at being left out of the discussion.

  “Maybe,” Alfar said. “But my people have no way to turn him back to a human. We believe that our kin in Myrnius may have some answers. Even if Noak himself cannot see Killian, he has spies. If the solstice passes, he can always wait until the winter festival or the year after. He’ll never stop hunting you.”

  Killian sat back on his haunches, staring up at Lars with those familiar eyes.

  “Sounds like we don’t have much of a choice, do we?” Lars frowned and rested a hand on his sword. Killian huffed and Lars half-smiled. He could almost hear his brother’s sarcastic retort. “We’ll go to Myrnius, then.”

  “I’m going, too,” Rose said.

  “No, you’re—”

  “I’m going.” Rose scowled, crossing her arms. “It might be a chance for me t’ find my father.”

  And, of course, I can’t deny that chance, even if she’s the last person I want along.

  Alfar’s head tilted and he regarded her intently. “The Rangers know of this sorcerer. One has gone west towards Myrnius. We sent word down the water, but don’t know what he’s found.” He shifted his gaze to Lars. “Rose should go with you. Blood will be spilled before the end of your journey. The three of you will need each other.”

  Lars tilted a glance up at the sky. This just keeps getting better and better. Fine.

  Killian shook himself and yipped up at Rose. Of course, his brother would take Rose’s side.

  “When should we leave?” Rose gripped the quiver strap across her chest.

  “The solstice is in three weeks,” Lars said. “We should leave now.” He half-turned to Rose. “I left my horse just down the path. I’m already packed for a journey.”

  “I’ll start packing my things,” Rose said.

  Alfar nodded, moving past them to kneel beside Killian. “How is your wound?”

  Killian growled and twisted his neck to nose at it.

  “And a fine job she did, too.” Alfar smiled.

  “You can understand him?” Lars jolted forward in surprise.

  “For the most part.”

  “How did he get hurt?” Lars wanted, needed, to know.

  “A crossbow bolt struck him.”

  The words struck him like a punch in the gut. “It wasn’t…?”

  “No, not yours, Prince Lars. He wants you to know this is not your fault.” Alfar cast knowing eyes at him.

  “Of course he does!” Lars muttered, scrubbing his eyes. Killian barked at him.

  “I’ll be back.”

  Lars trudged along the path to where he left his horse. Perhaps he could get one of his companions to join them. Dagmar would come if Lars could promise him he’d find his true love on the journey. Gustav might come, but only if he brought at least two squires and his ceremonial armor. Lukas would be useful, but Killian disliked him.

  Lars sighed and kicked at a protruding root. Most of his friends, acquaintances really, would be less than useful on this quest.

  Jeppe, his stallion, waited for him. He’d torn furrows in the ground with his massive hooves and chunks of bark were missing from the tree. He whinnied loudly when he saw his master and pawed another chunk of dirt from the path.

  “Jeppe!” Lars fixed him with a stern look. The stallion snorted but settled.

  Lars untethered him and paused. He couldn’t ride back to the castle and tell his parents. They would likely forbid him to go. But Killian would want them to know he still lived. Lars drew out paper and charcoal from his saddle bags and scrawled a short message.

  Killian’s alive. We have to get help.

  He hesitated, tempted to add something for Pauline. His shoulders slumped. She’d surprised him last night with her comforting words, but he didn’t know if his actions would change her frustration to pride. She deserves better than you, a painfully honest voice nagged.

  He shoved the voice away and pinned the missive to the tree with a crossbow bolt. Hopefully someone would find it—hopefully not the sorcerer still on the loose.

  Lars pulled Jeppe around and headed back to Rose and his brother.

  *

&n
bsp; Killian heard Lars coming long before they arrived, Jeppe stamping and snorting his irritation. Rose had packed up the campsite and sat on a log, waiting. Alfar had vanished after one last warning to avoid attracting attention.

  The sorcerer would be watching.

  “Will we be able t’ bring him?” Rose nodded to the horse as Lars re-entered the small camp.

  “I don’t want to set him loose. And I’m not about to let another rider-less horse show up at the castle and make everything worse. Besides, we might need him.” Lars shot a glance at his brother. “I left a note saying you were alive.”

  Killian released his breath in a relieved sigh. They couldn’t return to the castle. Once his parents found out, the whole army would be looking for them. They didn’t need that complication. Their best chance lay in making it across the border without attracting undue attention.

  “Leifr knew you were alive,” a voice boomed.

  Killian flinched at the sudden noise and glanced at the others. They didn’t seem to notice.

  He gingerly approached Jeppe, slowly wagging his tail in cautious greeting.

  “I can understand you.”

  Jeppe lowered his head to snuff at Killian’s ears. “You now speak our language.”

  Killian flicked his ears away. “Leifr is all right?”

  “Yes, and furious that he couldn’t better protect you.” Jeppe stomped a hind foot. “He tried to tell the humans, but they would not listen.”

  “I’ll have to thank him, then.”

  Jeppe bent his head before Killian. “I’ll do my best to serve in his place. A rather flighty sparrow told me much of what has happened.” He lifted his head with a trumpeting neigh, earning confused looks from Lars and Rose. “We are finally questing!”

  Killian hid a wolf grin. He’d always thought Jeppe and his brother shared some of the same characteristics, and now he knew for certain.

  He joined Lars and Rose, barked to interrupt their inane argument, and set off into the afternoon sun. Commotion broke out as his companions hurried to collect their gear and catch up.

  They were finally setting off on their own quest. He and Lars had always talked of sneaking off on their own journey.

  I just never imagined it including a sorcerer lurking around every turn.