Lars grunted and hoisted him higher in his arms. Jeppe nickered in amusement and bent his forelegs a little, bringing the sling closer to Lars.
“Traitor,” Killian growled, but the stallion only rumbled another chuckle.
Rose appeared at Lars’s side and helped wrangle Killian into the sling. He ended up propped up against the saddle itself, the blanket supporting his hindquarters. He glared balefully down at them both, letting his fangs show for a brief moment with another growl.
Lars ignored him and checked the bindings on the sling.
“Sorry,” Rose mouthed again and scooped up her pack.
Killian scrabbled for a grip as Jeppe stepped out in response to Lars’s tug on the reins. He precariously rocked back and forth for a few steps until he found his balance and settled more securely in his new seat.
How humiliating.
Killian frostily ignored the stallion’s chuckles and tried to figure out a way down. There was no alternative that didn’t involve landing on his injured shoulder, so he spent the better part of the morning in an irritated sulk.
The sun had begun its midday arc when Killian noticed Rose over ten paces behind them. At least she’s paying attention.
Lars stared at the ground in front of his boots as he led Jeppe. A growl tickled Killian’s throat. Maybe he couldn’t talk, but he’d make sure Lars extended some basic courtesy to their traveling companion.
I swear some days he acts like he’s younger than me!
He waited until Lars dropped back a pace before swiping at his brother’s head with a heavy paw.
“Killian!” Lars exclaimed as he dodged a second swipe. “How old are you?”
Killian stared at him balefully. “I could ask the same!”
“What do you want?”
“You to stop making this the worst adventure ever.” Killian looked pointedly at Rose trailing behind them.
“What do you want me to do? She seems perfectly fine back there.”
“So help me, Lars!” Killian growled and flattened his ears.
“She doesn’t like me, and I don’t care for her either, so why bother?”
“Because I have to put up with both of you.”
“I’m not going to walk around with a girl who wants to play Ranger dress up,” Lars hissed.
“Oh, so when we did it as children, it was fine?” Killian growled again, deeper and more menacing. “Just tell her she can walk with us!”
“I don’t know what you’re saying, but it’s not happening.”
We’ll see about that.
Killian had always been adept at manipulating his brother, even before he had an irresistible canine charm. Killian dropped his ears and let his head droop, staring up at Lars from under hooded lids.
“Killian, don’t you dare!”
A low whine escaped.
“That is not fair!”
Killian dropped his head to rest atop his paws.
“Fine!” Lars scowled. “But I’ll get my revenge when you’re least expecting it.”
Killian huffed and resettled himself on Jeppe, who helpfully stopped before Lars tugged on the reins.
Lars frowned. “You’re turning my horse against me now?”
“Anything to help,” Jeppe said, and Killian let out a triumphant bark of laughter.
Lars glared at Rose, who had paused to watch their exchange.
“We’re not waiting if you fall behind.” Lars dodged Killian’s paw. “My dear brother would love someone else to pick on up here.”
Rose’s head ducked to hide a smile as she hurried to Jeppe’s other side. Killian twisted around, tongue flopping, and grinned down at her. She shot him a grateful wink and stepped out smartly to match Lars’s new pace.
Lars lifted him down when they stopped for lunch, whereupon Killian promptly raced away. He wasn’t hungry, but he was full of restless energy after being trapped on Jeppe for hours.
A sharp twinge in his shoulder cut short the run. He clawed at the ground in frustration before reluctantly turning back to camp. Killian padded cautiously forward, keeping one eye on Rose, while searching for Lars.
Warning sparked in Killian’s chest at Rose’s triumphant grin. He had seconds to brace before Lars tackled him from behind, securing him once again. Killian managed a few nips before Lars bundled him back onto the saddle.
They glared at one another and Killian took a moment to finish planning his revenge. Lars rolled his eyes, as if he could read Killian’s mind, and tugged Jeppe on.
*
So much for an early start. Lars crossed his arms.
“One more day, Killi. That’s all we’re asking. You have to rest your shoulder.”
Killian crouched near to the ground and snarled, clearly not taken with the idea.
“Killian!” Lars snapped.
Killian barked back, an incomprehensible insult. He probably could understand if he tried, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit the shaggy animal growling at his feet could be his brother.
His brother whose stubbornness and sense of adventure was only heightened by the rambunctious nature of a young wolf. His brother who would never hurt anyone had been singled out by a stupid, pointless, petty curse. And it’s all my fault.
He moved towards Killian, who backed up. Lars clenched his jaw.
The only reason I’m not jumping on you again is because I don’t want to hurt you. But I’m about past caring.
Rose cleared her throat and Lars whirled.
“What?”
She gave him an even stare. “Can I try?”
He threw his hands up. “Fine!”
Lars stalked over to Jeppe, uncomfortably aware that he acted childish around Rose. She deserved to be treated better. He had once declared that he didn’t care about a person’s station as long as they could handle themselves. That fact prodded him like a thorn in his foot.
She certainly acted like she could use her weapons.
But she’s a commoner! He could practically hear his friends’ mocking laughter. And a girl! He frowned and crossed his arms.
Is it because she’s exposed the truth about yourself you’ve tried to ignore? Pauline’s nagging internal voice surfaced.
Lars glanced over his shoulder, watching Rose as she knelt before his brother.
“Killian, please ride Jeppe again today. Your brother is right. You need to rest your shoulder.”
She bit a quivering bottom lip. Judging from Killian’s startled posture, he’d noticed it, too. About time he gets a taste of his own medicine.
“I just want t’ make sure the wound will finally close properly,” Rose coaxed, smoothing the hackles on the back of Killian’s neck. “You can probably walk tomorrow.”
Killian darted a glance between Lars and Rose and growled in defeat, finally padding over to Lars. He didn’t look up, just waited to be lifted up onto Jeppe.
Lars bit back a chuckle as he scooped Killian up, but it still escaped. Killian shook his head and went limp. Blood rushed to Lars’s face and he clutched his brother, struggling to adjust to the sudden dead weight in his arms. Killian hung for a moment before graciously helping Lars place him in the sling.
Rose stepped forward, taking Jeppe’s reins. “May I, Prince Lars?”
He couldn’t miss the faint sarcasm in his title, but Lars wordlessly nodded, following as she led the way back onto the road. This time, Lars lagged a pace behind.
Fresh guilt swept over him at Killian’s bark. He slowed under the weight of the shame that accompanied the sensation, hating himself a little more at the sight of Rose holding a one-sided conversation with Killian as they walked.
She’s trying. Unlike me.
He’d let the talk of the curse affect him more than he’d like to admit. Some days it was easier to leave Killian behind than face the whispers that dogged his brother. He had purposefully drunk too much at the feast so he wouldn’t be woken by the howling wolves that night and, as a result, hadn’t woken to go ride with Killian.
He hadn’t been there to protect him from the sorcerer.
A growl jerked him from his thoughts and he looked up. He’d fallen further behind than he’d realized. Killian and Rose had stopped to look back at him, expressions puzzled and a little concerned. Lars touched the sword at his waist and jogged to catch them.
He didn’t look at Killian. Maybe he’d explain if they ever broke the spell.
If? When did it become if and not when?
“Let’s go,” he said gruffly, and brushed past them.
Chapter 9
“So, Miss Ranger, where are we?”
“Is t’ prince lost?”
“I’m not lost. I’m just not entirely sure where I am.”
Killian watched them both try to interpret the faded markings on the weathered post at the crossroads. The narrow dirt track they’d travelled on since yesterday did not appear on Lars’s map, and consequently, neither did the crossroads.
Lars frowned down at Rose. “I thought Rangers were supposed to know the roads of the kingdom.”
“T’ roads on a map, maybe. Obviously, it hasn’t been updated in a while, your highness.”
“And where do you think we get that information?” Lars lifted an eyebrow.
Killian sighed, twitching his nose and sampling the breeze. There were humans close by, and not just his pungent travelling companions. Humans, and running water. It stood to reason that there would be a town or village around the river.
Clearly the village wasn’t marked either or they would be headed there now. They needed information and supplies. He should know, since he’d sat on their sad, flat packs for two days.
“Jeppe, I don’t think these two will move any time soon.”
The stallion snorted. “My master can be quite headstrong.”
“That’s one word for it. What do you say we head east?”
Jeppe stamped a hind foot. “It might look odd for a wolf to ride a horse into town.”
“Then let’s hope they follow.” Killian allowed a canine smirk. “Onward!”
Rose and Lars broke off their argument, chasing after Jeppe as Killian looked over his shoulder. Serves them right for being so stubborn.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Lars stumbled in a gopher hole but kept running. “Woah there, Jeppe!”
Killian steadied himself against the saddle. “Keep going.”
Jeppe blew out a breath of laughter and quickened his trot. “I’m blaming you if he cuts my feed, sir.”
“Leave him to me.” Killian grabbed a mouthful of mane as Jeppe overstepped to avoid another hole. “Just don’t dump me off before we get there.”
For the sake of self-preservation, Killian told Jeppe to halt when they were in sight of the town. Even Rose didn’t look too pleased.
“Couldn’t have told us about this?” Lars gestured at the cluster of buildings.
“You weren’t listening.” Killian twitched his nose. Now that they were closer, something else tickled the air. Some scent that made his stomach churn.
“You smell it too?” Jeppe shifted his forelegs and tossed his head to look around.
Killian almost told Jeppe to head in the opposite direction.
“Might as well go down.” Lars wiped at the sweat beading his forehead.
“We need some supplies.” Rose nodded.
“They might know something about the sorcerer, or at least if anyone’s looking for us.”
“No one’s looking for me, so you don’t have t’ worry,” Rose said, and Lars’s expression softened ever so slightly.
Killian shifted, rising to scramble down from Jeppe. Lars caught him just in time and set him safely on the ground.
What is that scent? He nosed the ground, searching his memory, and came up with nothing. Even his wolf’s instincts could tell him nothing, except that something dangerous waited nearby.
“You should probably change your name,” Rose was saying.
Lars opened his mouth to object, but wisdom won out. They were trying to minimize the chance of discovery after all.
“Ivar for me, then. Killian, you’re Ulfr.”
“Wolf. How original.” Killian injected as much sarcasm as possible into his growl, shaking his head.
Lars scowled at him. “Shut up.”
Apparently, sarcasm still translated.
The closer they came to the village the more uneasy Killian became. He kept pausing to sniff the wind or flick his ears to hear anything besides the silence that covered the town. Something lurked out there beyond the tall stalks of corn swaying gently in the light wind.
The main street stood empty and the house and shop doors were shut tight. Nothing stirred in the fields. Rose placed an arrow on her bow and Lars unsheathed his sword, the same unease tightening their movements.
“Where is everyone?” Rose whispered as they tiptoed along the sparsely-paved street. The wide center square opened up before them.
“There.” Lars pointed to a double-story inn that took up a whole side of the square, cobbled together from weathered boards and smoothed river stones. A young boy spotted them, and then darted inside the broad doors.
He returned in a moment, followed by dozens of men and women in homespun clothes. Their eyes were wide in fear and surprise as they stared back at Lars and Rose. Killian caught sight of children clustering behind the doors and windows of the inn, curiosity gleaming in their bright eyes.
“How’d you get here?” A man demanded as he crossed his arms.
“Walked right in.” Lars lifted his chin.
“How’d y’ get past them?” A shrill voice cried.
“Who?” Lars returned, his knuckles whitening in a new grip as his shoulders tensed again.
“Baedons!”
Lars and Rose blanched, and a growl broke from Killian. He’d never seen a full baedon, only a head drug back to the castle by a battered knight. That explains the smell.
Lars cleared his throat. “How many?”
“Two,” the first man said. “They’ve kept us trapped here for weeks. Crops need tending, and those foolish enough t’ go out don’t come back.”
“Have you reported it?”
“What’s t’ point? A messenger on foot would never get through and we don’t ‘ave a fancy horse like yours. Besides, we all know t’ prince wouldn’t do anything about it.”
“Adam!” Another woman slapped his shoulder.
A flush tinged Lars’s face but Killian couldn’t tell if it was anger or embarrassment. Lars cleared his throat again.
“He’s right.” He stumbled over the words. “Can we help?”
Adam gave a bitter laugh. “I’ve heard tell that it takes a score o’ knights t’ take down one baedon. What are you going t’ do about it?”
“Look at ‘im. He at least ‘as training.” Another man shouldered forward. “Ever fought a baedon, lad?”
Anxious and curious faces studied Lars, traces of fresh hope evident.
“No, but I’ve heard stories,” Lars said.
This sparked a heated debate among the townsfolk who each had heard variations of tales on the best way to take down the creatures.
The smell Killian had first noticed outside the village grew stronger and he tried to still his quivering paws. Rose tapped Lars’s arm and pointed at the figure of a young girl sprinting towards them.
The girl fell into Adam’s arms, tears streaming down her pale face. “Ernst insisted on going out! They’re ‘ere!”
Lars whirled and pulled the packs from the saddle, loosening the bindings on his heavy hunting spear.
“What’re you doing?” Rose grabbed his arm, her eyes wide.
“I have a responsibility to these people, don’t I? It’s my fault they’re trapped here. It’s probably my fault those baedons are so far from the eastern caves. That boy might be alive out there.” Lars gritted his teeth.
Rose hesitated only a moment. “I’m coming with you. There are two out there. You can’t take on both.”
&
nbsp; “I’m coming, too,” Killian growled.
“All right.” Lars glanced at both of them. “Rose, your light bow won’t pierce their hide. Take this.” He handed her the loaded crossbow and quiver of bolts. “You know how to use it?”
She nodded, buckling the quiver around her waist. Arguments stilled around them and murmurs rippled through the townsfolk.
Adam rushed forward. “You can’t go out there!”
“Someone has to.” Lars freed the spear and tightened Jeppe’s girth.
They ran for the edge of town. When they broke past the last house, Killian got his first look at a live Baedon.
Built like a man and taller than most knights, its long limbs were covered in dull grey-green scales. Curved claws and the sharpened fangs protruding from its narrow muzzle glinted in the sunlight as it paced through the fields, searching for its prey. Even from this distance, he could see its most dangerous weapon; beady red eyes that conjured up its prey’s worst fears when caught in their stare.
It was said that baedons preferred their meat sweetened by fear. Even being in their presence brought on a paralyzing terror.
Every instinct urged Killian to tuck tail and run, but he willed himself to stand firm. Lars and Rose held their weapons in a white-knuckled grip.
Rose swallowed hard. “There’s—there’s only one.”
“That we can see.” Killian’s heart slowed a beat at Lars’s steady voice. “Rose, you and Killian stay here and watch for the second.”
Killian dug his trembling paws into the ground, more than happy to obey as Lars swung into the saddle, spear at the ready. Jeppe threw his head high and snorted fearfully.
“Jeppe, take care of him!”
Killian’s words seemed to calm the stallion and he lunged forward at Lars’s command. The baedon saw them coming and ceased his hunt through the corn. It pushed stalks from its path as it began to stride towards them. Jeppe swiveled on his hindquarters and passed behind it. Lars’s fear showed in his quick jerk of the reins.
“Steady, Jeppe!”
The baedon lunged and Lars jabbed with the spear as Jeppe reared. A human figure broke from the cover of the field and bolted towards them. Rose waved him on with a shout, raising the crossbow to cover his flight. When the boy was safely inside the town, they turned their attention back to Lars, only to see he’d been unhorsed and faced the baedon on foot.
The Wolf Prince Page 6
