Dark Wolf's Awakening

by Ryan Evans

  “As for the services you’ve rendered the empire,” she continued without skipping a beat, “I have heard rumors that you and some of your house members distracted the saurian menace while my own forces prepared to push the foe back. I, myself, don’t see the significance of your actions, but the assembly has found some merit to reward.”

  As she spoke, she turned and walked back to her throne at the head of the room before sitting down. “As such, I give you and your house the town of Woodman’s Knoll on the north border of the empire. You’ll be responsible for taxes and lumber quotas to the empire, but beyond that, the town and surrounding ten thousand acres are yours to command.”

  Her words cut through my anger, and I was momentarily speechless. Her awarding me anything meant the nobles on the campaign had demanded it. I had no delusion that there wasn’t a catch, but the recognition of the other houses touched me.

  “The generosity of the assembly is much appreciated,” I said loudly with another small bow. My words gave no credit to the princess, but acknowledged the other noble houses. Emilia didn’t miss the slight to her leadership. I saw her eyes flash for the briefest of moments. She quickly dismissed me before she lost control of herself. She gave a thin smile as I stepped away from her.

  After we concluded my audience, I joined the rest of those in attendance at the side of the hall. Emilia, shaking off our confrontation, gave a speech about the success of the campaign and the bravery of beast-kind. Her speech was rousing, or would have been, if it was remotely true to events during the campaign.

  Instead of seeing truth, the princess spun a tale of fiction to explain all that had happened. The wall’s collapse was blamed on poor construction and age. Our enemy’s numbers were explained as the incompetence of the area’s former governor in culling them. No mention of the white saurian was made at all. The imperial record would, no doubt, reflect her story instead of the truth, and many nobles bristled at the blatant falsehood being spoken.

  With her story complete, Emilia officially proclaimed the campaign ended. All noble houses in attendance had completed their required term of service for the next five years. From this point forward, the houses were free to leave at their discretion.

  After her proclamation of the campaign’s completion, everyone moved to leave the assembly hall. I noticed appraising eyes from many in attendance as they took in my new armor, the teeth on my necklace and my lack of injury. Several house leaders nodded as they passed, conveying recognition or respect for my actions. Despite the recognition, no one said anything to me.

  There were eyes everywhere within the assembly. It wasn’t a place where you showed friendship, especially to someone hated by Princes Emilia. Showing me favor here would only cause more difficulty in Tor’s Rest. On the campaign, everyone was slightly isolated. In the city, the princess’s full power base would be available to her.

  As I stepped out of the keep, Kyla’s presence surprised me. She stood near the entrance with no armor or weapons. The guard that had been sent to find her stood nearby.

  “Lady Kyla, it is a pleasure to see you again. I hope I didn’t cause you any trouble. We could have scheduled a meeting time more convenient for you,” I said glancing at the soldier who looked downward and wouldn’t meet my eyes.

  “It’s just Kyla now,” she corrected, but didn’t act overly upset. I saw her eyes look me up and down, focusing momentarily on the four fangs on my necklace. “It’s no trouble. I have little going on these days. By the way, I like the new armor. I’ll have to get the name of the craftsmen involved so that I can have my own made,” she said smiling at me.

  “That can be arranged. I find the sight of saurian leather fills me with a sense of satisfaction after all that has happened,” I answered.

  We were both smiling as she got back on topic. “What did you want to speak about?” she asked.

  I invited her to walk with me as I made my way to the barracks where my people would be preparing to leave after the announcement of the campaign’s end. “Tristan gave me a rundown of the events I missed. I was wondering how much of it was true,” I said as we walked beside each other down the main road. I ignored the many eyes that watched us as we walked.

  “His version most likely won’t match the imperial record, but I’m confident he told you the most important details. Both versions end with me being stripped of my rank and title along with being dishonored in the eyes of the empire,” she said, and just a hint of her bitterness showed through from her voice.

  “Ah, I thought that might be the case,” I said as if I hadn’t noticed her bitterness. “Since you’re uncommitted at the moment, I wondered if you wouldn’t consider joining Fero House. You come highly recommended and the position of colonel is still open.” I stepped in closer so that our arms were touching as I gave my offer.

  She laughed at my statement, but wrapped her arm in mine. “I’m not sure if you know what dishonored by the empire means,” she said sarcastically as she continued to hold my arm.

  “It means you stood against a member of the imperial family to save commoners and house soldiers you had no reason to care about,” I said seriously as I stopped outside the housing area and turned to look at her.

  “It is one of the biggest things you have going for you at the moment,” I said as I held both of her hands with my own.

  “One of?” she asked looking me in the eye and raising an eyebrow. My beast stirred as heat ignited in my chest.

  “My thoughts have turned to a red headed beauty and a dusky red wolf lately. I want both of them beside me, and I think they might be better at running a house than I am. I just have to convince them to take a chance,” I said looking her in the eye as I finished speaking. There was a fire there just beneath the surface.

  “You aim high,” she said after a moment of silence in which we didn’t look away from one another. I nodded in agreement to her words, but said nothing. I had no experience with women and felt decidedly vulnerable at the moment.

  “Sometimes talk is cheap,” she said as she pulled me into an embrace and kissed me deeply. Her tongue run across my own, and I momentarily grew light-headed.

  “Now, let’s figure out how to get out of here. I’m tired of this place,” she said as she suddenly pushed me away. An involuntary growl escaped my lips, and she smirked at me before walking into the housing area. Watching the view of her walking away, I tried to collect my wits and follow her.

  “Good luck. You’re way out of your league,” Tristan said from behind me. I’d forgotten he was back there. All I could do was nod in agreement.

  I moved to follow the fiery, green-eyed beauty into the housing area. Despite the struggles I’d faced since my awakening, the future excited me. There may be storm clouds ahead, but in this moment the sun was warm on my face. I decided that I would bask in that sunshine for as long as I could.

  End Book 1

  Author’s Note

  If you’ve made it this far, thank you for following Valian’s journey. As my first published work, it has been an exciting and eye-opening experience. This is just the beginning, and there is definitely more to come!

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