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Chapter 18

Ayala yawned, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she opened them. She glanced over at the paw on her shoulder, eyes traveling up the arm and resting on the face of her new mate. It surprised her how easily she had fallen into thinking of him as a mate, rather than a husband as was the custom back home. It...seemed to fit better, somehow. Perhaps it was because that was what he called her. She didn't know for sure, and it really didn't matter.

He smiled down at her. "Good morning, love. Sorry to wake you up so early, but we're almost to Brightreach. I though you'd like to be awake when we approached the city."

Ayala sat up, moving to the front of the wagon, Aylmer's paw on her arm as he steadied her. Her mind was still bleary from sleep, but the crisp morning air was quickly chasing the fog away. She took a deep breath, smiling as she looked over the dew that hung on the long grasses on either side of the road, making them sparkle in the morning light. It was just past sunrise, the early morning beams warm on her back as she leaned against her mate. Sometime during the night they had left the forest behind and were now crossing rolling fields. In the distance she could see crops growing in the tilled soil, and nearer to them herds of cows grazed in the morning light. A shepherd nodded to them as they passes, dropping his staff and waving as he recognized the Prince. Becan hung out the back, waving wildly as well, a huge grin on his puppy features.

"He seemed to like you." Ayala said, looking up at him.

Aylmer bopped her nose with his own. "Are you implying that you thought they wouldn't?"

She smiled, "It's hard to tell what those who only see the political side of you will think when I know the real you."

Aylmer hushed her, gesturing forward with his muzzle. "Enjoy your first look at our home, love."

Ayala looked forward just as they crested the hill, bringing a hand up to shied her eyes as she was blinded. After a moment her eyes adjusted and she was able to bring her hand away.

They were at the top of a hill, which dipped away below them revealing a patchwork of fields on either side of the road. Near the bottom of the hill the road became paved, curving up to the gates of the city. Ayala's breath caught in her throat. The walls of the city were made of a white stone the shone in the early morning light. Inside a white-walled palace rose above the walls, green and blue banners flying from it's towers. As they approached the gate, she could see a guard in shining plate mail sitting in a chair at his post, a crowd of children around him as he told them a story, his halberd resting on his shoulder as he gesticulated widely. Ayala could hear his voice as they got closer.

"You know what? He took them all on, that noble dog did, every single one of them! It didn't matter that there was a score of them between him and his friend, nothing could stop him as he fought his way forward! But," and here his voice lowered into a whisper as he leaned forward, "he didn't see the cat on the wall. This cat had a bow ready, arrow centered on the poor dog's chest. He let the arrow fly, and do you know what happened?" He paused as a concerned clamor of "No!" reached his ears. "Well, you'll need to wait until I talk to these good folks." He chuckled as a unified groan rose from his attentive crowd.

Picking up his halberd he rested it against his shoulder as he approached the wagon. "A fine morning, good sirs! What brings you to Brightreach?"

Aylmer chuckled, pulling Ayala more tightly against him. "I'm bringing my mate home."

The guard started. "Prince Aylmer? You are back sooner than we thought! This is your mate? I..." He paused and seemed to collect himself. "M'lady, it is an honor to meet you."

Ayala smiled, "It seems you guard the most important things of the city, its gate and its children. I wish you strength in the protection of both."

The dog snapped into a salute. "Thank you, M'lady, I do my best." He backed away as the wagon lurched forward. Ayala smiled and waved back to him as they were driven through the gate into the city. She couldn't help but chuckle as a fox kit tugged on the guard's sleeve, pulling him back to his chair. Turning around, she looked forward excitedly as sunlight danced over their wagon in a checkerboard fashion, broken up by the metal grate above. As soon as the sunlight fell behind them they were out from under the wall and in the city, the broad road curving up towards the castle keep. The huge stone walls that blocked the sunlight from them in no way shadowed the walls of the castle, which her eyes gravitated to due to their shine. Soon though she tore them away to look around the city.

The buildings that lined the streets were made mostly of wood, although she could see some stone ones every once in awhile. Many of them were shops of some sort or another, with wooden signs swinging above their entrances advertising their wares. It seemed that many of the city's shopkeepers owned shops on this street, as she could see a provider for almost any service she could think of. Well, at least the respectable ones.

She took a deep breath as the yeasty smell of baking bread wafted past her. "How are the bakers around here, love?" She asked, putting an arm around Aylmer's side as she leaned into him.

Aylmer's paw tightened on the edge of the wagon as they hit a bump in the road, nearly throwing them off balance. He wondered if maybe he should suggest that they sit down, but then Ayala wouldn't have as good a view of their surroundings as she now did. "Oh, they're not bad." He smiled down at her. "You probably haven't had bread like the loaves Hans makes."

Ayala hummed. "I don't know, I've had some pretty good bread before."

"Well, I'll have to take you to meet him sometime. It'll have to be later, though. He doesn't have his shop on this street, and I want to talk to my father before we do anything else." Sweeping her up off the ground, he chuckled at her yelp as he swung her over the back of the driver's seat before placing her in it next to Thrunor, who had taken the reigns from Rorc a while ago. Resting his forearms against the back of the couch, he rested the side of his muzzle against her face.

Ayala's breath caught slightly as they entered the square at the base of the hill leading up to the castle. In the center stood a ring of stones surrounding a statue of a wolf in full armor. One paw rested on the hilt of his sword, whose tip was buried in the ground at his feet, while the other held his helm. Ayala could see words carved in the stones ringing the area, but couldn't piece together the whole.

"What do they say?"

Aylmer glanced over at the statue. "Together: For Freedom. It was his battlecry, Alain's that is. He led the uprising against the rulers of his time, the Icefelds. They were the chiefs of the largest clan of wolves at the time, and had succeeding in enslaving all the others. Their army was too strong for any one clan, and none of the clans could get enough momentum for the others to willingly follow them until he came along. He had been born a loner, but spent much of his puppy days bouncing from clan to clan, staying at one until his welcome ran out and he had to move on. Despite how badly the Alphas looked at him, he always made friends with their sons. I suppose that's how he ended up uniting them all...he was friends with every single one of the Alpha's sons. The clans all finally had one thing in common."

"So what happened to all the individual clans? What happened to him?"

"Well, once the Icefelds were overthrown, they tried to place him in power. He didn't want the position though, so he chose one of the Alphas under the condition that the others would accept his choice. In the next few decades the lines between the clans faded until only the Alpha lines are known anymore, preserved in the noble houses."

"What about Alain? If he didn't become king, what did he do?"

Aylmer shrugged. "No one is quite sure. As for as I have read, he took a mate, sired a few pups, but then his line seems to have vanished. I was curious a few years back and I searched the official documents of the kingdom to see if I could find something, but his line in the census just ends. We have no records of his death, or the deaths of his mate and pups, so I can't say for sure that they were killed, but they just drop off the book records. He was a national hero, so it's unlikely that he simply moved to another country without the King knowing, but it's a possibility."

He licked Ayala's jaw lightly. "Well, Ayala, what do you think of your new home so far?"

She reached up, holding the side of his muzzle. "It's magnificent. Looks like it might be a bit drafty though, castles seem to be that way."

Aylmer leaned back just a bit to whisper in her ear. "I suppose I will have to make sure to keep you nice and warm then, won't I? Be a nice, furry blanket for you?" He chuckled as he felt the heat radiating from her ears.

"Prince Aylmer! We didn't know you would be back so soon!"

Aylmer looked up, surprised that they had approached the gate to the castle so quickly. "I decided my father would want to know that I have chose my mate. Besides, I wanted to show her our home."

The canine guard grinned. "Congratulations, sir. Was that the reason you left for Port Ceodre? There's been rumors flying around as to the reason, but no official word was ever given. Some said you just went to visit your cousin, but when Lord and Lady Sibbald left as well we figured it must be more official business." He chuckled and lowered his voice. "Either that or you went to warn Lord Cedric."

Aylmer struggled to keep a grin off his muzzle. "Guard, you forget your place. Show respect to those in authority over you."

The grin never left the guards muzzle as he saluted the Prince. "Aye, m'Lord, forgive me for my indiscretion." Straightening, he immediately dipped into a more courtly bow, flourishing a paw to the side as he spoke. "And would I be correct in assuming that this is m'Lord's Lady?"

Aylmer wrapped a paw around her, planting a kiss on her cheek. "You would be."

"M'Lady it is an honor to meet you. But please, let me keep you no more, the King will be delighted to know that you've arrived."

As they drove past, Aylmer muttered "I hope he's delighted, or at least not furious."

Ayala leaned back, looking up into his eyes. "You think he will be?"

The wolf sighed. "Furious? No, I don't think so. I don't think he'll do anything drastic, but he still might be disappointed. I guess it depends on how many of his political plans are destroyed by me not signing that marriage contract." He shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised if he knows everything that's happened already."

The cart rolled to a stop and Aylmer hopped over the side, holding out a paw to help Ayala down from the seat. "Thrunor, could you take the horses to the stables and make sure it gets fed and rubbed down well? It's been quite a day for them."

The wolf nodded. "As you command, m'Lord." He turned to the rest of his squad, fixing them with a hard stare. Dylan, his arm still in a sling, brushed a dagger at his side. "Til the last man, sir."

Satisfied, Thrunor drove the carriage off towards the stables. Aylmer made his way towards the doors of the main hall, the guards pulling them open as he neared. Nodding to them in thanks, he stepped inside, followed quickly by Ayala and his guard. He barely noticed them doing the customary checks of the room as his eyes fixed on the large door on the opposite side of the hall. The door to the throne room.

Ayala, on the other hand, looked around the hall, taking in its beauty. It was wide and airy, with a second floor balcony wrapping around three sides of it. She could see multiple hallways leading off to the sides of the hall, each lit by both windows to the outside and torches when needed. Ornate tapestries hung from the walls, ending a foot or so off the floor. She stared at their bright sapphire and emerald hues, lines with silver-gray thread. "It's beautiful." She whispered.

"Hmm?" Aylmer looked down at her. The tension in his face eased as he gazed on her. "Yes, beautiful." They halted in front of the doors. "I love you." Aylmer said, muzzle brushing her forehead.

She smiled softly at him. "Are you ready?"

He took a deep breath. "I'm still nervous, but I don't think that's going to go away." He turned to the guards that stood at the door of the throne room. They stepped aside, pulling open the doors as the did so.

Before they entered, Ayala caught his arm. "Aylmer, I don't think you should beat around the brush." She looked into his eyes. "I think you should get to the point right away and let him know your decision, and mine."

Aylmer took a deep breath and nodded. "Ok." He turned and strode into the throne room, Ayala close beside him. His father sat in his throne at the end of the large hall, looking up from the papers before him to see who had entered.

"Ah! Aylmer! It's good to have you back! Ever since the rumors of why you were heading to the port got out I've been receiving couriers by the dozens asking either for confirmation or when the formal mateship ceremony will be held. You will have to sort through these and decide who you don't want coming, so I can make a guest list of the ones you don't abhor."

"Father?"

"I've even heard some ships from the feline kingdom are on their way. I suppose they'll want a full welcome, with all the pomp and circumstance that we can possibly provide, and then accuse me of dishonoring them if your ceremony is a tad more magnificent. By Skoll's balls...er, it's a good thing your mother isn't here...I don't know how they manage to be so demanding without starting wars wherever they go."

Aylmer growled, "Father!"

The elder wolf looked up, "Yes?"

"I refuse to sign that marriage contract."

"That was...a little too straight to the point." Ayala muttered under her breath.

The king looked amused. "Do you? Then who is this female next to you?"

Aylmer drew closer to his mate protectively, almost beginning to shield her from view. "My mate, Ayala."

The king looked down and shuffled through some papers in front of him. "Let's see...I know I kept a copy around here somewhere... Ah, here it is." He pulled out a document and held it up. "Are you sure you aren't going to sign this contract?" He began to read it aloud. "This contract declares the union of Aylmer Whitepaw, Prince of Durthan, to Ayala Verdant, Princess of Baveris." He paused and looked up. "I can read more if you want me to."

Aylmer turned to his mate. "You're a princess? Why didn't you tell me? Then I wouldn't have had to worry about all the political ramifications of taking you as my mate!"

"I didn't tell you at first because I didn't know what to expect! And then with everything else happening I completely forgot you didn't already know!" She shook a finger at him. "And don't you go blaming me, Aylmer. You're the one who never read the marriage contract."

"You didn't either."

"I wasn't allowed to."

The King's voice cut across them both as he read another section. "Furthermore, neither of the subjects of this contract shall be informed of its contents until they read it together." He chuckled. "I enjoyed adding that part."

Aylmer turned to his father, furious. "If you already knew all about this, then why was that cat there, trying to get me to take her as my mate?"

The King waved his paw dismissively. "Apparently the felines got their paws on a copy of the contract and decided to try to work it in their favor. They boarded Princess Ayala's ship on her passage here and killed the crew." He bowed to the stunned girl. "I'm sorry for the loss, it was something neither I nor your father anticipated. I had my own agents sent along with you to make sure that you two met however."

Aylmer furrowed his brow, "What? Who?"

"Me."

Aylmer whirled around, hackles raised. "Thurgis?"

The ferret curled a paw of his heart in a salute before stepping forward from his place against the wall. "My Prince, before we left his Highness charged me to make sure the contract was fulfilled. The appearance of Princess Ayala in the market was...unexpected, as I had expected her arrival to have much more fanfare. I was unable to do much, bound to silence as I was, but both of you seemed attracted to each other as soon as you met, so I wasn't worried." Thurgis sighed, "I was further worried when the cat showed up claiming to hold the other end of the agreement, and moreso when Lord Sibbald raised no objections. From what I know, he was in possession of a copy of the document."

The king nodded. "That he was. I sent troops to apprehend them so they could answer for their actions in this matter, but I have received a letter only a few minutes before you arrived stating that the Dawning Time left port earlier this morning, and that Lord and Lady Sibbald have not been seen since. I am debating whether or not to open diplomatic channels with the felines in an attempt to bring them back." He shook his head. "I am reluctant to do so, because what they attempted is a rather grey area in which war is a distinct possibility."

Aylmer's lips were still pulled back in a surprised snarl. "You both knew of everything that was going on?"

The king waved a paw. "Yes, and everything turned out fine for both of us. You found the mate you wanted, who also happens to fulfill the contract between the kingdoms of Durthan and Baveris. Both our issues are resolved, so why don't you go show your mate around the palace? Thurgis, I will debrief you after Prince Aylmer has left."

Aylmer took a deep breath, but before he could explode the king shot him a glance that sent all the air rushing out of his lungs. Growling, he turned and stormed out of the throne room, Ayala following close behind.

She looked at the back of her mate with amusement, noting how his muscles were knotted with stress and barely contained anger. Letting him fume, she followed him down a few hallways until they eventually entered a garden contained within the palace. It was a lush area, with small trees and shrubs with thick grass underfoot. A stone path led the way to a fountain in the middle of the room, water running down the sides of a round stone in the middle. As Aylmer leaned his head against a nearby tree and groaned she trailed her fingers in the water, drawing them out with a gasp as the cold water bit into them.

"I hate talking to him." Aylmer groaned. "He says anything clearly."

Ayala got up and walked over to him, ducking under his arm and putting herself between him and the tree. "But I guess we didn't need to worry about how he would react to our love, as apparently both our fathers planned it."

Aylmer looked down at her, smirking as he pressed his nose against hers. "And how did we come to cross paths, hmm?"

She looked into his eyes and blushed. "The short version is that I was told that I was going on a tour of several of the surrounding countries. En route to Durthan my ship was attacked. I was told to escape on a rowboat, which I did. After awhile out at sea I landed on a beach. I went to the nearest port, was accosted by a dog, and was saved by a certain wolf." She trailed her hands along his forearms, "If you want the longer version..."

"We don't have time for it." Aylmer whispered as mouth and muzzle met.