A dark omen
#7 of The wolf and the rose
Here we go, the next chapter of the wolf and the rose is ready at last. I hope you enjoy it. Comments are appreciated as always.
Continued from "When the Moon is Full..."
I woke from my second night of sleep in many years to a still dark world. It wasn't yet dawn and I was still in the fully transformed state of the time of the full moon. There was a soft, warm weight on my chest and I looked down, a wan smile coming to my wolfish face. Julianna was still lying on top of me, curled up in my thick grey fur as if I was a bed. My arms were still around her and even though the air was somewhat chill with the time before dawn, she seemed perfectly comfortable. I lay back once more, but a cold, hard thing was under my neck. I reached back with one hand, moving carefully so as not to wake my lover, and felt what it was. My hands closed around the object and I felt its familiar shape in my hand. It was my cross on its chain, the metal retaining the cold air of the night. I lifted it gently, bringing it into my sight. It was a beautiful object, silver and gold glinting in the white light of the moon. Then I looked past it at the beauty that lay naked on my chest and smiled. Both things were beautiful, and both meant more to me than my life, but there was a very big difference between them. The cross represented my duty to Auré, the life I had chosen, something I had sacrificed more than anyone else for. Its beauty was cold, austere and distant. It was a powerful symbol, but it was not that which held me enthralled anymore.
But then, there was Julianna. Her beauty was warm, complex and filled with something indefinable. My heart was hers. I knew without a doubt that I would do anything for her. Smiling once more, I looked at her. She was shivering slightly without my arms around her and I pulled the cross from around my neck, laying it in the dirt beside me. I wasn't going to let the rising sun disturb my love. Then I put my arms back around her and held her close. She stopped shivering and I smiled, waiting for the sun to rise. It was a good hour before the sun began to lighten the sky to the east, an hour that I spent listening to the quiet breathing of the woman I loved. When the sun finally rose, shining its light down on the hilltop, she stirred slightly, snuggling in closer to my fur. Without the cross around my neck, the sun's light did nothing to change my body, and I closed my eyes, shutting out the dawn. The princess slept on, and I wanted nothing more than to join her. I could not return to sleep however, much as I wanted to. But, I lay still, resting my body and mind, listening to the sounds of the awakening woods and the sound of my love's heart beating next to mine. It was strangely pleasant lying there, and if I could have had a choice, I wouldn't have stopped.
It was a few more hours before she stirred at last, opening her pretty brown eyes a bit. For a few moments, she traced her fingers through my fur, smiling contently. She looked up at me for a moment and smiled. I returned her smile, and then a look filled her eyes, a look of confusion. Then, she spotted the cross on the ground beside me and she nodded her understanding.
"Didn't want to wake you." I whispered and she drew herself up higher, kissing me.
"I am flattered," She said, "But you can't risk yourself for my comfort."
"We are in little danger here." I replied, "I can sense them before they come anywhere near us."
"Still." She said and I smiled up at her. She returned the smile and lay back down on my broad chest, snuggling up once more. We remained lying in each other's arms for a few minutes more before she got up, clothing herself without any hurry. Judging by the sun's angle, it was probably close to midday. I grinned over at her while she was dressing and then hopped up to my feet, retrieving the cross from the ground. The moment I settled it around my neck, I was shrinking, the grey fur vanishing back into my skin, the white rune cloth of my uniform reforming around me. While she finished getting dressed, I picked up my baldric and settled it into place along with the rest of my weapons. Then, I sat down on a rock and watched Julianna. She was staring off into space while she put her belt back on, and I could tell by the look on her face that she was thinking very deeply.
"Well, I suppose we should be going on today." I stated, my heart suddenly heavy with regret at the necessity of my words. I had a duty to return her to her world, much as I hated the thought of it.
"I..." She began and trailed off. She said something then so quietly that even I didn't hear it clearly.
"What did you say?" I asked, hoping that what it sounded like was actually what she had said.
"I don't want to." She whispered, as if speaking it louder than that would cause her to be struck down. "I don't want to go back. Is there any way that I could remain in the wild with you?"
I shook my head sadly. "You are a princess Julianna, you have obligations to your nation." I stated, regretting the statement more with every single letter. "Besides, your father will be worried enough that you haven't come home yet. I wish it were otherwise, but that is the way of the world."
"I know." She said sadly, looking down at the earth. Then, she looked up, her brown eyes pleading. "But will you grant me one favor?" She paused and then turned, looking out into the plains that made up her home. "When we cross into Gulnia, I will be a daughter of the ruler again. Every person we pass will know who I am and will expect me to act a certain way. Out here, in the wilds, I can act as I please, I can be myself with you, but not in there. Before we cross the border, will you grant me one last night to be with you as I am, not as a princess?"
"If that is your wish." I said and she smiled. We turned our backs on Gulnia and the end of our journey, then walked back down the slope to our unoccupied camp. When we got to the place where our campfire had been, I built it again and we ate a quick breakfast. When we were finished, we sat talking again, side by side, cherishing each other's company. But, as the day wore on, and the sun started to set, Julianna fell silent, looking contemplative and troubled.
"You know, something just occurred to me." She stated. I looked over at her and noticed that she was holding one hand against her stomach idly. "Can a human and a werewolf have children?" The question stopped my mind in its tracks. The thought honestly hadn't crossed my mind.
"I don't know." I stated, and a moment later, something else occurred to me. Something very horrible. "I don't think anyone has tried it before. More importantly, can a union transfer the curse?"
"That's even worse." She replied, sitting back. She shivered suddenly. "I don't think I want to be a werewolf."
"I don't want you to be one either." I stated, looking up at the setting sun. "We will know in a moment." Julianna clung to me fiercely as the last edge of the sun sank and I put my arms around her as well, holding her close as the curse began to tingle in my flesh. The moments between day and night each seemed to crawl by, passing so slowly that each seemed a day in itself. It was a long enough time of waiting for many thoughts to flash through my head. Had I forced my curse on her? If I had, would she be free like me, or would she be a demon's servant? And if that was the case, could I bring myself to kill her? Even if she was free, what would we do? Where could we go? I was so worried that it came as a surprise when the curse surged to the fore with the moonrise. I let out a surprised yelp and released her as a painful spasm made my arms flail. I shifted apart from her, looking away while my body transformed. The pain was still very great this night, but nowhere close what it had been the night before. The full moon had passed and the transformations would be getting easier from now till the new moon. After a minute or so, the transformation stopped at last and I was a wolf again. I took a deep breath before turning back around, hoping for the best, but bracing for the worst.
When I turned around, I found a human princess sitting there, looking at me in apprehension. Since it wasn't the full moon, she wouldn't have been transformed, but I knew from experience that if she had been cursed, she would be feeling it within her.
"Do you feel any different?" I asked and she shook her head, smiling in relief. I sighed and put my arms around her again, holding her too me. It turned out that there had been nothing to worry about. The venom of a werewolf was indeed the only thing that could transfer the curse. Our act of passion hadn't cursed her. She returned my embrace a moment later and we sat beneath the moonlight once more, for the moment free to act as we pleased. So, we sat together with our arms around one another, holding each other against the sorrow of our parting...
***
The next day, after I transformed back into a human, we packed up camp and headed out, walking down the hill and into the plains. When we reached the bottom of the hill, Julianna spoke.
"Welcome to my homeland." She said, looking around with a disappointed sigh. "You know, when I was sent away to the temple, all I wanted was to stay home. Now that I am back, all I want is to be at the temple."
"Sorry things didn't work out." I stated and she smiled.
"It isn't your fault." She said.
"That doesn't make me any less sorry." I said and her smile turned warmer, melting my heart again.
"That is what I love about you." She said and we continued our walk towards her home. We were walking slowly, our reluctance slowing us, but we did not stop or turn aside. The way we were going, we would be out of sight of the King's road until the last day, which suited me just fine. The old road had been built long ago, when all the land we had traveled through together had belonged to a single kingdom, and, though it hadn't been united under the rule of a single person for many, many years, no one had thought to change its name. It was one of the many oddities that the wide world contained. I shook my head and continued to follow Julianna. We had not gone more than a half mile into her home when the feeling of foreboding I had had weeks ago returned full force. I stopped short, nearly tripping over myself in the suddenness of my halt. Julianna looked back at me, looking concerned.
"What is it?" She asked.
"It's that feeling again." I said, scanning the world around us. It was as still and silent as the other day, nothing out of the ordinary in sight. "Something is wrong here, and it isn't just that we are in the plains."
"Maybe it is nothing, like before." She said and I shook my head slowly. We started walking again, even slower than before, wary and on guard. The world was quiet, but not silent, as it was when demons were waiting in ambush. Nothing happened during the day, no ambushing demons leapt out at us, but we settled in for the night in a hollow where two hills came together. We went without a fire, for the night was warm, and we could remain all the more concealed because of it. I transformed when the sun went down as usual and stood to the watch, sitting out with my back to the hollow. Julianna curled up beneath her blanket, falling asleep quickly, and for a few moments, I watched her sleep, wishing that I didn't have this feeling. Even if I was to lie down, I wouldn't be able to sleep, not with this ominous cloud of dread hanging over me.
Late at night, when the moon was just passing the peak of its climb into the night sky, I sensed something nearby. I stood up, my grey cloak blending in with the grass behind me, one hand on my sword hilt. There was a slight fluttering sound above and I looked up, spying a trio of silhouettes that were very familiar flying through the air. My sword came out of its sheath and glittered white and black in the moonlight as I held it in ready position. The trio of flying demons settled on the ground before me, their eyes glowing yellow. They advanced together and I set myself. The one on the left swiped at me suddenly and I ducked under the blow, watching it pass over head while I stabbed forward with the sword. The bright green fires started by the jade in my blade illuminated the other two demons and I stood from my crouch, my blade intercepting the one carried by the center demon and I drew the dagger I carried, driving it deep into the other demon's chest. Once it was dead it was a simple matter to slay the other. A single slash and it was over. Or so I thought.
I turned around and found that six smaller demons had come into the hollow while I had been occupied and they were clustering around Julianna. They were intent on whatever they were doing that I was able to sneak up close before I was noticed. My blade scribed a bright arc through the night, sweeping the heads off of two demons. The rest noticed me before they reached the sleeping princess and turned to charge, their blades raised high. But I had had about enough surprises for the night and I drew out a globe a jade from a pocket, speaking a word of command as I held it high. The jade blazed to life in my palm and quickly became as bright as the sun. And still brighter, green light blazing in the hollow. The demons didn't even get a chance to scream before they were turned to ash. While the demons were dying, I made a quick check of the clearing and, finding it clear, I returned the jade globe to a pocket, grimacing at its reduction in size. It would only last through a few more uses before it would vanish altogether.
"Galen?" Julianna said sleepily, looking up at me standing above her with bloody sword drawn. "What is it?"
"Demons, but they are all dead." I stated and she sat up, moving over onto a stone and wrapping the blanket around herself once more. She shivered.
"I didn't hear a thing." She said and I nodded, sitting beside her and putting an arm around her. She was soon asleep again, her head lying against me. But I was still on guard. If those demons had been the cause of my feelings, their death would have banished the feeling. But it remained, so I remained on watch. But more worrisome to me was that the demons hadn't seemed interested in me at all. I was well known to all demons, large and small, powerful and weak, and every demon I had yet fought had tried to kill me first, before going after my companions, that is until my latest run in with Redamarc. But these demons had only been interested in distracting me so they could get at Julianna. And that was worrisome. The only reason I could think of, was that she was important to them, for some unfathomable reason.
I shook my head and awaited the dawn. In the morning, we would have to go as quickly as we could manage to her home. A castle like the one in Gulnia would be far safer than anything out here in the wild. I had the disconcerting feeling that this was going to be another chase, and we were the prey...
***
A week later, we walked up a hill just before dawn and stopped. Down below, a day's journey away, the castle of Gulnia and its accompanying city lay sprawled on the plain, the lights in the windows like twinkling jewels in the sunrise. But, just as we were turning back behind the hill for me to transform, something else caught my eye. On the top of one of the two bluffs that served as a backdrop for the town, the blackened remains of a large building stood. It might have been another castle it was so large. But there was something about it disturbed me, as if there was something there that I couldn't quite see.
"Julianna, what is that?" I asked, pointing to the ruin.
"That is the ruin of an old Gulnian Cathedral." She said. "A few hundred years ago, it once welcomed worshipers of all the gods, but after a while it was discovered that that was only a cover. It was really a base for a demonic cult. At the behest of the Priesthood of Auré, the army of Gulnia assisted the Slayers and other demon hunters in slaughtering the cult. Once they were dead, the cathedral was burned. Why do you ask?"
"I don't know, there is something about it." I said, then looked up as the curse faded once more, returning me to my human form. "Come on, lets take a look." She nodded and we walked together towards the burnt shell of the Cathedral. The day was pleasant and warm, and we walked through the hills towards the capital under a cloudless sky. Now it was Julianna's turn to entertain with her stories, for she had ridden through this area so many times in her youth that she knew it like the back of her hand. But still, as pleasant a day as it was, the feeling of imminent danger and of bad things close by was always in the back of my mind, and the closer we got to the city where she had grown up, the stronger the feeling was. I wanted to chalk the feeling up to the fact that we would have to say goodbye when we got there, but I knew that wasn't it.
But finally, in the early afternoon, we followed an overgrown road up to the top of the bluff and came at last to the ruins. We then stopped and stared, for it was a sight both foreboding and desolate. The ground was barren around the cathedral, not a single blade of grass to be seen. It was as if some lingering menace kept life at bay here. Slowly, I led the way into the grounds over a pile of soot blackened rubble that was all that was left of one of the outer walls. The air was heavy and still in the courtyard we found ourselves in and I walked forward towards the central building, letting my instincts guide me. Little remained of the structure itself, just one corner of the wall and an outline two stones high of the rest. But all the while I walked there, all the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I felt like I was being watched, and I listened with all my might, trying to hear the enemy I felt sure was there. But, I heard nothing except our footsteps, echoed back to my ears by the silent walls. But then, something else caught my eye. In the place within the central building where the alter must once have stood, there was a glint of energy, imperceptible to humans. I approached the spot slowly, my eyes searching the stones.
"What is it?" Julianna asked, but I did not answer, holding up a hand to forestall her words. Nothing remained of the alter, not even a shard of stone, but there was a residue of energy that I could feel. I knelt on one knee beside the spot and touched it with one hand. Instantly, I felt the curse surge to life in my body, pounding through me, struggling as never before to overcome the power of the cross that I wore. I instantly pulled my hand back and rose to my feet, backing away quickly.
"We should leave. Now." I said and turned, hurrying to leave the building and the grounds.
"What is it Galen?" Julianna asked, running to keep up with my long stride.
"Not now. Just hurry." I stated and she followed. We kept up our quick pace until we were on the other side of the city from the ruin, on the high ground over looking the castle in that direction. Finally, I sat down to rest on a stone, my eyes closed and my heart hammering, the memory of that surge of power still in my mind. Julianna sat down beside me and put a hand on my arm. Her touch was still soothing, and her familiar comforting scent near me calmed my panic some what.
"Galen, tell me what is wrong." She stated, and I at last opened my eyes, looking at her.
"Do you remember anything in your priest training about the theory of the Nexi of Power?" I asked and she looked surprised. After a moment, she nodded slowly.
"I think so." She said. "Wasn't it that they were places of concentrated spiritual energy in the world, where magic is strengthened and people were healed?"
"That is correct in so far as it goes." I replied. "The priests have never agreed with us on this, but it is part of Slayer teachings that the gods and the demons each exist within their own world. The demon realm is what is usually referred to as the Burning Hells. Well, the Slayers believe, that the Nexi are where their worlds touch ours. For we have found much evidence over the many years that Nexi are of two forms. One form, is a place where healing is sped, and the magic of the priesthood more powerful. We believe that those are places where the realm of the gods touches our world. Most temples are built on these Nexi. But there is another kind. It is a place where evil is strongest, where the evil magic rules. And we think that those locations are where the realm of the demons connects to our world. Redamarc's fortress is built on one such Nexus. I think that that cathedral was built on one as well."
"Oh come on." She replied, shaking her head. "That is impossible. The priesthood would have known and put a stop to it."
"Maybe they did." I answered and she looked at me in shock. I turned to her and I saw the shock of the possible truth in her eyes. "When I touched the stone where the Alter would have been, I felt a powerful surge of dark energy, a surge that made the curse nearly break free of the power of the cross."
"Well, lets say, for a moment." She said speaking calmly, though her hand trembled on my arm. "That you are right, and the cathedral is built on a dark nexus. What does that mean?"
"I am uncertain." I responded, shaking my head. "It could be nothing. Or it could mean that Gulnia is in grave danger."
But, I looked up at the sun then and grimaced, sliding forward off the rock so I was kneeling. The curse was already starting to tingle in my flesh, the feeling stronger than it should have been this time of month. Julianna sighed and knelt at my side, putting an arm around me to comfort me. I gritted my teeth and let out a long, slow breath. And, right on time, the pain drilled into my guts. I gasped and doubled over again, but this time, I concentrated on the feeling of her arm around me and the pain faded away behind a wall formed of my love for her. I couldn't even feel it anymore. My body swelled, growing larger and larger, splitting my skin and clothing to ribbons, but the pain would not come. I was safe from it as long as she was with me. Finally, when the transformation ended, I sat back up and hugged her.
"Thank you." I whispered and she returned my embrace. We sat holding each other for a few moments more, then we released each other, sitting side by side and looking down on the castle and the town that surrounded it.
"You know, tonight may be our last night together." She whispered and I nodded.
"Tomorrow we may part ways forever." I answered, "I want to ask you to do something, if you will."
"A slayer asking royalty to do something?" She replied, her tone joking. "I thought they weren't allowed to meddle."
"I am not asking this as a Slayer." I said, smiling at her. "I am asking it as a man to the woman he loves."
"Then ask away, my love." She said.
"Wherever life takes you," I said, my heart heavy with longing already. "I ask that you remember me when the moon rises. Remember what we have shared."
"I will." She said, and gave me a kiss. Then, when she was still close to me, she whispered in my ear. "But we aren't parting yet. If tonight be our last night, it would be a shame to waste it with idle talk."
"I suppose you are right." I replied, and our outlines merged in the moonlight...
***
When I awoke from my third night of sleep, it was to a dark sky and I thought for a moment that it was still night. However, I was human once more, so it must have been after dawn. After I had extracted myself from Julianna's sleeping form, I discovered that a storm had arrived during the night and the sun was hidden. That hadn't stopped Auré's eye from changing me back to human though. As I sat watching my love sleep, my heart was heavier than it had ever been before. Today was likely to be our last day together, and I was loath to leave her. It was in her company that I had found peace for the first time in a score of years, and in her arms that I had found sleep. But, as much as I wished it otherwise, she and I could not be together. Even if I was not a werewolf, we couldn't be. I shook my head, for I had walked down that road in my head too often recently.
I roused Julianna so we could get moving, for every moment of day was a precious commodity so near to the city. After she had dressed again, we walked down the slope of the bluff and onto the road leading into the city under a leaden grey sky. Despite the early morning hour, and the looming storm, there were people moving along it in both directions. Many people looked at us with surprise, and I couldn't blame them. Slayers were usually looked on with greater than passing interest, and many of the common folk would probably recognize Julianna. And speaking of Julianna, I noticed that she carried herself differently now, upright and straight, her head held up high, her expression aloof. I supposed that it was what was expected of a princess forced to mingle with commoners.
However, my attention was soon diverted from her, for we had passed through the stone wall that outlined the capital, extending outward from the castle's high walls. The city was unimpressive, so alike to other cities I had visited that I almost totally ignored the buildings. But something else caught my eye. Walking among the crowds that were already forming among the shops on the street, I noticed unique people walking through the crowd, people clad in sliver and jade green robes. They were priests of Auré, and though they could hardly be called rare in the world, they were in greater number here than was normal. This was no cause for concern on my part, as it could just have been that a shrine was within the city, a common enough occurrence, or perhaps a pilgrimage was being made to the Golden Wood or the Sacred Grove. But what caught my eye most were other Slayers, walking through the crowd as if on patrol, their hands near to their weapons. To most, it would no doubt seem that they were at ease, but to a trained eye, it was clear that they were ready to fight. It seemed I wasn't alone in my feeling of wrongness.
While we were walking, I noticed Julianna sneaking small glances at me and I smiled on the inside. This was probably the first chance she had to compare me to other Slayers. Seeing how young most were, the inward smile worked its way onto my lips. I knew I looked very different from them. Most were clothed all in white and wearing no insignia, meaning that they were fresh from training, or near enough. Most had short cut hair and were pale faced and unmarked. I, on the other hand, had the old scars from the vampire's claws on my face and my skin was tanned and weather beaten from so long in the wild. My dark brown hair had grown into a long, shaggy mane that flowed down to mid back. I kept it tied tight most of the time with a length of leather cord. My white uniform was trimmed in silver runes and bore the arcane mark of the sunburst on the right breast. The clothes alone looked like new, for they reformed every day. But my weapons, while well maintained, were obviously hard worn as well. These thoughts were put out of my head a moment later by a quintet of white clothed slayers walking in the opposite direction, led by a woman wearing the ranks of a sergeant. They spotted us and altered course, headed right for us.
"Greetings Hunter." The sergeant said, bowing slightly when we had stopped before her. "Have you come to join our mission?"
"I am sorry sergeant, but the answer is no." I replied. "I am escorting the princess Julianna to her father, the King of Gulnia. Her entourage was attacked on the king's road and I stepped in to save her."
"That is a shame, a hunter would be a welcome addition to our forces." She stated, then bowed. "May the sun guide your path."
"And you." I said and the group parted to let us by. But, as we passed through them, a clap of thunder sounded overhead and I looked up. I could see that the rain would not be long in coming, and I turned to Julianna, leaning in close to speak to her. "The storm is breaking, perhaps we should get under shelter."
"I agree, it would be bad for me to show up to the court soaked to the bone. This way, I know a place we can go." She stated and we turned off the road, walking into an inn's common room. The moment we stepped inside, I knew that this was a place I never would have gone had I been alone. The inside was not what I would expect from an inn. It was far too opulent to cater to common folk, and I doubted that I could pay for such a place, even if I had been a human. But Julianna walked inside with confidence, heading up to the bar. The old man standing behind it spotted her and his expression turned into one of surprise and joy.
"Well!!" He cried. "As I live and breathe, Princess Julianna!!"
"Hello Palon." She said, smiling at him.
"I had heard that you were dead." He said, coming around the bar and kissing her hand. "I am ever so happy that that was not the case. Please, come this way, I have a private parlor for you, as usual."
The old man led us through the common room and down a passage, stopping outside a door. He unlocked it with a silver key and pushed it open, holding it open for us to enter. When we had come entered and sat down at the table, I felt another peal of thunder, its force shaking the walls of the building. That strike had been close. A moment later, the clear sound of rain on the roof could be heard. A minute or two later, the innkeeper was back, bearing a tray with a pitcher of cider and a plate of fresh bread and yellow butter. When he was gone again, leaving the key on the table and shutting the door behind him, I spoke at last, pouring the cider into the tankards he had brought.
"Well, he seems nice." I said and Julianna nodded, taking the mug I offered her.
"He used to be the royal chef." She said, "Until he decided to retire to open his own inn. When my sister and I wanted to get out of the castle for a while, he would let us stay here for free. He is a good friend." She took a long sip of her cider and I followed suit, getting a surprise. It was very good, better than most. I hadn't had a good draft of cider since I had been a boy. "By the way, I meant to ask, why do the other Slayers call you 'Hunter'? I thought you were an ensign."
"I was." I said, sipping my drink again. "You see, long ago, when the Slayers were founded, the first ruling council created a special group of Slayers that were the best fighters in the order. They were called Hunters and it was their lifelong duty to hunt down the enemy. They were given rune clothes to signify their dedication to hunting. Over the years, the term Hunter became simply a term to describe anyone who chose to concentrate wholly on fighting, instead of leading others. The Master Hunters, who train the aspirants, once had to have been both a hunter and an officer before they could achieve that rank, but the numbers of Hunters have very deeply declined over the centuries. Now, Hunters are very rare and the term Master Hunter has come to mean simply an instructor. My father made me a Hunter the day I left, knowing that I had resolved to carry on fighting my whole life. I can't exactly retire to a Slayer training cadre as a werewolf. But, as a Hunter, I cannot be commanded by any save the Master Hunters and the ruling council, which is why all officers and Slayers show me respect."
"Oh." Julianna answered. "I guess that makes sense." We fell silent for a while, munching on the bread and drinking the cider until the rain ceased falling. Then, we got up and left the inn, giving the innkeeper the key to the parlor before we left. The streets were clearer and we made good time getting to the castle gate. It was guarded by four soldiers, their chainmail glistening with rain, but they moved aside immediately once they saw the princess. The courtyard we were in was empty save for a pair of stable boys and we continued on into the keep. The guards we passed all bowed low to the princess and we were soon at the door to the throne room. The royal herald stood there, dressed in robes of maroon and dark blue, the colors of Gulnia and he bowed low to Julianna.
"I have returned." She said and he nodded, his eyes on me. "This is Hunter Galen, of the Slayers of Auré."
"Very well." He said, "The court is already assembled. You may enter right away." Then he nodded to the two footmen who stood at the doors.
The doors swung wide before us, pushed open by the wide-eyed footmen. The court of Gulnia filled the chamber beyond with flamboyantly dressed courtiers, and visitors in more normal colors, but all fell utterly silent as the doors opened. We walked in side by side, and I noticed some dark looks among the younger noblemen, but I resisted the temptation to smile. Anyone entering the court was supposed to allow those of higher social standing to enter first. By walking in side by side with royalty, I was committing a grave breach in etiquette, at least to those who didn't know differently. Because we Slayers bowed to no authority other than the ruling council of the Slayers, we lived outside the social structure. We could even enter before royalty if we felt like it. Julianna and I stopped a few paces into the room so the royal herald could announce us. He stepped forward, his loud voice ringing out through the now silent room.
"Presenting the Princess Julianna and Hunter Galen of the Slayers of Auré." He called and a chorus of murmurs broke out in the crowd. Julianna stepped forward into the crowd without hesitation and I followed her slowly. This was her territory. As experienced as I was, I did not enjoy royal courts; they reminded me of the feeling of entering a den of vipers. I had been to a few in the past, but I had never liked them. It was the feeling that everyone was being false that tended to make me feel more than a little on edge. We walked forward through the crowd slowly, and everyone made way for us. But, as we pressed forward towards the throne that sat against the far wall, I began to notice things that were well out of the ordinary. While it was common to find a few priests to the gods in royal courts, there were usually only one or two devoted to Auré, even in large kingdoms like this one. On our way through the crowd, I counted more than a dozen of the green and silver robed priests, more than I had ever seen in one place outside of a temple or shrine. But oddest of all, I saw a half dozen white and silver-clothed Slayer officers, the highest ranked one a Major, of which there were few enough.
"Julianna?!" A voice cried out and I looked up, finding a man dressed in the finest clothes and wearing a golden crown pushing forward through the crowd towards us. "My daughter, is that really you?"
"Yes father, it is me." She answered and he stepped quickly forward, arms outstretched. She stepped forward as well and embraced him. To everyone else in the room, it no doubt appeared that they were both glad to see each other, but knowing what I knew, I doubted it. A moment later, my assessment was confirmed by the faint acrid tang of anger and resentment in her familiar scent..
"When your escort was found slain on the road, we assumed the worst." He said, pulling back and releasing her. "What happened? Where is Isander?"
"Isander is dead." She answered. "Demons attacked us on the road and killed all the knights save for Isander and me. Hunter Galen stepped in and saved us. He then took us into the wilds and protected us for days. But the demons were led by a vampiric lord named Redamarc, and he tracked us through the wilderness. They caught up with us outside the Golden Wood and though we were outnumbered, Galen allowed us to fight them off. But Isander was taken captive. We went to Redamarc's fortress to rescue him, but he was killed before we could reach him. But in the fight, Galen slew Redamarc, destroying him totally. Afterward, we buried Isander in the Golden Wood and ever since, Galen has been watching over me while we traveled through the wilderness to get here. He has saved my life many times."
"I am indebted to you sir." The king stated, but I sensed something beneath his glance that I didn't like. I knew, somehow, that it wasn't out of love, however fleeting, that he greeted her so warmly. "I must repay you somehow."
"There is no need, your majesty." I replied, "It was my duty." The king nodded to me and then turned back towards the throne.
"It is nothing short of a miracle that you have been returned to us." He stated. "Prince Talorn will be thrilled."
As Julianna turned to follow her father, she held my eyes with her own for a fleeting moment and I saw the pain within her once more. Prince Talorn must have been her husband to be. 'Speaking of Prince Talorn...' I thought, turning back towards the entryway when the Prince's name was announced. The prince was tall and slim, pale skinned like most nobleman, with sleek black hair tied back into a topknot. He looked very much like a prince, and to all in the chamber, he was something to be admired. From the moment I first laid eyes on him, I took an instant dislike. It wasn't just because he was to be married to the woman that I loved, no, it was something worse. The moment he entered the chamber, I felt the feeling of foreboding that had been with me since we entered Gulnia intensify. It was something about his eyes; they were deep and dark, as if you were looking into a window with shutters across it. But, a moment later, I was distracted by a far more pressing problem than the vague warnings of my mind and body. Coming into the chamber behind the prince was a man dressed in white and silver, a man that I knew.
The herald's voice got lost on its way to my ears, but it wasn't needed. The man walking into the room was my eldest brother, wearing the white cloak of a Master Hunter...