Seven nights before meeting the General
In the end, I had come quietly. There was not much I could do. I was no match for a werewolf, never mind four of them. They did not even bind me. Erna did not trust me, that much was for certain, but Alain had been kind.
First we set off on foot. Wounds and blisters littered my body after a trek through dense grass, and a night in the prickly fields. In the distance, the towers of Tellevine castle came into view quite quickly. Intricate patterns adorned the castle. It was grand and beautiful, but a horror nonetheless. We were so close to the emperor, and home was far away by then.
Despite my protests, Alain carried me for much of the trip. I could not keep up. I was still weak, and my legs were far too short.
It was a comfort when we reached the coastline. Rocky as it was, it still reminded me of home. The ocean breeze was colder there than it ever had been down South, but it was a familiar feeling. I waded through the water on the rocky Northern coast. It felt like ice on my skin, but I was cleansed both physically and mentally. I felt freedom even in captivity.
Erna suggested, “What if he is a Siren, and he swims away?” I chuckled at her suggestion. It was not far from the truth. Sirens were magic, just like me. And I did feel a deepconnection to the ocean. But I was nothing but a druid. All I could do was heal.
In truth, I should be connected to the forest, the earth, the spirits of nature that were found in trees, the animals that resided in the mossy earth. But I had never stepped foot in a forest before. It must have been the sand couch and sea rocket, the lichens and mosses of the dunes that fuelled my magic. The Northern coast was full of lyme grass, and it energised me. It brought me back to life. I drew my power from what little vegetation the coast had to offer.
So when we finally left the kingdom to enter the forest, I was wary and on edge. There was so much life, it was overwhelming. While the werewolves around me came to life, I shut down. Unknown plants were clouding my senses, and trees, a scarce sight in the South, were all around us. They were large and carried an energy I had never grown accustomed to. Still, the forest welcomed me. It welcomed all of us. It reminded me that despite our differences, we were all creatures of one habitat.
Three nights before meeting the General
The differences between the werewolves and me became especially apparent the following day, when we reached Puffin Port. A patch of grass along the coastline, surrounded by forest. A lawless place. A no man’s land. Only outlaws were native to Puffin Port. It was a degenerate place, full of gangs, brothels and dangerous magic. While I was terrified, the werewolves seemed perfectly at home in a place like Puffin Port. I was glad to have kept my identity as an omega a secret. I knew I would be a target if anyone found out.
Luckily for me, the scent of a druid was not easily distinguished from any other creature to most magical beings, and it was uncommon to come across one of our own. There were only a few creatures to fear, who could tell what I was. Those with magic similar to mine: magic fuelled by the elements. Sirens and druids. Sorcerers and shapeshifters. All of them were rare enough in the continent that I might never cross their path.
“Stay close,” Alain said as we entered the port town. It was an unnecessary warning. I was never going to leave his side in a place like Puffin Port. The houses were decrepit. The scent of rotting wood and the acrid smell of dark magic made me dizzy.We walked right through the town’s centre, where all manner of creatures were selling forbidden wares. I held onto Alain for dear life. He had a comforting presence. He was older than me, already mated, and he smelled of oak trees. It was clear he was an alpha by his stature. I supposed my inner omega clung to his protection, a mated alpha who took care of me. He was no threat.
We stayed the night at an inn. We shared one room. There was a fireplace, and I was pleased to sleep on the floor right in front of it. While I was not used to the Northern climate, it did not seem to bother the others.
“Do you know how to play?” Alain asked me that night in the chamber. They were holding cards in their hands. I shook my head to say no. He patiently explained the rules. I briefly forgot I was in the most feared town in all the lands. I even found myself warming up to my captors. We played, we laughed, we drank ale. It was pleasant, listening to how Erna and Alain bickered about nothing. They did not speak of anything of importance when I was in earshot. They did not trust me. I still had not disclosed anything about myself. On the other hand, if I was dangerous, I would have hurt them already.
When Erna was sound asleep, the ale gave me the courage to ask Alain several questions I would not otherwise dare to ask.
“Will the General hurt me?” I asked. Alain was not as buzzed as I was, but he was not as sober as he was before the game. He eyed me for a while.
“No,” he said.
“How do you know?” I asked. I played with the fur on Erna’s cloak that I used for warmth. The alcohol had made her surprisingly warm and generous, as she handed me her fur cloak. The fire crackled behind me. It was quiet for a bit. Alain stared into the fire.
“Because I think you are an omega,” he said. I bit my lip. “We don’t hurt omegas in the Oaklands.”
I understood he was not sure. And I was not going to confirm his assumptions.
“Would he let me go if I were?” I asked. I looked up at the alpha. Alain shook his head.
“Not if you aren’t more forthcoming.” I simply nodded. I expected as much. My head grew heavy. I was not clear on what I was feeling. It was late, and I was not all there. It was time to rest.
The next day, a boat would depart from Puffin Port for Kanna, the land of the werewolves. I did not know then that the next day my life would be changed forever. That was when my fate would be set in stone. That it was destiny that was leading me to him. That I had a part to play in something much bigger than myself.
The Day I met the General
The Empire deemed Tellevine to have the greatest castle that was ever built. I had only seen Tellevine castle from a distance, but the moment I entered Kanna, I knew that the empire had lied. Painted gold, in all its opulence, Tellevine castle could never compare to the Grey Keep of Kanna. I was seasick from the journey, and could barely stand upright as the waves were treacherous.
Even in that state, I marvelled at the sight before me. From afar, it was a wonder. Up close, even more so. It needed no paint, no colouring. Grey as it was, the keep was the size of a mountain. It had towers that stretched even beyond the castle walls. A river flowed around it, and through it as well. A miracle of the old world, built by creatures with strength humans could only dream of. It was devoid of colour, made out of stone, decorated sparingly with black obsidian. Every part of it looked sturdy. Nothing like the dainty and intricate towers found in imperial architecture. It was cold. It was chilling. It was a marvel to behold.
The experience was almost spiritual in nature, brimming with the energy of an ancient magical ancestry. It was a shame that before General Axel united the packs, this castle had beenempty for decades. Centuries even, if the stories were true. The only way to the city was through the castle itself. And no one could get through the endless walls of the Grey Keep.
It was even more of a shame that I had to witness a place bursting with such old magic as a prisoner. Benevolent as my captors were, I was still aware that I was not a free man anymore. It left a hint of fear somewhere in the back of my mind.
When the boat was safely moored, we did not enter the town. We went straight towards the castle. Pebbles left blisters on my bare feet as we walked from the docks to the keep. I followed the four werewolves in silence.
The gates of the Grey Keep were monstrous, the height of at least four alpha werewolves stacked atop one another. From above, a horn resounded. It came from one of the guard towers. The sound was so low and deep that it seemed to be bouncing off the castle walls, scattering around the town that was mostly obscured by the castle, and to every tower in the keep.