Rise of the Warrior of Everfen

Chapter 101: Forgive Me

The bustling city still lingered in her mind as the guard pulled open the doors to the throne room. Abled bodied men and women were fortifying the walls, blacksmiths were working in the street to help anyone with armor and weapons, food was being brought out in stocks and preserved and stored in sturdier places in case of attack.

They were preparing for a siege. There was even a new wall that had been built on the backside of the stables. Where once she could walk past the stables and straight into the forest beyond, there was a looming fence that soldiers were still bolstering. Even as she'd found herself inside the palace, there had been more activity than usual. The main room had changed completely since she'd last been here. There were stores of food being packed inside the hallways, spears and swords at every window as soldiers hoisted boards up and over them to nail into place.

She hadn't had the time to survey much else before the guard had noted her presence, and more or less demanded she be taken to Wren immediately. She hadn't complained, that was where she wanted to go, and as the doors opened, she heard multiple voices rising. She spotted the advisors and several captains from Wren's militia. The other soldiers may have been scouts and seconds, as well as knights on the far side of the room.

The guard urged her through and she walked forward as he pushed through the crowd gathered around Wren, "Pardon us," the guard moved through the crowd. "My lord, King Wren, the Lady Erinne has returned."

Heads whipped around to gaze her way at the announcement and she fought to keep her cheeks from flushing at the sudden attention. The advisors were quickest to look at her, and she noted the disgust on their faces. Ignoring them, she lifted her chin and met Wren's gaze, a little surprised to find his eyes a purely golden color, his nails darkened though not yet clawed. His sight settled on her and his fingers dug into the arm of the chair briefly before letting go. As he did so, he shifted himself forward on his chair and lifted with his arms until he rose to his feet.

He was shaking.

His limbs trembled as he came to his full height. He was barely holding on. She didn't know if it was the stress of the war or if something more had happened, but his control of the beast inside was clearly on the brink. There was no hiding it at this point, many people in the kingdom suspected, many knew, but those that were here in Thunderfall had no doubts their king was cursed. It was a testament to their loyalty that those in this room still stood in here with him. Except one was missing. She wondered where Khash was right now. He never went far from Wren except to collect materials for potions, especially during a meeting as important as this one surely was.

Wren's lips parted and she noticed pointed teeth inside his mouth before he spoke with a guttural tone that was almost a growl, "What news do you bring from the border?"

She tried not to let her surprise show on her face, but she was. She'd expected a much different reaction from Wren, rage or anger on some level. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, licked her lips, and then said, "The Great Chieftain's army is gathered in mass. His people are scared of the creature you created, they think you purposefully released it on them. I fear it has made them more brash."

"How large?"

"Many clans, I could not say how many. I met them at Weeping Woman's Rock and there were more warriors encamped there than when we created the treaty." Whispers spread around the room and Wren's expression grew grave and somber.

"You may go." He finally stated and flicked his fingers in her general direction.

"My lord, where is Khash?"

"His quarters." There was a tightness in his voice, she didn't think it was because of the curse. Wren must've sensed her lingering questions, but his answers were short, and not very informative. It was hard for him to speak. He took a short step closer, paused a long moment, then said, "Library. Go." His eyes were intense as he stared at her, trying to convey his meaning. She understood.