Chapter 7

King Fenris

Arriving at the training fields, my most trusted knight, Sir Hugo, and I hop down from our thoroughbreds, and tie them to posts with rope. Thousands of soldiers are in training; there is a cacophony of sounds: of swords clashing, axes and maces being thrown at wooden targets, and tree stumps, and men grunting with exertion.

A few hundred archers shoot at targets from varying distances, and nod at me as I pass behind them. There is lots of yelling as men practice their war cries, or call out to one another. There are a few training casualties who hobble around with injuries to their ankles, knees and feet.

My Commander in Chief, James Boroughshaw, is stationed outside a makeshift tent, and is observing the jousting closest to us.

‘My King,’ James says, as he kneels down before me.

‘Commander James,’ I nod, and he stands back up.

‘I require an update of our progress,’ I say, sitting down in a wooden folding chair, and accepting the glass of brandy Squire Thomas hands to me.

‘Of course, Your Highness. We have recruited over four thousand more men since we last spoke, and more are yet to arrive in a few days,’ James says, sitting beside me.

‘Your foresight James, has been invaluable; about the taxes, and the food supply. I guess if I was one of my subjects, I too, would volunteer in the war effort instead of going hungry. It relieves my nerves to know our army is almost twenty-five-thousand strong!’

‘We have also been spreading propaganda in all the taverns in all municipalities across West Wallow. We have convinced quite a number of people werewolves will harm their children without a moment’s thought,’ Commander James says.

‘Sometimes, I think you’re a crueller bastard than me James,’ I say, laughing, and swigging my brandy. James chuckles.

‘Anything for my King, Your Highness and to eradicate the werewolves.’ James says, smirking. I smile proudly.

‘Now, James. I have another plan I’d like to put in place. It's only a matter of time until Alpha King Damon finds out war is imminent. I need thirty of our best swordsmen to cross the forest border and assassinate any

werewolves, including the females and pups. Wipe out all the smaller packs first. Then attack the larger packs. This will give us an advantage over them,’ I instruct. The squire comes over with a glass decanter, and refills my empty glass.

‘Yes, my Lord. I’ll have them organised and on their way by nightfall,’ James says.

‘Good. Send Sir Hugo with your guards, to recruit more men from the villages. Sir Hugo can be very persuasive,’ I say, drinking some more brandy.

‘Yes, my Lord,’ James nods.

‘One more thing Commander,’ I say.

‘Yes, my Lord?’ James asks.

‘I see injured men. Have them discreetly killed immediately,’ I instruct. ‘I will have no weakness in this war. Sir Hugo will help the men to the tents,’ I instruct.

‘Yes, Your Highness,’ James says, standing, bowing and follows Sir Hugo, to gather the injured.

Beta Troy

Enjoying my pint, I listen to a few drunk men tell a story about a princess who lives in the forest.

‘Speaking about a beautiful princess in the forest - you’ve had too many pints, tonight, my friend,’ a man named Gale, tells another named Mortly, and slaps him on the back in comradery, they’re both drunker than seawater.

Laughing quietly at their antics, it gets me thinking.

If there was a magical princess, she’d solve all our problems. We are rudely interrupted by a few West Wallow knights, who approach the table Gale and Mortly sit at, and roll out a royal scroll, and throw down a feather, with a small pot of ink. The men boo them.

‘Tell King Fenris to stuff his taxes up his ass. Or better yet: tell him to come here, and I will do it for him,’ Gale says, roaring with laughter, setting the whole tavern off. One of the knights brings an axe down over Gale’s wrist, lopping his hand off, in warning.

The tavern goes silent for a moment, and all the men look at one another, and at Gale’s bloody hand on the table. Gales passes out onto the floor; Nervous laughter ensues, and the men clink their pints, and raise them toward the knights, to show they mean no harm. Sitting in the corner, out of view, I go unnoticed by them.

‘I am Sir Hugo, most trusted knight to King Fenris. Shut up the lot of you, or I’ll lop each and every one of your hands off and feed them to the wolves,’ Sir Hugo warns.

A brute of a man, whose head brushes the six-foot-high wooden ceiling beam, folds his arms across his barrelled wouldn’t dare cross him.

‘King Fenris has an army of twenty-five-thousand but needs more men. You will not have to pay taxes, and you’ll be fed. Food will be sent to your families as payment for your service,’ Sir Hugo says, his arms still crossed. None of the men speak.

‘If none of you fight and we lose the war the wolves will kill you then kill your wives, and eat your children – no man will be spared. Now which one of you bastards are going to sign up and help kill these mongrels?’ he yells.

With that, Mortly dips the feather into the pot of ink, and signs a quick, messy scrawl on the bottom of the scroll; the rest of the men except for Gale on the floor, follow suit. In disbelief, I go upstairs to my room for the night. What was that? Alpha Damon is not going to like this. I mind-link Alpha King Damon and Gamma Eric everything.

Alpha King Damon

Using mind-link, I tell Troy about my dream from the other night, including meeting my mate.

Alpha, even if you find her in time, they still outnumber us thrice. They are growing in number daily. This is not a war we can win. Troy says.

We need a plan, and fast. King Fenris will wipe us all out, and show no mercy. Gamma Eric says.

Troy: stay in West Wallow and keep track of their movements. Mind-link me when they get closer.

Eric: gather all pregnant she-wolves and pups and have them stay under guard at Moon Crest Castle. If we lose the war, a few warriors will help you, the she-wolves and pups escape. Prepare beds for any injured. I will set up camp near the forest border and ready myself and the others, to fight and defend our land. I will visit every pack and recruit more men and women. If anything comes up that I should know, mind link me immediately. I say.

Yes, Alpha. They reply.