Chapter 5 No.5

"Nord, you haven't told me still. What happened?"

The echo of the grand door closing behind them startled the king that he turns to face his wife. She has removed her mask, settling it on her lap. Nord follows her example and removed his mask, raising his eyes only to draw back.

Queen Hali was seething and it is not a pretty sight when her pale green eyes turn yellow. "Hali, it's our daughter. She had found her mate."

"What?" Hali is not expecting the words that has come out of Nord's mouth. She rises from her seat and whispered to her husband, "How did it happened? It's one of the ICES, isn't it? Why did you make all of them leave?"

Nord wound his hands together and bit his lip. "Edom suggested that we cannot have her meet every one of them for it will be dangerous for her. We should let her leave and find her mate on her own."

"Leave?" Queen Hali rested her hand on her chest and shakes her head, "No! I won't allow it. Arryn is the heir to the crown, our future queen. How could we let her go as though she was one normal wolf? People will see her!"

"People see us all the time and nothing harms us."

"It is different!" Hali's eyes glowed gold and Nord's eyes reflected hers, his wolf feeling threatened. She sighs. "There will be no one to accompany her when she goes; I know that it is your plan but what about the dangers she will face when she is alone? She'll die of hunger and cold! It is autumn season now. We can't allow her to leave in this weather."

"Arryn is a werewolf. She has grown with trainings and survival lessons, plus she is the next queen. You can't expect her to die so easily." Nord muttered, his confidence wavering when he caught Hali's gaze. "I won't let her go if she is unfit but I fear that she will die suffering if we confined her within the castle."

Hali gasped, her eyes filling with unshed tears. Nord shakes his head and captured her in his arms, comforting her as she cried. "How unlucky. How could she suffer this fate, Nord? How can the Great Luna be so unkind?"

Nord kissed her forehead and guided her wife out of the hall. They ascended the stairs and headed in Arryn's private quarters. The smell of lavenders and mints overwhelmed their senses and Hali straightened up.

In the edge of the room was Arryn, wrapped in furry clothes while she is surrounded by her maids holding trays of incense and precious oils. Edom was seated by the table, scribbling furiously. Nord has a hunch that he is writing letters to the Elders of the other tribes, informing them about the princess' possible visit.

Arryn turns when she sensed their presence. She smiled weakly and stumbled as she takes a step, Nord catching her effortlessly, "Careful, now."

She giggled and Hali's heart, clenched of the pitiful sight. Nord guided his daughter back to her bed and Hali followed, settling next to Arryn, gasping when she felt Arryn's burning skin. "Am I dying? Why do you all look so sad, mother, father?"

"You're not gonna die so soon, love. I won't let it. We won't let it." Nord vowed, holding her close. He caught Edom's eyes and they nodded at each other. In an instant, a maid offers a cup to Arryn who took it without complain.

The effect was quick and precise. Arryn fell asleep on her father's arms, breathing shallow. Hali's eyes widened in disagreement as she watched her husband arrange their daughter at the bed. "What did you do?"

"She has to sleep, your majesty." Edom tied the letter on a crow's feet and set it off the balcony. He takes another piece of paper and held it to the queen who frowned, not receiving it. "We have to make her sleep every half an hour while she stays here to prevent her wolf from waking up and wreaking havoc to her body. If we don't do it, she will die sooner than we think."

"But she looks pitiful. How can you do it to her so easily, Nord?" The king swallowed and stood his ground. "I'd rather have her like this than to listen to her cries. It is awful, Hali, and I can't see her like that again."

Edom pursed his lip and takes a blood sample from Arryn's elbow, shaking his head. He puts the sample inside his robe and sighs, "Your majesty, her blood has grown thick. If we don't do it tomorrow-"

"Later tonight, Edom, at the edge of the forest just by the West river."

"West River?"

Hali and Nord turns at the door to see Rocco, his face pale. "What exactly is happening to my sister, father?"

Nord sighs, tightening his hold at Hali's hand as he averted his eyes away from Rocco. "Your sister is suffering from her heat. She has to leave the castle if we want her to live."

"What? Is this brought about by the ICES? I know that Sage, Ivy and Coal aren't supposed to be trusted but Ember? Why did you invited them if all they're going to bring is chaos?" Rocco cracked his knuckles and huffed, "My sister is weak. You cannot possibly abandon her at the West River tonight, father. She'll die."

"She'll die faster if we make her stay." Edom concluded, earning a glare from Rocco. Nord pulled at Rocco's arm, "Go and call forth four trusted men. We shall bring your sister down by the dungeons and go out the west gates just as the moon rises."

"But father-"

"Now."

Rocco left, his face reflecting betrayal. His hands were sweaty as he rings the bell at the base of the stairs. Instantly, ten burly men of high ranks appeared. Rocco did not think twice as he selected four of them, motioning for them to follow him without explaining their task.

When they arrived at the hall, they saw a pile of blankets rolled around something. Rocco knows that it was her sister, carefully wrapped in a couple of blankets, as though she was a corpse.

The knights have no clue that Arryn was there. They simply looked at each other but did not raise their voice to ask questions. King Nord pointed at the blanket and guides the way.

The stairs that leads down the dungeons and at the end of the hall were lit with traditional torches; the walls were covered with moss and the smell was unbearable. Twice did Rocco slipped and Hali has to hold on to her husband to stay on her feet. They look sullen and tired. Edom appears to be anxious for he kept on checking the time.

The moon welcomed them, the leaves dancing in the night. They walk for a couple of meters more and every one of them grew anxious. Nord waves his hand and the knights left the pile at the base of the west river, ordered to stay a couple of meters away.

"This location is close to the borders of the other tribes. She will easily find her way if she needs to."

"Are you sure that this will work?" Hali asked in a somber voice, leaning at her son.

Edom shakes his head, "No," He takes a deep breath and muttered, " But I trust that the great Luna will watch over the next queen."