Chapter 3 - The warning

The hamlet was small and isolated, nestled in a narrow valley among majestic peaks. Less than 100 families inhabited the hamlet. The land was suitable for some crops like barley.

The winter was harsh though. Deep snow often made the single road that led in and out of the village impassable for months at a time. 

Most days were routine. Work started before dawn, and by nightfall, the villagers were in bed. It was a quiet and simple life for most of the villagers.

However, all that changed the night that, their village was attacked.

A band of 20 shapes surveyed the village from the mouth of the valley. Their blood lust driving them mad.

The leader of the band grinned with evil anticipation. It was time to have some fun. He turned aside to give instructions to his men.

"Remember, don't spare anyone.No mercy. Understood?"

He waited until his people nodded their understanding. The leader gave their signal to attack. The raiders swooped on the village like demons from hell. Pandemonium ensued.

The villagers screamed in horror as they rushed to grab their children and flee attackers. They were on them at the speed of lightning.

There was no time to collect any belongings. They streamed out into the cold winter night. Most of them were dressed in their nightclothes. What greeted them outside was worse than their nightmares.

The raiders moved hither killing anything in their path. Men, women, and children were stuck down indiscriminately, along with livestock of every size and description.

By the time the raiders had satisfied their lust for blood and violence, the village lay in ruins, there were no survivors.

The leader of the band of raiders finally called a halt, and the attackers moved out as swiftly as they had appeared. 

The raiders moved east throughout the night and arrived at the prearranged rendezvous point where they were to meet with the duke.

 "How did it go?" he inquired.

The leader of the band smiled "As usual, your Grace, the villagers presented no challenge."

"Excellent," the duke replied with an evil grin. 

 "You may return now. Hope our collaboration works in our benefit."

"Thank you, sir." The raiders bowed before turning and disappearing in the mist.

The duke remained, if things worked according to the plan then he would be the next Alpha. Of course, no one knew he was the organizer of the attack otherwise no one would trust him.

***************

Loud voices, their tones happy and boisterous, approached close and Rhiannon peeked around the walls of the busy dairy as the workers around her prepared the milk for the next meal. Mounted men made their way toward the stables.

They were dressed in shiny armor carrying the red and gold flags with the coat of arms drawn on them.

"The King's guards!" She thought.

 Sure enough, the King and the crown prince appeared in some time, dressed in the finest of silk and velvet. Crowns of gold encrusted with precious stones adorned their heads.

Rhiannon looked in awe as the huge entourage assembled in the front courtyard.

The Duke and the rest of her family were already assembled outside to welcome them.

Rhiannon observed from the sideline. Ideally, she should have been with them but no one bothered to inform her or invite her. And she didn't really care. But it was fun to watch such an amazing sight. It wasn't every day that the king arrived at your doorstep.

"Welcome to my humble abode, your Grace," The duke bowed.

His wife Catherine was less formal. She loved to show off her royal connections whenever possible, no matter how distantly related she was. She wasn't even the first cousin!

"Cousin, it's so good to see you after such a long time, " she grinned and turned to face Prince Matthew," my my! look at you all grown up. I bet ladies must be vying for attention." She addressed the crown prince.

Matthew looked annoyed but he didn't say anything. He had the haughty look, typical of most royalties.

Rhiannon observed he was indeed very handsome, tall, board shoulders with blonde hair. He looked like an angel.

No wonder Margaret was blushing.

"I am good, cousin," King Alfred politely smiled.

"Let's get in, you must be tired after the long journey," the duke interjected.

The entire party moved inside. Rhionnah shrugged and moved out towards the town. Old nan was having joint pains again and she needed the medicines from the local healer.

Rhiannon banged on the wooden door of the hut. The healer was an odd woman who often looked at Rhiannon as if she was some sort of a mutant. But her herbal medicines worked. She was a witch. 

In those times witches were not feared. Every village had its own local witch healers who used their knowledge for the needs of the people.

Rhiannon walked into the cottage. It was full of peculiar objects, and bottles full of strange liquid.

 Rhiannon wrinkled her nose as a nasty smelling concoction brewed some distance away. The witch lady was bent over it.

"Hello!" Rhiannon said loudly.

"You need medicines again?" The healer asked.

"How did you....." Rhiannon started to ask. Then shrugged. There was no point asking. She seemed to know everything already.

"Yes, old nan has been having joint pains again," Rhiannon replied.

The lady left her nasty smelling pot of brew and approached Rhiannon, her eyes narrowed.

"You have the shadow of a wolf!" She suddenly said.

"Excuse me what?" Rhiannon asked, puzzled.

"He is coming for you, it's time you find out your true worth?" She continued.

"I am sorry, I am not getting you," Rhiannon asked.

The women sighed as if disappointed over something.

"You will soon realize my child when the time comes." 

Rhiannon preferred to ignore the witch's blabberings. She couldn't understand half of the things which she said.

"Alright, can I have the medicines now?" Rhiannon said impatiently.

"Of course my child," the healer packed up a small box of herbal power and passed it to Rhiannon.

"Thank you," Rhiannon replied and passed few coins to the healer.

The watched as Rhiannon retreated.

"Your mother just wanted to keep you safe, child, unfortunately, she couldn't stop fate." She mumbled to nobody in particular.

*******

Vasilios looked at the dead bodies strewn around him. He gritted his teeth in anger. Once the thriving village was now reduced to a morgue.

"This is terrible," Arios commented, " how could they enter our territories with the border petrol not even getting a whiff of them?"

"They masked their scents," Vasilios replied. His wolf was howling to get out and tear apart whoever did this.

He bent down and observed a body closely, trying to get the scent of anyone or anything.

"Vampires! " Vasilios declared, " it was done by vampires."

Arios looked at him astonished.

"But vampires have been banished for centuries, they can enter our territories as per the treaty."

"Well, seems like someone broke the treaty," Vasilios replied. He looked angry enough to rip apart anyone.