Rise of the Lycan Queen

New Alliance

The Lycan Nation spent a week at the clearing as Ancient Tradition had demanded as she had invoked it, and they had sent runners to representatives to the other Races.

It was another 2 days before they entered the valley where the Ancient Lycan Palace was located, and the gates stood closed. She could tell by the smell on the wind that the Palace was inhabited, and the looks of the fortifications were well maintained.

"Stay here." she said having a feeling she needed to do this next step herself. She had a feeling that the next few minutes would be tense.

She approached slowly, allowing her senses the time she needed to identify the threats that she may face. She saw and heard nothing, however she could tell by the scent that they were indeed part of the Royal Pack. When she finally came within 10 feet of the Gates, an arrow thumped into the ground between her feet.

"We do not allow outsiders within our walls. Leave our mountains and allow us to live in peace." a voice came from a slit in the wall.

"I am no outsider, though I have never been blessed to see these wonderous halls. I am Ashley Frost, daughter of Cameron, son of Malik, son of Demetri, King of the Lycans." she announced and could hear the gasps of several Lycans on the other side of the Gate. "I come to the Halls of my Family, seeking refuge and safety while we prepare to encounter threats that could see us all eliminated."

A loud grumble could be heard as the slit opened further and she could see a face now. "Demetri abandoned these halls long ago, and those of us loyal to the old ways along with it. Why should we allow his spawn to return when you do so weakened?" the man asked.

Ashley nodded for a moment as she considered how to respond. "It is true that Demetri left these protected mountains for the life among the other Supernatural Races. However I know from personal experience that my father came here numerous times to honor the old ways of how we Lycans lived. I know that 9 days ago I claimed my birth right on the stone of Persephone, and have honored the old ways since. I come her peacefully asking to be allowed nothing more than sanctuary that is guaranteed by the treatise of Lodran. If you will not honor the Old Ways yourself, you stand challenged for leadership of the Unified Lycan Race." she proclaimed loudly enough to be heard by even her own people by the end.

The laughter she heard as the Gates opened was haunting, and she stepped back as the Gates swung past her. It became clear quickly that the Lycan laughing was withered with age, as he slowly approached her. He walked right up to her, and grabbed her hand to look at it himself.

"It seems you speak the truth, however that alone is not enough. Lodran himself informed Demetri that it would become more difficult to reunite this family the more time that has passed. 14 years has it been since your father graced us with his presence. Why should we believe that you have not ruled this entire time? Why should we believe this is nothing more than a move to appease us?" he demanded making Ashley laugh.

"13 years ago my father was killed in an attack by Vampires. He has not graced your presence since his death. I was 5 years old at the time, and because of what he did himself, I have spent 13 years having no knowledge of who I am. I gained my Wolf just over 3 weeks ago, when the spell cast upon me was shattered by my Lycan. The same day I was attacked myself by the Vampires, and have spent every moment since executing my duty to protect my people.

"We came her today to seek sanctuary in the Ancient Halls that we know we came from. Halls that the Vampires cannot reach by the sanctity of the mountains that protect this valley. Long has it been believed they were abandoned by all of our people, none of us knowing you existed. Much have we lost, much do we have to regain. You say we have lost our way, who better to teach us than those who never departed?" she asked him boldly.

She heard the old man laugh again, and knew he was challenging her as was allowed by the treaty. "I can feel the veracity of your statement from here, and accept it for what it is. Long have we wondered what befell your father, as he was indeed the first to attempt reuniting our two people's. He was a great man, and you have my deepest sympathies. If what you say is true, why should we welcome refugees into our home?" he demanded.

"We are not refugees, and our stay shall be short regardless of whether our people reunite. We came here to plan our next moves, in a place we believed to be abandoned. Our battle is our own, and we shall not drag you into it if that is your wish. We only ask you allow us a few days to rest, plan, and learn anything you would be willing to teach us. After that we shall take our leave and if you wish, never return." she told him.

He nodded as he regarded her and the Wolves behind her. "So be it." he said as he turned around and slowly walked back through the gate before it was opened wide. He had made it about 20 yards when he stopped and looked at her. "Are you coming to join me, or would you rather sleep in the cold tonight. All shall find comfort in the Halls on this night. Come, we have much to discuss while you are here." he said before he continued walking.

Ashley was amazed at the energy the old Lycan had, as he had insisted on giving her a tour of the ancient Palace of the Lycans. He had taught her about the notable Kings and Queens throughout, and she had thoroughly enjoyed feeling the thrumming power throughout.

"It is made of the same minerals in the Mountains surrounding this valley that repels your enemy. Tell me, how sure are you that it is the Vampires?" he asked.

"I killed 3 of them the same morning I gained my Lycan." she said thinking nothing of it.

The old man however stopped dead in his tracks, and looked at her in shock as that was unusual. "What do you mean morning? Lycans gain their wolves with the first light of the full moon." he said after a moment and she had stopped to wait for him.

She turned and looked at him. "That might be what is normal, I assure you however it was the morning of the full moon. I had just woke up when she first spoke to me." Ashley told him.

He nodded as he motioned her to follow him. He opened the door to a library that was filled with books of several languages. He walked to a section and pulled a very old book from it before he grabbed a second. He took both of them to a stand and opened the first to a section of the Races. He turned to the Vampire, and turned it towards her. "Is this the creatures you destroyed?" he asked her curious.

She looked at the very detailed picture and written description of the Vampires. It described the scent in detail, and was said to be sweet and intoxicating to the senses. She remembered the scent had been so sweet it had made her want to vomit. "Based on this description, no. It was not Vampires." she told him.

He flipped a few pages, and turned it to her again.

As soon as she saw the picture she knew it was these that had. The sickly sweet smell that would want to make a Lycan wish to vomit. "Yes." she said simply and he nodded.

"Vampyre, very similar to Vampires. These mountains protect us from the latter, the former however have no issues entering even this Palace." he told her. "Tell me, what color is your Lycan?" he asked her as he slowly opened the second book he had grabbed.

It was in a language she didn't understand, however she knew she had seen it before. "What language is that?" she asked.

"Lycan." he said as he looked up at her. "You likely were taught the common writings shared by all of the Races, however your father had a few books written in this language. It however has nothing to do with my question, what for is your Lycan?" he asked again.

"Why does it matter?" she asked making him laugh.

"Many things most would find trivial matter a great deal, and sometimes the answer leads to more questions. There are things in this library that others have forgotten, that can answer many questions before you know to ask them. My question now is what color is your Lycan?"

She looked at him, and for some reason knew she could trust him. "White." she answered.

"What markings?"

"None I am aware of."

"What is her name?" he asked as he turned to a pure white Lycan.

"Selene." Ashley told him.