Rise of the Lycan Queen

Knowledge is Power

The old man nodded as he looked at the entry, and shook his head. "Long have we wondered when she would arrive. Your tidings are not welcome news." he said as he read the passage.

"What tidings is that?" Ashley asked unable to read this book herself.

"It would take too long to explain everything, as White Lycans are extremely rare." he told her.

"White Wolves happen all the time. They are uncommon for sure, but I would not say rare." Ashley said curious.

"Wolves yes, and although they are technically Lycanthropes, they are not full Lycans. White Lycans have a very special purpose in our world, and I can count on one hand how many there have been." he told her as he continued reading.

"What purpose is that?" she asked as his eyes went wide.

"All it says is they are specially called of the Moon, and that they are destined for great things. I cannot tell you more than that, as even the Prophecy does not say."

Ashley was surprised at that, as she had read a few of those prophecies as well. She however had never encountered one with a White Lycan. "There isn't anyone who can is there?" she asked making him chuckle.

"If you can find a Lycan older than I am, or one with more knowledge than is contained in my mind, I will give you the greatest gift you would ever receive."

She smiled as she knew it wasn't likely. She never remembered seeing a Lycan seem so frail, and it was common for them to reach 200 years old and look not a day over 40. He looked like he was nearing 100. "In all these hours, I never did get your name?" she asked him as he looked her in the eye.

"No, you have not yet have you." he said with a smile. "I am not sure you would believe me if I told you."

Ashley knew he was humoring her now. "You are Lodran aren't you?" she asked him as he smiled.

"Indeed I am, brother of Demetri himself." he answered. "As I said, I doubt you could find someone older or with more of the knowledge in these halls than I." he said touchimg his nose with his finger.

"How, it has been a the years atleast?" she asked.

"Lycans are extremely long lived. Let me guess, most of your predecessors died early in battle?" he asked her.

"Roughly 250 years." she answered knowing that had been the record.

He nodded as he smiled. "The oldest ever Lycan was nearly 1500 years old when he passed of old age. My brother left after our father was killed, 1,114 years ago. I can feel my age finally catching me, and I am nearly 1,300 now. I told him all those years ago that if he left, you would all know nothing of heartache, pain and war. It seems I have been proven right."

Ashley was stunned at this news, as she had never expected to experience anything like it. "What caused the split?" she asked him.

Lodran looked at her with a smile. "Differences of opinion. It was just after we had made our treatise with the other Races, and he wished to take our people to explore the rest of the world. I was against moving our Capitol, as this has been our home for nearly 50 thousand years. It has protected us well when all else has failed. As such those of us who had nothing more than a desire for peace, remained here. Those who wanted adventure and conflict, left with him. Now you have returned, and I can say that not all is good news." he told her the simple version.

For hours the two of them discussed various subjects that he felt she needed to be made aware of, details of which she could locate in few places outside of this very library.

Ladron finally looked at her as the evening bell tolled. "It will be dinner time soon, we should prepare you for what may occur." he told her as he stood up. "We need to get you into more appropriate attire."

Ashley smiled as she stood as well. "I will not dress to appease anyone. If what I am wearing is not acceptable to them, they may challenge me if they wish. With that in mind, I am ready for dinner." she said with a smile and made him laugh.

"Young one, we may want peace here, but we believe in Peace through strength. I fear if any of the Wolves here did challenge you, it would not end well for you." he told her honestly.

Ashley looked her arm through his, and smiled as they walked. "Than we share a belief in common Lord Ladron, Peace through strength. I may look small and dainty, but I assure you that I am prepared for any challenge."

Ladron looked at her with his own smile. "What do you mean Lord?" he asked her.

"Is that not your title?" she asked him and he shook his head.

"No dear, my title is Prince. I am still the son of a King, despite the fact that he was lost long ago. Are you sure you wish to proceed?" he asked her.

"I am, you will find I am full of surprises." she said.

"Very well, just so you are aware, I believe my son will be one of the ones challenging you this evening." he told her blatantly.

An hour later they entered the Hall, and sure enough there were several dozen Lycans waiting around a ring while everyone else was seated at the tables. No matter where you sat, you would be able to see the ring.

It was 30 feet by 30 feet, and the hall was full of Wolves mingling with the Lycans. They were being pleasant with one another, and the laughter filled the room as they are and drank.

As soon as the two of them entered, a hushed silence fell upon the room. Ashley was impressed that so many could fit into it, before she saw a group of Witches with Gretchen.

"How I wish you had already found your Mate. Some of the Males here wish to challenge for that fact alone." Ladron told her as they made their way to the high table.

"What do your people think about Mates who belong to other Races?" she asked him quietly.

"Fated Mates are reverred, and their race does not matter." he told her simply.

"So they have someone other than me that they can challenge for that position than." she said with a smile. She wondered how good he would be in combat.

"You have found him?" he asked her surprised.

"In a manner of speaking, yes. However there has been a complication. He should return tomorrow, and will likely be bringing a few of his friends with him." she told him.

"What race is he?" Ladron asked her curious now. "I assume you asked about Race because he is not Lycan or Wolf."

"Dragon." she told him as his eyes went wide.

"They are so lucky that you have not been marked by him yet." he said before his own laughter filled the air as the two of them finally reached their seats. "Stay standing a moment." he said just before two trumpets sounded and the room fell stone silent.

"Long ago this hall was devastated by the departure of our King, and those loyal to his cause of exploration. Tonight we welcome those who have descended from that brave group of warriors, and welcome them into our halls." Ladron said as a cheer went through the ranks of Wolves and Lycans alike. "Soon it shall be the time for us to reunite our Race into the beacon of power that it is. As many of us are aware, there are certain portions of the treaty of Ladron that must first be settled. Queen Ashley has been informed as much, and informs me the challengers to be her Mate must wait one more day for his return." he said as about 30 Lycans moaned making some of the Wolves who knew laugh. She had yet to announce it, but a few of them knew her Mate was the Dragon King. "She informs me however, that she is prepared and willing to meet-"

"I challenge for the right to rule." one of the Lycans at the table said interrupting him.

Ashley growled at him as she smiled. "I do not care who you believe you are, you will show the Elders the proper respect they are do. Since you are so anxious, we will begin this challenge now." she told him coldly as many of the Lycans were offended she would speak to their Prince that way.

Ashley did not wait, and went straight to the center of the ring. Her opponent furious for being chastised so publicly by her.

"What rules would you care to observe?" he asked believing he would be insulting her. He had not expected her to smile when he asked.

"There is only ever one rule when you challenge the monarch, Win." she told him making the other Lycans surprised. "Submission or death awaits any who enter this ring with me." she declared to a collective gasp from the crowd.