The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter XII (Liam)

It was a cold starry night as they left the Rabbit hole, the even breeze caressed Liam’s face made hie smile like a young lover seeing his girlfriend after a long time.

“You know Valance, I missed these peaceful spring nights. Do you remember the time we got lost playing on the field near the canals?” He looked at his friend with his eyes looking back to the past. “ We fell into the water because we were fighting and if Lissa and Perc didn’t find us, we would have spent the night stuck there. “

“Yes, it was a pleasant adventure ,wasn’t it ?“ Laughed Valance. “Now let us hurry up we have no time to waste if we wan to catch your beautiful birdy.” He strode of in the night with a surprising speed. Actually, Liam had a hard time to keep up even with his inhumanly strength and stamina. He only reached him as Valance stopped near the to main road, somewhere east of Grimwalden.

“Okay tell me Valance what are we doing here hiding in the bush as some robbers or thugs?“ Liam turned to his friend.

“What is whit you and this serious mood? You used to be fun man! Like actually fun.” Complained Valance. “I know I know.” He changed his voice and stared to mimic Endrolin. “ One has to grow up to the mantel of leadership young mans You shall not dwell in your childhood full of irresponsibility forever.” He did such a great impersonation that Liam could not suppress a laugh.

“Okay but really tell me what are we doing here? I thought we were going to the city.”

“Well your lady supposed to pass this road any minute now, if my calculation is right and it usually is. “ He pointed at four riders approaching from the road. “ Look! There thy are.” He made the sound of an owl They could hear that one of the horsemen called halt and were listening whether he will hear the voice again. When Valance saw is reaction, he repeated the signal. A few minutes later they riders were almost next to them, so they revealed themselves.

“Good evening my dear Ebenezer! “ Valance called out laughing. “ I am glad to see that your senses are as good as ever.”

“Even a deaf ninety-year-old man could hear that dying cat voice you made kiddo.” Said the old hunter with a smile and hug the young noble. Liam just stood there as if he was petrified. He eyes fixed on the rider in the middle. The cloak she wore would disguise her form anybody else, but Liam didn’t even need to use his heightened senses to tell that the rider was Alissarh. She got off the horse and silently stepped to Liam. Valance turned to them and whispered.

“There is an old abandoned barn just over this hill next to us. We will wait here for you guys to catch up.” He winked and turned back o the other. “ Guys let’s make a camp here for the night. No one should travel this late at night.” The others nodded knowingly and started to make the camp. The young lovers silently walked over to barn. They didn1t touch , didn’t talked until they were inside. There they both fell on the straw and started to cry in each other’s embrace. There was so much responsibility on their shoulder and could not show respect anyone just to each other. They were born to lead so they lead. But being born for one thing does not mean you will be granted the strength to do it. You just have no other choice. For the first time in years they were able to find comfort and freedom in each other’s arms . The feeling of arrival one can only get in the arms of his true love just overwhelmed them. The did not speak much, because both have things that needed to be kept secret. Also, there is time for everything, and the time of talking has not arrived yet. In the silence of the night it was the time for embrace. The hug turned into caressing and that to kissing. They enjoyed the loneliness of the place and the only sound beside them were made by the crickets outside the barn but even they decided to give the couple some well-deserved privacy as if they were know how much hardship they had to go through to get here and how much more were waiting for them until they finally can rest again.

The morning sun found them with Alissarh sleeping in Liam’s naked chest, the young man slowly caressing the woman’s hair as she was having her first peaceful sleep in a long time. He bent down and kissed the lips of his love.

“Darling, we have to go, the night is over, and we have a lot to do.” He said in hushed voice.

“Just five more minutes.” Mumbled Lissa as she hid her face in his armpit. Suddenly the doors of the barns burst out and Valance yelled in hos loud voice.

“Good morning lovebirds. The breakfast is ready, and we need to depart soon if we want to avoid the unwanted attention in the city Liam. Also, if we stay out for too long, we will have to listen to the preaching of master Endrolin.

“Be there in a minute.” Liam shouted back and he turned to Alissarh as she started to wake up and pulled him down to kiss him. “We really should hurry.” He whispered.

“I know, it’s really up to you.” Laughed the girl and kissed him.

Nobody told them anything when they sat down next to the fire a few minutes later. Two bowl of soup were handed out to them and everybody ate the breakfast in silence.

“So, what are you guys doing here?” Asked Valance turning to Lissa. “Did you found what you were looking for in that bastard’s mansion?”

“Not everything, but we found out the Lord Orthen is did all these horrible things with the king’s consent. He even sent him one of his agents to help out. He is the one I am currently investigating after.”

“Did you have any success with it?” Asked Valance eagerly.” Sorry I love deceive stories. “ He added as he could see Alissarh’s eyes narrow.

“No sadly I haven’t yet.” Answered the lady in a cautious tone. “What about you? Where were you heading?”

“I need to get some parts and supplies for Percy and wanted to scout around the city.” Said Liam. “I also want to catch somebody if I can, but I think it would be the best if we don’t know too much about each other’s plan in case something happens to one of us. On the other hand, do you remember Luca the old driver ?

“Yes , I do. What about him?” Asked Lissa with a puzzled look.

“He helps us out and can go around the town without raising suspicion. If we find out something important about your case , we will send a message to you with him also if you want to meet us or tell us something you can do it through him.”

“Ah see okay, I will definitely do.” Nodded Alissarh.

“Okay kids it’s time to move on.” Said Ebenezer as he got up from the fire. “You need to walk quite a distance and we can take you sadly by the horses. “

The young lords helped the to saddle up and get on the horses.

“Take care of my wife to be Ebenezer please.” Liam said the old hunter.

“You can bet on it, kid.” He smiled. “ You just go and free us from this crazy ruler so we can go back to the normal life. “ He patted the neck of the horse and left to the road.

Alissarh and Liam looked at each other then the lady rode after the old hunter. No word could express properly what they felt in the moment of departure, so none were spoken. They both knew it might take a long time until they meet again, but they also knew that it would happen for sure. Liam turned to Valance.

“Let’s head out my friend we have a lot to do. Also, thank you.”

His friend hugged his shoulder as they set out to the road and laughed whit his carless laughter.

“Always , buddy, always. “

The two men soon reached the main road and started they journey to the capital.