The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter IV.(Liam)

He woke up near the crossroad where he hoped off Luca’s cart the last night. Lady Fortuna was on his side this time, because he woke up just in time to hide his face when Theodore Belionth and his soldiers rode past him. “ What could make the good captain to ride in such hurry?” Wondered Liam as he looked around for his belongings. But when he was about to get his bag on his back, he felt a tingly sensation and just dived to the right before a foot smashed down where his hand was just a second ago. Liam continued his spin and turned it into a kick aimed for the attacker’s leg. He could feel the contact, but it was a weak kick so didn’t have much effect. He finished he turn by pushing himself upwards with his hand and jumped o is feet.

“Can we no do this today too maser? “ He asked in an angry voice. “ I am really not in the mood for fighting right now.”

The usually peaceful and understanding expression of master Endrolin disappeared as soon as he heard it. He lounged and was already in front of Liam and hit him in the chest with open palm causing the young man to fly back a few meters, though he fell on his feet.

“Kid fighting is not something you are in the mood for.” – He lectured him as he continuously threw deadly blows at him, which Liam evaded thought not easily.-“ You fight when you have to. There is no mood to it. I understand that you pity yourself , because you had to kill those young lads back in the valley, or you feel guilty about it. You need to be stronger than this! “ The masters last hit broke a tree into half. That and the continuous lecturing made Liam’s blood boil whit anger.

“I know that , I know. I just feel anger towards that bastard who caused all of this and wish that I could snap his neck. “

“Don’t say this about your own father young lord. I know you feel betrayed and abandoned but I also know your father has his own reasons.”

This just added fuel to young man’s rage. “You even defend him?! You of all people, telling me I should forgive him!? “

He tore off the cloths hiding his right arm revealing the hairy hand whit nails like a wolf’s and hit back with it causing an eruption of earth where the blow landed.

“Oh, finally you are serious kid, show me what you got! “ Taunted the old man.

Liam throw a series of blows at him full of killing intent, but the monk blocked all of them eve thought they were all so powerful that they could make a hole on a plate armor. The monk caught Liam’s arm on the last punch and smashed him to the ground with such force it left a crater under him and caused him chough up some blood.

“You put up a good fight kid, but still have a lot to learn. “

“Yes master, I am sorry. You were right I need to get stronger if I want to save my people. I need to learn that the only reason and goal I can have is happiness of my subjects and not personal vengeance.” He said while he stood up.” I will show you and to all that I am worthy to lead us. I must take the throne by force, but not because he done this to me but because he leads us to extinction. Maybe he just cruel, maybe he has his own reasons for doing this and can’t help it, but either way he can’t remain in power. Also, in order to achieve that I need to learn to control this coursed power so I can give stability to our people after ashes of rebellion settled.” Said Liam as he reached for the silver nail in his arm and pulled it out.

“Well said, my dear pupil, I have never been so proud on you, know come at me let make you be able to control your curse.” Answered the master as Liam fully turned into his wolf form. They kept fighting until the sun started to set. A two and half meter tall gigantic wolfman and nimble old monk. If someone would have watched them for the whole time , could have seen the change in the wolf’s movements, as the initial b********y disappeared, and the well-controlled fluid motion of a martial artist took over. As they finished Liam could turn back to his human form without the help of the needle, which surprised him tremendously, but his master gave him a reassuring nod and old him he still need to keep the nail with him all the time, but don’t need to use it anymore.

“You gave a proper reason to fight to your inner beast, and do not fuel it only with anger anymore. You might still need the help the restrain it sometimes, but I think you will be okay for now. I am proud of you kid. “ He praised Liam. – “ Let’s head back into the rabbit hole cause it’s late and we both need a proper rest, as we have a lot to do from tomorrow if I am correct.”

They walked the road until they reached the outskirts of Grimwalden. The road here went between two mountains with vine cellars craved into them. They looked around and after they confirmed that nobody was in sigh range, both of them took out an engraved golden key with rabbit head handle and inserted into the lock on a door. They turned the key quarter right and then three quarters left and pushed the door in. After entering the doors was quickly shut closed so nobody could follow them. The whole place was magical, a reminisce of the old empire ,now the base of the rebellion the Rabbit hole. Liam could smell the scents of home, the old parchment, and the fresh food, what Percy must have just taken out of the oven. The first thing he did was to check upon he clocks on the wall when he entered. There were hundreds of them covering every inch of the huge room’s wall, their hands went around in the same space as the hearth beat of one of the rebels. If on clock stopped that meant that comrade has fallen. Sadly, only half of the clocks were still ticking but at least there were no change for months for now. He looked down on table and could see it was set for dinner and his friends were waiting him , welcoming home with warm smiles and hearty hellos. He could feel that the rest of his gloomy feelings were gone and the peace and happiness one feel after arriving home took over them and he said with a happy smile on his face.

“Good evening lads! I am home!”