The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter VII (Liam)

They all ate in silence, there was a rule in the Rabbit hole, silence should be kept while they consumed their food. This was a time of reinforce their determination and remember their fallen comrades. Only seven of them stayed currently in the headquarters as a lot were out on a job or, could still live in their home as their identity was unknown to the city guards. Four of the were new recruits here for training, Liam, his master, and Percival. Percy was the same age as Liam. A tall silent man dressed in priest robes and his eyes sparkled without standing  intelligence. He always was the smartest of the three them. While Liam and Valance were playing around, Perc already mastered the basics of most of the sciences and could read and speak on five languages. When they finished eating the maser took the newbies to train and Percy turned to Lim with hunger in his eyes.

“Okay I could resist it during the meal, but don’t torture me anymore! Did it work? It did get jammed did it? Could you use the reload mechanism? Could you feel the increased piercing power in the recoil? It did throw off you aim didn’t it? I am such a poor mechanist sorry.” He broke out insecurely.

Liam started to laugh and put the crossbow on the table.

“Have a bit more confidence in yourself my friend! It’s a wonderful device you made me. It almost made my job too easy. Thought you could add a bit more weight maybe to it, so the recoil won’t misdirect it after the shot. Otherwise it is an awesome product you made. If I may advice you could improve the reload mechanism, because it takes a long time to add the new munition one by one also, but it’s a long shot we could come up with some special munition like explosive arrows , or poisonous ones.”

He could see Perc’s eyes sparkle by the last two addition.

“Yeah , yeah great ideas. “ He took out a sketch board and started to draw with incredible speed. Liam just sit next to him in silence, he learnt by now, that his friend should not be disturbed while he is working, if he finished, he will explain anyway even if his audience is not interested. A lot of calculations and pictures were put on the table in the next hour.

“I am finished.” Stated Percy when he put the last wheel like device onto the board. “So, you see this round thing is a magazine. You can insert it in the holder this hollow place on the bottom of the crossbow. A magazine can hold twelve bolt and if you emptied you can just take it out and exchange it for another. Obviously, we will prepare a few before you go out, but you can reload the magazines on the field too if you find new bolts. I think this change can be made in a few days.”

“I see, so I will need to carry around these “maga” things in a bag or something and I can reload twelve bolts at once. That’s sounds cool, thought what am I to do if this magazerin get jammed in its socket? The weapon will become useless. “

“It is called a magazine. Seriously Liam , Lissa deserves better than this. “ Percy said while he breaks into a laughter. “ But you are right about the jamming. I will make it so that you can reload it in the conventional manual way if the need arises. Now to the special bolt you were asking for. I have a few basic ideas, but you will need to get some component for me. I was thinking we could make an exploding arrow, by adding a tank to the top of the bolt, filled with flammable fluid, and some kind of triggering device which induces a spark on hit. You need the get me some containers and flammable fluid, maybe oil, or alcohol. I have some, but not enough for this by far. As for the poisons I don’t really know much about that field, but I can design an injecting head to some of the bolts and you can bring me the poison you want to fill them with. “

 “You are the best Perc. “ Said Liam as he hugged him.

“Now, now. I am surly not, but I do what I can for you brother. “ Said Percival embarrassed. “I should get going working on this stuff, talk to you later. Definitely drop by the workshop before you leave. “

“Of course, and really, thank you.” Answered Liam with a warm smile. As his genius friend left the room and the only sound left was the ticking of the clock a sudden loneliness grabbed his hearth. For his whole life he never felt the loneliness of the leaders more. Back then he had less responsibility and his friends on his side all the time. Also, as much as he feared him, he could always go to his father for advice or Mr. Theodore and above all of them Alissarh. She was his pillar of fortitude, without her life was just gray, and meaningless. Yes, his responsibilities pushed him on the road he was on and he wanted to create a better country for his people, but after all man is selfish a bit and wants his own happiness too. His happiness as far as he could remember was always bound to Lissa. As he was brooding over these thoughts one of the doors slammed ajar and the most colorful person one can ever find entered the room with a loud yell.

“Enough of this depressing aura! Master Valance is in the house! Come here and say hello to me dear brother we will have some fun tonight.” Stated the handsome Valance Vertas with a grin. “I just got the tip the Alissarh left the city today to visit that Vindicator baron. I was thinking I will get my always depressed Liam friend and take him to see his beloved lady. So, are you in? “

It wasn’t surprising Valance knew about all of this. The people of Grimwalden both rich and poor loved him. He was an anomaly, no one could resist his charms, and everybody wanted to be his friend. So naturally he become their foremost information gathering method. Liam had to admit, that his socializing would have ended with his three best friends if it wouldn’t for Valance. On the other hand, the young noble was really ho blooded and loved dangerous situation. If an adventure was his idea there was a high probability that they going to get in trouble. Even though he wanted to see his love so badly, also needed to seek in the city for other reasons too and that will be easier with valance on his side thought Liam.

“Let it be. “ Said the young Fenris with a loud sigh” But I so going to regret this. “

“Now we are talking grab your stuff we are heading out.” Stated the other with a loud laughter.

“I’ll just write a note where I am gone, and we can leave. I wanted to sneak in the town anyway.” Said Liam as he wrote some line on the parchment in the middle of the table.

He grabbed his coat and they left the room without looking back. Thought they could have seen the disapproving headshake of master Endrolin who just entered the room.

“Oh, these hot-blooded younglings. I will need to get ready to safe their ass. I can fill in my bones that something bad will happen to them.” Murmured the old man as he went to grab his gear too.