The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter XI. (Edgar Vindicator)

The room felt really cold regardless of warm flames dancing happily in the fireplace. Edgar was shaking but he didn’t dare to ask for a blanket or a glass of that fine whiskey that she-devil was drinking across the table. He couldn’t clearly see her, but it seemed like the fighting took its toll on the lady too. Still there were that army on the corridor and the that not far prospect of being killed took away the will the make fun of her. He should start to talk, the sooner he gets over it the better.

“It started two ears ago after we returned from the war.” He started in a croaked voice. “ I don’t know if you heard about it or not, but the Vindicators were the military aids of the Fenris till your father came by. I never was a great strategist , not like my predecessors, to admit it I was even way below average so naturally I made a lot of mistakes during the war. Lost a lot of men and fell out of the favors of the lord. At home my lovely wife started to cheat on me and neglecting our fiefdom. Don’t get me wrong cheating in our circles is not unheard off. I admit I would have overlooked I even, but she chose Baron Landin who was our family’s archenemy.” As started to get worked up as he reached this part, but the cold stare of his audience made him calm down. “ Anyway, I tried to regain our power and do something about my wife, but could really think of anything until, well until he reached out to me. It was a rainy afternoon, and I was working here in my office. The world got dark for a moment then there he stood just next to the fireplace playing with the poke making sparks fly out. First of course I got angry wanted the yell at him to get out, but no sound came from my mouth and as I looked down, I saw shadows enveloping it. The masked man then turned to me and started to talk on his terrible and calm voice which makes you want to hide pack in your mother’s arm. He introduced himself as Lord Vesphar. Thought I don’t think that is his real name , felt more like a title. He told me that, the king has plans whit this realm. We were chosen ones who can take there seat first in the new order, before anybody else, and those who helps this process will be granted power and fortune they can’t even imagine. Now you think I couldn’t wait to jump on an opportunity like his. But no. I am selfish for sure, and I think that the common people are not necessarily human beings, but I am not a traitor of my homeland. I told him this and he just seemed amused by that . He walked to the middle of the room and did something with his hand. The shadows gathered there and formed the shape of our beloved Lord Fenris. He first proved me that his is indeed lord Orthen by telling me information only he would know. Then he told me about their plan and that this gentleman is his accomplice so I should follow his orders. First, I did it because I believed them. I sent my servants to gather information about some wealthy merchant and some lords. I even let my wife to keep going to that bastard but asked her questions after it . She never was a sharp lady, so she old me a lot of information about his household. Maybe she even thought that she was causing me more suffering with it. Then things turned to worse. I had to help them with gathering people for experiments. Gladly I did not need to be there, only saw the aftermath and it was horrifying, but I was too deep then to get out. I lived my days in terror from that point with no one to turn to. Who would have listened to me when the Lord of the realm says the opposite? They saw my change of hearth, so I was forced to do more hideous things. I kidnaped the young Fenris and we turned him into a monster. Unfortunately, he woke up in the middle of the ritual and saw us before he made his escape. “ When he reached to this point, he could feel a sudden drop in the room temperature and the eyes of the lady filled with hatred. She took a deep breath and only said on word in a cold voice.

“Continue.” But this one word almost made him pissed himself again.

“T..Th..then” He stuttered. “ It was calm for a while. Happily, I was left out of the fiasco on the merchant’s square. Thing turned to bad again just two days before. One of my agents saw the young Fenris return to town and I knew he was after me too. When I was telling Lord Vesphar that I want to flee my walked in the room. She saw too much even though we made her forget temporarily , so we had to act. Then I arranged that she will be in the town until night on the next day and Vesphar took care of her. “ He took a loud gasp as he finished the story. He talked for a long time. The logs in the fireplace burnt down and only the moon lighted the room. He knew that the time of judgement came also, that his chances to survive were slim. “ I told you everything you wanted to know. Now please le me go. I won’t tell about you to a soul.” He begged. The lady stood up and walked past him.

“I believe you darling, I forgive you for your betrayal and for attacking me, but I would never be able to forgive someone who hurt my Liam.” A silvery flash broke the moonbeam as the lady left through the door. The Baron of Darkwood and the Western Marshes Edgar Vindicator fell to the carpet. As the turned his sight up to the moon his essence of life was gathering in pool under him. “I am sorry.” He breathed and the spark of life wen out in his eyes.