Lunansholt: The tale of the beginning of the wolves

CH 7 Moving Leif

Sigurd walks out of the infirmary heading to the longhouse when he mindlinks Thornben to meet him in his chambers as soon as possible.

He walks through the doors of the longhouse when he hears a commotion in the dining hall and walks over to see a distraught Astra crying loudly crowded by a group of young women consoling her. "What is going on?" He asks and looks around in confusion.

Astra looks up and shoots to the ground to bow, answering in a shaky voice filled with emotion, "My lord I am sorry, but I am so worried at what has happened to Leif." She sniffles and looks up as tears begin streaming down her face. "I love him so much I don't know what I’d do if anything were to happen to him." Harald internally groans and hears his wolf say in his head, "what a cunning little bitch." Sigurd answers his wolf back "Let's play her little game until Leif wakes up. Once he’s back to full strength he can handle this wench himself."

"Astra my dear" he says sweetly and bends to pick her up wiping away her tears. "My son is lucky to have someone like you by his side. He will be alright. Give him time to heal." She sniffles again and nods to him, "Yes my lord I will be a dutiful mate and continue visiting him until he is awake." Harald smiles at her warmly pretending to buy into her little act, "I have had to move Leif. I was notified today that he has a fever, so we moved him to his hut so that his fever won't spread. It won't hurt us because of our wolves, but the children wouldn't be able to protect themselves if sickness spread through the village. So, for now he cannot be allowed visitors." She looks shocked but nods, "Yes my lord. Until I can see him again, I will continue to pray for him to wake up." Harald nods and smiles at her then turns to leave dropping his smile once his back is towards her and rolls his eyes as he walks away.

He turns down a hallway moving through his chamber doors where Thornben is there waiting. He nods at him. Thornben bows to show his respect as it's not customary to bow unless you're in public. Sigurd smiles and waves him off, "no need to bow in here son. Come and sit. We need to discuss your next mission."

Thornben moves to the table and sits down opposite Harald. Harald sits down opposite Thornben at the table and mindlinks him. "I will discuss the true nature of this mission by mindlink and then I will verbally tell you something similar but not fully the truth as I am sure we will have people listening in on our conversation." Thornben nods as a knock on the door draws them out of their mindlink, and several thralls bring in plates of food and ale. They set the table then bow and quickly leave the room staying close by outside the door for any further instructions. Thornben looks at the food then at Harald and says, "My Lord, do you mind if we eat first then discuss the mission. As you know I am newly mated and getting away from my mate while in heat to eat is nearly impossible." Harald laughs "Yes we will eat first then discuss the mission. I remember how that goes. Go ahead and help yourself."

Thornben digs into his plate and mindlinks him, "I figured this would give us the window to mindlink without any suspicions."

Harald nods, "that was quick thinking."

Thornben winks and takes a sip of ale.

Harald takes a bite of roasted meat and begins retelling the story of Leif and Astra. Once he is done briefing him, he tells him that they moved Leif and why then continues, "You’re mission is to guard Leif while he is unable to protect himself. I have no doubt that after waiting over a decade to trap Leif into a mateship that she would forcefully mark him if she thought she was losing control."

Thornben nods, "I know for a fact Leif doesn't want to mate her. I will do my duty for my friend. When should I start?"

Harald puts his hand to his chin and thinks, "how far is your mate into her heat?"

Thornben smiles, "she isn't. We found out this morning she is with child. I just figured using the heat excuse would be a good way to eat in silence and to cover my disappearance from pack activities."

Harald chokes trying to keep his laugh from coming out. He pretends to have choked on a bone and acts angry with his thralls until he eventually calms down. "Smart man."

Thornben fights with himself as well trying not to laugh and eventually regains control over himself when Harald mindlinks him again, "You're far more gifted for tactics than I thought. I will remember that in future." Thornben nods proud, “how is Leif doing?” Sigurd looks at him, “I never told you?” He felt Thornben shake his head and he quickly answers, “He has a wolf now. He is fully healed but in a deep sleep.” He is answered with silence and smiles knowingly waiting for Thornben to digest the information. “He... He has a wolf?” Harald nods again, “I’m not sure how but he does.”

As soon as he finishes that sentence Harald finishes his plate and drains his ale finishing the mindlink, "I want you to go to Leif's hut tonight after sundown. One of Laeknir’s thralls will be there caring for him. Your mate won't be able to be there since I told everyone he is to be separated due to a made-up fever and also because I commanded her to not allow any women near Leif." He nods in answer and the Harald continues, "I believe Leif will wake up soon. I can feel his wolf starting to emerge, more and more as each day passes so we just need to ensure he is protected until then."

Thornben cleans his plate with a piece of bread and pops into his mouth and sits back. He sighs as a burp escapes him then speaks out loud, "I apologize my lord that slipped out. If you're ready to begin with the details of the mission I am ready to receive it."

Harald smiles and nods, "yes Thorn I am ready. As you are aware Leif is in a coma. I have had to move him to his hut due to a fever, and I do not want that fever to spread around the village. There will be a thrall from the healer's house assisting. I want you to watch her and make sure she is doing her job. I know your mate is in heat, how far through her heat is she?" "Halfway through it" Thornben responds. "Perfect, I want you to report to Leif's hut in three days."

Thornben nods "is that all my lord?"

Harald nods back, "Yes, you're dismissed."

Thornben bows "I must get back to my mate now." He then turns and leaves. Harald mindlinks him again, "I will be sending food to your hut for you and your mate while you are at Leif's so that everyone believes you two are there. Inform your mate of what is happening and don't let her talk to anyone about the true nature of your mission."

"Yes, my lord."