The mark of the wolf

chapter 13

Erinarr struted into the throne room like he owned the place. His blood red cloak flying around his shoulders. The candlelight flickers off his silver and black armor. He dropped to his right knee and waited for Gamorah to say why she requested him. She said stand . He got up from his kneeling position and stood . She said I have called you here's because I need to need you to kill someone. He stood there stock still not knowing what to do. Who do you want killed? Why didn't you call Alana for this? Gamorah sniffed and said because I have picked you. Yes but....But nothing!she snapped, her blood red nails tapping on the armrest of the throne. Here she threw a scroll at his feet. He bent down and picked it up. He opened it and looked it was a order to kill Dowen Risoneq . He was not a easy man to kill he ran a bar called the Crooked Elf but had been a former general in the queens army he also was very skilled in magic . Erinarr said why? Gamorah mocked back WHY? Do I have to remind you what that man did? Erinarr remembered he never forgot the screams the charged flesh the blood and guts everywhere. Dowen was a skilled master in magic he trained Erinarr how to harness the beast in him and he trained Alana as well. But he couldn't train Counsiler Adhamh's only child a boy called Padiar he was sixteen with black hair and silver eyes ringed with green . He had pale skin and sharp pointed ears. They brought Padiar to Dowen so that Dowen could train Padiar on how to control his cravings for blood. It didn't go well , Padiar was a spoiled brat and didn't listen to anything that Dowen tried to teach him. Padiar eventually ran away and left a literal bloody mess in his wake. They had to send Alana to put the boy out of his misery. Padiar's father blamed Dowen for his sons death. In realty nothing could be done . Counselor Adhamh wanted Dowen dead now that the counselor was dying one last thing to be done before he whent past the viel. Erinarr opened the parchment and stared at it than turned and stalked off. Gamorah liked to see him suffer plus this was a test to see how loyal he was. When he got back to his room he started unbuckling his armor and throwing it half hazardly all over the place. Than he reached for a wicked looking dagger it had a red stone in the pommel and black dragon skin on the handle. The channel had scroll work down both sides. He hadn't used this dagger in years Dowen had given it to him the last time they had hung out. He ran his hand down his face and set the dagger down. Grabbing a all black shirt he threw it on than black pants and boots. Grabbing his black leather coat it had dragon skin running down the back and buckles down the front the coats hem hit just above the ground. He put it on than tucked the dagger in a knife holder along his left boot. Erinarr walked out of the room and hailed a carriage and told the driver take me to the Crooked Elf. The Crooked Elf was a nice bar white plaster and exposed beams on the outside.The inside was just as nice carved wooden beams and nice oil paintings on the walls. A man who stood so broad shoulderd and tall who took up most of the counter behind. Looked up from the glass he was wiping out. His long white hair pulled back . He scratched his neatly trimmed beard and stared at him with those green eyes ringed with gold. He than cracked a smile and said Erinarr! What brings you into my neck of the woods? ! Erinarr smiled and met the man's embrace as he came around the counter of the bar. Erinarr pulled back and said do you still have that Frost Crow ? Dowen's green yellow eyes whent wide than he said yes I have it in the cellar come with me. Erinarr followed the giant of a man who held up a candel while stomping down the stairs and into the cellar. It was stocked with caskets of beer and a few racks if vintage wine. Dowen set the candle down and wiped around grabbing Erinarr by the front of his shirt his green eyes flashing than said why have you really come here? Erinarr swallowed and said it's time. He tried to keep the tears from spilling. Dowen steped back and released the from of his shirt. Than wandered over to a high shelf and grabbed a very old dusty bottle. He blew off the dust and started opening the very ancient vintage. Than grabbed two cups and set them down on the top of a barrel. He poured the silver liquid into the cups filling it to the brim. Dowen than grabbed his cup and nodded to Erinarr and said I knew this day would eventually come. His green yellow eyes grew misty and he said through a gruff voice take care of her won't you? Erinarr nodded Dowen had trained Alana and him but at seperate times throughout the years. This will crush Alana thought Erinarr. Did the queen give a reason for wanting my death? Yes it was actually Counsiler Adhamh. Dowen nodded some more and downed his drink than poured another.I knew his brat was hard to train I didn't want to do it but Gamorah made me.He sighed and said there was nothing that could have been done for that poor boy .He than said, do you know where all the maps are? Erinarr said yes . Dowen also had extensive knowledge of the castle and had made maps throughout the years knowing it would come in handy. Than Dowen stood there and said I had a good life , good battles ,and the love of a good woman she passed a few years back. I miss her , he turned that emerald gaze on Erinarr and opened his tunic a little wider. Erinarr drew the dagger such a cruel touch of fate this dagger. Dowen had given him this dagger and it would now end this wonderful man's life. Dowen said remember strike true and smiled at him. Erinarr. Stood there stock still than as quick as a flash he buried it to the hilt in the old Man's chest. Blood trickled over his hands and down the front of Dowen's white shirt. A crimson tide on white snow forever staining this shirt and pouring out onto the hard packed earth. As the earth greedily drank up Dowen's blood it welcomed his body to it. His knees sinking as Erinarr held him and lowerd him to the ground. Dowen said it's ok my son and brushed his bloody hands across Erinarrs's face . He gasped one more time and said Evie? His eyes fixed over Erinarrs's right shoulder a smile on his face than his chest stilled . Erinarr stayed there for a long time than stood the blood crusting his hands. He poped a cheap vintage and washed as much of the blood from his hands. Than pulled his dagger from Dowen's chest and wiped it.He grabbed the cup that had been poured for him and downed it. Reaching for the last of the bottle he put the cap back on and turned to look at this great man one last time. The candle light played across his face his eyes closed in death a ghost of a smile on his face. Erinarr than blew out the candle and walked up the cellar stairs. He needed to tell Alana this would not be pleasent.

He took a carriage straight to Alana's house. He jumped out even though it was really late and banged on her front door. She finally answered it a sleepy puzzled look on her face. He motioned can I come in? she nodded and opened the door wider. He followed her into the living room. Erinarr shoved his hands through his hair. Alana watched as he passed the marble floors wearing a track into the oriental rugs. He would stop every so often and turn to her as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. Than he would resume passing. She got up and grabbed his hands and stared into those silver eyes so full of pain. Tell me what happened. Erinarr sagged a bit than said he's gone . Who's gone? She waited what felt like hours but had been more like minutes. Dorwen he's gone and I ....his voice trailed off and I ....had...to kill him. Alana started trembling than she raled against him pounding his chest with her fists yelling every curseword she could think of. He just took it than she sobbed and he put his arms around her and let her soak the front of his shirt with her tears. He reached down and gathered her into his arms than sat down on the couch . Her head resting on his chest she was now just sniffling and a odd shudder or two. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. She Croked out why? He said his voice laced with sadness remember Padiar? She nodded that out of control demon that I had to put down? He started stroking her arms absentmindedly yeah him well his father is dying and wanted to seek revenge for his sons death. Alana twisted her head a little so she was staring at him now. That was not Dorwen's fault! I know that and you know that but sometimes the rich get what they want no matter the cost. Alana snuggled in a little closer resting her head on his left shoulder. If he moved his head just right, than it happened not sure if it was the grief or something deeper but she looked at him those green eyes fixed on his silver ones . His nostrils flaired and his heart beat quickened. She leaned in closer Alana I....than he stood fast tumbling her from his lap. She landed on the floor . Erinarr stood there for a second desire raged in his eyes than he practically ran for the front door and started walking down the driveway. What the heck just happened back there? He thought.He could still feel her and the scent of her vanilla soap and the smell of pine and earth. He ran all the way back into town and fell exhausted into bed. He did not stir till the morning sun blinded him through the window. Erinarr stood there and stared at himself in the mirror he looked awful dark smuged under his eyes and his beard needed a trim. He groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. The sceens from yesterday playing over in his head Dorwen's death and the smell and feel of Alana surrounding him it was driving him insane. He dunked his head in the ice cold water and tried to wash away the memories good and bad. He lifted his head up water pouring off his hair and rolled down his face dripping onto the warn carpet. Someone cleard their throat he turned around . Alana stood there he didn't know what to do . Maybe searching for a shirt was a good start. She just stood there green eyes racking over his figure and she just waited a smile on her pretty mouth. He grabbed his black shirt and stuffed his arms through it. Than turned and cleared his throat saying what do you want? Alana said we need to talk. He groaned and sat down on the end of his bed . She walked closer he could smell that vanilla soap again. His eyes snapped open as he felt Alana 's weight sink down into the mattress next to him and said about last night. He grew restless and turned to her that was a mistake she was so near so warm and so devistatling beautiful. He leaned in closer and growled a little bit. She smiled and licked her lips than planted a hand on his chest . Alana he said more like a plea than anything else.she shoved him back and he stood. Grabbing her arms and dragged her up his body yep big mistake. She was too close and he was going to do something really stupid. She took a step back and said we need to figure out how to kill the queen and not lose our heads. She tilted her chin up and stared at him there faces inches apart than she pulled from his gaze and walked to the door. Alan cleared her throat and said I am with Cinaed and he is a good man one of the best I have ever known. Erinarr looked at her his silver eyes boring into her green ones and said yes but does he know you the way I know you? She shifted one foot to the other and said what do you mean? Erinarr growled and said has he seen you kill? Has he seen the nightmares that haunt your dreams ? Has he seen what this bond has done to you?He strode to her and griped her shoulders bending down to stare into those wide green eyes . Has he seen you dispatch a Pirate captian ? Has he seen you wrecked from deciding to ending a good man's life? She stayed silent than a tear ran down one cheek than another. She tried to wipe them away and he was already doing that for her so gentle, wiping those tears away his thumbs stroking her cheeks. Alana than closed her eyes for one heart breaking minute than put her hands around his and gently pulled them from her face. She snapped open those green eyes and said don't! please respect my wishes we are just friends you and I that's all there will ever be.

His face hardened and he took a step back as if she had slaped him. Alana than said the queen has sent for us we need to go to the Vast Expanse in search of information of the remaining rebeles.It will take a few weeks to get there and back.Conleth also contacted us and he wants us to free the s*x slaves in the Vast Expanse rumour has it the Duke is running that operation. We leave tomorrow i will pick you up in the early morning. Erinarr nodded than turned and kept his back to her till she left. Than he whent to find a good supply of alcohol he wanted to get really really drunk.

She opened the carriage door and Erinarr groaned as he stumbled in he looked like he had been in a fight and lost and on-top of that he looked like he would vomit any second. He slouched down in the seats and held his head in his hands than as the carriage started learching and swaying back and forth than his face lost most of its colour and she said not in here and threw him towards the window. He made it just in time it was not plesent. Erinarr pulled himself back in the carriage and lay against the soft cushions. Alana said rough night? He just growled at her and fell asleep. He did not wake till they go to the inn that they where staying in for the night. He got to his feet still a little unsteady and as she reached for him he pushed her away snarling and stalked into the Blue Boar Inn. Once he got he key to his room he grabbed his bag and walked up the uneven stairs not looking back or saying anything. She didn't see him for the rest of the night it was fine by her.

The whole next day he didn't say a word ether just sat here silver eyes staring out the window. She tried a few times to make conversation but he just ignored her or gave her a glare

So it was like that the whole week till they reached the border going into the Vast Expanse. Erinarr was behaving like a child but she let him. He could wallow and stew all he wanted she would leave him to it. When they reached the city it nearly took her breath away. The black rooftops and white plasters houses. The tall steeple so big and black she couldn't take her eyes off of it. They rolled up to the doors of the Double Fox Inn. She was the first to go in through the double doors. It was a warm homey environment warn carpets and furniture that had seen better days. Alana walked to counter dropping her very heavy bag and said two keys for the best rooms you have got. The bartender nodded as Alana slid a very heavy leather purse over the counter to him. He grabbed it and drew a ring of keys out of his pocket and thumbed through them than selected two of the heavy brass keys and pulled them from the ring. He dropped them into her outstretched hand. Alana smiled and than turned and tossed Erinarr a key than reached down grabbed her bag and walked up the stairs towards her room.

She didn't see him for the rest of he night instead she sat at the table downstairs in the corner of the room her back against the wall, eating stew and watching the door occasionally. She looked over the plans until late into the night than decided to get some semblance of sleep.As Alana raced upstairs Erinarr was coming downstairs she sidestepped around him didn't even look him in the eye and leaped the last of the few stairs to the top.She did however say we need to talk soon. She was met with a wall of silence turning around she looked he was just standing there looking at her with those quicksilver eyes than he nodded and turned back around than he disappeared around the corner and he was gone. Alana nibbled her bottom lip between her teeth and shook her head she needed to find a way to reach him again. Alana watched the street below tge merchants moving about, kids running through the streets playing with a warnout ball. She crouched there on the very edge of the roof watching all the coming and goings. Than she smelled him that clean pine scent and didn't even turn around . She felt him crouched down next to her. She smiled a little and said we need to talk. He just grunted .she rolled her eyes and said we need to start making contact with Conleth's people while we are here . He just nodded.

Are you going to ignore me the entire time? Erinarr cleared his throat and said no , he turned to her and put a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes saying I'm sorry that I have been such a brute. She smiled at him and said all's forgiven. He smiled back his teeth a white s***h in the darkness. Reluctantly he pulled his hand away from her shoulder and he instantly missed her warmpth. Alana stood and started climbing back down and through her bedroom window. Erinarr stayed longer on the roof till the sun diped below the horizon and painted the sky with slashes of red and orange.

Alana sat at the table drinking a Ruby Flower it was called it was made of a a hard liquor that was blood red and mixed with a sweet cranberry juice and a dash of vespian spirits. she sipped from the wide sugared rim than set it down and plucked the cherry from the side of the glass and bit down on the red fruit it's juices flowing over her full lips and down her chin. She looked up quickly when Erinarr dragged the chair out from the table and sat down. He raised a eyebrow and said fancy. She just gave him a vulger gesture and drained her drink. Pulling the paperwork to himself he started looking over what they had to do in the next few days. They worked in silence for a while studying maps and their layouts of the city. Than they whent over the list of contacts from Declan. Being this close to him was nice the friendly banter they had eased the tension that had filled he room earlier. She grabbed a peanut butter cookie and inhaled the baked goodness. He smiled at her and reached to grab one too. She growled and tugged the plate closer to her he growled back a dangerous look coming into his eyes. Than he leaned across the table never breaking eye contact and reached down tugging the plate back his way and with a triumphant grin reached down and snagged a peanut butter cookie. Her reaction was humerious he couldn't quite read what she was thinking her green eyes became shuttered the smile faded from her mouth and she reached for the now refilled Ruby Flower and took a sip. Than said we need to get a early start tomorrow and stood taking her drink with her than motioned for him to stay where he was, when he started to stand . She turned and walked towards the staircase her back a little stiffer. Erinarr couldn't sleep her scent was still near him stupid vanilla soap he muttered to himself. He rolled himself out of bed and opened the window than grabbed the gutter and hulled himself up onto the roof. He sat there legs dangling off the edge the cold tile of the roof sinking into his backside. Erinarr didn't know what to do about Alana she was so confusing but one thing she had made clear was that they where just friends so he would have to resign himself to the fact that she was truly happy with Cinaed and leave it at that. Better thought than done he grumbled.

Alana and Erinarr walked through the streets than down the stone stairway untill they came to a river that was wide and deep it flowed around the whole city. Infact the city had been built around it shops had sprung up under buildings it became its own shopping center. The river was a jeweled bright green and if Alana looked close enough she saw black scales flash under the surface than a very large spiked fin graze the top of the water . She backed away something deadly lived in this river and she did not want to tangle with it. Erinarr just stared at her one eyebrow quarked a slow wicked smile on his face. She just smiled back and kept walking. He made as if to push her into those green depths she shreeked and punched him hard in the shoulder he took a quick intake of breath than proceeded to let it out between his teeth. Rubbing his shoulder he glared at her she laughed and than walked ahead. They walked by a jewellery store and he noticed a white gold broach in the shape of a snarling wolfs head. It had emeralds in its eyes he smiled and thought Alana might like it . Than he remembered personal gifts might make her feel uncomfortable.

Than they passed a weapons shop and saw a pair of twin daggers razor sharp they had vines and roses running down the pommel and wrapped around the pommel at the end of the daggers was a gold rose . The grip had blue dragons leather and they had roses and thorns etched down their channel s. Those where exquisite and unusual he would definitely keep these in mind. She stood there face practily smashed against the glass he saw the interest in her eyes when she saw the daggers. Than she caught him looking and dropped her gaze and moved on to the next shop.They eventually walked into a meat shop he tried to not drool the smell of raw meat always made him smile. Alanas eyes changed to her wolf eyes her cannines lengthening smiling she turned to the butcher and asked if they had a cut of lamb from the Cryth Hills . The butchers brown eyes widened than said we have some in the back follow me.Alana smiled a wicked grin and followed him. Erinarr followed ready for anything and his instincts where kicking in when he ducked just in time as he came through the doorway a butchers cleaver nearly took his head off. He growled and saw Alana standing watching the butcher as blood flowed from a knife wound on her arm. She didn't even notice that she was hurt. Alana growled the beast barely leashed the butcher was backed against the wall terror in his eyes as she stepped towards him. The butcher raised another knife this time he didn't stand a chance . Alana ! Erinarr said a warning in his voice. She turned her head a little to him her eyes feral a nasty snarl on her face all animal no humanity remaned he needed to pull her back from the edge if he didn't there contact for Conleth would not have a throat in a minute than where would that get them. Alana he took a step towards her and reached out a hand her whole body was tense as she stared at the butcher trying to decide if she wanted to rip his throat out or not. Erinarr used that hesitation to wrap his arm around her waist and wispered in her ear easy now . We don't want to kill him do we? She growled her body still tense. He gently turned her face to meet his Alana come back please her eyes still wild green wolf eyes the humanity still missing in them.he reached a hand up and stroked her face he was surprised that she didn't rip his throat out. Than she sniffed his hand turning her face into it when he stroked her cheek. She shut her eyes than opened them they looked less wolf now more human . Alanas posture loosened and Erinarr still kept his arm locked around her waist her back to him, she found her voice turning her head back to the butcher and said we are here for information Conleth sent us . You fool did you really think attacking a werewolf was a great ideah? The butcher just coward and peed himself in reply. Alana relaxed a little more the blood lust calmed some. Erinarr said i suggest you give us the information I can only hold her off so much. The threat did the trick little did the butcher know that Alana was calmed enough not to hurt him. He sang like a blue canary and Erinarr could help himself but smile. Than he said let all your other contacts know about us so that we don't have this kind of misunderstanding again. The butcher nodded and stayed where he was curled up in the corner. Erinarr tugged on Alana's waist she didn't move he tugged one more time and wipserd in her ear come Alana let's go my Frigg . She strained against him wanting to rip the butchers throat out than she turned and looked up into his eyes and everything slowed down for a second. Her humanity started coming back and he murmured that's it my Frigg come back to me. His hands tightened on her waist. Alana than stepped out of his embrace and walked towards the door. He suddenly missed the feeling of his arms around her. Alana said are you coming? It came out forced harsh gutteral more a growl than words.

They didn't say anything on the walk back to the inn. As she snacked on a pice of raw steak she had taken from the butchers she seemed to calm down some. Erinarr trailed her by her side and said well that's one way to get information. He smiled a sly smile at her . Alana grunted and kept chewing blood running down her chin. Erinarr felt that urge to lick it off . His beast was now on edge he needed to burn off steam. She smiled at him and said that was fun with a meschevieus light in her green eyes. He growled out was that all a act? She nodded but than her eyes changed a little and said in a small voice it wasn't all a act. She grabbed his hands hers all sticky with blood and the coppery tang of it filled his nostrils. Alana raised her chin up and looked at him her hands tightening in his hands and said thank you. He stared down at her and murmed back anytime. Alana than dropped his gaze and his hand just as quickly and walked into the inn. Erinarr needed air so he turned and walked back towards the shops.

Alanna sat there at the worn down wooden table staring at her hands those hands that had griped Erinarr s not to long ago but she could still feel the warmpth in them the little electric shock that whent through her when she held his hands that look he gave her nearly did her in. Alana decided to think no more on this for a while it was just a fluke just her body responding to another warm body. Alana straightened when she saw Erinarr wander back in through the door a brown package under his arm he just nodded to her and jogged up the stairs. Alana decided to order dinner and go over the plans some more this time it was tricky . The man they where to kill was in a well gaurded church. Erinarr came back downstairs and pulled out a chair smiling at her than flagged down the waitress. Alana never noticed how broad his shoulders where how they filled out his nice black leather jacket. She noticed the nice column of his throat as he twisted to get the waitress attantion again. The pretty blonde waitress practically ran over to them. He was a very handsome man and she had noticed alot of women staring at them. She had given a snarl or two and they quickly lost interest she only did that when he wasn't looking. She couldn't help this posesive feeling coming over her whenever a woman or man looked at him in interest. She groaned what was wrong with her ?! Erinarr had just gotten done giving his order and turned back around dark silver was in his eyes. He smiled at her his canines flashing and said what? Do I have something in my teeth? She shook her head and had realized she had been staring at him.