The Attempt
1361 Words
The supply cart arrived three weeks after the precious ores were hauled away.
As Mika had predicted, the camp bustled with activity.
Selena lingered near the gates, watching the guards. The noise and confusion were good — everyone’s attention was fixed on the incoming goods.
But outside the gates stretched a wide, empty plain, and the tree line lay far beyond sight.
There was nowhere to hide, not with chains clinking around her wrists and ankles.
She circled the carts anyway, eyes scanning for a hiding spot. Maybe under the hay. Maybe behind the barrels—
“What are ye doin’ there, woman?”
Selena froze. Skalwarg stood a few paces away, glaring.
“I want to help offload the carts,” she said evenly.
“Oh? And how many things did yer find under there?” he sneered.
Selena bit her tongue. Silence was safer than words.
“Ye’d best watch yerself. Leave it to the men — I don’t want ye wastin’ anything,” he barked.
She glared as she turned away. Why did he always show up at the worst moments?
Back in the kitchen, she busied herself with arranging the new items. Skalwarg had already taken the best supplies to his quarters and the healer’s chamber. Of course. The men and their favourites feasted while the workers scraped by.
Illys bounced toward her, bright-eyed. “There’s so much food now! The men won’t have to starve.”
Selena smiled faintly. The pup’s innocence was almost a comfort. “That’s right. Let’s help Juno and Myra — maybe we’ll get a feast out of this yet.”
The day passed in a blur of work. By nightfall, the air in the mess hall was unusually light. Laughter drifted through the smoke.
“I think they’re fattenin’ us up before workin’ us to death,” one man joked, earning chuckles.
“Whatever the reason, I’ll take it,” another said. “No offence, ladies — you do your best, but it’s nice to taste real food again.”
Myra snorted, ladle in hand. “None taken. More stew?”
Plates rose in unison. For the first time in weeks, they all ate until their bellies were full.
*-*-*-*-*
That night, Selena made her move.
After ensuring the guards were fed and distracted, she slipped toward the supply wagons. The plan was simple: hide inside one of the barrels until the caravan left by dawn. She’d rubbed her scent glands with crushed flowers and leaves to mask her trail.
Foolproof.
She climbed into a barrel near the back, heart hammering, and lowered the lid over herself. The air inside was thick and damp, but she could endure it. She just needed to stay still until sunrise.
She drifted between shallow breaths and half-sleep until morning light filtered through a crack in the wood.
Hours passed. Then — movement. The wagon jolted, wheels grinding over gravel. Her heart leapt. They were leaving. Through a crack in the barrel, she glimpsed sunlight — and the open gates beyond. She was doing it.
But the cart stopped. Voices. Too close. Her pulse thundered in her ears.
‘Why are they taking so long?’
“...check the barrels.”
Selena’s breath hitched. Boots scraped the ground outside. Someone thumped on a lid near her hiding spot. The silence stretched thin as a blade. Then —
“Are ye helpin’ offload again, woman?”
That voice.
Her blood went cold.
No. He couldn’t know. She had been careful. No one saw her slip inside.
“Do yer want me te drag ye out? Come on!”
He was bluffing. He had to be.
Selena stayed perfectly still.
The lid above her creaked open. Harsh daylight poured in. Skalwarg’s face filled her vision, twisted in triumph.
“Well?” he drawled.
Selena sat frozen. There was no escape now. She crawled out slowly, dirt clinging to her skin, and stood before him.
“Walk with me,” he ordered.
The guards fell in behind them as she followed. Passing the kitchen, she caught sight of Illys and Myra. Their eyes widened in horror.
Selena mouthed, It’s okay, even as dread curdled in her stomach.
In his quarters, the fire burned low. Skalwarg sat before it, the flickering light throwing sharp shadows across his scarred face.
“Well? Anything te say?” he asked quietly.
Selena met his gaze but said nothing.
“I see.” He turned the iron poker in the flames. “D’ye know what I hate most?”
She didn’t answer.
He looked to the guard. “What about ye?”
“Wastin’ money?”
“That’s right,” Skalwarg smirked. “So tell me, why should ye not be punished for tryin’ to cheat me?”
“I didn’t cheat you,” she snapped. “That merchant tricked you. Everyone knows you can’t sell a freeborn.”
He chuckled darkly. “Aye, maybe once. But in this place, I decide what’s free and what’s not.”
He stood, the branding iron glowing a dull orange in the firelight. “Y’see, back in the day, I was nothin’ — no pack, no power. Then I learned: the world runs on pain. Slavery’s a fine business for a clever wolf.”
Selena’s stomach twisted. His voice carried no remorse, only pride.
“I made a deal with the merchants. They bring wolves like ye here; I give them ore. What happens after, I don’t care. As long as I get my share, I’m king o’ this pit.”
He traced a finger over the jagged scar on his cheek. “Earned this from a fool who thought he could defy me. I showed him his place.”
Selena’s voice was low and trembling, but steady. “You’re a monster.”
He grinned. “Power’s what separates monsters from masters.”
The room seemed to shrink around her. The fire hissed. He lifted the iron from the flames, its tip glowing white.
“Hold her down.”
The guards seized her arms. Selena thrashed, panic surging through her veins as her wolf snarled at the brand. “Let me go! You can’t—!”
A gag muffled her screams. Skalwarg grabbed her jaw, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“Ye’ll learn rebellion’s useless. I’ll break ye, Luna, and ye’ll serve me gladly.”
The iron met her skin with a hiss.
The world exploded in pain. The stench of burning flesh filled her lungs. She screamed, or tried to — only a choked sob escaped through the gag.
Her body convulsed. Her vision swam. She felt her skin sear, blister, brand.
Skalwarg pressed harder, savouring the sound.
When it ended, she collapsed, gasping, half-conscious. Skalwarg crouched beside her, examining his work.
“Ye’ll remember this every time ye look in a mirror,” he said softly. “Now get out of me sight before I decide to finish the job.”
The guards let go. Selena crumpled to the floor, her breath coming in ragged bursts. The gag fell away just in time for her to vomit, trembling uncontrollably.
Skalwarg nudged her chin up with his boot. “Ah, that’s a good look for ye. Crawlin’ where ye belong.”
Her eyes were glassy, unfocused.
The guards dragged her limp body through the grounds. The pain was unbearable — every step a scream beneath her skin. The world blurred into light and shadow until they reached the kitchen.
They shoved her inside. She hit the ground hard.
The room went silent.
Juno gasped. “Gods—Selena!”
Myra dropped her pot with a clang. Illys stood frozen, her hands over her mouth.
Selena didn’t move. The world tilted and swam.
Juno knelt beside her, trembling. “We need rags — water — now!”
The others scrambled into motion, but Selena barely felt their hands. Only the fire in her cheek, the pounding of her pulse, the endless ringing in her ears.
The last thing she remembered before darkness claimed her was Illys’ small hand gripping hers — and the quiet, shaking whisper of her name.
“Selena… please, don’t die.”
- Writer
