The Royal Flame

Unexpected encounter

I can barely hold on to her faint scent. Thoughts of Frost get in the way, occupying my mind to a degree I forget all about her scent. This derailed me multiple times, to an extent I had to walk back to a certain point where I remembered smelling her. A place her scent has become even fainter with the passing of time. I was wading through the woods without any clothes. The cold makes me shiver but in these unfamiliar territories, it is not wise to stroll around in my wolf form. Upon discovery, I would only gain unwanted attention. All I am here for is to find that woman and then we return without anyone knowing we were even here. That’s the plan and I am sticking to it. Baltazar will not favor me but at least my head will not be on a stick to wade off intruders that never arrive. 

Stumbling, with the guidance of the midnight light, upon a small deserted camp, I hide behind a tree even though my skin betrays my position. 

White spanned cloths form a temporary tent. A fire place in front, with everyone else’s belongings bundled up, scattered around. The fire burning high, whoever camps here cannot be far. Red triangle flags are poked into the ground next to the entrance of the tent, with the cover of the woods no wind can be felt that would let the flags slide through the air. Instead they were hanging in a hope, for me unable to determine to who they belong. Not that I would have known, after all our pack has been excluded from any form of life. Baltazar has spread tales of humans, but with our already fragile relation I doubt even he knows where the line of fairytales and the truth lays. 

The cold still seeps into me, the only thing I cannot stand is being cold. Nobody seems to be around nor have I been spotted. With slow strides, I hop between the bundles of goods on the mossy ground. As if waiting for me, a pair of pants and a loose under shirt are hanging to dry close to the fire. An unfamiliar but nasty smell comes off them. Although still a bit moist, I shove my head through the opening of the shirt, after stepping in the pants I struggle lifting them up as they are extremely tight. The person they belong to must be a lot slimmer than me. Struggling to get them over my hips, I forget to pay attention to my surroundings. A small cough brings me back to reality. Like a rabbit who fell for some bait, I am surrounded by six men, all dressed in red vests and white pants that have brown spots of mud on them. Some have drawn swords, while others hold a small object between their hands pointed towards me. Even though I could turn into my wolf form, it would be risky to fight six men. Unless killed I would get most definitely wounded, something I rather not risk. 

“Oh Thank Lord!” From all that I know from Baltazar’s stories humans refer to their gods as lord. We will all know too soon how much of it was true.

“My saviors!” Taking a step closer to the man closest to me he lifts his sword more towards his chest, ready to lash. It is clear I should not further approach. I am perceived as dangerous even with the pants still open, leaving me extra vulnerable. 

“My greatest apologies, without your explicit permissions I borrowed your attire. Yet I was so cold!” One of the machines in a man’s hands clicks, my eyes shoot over to him however he keeps his distance.

“Who are you and why is it that we catch you stealing from the Queen’s soldiers, therefore her majesty’s property?” Prominently a man steps forward. Clearly the leader of this pack of red uniformed men. 

“I am…. LOST! Well not really, but yet I am. You see. I was attacked. Robbed!” Cold sweat starts to form in the palm of my hands. 

“I find it hard to believe a man of your sorts was robbed.” The man points with the object in his hand towards me, sliding it downwards he places the object in a sleeve on his belt. Inspecting me, he gets closer.

“They told me to undress. Taking all my possessions otherwise…” Taking a deep gasp, I think this quickly through.

“They took my sister. They would hurt her otherwise. That’s why I am looking for her now. I have to find her!” The last point of me being desperate to find a woman is true.

“Close your pants, show some decency” the man scoffs at me. Hurriedly I push the white loose shirt inside the pants before butting them up. 

“Lower your weapons!” His command makes the other men lower their swords and the objects, that I still have not been able to identify yet. 

“Thank you, Sir.” I whisper soft apologetically. 

“It is our duty to protect the citizens of our majesty’s land.” He explains as he takes a step towards me. Inhaling deeply, his face turns sour. 

“You smell horridly!” 

“My apologies Sir. I have been wading through these woods in search for my sister, losing track of time and..” He lifts his hand up, for me to stop explaining, instead he takes a step back. 

“Sir. His eyes…” One of the soldiers speaks fearfully. Without any thought, I look at their chief, knowing that he holds the power. 

“My apologies for Larkin. He is still a young boy who is not familiar with the creatures in service of the Queen. But it is of utmost importance and our duty to assist you with finding your sister. This act against her majesty’s people will not go unnoticed! We will go to the place all the traitors and deserters gather.” the leader of the pack of men stands proudly in front of the white tent, his face lightened by the fire. 

I thank him with a bow of my head, unsure if his speech was meant towards me or the soldier that still whimpers in the back with the sight of me. 

“We have no time to lose. Prepare men, we will leave immediately to Ancia!” His men sigh but immediately start to take down the tent and bundle all the lose items up under the watchful eye of their leader. 

“The clothes?” I mumble to a soldier passing me, unsure if they are expecting these back.

“Keep them. It is not like I will ever be able to remove that stench.” A soldier mumbles as he passes by me towards a bundle on the ground. 

From the corner with my great hearing that betrayed me earlier when the soldiers approached, I hear the whispers of one of the men towards their leader. 

“Sir what if he is lying?”

“Keep a close eye on him. If it turns out he lied we take him in as a prisoner. The Queen always can use more mage soldiers.” Like that I had an unrequested travel company.