The Tiger Within 251 Shadow Veil Castle Part 1

Outside, on the balcony of his fourth floor suite Mordrin looked out over the forest below his window. His hair fell around his shoulders, unbound from its normal low ponytail. The icy winds pa.s.sed over his bare chest reawakening his nerves as his eyes wandered back to his room.

Within the room Vela slept. The journey home had been difficult on her. He wishes he could have let her stay with her parents, where she would have been safe. It simply wasn't possible amongst that snakenest of a harem. Too many poisons in such a concentrated area was no place to grow a baby. He reached out closing the doors, having no intention of heading in yet.

Down below, at the gates of the courtyard there was a figure speaking with the guards. He could tell they had refused the person entry. That should have been that but at this hour… they refused to leave peacefully.

Curiosity peaked as Mordrin stepped out on the ledge and began working his way over the handholds to the wall nearby. Once across, he leaped down and approached the two guards who had miraculously became four after Calling in their reinforcements. The man standing at the gate looked harmless enough until he noticed the power wafting around him. His face was hidden by a hood and mask but it was not uncommon after the Purge of Fire to wear masks. Mordrin cursed his Mother for her mercilessness toward their people. Burning those who dare defy her.

"What seems to be amiss, men?" Mordrin asked looking at the four and the man. There was a odd familiarness to him. Something about those blue eyes was so familiar and yet so foreign.

"He claims a.s.sa.s.sins made a attempt on the lady, Sir. Shifters with poisoned air." the Head Guard explained with a strict solute, his men more focused on the swords and bows they held on the intruder.

"I see. What is the meaning of this, Stranger?" Mordrin asked, honestly baffled by such a accusation. The Shifter Kin had always had the blessing of Mordrin and his crown. Why would they attack him.

"I am a hunter from the forest. I spend a great deal of time among the shifter Kin. You see they are angry and disquieted about your wedding to Lady Vella of the Emerald Crest Empire. They fear she will poison your child against their kind. Watch your kin well, Your Lordship." the stranger spoke with a rough voice, tones nearly at a growl yet held no anger. It seemed to be how he was used to speaking.

"I see. Men go with him to find the bodies. Bring them back. If they are truly shifters, this… our friends will owe me a explanation." Mordrin announced, forcing himself to cool his temper. Kyera would never allow such actions to be taken. With her gone she would have had a successor ready in case this happened. He turned and headed back into his castle.

A chill ran down his spine. "unless Verone was her successor." he muttered but then the next thought stopped him in his tracks. He turned and ran back out, into the woods meeting his four guards as they returned with three bodies. Each in partial transformation.

"Where is the man that led you?" Mordrin demanded not sparing a look at the three would be a.s.sa.s.sins. At least that was till he noticed one was winged. A old man's face coupled with the crest he was wearing, Mordrin's heart grew dark. There was something very wrong here.

"He disappeared into the woods the moment we came upon the bodies…" The head guard added again and Mordrin frowned as his gut twisted.

"Did you find anything on them?" he asked and the guard handed him a bundle of herbs on a stick and a paper. The letter was carefully written in crimson ink slowly turning brown as it aged. A normal man may think it ink, but a warrior knew the look of blood.

"You will regret abandoning your promise to Marry our lady Kyera, and instead took this woman with vile blood as your bride." Mordrin read aloud but then looked once more at the elder's face. He was not mistaken. The dead man with wings and feathers in his snow white hair was Werol, the Eldest Elder of the clan.

"should we close our gates to the shifter kin and place these bodies in the pit?" asked the guard, anger in his tones as he gazed at the attempted killers but his king did not move.