The Wolf of the North

Eight Years after the Long Winter

"That was how the Long winter ended. An end that brought about the complete unification of the north. Even still we no longer talk about this event anymore as it was deemed as a cure", said the Teacher as she continued teaching the young ladies of the court how to weave clothes.

"This is so boring. I just want to go into battle and lead an army not weave some stupid cloth", Maria said this as she threw away the cloth in frustration.

"Just shut up and do this Maria. We all know that we women can't fight that's why we assigned these duties as these are our roles and what we can also do to help", said Sasha as she looked at her sister with a bit of anger.

"hm- This is why you have no friends", Maria whispered this to herself.

Sasha stood up in a fit of rage after hearing what her sister said to her. In a fit on anger she tried to slap Maria but she was stopped by the teacher who scolded them and punished them to chore duties.

Angry at this Sasha smashed the door shut as she left the room crying.

"Is-Is not my fault that she's soft", shrugged Maria.

The atmosphere in the room was suddenly interrupted as Zephyrion enters.

"What do you want here Zephyr?", asked the Teacher.

"I was just here to take Maria for a walk. That's if she's not busy", said Zephyr in a soft and gentle tone.

"You can take her. I was even done here anyways. Okay girls we are done for the day", said the Teacher.

Zephyr and Maria make their way out. They run to an abandoned old house that they use to hang out and train.

At the house they are met by their other sibling Aaron. Aaron and Zephyr were about the same age while Maria was two years younger than them. 

Since Maria wouldn't be allowed to use any weapon, Aaron and Zephyr decided to use the abandoned house as a relief and training place. Also this was the one place they could actually act like kids and siblings.

"Oh hey Aaron,Maria do you guys want to see something cool?", asked Zephyr.

"What is it this time", they both replied .

"Is just something I picked up today when I was training with Sir.Duncan. I thought it would be cool to show you guys".

Zephyr pciks up his sword from the ground. He goes into his Wind stance whiles taking in deep breathes and concetrating on the wood dummy infront of him. 

In this stance, he goes into a state of complete concentration whiles listening to the flow of the air. By focusing all of his senses into just his hearing, Zephyr is able to sense the position of his enemy just by listening to how the air bounces around their body. With this Zephyr is able to grasp a fair position of his opponent and once that is done, he is able to go in for a swift slash capable of cutting even the dummy doll in half.

"That was so awesome Z you have to show me how to do that", said a very excited and curious Maria as she moved closer to Zephyr.

"Do you love the guy or something jeez stop being all around him. Let's just go climb the castle walls. I am so bored with all these sword practices", said a tired Aaron.

"Are you just jealous that I'm always around Zephyr huh Aaron?. Well maybe if you were a bit more fun I would be all around you too", said Maria as she looked Aaron in the eye in a very seductive way.

"Are you drunk or just dumb? You are my sister why will I be jeaous about stuff like that. You and Z just have a brother-sister relationship unless you want something more with your weird self", said Aaron.

Their conversation is suddenlt interrupted by their older brother.

"You kids and having crazy conversations. oh well Dad is calling for you three", said Jace as he walked into the room.

Maria runs to hug Jace in a fit of excitement. Jace hugs her back and lifts her up in the air.

"Why would dad ask for us Jace?", Zephyr asked.

"First off Maria needs to go answer for what she did this morning and you two are coming with us to execute a deserter. Dad's orders".

At the altar of the old gods, Celene looks at the stone pillars of the old gods. Her thoughts are suddenly interrupted by Herodotos.

"What is making you smile this morning Lady Celene?", Herodotos asked.

"I am just glad at how well things are going. Who would have thought that we would even be able to fully unite all the North and have peace like this."

"Nothing lasts forever My lady but even still we must be grateful for every little thing that happens to us regardless of what happened in the past and what will happen in the future. Should we take a walk", said Herodotos.

"You never ever made sense to me Herodotos. Always speaking in such riddles."

They both laugh as they continue walking.

Herodotos asks about her family's wellbeing to which she responded as, "They are doing very great. Could you believe Maria wants to be a knight and not just that Leon wants to go serve at the Knight's watch."

"I am surprised you even care about Leon especially since he is your husband's bastard.", said Herodotos.

"He may be a bastard but he is my Husband's child and I shall respect that", Celene responded.

"Hm you really are a great woman Celene. It just pains me that such fate awaits you, your husband and children", Herodotos said this as he looked down in sadness. Almost as if he had seen something that he couldn't change.

"What do you mea-", Lady Celene is cut short by one of the messengers.

"My lady, Master Herodotos my greetings"

"What is the matter?", asked Lady Celene

"The King has called for you. It seems that KIng Gideon is on his way here as we speak", said the messenger.

"Gideon!! and why are you telling me this now. Sorry Herodotos but I have to go. I will see you again, won't I?", asked Celene

"Yes you will soon enough"

Lady Celene and the messenger make their exit.

Near the castle gate, Aaron practices his archery skills but he misses all the targets. Before he could lower his arm, Maria shoots two arrows which perfectly pierces the centre of the target.

"As a man shouldn't you be able to easily hit these targets. If you can't do just this you might as well come replace me at the Women Teachings.", said Maria.

Aaron frustrated and angry tries again to hit the target but he misses causing Maria to laugh at him. As Maria continues teasing Aaron, Leon sneaks up behind her and covers her eyes.

Maria is easily able to guess who it is and Leon asks if she can come with him.

Leon takes Maria to a room and sit her down.

There was a very tense atmosphere until...they both burst into laughter at what Maria did to Aaron

"Did you see Aaron's face after you fired those arrows. It looked like he was about to cry", said Leon as he laughed.

"I know right. I just wanted to piss him off and it worked so well", Maria replied as they both laughed.

"I have a gift for you Maria", Said Leon

Leon pulls out a Scarbbard and gifts it to Maria.

"Is that Mine Leon? Thank you so much", said Maria as she unsheathes her sword from excitement.

She starts swinging it around to which Leon warns her that it dangerous to just swing a sword like that.

"Why did you get me this though Leon?", asked Maria

"Who will protect Mom and Sasha when we are gone. Also with this you will be smart enough to know that weapons are not something that you can just wish to carry around for fun. I intentionally got them to make it very sharp that way now you will know what happens when you carelessly handle a sword. You have got the power of life and death in your hand right now use it wisely. Now sheathe that and put it back in the Scarbbard. Is too dangerous to move it around like that", said Leon as he turns to leave.

"Thank you Leon I appreciate this a lot", said Maria as she gripped her sword with happiness.

Jace confronts Aaron telling him to just ignore whatever Maria said and cheer up.

"Is not about what she said that I am so down. I don't even care about her opinions. Is just that I want to climb the walls again just one more time", said Aaron as he looks down in sadness.

"Well we have got some time before dad arrives and Mom is probably going to be with him so we've got some time. you can go climb the walls but be careful", said Jace.

"Are-Are you sure Jace? Can I really go? Thank you so much", said Aaron as he happily runs to go get Zephyr.

"You know your Dad won't be happy with this Jace", said this young man as he approached Jace from behind.

"he is my brother and I can choose to do what I want for him as long as it makes him happy. So shut up Loryn and don't tell me what I can't do", said Jace

Leon walks up to Jace asking about why their dad called them here.

"Apparantely a someone ran away from the Knight's watch on a mission and he has been found.", said Jace

"A Desserter huh and let me guess he has been found and now father is going to execute them? Even still there is no point in including Zephyrion and Aaron", asked Leon

"Well knowing Dad he probably wants to show them what happens when one breaks the rules. Hey Loryn go call Aaron and Zephyr. Dad will be here soon", Jace said.

"I don't remember taking orders from you. So you better not order me around like you are my superior", said Loryn in a bit of angry tone.

Jace menancely walks up to Loryn

"If I remeber correctly I am the heir to the throne and that makes me your Lord. So if you don't want loose your tongue you better not question me anymore. oh and also that wasn't a request it was an order.", said Jace as he walked off with Leon.

"You should stop treating him like that Jace. He may be a peace bargain gifted to your father but he still sees him as a son and you should at least treat him some respect", said Leon

"Is not that I treat him with disrespect is just that he acts like he is above us and that pisses me off. He is not even part of my family yet he acts like he is. I just want to put him in his place and let him know his position that is all.", said Jace

"Then why don't you do the same with me? afterall I am your father's bastard?", asked Leon

"Yes and you are my brother even if you are a bastard you will forever be my Brother Leon and that's what it will be. That's why I don't want you to leave for the Knights watch.", said Jace.

Their conversation is suddenly interrupted by their Dad.

"I asked you to bring your brothers Jace and all I see is you two.", asked Sigfrid."Sorry father I lost sight of them for a bit and they run off somewhere. You know these kids but I have sent for Loryn to go find them", said Jace in an apologetic tone.

"Well go change into your armour the both of you. We wil be leaving soon".

Moments before Sigfrid encountered his sons.

At Sigfrid Chambers.

Changing into his clothes, Celene walks barges into the room.

"When were you going to tell me huh. That Sir Gawain is dead", said Celene in a mix of anger and sadness.

"I am sorry Celene I just didn't want to trouble you. I was going to tell you after I come back from executing the deserter".

"You could have at least told me. He might have been your master but he was also a friend of mine okay and-and", Celene breaks down in tears.

Sigfrid goes to confront Celene sharing in her grief

"I heard Gideon is coming here. Are you going to go to Reich with him then?",asked Celene

"Yes! I have to as Gawain was both of our masters and also the sword of the King and now that he's dead Gideon would probably want someone to replace him.", said Sigfrid

"I will go with you to Reich then. Also please don't take Aaron and Zephyrion to the execution. They are too young to see this.", Celene pleaded

"I have to bring them along Celene. They are not kids anymore they are growing up and they need to know what happens when the rules are broken. You have sheltered them for too long", said Sigfrid

"But- But they are just kids. Please let them stay they don't need to witness this", Celene continued pleading

"I was about the same age as them when my Dad made me kill someone. Also this is for them as things will not always be rainbow and sunshine Celene. They need to learn about the cruelty of the world for themselves", said Sigfrid

"Its pointless to try and change your mind at this point. Just take care of them. I need to go make preparations for Gideon's arrival. Oh! I almost forgot you need to talk with Maria about what she did today", said Celene as she kissed Sigfrid and left the room

Sigfrid goes to Maria's chambers and to his surprise he caught her with the sword that Leon gave to her.

"Who gave you that he asked"

"No one dad. I Just found it lying somehwere"

"hahaha do you think I was born yesterday. No one will randomly leave a sword so sharp and precious lying on the ground. oh well as long as you don't randomly start poking that at Sasha when she makes you angry"

"Well I am not going to unless she gives me a reason to", joked Maria

"I heard about what happened between you two this morning. All I have to say is she's your sister Maria and one way or the other you two need to put your differences aside and act like family. A stick on is own is weak but a stick that is added together with other ones are unbreakable and that's how the bond between the both of you should be Maria"

"But Dad Sasha is so annoying. She thinks everyone wants to be some stupid palace wife and just give birth and sew clothes but that's not what I want Dad. I want to be like Seraphina Aeltharyn Dad"

"hm I see then you would have to train better than what you and your brothers have been doing in secret."

"You've always knew about that Dad?", Maria asked

"I am the king and your father of course I will know everything that goes on in here. Just make sure your teacher doesn't find out and also go apologise to your sister. Oh and also inform her that Jeffery will be coming here later today."

Sigfrid get up from Maria's bed and makes his leave.

Maria runs and hugs him from behind

"I love you Dad"

"I love you too Maria"

Sigfrid leaves the room and Maria makes her way to go apologise to her sister.

Maria goes to Sasha's chambers

"knock-knock can I come in?", asked Maria

"What do you want here Maria? Leave me alone", said Sasha in tears.

"I'm here to apologise for what happened this morning. I didn't mean to say what I said and to be honest who cares whether you have friends or not, you will always have me your sister and friend by your side. We can fight and not talk to each other but I just want you to know my love for you as my sister will never change. I'm going to leave now"

Door opens

"You may be really annoying sometimes but you really know how to use your words. Come here", said Sasha as she pulls Maria in for a hug.

At the top of the castle walls, two boys sit at the edge of these walls.

"So Aaron what do you want to become when you grow up?", asked Zephyr

"I want to be a strong knight just like Sir Dawain but with the honor and loyalty of my father. I want to travel all of these lands and become King. What about you Zephyr? What do you want to become?"

"What do I want to become? hm- I guess I have never thought of that myself. I guess I just want to be strong enough to protect those I love."

"Well I guess Maria is in safe hands", said Aaron in a joke

"What do you mean by that huh? She-she is just-just family okay nothing more", said Zephyr as he was stutterred

"She likes you a lot Zephyr. I have seen it from the way she talks and acts around you.", said Aaron

"She's my sister and even if I like her it will only be platonic", said Zephyr

"Oh-well enough with these gloomy talks lets continue climbing the wall. We haven't reached the peak yet", Said Aaron as he got up

"And where do you two stubborn kids think you are going huh", a voice strikes in from below them

The two boys look down from a great height

"Loryn I didn't expect you to come", said Aaron

"Well you expected correctly but that brother of yours wanted to act like a superior so he sent me to come get you kids. Hurry up and get down, your Dad is almost here. Oh also you two need to change into your outing gear", said Loryn

Aaron and Zephyr get down from the top of the castle and they go change themselves.

In Present time

"Dad!Dad!", shouts Zephyr and Aaron as they run to Sigfrid

"How are you two doing?", he asked

"We are doing great Dad", they both answered

"Dad is that your Valorian steel sword-Twin Sister?", asked Maria in all her curiosity

"What do you want here Maria. You should be learning how to cook by now", said Aaron as a tease

"Well maybe after you learn how to properly shoot an arrow and not miss then you can speak in my presence.", she said

Aaron felt a bit angry as he felt as if Maria had completely humiliated him. Zephyr steeped in to stop the both of them from getting into a brawl. Causing all three to starting ranting and arguing

Sigfrid, Jace, Leon and Loryn all looked at the kids and started laughing

Celene makes her appearance and immediately the kid break up their duel.

"Good morning Mom", they all said

Celene looked at all her kids with a happy and glamorous way with the exception being Leon. Even though she tried to force herself to love Leon she still couldn'r bring herself to the fact that his honorable husband would cheat on her and bring his bastard son home.

"You forgot your coat honey. Is cold out there", said Celene as she wrapped the bear woven coat on Sigfrid shoulders.

Celene, Maria and Sasha bids their siblings goodbye before they leave for the desserter. Maria bids her goodbye to all her siblings but with Zephyr she tightly hugs him to which he reciprocates. Everyone stares at them with some suspicious eyes but they shrug it off. Sasha bids them all goodbye too same with Celene but when it came for her to bid her goodbye to Leon, she just walked past him and went on to her other children.

The King and his son make their way to "yves the land of snow"

After a long ride the King and his children finally make it to Yves. 

Two knight guards approaches them with the desserter in their arms. The Desserter looked like someone who had been severely traumatised and lost touch with reality. Almost as if he came into contact with something that he wasn't supposed to seee and because of that he paid the price.

The guards moved the deserter and placed his head on the execution block.

The King and his children dismount from their horses.

"What happened to him?", Sigfrid asked

"My Lord he says he came into contact with "something" in the forest outisde of the Knight's watch. Ever since then he has refused to talk about why he runned away, he refuses to eat or even sleep. Is almost as if he came into contact with Death My Lord", replied one of the Guards

"Hm-I see then I shall make this swift then", said the King

"Dad I don't think the kids should see this. They are too young for this", said Jace

"They are not kids Jace. They have grown now stop treating them like kids", said Loryn

"You ass-", said Jace but he is interrupted by his father before he could finish talking.

"Loryn is right they are not kids anymore. They need to see this as it will be part of their grwoth", said Sigfrid

"What is your name Desserter and do you have any last words", asked Sigfrid

The desserter who everyone thought had been killed from the inside started talking suddenly.

"My name is Ren and I was a farmer that decided to join the knight's watch because it was the only way to pay my family's debts. Yes I may be a desserter but trust me when I say this My lord I had a good reason to run away. They-they spared me because they wanted me to tell you", said Ren

"Who and what did they want you to tell me?", asked the King

"Is them they are back. I saw them, they killed everyone. The men,women and children they were already dead before we reached there. They intentionally left the trail of bodies there because they knew we would follow them and when we went deeper in outside the wall that was when it happened. They attacked and killed all of us. I was only able to escape because they allowed me", said Ren as he was getting flashbacks of what happened. this made him go rabid, laughing fanatically and drolling all over his face.

"What are back? What are you talking about", asked a concerned Sigfrid

"The Night walkers. They are back and they are going to kill everyone hahaha we are all dead. My lord please help my family they live east of here at a small farmland", said Ren

"The Night Walkers? hm- if those are you final words then they shal be honored"

Sigfrid hold his Valorian sword in his hands whispering something to it before he cuts of Ren's head

"Forged in fire and tempered by duty, this blade will honor its purpose. As it claims this Desserter's head, may it remember the weight of dessertion and the cost of forsaking honor. In this final act, may justice be swift and the truth unyielding."

"Believe me My Lord. They are back", Ren says this as he closes his eyes

The sword swiftly descends upon his neck slicing it clean off.

Zephyr and Aaron are shooked up by this but Jace and Leon cheer them up.

"Dad is what he said about the Night Walkers true?", asked a very serious Jace

"Everyone would say anything to escape death Jace. We haven't seen the Night walkers in 2,000 years and you think all of a sudden they will show up and even if they do that's what the Kight's watch is there for. I just think it was the mumbling of a man that was just a husk of his former self.", said Sigfrid as he mounted his horse

"I guess you are right", said Jace as he mounted his horse

Aaron and Zephyr try asking their dad about the Night walkers but they are immediately shut down by their dad.

On their way back to Northernheim, they start hearing the sound of a howling wolf. Leon notices this and proceeds to stop his dad.

They then make a detour to find out what is going on and what they saw was somthing that will end up changing their fates entirely