Book 1 Chapter 21: Revelation

Ylva looked out from her balcony as she awaited the appointed time that the shadowy servant would return. He had pledged loyalty to her since she had not been afraid of him but she still had no proof that he would be trustworthy and turn to stab her in the back. She only hoped that he had valuable information as he had promised and would be timely in his arrival. She heard a thump and slowly turned to face him as he knelt on one knee. Of everything she viewed him as, he was a human and their nature was not one so easily followed, though she had her time serving next to them in fights. She knew they could be dependable, honest and reliable, but they also had tendencies to follow those who they thought would have the best chance at success, often betraying those they viewed as weak. “Hello Ha’tak, I hope that you retrieved what you promised,” Ylva answered, giving him a cue that he could speak. He pulled out papers and small books from within the folds of his clothes and pack that he carried.

“It’s all in here milady Ylva,” he replied cordially and placed them on her desk.

“Thank you,” she said before picking them up and glancing through them. Indeed there were signatures from the church leaders among documents with messages that made her skin crawl at seeing how long ago this had been going on. As if noticing her reaction, Ha’tak took a step towards her.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. She looked up and sighed.

“Yes, though this runs far deeper than I had hoped. You did well Ha’tak,” she said as she closed the books and neatly arranged the papers. “I have much to think on,” she whispered as she strode to the balcony again. For the umpteenth time that day, she wished Filtiarn was by her side instead of fighting in some war without her. At least he would be able to make better sense of these things and how to formulate an accusation that would draw in the people in support as well as finally defeat the church. That, and the festival season was to start soon, and she was not looking forwards to going through it alone.

There was a knock at the door and Ha’tak quickly disappeared into the shadows before Ylva called for the visitor to enter. She smiled as she spotted the familiar gaze of blue and green eyes staring at her.

“What is it lad?” she asked, taking on a soft tone. Vero did not say anything and only looked at her before cocking his head.

“Vero,” she said a bit more sternly, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Milady, are you missing the Ulrika?” he asked and Ylva froze as if someone had cast a spell on her. She knew that her reaction told him everything and she chided herself for it. How many years since she had been married? And now she was becoming an open book, being ruled by emotions.

“You mustn’t be so upset that I can read your language milady, I have had more experience than most at learning it. I don’t think you should worry about it,” he said and she scowled.

“Are you positive that you haven’t figured out how to read my mind?” she asked, frowning.

“Yes, Ylva, and we have had this discussion before,” Vero said as he padded over to her desk. He looked at the new material with a thoughtful pose. “Is this what you were hoping to find?” he asked as he looked her way. Ylva let out an unsteady breath.

“Yes, though it is worse than I had hoped.”

“Care to sum up?” he asked and she chuckled. He really did have a calming and disarming aura about him.

“Sure, should I tell it to you in a bedtime story? One that will give you nightmares all night?” she teased as she began to relax.

“I’m not a kid anymore,” he grumbled, his ears laying flat against his head, causing Ylva to laugh. She strode over to him, as he pouted, before ruffling his hair.

“Could have fooled me,” she said with a grin then her face turned serious and he waited with rapt attention. “This is not, er, well… it’s actually,” she stammered, trying to figure out how to handle this. “What we are trying to take down has been carefully planned for more than a few generations Vero, in fact, that tactful way in which they have carried out their plans makes me more than a little nervous with what I told them earlier in the month.”

“But they haven’t made any move for many weeks Ylva and everything has been going to plan,” Vero countered as she stood up straight and looked towards the land.

“Yes, but have you ever thought as to what their goal is in all this, or what they want to achieve?” she asked, then before he could come up with a reply she answered. “They’ve been after the royal family this whole time and they want the power that they see in us. The fact is they know what you are,” she paused as she saw his questioning, worry filled eyes looked at her. She stopped and pricked her ears to make sure that she couldn’t hear Ha’tak’s breathing or any sign that he might over hear them.

“Vero lad, what I tell you, you must swear to never let anyone else find out,” she said. He looked at her in surprise as he nodded. “You remember that time when you asked me why we haven’t tried to find the black wolf who should appear during this time to help lead the people into a new era of peace and unite those who are across the desert?” She asked as she quoted some fo the prophecy left by the black wolf in his final writings. Vero nodded, still not seeing how this had to do with him. Ylva fearing that someone still might over hear them, dove into her telepathy and connected with him.

“You Vero, are a pure black wolf,” she said and he gawked at her.

“What do you mean?” he asked, confused.

“You don’t remember but on the day that we were attacked and you were injured badly, you shape-changed into a pure black wolf, a young one but still a pure black one none the less. You woke up without that memory so we figured it would be best not to tell you since we didn’t want it to weigh heavily on you or have you get too cocky.”

“But then, you are,” he started to say.

“If I had to explain my role in this, I would assume that I am like one of the loyal followers of the black wolf who helped him to restore order many ages ago.”

“Just like the one who could use telepathy…” Vero muttered as he thought over this.“And what about the others. What of them?” he asked, curiosity and wonder filling his voice. Ylva was surprised that he seemed to be taking this so well. Perhaps it hadn’t sunk in yet.

“I suppose that they are either in hiding or on the other side of the desert.”

“Umm, what were they all again?” Vero asked sheepishly. He obviously hadn’t paid much attention to that part.

Ylva sighed before answering.

“Leadership was the black wolf, along with the ability for divine guidance and sound understanding. Another had the gift of telepathy and helped to keep communication abound so that god’s work could be achieved more swiftly. To another was the gift of Wisdom, the wisdom that years of connecting with god can bring. To another was the gift of laughter for without it, the seriousness of their task would have drowned out the ability to hear god and would have destroyed their hope. To another was the gift of healing, the miracles brought about healed not only the land, but the people upon the land. To another was the gift of sight he being a seer and one who was most close to god’s words and plan. And to another was the gift of love, for without love there is no compassion nor is there a way for mercy and peace to exist. These gifts were given to the Order of Seven, those who served god with all heart, might, mind and strength, to bring peace and joy to the Yowlumne,” Ylva explained.

“So I have leadership? And then there’s telepathy and love,” Vero paused and Ylva chuckled.

“I will have you write it down, so you can read it whenever you forget,” she told him.

She grabbed a quill and paper and had him sit at the desk so he could write. He looked at her in earnest and she relayed it to him, still in the telepathic link. He scribbled as fast as he could then once he had them all down, he rewrote them in as neat of handwriting as he could and stared at them.

“Vero?” Ylva asked, hoping he was taking this alright.

“I’m scared milady. What if I don’t have what it takes?” Vero answered honestly. She sighed, keeping her frustration in check after seeing his slight cowardice, but then, before he could rectify that, she seemed to have done that herself. “It’ll be alright lad. You will have others to help you. You will not be alone in this.” Vero nodded mutely and she marveled at his outwards display of calm, despite the inner cowardice she had heard.