Book 1 Chapter 25: The Verdict and Sentencing

It was several hours later when the council appeared, and despite the wait, many of the people were still here and Vero had food taken to those waiting so that no one would get aggressive. Despite his feelings towards the priests who had stayed, he made sure food was provided to them as well.

He stood when the council appeared and noticed the Revenant pause and glare at Ylva before passing by to stand with his priests. Vero subconsciously placed his hand on his sword and then noticed Ylva give a silent command to wait. He tried to relax but found himself on edge. He felt a buzzing in his head and he squinted one eye closed till he felt the connection clear up.

“Vero, it will be alright,” he heard Ylva’s voice in his head. He sighed.

“If you say so milady. I hope he kept true to it and remained silent and in the corner the whole time?”

“He did, though it visibly pained him. Out here he keeps a cool and closed mask but away from his main support he is but a weakling,” Ylva said and Vero tried to picture the Revenant displaying emotion after emotion. He found it rather amusing and nearly jumped when he heard Ylva’s booming voice as she began to speak to the people.

“The council has agreed on a sentence and has decided on a spokesperson to declare it,” Ylva said, bringing everyone’s attention. She looked back as a human strode forward with confidence. She stepped back politely to give him the floor and he began to speak. Vero listened as the man list out all the found grievances and with sufficient evidence to back each one. Including the poisonings that had occurred over the past decade and a half. Many of which were among the humans, though there was a cry when the people heard that the Ulrika’s had also been targeted.

The Revenant slunk down as each was said, as if he was trying to become smaller and smaller. The supporters of the church were stunned into silence. It was apparent that many did not know what the extent of the criminal activities, or purpose, of their church. Vero only guessed that it was shell shocking the Yowlumne, and also that many supporters would be in denial no matter what the verdict.

“In conclusion, it has been decide that the church, the priests, the Revenant, are to be banished from the nations. All supporter who still desire to worship the black wolf god are asked to leave with them. Where you go is none of our concern, so long as you do so peacefully and without violence. It is also been agreed that those who leave, are to be watched from this point on and should they perform any thing with maliciousness or aggressiveness; be it securing land, power or otherwise noted; then they forfeit their lives. It is also to be noted that there is not to be any persecution to those who are leaving and none to be received by those who are leaving. Those who leave, will be given enough financial support to procure land and homes, if it is to be bought, or tools if they find a place where they will settle. Food will also be provided with this, up to a months worths in supply.”

Vero sighed as the human listed out all the provisions and rules to be adhered to. It seemed much of it was carefully thought out and he could see that Ylva had made sure that the believers of the church did not feel forced to leave without benefit and cause and would feel that they had been given a lot, to help them on their way.

The message was clear. Leave and do not return.

He only hoped it would work out smoothly.

Vero watched as the last of the followers of the black wolf god left. He sighed in relief and stretched as he strode back to the inn. It had been a rough few months, getting everything prepared for their departure. Despite the verdict, he could tell there were some who felt that it was harsh and he had, more than a few times, handled squabbles. Of course, now that they were gone, Ylva had let it slip that it was she and Vero were the ones who had worked tirelessly on translating and investigating the church.

As he stepped into the inn he was greeted by friendly smiles, some which showed gratitude for what he and the Ulrikan had accomplished in those years of stress and fear. He was sad to see more than a few scars, a reminder of the price it had been on the people. Despite this, they still began to revere him and he was more than a bit worried that he might let them down. He certainly did not want them to know that he was a pure black wolf, for he feared that they would fall at his feet and worship him. Something that he was in no way keen of.

“All finished lad?” an older Yowlumne asked and it was like everyone was holding their breathe.

“Aye, it is,” Vero said as he sat down in a chair. There was an audible sigh and then some cheering among those who were in the mess hall. Vero looked at everyone with a smile. It was over.

“So, handsome, I heard you were the one who helped with publishing those manuscripts,” a lady Yowlumne who was dressed in human-like clothes, said as she daintily walked towards him. Vero tried not to laugh. He was starting to get used to seeing women flaunt themselves at his feet, and he found it rather ridiculous. He looked in another direction to avoid looking at her, then noticed that there were a few other Yowlumne women coming towards him. His ears flattened. He mentally double checked to make sure he had everything in his hands and secured. When they closed in on him, he quickly jumped onto his seat and then flipped over them, much to the surprise of those viewing. He heard the audible gasps from the women and began to dash for the entrance. He briefly turned around and winked as he gave them a wave good bye.

“Sorry Laddies, but I still have work to be done before I can even think of entertaining you,” he said before vanishing out of sight. He could hear a roar of laughter from the inn and sighed.

“They’re at it again?” he heard a familiar sound in front of him and he looked up to see Ylva walking towards him with a few trusted guards at her side.

“You know it,” he sighed. “You’re lucky. You are happily married and don’t have every young man trying to push themselves on you, lest they be worrying about what the Ulrikan would do.”

“Oh I still have my fair share, though it is far less because of that,” Ylva said as they began walking down the road together.

“You do?”

“Oh some drunkard who doesn’t know, nor care who the gel is, will pursue me if I am in those kinds of areas. Which I prefer not to be,” Ylva answered.

“I can tell why,” Vero groaned to which Ylva laughed.

“How about we get something to eat,” she said and directed his attention to an open restaurant. Vero was glad that they wouldn’t be joining those Yowlumne from earlier, and agreed. He followed and chose out something he hoped he would enjoy, before waiting with Ylva.

“Now that we have gotten rid of the church we need to start working on the next part,” Ylva said and Vero perked his ears in attention. He had heard the plan before but now that they were done with that phase, he found he had forgotten what they were supposed to do next. His face must have asked the questions for him for Ylva began to list them off again.

“We will have to get some trusted Yowlumne to publish the rest of the truths from the translations as well as organize a group who will help in compiling it into one book so the people can read it from one source,” Ylva explained and Vero nodded in agreement. He certainly was done after twelve years of the work. When it came to religion and attendance, the only thing they had organized in their manuscripts was that they prayed often and read the scriptures that were left from Amarok.

“You’re not going to make me a priest of this new church we’re putting together. Right?” Vero asked somewhat quietly. Ylva must have not been expecting that question for she looked at him in shock then started to laugh.

“No way. You have other things to do other than be tied down to that kind of service. Besides, I need your help in the matter concerning the desert and other things Amarok specified would be done. Besides, there is no mention of you leading a church in there,” she said and Vero sighed, allowing himself to relax.

They discussed some issues but then stopped when the place began to get full, and people were more in earshot. About this time, their food came and Vero greedily ate into it, much to the amusement of Ylva.

“What? I’m hungry. I haven’t been able to grab a bite to eat since last night.”

“Too many girl problems?” Ylva teased and Vero grumbled before nodding.

“They’ll get over it. If not, you can hide in the castle. I’m sure they will have trouble getting to you there,” she said and Vero slumped farther into his seat. He rested his chin on the table before face planting and moaning. Ylva couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction.

They heard some squealing outside and Vero quickly jumped up and panicked as he saw a small flock of young Yowlumne women outside. Ylva plopped the last of her food into her mouth and grabbed Vero by the wrist before yanking him along.

He cried out once but followed, as best as his feet could carry him, to the back area. The guards quickly followed them and Ylva slowed slightly as they exited out the back. She looked around briefly then dashed over to a barrel that was up against a house.

“Up you go,” she said before hoisting him up. She quickly followed and then had Vero swing himself up onto the roof of the building. The guards tried to follow but were unable to in their armor. Ylva tsked and silently commanded them to head to the palace gates where she would meet up with them in one hour. She told them to come out and find her if they did not return by then. Before they could reply, Vero and Ylva disappeared from their view and began running from building to building. A few times they changed their route when the jump would be too long for them to make it.

Vero panted and stopped when he could no longer keep following her. Ylva noticed and slowed to a stop and then walked back to him. He sat on the roof and Ylva sat next to him and ruffled his hair.

“I think we can do with a break for a bit.”

“You think?” Vero asked sarcastically.

From their view, they could see the shape of the city and all the varying heights of the buildings. It felt so different to be free in the city like this. No concern of attack or poisoning, just freedom. Ylva glanced over at the entrance and beyond before quickly standing.

“What is it?” Vero asked then looked in the same direction. Ylva took off, heading in the direction and Vero grumbled before picking himself up and following after her.

At first he wondered what had caught her attention so much that she would forget about him. It didn’t take long for him to find out.

He spotted the caravan out in the distance and noticed the mounted Yowlumne with the banner of the royalty and knew that the master was coming home. He smiled. He figured that he could allow his problems to be put on hold, to see the Ulrikan as he returned.