Book 2 Chapter 3: 20 Years

“Wait. You what?” Vero nearly froze as he asked. He wanted to sink into a chair at the news. How long had it been now? A decade? Two? He had begun to loose hope, but now this.

Ha’tak stood before him, nearing the very end of his servitude. And he brought news. The news they had all waited for.

“She is located in the mountains of Lurelum. I could not ascertain her condition, but I was able to spot her before being found out. It’s security is impressive. I doubt I could have infiltrated it for any duration even at my peak.”

Vero placed his chin in his hand as he pondered on this tidbit of information. If she was in that place, it was no wonder they hadn’t heard of it till now. Even Filtiarn had no way of really getting that information unless The Master wanted to give it and according to Filtiarn, he treated Ylva like his own daughter. If she had a sob story and wanted to reamin hindden, likely no one would find out unless by happenstance. His tail moved and he silently excused the man, making sure to have him report this to Filtiarn.

Vero stood and walked to the window. He needed time to think.

There was this inner child in him that wanted to cry and hold her tight once he saw her, and then there was the older side of him that wanted to scold her for all they went through because of her choice.

He sighed. He wanted to know if she was doing better, why she hadn’t returned, and why she felt so compelled to leave in the first place. Her flight and hidding made no logical sense. He looked over at her last letter and padded over silently. Would they be able to reunite? Would she be friendly? Would she want nothing to do with them? How was she now?

So many questions and no answers unless they got close to her. But that place was quite the distance from here. And if Filtiarn’s instruction had been correct, then it would be months before they could seek an audience with her after appearing there.

The nations were at a realtive peace right now, but things changed by the week. The information network she had set up made it be a month early for warnings, but still, this was multiple months they would need.

She certainly had chosen a good place to go to avoid them.

He scratched at his head before more questions jumped around in there.

Twenty years. Twenty long years. He growled as he flicked his ears in distraction. How was the master taking this?

While he mused and calmed his questioning heart, he heard shouts and exlaims coming from outside his study. Then a sudden burst and the door was opened as Filtiarn looked at him with a confident grin. Vero looked just behind him to see a grimacing Ha’Tak.

“And what crazy plan have you cooked up this time?” Vero asked before the words could come tumbling out of the Ulrikan’s mouth. He was thankfully in a clamer state and could prevent plans that would upset more things than what they achieved. He had no doubt the master could get what he wanted. Vero had even served in the church for a few years, observing and clarifying the doctrine to the disciples. Something he had sworn with Ylva to never do. And in the twenty years she was gone, he had eliminated threats until no poison had occured in the last ten years. No attempts were made anymore. Only those loyal to them and the desire to see Ylva come home remained in the castle. The only problem is that poisonings were rampant in other Nations of Valfhudel and this had made their work more troublesome as they began teaching others how to get rid of this.

“Only a way to get near her without taking all that time appealing to her old man,” Filtiarn growled.

“Then sit and explain,” Vero said, motioning to the table. He flicked his ears at Ha’tak to dismiss him but the man refused. Vero watched the master sit down and marveled at how it felt like he was the mature one right now.

This thought only lasted till Vero sat down across from the Ulrika and his giddy face shifted to a serious expression. It put Vero off and he shifted back in his seat. Filtiarn looked at him with a slight hint of disaproval before he sighed.

“Lad. If you can’t figure out how to read the underlying tones and see the shift happening without reacting, then my plan will have to wait.”

“Huh?”

Filtiarn began to explain that the place Ylva was at, that it had a reputation that looks could and did kill. Vero waved off the joke until he realized Filtiarn was serious. The Ulrika and him chatted about just what sort of place this Lurelum was and the sort of training one went under in the house of The Master. It made Ylva seem like she was slacking at home, the type of rigor that was demanded and the sort of fights that one would experience was no joke. Though, if you killed without cause, then you would be kicked out, but that was pretty much one of the few rules that made it seem not so hellish.

“And you are sure she is in there?” Vero asked Ha’tak who had remained. The man nodded firmly.

“In all my travels searching for her, there has yet to be another white wolf, at least an all white wolf. I watched her bask in the sunlight in her wolf form before she shifted into her other form. I know of no other with that ability.”

Vero had to agree. He leaned back in his seat and let out a groaning sigh of defeat.

“Why do I need to know how hard and intense of a place that this house of The Master is?”

“Because you are going to join and be instructed there until you reach The Master and can speak with Ylva.”

Vero sputtered as he jumped to his feet. If serving Ylva at such a young age had felt like a death sentence, this certainly was a more assured death sentence.

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“Hardly. You’ll do fine. It’s why these next few months you’ll be training to do exceptionally well.” Filtiarn pointed out.

“But-“

“Vero, you’ve already trained under her. You’ll cream the newbies and the challenge of acceptance.”

“Bu-“

“And I’m certain you’ll rise in the ranks quickly,” Filtiarn said with such confidence that Vero growled.

“STOP!” he shouted. “Are you even listening to yourself? You just described how hard it was to live there, and now you are sending me there in a few months? You do realize how much I keep this place running-“

“Bartemaus can take over, he knows this place just as well as you.”

“Yes but-“

“And you won’t be going alone,” Filtiarn countered.

“But- wait, I won’t?”

“No. If you’d sit and listen…” Filtiarn motioned with his hand for Vero to sit. Vero’s ears flattened. He had jumped to conclusions, but this still didn’t sound pleasant. He sat down and took a deep breath to calm his racing mind and heart.

“So what. Ha’tak will be joining me?” Vero said unimpressed.

“No. I will,” Filtiarn said firmly before Ha’Tak could utter anything. Vero jumped to his feet and headed to the door. “Vero?”

“We’ll talk when you stop this complete utter nonsense,” Vero said as he opened the door.

“Vero!” The Ulrika shouted and the doors closed, no doubt due to Filtiarns authority. Vero growled as he looked back at the Ulrika.

“Are you even listening to yourself? You’d take the two most key Yowlume who; run the castle, organize the Nations of Valfhudel, not to mention all the other projects and education reforms that dwell in this castle, out for an excursion which will take months possibly even years to complete, just to pursue a wife who we don’t even know if she wants to see you ever again.” Vero said as his hackles raised. “Have you checked? She’s been missing for over twenty years now. Not even once did she reach out to us. Have you lost your mind?”

Filtiarn looked at him with light surprise and then it calmed. Vero stood tall as he confronted the Ulrika before him.

“Are you done?” Filtiarn asked as he grabbed a mug and poured himself a cup of water. Vero threw his hands up as he turned about and headed towards the window. “I wouldn’t suggest it, if there wasn’t someone who would replace us, multiple Yowlume and humans in fact.”

“And where are they going to magically apear?” Vero grumbled.

“Do you believe that they haven’t been preparing for this eventuality? Or is it your belief that Your Ulrika is a short minded fool.” Filtiarn stated. Vero stiffened and sighed. “A leader always prepares the ones who will replace them, else the dream dies and the leader becomes too tied down to make lasting changes until it is too late.”

“Of course,” Vero said softly. He had taught many different parts of his job in case he wasn’t around to fulfil it. It was both by the order and the suggestion of Filtiarn. He took another deep breath as he realized just how far the Ulrikan had planned this out. Humbled, calmed, and more relaxed, Vero returned to sit across from Filtiarn who wore a simple smile as he drank from the mug.

Vero poured himself some water and drank quietly. He was in the wrong here and he would wait to hear out the rest of the plan.

“I only meant to teach you how difficult it can be, so that your mind will be preapred. We will work on the rest of you over the coming months,” Filtiarn said between sips. “And as for if she’ll want to see me again… we shall see. I assume not initially. But she is a strong one… well… I will gladly trade this nation to just serve her again,” Filtiarn said as he fingered the mug. Vero knew this was a soothing action of his, and that he didn’t like the other posibilties. Like her rejection. But they had been so happy to be with each other. Surely a little time was all she needed to heal from her concerns.