The Alpha's Blind Fate
Chapter 40: The Night Mages

Chapter 40: The Night Mages

MOON

The abandoned one?

Yaren thought about the ordinary words that was achingly familiar. Where did he hear those words from?

The it came to him. Of the limited information they gathered on the Theta—Zina WolfKnight—it is said there’s an ancient language inscribed on her staff.

The symbols were so inscrutable that it took a very close observation of the staff by one of their spies before they could arrive at the piece of information.

Daemon shook his head as if ridden with intense amusement that he didn’t know to express. Staring at his older brother intensely, Yaren asked slowly.

"Do you mean that

Daemon scoffed, setting the book aside and standing easily from his seat. He strode the empty space of the tent, causing Yaren to wonder yet again why Daemon left the GreenLands for Arctic North.

The war was still raging, and it was uncharacteristic of him to do so. Besides, if their traitorous brother was to catch a whiff of their presence, it certainly wouldn’t bode well for them.

"Beware of the tongue of a wicked woman," Daemon drawled, staring intently at the raven bound in its cage, "for it may tell a lie that would slay the world."

"Daemon? Why are you actually here?" Yaren inquired for that was the only question that felt right at that moment. He wasn’t going to pretend to understand the workings of his brother’s mind. The gods knew his thought processes were often a thing of wonder.

Daemon turned to him like the answer was obvious. "I am here because I received an offer that I couldn’t resist."

"An offer?"

"The Night Mages offer to make me a king." Daemon smiled shrewdly, "don’t you think it’s a thing of wonder? How the revered Theta is making a similar move by declaring me the reincarnation of the Great Beast Wolf?"

Daemon’s latter words were drowned as all Yaren could chant in his head were the words ’Night Mages.’

"The Night Mages?" Yaren repeated incredulously, thinking it might be a huge conspiracy that was happening. "What could those damned sorcerer’s offer you? Besides they’re under Eldric’s jurisdiction despite the fact they are outlaws. I do not believe it is wise to meet with such people."

"Yaren, when did you become so suffocatingly cautious? I am only meeting them, I haven’t said I am doing anything with them have I?"

Yaren shut his mouth, unable to object further. His aversion for the Night Mages who were in reality a group of people that performed dead magic wasn’t stemming from himself alone. His aversion was a public thing, and all, even their late father and Eldric NorthSteed avoided them for the sources of their powers were said could bring only doomsday.

The Night Mages were outlaws of the Arctic North and their ancestors faced prosecution and execution back in the days. While it was true they still existed, it was for the simple fact that many Noble Werewolf houses secretly sought their services in dire straits.

There was a rumour that the Alpha King Xavier NorthSteed once used their services, but that was still subject to confirmation.

Yaren instinctively looked into Daemon’s dark eyes as his potent Lycan Wolf emitted a particularly dark aura. In his eyes, he saw the unwavering stealth and confidence Daemon easily possessed. Yaren felt shame at his objections for he knew better than anyone that Daemon NorthSteed was never one to fear spirituality in any form, and that included the Night Mages.

Just to clear all of his doubts, he asked carefully. "They suddenly want to meet you at the same time Zina WolfKnight instigates a rumour that will reduce Eldric’s claim? Could the Night Mages be in league with her?"

"It hurts me that you think the great and incorruptible Theta to be powerful enough to be in league with the Night Mages."

Yaren shut his mouth, unable to muster a retort at that. Logically, there was no way Zina WolfKnight could be in league with them. While powers like seeing visions were usually associated with the moon goddess, the Night Mages derived their powers from elsewhere. Like water and oil, they simply couldn’t mix.

Six years ago when Yaren’s rage knew no boundaries, Daemon had made him a promise. That they would both survive, and he, Daemon, would take his rightful place.

That promise was what assured Yaren that Daemon’s banishment had not been an entire spur of surprise. No, his brother had willingly walked to the hangman because he was a man who had come to believe in the long game.

In those six years they spent at the borders fighting. Yaren had come to learn that Daemon was a truly terrifying man. The kind that would have frightened him if he was any other person. Daemon’s ambitions, his dreams, the future he sought for himself could only be described as madness. And yet like a man drunk on patience and the art of time bidding, Daemon chased his ambition with relentless pursuit.

He was no man who believed in the workings of fate and such. With a practicality that cut through like a knife, Daemon took viable steps to reach his goals. It only made Yaren realise that his older brother could never derail from his path— and not even a meeting with the mages would assure that.

A tangy smell wafted through Yaren’s nostrils as he sensed a figure approaching the tent.

"They are here." Daemon muttered, making his way back to his seat. He plopped against it carelessly, while Yaren assumed a defensive stance.

The flap to the tent opened, and a woman with a dark hood over her head sauntered in. The clearest golden-red eyes Yaren had ever seen rested on him like a scorching fire. The lit candle of the tent revealed the woman to look young, possessing an albinotic skin. Yaren stared back in equal measure, before those same red eyes rested on Daemon.

The woman bowed flamboyantly. "I greet the Alpha Prince Daemon NorthSteed. I am Norima Talga, daughter of Saber Talga who leads the Night Mages and the pack."