Chapter 27: A Trip To The Mountains


    Lothar and his men were low on forbearance. Just as he thought that his job was done, he was left


    disappointed for Einar still lived. He waited for a long time and stood guard near Einar to make sure he


    breathed hisst but that was not happening soon enough. He was puzzled for Einar''s resilience as the


    poison he used was enough to kill ten wolves at a time. He used all that heavy dose on this powerful


    Alpha and he still managed to hang by a thread.


    Lothar huffed in frustration and ran his hands through his hair "I cant take the risk. Arrange another


    knife for me and make sure you double the dose this time." One of his men bowed and ran to the


    opposite direction to do the said job.


    A vicious grin colored Lothar''s face when he saw the man returning with a glimmering metal. The man


    carefully handed over the knife to his Alpha and backed off. Lothar raised the knife in air andughed


    hysterically "My fellow soldiers, from this day on the blue moon pack will be ours. No one can stop us


    now.." He lifted his foot and crushed it above Einar''s chin "I have done what no one could dare think of.


    The blue moon pack will bow to me because their mighty Alpha has fallen.." The people around him


    jeered and hailed their Alpha. Lothar gripped the metal firmly and aimed at Einar''s head this time,


    making sure that blue moon Alpha is done once and for all.


    As he was about to lower his hands a glint of light caught his attention and what followed was a sickly


    caw. A bird with grievous eyes and ink stained wings, seemed to float over him with a swift movements


    of its feathers. It pped its wings and circled the men from above, booming its caw to the extreme.


    The jarring caws were sickening as it pierced through the men and brought little shivers to their body.


    After circling the men a few times, itnded on a tree branch which was directly opposite of Lothar and


    bobbed its head up and down. Lothar found this behaviour unusual and rather tried to ignore the ck


    bird. He was wary of the raven as its eyes bored continuously into the eyes of Lothar.


    The Alpha just gave a fit of petty annoyance at the bird and lifted his hands once more. As soon he did


    the motion a loud noise of fluttering wings could be heard from a distance. What followed left the entire


    pack stand in disbelief. A swarm of dark feathers covered the skies and painted the space above them


    in ck. They cawed and hovered above the men before settling; upying the branches of every


    nearby tree.


    Lothar and his men looked in dismay at the scene unfold. Some were even trembling in their feet as the


    ck birds were considered the bringer of bad omen while some believed they opened the door to hell.


    Lothar was wary of the intently gazing eyes which surrounded himpletely but he was over


    confident of himself and undermined the signs in his arrogance. He ordered his frightened men to


    brace themselves as he lifted the metal one final time.


    Lothar could do no more as the birds took off leaving the branches naked. They cawed and bellowed


    and aimed their beaks to the faces of the lowly people. Soon the men were dressed in ck from head


    to tow as the birds scratched every part of their bodies with their beaks and their ws. The men cried


    in pain as they tried to free themselves from the painful stings of the determined birds. The Alpha was


    astonished by the sudden unprovoked attack and made an effort to save himself from the onught.


    On one such instance he caught hold of a bird and strangted its neck to thrash it down to the


    ground. What followed left him bewildered in veneration.


    The fallen crow had turned to ashes.


    Lothar understood that these were out of the world creatures and should not be messed with. He


    instructed his bleeding men to retreat and return to the pack. The men heeded the order and struggled


    their way back home amidst the attacks of the birds.


    ****


    With haggard breaths and an insecure mind, Can, Garrick, Fayette and Archer followed the raven


    blindly putting their trust on the bird. Though Fayette and Archer did not have any fondness for the


    Alpha they were still worried because deep in their conscience they knew it was a matter of life and


    death. Can on the other hand was apprehensive for a disturbed Garrick. He could clearly see the


    distraught and worried face of Garrick. He wanted to dispel his fears and put his mind to rest but


    decided against it.


    When they reached the spot the first thing they saw was the blood stainednd. The ground was


    colored with crimson patches all around. On approaching further the volume of redness increased as


    they could see a body lying to its side covered in a pool of blood.


    It was Einar.


    Garrick screamed his best friends name in absolute horror, assuming the worst for him. In his apathy


    he failed to take note of his nerves. Thankfully Archer was another shifter in the d and reassured the


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    members that Einar was still alive. Garrick soon kneeled in front of Einar''s chest and convulsed his


    shoulders, trying to wake him up. He scrutinised thepletely infused knife and decided to detach it


    from Einar''s body. As soon as his hands reached the metal Can screamed. "NO! DONT DO THAT."


    Garrick retreated his hands in a jiffy, astounded by the sudden interjection. Can took charge and


    urged Garrick to step aside. He then diligently but carefully held Einar''s head and cradled him on his


    worsen." Can cautioned Garrick.


    Garrick moved back a bit and looked around. He closed his eyes and sniffed all the smells around him.


    "I cant sense Rosaline anywhere."


    Archer and Fayette followed suite to look around for signs of Rosaline. Right then Archer noticed


    something "Why is his face all blue?" He said looking at Einar.


    Can closely watched Einar''s face and pursed his lips. "Perhaps he has been poisoned."


    "But his mouth is free of foam." Fayette reasoned.


    Can held Einar''s chin to open his mouth. He saw no traces of the poison being swallowed but he was


    sure that Einar was injected with it. However if not taken through his mouth than... "The knife!" Can


    uttered in realisation.


    As if stabbing him wasn''t bad enough that Einar had to endure the pain of the piercing knife which was


    him to Aurora. Only she can help him now." Garrick said in a panicked voice. He looked at the three


    people surrounding Einar "The pack must not know. It will create a state of panic among them and if


    the word goes out we will be left vulnerable."


    "Why are you looking at us?" Archer squeezed his eyes at Garrick. Surely the words of Garrick could


    be interpreted as a tant distrust among the ''outsiders''. He gritted his teeth and looked at Can and


    Fayette before uttering "Are you trying to say that we will sell you out mutt?"


    "No! I have faith in you two." Garrick quickly retorted. He did not wanted to seem like a viin in this


    scenario.


    "Than what do we do?" Fayette asked worriedly.


    "Take him to my house. It is the closest from this ce and we will call Aurora there." Can


    suggested.


    All the other three people nodded at each other. Can''s house was in istion with less people


    staying around. This would be advantageous for them to help Einar stay away from prying eyes. "That


    seems like a good idea." Garrick said.


    Can nodded at Garrick "Help me get him up."


    Garrick adhered to the request and quickly went near Einar''s body to help him get up. He put one of his


    arms around his shoulder while the other arm was held by Can. However when Garrick was about to


    move a step further he faltered in his ce. A sudden surge of pain dominated his head as he


    squeezed it with his fingers to make it go away. Archer looked at his condition and asked out of


    curiosity "What happened to you all of sudden?"


    "I don''t know. I am just feeling uneasy."


    Fayette took a step further and looked at the blue linings around Einar''s wound "It is Alsim; the wolf


    poison!" She gasped "Garrick you must step aside. Archer help him out."


    Archer reced Garrick and all of them made their way to the outskirts of the blue moon pack on the


    western boundaries. Can''s house stood aloof from the rest of the ce. It was close to the foot of a


    mountain where a small river flowed through its backyard. Since the settlement there was rare, it was


    an ideal ce for Einar to heal. Can in the meanwhile had sent the raven to fetch his friend and


    healer.


    The men took the unconscious Alpha to Can''s room and helped himy on his side on the bed.


    Archer than tore Einar''s shirt and trashed it outside. Fayette on the other hand brought a wet cloth and


    carefully cleaned the surrounding area of the wounds.


    Soon Aurora appeared from the door. She was staggered a bit after witnessing the mighty Alpha lying


    in a vegetative state. She quickly sat near the edge of the table and examined Einar''s body. Suddenly


    she jerked her hands back and sighed heavily pursing her lips.


    "How bad is it?" Garrick asked.


    "It is not good at all. The poison has started entering his blood stream, had it not been for his beasts he


    would have died after a few brief moments of injecting it."


    "What kind of poison is that?"


    Fayette raised her brow "I know what it is. It is called Alsim."


    "How do you know about it?"


    Fayette quickly replied "We grow them." Garrick still looked doubtful so she further added "It may be


    poison for you but we grow them as medicinal herbs." Her eyes met that of the wolf and both stared at


    each other. Confused by the constant ring she nervously backed away and looked at Aurora "So


    what do we do now?"


    "We have to give him the theriac but I don''t have all the necessary elements now."


    Garrick stood up with a jerk "What do you need? Just tell me and I will get it for you."


    Aurora held Garrick''s hand when he was about to run for the door. "It is not that easy Garrick."


    "Tell me Aurora." he pleaded


    She sighed and quickly looked at Can before replying "We would require a handful of ponic weeds,


    the Alsim shrubs and the purple grass."


    Can formed an ''O'' with his mouth and heaved a long breath of exasperation. Aurora looked quite


    pitiful herself. Noticing their expressions Archers interest perked "Why do you both look so stressed?"


    "We can arrange the other two items but the purple grass grows in the peak of the mountains of


    Elenoir." Can replied


    "So what is the problem?"


    "The mountain is covered in snow at this time." Can replied.


    Aurora stood up and slowly marched to look outside the window. The Elenoir mountains were famous


    for a lone standing tree. Beneath the treeid a bed of long tipped purple grass which had strong


    medicinal properties. The problem being that the grass was avable only for a quarter of a year when


    there was no snow. However the majority of the trouble was to get there in these harsh weather


    conditions. It was an unachievable task. Only a divine power could help them now.


    Aurora sighed and suddenly gasped as her eyes were gleaming with hope. She looked at her friend


    "Can can I have a minute." Can nodded and went after her outside the room "I want you to go to


    the Elenoir mountains."


    "But why?" he squeezed his eyes "You know it is worthless to try. What would I even find there?"


    "If anyone can bring those grass right now its you Can. You have to take the risk. Just believe in


    yourself and this.." she pointed to the bracelet in his hands.


    Can paused for a moment before saying "But it would be freezing up there. How am I supposed to


    ditch that?"


    "You will find a way. Think of it as chance to prove your worth to Einar. Besides he does not have much


    time left. I can only prolong his life by another three days at the maximum."


    Can curtly nodded and fiercely looked at the road ahead "I will go."


    ****


    Amid Garrick''s persistence to join the expedition to the mountains he was denied his request. Aurora


    thought that his being here was necessary to handle situations if something goes awry. Meanwhile


    Rosaline had made her appearance with a young girl in the Ashton house. She was found by a


    wandering Arthur near one of the borders and decided to help her. He connected with Garrick and took


    the pair to Can''s house. Thus Arthur was now part of the secret too.


    It was decided that Archer would bring in weeds, Fayette would go collect Alsim shrubs and Can


    would be joined by Arthur to fetch the purple grass.


    The Elenoir mountains were beyond a terrain of river with strong currents. They managed to cross the


    river with great difficulties and marched their way to the foot of the mountain. The wind flew effortlessly


    yet with each footfall both the men struggled to strengthen their foot forward. The path was rocky and


    steep in a chaotic way. What fascinated Arthur though was the way Can was carrying his gait. Being


    a human he showed resilience andnguorously braved the extreme weather conditions. When they


    had reached halfway of their journey the fog was so dense that it was impossible to look at a distance


    beyond ones arms stretch. However, Can walked confidently ahead as the fog thinned instinctively


    like it was making way for the handsome man to move forward.


    "This is amazing!" Arthur was astonished.


    "What?"


    "I thought the trip would be quite troublesome owing to these extremities but now when I am here I


    assume that the weather gods have became lenient towards us all of sudden."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Did you not see! The river currents down below are always wild as far as I remember but not today.


    Even the path from the foot of the mountain up till here is uneven filled with small rocks and gravels but


    the path was clear when we arrived and now when we are reaching the snonds the fog is


    disappearing automatically. It is like magic!"


    In his mission to secure the grass Can had became so absorbed that he forgot the bracelet would


    create some magic and help him. The fact that Arthur was taking a note of these changes was


    worrisome. Aurora had always warned him not to reveal the secrets of the bracelet to anyone or use its


    powers in front of anyone. But the bracelet had been acting on its own which increased Can''s


    worries.


    "You think too much." Can nervously chuckled and without looking at Arthur he marched forward to


    reach arge tree bending to a side with the weight of the snow. Clouds swirled around them in an icy


    greeting while the snow coated the entirend ahead. Can gestured Arthur toe near the tree and


    start digging. To his knowledge he knew that the magical grass grows near the singlerge tree in the


    entire mountains.


    When Arthur reached the spot he started digging the snow to remove the nket of ice. He almost dug


    around the circumference of the tree to rejig thend to its original green and brown color. He was left


    disappointed as thend he dug was barren. There was no sign of any life on thends near the tree.


    "What do we do now?" Arthur asked dejectedly.


    Can had no answer for this question. Aurora had said to believe in himself and find the answer within


    but what was he suppose to do exactly? He looked to the carved eagles of the bracelet and decided to


    go with his mind and use the powers on its own. He kneeled on his right leg and touched the ground


    with the palm of his hand. He closed his eyes and concentrated solely on connecting himself with the


    earth below.


    Arthur was perplexed for a moment at Can''s behaviour but he gasped and his eyes widened like


    saucers when he felt light tremors from the earth below. Small grass roots were stemming from the


    barrennd covering it entirely in green. He was also surprised at the fact that the snow was unaffected


    by the tremors while it seemed that Can was unaffected by his surroundings too.


    The grass roots rapidly shot up to knee length. After reaching a sizeable extent the tip of the vegetation


    slowly started changing its color and turning into bright purple shade. Arthur left his mouth hung open


    for the entire time.


    "How...How did you.. you do that?" he stammered as he struggled to maintain his serenity. Can


    opened his eyes when he heard Arthur''s voice. He stood up on his legs and faced a bewildered Arthur.


    He took a step forward when Arthur unconsciously stepped back in apprehension.


    "I promise there is an exnation for this but you have to keep this a secret from everyone."


    Arthur did not hear any of it as he stared in utter disbelief. "You are a warlock!"


    "No.. No." Can chuckled in embarrassment "No I am not."


    "Than what was that and don''t deny it cause I saw it with my own two eyes. The grass just grew on


    itself. How is it even possible!"


    "I will exin it to youter but right now we have to help Einar. You with me?" Arthur slowly but


    cautiously nodded. His brain froze for a moment for he contemted whether to trust Can or not. His


    train of thoughts was interrupted when the raven suddenly showed up out of nowhere and sat on his


    shoulder. Can was really surprised at this fact cause the bird was never friendly with any other being.


    It preferred being alone and was mostly hostile to anyone who was even near him. In fact he


    remembered one such instance when he even dared challenge Einar back in the day. Seeing the raven


    with Arthur was refreshing.


    "Do you know the bird?" Can asked out of curiosity.


    A dreamy smile made its way to Arthur''s face "It just showed up at my window one fine morning. I


    shooed him away but he did not budge from his ce. He just kept staring at me and flew only when


    he wanted to. This continued for a few more days before finally I gave in and concluded that the bird


    means no harm. Now we are good friends." he retrenched his grin and looked at Can "Do you know


    this bird too?"


    Can nodded "I found it trapped in a hunters when I was on my way to meet Archer. He has been


    a constantpanion since then."


    Arthur squeezed his eyes and thought for a moment "Then I guess I can trust you." he spoke no further


    and marched his way back to the foot of the mountain caressing the mane of the bird. Can was


    perplexed by Arthur''s logic but was relieved that he would not create a ruckus as of now. He resolved


    to exin himter and vow his secrecy.


    When the men reached the house, Einar was still lying on his side but he was different. Hisplexion


    hadpletely changed to a shade of light blue. While his body was cold and shuddering. He exhaled


    deep long breaths while the air he threw had greater intensity than usual as if his body using up hisst


    resource in its full force.


    "What took you so long Ashton?" Can''s line of sight changed its trajectory to a distraught and


    disheartened Garrick. His eyes reflected the pain for his best friend. Can also noticed that Rosaline,


    Fayette, Arthur and Aurora had congested his small room. He quickly put his hands in hisrge sac and


    retrieved the shiny purple grass from it. "The snow made it hard for us." He then slowly kept the grass


    on the table and was about to leave when he heard a raucous sound say "Don''t leave me my love."


    The sh of excitement in everyone around was reflected because of Einar. He was breathing heavily


    and had not uttered a single word since he was brought here. So to hear his voice was like a blessing.


    Rosaline quickly made her way to the Alpha and sped his palm. "I am right beside you Einar. I wont


    go anywhere."


    When Rosaline touched the Alpha, he shivered and lowly growled. Aurora and Garrick looked worriedly


    at each other while Rosaline''s face fell; dejected with the reaction from Einar.


    Tofort Rosaline, Garrick pulled her back and made her sit on a chair "Maybe you should take a


    rest."


    "But he needs me." she pleaded


    Garrick gulped and looked sideways. He was trying to find words to reason with thedy "The poison in


    him will be detrimental for your health. We should refrain from touching him or being near him."


    "But you are equally at risk as I am. Who will be there to take care of him Garrick?"


    Indeed who. Fayette had to leave for her ce while Archer''s presence was not helpful at all. Everyone


    knew he despised the wolves and so he could not be trusted. The wolves would have to stand back


    because of the poison while Aurora had to leave for her cottage to prepare the decoction.


    Garrick sighed and pursed his lips cause he knew that there was only one option left now..


    "Can would stay the night with Einar."


    ********


    do let me know what you feel about the chapter.


    Be safe. Be healthy.


    Take care.


    Happy Reading....!