Chapter 131: Taleisin

The door opened with a loud creak that seemed more ominous than it had ever been before. The man at the front of the procession was much older than Adolph, looking to be old enough to be Adolph’s grandfather. His robes almost sparkled on his shoulders as they rustled around him. He walked with a tall staff that was just a bit taller than he was, crowned with a glowing collection of gems. He came with six others all dressed in long white robes, hooded and quiet around him. Each of the six carried a box.
Her stomach churned. There was something deeply otherworldly about them. Their presence filled the halls with a warm energy that Laurel could almost taste. It made her think of the temple, but it felt different than that.
The old man had a smile on his face but Laurel didn't feel any more relaxed.
Neither did Adolph.
It wasn’t that the man seemed threatening, but he didn’t know anything about Wiccans and their motivations. Eden was the son of the vampire queen and a Wiccan, which meant they had to have some sort of relationship. Would they be resentful of the change in power? Were they here to claim part of the vampire’s old lands? There were just too many questions to be at ease.
The werewolf kingdom lost contact with Wiccans centuries ago. Knowing now that there were magical barriers that could obscure the presence of whole castles and cities made them even more dangerous than before.
Had they come with more than just the seven that appeared in court? How had they known so quickly about the fall of the kingdom?
The man’s eyes sparkled, “Long-awaited has it been to see the black and white wolf seated on the throne of the moon.”
Laurel stiffened, staring at the man in shock and horror. How had he known that she was the white wolf?
For his part, Adolph had never heard the throne of the werewolf kingdom be called the throne of the moon, but it felt right. But if the werewolf kingdom was the throne of the moon, then what of vampires? What of the Wiccans? His mind started to ache at the thought and the potential for yet another war.
Though the battle with Eden had been short-lived and with very few casualties, he had no desire to start another fight when he still had to deal with the treachery that lurked in his kingdom.
After all, they still weren’t sure who tried to poison him and Laurel, and if Laura had been murdered, they still had to find out why and by who.
The ex-ministers still had to be dealt with and all the other corruption that had been festering in the kingdom needed to be killed as soon as possible.
Another war had to be avoided at all costs, yet depending on what they had to say, he didn’t think it was possible.
“Have we met before?” Adolph asked, calmly. “On a battlefield?”
The man chuckled, “Forgive me, my name is Taliesin, I am the head of the Wiccan Alliance. No, Your Majesty, we have not met before, but your coming and that of your wife and mate have long since been foretold. Surely the old depictions of the goddess’ temple have remained legible all this time?”
Adolph regarded Taleisin. There was a warm air around him, familiar, and a bit like the temple grounds, but his heart and wolf were still against relaxing. The man and his caravan were unknown to him and potentially dangerous if they wielded the same power Eden had.
“Yes, they have,” Adolph said. “What brings you here?”
“We have heard of the fall of the vampire queen, Morrigan, as well as her death,” he smiled. “We have… an interest in your plans for the lands, its citizens, and all those that reside within its borders as well as relations between us.”
Adolph lifted his head, “If you are asking for a piece of the lands conquered, I would ask what you have done to warrant such a thing.”
Taliesin laughed, “We have no need for the lands. Though we are glad that the curse can be lifted.”
Laurel frowned. What curse? Did it have something to do with Eden’s last words?
“What is this curse you’re speaking of?” Laurel asked.
“The curse of Ash,” Taliesin said. “Of darkness and decay.”
Laurel frowned listening to the man explain. Long ago, when Morrigan first ascended to her throne, a Wiccan cursed the land in retaliation for her cruelty. It was a death curse, sealed with the Wiccan’s death.
“How then will the curse be lifted?”
He smiled, his eyes twinkling, “I believe those details will have to wait until we’re a bit more friendly with each other. After all, the Wiccan Alliance and the throne of the moon have not interacted in over five-hundred years.”
Adolph tilted his head at the bit of derision in his tone, “What is it that you want?”
“The Wiccan Alliance has lost… much to Morrigan’s ambitions since the beginning of her reign,” his eyes turned dark with grief. “Sons, daughters… husbands, and wives. We only want them to be able to return home without issue. To your other point, I would think that Eden’s orchestration of Morrigan’s downfall is enough of a contribution on the Wiccan Alliance’s behalf to warrant such a small request.”
Adolph lifted his chin, “Eden… You know him personally?”
“Of course.”
“I regret to inform you that I know of only one Eden, a vampire, and he was killed in the last hours of the battle.”
The group froze. Taleisin’s warmth vanished and turned cold.
“What?”
Adolph eyed him, as the guards in the room stiffened, preparing for a fight.
“The vampire known as Eden–”
“He was only half-vampire and you–” He grit his teeth. “Eden led you to your enemy, gave you the keys to your victory and you have struck him down, for what?”
His face turned red, furious, and seething. The jewel on his chest plate began to glow and a sharp bright scent filled the air. Laurel’s heart lurched with fear as she felt the air warm. Adolph stilled beside her, tensing as the entire court seemed on edge.
“Whatever Eden has told you, is a lie,” Adolph said calmly. “He had no interest in your interests in the vampire nations. He kidnapped my wife and mounted an attack on my camp. He is an enemy.”
“Adolph–” Laurel tried, squeezing his hand.
“Black Wolf,” Taleisin hissed. “Do not speak to me of lies and allegiances when you have such a debt to the man you have killed! You think your wars with Morrigan are the worst of her doings? You think she has only just terrorized you for the past two generations, but you are wrong! That woman’s evil has done more damage to Wiccan kind than werewolves will ever know. For you to turn your back on that fact and kill your savior! To disgrace the sacred gifts you have been given! Goddess-Blessed, indeed!”
“You will watch your tone when you address His Majesty, old man,” Chasel growled, stepping forward.
Taliesin turned on him, his face flushed with fury and his eyes flashing like lightning.
“He is little more than a beast for murdering my heir and claiming such nonsense! Eden would never attack without reason. You must have done something!”
Laurel’s eyes widened as his voice thundered through the hall. His eyes glimmering with tears and pain. His caravan seemed furious as well.
Adolph growled, “Ready a counter–Laurel?”
Laurel stood, slipping out of Adolph’s grip on her hand and descending the steps.
Taleisin’s eyes turned to her, “And you? White Wolf, will you stand behind these ridiculous lies–?”
He broke off as she removed the necklace from her pocket, holding it between them so that he could see it. The sparking red light halted, trembled, and vanished into a cloud of sparkles as the caravan all turned their gazes to the necklace in Laurel’s hands.
“Impossible…” Someone gasped.
Taliesin stepped forward with a trembling hand. His eyes were glossy with tears as the lightning began to fade.
Adolph darted down the stairs, drawing his sword but Laurel lifted a hand, extending the necklace to Taleisin. His eyes didn’t even dart to look at Adolph, transfixed on the necklace. The stormy energy around him began to fade as he drew closer, barely grazing his fingertips over the gold of the necklace before tears streamed down his face. He dropped the staff in his hand as his jaw trembled and his shoulders slumped in defeat.
“H-How did this come into your possession, white wolf?”
“Eden gave it to me,” Laurel said. He met her gaze and sniffled, shaking his head and lifting a hand. The rest of the caravan relaxed, seemingly subdued and the heaving danger died down in the room as she placed the necklace in his hands.
“T-Tell me, child. What happened.” Taliesin looked into her eyes. “Where is my grandson?”