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"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important, I can come at a later time if that would be more convenient."
“Now is a perfect time.” He told her softly, a smile gracing the hard features of his face. She was but the latest in a never-ending queue of Wolves the new Alpha must treat with. Since claiming the title of Alpha, little more than half a day ago, Dorian Durinson had been given no time to himself, though in truth he had little complaints, he was aware of what needed to be done and was more than willing to see it so.
“Would you eat?”
It was a question but truly there was only one answer. She would not deny a seat at his table in his hall, he was Alpha. As if to prove this fact Dorin gave the twins a look and they rose from their seats to leave the two of them alone.
“Can we give them to her?” His brothers asked excitedly in one voice as they sometimes did.
“Be quick,” Dorian said to them. In his furs, he seemed a hulking black mountain. With the barest hint of gold glittering in the firelight.
“There is bacon and cuts of bantha as well.” He told her, indicating the spread of food on the table. His own plate was clean.
“Or fruit if you desire something lighter, peaches and blackberries, sweet cream as well.”
The blackberries were the size of thumbs and the peaches were bigger than his fist, bright and inviting.
After a moment the twins were back at the table.
“My brothers wish to show you their thanks for taking them in and making them a part of your pack,” Dorian said. He did not know if this southern Alpha born off-world held to the old traditions but in the North, in
his home, he would see such things continue, especially when it came to his own kin.
Darin laid on the table a sleek black leather quiver engraved in gold stitching was the symbol of Clan Kanaka and Clan Svard. Inside were a dozen black yronwood arrows strong as steel, tips sharpened to deadly points. Dorin presented her with a black handled knife, the hilt made from the same black trees as the arrows, the mark of her clan etched on one side, the mark of Kanaka on the other. It too came in a leather sheath though this was plain black, the blade shone silver and on the dull edge written in thin beautiful golden wufi were the words their father had said to them often:
“Not all wolves have the heart of men and not all men have the heart of Wolves.”
It was meant to tell her that they thought of her as a true Wolf and a worthy Alpha. It was not an apology but rather an admission that they had perhaps judged her too quickly. They waited eagerly but with dignity to see her reaction.
“The Alpha has received your gifts, now away with you, I need not keep council with pups so green they’re like to flower at any moment.” Dorian had learned to speak like an Alpha from his father. There was a way to sound stern and unyielding and yet endear yourself. It worked best with those who knew your true heart and so it worked here with his brothers.
“We are your sworn shields.” Darin reminded him with a smile. He was always smiling even after all. After father, after his wounds at Declan’s hand, after Durin, after the hard-road through the mountains and yet still. It filled The Alpha with joy and with pride.
“Sworn to obey.” Dorian reminded them. “Find the Drage pup and head to the yard, your skills need sharpened, and if you see our dear brother on the way, do drag him along, he could use a lesson or two.”
The twins bowed their heads to Aelin and their brother and took their leave of the two Alphas. Dorian took a tankard of wine in hand and poured a cup for Aelin and then himself. Steam rose steadily from each cup of hot wine, the smell of apple and spice drifting up as well. There was hardly a more satisfying way to combat the cold than hot spiced wine.
“I am grateful that you decided to take me up on my invitation, Aelin. I should properly introduce myself to you now. My mother saw fit to name me Dorian son of Durin and my good-sister had the sense to name me Alpha of Clan Kanaka.”
Yasmine truly had little choice. If she had thought to hold the throne in the name of her son, it would surely have led to war. When she had come to him to ask him to replace her as Alpha the relief was clear on her face when he agreed.
“Do you like the gown?” He asked her. “We had to guess at the measurements. I hope it fits.”
He reached over and ran a finger lightly over the scar visible on her collarbone.
“You did not care for the jewelry?” He asked.
“Far be it from me to tell you how to be.” He would say after her explanation for leaving the jewelry behind. “But you are Alpha and that means different things to different wolves for a certainty but do not forget that most of them do not and will not know what it means to be Alpha. They will not know the hardships and frankly many will not care, you will be who they resent and blame for their troubles simply by being.” He took a casual sip of his wine.
“But it goes both ways as well. For others you are the shining example of what it means to be a Wolf, you are hope and salvation made flesh, an idea more than a being and it is for them that you wear the jewels and the gowns, and the furs and the swords. It may not always be comfortable but that is the burden of rule, find joy in that discomfort, let the trappings of the role help you fill it.”
He had always seen his father split in two. One courtly and hard, the other, his father who told them tales by the hearth fire or pretended to be a dragon to chase them around the hall, was soft spoken, quick to laugh and generous with his praise.
“Forgive me if I have overstepped.” He said softly. “I do fear It will not be the last time.” He was courteous. As one Alpha should be to another and yet they were in his home, she was his guest, here at his leisure and allowance.
“Stop me when I say something untrue.” He said pouring them more wine.
“I have spoken to my brothers and they have explained much about their time with you, Thorirsblood. I have heard of your desire to be named Anasi.” He spoke casually almost dismissively. The title of Anasi had ever been a southern notion, in the North Clan Kanaka ruled.
“You plan to unite the clans and face The Fayth, but my question to you is how? A few hundred Wolves came with you through the mountain pass, most bearing the mark of Clan Drage. How many I wonder are warriors? How many of those have you lost to the city? There are a number of merchants, captains or even Northern Kaiha, in need of swords that could offer your people steady pay, steady food, and the safety they have thus far been missing. I understand that my words could sound…harsh, but trust I do not mean to criticize your leadership but only paint the picture of what you face.” He gave her time to weigh his words before going on.
“As of yesterday, I am the most powerful Alpha in The North, perhaps the continent as a whole, I have near four thousand warriors at my command, six if I were to conscript from the city and more than twice that number if I call the whole of The North to bear, and that number is just the trained warriors not to count the zorathi small-folk from the villages that litter my country and I say this only to surmise that you would like my support. Would you?” He asked.
“Before I was named Alpha, I said I wanted to give you something. I want to give you the chance to convince me to lend you the support you desire and if you would allow me but a day or two, three at the most, I would show you The North”
Aelin Erevos
Dorian Durinson
