We arrived in Raven Clan territory by nightfall and I had made a decision. The boys could fend for themselves. I want no need to see my children. I don’t dislike Hanno but compared to my kids, there was no contest.

So the second we arrived as the boys got off the boat leaped into the river and began to swim. Hanno cried out but I ignored him. “Get a dog like a normal person! I told your dad that half a year ago!”

I kept swimming for almost a mile but in doing so I opened almost every single wound I had. The water I swam in was dyed red with my blood. I quickly moved ashore and laid down in a bush, shrinking to be as small as possible. I dug around in the mud of the river bank to create a small hole in the ground I could fit in. For some reason the mud made me feel nostalgic.

I was so close, all I needed to do was swim upstream until I reached the lake. Then I just follow the coast while searching for the mud flats. Eventually I will find them and my children. My kids, I can’t wait. I just wanna sit with them, hear what they’ve been up to. I nestled into my small hole and imagined them all around me, I took shuddering breaths as pain overcame me and I blacked out.

Hanno’s POV

“Aya! Come back!” My voice was almost a sob as I watched the small form of my beloved pet disappear into the horizon. I could follow her, but would it be cruel? Would it be wrong to kidnap her from the wild once again?

I shook the thoughts away and turned to my friends. Reid and Loken looked relatively unconcerned with Aya’s disappearance. They just shrugged and said. “She’ll be alright Hanno. You saw what she did to those soldiers. Besides, we need to meet with your father and find out what's going on.”

I nodded and tried to hold back my tears. Why had Aya left? I thought we had bonded? She certainly seemed protective of me. And if she did not like me then why would she almost die protecting me?

Those questions could be answered later. Humanity's safety and happiness came before my own. Everything, to untie my people. I took a deep breath and said. “Follow me then.” We walked off the boat and I barked out an order to a nearby guard.

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“Fetch my father and all his advisors! I want information on what's going on. Have all the rowers in this boat detained and questioned.” The guard stared at me with horror and regret. He hesitated for a few seconds and said, “As you wish, my lord.”

He scurried off and I frowned. Why would he call me a lord? That’s a title reserved for the leader of the clan. Worry and anxiety began to stab into me as I briskly marched into the long house, where my father should be.

I can see it now, he’ll be in there. Probably worried about me. I bet he’s pacing the floor right now, awaiting my return. I threw the doors open and saw all of my dad’s advisors and friends. But for some reason he wasn’t there.

And why is there a coffin? Did one of his lieutenants die in the attack? I strode into the room, my friends beside me and yelled. “Where is my father! I need to know what is going on? Where is he!” I was almost screaming by the end as a small idea wormed itself into my brain.

Not a single one of the so-called friends of my father would meet my gaze. So shoved them out of the way and looked into the coffin. I stood still for a second, almost frozen as I stared at the headless corpse of my dad.

Why? Why him? Why could they not just leave us alone? Why must they involve us in their petty squabbles? I sank to the ground, sobbing as my friends tried to comfort me. After almost five minutes I stood up and yelled.

“Never again! Never again will I allow such a thing to happen! I declare the formation of the Empire of Ulthar! All who refuse to swear fealty will be killed! I will no longer let our people fight amongst themselves for no goal other than personal glory. We will unite, and purge this great nation of all threats. I declare myself the first emperor of Ulthar!”

I stared at all of the men around me as they crashed to their knees and echoed my name. “Emperor Hanno! Emperor Hanno! Emperor Hanno!” I stared at each of them, one by one and said. “Who is responsible for my father’s death?”

Martin, one of my father’s childhood friends, stood up and said. “The Bear clan, your majesty. They killed every single clan leader” I nodded then turned towards them. “I declare war on the Bear Clan! I will accept no oaths of fealty from them! I shall wipe their line for existence! Their very name will be lost to all but the most obscure corners of this empire! Rally my army! Gather our forces! We march on the bear clan's holdings!”

I turned towards my friends and said. “I understand you have just received grave news. But I will ask you again, will you help me save our people?” Hanno and Loken both collapsed to their knees and said. “We wear fealty to you, Emperor. The Squirrel and Goat clan’s forces are yours to command.” I nodded solemnly and said. “Then let it be known, before this year's end I will eradicate the Bear Clan and secure our borders. I promise this as your emperor. For I am but a servant of humanity.” Reid stood up and screamed. All hail the Empire of Ulthar! All hail Emperor Hanno!”