Relma felt a little afraid as she trailed behind them through the halls. It wasn't the detached fear she'd felt with other things. This was a genuine fear; all she could do was stay in the shadows and not bolt away in terror.

She could only imagine what Marsha and the others must have been feeling. They were kneeling before the wolf god, far closer. You could feel his hot breath in the air, making Relma shudder. There were many terrible stories of Telix and his adventures in Escor, particularly during the Civil War. There, he had eradicated House Star. Those who behaved with dishonor paid the ultimate price at his claws. Relma knew well not to make an enemy of him.

"You are... Telix," gasped Marsha.

"Yes," said Telix. "I am the Master of the Pack. The son of Baltoth. The Lord of Wolves. And I did not bring you here lightly.

"Rest assured. It is a matter of great import."

"What... what matter?" asked Marsha, voice trancelike.

"How shall I put this?" asked Telix, putting down his cup and leaning down to look at them with dark eyes. "Although I am a son of Baltoth, my loyalty has never been to Calisha. I was sired while he was hunting for Anoa IX. And although I am of his blood, I do not serve him.

"For a long time, I wandered the lands of Harlenor. I have had many enemies among those who dwell within it and many friends. But, unfortunately, with the rise of tensions with the Calishans, I am less welcome.

"And as my pack grew, it became dangerous to move about.

"So it was that I decided to make a place for myself. And at long last, I have succeeded with the help of Adrian Wrynncurth."

"But..." gasped Marsha. "You attacked our homes..."

"Indeed, I did. However, it was nothing personal. One must defend their allies. When one of Adrian's children was killed, I was obligated to respond in kind," said Telix. He lowered a massive claw to force Marsha to look up at him.

"Why... why are we here?" asked Marsha.

"That is an interesting question," said Telix. "Although my pack has swelled in numbers, I desire mortal servants. I want to create a small kingdom of my own in time. When I came to this forest, I found many bandits and vagabonds wandering it. They were thieving off the countryside.

"Adrian desired that I destroy them. However, I found a more artful solution.

"My children and I hunted them, finding the strongest and best of them. These we blessed with our will, gradually transforming them into greater beings. You would know them as werewolves. Where once they were murderers and thieves, now their minds and bodies have been reshaped in my image."

He motioned, and a group of men came forward from the shadows. They were like Ajax, but they were more wolves or more men. Their transformation could have been better.

"I desire that these bandits yield and become the subjects in my dominion," said Telix. "Unfortunately, most of them are men. There are too few females among them to make a sustainable population."

"You... wish us... to become their wives..." guessed Marsha.

"I leave such arrangements to nature," said Telix dismissively. "No, I will merely offer you a choice. A unique chance.

"If you accept this chance, then one of my children will pass their blessing onto you. In so doing, you will become like us. Your senses will be sharpened, and your life will be extended. And you will be blessed with my divine will.

"Your existence will be given a purpose far beyond any other."

The other girls arose as if in a trance. "Don't listen to him!" shouted Marsha. "He's a demon! He'll corrupt us!"

The girls hesitated. Telix laughed, a sound that resounded throughout the hall. The girls cowered before it, except Marsha, who kept standing. Relma wanted to run but also to stay to see the rest.

"That is certainly one interpretation." said the wolf demon. "This brings me to the other choice. You may refuse my offer, and you will be escorted freely back to your villages." Marsha looked up at him. "You'd just let us go?"

"Of course. Anyone strong-willed enough to resist my will deserves to be rewarded," said Telix. "Of course, of all those who have stood before me, not one has resisted my will. Come, join us. Become one of our pack and found a new nation. Once you have become one of my brood, I shall grant you leave to do as you like, to see your family and live as you will."

Silence fell over the four women. One of them finally arose. "I... I will join..."

"As... will... I..." said another.

Marsha shuddered as their gaze fell on her. "No... No, I will not. Don't listen to him! He wants to turn us against Elranor, against everything we stand for!"

"Neither will I," said the fourth girl.

One of those who had spoken shifted and then stepped back. "Yes... You're right, Marsha. I won't be part of this."

Telix leaned back in his seat and took another sip of lambs' blood. Then he smiled, revealing a mouth of sharp teeth. "So be it. Seldom have I seen such a strong will among the mortal races. Rustoff, return them to their domain tomorrow. As for the other, take her to the chamber of preparation."

The girls were led away. Some past Relma, others slipping into a side passage. Relma wondered if she'd see any of them again. However, Rustoff remained. He looked up to Telix. "We have had news. The spirits of the wood will not side with the Heir of Kings. They believe her claim on them outdated."

"Excellent," said Telix. "Adrian will be pleased to hear that. Now, where is Pandora?"

"Still dallying among the villages," said Rustoff. "She has been sitting upward to help them. It has made stealing from their flocks very difficult. However, she will be furious when she learns what we have done."

"You worry too much, my son," said Telix. "We are strong and can handle this."

Rustoff shook his head. "Pandora is powerful. When she learns that we have captured her charge, she will surely come after us with much fire and fury."

"I do not think she will be in such haste to attack us," said Telix. "No one wants this situation to escalate. The days when you could grab a sword and kill all your enemies without fear of consequences are long past.

"We have an alliance with Adrian Wrynncurth. If Pandora attacks us directly, it will be the start of a war Gel Carn can't win."

"And what of marrying Ajax to her?" asked Rustoff. "This whim of his doesn't sit right with me."

"She is the Heir of Kings," said Telix. "Mixing our blood with that of Anoa the Brights will give us great power. Especially when Harlenor Reunited comes about."

"That is what concerns me," said Rustoff. "It may be considered escalating the situation in itself. On the other hand, we may wish to merely take her as a political prisoner."

"Oh, come on, Rustoff!" laughed a voice. "I kidnapped her fair and square!"

And Ajax walked into the room. Rustoff turned to regard him with irritation. He was about to speak, but Telix raised a hand. "Your brother has a point, Ajax. We'll hold off on the marriage for a time, at least. Then, once we're better secured, we'll go through it. Besides, it will be better if she's convinced over to our side first."

"Father, with respect, what if Pandora is reckless?" asked Rustoff. "She and Arengeth are used to having their word be law. If they decide to attack us, what will we do?"

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"Hmm," Telix seemed to withdraw into himself. His eyes closed as he contemplated. Relma wondered what elaborate plan he would come up with? What magnificent feat of cunning would be utilized? He opened his eyes. "In that case, I'll kill both of them, and we won't have a problem."

Rustoff put his hands over his eyes. "They are the most powerful sorcerers in Harlenor."

"Actually, I'm fairly certain that title belongs to Rusara of the Dust Elves," said Telix. "Aren would be second place, and Pandora third."

"My only intention is that we have a plan to deal with the worst-case scenario," said Rustoff.

"Oh, very well, we'll make arrangements just in case," said Telix. "Perhaps poisons which dull the mind? Such a thing would be lethal to a sorcerer."

Suddenly, Relma was seized with a desire to leave. She knew she could get information by staying. But Relma had the feeling that waiting any longer would get her discovered. So, letting herself be guided away from the throne room, she went through the halls.

She did not know this place. And the longer she was stalking around, the more likely she'd be caught. She couldn't find her own way. So what was she supposed to do now? Ask for directions?

That might work. Everyone knew she had been taken prisoner. So, there was a good reason for her to be around the halls. Not unescorted, but she could work around these. So why not ask for directions?

As she walked, she saw a familiar face. That wolf girl, Anya, from before. She was leaning against a wall, munching on a rabbit, raw. There was blood in her mouth.

This was it. Either she'd believe Relma, or she wouldn't. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Relma emerged from the shadows. "Excuse me."

"You!" said Anya, standing with a start. "You're that girl Ajax was after. Speak quickly."

"Sorry," said Rema, "I was told I would be escorted back to my village, but I fell behind and got lost. Do you think you could show me the way out?"

Anya blinked and looked her up and down. "...I see. I suppose anyone foolish enough to refuse Lord Telix isn't what one could call bright. I'll take you to the entrance, but no further."

And Anya led Relma away through the halls of living wood. It was far too easy for Relma's liking, but she knew she was being taken away from the throne room. Was she leading Relma to where the girls were being transformed?

Come to think of it, she had seen Relma get captured. She probably knew that Relma was a particular case. At least Relma thought she was a special case. Damn it, Relma's story had more holes in it than she could have imagined.

At that moment, a group of werewolves came around the corner. They were werewolves, weren't they? But, whatever they were, they had several regular wolves with them, which snarled.

"Easy, all of you," said Anya. "We have a lost sheep here. I'm taking her to the entrance."

"How did she slip Rustoff's watch?" asked one of the men.

"Can you smell anything from her?" asked Anya.

They sniffed. "No."

"Precisely," said Anya. "Step aside."

Wait a minute, was Relma's plan working? Why would Anya play along? She must have been aware of Relma's situation. Unless she was foolish. But she didn't give that vibe. So, there must have been something else at work.

Either way, at least Relma had to play along until they reached the entrance.

"What was that you meant about my scent?" asked Relma.

Anya shrugged. "We can't smell people with the blood of angels in them. So you must have some holy blood in you."

"The wolves smelled me," noted Relma.

"Yes," said Anya. "That's because they don't have any demon blood in them." Suddenly, she drew very near. Her bloodstained lips were near Relma's ear. "I like your hair. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider? I'd like you as one of my broods."

There was a seductive compulsion put against Relma at that moment. Relma felt she would have found resisting hard if she'd been like others. But the separation was still there.

"No, thank you," said Relma.

"Are you sure you don't want me to bite you?" asked Anya. "Immortality. And a high place in the Black Marsh Brood. Your blood would ensure that."

Time to change the subject. "I thought it was Telix's brood."

Anya stepped back. "Brood is a term for those whom Telix or his children have turned. When one of us bites someone and puts out spit into the wound, they are transformed. They become a perfect fusion of wolf and mortal. Unfortunately, they are also brought under the will of the one who bit them."

"That sounds handy," said Relma. "How have you not taken over the entire world by now?"

Anya shrugged. "Well, the problem is that you must put part of yourself into them. Turning more than one creature in a year is dangerous. If done too much, it can leave you a weakened husk.

"Only Telix can turn more than one person in a year. And he only does it for truly remarkable cases.

"What's your name?"

Was it possible she genuinely didn't recognize Relma? It seemed too convenient. She couldn't answer with her real name. "Ralma." What a brilliant difference. No one would ever guess her true identity.

"Ralma?" asked Anya, looking up thoughtfully. "Hmm, similar name to that girl Ajax brought in."

"I'm no relation," said Relma.

"I'm sure," said Anya before putting a hand on the wall. It peeled aside to reveal a passage leading into a forest of massive trees. "This is the entrance. I'd better take you to the edge of the wood, though. If you were caught alone, you'd probably be thrown right back into prison."

That settled it. Anya was only taking her out into the forest to devour her. Or possibly turn her against her will. Or something else. There was no way anyone could be this stupid.

As they walked into the forest above, Relma kneeled down and picked up a large branch. She pretended to use it as a walking stick. Anya looked at her with raised eyebrows. "So, um, what's your name?"

"Anya," said Anya.

"Hey, uh, the names of the children of Telix seem to vary a lot, don't they?" asked Relma as they walked.

"How did you know I was one of his children?" asked Anya.

Relma blinked. It occurred to her naturally. Had it just been a wild guess? Or something more. "Well, you had this kind of aura. You seemed naturally more powerful, is all."

"Of course," said Anya, smiling slightly. "If you want to know, Father journeyed everywhere in his youth. He wrote down names he liked in a book and used them whenever he had a new child. Ajax, for instance, is a name from the continent of Themious."

Relma had never heard of that place. "What's that like?"

"It is ruled by women with extended lifespans and extraordinary strength," said Anya. "But to compensate, the men are all far weaker and timid. Or something to that effect." Then she stopped. "Here we are."

"Um, this isn't the edge of the woods," said Relma, tightening her grip on her stick.

"I'm well aware," said Anya. "You see, I lied. When you told me your name, I guessed who you really were. You're that Heir of Kings who Ajax has become obsessed with making his own."

"Guilty as charged," said Relma. "Why did you take me out here?"

"Well, obviously because I don't like Ajax," said Anya. "I don't like the way Father dotes on him. So I'm going to turn you now so that he can't. Even if he gets to marry you, it'll be a permanent reminder that I am the dominant-"

Relma hit her in the face with a stick. Anya flinched. Relma hit her again, and the stick broke. Anya blinked. "You're far less stupid than you let on. I planned to convert you as a pet, but you may be more than that."

"One question," said Relma, "Why did you make the offer earlier?"

"It would be even more humiliating for Ajax if you joined my brood willingly," said Anya. And then she surged forward. In one move, she had Relma's hands gripped. Her bloody lips peeled back to reveal fangs as she surged forward-

And then stopped. A blade was at her throat.

"Who are you?" asked Anya.

Relma looked up and saw Estela. The older girl was clad in chainmail and wearing a flowing blue cape. Her armor gleamed in the sunlight that fell through the trees. She smiled, looking at the very image of knighthood. "The Lady Estela at your service! Well, actually, a squire. But I suggest you let the girl go."

Anya let go of Relma's hands and flipped backward into the air before landing on a low-hanging tree branch.

"You really should leave while you can," said Estela, flourishing her blade.

Anya wiped the blood from her mouth. "You don't know much about the children of Telix, do you?"

Then she surged forward. Estela ducked under her lunge, only to be yanked off her feet by the cape. In a moment, Anya was on Estela's chest. Estela stabbed at her, but her hand was grabbed. Anya tried to bite her, but Estela caught her by the throat.

The two rolled on the ground in mortal combat. Both were able to gain an advantage over the other. Then Ronald came out of the trees and knocked Anya on the head with the back of a short sword.

Anya slumped forward, and Estela rose up, dusting herself off. "Thanks, Ronald. That was close. Are you all right, Relma?"

"Yes," said Relma. "But I hit her on the head with a stick. So why didn't that work?"

"That's the tricky thing about demons," said Estela. "Fighting them is half spiritual. So, a weapon that a smith worked tirelessly to create will be much more effective against them than a stick. Even if the stick is just as heavy.

"That's why paladins all wield swords. As weapons go, swords take the most work of any common weapon to create."

"I always wondered about that," said Relma. "But how did you two get here?"

"We came to rescue you, obviously," said Estela. "Ronald noticed you were gone that night and saw that wolf demon running off with you. He alerted me, and we came after you."

"The Steward gave you leave?" asked Relma in surprise.

"Erm... well, not really," said Estela. "We didn't actually tell anyone where we were going."

"What?" said Ronald. "But you said he gave permission!"

"I say a lot of things," said Estela. "I figured it would be an adventure."

"All of us could have died," said Ronald.

"I guess," said Estela. Then she looked at Anya. "Speaking of which, she's still alive, isn't she?" She pushed Anya's face up with one foot and raised her sword.

"Wait, don't kill her," said Relma.

Estela looked up. "Why not?"

"She's a daughter of Telix," said Relma. "If we kill her, Telix will go on a rampage. So we should tie her up and take her prisoner. Then we can trade her for the girls he had kidnapped."

"We don't have any rope," said Estela.

Ronald pulled out several lengths from his pack. "I do."

Estela blinked. "You do? Why?"

"Father always told me, 'Never travel without two lengths of rope. One to lose and one to use,'" said Ronald.

"Great," said Estela. "Let's use both."

They set about tying up Anya. They were Estela, who seemed to possess an intimate understanding of what to do. Several of the loops she made served less to restrain Anya. More to illustrate her helplessness.

Relma felt that Estela was enjoying this and decided to change the subject. "Oh, um, did you see my Aunt Pan while we were on our way back?"

"No," said Estela, tightening the last rope. "Why would we?"

"Well, I don't really want her to get back to Gel Carn and find me gone," said Relma. "It could end badly."

Estela shrugged. "Well, we're heading back now."

Then she slung the unconscious, bound werewolf over one shoulder and walked off.