Leo and Heidi

Sternenberg, Switzerland

“The hell is going on?” Evan asked, after hearing the howl, looking through the windows wide-eyed. Not that he could see anything, as the fields around them were not lit and only moonlight cast some light to clear up their surroundings, making everything seem eerie.

Seb did not answer straight away, and drove the car slowly ahead, having closed the window. Then he said, “I thought you were some special mud, boy. After you bragged about your career as a grunt. Thought your old man trained you better than this.”

“He did not train me for this shit,” Evan said, looking at Seb seriously. “Magic missiles, that is one thing. Driving around in the woods in the middle of the night among supposed werewolves is another.”

“Oh, come on! Grow a pair, Evan,” Heidi snapped and hit the back of his head. Evan looked back at her, rubbing his head but said nothing. They drove on for a few more minutes in silence. Everyone thought their own version of how to handle the events that were about to unfold. Then Seb pulled up to a circular driveway. The only two lights were next to the large wooden columns, by the sides of a large oak door, that lead inside the manor they pulled up to.

Seb took a second to glance at everyone, reminding them with a stare that he will be the one to talk, and opened his door to get out of the car, everyone following suit. The door of the manor suddenly burst open and a man appeared in the doorway. He looked to be in his fifties and wore simple jeans and a shirt. Same as the person or werewolf they met at the gate, the man was nearing three meters in height and was powerfully built. His face was riddled with small scars and his gaze held weight as if having seen hundreds of battles.

The man exited the manor fully and walked down the stairs to meet Seb, who had walked up to them, everyone else in tow. Seb paused for a second and said, “Good evening, Alpha Peter.”

The man looked at him as if evaluating and responded in a deep voice, “Evening indeed, Sebastian Aer. What brings you and your small entourage to my doorstep? You know the agreement - your kind is not welcome on my lands.”

“I know, Alpha, and I deeply apologize. But the matter is dire and we did not know of any other place to go to. No doubt you have heard the talk on the Church channels?” Sebastian asked, raising an eyebrow.

“On the contrary. I have heard nothing. They are keeping suspiciously silent,” he responded and focused his gaze on the kids behind Sebastian. Taking a deep breath, he sniffed and his eyes widened, catching the scent of a free mage among them. A scent he had not sensed outside his territory for over five hundred years. One that reminded him of someone.

“I see,” he followed up, evaluating everyone. “Let’s not talk in the open. Follow me inside,” he said and walked back up the stairs, not bothering to send an escort or make the mages walk before him. Even if they chose to ambush him, there was not much threat they posed to him, based on his pack size and the bonds they shared.

Seb nodded to everyone and followed silently up the wooden stairs inside the manor. Contrary to the entrance, the hallway they entered was modern and beautifully made. Plush rugs decorated the polished wooden floor, while the walls were painted white with white wallboards decorating them. Numerous paintings hung around the walls, giving the seemingly new hallway an older feel.

Leo walked behind Seb and marveled at the sight around him, before the scent of roasted beef and potatoes hit his nose, reminding him that he was famished. As on cue, his stomach chose to growl loudly and he wondered if anyone heard that. At the same time, Peter looked behind him, with a touch of a smile on the corner of his mouth, and said, “Dinner will be served shortly. Come, let’s discuss.”

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Their small group quietly obeyed and followed the Alpha deeper into the manor, arriving at a large dining room. The room had a large oak table in the middle of it, able to seat more than twelve people, with silver candle holders providing the light. Peter sat at the head of the table and gestured to his right, for Seb. He obliged, pulling Heidi closer to him, and sat down. Leo moved to sit next to Heidi, when Peter interrupted in his deep voice by saying, “No. You boy come and sit on my left.”

Leo cast a glance at Seb for a second and not seeing any reaction, moved to oblige, pulling Evan with him. Once everyone was seated, Peter began, “So, Sebastian Aer. What brings you and, I presume, your niece Heidi to my doorstep in the middle of the night?”

“I will be frank, Alpha. Trouble,” Seb said, smiling slightly at the large werewolf, who was grinning now at him.

“Trouble you say? I cannot imagine what trouble your clan might have caused, given your pacifist nature. Or is it the free mage pup here, you have managed to drag with you,” he said, gesturing at Leo, who looked at the brick sized hand, pointing his way.

Seb decided to lay it out to the werewolf, knowing that he could smell a lie, and said, “If you have not heard anything from the Church, it means that we hit it worse than I thought before coming here. They are hunting us, Peter. Plain and simple. Viktor has been taken hostage by Bishop Leonard, who no doubt you remember.”

The large Alpha growled slightly at the mention of the Bishop and touched the scar running over his eye, saying, “How could I not? That brat Leonard is still alive and kicking I understand?”

“Yes, though I do not know for how long. We had a little fight before coming here. That fight is the reason we came here. The clan is in ruins. The Church has no doubt taken it over by now, with the help of that little Inpes wench. We are on our own.”

“And what caused this change in leadership?” Peter asked, eyeing everyone at the table, noting the distinct smell of one simple human and one very young free mage. That one smelled wrong. Too much power in a too-young core. Curious.

“Simple. Heidi went on a little sojourn to the pagan lands and as if by fate discovered Leo here,” Seb said, pointing to Leo's direction, before continuing. “This encounter led to a series of events that brought Leo to Germany, to our estate in Berlin, before it all went to shit for them. The Church attacked our estate, in a desperate attempt to catch Leo, being what he is. Though, I doubt that they knew at the time. They do now.” Alpha nodded at him and beckoned to continue, seeing where this was going.

“Being smart as she is, Heidi escaped and brought both of them to Speyer, where I was searching you can imagine for what.”

“Alea’s cabin, no doubt,” he said slowly.

“Yes. And I found it,” Seb nodded. “All would have been well, but shortly they found us.”

“Their sleepers, I assume,” the Alpha commented.

“Yes, most likely. The Bishop was eager. Too eager even. He came without his support and tried to handle matters on his own. We stood our ground. Now we are here, with no other place to go,” Seb finished.

Peter looked at him and knew that the old mage was not lying. As crafty as mages were, the Aer had proven to be fine people over the years, helping his pack in subtle ways, honoring centuries-old agreements. “What is it that you seek?” he asked, interested in what he had in mind.

Seb felt his shoulders relax a bit, and said, “First - sanctuary. We kindly ask for your and your pack’s protection from the Church.” Peter nodded and Seb continued, “Next, we want to plan for what is to come. I am sure you can imagine?” he asked cryptically, not willing to go into details with Leo present.

Peter caught on to him and nodded, “Yes. But let’s discuss that later. Let me say that I am glad you came to me and did not try to handle this matter on your own. As I said, the Church has been oddly quiet as of late and that is concerning. They are holding their breath as if before a storm. I am interested to see where it will hit. No doubt you covered your tracks coming here, yes?”

Seb nodded and said, “Yes, of course. I imagine we will talk more on the matter later this evening?”

Peter nodded in agreement. “Indeed. But now, let’s enjoy the evening with you as my honored guests,” he said louder and the double doors behind them burst open, with waiters bringing in trays of roasted meats, large plates with vegetables, and rows of glasses.

Leo looked around baffled at the activity that sprung up seemingly out of nowhere and was glad that food was brought out. The covering of the table was over in a flash and they were joined by three other guests, two males, and one female. The female was eyeing Leo warily.

“Let’s enjoy ourselves,” Peter said with a grin, and ripped off a log from a whole roasted boar..