Chapter 232 - Goodbye to peace (1/2)
Lyko chuckled wolfishly as he shook his head in amus.e.m.e.nt while trotting along the familiar cliff's edge. He had caught a glimpse of a red tail and pale fawn one disappearing into the wood line soon after the two groups had made it back, but it was now time to begin the last portion of the celebration and it was important that the two focal guests were present. He made sure his steps would be audible from a distance as he searched for his son and the princess, not wanting to find them unannounced. {Ah, young love...} The massive black wolf sighed as he recalled the first time he'd ever seen Reighley. Unlike Ales and Cam, they hadn't met until the day of their marriage. Though the following ceremony was very similar to the one tonight it hadn't felt quite the same. The air had been charged with tension from both packs as they came together for the first time making it more nerve-wracking for Lyko to lead the merging group... But his Reighley had taken charge nearly immediately, standing proudly and with confidence before her group giving him the drive to do the same. Her group had won out against his as well, and though he should had felt otherwise he couldn't help the swell of pride and admiration as he watched her accept the spoils of the hunt from Artemis.
When she had pranced proudly over to him to show off her win, he had to fight hard against the urge to claim her as his right there in front of the entire gathering. Instead, he'd done what was expected of him throughout the night and into the first several years of their marriage. It wasn't until sometime later that he'd finally let down his guard letting the love of his life know just how much she meant to him and how grateful he'd been to call her his.
His wolfish smile widened as movement nearby caught his ear. He envied their closeness, their ability to be so much to each other. It would make them an unstoppable pair in and out of the embraces of love. And the girl had definitely shown her abilities to lead tonight, as had Ales. They both were born for these roles and neither was afraid to show it. It was only natural that the high of such an exciting night would lead them to seek... other pleasures. When branches rattled and parted nearby, Lyko moved his attention from his thoughts and the familiar cliffside path to the tree line. Though the site caught him by surprise, he was still overjoyed. He quickly shifted to human form. ”Fern, you've made it! You missed an excellent hunt tonight, my boy! You would have been so impressed with your brother's leadership skills. They are not quite as refined as your own, but impressive still for his first time. With a little guidance, I have no doubt he will match your skills in no time.
The dark greyish brown wolf held his gaze as it drew closer. When Fern was within arm's length of his father, he finally shifted. His barely masked irritation was evident in the bite of his words. ”I'm glad to hear my skill will be so easily replaced, Father.” He let his eyes wander over the edge of the cliff where the ocean lapped violently some 500 meters below. ”I do hate I missed it though.” He said as he moved his attention back to his father who had joined him at the edge of the cliff.
Lyko watched the moonlight glistening off the waves below. ”I know this isn't easy for you, but I'm pleased you have come, nonetheless. Your mother will also be pleased to see you made it. She was worried when you never showed.”
”Ah too bad then that she'll never know I have arrived...” Fern turned a devious glare to his father as a sardonic smile curved his lips. ”After all, I do hate worrying mother.” He shifted quickly shoving hard against his father's massive shoulders, throwing the king off balance. Before the king was able to regain his balance Fern kicked out with a forceful kick to the king's bare chest causing him to topple over the edge of the cliff. Fern walked closer to the edge holding his father's confused, frantic gaze as he plummeted rapidly to the rocky beach some 1600 plus feet below. Fern stared down at the tangled, crumpled heap of his father's body for several long minutes until he was sure the king wouldn't be making a supernatural recovery. Brushing the palms of his hands together as he spat over the edge, Fern murmured. ”Now to hurry back to Uni before my absence is missed. I can't have anyone suspecting me if I plan to first claim my place as a supportive and helpful beta to our now young, inexperienced king... It would be extremely hard to make sure he meets the same fate and I take his place if I'm found out... wouldn't you agree, Father?” Fern said, snarling his lips as he took one last look at his father's crumpled body before moving away from the cliffs and shifting back into a wolf.
Current day, Poseidon's palace
Arei found it hard to concentrate on the conversation in the room as his gaze continued to move to Jos's troubled expression. Prometheus was going over the next steps of the upcoming sentencing, advising Poseidon on his best chances of moving forward if he sought the best possible outcome for his new ward. ”The prompters will be turned on shortly. If you would like to take a short break and speak privately before the sentencing begins, now would be the time.” He said as he lifted from the comfortable office chair and moved toward the door.
Poseidon nodded, ”You know your way around here well enough. If you'd like to go downstairs and help yourself to a beverage or snack, go right ahead. I'll meet you down there in a few seconds. I do have a few things to discuss with my son and Jos, here; but then I'll leave the rest of the time to them.” He sent his son a knowing look. ”I assume since it will be the two of them primarily together for her lengthy sentence, then it should be them to work out the arrangements, not I.”
Prometheus nodded and turned the knob of the door. Before he stepped out of the room he paused and turned back to Jos. ”I do advise finding a way to make yourself useful to the council. It can be the difference between a harsh, lengthy imprisonment and a shorter, more lax one.”
Jos sent Arei a troubled glance before turning her attention back to Prometheus and nodding. ”We'll take that into advis.e.m.e.nt, thank you.”