Jake could not help but feel so alone. He felt relieved that he had returned to the castle and been able to finally rest from the nightmare he had endured. Now, right at this time, he was going back to hell again. The wolf had asked for him and Jandar had said yes. It had been nearly an hour and Jake was resting near the stairs, anger and frustration continuing to fester in his mind. He could only watch as many supplies were being loaded into waiting carts. The wolves, as promised, had released the prisoners and they had all returned safely. However, the wolves were not immediately placed into the custody that he wanted to see, and they remained where they were with no one guarding them. On top of that Jandar had left to oversee the distribution of the supplies and had not even heard Jake’s pleas and objections. Jake kneaded his his brow up and down, trying to calm the frustration within him. For now, all he had to do was wait for the inevitable of going back into the wolves’ pack. Nearby a horse nickered in place.
A few moments ticked by as the men gathered the final carts, along with all of the supplies which were carefully placed within. Rain was already inspecting them, making sure that nothing was misplaced or missing from the list she asked for. As she continued to examine each cart, Jandar walked up to Jake’s side and stood over him, his massive wings ever radiant from the late afternoon sun.
“It’s time,” Jandar said calmly. Jake only stared at him and Jandar recognized the gaze, the look of a man who had been disavowed and left to rot behind enemy lines. After a few moments Jake stood up and proceeded towards the carts. After taking a few steps, however, Jandar placed a hand on Jake’s shoulder, stopping him. “I know that you are troubled by this Jake, but please understand—”
“I understand perfectly, Jandar. You sent me off on a suicide mission without my own consent,” Jake said, his words bitter toward his leader.
“I know what I did was rash and to point,” Jandar admitted, “but it was the only way for her to gain our trust without making the situation worse with her.”
“Trust?” Jake interjected. “I thought I would be scott-free after this. I trusted you on many things, Jandar, but allowing her to take me without my say in the matter is downright foolish. You should have sent a force or at the very least called her bluff on the other hostages.”
Jandar’s eyed narrowed and a twinge of exasperation escaped him as he sighed. “I understand your concern and I know you have no choice in the matter, but you must understand. I would have eagerly sent a force to retrieve Drake and Sonlen. However, she may have already moved them to another location and we would be only tracking a cold trail. The moment we figure out one motive she already has made two more steps ahead of us. We can’t act without knowing everything she may have planned, her true motivations.
Jake turned away from him, disappointment still clouding his mind. He knew what Jandar spoke said was true and he knew that no matter what might be done now, the situation at hand could not be changed. He closed his eyes and he had no choice but to concede. Jandar noticed that he eased up, if only a little, and that comforted him. The two began walking toward the carts, where the wolves were already gathered; Rain being near the middle, they headed for her. As they moved, Jandar lowered his head slightly so that only Jake could hear him.
“Listen well Jake,” Jandar said, low and audible, “this task will test you. If you can accomplish the things that the wolf requires then you will have have dealt a blow to Utgar’s war machine but also gain new allies to fight for the cause. I believe in you Jake William Ross. I know you will not fail.”
Jake felt reassured from his leader’s words, but he knew that words would not be enough for the mind games that Rain would be playing on him. Whatever she had planned for him he only had one thought for, and that was to survive.
Jake and Jandar soon stopped in front of Rain, her stature still towering over Jake; she seemed very pleased that he was there. “Hello rabbit. Glad that you will be joining me in my ‘little’ undertaking.”
“I assume that your mass of self-esteem won’t burden me down like before.”
“Oh you are too kind little rabbit. If I recall I was quite kind to you but I’m sure you and I will be close friends when you get to know me,” Rain said cheekily.
“Says the one who defines ‘close’ as an invasion of personal space,” he said, referring to what happened the night before.
“I didn’t mind that at all my little pet,” she said in a reassuring tone and it made Jake more nervous; still it didn’t excuse the fact that his cheeks were slowly being flushed with red. Jandar cleared his throat and broke the small conversation between the two, clearly displeased that she continued to ignore him. Rain turned and eyed the leader and observed how heated he was.
“Aside from you taking Jake,” he said, while trying to include himself in the conversation, “I will also provide you with two Sentinels that will keep watch over him.” Jake turned to Jandar, a bit surprised that he would be provided with some support. Rain looked at him with a puzzled look, turning her head as might a curious dog, in a literal point of view. She then shrugged her shoulders and turned to the carts.
“I don’t have any need for them but they are welcome to join if they are willing,” she said without turning her back to address him. Jandar took the acknowledgment and called for two Sentinels. Jake recognized them as the two Kyrie that had rescued him near the village. Jake turned to thank Jandar but he merely shook his head and Jake knew that there was no need for thanks. The two sentinels made their way toward a large wagon that had two horses near the back of the convoy. Rain shook her head when she noticed the horses at the wagons.
“Those steeds will only get nervous when they get around us.” She looked to the head of the convoy and nodded. Two pairs of wolves were at each cart, and another pair on the last two wagons, and they began their slow march out of the capital; it surprised Jake to no end at how much strength the wolves had within them, as they pushed the heavy loads of supplies ever forward. Rain began moving to the middle wagon, with Jake trudging along. He looked back at Jandar who could only give a reassuring smile but it soon faded when another sentinel pulled him aside and returned to his duties. Jake turned back and saw that Rain was already inside the open wagon, driving the skittish horses ever forward. He began walking beside the middle wagon, along with several wolves who were marching alongside the convoy. By the numbers he could account for at least thirteen wolves spread along the convoy, including the five armored wolves that surrounded the wagon. One stood near Jake and the bronze armor alone intimidated him. The armored wolf looked at him and gave a small scowl, along with a low growl to Jake.
Jake continued to move forward, slowly passing the streets of cobblestone and passing by the stone buildings, with many onlookers watching them pass on by. Many of the people hid in their homes and some grabbed their children out of fear of the wolves’ prying eyes. It took them nearly thirty minutes before they reached the outside walls and the main road. Jake looked up and squinted when he saw the sun just over the horizon, painting the sky a warm orange and red hue. Jake turned to look back at the capital, its wall soon becoming more and more distant with each step he took. He could only wonder what would happen to him as he marched with the wolves. He turned and focused on the path in front of him, only thinking of how he would outlast the coming night. As he continued to move forward, contemplating what would happen to him, he noticed the wagon moving ahead slightly. He looked to see what was up but felt something he did not expect. A large paw, grabbing at the back of his shirt, lifted him up into the air, and placed him directly on a seat of the wagon. To his surprise, although as he imagined it would happen, it was Rain who held him up and placed him by her side.
“I guess I won’t get any warnings when I’m around you, won’t I?” he said, with little to no enthusiasm as Rain let go of him. She gave a small chuckle which made the horses more uneasy. Jake watched as Rain began to relax herself upon the wagon, while the horses continue to press on, still remaining on edge.
“I thought you needed some rest since it will be a long road ahead,” she said, trying to act if she was caring. Jake, once situated in the wagon, edged himself away from her, wary of whatever plans she had for him. He focused on what was ahead, the convoy of supplies. For the next few uncomfortable minutes the two remained silent, the only sound was that of the clip-clopping of the horses’ hooves.
“You know you need to relax more,” Rain said, breaking the silence. Jake was startled for a moment but made sure he didn’t lose his composure.
“Relax? Oh I’m relaxed… being surrounded by a bunch of wolves will make me completely relaxed,” he said in the most sarcastic tone he could think of. Rain only chuckled at the remark and continued to look forward.
“Oh I’m no threat to you so you should be all right, as long as you’re with me that is.” Her words were cunning, but seemed sincere. However, he was not about to trust her.
“That’s good to know, ” he said while trying to be snide with her, “I’ll be sure to keep myself away from you in case you try and put me on the ground again.” He looked forward again. “I swear I don’t even know what other twisted thoughts you might have in that head of yours.” Jake turned his head to see what Rain had to say, any witty remark or comeback that would make his day. Yet she remained silent. As he waited for her response he took notice of what was inside the wagon. He saw a large number of blankets and tents within the wagon, all stacked and neatly placed together, hugging against the walls of the wagon. There were also some crates he saw that contained ammo and food and that took up much of the space within the wagon leaving a small space in the middle. Jake shrugged and turned to peer off to the horizon and the setting sun.
“There are others,” Rain said, causing Jake to turn to her, “there are others who are much worse then me. They commit more terrible atrocities than anyone could comprehend. I’ve seen first hand what carnage and devastation those monsters do to an innocent village, where people lay dying and no one was there to save them.” Rain turned to Jake, her blue eyes piercing right at him. “Don’t compare me to those savages. I’m not a monster that would kill women and children.”
Jake was stunned, not by her demeanor or her appearance, but by the words she had spoken. He knew from experience that wolves would kill anyone that they saw. However, Rain’s words shed new light on who she was. Jake could only wonder what Rain might have gone through and what her past might contain. Jake soon looked forward and only looked on ahead, watching the sun beginning to set on the horizon.
“You should get some sleep, little rabbit,” Rain said without looking at him.
“I’m not tired. I’m still fine.”
“I don’t think you have the option.”
“What do you mea—” Jake turned to say when he suddenly felt a weight on his left side. He turned and saw one of the armored wolves getting in the seat next to him; with the sun setting and the light glancing off the armor, the wolf appeared all the more menacing. Before he could react to the wolf he felt a direct blow at the back of his neck. His body staggered slightly before falling backwards and into Rain’s arms. She then lifted him and went into the back of the wagon, placing his body in the middle of the wagon. She grabbed a blanket and placed it underneath his head to ease him.
“Sleep now. For you will need the strength.”
Those were the last words he heard before his mind drifted to sleep.
***
Utgar’s borders, secret location…
“I’m glad you arrived, my friend.” A voice pierced the darkness of a small room, where two figures commenced in discussion. The only light was from a small candle that burned with a green light. “Are the new creatures you spoke of ready yet?”
The other figure, cloaked in black, shook his head slightly.
“No my lord. The creatures have not been tested thoroughly enough but they are a strong build; they will serve slightly better than their undead brethren.”
“I see.” The first figure spoke and turned to an open window; the moon was ascending into the sky and shining its light for all to see. He watched from high above a large courtyard, were castle walls reached well over twenty meters. Watching from his vantage point, he looked on in approval at the new creatures at work. They moved and reacted much faster than their counterparts. Some stood well over six feet in height but most of them were hunched over, making them all the more menacing. When they moved they didn’t lumber as the lesser undead and that speed is what made them more deadly.
“And what of your pawn?” the first figure asked. The second gave a gleaming smile, showing rows of sharp teeth.
“They have no idea that it will be one of their own that will bring their kind to extinction.”
A low chuckle escaped from him as the figure remained where he was, smiling at his companion’s devious works.
“Excellent,” he said, very pleased by the progress that had been made. “The meeting will commence in three months, when the moon is full. From there, the wolves and their kin shall face our true wrath and Utgar will not be the wiser.” The figure turned back to his companion, revealing a pale face and bright red eyes.
“You have done well, Alucard. If everything falls into place, the wolves will finally be eradicated and you shall be ranked as a Count amongst my inner circle.”
The second figure, Alucard, lifted his head and his bright red eyes gleamed with much appreciation.
“And I shall have their bloodline ended for all eternity.”