n

n

nDawn suppressed her body's tremors as best as she could in order for her to sit there. She looked at Daryn who was looking like a God with so many glittering pixies sitting in a circle on his head and shoulders. She turned her head to watch other werewolves, but no pixies were on them. Instead they illuminated the pathway in front of them. And Brantley – well most of the pixies sat on him and his white stallion.

nShe was entranced. She stared at them, admiring them, secretly wishing to catch them.

"Daryn, how do you know Brantley?

" she asked casually. Since Brantley was riding just in front of them and apart from the sound of the hooves of the horses, it was very quiet, she kept her voice to a whisper.

n

"The shaman had introduced him to all of us about five years back. We had always heard of stories about his ancestors as to how they joined us for the Ulfric, so yes, we had an idea who he was. For the past five years he has been attending every Ulfric. And in fact he looks forward to it. All these pixies—they started appearing when he showed up. We were just as stunned as you are right now. But we all got used to him. He is a nice man, but like a king—has integrity and looks like a legend, like he has a lot of history behind him.

"

nDawn saw Brantley's back. He seemed very mysterious to her. And that tattoo… She had many questions in her mind, and she needed answers.

"How old is he?

" she asked. He appeared no older than Daryn.

n

"I think around thirty,

" he replied with a doubt.

n

"Is he married? Where's his wife?

"

n

"No, he isn't married. One of the reasons why he comes to Ulfric is that he might find his mate here.

"

n

"Mate?

" Dawn sounded shocked. Her eyebrows raised and her voice rose.

"Is he a werewolf too?

"

nDaryn left Izar's leash and pulled her ear slightly from behind.

"Keep it low.

"

n

"Ouch! Sorry,

" she took her tongue out.

n

"I told you in the beginning that Ulfric sees people from various realms—those who never come to the real world. Brantley is one of them.

"

n

"So what is he?

" she had to ask. Was he a weredragon?

nDaryn sighed.

"I don't know. He has never revealed and none of us has asked.

" He is too mystic. Every time he appears from that pool when I am crossing it. It's like he knows that I will cross it at that time. The Yardraks work for him. I have heard that they are his messengers, so it is possible that they pass the message about me to him and he appears just in time to catch me.

"

n

"That's scary Daryn,

" Dawn said. Why would Brantley want to spear only in front of him?

"You should be careful of the Yardraks.

"

nDaryn shrugged.

"I have nothing against them. Besides, over the years I have developed good relations with Brantley, so I am not bothered about Yardraks.

"

n

"Hmm,

" Dawn said but she wasn't convinced. Her focus went to the pixie who was sitting on her braid. She smiled and suddenly more pixies joined. They all sat on her braid in a line and appeared like shiny pins.

"You are beautiful,

" she said very softly.

nThe pixies bowed.

n

"Thank you Daryn,

" she looked up and whispered as she held his arms,

"for letting me in your beautiful world.

"

nDaryn took a deep breath and kissed her over the head.

"No darling, thank you for being my mate.

"

nThe ground on which the cavalcade was traveling was pretty empty with only a few shrubs and lonely trees growing in the distance. The moonlight shone brilliantly and the pixies illuminated the path. They had traveled on that path for an hour when Dawn caught smells of fresh pines, water and damp wood.

"Are we about to enter a forest?

"

n

"Yes, we are about to enter Asoldoth Forest. Ulfric is situated right in its center.

"

nDawn nodded.

"How much longer?

"

n

"By the sunrise, at the crack of dawn, we will be there,

" he replied and kissed over her head.

"My sunshine,

" he murmured.

nThe forest was serene. The darkness loomed large over the winding path that was lined with beech, pines and silver birches that were tangled in a thick weave as if throttling the trickle of moonlight that was trying to find its way through. As they traveled through it, Dawn heard the sound of tinkling water, a stream that must be gushing nearby. Every time she turned to look, she only found shimmering pixies. They passed through a small pond that was nestled around a large canopy with gurgling water. A strong waterfall fed it. Chattering of animals sounded. The forest appeared old, as if standing there for thousands of years. Dawn could feel something moving along with them. She could feel it inside her bones. Her breath became tight. It reminded her of Quetz. She wanted him to be by her side.

nWhile she was thinking about Quetz, she heard light commotion behind. She turned around and peeped from Daryn's shoulder. A smile spread on her lips when a large number of pixies flew along with the horse who was trotting and everyone gave him a way to move forward.

"Gayle is here,

" she said as excitement ran through her. Finally someone she knew.

nThe rider came closer.

"Hello Dawn!

" Gayle said calmly.

n

"Gayle!

" she clasped her hands as a huge smile erupted on her lips.

n

"Father,

" Daryn acknowledged.

n

"Have you prepared your Rede'vota?

" Gayle asked with a frown.

nDaryn pursed his lips and nodded. Every time he thought of Rede'vota, he wished that Dawn would accept it. His grip on the leash tightened.

n

"Great!

" Gayle said and then rode towards Brantley. The two rode side by side for the rest of the journey. They talked a lot. Dawn tried to listen to them, but it was indecipherable. She yawned and once again went off to sleep. Daryn sat up straight to hold her and make it comfortable for her. She slumbered into her dreams of flying on Quetz over River Lifye.

n

"Wake up sunshine,

" a voice disturbed her.

"We've reached the Ulfric.

"

nShe sprung up and saw that dawn was breaking. The sky was still periwinkle, splashed with hues of violet and red tones that was reminiscent of the night. They had reached a large clearing. Soft grassy knolls sprawled across the clearing bathed in soft golden light as the sun started its ascent cresting over the trees.

nDawn looked around and inhaled deep. The fresh grassy smell refreshed her.

nDaryn dismounted the horse, held its leash and walked across a knoll at the side of which were a few hutments—their temporary place of stay. When they reached, he helped Dawn hop off. Every part of her body was aching. A porter came and took Izar away who also needed rest. Daryn held Dawn's hand and walked inside. The place looked ancient on the façade with weathered oak wood walls and crafted doors and windows. But when they walked inside, Dawn was surprised. She heard doorbells ringing as the guests closed and opened the doors of their rooms. Men and women were cheering or criticizing each other. There was laughter, swearing and lighthearted arguments. Hiss of beer cans and squeaks of leather upholstery could be heard.

nDawn noticed that some of them stared in her direction the moment she entered. She lowered her eyes and wound her hand over Daryn's arms.

n

"Welcome. Your room is ready, Daryn,

" the man sitting across the counter said flatly. He handed a key to him.

n

"Thanks,

" Daryn replied curtly and walked with Dawn through a winding pathway to a cottage that was standing alone surrounded by thick trees. He opened the door with the key. It was a small room with an attached bathroom and a very small bed. The window was covered with thick blue curtains and the entire upholstery was of various hues of blue.

nAs soon as Dawn saw the bed, she squealed, ran to it and plopped over it.

"I am going to sleep!

" she declared.

nAmidst protests, Daryn picked her up and took her to the bathroom. He opened her clothes and said,

"Take a bath. You stink!

"

nShe didn't know when but soon she was sleeping next to him. When she woke up, it was afternoon. Daryn wasn't there. She got up and found a note on the side table.

"Don't come out. Stay in. I will come to get you for the evening festivities. Everything you need is going to be provided in the room.

"

nDawn frowned at the 'stay in'. Why couldn't she go out? But then she wasn't in the mood to, so she went off to sleep. A loud thud on the outside woke her up with a start. It was as if something had crashed. She heard claws scratching the wall outside. She walked up to the wall where she heard the noise and touched it.

"Daryn?

" she called out. The noise only increased. It was 7PM and the night was slowly creeping. It was going to be a full moon night. A nasty growl made her hair stand on her neck.

"Who— who is there?

"

n