The Red Forest truly lived up to its name in the setting sun. The fall leaves were illuminated in the light showing their true colors of red and orange. As Caerwyn approached the forest, he started to get restless knowing what large manor rested just on the edge of the tree line. He sat up straighter on his horse, adjusting his cloak. The autumn wind was chilly, but he suddenly felt overly warm. Everything about the area around him brought back memories. Even the smell of the damp earth and leaves took him away to someplace deep in the forest where he remembered loving Eleri.
He slowed his horse to a trot as the tree line got closer and closer. Something wasn't sitting right with him, and it wasn't just the feelings that remembrances of loving Eleri had stirred up in him. He felt as though he was being watched. His flesh had pimpled up, and the wolf within him had risen to the surface, ready to be unleashed. It would take less than five seconds for him to leap off his horse and shift.
A low growl sounded within his throat, and he thought of turning back and going around a different way. It would take days to avoid the Red Forest, but if any guards of Lord Fellen were up ahead, he could be in trouble even in his wolf form. He was still deciding when he heard the hoof beats to his left come towards him. He worked hard to keep himself under control, knowing he didn't need to shift until he was absolutely sure he was in danger. It would do no good to scare or harm some ordinary tradesmen making their way home.
Still, Caerwyn readied himself as his grip on the reins tightened. He slowed his horse, even more, waiting to see who was coming for him. He didn't have to wait long. Soon a group of men on horseback emerged from the forest, but they were not in the deep green of Lord Fellen's forces. They all wore red and gold, marking them as men of Lord Cadwin.
Caerwyn drew up his horse as the group moved in front of him.
"Greeting, Bright One," said a tall man with light brown hair in front of the group. "We have been charged in seeing you to the manor of Lord Cadwin."
Caerwyn grunted. "How did he even know I was passing this way?"
"The great lord has many ways of keeping up with those he wishes in the land. Now, come with us, Bright One. You will not be harmed as you well know."
Caerwyn wanted to do just about anything other than to go see Eleri's father. He might have taken fighting off a force of Lord Fellens over speaking with Lord Cadwin, but he saw no way around it.
"Do not resist," said another man in the group. "You are riding on roads provided and maintained by Lord Cadwin. We are well in our rights to take you forcefully."
Caerwyn chuckled low. "You think you could do it? Why don't you find out for yourself?"
"That will not be necessary," said the man in front as he threw a look at the one who had spoken. "The Bright One is a friend of Lord Cadwin's. Their families have long been connected. He will enjoy seeing our lord and resting in the manor."
"I'm not sure how much I'll enjoy it, but I will go with you. Even I cannot disobey Lord Cadwin," said Caerwyn. He moved his horse ahead, weaving around the men in front of him.
"We will escort you," said the leader.
Caerwyn looked over his shoulder. "There is no need. I know the way very well." He cleared the men and urged his horse to go faster, giving the beast his head. They flew over the grounds and into the trees, going left to where Caerywn knew the large estate rested.
He rode to the gate which was opened for him once he was recognized. As he neared the manor, he could hear the group of guards coming behind him. He looked up at the impressive white stone home and a thousand images of Eleri came to his mind, foremost the look on her face as she left his room the last night he had spent with her. It had taken everything within him to pull away from her that night. Everything in him wanted to mark her as his own, and it took an enormous amount of power that he thought might have come straight from the gods themselves for him to let her go before he claimed her.
She said she knew he loved her. Though he had never said it out loud or even admitted it to himself, he knew she was correct. He wasn't overly familiar with love in any form, but what he felt for her was so strong it must have been some form of love.
He pulled up under a large portico, jumping off his horse and handing it off to a waiting servant. He paid no mind to the guards that were arriving as he walked up to the front door that opened for him. He expected to find the housekeeper or some upper-level servant to receive him, but instead, Lord Cadwin himself stood in the entry hall.
"Lord Cadwin," said Caerwyn with a bow. "I have come as you requested."
"So, I see," said Lord Cadwin looking over Caerwyn. He was a tall man who was towards the end of his fourth decade. He still looked strong and barely had any grays in his dark brown hair. His green eyes, though not as bright as Eleri's, still unsettled Caerwyn. "Why don't you come with me to my study. I am sure you could use a drink before we see to feeding you some supper."
"I will come to your study, but you do not need to go to such lengths as to feed me. I will hear what you have to say and go on."
"It is getting late, and I am sure you need a rest. You will eat and rest here for the night. I insist upon it."
Caerwyn tried not to sigh. He wanted to hear what the lord had to say and get out of the house. No good could come from Caerwyn staying in the manor any longer than necessary. Every smell and corner brought back a new memory for him. Ones he wanted to suppress. "Let me hear what you have to say, my lord, and we will discuss supper after."
Lord Cadwin nodded as Caerwyn took off his cloak. He handed to a servant near him and followed the lord to his study that was just past the stairs down a hall. Once he was in the room, he waited to see where Lord Cadwin would have him sit.
"Have a seat in front of the fireplace. You must be chilled riding out in this weather," said Lord Cadwin as he poured some dark liquor into two cups.
Caerwyn paused for a moment looking down at the two large cushioned chairs in front of the fireplace. A certain evening came to his mind. One where the lord had been away from the house for a few days, and Caerwyn and Eleri had spent a long evening by the fire. Shaking his head slightly, he slipped down into the comfortable chair as Lord Cadwin walked over handing him a drink.
"You do not need to appear so nervous, Bright One. I am not going to hurt you or even scold you." He chuckled a little. "You always struck me as older than your years, but today you appear even younger than you are."
Caerwyn shifted in his seat. "Our last conversation was not friendly, my lord. I am certain your feelings for me have not changed."
Lord Cadwin sat down heavily and took a drink. "I was harsher than I needed to be. I do not think ill of you, Caerwyn. I never have. I was only concerned for my daughter. I become a little ferocious when it comes to protecting Eleri."
"I have not gone near her. Just like you asked."
"Except for about eight moon cycles ago I hear. You were in my house while I was away." He smiled as Caerwyn sighed. "My servants are very loyal to me but do not think I am going to needle you about any time you spend with my daughter. She is a grown woman, and she makes her own decisions."
"I have not seen her since. I let her know for sure where we both stood. What she wants is impossible."
"What do you want, Caerwyn?" Lord Cadwin sat back in his chair. "I don't want to hear about your duty or what your father has told you to say. I want to hear what you really want."
He wanted Eleri. He had for a long time now. He wanted her completely. Every part of him demanded she become his, but it could not be. "It does not matter what I want. All that matters is what has to be. I cannot marry or have children. Even if Lady Eleri does not fulfill the full prophecy, I could never give her all she desires and needs."
"I never disapproved of you for Eleri, Caerwyn. I believe you are an honorable man who would do everything he could to see my daughter safe. I only wished you to stay away from her because I knew you would never have the courage to truly be with her. You would never go against tradition or your father, even for a woman you love."
"You call me a coward?" Caerwyn drained his cup. "I know my duty sir, and I must see it through. I represent an unbroken line of Bright Ones for over one hundred generations. We have kept the line of king's safe. If it wasn't for my uncle, you never would have saved the prince."
"Why would having a brave, intelligent woman at your side keep you from your duty? I rather think she would make you a better man."
"I could never devote the time and attention a woman like her deserves. How could I serve my king and keep him safe, knowing my heart would belong to another? If I truly bonded myself with Eleri, she would come before everything, even my king. I could never truly be the Bright One if I let anything distract me, especially love. Besides, your daughter has her own duty, and she will have to see it through to fulfill the prophecy. You must know this."
"I will not argue you with you, Caerwyn. All you have done is prove my point. If you truly feel as you do, you should leave Eleri alone, though you will not be able to avoid her. If all went well on her journey, she is already in residence with the prince. I take it you are heading there now."
"I am. I would have been there earlier, but it took me a few weeks to get the information on the prince's whereabouts."
"You should have come to me." Lord Cadwin laughed. "I should take it as a compliment that the Bright One is scared of me, I suppose."
"You act as though you are not known for your strength and skills, my lord. I have heard tales of your battles."
"It is all in the distant past. I am happy to pass on any shows of strength to you. This leads me to my request. It is why I have looked for you and called you here."
"What would you have me do, my lord?" Caerwyn knew there was some surprise in his voice.
"No matter what you choose, I know you care for Eleri. You wish her to be safe and happy."
"I do. I wish for it more than anything in this land."
Lord Cadwin pulled a small scroll out of his pocket. "You should read that then."
Caerwyn took it and unrolled it. As he read it he felt his face warm, and his wolf growl from within him. "Lord Fellen wants to get his hands on Eleri?"
"According to the spies I have in the city, it has become an obsession of his. He has heard the prophecy, and he believes having my daughter by his side will solidify his right as ruler. If I had received this scroll before she left, I would have kept her here. This manor is well enchanted with her and her mother's old spells. It is hard to find for those who are not welcomed. At least she is in another place my dear wife warded before her demise."
Caerwyn barely heard what the lord was saying. Lord Fellen wanted Eleri, his Eleri. Caerwyn abruptly stood up and walked closer to the fireplace. His wolf spoke to him. Go now. Claim her. Keep her safe.
"So you can see why I am concerned Caerwyn, and I know it isn't fair to ask you this, but I was hoping you could keep a close watch on Eleri."
Caerywn looked at Lord Cadwin. "What do you mean keep a close watch on her? Have you sent word to her of this news?"
"I have not yet. You may tell her when you see her, but you know it will do no good. My daughter thinks little of her own safety over others. She will continue to worry about the prince and land more than herself. I know you have a duty to our prince, but I also know you care for Eleri. All I am asking is that you watch over her when you can. Make sure she is not alone. Try to keep her from doing something foolish."
Caerwyn gave a small, quiet laugh. "You think anyone can tell your daughter what to do? How successful have you been over the years."
"Not very. If she listened to me, you and I would not be so awkward with each other, and you would not be dreading your trip to the Haven's manor. You would probably already be there." Lord Cadwin finished his drink. "I am not asking you to do the impossible. I am only asking you to try to help keep her safe. My head guard, Aron is there with her, and you know he will do all he can to keep her from harm, but I fear it is not enough. I would feel better knowing you were watching her. I have a feeling if anyone tried to harm or take my daughter, you would make sure they were not successful."
Caerwyn sighed. It was true that his instincts would not let him ignore a threat to Eleri. His wolf was agitated at just the thought of someone touching her, but he had planned to keep his distance from the woman. She was the one temptation in life he had failed at conquering. "I will do as you ask, Lord Cadwin, as much as she will let me. She may wish me to leave her be, and I will respect her wishes."
"You could still keep an eye on her from afar. You will know before anyone if something is amiss. The prince will travel to the north temple soon to receive the goddess's blessings. I know you will go along, and I have a feeling so will my daughter. It is customary for the First Advisor to be there at the blessing, and as much as she hesitates at tradition, she will want to prove she is up to the task in her role."
Caerwyn nodded. "I want nothing to happen to your daughter. The land needs her, and our prince will need her." A voice inside of him whispered that he needed her as well.
"Good. Now come share supper with me. With Eleri gone, I am all alone. I am a man who prefers company. I promise the conversation will be much different. I am sure you have things to tell me about what is happening in the land, and I know there are some things you will want to hear from me."