Andor.
The day for the meeting with the werewolf council came. I felt better leaving Edmund behind if anything happened while I was away. Ivar and I were to journey east to king Bjorn's kingdom to attend my first meeting with the werewolf council.
Iris had been nervous all week. She refused to leave my side, going everywhere I went. She even assisted me in solidifying the defences for the pack. Edmund, who was happy to train Iris in close combat fighting, hated that I wanted him to stay behind.
We watched as the builders were re-constructing the rear ls. Edmund went on about various reasons he should come along.
"I can be of use to you, Lord." Said Edmund.
"I know," I answered.
"I have never met one, but I am sure that I can handle a vampire." He continued. "I am of more use to you in the field, protecting you."
I laughed. "They are pretty fast, you know. And if they had silver, they could fatally wound you before you made a move."
His forehead creased.
"I have a question for you," I said.
"What is it?" He replied.
"Would a man leave someone he doesn't trust to take care of his family?" I said.
"No." He answered.
"I leave you here with them because I can trust you with my life. My family are my life, and you are the only one I trust to protect them while I handle this business." I explained.
The corners of his mouth turned up.
"I'll protect your family with my life," Edmund said.
"I know. If anything happens, and you see that the battle Can't be won, take them and flee."
He nodded back at me.
The workers were almost finished with the job, and all that was remaining was for me to say goodbye to my mother and iris before I set sail east. I was inexperienced in the art of sailing, but Ivar was a professional. He led most of the expeditions that my father went on, and he was knowledgeable about building boats. If we were to get to Bjorn's kingdom in a day or less, it was wise to take a ship. Bjorn's kingdom was also on a trading route, so it was a common way for people to visit his kingdom.
I was not too fond of sailing. The idea of drowning was something that I was scared about. I was a good swimmer, but I had heard countless stories about men drowning at sea. For some reason, it sent chills down my spine.
Ivar wanted us to sail at night and reach Bjorn's kingdom by morning. It was a surreal experience, and there would be no storms that would end our lives. I looked forward to the experience, but I had to tell my family a proper goodbye.
I found Iris in my room. She sat on the bed with her hands folded across her chest.
I kneeled in front of her. "What is wrong?" I asked.
She turned her face away from me.
"Talk to me," I said.
"My father used to say something before he went into battle. He would insist that it was proper for a warrior to say goodbye to his family correctly because it could be the last time they see.
I sighed.
"I was thinking about this, and I realised that this might be the last time I see you." She began again.
"That's a negative way to look at things," I said
"I know. But, I can't help but wonder." She replied.
"Everything would be fine," I said with a smile.
"The last time you dealt with one of the kings from that council, He dumped his baggage on you, and now you're enemies with an ancient werewolf that wants to end our race."
"Jennifer is not baggage. And as long as I am in the council, Marius would be my problem. And, I am strong enough to handle anything that anyone throws at me." I explained.
She pouted, and I blinked back.
"You are not indestructible." She said.
"That is true. But, I am careful. I would come back to you in one piece, I promise." I answered back
"I might be a woman, but I know battle. Don't make promises that you can not keep." She replied.
A line etched between his brows. Nothing that I said calmed her down.
"My love, it's just a meeting. We'll discuss strategy and find a way to end this marquis one at a time." I leaned in and hugged her tightly.
She lay on my shoulders and took deep breaths to calm herself down.
"I'm more worried about you, though. That's why I asked Edmund to stay behind. That way, you can keep up on your training, and I can focus on my tasks at hand." I said.
"We will be safe. The village is well protected."
"Defenses can be breached," I replied.
"Nothing will happen. The only thing that you should worry about is me accidentally stabbing your princess while we spar."
"I would advise Edmund to teach you with wooden swords," I replied.
"I'll still find a way." She replied.
I laughed loudly. "Underneath all your beauty is madness. Your beauty was meant to distract people from this."
"But, you still love me, though?" She asked as her eyes widened.
"With all my heart," I replied.
I planted a kiss on her cheeks and held her for some minutes. I drowned myself in her aura. I needed to be able to carry her wherever I went, to reach her regardless of the distance between us. Holding her close was the only way I knew how to reach my goal; the tighter she was to my skin, the more of her I would carry on my journey.
The time came for me to say goodbye to my mother. Iris came with me; her excellent relationship with my mother made me uncomfortable and was now something I would need to count on.