The city is hustling as all people- master and wolves- were gathered from the villages to celebrate the coronation of the next Great Leader. Their hearts are joyful knowing that the future of the kingdom Artara will be stable in the hands of a young and good leader.
The preparations are made. In front of the Circle's building the public hall is cleaned by the people who are appointed for it. Also, the balcony that is on the second floor of the building is ornated with flowers, and a traditional carpet with the Ancient Great Master and his Wolf is put over the railing made from stone.
The leaders, Frey and Sigurd are in the meeting room at the top level of the Circle.
"The preparations are done. Sigurd, you should go and dress too. "Frey is ending the meeting and the leaders are peacefully listening to him. "In half an hour we will start the ceremony. "
Sigurd observes the leaders and Frey. Nothing suspicious coming from Frey or the leaders.
"I will go then. "Sigurd stands up and leaves the room.
As he goes downstairs he meets the woman coming to get him dressed coming upstairs after him. They both head towards the dressing room made specially for this event.
….
In the prison there is silence. Yrsa and Kai heard the news. They have mixed feelings about the whole coronation ceremony thing.
"Why is he not coming? Where is the next step of his great plan?" Yrsa kicks a stone and moves back and forth while a little dust is forming behind her.
Kai is watching her and there's nothing he can do. The woman will never calm down when it comes to her kids being in danger.
"Darling, we have to wait. "His calm voice turns Yrsa's head. Her steps are heading towards the man who stays on the ground leaning on the stone wall.
She squats down and looks him in the eyes." I will wait as much as possible but …I can't be still when I know that he might get killed before the coronation itself … and Nissa is nowhere to be found either … "She glares at her husband.
Kai sighs. "Come here! He will be safe. He is a smart boy and I know Karlen will protect him. And Nissa is a great fighter …both will be fine. Believe in them a little. "The woman frowns.
"I am trying …." She sits in his arms as the noise from outside announces that the coronation started.
…..
Sigurd steps outside the dressing room. He is dressed in white attire while having a wolf coat on him. His hair is caught in a bun and on his feet the boots are the same.
The corridor is empty. But the voices from outside make it sound sound like thousands of people are coming to him. The echo is strong.
He takes a breath and steps down the stairs when the lady closes the dressing room.
"Are you feeling alright?" The woman asks him with worry. His face was a little pale.
"I am alright …" He looks coldly at her while giving a short smile.
His plan only begins and he has so many things to do in the shadows that from all his stressing he seems like he is dead. If his plan fails then not only his life is in danger but the future of the kingdom too.
'If only I could keep my head focused on just the plan …. ha ….' His thoughts are split by what happened yesterday with Karlen. As Sigurd came in the morning to the Circle, Karlen was already there but he ignored the boy completely. In fact, he seemed to talk very passionately with Talis about something.
'I will give him the benefit of the doubt ….' Sigurd shakes his head and concentrates on the ceremony that he will attend in a few minutes.
"Are you ready?" Frey is on the balcony accompanied by a priest. Both looked pleased with how the boy was dressed.
"Do I look like I am not ready?" Sigurd frowns." Let's get this over." He steps to the rails and looks at the crowd that filled the public hall.
The priest starts the procession." Masters and Wolves here gathered to celebrate the coronation of a new leader, Sigurd Dalgaard ...." He enumerates the generations behind him and continues to read from the script he has in his hands.
"With the blessings of our ancestors, I, the Great Priest will anoint him as the Great Leader of Artara." With this, the priest pours the oil on Sigurd's head.
The boy looks ahead in the distance as the oil lingers on his head and face.
'I shall not waste this oil …and …. may the Great Master protect me through my journey …' Sigurd's head rises to the heaven and his eyes stare at the clouds that cover the bright sun.
Frey puts the small gold crown on his head and takes a few steps back.
"Live long our Leader! "The crowd is bowing and screaming with joy as the crown shines on SIgurd's head.
Sigurd lifts his hands in the air and the crowd gets silent.
"I shall announce that I prepared a Game! Every hunter myself included is invited to participate tomorrow at the edge of the West Mountains. The one who will catch the White Tiger will receive as prize the title of 'The Greatest Hunter 'and the …the Red -Blade! "Sigurd raises his voice so that everyone hears him.
The murmurs start to be heard as they can't believe that the sacred sword is given as a prize. Only Yrsa had permission to swing it. They are moving from being shocked to having hope that maybe they could be able to have the sword themselves. After all the sword possessed great power. No one could protect from the slash it gave.
Sigurd frowns then says," The Ancestors shall help the bravest! "With this being said, the boy leaves the balcony. The crowd starts to cheer.
"What do you mean the Red-Blade?" Frey growls at Sigurd as he walks towards the corridor. The boy stops.
"Isn't it a better trap now?" He raises his eyebrows and looks at the man who frowns.
Indeed, Sigurd was right. Now even the people who never hunted before would be tempted to go in the game and win the blade.
Sigurd turns and walks out of the room. His steps are heading towards the dressing room that is a few floors above.
His head hurts and the Aura that protects him seems to weaken. Theo told him in the morning that Karlen put a one-layer barrier on him. So, he was protected but still not enough. Sigurd feels his blood boiling remembering that Karlen made him say yes but didn't put any mark on him. Was he testing the waters?
'I will talk to him later ….' Sigurd feels like fainting …was it because the oil is weakening the aura?
He hurries to change and wash.
….
The people are talking and some of them are leaving in groups. From the shadows of the Circle's building, two people are watching the crowd.
"How sweet is Sigurd … to come right on the plate. "Talis is leaning on the wall and smirks looking at the foolish boy who just finished dressing in his usual clothes. The cape he wears assures him that no one will recognize him.
"Indeed, madam." Karlen is staring at Sigurd who slips through the crowd unnoticed.
"I want him dead …" She smiles innocently as she looks at the boy.
Karlen is restrained from showing any reaction. But the madam saw how he frowned.
"Yes, madam. What's the plan?" He looks at the madam with a nonchalant vibe but his eyes are dark.
If only women would not have such a high intuition …. He is like an open book to her.
"You just have to follow me. I am going hunting this time." Talis takes an upright posture and her cold eyes scan the boy.
'Ha …trying to betray me …I see…' She knows that this was not the usual Karlen who would take orders without caring what came next or what she said. This time the boy seemed to be eager to know while showing some reactions he never showed before.
"Before the game starts I will pay a visit to my dear Wicka." Talis grins and pats Karlen on the shoulder. She leaves him alone.
Wicka as the madam named Nissa was in danger. Karlen knows this too well.
'I have done something about Nissa before is too late… Sigurd will not forgive me if she is killed or whatever the madam wants to do to her ….'
Karlen frowns and loses himself in the crowd.