By the border gates, a large crowd of people came out to welcome the valiant warriors led by their Alpha. Riding in front on a large black horse, leading the return march was Alpha Lucian, visibly unmoved by the cheers coming from all sides from his subjects.
A large celebration in honour of their vanquish was held later that night, and a banquet was thrown in the Alpha's castle. It had been only a month since Alpha Lucian ventured out to conquer the eastern region, a feat no previous twenty four year old alpha could boast of accomplishing.
Despite being a Lycan, it was no small feat and hence called for a celebration of the highest order.
"Kieran?" Third commander Ivankov raised a brow at the report in hand, it had barely been two nights after the celebratory banquet and such eye catching news had reached him.
"Yes commander." Zeke responded taking a bow, "That rogue has proved himself over the month you were away. From what I was told, he not only bested all of his peers, but he defeated his trainer in combat."
Commander Ivankov stroked the grey strands sticking out of his chin. "I knew that kid was strong, but he's still only twelve, and he's a rogue too. If we're not careful, that brat will draw too much attention."
"Pardon me, but I thought you wanted him to stand out. Was that not why you rescued him?" Zeke pointed out, alluding to sometime five months ago, four months prior to the order to plunder the east.
The commander was leading his men on a hunt, but got separated by a sudden snow storm. It was during his trip back, that he stumbled upon Kieran, trapped under the snow.
He hadn't noticed the child's existence, until Kieran latched onto his ankle, desperate to survive. Till date, commander Ivankov didn't know what force drove him into pulling the child out of the snow, but he found himself returning to his camp with the child in his arms.
"There is a time for everything, Zeke, if I'm not careful I'll lose the upper hand. Or have you forgotten what's set to take place come next winter?"
"How could I? The Alpha shall be selecting his chosen."
Ivankov grinned and dropped the report on the table, next to his ash tray and pipe. "Exactly! And you must understand the implication of the Alpha's chosen coming from our division."
Upon hearing those words, Zeke could not help but frown. "However, this could prove troublesome. Kieran is still nothing but a rogue, I doubt this will sit in well with the other division commanders."
Ivankov scoffed, "That's not for them to decide, it all boils down to Alpha Lucian, and how much stronger Kieran can get over what little time we have left. That kid…" he sunk into his seat and closed his eyes, recalling the look in Kieran's eyes when he found him.
"He's seen quite a lot, there's something about him I can't put into words." At that thought, he briefly recalled the girl he had rescued from the last raid.
He reached for the cigar next to his ash tray, Zeke noticed this and hurriedly helped to light it. "Here, commander."
Taking the cigar, Ivankov asked, "And the girl? Any news about her?" It had been two nights since she arrived at his camp, and he had neither seen nor heard a single thing about her.
Zeke's countenance fell. "I'm afraid, that she still hasn't regained consciousness. The servants are doing everything to revive her, but without calling for a healer, there is only so little that can be done." He explained, with his gaze leering out the window.
Outside, he spotted some of the servants going towards the direction of the woods, holding flowers and carrying baskets in their hands. A sigh escaped his lips, Ivankov noticed where he was looking and let out a hiss.
"Tch." He angrily bruised the butt of his cigar against the ash tray. "I swear, every last one of them are an eyesore." He cursed under his breath.
"It's barely been two months since it happened, the people have barely recovered from the loss." Zeke pointed out, his forlorn glance casted on the small portrait sitting at the edge of the table, just a bit away from the ash tray.
It was a painting of a blonde haired girl, about the same age as Olivia, with the commander standing proudly behind her, as any father would. The commander noticed Zeke's attention levelled on the painting, and in one swift movement, he slammed it against the table's surface.
Sternly he scolded, "They should know better, the dead cannot receive flowers and sentiments, what's past is past."
Zeke lowered his jaw to speak, but Commander Ivankov cut him off.
"It's been too long, perhaps I was wrong about that child. Anyhow, relay this message to Freina, tell her that if by nightfall the child hasn't woken up, she should throw her into the well."
"C-Commander, throwing her in the well is a bit…"
"Cruel? That's fine with me, after all her side were the ones who started all this. Doesn't it make sense to strike back with equal zest?" The commander asked.
Before Zeke could respond a knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Zeke motioned to the door and pulled it open to reveal a red haired woman wearing a black apron over a straight white gown.
"Commander Ivankov, lieutenant Zeke." She bowed politely with her hands in front of her.
"Freina, we were just talking about you. Tell me, is there any news about the child?" Ivankov implored.
With her head still lowered she responded, "Yes, commander. I have come to inform you that the child has awakened."
Zeke and Ivankov exchanged glances, "That's good news in one way or the other, have her cleaned and fed, then bring her to me at once." He ordered, but Freina remained still.
Noticing this, Zeke asked in a tender tone, "Is there a problem?"
The woman nodded. "Commander, I've confirmed this for myself before coming here and it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that the child cannot identify a thing that surrounds her." Freina explained.
Ivankov frowned, "And by that you don't suppose that she's…" he left his sentence hanging for her to complete.
"Yes, it is as you have guessed. The child has gone blind."