Page 2 of Wolfsbane

“I’m hurting from building this town from scratch. I spent every day lugging stone and wood, building homes, ensuring every person in Grisset has a place to call their own while defending our little slice of heaven.” I brushed strands of my hair behind my ears, my arm aching as I moved. “My body is too weak, something you know I’ve struggled with since birth. I must become stronger. How can I defeat Agaric if I’m weak?”

“My king is anything but weak.” Dr. Altair stated the words as if they were fact, but he was wrong. I was weak, weaker than Agaric. “My king…” He shuffled through his bag, small glass vials and bottles clinking together as he retrieved a clear crystal. “Perhaps this might help?” He stretched his arm out to me, offering the stone.

“A crystal?” I asked, accepting it with curiosity.

“Clear quartz. Your mother, the late Queen Mellea, was a firm believer in the healing properties of crystals. In fact, that very crystal was hers.” My eyes widened as I stared at the crystal in my palm.

“How did you—” I choked on my voice as the old man wrapped his fingers around my hand.

“The day your mother died, I knew your father would cleanse the palace of her belongings, wiping her existence from history. I did my best to salvage what I could of her, hiding some of herpossessions before his men could get to them. Your mother was the embodiment of the moon goddess herself and had the most caring and loving soul. She did not deserve to be forgotten. And neither do you, my king. I see so much of her in you, hidden behind your sad eyes. I know you are hurting my king, but I beg you, do not close yourself off from the world. Instead, embrace it. I know you seek your revenge, and I understand that desire, but please, my king, for this old man’s sake,live. It is all your mother ever wanted.”

Dr. Altair’s words tugged at my broken heart.

“What other possessions did you salvage?” I asked, fighting back tears.

“Only a few. This crystal, a bundle of surviving death caps like yourself, and her ring.”

Her ring?The memory of her wearing the jewelry, laughing as she sang and danced with me as a child, played in my mind, making my heart skip a little. She would always let me play with the ring as I’d been amazed by the moonstone centered in silver, as if a piece of the moon itself rested on her finger.

My eyes raised to his, his hand slowly lifting as we stood. “Bring it to me.” I walked past the doctor, squeezing the crystal tightly in my hand. “I shall keep it safe, here, with me.”

“At once, my king.” The old man grabbed his bag and began to exit the room.

“Dr. Altair?” He stopped. “Thank you. I do not deserve such a loyal friend.”

“My king,” he cleared his throat. “You deserve the heavens. Your brother may sit on your father’s throne, but he is no king. A true king lives not for himself, but his people, sacrificing his own life to protect them. Your brother knows no such thing, unlike you. You are the most noble of men and truest of all kings. It is an honor to serve you. Your mother would be proud, Morel.”

I offered him a small smile as he bowed and left my room, closing the door behind him. My eyes fell back to the crystal in my hand.I only wish such a thing were true.

TWO

MOREL

“Orion,”I called, hearing the familiar sound of his footsteps growing behind me, knowing it was him without needing to look. I had been lugging firewood, helping an elder woman unable to gather the wood herself. “What news do you bring?” I asked as she flashed me a warm smile, thanking me for my help.

“It amazes me how in tune you are with your surroundings,” Orion sighed, both annoyed and impressed.

Wiping my hands and forehead, I chuckled, turning to face him. “When you grow up with an abusive father and a brother who enjoys tormenting you, you learn to adapt rather quickly.”

Orion simply made a face. “I bring news from Hellbore.”

“Hellbore?” My head tilted in surprise. The kingdom of Hellbore was the only one for miles willing to trade and treat with me and my people. King Regalis and Queen Castanea offered my people a kindness no other kingdom would, creating trades with Grisset which allowed the economy and infrastructure of my kingdom to grow and expand with its people. I had only met them once, greeted with nothing but open arms and minds. Recently, all trade and communications with Hellbore had come to a screeching halt, resulting in some of Grisset’s spies slithering into the kingdom.

“It seems the reason the kingdom has cut us off is because it has been overcome by a rogue prince.” Orion retrieved a shredded flag from his cloak, handing it to me. As I unraveled the material, I recognized the faded yellow symbol sewn into the tattered black tapestry.

Boletus.

“According to our intel, this prince was once an ally to both Hellbore and Dryade until he ambushed them, attacking without reason or cause.”

“He had cause,” I growled. “Follow me.”

Orion shadowed me the best he could as my pace quickened, leading us toward the lively market. People were buzzing about, music playing from a traveling show as animals roamed freely, children playing and zagging through the packed shops. The smell of spices and herbs filled the cold air as voices and laughter mixed with them. He tried to keep up, questioning me as we ducked into a small store.

“My king,” the old shopkeeper greeted me with a welcoming bow. “How may I serve you today?” My eyes scanned the walls lined with tapestries and flags of nearby kingdoms and regions. I lifted the tattered material.

“This symbol.” I tapped the golden scorpion stitched in the black fabric. “Which kingdom does this belong to?”

“Why, the southern kingdom, Scorpius, my king.” My nostrils flared with anger as I stormed from the shop.

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