Page 80 of Father of the Wolf

“You mean they might get away with it?”

He hated hearing the disappointment in her voice. “Perhaps some of it, but surely not all of their crimes.” He wasn’t really sure that the traitors would have any real punishment, but he wanted to comfort Hope.

Then he realized Ella was about to begin again.

* * *

Dàn paid little attention to the meeting as it progressed. Instead, he reviewed every possible future he could see while trying to find one that wouldn’t end in despair. Each change he considered left someone dead. And never one the world would be better without.

The primary vision of the future he could find no way to avoid flew through his mind again. It was a vision of Bequlf pulling a knife and throwing it. This time he threw it into Hope’s chest, killing her instantly. With it came the knowledge that both Athair and Sgrios would be lost when she died, as well as the line of Keepers. And with the loss of the Keepers, all of the Valàfrn clans would fall into chaos.

Then the vision played again, but instead of Hope the knife was thrown at Sandulfr. Even Sandulfr wouldn’t survive a direct hit from that blade. In typical Bequlf style, its edge was coated in silver flakes. Even a small cut would fester until completely cleaned and a mortal wound would indeed be fatal. This view showed Sandulfr dead and was followed by the knowledge that Bequlf would be accepted as Alpha even if the fight wasn’t a formal challenge.

Too many details could still affect the outcome. Too many factors remained unknown. He continued to try out scenarios by planning to interfere in one way or another. And with each possibility, Dàn concentrated on the future with that change. Each and every one was no better than if he had stayed out of the scene all together. Someone always died.

Over and over, he watched as a different life was lost to this senseless situation.

Then he heard a little voice whisper another option. A possible way for him to save everyone, and a promise of one who would watch over him.

* * *

Athair held Hope in his arms until the groups began to settle at the picnic tables. Ella made an effort to calm everyone enough to perhaps at least talk about the possibility of a truce between Sandulfr and Bequlf. After they took their seats and had a chance to relax, she began by asking each person to tell their side of the situation.

Sandulfr was asked to go first. He stood up between the benches. “I have no quarrel with anyone here. I seek only to resolve the matter and regain peace among us.”

Athair was impressed by Sandulfr’s sincerity. He truly wished no ill will on Bequlf and still considered him a clansman, despite Bequlf’s actions against them all.

“Bequlf, do you have anything to add?” Ella asked, as Bequlf was speaking quietly to the woman in his group.

“Yes, I do. I understood this to be a truce meeting, but I thought it was between the Bear Clan and the Eagle Clan. There is no disagreement between me and Sandulfr. But the Eagle Clan has slighted and attacked us one time after another, and I demand satisfaction for their insults.”

Ella seemed as surprised as Athair was by Bequlf’s tactics. He hadn’t thought that Bequlf would claim Sandulfr as an ally.

“Bequlf, will you please be more specific in your claims of insult?” Ella prompted.

“When the Eagle Clan came into Lakeside, they were asked to pass a test of faith. Their elder, Athair failed that test and attacked our Shaman. Then the other two joined the fight and aided Athair’s escape from justice. Since Athair committed a crime, he should have been subject to our laws. He fled that judgment.”

“Please continue.”

“When they were tracked and captured, the two younger ones resisted custody and injured several of my men. They refused to help us apprehend Athair despite our questioning. Then the other elder, Sgrios, who has long been considered a rogue, attacked and killed several members of our clan. He is a murderer and should be held accountable for these crimes. The Eagle Clan has shown a history of violence and should not be allowed to be free to continue their atrocities.”

Athair stared in wonder at the villain-turned-prosecutor. Bequlf had laid out the case against them so well that even Athair could consider himself guilty. Bequlf had neatly turned the situation around to portray Athair and Sgrios as murdering lunatics and himself as an innocent, law-abiding citizen. At least he had only accused Rath and Dàn of delaying justice. Little could be done to them, even if Bequlf’s claims were believed.

“Athair, do you wish to counter these claims?”

“Yes, I do. Not only are these allegations inaccurate, they are completely false.”

Bequlf started to interrupt Athair, but Ella stopped him before he could cause more problems. “Bequlf, please wait. Athair must be given time to state his viewpoint in this matter.”

Bequlf glared at her but remained silent.

“Athair, will you please explain your side of the faith ceremony?” Ella asked.

“Rath, Dàn and I agreed to complete the ceremony. It is true that I failed to complete the ritual, but the reason I did so was because I was poisoned, which caused me to appear out of control.”

“Why did you attack the shaman?”

“I cannot say. I remember very little, except the pain caused by the poison.” This was all true. His memories were vague and distorted.

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