Lucien had made his way across the city from where he had met Masa in record time. It was about three o clock when he found himself in the middle of an empty street. The people had vacated the area. Immediately his canine senses picked up a familiar tingle.
Here?
Four different wolves emerged from both his left and right.
“Lucien.” A woman spoke from behind him.
He spun around and found himself face to face with…Zheyra. His heart sank and he readied himself for a fight.
“Of all the places I could have possibly found you again, Lucien. We meet in a completely different universe. I won’t lie. I should kill you where you stand.”
“You know that won’t go well for you,” Lucien said through a clenched jaw.
“The girls convinced me to give you another chance. Specifically, you should thank Octavia over there.” Zheyra motioned to one of the dire wolves behind Lucien.
“Having told her about who you were she cautioned against anyone who could take down an Alpha. While you didn’t manage to kill Nicholas, you did prove that you were the stronger wolf. I can only imagine that with time you’ve gotten even better.”
Lucien swallowed nervously, prepared for the worst. “My thanks go to Octavia then.”
“You still haven’t told me why you’ve stopped me in the middle of the street in broad daylight.”
“The ladies and I have noticed who you happened to visit. We know you plan to return later and ask her out for dinner.”
“Why do you care?”
“Because you look like shit. Wearing a basic guard uniform and carrying a short sword? Do you even have nice clothes for a date?”
Lucien went to reply but realized that she was right. He had only his guard armor and the clothes that went under it to wear. With a defeated sigh he took his hand off his sword.
“Chin up, Lockwood. We’re going to help you.” Zheyra said with a warm smile.
A white wolf with blue eyes trotted up to Lucien carrying a large pouch. Zheyra had moved closer and was now within arm’s reach. She reached down and took the pouch from the wolf and extended it to Lucien.
“This is one thousand platinum. Consider it a down payment.”
“A down payment on what? I work for the guard.”
“Not anymore. You’re a member of the faction, yes, but you’re not required to work in the guard. You will work for us instead. We’ll pay you handsomely for your service.” Zheyra explained.
“I’ve already ascertained that you’re an all-female pack. I still don’t know why you’d want me to work for you.”
“Because the Sisters of Mercy are the only pack in Uruk! We will always be the only pack. We can’t have wolves shooting off in our city. That jeopardizes our mission to the people. We will have your compliance, Lockwood. Therefore, we’ve offered you such a generous gift. You’re not just a common wolf. You’ve been one for most of your adult life.” Zheyra clasped her hands together.
“I guess I don’t have any choice. I need the money for equipment.”
The matronly alpha werewolf smiled widely. “Good call, Lockwood. We’ll pay you fifty platinum a week. We deal in platinum and gold…for obvious reasons.”
Lucien cracked a smile and took the bag of money from her.
“Make sure to get something nice to wear for tonight. Something blue. Yara will see to it that Mangonel and your belongings are transferred to an apartment near our main building east of here.”
“It’s greatly appreciated.” He replied, making one of the wolves behind him bark.
"We'll be in touch, Lucien."
He could only assume it was Yara. With a bow, Zheyra and her wolves disappeared into the street that had suddenly become bustling again. Yara had led Mangonel off with her leaving Lucien free to shop and resupply. The werewolf spent the rest of the day going from shop to shop gathering equipment and gear he needed. From first aid kits, meals ready to eat, bandages, to tools and medicine. Lucien had bought his nice clothes first. He had acquired a traditional Achkan-style Sherwani. The rich navy-blue fabric was tailored into a simplistic but tasteful silhouette that flattered his broad and masculine frame. A high collar enclosed the neck, featuring elegant golden lace embroidery in the shape of repeating floral designs. This intricate design is repeated on the cuff-front of each sleeve and emblazoned over the left breast. Matching golden buttons ran down to his natural hipline, holding the jacket front closed.
Now the last two items on his list were a sword and a set of armor. The sun was beginning to set. Lucien knew he was probably going to have to order both his armor and sword to be custom-made. The werewolf had found a blacksmith willing to accept his orders in the southwest district of the city. He commissioned a carbon steel longsword and a set of centurion armor with a polished gold finish. After paying for both in full Lucien found his way to a store that sold cell phones. He bought a cPhone 12, which was the top-of-the-line Cytokine Industries smartphone. After getting it set up in the store, he quickly logged into the New Babylon registry and updated his phone number.
Slipping the phone into his bag took his new clothes and set off for his apartment to change.
Here?
Four different wolves emerged from both his left and right.
“Lucien.” A woman spoke from behind him.
He spun around and found himself face to face with…Zheyra. His heart sank and he readied himself for a fight.
“Of all the places I could have possibly found you again, Lucien. We meet in a completely different universe. I won’t lie. I should kill you where you stand.”
“You know that won’t go well for you,” Lucien said through a clenched jaw.
“The girls convinced me to give you another chance. Specifically, you should thank Octavia over there.” Zheyra motioned to one of the dire wolves behind Lucien.
“Having told her about who you were she cautioned against anyone who could take down an Alpha. While you didn’t manage to kill Nicholas, you did prove that you were the stronger wolf. I can only imagine that with time you’ve gotten even better.”
Lucien swallowed nervously, prepared for the worst. “My thanks go to Octavia then.”
“You still haven’t told me why you’ve stopped me in the middle of the street in broad daylight.”
“The ladies and I have noticed who you happened to visit. We know you plan to return later and ask her out for dinner.”
“Why do you care?”
“Because you look like shit. Wearing a basic guard uniform and carrying a short sword? Do you even have nice clothes for a date?”
Lucien went to reply but realized that she was right. He had only his guard armor and the clothes that went under it to wear. With a defeated sigh he took his hand off his sword.
“Chin up, Lockwood. We’re going to help you.” Zheyra said with a warm smile.
A white wolf with blue eyes trotted up to Lucien carrying a large pouch. Zheyra had moved closer and was now within arm’s reach. She reached down and took the pouch from the wolf and extended it to Lucien.
“This is one thousand platinum. Consider it a down payment.”
“A down payment on what? I work for the guard.”
“Not anymore. You’re a member of the faction, yes, but you’re not required to work in the guard. You will work for us instead. We’ll pay you handsomely for your service.” Zheyra explained.
“I’ve already ascertained that you’re an all-female pack. I still don’t know why you’d want me to work for you.”
“Because the Sisters of Mercy are the only pack in Uruk! We will always be the only pack. We can’t have wolves shooting off in our city. That jeopardizes our mission to the people. We will have your compliance, Lockwood. Therefore, we’ve offered you such a generous gift. You’re not just a common wolf. You’ve been one for most of your adult life.” Zheyra clasped her hands together.
“I guess I don’t have any choice. I need the money for equipment.”
The matronly alpha werewolf smiled widely. “Good call, Lockwood. We’ll pay you fifty platinum a week. We deal in platinum and gold…for obvious reasons.”
Lucien cracked a smile and took the bag of money from her.
“Make sure to get something nice to wear for tonight. Something blue. Yara will see to it that Mangonel and your belongings are transferred to an apartment near our main building east of here.”
“It’s greatly appreciated.” He replied, making one of the wolves behind him bark.
"We'll be in touch, Lucien."
He could only assume it was Yara. With a bow, Zheyra and her wolves disappeared into the street that had suddenly become bustling again. Yara had led Mangonel off with her leaving Lucien free to shop and resupply. The werewolf spent the rest of the day going from shop to shop gathering equipment and gear he needed. From first aid kits, meals ready to eat, bandages, to tools and medicine. Lucien had bought his nice clothes first. He had acquired a traditional Achkan-style Sherwani. The rich navy-blue fabric was tailored into a simplistic but tasteful silhouette that flattered his broad and masculine frame. A high collar enclosed the neck, featuring elegant golden lace embroidery in the shape of repeating floral designs. This intricate design is repeated on the cuff-front of each sleeve and emblazoned over the left breast. Matching golden buttons ran down to his natural hipline, holding the jacket front closed.
Now the last two items on his list were a sword and a set of armor. The sun was beginning to set. Lucien knew he was probably going to have to order both his armor and sword to be custom-made. The werewolf had found a blacksmith willing to accept his orders in the southwest district of the city. He commissioned a carbon steel longsword and a set of centurion armor with a polished gold finish. After paying for both in full Lucien found his way to a store that sold cell phones. He bought a cPhone 12, which was the top-of-the-line Cytokine Industries smartphone. After getting it set up in the store, he quickly logged into the New Babylon registry and updated his phone number.
Slipping the phone into his bag took his new clothes and set off for his apartment to change.