“You’ve been quiet, my lord,” Utgar said, gently nudging his horse forward so that he and the Alpha rode side by side.

Erik glanced over at his oldest friend then back at the road. Utgar had spent the past several days watching Erik closely, but, despite the thoughtful and sometimes suspicious looks, he’d chosen to remain silent in his observations. It wasn’t like the auburn-haired Alpha to take so long when airing his concerns, but Erik knew it was only a matter of time before Utgar approached him.

Outside of Erik’s mother and sister, Utgar was the only other person who spoke freely to the Alpha. When Erik’s older brothers, Rurik and Conner, died in Duncan’s war, Utgar had taken their place. Truth be told, they were like brothers long before the untimely death of his kin, but having seen the pain Erik refused to show anyone else, Utgar had been the one to sit with Erik during his time of mourning.

“Alright,” Utgar snickered, his eyes dancing with amusement at Erik’s silent rebuff. “Quieter than usual. I’m not the only one who’s noticed either. You no longer drink with the men, and when you’re not fucking the boy, you’re travelling into the spirit realm.”

Erik growled at the casual reference to Ariyan, causing Utgar to mumble an apology. Though his men had yet to accept the boy as their Luna, they made sure to keep their distance. For some, it might have been out of respect, but for most it was from fear of what Erik would do if they stepped out of line. Otto’s death was a reminder to them all. No matter how far they travelled from home, they would always be held to the laws of their land and its people.

“I have much on my mind,” Erik replied.

“Does it have anything to do with your trips into the spirit realm? Has she returned to you?”

“No,” Erik answered. “Not completely.”

“But she has spoken to you, right? I mean, that’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“Makes sense?” Erik asked, turning to examine his friend. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Utgar adjusted his reins as he shifted nervously atop his steed. “I pray you take no offense to the words I’m about to say, Lord Alpha.”

“Speak your mind,” Erik commanded.

“I see… fear in your eyes. A kind of panic that makes my blood run cold. The shadow of something dark has haunted your steps since the day you executed Otto.”

“Don’t speak that traitor’s name in my presence,” Erik hissed.

“Apologies, my lord, it’s just… there has always been a focus to your rage. It’s not like you to be so… vicious.”

“You believe I was wrong for killing him?” Erik cared little for Utgar’s opinion on the matter of Otto’s death, but he was curious to see where this conversation was coming from, and where it was going.

“Of course not, my lord! He deserves to rot in the seven hells for what he did. It’s the way you killed him that gives me pause. Your anger stemmed from something deeper than a violation of our laws. Hell, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you cared for your mate.”

Erik snorted in reply, not bothering to give credence to such a ridiculous statement. “The men have been gone too long from home. I sought to remind them that our laws stand no matter where we are.”

“Aye, and so you did, but…”

“Your point,” Erik bit out. “Make it.”

Utgar swallowed tightly, looking over at Erik. “I think you saw something that day. Something that shook you to your core. What did she tell you, my lord? What did you see?”

It was Erik’s turn to shift uncomfortably. The Spirit of the Winter Islands was known to all who called the land home. Appearing as a massive white wolf, she was thought to be the ghost of the first wolf to ever roam the islands. Whether that was true, Erik knew not. He had his suspicions, but he’d learned early on not to ask the Spirit questions he wasn’t ready to hear the answers to. What he did know, was that she was the heart of island. She was the tether between his soul and the spirit realm, allowing him to commune with not only her, but the dead as well. Her name was Nikaia, and she was Erik’s trusted friend and mentor.

There were, of course, limits to Erik’s communication within the spirit realm. In fact, this was the first time Nikaia had ever given him a vision of the future. By its nature, the future is fluid and ever changing, which is why Nikaia put so little emphasis on it. She would constantly remind Erik how dangerous it was for a man to know too much of his future, which made the vision she’d given him even more perplexing. Erik had gone back every day after, seeking her council, but she was silent once more.

“War,” Erik replied in a somber voice. “Duncan Callaghan will bring his fleet to the Winter Islands. I have seen it.”

“I knew it,” Utgar snorted in disgust. “What a foolish pup he is! Winter is almost upon us. If they can land, they’ll never make it passed Valdune.”

“But they do,” Erik said, looking over at his old friend. “My vision shows them making it into the heart of the city. Death. It was everywhere.”

The image of Ariyan begging him to run flashed through his mind, but Erik ignored the tug at his heart and the strange, inexplicable feelings swirling in the pit of his belly. His wolf was trying to tell him of something, but what, Erik didn’t know or care.

Utgar shook his head in disbelief. “That cannot be. It can’t… What of the dead? Perhaps a wandering soul could offer insight to this vision.”

“I’ve told you before,” Erik replied in irritation, “you cannot trust the dead. Their perception of time is distorted. It’s impossible to tell if what they speak of is the past, present, or the future. And that’s it they’re telling the truth at all.”

That was one of the first lessons Erik had learned in the spirit realm. Nikaia warned him early on not to trust the word of the dead. Though the information they carried may hold meaning, he should never take the riddles they speak at face value. The dead, however, were good for the occasional story. Erik had learned much of his land’s history from several of the wandering souls.

“Well, perhaps the Spirit is wrong,” Utgar countered. “Maybe…”

“She is never wrong,” Erik cut in.

Utgar fell silent for a moment, his mind no doubt trying to process all Erik had revealed. Finally, he turned back to Erik, the look in his dark eyes one of determination. “Then we need to recall our forces,” he said. “We’ll need every one of our warriors if we’re to defend the islands.”

Erik glanced behind them, making sure they would not be overheard. He trusted his men with the truth, but he did not want to cause unnecessary panic when there was nothing any of them could do. “Easier said than done,” Erik replied. “Our men are embedded within Duncan’s armies. He will not hesitate to kill those he feels are disloyal. And those who do escape will likely be killed before they can reach a ship.”

“So what do we do?” Utgar asked, clearly discouraged by Erik’s words.

“When we reach port, I will send a raven to Magnus. I had Anatoly write a message with my instructions two days ago. With any luck, he’ll be able to get word to our men before Duncan decides to carry out his plans for war. Once the way is safe, Magnus will lead them into Karmaria.”

“But that’s Lord Philip’s territory,” Utgar said in a harsh whisper. “You plan to side with Lord Duncan’s enemy?”

Erik stiffened at his friend’s words. The Alpha was tired of “taking sides.” He was hoping to extract his people from this war once and for all. If the foreigners wanted to kill each other, then so be it, but Erik would no longer be bound to either side.

“I have an offer for Philip McConnell,” Erik replied. “One that could turn the tides of this war in his favor. Anatoly wrote out my request for McConnell to send an envoy to the Winter Islands. If he accepts, then there is hope for us after all.”

“And what of the Northern Pass?” Utgar asked. “We need it for trade. It’s Duncan who controls it, not Philip.”

“For now,” Erik replied. “And we don’t need the pass,” he corrected. “We want it because it’s convenient, not because it’s necessary.”

Erik sighed heavily, realizing what it meant to carry cargo an alternate route. The trade channels would become longer, and, therefore, more treacherous. But, if Philip won the war, Erik might be able to secure the Northern Pass as payment for his services. It was all the Alpha wanted, and all he’d asked for in his letter to Philip. Considering what Erik was offering, it was a small price to pay.

Utgar nodded at Erik’s words. “If what you saw in your vision is true, then we have no other choice. I trust your judgement, as do the men.”

Erik said nothing in reply, but with Utgar he never needed to speak unnecessarily. It’s one of the reasons the Alpha valued their friendship so much.

Utgar snorted suddenly, glancing back at the cart where Ariyan rode. “I guess there was no need to claim the little wolf after all.”

“So it seems,” Erik muttered.

“Will you kill him then?” Utgar asked, his tone oddly curious.

Once more, Erik said nothing in response. And Utgar was smart enough not to question him further on the matter.

                                                              ***

Their arrival to the port city of Thira was met with wide-eyed stares and fervent whispers. The Northern warriors towered over the locals, drawing a variety of stares from the inhabitants. The whores selling their wares along the streets bared their breasts to Erik and his men, promising all manner of pleasures between their thighs. Unfortunately, there was no time for such things. At least not at the moment… Each of Erik’s men had been given a task to accomplish, so they split off into the crowd with their instructions. Utgar and Halvor accompanied the Alpha to the dock. With any luck, they’d be able to find their old contact, Ricket.

“My Lord,” the healer said, tapping Erik on the arm. “Forgive my interruption, but I wonder if you would permit Ariyan and I to have a look around the Port? I’m sure our Luna would enjoy several of the shops in the area.”

Erik stared down at the withered old man, wondering if it was wise to send him off with Ariyan alone. The port was filled with an endless supply of dangers, and the two males together were hardly a threat. They would be easy targets for the numerous unsavory characters floating through the streets, so an escort would be required. A quick glance at Halvor was all that was needed. The male nodded once in understanding of the unspoken command. Erik grunted in approval, nudging Utgar who gave the healer some money for any purchases they might want.

“Be at the Dancing Demon Inn before noon,” Utgar ordered.

“Of course,” Anatoly bowed, grabbing Ariyan’s hand before they headed off in the opposite direction. Halvor waited half a second, then turned to follow after the two males.

Erik and his second-in-command made a beeline for Ricket’s houseboat. It was still early, so the chances of the man being awake and sober were slim to none. Utgar grabbed the thick length of rope that kept Ricket’s houseboat from floating way. With a grunt and hiss, the male yanked it up and onto the shore.

A startled cry came from the narrow sleeping compartment, followed by the loud thump of someone falling off the bed. Several moments later, the door swung open, and a skeleton of a man with a few wisps of white hair, leathery tan skin, and four very yellow teeth stepped out into the sun.

“Ya yellow-bellied son of a whore! How dare ya…?!” Ricket’s words trailed off when he saw Utgar, and he paled at the sight Erik’s frame looming on the shore. “L-Lord Erik!” the male squeaked. “I weren’t expecting ya so soon. Yer message said…”

“Where are my ships?” Erik demanded, ignoring the other’s attempts to stall.

Ricket swallowed, rubbing his bald head nervously. “It’s, uh… well, it’s complicated, milord. Ya see… I was only able to get 2 of the 4 ships ya arrived in.”

“What happened to the others?” Utgar demanded.

Ricket cleared his throat, his entire body trembling as both warriors stared him down. “Um… one was stolen before me men could get to it. The other… well, me debtors sort of… took it. I tried to tell ‘em it weren’t mine, but-”

“Horse shit!” Utgar spat. “You gave it to them so they wouldn’t take your fucking head!”

“That ain’t true! I’d never betray Lord Erik! I got ya a better ship, ten times bigger than the ones ya sailed here in. It was yer man, Sven, who settled the price, but I’m the one who stol— I mean, procured it for ya!”

Utgar paused in his verbal assault. “Sven is here? Where?”

“The Red Swallow Inn,” Ricket said quickly. “He’s a smart lad. Got a good deal on the ship. It’s not built for war, but it’s sturdy enough to get ya home.”

“Sounds like a stolen trade ship,” Utgar said to Erik, “which means whoever it belongs to will be looking for it.”

“Then we need to move quickly,” Erik replied.

Utgar nodded, turning back to Ricket. “Where are the ships?”

“On the far east end of the port, milords. I thought it best to keep ‘em tucked away until yer return. There’ve been a few inquiries about where they came from, but I don’t think anyone of importance has taken note of their sudden appearance.”

“Good,” Utgar said. “I’ll see to the loading of the cargo,” he added, addressing Erik. “If the gods are with us, we can sail at dawn.”