Rolf & the Black Wolves (complete)

Even a year ago, I never would have imagined I would be standing in Swaene’s Vineyard as anything other than a mercenary. Yet today I am standing here as the head of the guard, brother to the legal heir, and soon to be brother-in-law to a prince. All our lives, my sister and I fought hard to make our lives matter, to do things that were important, and all from the shadows the world cast upon us. We now stand proudly in the daylight, honoring the people of Ophirin more than some goddess with a vise grip and unchanging morals. 

I have been sitting with the Rakshasa Royal family all morning, telling them stories about Delilah in her youth and the formation of the Black Wolves. This is something I also never would have expected. I always admired the Rakshasa from a warrior’s standpoint; they are strong and powerful creatures, with an army considered one of the greatest in history. Now they have become a strong influence on Ophirin; in particular their views on education have struck a chord here, and the ideals of Irina are slipping.

“Delilah told us you taught her how to fight,” Himank says to me with a teasing smile. “Does that make you any good?”

I chuckle and set my goblet aside. “I like to think I am. Delilah is better with a sword than I am, but I am much better with hand-to-hand combat.”

Mythri turns and glares at Amit. “You’re still healing, and you’re no young man!”

“Do not try to read my mind!” Amit snarls at her. “I would never challenge him. Not today, anyhow,” he laughs.

“I wouldn’t dare go up against you, King Father,” I laugh. “I am foolhardy but not a complete fool.”

“I wouldn’t let you anyhow,” Mythri huffs. “He still tries to challenge the children, and it always ends up with me rubbing lineaments and balms on his sore muscles and joints!”

“I refuse to grow old,” Amit scoffs. 

“Tell that to your body!” Mythri glares him down, and Amit eases back into his seat.

I’m laughing along with what is to become my new family when one of the Black Wolves comes in and taps my shoulder.

“I don’t mean to bother you, Rolf, but there is more trouble,” he says.

I furrow my brow. “More trouble? We got rid of the Fairmont woman, what else could possibly happen?”

“It’s a circle of the Irina-brainwashed,” he grumbles. “They’re outside performing some sort of protest or blessing. Whatever it is they do when they think Irina is being slighted.” He rolls his eyes. “Anyway, they’re blocking guests from getting in, and some are very upset. I thought you’d want to come down and take care of the women.”

“Fairmont must have dragged them along with her,” I scoff as I stand up from my seat. “I’m sorry to leave, but I’m afraid I promised my sister her wedding would go off without cultish intervention.” I bow to the royal family. “It is duty, but I do hate breaking up some wonderful conversation.”

“Not much to do here except wait,” Himank scoffs and stands up. “And my fiance is with the bride, so I cannot pester her for attention.” He walks up beside me. “I’ll join you. After all, you never know when you’ll need a doctor,” he says with a grin.

“Might be helpful,” I chuckle. “You good with a sword?”

“Both with a blade and my dick.” Himank laughs heartily as we walk down the halls together. “So tell me, what is this cult of Irina?” he asks.

“The ‘Faith of Irina’ officially. Long story,” I grumble. “And here it isn’t so much a cult as the official religion. Irina is a goddess - was, maybe. She came to Ophirin ages ago, back before the Ruby Empire was called such. Ophirin was just Oph back then, supposedly the ‘irin’ was added to honor Irina.” We start down the stairs that will lead us outside. “Anyway, her biggest contributions to the land were her healing capabilities, and the abundance of wealth which she bestowed upon her eight main followers.”

“Lemme guess,” Himank laughs, “The Great Houses of Ophirin, including the houses that Alexander and Arjun just dissolved?”

“The very same. Good eye. The first six were the founders of the six Great Houses. House Scheer didn’t become a Great House of Ophirin until Arjun’s grandfather conquered the Elamont. The Seventh became the first High Priestess of the Faith, and the Eighth became the first Lord Commander of the Paladins and Chief Defender of the Faith.”

I glance out the window to see the priestesses dancing around the gates, and some beating their fists on the carriages of guests. Anytime a guard or knight tries to stop them or pull them away, the priestesses viciously attack them with their bare hands. A squad of Paladins came with them, but after it was made clear that the presence of the Paladins would not be tolerated, the priestesses ordered the Paladins to vacate the premises. They may be fanatical in their devotion to Irina, but they aren’t about to start a war they can’t win. 

“She saved Ophirin, but in the same breath she also planted seeds that were most unsavory. The worst, in my opinion, were that orphans and illegitimate children were Blights against her.”

“So premarital sex was a big turn-off for her?” Himank laughs.

“That’s one way to put it.” We step off the stairs and exit through the doors onto the path of the gate. “Back in the day the Blights, as Irina called them, were sacrificed to her. There are stones in Ophirin still stained with blood, there were so many.”

“And these priestesses still worship her?” Himank snarls with disgust.

“The temples are some of the highest-earning places in all of Ophirin, or used to be. With all the refugees coming in and the dissolution of two of the great houses, new religions are coming in, new beliefs, new morals. The temples have started failing in the last few years, but these past couple of months have really hit them hard. The priestesses are willing to do anything to keep Irina in the hearts and minds of Ophirin.”

“So the wedding of one of the so-called Blights would be the perfect place for them to do that?” Himank shakes his head. “They’re reaching.”

“Top-shelf reaching,” I say as we come near the gate.

Outside I see one of the Priestesses yank open the door to a carriage. She climbs inside and several other Priestesses join her; they chant around the carriage, waving their scepters and prayer beads while the Priestess inside pulls out a young woman. The woman is trying to fight the Priestess off. but her small, slight frame is nothing compared to the formidable Priestess holding her.

“You are of pure beauty! Regal and kind of face!” the priestess is chanting. “You are worthy of Irina and her love! Why do you wish to spit in her face by attending this wedding?”

“Let me go!” the woman snarls. “You’re hurting me!”

“The pain you feel is nothing compared to the pain that Irina is suffering,” the priestess cries. “Imagine her agony and woe! She is watching her children blaspheme against her and cut her! Irina is bleeding!”

“It’s only a wedding!” the woman cries. “Please let me go!” She expands her great wings, knocking over several priestesses. I then notice them start to lunge at her, so I charge out and knock her free of the priestesses’ grasp. I pull her behind me and get her back near her carriage. 

“It’s okay now, I’ll see you into the keep safe and sound. I’m so sorry, my lady, that you-” I turn to look at her, and at last our eyes meet. She’s stunningly beautiful, but I recognize those soft gray eyes.

“Master Rolf!” Her tiny mouth spreads into a grand smile.

“Ilithyia?” I am so bewildered by this reunion I don’t notice the priestess coming up from behind, who smashes her scepter against the back of my head. 

As the world fades to black, I am taken back in dreams to the fledgling days of the Black Wolves. When they first began, the Black Wolves were Delilah’s attempt to protect the Blights and their families. They soon grew in number, making a small army which Delilah and I came to lead. We took jobs as mercenaries, and soon our skill and exploits became well-known. We were hired by many of the great houses in Ophirin, all under the table of course. I thought I had seen everything until the day we were called to an urgent meeting in the Crouching Woods. The man we met with was cloaked, which was not unusual to us - it was the Crouching Woods that were strange. They were a sort of neutral ground at the base of the Elamont Mountains, a place of mass graves from the early years of Ophirin, thanks to the Ashek Wars and the sacrifices to Irina. 

Delilah and I were asked to be the only ones to meet with him, and it was unnerving. The Crouching Woods were cold and quiet; not a sound in the trees or over the ground. They were not a place for animals, let alone people.

“Thank you for coming,” the man’s voice was tempered and even, very soothing. “I know this is an unorthodox meeting place, but it promises no eyes or ears will be in on this conversation besides our own.”

“Is that why you are hiding yourself?” Delilah asked.

“My protection,” he replied. “You see, my kind isn’t welcome in Elamont, and I had to travel here to meet you.” He removed his hood to reveal long white hair and pale lavender skin. “I am Virniros, monarch of the Avariel in the Elamont Peaks.”

“Shit,” Delilah gasped under her breath. “This just went from bad to worse.”

“I do apologize.” Virniros bowed his head to us. “But I hope you now understand why I called a meeting here of all places. I am afraid the men of Elamont are plotting against me and my people, so I do not trust anyone except the Blights.”

“Is that why you’re hiring the Black Wolves?” Delilah stepped towards him. “Do you wish for us to go against the Elamont?”

Virniros shook his head. “Not that at all. I would not ask you to kill yourselves. The job I offer is to track down a group of slavers.”

“Ophirin is protected from such things,” Delilah grumbled. 

“Just because there is protection against does not mean it will not happen,” Virniros sighed. “I believe the men of Elamont have been allowing them through the pass and up into the mountains. Many of our young people have gone missing, and there are reports of strangers in the mountains. I have come to you on my own because of how grave the situation is. My daughter is one of those who have been taken, so money is no issue. For her, I’ll pay any price.” He tossed a bag onto the ground, which I stabbed with my sword and opened up. Gemstones spilled out.

“That’s very clever. I suppose you’ve had to learn that trick the hard way,” Virniros watched me as I gathered the gemstones into my own bag.

“More than once,” I huffed.

“What can you tell us of the slavers?” Delilah asked. “What, if anything, do you know?” She took the bag of gemstones from me and looked them over. She then nodded to me, signaling they were real.

“Needless to say, strangers in the Elamont Peaks are rare, so rare that it’s practically news. We have travelers and escapees come through our home every so often. More than likely, anyone in the Peaks is in hiding. But recently we’ve been getting people coming and going. No doubt spies at first, perhaps even men from the Elamont making their plans. The disappearances started happening slowly. One became two, two became three, and soon we counted over fifty missing within a week.” He shook his head in shame. 

“My daughter, Illithiya, had been going to visit the families of those who had been affected by the kidnappings. She’s young and trusting, so there’s no doubt in my mind she was led right into the Slavers grasp - by who, I am unsure.” The stricken look that crossed his face became one of doubt and grief. “It is important to me we have all those who were taken returned. But I am selfish, and I do wish my daughter back above all else. I will tell you all I know, and I will give you every copper I own.” He then held out two pins. “Take these when you go. They will prove to the Avariel you are allies.”

The pins were shaped into gold feathers with a small sword piercing them, encrusted with small sapphires. Delilah and I each took one, and during the mission we wore them constantly.

Virniros allowed the Black Wolves into the Peaks. We interviewed the families and talked to eyewitnesses. From there we began our hunt. It took us into the Elamont, of course, where we discovered the Giants had carved out a path at the behest of Lord Ulton Scheer. The path cut through the main trail, then led into the back of the Peaks. Further investigation led us to a crew of men who were also hired by Lord Ulton to sneak the slavers in from the coast. The men were easy talkers once they were given the chance, and we discovered the slavers’ ship. Those kidnapped were taken to an island off the coast, one that used to serve as the main temple of Irina back in the day. There was a building there that had been a prison for all the Blights to be sacrificed. 

Delilah and I infiltrated the slavers crew, and sailed with them to the Island, sneaking in to scope the place out and learn about it before we charged in with the Black Wolves. The entire island had the same atmosphere as the Crouching Woods; it was quiet, unnerving, and strange. It wasn’t just Avariel being held there either; there were Rakshasa, Kobolds, Orcs, and Gnolls.

“Something strange is going on here,” Delilah told me. “Not just the slaving. In fact, this doesn’t even feel like something slavers would do. They’re just keeping people here.”

“I see strange guards at least once a day.” I shook my head. “Their heads and bodies are covered from head to foot, and they take one of the prisoners every so often and never bring them back. I tried to follow them to see where they go, but I lost them.”

Delilah sighed heavily. “I don’t get it. It’s all so odd.”

“We’ll get out of here soon, just a few more days.” I clapped my hand on her shoulder. “We’ll burn this place to the ground if we have to.”

One day as I was patrolling, I saw feathers under the door to one of the cells. The feathers were black at the tip and white in the center. They pushed out from under the door and gathered near the edge.

“Is everything all right in there?” I called.

Inside the cell, it was silent. More feathers got pushed out.

I knocked on the door. “Is everything all right in there?” When there was still no answer, I looked inside, and found an Avariel girl plucking her feathers and shoving them under the door.

I knew such an act was painful, so I hurriedly opened the door. “Hey! What are you doing?”

The girl scurried back into the corner and huddled there, glaring at me with sharp, gray eyes. Her features were small and strange, as with all Avariel, yet there was such a beauty to her that for a moment I felt blinded. Her long white hair was dirty, and tied into a loose braid. 

“You’re hurting yourself doing that,” I scolded her. “Don’t you feel that?” I knelt down close to her. “What on earth are you thinking?”

She looked me over and grimaced.

“Are you Illithiya?” I asked in a hushed voice. “Do you know where she is?”

She stared me down. “Why would you care?”

“Virniros has asked us to find those kidnapped from the Peaks - his daughter especially.” I whispered to her. “I’m here to help you.”

“Oh, yeah?” she scoffed. “Prove it!”

I took out the pin that Virniros gave to Delilah and me and held it out to her. “Virniros gave me this.”

She stared at the pin, then up at me. “My father sent you?” she gasped.

“So you are Illithiya,” I sighed with relief. “Good, I was worried you had been one of the taken.”

“That is why I have been plucking my wings,” she said with a sniff. “Those guards have only been taking those who they see as perfect.”

I furrowed my brow. “You know about this?”

“Everyone does,” Ilithyia huffed. “They come and inspect us, check to see if we are suited to whatever it is they are doing. They take the ones that are, and they never come back. I keep my wings looking haggard so they don’t take me.” She then narrowed her eyes at me again. “And who are you?”

“I’m Rolf,” I told her, “second in command of the Black Wolves.”

Her eyes widened and she inched closer to me. “My father sent for the Black Wolves?” she gasped. She touched her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes.

“We’re close to being ready,” I told her. “Soon we’ll be liberating this place and taking down the slavers.”

Illithiya looked up at me. “Master Rolf, are you all right?”

I’m coming to, slipping from my dreams and back into reality. I look up, gazing into the soft gray eyes of Illithiya as she holds a cold cloth to my forehead. 

“Where am I?” I groan.

“Don’t sit up,” Illithiya holds me down. “Himank said you took a pretty bad hit to the head. He says you need to lie down and rest in the dark for a moment.”

“But my sister,” I grunt. “The wedding.” 

“Himank said he’d come and fetch you for that.” Illithiya smooths the cold cloth down my cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Like some crazy cultist bashed in my head.” I brush my hand over the throbbing part of my skull and hiss.

“Yes, touching it will make it feel so much better.” Illithiya moves my hand aside. 

“Am I… am I in your lap?” I groan.

“Is that so bad?” she chuckles. “The pillows weren’t working, so I volunteered my services.”

I notice her wings are wrapped around us, keeping even more light away from my eyes. I look back up at her and sigh. “It’s been a while.”

“Three years,” she smiles down at me. “Last time it was you who was holding me when I got hurt.” She strokes my cheek, and I nuzzle into her palm. She smells so sweet, and her skin is so soft.

“I remember,” I sigh. “You’d fallen during the siege.”

“You carried me, all while brandishing your sword,” she giggles. “It was very manly. I’m still impressed to this day.”

I chuckle and run my hand up her arm. “I was only able to do it because of how small you were. You were like picking up a pillow.”

Illithiya bends over, kissing my chin and then my lips. “I’ve thought about that day so often.”

I meet her kiss again, tasting something sugary on her lips. “I am honored you think of an old war hound like me.”

Illithiya chuckles and kisses my forehead. “I fell in love with a handsome young man once who called himself that.”

“How have you been?” I ask her. “You look so beautiful.”

“I’ve been doing much better these last few years.” She sets the cold cloth aside. “I’ve been protecting my home and watching as the world burns around us.”

I sigh and close my eyes. “I bet you have the best view of it from the Peaks.”

“When I heard that Delilah was getting married, my father and I agreed it would be the best thing to come and thank her properly for all that she’s done for us.” She rubs her palms down my cheeks and along my neck. “And I wanted to see you again.”

I sit up, and even kneeling on the bed I tower over her. The Avariel are such petite and small creatures. Illithiya is the same, and yet more beautiful than I remember her. Back on the island we talked often, and she gave us valuable information. It was because of her that we were able to plan the best way to rescue everyone.

“Surely, an angel like you could find someone better than me.” I take her hand and kiss her small palm.

“Perhaps better, but I am a stubborn creature.” She smiles up at me. “I refuse to let you go, Master Rolf.”

I ease in to kiss her when the door opens. Himank stands there with a staunch expression on his face.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I interrupt anything?” He then nods his head out the door. “The ceremony is about to begin. But I can make them wait if you want.”

Illithiya giggles and stands up off the bed. Her gossamer gown flows over the blankets and sits snug around her wide hips. 

“I’m coming,” I say as I stand up.

“I’m sure you would be,” Himank chuckles as Illithiya and I walk out.

Himank takes me to my sister, who I am going to walk down the aisle. She’s pacing back and forth while Mythri and the girls are trying to calm her down. She rushes to me when I walk in, and attacks me with a strong hug.

“Are you ok?” she gasps. “They told me what happened. Can you walk?”

“Yes, yes, I’m fine.. Just a mild headache, but I’ll be fine to walk you down the aisle.” I look her over and grin from ear to ear. “My, my, where has this Delilah been hiding?”

“Oh shut up!” she huffs. She then takes a tight hold of my hand to stop the shaking. “This is it.” She beams. 

“Nah, not it,” I squeeze her hand. “Just the start.”

I walk with Delilah as the music begins to play, and the song is gentle and beautiful. At the altar Chirayu has massive tears in his eyes, and his brother Dhaval is holding his hand. As I bring Delilah up, Dhaval and I shake hands before we tie Chirayu and Delilah’s hands together. I then remove the sheer shawl from her head and lay it over Chirayu’s shoulder. I stand behind Delilah throughout the ceremony, and when it is over Dhaval and I walk ahead down the aisle while they share their first kiss.

Dhaval and I serve the first drinks at the banquet. Afterwards, I start searching for Illithiya in the crowd. As I move through the crowd of boozy women on their third drinks, wanting to dance with someone, I feel a tug at my elbow.

“There you are,” I gasp as I turn to look at Illithiya.

“Aww, were you searching for me?” She grins brightly.

I bend down to kiss her, capturing her face between my palms. She presses her hands against my chest and pushes away from me.

“Not here, silly,” she scoffs. “Do you remember nothing?”

I kiss her temple as I stand. “I missed you, forgive me.”

Illithiya pulls me out into a small, dark sitting room and closes the door behind us. Ages ago, we stole a very similar moment on the boat taking all those kidnapped by the slavers home. We met in secret during the night, and we kissed to celebrate their freedom. We had grown so close while on the island, and our feelings had mounted into something stronger than either of us. After she returned home to her father, the Black Wolves had to leave for another mission. We both understood we might never see each other again.

“You don’t wish to dance?” I chuckle.

“You know I am not the best on my feet.” She tilts her head to the side. “That fall on the island has seen to that.” She lifts her skirt to show me her ankle, which is all scarred and discolored. I kneel down and take her bare foot into my hand, and kiss her ankle gently.

“Silly boy,” she scoffs. “Stand up.”

“You told me my height made you nervous,” I chuckle as I stand back up. “What has changed?”

“A good nervous.” She smiles and her wings shift. She takes a seat on a sofa, then pats the cushions beside her. “Come, sit with me.”

I take the offer and Illithiya places herself in my lap. She kisses me and presses her small frame against my chest. I wrap my hands around her waist, meeting her soft, eager kisses gladly. She tangles her fingers in my hair, and a painful jolt surges through me.

“Oh, no! I’m sorry!” Illithiya gasps. She kisses my temples and cheek. “I forgot, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I cup her cheek in my hand. “Keep going.”

Illithiya smiles and kisses the tip of my nose. “Remember when we left the island, and I pulled you into that closet?”

“How can I forget?” I undo her braid and let her soft white hair fall around her shoulders. “I’ve never felt more like a man than being willed by your hands.”

“Rolf,” she mewls in my ear. “Make me yours again.”

“Are you sure?” I whisper.

Illithiya nods and removes the belt holding her dress. She strips away the fine fabric and sits naked in my lap. “I’ve only ever wanted you.”

I lay her down on the sofa, kissing down her body until my head is tucked between her soft thighs. Her slit is warm and ready, already dewy from our kisses and words. She tastes divine as I explore her lips and slit with my tongue. My own arousal is coming to a painful peak the more she moans and sighs. Her small frame writhes on the sofa, and her nectar spills onto the cushions. 

“Rolf-” she whimpers. “Please, stop now before-” she pants.

I look up at her. “You want me to stop?” I chuckle.

She touches my beard where her wetness is caught. “I want you inside me when I cum.”

I moan and bury my face in her neck. “Dammit!” I growl. “Must you be so sweet?”

Illithiya giggles and wraps her arms around my neck. “Take your clothes off now. Hurry!” She lets me go and I hurriedly remove my clothes. I am not used to such finery, so it takes me a while. I then quickly return to her side, kissing her and laying my body over hers.

Her legs wrap around my waist, making my shaft slide along her slit. Illithiya loses her breath for a second as I nuzzle against her small breasts. I lick her stiff nipples and suck on them while I rut against her, coating myself in her wetness.

“Stop tormenting me!” Illithiya whines. “Hurry.”

“Sorry,” I kiss her. “I didn’t realize it was so horrible.” I guide myself inside her, watching her narrow slit stretch to take me. Her dark purple lips cling around me and her lashes start to flutter. That night on the ship she had been a tight fit as well, but we made love until dawn. Tonight, I hope, will be no different. 

I move deep inside her, grinding for a moment as her mouth opens wide and a choked cry comes out. I roll my hips, studying her body and how her wings unfurl. She curls them around us, blocking the world away.

I start to go faster, making the sofa we’re on jerk and scoot across the floor. Illithiya grabs me, pulling me down and kissing me. Her tongue licks over my lips and she cries and moans into my ear.

“Rolf!” she whines. “I’m close!”

“Me too,” I growl. “Illithiya. Illithiya,” I moan her name until I release. The powerful swell travels along my spine and through each limb. I tremble and buck, burying myself and my seed deep inside her. Tears slip down her cheeks as she lets out a deep cry. She then starts to giggle, and claws her fingers down my back.

We lay together for the longest time, talking about nothing and just laughing and kissing. After a while she sits up and looks at me. “There is something serious I need to discuss with you.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask her. “You look scared.” I hold her cheek in my palm and she nuzzles into it. 

“Something strange is happening,” she murmurs. “Remember those who were taken on the island?” She kneels down and pulls out a small box from under the sofa. “One of them was a friend of the Peaks. He had vanished and just a few months ago, he showed up again.”

I furrow my brow. “What?”

“He was strange, different.” Illithiya opens the box. “He had these with him.” Inside are small vials. Each one contains a living, ruby-colored creature that slithers like a leech.

“He was trying to plant them inside people,” she whispers urgently. “I think that’s what they were doing to the taken on the island.”

I close the box and set it aside. “I’ll take it to Dhaval in the morning.” I kiss her forehead. “Thank you for bringing this to me.”

“Do you think it has something to do with this Sanguis Rex?” Illithiya asks. “That’s what my father believes. He says it’s because those… things look like rubies.”

I lay back down with her on the sofa, and clutch her close to my chest. “These days, I’m willing to believe anything.” I kiss the top of her head as she clings to me. 

“I’m staying with you until we know for sure,” she whispers. “And maybe even after that.”