High in the top of the trees rested the female known as Alee; her cloak was wrapped tightly around her figure. They were running out of time to find Isard alive and well, hopefully. Many voiced their opinions that Isard was in fact dead and she was just chasing spirits but Alee and a few others, such as the men that followed behind her, believed otherwise. Isard had been too strong to br killed so easily. The man was incredibly stubborn and his drive for freedom would be his only aid. She knew him so much better than anyone else, they had been raised together after all.

The fair haired woman sighed softly to herself and from her vantage point in the trees she could see the city below and the castle off in the distance. [b]"Isard...I hope you're alive..."[/b] she muttered to herself before she climbed from the tree and settled on the ground where breakfast was already being made. Their camp was close to a stream and hidden within a small gully that was bordered by a few large boulders that created a wall against the wind. They would head into the city after breakfast to scout out a way into the castle, or if there was any news of Isard. He was their hope in restoring their people to their former glory, and to bring peace. There were many who talked of attacking the humans and taking back what was rightfully theirs. It was people like them that made Alee frantic in finding Isard. 

[b]"It is ready, Alee. You must eat."[/b] One of the men, a dark haired man with brown eyes, spoke to her. His name was Imir. To his right sat a man that resembled him very much and the only difference in their appearances was Imir was smooth shaven. [b]"We've been-"[/b]

[b]"You've been talking about me?"[/b] she stated with a raised brow.

The men shared a look of apprehension before Imir spoke up once more. [b]"We're just worried about you. Trying to find Isard is taking a toll on you and we think that-"[/b]

[b]"Finding him is not a waste of our efforts, Imir! He is alive, I know it."[/b] She did not have the tone of someone who was trying to convince themselves of something. Alee's voice was confident and sure in her thoughts. [b]"You should both remember that Isard was a stubborn fool in his youth and that trait has probably grown by now. He wouldn't give up so easily...not when we're all out here."[/b] Alee, Isard, Imir and the other man, Yalen, had all grown up together; Imir and his brother Yalen sharing a close bond to the other two. All four were related to some extent as cousins.

They would not give up on Imir, he wouldn’tt give up on them in the same situation. For now the trio would hang back, collect more supplies and eventually think of a plan to rescue Imir.
--

Within the confines of the castle, Imir was fed a small meal of stale bread and water before the door to his cage was opened. [b]”The King and Queen demand your presence, werewolf.”[/b] Oh how lovely, his only taste of freedom and the ability to stand to his full height weighed on the shoulders of two people who couldn’t even decide if they wanted their daughter on one side of the table or the other. It was no secret that the servants gossiped about them, the royal family. There was no one to help him from his cage as the guards stood with their swords drawn as if the weakened man was a threat. Well he was, even in this state he was still plenty strong. 

When was the last time he was allowed to stand outside of his confining cage? It felt like forever as his bones and muscles ached upon being straightened. Isard towered over many of the guards, his matter hair falling around his shoulders like a dirty halo, and his small covering made of strips of cloth sewn together hung from his thin hips. He was wobbly like a new born calf and it took him a few minutes to remember how to work his legs. Isard was pushed from behind and the orders to mover were barked out to him harshly. He grit his teeth as he walked like an obedient dog. Where was Alee and when was she going to get him out of this hell hole?