She couldn’t quite remember when she got onto Fenrir’s back, but now she was riding the wolf back to the Academy. Fenrir easily carried her weight and still ran at his top speed. The smoke was heavy even from the ground and Gwen could only hope Fenrir knew where he was going. The wolf was not too pleased with the losing his sense of smell and his demeanor showed it. Anyone that was in his path quickly backed away when they saw the wolf with fresh blood on his jaws.

And finally she saw the castle walls. Men and women stood on guard and Gwen knew that they at least knew of the oncoming attack. From the distance she could hear a faint shout to open the gate. The door opened and Fenrir did not slow down. 

‘Get me to the Queen now,’ was her command and Fenrir obeyed. The nobles too saw Fenrir and decided it was better not to confront the dangerous looking wolf. The two stopped in front of the Queen and… the Prince of Helgland standing arm in arm. Gwen decided now was not the time to comment on such things.

Gwen bowed to both before speaking, “My Queen, there is urgent news. I must speak with you.” And the Queen nodded. “The enemy is already inside the city walls. The leader of the group within the city is dead. But they are preparing some sort of ambush. I do not know how many men, but my familiar tells me there are at least twenty.”

The Queen’s face was grim. She dismissed Gwen and told her to tell this to Henry while she finished her business. Gwen bowed again to the royal couple and Fenrir lead the way to the city wall where Henry and another girl were discussing tactics. Gwen arrived just in time to see Caroline summoning clay soldiers. 

“Henry!” Gwen threw her arms around the knight and hugged him. The contact was only brief but the relief Gwen felt in seeing him alright lifted her spirits. She quickly told him the news before letting him get back to strategizing. The girl standing close by seemed to sneer at Gwen, but she didn’t pay any attention, instead she went to Caroline. 

“Caroline! Are you alright?” Gwen knelt down to the girl. The two were acquaintances as their families were the direct advisors to the ruler. Although they had never been friends, they did share an amicable relationship.