章 444: Let's Make a Deal
Yumeto, Collyn, Taran, Dania....How many from the University, willing or unwilling, had been taken or recruited for Taran's scheme?
Around a quarter of those at the University had not made the transition when the school of learning had moved to the capital of Valiant. Each had some excuse or other why they could not continue their work at the new location.
Had they all been caught up in Taran's scheme?
Probably not, but enough of them had that it was concerning.
Renat sat down on the grass in a pensive state. It was nice not to have his arms stretched wide, but having his wrists chained together was less than ideal as well. He tugged fruitlessly on the chain which was wrapped around the tree. It was locked tight.
The hair on the back of his neck bristled as he sensed someone coming up behind him. He turned to meet the interloper, but his snarl quickly turned to a whimper. Tessa blanched, but tried not to look as terrified as she obviously felt.
"I am sorry for sneaking up on you. I just wanted to bring you breakfast. I know the wolves can get very hungry and since you..." Tessa caught herself and stopped abruptly.
Renat shook his head in understanding. "It's alright. I am a wolf right now, whether or not I like it. I appreciate you taking care of me. Good news!" He held up his shackled hands. "I can feed myself this time."
Tessa set the plate on the ground next to him and waited with Ami nearby. Neither of them seemed like they wanted to be in range of him if they could help it.
Renat couldn't blame them. He had seen himself in the mirror. No matter how friendly, the scientist was truly a horror like the rest.
Looking at the two women, Renat had a strange thought. He looked around to make sure no one was listening before he spoke his mind. "You aren't restrained. What is stopping you from running away? Oblivion is not that far, is it?"
"If we try to leave, the wolves track us down and kill us or worse…some have been brought back to camp and never seen again." Tessa shivered.
Ami curled up in a ball beside her, and the older woman laid a comforting arm across her back.
"Oh…" Renat could see he had struck a nerve. He knew better than to press further.
"Are…are you planning to escape?" Ami peeked out from behind her bent knees. It was the first time that the scientist had heard her speak.
He contemplated his answer. "I suppose it is no secret I don't want to be here. I will need help to get out of these chains though, so for now it seems I am stuck tight."
Renat watched carefully. Tessa pressed her lips together, and Ami dipped her head back behind her knees, unwilling to engage further.
'It was worth a try…' the scientist went to eating quietly. While still not easy to feed himself with his hands latched together, it was far preferable to the alternative. He finished much more quickly and cleanly than the day before.
The rest of the day passed with those in the camp preparing for battle. Some of the monstrous creatures were obviously warriors before they transformed. They sharpened weapons and shined armor that was ill fitting to their new form.
Others prepared by packing provisions or securing the camp. Even with these seemingly mundane tasks, the excitement bordering on mania was evident. Renat felt it too. Something inside him stirred as he thought about combat.
His body was already at war with himself. Although he had let the poison take over, he had not fully given into its pull. The crazed bloodlust still boiled in his belly. He needed something physical to fight against to curb the anger inside him. The scientist imagined the battle. Only instead of fighting humans, he was battling against the wolves and lizards.
Renat would kill every last one of them in order to save his wife. His heart beat quicker as the man pictured what he would need to do. It wouldn't be pretty. His vision turned red and for a moment, wild rage overtook him. Nothing was going to get in his way.
Ami's timid yelp stirred Renat from his crazed state. He was at the end of his chains snarling and growling at her. How had he even gotten there?
Retreating quickly to the tree trunk, the scientist pushed back his flattened ears, ashamed. "I am sorry. I wasn't trying to scare you. I don't know what came over me."
Ami did not respond, just sat at the edge of the prince's range and watched him quietly. This only made the prince feel more upset by his own actions. He vowed to control himself better in the future.
"I won't hurt you," Renat told the young woman. His kind eyes made Ami relax slightly.
Her uncertain gaze watched him closely for some time. "I know you won't, Your Highness," she answered with a heavy emphasis on the word 'you.'
The prince felt there was a second half to her statement, but it was never spoken. By the way Ami had clamped her mouth shut, she hadn't even meant to speak the first part.
The young woman seemed to think that any word might be her last, and so she used them sparingly. Though with where she was being kept, Renat could not blame her.
The brown wolf had no idea how much Ami had been through, but he didn't want to make it worse by forcing her to speak. So he nodded as comfortingly as he could before returning to his thoughts.
Tonight, Renat would escape. The chains were stronger than the ropes had been, but also more rigid. In his unrestrained outburst, the brown wolf had nearly gotten one of his thin wrists to slip out of the shackles. Even as a monster, his thinner frame was still evident.
Based on things he had overheard, he realized that they were currently north of Oblivion. If he left at dusk, he could probably get there by morning. He just needed to bide his time and try not to garner suspicion.
By the time dinner came, every bit of fight seemed gone from the chocolate brown wolf. He seemed sullen and hopeless. Tessa noticed the marked change in the prince's demeanor when she brought him a plate and water.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry." Tessa could not stand to see the prince so sad.
"It isn't your fault. Lady Livie wants to force me into submission." Renat gave the kitchen maid a weary smile.
"I just want you to see the truth of your new found glory," Livie interrupted. Beside her, the lady's assistant brought a stool and a platter of food. The scientist found it strange that the lady did not have a female attendant, but out in the wild he supposed a male was more useful to her.
"If by glory, you mean horror, then yes, I am well acquainted with it..." Renat's words sounded broken and hollow.
Clicking her tongue, Livie hid her disappointment. "Still stubborn, but I am patient. May I join you for this meal?" Gracefully, Livie sat on the stool with a straight back and accepted her plate.
Tessa tried to hand Renat his food, but he would not take it. "I have lost my appetite," he cut his eyes toward the cunning noblewoman, but she seemed unbothered by his refusal.
"It is your loss..." Livie motioned for Tessa to set the plate on the ground and leave.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," the older woman placed the dish on the ground next to him and disappeared between the tents.
"You don't have to eat. It is delicious though." Livie dabbed at her mouth after a juicy bite. "I know from observation that the wolves become quite ravenous this time of day."
The succulent meat did look delicious, and Renat's stomach ached with hunger, but he fought the urge to give in.
"I didn't just come to have a delightful meal with you. I actually came to discuss something. It is about your wife, Princess Mairwen..." Livie smiled sweetly, but the scientist knew her intention was anything but sweet.
"Don't you dare hurt Mairwen!" Renat lashed out suddenly.
"I think it is sweet how much you care for her," the sincerity in Livie's voice caught the scientist off guard for a moment. But as quickly as her mask had fallen, it was back in place. "If she cares for you just as much, then I think I have a way to save her."
Reluctantly, the prince gave the lady his full attention.
"I am glad to see you can still be reasonable. I know the royal family is in Oblivion. Everyone who opposes us will die, including everyone inside the Duchess's manor. If you join our side, I will make sure your wife is saved, and if you can convince her that these transformations should be embraced and not oppressed, then we will happily allow Princess Mairwen to take the throne as Empress."
"You do not know my wife at all..." Renat began before Livie held up her hand.
"But you do. If you can convince her, she shall be spared. Think about the life you can live together. You can be great rulers." The Lady began to paint a romantic picture, but the scientist wasn't fooled.
"A happy couple? With me as a wolf?" he scoffed.
"Yes," Livie nodded emphatically. She took one last bite on her plate and awaited his response.
Renat paused, unsure of how to proceed with the noblewoman. "I'll think about it," he said at last.
"Good. You have until morning." Livie stood. Her assistant took her things as she gathered her azure dress up in her hands. "Rest well, Prince Renat. I know you will make the right choice..."
The scientist watched her walk away. It was clear she did not plan to wait for long, but it did not matter.
Renat had already made his choice.
He needed to get away.
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