Closing the gate, he entered the big hall surrounded by many book racks. He immediately found the nearby table and put his leather bag on it. Pulling out the books that Lord Commandant had told him to put back in the library.

Being a messenger meant to report the happenings in his village to his King, to parcel any important scroll or object to or from his King, to write scrolls guided by the high officials if required, to work for those officials and the King neutrally. 

He sighed when his eyes fell on the books, he had put here last week. They were sixteen in numbers and all were about War. The King, Prince and Lord Commandant's chambers were filled with them as they had studied these before making strategies for the War happened in Sherfield. He could very well conclude that the books did help them winning the war. Now, the Burnsley Kingdom had signed the treaty not to interfere in the matters of Sherfield and both claimed it as an independent spot, unavailable to be claimed. Even then the servant hadn't put them respectfully in the selected shelves like he had ordered him to.

No one was really as passionate as the men from his village, Logan was proud of the fact. He decided to put those books on their places later. Because for now, he hurriedly needed to find the required books for Samara and Violet.

It wasn't the first time he was looking for those books. The moment it was announced that the creature was none other a werewolf beast, the King had ordered his trusted scholars to look for their traits, histories, incidents and everything. That day was the busiest for this library that all four scholars started looking for the books with even a mere mention of the word 'werewolf'.

Logan participated in the search while Erasmus had assisted too. But to his disappointment, the Prince hadn't allowed him to stay or any other soldier to stay when the scholars shared their observations with the King's Council. 

Since then, he had tried hard to enter the library and look for himself. He asked his parents and grandparents if they knew anything about werewolves. But none of them knew much about it since they were mere traders of wool while Logan was the first boy to join the army.

He walked quietly towards the shelf he knew were holding the books for mythologies. After the observations, the books were put back in their places and now scholars, seers and the senior officials were planning to catch this beast with the King.

A smirk came upon his lips when he caught the familiar title 'History Of Werewolves'. The books was a good way to confuse a person about the concept since there were thousands of folklores about their origin. There were hundreds of stories about their survival. Many real incidents about these beasts that could help the girls find so many things. Most importantly, the book consists features and traits of that creature.

He himself didn't have the time to read these and even keep the book in his house. It was obvious with Lord Commandant and Nathaniel in the same field, politics was going on in the King's court. It was no guarantee if only the culprit will be caught. If somehow he would get falsely blamed by the court of the King, they would check his home first and talk to his family. The books could be a big proof to further mislead them. So, it was safe if he just let the girls study.

He put the book into his bag. It wasn't big, but quite thick. He further walked and brought the lantern in his hand closer to the shelves, trying to find more books that could help them. There were books of fictional stories about werewolves. He clicked his tongue. He didn't need fiction. He needed the truth.

He sighed and walked out of the shelf. He hung the lantern on a big nail at the end of the row and walked towards the table to put his bag. He picked the books about wars and placed them accordingly on the related section. They were sixteen in numbers so he took three rounds. During his last round, Logan was only picking up the last four books when his eyes fell on the name of the first book.

'The History of  the Northern Towns.'

Logan narrowed his eyes when he saw a feather falling out from between the pages. He put the books down and opened the first book where the feather was. Confusion surfaced his mind at recognizing the feather very well. Putting it aside, his eyes squinted to observe the the corner of these pages folded.

'The History of Sherfield'

His eyes stoned and goosebumps risen on his arms when he read the subtitle under it- 'The town of ghosts.'

Before he could even open it, the loud gong rang around the castle. His heart jumped up to his throat. It was time for the talk with the three suspects. He needed to be at the court. Closing the book, he put it in his bag and left the library, running out towards the King's court.

______

Nathaniel glared at the boys who too were present there with their fathers. He had his eyes specifically on Samuel who was glaring back at him. Lord Commandant flared his nostrils when Erasmus stood ahead with the local guards of the castle.

"Begin the proceedings." The King ordered while shifting on his throne actively. His eyes moving on each face present.

Logan panted hard as he had reached just now, he stood beside the scholars. He watched as a the law minister from the court came forward and faced the three soldiers. His eyes fell on Nathaniel first.

"You are Nathaniel Barton, the newly assigned Arm-supervisor. Your father Lord Commandant has served the army from last thirty years. He has fought for our country in five wars. It was your first one. I am not very happy to mention that your honor is in danger considering your presence outside the hall during the full moon night. Two of our soldiers have even reported about you breaking the unity between the soldiers. Please explain yourself," the minister said while stepping back and sitting down on chair.

The Prince watched attentively as Nathaniel gulped in nervousness. He looked around, at the king and at last, his eyes met his own father.

Logan bit his lip in suspense while Erasmus's fist tightened. He couldn't wait for the culprit to be revealed.

"I. . . I was out to find privacy." Nathaniel bit his tongue when he realized how opposite it sounded. "I needed to piss," he breathed out while looking up at the King and the Prince. "My reason was as normal as of that girl who screamed. She was out for privacy too. When I heard her, I had went to follow the sound. I was only lost and was behaving like a soldier, checking on the place. I had no other intention."

Samuel exchanged a stern glance with his father and breathed angrily.

The minister looked at Lord Commandant and nodded. He stood up and was about to ask Jeffrey when a voice came, "I object."

Nathaniel looked at Samuel who flared his nostrils while breathing hard. "I was out in the hall too. Nathaniel was drunk and sweating hard when he found me. He wasn't investigating. He was controlling his beast. He said bad words to me and my sister-"

"You will be given the chance." The minister spoke sternly.

Samuel stopped, his lips parting. His jaws clenched when he saw Lord Commandant and Nathaniel smirking. His father squeezed his shoulder, making him listen to the minister and shut his mouth.

"Jeffery Gento," the minister nodded at his father standing behind him and continued reading the thick paper, "You have joined the army three years ago. Your father, Nuran Genti is a blacksmith at the castle's factories. It was your first war. Please tell us the reason why you left the hall, the night of full moon."

Jeffery gulped nervously, he could feel Samuel's eyes on him.

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes when he finally began explaining, "I had seen Samuel leaving the hall with-"

Samuel lowered his eyes immediately. Lord Hampton listened carefully when the minister immediately encouraged, "Yes? With whom?"

"It was a girl," Jeffery said, not wanting to mention her name in order to not bring her name in this. "Samuel had been drinking wine more than he was supposed to. I was afraid if he would get lost somewhere or worse get unconscious. So, I followed him."

"Please mention the name of the girl."

Jeffery glanced at Samuel worriedly who nodded a little. Wiping the sweat off his temple, he gulped.

"Ida."

King's eyes stoned while the Prince shifted on his seat, now being more interested since she was one of the high Lord's daughter.

"But why would you be following them when you know she's with your best mate? It could be that they are courting. Or needed privacy because of that only-"

"I don't trust that girl." Jeffery announced what immediately biting his tongue. He had said something that he wasn't supposed to say.

"May I know why," The minister tilted his head.

Jeffery looked around. "I am Samuel's best mate. I know what kind of a man he is. The girl doesn't deserve a man like him. Also, they are not of the same class."

"Could it be other reasons? You liking the girl?" The minister asked slowly.

Jeffery let out a chuckle. "I do not like that girl. I barely get time to glance at women," he cleared it immediately. "Samuel is the only one who has supported me from the beginning. When he took those arrows, I had thought I lost my mate. He is fine, but I am always alert if he gets attacked again."

Lord Hampton's lips parted while Samuel gave Jeffery a sad smile. Nathaniel breathed angrily.

The Minister nodded and walked towards the third suspect. "You are Samuel Hampton. Your father, Lord Hampton has been serving in the army from last twenty two years. Because of your utmost bravery and brilliant archery, you are awarded the Archery Controls. Why would a hard-working soldier like you be a rebel and be out of the hall?"

Samuel smiled humorlessly.

"Just like my friend, Jeffery confessed. I got out of the hall with the girl I am courting. Ida and I were walking through the corridors when we heard screams from the hall. I wasn't aware of the strategic trap of recognizing the wolf. I just got unlucky to be out at the wrong time. I am not the wolf." He nearly raised his tone.

The minister nodded while checking his papers. "How has been your gashes from the war? Are they healing? Can you show them to the King?"

Samuel stiffened and immediately looked around the court. His father nodded at him with his eyes turning glossy. "Why just me? I took those arrows for my nation, not to become a wolf. And you insult me here? Where were you to when my wounds were deep and open? Now, you want to see them?" He roared in anger.

Logan widened his eyes when the minister nodded at the guards who came forward to manhandle him as they removed his woollen shirt. Samuel shouted and protested but they were four and overpowered him.

Everyone lost breaths when the shirt was dropped near his foot. Samuel breathed heavily, his lips trembling from such monstrosity.

The minister observed the healing gashes that were stitched. They were five of them on his upper body. "Turn around," he ordered, making Lord Hampton move Samuel accordingly.

The two gashes were on his shoulder and the side of his waist. "How did you manage to survive so many arrows?" The minister wondered while Erasmus clenched his jaws.

"Like you survive thinking, you'll be safe after caging me." Samuel shouted angrily. "I am not the wolf," he screamed.

"Samuel," Lord Hampton came forward to control his writhing son.

The minister nodded at the scholars and then at the Prince. He moved to Jeffery. "Describe me all the scenes when you have faced the wolves on the thirteenth night of the war."

Jeffery blinked nervously. He stood his ground and counted, "I heard the howls, every night. I saw the wolf for very first time when I had reached the pond with boys to save the beaten one. The wolf was killed. I recognized Prince's sword and had pulled it out when other two wolves had returned."

He looked around, remembering the night. "When the wolves were about to attack us, I, Logan and the Prince had ran away. I swear, I had thought I would die in the hands of a wolf. But I had ran faster and hid into a barren hut with the Prince. The place where we had found Earl's leg trapped into a trap of branches. We had helped him getting out. We three had waited and when we felt the path was clear, we left for the tents."

The Prince's mouth opened in shock as he remembered it immediately. "Yes. Yes. The boy says the truth."

Jeffery sighed in relief while the minister moved on to the next soldier. "Why were you at the pond, Nathaniel?"

Lord Commandant smiled embarrassingly when Nathaniel answered, "Why do you think? We soldiers fight, risking our lives in the war. The war continued for two days without any stop. When we had finished the men and moved back to tents, I had lost my sanity from the enemies I killed. I needed peace. I also needed to piss. So, I walked towards the jungle."

"Even when you were given orders, not to disturb the wild animals. You left the tents and broke rule of your own father?"

Nathaniel gritted his teeth, his eyes raging. "He was my Commandant that time and I needed peace. It was all fine until this bastard came and attacked me." He pointed at Samuel.

"Hey!" Lord Hampton came towards him. "Mind your tongue."

"Or what?" Lord Commandant immediately replied, his hands on his waist.

"You dare court my sister and still touches the slaves here," shouted Samuel angrily. "Of course, you needed to be attacked."

Jeffery came to pull back Samuel while guards pulled his father back.

"Your sister?" Lord Commandant snorted. "She was afted my son. I saw the way she pasted herself to my son, the full moon night. A gold-digger-"

"What did you say, you piece of a shit?" Lord Hampton glared at him.

The minister came in between.

"I am glad I came to know your real selves," Lord Hampton continued while breathing angrily. "I would never marry my daughter to you, you lying prick."

"Tell her to stop dreaming about me, then. She is the one coming after me." Nathaniel sneered.

Logan shook his head while glaring at Nathaniel.

The Prince got up from his chair. "Stop, now." He glared at all of them. "Release them, this moment. I respect the sacrifices. I respect the wounds. But before anymore innocents die, the wolf must come out on his own. Or when we'll find it, we won't let it even howl to the moon."

Samuel stopped writhing and was stunned while Nathaniel's lips parted. Jeffery closed his eyes while Logan gulped.

"But how can we release them-"

The King cut off the minister. "Leave them be. It is their internal fight. Have control of your cocks. We need patriotism, we do not need terror in our country by our own protectors. Either find the wolf yourself, or I'll have you all executed."

Lord Hampton's jaw ticked as he cursed the fat King. He glared at everyone while getting out with his son.

Nathaniel was pushed away by the guards when Lord Commandant stopped them and took his son out himself. Jeffery walked with his old father quietly.

"Why did you let them go, my King?" Erasmus asked while bowing.

"If the beast doesn't want to show up, we will make it." The King announced angrily.

The Prince blinked calmly and nodded at Erasmus. Logan narrowed his eyes.

"We provoke it."

______

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