The days had passed by in a blur of repetitive actions and Cerberus grumbled as he listened to the numerous other problems that seemed to accompany the prior week's attack. Two more had accompanied it not even a day later.  The city was visited by more than a dozen messengers, not even a day later. Their problems ranged from the disappearance of the prey animals to the pollution of a local fishing area and dead crops. It was enough to keep the men on Cerberus’ council arguing for some time. Hildr could only keep his mouth shut until the time came to quell their arguments before they incurred the king's wrath.

It was obvious that the king wasn't doing well. Everyone could see the circles underneath his eyes whenever he took his mask off in the presence of the council. His anger would swell up more than usual whenever someone brought up a sore subject like the attacks. Sighs constantly escaped his lips as he attempted to hold his head on his palm. It sort of made Hildr wonder what ran through his cousin’s head. Was he cursing his fate? Wishing his father was here to lead them out of the darkness?

But, there was one day when both Hildr and his cousin sat at the circular wooden table alone. The only sound between them was the crackle of the fire behind Cerberus. His head in his palm with his eyes closed and a frown stretched across his features.

Hildr slouched in his chair. His gaze locked on his cousin as if such a thing would allow him to see into Cerberus's very soul. “Cousin,” Hildr mused after a few silent moments. His cousin’s eyes peeking open as he gave a low grunt. “Have you been feeling well? You-”

“I'm fine!” Cerberus roared. His eyes became a few shades darker as he glowered down at his cousin who only groaned in response. The two males staring at one another as the door opened for the council to come in. Each one carried grim frowns as they murmured apologies for their lateness. It was obvious that nothing good had happened.

While all the other men had sat, one stood, his bright hazel eyes staring Towards the wall before hesitantly moving towards the great and mighty king. “The Barons and Baroness have sent word that the people within their cities are becoming rowdy. Many of the barons believe that the people may rise up and take control.”

The king and his relative let loose a simultaneous groan. Hildr shook his head as he muttered a small, “What now,” as his eyes glared into the young man, one he knew as the younger brother of the Baroness.

“Yes, as my cousin said, what is the root of this problem?” Cerberus snarled. The action caused the younger man, obviously no older than a teen in comparison to the others, to shake like a leaf. Something that was obvious to a few of the other councilmen.

The boy swallowed, “I cannot comment on the other cities, my lord. But, my sister has said that supplies have become scarce to our people. The hunting clansmen who had once provided our home with prey from Fulgur Mountain have been reported dead. All but, a small handful killed by... something.”

“Something,” Cerberus pressed.

The boy confined to be twitchy as he contemplated his next words. “Well, you see, my lord,” He cleared his throat, “The hunters are unsure. We have not heard of anything like it.  They looked like animals… stone ones. Yet, prior to appearing they seemed to be a collective of black mist flowing through the air.”

Hilde nearly choked on his own spit as he jolted forward. His eyes became as wide as plates as he looked to the boy in terror. He had heard of animal-like Colossi, but that was long ago… from his sister and her comrades as they were unbelievably drunk… it was possible that they existed, yet until now no one else seemed to have witnessed the creatures. “Are you sure that was what they witnessed?”

“Yes, I've known one of the survivors for as long as I have lived. She would not spin such a tale just for the fun of it.” The boy firmly spoke. There's a strange confidence in his statement that wasn't often seen in him or any person of the council.

The king seemed pleased by the male's words.  His head bobbed up and down as he seemed to mull something over for a moment. “Bring the huntress, let her speak to us of what she has seen…” He shooed the teen away. His eyes then moved back to the others among the council. “Now what of your barons?”

Another stood, this one being the oldest of all the councilmen. “The recent attacks on all three settlements have caused many to fear for the larger cities…” the old man spoke, “After all, nearly all attacks were positioned on settlements of moderately-sized populations. We have no attacks on the villages… And only one city was ever targeted.”

The room fell silent after that, a grim look had fallen upon the features of all present in the room. The thought of that day ran through their minds. That was a day they all hoped would never come again.

…

Only maybe an hour had passed by when Cerberus had readied to dismiss all of the council. A strange weight seemed to lift from their shoulders as they stood from their seats. However, that ease they begin to feel quickly vanished as they heard another rap against the wooden door resonate through the one-roomed building. Cerberus’ eyes flitted over to the door before his voice boomed through the room. "Come in!"

The heavy door opened, a burst of cold air blew through the room, causing the fire to almost lean to the side and lick at the fireplace’s slate-colored stone. A man with a serpentine mask walked into the dimly lit room, the light blue of his predominantly black mask glowed ominously in the light of the fire. "Your Highness, there is someone here to meet with you. She said it was urgent."

Cerberus gave a huff, as he stood from his seat at the the table. His feet made a thud so loud against the creaky old wood that his men and cousin cringed at each agitated step. None could – or even would – admit that they didn't wish to be there at the moment. That they didn't want to have to follow their leader's thunderous footfalls, out into the chill of winter - or see their, very rude and not at all gracious leader insult the woman who dared come at such an un-opportune time. After all, Cerberus wasn't known to have a good temper at even the best of times. Even less so when he was tired.

As they walked, the snake-masked man watched his leader from the corner of his eye, letting out a puff of air at the king's current state. Anger and agitation plumed around Cerberus like a black hazy cloud which had amassed over his being. This wouldn't end well... at least not for the king. That he knew for sure.

On the other hand, Hildr could only wonder why a random woman would be here. She had to be a foreigner if she had not been distinguished by name. For all men and women who would make the trip to the city were often messengers or soldiers. But, if this woman was from somewhere else, what was her business here?

After a few minutes, the group stopped at the gate where a tall slender woman stood. If they'd had to guess she was probably nearly six feet. Her face, like all the adults in the village, was shrouded by a mask. However, hers was gold and glinted in the light of the moon. Her black hair framed the sides of her face like the mane of a black wolf. A pair of bright blue eyes glowed from behind her ornate mask, seeming to study the village before they moved back to the king and his councilmen. "Good evening, Your Majesty," her voice was soft as she took a few steps forward, casting a sidelong glance to the forest before she settled about five feet from King Cerberus.

The king settled his eyes on the slightly smaller woman who now held his gaze. Her bright eyes, and smile equally as warm as the glare being sent by the king. However, she did not give in. "What is it, Wench? Speak now before I have my men escort you away."

The strange woman's smile only seemed to widen at this. "I would like for my people to be given a space among your people. The Colossi have been a thorn in your paw for far too long, my king. Please, allow us to help you."

Cerberus did not move, nor did he speak a word for a few moments. "Help us? You would join an already starving kingdom and give them more mouths to feed... only for your flimsy help!?" His teeth were grating against each other. Both the Snake-masked man and Hildr tensed up as they saw Cerberus’ eyes darken.

Yet, the councilmen stood in awe at the way the woman didn't flinch at his booming voice or the blazing flames of anger that roiled around the male. "You may only be a man of twenty-four years; however, you are a king - you have no queen, no heir." She stated matter-of-factly. "If you offer my kin a place to stay, I will become your queen, and we will help you with the Colossi."

All the men knew what was coming, they always hated this part. However, before Cerberus could open his mouth and bark out his disagreement or another insult, his serpentine comrade clamped a hand over the king's shoulder. Dragging him away from the group.

"Sire... Cerberus," He spoke, his pale blue eyes locking with his friend’s yellow ones. Like always, he saw that anger – the anger that had blazed for the last four years since he had become king. However, he could see something even more indecipherable and worrying, though he quickly shook it off – he had much more pressing matters. "this would be an offer you won't want to let slip through your fingers."

"Naga-" The king was about to interrupt. However, with a hiss, Naga had quickly silenced his old friend.

"Don't you ‘Naga’, me!" The male shouted, "We are fighting the most terrifying creatures that I've ever seen. Your father was much older when he married, but that was in a time of peace. You don't have such a luxury, my friend." Cerberus gave a sigh, for the many years he had known Naga, he had learned to always trust his judgment. “The Ravens said that they saw them coming from the north. You know the tribe kingdom that once resided there, you know the stories, you know their powers.”

Cerberus scowled as he and Naga returned to his men and the woman who still held her head up high. “Fine, I accept your offer, Lady…”

“Jord, my king.”