The Citadel of Zerfiyan – Throne Hall
The banners of House Gaga hung high above the flame-lit hall, their stallion sigils stitched in gold, trailing like smoke from the ceiling's vaulted heights. Lords from across the realm stood beneath them, silent, eyes fixed on the throne where King Al Waris sat in judgment.
He did not look like the man who won the 23-Day War. His broad shoulders were still proud, but his eyes—once fierce—now held a heaviness. The crown of flame, forged from red-gold and obsidian, weighed heavy on his brow.
At his side stood Queen Serethe Ishindar, silver-haired and cold-eyed, with her sons—Ruin and Kael—behind her. Ruin wore a smile too wide for the moment. Kael stood quiet, hands behind his back.
The lords had argued for days.
No name had gained majority.
Now came the king's word.
> "The council is deadlocked," Al Waris declared. "And so, by the power of the Flame Throne, I invoke royal veto."
A hush fell. Dozens of heads tilted forward, waiting.
> "I name Nufairish burGaga, Lord of Kayser , as the new Ul Omir ( high lord) of the Realm."
Whispers rippled. A few gasps. Someone in House Ishindar muttered:
> "That damned wolf..."
Queen Serethe's lips did not move, but her eyes narrowed.
---
Kayser Keep – Far North
Snow fell gently across the high towers of Kayser, the ancestral seat of House burGaga, carved into the frozen bones of the Norsican cliffs.
Nufairish burGaga, Lord of Kayser, held the pigeon's letter in his hand. His expression was unreadable.
At the far window, Miriyan, his wife, stood with arms folded, watching their children in the courtyard below.
> "They summon you," she said. "Back to zefriyan."
Nufairish turned.
> "The king named me Ul Omir."
She flinched.
> "That title cost us Hilkiz. It cost me two brothers. And now it comes again."
Below, in the yard, Sayla sparred with a wooden sword, knocking her brother Ilan back laughing. Nearby, Ferran polished his blade. Sera, the third one, sat atop the wall, bow in hand, watching snowflakes.
> "Even the girls are learning the blade," Miriyan said, voice bitter. "We left the capital to protect them. You think returning will fix anything?"
> "It's not a choice," Nufairish replied. "The realm is breaking again. And Al Waris… needs me."
> "Then gods help us," she said. "Because the realm is full of wolves. And some wear crowns."
---
Citadel Garden – That Evening
Queen Serethe walked beneath the moonlight, her robe trailing across ancient stone tiles. Beside her, Ruin grinned wide, his steps bold and arrogant.
> "So the old wolf returns," he said. "Ferran and Ilan—do you think they still remember me?"
Kael, a step behind, answered calmly.
> "Ferran always remembered his friends. Ilan remembers everything."
Serethe halted at the edge of the garden pond, the water reflecting pale silver.
> "You do not understand Nufairish," she said quietly. "He is not your uncle. He is not your ally. He is a man of iron beneath skin, and fire beneath honor."
> "But he is father's friend," Kael said.
She turned, her voice ice.
> "He screamed vengeance at the gates of this very citadel, the day his sister Hilkiz died. You were children. I remember his blade at our gate."
A shadow passed across the moon.
---
The Arrival of the Wolves
Trumpets rang out the next day. The burGaga banner — a silver wolf against black — fluttered beside the red stallion of House Gaga.
Nufairish entered Flame Watch with quiet dignity. Behind him rode Ferran, Ilan, Sayla, and Sera. Their presence turned every head.
The throne room stirred.
Al Waris stepped forward from his dais and embraced Nufairish.
> "It's been too long, brother."
> "Too much blood between visits," Nufairish answered.
Their smiles were practiced. Measured.
Serethe stepped forward with grace, offering no embrace.
Sayla, standing beside Miriyan, whispered,
> "Is she the aunt of witches?"
Miriyan hushed her, but her eyes were fixed on Serethe. Not in fear — in memory.
From the corner of the court, omir Bazrek Ishindar, old but still sharp-eyed, watched the reunion without blinking.
> "The king welcomes the wolf," he muttered. "But some wolves still bite."
---
Deep Beneath the Citadel
Later that night, beneath the Flame Throne, in a chamber few remembered, King Al Waris stood holding a silver necklace. It belonged to Hilkiz, Nufairish's sister and the woman who once ruled his heart.
The door creaked.
> "I thought I might find you here," Nufairish said.
> "You shouldn't show weakness," the king said quietly.
> "And yet you still hold her necklace."
Al Waris turned.
> "There are whispers. The Caltons survived. Maybe even in the east."
> "You butchered them."
> "Not all."
Just then, the door burst open.
Padris Ishindar, Serethe's brother, entered unannounced.
> "You think naming a wolf keeps the jackals away?"
> "You dare speak that way before your king?" Al Waris shouted.
Padris spat.
> "I'll speak before the gods. Because I know the burGaga curse has not faded."
He turned and stormed out.
> "They still fear you," Al Waris said to Nufairish.
> "Good," Nufairish said. "Let fear keep them honest."
---
Far on the Noten Coast…
The sea cracked against jagged rocks as two sailors stepped off their ship onto an unknown island.
Captain Ciril called out,
> "Hello? Anybody there?"
No answer. Only the crackle of a small fire and a shadow sitting near it.
As they approached, a sudden growl echoed.
A figure — pale, hunched, and sharp-fanged — lunged from the dark.