The Prophecy of the Broken Soul
Winter ruled the mountains that night.
Wind pushed through the dark pine forests and climbed the stone walls of Moonhold like a restless spirit. Snow drifted along the battlements while torches burned low against the cold.
Inside the fortress, the great halls did not sleep.
Servants hurried along narrow corridors carrying hot water and bundles of cloth. Guards stood watch beside every doorway, their armor catching the flicker of torchlight.
At the center of the keep, Queen Seredwyn fought through the long hours of labor.
The chamber smelled of smoke and herbs. Midwives moved quickly around the bed, speaking in hushed tones.
"Breathe, Your Majesty," one whispered gently.
Seredwyn gripped the carved wood of the bedframe. Her silver braid had come loose, strands clinging to her damp forehead.
"I am breathing," she muttered.
Thunder rolled across the mountains.
Outside, wolves began to howl.
The sound rose from the valley in a long, echoing cry.
One of the younger midwives froze. "That is not normal."
"Hush," another replied.
But the howling grew louder.
Down the corridor, boots struck the stone floor.
Elder Maelis Thorn walked quickly through the hall, leaning on a dark wooden staff. Her thin white hair moved around her face in the draft.
Two guards straightened when they saw her.
"My lady," one said. "The queen did not call for the seers tonight."
Maelis did not slow.
"She will."
The guard frowned. "Is something wrong?"
Maelis paused at the chamber door.
Her pale eyes lifted toward the ceiling, listening.
"Everything," she said softly.
Inside the room, the queen cried out as another wave of pain struck.
The storm outside surged stronger.
A midwife rushed to open the door. "We need more light!"
Maelis stepped inside.
No one questioned her presence.
She moved toward the bed and studied the queen with calm eyes.
Seredwyn noticed her at once.
"You came," the queen said between breaths.
"I had to."
"Then you already know."
Maelis gave a slow nod.
"The night itself is watching."
Another howl rose outside the walls.
Moments later, the child was born.
His cry filled the chamber.
Then something strange happened.
The storm faded.
The wind slowed.
Even the wolves fell silent.
The midwife wrapped the newborn in soft cloth and placed him gently in the queen's arms.
Seredwyn looked down at her son.
His hair was dark. His face small and strong.
But his eyes—
Gray.
Sharp.
Watching.
Maelis stepped closer.
The other seers had arrived now, slipping quietly into the chamber. They gathered around the bed, their expressions uneasy.
Seredwyn noticed.
"What do you see?" she demanded.
None of them answered.
The queen's voice hardened.
"You will speak."
Maelis finally reached out and placed two fingers lightly against the child's forehead.
Her breath caught.
"What is it?" Seredwyn asked.
Maelis slowly lowered her hand.
"This child…"
"Yes?"
"…is not whole."
The room went still.
Seredwyn's gaze sharpened. "Explain."
"The spirit within him is divided," Maelis said carefully.
"Half bound to the light of our kind."
"And the other half?"
Maelis hesitated.
"Closer to the wolf than the man."
The queen studied her son again.
He looked peaceful.
Perfect.
"Prophecies are fragile things," she said quietly.
Maelis did not argue.
"But this one is strong."
Seredwyn lifted her chin.
"No one leaves this chamber with that story."
The seers exchanged glances.
"You would hide the truth?" one asked.
"I would protect my son."
Outside, the wolves began howling again.
Long.
Wild.
Seredwyn held the child closer.
"His name," she said firmly, "will be Alaric."
The torches flickered.
In the corridor beyond the chamber, Lord Dacien Morholt stood quietly in the shadows.
He had heard enough.
The prophecy had begun.
And far below the mountain, deep in the silent forest, a young woman named Lysandra Falken paused on the snowy path.
The wolves' cry echoed through the valley.
She placed a hand against her chest.
For a brief moment, her heart skipped a beat.
High above the forest, inside the fortress of Moonhold, the newborn prince opened his gray eyes.
And stared into the dark.