Mia was literally huffing and puffing as they landed on soft grounds.
"What was that? What was that thing just now? Mia asked, coiled in Lin's arms.
", we are safe. We are in the fox lands now. We are safe. Don't worry, " Lin comforted while looking around.
"What is it? What are you looking for? Mia asked, noticing his gaze.
"We were supposed to get right inside the palace. Inside Nana's chambers. Why could I not get ? " Lin wondered.
" Wait here for a few minutes. I will go check what's going on, " Lin told Mia, making her sit a pile of big boulders
"Don't Lin. Don't leave me behind alone like this, " Mia was about to break into tears. It was she was too scared.
"Mia.I need to hurry. I think they activated the war shield. The one we use during battles to keep at bay. I think we couldn't get in because you were with me. The shield detects wolf and sends it off for a detour. If I try getting in with you I will never succeed. Also I think are under the misunderstanding that I am being held captive at the wolf camp. Your father given me the responsibility of conveying what was happening to my father. I wasn't able to any messages. Boshu and the others might be terrified by now. And knowing my father, he sure gearing up for a full fledged war to rescue me. I need to clear things inside. There is no . The foxes will land directly on the wolf terrain by teleportation. With that evil lurking , we don't have room for any more misunderstandings. " Lin bent down in front of Mia, "
Mia looked at me carefully. I will send Boshu to be with you till the shield is lifted. You don't to worry. Is that clear? Just stay here and rest. Close your eyes for a while. It won't be than a minute. "
He kissed her on the forehead and wrapped her with his cloak. Mia was literally shivering.
But Lin didn't have the time to comfort her. He had to stop another war from breaking out due to . Lin dashed inside where the battalions were stationed.
"Lin, my boy. You are here, " It was indeed the fox king preparing for war. " How did you escape wolf's den? You aren't seriously hurt, are you? " He turned him around trying to check for .
" Father. Father listen to me. It wasn't like that. I wasn't being held captive. There's a lot going . I need to explain everything to you properly for it to make sense. In short , wolves aren't our . At Least not at this point. There's other things we need to take care of. " Lin tried to be brief and to the point as he could. His father still looking at him trying to comprehend his information.
"Father.Where is Boshu? "Lin was looking for him alla round but couldn't register, " also, we to get the shield down. "
" Boshu is already headed towards the wolf camp along with a battalion. Also Lin, we can't let shield down. We have detected an immense source of evil that is a wolf. You should have it too. Didn't you? His father asked, astonished.
" What? Yes. I know. I in fact almost came face to face with it. But Boshu went to the wolves?
We need to abort the mission right now. Send someone, father. Stop the massacre. There's out there that's evil like you said. It might be a wolf but the wolves themselves were against it. Like I said, it's very complicated. I need to see Nana. Where is she? '' Lin to face his father.
" Your Nana? Why do you want to visit her right now? What is so urgent? " His father asked. By time Lin's other brothers and a few officers had gathered around.
" I will explain later, " Lin called out as he dashed inside. But he stopped mid track and asked, "
By the way father, did you know about Nana's child? "
The question seemed to send an explosive flying through the ranks. Lin's father's face lost its instantly. He slowly came up to him and asked, " What did you just say? " He pulled Lin to corner and said, " You weren't supposed to have known about it.Where did you learn about it?
"
Lin smiled a sad smile and then replied, " Then it's true after all .Here I was thinking how great ancestors were but our history is smeared with blood. "He shoved his father's hands away went running towards his Nana's room. At the back of his mind, he wanted to get just some solved before heading back to his Mia. He was worried sick leaving her behind in that . That too with an evil lurking around.
" Nana. Nana., " He stormed in, opening the door with a bang.
But there was no reply. He rushed inside and checked on the bed but it was empty. He then up. He rushed up the stairs. It leads to the attic above and eventually to the terrace.
As he came up, he saw a flowery white gown, flowing in the wind. And there she was his Nana.
Standing with her hair open. Lin had never seen her wear that flowery gown ever. It seemed like belonged to someone about to get married. His Nana sure looked very odd with that on.
" Nana. Nana. What are you doing here? Come down. Come to me. " He called out.
"Ah! Lin. My sweet boy. I have been waiting for you. Here you finally come. " She smiled, her hands as if asking Lin for support. Lin came forward and helped her down .
"Come my boy. Let's get your quarries cleared. You shouldn't let Mia stay out all alone much , " Nana said as she came down.
Lin looked at her with bewilderment as soon as she mentioned Mia's name. How did she even ? Mia must have really met her like she was saying. Lin was having a culmination of that was going about but he wasn't having a good feel about it.
********
Boshu, Lin's best friend
Back at the wolves' camp the soldiers stood in formation, ready to brace the on coming assault.
Though they were not very sure what they were up against. Xie was in the front line. His other too had taken posts in the different corners leading to the main palace. Roe was with father , watching and monitoring the advances of evil.
The wolf king was especially very agitated. His forehead was sweating and he was to some extent.
"What is it father? I have seen you face all those enemies over the years but I have never seen like this. What is it we are up against this time? " Roe asked her father.
"The enemy that can be seen is nothing to be feared. It's the unseen that's the most malicious dangerous. Where did you say Mia was? We need to bring her inside the periphery of the castle. " The wolf king asked again.
" I told you father. We lost her when the alarm went around. But don't worry, Lin is within her.
She will be fine. '' Roe reassured him, while holding his hands firm.
"You don't understand. It's beyond Lin's capacity to stop the evil that's after her. He would stand chance against it alone, " The king was literally shaking as he emphasized on it.
"Alright.Alright.I will myself go check on her. Let's just get over with this first wave, if there is . I don't see any more movement on the horizon. Do you? " Roe scanned the perimeter with looking device. Then handed it over to her father, " Here take a look. "
Just as the wolf king stood up to recheck, hundreds of figures started popping out of nowhere the palace compound.
The soldiers were immediately ordered to attack and a fierce face off commenced.
It was a battle of the equals. Bodies flew here and there at the same ratio. The smell of blood the entire stretch.
The king, after taking a few more close looks, climbed up and announced, " STOP ATTACKING.
IT'S THE FOXES. "
The king had understood it was a fraction of a battalion sent to bring back Lin, since the actual was not yet sent to their camp. He understood it was a rescue mission.
The foxes too stopped fighting at the wolf king's announcement and looked around. So the king on, " Wolves' please retreat to your stations and wait for further orders. Take your injured have them treated. Also help the injured foxes, so they can either get treated here or they easily return to their kingdom. "
As the foxes looked at each other confused as to what their next move should be, Boshu stood from amongst them, blood dripping down his face and body, yet yelling on top of his voice, "
We would be going anywhere without Lin and Mia. We will fight to our deaths if that is the case.
"
Roe immediately jumped down from her position next to Boshu, " Oh my goodness, you are all over. Let me have a look. "
She tried removing his armor and helmet with her hands but he brushed her aside with a push,
"Stay away from me you vicious vixen. I will find Lin even if I have to reach the deepest pit or fly the highest skies. I will not abandon him again. "
It was visible that Boshu was feeling guilty leaving Lin behind in the enemies' den. However he followed Lin's order back there when he had fallen with the other two foxes. He had no idea
Lin would not be following him back to the fox camp. He also had no idea about any till then. But he was determined to get Lint out this time, at any cost.There would been no way of convincing him either had not a messenger from the foxes arrived just . Everybody turned towards him with anticipation.
"The foxes have been instructed to retreat and return immediately. " He announced, then towards the wolf king, reading out from a scroll, " The fox king sends his greetings to the king. We sincerely regret the commotion caused due to confusion. We hope we can work in future in combating whatever evil is lurking in the background to plague our . "
" But Lin. What about Lin. ? " Boshu had only one concern in his mind.
" He is back at the palace, " the messenger informed. " Everyone can now retreat at their own . " He then teleported back without any delay. The fox soldiers too started taking off one by . Some on their own, some helped by the wolves. Some were taken in for treatment as their were too severe . Boshu too tried getting up but Roe dragged him in by his hip, " Where you think you are going? Now that Lin is safe you have no other purpose in life. You will have compensate for him in the dungeon. " She giggled at her own joke.
" What? What do you mean? " But his protests were in vain. Roe took him straight to the wing and had him laid down for treatment. He did suffer serious injuries for a bird. And a bird's healing rate wasn't on par with that of a fox or wolf, he needed more time to rest get back up on his feet. Boshu had no other option but to be under the constant supervision the mischievous and naughty Roe. Even though she looked after him we'll. With love and . She didn't leave even a moment's opportunity to tease or torment him. He was her victim in that foreign land but not that he complained. He had taken a liking towards her since they had first met. However turbulent times didn't let him own up to his own feelings.
This was his perfect opportunity, paved my heavens to know her, the be around her, to cherish . His injuries were just an excuse, he felt good just being around her.
Everytime she bent to dress his wounds, every time she smiled at her own lame jokes, she rejoiced after landing a solid punch somewhere on him, his heart felt happy.
Never in his entire existence had Boshu imagined, the company of a wolf would be so pleasant.
The one who would be petrified at the mention of wolves, was actually enjoying his stay at their camp, and being nursed by them. Suddenly the entire definition of enmity was shifting .
The fright that had held Boshu a captive all his life was slowly being replaced with fondness.
"Was that funny? Do I look funny? " retorted Roe as she came in to show off her new dress but
Boshu was already smiling at his own thoughts.
"Ummm, no. Not that. You look beautiful. Heavenly, " Well some things never change, it wolves still managed to scare Boshu. But this time he chose to be the victim himself.
However, as everybody was content and busy, knowing that Lin and Mia were safe at the fox , it wasn't the case. While everything was calm and at peace at both the camps, Mia 't.