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 brothers too had taken posts in the different corners leading to the main palace. Roe was with her father , watching and monitoring the advances of the evil.
The wolf king was specially very agitated. His forehead was sweating and he was hyper ventilating to some extent.
“What is it father? I have seen you face all those enemies over the years but i have never seen you 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 and dangerous. Where did you say Mia was? We need to bring her inside the periphery of the inner castle. ” The wolf king asked again.
” I told you father. We lost her when the alarm went around. But dont worry, Lin is with 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 no 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 any. I don’t see anymore movement in the horizons. Do you? ” Roe scanned the perimeter with her 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 inside 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 reeked 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 news 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 went on, ” Wolves’ please retreat to your stations and wait for further orders. Take your injured and have them treated. Also help the injured foxes, so they can either get treated here or they can easily return to their kingdom. ”
As the foxes looked at each other confused as to what their next move should be, Boshu stood up 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 of that the case may be. ”
Roe immediately jumped down from her position next to Boshu, ” Oh my goodness, you are bleeding all over. Let me have a look. ”
She tried removing his armour 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 to 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 only followed Lin’s order back there when he had felt 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 proceedings till then. But he was determined to get Lin out this time, at any cost. There would have been no way of convincing him either had not a messager from the foxes arrived just then. Everybody turned towards him with anticipation.
“The foxes have been instructed to retreat and return immediately. ” He announced, then turning towards the wolf king read out from a scroll, ” The fox king sends his greetings to the wolf king. We sincerely regret the commotion caused due to confusion. We hope we can work together in future in combating whatever evil is lurking in the background to plague our kingdoms. ”
” But Lin. What about Lin. ? ” Boshu had only one concern in his mind.
” He is back at the palace, ” the messanger informed. ” Everyone can now retreat at their own pace. ” He then teleported back without any delay. The fox soldiers too started taking off one by one. Some on their own, some helped by the wolves. Some were taken in for treatment as their injuries were too severe . Boshu too tried getting up but Roe dragged him in by his hip, ” Where do you think you are going. Now that Lin is safe you have no other purpose in life. You will have to 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 hospital wing and had him laid down for treatment. He did suffer serious injuries for a bird. And since a bird’s healing rate wasn’t on par with that of a fox or wolf, he needed more time to rest and get back up on his feet. Boshu had no other option but to be under the constant supervision of the mischievous and naughty Roe. Even though she looked after him we’ll. With love and tenderness. She didn’t leave even a moments opportunity to tease or torment him. He was her helpless victim in that foreign land but not that he complained. He had taken a liking towards her ever 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 her. 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, everytime 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 core 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 seemed 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 camp, it wasn’t the case. While everything was calm and at peace at both the camps, Mia wasn’t.