When Derek and Anthony strolled across the room, out to the well lighted passageway, they met Agrip coming towards them, and in his hand was a walking stick. They both furrowed their eyebrows, the same thought running through their minds, wondering since when did the old man need a third leg to walk. Agrip was one of the oldest men in the pack, yes, but he was one of the strongest elders, and he looked younger than his age. With all his study, he never even had cause to use spectacles, so why the stick? Did he have an accident? But before they both could open their mouths to ask him these questions going on in their minds, the old man raised up his stick at them, signaling them to shut up and to stop walking.
“Good afternoon Agrip.” They both greeted, and Agrip nodded slowly, trailing his eyes over them, especially Derek. He had a somber expression on his face.
“We need to talk.” Agrip started, and Anthony piqued his eyebrow as he turned a bit to stare at Derek who just shrugged. Obviously, they needed to talk, but whatever it was would have to wait till he had something on the cure.
“Can it wait? My father is currently almost-dead. We need to find something on the poison. Agrip, do you know what happens today? Did the seer(s) whom you had gone to see and consult mention something about today, or about dad’s death?” Derek asked, ignoring the quite painful pinch that Anthony dropped on his arm. That was the way of the latter asking him if he had gone bonkers. The question was quite insane, but he was better off knowing the answers. It would determine his next action, or so he thought.
“If I told you that your father dies today, would it stop you from seeking for answers? Won’t you be tempted to change fate, to re-route the course of his destiny?” Agrip asked him in reply.
Derek was mute for some seconds. Then he spoke:
“I will still search for answers.”
Anthony shook his head, turning around to drop his hands sideways like ‘I told you’ when Agrip spoke his next statement.
“So, why did you ask about your father’s death date? You should be asking me if there is anything I know about the poison.” He pointed out, and Derek bit his lip and looked away from the piercing eyes of the old man. He didn’t apologize. He didn’t see the cause for that. He had just been curious. The old man surely couldn’t blame him for that.
When Agrip saw that Derek wasn’t planning on giving a reply to his questions very soon, he decided to continue with his discourse.
“According to the seer, your father’s death is not far away. But I am not sure it will be today. No date was given.” He said, sighing deeply as Derek returned his gaze on him, this time the gaze bordered on a glare, and Anthony’s wasn’t far from that either. He didn’t blame the both. He had just agreed and declared that their father would be dying soon. He hadn’t wanted to tell them this piece of information at first, but after a second thought, he found it best to let them know of the impending unavoidable death on time so that they could be prepared, and treasured their last days with their father, the good Alpha.
“What are you saying, Agrip? I don’t understand.” It was Anthony speaking now. “You just declared death on the Alpha. That is treason you know.”
Agrip smiled wistfully. His boys were grown. He remembered when he had taught them both the do’s and don’ts of a werewolf, of a leader, of an Alpha. They had never for one day disappointed him.
“Not at all. And besides, i didn’t say so. The seer did.” He mentioned, cocking his head to the left angle, and Derek scoffed.
“The seer didn’t see well, Agrip.” Derek said, refusing to believe he will lose his father today or anytime soon. His old man still had many years to go. And despite his father’s flaws, shortcomings and mistakes, especially the ones that involved his uncle, he still loved him. He still wanted him to live. He was his father.
“Derek, you should know more than anyone that the seers of Ai never lie. But that is by the way. I understand that it might be too early for your father to leave you on the earth, but it is actually inevitable. I had just told you to prepare you so that you could treasure your last moments with him. And since we don’t know if it is today, i believe we should do all our best to prevent the poison from killing him. That way, we could add more days to his lifespan. We can delay Mr. Death.” Agrip said.
“But Jack’s diagnosis showed that the poison wasn’t made known to our species or man generally.” Anthony pointed out.
“Well, that’s because it was just created for Alpha Peter. It is only meant for him. And this can only be done by a strong witch with powerful magic.” Agrip replied, moving a bit to the wall and relying on it, obviously weakened from standing at one point for quite some time.
Anthony thought of getting him a seat, but gave up the idea at the last moment, remembering that his mentor hated being thought of as weak. The man would rather fall to the ground right there in the passageway, than admit that he was weak to stand, and needed a chair. And so to avoid a curvet in their discussions now, he decided to keep mute. He also knew that the same thought was running through Derek’s mind, seeing that the latter also stood still, watching Agrip inhale and exhale deeply.
“The witch is Leonarya then.” Derek finally broke the silence, feeling his heart constrict at the mention of the name which seemed to have been a source of constant terror in his life since he had met his little witch.