SINS OF THE FATHER

capital to rally under the banner of the Wolf-King. The eastern provinces had always been a source of unrest, their people more indepen

nerals gathered around him. Kael and Lorne were present, as well as s

"The people there have forgotten their place," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "They think

im. "Their forces are weak, my

e than that. I want their spirit broken. I want

ael, spoke up. "We should make an examp

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of his reign. His amber eyes glowed in the firelight, cold and unfeeling, betraying no emotion as he gazed upon the court gathered before him. The nobles, dressed in the finest silks and

one, controlled the fate of every soul within his kingdom. His reputation extended far beyond his lands, a tale of brutality and conquest that sent shivers dow

ing villages. His face was drawn with exhaustion, his clothes tattered and threadbare, and his eyes h

"My family... we have no food. The crops have failed, a

s he looked down at the man. The court held its breath, knowi

nally, his voice low, each word drip

fear. "Please, my lord, I hav

whelming, the sheer size of him dwarfing the man kneeling below. "You have failed in your duty. You h

t stood in frozen anticipation, knowing that no matte

ed. His cloak, made from the pelts of wolves, trailed behind him like a living shadow. The farmer whi

the trembling figure. He raised his hand, s

his fields. If he cannot pay his dues, he is no longer fit to own them.

arms. The farmer let out a desperate cry, his voi

king. They had seen it before-the disloyal, the defiant, the foolish who had dared to question Aldric's methods. Their fates had been grim: public ex

next move. He was not a king content with what he had-he was a conqueror, and every kingdom within his reach was a targ

king slain and its people reduced to servitude. The southern realms, once allies

nding his rule further-to the eastern lands, where the kingdoms still clung to a fragile peace. He wo

nce. The farmer's screams echoed through the hall, growing faint

ric's cruelty was legendary, and moments like this served as a reminder of the absolute power he wielded. None of them dar

nothing more than a mundane decision. For him, it was. This was how Aldric ruled. This was how he maintained

ss or dissent. My rule is absolute. Those who challenge me will not be spared. They wi

ll in cold silence, his words echoing long