The Alpha's Temptation

After their last chat, it was decided that Murel would go to the kingdom of Garduff and get the much needed herbs even if it meant paying a heavy amount for them. He had opened his treasure and taken out a trunk with gold coins. He was about to leave when he received the message from King Izo.

Frustration mounted, but there was nothing he could do. If he didn't go, suspicions would be raised. He didn't want any suspicion pointing towards him.

"I don't know why Izo has all of a sudden convened this meeting," he said to Nerio. "I have to go there."

Nerio grunted. It was all getting so complex. It was as if a noose was tightening around him. He knew that if he got out of this situation, he would be able to continue with his schemes and the greater plan. "Is there a way to wiggle out of it?" he asked, growing impatient.

"If I don't go, then we will be giving them reasons to doubt us. I must go. It will only be over in a day. I will go to Garduff tomorrow for sure. In fact, I won't come here and rather go to Garduff directly," Murel offered.

Nerio shook his head. "No! I don't have time. I have to go back through the secret route and that will take another five days. Any further delay is going to be sow seeds of wariness in my people."

"Then what do you propose? Should I send my General--"

"No!" Nerio snapped. "Are you insane? No one should know of my existence except a trusted few. It will jolt our plans."

"But I won't tell the General as to why I am sending him there. I will ask him to deliver a sealed letter to the king of Garduff in which I will ask for herbs."

"And do you think that the king will give away something that is banned for trading so easily? And do you also think that you can trust your General for not opening the letter and seeing it?" Nerio grew irritated.

"Then what is the option?" Murel retorted.

"The only option left is, that I go there. I can't trust anyone at this point of time. It is simply too dangerous," Nerio said in an exasperated voice.

"You are not well, Nerio!" Murel said with trepidation in his eyes. "Your wounds are not totally healed."

Nerio took a deep breath in. "They have healed..." He knew that his brother didn't want him to go to Garduff. Murel only wished him well and had been his partner in crime forever. He also knew that if Murel didn't go for the trade meeting to the capital, King Izo won't think twice before attacking or searching the kingdom of Murel for him. "Don't worry," he said. "I can manage."

Murel lowered his head, feeling terrible. "I will send a group of soldiers for your protection."

Nerio chuckled. "No, this has to be carried out very discreetly. Give me your best mount."

Murel pursed his lips. "I will give you my best mount and also fill its saddle with gold coins. I hope that the Garduff King gives you the herbs."

"Why won't he? That man is greedy to the hilt! Moreover, he too must be there in the trade meeting?"

"Yes!" Murel smacked his head upon realization.

Nerio laughed at his brother. "Don't worry. I will deal with it."

Murel left for the capital soon after. Nerio stayed in his bed till the night. He wanted the sea to be darker in order to start his journey. Murel had ordered his best seahorse for him. Though Nerio could swim, he didn't want to spend his energy in it. The seahorses were pretty fast as well.

As soon as the night came, Nerio started on his journey. If everything went well, he hoped to reach the northern kingdom by next morning.

As and as the seahorse swam towards north, Nerio could feel the chill of water. Winters were approaching and soon the place would become frozen. Icebergs would be jutting out of water everywhere. He had gone about halfway when all of a sudden, his seahorse stopped. It was as if he was scared. It started looking in a direction. Afraid that he might encounter some enemy, Nerio directed him towards a small cave and hid inside. There was a strong movement of water after some time. He didn't get out of his cave, but he knew that a large number of merfolk traveled this way. And most likely they were guards. He gritted his teeth and waited for them to leave. As soon as they left, he came out of his hiding place and started again.

When he reached the periphery of the kingdom of Garduff, he started looking for any hidden passage. Usually every kingdom had it. The commoners never knew about it, but the royals knew. Nerio couldn't find it. The only option left was to enter the kingdom through the main gates. It had been so many years that no one would be able to recognize him, but Nerio didn't want to take chances. He used his dark magic to change a few parts of his appearance. He knew that it would last barely two hours and he would end up spending a lot of energy, but he was left with very little choices at this point of time. So, before entering the main gates of the kingdom, he took out ten gold coins.

His hair was a dark brown and his tail was grayish black. Other than that, he was the same. As he had predicted, the guards stopped him at the gates. "Who are you?" asked the main one.

"I am Nerio from the capital," he said and as a gesture of generosity, he gave ten gold coins to him. "King Izo has sent his greetings to the royal family of Garduff."

The guard was surprised. Ten gold coins was a lot. Only the kings could afford it. He immediately bowed to Nerio and let him in.