Brotherhood of the Wolf Part 70

"I'm a wolf lord now," she said, examining the men's faces. Their expressions were dulled by grief. "There is no one who will save us. But Raj Ahten's forcibles lie hidden in the King's tombs in Heredon, and perhaps with them we can save ourselves."

The men looked up at her, uncertain. One proud knight of Fleeds said, "What are you saying? Do you want to be our lord? Is that not presumptuous?"

Myrrima held up her bow for all to see. "I'd not ask to be your leader. No one should ask such favor. I forswear all kings," Myrrima said, "until the Earth King comes again.

"But I tell you this: I swear fealty to you all. I swear fealty to mankind--heart, might, mind, and soul! Wherever one stands in need, you will find me fighting beside him, using whatever weapons I may find--the endowments of dogs, my own teeth and nails if I must. I swear fealty to you all, for mankind, and for the Earth!"

The lords looked up at her bow in dull wonder, while the blood sang in Myrrima's veins. She was making herself a Knight Equitable, sworn to protect mankind. The men she rode with were powerful Runelords, n.o.blemen with a long history of service to Heredon, Fleeds, and Orwynne. She did not expect them to follow suit, but was astonished and gratified when one by one, each man brandished his own weapon and raised it to the sky, shouting, "For mankind, and for the Earth!"

Thus the Brotherhood of the Wolf was forged on that dark day.