Author Notes:

So, I have an announcement. Iron and Flame is set in an alternative universe from The Grey Warlord and all current existing accompanying works. Now, I do plan on keeping them close in canon to each other in regards to names, ages, character personalities and plots in general. However, since TGW has it's... issues (:P) I'd like to be able to write whatever I feel like would be best for the overall series, and then maybe go back and change stuff in my older works. Hope this all makes sense. If you have any questions, just ask in a review/PM or via Discord.

Grey: I'm glad you thought I set the tone and such well enough, because that was definitely something I was trying to do. :)

Way: Those are some great variations of the name "Gerald"! Tbh, I've already gotten kinda attached to the current name, so I'll leave it. :P Great, now I feel the great need to take your suggestion and give a mouse named Tom a cameo. XD

Alex: Well, his name was originally going to be Fredrilicson Kyleap III, but I scrapped it. ;) A good question indeed! We'll have to see. :D Alsoooooo, it is technically Forwin, not Forbin. :P

Teer: Only slightly glad he didn't succeed? *Insert angry Gerald emoji* :P

Thanks for reviewing, guys! I hope you enjoy this update and all the updates to come! Happy reading to you!

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HIGH TOWER

The midday sun beat down on Irongate Palace, brilliant rays reflecting off the glass windows of the keep, momentarily blinding those who cast their gazes upward toward them. In the top of the highest tower, a young wildcat, fifteen seasons of age, was hunched over his desk, scribbling down words in a book.

Dear Diary,

Oh, where to begin, where to begin… Things have been quite eventful in the last few days. Everybeast is preparing for Father's return. I'm so excited that he's finally coming home! He's been gone on his campaign for far too long, which isn't unusual for him. Sometimes I just wish he'd spend more time with us – like a real father should. I guess that's selfish of me, though. He's a king – kings have responsibilities to their subjects. It sounds like it's an extremely difficult job. And frankly, I'm glad I'll never have to worry about it. I have three older siblings to make sure that that will never happen.

I like coming up here to High Tower during times like these. It's so peaceful – especially compared to all of the commotion and fuss that the palace is in. Mother has been all in a fluster to make sure everything is perfect. Not only that, but Sean and Estrilda got into one of their disagreements …again. From the moment Sean joined our family, those two have been butting heads. Honestly, those two can argue about anything.

But anyway, I think I might just end things here for now. I have come to a very interesting part in the book I'm reading, and I was hoping to finish a good portion of it today. Besides, it's hard to write with something niggling in the back of your mind.

Sincerely, Matthew.

Matthew set down his feathered quill and closed his diary, leaning back in his wheeled chair with a sigh. Pushing his diary to the side, he turned to peer out of the tower window.

The view was breathtaking from up here. The freakishly tall structure towered far above everything else in Haymund's Crossing, from the palace where the royal family lived, to the turrets and smaller watch towers dotting the outside walls. Haymund's Crossing had been built on a massive, sprawling hill. This was a key advantage when it came to monitoring movements in the surrounding villages and lands.

Matthew inhaled deeply, staring out at the thick, green woodlands and the knolls of meadows that stretched out as far as his eyes could see. Flowers of all kinds and colors greeted his gaze, and Matthew's eyes soaked it all in.

And then he turned his gaze to the pair of crutches leaning against the desk beside him. His eyes narrowed slightly and he sighed.

A crisp draft of wind blew into the room, and the wildcat shivered at the unexpected chill. He picked up his mug of tea that he'd left next to his books. The drink was fairly lukewarm, but he sipped it down gratefully nevertheless. Setting it down, he grabbed his book and began reading from where he'd left off last time.

He'd read only a few pages when there was the sound of small footpaws pattering just outside the tower door, followed by a quick knock.

Matthew looked up. "You may come in, Alina," he called, recognizing the footfalls of his eight season old sister.

Alina waved shyly at the two wildcat guards stationed outside the door, before slowly closing it behind her. She skipped over to Matthew, a smile on her face as she plopped a scroll on his lap and knelt beside his wheeled chair. "Here," she said, indicating the scroll, "I made this for you."

"Well, well," Matthew said, unraveling it. "I wonder what it could be…" He let out a gasp. "My goodness, did you draw this?"

"Mm-hmm." Alina smiled and looked down at the ground.

"It looks great! That's me, right?" He pointed to one of the sketched stick figures.

"Yes, and that's me." She indicated the other stick figure. "We're going to pick flowers in the fields."

"Aww, thank you." Matthew purred. "I really like this. You know," he said, rolling it up carefully and setting it aside, "I can ask somebeast to take you to the fields if you like sometime."

"Would you come, too? You never go anywhere…"

The crippled cat looked down at his limp left leg. "Uh… Nah. It would be too much trouble for the guards to carry me down there just to pick flowers. Besides," he picked up his book, "I can visit lots of places from this tower."

"Huh?"

Matthew rolled his eyes. "Stories, Alina. Stories."

"Oh. Would you like to read me one sometime?"

"Sure, I know lots of books that you might enjoy."

The room echoed as another beast rapped on the door. "Matthew, is Alina in there?" a voice called from the other side. Matthew recognized their older sister's voice.

"Yeah," Alina said, walking over to open the door, "What is it?"

The door opened to reveal a female wildcat with light grey fur, wearing a deep purple gown. Her eyes narrowed at Alina, folding her arms across her chest. "I thought you wanted to learn about herbs with Hix and me today. I told you to come down after breakfast."

"I'm sorry. I got distracted."

"Hmm, obviously." Estrilda sighed and waved a paw dismissively. "Eh, it's fine. But we should probably go. We wouldn't want to keep Hix waiting any longer. He already had everything prepared for your lesson a good while ago." She rounded her gaze on Matthew. "Oh, and Mother asked me to come get you."

Matthew threw a despairing look at the unread chapters of his book. He would have to finish it later. He placed his book and diary in a small haversack and slung it over his shoulder, climbing carefully out of his wheeled chair to grasp his wooden crutches.

A few minutes later and the three of them were walking down the long rounded flight of steps leading to the base of High Tower – accompanied by the two guards, Jenkins and John. The two wildcats were Matthew's personal bodyguards, carrying Matthew's wheeled chair and his things whenever they were needed. The crippled prince hobbled down the steps, politely refusing any offers for assistance. It was enough that they had to carry his things, in his opinion.

They finally reached the door that led into Irongate's keep, and Jenkins ran ahead.

As Jenkins swung the door open, Matthew felt a slight jolt of surprise when he caught sight of a pair of beasts waiting on the other side.

The first was a female with fiery orange fur, dressed in a green gown. Queen Merida was wringing her paws, a frown on her features. Standing behind her was a brooding dark-furred wildcat.

"Oh, hello, Mother," Matthew said, shifting his weight on the other crutch.

"I wanted to ask you something, darling." The queen met Matthew's gaze.

Matthew inwardly raised his eyebrow at the word 'darling'. He couldn't recall when the Queen had called one of her children that – besides the third eldest, Sean.

The queen took a step closer to Matthew. Looking past her, Matthew caught Sir Brack's gaze. As always, the knight was clad in armor and his paw never seemed to ever leave the hilt of his sheathed sword. Brack's eyes narrowed and Matthew couldn't help but shudder.

Good old Sir Brack, he thought. Life just wouldn't be the same without your soul-piercing stare.

Queen Merida nodded to Estrilda. "You may take Alina to her lessons now. I wish to speak to Matthew alone."

"…Of course." Estrilda looked curious, but she bowed her head and led Alina down the hall.

Once they rounded a bend, Queen Merida flashed a look at the guards. "And why," she snapped, "are you both still standing around?"

Jenkins gestured to the wheeled chair, which he and John had set down a while ago. "We were waiting to see if Master Matthew was needing his chair. The king assigned us to carry his things for him wherever he needed–"

"Ah, yes. I remember. But please," Merida said, "take my son's things to his room. Immediately."

The two guards took their leave. After their departure, there was only the queen, Matthew and Brack in the hallway.

"Dear..." Merida began, "have you gone into the Royal Library since yesterday?"

"Uh… Of course." Matthew said, confused. He gestured to his book. "I wanted to finish The Tales of Sir Gillance. It's a really fascinating story so far. Perhaps you'd–"

Merida cut him off by raising her paw. "Please, I need you to focus for me. Did you take anything else out of the library?"

The prince tilted his head questioningly. "…No. Nothing. Why?"

"Are you sure?" Merida's eyes narrowed slightly. "Try to remember. Did you see papers of any sort?"

It was only after he shook his head that Merida seemed to relax fully and she smiled. "Ah well, no matter. But please, let me know if you should find it. Now, you'd better go prepare yourself. A message just came in – the King will be here soon. Do you need Sir Brack to escort you to your room?"

Matthew quickly shook his head. "No, I'm fine." The idea of being alone in Brack's company made his fur prickle just at the thought.

"Alright. Well, I'll see you at lunch then." With that, she spun around and strode down the hallway, followed by Brack.

"Well, that was… odd," Matthew mumbled aloud. He stood alone in the hallway for a while. After a few moments of thought, he slowly turned away from his original path and instead began to head toward the library. Perhaps Old Katherine would know why his mother had been acting so peculiar. And besides, Matthew would welcome the excuse to chat with the squirrel librarian.

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LIBRARY

The Royal Library was small compared to Great Hall and some of the other rooms, but it was still impressive. The walls, pillars and shelves were all decorated with carved patterns like flickering waves dancing on the sea. Thick red carpet covered the floor, masking the sound of Matthew's crutches as he entered through the main door.

"Katherine?" he called out, slowly glancing around. "Are you in here?"

"Ah, Prince Matthew." Old Katherine's head popped out from behind a shelf. "I was, uh, just looking for my glasses. She hobbled over to him, a warm smile on her face. The squirrel's fur was gray with age. She wore a spotlessly white tunic and a black hat – one that Matthew secretly thought looked like somebeast had sown a sack together in a hurry. "And how are you doing today?" the old beast continued. "Have a seat, have a seat," she said, gesturing to a pair of nearby cushioned chairs. Once they were both seated, Katherine leaned forward eagerly. "So. Did you like the book I recommended?"

"Yes! This last book is keeping me very interested. Patrick the Peddler is such a funny fellow. I'm glad Gillance hasn't sliced his head off yet or anything. He's threatened to do so more than once." Matthew laughed, leaning his crutches against the arms of the chair. "Are there any more tales of their adventures after this one? I would like to read more."

Katherine grinned. "I knew you'd enjoy it. And yes, there is one more. But tell me, what part are you at?"

"Gillance just defeated the Beast of the Caverns. I knew Patrick's frock coat would serve some type of a purpose." He pretended to punch lightly at the old squirrel with his paw. "Hah! I guessed it correctly. Shame on you for trying to fool me into thinking otherwise…"

"Bah. I was simply providing evidence contrary to your guess." Katherine winked, sitting back in her chair, letting out a quiet groan as she did so. "Oof." She let out a raspy cough. "Getting old isn't enjoyable, young 'un, let me tell you. Why, my poor body is nothing like it once was. I was a spry lass back in the day." She began to sway her paws in the air in smooth motions. "I loved to dance. I remember how the villagers would always cheer me on. I had so many suitors but I ignored them all. Well," Katherine smiled wistfully as she added, "all of them except my late husband, of course."

I wonder what it's like to dance, Matthew wondered. What would it be like to dance and walk like normal creatures? Matthew shrugged the thought away, instead asking, "Katherine… Did mother and Sir Brack come in here today?"

"Mm." The squirrel shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "Yes they did. I don't care much for Sir Brack. I wish your mother would find a different bodyguard. Something in his eyes gives me the jitters. And he's so rude as well. If I was his mother, I'd tan his hide."

"Why?" Matthew narrowed his eyes. "What did he say?" Brack or no Brack, Matthew wasn't going to let anybeast mess around with Katherine and get away with it.

"Oh, it was nothing." Katherine laughed – though it sounded a bit forced to the prince. The old squirrel suddenly broke into a fit of coughing, her frail body shaking.

Concern fleeted across Matthew's face as he began to rise from his seat. "Are… Are you alright? Your cough has been… getting worse."

"What? Rubbish." Katherine twitched her ears. "Don't listen to me. I'm an old fool. And we old fools like to complain about our health every now and then. So, did you bring your flute with you this time, young one?" Old Katherine asked, indicating his satchel.

Matthew grudgingly decided to allow the conversation change. "I'm sorry, no. I forgot to grab it last time I had class with Master Haggleworth."

"A pity. Hmm, speaking of classes..." Old Katherine tipped him a wink. "Have you talked with young Miss Amanda lately? That is her name, correct?"

"I, uh," Matthew shook his head and let out a quiet cough. "I don't know what you are talking about."

The squirrel tapped the side of her nose. "No worries. Your secret is safe with me. Run along now. I need to take my nap." Leaning her head back against her chair, Katherine closed her eyes.

Matthew smiled, grabbing his crutches. "Alright. I'll leave the book here. I'll come back later to pick it up." He shot a suspicious glance over to Katherine as she began to snore lightly. "Nobeast sleeps that fast," the prince muttered.

"Oh, hush, you. I'm asleep. Be sure to close the door behind you."

Footnote: Special thanks to Keldor for proofreading the first drafts of these last two updates, and Keva and Teer for editing. I really appreciate it guys. Please don't forget to review, everyone! I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)