Madelyn had been out of touch for over three weeks. She followed the Templar war path until they finally were stopped. The siege engine had come to a halt, finally facing a city that was reinforced enough to cause them trouble. Lynn had warned her that this would happen, and that the wolves would unquestionably counter-attack. He was right, and soon, the Templar forces were on the retreat, slowly losing ground and being forced out of wolf territory. She left them be, and returned to Edinmire, only to find that there were Basitins everywhere. As she approached the city, she remembered that Lynn had plans in motion. Towers with ballista watched over the city, and soldiers moved through the gates. As she looked around, she searched for Lynn, but someone else found her first. "Madelyn? Is that really you?" a familiar voice said, causing her ears to stand up straight.
Whirling around, she saw him. Barely four feet tall, but muscular and scarred. "Telk? You're here?"
Telk sighed. "Yes, I'm here. I've been here for almost three weeks. And I do wish you wouldn't call me 'Telk'. I may not have been present for much of your life, but I am still your father."
Maddie turned away, frustrated that of all the people she ran into, it was him. "I know who you are. You were never there for either of us. Now, where's Lynn? I have to talk to him."
Telk frowned, his ears drooping. He was quiet for a minute, seemingly debating how to respond. Finally, he sighed. "He is currently speaking with your mother in the new Duke's house. I was actually also going there, I need to speak to Keiren about our latest reports from the coast." The two walked in silence through the busy streets. Inside the old prefecture, Keiren sat at his desk, listening to Lynn talk, while Jade Adelaide sat across from him. As Maddie and Telk walked, in Lynn glanced over, smiling.
"Ah, welcome back. I will take your report in a moment, we are just finalizing some paperwork."
"I didn't realize that becoming independent would require so much signing papers. Thank goodness I have you and Utkr to keep me on track." Keiren sighed.
"Indeed. Now, sign here, here here, initial here, sign here, here and here." Maddie couldn't help but smirk. She respected the old goat, and he was always happiest when filling out endless forms and paperwork. Finally, he pulled the paper away from Keiren, and looked it over one last time. "Everything is in order. At your command, we will send copies of this to the capitals. Now, Madelyn, report please."
Maddie snapped to attention, trying to forget that she was in the presence of Telk, King Adelaide, and Keiren. "The Templars have been stopped. They are now losing ground, and without support will be pushed back to the borders." She could feel beads of sweat forming on her brow. "Dozens of small towns and villages have been flattened in their war path. The Templar war machine has destroyed everything and everyone in their way, killing indiscriminately."
"Just as you predicted." Jade said to Lynn, causing Maddie to jump.
"Unfortunately, yes. Thank you Madelyn. If you will excuse me, I will prepare these documents." With that, Lynn stood up to leave, prompting King Adelaide to also stand.
"I will leave you to deliver your report. Maddie, please walk with me." Madelyn blushed, and followed her mom out, leaving Telk and Keiren alone. She lead Maddie through the town, up to the walls and onto the ramparts. "You left."
Madelyn looked out at the camp that was being constructed. Wooden spikes had already been dug into the ground on the north and western sides, and thousands of tents had been erected to house the troops, with even more still disembarking from the ships. "I should have told you."
"Yes. You should have. I was worried about you. Gone, off to a distant continent, with people you didn't know. I was pleased when Lynn sent messages telling me you were alright. And I'm more pleased now that I ever have been. You've grown since you left, forging a name for yourself. I was frustrated at first, but now? I'm proud of you." Jade knelt down and put her arm around her daughter, smiling.
Madelyn was unsure what to say. "P- proud? You really mean it?"
"When have you ever thought I would not be? You have heard nothing but contempt and scorn from the older council members, and they have pushed you down time and time again. If I could go back, tell them what you would do now, they would say many things differently."
"Thanks mom." Madelyn smiled, hugging Jade.
Soft footsteps drew their attention, and Telk walked over, ears drooping. "Keiren has requested an increased garrison to support the city directly. An additional ninety soldiers to cover the walls and watchtowers." Jade raised her eyebrow, and waited. When nothing more was said, Telk turned to leave.
"Wait." Jade commanded.
"What is your command, my king?" Jade stood up, and walked over to him. He barely came up to her waist, but kept his eyes down, his posture formal and rigid.
"I want to know something."
"Name it."
"Have you ever been proud of your daughter?" Telk's head flew up, his eyes wide.
"Wha- of course! She's my daughter! Why wouldn't I-"
"Have you ever considered her a mistake?" Madelyn's ears drooped as she heard her mom say this.
"Never. I would never consider her a mistake."
Jade smiled. "Good. We will talk later tonight, perhaps over dinner." Telk smiled awkwardly, and bowed lightly, before turning and walking away. For the first time all day, he actually looked happy. "You weren't a mistake. We have always known you would never be like me. You were not a runt like the old codgers said. You just have more of your father than of me, and growing up in my shadow, both figuratively and literally, their perception of you was skewed. I have never regretted taking Telk as my mate, and we will never see you for less than you are: you are our daughter. You have his strength and my will." Jade turned to her, and in the afternoon sun, her green eyes shone brightly. "Someday, you will be a legend of your own. I just hope that I'm there to hear it. Now, come on. There's work for us both to do."