One hour after Ash had spoken to him, Kiel stood up from his seat, the wooden chair scraping against the floor as he pushed it back. He left the sculpture, the wolf's face still taking shape, and made his way to the balcony. The rain pounded against the roof, a relentless drumbeat that seemed to match the turmoil in his mind.
Kiel stepped out into the downpour, the cold water soaking through his clothes, but he didn't flink. He stood there, his eyes fixed on the huddled figures below, their faces upturned to the sky, their eyes pleading.
The elders, his people, they had waited for him, their bodies shivering with cold, their skin slick with rain. They didn't move, didn't speak, they just waited, their eyes fixed on him, their alpha.
Kiel stood there, unmoving, as the rain pounded against him, washing away the heat of his anger, leaving only a cold, hard resolve. He felt the weight of his position, the burden of his power, and the vow he had made.
For five minutes, he stood there, the world reduced to the sound of the rain, the sight of his people, and the turmoil in his heart. Then, slowly, he raised his hand, his fingers spreading wide, Then, with a fluid motion, Kiel raised his hands, his fingers spread wide on the balcony railing, and vaulted over the edge, plummeting down to the courtyard below. The elders, still kneeling in the rain, gasped in shock as Kiel landed lightly on the wet stone, his powerful legs absorbing the impact with ease.
Ash's eyes widened in alarm, and he rushed to Kiel's side, shouting to the maid, "Bring a coat, quickly! You have to Cover your self , you are getting soaked!"
But Kiel just smiled, his eyes gleaming with a feral intensity, and waved the coat away. "Why don't we all get soaked?" he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Maybe after getting soaked, all the anger and confusion in us will vanish."
Ash's face was etched with concern, but he knew better than to argue with Kiel when he was in this mood. He nodded, and together, they stood in the rain, letting it wash over them, the elders following suit, their faces upturned to the sky.
As they stood there, the rain seemed to intensify, pounding against them with a rhythmic force, but they stood firm, unmoving, letting the water wash away their fears, their doubts, and their anger. The air was electric with tension, and Ash could feel the power coursing through Kiel's veins, a primal energy that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
After a few minutes, Kiel speak, his voice carrying over the sound of the rain, "I see you all have made up your minds." He paused, his eyes scanning the faces of the elders, his expression unreadable. "But why, you guys make it seem like I was the bad guy here."
He turned to Ash, his eyes flashing with a hint of sadness, "Collect the edict and summit it to my desk."
Kiel faced the elders again, his expression serious, "I will let them in, but on the condition that they follow the rules. I will not have them disrupting our way of life or threatening our people."
The elders nodded, relief etched on their faces, and began to murmur their thanks. But Kiel didn't wait for their words, turning his back on them, he walked back to his house, Ash following closely behind.
As he stepped onto the porch, Kiel spoke over his shoulder, "We will have the meeting in the next two hours. Summon the witch."
Ash nodded, and with a small bow, he turned to leave, his eyes locking with Kiel's for a brief moment. Kiel's expression was calm, but Ash could see the hint of a warning in his eyes, a reminder that this was far from over.
With a nod, Ash turned and disappeared into the rain, leaving Kiel to ponder the weight of his decision. The elders, still huddled in the rain, began to disperse, their faces filled with hope and relief.
As Ash walked away, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that Kiel's decision was not without risk, and that the consequences of letting the witch into their territory could be severe. But he also knew that Kiel was a just and fair leader, and that he would do what was best for their people.
With a deep breath, Ash quickened his pace, the rain pounding against him as he disappeared into the distance, the weight of his task heavy on his shoulders.