The Wolf Returns Home

The elegantly appointed hall was filled with the familiar scent of "Nightfall" incense. The Wendell Family's Wolf with Bridle crest hung from pale golden pillars, while the near-noon sunlight streamed through the colored crystal windows on the southern side, illuminating the portrait of Tirian Wendell on the wall. The grandfather she remembered as ever imposing and strong stood quietly before the portraits of the family's ancestors, his back to the doors, seemingly lost in thought.

A servant nearby wanted to step forward and announce her arrival, but Andesha stopped him. She entered the hall alone and stopped several meters behind Duke Ferdinand. Alderan's gentle sunlight shone through the air between them, where tiny motes of dust danced like spirits in the atmosphere.

"Grandfather, I'm back."

"Seven hundred years ago, when Tirian Wendell utterly defeated the Aberrant legions on the western front, he was your age," Ferdinand said slowly. "It was winter. The knights fought upon the snowy plains, united and fierce as wolves. After battling for three days and nights, they annihilated an enemy five times their number. Following that victory, the Founding Ancestor bestowed upon Tirian Wendell the title of first Wolf Duke."

This was history every Wendell descendant knew well. Andesha lowered her head. "I have always remembered the glory of our ancestors."

"Our ancestors were indeed glorious," Ferdinand said, finally turning around. His still-imposing face was a little older than Andesha remembered. "Or rather, every pioneer was equally glorious. Yet that glory required matching ability—including Tirian Wendell, and naturally Gawain Cecil as well.

"The Cecilians' magic-conducting army was personally formed and trained by Gawain Cecil. Compared with the other 'glorious legions,' its greatest strength was that its soldiers were the 'first generation.' As a young commander, being able to contend with such an enemy without losing was