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"Who are the council members here?" Meryn asked.
Jedrek pointed to his chest. "There's myself, Godwyn Vi'Aileanach, Frederi
c Géroux, and Lucius Hollyhock."
Kendrick snarled at the witch's name. "Hollyhock was a born bootlicker. He doesn't have two brain cells to rub together. If he says anything it's because that's what he was programed to say by the Witches' Council."
Rex nodded. "We know."
Brie looked to her mate. "Aileanach and Géroux sound familiar."
Ari gave a half nod. "Géroux should sound familiar because that's Bastien's family. Gage comes from the Noble family that serves under Géroux. Aileanach is Tyrien's surname."
Meryn winced. "Are they mad because of me?"
Jedrek shook his head. "Quite the contrary, Godwyn is very much a fan of yours, Meryn. He feels that his younger brother needs to grow up, and his actions that led to Bastien's assault was the last straw as far as he was concerned." He looked at Brie. "He was very grateful for how you spoke to his mate. He said your clear statements regarding what was being done made it possible for her to move forward in her grief. He was stuck in Lycaonia when the trees screamed their pain and couldn't be at her side. He supports all your efforts."
"That's a welcome surprise," she admitted.
"Would we be remiss in assuming we have Frederic's support?" Aiden asked.
"You would not. Even if it weren't for the direct orders from his prince, the Géroux's have always supported the warriors. They, more than any other vampiric line has had the most sons become warriors. You sealed their support when you brought Jean-Marc home," Jedrek said, admiration in his voice.
Aiden stared down into his wine. "That was so long ago. I can't believe that single action carries so much weight."
Jedrek along with Catherine, Rex, Kendrick, and even Leo simply stared. Rex started to say something, but Jedrek help up a hand. "Aiden, son. I feel like I have to address this as your father isn't here to explain. I know you feel as though most respect you because of your father, and that's understandable, they are some mighty shoes to fill." He waved at his sons. "It's something I am aware of as a father. But what you don't understand is that it is your own actions that have led to the towering esteem the warriors feel for you."
He paused. "What do you remember of feral attacks before you took over as Unit Commander?"
Aiden shook his head. "Not much. Just that they were like wild animals, not to let them corner you, and some grew in strength after turning."
Jedrek shook his head. "This should have been explained, but I can see why it wasn't. You were so young when you took over." He took a long sip of his wine, then sighed. He looked at Leo. Instantly, the squire pulled a small bottle from the sideboard cabinet and hurried to the Elder's side. The first splash of golden liquid filled the room with the faint scent of apples. He continued. "Before you took over as Unit Commander. Before that fateful day where we lost an entire unit, things were different for the warriors. Yes, they ran patrols and yes, they did drills, but unlike now, their deaths were very different. Before you, Aiden, any warrior that fell to a feral had their mutilated bodies impaled and put on display. Retrieving them was impossible, as each body was essentially a deadly ambush or trap."
Brie felt bile crawl up the back of her throat. Ari handed her some water. She drank some gratefully. Every younger person at the table looked shocked.
Aiden looked furious. "They don't do that now! Why was it accepted before?!" he demanded.
Jedrek held up a single finger. "They don't do that now because of you, my boy."
Aiden's mouth open and closed repeatedly.
"Aiden, you went back for the dead. Do you remember the night you killed over twenty ferals single handedly? For once, they were the ones being ripped apart as your bear defended his brothers." Jedrek smiled sadly. "Darren was one of the warriors that was assigned feral clean up. They found your broken sword stabbed through a feral and buried so deep into a tree it took him and another warrior to remove it. When your sword broke, you evidently started using feral body parts to kill the others. You inadvertently did to them what they had been doing to warriors for centuries, and you scared the hell out of them. Those that survived spread their terror of you to the next animal-like creature until ferals stopped their barbaric practices out of sheer fear of you."
"Oh my god," Meryn whispered.
Aiden turned to her, panicked that his bloody rampage may have upset her. "Baby…"
She looked up at him, her eyes bright. "You're so hot."
"Huh?"
"Sooooo hot," she sighed as she eyed him up and down.
"Baby, your kittenish ways after hearing about bloodshed is equal parts disturbing and arousing," Aiden admitted.
Jedrek chuckled. "She's a perfect match for the Unit Commander that scared decency into every feral in existence."
"Do you understand now, Aiden? It wasn't just that you fought. You brought back your fallen brothers safely. They were the first to receive a warriors funeral since the Great War. Before your rampage, a killed warrior would receive a small ceremony, but nobody was laid to rest. For someone your age, you probably never questioned the closed caskets.
