Chapter 2 The Seer's Vision

Matt awoke with a jolt from the bed. His body was bathed in sweat and he felt uneasy. He darted his eyes around the dark room temperature to be sure that he was safe. He managed to push himself up, feeling unsettled. He was not usually this jumpy during the night, but something about the dream had unsettled him immensely. He was afraid to close his eyes again for the fear of the dream he had. He would remain like that till dawn and at dawn, he would set out in search of the seer who could interpret dreams. The dream he had was vivid and his mind raced through every detail of it. In the dream, he, The new Alpha of the Red Moon Pack was chained in a dungeon in the enemy's territory. The dungeon was dark and a dim-lit candle was by a corner. He couldn't decipher where he was but the dream felt real. So real. The surprising thing was who he saw in the strange dream. 'Show yourself.' Kimberley had appeared before him in the same black gown she had worn on the day she disappeared. Not only was he surprised. Her last words to him caused fear to run through his spine and that was when he woke up. 'This is not the end.' ________ Matt and two of the Pack warriors alighted from their horses. He had taken two of his most trusted guards because he didn't want anyone to know he had visited the seer in secret. It would breed rumors and questions from the Pack chiefs who never minded their businesses. He trusted these two to keep their lips shut. Arms crossed behind him, he waited for the guards to tie the horses before they crossed the river that led to her cave. His mind was troubled and because of the dream, he couldn't wink before daybreak. He would only sleep after he got the meaning of the dream from her. Why did he have a feeling that there was more to the dream? He inhaled the pinewood and moss-scented air. Tall green trees filled up the thick forest and they made a pleasant noise as the wind blew through them. A gentle breeze brushed past him. Birds chirped while some flitted to and fro between branches of the trees. He could see the cave from where he stood just before the brown-colored dirty water. Matt repulsed at the sight of it but he had no other choice if he wanted to find his answer today. This was the only path to Yennefer's cave. The morning sun rays shone down upon the crooked path piercing through the leaves. A small rabbit squeaked and ran fast into a hole close to a tree. "Let's go Alpha." One of the hefty guards led the way. He walked forward keeping his head low and letting out a sigh into the air. They stepped into the shallow water and trudged towards her cave. As they approached, he saw the seer. She was a thirty-year-old woman with dirty blonde hair packed in a bun at the center, baby blue eyes that stared into his heart, and pale skin. In her left hand, she held a long staff with a pointed nose and watched them as they approached her. A guard helped Matt out of the water onto the dry land as Yennefer walked towards them, her staff making a thud on the brown soil. "Welcome to my humble abode, Alpha Matt." She smirked at him. Rumor had it that she never smiled. "Yes, Yennefer. I am here because…" He trailed off when he saw that her attention was fixed on the two guards who heralded him by each side. Yennefer landed her gaze on him and tilted her head as if to give him a signal. "Take twenty steps back." Matt ordered the guards. They turned to regard each other and did his bidding immediately. When Matt confirmed that they were out of earshot, he faced Yennefer. "Follow me." She said and turned to walk into the cave. "Take off your shoes at the entrance." She ordered him. Matt looked surprised that she told him such but when he darted his eyes to her feet, he realized that unlike him she had no footwear on. He nodded and bent to untie his boots. He removed them and walked into the cave. Matt studied the cave since it was his first time here. On the wall to his right, there were images of some ugly-looking beasts and serpents. While on his right, were images of a unicorn and a phoenix spitting out large plumes of fire from its beak. A red ruby quartz and a large glittering diamond with some crystal balls were there on a small stool. Close to it was burning incense. On another shelf were some godlike structures with some ribbons attached to them. Yennefer cleared her throat to get his attention. Matt snapped out of his reverie and took the stool she offered him. She sat on a small black mat on the floor and stared at him intensely. Matt felt uncomfortable with her stares. "I am here because…" "I know why you are here." She interrupted him. Matt wasn't surprised. If the rumors were true, she must have even known that he was coming here. No wonder she had welcomed him. "You had a strange dream where you saw Kimberley." She said. Matt nodded. She picked up some incense sticks and fanned the incense hard. "I knew you were coming and I had already consulted the gods beforehand. You will have your answer now." She inhaled. "Kimberly is your doom and with the key in her hands, you would not rule for too long." She delivered the answer. Matt's lips parted in complete shock as he gripped the edge of the stool. He had gone pale immediately; those words left her mouth. "What do I do?" His voice was barely a whisper. "The only way to reverse that is to kill her and get the key or that dream will be your tragic end."