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It wasn't long after they left Wolf territories where Alpha K'injyu broke off from them to return to his own people. He'd come as an escort through Wolf territories so, as he claimed, the lone scouts who were far out of earshot wouldn't attack. And nor did they, though the group saw one or two along their route. Wolfish eyes looking from aloft the treetops.

Once they were free of the Wolf territories, it seemed Kar'na finally relaxed. He led the group onwards, passing through great forests and trees. Everyone seemed awestruck by them.

"Why are these trees so big?" Kytra asked in awe, his eyes roving upwards. "I mean...they're massive!"

"They're old," Kar'na shrugged. "And old trees are big trees. These are not anywhere near the biggest though. You should see some of the trees in Darkwish Forest."

"Are they bigger?" Aryn asked in surprise.

"Much," Kar'na agreed. "The trees in Darkwish are ancient. Some of the feline tribes make their homes in them. Branches as large as streets."

"Impossible," Myra shook her head. "There's no way trees could be that big!"

"Possible," Svara countered with a grin. "I've seen some of them myself."

"I could take you if..."

Kar'na trailed off and stopped, keen wolf nose uplifted and sniffing the air. His ears roved as well, which was a good indicator for the rest of the group to stop as well.

However, after a while, Kar'na stopped, an annoyed expression on his face.

"What is it, Kar'na?" Kiri asked, looking at the older wolf.

"Nothing," Kar'na sighed, bending down and idly picking up a rock. "Just me getting jumpy I guess."

Fast as thought, he whirled around and whipped the rock into the lower branches of one of the giant trees. With a muffled oof, a figure flew off the branch and crashed into a bush below.

"Ooh," the figure groaned loudly. "That's going to leave a mark!"

Belatedly, the group of slaves realized that Kar'na was no longer with them and had, in fact, leapt into the bush where the figure was.

There was a brief tussle before Kar'na emerged again, dragging a rough-looking canine behind him.

"Hey, paws off wolfy," the canine said, struggling. "At the very least, you gotta buy me dinner first!"

Kar'na threw the figure to the ground in front of him and sighed. "I told you not to come around here anymore! You know how our guild feels about trespassers!"

"Trespasser?" the canid demanded, getting to his feet and brushing himself off. It didn't help much, seeing as how dirt seemed to be a part of him. Kiri had a brief image of the canid stepping into a river and dissolving.

The individual was wearing navy blue robes, styled in a manner that suggested ease of movement was a priority. He had large ears, not shaped like a wolf's, with a blotty-coloured coat. If he were clean, Kiri would've thought the pelt beautiful. As it was, it looked like this guy lived in the wild.

"Yes, trespasser," Kar'na scowled. "You know you're not allowed to hunt on Assassin's Guild territory."

"Ok, first off, you know very well that that was not what I was doing."

"Fine, _bandit. _ I was trying to give you an easy way out, where I yell at you here and now, before kicking you out. Now you're going to have to come with us to the guild, where Grandmaster Khej can give you a full punishment. Likely the same thing I would've done here, but Khej-style?"

"Khej-style?" the canid asked, eyebrow quirked in what seemed to be genuine amusement. Despite his predicament, the individual seemed to be quite happy and in a good mood. Not what one would expect of a person who'd just been caught by a member of an Assassin's Guild.

"Forgive me for asking," Kytra said, stepping forwards as the two canids' eyes swung over to him. "But, who are you?"

"Who am I?" the canid asked incredulously. "Why, I'm Asar! The fiercest ban...I mean, the best hunter in these parts of Arlea!"

He looked over the entire group.

"Now, who are all of you?"

"We..."

"...are none of your business," Kar'na said firmly. "But, Asar, really. Out of _all_days, you had to pick this day to try and rob us?"

"Hunting hasn't been good lately," Asar admitted. "The dammed Wolves...no offense, of course...they've secured the best hunting grounds. And you know their dislike of foreigners. At least at the Assassin's Guild, the hunting's better, but prey has been scarce recently. So...yeah. But, Kar'na..."

He rubbed his chest with a grimace.

"A rock, really? You couldn't just have yelled at me to get down or something?"

"Well, if it's any consolation, I did consider a throwing knife."

Asar chuckled, but still seemed a tad nervous. Kiri kind of liked this guy.

"Such a large group, Kar'na," Asar observed. "Are you sure you can't tell me their story?"

"We're escaped slaves," Kiri butted in, sure that Kar'na would shut Asar down again. "We're on our way to the Assassin's Guild."

"Slaves?" Asar asked, expression going wide in surprise, before melting to compassion. "Ah, my apologies. But...why the Assassin's Guild?"

"I'm going to see about getting them established in one of the cities," Kar'na said, shooting a slight glare at Kiri. "But for now, the Assassin's Guild is a place to rest."

"Rest," Asar said the word like he was thinking deeply. "Does the guild have food? And water?"

"We house over a hundred assassins," Kar'na said drily. "Of course we have food and water. I wouldn't be taking these kids there if we didn't."

"Has the Assassin Code changed since the last time Khej read it to me?" Asar asked.

"No..." Kar'na said slowly. "It hasn't. But why in the world does that matter? The Code doesn't apply to you or your situation in any wa-"

Asar caught everybody_in the area by surprise, when he immediately punched Kar'na square in the jaw. Though the white wolf Ch'kiliil had the fastest reflexes at the guild and the best training, even _he could be hit when caught completely by surprise.

Kar'na reeled back, his left hand going reflexively to his snout, as his right drew a dagger. Asar, however, seemed unfazed.

"What in Knjul was that?" Kar'na demanded angrily, lifting his paw off his nose, to see fresh blood in the white fur. "You realise that striking an Assassin in Guild territory means a month's imprisonment?"

"Aye," Asar nodded. "That's why I asked about the Code first. I'm hungry, Kar'na."

The white wolf glared daggers at Asar, before his gaze softened.

"Fine," Kar'na said, sheathing his dagger. "Ordinarily, I'd tie you up, but I don't have any rope. But in the name of the Assassin's Guild of Arlea, you are under arrest."

Asar nodded.

"As such, you will be taken to Guild headquarters, and locked in our cells for a period of one standard month, or thirty-one days."

"I understand."

"Then come along."

Asar nodded and reached into the bush, withdrawing a bow and a staff, which Svara promptly took.

"No weapons," the fox insisted.

"Got it," Asar grinned.

The group, at Kar'na's urging, began to move again. Asar jogged forwards, and fell into step beside Kiri. The grey wolf didn't look at him, mostly because he was still in shock over the fact that the painted dog had managed to actually _hit_Kar'na.

"So," Asar hedged. "You the result of one of Kar'na's affairs?"

Kiri stopped on the spot and looked at him. "What?"

"The Assassin's Guild isn't as pure as they pretend to be," Asar said, as Kiri started walking again. "And even though I know Kar'na, I'd be willing to bet the wolf has been 'out in the world'. You his?"

"No," Kiri frowned. "I'm only...four years? Four years younger than him."

"Eesh, Kar'na..." Asar muttered, chuckling slightly at Kiri's sputtering attempts to correct him. "I'm joking of course. But seriously, are you related?"

"Why are you asking that?" Kiri asked edgily.

"You guys look alike, talk alike...hell, you even smell alike."

"Kar'na is just a friend. He saved our lives at a tavern back in Parai. We've been travelling with him since. My mom is dead. She died in the mines."

Asar's smile vanished. "I'm sorry."

"I never really knew her," Kiri shrugged off. Though, what Kiri said wasn't entirely true. Though his mom had died when he was really young, he still remembered her cradling him in her arms. The sensation of family, that there was someone who loved him...that, more than anything, was what had kept him going, all those years in the mines.

Asar hesitated, before seeming to make up his mind.

"I lost my mother too," he said. "She...she was the only one who ever truly cared for me. After she died of an illness, I...I accidentally killed my brother. My...father sent assassin's after me. No love lost there, eh?"

He chuckled ruefully, before perking up.

"Hey, did you know that Kar'na was the first assassin sent after me? Also, his first failed mission."

"I didn't fail," Kar'na called back. "The contract was for Asar Feldspar. Not for 'Spar' or 'Asar'. These mysterious other people were irrelevant."

Everyone laughed at Kar'na's little quip.

"But seriously," Asar said, the smile disappearing. "Why'd you spare me?"

"Call it a hunch," Kar'na winked. "I've met Lord Feldspar. You're not like him. Not at all. Not like any of his other children either. I just gave up the contract. Feldspar's a bit of a tyrant anyways."

Asar nodded in silent agreement.

"Hold!" the voice of an unknown male called out. "This is territory of the Assassin's Guild! What are your words?"

"A child of the night sky seeks entry," Kar'na said clearly. "The gold-eyed, white wolf of Winterwrath."

The group had followed the path through the woods a while, before it led, rather abruptly, to a ravine leading through the otherwise unbroken rock of the cliff face. There, Kar'na had urged them through, himself taking the lead.

At parts, the ravine was so narrow they had to move single-file. Kar'na explained that this was the only path to the guild headquarters for that very reason. Kind of hard to mount an invasion when only one person at a time can go through, eh?

They'd travelled a kilometre or so along the ravine before being challenged. The white wolf assassin had warned the group of the challenge, and had urged them to silence at the place.

"And this time I mean it," he'd said, gaze locked firmly on Kiri. "No outbursts of any kind."

And now, here they were. No one could see where the mysterious voice was coming from, though it sounded like it was from right in front of them.

A small, scraggly bush shifted and lifted off the ground, and Kiri nearly leapt out of his fur. There, standing before them, was a tall, well-muscled Lynx, twin daggers at his belt. His back was painted grey, blending in perfectly with the grey of the stone. And the bush was nothing more than an elaborate prop stuck on his back. A clever disguise.

"Good to see you back, Kar'na," the Lynx grinned, stepping forwards and grabbing the white wolf in a strong hug. "Rumour around the guild said you were dead. Well, at least until Tes'ali returned with the report."

He looked over the group. "These are the slaves he mentioned?"

"Mostly," Kar'na agreed. "With a few friends joining us as well."

"Hey Svara," the Lynx grinned. "Glad to see you in one piece after...well, you know..."

Svara inclined his head slightly, ears slightly tilted back. Evidently, he was offended, but keeping himself in control. The Lynx seemed impressed.

"You've matured," he noted. "Good. There is hope for you yet, assassin."

Svara seemed surprised at the Lynx referring to the title. He smiled slightly, inclining his head to the Lynx. "Thanks Tai'naer."

The Lynx, Tai'naer, shook his head. "My, you have truly matured. And..."

His gaze darkened slightly. "Hello Asar."

"Hey Lynxy," Asar greeted cheerfully. "Happy to see me?"

"Hardly the wording I would've used," Tai'naer shook his head. "Kar'na, what in Knjul's name is he doing here?"

"He struck a member of the Assassin's Guild," Kar'na explained. "On our turf, no less. So, I'm taking him into custody."

"Well then," Tai'naer said, rolling his eyes slightly at Asar's smirk. "He's your problem then. So, is everyone here with you?"

"Aye."

"Then you may proceed," Tai'naer grinned, standing back with a flourish. "Khej is waiting for your...long overdue...report."

Kar'na winced. "I'm certain he is."

Tai'naer just grinned again, laying back down and shifting slightly. Even though Kiri knew exactly where the Lynx was, he was difficult to spot. That truly was an excellent disguise.

"Kiri?" Kar'na asked, making the young grey wolf jump. "You coming?"

Belatedly, Kiri realized that the others were going on ahead without him. He quickly ran to catch up.

"The Guild's not far," Kar'na said, patting Kiri on the back. "Just up this path and at the top of the hill."

"At the top of the...woah."

There, before the group, was one of the biggest buildings that the group had ever seen. Its massive storm-grey walls jutted high into the sky, with coloured banners from the sides, billowing in the wind. A few guards patrolled the walls, and one or two manned massive ballistae in the towers.

"By the moons," Kiri whispered. "It's huge."

"I've seen it from a distance before," Asar said, awestruck. "But...I've never been this close. It's massive."

Kar'na chuckled and gestured for them to come along. They followed, still craning their necks to see the entire structure. Lord Malis's palace had been bigger, if only slightly, but the guild just took the slaves' breaths away. Unlike Malis's palace, this massive building didn't neighbour any other buildings, making it seem that much bigger.

They approached the structure, and Kar'na opened the door, stepping inside. The room inside was spacious and bright, with massive windows providing ample sunlight to the entirety of it. The slaves would've been content just to stand there the entire day and observe, but Kar'na wasn't slowing.

They hurried to catch up when, suddenly, a loud, young voice, cried out, "Kar'na!"

The white wolf turned, only to be tackled to the side by a flying figure. He landed on the ground with a grunt, laughing at the same time. Pinning him to the ground was a young cat, with a whitish fur colouration, and a large smile upon his youthful face.

"I'm so glad to see you!" the cat exclaimed, wrapping Kar'na in a strong hug.

"Likewise Tai," Kar'na laughed, returning the hug. "It's good to see you! You ready for tonight?"

"Ugh," Tai shook his head. "I don't know if I'll ever feel ready. I mean, I'm willing to bet on Kyl'e. Despite his missing finger, he's still way better than I am!"

"Kyl'e was born into this," Kar'na grinned, getting to his feet. "He's also years older. You'll do fine, Tai."

Tai still looked doubtful, but he smiled and bowed slightly. "Then I'll be seeing you tonight, Master?"

"Indeed you will," Kar'na said, smiling at the cat and rubbing the top of his head. "Now, go finish your preparations."

Tai bowed, before quickly running off.

"He looks good," Svara commented idly.

"Who was he?" Kiri asked curiously.

"That was Tai," Kar'na said, a small grin grazing his lupine face. "He's my apprentice. My first, actually. To be an apprentice to a master assassin is considered a huge honour, since there stand only 16 of us. Svara was one, so are Kyl'e and Tai."

"I was apprenticed to Master Rak'leare," Svara said, his gaze shifting like he was gazing into memories. "He chose me for my keen intellect and capable martial status."

"Kyl'e was apprenticed to Master Jei'orr," Kar'na continued from Svara. "He has a skill with blades and they needed an equivalent teacher."

"Why'd you get Tai?" Kytra asked, thinking back on the slim cat. No one would figure Tai as a warrior, let alone an apprentice to one of the greatest assassins of the age.

"I _chose_Tai," Kar'na grinned. "I was the only one who could keep up with him. Tai is...different."

"How so?" Asar asked curiously. He knew that name from somewhere else...though he couldn't quite place it. He was looking for a tad bit more information on the elusive white cat.

"Tai is fast," Kar'na said, thinking. "But he also...isn't. He doesn't move faster than any of us, but it seems like he sees things a split second before the rest of us. Like he can see into the future, just a little bit. It's enough that it makes him difficult to defeat...even for an experienced assassin."

"To record, I believe he's the only apprentice to have ever beaten Kar'na in a one on one duel," Svara said, smirking at the white wolf.

"To be fair," Kar'na shrugged, apparently neutral about that comment. "That duel lasted a half hour, and for the oddest reason I had this tremendous headache at the end of it. I could barely see."

"Was he responsible for it?" Asar asks. "Like...poisoning your tea?"

"Just to win a duel?" Kar'na laughed. "I don't think so. Tai's not like that. He's too...innocent, despite originally growing up a street urchin;"

Asar looked doubtful, but Kar'na seemed to think the matter was settled.

"Grandmaster Khej should be in his quarters," the wolf said, gesturing towards an oak door at the end of the hall. "That door leads to general quarters. Svara can lead you, and you can wait until I-"

"Kar'na!" a booming voice cried out.

"Dammit," Kar'na muttered, turning around slowly. Walking through a path that the assassins had made for him, was a tall, white-grey wolf, with rich brown eyes. Those eyes were locked on Kar'na with a stern rebuke, but a hidden laugh within.

"Grandmaster Khej," Svara whispered, kneeling. The others followed suit, except Kar'na, who bowed at the waist instead.

"Father," Kar'na said respectfully. "Tu wulf'ra danare."

"Tu wulf ene hark, Kar'na," Khej said, his voice rich. "Wen bagar tu'wulf ko'staf ene kora, Kar'na, kora ger'ra meg. Feph?"

"Yeet, Kovlasai," Kar'na said, standing straight. "Nak tu yip'r jodj kora'ari."

He gestured to the group behind him, and Khej leaned around to look. "Kora'ari tu shi, deb yaxta'taf. Nen wulf Ari wen kora'e bahue chi'r Kytra. Wen nen-"

"Kiri?" Khej asked, stiffening up and staring wide-eyed at the grey wolf, who wondered just what was happening. The assassin grandmaster looked as though he'd just seen a ghost.

"Uhh..." Kar'na said, apparently just as confused as Kiri and the rest. "Nen wulf Kiri. Feph?"

Khej stepped closer to Kiri and reached out a whitish-grey paw to touch Kiri's face. A smile graced his muzzle.

"Kora pol'r'a sheel kora'e," he said quietly.

"Sheel feph, chi'v?"

"Sheel kora chi's, Kar'na. Kiri! Tarek no'dar!"

So saying, he grabbed Kiri in a fierce hug and began weeping into his shoulder. Kar'na seemed absolutely floored.

"Tarek no'dar?" he asked, stunned.

"What's happening?" Kytra asked in confusion, echoing the sentiment of the rest of the slaves and their reptilian friends. Asar too, though he wouldn't admit it. He never learned to speak the wolf tribal.

"Tar...tarek no'dar," Svara echoed, expression seeming like he'd just watched someone jump to their death with no prior warning. "It...it means...my son."