~Betrayal~

I have to keep going.... Medicine is at home... the storm will be here soon... I have to move faster...

Stumbling and dragging himself through the snow, one heavy paw-step at a time, Max made his way over the border of Kuoriainen, his ears flattened against the side of his face, frost and dried blood encrusted into his fur.

As his journey went on, the winds picked up, snow blowing along behind him. The wolf struggled to stay upright, his muscles burning with pain. The storm was right behind him-- He knew it.

He stopped walking, but only for a moment, turning his head down and wiping the snow from his eyes with his paws and flicking it to the side. He raised his head again, looking forward again. Out of the corner of his eye something pink stood out in the snow. As he turned his head towards it he realised it was a tail. A small pink tail.

No, no. I didn't see it. Ignore it. You can't help. Max. No. Don't. Before he knew it, he was running towards the shape, pushing through the snow he eventually came to the body.

Max looked down at her and his face fell. She was almost blue. What had happened to her? Was she okay?

He scooped the child up in his arms, and stroked back her hair, revealing her face. She's cold. Very cold. Max gently pressed a digit to her neck, pressing down lightly. Her pulse. She's alive... Now what?

The storm was near. Max knew he had to hurry. But what could he do with this girl? How could he help her? He'd figure it out! Holding her to his chest he pushed himself to his paws arduously. Why was she in the snow alone? How had she got there? Was she running? If so, from what?

"You'll be okay. You're under the Kuori's protection now..."

Back and forth the wind shook him, he stumbled through the snow. With every step the girl felt heavier and heavier in his arms.The snow became deeper, the wind faster still and the storm roared in his ears. The blizzard seemed to have only gotten worse since embracing the child. But he couldn't leave her.

He turned to look down at her, caressing her fringe back and examining the whelps face. At least she looked warmer now... that was one good thing...

It was hard to see now, fog coating the skies and the land around him. He stumbled along the track, but then realised... he was on the path no-more. Cursing, Max slammed his tail against the snow, baring his teeth and snarling curses into the wind.

Eventually, on the horizon between two frozen bushes and a frosted tree a gigantic cave laid. Max reached out, pushing back the branches of the tree and stepping through the snow and into the gloom of the cave.

Collapsing by the wall and leaning back until he felt the stone behind his shoulder blades and the hardness of the cave press penetrate his fur.

Max turned his head, looking into the dark of the cave, staring at it. Something wasn't right...

Normally the air of a cave would be colder than that of outside, even in a blizzard the cold would venture deeper into the darkness but instead, as the wolf moved further into the black, it only got warmer.

Deeper and deeper Max walked, guided only by the increasing heat that grew from the bowls of the cave. Soon, it almost became hot- he could feel his fur moistening with sweat so he decided to go back, back to just the simple warmth that lied further to the mouth of of the cave, the little girl still laying in his arms.

As he settled down for the second time that night, this time coated in the mysterious warmth that exhaled for deep within the planet he smiled- even through the pain that stung his body, the cuts, scrapes and gashes through his flesh he knew he'd done a good thing. This girl would live to see the light of day.

Groaning softly Max awoke to a small paw gently tugging on the fur of his chest and a moist patch on his side. The Kuori raised his head, turning to peer down his body at a shape that sat upright against his flank, her arm resting against his stomach and her paw on his chest, full with fur.

"Please... where am I? Where's my father.?"

Max pushed back against the wall with his paw, hauling himself up, sitting one paw on the ground beside him while he took the smaller wolf's paw in his own, holding it.

The fur of the girls face was a snow-white, faded pink surrounded her eyes, morphing into three rectangles across each cheek and ending with a short flick. She wore a thick jacket over her body and had large, stripes running down to her ankles.

She was a beautiful young wolf, perhaps in her early teen, Max wasn't sure.

The Kuori slowly began to slowly caresses the back of her hand with his thumb. His gave fell to her paw in his and he examined it slowly, taking his time before answering the question she craved to know. Lifting his gaze and meeting her eyes he drew back his lip and smiled at her. "You are with me, young one. In a cave. You laid in the snow only hours ago, your face almost blue and your body shivering to keep yourself alive. Be glad you wear that jacket over your shoulders while I am only bare-chested. Although... oddly... It is quite hot in here... for you at least. Maybe you should take your jacket off whilst we bathe in the warmth of the cave."

She listened, pulling down the zip and slipping it from her shoulders and into Max's paws.

The Kuori sat it down beside him then reached out, sliding his paws under her arms and lifting her up then sitting heron his lap, gently holding her to his chest and letting his eyes close. "Sleep now, child. Tomorrow shall be a big day for the both of us."

Mmm... what is that... "Akash? Akashi?" No... he was with his mate...

Again, he felt a soft, almost wet, velvet-like shape slide up the side of his face through the soft fur of his cheek and he smiled, murmuring and leaning towards the warmth.

It brushed over the back of his ears and onto the top of his head and against his ears.

A tongue... Max realised, chuckling a little.

The tongue slowly licked down, past his brow and over his eyes onto his muzzle, stopping at his nose and moving to the next area. This time it lavished his chest with its love, licking drown from his chin, slowly across his neck, nipping and pulling a few wads of blood from his fur then continuing down, to where his ribs started.

After a few more licks, a soft stroke of the tongue and a loud yawn Max slowly blinking open his eyes and rubbing them. Swiping the sleep away he lifted his head to see what was licking him and almost gasped as he realised who- or what was.

Red... scales.... Warm cave... hot breath... velvet tongue... It was a dragon! A fire dragon!

Max pulled from the drakes embrace, pushing off it and stepping back a tail-lengths away.

The dragon snorted smoke from its nare,standing up on all fours and approaching Max until it's nose brushed against the fur of his chest.

This time Max stood his ground, watching the drake sniff and nip at his fur curiously. The small dragon walked a full circle around him, rubbing his nose and the side of his face against him before curling up around the Kuori, resting his head in his lap. Hesitantly, Max reached out, sitting his paw on top of its head. His paw outstretched couldn't even reach to the other side of it's head. He began to softly rub his paw pads against the scales atop it's head, massaging them gently.

The dragon pushed his head into Max's stomach and rubbed himself against his paws, rumbling with purrs of thanks.

"You're a small one," The Kuori spoke softly. "Can you understand me?"

The drake nuzzled against Max, rolling its tongue out again, running it across the fur of his belly and pressing his body closer against his.

The male touched his paw to the beasts lightly then slowly began to massage up the bridge of it's muzzle, between its eyes, across its head, working his way down between its horns, now using both paws to caress over the dragons soft scales. Then Max paused, stopping and rubbing the scales between the dragon's wing muscles. He raced his paws to other parts of the dragons body, pressing lightly against its scales. The beast was not what he thought it was. It was still a whelp. If a dragon whelp was but this size... how big would its mother-- or worse, father be? Max put his paw to the side of the drakes face, pushing against it-- but the dragon pushed back purring.

He shuffled, pressing his paw a little harder against its cheek but again, the drake pushed back.

"I have to go. Can you understand me?"

The dragon clicked his tongue, pressing his head into Max's chest and rumbling again.

He put a paw on each side of its muzzle and pushed the drake away, off his lap and he stood up, turning away from it.

The girl. He had to find the girl. Where was she? He looked to the wall of the cave then around towards the entrance. "Little girl? Where are you?"

There was no answer... Max swallowed, his ears twitching back and he drew in a breath. Maybe she went to the mouth of the cave? Was it too hot? Or could it have been the cold to pull her in? What about the drake?

He was pulled from his thoughts by a loud whine. The Kuori spun around to find the source. The dragon whelp sat on its haunches, tail curled around itself and it's wings tucked into its sides while it's head was up in the air, screaming for Max's return, it's ears laid back resting against its cheeks. The Kuori swore to himself quietly and trotted over to him-- Yeah, him. The wolf rested his head on his nose, giving it a soft rub while his other paw gently scratched across the drakes ears. "Shh... shh... it's okay...."

The dragon whined again, parting his muzzle and crying out again.

In the distance, shuffling of talons, rumbles and snarls alerted him that the whelps parents were on their way now. He had to hurry, he had to run and escape. But he couldn't. Not without the girl. He had to find her.

Stomping up from deep within the cave two dragons came, smoke pouring from each of their noses and the spines along the male drake's back standing tall.

He narrowed his gaze, looking passed the dragons. Behind the biggest drake's back-ankle the girl sat, her arms wrapped around herself and her eyes wide-- full of fear, Max assumed. He had to get that girl. At all costs.

Max puffed his chest, standing his ground, reaching over his shoulder and pulling a large spear from its casing behind him then pulling it out and holding it in front of himself, pointing it towards the drakes. The Kuori drew his lip back and snarled. "I'm not here for violence. I craved rest. I only hold this spear for my defence. Can you understand me?"

The male dragons growling only grew louder but the female nodded her head yet none spoke.

The male dragon stepped forward, blowing a small flame into the air between them. "Step away from my kin."

"Step away from that canis lupus and I will." he said and nodded towards the girl.

The dragon ducked his head under himself, looking to where the canine had pointed and there laid the girl.

Max regretted his decision, his ears falling to the back of his head. "Step away," He repeated.

"You first," The male dragon growled, baring his teeth and letting out another small flame.

As much as he hated to submit, Max took a step back and dropped his spear to the floor, drawing back his lips in another snarl. "Pleased?"

For a moment the dragon's expression was unreadable but then he watched it soften into what Max took as relief .

"Now step away from the girl. Please."

The drake stood for a moment longer, then moved to the side, granting the girl safe passage.

The girl took a small step forward-- Then hesitated, eyeing the figure whom stood above her. Max reached out, beckoning her towards him but she didn't budge.

The Kuori looked up at the drake, asking an unspoken question but he only snarled when he moved forward. "Come now, he won't hurt you." Yet, he thought.

Slowly, stepping under the dragons flank she crept towards Max. The Kuori held his breath, stretching his arms towards her. Another growl. He tensed as the girl hesitated.

"Go on!" The dragon hissed, snapping his jaw once and baring his teeth.

Motivated, she rushed forwards, leaping into Max's arms and wrapping her own around him.

"Now, was that so hard?" The drake rumbled, bending his head down and slowly running his tongue across the head of his kin.

The whelp rumbled softly under his caressing then perked his eyes forward, freezing a Max turned to leave.

Max didn't turn back, continuing on his way out, one paw-step at a time.

Shuffling under his parents,the smaller dragon turned up to look at his father, wincing softly and whining as the two wondered further away.

"Halt." The larger drake's voice echoed from the back of the cave.

Max stopped, but did not turn. "Yes?"

"What's your name warrior?" The dragon spoke, laying down across his belly on the stone floor.

"My real name I wish to keep to myself, but you may call me Max, great warrior."

"My name is, Vukan son-of-Edan. My kins name is Ashkenaz."

Max nodded, turning half-back to them. "Thank you Ashkenaz. Thank you Son-of-Edan"

With the girl softly tugging his arm and a rumble of his stomach, Max turned to leave.

Away from the comforting warmth of the dragons cave and into the cold air of the earlier morning Max walked. A soft smile slipped across his muzzle. The crickets singing in his ears, the gentle breeze rustling the snow-filled branches of the winter trees Max couldn't help but feel relaxed despite his current condition. He perked his ears towards the rising son and dropped onto four-paws to walk, grumbling as the cold brushed along his chest fur.

"Where is it?" The Kuori asked.

"Where is what?"

"Your home. To the east, the west, north, south?"

"The south." She replied simply, turning her head away and raising her nose to the chilled wind.

"We can travel faster on all-fours," Max stated, throwing a glance back at the girl. "Is that fine with you, little girl?" She delayed her answer, looking off to the mountains on the far hills of the country, her ears falling slightly and then end of her tail twitching as a frown stole her smile."My names Louve."

"Louve. Is travelling on four paws okay with you." Max snorted slightly, a cloud of frosted air forming between them. "That better?" He added.

"Much." She replied simply, stretching her muzzle wide then sitting down on her haunches, her paws resting in front of her, tapping the ground impatiently. "I thought we were going to have breakfast first though." "You said you weren't hungry." He glanced back at her, then away, raising his head into the scents of the morning and sighed. "I'll see what I can do. Follow me. Don't make a sound." The she-wolf opened her muzzle, then closed it, nodding her head and following the Kuori as he bounded off towards the pine forest that lied sun-ward.

Through the blankets of snow, over the rocks, ferns and twigs that spiked out from underneath, the two made there way towards their hunting grounds.

As they engaged, Max slowed his pace, flaring his nares and lifting his ears as he stuck his head into the sky. He could almost taste the fresh-kill on his tongue and his stomach rumbled with anticipation. To think he'd almost skipped breakfast-- The most important meal of the day. How could he have considered?

He looked back at Louve whom was on his flank and he smiled a little. Didn't lose her. That's a good sign.

Max crept forward, alerted by the sound of a rabbit scurrying under the bushes. Moving around the juniper and over the ferns he stalked towards his prey. A large bunny-- no-- hare-- stood out in the open, nibbling on some wild plant it had found. He crept closer, sticks snapping under his forepaw and he froze, hackling raising slightly as the hare raised its head, standing on two feet, arms tucked into it's chest. Max watched its gaze scan over several times and its ears radar around for possible threats but after another moment it gave up, returning to its food. That's when Max struck; leaping from his hiding place and into the open. The hare didn't stand a chance. It was Max's-- or would have been.

From the sky sharp avian talons pierced through the hares back and compressed it to the ground as a small gryphon landed on top of it, smiling from ear-to-ear.

Max skidded to a stop in front of the bird and gave a small smile. "Nice catch."

The gryphon flinched back slightly, pulling his head into his chest and eying the wolf up and down curiously then cawing softly in thanks.

"Hey! That's_my_ Rabbit! Talons off dumb bird!" Into the open, Louve stumbled, her teeth bared and a low-growl echoing from the back of her throat. She began to approach the gryphon.

Max opened his maw to speak but the she-wolf cut him off; "Away from my rabbit!" She took a step closer.

The gryphon slowly stretched out his wings, hissing softly as his hackles rose.

Max rumbled a low growl and moved between them. "There's plenty of rabbits in the forest. Besides, this is a hare. Now leave the _gryphon_in peace to eat his meal. Let's find something els--" He closed his muzzle, feeling talons perch on his back and he looked over his shoulder at the gryphon and smiled a little. "Oi, what you doing up there?"

The gryphon purred in response, leaning over and nuzzling the end of his beak between his shoulder blades and running his tongue along the Kuori's fur gently then moved, nudging the pouches strapped around his waist.

"Not for you." He said, bearing his teeth slightly. The gryphon didn't listen, tearing the pouch open with the tip of his beak, grabbing a few things inside, then leaping from his back and onto the hare. Grabbing it in his front paws the small gryphon extended his wings and took off.

"Gryphon! Come back!" He shouted, jumping up and reaching out, his paw sliding through the gryphons tail feathers but failing to grab ahold. He fell back into the snow, snarling.

"Come back with my breakfast!" Louve shouted.

Max snorted, pushing himself up off the ground. "We got to go after him."

The she-wolf nodded. "Finally, you're seeing sense! Let's get that rabbit!"

Max shook his head but didn't speak, launching himself through the bushes and after the gryphon.

Through the clouds the gryphon flew, catching the currents and winds of the sky, a large smile across his beak. He didn't know what he took or what they were, but what he did know is that he liked them, the shiny glittering orbs that sat in the wolf's pouch only moments ago now hung from thir sack in his beak. Wonder what Akash will think of them. Will he like them? Or will he tell me off again.... I didn't think this through, did I? He asked himself. It was too late now. He didn't care no more. They were his and he wasn't sharing.

"Xenophon, where'd you get those from?" He imagined him saying."Give them back, stealings not right!"

"Pff. Stealings not right." He mumbled, grinding his beak for a moment and flying higher, closing his eyes, feeling the wind flow caress his feathers as he flew. He smiled a little. "Well sorry Uncle Akash. These are mine." Maybe I shouldn't even tell him, I could stuff the sack into the hare's guts, sneak them back home and line my next with them. But what if mother asks? Uncle Akash gave them to me. This'll be easier than I thought.

"Gryphon! Get down here! Those are mine!"

Xenophon bent his head, looking down across his chest. On his left flank the wolves from before ran through the snow, following him. His face fell into a frown again and he clicked his tongue in annoyance. Akash'll get rid of them. He thought, raising his head to look ahead again. He flapped his wings, thrusting himself a little higher as he approached the mountains and hills that loomed in the distance.

"Uncle! Akash! Akashi! Help!" Xenophon watched the other gryphon raise his head and he landed in front of him, folding, and unfolding his wings. "Help."

"What? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Akash opened his wings towards the fledge, holding out a forepaw but Xenophon stayed in his spot, the hare under his paw.

"They're after me! They've been chasing me! I was in the pine forest to the east and they followed me! I'm scared. We got to go, please. Help me hide!"

"I-I will. We'll go find Duke! He'll help! C'mon!" Akash stood up, turning and lowering his hind. "Hope on. I'm faster!"

The young gryphon jumped up without hesitation, settling himself down in the gryphons blue feathers. "My hare. Please. Carry it."

Akash nodded, taking a few steps back and grasping the hare's carcass in his forepaw. "Lets go."

"Stop! Don't go!" Came a voice from the valley.

Xenophon watched his uncles ears twitch towards the sound and he let out a low growl. "Uncle! Quick! They're the ones chasing me!"

"That sounded like..."

"Uncle! We must go!"

Akash smiled a little as a familiar face ran up the hill and his wings relaxed against his sides. He spun around, turning to face the Kuori, his face lighting up in delight.

"Akash! It's them! Turn around! Fly off, quick!"

"No, no. Xenophon. This is Max. My friend, the one I was telling you about earlier." Akash grinned. "So, Max, what troubles has my nephew caused you and your... friend?"

"Temporary companion." Max corrected, rising up onto two paws and standing in front of the gryphon, stretching his arms out towards him.

Akash stepped forward, pushing the hare away with a paw and sitting down in front of his friend and wrapping his wings around him, embracing him to his chest.

Rolling off his uncles back Xenophon frowned, mumbling curses to himself. The fledge trotted over to his hare.

"Your nephew, the fledge, took something from my bag." The Kuori pulled from the hug slightly, reaching down and wrapping his paw around his bag, raising it from his flank. "He tore right through it."

"I see." Akash nodded, leaning forward and touching his beak to Max's nose for a moment, rubbing it gently then turning to the grass behind him. "Xenophon, what-- oh. Where'd he go?"

"There he is!" Louve growled, baring her teeth and pointing towards the fledge. Xenophon stood a few leaps away, his wings raised. He crouched to take off and just as he leaped into the sky, Akash bounded over, grabbing his nephew by the tail and pulling him into himself.

The fledge squirmed in his grasp, snapping his beak and groaning as he nipped at the larger gryphon's ears with his beak... "Let go! Uncle!"

"What did you take from Max's bag?" Akash narrowed his gaze, tail swishing and his ear twitching as the avian nipped him. He moved his paw to the gryphon's chest and held him to the ground waiting.

"I took these shiny orb things..." He snorted and tossed his gaze away, staring over at his hare. "It's in there. In its guts..." He sighed. "I'm sorry..."

Akash nodded his head slowly then leaned over, rubbing the end of his beak against his nephews for a few moments. "I forgive you... but I'm telling your mother."

"No! I'll be grounded for life!" Xenophon hissed, snapping his beak and pushing him away.

"Hm... you better be good if you don't want me to tell her..." He slowly walked away from the fledge, turning back to Max who was wiping his hands in the long grass, trying to get as much of the hare's guts out of his fur as possible.

"I'm sorry about him." He said, sitting down beside his friend and extending a wing over him.

"It's okay," Max smiled, wrapping his paws around the larger creatures head and gently tugging it to his chest, forcing the gryphon to lay down.

"So... what's the deal with the little wolf?" Akash asked. "And now that you're closer... are you okay? You seem pretty beat up..."

"I'm fine. I'm helping Louve get home. I found her in the snow unconscious." Max glanced away, then back to his friend, leaning forward to brush the end of his muzzle against the soft feathers of the avians cheek.

Akash trilled and ran his tongue over the Kuori's nose, shuffling closer to him.

Max rubbed the gryphons side for but a moment then pulled away, standing up. "I'm sorry Akashi. We can't stay."

He frowned, but nodded understandingly. "Where are you heading? Maybe I can help."

The Kuori took a moment to think, looking to Louve, then to Xenophon and back. "East. To the oak forest of Akhuma."

Akash nodded. "I'll take you there. But the forest may be too thick for me to go far into it." He frowned slightly, lowering his ears. But raised them again after Max's paw stroked up his beak and between his eyes.

"You'd let me ride on your back...? But. I thought I wasn't worthy. You told me it was a privilege only the--"

"Shh... Max. Verg. I didn't let you on my back back then because our friendship was almost non-existent back then. We had barely met. You are worthy now, I trust you, I love you. You're like family to me. You should know that."

The Kuori was silent.

Did I do something wrong? Gosh. Was that too quick? Akash thought. He lowered his ears, cawing softly in apology and his tail swishing ceased. "I'm sorry... I-I thought--"

"You're like family to me too Akashi."

The gryphons face lit up and he pressed his forehead to his friends chest, purring softly as Max pulled him closer. The two stood there for quite some time, simply embracing each other and stroking one another's fur or feathers with their paws. Akash closed his eyes, lightly nuzzling his forehead further into his chest and he flicked out his tongue to lick him softly.

The Kuori smiled, his tail wagging slowly as he stroked the back of Akash's head, caressing him, his heart quietly singing within his chest. "I love you too my Akashi."

The gryphon nuzzled up his chest and onto his neck, giving a few soft strokes to his fur with his tongue before pulling his beak away and standing tall. "Let's go my... my brother."

"Brother." Max repeated, nodding his head, gliding his paw through the gryphon's down one last time before pulling away to hop on his back.

The air was cold in the sky, and the air became increasingly harder to breathe with every meter higher they gained. The Kuori looked down at the earth below them, over the rivers and forests they had passed. The view was beautiful. Avians get to see this everyday, but for Max. This was something completely new.

He felt Louve's arms shuffle around his waist but paid little attention to it as he leaned forward to lick at the back of Akash's neck. "The view is wonderful my gryphon."

"Yeah... it's much better at sunset though. We'll have to fly then. Without this little pest." He laughed, nodding towards his nephew and purring in amusement.

"HEY! I'm not a pest!" Xenophon protested, hissing in disagreement and flying a little faster to match his uncles speed. "And why does he always call you Akashi instead of Akash. It sounds stupid!"

"Akashi is my nickname. And I happen to like it." The gryphon snorted, clicking his tongue at him then flapping slightly faster, returning Xenophon back to his flank.

Max snorted in amusement and ran his paw through the fur of Akash's neck.

Akash purred softly, glancing back at him, then ahead smiling.

The sun was almost directly above them now, making the middle of the day. Max sighed softly. How far had the girl travelled? Surely there was a reason for travelling so far. It must have taken days of full-day travelling. Was she going somewhere? Was she lost as she claimed? But then again... how was she so well fed if she wasn't prepared for the journey, nor could hunt well. He'd think about her true intentions later... They were almost there now.

Akash flapped his wings slowly, just enough to make the landing a little softer than usual. He lowered himself to the grass, laying in it while waiting for his passengers to hop of him. Xenophon landed beside them, flopping on his back into the grass and purring as he squirmed against it.

Max couldn't help but chuckle at the little gryphon. "Your uncle. Does that sometimes. Very cute."

"Cute? Excuse me! I am not cute! At all!" The little gryphon snarled.

"Yeah, he's ugly as anything." Louve added, jumping from Akash's back to stand in the grass a tails length away.

"Hey! Take that back you little--"

"Oi! Don't you say that word!" Akash growled, snapping his beak and glaring at the smaller gryphon.

"You heard what she called me! I'm not ugly-- or cute, I'm handsome and very, very, sexy!"

Louve burst into laughter and Xenophon shuffled back in embarrassment, his face burning red with a soft blush. "That's what mum said!"

"Shh." Akash said softly. "You are handsome--

"And sexy."

"And sexy. Now come on. As soon as Louve's home we can fly off and do something fun. Sound good?"

The fledge nodded, satisfied.

Together, the four of them followed Louve into the forest. But Max couldn't help but suspect that something was following them...

Max pushed out from between two trees and stepped forward into a clearing, squinting against the bright sun. He raised a paw to protect his eyes and smiled in satisfaction, looking ahead at a small wooden house that stood in the middle of the clearing. "So this is your home?" He asked, turning back as Louve came up behind him.

"No, no it's not. Pff, of course it is!" She snapped, pushing past him and matching towards the hut.

Max's hackles raised slightly against his will and he snorted, holding back a snarl.

"Little gratitude would have been nice..." Akash mumbled, settling himself down next to Max and lightly pressing into his side.

"She's a freaking b-- uh. Um. Yeah, gratitude." Xenophon lowered his head slightly, sitting down at his uncle's paws. "Sorry."

"Forgiven. At least you're learning." Akash turned back to Max. "Aren't you going to go in? Will you need a ride home?"

The Kuori nodded. "I will need a ride. Tomorrow I will find my way out of the forest and I will stand on the highest cliff wanting for you. Meet me at noon."

Akash nodded. "I'll be there." The gryphon wrapped his arms around Max, giving The Kuori a gentle hug for a few moments before standing up and turning away. "Come on, Xenophon. Time to go home."

The small gryphon let out a long sigh and stood, following his uncle as they headed into the forest.

Max looked over at Louve. She stood by the front door, her arms wrapped around a large figure, her head rested on his shoulder. He smiled, letting his fangs show a little as he walked up to them, paw outstretched. The father parted from his daughter and shook paws with The Kuori, a huge, friendly grin pasted on his muzzle.

"Thank you for bringing her home... I-I thought i'd never see her again..."

"Lucky i found her then." Max smiled, glancing between the two wolves.

How did she get in that storm anyway? Why was she so far from home? He thought, but decided not to ask. She's home now, that's all that matters.

"It's freezing out here, let's head inside, I'll make some tea." The Man turned and stood next to the door, gesturing to the entrance. Louve headed inside and after but a moment of hesitation, he followed, hearing the door shut behind them.

Max sat down at a small round dining table, smiling as he was handed a hot drink by the father. He took a sip and sighed happily.

"I never got your name." The Man said, sitting down on the other chair, resting his own mug down at the table and reaching out to shake Max's paw again. "My names Zack."

The Kuori nodded, shaking paws once again. "Max."

The family of two had blessed Max with hot drinks, a lovely dinner, and a warm bed but Max was beginning to grow suspicious by their kindness. Something wasn't right.

While they were asleep, Max snuck from his room, picking up his hs spear in one paw. He raised his nose, sniffing the air and frowned. He had been right, something as wrong. The stench of fresh blood lingered in the air, and the scent of another intellectual.

He followed his nose to a room, however, the room was empty. The scent mustn't end here, it mustn't. And it didn't. Max pressed his paw against the wall. A brick slid back and clicked. The bricks rumbled and the wall split into two, one half sliding into the floor, the other the ceiling. He gripped his spear firmly and perked his ears as he slowly began to walk down the passage. Muffled screams filled his ears, musky blood scent filled his nares, blocking out all other smells.He came to a door at the end of the passage and peaked through it, into the next room.

Zack stood, knife in paw, pushing and twisting it against the arm of a fox. The Red Fox laid, strapped to a chair, blood drooling from his arms, face, legs, chest as well as his middle. He screamed again as the knife sunk deeper into his skin, but the rope in his mouth hushed the sounds he made as he was tortured. "You have failed me, Philipp, you lied to me. You told me Max was dead. I believed you instead of my own daughter. She told me you were lying, and she was right."

"Please, Sir. Don't kill me, I did my best, he was too strong. But I did weakon him, and you have him now anyways. I could go kill him right now, while he's asleep." He whispered through the rope.

Zack growled, baring his teeth and slashing the knife across the side of the Foxes face. "You will not kill him. I will. His tea was poisoned. It will make him weaker and weaker over time. It eats at his muscles until there's none left. Just a few days and he won't be able to defend himself at all. But until then his vision will become blurred and headaches will harry him. Then, after he's down I'll torture him, like this." He pushed his knife into Phillipps arm and smiled as it pierced through to the other side. The fox screamed again and his smile only grew wider. "He will reveal all the secrets of his tribe, The Kuori and then I will wipe them out and become the ruler of all of Kuoriainen."

Max opened, then closed his maw, growling silently to himself. I knew something wasn't right... Max wanted to jump out of hiding and slash his sword across the enemy's throat. But he knew it wouldn't be wise. He needed to find the antidote-- before it was too late.

Max pushed up from his crouch, holding his spear with a tighter grip he moved towards the exit.

Creeeeeeak.

Max's fur shot up on his back, standing on end. He swore a silent curse and cocked his head to look back under his arm at the room. He was focused on Phillipp - for now. The Kuori stalked out of the passageway, paw wrapped firmly around his weapon and ears perked for any sounds that echoed from the previous room. When he came to the kitchen he rushed through the cupboards, searching for something to quell the poison before it weakened him further. In the very back of the cupboard he found a vial. He picked it up, examining the label in his paw then showing a toothy grin.

He raised the vial to his muzzle and poured it down his throat. As he was sitting the vial down a large body slammed into him from behind, unsheathed paws digging into his back through his shirt. Max snarled, throwing his elbows back at his attacker but his foe clung to him. The Kuori flung himself back into the wall, pressing his opponent against it then ripping from his grasp. He spun around, snarling, flicking up his spear in his paw and thrusting it forward. Zack dodged, then dodged again, snatching a knife from the kitchen bench and swiping it at him, forcing Max a few steps back, out of the front door and into the yard.

"Why are you doing this? Why do you want to take over Kuoriainen? Can't you be satisfied with what you have?" Max bared his fangs, stepping backwards, not in fear, but to take his stance for battle.

"You think you can beat me with a spear? Let me enhance the fight, make it proper." Zack walked backwards into the house and from under an old sheet he pulled out two iron swords. One, he threw to Max as he took his place on the grass, and the other, he held onto as the two began to circle each other. The Kuori was the first to attack; he swung his sword hitting Zack's with a loud clang. He swiped again and under the light of the moon struck his opponents left shoulder. Zack groaned softly against the pain. The two swung swords, leapt forwards, then backwards in the dance of battle. Each strike pulling them but a moment closer to the victory they craved ever-so-much. For Max, victory would mean freedom, and for Zack, one step closer to taking over glorious Kuoriainen.

The blade of the sword called Max's name, but he denied it. But as he swung his sword to defend himself his opponents tail tripped him and he fell back to the ground. His head landed on a rock and a sword pointed towards his throat. His head spun, and his eyes fell blurry. The last thing he saw before he fell unconscious was a bright, orange light sweeping the area and then everything went black.

With a groan, Max rose his head, and half sat up. A bed, he realised. But who's? He threw his gaze around the room; photos of a black-white-blue wolf and several others hung on walls and stood on shelves.

Max reached out to the side table of the bed, examining one of the photos with a small smile before putting it back down. Zen?

"Max! You're awake!" The wolf from the photo - Zen, walked into the room, followed by a smiling fluffy gryphon.

"What happened? Where am I? Where's Zack!?"

"One question at a time." Zen mused with an amused smile.

"What happened?"

"Akashi found you. He was coming to find you, and he did. A small dragon was with you and all around you was scorched in flames."

"Dragon, aye?" He snorted, throwing the blankets off himself and standing up to stretch. "Anyways, continue."

Zen opened his maw, then closed it and took a few steps back, nodding to Akash. "You should be telling this story, not me."

Akash's eyes widened, he shuffled on his paws and let his head lower slightly. "I-I didn't do much really... I found you unconscious with a little dragon outside a wooden house... there's not much to say..."

"Was there anyone else there?" Max asked.

"No"

The three of them discussed the story for a while longer, until all his questions were answered but one; What happened to Zack, Louve, and their friends?

Writing © Grrthesecond

Max © fazbearfurry on FA

Zen © A friend