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Chapter Two

The Varg. To those associated with them, they are the symbol of power and purity in Arora. For those against them, they are the symbol of abuse and corruption. As for the Varg, they view themselves as perfect. Who are the Varg, exactly? That depends. A Varg citizen can be anyone. So long as they pledge allegiance to the Empire and abide by its laws, they are welcomed as honorary citizens and are allowed a small amount of political privilages and freedoms that "real" Varg can enjoy. Well, what is considered a "real" Varg? That also varies on opinion. A "real" Varg is a canine. Canines closely resemble the god, Fenrir in his physical beauty and thus are considered closer to him than other beings. They receive the full rights of a citizen and even the lowest of canine are considered to be of higher worth than even the richest of honorary Varg. They can vote, become soldiers, hold positions of power, they are respected. However, most canines have a ceiling that stops them from going too far up in life.

Within the Varg, there is a three tier class system that separates each canine group based on physical appearance. The bottom tier is for "mongrels." Those whose bloodline had been watered down to the point that they barely resemble the god that created them. The middle tier held the place for "ferals." These canines are close to having the full features of Fenrir, but have a small amount of flaws that show their impurity. Difference in stature, fur coloration, one or two irregular body parts, or even something trivial as diet can separate a feral Varg from those that occupy the highest tier and being able to enter into the highest positions in society. Those positions are reserved for the "pure bloods."

Wolves or, as they call themselves, the Children of Fenrir are ruling class in the Varg hierarchy. They are the closest thing to having Fenrir himself walk amongst the mortals on Arora. They are the gods of the Empire. Any crime committed must be reported to a wolfen judge. Every marriage must be over seen by a wolfen priest. Every school's headmaster is a wolfen. The richest of feral nobles only lease the land that they have control over, as every ounce of land belonged to wolfen first and they must pay a land tax to the Empire every month or else be evicted. And of course, every Varg answers to the emperor and the emperor has always been a Wolfen. Three years ago, a war started that would forever change the status of one feral and from then on be looked down as less than "mongrels." This group of ferals turned "honorary citizens" was the foxes.

Before the kitsune war started, foxes were a very influential race in Varg society. They were known for their keen intellect, wit, and silver tongues, which they used to climb as high up on the political ladder as possible. It wasn't surprising to see a fox hold a secondary position of power under a wolfen, such as a military strategist or a chief advisor. And while the kitsune were troublemaking scoundrels, there was hardly anyone in the Empire who would connect a fox with a kitsune. Foxes had class, intelligence, and they knew their place. Kitsune were uncouth and tactless. Bandits and vagabonds the lot of them. However, as the war entered its second year, propaganda and rumors would spread and the rest of the Varg Empire began to see similarities between the kitsune and the foxes. Similarities, that went beyond simple physical appearances. Their thirst for power and wealth. Their ability to adapt to various situations. Their hedonistic look on life. Their potential for creating chaos amongst order. The foxes were too crafty for their own good. They were no longer trusted. By the end of the second year, rumors of foxes being used as spies and becoming mates with kitsune were enough to cause the Empire to declassify the foxes from the status of "ferals," and to that of honorary citizens. And only a select few were allowed to even have that distinction.

Naheta was one of those few.

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The walk to the edge of town and home seemed to have been longer than normal, as Naheta and Aingelina parted ways halfway. The tall wolfess was a Naheta's best friend and she didn't want to risk losing her by having her be seen hanging around the home of a fox. As if by instinct, Naheta instantly through her school bag by the door, walked through the living area, and walked to the kitchen after reaching home. She had dinner to get started for when her elder sister arrived. Since being accepted at the military school five years ago, Naheta's sister had been coming home after sundown. There use to be a time when Naheta didn't mind this. She still had her mother to look after her and play with her. However, just the year prior, her mother disappeared and it was up to Naheta to start taking care of the house on her own. A few of her mother's friends would pop in every once in a while, but it wasn't a common enough occurrence to curb the sense of loneliness and frustration Naheta would feel after school. On this night, the feeling had made itself more present as Naheta thought about what she would do once the festival was over. Her sister will be gone and off to war, leaving Naheta to fend for herself. The school probably had a place in mind for her to go to. An orphanage or a Fenris covenant, perhaps. Maybe some noble will use their influence to "take care" of her and have her join their collection of servants. Those were some of the thoughts that had entered the young fox's wandering mind as she kept watch over the iron kettle that was boiling in the kitchen fire place.

The sound of the door opening had perked up Naheta's ears and drew her out of her thoughts. "I guess they let her go early since the BIG DAY is coming up," Naheta thought to herself, her eyes rolling towards the end of it. She slowly turned her head towards the door and called out to her sister. "You still have a few more moments before the soup is done, if you want to clean yourself up first."

"That would be nice, since it has been so long since I have had a good bath," a weary yet relieved voice answered from the front door.

The female voice sounded slightly deep and mature. In fact, it was too mature. One of Naheta's ears went flat as she became a little confused. That wasn't the sound of her sister's voice. She rose from her watching spot, and cautiously walked to the living area and the front door. What she saw was a tall figure dressed in a tattered black hooded robe of cloth. The figure's back was towards Naheta, but the hood was down revealing the head full of long dark red hair that flowed down into the robe. She was obviously wolfen, with the ears and her physical size. The figure had set two medium sized bags next to Naheta's school bag, and was leaning a staff against the wall above them. It was made of wood and had many intricate designs carved on the entire length. Naheta had seen that staff before! Instantly, she ran straight to the figure and wrapped her arms around the figure's waist. After a sound of surprise escaped with the gasp of air through her maw, the figure felt Naheta bury her muzzle into her back.

"Mother!" Naheta held her mother as tightly as she could. For a moment, she felt as if everything was right. She no longer worried about her life after her sister's departure. The fox didn't care how the rest of society judged her. Her mother was here. She was back. Back from her year long absence. Back, to the home where she abandoned them. "Where the hell were you!?!"

Before the wolfess could respond, she felt a small hard thump against her lower back that made her wince. Then, another thump to her back. The third one made her grunt and she turned around in time to catch the fourth in her grasp. What the adult wolf had captured in her paw was the wrist of her fox daughter. Naheta was glaring at her mother with tears in her eyes. The wolfess looked at the fox's fist then into the angry eyes that was focused on her and sighed. "Were things that bad while I was away?" she asked in a calm voice.

"They were close to being so," a voice from behind Naheta's mother answered. The robed wolfess turned her head to the side and saw the source of the voice out of the corner of her eye. A black and grey furred wolf with long black and red hair and dressed in battered leather armor stood in the doorway with arms crossed while carrying an expression of slight bitterness.

"You are looking well, Alexia," the wolfess replied back as she released her grip on Naheta. Naheta walked over to the Alexia and stood by her side. The wolfess looked at the two girls with a small smile. "You two have grown in the past year." She waited for some sort of reply from the two, but when none came she sighed and her smile disappeared. "I owe you an explanation for the past year. And you will have it," she turned her head towards the kitchen and wrinkled her nose, "However; I would like to save our house from burning down first. Then we will begin talking outside."

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Once the fire was extinguished and the three were out of the cottage that reeked of charred soup, the Ravenblood family began its first family discussion in over a year. Alexia made the suggestion to take a walk along the trail that led to the forest behind their home. It wasn't until they were far enough away from the smell of the cottage that the grey wolf matriarch spoke.

"I will not lie to you two. The that the reason I left was out of selfishness," her tone was solemn and she kept her gaze ahead of her on the trail, "But I had heard a rumor and I needed to know if it was true."

"A rumor?!" Naheta snapped at her mother from behind her and was glaring up at the back of the wolfess' crimson hair covered head. "You abandoned us for a rumor?"

"It was not my intent to leave you two for so long," continued the mother, her tone unchanged as if she wasn't affected by Naheta, "but I felt as if this was my last chance to finally get some answers to my past." The grey wolf turned her head to the side and threw a glance towards Alexia, who had been walking between the two in silence. The only sound that had come from her had been the slight jingle of her sheathed sword that hung from her belt at her side, a required piece of equipment for a soldier-to-be. "Your past as well, Alexia."

Alexia resisted the urge to snort and furrowed her brow. "It was about him, wasn't it?" she asked, putting a bit of emphasis on the "him." When the wolfess gave no reply, Alexia continued. "Of course it was. Why else would you leave us? I swear to Tellah, you can act so childish at times." The last statement caused the mother to stop in her tracks. "You drop everything that you are doing the moment you hear something related to that monster," Alexia had walked past her mother and was at this moment facing her. "Is revenge more important than your family now?"

Alexia's mother narrowed her eyes and when she spoke her tone was a bit darker. "What gives you the right to lecture to me like this?"

"You gave me the right when you left us," Alexia answered, her own tone had changed and a bit of frustration had begun to reveal itself in her speech, "I was the one who stayed and watched over Naheta. I was the one who was mature enough to stay and help family, instead of run off on some selfish quest for vengeance and satisfaction."

"Is that right, Alexia?" the wind seemed to come up from nowhere in response to the mother's words as it was her turn to continue the discussion. "You seem to have become an expert on "selfish quests," haven't you? Weren't you only thinking of yourself when you defied me and joined the Empire's military academy here? You know how they feel about Wolfen like us. How they feel about your younger sister. And yet you joined them anyway. Why? Was it for pride? Did you think becoming a soldier would make you feel better about yourself? Would killing innocent people bring you satisfaction in your life?" The grey wolf's eyes began to glow white and her voice grew louder and menacing, "Did you even think about what would happen to Naheta after you had departed to go off on yourself serving quest for glory?"

The wind had surrounded Alexia's mother in a small vortex, yet Alexia seemed unfazed by what was happening in front of her. She snarled and spoke with anger and purpose, "I signed up to serve the Empire to hunt down and kill those that are like him. To protect Naheta and others from meeting a fate that was similar to yours. And don't you dare insult me by comparing me to some murderer!" At this moment, Alexia's eyes also began to glow white and the two female wolves were only inches apart from each other. "You think I didn't have a plan for Naheta? You think I was going to just abandon her? No that is what YOU do, Natasha Ravenblood!"

Alexia's mother bared her fangs and snarled. If there was any sign of composure to be seen on her, it was gone now. "DO NOT CALL ME BY THAT NAME, UNLESS YOU WANT THEM TO BE THE LAST WORDS YOU EVER UTTER FROM YOUR MAW!"

The grey wolfess was about to lunge at her eldest daughter when she felt a small stone hit her on the side of the head. Alexia, who had already gone to her sword and appeared to be more than willing to fight, had also felt a small stone hit her on her cheek. The two turned to seek out the source and found Naheta standing on the side of the trail. The little fox was staring at them with her paws at her hips and her foot tapping the dirt in a sign of disapproval and impatience.

"If the two ADULTS are done with your magical piss competition, it would be wise if you both calm down before the patrol catches you and arrest you for using forbidden magic within range of the city."

Instantly, the grey wolfess' eyes went back to normal and the wind that had surrounded her dissipated. Alexia's eyes also went back to normal and she allowed herself to relax. The mother and daughter stared into each other's eyes for a moment before turning back towards the confused yet determined Naheta.

"It would seem that out of the three of us, she has grown up the most," Alexia said, speaking low enough so that only her mother could hear.

"I agree," Natasha replied, her voice just as low. "Maybe we have both underestimated just how well she can take care of herself...However..." Natasha walked up to her fox daughter and swiftly grabbed her left ear with her right paw, which elicited a yelp from the fox girl. "Young lady, I do not want to hear the word "piss" come out from between your teeth again. Do you understand?"

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After, what would later be described as, one of the least eventful arguments the three have ever had the trio of canines continued their walk towards the forest in silence. Once they had entered the forest, it was Naheta's turn to begin the conversation.

"Mother?" she began, "Who is this "monster" that Alexia talked about?"

Natasha stopped and sighed, "I never wanted you to know about him. But you are old enough and mature enough to know." The wolfess looked around for some sort of clearing to sit in, but gave up and sat herself down on the trail. Alexia followed suit and motioned for Naheta to do the same. "I will tell you, my child, the story of the Ravenblood's gravest mistake. The cause of their greatest shame and how he is the reason for me leaving the two of you by yourselves. I am going to tell you the story of Alexia's father."