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Morning was harsh, blisteringly hot as Belluosus's burning glare baked the land to a crisp. The wood was stacked high for Saccularius's funeral pyre, and a great feast was in the last stages of preparation. Kage slept uneasily, and woke with a start after Belluosus had finished a quarter of his journey. His noon would come swiftly. Kage stretched his sore limbs as much as he was able to while tied down; he'd been let up on occasion to answer nature's call, but aside from these necessary excursions, he had spent two days tied down in an uncomfortable position. He had not seen Curatrix since the since the first day, and he had given up hope of her rescuing him. He and Saccularius watched in silence as the last of the preparations were made.

One of the wolves came along, roughly cut Kage's bindings, and hoisted him to his feet. He sneered at the younger wolf and spoke with a voice that dripped malice.

"You will suffer, you cheating brat. I hope you suffer beneath Paenitentia's cold rock for an eternity."

His breath stank of decay, causing Kage to cough beneath his callous laughter.

"Come on then, you're to be part of the procession! You'll join Saccularius in the march. At the top, Mordekai will spill your blood over the one you have slain, and then your body will be buried beneath the earth, to join your suffering soul."

Kage's legs were still asleep from their long period of inaction, so when he was shoved roughly forwards, he stumbled to the ground. He rolled onto his hands and knees and pushed himself up with quivering limbs.

"At least my death will be swift. You still have the anguish of an entire lifetime, forced to wear that hideous face before you rot in hell."

His mouth was good at getting him in trouble, but here he didn't see how a few insults could make his situation any worse. His guard growled venomously and raised a hand to strike at him, but before he could, another hand caught his. The newcomer was several shades darker than most of the other ShadowPelts, and blue war paint adorned the right side of his face. He spoke quietly, but there was a force behind his words that spoke of conviction and determination.

"To strike a prisoner is the height of cowardice. If you give in to such base impulses, you could well join him in the earth's cold embrace."

Another wolf stepped forwards. He was, identical to the second in every physical way, and green warpaint adorned only the left half of his face. He placed a hand on the guard's shoulder and gripped him firmly.

"If you cannot control yourself, it would be best that you left. We can ferry him well enough."

The guard looked between the two wolves, who were obviously twin brothers. After a closer look, each was blind in the eye that was surrounded by paint.

"Ya bunch a fanatic loonies. What do you want with him?"

"We wish only to guide him to his place."

"We wish only to protect you from temptation."

"Shut yer nonsense spewin' gobs and have him then, he ain't worth the trouble of dealing with you two."

The surly one stomped off, and the brothers each locked one of Kage's arms in their own, dragging him forwards more than guiding him. Their movements were rough and uncaring, but as they brought him forwards, they leaned inwards towards him.

"Greetings, lost child. I am Fortuna."

"Farewell, sad stranger. I am Fatum."

"Chance allows for many opportunities. Do you walk with it, or are you ruled by it?"

"Fate brings all life to a close. What choices are left to be made?"

They spoke in tandem then.

"Death comes to all. Do not let his grip rule your path."

Kage was too stunned to even attempt a response for their strange questions, until Saccularius whispered through his mind.

Something is wrong with the twins. They're never far apart, they insist on wearing that war paint at all times, and, as you just heard, they have a penchant to speak prophetic nonsense. On the rare occasion that what they say makes any sense at all, they've never been wrong. I'll be claimed by rot if I have any idea at all what they meant though.

They deposited him in front of Mordekai, bowed, then stepped backwards. Their actions mirrored each other perfectly, and they turned on a heel to go take their place in the circle around the great bonfire. Mordekai, for his part, stared straight ahead, refusing to even acknowledge his existence. He tried to rise, once, only to have one of the guards beat him back into the ground.

They'll pay for this humiliation, pup, don't you doubt it.

Yea. Right. How is that escape plan coming, by the way?

Saccularius didn't have an answer, and he joined Kage in sullen silence. Belluosus crawled higher towards his peak as the land beneath him dried beneath his burning gaze. Noon was close when the flaps of Saccularius's tent were thrown open. His torn body was carried on a stretcher, covered by soft leather to hide his fatal wounds. One and all stepped aside as he was carried in slow procession to the funeral pyre in the center of the camp. Saccularius's was laid out atop the pyre, then Mordekai and Kage stood atop the pyre to face the crowd. Kage was half tempted to take a swing at him there, and hope for the best, but Saccularius's insistent voice belayed his fist.

Wait... the gods would not have sent me back to you if you were fated to die this day. Have faith, there must be a way out of this.

Kage fidgeted restlessly, one arm held tight in Mordekai's firm grip as the war chief spoke to his tribe.

"My Brothers! My Sisters! My Children! We gather to feast, to mourn the loss of one of our greatest. We gather to celebrate his life and his ascension to Belluosus's side. We gather to punish his murderer!"

Cheers from the crowd below, eager for the death of the runt who had dared to slay Saccularius. As Kage observed the bloodthirsty horde below him, he saw three people who did not cheer. The twins, Fortuna and Fatum stood silently, heads bowed, still enacting a perfect mirror. They glanced upwards just as Kage's eyes swept over them, but his gaze came to rest on Curatrix, who looked anxious. She kept glancing towards Belluosus as he crept towards his zenith, and there was fear in her eyes when her gaze met his. She clearly mouthed a single word. Stall.

Did you see that Sac?

No, I was listening to my funeral speech. What happened?

Curatrix wants us to stall.

And how should we do that? Challenge Mordekai to a duel?

Hey, that's a great plan!

NO IT ISN'T, I WAS BEING SARCASTIC!

They were interrupted as Mordecai turned to them.

"BASTARD RUNT OF THE STRIPEHIDE CLAN! Do you have any last words before your soul is condemned to eternal suffering?"