Chapter 12 - Maelstrom of emotion

788 I.C, January 31, Unknown, Morning

A scent of lavender touched Fletcher's mind. It seemed out-of-place and there was a nagging sensation in the back of his head that urged panic. Something touched his side and he felt a stinging pain that made him remember the wulfkins.

Fletcher shot up in an instant but was met with a world of pain as his body struggled to comply.

"Calm yourself!" A stern but feminine voice ordered.

Fletcher winced and gasped for breath as he opened his eyes and found himself sitting on a bed.

A female human nurse sat on the edge and urged him down, "You need to lay down."

Looming behind her was what looked like a large canine with fair fur and sharp slitted eyes. The robust canine was clad in metal armor that was decorated by cloth marked by the insignia of Agron.

"... Where am I?" Fletcher asked as he leaned back in bed.

"You're in Windsor Fortress," The nurse answered.

Fletcher looked around and saw what looked like the inside of a castle.

"Cyrus?" Fletcher asked.

The nurse motioned to another bed further down the room, "Your subordinate is injured but stable."

Subordinate... Seems that I'm back in command...

"What happened?" Fletcher asked.

"I'm just a nurse, the lord has requested your presence and Spy-master Sigmund wants you to contact him through a messenger stone."

"I see. How did I end up here?" Fletcher asked.

The nurse seemed stunned, "From what I heard you emerged... or rather... was thrown out of one of the transporters."

"I see, and what about my subordinate?" Fletcher asked as he looked over at Cyrus.

The feline mage was still unconscious and there were several mages by his side, they were whispering to each other and the table was full of empty vials and equipment.

"Severe flux poisoning, both of you are very lucky," The nurse answered.

Fletcher cocked his head, "How so?"

"No true mage would have been able to survive such an intense burst of flux."

Fletcher frowned in wonder, "Cyrus is one of the best mages there are."

The nurse glanced over with a confused expression, "If you say so."

Fletcher sighed, "Please, drop the formalities. Are you telling me that he's not a strong mage?"

The nurse gulped and lowered her voice, "He has magic potential of course, more than you. But he is not what we would consider a strong mage."

Fletcher reached up and touched his forehead, it burned a little and he could feel scratched skin and scabs covering his face, "Cyrus transported us here, how is that possible if he's not a strong mage?"

The nurse shook her head, "I wouldn't know, my experience with the aetheric arts are limited."

"I see," Fletcher said with a pained grunt as he shifted and settled his legs on the ground.

"You should rest," The nurse urged as she reached out for him.

Fletcher raised his hand, "I'm fine, is there a messenger stone waiting for me?"

The nurse made a reluctant nod, "I think so."

"Good," Fletcher said as he eased himself out of bed.

The world shifted in an instant and stars twinkled in his vision as he found himself stumbling. Something snatched hold of his arm and steadied him while his heart pounded.

"Sorry," Fletcher mumbled as he looked to the side and expected to see the nurse.

"Careful on your feet, sir," A bestial but feminine voice said.

Fletcher's eyes widened in surprise as he came face to face with the armored canine from earlier.

Gender is always confusing when it comes to you furs...

"Thank you," Fletcher whispered as he regained his balance while his eyes were drawn to the paw-like hand on his arm, it was covered in white fur and a few streaks of black.

"I can show you the way, sir," The canine said while motioning to the door.

"Appreciated," Fletcher said with a nod as he found his attention drawn to her face.

The snout was too slim for a regular canine and the slitted eyes made it clear that this was a vixen, most likely from the arctic regions to the north.

Fletcher followed the vixen and glanced at Cyrus as he passed the bed. His eyes caught on a large crystal by the table, it was the same one the feline had clung to in such desperation. He stopped and approached the table while one of the mages looked up in wonder.

"That crystal, what can you tell me about it?" Fletcher asked as he pointed at it.

The mage raised his brow, stepped up to the table and took the large crystal in his hands.

"Hmm, I would not know," The mage mused with a curious expression.

Fletcher inched closer, "What do you mean?"

The mage held out the crystal as he answered, "It is not a common one. It is artificial in origin and will most likely only react to your subordinates magic. Think of it as a locked toolbox."

Fletcher reached out and took the crystal, it was heavy and the center of it was pitch black while the edges glimmered like purple glass, "This is a sagestone, isn't it?"

The mage made a surprised nod, "Indeed, an ancient and inefficient craft."

Fletcher rolled it over in his hands, "Inefficient in what way?"

The mage made a humored smile, "The modern world prefers a more modular approach to the aetheric arts. Smaller and specialized crystals that join in symphony."

"And this in contrast?" Fletcher asked.

"A sagestone is started from a single seed and is grown over a lifetime, it becomes part of the mage and no one else can use it. While they can be powerful they pose a tactical weakness."

"Why?" Fletcher asked.

"The spells that are woven into the crystal take time and cannot easily change. The result is that you can't adapt to the battlefield and that any damage to the crystal will cripple you."

"I take it he'll pull through?" Fletcher asked.

The mage nodded, "That much is certain by now, but it will take some time before he will be his old self."

Fletcher found himself amused as he held the crystal, "When my subordinate wakes up, do tell him that I have his crystal."

The mage blinked in confusion but nodded, "As you wish."

"Lead the way," Fletcher said as he turned to the vixen.

The vixen nodded and Fletcher followed by her side, a gentle rustle could be heard from the armor and a white tail shifted by the bottom of a large cloak on her back.

"What role do you serve at the castle?" Fletcher asked.

The vixen glanced over and made something akin to a sly smile, it triggered a sudden sense of unease and made Fletcher touch his belt in search of his weapons.

"No need for that Fletcher, I am not your enemy," The vixen cooed.

"Who are you?" Fletcher demanded.

The vixen motioned to a large door down the hall, "I am sure Spy-master Sigmund will tell you."

"Uh huh," Fletcher answered with a dry voice as he walked up and opened the door.

Inside was a typical room made for a messenger stone, drapes along the wall hid machinery that all led to a desk equipped with what looked like a large mirror. Fletcher got seated and found his eyes drawn to a small tray placed on the desk.

The tray held a single crystal with a small note attached to it, 'Spy-master Sigmund'. He took it and placed it inside a small slot on the desk. In an instant the machine lit to life and the mirror began to hum as an aetheric connection formed.

A gentle bell began to ring, it meant that the connection had been made but no one had yet answered. In a few minutes the bell stopped and the mirror flashed to life.

Spy-master Sigmund sat in a similar room and carried a stark frown on his face.

"Master Sig-" Fletcher started to speak but was interrupted as Sigmund leaned forward as if staring him right in the eye.

"What happened?" Sigmund demanded.

Fletcher gulped but it took only a moment to gather his thoughts, "We encountered a resting spot for the Red Eye. An ambush followed and we were surrounded by a dozen wulfkins. The old tactics did not work as they had the support of some kind of device that could use magic in their presence."

Sigmund froze in place and it took a few moments before he leaned back with a look of disturbed worry, "How did you survive?"

"Is this messenger stone secure?" Fletcher asked.

Sigmund made a short nod, "Yes, as secure as can be."

"We found something by the place where the bounty hunter had died, a bullet embedded in a nearby tree," Fletcher whispered.

Sigmund raised his brow, "A bullet?"

"One of... 'the' bullets."

Sigmund's eyes widened in surprise, "... I see, did it work against this device?"

Fletcher nodded, "Yes, the mages made a makeshift cannon and fired it at the device. It crashed to the ground but emitted what I've understood to be an immense blast of flux. Cyrus and I were the only survivors."

"Do you have the bullet?" Sigmund asked with a sharp glance.

Fletcher shook his head, "No. What do we do next? Inform the crown? Gather the armies? The wulfkins must be destroyed before whatever plans they have will come to fruition."

Sigmund leaned back with a tired sigh, "No, there will be no armies."

"What do you mean?" Fletcher asked.

"Much has happened in the last day Fletcher, I am afraid that whatever Everwinter was planning has already been put in motion."

"Meaning?" Fletcher asked.

Sigmund's expression grew troubled as he bit his lip, "King Conrad has grown ill and Robert the fox has been blamed for it. He's awaiting execution as we speak."

"What!?" Fletcher exclaimed in wonder if it was some kind of sick joke.

"Agron is in disarray Fletcher, if Conrad dies then there will be civil war fueled by the egotistic desires of the high lords. The corruption runs deep... We're paralyzed."

"What do we do?" Fletcher asked.

"The underground has withdrawn support until matters settle and my hands are tied. There is no money to draw on, no resources to pull from the army, and the mage guild has grown silent."

"There are always options, we must find the Red Eye if we're going to get any answers regarding Everwinter."

Sigmund nodded in agreement, "That we must, at least until something else changes. I take it you've lost track of the Red Eye?"

Fletcher made a reluctant nod, "Yes, we have. The troubling thing is that our search for the Red Eye hinges on the assumption that he's still alive, and that he isn't aligned with the wulfkins."

The weakest of smiles formed on Sigmund's face as he raised a finger, "I know of something that can help with that hunt."

"Oh?" Fletcher asked.

"Few know of the bullets, and the rumors regarding a coyote and Bellkeep leaves only one person."

"Who?" Fletcher asked.

"My predecessor of course, he now lives at a remote farm outside Bellkeep along with the assassin known as the Crimson Rose. You will go there and ask him of these matters."

"I'm honored to share in such information, but is that wise? Why would he answer to me?"

"Because of his adopted son, a coyote. I would suspect that the coyote is missing, use that to your advantage and convince them to reveal whatever they are involved with. I will deal matters at the castle, and try my best to keep this nation from being brought to ruin."

Fletcher made a deep nod, "I see."

"Make good use of Amari, you may find her talents useful."

Fletcher raised his hand and motioned to the door, "The vixen? You do know that I prefer to work alone?"

Sigmund frowned, "I am well aware and I can't say the reports from the expedition were flattering regarding your leadership."

Fletcher lowered his gaze, "My apologies. But that's my point, give me free rein and I will prove myself once more."

"And how do you plan on getting to Bellkeep?"

"By transporter of course?" Fletcher answered.

Sigmund leaned back, "We've both underestimated the forces that are at work here. The underground will be hesitant to assist you and no one else can be trusted at this point. Not to mention that you need to operate out of sight from the high lords."

"Going solo will help with that."

"The survivor, Cyrus, I believe that he is skilled with transporter magic?"

"Yes," Fletcher answered with a reluctant nod.

"Recruit him and make as much use of him as you can, if he causes trouble, kill him. As for Amari, I trust her and she has unresolved business with the wulfkins. That makes her one of the few that can be trusted in these dark times."

Fletcher drew a deep breath and bowed, "I understand and will do as you ask, lord Sigmund."

788 I.C, January 31, Birchtooth Forest, Midday

The sun stood high and the air shimmered along the distant fields. Wild grass moved in the steady wind and a desolate road ran along the edge of the forest. In the far distance was a small black dot marking Windsor Fortress.

Our journey through the forest had come to an end and I glanced back at Talwin, he seemed relieved as he basked in the warm sun while staring into the distance.

"Talwin?" I asked.

"Mm?" Talwin murmured.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked.

A bemused smile spread on Talwin's muzzle as he looked my way, "Yes, I am. This is the spot where we leave our old identities behind."

I stepped closer, "There's something I need to tell you before that."

Talwin nodded, "I suspected as much, you've been acting weird ever since you cast that spell yesterday."

"I realized something about our circumstances, I've had my suspicions but this settled it."

"So what is it?" Talwin asked.

I lifted the star and let it rest against my chest, "Do you remember what I told you about Everwinter?"

"Yes, but you still haven't told me a lot of things."

I nodded, "I'm aware of that. As a part of Everwinter we all served the master, some kind of god-like entity that lived in a tall tower."

"The one that makes wulfkins immune to magic?"

"Exactly. My world was turned upside down after I stopped changing. That in turn led me to become the apprentice of a mage called Rastlin."

"All right?" Talwin asked.

"Rastlin offered to help me escape Everwinter. I can't say I trusted him, but he was... important to me in a world where my own family had abandoned me. He kept his promise and enabled me to escape, but he burdened me with this in the process," I said while motioning to the star.

"So what is that?" Talwin asked as he inched closer.

"I think this might be the source of the master's power. It is a tool used to pierce the aether and it is capable of extracting energy from living beings."

"That's why they're after you?"

I nodded, "Yes, and this device emits a strong signal, one that I couldn't detect earlier. I think that's how they tracked us."

"Could we... I mean, do you want to keep it? Or throw it away? Why hold onto it?" Talwin asked.

I raised my hand, "There's more to it. Rastlin did something to me, he changed me in such a way that I can hide this artifact from the master's vision."

"So why keep it? Return it and you'll be free."

"Even if I managed to open a dialogue and return it they'd still kill us all. The master cannot be trusted."

Talwin motioned to the forest, "So throw it away and let's run for it."

I sighed to myself, "Rastlin may be dead but this was his life's work, and there's no way he'd leave such an escape route open to me. My life is most likely bound to this artifact, removing it for an extended amount of time will likely kill me."

"So..." Talwin whispered.

"For now the safest thing is to keep it, at least until I can figure out how to remove Rastlin's curse."

"So how did they track us?" Talwin asked.

"You kept the star from me when I arrived here, I'd guess that's how they did it."

Talwin's eyes widened in horror, "They... could be at the farm by now."

I motioned with my hands to calm him, "Relax, I don't think they are."

Talwin frowned and bit together, "What makes you say that?"

"If they managed pinpoint our location during that time, then we wouldn't be here. Everwinter has a vast network of transporters, some close to Bellkeep and they would have killed all of us in days."

Talwin pondered it for a moment and then crossed his arms, "So how 'did' they track us here?"

"The master must have figured out that we were in Agron and issued that bounty, that tiger must have seen me at the Bellkeep Underground. But we took care of that, he's dead."

"So what about the wulfkins we encountered?"

I shook my head, "I don't think their presence had anything to do with me."

"What makes you say that?"

"The formation, in ordinary cases you either have wulfkins and a sentinel, or wulfkins and several support mages. Not both at the same time."

"So what were they doing?" Talwin asked.

"Moving cargo I'd think."

Talwin cocked his head in confusion, "I didn't see any cargo."

"The robed humans were the cargo, more than that I have no idea. Infiltrators perhaps?"

"Oh, so what was it that you discovered yesterday?"

I pointed to myself, "Rastlin must have made some kind of mistake because I've leaving an aetheric trail behind. It's weak and I doubt you could detect it without a skilled mage. That's what I've spent the last day trying to figure out, a way to generate a field that disrupts this trail that I'm leaving."

"And?" Talwin asked.

"I've succeeded, if someone is still tracking us then this as far as they will come. From now on we'll change identities for every place we visit. We'll be like commoners on a pilgrimage, hiding in plain sight."

"As long as someone doesn't demand our paperwork you mean?" Talwin added.

I nodded, "We're still heading to Dracwyn, just taking the scenic route."

Talwin drew a deep breath and seemed to relax as his arms dropped to his side, "Any other secrets?"

A mischievous grin spread on my muzzle, "Plenty."

Talwin grew an immediate frown as he glared back, "I'm serious Avery, I thought we were going to be equals in this adventure."

The sudden seriousness caught me by surprise as I felt my tail grow slack, "I have things I haven't told you, but I haven't told a lie in a good while now... I just... didn't tell the truth because I didn't know it at the time."

"And?" Talwin asked.

Will I see greed in your eyes? Is this the time I will be forced to kill you?

The tension rose as I reached into my pocket and feared for what might come.

"Here," I said as I pulled out the bounty and offered it to Talwin.

Talwin took the paper and looked at it with wonder as he unfolded it. His eyes shifted as he started reading from the top. For the slightest moment his eyes grew in amazement as he saw the size of the bounty.

"You could buy the farm using cash like that, live your life in luxury away from others," I said.

Talwin frowned as he looked up and met my eyes, "Yes, and die alone and miserable."

"..." For the moment I found myself without words.

Talwin returned the bounty as he spoke up once more, "You asked me earlier if I trusted you?"

"Yeah?"

"Well... Do you trust me?" Talwin asked.

I took the bounty and buried it in my pocket once more, "I want to."

"That's a shitty answer," Talwin said as if stating fact.

It felt insane on some level, to trust another like this, to open myself for being stabbed in the back.

Then again, I was tired... Of running solo.

"I trust you Talwin," I answered.

Talwin watched me in silence for a few moments, "No more secrets?"

I raised my hands with a smile, "No more secrets, I promise."

Talwin made a slow nod and seemed to relax as he met my eyes, "Do you think the farm is safe? Or was that a convenient lie?"

"I think so Talwin... I built a transporter near the farm in fact. We can use it when we get access to proper resources in Dracwyn."

Talwin's ears perked, "You built... A transporter? Near the farm?"

I nodded with a warm smile, "Always plan ahead Talwin."

An enthusiastic smile grew on Talwin's muzzle as his tail picked up pace, "Do you think George will survive until then?"

I moved closer and touched his shoulder, Talwin tensed for a moment but then relaxed as I felt his arm along my back. It was a soft touch that grew into a tender hug from the side.

"Let's hope so? All right?" I said.

"Mm," Talwin murmured.

"Ready?" I asked.

Talwin looked up and made a certain nod, "Yeah, I am."

I let go and stepped back as I took control of the aether, it hummed and the fields sang. Color in rich hues of brown and yellow flowed across my fur and was contrasted by patches of black.

Talwin smiled as he watched me and then closed his eyes as he focused. Moments later the same transformation took place as hues of brown blossomed across his body.

A wulfkin and coyote had stepped into the forest, two shepherds left it.

788 I.C, January 31, Windsor Fortress, Evening

" WHERE IS IT!?" Cyrus screamed with a hissing snarl that twisted his voice.

The feline mage seemed frenzied as he stormed into the room, his fur stood on end and the whiskers bristled. Amari bolted from her seat as she reached for her sword.

"Give it back!" Cyrus snapped as he marched forward with desperation in his eyes.

Amari moved with surprising grace and her armor barely made a sound as a glint of metal could be seen, a moment later Cyrus froze in place as the sharp edge of a sword rested by his throat.

"Calm, mage," Amari whispered with an authoritative but calm voice.

Cyrus eyes shifted to glare at her, "I have no quarrel with you."

Fletcher rose from his chair and spoke up, "Relax, both of you."

Amari threw Fletcher a glimpse and then withdrew the sword as she stepped back.

Cyrus took a deep breath and then looked to Fletcher with a glaring hatred, "Give it back."

Fletcher reached down, opened a drawer in his desk, and fetched the heavy but glinting crystal inside it. Cyrus gulped but remained in place while his hands reached out as if drawn to it.

"We've got things to discuss first," Fletcher said as he held up the crystal.

Cyrus stopped staring at the crystal and met Fletcher's gaze, "Hand it back and I'll be out of your sight."

Fletcher shook his head, "No. You were willing to leave me behind back there, why?"

Cyrus closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled, "Someone needed to make it back here, someone needed to inform the crown. It was nothing personal."

"Uh huh, I was quite surprised to learn that someone with your kind of reputation was little more than a fraud."

The lips on Cyrus short muzzle twitched and pulled back with a hiss, "I am not a fraud."

"Cyrus, a master of everything related to battlefield communications, heralded for his contributions in perfecting the messenger stones. A loner that has been rejecting the academy for years. I'd bet you can barely light a candle?"

Cyrus began to shudder with anger as his breath grew shaky, "You'll regret this Fletcher."

Fletcher angled the crystal as if he was about to drop it to the floor, Cyrus face distorted in an instant.

"NO! DON'T!" Cyrus shrieked in panic.

Fletcher kept calm but found himself smiling on the inside as he gave Cyrus a curious glance.

"What do you want from me? An apology?" Cyrus asked as he inched closer with his hands reaching out.

"I want your help, and an apology would be nice," Fletcher answered.

Cyrus drew a slow breath as his expression calmed, "My help? Regarding?"

"Why did you volunteer for this mission Cyrus? The money?"

"I have no need for money," Cyrus whispered.

"Then why?" Fletcher asked.

"The rumors, of Everwinter."

"And why does that interest you?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus raised his brow, "Isn't that obvious."

Amari grew a sudden scowl of disgust as her auburn eyes fixated on Cyrus. Whatever Sigmund had hinted at seemed to be true.

"Have you heard about the recent news?" Fletcher asked.

"What?" Cyrus asked in irritation.

"The king is ill and Robert the fox has been blamed for it. The underground has gone 'underground' so to speak, and the various power groups have started quarreling."

Cyrus expression froze as he pondered it, "This is bad."

Amari rolled her eyes, "No shit."

Cyrus threw Amari a moment's glare but then focused on Fletcher, "I take it you're going to offer me some kind of deal?"

Fletcher nodded, "Help us track down the Red Eye. In return you get your crystal back, one hefty reward once this is over, and a chance to get close to whatever secrets you're after."

Cyrus relaxed and took on his pleasant if smug appearance, "I..."

Fletcher stepped closer and raised his voice, "Those weren't all the terms."

"Oh?" Cyrus whispered.

"You serve me from now on, step out of line and I will end you, understand?"

Cyrus whiskers shifted as he made a grudging nod, "Fine, I accept your terms."

"Good, we need discrete transport to Bellkeep. Can you fix that?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus seemed on the verge of making a tired sigh, "Yes, of course I can do that."

Fletcher looked over at Amari who nodded in approval, "That's it then, we're heading to Bellkeep."

788 I.C, January 31, Everwinter, Night

Large pawprints formed in the dirt while pebbles skittered as Javier walked through the hallway. His lantern made shadows dance as the light hit crumbling rock and light-fixtures that had not been powered for weeks. A smell permeates the living area, it is one of decay dampened only by intense cold and a heavy smell of smoke.

Javier turned a corner and reached what looked like a battlefield. Light-fixtures had been ripped from the walls and parts of the rock-floor has been cracked open, warped metal in the form of a horseshoe jut from the rock. The mere sight of it is like a dark memory and it makes him look away. That's when he noticed something odd, the once solid door leading to the den seemed cracked and the hinges had been torn loose.

Javier rushed forward and pulled it open with his heart thumping as he looked inside. To his relief he is met by the sharp eyes of his mate Maya, she is seated by the dinner table with a sordid expression while her tail hangs limp.

"What happened?" Javier asked as he stepped inside and set the door in place once more.

Maya made a tired sigh while Javier sniffed the air, it is faint but the scents tell of other wulfkins that have been here.

"Were you here when it happened?" Javier asked.

No answer.

It was a question with no good answers, if she had been here then she would have been expected to defend the den. Failure to do so was not only a source of shame, but it also placed the family at the bottom of the hierarchy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Javier said as he walked up to the table.

"They wanted the food," Maya whispered.

Anger flared within the aged wulfkin, "That's all right. I still have connections, we won't starve."

"No we won't," Maya answered.

The mood is tense but Javier tried to ease it as he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. Maya looks up with her radiant yellow eyes and Javier makes a cautious smile. To his dismay it becomes apparent that she isn't looking at him but is rather focused on the wounds marking his face.

"It won't heal," Javier said as he raised his paw-like hand to shield himself.

"Only because you won't stop picking at it," Maya muttered.

Irritation flared as he gave her a harsh eye, "I'm saying... It won't heal."

Maya rose with another tired sigh, "At least cover it up will you."

Javier didn't resist as Maya reached out and began to brush the fur. Scar tissue has formed near the edges but a hint of white bone and angered red flesh could still be seen. It hurt like seared nerves, never stopping, never resting.

"It's a curse," Javier muttered.

"Stop it," Maya snapped.

"Where's Raymond?" Javier asked.

"His room, tell him to blow out his candle. The air is difficult to breathe as it is and we can't waste the wax," Maya answered.

Javier nodded while Maya stepped back. The look on her face says it all, she's ashamed, disappointed, pained. A growl of frustration escaped Javier's throat as he set his sights on the pup's den and approached.

A foul scent emanated from the pup's den, it was rancid with filth and decay mixed with a male musk that turned it into a toxic vapor, it was strong enough to make his nose scrounge up. Without a proper water supply the whole castle was being enveloped with a stench, but this was something different.

The door creaked as Javier pushed the door open and looked inside. The room looked thrashed and there is a single candle in the room, its flame flickers and illuminates a large beast huddled in the corner.

The once rich and lustrous brown fur had darkened and grown tangled. Dried blood, fat, and debris of the forest added insult to injury and made the young wulfkin look like a feral beast. A foul odor surrounded him like a miasma while he stared at the candle.

One of the two beds in the room now consisted of little more than splintered wood and torn bedding.

The room was a mess and there were ripped pages from old books littering the room, the paper itself seemed to have grown corrupted with a dark discoloration that ate what had once been printed on it.

Even the old inscriptions on the rock wall had been made illegible with frenzied scratches and darkened smudges that looked like dried blood.

"Raymond?" Javier asked.

A surprised shiver ran through the young wulfkin as he looked up, "Yeah?"

"Why are you here? Go to your pack."

Raymond's stare hardened as if he'd been asked a stupid question, "You know why."

Javier sighed, "Get the hell out there and prove your worth Raymond."

Raymond averted his gaze with a mutter, "It doesn't work."

Javier clenched his hands in frustration while the beast screamed in his mind, "Then take a fucking bath in the river and try aga-"

A sudden clatter interrupted Javier and made him look back, Maya had just set something that looked like a heavy bag on the table.

Javier focused on Raymond once more, "Put out the candle Raymond."

Raymond looked up, "But-"

"Put out the fucking candle!" Javier snapped with a growl in his throat.

Raymond nodded while Javier turned around and walked up to the table, "What the hell is that?"

Maya answered with a dry voice, "Food. They left it here."

A deep frown formed on Javier's muzzle as he reached out and pulled at the opening of the sack. An odd scent wafted from the bag, a stark reminder of dirt and something akin to sulfur.

Javier looked inside and was met by a sight similar to the insides of a rotten horse carcass. Even in frozen form the mushroom bread forms a sticky blob of congealing gel with strings of slime.

It's a clear message, you eat equal to your worth, the same as humans.

Something snapped inside Javier, anger flared and no restraint could hold it as he grabbed hold of the bag and hurled it toward the exit with a snarl of feral anger. The frozen clump slammed into the wall with a resounding thud while Javier shuddered with anger.

"Javi-" Maya started to say before being interrupted.

" I SAID I'D TAKE CARE OF IT!" Javier let out a harsh snarl deep enough to send spittle flying.

"The candle," Maya muttered as she stepped back.

Javier gasped for breath in confusion until a flicker of light caught his attention. A single glance to the side revealed that Raymond's candle was still lit.

"I told you to put it out!" Javier snapped as he marched toward the den.

"But!" Raymond protested from within the den.

Javier was drained of reason as the beast took over. It marched forward and slammed the door open with enough force to make the hinges groan. Raymond snuffed out the candle in an instant but it was already too late as the beast lunged forward.

A pained yelp filled the room as claws snatched hold of Raymond's scruff. Snarls of feral anger followed as Raymond was pulled up and slammed into the wall. The young wulfkin shrank in size as he was dragged out of the room with tufts of fur being ripped loose.

The beast took a solid grip, lifted Raymond and then hurled him toward the exit with enough force to make him look like a flying projectile.

A loud crash was heard as Raymond slammed into the unhinged outer door and went flying with it. The door hit the ground and came to a sudden halt while Raymond kept tumbling and came to rest in the debris with a pained groan.

The young wulfkin whimpered and clutched his chest as he struggled to get up before hobbling off into the darkness.

788 I.C, January 31, Nine Winds Tavern, Night

The fireplace crackled as embers rose and danced in the air, like a whirlwind they were pulled up by the chimney and were set free in the cool night.

"This is nice," Talwin whispered as he leaned back on the sofa.

"Yeah," I whispered as the radiant glow of the fire touched my fur.

"Warm, dry, good food... Soft bedding," Talwin murmured.

Something touched my hand and I looked to the side. Talwin was sitting beside me and I watched as he brought a glass of wine to his muzzle and sipped. Soft pads sought comfort in my hand and I returned the gesture as I clasped his hand in my own, the response was immediate as Talwin smiled while his ears perked.

The smile faded in a few moments while his ears lowered, "Have you... Thought about it?"

"About?"

"We're out of the forest, it's calm... I figured..." Talwin's voice was like a gentle whisper, cautious, careful.

"About us?" I asked.

Talwin's eyes wandered as he made a gentle nod, "Yeah."

I relaxed my control of the aether, it felt like flipping a switch and the result was immediate as golden brown fur grew black while my eyes tingled.

Talwin noticed and looked over at me in surprise. Moments later he smiled and relaxed as a vibrant mix of desert colors covered him once more.

"It hasn't even been a day Talwin," I said.

The reaction was like a ripple through Talwin's fur, "Okay... I'll wait."

"What are you so worried about Talwin? That you're going to wake up and find that I've left you?"

Talwin started to pull back his hand, "No, I just..."

I stopped him and tightened my grip as I held his hand in place, "What?"

Talwin's expression hardened as he met my eyes with a fire burning inside him, "It's not fair."

"... What do you mean?" I asked.

"People don't approve of this thing and I'm baring myself to you. I'm vulnerable in so many ways and you want time to decide. But what about me until then? Am I supposed to follow in your footsteps while you decide whether I'm worth the effort? Not knowing whether it's OK to... fall in love with you?"

The word felt like a bolt from above and I couldn't help but jerk my hand back in surprise.

I regretted it in an instant but the damage was already done as Talwin leaned back as if having been slapped in the face.

"Sorry," Talwin whispered as he looked the other way.

"Talwin?" I asked.

Talwin didn't answer, instead he seemed like a frozen statue looking the other way. I shifted in the sofa and moved closer, his tail brushed against my leg as I reached out and caught his hand once more.

"Talwin? Please?" I tried once more.

"I know we said we'd figure it out in time, just forget about it," Talwin hissed with a hushed voice as he resisted and tried to pull his hand out of my grip.

"I don't mind Talwin," It was like a whisper that rushed out, no thought, no pondering, no plans, just pure emotion.

Talwin stopped struggling in an instant and his ears perked a little, "What?"

"I don't mind if you fall in love with me Talwin," I said once more.

Talwin gulped as he looked my way once more, "Are you... serious? I mean..."

I made a slight shrug, "I never figured I'd have pups of my own, and I like the things we do. So..."

Talwin made a slight chuckle, "So what am I? An interesting partner with benefits?"

My ears perked in wonder, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Talwin hesitated for a moment, "What am I to you? To a wulfkin?"

"I... What are you asking?"

"I'm asking... Can I ever be your equal? Or am I just a tool with a few benefits?"

It felt like an annoying and stupid question, something a non-wulfkin would ask.

Perhaps that's what he was referring to?

"That depends on you, Talwin, prove yourself and I'd be happy to consider you my equal."

"And... So far?" Talwin asked.

I leaned forward and let one hand rest on his chest while the other touched the side of his muzzle, "So far you've been interesting company. Alert, intelligent, a quick learner, useful, not scared of a little blood."

"Is that something you'd expect from a wulfkin?" Talwin asked as his eyes focused on my own.

I shook my head and inched closer, "No, it's something I'd expect from a mate."

Talwin's eyes widened in surprise as I eased him onto his back and angled my head as our muzzles joined in a gentle kiss.