Chapter 13 - Ripples of doubt

788 I.C, February 1, Agron: Farm, Morning

Fletcher reached down and plucked a young strand of sweet grass. It was moist with morning dew, soft to the touch, and had little relation to its harsher variants belonging to the forest.

He glanced up and was met with the view of a small farm set in a large meadow. A brand new fence surrounded several fields, to his surprise they were overgrown with weeds and were beset by crows.

In the center of the farm a small house, it seemed undignified for what had been one of the most important people in the kingdom.

"Fletcher?" Amari said.

Fletcher looked to the side and saw Amari staring at Cyrus. The feline mage had his eyes closed, held his chest, and panted.

"Are you all right, Cyrus?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus' eyes flashed open and his lips pulled back to reveal sharp fangs, "I'm fine!"

"If you can't-"

Cyrus let out a hissing snarl, "I'm poisoned and I'm doing my best! Give me a fucking break will you!?"

Fletcher raised his hands, "I asked out of genuine concern, how are you doing, Cyrus?"

Cyrus sighed, averted his eyes, and spoke through clenched teeth, "I'm going to be fine in a few days. I think I'll stay here and meditate."

"Good," Fletcher looked to Amari, "you stay here and keep watch."

Amari's vulpine ears perked up and her tail jerked to the side, "But..."

Fletcher pointed to himself, "This is my area of expertise, it's better that I handle this on my own."

Amari glanced at the farm, narrowed her eyes, and made an exaggerated sigh, "As you say."

Fletcher descended the hill, marched through the fields, and stepped up to the farmhouse entrance.

He raised his hand to knock when a female voice called out, "Come on in, it's unlocked!"

Fletcher froze, eyed his surroundings, and then pushed the door open. A sweet smell of apple pie met his nose while he leaned into the house. The floorboards creaked as he set his foot down and saw a large yet spartan room with a single table in the center.

A shadowed figure standing by a nearby hallway stepped into sight, it was a wrinkled old man with a bald head and a warm smile.

"Fletcher is it? Sigmund's favored apprentice?" The old man asked with a relaxed wave of his hand.

Fletcher smiled and made a gentle nod in return, "Correct, and you are?"

The old man motioned to the large table and sauntered over, "You can call me George, are you hungry?"

Fletcher stepped up to the table and let his hands rest on one of the chairs, "No, but thank you for the offer."

"I see. Why are you here? Sigmund usually contacts me through other means," George asked while he pulled out a chair and sat down.

"We have questions," Fletcher answered and joined the old man by the table.

George clasped his hands and tilted his head, "Questions about what?"

Fletcher opened his mouth to speak when the floor groaned in protest, it made him look to the side as an old woman entered the room. She carried a large tray and walked with a steady yet relaxed sway in her steps.

George motioned to the old woman with a bright smile, "This is Martha, my wife."

Martha set the tray on the table and focused on Fletcher, she had a warm but aged smile that was strengthened by a colorful scarf dotted by stitched roses. The one thing that broke the illusion was a sharp and calculating look in her eyes. An assassin lurked in the depths of this woman.

"Pleasure to meet you Fletcher, may I tempt you with something sweet?" Martha asked and motioned with her hand.

Fletcher followed her hand and was shown a large apple pie, a pitcher filled with water, a small vase with flowers, and all manner of dinnerware on the tray.

"No, thank you," Fletcher answered and withdrew his hands out of fear that he might be tempted to take a bite.

Martha took a glass and filled it with water before presenting it to Fletcher, "A cool drink then?"

Fletcher leaned back in his chair and forced a smile, "You'll have to excuse me if I refuse a drink from the Crimson Rose."

Martha jumped in astonishment, blinked, raised the glass to her mouth, and took a sip, "See? No poison."

Fletcher stifled a chuckle, "Not to be rude, but I do think it is. You just administered an antidote beforehand."

Martha's smile faded, her expression grew frigid, and her mouth twisted into a sneer, "Well, you can't blame me for trying."

"No, I can't," Fletcher answered as he turned to focus on George.

George sighed and let his shoulders droop, "What do you want, Fletcher?"

"Where is your son?" Fletcher asked and leaned forward.

George crossed his arms, "According to most I don't have a son."

Fletcher cocked his head, "Not all of us are bigots."

Martha seated herself and began to cut the apple pie, "Talwin is at the Bellkeep market, I'm sure he'll be back in a few days."

"That's good," Fletcher said.

"Unless he decides to stay with his friends, then it might take a week or two," Martha mused with a hushed voice.

"I couldn't help but notice that the vegetables in the fields haven't been tended to," Fletcher added.

Martha placed a piece of pie on a plate and handed it to George, "One can sell more than vegetables at a market."

"Uh huh," Fletcher said.

George took a spoon and motioned toward Fletcher, "Why the curiosity?"

Fletcher drew a deep breath and caught George's gaze, "Have you heard the latest news?"

George looked to the pie and his lips curled into a sly smile, "I am little more than a farmer these days."

"The king is ill, Robert the fox has been blamed for it, and there are wulfkins invading Agron."

George froze in place with his spoon buried in the pie, moments later he scooped it up and spoke, "Those are troubling news."

"Not as troubling as the fact that one of the bullets have ended up in the hands of Everwinter."

This time the old couple froze and an audible gulp was heard from George.

Fletcher pushed the issue, "If you know anything of this, then you need to tell us. Not just for the sake of Agron, but for your son."

A black mood washed over George's expression and twisted it into of pinched stare, "I think it's about time that you leave, Fletcher."

"Geo-"

George raised his hand and slammed into the table with enough force to make the porcelain rattle, "LEAVE!"

The sudden outburst made Fletcher recoil in shock, it took moments before he rose up, and whispered, "As you wish. We'll wait outside until you're willing to talk."

788 I.C, February 1, Agron: Country Road, Midday

Talwin's voice caught me by surprise and made me look up from Rastlin's tome, "Huh?"

"You're always so focused on that book," Talwin commented.

I shut the tome and pocketed it with a gentle smile, "Just studying, that's all."

Talwin's ears flattened, "Oh."

"Something on your mind?" I asked with an open gesture.

"I just thought we'd talk a little," Talwin answered.

"About?" I asked.

Talwin made a shy smile and his ears perked up, "Tell me something funny."

"Something funny?" I asked in wonder.

Talwin nodded, "Yeah, you've hinted that wulfkin society isn't all bad. Tell me something wulfkin?"

"Something that is both funny and wulfkin, that seems strange these days," I answered.

Talwin cocked his head, "What do you mean?"

I made a cautious smile, "Try not to judge me too harshly, OK? Understand the environment I grew up in."

Talwin made a curious nod, "Sure."

"Let's see... I do have one memory I used to think highly of, it happened during a training session."

"Uh huh?"

"We were sparring as usual but were interrupted as a big wulfkin rushed into our training hall. He was trying to hide from his elders."

"Why?" Talwin asked.

"Everwinter depends on trade and merchants may therefore not be touched unless they do something wrong. However, that only applies to the larger caravans."

"Oh," Talwin whispered.

"Sometimes a desperate gold-seeker would come along and who's to tell if they got lost in the mountains or if they were eaten?"

"So... They ate this gold-seeker?" Talwin asked.

I nodded, "Yes. But that was no mere gold-seeker, it was a special envoy and the elders did not appreciate that he had been eaten."

Talwin gulped, "What exactly is the fun part in all this?"

"I'm coming to that. Anyway, this wulfkin rushes in, he's still dripping blood and he seemed quite desperate."

"I'd bet," Talwin murmured.

"Wulfkin children are mischievous and this was something exciting, so we offered to hide him."

"Did you succeed?"

I nodded, "Yeah, we did. In a mere instant the floor was cleaned, the wulfkin was hiding, and we kept training as if nothing had happened. They never found him."

"Was that the fun part?" Talwin asked.

I shook my head, "No. The fun part was that we were visited by someone who was just a few years older than us, someone who had recently turned into a full-fledged wulfkin. It was exhilarating because we all longed to be like him."

"So?" Talwin wondered.

"He introduced himself as Zev and despite his young age he was huge even by wulfkin standards. Zev was thankful for our help and he found our attention cute, so he told us of what they had done. Every juicy detail, how humans tasted, the hunger, the change, how he screwed bitches, and dominated others like a true alpha male."

Talwin leaned back with a disgusted frown, "That's..."

"I liked it, I may have had doubts throughout my life but I didn't consider that a strength. I wanted to be like him, a true wulfkin. Harsh, cruel even, but loyal to my own kin. It meant strength and prowess within our society, that way my family would approve of me, and I could make sure that my idiot brother didn't get himself killed."

"And what do you think of it now?" Talwin asked.

"Now it just seems... monstrous. Perspectives tend to change when you take on the role as prey rather than predator."

Talwin cocked his head in wonder, "Are wulfkins incapable of empathy or something?"

I raised my brow, "Not at all, it's just. You don't empathize with food or tools."

Talwin looked ahead and seemed to ponder it, "That's not how empathy works, it's not a switch that you turn on and off."

"True, and I did empathize with humans at times and I'm sure the other wulfkins did as well. But that was a sign of weakness and was suppressed. We were wulfkins and only others like us had any worth."

Talwin nodded and met my eyes, "I'm glad I met 'you' rather than your other self."

I smiled and nodded, "That's what I find so curious."

Talwin looked back, "I don't follow?"

I motioned to myself, "The beast is a lot closer to me now, it's not something in the back of my head any longer. It's me, it's swimming inside my thoughts. It's the part that can't look at a deer without imagining the taste of its flesh."

"Your point?"

"I don't feel angry, wild or unpredictable. I'm at peace, I feel at home, I look at you and I see another person, not a tool to be exploited and eaten."

"I still don't get it."

I sighed in wonder, "I've always been taught that life in Everwinter was the true face of all wulfkins. Am I so different to them? Or is wulfkin society just a warped fabrication?"

It seemed to dawn on Talwin as his muzzled dropped open, "Oh, I see."

"The old legends say that Everwinter was occupied by humans that sought power, the master provided that power. At this point I don't know if any of that is true."

"Do you think others feel the same way?" Talwin asked.

I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head, "No, I don't. The way I was treated by my friends and family proved that. They are monsters that have thrown away concepts such as compassion and empathy."

Talwin looked to the ground and made a slight nod, "I'm sorry about that."

The mere thought about the others lit a fire within me, anger and hatred flooded to the surface.

"If they ever threaten me again, then I won't hesitate killing them."

788 I.C, February 1, Everwinter, Midday

Raymond stepped back, took a deep breath, hardened his stance, and then launched his shoulder against the gate. A heavy slam was heard, the ice cracked, and the gate rumbled.

He clutched his shoulder and stepped back, it hurt but the pain was tolerable compared to the thought of taking the main passage. With a growl of anger he steeled himself once more and lunged forward.

The solid ice cracked, the gate groaned open, and light spilled into the service tunnel. A chilled wind washed over him and he felt his eyes tear up. The cold stung and it made him shiver as it pierced his fur.

Raymond kept pushing until he managed to squeeze through the opening. He raised his paw-like hand and squinted as he gazed upon the world.

The forest had collapsed, much of the snow was covered in ash, and there was a gaping hole in the mountain that still glowed like a pit from hell. He could smell it, the toxic vapors mixing into the air, it stung but felt easier to breathe than the filth infesting the castle.

For a brief moment the wind abated, a familiar scent rose from his body and hit his nostrils. It almost made him queasy and it was a stark reminder of why he had been thrown out.

He gritted his teeth, made a growl of frustration and looked over the nearby hills. A bulging formation of ice caught his eye, it was free from ash and led into a small chasm that shimmered with the presence of rising steam.

Raymond trudged through the snow for minutes, snow stuck to his paws, and his whiskers grew heavy with frost. His teeth ached and his nose burned from the intense cold.

He hated clear days, it made the cold that much and now there wasn't even a forest to use as shelter from the wind. It almost made him wish he had more clothes, and it made him long for a warm bath.

Minutes later he stood by the edge of the chasm and looked down. It sounded like a waterfall and there was a swirling pool of water at the bottom. Steam rose from the unfrozen water and gave the impression that it must have originated deep within the mountain.

Hesitation crept into his mind as he remembered the lessons...

Avoid the ice... Do not get wet... The wind will freeze you solid... If you don't drown...

Raymond looked at himself, he stank, the once lustrous fur was clumped with debris, old blood, and substances he couldn't even identify. He considered going back, it would be easy, he'd capture a mage or two, force them to melt some ice, and make a warm bath.

Another growl erupted as he realized it wouldn't work. The mages were being guarded and used for other purposes, and any bargaining power belonging to the family had been shattered by... Avery.

It made him clench his hands, kick at the snow, and scream in fury! GRAH!

Raymond calmed, steeled himself, descended the chasm, and stepped onto the frozen edge. Water rushed underneath his feet and the swirling pool roared.

He eased himself down on all four and gave the icy surface a light thump, the ice responded with a solid thud. Inch by inch he crawled closer until he found himself staring into the dark pit. Water splashed at the edges and froze in moments, he doubted that the open pit would last more than a few hours at most.

Raymond sniffed the air but detected no weird smells, he then extended his hand and dipped it in the water. It was lukewarm and a gentle lick proved it to be a tad salty.

He settled on his knees and began to wash himself. The clumped fur resisted but gave way as the minutes passed. Dirty water, debris, and tangled tufts of fur soon surrounded him.

It felt nice and it got to the point where he felt confident to use his tongue. The taste and tang of his fur bordered on disgusting but his instincts helped soothe it. His mind wandered, the problems of Everwinter faded, the beast grew calm, and for a moment there was peace.

Raymond leaned onto the ice with one arm, reached back, and began to groom his tail. It was a soothing if powerful sensation that made it squirm in his hand. He shifted on the ice and without warning his hand slipped. He fell to his side with a hard thud.

_ *CRACK* _

The ice cracked and the sound made his mind panic, in the blink of an eye he felt the ice give way. For a moment he felt weightless, in the next he felt the water swallow him with an embrace that made every nerve scream out in desperation.

It rushed over his head and drowned out the world above. He kicked and flailed in desperation, but his hands found no grip and his paws no footing. The current pulled at his legs, it shifted his body and it made him cry out. Water flooded his muzzle, it blocked his nose, and it made his lungs seize up.

The world spun and the claws of his hands scraped against unyielding ice.

Help me!

His hand caught on something, a rock, a shard of ice, it did not matter. In an instant he seized hold and sought footing. The current calmed for a moment and the frothing bubbles cleared, to his surprise he found himself looking at the world through a distorted layer of ice.

Sparkling rays of light danced and mixed with a clear blue sky, it was beautiful but did little more than seize his heart in a vice of fear and anguish.

Raymond reached out in hope of finding the hole he had plunged through, to his relief he felt a sharp edge. He grabbed hold, dragged himself underneath the ice, and broke the surface.

He coughed and water burst from his muzzle, his lungs burned, his heart thumped, his arms ached, and his legs felt like lead. Survival instinct gave him power as he reached out and caught hold of a jagged rock frozen in place by the ice.

Raymond pulled his soaked self onto the ice with a choking cough while the ice groaned. Water poured from his fur as he scrambled out of the pit and landed in the cold snow. He choked, coughed, held his chest, and felt his heart race. His mind spun, his vision tingled, and the burning sensation in his lungs turned into desperate gasps of air.

The air cooled his wet fur and a freezing chill began to creep into his body, he was soaked and soon he would freeze to death, frozen solid, a new landmark to serve as a lesson to others.

Pure instinct urged him to get up, his body shivered, his balance kept shifting, yet he trudged through the snow. It hurt, it ached, and every second made the cold sink deeper.

Raymond wanted to scream for help yet the world was as desolate as the snow was bright. Realization pierced his heart like an arrow through armor.

He was alone, cast aside and abandoned by Everwinter.

788 I.C, February 1, Agron: Farm, Evening

Fletcher felt a creeping sensation of being watched, he looked to the side and saw that Amari was staring, "What?"

Amari motioned to the setting sun with one furred hand, "The sun is setting and we've been on this damn hill all day."

Fletcher looked to the farmhouse, "We're letting it sink in, George will come out when he's ready to talk."

"How do you know?" Amari asked.

Fletcher looked back and met her auburn eyes, "Do you have any family?"

Amari's expression hardened as she glanced toward the farm, "Used to have."

"Wulfkins?" Fletcher asked.

Amari took a deep breath, "That's none of your concern, Fletcher."

Cyrus spoke up with a bemused voice, "Let me guess, you lost them in one of the excavations?"

Amari ignored Cyrus and focused on Fletcher, "You didn't answer my question?"

"They were stunned to learn that their son might be dead and we're the only ones with clues. Now we wait for them to come to us," Fletcher answered.

Amari focused on the farm and seemed to ponder it, "It seems sketchy to me, why would he hesitate to help us?"

"At this point I can only guess," Fletcher looked back at Cyrus, "what did you say? Excavations?"

Cyrus chuckled, "It's not related to Agron, but neither is our little vixen here."

"What do you mean?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus grew a mischievous grin, "Amari may carry Agron's sigil, but her presence in the aether is crystal clear. She's from Laenadur in Krobia, one of the most respected mage institutions on this continent."

Fletcher looked back at Amari, "You're a mage?"

"Yes, do you have a problem with that?" Amari asked.

"No, but it would have been prudent to tell me," Fletcher said.

"My apologies," Amari whispered.

Cyrus raised his voice, "There are plenty of ruins from the old world scattered around the northwestern parts of the continent. Many of them haven't been excavated yet, do you know why?"

Fletcher glanced back, "No?"

Cyrus motioned to the world around him, "Because someone, or something, doesn't like us poking around there. Those places are cursed but we mages can't help our curiosity. So we make expeditions, and we bring our families with us, but it always ends the same."

Amari growled under her breath, "Cyrus, either shut up or I will cut out your tongue."

Cyrus made a feral grin and stared at Amari's back, "I don't think you will. Because this is the closest you've ever gotten to revenge and you won't jeopardize that."

"So how does it end?" Fletcher asked.

Cyrus pointed at Amari, "Ask her, I'd bet she's one of the few who have seen what happens when one of these expeditions go missing."

Amari perked up all of a sudden and pointed at the farm, "I think the old spy-master is willing to talk."

Fletcher turned his head and saw George step onto the porch. He wasted no time, descended the hill, and walked up to George.

"Evening, something on your mind?" Fletcher asked.

George made an irritated frown, "I know all about the dead bounty hunter, I'm interested in what you found at the camp where he died?"

"Couldn't you find out that yourself?" Fletcher asked with a curious glance.

"The underground has withdrawn and the nation is paralyzed, information is hard to come by. But you already know that, Fletcher."

"And why should I tell you?" Fletcher asked.

George scowled in anger and pointed a finger at Fletcher, "You want my help? Then you answer my questions or you can go fuck yourself."

Fletcher made a bemused nod, "Fine, we found the tiger buried, he had been shot with one of the special bullets. There were no other victims."

"Any tracks?" George asked.

Fletcher shook his head, "No tracks, but the mages caught onto a peculiar aetheric signature. We used that to track them."

"Them?" George asked.

"A human and a coyote, that's what the first reports said at least."

"What do you mean?" George asked.

"The coyote seemed to change appearances, the color of his fur and so on. We followed them into Birchtooth Forest, that's where we encountered the wulfkins, and barely escaped with our lives."

George made an irritated frown, "And how did the bullet end up in their hands?"

"The wulfkins were accompanied by a large machine that could use magic in their presence, we used the bullet to destroy it."

"You didn't think of recovering it!?" George snapped.

Fletcher felt irritation at the accusation, "We were busy trying to escape."

"Uh huh, and what about Red Eye and his companion?" George asked.

Fletcher shook his head, "We don't know, that's why we're here. Where is your son? The coyote?"

George stared in silence and bit his lip.

"Were they doing alchemical experiments here? Something that could enable you to alter appearances?" Fletcher asked.

George muttered something under his breath, "This isn't what we intended."

Fletcher stepped closer, "Please, George. Not just for your son, but for all of Agron?"

George sighed, "The place where you were ambushed, did you find any bodies? Signs of struggle?"

"We found blood," Fletcher answered.

George gulped, "Blood?"

"Isn't it time you start telling me something in return?" Fletcher asked.

"No. What kind of blood? Lots of it?" George asked.

Fletcher drew a deep breath, "One of the canines said something, that it might have been the blood of a wulfkin child. Does that mean something?"

George stepped back and sighed, "Maybe."

Fletcher motioned to George, "I've told you what I know. Now it's your turn?"

Something moved by the edge of the door, a moment later Martha stepped into sight, "If they are still alive, and if we knew something, then we would put them at risk by telling you."

"With all due respect, this is a lot bigger than your son. All of Agron is at stake." Fletcher said.

Martha eyed Fletcher, "Why should we trust you? What do you intend to do once you find Red Eye?"

Fletcher pointed to himself, "I only want to ask him why Everwinter is doing this, and hopefully find a way to stop them."

"And what about the coyote you speak of?" Martha asked.

"I have no quarrel with your coyote, I'll use my best agents to make sure he's returned home unharmed," Fletcher answered.

George and Martha looked at each and seemed to hesitate, Fletcher pushed the issue, "Do you trust Sigmund?"

George huffed and shook his head, "I can't say I do."

Fletcher frowned but did his best to relax, "Well, would you consider placing your trust in me then? I swear upon my own life and all of Agron that no harm will come to your son."

George exhaled and looked over at Martha, "It was a mistake."

Martha whispered, "What choice did we have at the time?"

The hardened expression on George's face grew tired, it made the man look a lot older, pale skin, wrinkles, droopy eyes. For a moment the old man looked like a walking corpse.

George sighed and focused on Fletcher, "The one you call Red Eye escaped from Everwinter, he was a wulfkin child that did not transform. He introduced himself as Avery."

Fletcher's eyes widened in surprise, "He... He's what!?"

George and Martha huddled together as they began to retell their tale.

788 I.C, February 1, Agron: Country Road, Night

The forest rustled with a gentle breeze, stars twinkled in the sky, and the twin moons bathed the solitary road in a gray. In the far distance was a beacon, it was an outcropping in the trees and in its place was a large tavern that glowed with warmth.

The tavern was a welcome sight and the wind carried a scent of roasted meat. It made my mouth water and I couldn't help but lick my chops in anticipation.

"Avery?" Talwin whispered.

"Yeah?"

Talwin leaned in and raised his cupped hands, "I think I finally got the hang of it."

"Oh?" I said as I looked down.

Talwin wore a huge grin and opened his hands to reveal a bubble that contained what looked like a burning inferno, a small fireball.

"Impressive, be careful so that you don't burn yourself," I said.

Talwin made an excited chuckle and nodded, "I figured out how to disrupt it as well."

I focused on the small fireball and sensed the aether. Talwin reached in with a small thread and altered the composition of it. In an instant the fireball collapsed in itself and released a puff of colorful wisps.

The wisps rose in the air and faded until we were surrounded by darkness once more. I inched closer, let our shoulders touch, leaned in, and gave him a gentle nudge with my muzzle.

"What was the key for you? What made you understand?" I asked.

Talwin kept smiling and shrugged, "It was like... A feeling, suddenly it made sense. There's logic and order in the aether, it's not tones. They're states and concepts put together, like math. But you don't count it, you 'feel' it."

"More advanced forms of aetheric manipulation requires quite a lot of logic, and math."

Talwin nodded, "Yeah, but this is the first time it made sense. I knew how to disrupt the fireball by pulling at the right spot, like removing a cog so that the machine spins down instead of spiraling out of control."

"Exactly, and soon you'll be able to sense it all around you. Life is imbued with magic, it's a like an ocean of currents and you can feel the slightest detail if you tap into it."

Talwin looked at his furred hand, "I feel different, as if something is rushing through my veins."

I leaned in by his ear and whispered, "That's the aether awakening inside you, it's going to change you. The effects of flux will grow more severe but the rewards are worth it. You'll live longer, heal faster, understand the world like others cannot."

Talwin's eyes grew like saucers as he met my eyes, "Live longer?"

"Well, longer than others at least. The more you are in tune with the aether, the less the physical world will affect you. Rastlin used the aether to keep himself alive, he may have looked like a corpse but that was a price he was willing to pay."

Talwin gulped, "I'm not sure I want to live long enough to start looking like a corpse."

"Neither do-" I froze as a sudden noise caught my attention, it sounded like footsteps nearby.

I looked in front, stopped, and felt the shifting wind bring a new scent to my nose. It was that of a horse and a human. The footsteps came closer and was accompanied by a rustle of armor.

A cloaked form stepped onto the road and spoke with the voice of a male human, "Evening."

Avery nudged my shoulder and took the front, "Evening watchman, something the matter?"

The watchman stepped closer and was illuminated by the glow of the twin moons. He was clad in metal armor and there was a large sword by his side. Something glinted along the armor, it looked like glass or some kind crystal set in a number of sockets.

"That was an interesting light show you put on," The watchman said.

Talwin spoke, "I have a bit of magic in my blood, not enough to join the academy. Just enough to make a few silly tricks."

The watchman eyed Talwin in silence and then held out one armored hand, "Papers."

Talwin lowered his ears, nodded, and then reached into his clothes. Moments later he pulled out an enchanted parchment and handed it over.

The watchman patted his shoulder which seemed to trigger some kind of enchantment, in an instant several crystals in the armor began to glow and helped illuminate the parchment.

"Where are you from?" The watchman asked while reading the parchment.

"Silverwald, it's a village southwest of here," Talwin answered.

I sent out a few threads to scout, they moved with caution and should have been invisible to most mages. To my relief the watchman had no aetheric presence worth mentioning. Instead the armor seemed to serve as an aetheric construct, ready to protect its host.

The watchman glanced up, "That means you came from Windsor Fortress?"

Talwin made a slight nod, "Yes."

The threads began to inch closer, they felt along the fields and encroached the crystals. It reminded me of the traps I used to build, and my experience on how to disarm them.

A friendly smile grew on the watchman's face, "Did you see the inauguration?"

Talwin hesitated for a brief moment, "No, we were just passing through."

"Shame, I heard the new lord was quite generous with-" The watchman stopped speaking and stared at the parchment.

More threads emerged from my body, I sent them far and wide to make sure no one else was watching.

The watchman looked up with a tense if rather cautious expression, "You're a coyote?"

Talwin's hackles rose for a moment, even the aether shifted around him as his heart must have flared with anger.

"Yes, but I do my best to hide it. As you can see," Talwin answered.

The watchman inched closer so that Talwin's brown fur became visible, "What kind of trickery is that?"

Talwin motioned to his arm, "Just dust sir, it helps smooth out the colors of my fur."

The watchman stepped back and stared, "A legal coyote, it's not everyday you see something like that."

Talwin lowered his head, "No sir."

I invaded the watchman's armor and the light crystals began to flicker, it was fascinating if a tad exciting as the armor resisted my influence.

"You're not planning on staying here, are you?" The watchman asked.

"No sir, just passing through," Talwin answered and shook his head.

The watchman motioned to the tavern, "The tavern keeper is a good man, he won't refuse you but keep your hands to yourself, all right?"

Talwin made an eager nod, "Of course, thank you sir."

The watchman folded up parchment and handed it back, he then turned his eyes to me.

"What about you? Coyote as well?" The watchman asked.

I nodded, "Yes sir, we're brothers."

The watchman motioned with his hand, "Papers?"

Talwin stepped in once more, "We avoided the inauguration because we were scared that people would bother us. It didn't work and... well... he lost his papers."

The watchman noticed the dimming crystals in his armor and tapped them with his hand. I made one last push, and felt the armor's defenses crumble as I seized control.

In an instant I activated the light crystals once more, the guard didn't seem to notice and focused on me once more.

"How did you lose your papers?" The watchman asked.

I made up a story on the spot, "A few guards checked us and noticed the same thing you did, that we're coyotes. The problem is that a few others overheard and decided to take matters into their own hands. We managed to escape but I lost my papers in the scuffle."

The watchman frowned, "If that's the truth then you should have returned to Windsor Fortress, they have the ability to check these things and issue new papers."

Talwin spoke up, "In the middle of the inauguration? We would have been stuck there for weeks."

The watchman sighed, "True, but there's very little I can do. You need to come with me."

I tried to sound as pleading as possible, "Please... We just want to visit our family?"

The watchman gave his sheathed sword a pat that made the armor rustle, "Do not resist, you may count as citizens but the justice system isn't lenient with coyotes."

I caught two gold coins from my pocket and inched closer, "What if we compensated you?"

The watchman seized his sword in an instant and seemed ready to pull it out, "Bribery is a criminal offense!"

I tried at least...

"Suit yourself," I said as I ordered the armor to shut down.

The watchman stumbled back as the light crystals went dark, "What the-"

Aetheric tendrils shot out, wrapped around the watchman, and squeezed until a choked wheeze escaped from the human's throat.

"Avery!?" Talwin snapped while the watchman clutched his throat and scratched at the invisible tendrils.

"We gave him plenty of options, even at the risk of leaving a trail of clues behind us," I said.

The watchman began to lift into the air and his eyes bulged.

"STOP!" Talwin screamed.

I turned my head and saw Talwin glare at me, his fur stood on end and his expression was panicked.

"Keep your voice down, Talwin. We're going to end up dead if we let him go, is that what you want?"

Talwin's eyes darted between the two of us as he stammered, "Do something else! You can't kill him!"

I raised my brow, "Why not? We'll just reduce him to ash and scatter him across the woods."

Talwin rushed forward and grabbed my arm like an iron vice, "Watchmen do not go missing! The entire army will be on the lookout for us!"

I tried to ease myself out of his grip but Talwin held on like an iron vice, "What the hell do you want me to do!?"

The watchman frothed by his mouth, wheezed, and kicked at the air.

"Something, a spell! Wipe his mind!?" Talwin pleaded.

"There is no such spell, Talwin," I answered.

The eyes of the watchman rolled back and his struggling movements slowed down.

"Avery, he's dying!" Talwin snapped.

"That's the point!"

Talwin's expression grew desperate, a moment later the aether shifted. A spell was being cast and it originated from Talwin.

"Don't!" I growled.

The spell was primitive and driven by emotion, but it worked as a thread of magic lashed out like a sharp blade. It cut within my sphere of influence and the threads that held the watchman were severed in an instant. Pain burst into my body from the feedback and made me cringe.

A clattering thud was heard as the watchman slammed into the ground, the human coughed and clutched his throat.

Anger flared inside me, something roared with anger inside me. I gritted my teeth and glared at Talwin, it made me feel as if I was about to lose my mind!

I lashed out and a pulse of aetheric energy rushed down my arm, it connected with Talwin's arm and made sparks fly as it burned his shield. Talwin let out a shrill yelp of pain, stumbled back, and clutched his arm.

A low growl filled my voice, "What the hell are you doing Talwin? Do you think you'll survive in this life without killing those that threaten you?"

Talwin looked up, his ears clamped to his head and there was fear in his eyes, "Yes."

My heart pounded but I forced the anger into a dark recess of my mind, "Talwin..."

Talwin glared back, "You're the strongest mage I've ever seen, you have artifacts that are tearing the world apart. Is this all you can do? Kill whoever threatens you?"

The watchman squirmed on the ground and kept coughing.

I tried to explain, "Talwin, there are limits to what magic can do. I can't erase his memories, and we can't hold him prisoner forever. What do you want me to do?"

Talwin snapped in anger, "What about what you said earlier! That you weren't a monster like the others?"

"That's..." I whispered.

Talwin still clutched his arm and gulped, moments later something changed and his ears perked up, "I know of something."

"What?" I asked.

Talwin got an almost frantic expression, "Can you knock him out without killing him?"

I nodded, "Sure, for an hour or two at least. But that only buys us a head start, it doesn't-"

Talwin shook his head and interrupted me, "A few hours is all we need, knock him out, please?"

I raised my hand, aimed at the watchman, and let a field of aetheric energy envelop him. A bolt of energy built and was released into the field. It seared the man's subconscious shield and made him shudder in pain.

Moments later the watchman stopped fighting, fell unconscious, and grew still.

Talwin's muzzle dropped open, "What... What did you do?"

"I seared his aetheric shield a little, just enough to make to render him unconscious until it repairs itself."

Talwin stepped up to the watchman, crouched, and then held his hand in front of the man's mouth.

Moments later he sighed in relief, "He's still alive."

"I told you I'd knock him unconscious."

Talwin nodded and looked back, "Yeah, you did."

"Now, what did you have in mind? And let's not discuss anything else because you're in deep shit as you are."

Talwin's ears clamped to his head, "Avery..."

"Later, now focus," I ordered.

Talwin nodded and stood up, "Magic may not have the means to erase his memory, but there are a few plants that do."

"I thought you didn't know alchemy?" I asked.

Talwin averted his eyes, "I don't, but I do know how to get high, and how to forget."

788 I.C, February 2, Outside unknown tavern, Morning

I glanced up and saw that the horizon was growing bright, "We need to hurry."

"Almost done," Talwin said as he tipped a cup near the watchman's mouth and urged him to swallow.

"Tell me about this concoction of yours?" I asked.

"It's called the Touch of Oblitus, it messes with the head," Talwin answered.

The watchman swallowed with a gulp and Talwin set the cup aside, "There."

"I understood that much, but why is it considered a drug?" I asked while the two of us lifted the watchman.

Talwin threw me a glance, "Because sometimes it can be damn sweet to forget. It's popular with the whores, you wake up, money in hand, no memory of what you did to get it."

The two of us carried the watchman as we approached the tavern.

"Any side effects?" I whispered as we stepped out of the woodwork.

"It takes more than your memories in the long run, you become like a child, not to mention that it's addictive," Talwin answered.

We walked up to the back of the tavern and looked around, "How should we make it look? As if he just collapsed here?"

Talwin shook his head, "Pour some wine on him and pull down his pants, make it look like he tried to take a piss and passed out."

I reached down, unbuckled the armor, pulled it down, and then eased him onto the ground. Talwin took one of our potions, poured some in his mouth, and then splashed his armor.

"What happens when he wakes up?" I whispered.

Talwin stepped back, "I mixed two plants into the concoction, the second one will make sure he wakes up with one hell of a hangover."

I nodded and the two of us withdrew while covering our tracks as best we could.

788 I.C, February 2, Everwinter, Midday

Ben tiptoed around the muddied pools, darted across a passage, settled into the darkness, glanced back, held his breath, and listened.

The old tunnels were damp and the supports made out of shaped rock had cracks in them. It was a twisting mace and every so often the ground rumbled. The sound of dripping water was a constant and the air was stale.

Ben drew a deep breath, stood tall, and took two steps along the wall. He raised his hand, reached out, his fingers passed right through the rock-wall. The air shimmered and the illusion faded as the rock-wall dissolved and revealed another passage.

He stepped inside and looked back, in moments the illusion formed once more. The passage led to a small room occupied by a small transporter, the room hummed with energy, and mechanical clicks.

Ben reached into his pocket, found a small crystal, and held it out. His heart picked up pace as he waited, one wrong move, and the whole apparatus would explode in a blast large enough to collapse the cave.

Moments later the crystals of the transports lit up and bathed the small room with light. Ben sighed in relief, pocketed the crystal, stepped into the transporter, and shut his eyes. The air hummed, his skin tingled, and a sudden pop of air rustled his body.

He opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by a large cage, standing outside of it was a tense mage that looked ready to strike him dead.

"Something wrong?" Ben said with a cautious smile.

The mage sighed in relief, and stepped up to the cage, "Titan is waiting for you."

"No wonder about that," Ben murmured while the mage unlocked the cage.

"Any luck?" The mage asked and then pulled the cage door open.

"Like usual," Ben answered as he stepped out.

"How about-" The mage asked before Ben interrupted him.

"NO," Ben snapped as he marched past.

The old mineshaft led to an open area buzzing with activity. Sleeping spaces had been dug out of the walls and magic lights illuminated the area. A large fan had been built in the roof and it brought precious air into the depths of the mountain.

Hurried steps made Ben glance back, to his surprise the mage was back with a pleasant smile.

"Sorry, I was just curious earlier," The mage said.

"It's all right," Ben murmured as he tried to ignore the incessant mage.

"Did you find any food?" The mage whispered and leaned closer.

Ben frowned and stepped to the side, "If I did then it goes into storage."

The mage made a big smile, "How about a favor for a favor? I swear... If I'm forced to eat another one of those mushrooms-"

Ben interrupted the mage once more, "I can't, Titan's orders, you understand?"

The others around the room began to stir while the mage took a step closer, "You can have a go with one of the girls, what do you say?"

Ben felt his eye twitch, "Fuck off will you?"

The mage frowned, "I'm doing you a-"

A heavy stomp cut through the room and made the mage jump in surprise. Ben looked the side and saw Titan standing by the edge of the room. The mage scurried off while Titan raised a hand and motioned for Ben to come closer.

Ben approached and couldn't help but focus on Titan's hand, the fingers were tipped with claws and there was a thin layer of white fur on his hand. It seemed that for each day the behemoth was growing just a tad wilder.

"Welcome back, Ben," Titan said with a voice that bordered on sounding as bestial as the wulfkins.

"Thank you," Ben answered as he looked up. Titan's eyes were a dull yellow and there were hints of feral fangs hiding in his human mouth.

"Well?" Titan asked.

"I found some food," Ben said as he patted the small pack on his side.

Titan raised his brow and started walking down the hallway, "That's good but hardly relevant."

Ben joined Titan's side and spoke with a hushed voice, "I spoke with the mages as you asked."

Titan sniffed the air and scrounged his nose, "And then crawled through the sewers by the smell of it."

Ben shook his head with a bemused huff, "I didn't, the upper levels are starting to collapse as you said. The whole castle is starting to smell and that's a good thing because I wouldn't be able to move around otherwise."

Titan nodded, "Exactly, so what did they say?"

Ben looked up and met Titan's gaze, "They're becoming more receptive to our ideas... but..."

"But?" Titan asked.

"They feel as if we've forced them into a corner."

Titan chuckled and shook his head, "Of course we did. With more and more people seeking safety in the mines, the fewer sacrifices there are. It was only a matter of time before they ran out of non-mages, but we forced the issue."

Ben nodded, "Yeah, but that's not all."

"Yes?" Titan asked.

Ben hesitated for a moment, "I think some of them are starting to lose their minds."

"What do you mean?" Titan asked and cocked his head.

Ben leaned in and lowered his voice, "They're talking about... dead people, that are living."

Titan's eyes widened in surprise, "Undead? What kind?"

Ben mouth dropped open, "What did you say? Undead?"

"Yes, what kind of undead?"

Ben stuttered, "H- Hold on, do you mean... That there is such a thing?"

Titan sighed, "Just tell me what they said?"

"Wulfkins, 'undead' as you called them. They're guarding the master's tower and take care of anyone that's supposed to enter it."

"Do they know what happens inside the tower yet?" Titan asked.

Ben shook his head, "No idea, some of them think they're being transported somewhere else. Others think they're being sacrificed as you think."

"Uh huh, any word about Avery?"

Ben drew a deep breath and shook his head, "I don't think I've ever heard of someone so hated and admired at the same time. You may have blown up half the mountain but Avery is the one that started it all."

Titan huffed, "True. You're the one who met him last, are you sure he didn't say anything? What he was planning to do? What he found out?"

Ben shook his head, "As I've told you and the others, he didn't tell me anything."

"What about his family? Did the mages mention them?"

Ben chuckled, "I don't think you realize just how bad it is upstairs. The mages are being worked half to death on the transporters. There's no water, food, the wulfkins are even shitting and pissing in the hallways."

"That doesn't answer the question," Titan said.

"If Avery's family is still alive, then they're being held in the old residential areas."

Titan nodded, "Yes, I doubt they would kill them."

"What makes you say that? And why do you even care?"

Titan bit his lip and pondered it, "I think Avery is alive, somewhere. The master is looking for him and his wulfkin family is going to be kept alive as potential hostages."

Ben's eyes widened in wonder, "Avery hated his family, seems rather stupid to keep them as hostage."

Titan raised his brow and gave Ben an odd if cold expression that said, 'you wouldn't understand'.

Ben blinked in surprise, "What?"

"Nothing," Titan answered.

788 I.C, February 2, Forest, Evening

"Is it safe for me to fall asleep?" Talwin asked.

The question struck me as odd and I turned my head to see Talwin standing beside a large tree. His ears were low, his tail looked slack, and he was hiding his hand from sight.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

Talwin gave me a cautious glance, "You tell me, are you going to leave me behind? Or get rid of me?"

I drew a deep breath and sighed, "Like the monster I am? Perhaps I'll eat you as well?"

Talwin stared back with a frozen expression, "That's not funny, Avery."

I faced him and approached with slow and steady steps, "Scared?"

Talwin tensed up and clutched the tree, "You've been acting weird ever since last night."

I held out my arms and raised my voice, "Oh? And do you understand why?"

"Because I disobeyed," Talwin answered with a hushed voice.

I cocked my head and let the charade drop, black fur washed over me and my eyes tingled as they grew stark red, "And now you're scared that I'm going to get rid of you?"

"Are you?" Talwin asked.

I stopped outside reaching distance and let my paws dig into the dirt, "The odds might be against you but I could promise not to use magic."

Talwin stepped back while his ears clamped to his head, "Are you serious?"

"You tell me? Do you trust me, Talwin?" I asked.

"I want to," Talwin answered as he met my eyes.

I took another step closer and grinned, "That's a shitty answer."

"Stop it!" Talwin snapped and his hackles rose.

I could hear the thump of his heart, see the tension reflected in his eyes, and smell the fear on his scent.

"Are you going to reach for your knife?" I asked.

Talwin cowered and shrank in size, "I'm sorry about earlier, I just... Please stop..."

I raised my hand and reached out. Talwin bared his teeth and his eyes stared at my hand. My fingers touched his cheek and my claws brushed through the thick fur.

Talwin gulped and focused on me, "Avery?"

"I had hoped that you of all people wouldn't think of me as a monster any longer," I said.

Talwin's eyes widened, his ears perked, and a stunned expression marked his face, "I... I don't..."

My hand moved along his muzzle, trailed down his throat, moved onto his shoulder, and followed his arm. In moments I found his hand and felt the aetheric wound. It was clear that he still had much to learn about the aetheric arts, injuries of this kind were child's play to heal and reinforce.

"Sure you do, a moment ago you were frightened that I was going to kill you. You still fear it, in the back of your mind," I said.

Talwin blinked, shut his muzzle, and blinked as tears welled up in his eyes.

I continued, "Rastlin was always more powerful than me and I was little more than a tool that needed to prove its worth in order to stay alive."

"That's..." Talwin whispered.

"It's unavoidable that you fear me. I could kill you in a hundred ways and you wouldn't stand a chance against me."

Talwin made a small nod, "I know."

I focused on the aether and let energy flow from my hand, it merged with Talwin's subconscious shield and formed a makeshift bandage.

"Better?" I asked as I let go and met Talwin's gaze.

Talwin looked down and flexed his hand, "Yeah, it is."

"Good."

Talwin cleared his throat and seemed to perk up, "So... You're not mad?"

I cocked my head, "About?"

A shy smile grew on Talwin's face, "About the watchman?"

Anger flared once more and I felt face my tail lash as I glared at him, "Of course I'm angry, we haven't even gotten to that part yet!"

Talwin's ears clamped to his head and his muzzle dropped open in shock.

I drew a deep breath and focused, "You used magic on me and you risked our lives. How the hell am I supposed to trust you? Are you insane, Talwin?"

Talwin shut his muzzle, cowered, and looked to the ground, "I..."

I reached out, grabbed hold of his shirt, and forced him to look at me, "What about next time? When there's no easy way out, when we have to kill?"

"We..." Talwin muttered.

"Or is this a game to you? Where I'm expendable as long as you have your precious papers?" I asked.

Talwin made a low growl and grabbed my arm, "Of course not!"

"Then explain, and you'd better make it good," I ordered and tightened my grip.

Talwin tried to wrestle out of my grip but this time we were equally matched and I refused to budge.

"Well?" I asked.

Talwin panted and glared at me, "If you had killed him then every watchpost across half the country would be on the lookout. This is Agron, the country where bandits give up if they're caught!"

I lowered my voice and inched closer, "That's better than giving up. I would be executed for what I am and you would be sent to the academy. Do you want that?"

Talwin gritted his teeth, "No, but things worked out fine. We took care of the watchman without killing him."

"You're missing the point Talwin. What about next time? What if we're surrounded by a whole group and we can't use your drugs. Are you going to give up? Die?"

Talwin's muzzle wavered but no words came.

"Talwin, you've already killed to protect us. What's different? What changed?" I asked.

Talwin gulped, "That's... different."

"How?" I asked.

Talwin bit his lip, "The bounty hunter was going to hurt you."

I raised my brow, "And? What are you getting at?"

Talwin met my eyes with a frown, "He was going to hurt you, I couldn't allow that."

I cocked my head in confusion, "I... don't understand."

"I don't want anyone to be hurt, okay?" Talwin averted his eyes.

I couldn't help but chuckle, "What? You shot him because of me? Not because the maniac was about to torture you to death?"

Talwin relaxed and let go of my arm, "Like I told you... I was at peace with my life before you came along."

The anger faded inside me, it made me feel hollow and confused, "I don't understand."

Talwin made a tired sigh and his ears clamped to his head, "Do you remember back at the farm, you asked me what I was going to do when... My parents died?"

"Yes? You said you'd take over the farm, I pointed out how stupid that was."

Talwin nodded, "I was satisfied with life, I didn't long for death but... I would have been fine with it."

"What are you saying?" I asked.

Talwin hugged himself and avoided my eyes, "I had planned to go into the forest and eat some Edenberries. It's a simple way out, you fall asleep, and then it's over."

I clutched his shirt, tightened my grip, and shook him, "You... stupid idiot!"

Talwin didn't resist and whispered, "I know, I'm sorry."

I stopped, leaned in, and let my muzzle rest on his shoulder, "You're so... stupid Talwin."

"I know..."

I hugged him tight and I could feel the beat of his heart against my chest, "How can I love someone that doesn't value his own self? How can I love someone who doesn't care how I feel?"

"That's... Not true, I do care how you feel," Talwin whispered.

I shifted my muzzle and whispered in his ear, "Did you ever consider how I'd feel if you died?"

Talwin's hands touched my back and returned the hug, "Yes, I did. That's what..."

"That's what?" I asked.

"I do value my own self... You changed that, for the first time in a long while I truly want to live."

"Oh?" I whispered.

The hug tightened, the claws dug into my back, "I realized it now... The fear I felt. I want to live, learn, and see more, by your side, Avery."

I buried my muzzle in the thick fur by his neck, "That doesn't solve the problem."

"Then how about a deal?" Talwin whispered.

"What?" I asked.

"I'll kill for us, I'll trust you, I'll never lift a hand against you ever again, if you promise something."

"Yes?" I asked.

"We only kill when there's no other option. It's the last resort, promise me?"

"I did try to bribe him, I begged him, Talwin."

Talwin shook his head, "You didn't try hard enough."

The beast settled inside me, my heart calmed, the sounds of the forest grew louder. It felt like peace and tranquility bathed in a sea of darkness.

"Fine, I'll try harder, I promise," I answered.

"Thank you."