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Rukj let out a snarl of rage and tried, for the umpteenth time, to escape from the chains which kept him tied to the column he had been placed against. The links smashed together and resonated metallically, but didn't break, and the black wolf couldn't help feeling frustrated as he shook again the shackles tied to his wrists.

-Still trying to escape, Jirnagherr? -an ominous voice asked, from the room next to the dungeon where Rukj and Loki had been for a week -. Maybe you'd be interested to know that no one has broken the chains so far. Moreover; I doubt that even three bulls, uniting their strength, were able to unpin them.

-I don't care about your doubts -Rukj replied, shaking the chains with growing rage.

A deep laugh of derision was heard on the other side of the wall.

-Don't you see it's useless? Your pathetic attempts to escape are in vain. You should do as your companion; resign to your destiny and await your death like a true hero, don't you think? You've always considered yourself a hero, haven't you?

Rukj stopped, perplexed, and leaned against the column. Ronod's words weren't affecting him seriously, but he could notice that the lynx was trying to play with him... and make him suffer even before hurt him. Starting with a verbal torture... and then continue with a physical torture.

-No one consider himself a hero -he responded, trying to calm, but still feeling a growing anger deep within his chest -. Those who see him as a hero are who make him a hero.

-Well, well... philosophizing before your last breath? -Ronod asked, while appearing from the adjoining room, drawing a sly smile in his feline face -. Alright; perhaps you don't consider yourself a hero, but you try to act like one. Do you know what that means, Rukj?

The lynx slowly approached the column which the black wolf was leaned against, advisedly ignoring the young prisoner who had dropped against his chains, unable to endure the situation. Rukj could have sworn he had been crying during a few minutes, but he had made it in such an absolute silence that the wolf was almost completely sure that Loki didn't want anyone to know it, let alone ask about it.

He could understand that.

-Tell me yourself, Ronod -Rukj murmured, looking up and fixing his amber eyes in the ones of the front lynx, who was just a few steps away, in a slightly mocking pose -. What does it mean?

-It means that I can't let you die as a hero -the other replied, still smiling, no looking away from the prisoner's threatening pupils -. And you can't imagine how I like that.

He approached dangerously to the wolf's face, and Rukj bared his teeth, but didn't react.

Ronod must know he had exposed too much, because he immediately turned away from him and began to pace around the room, as if he was waiting for something or someone. Meanwhile, Rukj was still looking at him, with a mixture of anger and fear. After all, he was the Beast who, probably, would end with the wolf's life that night.

Ronod was a small lynx, short and with a slim build, almost sickly, but with a... strange expression. Maybe it was the unsettling hint in his eyes, or maybe the mischievous curve of his smile, or the fact that all his fur, white as snow, was completely bristly and messy, as if the Beast who it belonged to was always in a constant alert. But Rukj knew that wasn't true; Ronod was never alert, because he always knew that he handled the situation.

It was that simple.

-Look at this... -the lynx murmured, stopping next to his second prisoner and giving him an interested look -. Loki Farrin. I've heard you are the Kara's Cubs Order's chosen to fulfill that new mission that you're so excited about, right? -the youngest lynx looked at him horrified, and Ronod smiled, satisfied -. Are you surprised I knew about your little secret? One always have contacts, you know? Even in the Order -Loki looked down again, a bit depressed -. If I am honest, your case gives me pity. Sent lonely to accomplish a task that is well above your means... you must have felt a bit lost at the beginning, don't you? Maybe you even thought your mission was too big for you -something in Loki's face seemed to gave him the answer -. Oh, I knew I was right! So... you didn't think you were able to do it? I must say it seems reasonable to me... after all, you're just a weak and sickly lynx, too much young to highlight as a Beast, and too much simple to draw the attention of anyone. I wonder... I wonder what were the Order's masters thinking about when they chose you... don't you think, Loki?

-Leave him alone -Rukj snarled, annoyed, and particularly concerned about the young lynx's expression, who seemed to feel hurt -. I was the one you wanted.

Ronod turned to him slowly and gave him a long look, as if he was analyzing him. Finally, he sighed and confessed, quietly:

-Well... you're wrong, Jirnagherr. In fact, he was the one we were looking for. You were just... in the pack, I must say -seeing Rukj's astonished expression, he added -. Oh, come on! Do you really think someone really remembered you, the traitor wolf who took a Human in to raise it as his son? ...Ten years later? I think you overestimate you, Rukj.

The wolf didn't respond.

-And... as for you, little Loki -Ronod continued, turning to his young victim -, forget all I just told you and let me give you some advice. In this life, no one cares about how weak or sickly you are, how simple you can seem to be, or how young you are at that moment. In fact, look at me -Loki slowly looked up and, for some instants, his eyes were deep into the torturer's pupils -. How do you think I got where I am right now? It's easy; just take advantage of the people and go up the steps carefully. No one's going to help you if they don't have anything in exchange... or if they are not required to do it. Trample who you should trample, cut the throats you have to cut, fill the pockets you should fill... I bet you understand me -he made a pause, analyzing the effect of his words -. But never stand still. That, little Loki, is what has led you to your doom... You don't know how to move.

Loki took a moment to look away, still a bit surprised because between he and his torturer seemed to be something in common; his appearance and his apparent uselessness. Rukj stood alert, without understanding why was Ronod telling the young lynx all that. In fact, his words seemed to hide a hint of sadness, or maybe a shadow of a past which he wanted to forget... or not? However, he didn't have much time to think about that, because at that very moment the dungeon's door opened and an intense light blinded him, forcing him to look back and close his eyes, annoyed.

-At last! I was starting to think you would never join us -Ronod exaggerated, turning to the newcomer.

-No big deal -a voice which Rukj identified as Sek's replied -. I've come as soon as I could. You should have called me before.

-I know -Ronod responded, turning to his prisoners with a sinister smile -. Alright, I just had an idea. Come here; I'll need your help to contain the young lynx.

Both of them approached Loki, who looked up with a bad dissimulated glint of terror deep within his eyes. Rukj couldn't stand it.

-No... -he mumbled, shaking the chains again -. Don't you dare to put a paw on him! Do whatever you want to me, but... leave the cub alone!

-What's wrong, Rukj? Perhaps this little, naive lynx reminds you of your illicit Human cub? -Ronod asked, spitting the last two words.

Rukj didn't know what to reply.

Still a bit bewildered, the black wolf watched the lynx as he drew a key from a pocket of his shirt and introduced it in the lock of the shackles which were tied around Loki's wrists. Immediately, the lynx made a short attempt to escape, but it was in vain.

Quick as lightning, Ronod grabbed one of his wrists and gave it to Sek, who seemed to doubt a little before taking it. Rukj thought that, somehow, the bull seemed to be almost... absent. Almost as if he didn't like at all the situation he had been put in... or maybe that was just the wolf's imagination, too?

-That's it, hold him strong, Sek -the white lynx ordered, as he released the other wrist of Loki and caught it in the air. He seemed to have done this a lot of times before -. Hey, hold it! Don't worry, I promise I won't lengthen your pain if you agree to cooperate with us.

Loki, still trying to break free from the strong bull's hands, gave him a long hatred glare, who seemed to come from the depths of his being. Ronod didn't notice to see it or, if he did, he didn't show he cared about it. Loki, his hair soaked with sweat and falling over his face, keep watching him as he winced. He seemed to be about bare his teeth.

-Alright then, little Loki -Ronod started -. As I said before, I wasn't searching that traitor wolf you see here, but you. I was looking just for you, the young and inexperienced chosen of Kara's Cubs Order. Why, you may possibly ask, why me? Well, the answer is really easy, Loki... you know something that we want to know.

Both prisoners understood what the white lynx was talking about at the moment, and they exchanged a look of understanding. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea, because Ronod saw it and seemed to comprehend what those looks hid, drawing a smirk.

-Oh, I see you talked about this before. Alright, this gives me two possible chances... in case of one of you, er... break during the interrogatory -he said threateningly, still smiling.

-You're mad -Loki spat, with that odd expression of anger in his face. Rukj felt that, since he knew the young lynx, he had never seen him so angry. And he had to recognize that, for an instant, he seemed to be older... more adult, maybe?

Anyway, Ronod didn't seem to think the same, because he let out a laugh as he walked around his victim. As he passed Rukj, he ignored deliberately his grunts and keep walking.

-Maybe -he admitted, finally -. And in that case, your situation would be even more dangerous. But I'm getting bored of so many detours; we all know what we want to talk about, don't we? So tell me, little Loki... where are the two Links who will compose the Chain which excite your Order so much?

A fraught and cold silence installed in the room then, as Ronod placed right in front of Loki and looked him inquisitively. Loki didn't answer immediately, and Sek, to be honest, seemed to be more and more nervous. Rukj wondered if his old comrade in arms would be intimidated by those scenes, because he didn't seem to like it.

-No.

Loki's answer was so short, concise and direct that even Ronod needed a few seconds to assimilate it at all and react as his convenience. And Loki couldn't predict which would be that reaction.

The punch was direct and fast, like Loki's answer. Hit him squarely in the muzzle and was about making him loose his balance, before falling to the ground, if Sek hadn't been there holding him tightly, frowning.

-Well, well, well... I think you didn't understand me -Ronod sighed thoughtfully, stroking his knuckles.

-Da... damn you -Rukj grunted, feeling completely powerless since he couldn't do anything -. Don't you dare to put a paw on him again or... or... !

Finally, he had to surrender, to the delight of Ronod.

-Do you think I consider you a threat, Rukj? You can't do anything... anything but stay there looking how I beat a confession from the muzzle of this cub. And this, my friend... this will be your torture.

Rukj let out a roar of anger, but Ronod wasn't longer looking at him. He had turned to Loki and had crouched in front of him, staring at him as if he waited for the answer that he wanted so much.

-Don't you want to cooperate with me, Loki? -he asked the young lynx, who was still a bit stunned and held by Sek's hands -. That will only bring you pain. A pain I'm sure you have never experienced before. And, in your situation, it would be better for you not to go so far. You're not, precisely... a durable victim, you know?

Loki shivered almost imperceptibly. In any case, Rukj saw it and just to imagine "how far" the torturer wanted to go made him feel sick.

-No! -he roared again, anguished -. Please...

-This is getting tiresome -Ronod protested, standing up and raising his arms, with jaded gesture -. Look Rukj; I decided that we are going to do something. Whenever you open your mouth, I'll make your friend suffer somehow. Maybe now you learn to stay quiet.

The wolf shut up immediately, knowing that the white lynx was talking really seriously. However, he had to grit his teeth together... knowing that nothing he could say would help them for the moment... and Loki would suffer the consequences.

-Well, this is something else. What a silence! -Ronod sighed, with a mocking tone -. You sure you don't want to say anything else? Nothing... at all? Not even another one of those unproductive comments of yours? Wow, who knew... looks like if a cat ate your tongue.

Rukj shook his head and thought that, in the situation they were, using that expression was no funny at all.

-Alright, Loki. Now it's only you and me, as it was supposed to be. Talk.

The lynx looked up again, challenging.

-No -he repeated, more confident than before -. I will never talk to you about the Chain.

A new punch hit him again, this time in the other side of the muzzle. Rukj almost had to close his eyes for not seeing it; the fact that be there, watching it all, but unable to do anything for save Loki, was worse even that what they were doing to the young lynx. Powerless, he tried to calm thinking that, at least, wasn't the strong Ronod who was hitting the cub.

Rukj, imploring, exchange a look with his ancient comrade in arms, who seemed to be suffering as much as him. The wolf was almost surprised about that expression in the bull's face... could it have something to do with what they talk the last day? Would Sek react as he has thought at first? Would he... save them of that sure death?

At that moment, he was their only hope.

-No -Loki repeated, with no need to Ronod make the question again, what earned him another violent blow -... No... -he gasped again, and a little thread of blood escaped from his muzzle just before a new punch made him turn his head in another direction.

Three drops of blood splashed on the floor, and his odor spread throughout the room as a deadly poison. Rukj knew death's fragrance; he had experienced it long time ago, in the battle field and in the Human villages that they had attacked. It was an exciting odor while awful, but anyway, it made the anguish inside him grew, with that horrible impotence, and it threatened to surpass him...

-No! -Loki exclaimed at that moment, louder, giving his muzzle to receive another violent blow. This time he let out a little yelp of pain when the punch hit him in a place where he had been beaten before, but even then, he looked up again with dignity and fixed his feline pupils in Ronod's, challenging.

-We can be here all day long if you desire so, Loki -the torturer remind him, letting out a gasp -. Or we may go directly towards the real pain. Is that what you want?

-I'm... I'm not... telling you anything -the lynx assured him, with a voice broken by the pain, a voice that made Rukj worry about him -. I don't care... the pain... I won't let you know about the Chain.

Ronod seemed to be a bit annoyed for some seconds. Finally, he shook his head.

-Alright, we'll see if you can say the same when I cut you a paw... or a whole arm...

Rukj couldn't control himself.

-Don't you dare to do it! -he roared, with a hoarse rough voice.

When Ronod turned to him, with a malicious expression of triumph, he understood he had made a big mistake, and he regretted not having bitten his tongue in time. The torturer gave him a long look, tasting his victory, as his paw went to one of his pocket to draw a little but sharp dagger. The wolf shivered.

-Well, well... -Ronod murmured, placing the knife's edge in front of his eyes and observing his reflection in the blade for some seconds, almost lovingly -. It looks like you are not a Beast of his word, hey, Rukj?

At the moment he finished this words, he turned sharply to Loki and with an amazing speed he made a fast movement with the paw he hold the dagger with, directly to the lynx's eyes. A low metal whistle filled the air, and it was suddenly replaced by a cry of pain which shook all the room's walls.

It wasn't very long, but it was followed by some retorts and a moan of anguish. Sek's hands loosened, as if he didn't feel able to hold the lynx any longer. The scent of blood was intensified, and Rukj tried to contain a road of rage and guilt which in that moment he would have liked to let out.

Ronod, conversely, seemed to be very calm. Excessively calm. After turning away of his victim and giving him a critical look, he sighed and tilted his head, almost a bit sorry.

-What are you complaining about? -he asked, with the patience of a mother trying to quarrel a child -. You closed your eye just in time. If you hadn't been so fast, who knows what could have happened!

Rukj closed his eyes, trying not to look. Still he wasn't able to close his ears, and he could hear Loki's pain sobs which, like guilt drums, resounded deep within his head. He also couldn't close his nose, unfortunately... and in those moments he couldn't help but to smell with a dizzy intensity the sweet and savory scent of blood. That was horrible... a horrible nightmare from which escape was impossible.

At that very instant, someone who hadn't intervened so far decided to do it; someone who hadn't said anything during the torture:

-Ronod -the voice belonged to Sek -. I don't know if I want to continue with this...

-Seriously? -the torturer asked after a brief silence, with a incredulous tone -. So... fast? Who knew, mister Guard's Comissary... I was expecting more, Sek.

-But this is... too much -he replied, and something in his voice seemed to be really disgusted -. I can't see this. Understand it, Ronod, my children...

-Alright, alright, alright, don't need to be melodramatic now -the white lynx stopped him, a bit impatient -. Hold him for some more seconds and after that you will be free to do what you want.

-... Alright.

Something in his voice made Rukj to look up, hopeful. His gaze founded Sek's and, for a few seconds, the black wolf remembered those days in the battlefield, when just a gaze was enough to know what the other was thinking. Maybe... maybe things hadn't changed so much after all...

Meanwhile, Ronod seemed doubtful for the first time since he had entered that room. He walked, pensive during a few instants, around Loki, who was trying to contain screams of pain. Finally, he seemed to get out of that room to enter in the adjoining room, clearly willing to find something.

-Well, Loki... I hope you understand that you leave me no alternative -he communicated him from the other room, with a voice which promised even more pain -. I wanted to entertain a bit more with you, but... I have to end with this now.

The young lynx didn't respond. He was still gasping, head down, in an almost worrying silence.

Just a few seconds later, Ronod returned to the tortures room with his two prisoners, carrying with him a small phial with a dubious content in one of his paws. The liquid inside the phial was a strange bluish white color that even caused chills. Rukj didn't know what it was, and he couldn't imagine what the lynx wanted to do with it, but he didn't really want to know it. It didn't seem to be good.

Ronod stood in front of Loki and made him to look up putting a paw in his chin, forcing the young lynx to look him directly in the eye. At that moment, Rukj could see clearly the blood that covered almost the totality of Loki's face, and he was about to fall again in his torturer's trap. However, he gritted his teeth until they gnashed, knowing that nothing he could say could help the young lynx, and that it would only cause him more pain.

-Alright, Loki -Ronod said at that moment, softly -. I'm offering you a last chance to save yourself. I think you've suffered enough, and if you give me the information I need... who knows? Maybe I could even let you free. After all, you don't seem to be dangerous, and I know you will not be a threat for my plans... So decide it now, little Loki -he paused -. Are you telling me what I want to know, or do you want to suffer more?

The young lynx let his eyes fixed in Ronod's face during some instants, and Rukj saw a weakness in his look that was starting to deplete his determination. However, finally the lynx shook his head, slowly, and the black wolf admired his willpower.

-Alright then -Ronod murmured, almost contemptuously -. You asked for it.

In an extremely sharp movement, the torturer put the phial he was carrying in his paw in the muzzle of the young lynx, who briefly kicked, dam of a terrible panic at what that potion could make him. In fact, he made some attempts to spit the strange content, and he would have gotten it if Ronod hadn't kept his muzzle shut with a paw, and his nose covered with the other.

The trap was effective, and finally Loki was forced to swallow that disturbing fluid, whose bluish white brightness didn't promise anything good. Rukj was still observing, with a heavy heart, as Ronod moved back a few steps and watched Loki, with a mischievous smile in his face.

The young lynx, once freed from his torturer's paws, started to cough and spit, apparently disgusted by the liquid's taste.

-What... what is this...? -he could finally ask, with a terrible panic in his voice.

-Oh, it's called the "liquid winter" -Ronod explained, with a tone bordering the ironic kindness -. But in fact it's no more than a freezing toxin. An exotic ingredient, hard to find, do you know? It comes from the confines of our Lands... and it's extracted of a big carnivorous spider that hunt their dams segregating this poison of their sharp sting -Loki's face paled and Ronod's smile widened -. Apparently, it paralyzes the prey throwing it into an icy feverish delirium that made them feel a horrible cold. In fact, I would say that you should be starting to feel the effects... I have given you twice the dose that the spiders use to hunt their dams, so I suppose it should be faster with you.

-You... you monster -Loki could articulate, feeling how his vision blurred and something like a chill crossed his spine -. I'm not... I'm not telling you anything...

-Well, we'll see if you have the same opinion when your body is about to freeze -Ronod replied, calmly -. Normally, this is my last resort, but circumstances hadn't given me an option. You'll see how fast you start to talk -then, he looked Sek and told him, softly -. Sek, you can let him go. I think he's not going far... not in this state.

The bull didn't need to be asked twice, and immediately he released the lynx, who fell to the ground in a heap. He had started to shiver violently, like a leaf in the middle of a storm, and Rukj couldn't help but to wish to get free of those chains and save him, somehow. He couldn't bear to see that without... intervention. Ronod was right; that was his torture.

-Well, Loki... where the Links of the Chain are hidden? If you tell me, I will make the cold disappear. I can assure you.

Loki took a few seconds to answer. Involved by his delirium, he had joined the knees with his chest to try to take some heat.

-N... n... no... -he answered, finally, apparently still able to make his own decisions -. No...

-Stupid -Ronod grunted. He seemed to be really annoyed -. You will have to suffer more. And why? Because of your stupid Order? Because of that group of Beasts with wishes of peace that deign to send a young lynx awaiting him to do their dirty jobs? Let me say it, Loki; your older have left you alone. The Order has left you alone... well, I could say that if at any moment it had been with you.

-Stop it! -Rukj shouted, unable to contain himself any longer -. Why can't you stop... making him suffer?

-It's my job -Ronod replied acidly, turning to him -. And I don't know how to tell you this, but you're making it easier.

-He won't tell you anything, Ronod -Rukj continued, letting out a low growl -. For more damage you do him. He really does believe in his mission, and that's all that matters to him.

Ronod kept his eyes fixed on him, frowning. His fur, ruffled and tousled around his body, reinforced the impression that he was terribly angry about not getting any answers.

-I suppose I'll kill him then, just in front of you -the white lynx mumbled -. Maybe you are weak enough to tell me what he didn't.

Rukj growled, but Ronod seemed unfazed. However, just a few milliseconds later something changed in his expression. His face suffered a slight tremor, and his look lost in the distance, as if suddenly it had stopped being focused in anything. Then, the white lynx hit the ground, inert, and when that happened, Rukj understood that, for a reason that he wasn't still able to comprehend, the torturer was unconscious.

However, he understood it when he discovered the mace that had hit Ronod in the head, a mace which rested in Sek's hand.

-You were right -the bull murmured, giving him a long sand look of apology -. I couldn't stand it. I had to stop him.

Rukj couldn't react during a moment, still too much surprised for saying anything. A curious warm sensation seemed to break through inside him as he slowly recovered hope.

-I knew you would do the right thing -he nodded, giving him back a look of gratitude -. I suppose I still believed in you, even after having separated in the battlefield.

Sek looked away and crouched beside Ronod's inert body to remove the shackles key from one of his pockets. After that, he approached Rukj and started to release him from his chains. After doing so, the wolf loosened up; he felt much better, and also... also the impotence had disappeared. Now he could and should do anything to escape from there...

-Things have turned difficult out there, Rukj -Sek continued, as Rukj crouched beside Loki, who was still in the floor, shivering violently -. Now... the Guard is a bit paranoid. Everyone's accused to have treats with Humans. I've seen Comissioner's members... who are taking advantage of the situation and arresting who they're told to arrest just for a few gold coins. Corrupt. Not a good time for a deserter, Rukj.

-I'll be careful -Rukj promised him, putting Loki in his back after having checked that the young lynx didn't weight much. Then he turned to Sek and told him, at heart -. Thanks for your help, Sek. Nice to know that I still have friends... although they don't want to admit it.

-Although I don't want to admit it -Sek murmured, nodding slowly -. Good luck, Rukj. It's already dark outside; I hope you won't have any problem escaping.

Rukj nodded, knowing that the time to say goodbye had come... if he wanted to get out of there conserving his life and Loki's.

-Until we meet again, Sek -he said, approaching the dungeon's door, with Loki still shivering on his back. He was so cold that he was afraid of losing him definitely -. I'm glad we met again.

-Me too. Goodbye, deserter -Sek replied, tilting his head to him with some respect -. Goodbye, Rukj. Make sure this cub survives.

Rukj nodded again and he opened the door, willing to get out of that infernal room which had kept him trapped during the last weeks.

The cool breeze of the night received him and caressed each one of the parts of his body, stirring his black fur and making him feel better. The full moon shone over their heads, bigger than usual and as beautiful as ever. From the dark starry sky, it seemed to whisper them freedom and happiness promises, but also terrible words that talked about a tough task to meet, a mission they had to fulfill, a destiny which they had to submit.

It was a beautiful spectacle, but too a great inconvenient: light would make them more visible. Loki, on Rukj's back, murmured something incomprehensible as he continued shivering, dam of a deep desperation. Rukj understood that it wasn't a good idea to stay there, with the young lynx convulsing in a macabre dance of cold and horror.

Silently and without losing a second, he started to run towards the outskirts of the city. He didn't know where they would go when they let behind Frostmoon, but... at the moment, they had to get out of there.

-Hang in there, cub -he asked him, quietly, ignoring the pain he felt due to all the inactivity days -. Hang in there just a bit more... Until now, you did it well... and I know you can resist... You're not... as weak as you think you are. And I know you will get out of this... you have to get out...

Jarek knew something was wrong when he woke up without Raon by his side.

The morning had just dawn, and an icy wind blew lifting violently the snow as it passes, threatening to trigger a dangerous blizzard that evening. Jarek wanted to believe that Raon had never separated from his side considering how cold it was outside the cave... although in his case, the reasons why he share warmth with the Human hadn't nothing to do with the outside temperature.

The copper-furred wolf sat and rubbed his eyes with his paws, still a bit somnolent, giving a confused look around him in search of the boy. As he didn't find him there, his concern was heightened by uncertainty. Had Raon gone to hunt... with such a dangerous weather? What if something bad had happened to him? What if he hadn't been able to withstand the cold... and had fallen in the middle of that icy wind? Jarek shivered just thinking about it, and after some seconds he smartened up and stood up, a bit more alert.

Silently, he walked over the cavern until he came to the entrance and took a look outside, worried. The possibility that Raon had gone to hunt and had suffered... any type of accident was starting to seem more and more possible as the seconds passed and he couldn't see him. And also he couldn't help but to remember what had happened the last night, that nice conversation near the fire that they had have, the cold touch of the Human's finger searching his warmth, his low breathing when he had fallen asleep in his arms... All had been so beautiful that, just for an instant, he was afraid that everything had been a dream and he wished feeling the Human's body near to his again.

He shook his head, trying not to think about it. If he wanted to see the Human again, he had to find him first. And that wasn't going to be easy due to the stinging snow that the wind was lifting. However, after having given a circular look and took a deep breath trying to calm himself, he went outside with an arm protecting his face from the painful wind shakes.

-Raon! -he shouted, trying to be heard above the wind -. Raon!!

Surprisingly, he received an answer earlier than what he expected.

-I'm here! -he listened the boy's voice, not far from there.

Jarek headed without any hesitation in the direction he heard the Human's voice, and a few seconds later he started to see a shadowy figure in the middle of the storm, his back to him. Unfortunately, the white fur coat that covered that figure didn't help him to follow it in that situation.

-Thankfully -he murmured, when he arrived where he was -. I was afraid something bad had happ...

He had to stop when he saw what the Human was watching with so much attention.

Corpses.

They were scattered around what seemed to be the rests of a camp fire, near several tents' skeletons. The white snow layer which covered the ground was stained by red dry rivers of blood, and it seemed that all of them had been killed with a sword, a mace or a dagger. It was obvious that it had been a fight... but more obvious was why it had been.

All corpses were Humans.

Humans in Beasts' Lands, intruders in a territory where they should not be... a bit more than vermin lost in a place with no return. Raon knew it; he felt the same way. During some seconds, just thinking in what could happen to him if anyone discovered who he was out him the willies. The tension threatened with flood him, and he almost felt compassion of the victims... but when he saw a corpse that was half covered by the falling snow, all this seemed to drift away.

Silently, the Human approached, followed by Jarek.

-What happens? -the wolf asked, guessing the concern in the boy's look.

However, Raon didn't respond. Instead, he kept going towards that corpse, for kneeling beside him after, and shaking off the snow by hand. He became stained with blood, but he didn't even show that affected him.

When the Human's features were clarified, the Human and the wolf let out an exclamation that mixed surprise with relief. They two knew that white hair very well...

-Han -Raon mused, still watching the dead Human with attention.

-The man who... caught me -Jarek completed, kneeling beside Raon -. Is he... completely dead?

-I think so -Raon replied, turning the corpse back and discovering a wide gash on his back, who seemed to have been done with an ax -. Yeah... definitely, he's dead.

Jarek scratched his ear with a paw, thoughtful.

-Who?

-Anyone. They were Trackers, Jarek. They came here to catch Beasts. In fact, probably they were right behind us... although someone caught them first.

-Someone hunted them before they hunted us -Jarek whispered, comprehending -. But, who could have been? What if they are still here?

-I hope they're not -Raon replied, gulping -. After all, I don't think they will see many differences between me and them.

Jarek gave him a concerned look, fixing in Raon's face his deep eyes.

-Anyone with half a brain would realize that you're different, Raon.

The wolf felt a bit stupid just after saying that, but when he thought about it for a few instants, he realized he didn't regret about opening his snout. After all, it was true. Raon was the most fascinating Human he had met so far... even more than the person why he had been forced to escape from his house in flames.

However, Raon didn't think about it as a flattery. A bit annoyed, he shook his head and replied, nervous:

-You know me, but they don`t. I'm just one more. Just another target.

Jarek didn't know what to respond. Those words were sadly true.

-Alright, what can we do then? -he asked, willing to change the subject -. I don't know about you, but from my point of view, now that Han is dead we have one less problem to worry for. We should thank who has done this.

Raon whispered, as he ran his hand over the deadly wound tilting his head. After that, he squinted and approached his hand, now covered with Han's blood, to his face.

-Maybe we can -he murmured, more and more worried -. The blood is not completely dry... They killed him recently, maybe just a few hours ago.

-Should we leave? -Jarek asked, starting to understand Raon's concern.

-Yes, we should -Raon solved, standing up rapidly and cleaning his hand against the back of his white fur coat -. They must be near... and I wouldn't like to meet them.

At that very moment, Jarek looked up, sure that he had heard something. Raon noticed the change in his expression and immediately he put a hand on his spear, trying to ignore the fear inside him. He also tried to hear what had called Jarek's attention, and he finally found it; some heavy footsteps that were slowly approaching where they were, and an almost dying gasp.

The situation seemed to have complicated more than what they had thought at first.

Without doing a noise at all, Raon turned to Jarek and, after giving him a brief look, he put a finger in his lips asking him to stay quiet. Then, he stealthily drew the spear with his eye fixed in the blurred snow storm that seemed to surround them everywhere and tried to move in direction of that strange sound that could belong to any survivor of the attack. Mentally, he tried to analyze how would be the fight: he had never fight against a Human before, but if he followed Rukj's advice and thought that it wasn't more than a prey... it wouldn't be difficult to get out of the confrontation. But that desperate gasps could belong to a minor Beast, a big one, one of those that Raon had tried always to avoid during his hunts... He knew they were dangerous and very, very difficult to kill.

Suddenly, the fog lifted and after a last lash of snow against his face, Raon could see a figure in the middle of the snow's whiteness... a figure he knew, although he hadn't seen it for a while.

For a few instants, the fact of finding a familiar figure took off all his concerns, relaxed him and made him feel safer than ever. But, seconds after, the mysterious wanderer stumbled and fell to the snow, inert as a stone. And, once he had reached the ground, he didn't stand up again.

Raon dropped the spear and hurried to crouch beside the Beast' body... no, the two Beasts' bodies, which laid now in the snow, more exhausted and weaker than ever.

One of them should belong to a lynx, according to what Raon had heard so far.

The other one... the other one was Rukj.