Chapter 9 - Tremors of change

788 I.C, January 24, Everwinter: Mess hall, Evening

Ben walks over to an empty table and sits down. Things have been tough lately and Ben looks across the table with a sensation that something is missing.

The mess hall is noisy as usual, but the discussions and the mood is different from what it used to be.

Ben frowns in irritation as he wonders whether Avery is dead or not. The mages won't talk about it and any interaction with the wulfkins have taken on a whole new level of danger. Step out of line, do anything to draw attention, and one might end up being dragged screaming to the upper floors.

A sudden silence ripples throughout the mess hall and Ben can feel his stomach contract to a tight knot of worry. He keeps his head down as he hears the click of claws enter the room.

They're here for yet another harvest...

Panic starts to spread through the mess hall as the social contract dissolves and a more primal form of survival takes its place.

Ben's heart picks up pace as he ponders means of escape.

The ventilation tunnels? No, it's already too late for that.

Hope that one doesn't get picked? Risky, not to mention that the harvests have grown worse lately.

One of the other exits? Maybe.

Ben glances toward the west exit, the passage is dark and filled with the reflective eyes of wulfkin. He then looks north toward the kitchen section, the door has been shut for some reason and he can almost sense the group of wulfkins waiting behind it.

The struggles begin and he can hear chairs and tables being turned as people are dragged toward their fates while screaming. A crackle of magic can be heard but is cut short as wulfkins rush in and start pinning people in the spreading chaos.

Ben still hasn't moved and keeps his head low while the others rush and panic, it makes him blend in like part of the furniture. He's about to give up hope when an idea strikes, the sewage drain.

Someone manages to land a serious blow on one of the wulfkins, bone can be heard shattering followed by a sudden snarl as someone is torn in half. Ben doesn't see or acknowledge it as he rises from his chair and weaves between the others like a ghost out of sight.

He moves behind one of the serving areas and walks among the bubbling pots filled with cave mushrooms. It only takes seconds as he crouches down and pulls at a grate set in the floor.

The grate is sticky and covered in layers of thick slime, the smell is nauseating but he weathers it as the grate pops loose and reveals a large hole that tapers the further down it gets.

Ben looks around in haste and catches sight of a metal poker. He grabs it and then holds it over his head as he eases into the hole. The poker sinks through layers of mucus until it is stopped by the tapering hole.

If you're dead Avery, then I hope you went out with a bang...

Ben reaches up and grips hold of the grate as he slips it into place once more.

If you escaped and left us behind, then I'm going to shove a whole loaf of mushroom bread down your throat if I ever see you again...

The fighting above grows worse by the second while Ben looks up through the grate, he fixates on breathing through his mouth while shutting himself into a world of his own.

His arms begin to ache and his head feels a bit funny as if he's suffocating. He ignores it with all the willpower he can summon as the thought of falling into the pit below is a fate worse than the floors above.

The noise comes to a rather abrupt end, no one remains and he tells himself he made the right choice.

Wulfkins tear through the mess hall looking for someone that might be hiding, they don't think of looking down the sewage grate.

Another group wiped out, no witnesses, no one to rile the others. Ben feels something click in his mind as he realizes that he can no longer stay on the sidelines.

It's time to join Titan's brewing rebellion in the depths of the mountain.

788 I.C, January 24, Country Road, Evening

"Are we going to stop soon?" Talwin asked as he looked back.

My mind was focused elsewhere as I sat in the back of the wagon while looking at maps.

"Avery?" Talwin tried once more.

"Yes, keep your eyes open for a good place so that we can hide the wagon for the night."

The recent incident at the tavern had been a serious wake up call and now I found myself troubled.

Maybe George was right... I'm but a small and ignorant child...

It had been more than naivety on my part to let Talwin do as he wanted, it was sheer recklessness.

Our current goal was Dracwyn, a large city on the northern shore of Agron. The horses may have been slow but they had a ton of endurance, despite that we were at least a week from the city.

North of us was a large forest called Birchtooth, two major roads circled it. The west road led to a major cross-point and a fortress named Windsor. The east led to a city called Caberfae. I considered moving through the forest but it held one of the master's transporters which made it risky.

The fortress meant soldiers, the city meant loads of people, the forest meant wulfkins, I felt trapped.

I pushed the decision aside for a moment and looked in front, "The lynx said something interesting, that you were marked. What did she mean?"

Talwin didn't react for a few moments followed by an idle shrug, "I don't know."

"You sure?" I asked.

Talwin glanced back and seemed to hesitate, "I don't want to talk about it."

I glanced to the gray backpack, "What are you hiding in the backpack?"

Talwin frowned, "Stuff, my stuff."

I met his eyes and sighed, "Fine."

Talwin's ears dropped, "I'm sorry... All right? I screwed up."

"We both screwed up Talwin, I have no idea what I was thinking. Screwing around, getting drunk, I guess all this freedom got to my head."

Talwin nodded, "It was tempting, not being a yote for a moment."

This is the problem... I let my fantasies swallow me up... The idea of a peaceful country... I grew soft...

I'm a wulfkin in a foreign country with one of the most powerful entities in the world hot on my tail...

Assume the worst... W __e're being followed... B_ y Everwinter, bandits,_ b __ounty hunters, m_ ages,_ everyone...

788 I.C, January 24, Forest, Night

Talwin held his arms around me but things weren't the same. He felt tense and had been shifting for hours while unable to sleep.

"Did you have fun with Stella?" I asked.

Talwin made a surprised shiver before speaking up with a confused voice, "Who?"

"The lynx?" I said.

"Oh... Yeah, of course," Talwin whispered.

"Canines like us usually reek after sex, we're messy by default."

"Your point?" Talwin asked.

"You don't smell very messy."

"Can't say the same for you and her perfume is still clinging to you."

I mused, "How observant, so what did you and Stella do? Discuss philosophy?"

Talwin glanced away and I felt a slight rumble in my back as he growled.

"Talk to me Talwin, I promise not to laugh," I said.

"I don't want to talk about it Avery," Talwin's said with a hint of boiling anger.

"Fine, we'll speak of it no further," I answered.

Minutes of silence passed and I felt myself starting to drift.

*pop*

Something happened and I stirred once more, a noise? The aether? I didn't know.

"Talwin?" I whispered.

Talwin made a surprised rustle as he stirred from sleep, "What?"

"Did you hear something?" I asked.

"No?" Talwin said.

*pop*

Something shifted in the aether and it sent a chill down my spine. I sent a pulse through the sensory web lining the forest. The signal returned but I couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary.

In fact, it was like part of the web no longer existed, as if it had been swallowed by a void.

"We're in danger," I whispered.

I felt Talwin tighten his grip around my waist, "What?"

"Quiet and stay calm, this is going to get violent."

Talwin said nothing as I summoned forth the power within. Heat rose in my chest and suffused my being as the threads grew with an influx of power.

The shields began to harden into layers and sent roots into the ground as the air began to shiver.

Hopefully the assailant wouldn't notice and allow me a chance to build my strength.

*pop*

Something was cutting the sensory web with a technique that didn't trigger it, like a scalpel cutting all the important nodes all at once.

"I can't smell anything," Talwin whispered.

I sniffed the air and realized that the wind was coming from behind us, our enemy was a skilled hunter and a mage. Hopefully there was just one of them.

The once fine threads grew to become monstrosities rooted to the ground, they were like defensive towers shielding a bunker of shields. Aetheric energy began to leak into the visible spectrum as wisps began to form in the air.

I took control of a hundred threads and let them lift and reach back like a whip ready to strike. The plan was to reveal the enemy and destroy him without moving an inch.

Here I go...

The whip triggered and became like a swarm of fireflies illuminating the forest. It snapped forward and made sparks fly as they hit tress and an aetheric bubble holding a large tiger clad in leather armor.

I slammed on it with all I had as the towers launched spears of aetheric energy. The tiger raised his hands and the shield hardened with a bright glow as the onslaught of spears slammed into it.

Harder... Infest it... Break it down like with Titan and then rip him apart!

The heat made me pant as I pushed the blanket aside and rose up.

"Stay here," I said while the spears began to dig in and burrow like parasites in the shield.

The forest became like a beacon of crackling light as the tiger held up his hands and poured energy into the shield. He gritted his teeth and seemed to notice me as our eyes met.

Moments later he reached down to a utility belt and removed some kind device. It had a handle and was connected to some kind of cylinder.

What are you up to?

The tiger held it up as if about to throw it my way.

Are you joking? Is that a bomb? I could stop something like that while unconscious...

The tiger cowered as the cylinder popped open and released a blinding white light combined with a shriek that burst through both the aether and air.

I cringed in pain as I covered my ears while a sudden nauseating sensation washed over me. My head pounded and the world seemed to spin as my control over the aether evaporated like smoke.

My ears rang and I found myself blind as the aetheric constructs disintegrated and turned into useless flux that poisoned the air. I could hardly stand as I tried to bring forth another shield.

Something slammed into my chest and made me stumble back as I lost my balance. My body hit the ground hard and I clutched my chest as I felt something jutting out. I pulled at it and felt it loosen with a pop, it had a feathered end and a sharp point in front.

Focus... Bring up a shield...

The ringing noise in my ear began to abate as I focused my mind. A bubble began to form around us as a tingling sensation crept into my chest. The tingle turned to numbness as my body began to relax against my will, I felt tired and exhausted.

Poison?

The budding shield began to crackle and warp as I turned on the ground and caught sight of Talwin. He was standing by the tree with a crossbow in his hands, he looked scared and watched as the bubble deteriorated.

The crossbow... I should have given him the crystal bolt...

"Tal- Po-" I tried to tell him that the bolt was in my pocket, but my throat wouldn't work.

Talwin snapped to life and hid behind the tree as my control over the aether faded and the bubble dissolved.

A humored feline voice called out from behind me, "I'm surprised that someone with your kind of bounty fell so easily. Then again, you purists are known for your ignorance."

The hell is he talking about?

I struggled to turn around as the paralysis spread throughout my legs and arms, it crippled and robbed me of sensation as I felt my tongue tingling.

Something heavy rested against my shoulder and then gave me a sudden push that flipped me onto my back. What met my eye was the typical face of a tiger, black and orange fur, yellow slitted eyes.

Is this the one from the Bellkeep underground?

The tiger leaned down a little and gave me a good look, "Interesting trick of camouflage but I guess it doesn't work without magic, does it? Red eye? So what did you do? Anger the church? Fuck with the crown? Steal that camouflage spell you're using?"

I tried to speak but the words caught in my mouth, it was difficult to even breathe.

"I'd wager that you're an academy mage, powerful but naïve purists that fall for something as simple as a stunning grenade."

Grenade? A bomb meant to disrupt my concentration...

The tiger made an evil grin of amusement, "We'll have plenty to talk about but I'm afraid I have to deal with your friend first."

No... You fucking bastard... I'm going to rip your head OFF!

The tiger looked up with a shit eating grin, "Come out, come out, wherever you are!"

Anger flooded my heart and made it thump with vigor, it fought against the poison and made warmth spread throughout my chest as I worked myself into a fury.

The tiger stepped over me and faced the tree, "Come on out little coyote, let's have a look at you!"

I managed to move my head so that I could see the tree, moments later Talwin jumped into sight armed with his crossbow.

THWACK!

The crossbow fired in an instant and a sparkle could be seen as it slammed into the tiger's shield and disintegrated. A callous laugh could be heard from the tiger while Talwin stared with a resigned look of defeat.

The tiger raised his hand and made a dismissive wave, the crossbow was torn from Talwin's hand and shattered into a thousand pieces as it was strewn across the forest.

Talwin stumbled back in response and made a sudden cry as he lifted into the air and clutched his throat.

The tiger stepped closer and spoke, "I may be a bounty hunter but that doesn't mean I'm a monster. In ordinary cases I'd have either paralyzed or knocked you out so that you weren't a threat to the bounty."

Talwin's paws could barely reach the ground and one could hear the skitter of claws as he tried to push himself up so that he wouldn't choke.

The tiger continued, "But your kind, coyotes... You destroy lives, families, a single raid by you monsters leave a hundred without families."

I felt the change wash over me once more, it itched and made my bones hurt while my heart thumped like crazy. It brought new strength to my limbs as I reached out and tried to crawl closer.

"But what would a single coyote be doing out here? Why are you with this guy?" The tiger asked.

The tiger made another flick with his hand and summoned forth a wisp that emitted a bright white light while Talwin spun and exposed his back.

"I know I shouldn't, but I guess it's possible that you're just some unlucky bastard born to the wrong parents," The tiger said.

I dragged myself closer while I reached down and fetched the crystal bolt from my pocket.

A sudden tear was heard as Talwin's shirt was torn from his body. Step by step Talwin's movements grew slower as the ragged breaths turned to wheezing whispers.

My eyes caught on something strange between Talwin's shoulder-blades. It was a mark of white fur that stood in stark contrast to the rest of his rich fur. It was in the form of a horizontal half-moon with three spears.

"I knew it," The tiger said all of a sudden.

Another tear was heard as Talwin's linen shorts were shredded followed by a snap as his loincloth was torn loose. Talwin's body jerked in the air followed by a sudden thump as he was slammed into the ground.

A pained oomph was heard as the air was knocked from his lungs, Talwin squirmed naked in the dirt while his tail hid.

"You are despicable thieves and vermin! You should be eradicated, wiped from this world!" The tiger screamed in anger and spat while his tail snapped back and forth in agitation.

Talwin tried to crawl away as he coughed and frothed by his mouth, for a moment he glanced up and raised his hand with a pleading whisper, "Please..."

"Please? Please!? PLEASE!?" The tiger roared as his fur bristled while claws emerged from his hands,

Without warning the tiger lunged forward and made one solid kick that slammed into Talwin's chest, it sent him tumbling along the ground as he clutched his chest with a pained cough.

Drool dripped from the tiger's muzzle as he stepped back, "Please? I'm sure your victims said the same thing until you slit their throats! 'Please' is the word we used BEGGING for our parents to come home!"

Awareness returned to my body and my strength grew as I crawled closer and took a solid grip on the crystal bolt.

"The bounty can wait because I'm going to make your death a long-winded and tortured one!" The tiger hissed and panted from anger as he spat the words.

I raised the bolt in the air and took aim at the back of his knee where the greaves would not protect him. Anger fueled me as I slammed the bolt down with all I had.

A guttural feline scream filled the forest as the bolt pushed through and settled deep in the ligament and bone. The bolt lit up like a flare as the tiger stumbled forward and fell to the ground with a yowl in his throat.

The tiger looked back and glared with a snarl of hatred as he raised his hand and aimed at me. Sparks emerged from his furred hand and a loud fizzle could be heard as the spell faltered.

It's like the master's blessing...

I struggled to get up but my legs wouldn't obey as I fell to my side like a cripple. The tiger snatched hold of the bolt in his leg and pulled with another roar of anger. A wet pop was heard as the bolt loosened and the tiger threw it aside.

"You're going to regret that!" The tiger growled as he hobbled up on one leg.

I raised my hand and tried to focus but whatever part that enabled me to use magic still refused to follow my command.

Fire came to life in the tiger's hand as he aimed at me once more, "They wanted you alive, but they didn't say in what condition."

The fire grew as I noticed something in the back, Talwin had crawled over to his backpack and had fetched something from it. It looked like a small tube with some kind of handle attached to it.

Talwin raised it and aimed at the tiger's back as he squeezed some kind of trigger.

BANG!

A thunderous bang was heard and a fine dusting of blood hit me as the tiger's chest-piece burst open.

Blood poured out of the wound and flowed down the leather armor before starting to drip and splatter on the ground. The twisted grimace of anger on the tiger's face faded as he looked down and saw.

The fire faded from his hand and the lights hovering in the air began to fade. A sudden cough sent a spurt of blood from the tiger's muzzle while fear crept into his eyes.

The tiger fell on his knees while the wisps of lights became like puffs of smoke that evaporated in the wind. Moments later the tiger fell to the ground with a thud and lay still as life faded.

Darkness cloaked the forest as I heard the Talwin's strange weapon clatter to the ground. I pushed myself onto all four and started crawling past the now dead tiger as I set my sight on Talwin.

A canine whine was heard followed by sobbing as I moved up next to Talwin.

"Talwin?" I whispered as I reached out.

The sob turned into a pained cry as I touched his shoulders and pulled him into my embrace.

788 I.C, January 25, Forest, Morning

It had been hours yet I could still feel the effects of the poison in my body. I couldn't rest though and time was of the essence as it was now clear that I was being hunted.

The tiger was on his back as I looked him over, it was a bit morbid but it helped to think of him as nothing more than hefty prey rather than a once intelligent being.

I glanced up for a moment and saw Talwin sitting by a nearby tree, he wore a new set of clothes but was still wrapped in a blanket as he cowered and stared into the forest.

It was about time he snapped out of it and I found myself irritated, at the same time I couldn't help but remember my own reaction when everything had gone to hell back in Everwinter. It was the worst pain I had ever felt and it had left me a crippled husk moving on automation.

I tipped the tiger over but couldn't see a backpack, that meant he had his resources and transportation somewhere else. My eyes caught on a flap on the chest piece, I opened it and found a stack of documents.

The documents seemed enchanted and tingled with magic as I unfolded them for a look.

One was a writ of citizenship signed by the state of Krobia. The second and third was a visa as well as a contract with a bounty hunting guild in Agron.

It was the fourth document that caught my eye.

'- ! BOUNTY 5 000 GOLD ! -'

'Have you seen a male human with red eyes?'

'Do you have any information regarding this individual?'

'Reward...'

'Information: 100 Gold'

'Remains + Bodily Possessions: 500 Gold'

'Live capture + Bodily Possessions: 5000 Gold'

'Information will only be rewarded once verified.'

'Signed, Cassius Victrix'

'Guild leader of House Victrix'

It felt as if the vast world shrunk with the realization that a bounty of this size would make everyone my enemy. I felt the star on my chest in wonder if it could truly be that important. A lump formed in my throat as I looked toward Talwin in wonder of what he would do upon learning the value of betraying me.

Talwin stirred from his daze and shook his head as he seemed to grown alert once more. I hid the documents in my pocket as Talwin discarded the blanket and stood up.

Moments later he approached and looked at the tiger with a questioning look as if asking, 'Why?'

"How are you doing?" I asked.

Talwin held his side, "He gave me one hell of a kick but I think I'm all right."

"And how are 'you' doing?" I asked once more.

Talwin glanced away, "I'm fine Avery."

"Uh huh," I said while I reached out to the tiger and found the buckle to his utility belt, I unlocked it and pulled it from his body as I looked it over.

"Is this right?" Talwin asked.

I glanced up at Talwin, "He's dead, it's not like he's going to miss it."

"Should we bury him?" Talwin asked as he settled on the ground.

I nodded, "Yeah, and we'll have to clean up some of this mess before we leave. Can't leave any traces now that we're being hunted."

Talwin nodded and settled on the ground, "You've done this before?"

"What? Killed someone?" I asked.

Talwin nodded with something of a guilty expression as his ears flattened, "Yeah."

I shook my head, "Actually, no."

Talwin glanced up in surprise, "You haven't?"

"No, so far I've never been forced to make that choice."

Talwin hugged his knees, "It's just, you seem so unaffected by all this."

"Don't make the mistake of thinking that I'm human, I feel plenty of things but I would not hesitate to kill a threat."

Talwin nodded, "I wish I could feel the same way."

I looked at the dead tiger and the blood clinging to his muzzle, "Why? What do you feel?"

Talwin sighed, "It's obvious that his family suffered at the hands of a coyote clan. I can't blame him for hating me."

I raised my brow, "You can't be serious?"

Talwin's ears perked as he met my eyes, "What do you mean?"

I motioned to the dead tiger, "This guy was willing to torture you over something that I don't think you had anything to do with. He may have been misguided and shaped by circumstances but that doesn't change the fact that he was a fucking monster."

Talwin seemed to ponder it for a few moments, "Someone could have changed his mind, he had the potential to be good. He could have family."

I nodded, "True, but he made his choice and he paid for it. That's the way of life."

Talwin nodded once more, "Yeah. So why is there a bounty on your head?"

"My master is no doubt pissed at me for escaping and I guess this is his way of getting back at me. It's an efficient method as well as they can leave the dirty work to others."

Talwin nodded, "What do we do now?"

Why are you not considering leaving?

"That depends..."

"On what?" Talwin asked.

"It's me they're after Talwin. You could leave and run back to the farm," I said.

Talwin watched me in silence for a few seconds and then shook his head, "I have no future as a coyote. It's like you said Avery, we may not like hiding but sometimes we don't have a choice. You've shown me something incredible and I'm willing... No, I want to stay by your side even if it's dangerous."

I stared and for some reason my mind came to a halt as I asked myself if he was genuine. I wanted to believe and it warmed my heart as I wondered if I had found new kinship.

Talwin blinked as he looked at me in wonder, "What?"

I made a slight smile and nodded, "I'm glad to have you by my side Talwin. Thank you."

Talwin's tail shifted along the dirt ground as he made a slight smile and pointed at the utility belt, "So what's that?"

I looked down at the belt and saw a variety of items, vials, a dagger, darts, some kind of sharp wire, and another one of those stunning grenades as the tiger had called it.

Talwin pointed at the grenade, "That's the thing he used when everything went haywire, what is it?"

I removed the cylinder and saw some kind of safety pin attached to a trigger, no doubt as protection to prevent an accidental detonation.

"Aetheric energy suffuses all of reality but we can only utilize a certain type of it. All living creatures absorb and transmute it into energy that we can use. Any spell or construct created by a mage will with time deteriorate into a toxic substance known as flux. The deterioration is slow as long as you maintain control over your spells, lose concentration though and all that energy will turn into flux in no time."

"Oh..." Talwin added.

"This 'grenade' as he called it created a blast of light and a screeching noise that pierced both the aether and air. It robbed me of concentration and turned all that energy into flux." I said.

Talwin glanced around and licked his lips, "Is that why the air feels so... Heavy, and why it tastes strange, like metal in my mouth."

I nodded, "Exactly, and by the time I started to recover he hit me with one of these darts. He paralyzed me and my control over the aether."

"I see," Talwin said as he leaned closer.

I reached into my robe and fetched Talwin's strange weapon, it consisted of a tube fused with a handle and a trigger. It smelled of explosives and the tube was now empty.

"What is this?" I asked as I held it out.

Talwin's ears folded back as answered, "Dad gave it to me."

"Insurance I take it?"

Talwin nodded, "He didn't trust you."

"So what is it?"

Talwin shrugged, "I don't know, George said that I was supposed to point it at anything I wanted dead and to pull the trigger. It worked it seems."

I nodded, "It's like a miniature cannon, loaded with explosives and some kind of projectile. I'm surprised it didn't blow up in your hand."

"I guess a weapon like this evens the playing field between mages and the common folk," Talwin said.

I cocked my head, "That depends, I'd have no problem protecting myself against a weapon like this if it was an ordinary projectile."

"What do you mean?" Talwin asked.

I reached into my pocket and fetched the crystal bolt, "I suspect the projectile was made out of the same material as this."

"What's that?" Talwin asked in curiosity.

"It's like concentrated flux, it can pierce shields and I can't even pick it up using threads of magic."

"Oh... Where did you get something like that?"

I made a bemused smile, "Your parents threatened me with this, fortunately they used a crossbow rather than the cannon they gave you."

Talwin leaned back, "What? When?"

"George figured out what I was and he was trying to look out for you, fortunately I was able to convince your parents that I was no danger to you. I guess that ended up being a lie."

"Oh... I see."

"So how about you tell me about that mark on your back?" I asked.

Talwin frowned, "You've got something to explain first."

"Oh?" I asked.

"So my dad figured out what you were but you still haven't told me, I want to know."

I drew a deep breath and leaned back, "I'm a wulfkin from the far north, a place known as Everwinter. I'm the monster people tell their children about, a cursed bloodline and a beast that feasts on the flesh of man."

Talwin's gulped and his eyes widened a little, "I've heard of wulfkins."

I made a slight smile, "And?"

"As you say, you don't have a good reputation exactly."

I motioned to Talwin with one hand, "Neither do coyotes as I've learned."

Talwin nodded, "True I guess. Were you just joking or do you eat people?"

"I've never done it if that's what you're asking. But wulfkin do eat their prey and it makes little difference if it's animal, man, or beast-folk."

Talwin looked at the tiger, "So does that guy look like a meal to you?"

I looked at the tiger, "Not really, I'd much rather prefer a good piece of well cooked horse served with potatoes, good sauce, and plenty of krobian liquor."

Talwin began to smile, "Are you serious?"

I nodded, "Wulfkin may be horrible beasts in some ways but we're not like the nightmarish tales told by others. We live in warm homes, we like hot baths, good food, and family is very important. The memories I have of growing up may be harsh in some ways but they are filled with love and tender emotions."

A smile formed on my face as I trailed a finger in the dirt, "I still remember coming home from school, father was always happy to see us. We'd clamber all over him and have silly games. Raymond and I were the most precious things in the world to my parents."

"Raymond?" Talwin asked.

My heart ached as I steeled myself once more, "Raymond is my brother, our bond didn't mean much in the end though... Now how about we shift the discussion to you and that mark?"

Talwin looked to the forest, "Where do I start... I lied about myself, I wasn't raised on the streets."

"Go on?"

"Karashak is the coyote homeland and we shared it with a few other races. I don't know the circumstances but we turned on each other and the coyotes lost. So we scattered across the continent, a broken people without a land to call their own. Or at least, that's the story I've been told."

I nodded and listened in silence.

Talwin took a deep breath, "We were outcasts from the very start, troublesome immigrants with strange traditions that gathered in tribes. All of which was made worse by pressure from the new rulers of Karashak. The tribes were dying and they were fueled by desperation as they started taking what they felt belonged to them. Raiding others, sacking villages, ambushing caravans, trickery, anything that would bring food and wealth to the table was fair game."

"But that only made things worse?" I asked.

Talwin nodded, "Of course, the rulers hit hard and the once large tribes became small wandering clans of beggars, thieves, and miscreants. Our rather unique fur became the identity of everything foul."

"I take it all of this happened well before you were born?" I asked.

"Yeah, many decades ago. My clan lived in the southern area of Krobia and there were about twenty of us. Life was harsh and Karashak leaned on Krobia to have us wiped out, we set our aim on Agron and stole a ship to cross the ocean so that we wouldn't have to deal with the wall."

"And?" I asked.

"And it worked, we got inside Agron. A peaceful and bountiful land full of people that didn't have the wits to protect themselves like Krobia. It was ripe for the picking."

"Your people never considered settling in peace?"

Talwin shrugged, "Maybe they did? Maybe they didn't? I think a lifetime of savagery changed my people and turned them into the monsters everyone feared."

"So what happened?"

"My job was to act as a distraction, I'd cover myself in mud and lay down in the path of a caravan. They'd rush to aid me of course and the others would strike in the chaos of it all," Talwin's voice trailed off as he stared at the dirt ground.

"Hold old were you?" I asked.

"About seven... I Think."

"You were a small child Talwin."

Talwin looked up with an irritated glance, "I was old enough to understand and comprehend. I was old enough to make my first kill and receive the brand as one of the clan. The tiger was right, marked coyotes are monsters and that's a stain I will never be able to wash out."

"How did they even create a mark like that?"

Talwin motioned to his back, "You shave the fur and then use a branding iron, if you do it just right the affected area will still grow fur but lose the color for some reason."

"I see, so how did you end up with George and Martha?" I asked.

Talwin drew a deep breath and looked up at the night sky, "It was only a matter of time before the authorities caught up. They set a trap one day and I did my usual thing."

Talwin licked his lip and clenched his fists, "I remember them rushing to my aid, they lifted me from the mud and carried me into one of the larger wagons. They locked me inside and then I heard it... a slaughter fueled by magic. The whole clan was wiped out, then they came for me."

"Oh..." I whispered.

"I've never been that scared in my life. The things I heard them talking about... they were planning to flay me alive. I was beaten to the brink of death when George and Martha saved me at the last second. There's not a lot more to say about the rest, I was a horrible child but eventually came to my senses."

I moved closer and fetched a map from my pocket as I settled next to Talwin, "We all have burdens to carry, what matters is how we deal and learn from it. Right?"

Talwin huffed, "Yeah. For a long while I was angry at everyone, my original parents, the world, the humans. Then I started hating myself for the monster I was... That was harder to deal with and it led me to the edenberries."

"But you recovered from that."

Talwin nodded, "Yeah."

I set the map on the ground, "I've figured out what we're going to do next. But it's going to be risky."

"Go on?" Talwin said as he looked down at the map.

I pointed at the east road, "We'll clear the area, find the tiger's supplies and then move east toward the nearest tavern. We'll buy some supplies and let slip that we're heading toward the city Caberfae."

"Okay?" Talwin said.

I then pointed at Birchtooth forest, "We'll continue down the road until the coast is clear and then enter the forest."

"Why?" Talwin asked.

"Because we're not going to Caberfae, we're going to head northwest through the forest and end up behind Windsor fortress."

"What about the horses and the wagon?"

"We'll get rid of them of course," I said.

"What!?" Talwin exclaimed.

I motioned to the horses, "They're farm horses, I take it they're not trained to be ridden?"

Talwin's ears flattened, "No they're not, but..."

"You're attached to them?" I asked.

"Something like that," Talwin said.

"We need to wipe the trail clean Talwin. Do you understand?"

Talwin made a reluctant nod, "Yeah, but it's going to be a pain to walk that far."

"I'm aware of that, but we'll no longer be bound by the roads."

Talwin closed his eyes and nodded, "Once we leave that forest we need to be like new people."

In more ways than you realize...

I leaned forward and caught his eyes, "We'll be like ghosts taking on new appearances for every place we visit. We'll be like pilgrims moving through the countryside."

Talwin made a slight smile coupled with worry as his ears moved to the side, "Do you think we can make it?"

"I do."

788 I.C, January 25, Cheerful Barrel Tavern, Midday

A bell rang as we pushed the door open, the small tavern had a homey but desolate ring to it as we stepped inside. There were a few tables and a small bar that seemed to double up as a general store.

There was a closed door by the back of the bar and I could hear someone moving behind it. Moments later the door opened and a rather tall but slim female stepped out, she had a small pink nose and fur that was white and dark gray.

A ferret maybe?

The ferret smiled as she looked our way, "Afternoon, can I help you?"

I took the front, "Just looking for supplies and some help with a wagon."

She made a courteous nod and motioned to the stocked shelves behind her, "Of course, my husband can take care of any smithing needs and you can find him behind the tavern."

I faked a smile of relief, "Wonderful, we've got a wobbly wheel on our wagon. How long do you think that would take to fix?"

The ferret smiled, "Show my husband and I'm sure he'll be able to fix it up in a jiffy. If not then you can stay here for the night."

I looked to Talwin, "Buy enough to last us until Caberfae and I'll take care of things outside."

Talwin nodded, "Got it."

I headed outside and threw a glance at the wagon as I walked by. A simple spell of rust had weakened the pin holding the wheel in place, any reputable smith would either have it in stock or be able to make one in no time.

A crackle of fire and the banging of a hammer could be heard as I walked around the tavern and saw a small smithy. What surprised me was the smith himself who looked like a towering beast with a heavy ursine face.

No wonder the bears avoided the trade district in Everwinter... They'd be like magnets for any wulfkin wanting to try their strength...

The bear raised his hammer and aimed it at a plate before stopping as he looked my way, "Hello?"

I made a courteous smile and approached, "Hi, we spoke to your wife and she told us you could help fix our wagon?"

The bear lowered his hammer, "What's the problem?"

"A wobbly wheel, we just need a new pin to hold it in place."

"Know the size?" The bear asked.

"Not really," I answered as the bear set aside his tools and fetched a measuring rod.

"Then let's have a look," The bear said as he started walking.

I followed as we walked to the wagon and watched as the bear knelt down and measured the pin before giving the wheel a good rattle.

"You didn't think of bringing a spare?" The bear asked with a raised brow as he glanced over.

I made a slight smile, "We did but lost it along the way."

The bear rose once more, "Well it's good that you're observant at least, one wouldn't want to get stuck in the middle of the road."

"Indeed," I said as we headed back to the smithy.

"So are you a trader?" The bear asked.

"That's right, we're heading to Caberfae."

"Hmm, rather light load you have there," The bear asked as he dug around in a few cabinets.

"We came from Bellkeep and brought a fresh load of supplies to the Dancing Kelpie. Now we're headed east."

"I see, and how's Hamlin doing?" The bear asked as he fetched a couple of pins.

"The raccoon can be a bit grumpy, interesting music box though," I said as we walked back.

"Yeah, I've never been a fan of magic myself though," The bear said as he stepped up to the wagon.

The bear grabbed hold of the wagon and lifted it with a grunt as he pushed the wheel in place, removed the pin, and reseated a new one.

"There, good as new," The bear answered as he eased the wagon down on the ground.

"Many thanks," I said with a grateful smile as Talwin emerged from the tavern with a bag in hand, the bear glanced back and seemed to notice the goods.

"So how does it look?" Talwin asked with a curious expression.

"Good, what do we owe you for the pins?" I asked as I turned to face the bear.

The bear stepped back and made a humored smile, "Free of charge, safe journey."

I nodded while Talwin set the bag in the wagon, "Thank you."

788 I.C, January 25, Country Road, Evening

The sun dipped below the horizon and the road became dark. Crickets could be heard playing their tunes and the wind rustled the nearby forest.

"Talwin," I said.

"Are they going to suffer?" Talwin asked.

"No, it'll be over in an instant."

Talwin made a heavy sigh and brought the wagon to a stop.

"You should go on ahead Talwin, there's no need for you to see this," I said as I left the wagon.

Talwin glanced over, "I'm not some pup that you need to protect."

"I know that Talwin but I don't think you want to see this."

"I thought you said it would be quick?"

I pointed to the forest, "Head into the forest and ignore what you hear. Understand?"

"Fine," Talwin frowned as he hopped off the wagon and started walking.

The horses started to grow anxious as Talwin disappeared into the depths of the forest. I moved to the ditch and then let threads of magic wrap around the wagon and horses.

CRACK!** POP ! CRUNCH!**

Their heads twisted and their bodies shuddered as they were lifted into the air along with the wagon.

They were heavy but well within what I could manage as I started walking and let it follow me.

GROAN!** POP! **** WHINE!**

The threads tore into the wagon and began to repurpose it into a makeshift coffin reinforced by metal.

Talwin's scent lingered on the wind as I stopped and let the threads set to work on the ground. They spread like roots and formed a large bubble, moments later it all lifted into the air and provided a large crater.

I lowered the horses into the dark mud-like dirt and then sealed them in using the coffin. The excavated dirt was lowered on top and packed until the ground looked undisturbed.

A strange sensation filled my chest as I watched the ground, they had served us well and I was thankful for that.

Maybe it was wrong to push Talwin away...

I dismissed the thought and hurried into the forest as I jogged up beside Talwin. He was silent and his steps were rushed as he focused on the depths of the forest.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"I'm fine," Talwin answered as he marched on.

I gave him some space and kept to the back as the forest darkened and grew pitch black. The temperature dropped and the air took on a damp and chilly edge.

We were now deep in the forest and it was well about time to set camp. Despite that Talwin kept marching on as if haunted by something. It began to dawn on me that his hasty recovery might not have been all that it looked to be. After all, the guy was not a wulfkin but rather a farm-boy that had spent almost two decades with a pair of humans.

"Talwin, you can slow down now," I said out loud.

Talwin didn't slow, instead his pace picked up further as if he was trying to flee.

"Talwin?" I said once more while I picked up pace to catch up.

Talwin was already panting but his breath changed as if his throat was starting to tighten.

I moved up next to him and reached out as I caught his arm. Talwin jumped in fright and his fur bristled as he jumped back and slipped from my grip. His chest heaved in panic and his eyes became like pinpricks in the dim light emitted by a small wisp.

"I'm sorry about the horses Talwin, we couldn't have sold them as it would have been obvious to anyone that followed. It would have been even worse if we set them free, they'd be preyed upon and would suffer," I said.

Talwin looked around and seemed to cower as it dawned on him that we were all alone in a forest so thick that even the light of the twin moons couldn't pierce it.

"Are you all right Talwin?" I asked.

Talwin's hands trembled as he clenched them into fists, "Do I look like I'm all right?"

I stepped closer, "No, is there anything I can do to help?"

Talwin stared at me and gulped as he shook his head, "I'm fine, I'm not weak or scared Avery."

Are you scared of me Talwin? Is that what this is about?

"Then I guess you're stronger than me, because I'm scared aplenty," I said.

Talwin blinked as his eyes seemed to shift back to normal, "What?"

"I'm scared all the time Talwin, I'm changing, I'm hunted, I'm lost in a world that is foreign to me. I'm even scared that you might betray me and then I'll be all alone, again."

Talwin watched me in silence, "That sounds so weird coming from you."

"Why?"

"Because you seem so confident all the time, like nothing can shake you. We almost died earlier and you didn't even stop for a rest."

"I'm just trying to survive Talwin."

"Is life worth living if it's this hard all the time?" Talwin asked.

"Of course it is," I answered.

Talwin made a nervous chuckle, "Why?"

I held out my hands as if the answer was obvious, "Because of the good moments. Those points in life where it all makes sense, when the world is beautiful and filled with wonder."

Talwin made a sarcastic smile of disbelief, "You have moments like that?"

I nodded, "Yes, I do. I had a moment like that just a few nights ago, with you."

Talwin's ears perked in surprise, "I don't understand."

"You remember? The first night in the forest? The embrace we shared under the canopy, the moons were beautiful that night. I felt more warmth and safety in that moment than I have in over a year. We made breakfast that morning and I felt happy, it was a very precious moment for me."

Talwin stared in confusion as I stepped closer and let my aetheric field drop, my eyes tingled as they returned to their natural red color.

"Both of us hide from the world, but we don't need to hide from each other," I said.

Talwin blinked and seemed to relax as his own aetheric field dissolved, his brown fur shifted and regained its rich luster as it grew a mix of gray, light brown, white, and a hint of red. Even his eyes shifted as the rich auburn color returned.

"I enjoy your company Talwin and I consider you my friend, or is that just me?" I asked.

Talwin's ears flattened a little while his tail started wagging, "No, I like your company as well."

I inched closer and nudged shoulders with him, "Things may be tough for now, but I believe that things will get better. Do you?"

Talwin nodded, "Yeah."

That strange sensation hit me once more, my heart thumped yet it wasn't from fear nor was it simple excitement, it was a joyous and warm sensation. I smiled and let my hand move along his wrist as I found his hand.

Talwin's ears perked as my fingertips moved along his padded palm, I clasped hands with him and felt a soft tickle of fur and warmth. A smile spread on Talwin's muzzle as he looked away while his tail picked up pace and swished through the air.

788 I.C, January 25, Agron: Royal Palace, Night

On the throne sits Conrad the third, recently crowned king of Agron. The young man wears a crown and decorative if heavy clothes. A trimmed but stylish beard marks his face but cannot hide his young age.

An old fox named Robert stands next to the throne, the fur on his muzzle is gray, an ear is missing and there are hints of old scars in the fur. The fox was the previous king's advisor and remains to guide the new one with a lifetime of experience and eyes that still burn with clarity.

Surrounding the throne are lords and counts as well as spymaster Sigmund. The man bears a stoic face but his mind is anything but calm as he looks toward the high wizard hidden in the crowd.

An unconcerned and distant look marks the high wizard's face. It strikes Sigmund as strange and it almost feels as if the wizard has been replaced with someone else.

There is a gentle tap on Sigmund's shoulder, it makes him glance back as he sees Fletcher holding a small note. Sigmund takes the small note and nods to his subordinate as Fletcher withdraws.

He flips the note open and takes a discrete look, another caravan has gone missing and several outposts have been wiped from the map with no trace other than powerful magic.

It feels like a sudden stab of anxiety in his gut, the clouds are gathering and the storm approaches.

Sigmund looks up and sees that he has caught the eye of the old fox. The fox stares with his auburn eyes as he raises his hand and interrupts the count that had been speaking.

Everyone, including the king focus on the fox as he speaks with an aged but solid voice, "Have you learned something Sigmund?"

Sigmund steps forward and contemplates his words, he needs to make it count or it'll be buried and forgotten like his other attempts.

"Everwinter is on the move," Sigmund declares.

A rustle can be seen moving through the crowd, it is a brash statement that will carry consequences no matter the outcome.

Conrad the king leans forward, "Explain."

"There has been a sudden increase of attacks on caravans and smaller outposts across Agron, we-"

Sigmund is interrupted as the High Steward in charge of domestic affairs steps forward, "Coyote raids, the matter is being dealt with."

Sigmund looks to the High Steward, "I find that highly suspect, the coyote clans may not leave survivors but our reports indicate considerable aetheric disturbances. These are organized strikes that are looking for something not involving material wealth."

The High Steward dismisses it with a wave of his hand, "Paid mercenaries intent on seeding worry and disrupting the trade routes."

Sigmund ignores it and faces the king, "We've also received reports of an enormous eruption in the Everwinter mountain, the blast could be heard all the way to Krobia."

TheLord High Marshall in charge of the military speaks up, "A rather crude joke to say that Everwinter is on the move when they were blown up."

Sigmund faces the High Marshall with an irritated frown, "Everwinter itself survived the blast."

The High Diplomat chimes in, "So what? How is anything you've said linked to Everwinter?"

"A peculiar bounty also started showing up across the continent at that time," Sigmund says as he reaches into his pocket and fetches the bounty.

Robert the fox walks up and takes it in his hand as he looks it over, "We are aware of this bounty and we have contacted house Victrix, so far they claim that it is fake."

Sigmund nods, "I've heard the same but it hasn't stopped the entire continent from hunting this individual."

The High Diplomat speaks once more, "I still don't see the link between any of these events."

"The mountain of Everwinter, the bounty, the sudden attacks across the continent marked with strange magic, no tracks, and no survivors. We have all heard the tales of necromancer machinery, advanced transportation platforms, and aetheric manipulation. This is too much of a coincidence," Sigmund says.

The High Marshall smiles, "What would you have us do spymaster? The last of the necromancers were vanquished hundreds of years ago and Everwinter is located far from Agron."

Sigmund steps forward and addresses the king, "Your majesty, I have a report regarding a sighting of the individual in the bounty, a human male with red eyes. I request the cooperation of the guard and complete authority over our agents in the underground."

The High Marshall throws Sigmund a sharp glance, "Where?"

The fox whispers in the king's ear as Sigmund looks to the High Marshall, "I'd rather not tell."

The High Marshall is about to speak when the king raises his hand and speaks, "Why would Everwinter be so desperate to hunt this man?"

Sigmund lowers his gaze as he speaks, "I don't know my majesty, but I believe that this individual can answer that, and provide clues as to why these raids are occurring across the continent."

Someone mumbles in the background, "It's the furs and that fox, they're trying to usurp the throne."

Robert the fox faces the king, "If Everwinter is behind this, if one of the necromancers survived then we can take no chances my liege. It is our duty to act, not only for the sake of Agron."

Conrad the king nods, "Sigmund, I grant you authority over our agents in the underground. The High Marshall will make sure that the guard cooperates with your investigation."

Sigmund steps back as he feels something akin to a glare. To his surprise it is not the High Marshall but rather the High Wizard giving him a cold and piercing look. It fills him with unease as the High Wizard turns around and leaves the chambers.