Chapter 27 - F riction of D** istance**

788 I.C, March 4, The Pierced Veil: Kitchen, Midday

I looked at Clyde and saw him observing the others while pretending to pick food from his plate. The meat and potatoes were long gone from his plate, but the lettuce remained and kept evading its fate. The dining room seemed tense and everyone kept glancing at each other while I pondered how to break the ice.

"So, Clyde?" Archer said without warning.

Clyde's ears perked while he turned to give the tiger a cold stare, "Yes?"

Archer made a gentle smile, "Is there anything you can tell us about yourself?"

Clyde glanced back at me for a moment, focused on Archer, and stabbed a piece of lettuce, "Not really."

Casey leaned over the table and whispered, "What he's actually trying to ask is: What were you doing in that wulfkin camp?"

Clyde shoved the lettuce in his muzzle and chewed, "I was ordered to join them, I obeyed, but did little more than stand guard."

"Were you part of the raids?" Archer asked.

Clyde fixated on Archer with his icy blue eyes, "No, I wasn't. To the pack I was considered an outsider, a weak one at that, they didn't want me there and I was happy to oblige."

Casey tipped his head in wonder, "Have you ever killed anyone?"

I leaned closer, raised my brow, and gave Casey a stare, "Casey."

Casey glanced over at me, "It's an honest question, and I want to know."

Clyde drew a deep breath and leaned back in his chair, "I've killed many, though none in Agron."

"What do you mean?" Archer asked.

"Do you know of the Wastes?" Clyde asked.

Archer nodded, "It's a desolate area north of Karashak. It's home to nothing but monsters and scum."

Clyde made a slow nod, "Wulfkins learn how to fight there, and no one cares for the reason you mentioned: It's home to nothing but monsters and scum."

I turned my head and focused on Leonard for a moment. To my surprise he was staring at Clyde with an almost transfixed focus.

I wonder what he's seeing...

Casey smiled and softened his voice, "I heard that you and Avery were childhood friends?"

Clyde's ears perked in an instant and then folded back, "We... were..."

After a few moments Leonard looked to me and spoke up, "I'm curious about what we've learned so far?"

I nodded, "The Master's blessing is a parasitic entity that feeds on life energy over time. Eventually the life of the host ceases, but the mind is somehow maintained as long as fed magical energy."

Leonard's glanced over at Clyde, "Is he..."

I motioned to Clyde, "I disabled the parasite before it had a chance to fully drain him. In other words, he's still alive."

Clyde lowered his gaze and kept poking the lettuce on his plate.

Leonard then looked back at me, "Anything else we've learned?"

"The Master's blessing can be dispelled, and that's a pretty major boon if we face wulfkins supported by mages."

"Dispelled, you mean like raising your hand in the air and everyone with the Master's blessing drops dead?" Leonard asked.

I smirked to myself while imagining it, "Unfortunately not. But if I get within reaching distance, then I should be able to take care of them one by one."

"Is that something we can share with Dracwyn?" Leonard asked.

I shook my head, "I was only capable of doing it thanks to the Star."

Leonard nodded, "That's useful in either case, and from what I've heard the wulfkin attacks have dropped in frequency."

"Because?" I asked.

Leonard raised his hands, "I have no idea, maybe the sudden resistance is forcing Everwinter to change tactics."

"Any other changes?" I asked.

Leonard drew a deep breath and nodded, "The wulfkin attacks may have dropped, but we're instead getting reports that the undead are spreading. Villages and towns are being abandoned, some because the populace is fleeing, some because they are infected and turned."

"Just like they tried to do with Bellkeep, they send agents in and start turning the populace one by one."

Leonard nodded, "So far they've stayed away from Dracwyn and the nearby provinces, but once they come here... Well, we might be on the run sooner than later."

"And how are the rulers of the city dealing with this? The council that is?" I asked.

Leonard shrugged, "If someone knows, then they're not talking, at least not to me. Information is difficult to get by as it is, ever since the Underground was outlawed and the network of messenger stones crumbled."

"You've mentioned this before, a network of messenger stones?" I asked.

Clyde raised his hand, looked at me, and spoke, "Wulfkins use them as well, we... You just never got to see them."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Every packleader was issued one, a stone with crystals that enable you to speak with others over great distances. It's how I was contacted by my father while at the camp. I'd imagine their system works the same," Clyde said.

Leonard nodded, "It does, but on a scale of thousands. Every major city has a hub of messenger stones capable of linking to each other. The underground had them as well, but something has been interfering with it. At first we thought that the mages who managed them were simply killed, but according to rumor the mages have simply lost control of it."

"That ought to be a major source of chaos," I said.

Leonard sighed, "It is, all of society has basically been pushed back several hundred years, and the messenger stones that still work are under heavy guard."

"Anything else?" I asked.

"Karashak, Krobia, and Antaloria are gathering an army near the borders to Everwinter. From what I've heard they're boasting about taking Everwinter down once and for all."

Clyde leaned over the table, "My- I mean, Amarok likely ordered the forces to retreat in order to protect Everwinter."

Leonard looked over at Clyde, "That's your father, isn't it? The wulfkin commander."

Clyde's eyes widened in surprise, "You knew..."

I looked toward Clyde, "I saw no need to hide it from them. Anyway, wulfkins backed up by mages work well against small and isolated forces. With the support of Obelisks they might be able to do more damage, but what chances do you think Everwinter stands against the joined might of three armies?"

Clyde lowered his head and seemed to ponder it, "They don't. The wulfkins were always expendable, as you said, and the Master will likely find some way to relocate to Agron while Everwinter is destroyed."

I focused on Leonard, "Are the other nations aware that the Master is raising an undead army in Agron?"

Leonard shrugged, "It's difficult to say, but they are aware that Agron has been hit hard. Most likely they're hoping that defeating Everwinter will make all the undead drop... err... dead."

Clyde leaned over the table and whispered, "Avery, if Everwinter falls then-"

I interrupted him, "Then the wulfkins will cease to exist as a people, I know."

Clyde gulped, "Avery, we have to... do something."

Do we? Even if we had the means, would it be the right choice?

I focused on Clyde and spoke so that everyone could hear, "We're not in a position to do anything about that army, none of us can affect it in the least. What happens, will happen. Do you understand?"

Clyde pulled his hands back, "There's an ongoing rebellion in Everwinter. There are wulfkins there that have done nothing. We do not deserve to be exterminated because of what the Master has forced us to become."

This is not the time or place to discuss it...

"Clyde, I know. But there is nothing that anyone can do about it at this point. We should focus on what we can, which is to stop the Master. If we do that, then other possibilities might open up. Understand?"

Clyde stared at me for a few moments, and then nodded, "Yes, Alpha."

Casey's ears perked at the words and a curious smile grew on his face, "Alpha?"

I put my hand to my temple and sighed, "Back to the topic at hand... We've learned of a way to pierce the Master's blessing and that might be the key to unraveling more of his magic, including the undead menace. We have more things to deal with though."

Leonard focused on me, "And that is?"

"First: We should not dismiss Cromwell, he's still out there, and based on what we've seen he's going to be angry like a raging bull. Second: The team that has been on Talwin's and my tail ever since Bellkeep knows our real identities. Both of them represent a danger, not only to the guild, but the work that we're engaged in. We have to deal with them, somehow."

"I'll hear with my contacts and see what I can find out about Cromwell, but as for the team following you..." Leonard said.

"I'll provide you with their information, and we will hopefully be able to figure out if they're potential allies, or enemies," I said.

"I'll see what I can do, and what will you busy yourself with?" Leonard asked.

"Research most likely, and I need to get Clyde up to speed as well."

Leonard folded his hands and nodded, "Sounds like a plan then, we all have more than enough to keep ourselves busy."

788 I.C, March 4, Aetherius, Evening

"What about this one?" Robert asked and pointed at a floating rune within the book.

"That's a marker, not an actual letter," Raymond sighed and glanced up at the fox sitting in front of him.

Robert looked up, "A marker, for a transporter you mean?"

"No, well... Maybe, why are you so insistent on this?" Raymond asked.

Robert was about to speak when a distant sound echoed through the caverns. It sounded like a pained and intense howl that shifted in pitch like a windpipe being twisted by force. The sound of it made Raymond's hackles itch while he squirmed in unease. He could see the effect on the fox as well, a scared gulp, a frightened glance toward the exit where the sound had come from.

"Hey," Raymond said.

Robert looked back and his ears perked once more, "Yeah?"

Raymond held out his hand and repeatedly opened it, "More."

"Sorry, I forgot," Robert answered with a gentle smile before he reached back, opened a small pouch, and pulled out another piece of jerky.

Raymond quickly took the offered piece, shoved it in his wide muzzle, and started to gnaw in order to soften it up. Within moments the tough meat started spreading its taste of salt, herbs, and wild flavor that made him shiver from joy.

It was a good deal... Answers for jerky...

Raymond observed the fox in silence while he chewed. He hadn't seen him eat anything in the last few days, and now the fox was confident enough to sit within reach.

Stupid fox... Once I've eaten your jerky I'll catch and eat you... Yeah... That's what I'll do...

In fact... I could eat you right now... Take the key... And then eat the rest of the jerky...

Raymond grinned to himself for a moment, but then felt his smile falter.

So why aren't I?

"Raymond?" Robert asked.

Raymond felt his ears perk at the sound of his name, "Yeah?"

"Have you thought about what happens next? Where are you going to go? What are you going to do?" Robert asked.

The question felt like a sudden jolt and made Raymond lean back against the wall.

"Are you alright?" Robert asked and glanced up in wonder.

Raymond idly rubbed his hands and felt his black claws, "And how are you planning to survive?"

Robert raised one hand, held out a claw, and stabbed at the book, "Through this."

Raymond looked down at the runes, "I don't follow."

"I found something deeper in the caves, at first I just figured that it was some kind of supply room, but then I noticed piping in the roof."

Raymond angled his head, "Piping... Could just be a junction for hot water and such."

"Too small, too delicate, and when I hold my hands near them I can feel the hum of magic," Robert said.

Raymond scratched his head, "So? It's just another conduit to feed the giant Obelisk outside."

"I followed the pipes, and found a collapsed passage. With some effort I managed to glimpse past the rocks and saw something similar to a transporter," Robert said with a growing smile.

He's going to use me to figure out the transporter... And then he's going to leave me here!?

Raymond could feel his heart thump as sensations of anger welled up in the back of his mind.

"Do you understand?" Robert asked with a gentle voice while motioning to the book in front of him.

Raymond leaned forward a little, kept his eyes on the book, and whispered, "I understand... I understand perfectly..."

Robert blinked in surprise and started to lean back. In that moment Raymond lunged forward until his chains pulled him to a stop. The chains rattled, the wall made a pained groan, and Robert pulled back in fright. To Robert's horror he found his reaction too slow, and Raymond's hand caught his wrist.

Raymond pulled, Robert fell forward, and was dragged to a point where he rested underneath the massive beast. Robert's eyes widened in horror when Raymond settled on top of him, gripped his arms, and pinned them to the ground. Raymond then lowered his head, and bared his teeth with a rumbling growl in his chest.

"You were going to find out how the transporter worked, and then you were planning to leave me here! You're just like the rest! But I'm not falling for it!" Raymond snapped.

Robert squirmed underneath him and angled his head to get away from the massive maw. Drops of drool dripped from the maw and landed on the gray fur of Robert's muzzle.

"Raymond, I was trying to give you hope, not trick you!" Robert yelled.

"Lies!" Raymond snapped and squeezed Robert's wrists so that he whimpered in pain.

"I told you about the transporter! I asked how you were planning to survive! Why would I do that? Do I strike you as that stupid if I was planning to leave you here!?" Robert snapped.

Raymond blinked, pondered, and lowered his massive head, "You... Everyone lies..."

"I need your help, Raymond! To lift the rocks, to interpret the symbols, together we might be able to figure it out. It's never too late, to change, to find redemption..." Robert whispered.

It is too late...

Raymond lifted his head and bared his fangs with a mocking chuckle, "I get it now... Even if I help you, where are we supposed to go? To your homeland? Where I'll be killed the moment I step through?"

"There are many places to go to," Robert answered.

Raymond snapped, "You need codes for that! Codes that even the Master doesn't have! Why would you have them!?"

"Because I'm the Royal Advisor to the King of Agron," Robert snapped and looked up to focus on Raymond.

"... What?" Raymond asked and blinked in surprise.

"I was responsible for the King's safety, and I know of hideouts throughout Agron. Hideouts that are isolated, you could simply run off, or you could decide to trust me, and I'll guarantee your safety."

"... Why would you do that?" Raymond asked.

"Isn't it obvious? I need you to survive. You're a wulfkin not allied to Everwinter, and you are Avery's brother. All of those things make you important."

Raymond leaned back and let go, "Avery would kill me if he ever saw me..."

"Are you sure?" Robert asked and rubbed his now aching wrists.

Raymond reached up and clutched his head while his thoughts drifted, "Yes..."

"And what if you're wrong?" Robert asked.

Raymond blinked and looked down at Robert, "I..."

Robert held up one hand in an open gesture, "We will die if we stay here. That much is certain. How about we focus on getting out of here, and worry about the rest as it comes?"

Raymond gently let his arms drop, and then placed his hands on Robert's shoulders. After a few moments of pondering he closed his eyes.

It was difficult to shake the confusion, the thoughts that always rattled and screamed within his mind. Yet, this made a lot of sense, and it provided a path that seemed surprisingly simple. For once it didn't involve killing, fighting, or suffering. He just had to care about himself, and help the little fox. It felt surprisingly good and it made the intrusive thoughts dim for a moment.

Raymond opened his eyes once more and motioned to his wrist that was still chained to the wall, "Release me, and I'll help you."

Robert made a slow nod and pointed at Raymond's crotch, "The key, it's in my pockets. You're sitting on it, and you're rather heavy I might add."

Raymond eased back, shifted to the side, and watched Robert sit up. Moments later he reached into his pants, fished out a black key made of shaped metal, and reached for the shackles that bound Raymond in place.

788 I.C, March 5, The Pierced Veil: Tower, Morning

A tickle against my skin, a gentle tug on my mane, and a brushing sensation against my tail. It made my leg kick in amusement while my mind stirred. Without warning the pattern broke, my muzzle was forced open, and something grabbed hold of my fang. My mind snapped awake and I opened my eyes to see Talwin staring into my muzzle.

What are you doing!?

"Ah a yo ooing?" I said with a muddled voice.

Talwin let go and glanced up with a sly smile that revealed sharp teeth, "Your fangs, they're big."

I closed my muzzle, licked my enlarged canines, and felt bulging dents on my lips that they created, "I know."

"You're still growing," Talwin mused and gently stretched before laying to rest on his pillow.

What am I supposed to say that... I'm-

My thoughts came to a halt when he reached out, wrapped his hands around my neck, and pulled me closer until our foreheads met. It made my ears perk while a sensation of warmth rushed to my face.

"Hi?" I whispered.

The scents that wafted from underneath the blanket were richer than usual. Wulfkin and coyote mixing, blending into a deep and earthy musk that made me grin like a silly pup.

"I like it," Talwin whispered with a big smile while his claws scratched at the back of my ears.

I eased my arms around his chest, and pulled him closer until our bodies met, "Oh?"

Talwin poked his tongue out and smirked, "How are you feeling?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" I asked in wonder.

Talwin's smile ebbed and grew serious, "I can tell that you're bothered by something. Share your troubles with me?"

"I'm conflicted, and there are urges inside me that I thought were gone," I answered.

"Urges?" Talwin said and looked deep into my eyes.

I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts, "I'm a selfish person, I had to be in order to survive. I had a few friends at Everwinter, but I wasn't in a position to help them escape, so I didn't even try."

"Yes, your point?" Talwin asked.

"Since coming here I've become more than what I was, and I am happy for that. But I thought we were supposed to find stability here, just the two of us."

"You want to leave this place?" Talwin asked.

I shook my head, "No, I don't. But the thing is that everything is changing. It's not just us any longer. There's the guild, the city, Agron. Now Clyde is here, and he's awakening parts of me that I've kept suppressed."

"You've been acting a bit differently ever since you let him free," Talwin whispered.

I drew a deep breath, "I didn't let him free, which may be what's stirring all of this. No matter how I twist and turn it, I'm still a wulfkin, born and bred in Everwinter."

"Meaning?" Talwin asked.

"I've felt hints of it through my childhood, and others nurtured me into the role. To my brother and the others it was obvious: I was supposed to be the alpha of our pack. Those instincts had little use in this society and I thought they had been put to rest."

"Does this mean you're going to turn into a control freak and snarl at me every time I question you?" Talwin asked.

I leaned back a little and raised my brow, "I certainly hope not. If I do you're free to smack me in the face and chew me out."

"Then how have things changed?" Talwin asked.

"Maybe they haven't. But look at the position I've put myself in, the steps I've taken to get here."

"It's called being a good person."

"I think it's more than that. Our money saved the guild and put the others in our debt. Step by step I'm taking command, and the day will come when Leonard and I have a disagreement. What happens then? Do you think I'm going to back down?"

Talwin reached up with his hands and cupped my cheeks while looking into my eyes, "Avery, I can see what you're talking about. The way you put others under your command, exposing Leonard's lies, the way you talk to him, and always take the front. Leonard may not realize it, but he's already asking you what the next step is, he's not taking command any longer."

"Your point?" I asked.

"The only thing stronger than your charisma, is your unquestioning obedience to what you consider logical and reasonable. To weigh the pros and cons of every situation. I'm not saying that you always do the right thing, because you don't, but you're willing to listen to others and adapt. If Leonard fails in that task, then he should be corrected, and the role of leader in the guild will become clear."

"And what if I turn out to be the bad guy?" I asked.

Talwin's sly smile returned, "Then you'll have to get past me first, and you know how that usually goes, right?"

I reached out and wrapped my arms around his back, and pulled him closer, "Aye, I know."

"See," Talwin whispered and buried his snout against my mane.

"I'm surprised about something though," I said.

"Hmm?" Talwin murmured.

"What Clyde did, his crime. You haven't said a thing about it, why not?" I asked.

"People do what they have to do in order to survive. While such things are difficult to forgive, shouldn't they be given a chance at redemption?"

"I see, it's like that," I said.

"Did you notice something else?" Talwin eased back and whispered.

"Notice what?" I asked.

Talwin's sly grin returned, "You can be a bit clueless at times, Avery."

I raised my brow, "Notice what?"

"Clyde has quite a crush on you, and you never noticed? Did you?" Talwin answered with a deep sigh.

I blinked and leaned back, "A crush? You mean... No, that's not possible."

Talwin raised his brow in return, "You don't remember the way he almost blurted out how he felt about you? The way that other wulfkin replaced you in a sense. The intimate moments they shared, secrets that must never be shared."

"He said precious, not intimate," I said.

Talwin smirked, "You've told me how you charmed girls at Everwinter, practicing your rituals. Did he do the same?"

"... At times," I whispered.

"And? How did it go?" Talwin with a curious glint.

"Clyde and I didn't share our experiences like that."

"You're avoiding the question, and isn't that curious in itself? Surely the boys that longed to become mighty wulfkins shared such stories?"

"Yes... They did," I answered and rolled my eyes.

"So why didn't the two of you?" Talwin asked.

I gulped, "Because... he always changed the subject, and didn't seem to like it."

"I wonder why," Talwin mused.

I sighed, "There could be a hundred explanations that doesn't involve him having a crush on me."

Talwin bumped his nose against mine and whispered, "Maybe. But now you know, so don't give him any ideas. Okay?"

I nodded, "I won't."

788 I.C, March 5, The Pierced Veil, Midday

I hurried down the corridor, turned the corner, and caught Leonard moments before entering his room, "Leonard, a moment!"

Leonard looked toward me surprise when I marched up, "Yes?"

I stopped, pulled a deep breath and made my best attempt at a gentle smile, "I couldn't help but notice that you stare at Clyde whenever you see him. I'm curious to hear your thoughts?"

"About what I see, or what I think about the sudden newcomer you've added to the guild?" Leonard asked.

Ah... I see... You're not happy about that... That's reasonable I guess...

I inched closer, "Both. You're my friend, Leonard, and our cooperation is the key to making all of this work."

Leonard held the door to his room open and motioned toward the inside, "Join me?"

I nodded, stepped inside, and Leonard followed before closing the door, "At times I feel as if I'm being left out of the loop."

"It's not intentional," I said while Leonard walked over to his desk and settled in his chair.

"I realize that, and we're all quite busy, but sometimes I find myself wondering when it became our job to save the world," Leonard said.

I walked up to the desk and leaned onto it, "It's not. We're just making sure that we're still alive when all hell breaks loose."

Leonard lowered his gaze and stared at the armrest of his chair, "That's not really the truth, is it?"

"Meaning?" I asked.

Leonard looked up, "If that was your only goal, then you'd be busy booking a trip to another continent."

"Is that still possible?" I asked.

Leonard smiled to himself and slowly shook his head, "The few ships capable of making the trip are tied up in the castle harbor. Like the rats they are, the Dracwyn council arranged for their own escape while not giving a shit about the rest of us."

I angled my head and chuckled, "Your nation doesn't seem that innocent any longer."

Leonard tapped his armrest, "True. Maybe we were never innocent to begin with."

"So what was your point? You don't like the thought of us saving the world?"

Leonard pulled a deep breath and then focused on me, "Listen... You've already done a lot to help us all, and if not for the spells that you gave to the army, then Dracwyn might have been under a siege as we speak. We bought ourselves time, but that's just it. We bought ourselves time, nothing more. What do we do? Do we walk up to Dracwyn council and come clean? Do we keep doing what we're doing, keeping our heads above water, trying to figure things out while giving what assistance we can?"

"Even if we walked up to the council and came clean, I wouldn't be in a position to aid them, not yet at least," I answered.

Leonard nodded, "Fine, we wait then."

"And regarding my question?" I asked.

Leonard crossed his arms, "You did something to Clyde, I can see that much."

"Of course I did, I gave new purpose to a whimpering whelp."

"I mean... When I saw him a few days ago he was a fractured mind ready to sink into the depths of insanity. Now he's a steady and determined flame."

"That's good, isn't it?" I asked.

"It is, but such things just don't happen. Did you do something with him, I mean... something magical?"

I raised my brow, "You're asking if I found a way to enslave his mind? No, I did not. Nor do I know how."

Leonard eyed me with caution, "The Master knows how to do that, it's how he's taking control of the populace to create his new army."

I frowned and leaned onto the table, "I am not the Master, nor would I approve of using such magic, even if I knew how to."

"Then how come Clyde turned around so quickly?" Leonard asked.

I closed my eyes and sighed, "He's my childhood friend, more than that... He was like another brother to me, a member of my pack to be. Clyde is lost and I provided a foundation, he latched onto that."

"I heard it before, he called you alpha," Leonard said and leaned back in his chair.

"Don't worry Leonard, I won't force you to address me like that, just yet," I said with a smirk.

Leonard remained stoic for a few moments, but then followed up with a coy smile, "In your dreams."

I raised one hand and gestured toward him, "Clyde has potential, give him some patience and a chance?"

"I will, because I know you're the one holding his leash," Leonard answered.

I nodded, "Good. That being said, I had another question."

"Go on?"

"I told the others about your past and things have gone well since then, but..."

"But?" Leonard asked.

"I do not believe I did the wrong thing by going behind your back, but that doesn't excuse the reality of how underhanded it was. Are we... good?"

Leonard observed me for a few moments, and then made a slow nod, "As you say, it was the right thing to do. But I was angry at you for a while, and part of me still resents you for it. If you had given me time, then I might have come to the same conclusion, and I could have revealed it to them on my own terms."

"There was no time, Cromwell and his goons could have come at any time," I said.

Leonard drew a deep breath, "I know that, but neither did you know for certain."

"... True," I whispered.

Leonard rose from his chair, walked around the table, and faced me, "Still..."

"Hmm?" I murmured in wonder.

Leonard lowered his voice and averted his gaze despite standing close to me, "Things turned out fine. Archer and Casey forgave me, and I'm free of something that has bothered me for many years. I can sleep at night now, not fearing what would happen if the others found out."

I raised my hand, and put my hand on his head. His ears rose out of surprise and he glanced up at me.

"Why are you acting all awkward for, Leonard?" I asked.

Leonard reached up and eased my hand off his head, "I'm not, I'm thanking you."

I crouched a little, reached out to wrap my arms around his chest, and whispered, "I prefer this way."

Leonard's eyes widened in surprise when I lifted him off the floor and pulled him into my embrace.

"Avery!" Leonard yelled.

With his feet dangling and our chests pressed together, I mused, "What? Little guy?"

"I am not little! You're the one who turned into a giant oaf!" Leonard snapped.

I flashed him a wolfish grin and squeezed him a little, "All the better to hug you, right?"

Leonard stopped squirming for a moment, sighed, and leaned into my embrace with his muzzle resting against my back, "... True."

788 I.C, March 5, The Pierced Veil: Tower, Evening

My ears perked to the sound of heated voices, and the sound of distant growls. I put the flask down, froze my active spells, and walked over to the stairs before looking down in wonder.

"I don't need your fucking help, coyote!" Clyde snapped.

"I just said-" Talwin managed to say before being interrupted.

"I heard you the first time! Now get out of my way before I make you!" Clyde ordered.

This is going to be harder than I thought...

I descended the stairs, and looked into the hallway. Talwin's back faced me and Clyde was mere inches from Talwin's face. Clyde's hackles bristled in anger when he seemed to notice my presence. In an instant his ears folded back while he inched away from Talwin.

"What's going on here?" I asked and entered the hallway.

Talwin glanced back, and locked eyes with me, "Just talking a little."

Clyde glanced at Talwin for a moment, and then focused on me, "Yeah, just talking."

"About?" I asked.

The two glanced at each other, "Nothing."

Should I let them settle their differences on their own... Or intervene... If Clyde overreacts then...

"You certainly seem aggravated over 'nothing'," I said.

Talwin drew a deep breath, "I was giving Clyde some advice on-"

Clyde snapped to attention in an instant and pointed a black claw at Talwin, "Advice!? You keep bossing me around like a damn pup and I'm growing damn tired of it!"

Talwin glanced back with a glare, "I'm telling you, I'm just trying to-"

"Help!? Well shove your fucking-" Clyde screamed before Talwin interrupted him

"There are rules, you can't just do whatever you want like a damn mongrel!"

Clyde's tail grew stiff like a pole while he glared daggers at Talwin, "A mongrel!?"

" ENOUGH!" I snapped with enough force to make the aether ripple with a burst of energy.

The two made a sudden shudder and focused on me in shock.

I then raised my hand and pointed a claw at them one by one, "Whelps, both of you! Either learn how to discuss things like adults, or I'll teach both of you a lesson. Understand?"

Once more the two glanced at each other, and then made slow nods, "Yes."

I observed the two as an idea began to grow in my mind, "Clyde, how strong are you?"

Clyde's ears perked in surprise, "What?"

"You can stand up without a problem, can you handle a fight with sticks?" I asked.

"With sticks... Avery, I'm a master swordsman," Clyde retorted.

I glanced at him, "You were anything but a 'master' of swordsmanship the last time we fought."

Clyde retorted, "I was fighting you! I couldn't... Didn't want to fight you..."

I walked closer, raised my hand, and jabbed him in the chest, "Fine, 'master' swordsman. You'll train Talwin to spar, just like we were taught in Everwinter, understand?"

Clyde blinked in confusion, "But..."

"Are you refusing?" I asked and inched closer to his face.

Clyde gulped and straightened himself, "Of course not."

I looked over at Talwin who stared at me with both shock and wonder, "... Avery?"

"Talwin," I said and stepped closer to him.

"... Yes?" Talwin whispered.

"It's obvious that the two of you don't understand each other, this will help you understand, but it'll be tough. Bear with it?" I asked.

"Alright?" Talwin whispered.

Clyde focused on Talwin while a devious grin started growing on his muzzle, "I'll teach the coyote, if he can take it."

I moved between them and caught Clyde's gaze, "Clyde."

Clyde leaned back a little while his expression faltered a little, "Yes?"

"In all matters not having to do with your sparring lessons, Talwin ranks above you. Obey him."

Clyde's eyes widened while his ears folded back, "But..."

I inched closer and gritted my teeth, "How does one address your superiors?"

"... Yes, alpha," Clyde whispered.

"And?" I said.

Clyde's focus darted between my eyes for a few moments, "... Oh, bu-" A few moments later Clyde sighed, gritted his teeth, and whispered, "Are you serious... You want me to... He's not even-"

"He's your packmate, and superior: Prove yourself, Clyde," I said.

Clyde drew a deep breath, and moved to the side, "I will... Follow your orders, coy-"

I coughed and gave Clyde a quick glare.

Clyde corrected himself, "I'll follow your orders... Talwin."

I stepped back and let my gaze drift over the two, "Do I need to tell you idiots that if one side abuses the other, then you'll just set yourself up for trouble?"

Clyde and Talwin glanced at each other, "... We get it."

I raised my hand and pointed at the clock in the hallway, "Archer shouldn't be in the training hall at this hour, so get busy."

Both of them raised their hands and spoke at the same time, "I wanted to-"

I raised my hand to stop, "Shut up, and get going, or I'll nail you both to the fucking ceiling in a position that will leave you both sniffing each others asses. Understand?"

Both of them glanced at each other, promptly shut up, turned around, and started walking.

788 I.C, March 5, The Pierced Veil, Night

Slow steps, followed by the occasional groan, made me look toward the stairs. Within moments Talwin stepped into the tower, and stopped to rest against the wall.

Oh... This may have gone overboard...

Talwin's shirt had ripped along his chest and exposed unruly fur mixed with torn tufts. The fabric along his right arm had been ripped clean off, and he held his arm close to his chest. One ear hanged low while his nose had a hint of crusted blood. His pants hadn't fared well either, and were marked by cuts that made it look like the clothes of a vagabond.

I approached in haste, joined his side, and bit my lip, "He overdid it, didn't he?"

Talwin moved his jaw, licked his lips, and swallowed something with a frown, "He taught me, like they do at Everwinter."

Training hurt... It always did... But...

I reached out and gently touched his shoulder, "Are you alright?"

Talwin shook his head, "Help me get out of this, please?"

I eased my hand around his chest, and slowly led him toward the bed. Once we were close I helped him sit down, while I crouched beside the bed.

"Don't want to talk about it?" I asked.

Talwin lifted his head and looked at me, "You were there, I sensed you in the aether. You were keeping an eye on Clyde in case he went out of line."

"Barely, I only watched the aether to make sure you weren't killing each other. My presence would have made him clam up, but if I had known he was this rough, then-"

Talwin interrupted me, "No, you shouldn't have intervened. This was between him and me."

"You sure?" I asked while I reached for his pants.

"You want Clyde to become part of the guild, and I want to learn more about you. This is a good approach, even if it hurts," Talwin answered.

I unbuttoned his pants and began to ease them down, "I remember my first lessons well. I was faced with an opponent that was so good I could barely defend myself, let alone fight back. It was unfair, and I was quite vocal about it. But that was part of the lesson."

Talwin nodded, "He just kept going, I asked him to stop but he just kept hitting and hurled me across the room."

"Did you learn the lesson?" I asked while looking up.

"Fighting is unfair, and your enemy won't stop just because you ask him. You hold onto the stick, no matter what you do, because without it the strikes will hurt even more."

I grinned to myself and slipped the pants off his paws, "You let go of the stick?"

Talwin sighed, "I was tired and hurting, and I thought he'd stop fighting if I dropped my weapon."

"You quickly learned the answer to that?" I mused.

"He kept beating me until I was on the ground. Then he tried to cut me a deal. We would call it a day and I only had to admit he was above me in the pack."

"And you did what?"

"I refused, so he started beating me again. I became furious and rushed to pick up the stick. I guess he just expected me to defend myself, but there was something inside me that snapped. I took a hit straight in my arm, but that opened him up for a strike of my own. It hit him straight in the chest with enough force to make him stumble, and for a moment he just stood there, clutching his side. Staring as if he had never seen me before."

"Oh?" I asked and eased his shirt back.

"Then he went back to his old self, and came at me with a grin. But I realized something at that point."

"Clyde wasn't trying to kill me, but he wasn't holding back either. So why should I?" I asked.

I nodded and Talwin eased an arm out of the shirt, "And?"

"I used the aether. I didn't strike at him directly, but I let the threads strengthen me. They weaved around the stick, down my arm, along my chest, and created a foundation on the ground. When he struck at me he hit a stick held in place not just by me, but the aether."

"It's roughly the same technique I use in my aetheric armor," I mused while using the aether to fetch a small bowl with water.

Talwin nodded, "Suddenly the tables turned. Despite being physically weaker I could properly resist his attacks, and tire him at the same time. He figured it out eventually, and a strange look came over him."

"Yes?" I asked.

"From sneering at me, to trying to cut a deal, we were on equal terms. I was a threat, a person, someone who fought back. I guess that's rather shocking to a wulfkin?"

"His compassion kept him from becoming a monster, but there's still a lifetime of indoctrination for him to struggle with. Things change when you realize that there's a whole world out there, with people that in many ways are the same as you," I said and dabbed a towel in the bowl.

Talwin bared his teeth for a moment and chuckled, "He started fighting harder, but he's still weak and started tiring. Then he started to slip up, and I got my first good hits."

I dabbed his nose and gently wiped the blood, "Oh?"

"He used my own tactics against me. I hit him hard, he weathered the pain, and then he lunged at me to get close. That's how he tore my shirt apart."

I pulled a few tufts of fur from his chest, "I can see the result."

Talwin grinned, "It reminded me of us fighting in the field back at the farm, only less romantic."

"That's romantic?" I asked in wonder.

"Rolling around in the tall grass, feeling your weight against me, seeing the moon looming above. You weren't as cute as you are now, but for a human you were alright."

I pulled the blanket back and eased Talwin down onto the bed, "Uh huh, so how does your adventure with Clyde end?"

Talwin lay back and closed his eyes, "In the end he was stronger and we were both exhausted. He pinned me to the ground, and asked me to yield."

"You should be happy about that, it's something only wulfkins would ask each other, it's a sign of respect" I said and motioned to the magic lights as I turned them off.

"I think I figured out what I was doing wrong earlier," Talwin whispered.

"Meaning?" I asked and lay down beside him.

"He asked me to yield, but at first I didn't answer because I don't want to appear weak to you."

"To me?" I asked.

Talwin opened his eyes, focused on me, and raised his brow, "I have pride you know, and I want to be strong as well, for you... for us."

I smiled and held his hands, "That's sweet."

"That's when I understood how I must have appeared to him. I was offering advice, and trying to be kind, but to him the act of accepting my help would have been the same as admitting he was weak. Something he couldn't stand to do in front of you, especially not with the kind of hierarchy you wulfkins have."

"A lot of this seems to revolve around me," I said.

Talwin nodded, "That's because it does. You're the only foundation he has, and he's doing the only thing that makes sense to him."

"And how are you going to treat him tomorrow?" I asked.

Talwin gritted his teeth for a moment and glanced to the side with a devilish grin, "Oh, I won't go easy on him. But I'll work beside him on equal terms, and then in the evening... We'll cook dinner."

I smiled to myself in wonder, "Dinner?"

Talwin glanced at me, "I'll make something so good he won't have a choice but to yield."

I pulled the blanket over us and inched closer, "Looking forward to it."