The room behind the door held various different computers, monitors, tables, and other assorted furniture strewn around the interior of it. Sitting in a chair amongst the mismatch of computers and monitors was a being that seemed more dead than alive. Erik recognized the creature as a seer, a non-human that possessed the ability to use a neural connection, a sort of mind control, to control animals, and have them do its bidding. This one, though, seemed to have modernized, using technology to achieve what animals couldn’t do in this concrete jungle. “Margrave I assume?” He asked Sassy. Margrave turned to address the voice that spoke. “You would be correct Erik Ulfvaldr, úlfablóe. I am Margrave. You have also correctly assumed that I am a seer, although my creatures are these computers, gathering information for me.” Margrave stood, with physical ability that didn’t seem possible for the death-like way his body looked. “It is a pleasure to meet you Wolf-Leader. I am happy to see that Sassy has returned to us unharmed, thanks to you I’m sure.” Sassy scoffed as Erik took the offered hand, shaking Margrave’s hand. “Almost killed me on that damned bike is what he did.” Sassy muttered under her breath. Margrave chuckled at that, and addressed Erik. “I’m sure Sassy has informed you of why we sought you out.” Erik nodded. “For the most part. I’m still not convinced as to why I need your help for anything. I can certainly handle myself.” Margrave had to laugh at the audacity of the man standing before him. “I’m sure you certainly can. Think of this as a partnership of convenience rather than you needing us. We may be a small group, but we have access to things that might be slightly out of your reach as an individual.” Erik processed this information before speaking, his interest piqued. “Items such as….?” He trailed off in question. “Items that would enhance your already considerable skills. Weapons, technology, the works. Think of us as your support party. We will not interfere with how you decide to handle those who attacked you. All we shall do is provide intel, supplies, and anything else you will need in your quest to rid the city of those who are a danger to our kind.” Margrave opened his hands in a gesture of what Erik perceived as welcome. “Our entire organization is available to you for whatever you shall need. Sassy will be your contact in our group, and, if you are open to it, will join you on your endeavor.” Margrave finished, staring at the pair with his blank, white eyes. Sassy began sputtering from behind Erik. “Now wait a second, what do you mean join him? I was only supposed to retrieve him, I don’t know if I want to go anywhere with this maniac.” Erik shifted his eyes to Sassy, causing her to turn shades of red again, as she looked down from his gaze. “I got you back to your people without being injured, didn’t I? Besides, I may have use of your magical aptitude. I never did pick up any magical ability in my years of travel.” Erik said to her. “Got me back without being injured? You almost gave me a heart attack weaving through all that traffic on that death machine of yours.” Sassy shot back at him. “Yes, well, I do apologize for scaring you. I was doing my best to make sure we weren’t being followed. I didn’t mean to scare you half to death.” Erik said sincerely, stunning Sassy. She turned a deeper shade of red, and when she spoke, it came out as just barely above a whisper. “Yes, well, you should apologize.” She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “If you promise to not do it anymore, then I will consider assisting you.” She said with a bit more conviction. Erik stared at her for a long moment before replying. “Fine, I can make that promise. We probably should not use my bike anymore anyway. It does sort of stick out, even in this city.” Margrave interrupted at this moment. “We can provide accommodations for yourself and anything you need to keep. We have an area that is apart from the rest of our little group here ready for you. Your residence is being watched closely. It may be better for you to stay here for the time being, so as to not cause unnecessary risk to your belongings, and the other residents of the complex you reside in.” Erik nodded in agreement. “Of course. They have no reason to be dragged into this conflict without cause. I will stay here until we can resolve this issue.” Margrave seemed to be excited by his response. “Excellent, Sassy can show you where we have made arraignments for you. Sassy, if you would please show Mr. Ulfvaldr to the room we prepared for him.” Sassy made a face in disgust, but nodded her head. “Sure Pops, I can do that. If you’d follow me in this direction, I’ll show you around a bit as well.” Erik followed Sassy in the direction she had indicated.


    “Through here is what we call the common area. It holds our kitchen, entertainment for the younger ones that have been forced into residence here, a sleeping area for the majority of our people here, as well as a meeting location for any discussion between anyone who wishes to be involved.” Sassy spoke as she indicated another set of double doors, similar to those that would lead to a school gymnasium. “Off to the left of the common room is the section of rooms we have for the families that are still together.” Sassy said with a tinge of sadness in her words. “Not all of them have made it. Some of the children we have here have no one but us.” Sassy turned to indicate another room close to the common room. “That is our mismatch of an armory we have. I’m sure Margrave will give you free reign over whatever you need there.” Sassy said to Erik. “I have very little use for the weapons of war that humans use.” Erik snorted his reply. “Nonetheless, you have the option.” Sassy replied with an eye-roll that Erik couldn’t see. “And down at the far end of this hall will be your room. Margrave insisted that you be provided your own private quarters, although for what reason I have no clue.” Sassy said, a slight bit of anger behind her words. Erik looked at her, his red eyes almost staring into her soul. “You don’t think that I deserve my privacy?” Sassy raised an eye at him. “We are basically one big family here. Every single creature here has been subjected to one horror or another at the hands of those monsters. We all rely on each other, and every one of us has laid our lives on the line for each other. It seems like Margrave believes that you are some sort of savior to deliver us from this hell that has become our city. A lot of us have been fighting this battle for years, and we’re supposed to just blindly put our faith behind someone we know nothing about? I personally just find it hard to believe you are what Margrave says you are.” With that, Sassy turned and stalked off toward the common area, leaving Erik alone. ‘Well, I’ll give her this; she definitely has more backbone than I first gave her credit for.’ Erik thought out loud. ‘Yes, she does have fire. It’s easy to see why she was trusted to retrieve you.’ Alastair commented. Erik grunted in reply, and turned to enter the room that had been set aside for him.


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    After about an hour, Sassy returned to notify Erik that Margrave would like to speak to him. She entered his room without knocking, and began speaking. “Margrave would like…..” She suddenly trailed off when she realized she was staring at Erik’s shirtless back. She noticed a strange looking symbol seemingly branded into his skin before he turned to look at her. “I see among the other traits you possess, not respecting privacy is one of them.” Erik said as he toweled off his still wet hair. Sassy turned multiple shades of red before averting her eyes from his naked upper body. “S-sorry I-I was sent to let you know that Margrave would like to speak to you when you have a moment.” She stuttered out, clearly embarrassed at the situation. “He wants to introduce you to some of the other creatures who provide assistance here.” Sassy continued to look everywhere but Erik’s face as she spoke. Erik walked across the room, grabbing his shirt off the bed and slipping it on. “I’m ready whenever he is.” “Well everyone is waiting in the common room for us.” Sassy stepped back out of the room, her face still slightly red from embarrassment. Erik walked out of the room, closing his door behind him. Sassy glanced at Erik as they walked. “Um, if you don’t mind my asking…..” Sassy started. “You saw the mark on my shoulder?” Erik cut her off, knowing that she had spotted it when she barged into his room. Her face turned red again and she refused to make eye contact with him. “Um, yes, I did catch a glimpse of it. What is it?” She asked. “That is a story for a different time. It''s something that I don’t like to speak of.” Erik said, with a hint of rage and sadness in his words. Sassy was a little surprised at the tone in his voice. She kept silent, letting the question in her mind die. They walked in silence until they reached the doors for the common room. Sassy stepped in, Erik right behind her, and they made their way to the group of creatures standing near the front of the room. Margrave spotted the pair, and waved his hand toward them. “Folks, this is Erik Ulfvaldr. We are going to work together to try and bring an end to the threat that faces us all. Erik, I’d like to introduce you to a few of those that make up our little group. Firstly, this is Hovrud.” He waved his hand towards a small creature, a dwarf Erik told himself, covered in grease and wearing thick gloves. “Hovrud handles our armory. Anything you need, you can find there. I suggest you arm yourself with some sort of weapon. The men who attacked you may have only been armed with clubs, but that doesn’t mean all of our enemies will be.” “Aye, I can get ya set up with just about anything ya want. Just swing by whenever ya feel the need to and let me know what ya poison is.” Hovrud said, clearly excited at the prospect of putting his skills to work. Margrave pointed at another creature wearing an apron, with straw colored hair all about. “This is Lyndra. She runs our kitchen, as well as serves as sort of an unofficial den mother for all of us. She keeps you well fed, as well as taking care of any injuries you might accrue throughout the various conflicts you might find yourself in.” Lyndra wiped her hands on her apron before taking Erik’s offered hand. “Pleasure to meet you sir úlfablóe. Always nice to meet another wolf. We shall have to speak soon about our homeland.” Erik nodded. “The pleasure is all mine Lyndra.” Margrave pulled Erik’s attention back to him. “We won’t sit here and go through every single person here. You’ll meet most of them as you venture around our compound. Lyndra very nearly has dinner ready for everyone, so we shall speak more at length after we have all had a chance to eat.” Margrave walked off, as a slender creature ran up to Sassy, “Oh Sas, I’m so glad you made it back safely!” the stranger exclaimed. “Erik, this is Saphielle. We have been best friends for as long as either of us can remember, since we were both young.” Erik nodded at the elf. “Nice to meet you Saphielle. You seem to have a more pleasant disposition than your friend here.” Erik said, his eyes showing a slight glint of humor in them. Sassy huffed, while Saphielle giggled. “My disposition is only rotten because I have to deal with you.” Sassy spouted. Erik grinned slightly. “Well ladies, I think Lyndra is serving dinner to everyone. Go grab a bite.” Erik turned and walked off before Sassy could retort in any way. “Wow, he’s so……mysterious.” Saphielle said to Sassy. “He’s an ass is what he is. So full of himself, so insufferable so..so….what are you laughing about?” Sassy growled at Saphielle as the elf started laughing. “Oh, nothing. Absolutely nothing at all.” Saphielle replied. “Whatever you say weirdo.” Sassy said before walking off.