《The Protector's Child》


 And it begins...

    The fire crackled. A pop echoed as the wood settled deeper into the glowing embers. The wind jostled free a dried and dying branch of the hasa plant. The long, orange, spidery frond drifted into the flame¡¯s grasp. Fibrous blades sizzled as the last of its moisture turned to gas, releasing a deep musky smell. Sino¡¯s grey-brown ears scanned the now restless forest around him. The cautious creatures stirred, seeking shelter. It made the wood eerily quiet with interruptions of quick shuffles and scurries.


    Sino stood; his muscles coiled ready. His hackles raised on edge as he surveyed the area for threats. He stewed as his contempt brewed. Xeri and Mala were late, again hence the fire. He didn¡¯t like the attention the smoke drew. If asked, Sino would have taken yet another shift. Where others last no more than half a moon cycle, he could stay here indefinitely. The quiet soothed his restless thoughts.


    He understood why everyone else hated this duty station positioned at the furthest point from the pack, just by the western border. Elders taught pups about lone wolves this far away go crazy without an active pack-link or at least another wolf to stimulate one¡¯s mind. Sino heard stories of pack members going rogue, never to be heard again.


    Not Sino, the only wolf he knew who preferred the silence. He didn¡¯t just favor alone; he felt confident about it. When solitary, he could determine his opinion on matters without the murmuring jumble from each pack member opining on his every action and thought. It¡¯s not like he was truly part of this pack anyways. Sino worked hard to erase his background as a stray, but it persisted, known to all in the mindlink. Each time he reconnected, Sino felt its presence if he tried to befriend others. Wolves see him as a fluke- an abomination. He took these duties to prove his worth to the pack¡¯s counsel. He bided his time, only staying this side of sane to ensure he would get his revenge.


    For any other duty exchange and as a courtesy, the pack sent ahead a scout with an information-filled mindlink. Sino would have the exact moment and location of the pending duty swap to ensure off-going patrollers wouldn¡¯t have to babysit the signal fire. As the fire embers shifted again, Sino held back a growl as he rescanned the forest. No scout.


    Sino despised standing exposed in the light of the fire¡¯s edge, instead preferred the shadow¡¯s safety. He noticed today¡¯s inclination to keep the fire to his back to prevent the light from skewing his vision. Meaning he failed to scrutinize a portion of the sector¡¯s grid as often as the rest increasing the likelihood anyone could approach from that section to catch him unawares. He would give the incoming duty sentries until the embers cooled. If they didn¡¯t show up, Sino would start his new patrol there.


    Like a flash flood, a new sickly-sweet scent traveled on the wind stealing his attention. He crouched into the shadow of the nearest bush to try to minimize his vulnerable presence in the fire¡¯s light while scanning the forest for the source. Another wave of the cloying aroma tumbled in the breeze sticking to the vegetation as if the wind itself warned him something approached.


    The ancient creature awoke, known to Sino as his inner beast. It rumbled a growl to bring attention to its existence. Sino felt the monster¡¯s stomping pace down his spine. Sino¡¯s senses heightened. His sight flicked with pinpoint accuracy to identify any movement. His nose traced the scent¡¯s path.


    The forest fell silent. Not the uneasy silence of earlier, but frozen still of all sound. Sino adjusted his weight, hearing the change on the leaves. His soft breath, seemingly loud, front, and center, became a background rumble of thunder to his enhanced ears. Mentally he eliminated and scrubbed all audio leaving his attention focused on the one sound not from him that remained.


    Sino heard a soft moaning cackle drifted in with the warmer wind. A puff of grey-blue smoke snaked from the north edge of the trees slithering caresses on the vegetation as it passed. Sino watched grey lines merge into one as it circled the fire. Its greyness deepened and sparkled with the embers'' pops and snaps before slicing a new path towards Sino¡¯s position. The vapor¡¯s sudden weight felt like slender fingers brushed through his thick neck fur. He let out a deep chesty warning stutter-growl from the unwanted touch.


    The grey line retracted away to settle on a large rock a few running leaps distance away. A shimmering burst of silvery grey magick pulsed through the smoke¡¯s trail, also landing on the rock. A pale purple-skinned female sat perfectly straight, holding something soft and beige in her arms.


    Her odd beauty stumped Sino. Since being a pup, he saw many a bald fae in his many moons. However, her striking deep blue-green eyes contrasted the blushing pastel purple cheeks and deep violet voluptuous lips quivering as if ready for a kiss. Its ugly beautiful juxtaposition stirred his beast.


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    Lust. She oozed it, but there was also something else¡­ a new underlying scent- something he couldn¡¯t place. Sino shook his head as if it would clear his thoughts and growled again. His wolf instincts needed to assess all the possible threats. His mind should be quick and agile to deal with her, but he felt mushy. He pinned his ears back flat against his head. His hackles raised. He puffed out his chest, making his wolf look as big as he could. Sino blew the scent from his nose and shook his fur. The smoke cleared. The woman didn¡¯t look at him; instead, her attention stayed with the object in her arms. Sino scared everyone. Her nonchalance disturbed him. It was as if she didn¡¯t feel he was a threat. Him¡­ the wolf currently growling at her.


    After his growl lingered in the air, she looked up. Her eyes shifted with swirls of greenish-blue magick, meeting Sino¡¯s narrowed golden-amber eyes. When she spoke, her oddly mesmerizing two-tone voice unsettled in his ears. ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist. I do love wolves. Strong. Aggressive. Powerful. Intelligent. Possessive. Virile.¡± Her voice sounded youthful and seductive whilst simultaneously ancient and knowing. She cooed at the soft material in her arms. Keeping her voice childish, she continued. ¡°Sometimes I wish I was a young she-wolf.¡± She sighed.


    Sino growled in response, shifting his position to move from the opposite side of the fire, but staying far enough from her where he felt if he needed to run, he could. His eyes stayed connected with her green round orbs as they sparkled and spun. It made him dizzy, but he widened his stance, grounding the dirt to keep his position.


    ¡°Not to mention: Impatient. But you are a protector, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her voice stayed scant above a whisper.


    His beast growled again. He took a step forward, a move meant to unconsciously drive her to move away from a perceived threat- him. Sino intended to flush her out of the pack¡¯s boundary, but then his eyes flicked toward her arms.


    ¡°You want to know what I have here, or do you want to attack me?¡± She cocked her head. ¡°Choose quickly.¡±


    Sino narrowed his eyes. He should flush the stranger outside their boundary if he determined she wasn¡¯t a danger. However, if she was a threat, he should kill her or capture her and bring her to the council. His beast instincts sniffed at her again. She didn¡¯t smell like a witch, druid, or vamp.


    And what was¡­? Sweet? Citrus? His focus shifted to the lump of blanket. The woman bent in a slow, languid motion placing the bundle on the dying grass near the fire without a sound. The material moved; tiny, chubby, pale purple fingers poked out. Against his instincts or maybe because of his instincts, Sino walked towards the hand. The smell grew more assertive.


    The woman chuckled. His inner wolf¡¯s attention snapped to her. She stood a few steps further away than just a breath ago, and he didn¡¯t hear or see it. His wolf positioned himself between the woman and the source of that smell. She snickered with a crooked violet smile, unfazed by his warnings.


    In a sign of disrespect, she turned her back on him, sauntering towards the boundary line. Conflicted, his wolf pushed him to move closer to the moving cloth, but he also wanted to pin her down for more information. She hopped over a fallen tree and was now halfway to the edge of the forest. He should follow her to make sure the woman left the territory, but he found his muscles frozen in a coiled half-cocked stance. The only action he muddled through ended up as a half- capable whine-growl. Pathetic.


    A muffled cry snapped his attention back to the pile. Sino¡¯s wolf sniffed at the fingers. Bursts of sweet and tangy citrus filled his nose. He blew out the scent to clear his senses, receiving a squeal in return. He nudged the fabric open to reveal a tiny infant with magenta-violet eyes and black-purple hair. Pale pink lips smiled back at him as their hands tried to grab his snout. His wolf had no need of it but cleared his nose again, which received another squeal and wider open mouth smile from the child.


    Pure joy filtered through the wind as if to break a silent spell, the forest noises tumbled to life. The sing-song calls of feathered beasts no bigger than a small leaf started the morning call for their mates. Prey scampered about from bush to bush without care. Sino shook his head to focus and scanned the forest line. He needed to watch for danger. The fire embers told him they didn¡¯t have many moments until Sino would need to find shelter.


    Who- what was that woman?


    Who leaves an infant with a wolf¡­ in the forest?


    What is that smell?


    His mind jumbled up various questions and scenarios as he scrutinized every bobbing branch and shifting bush until the embers barely emitted any heat. He curled around the blanket to keep the babe warm, all while keeping his head up, watching for his duty replacements. A calmness engulfed him. Then soft magickal emotions swirled around them like dancing leaves. He didn¡¯t see it. He felt it like a breeze on his fur. Dutiful Sino would not get distracted from his sentry as his thoughts skipped randomly like a smooth rock over a still lake.


    Does happiness have a color?


    Can one strike fear with laughter?


    What tastes like lust?


    Can one hear sadness without sound?


    Home smells of hasa plant.


    The wind snuffed out the last of the embers as Sino¡¯s trance deepened. These were not his thoughts. He would not notice the scent of two wolves approaching. His mind blocked the incoming mindlink they pushed out frantically like an emergency beacon. Instead, Sino¡¯s amber-gold eyes sparkled, watching little magenta sprites of emotions turn to magickal leaves swirling in the wind above the two of them.

 Approach with Caution

    Everyone knows not to sneak up on any Fae.  Doing so, especially a lone sentry not in contact with other wolves for numerous cycles, is like slicing your wrist and waving it in front of a vampire.  Not smart.


    Therefore, the approaching wolves were understandably hesitant to appear at the edge of the forest without first attempting to contact Sino. The scout reported earlier the lone wolf sentry wasn¡¯t answering the mindlink pings or pushes, which worried the pack.  Being the better fighter, Mala, a lithe light brown wolf, took the lead position.  Her best friend, Guiller, a dark brown wolf, stayed back to assess the danger.  Though he could fight as any pack member could, his job was to report any issues to the scout, who waited midway between the signal fire location and the pack.


    Mala kept the link open as they approached, scrying for any familiar connection from their packmate, only getting a rise of dread in return. The air weighed on Mala¡¯s fur while also somehow feeling like all her fur was trying to stand on edge.  It was as if the air would snap against her skin if even a branch brushed against her. Mala glanced toward Guiller, who followed a few steps behind her. Guiller gave a return nod. Mala took a deep breath scanning the signal fire¡¯s immediate area for danger.  Nothing seemed amiss.


    ¡°Do you smell that?¡± Guiler asked. He made an exaggerated sniffing noise. Mala looked back at him, eyebrow cocked.  She sniffed the air but didn¡¯t notice anything. He shrugged.


    Guiller, a scenter, immediately picked out any scents in the immediate area.  A hasa plant has a very earthy and pungent smell when first plucked. Once dried, the scent calms.  A telas tree bloomed nearby under the canopy of elder ancient tree beasts. Its scent reminded Guiller of a perfumy flower and has been used in teas to help one relax after a long day.


    Mala noted the signal fire¡¯s embers were long cooled- not even smoke pretending it might light again.  A scoff slipped out when Mala saw Sino. The oversized dark wolf form lazed in a curl near the fireless pit. His ears relaxed as well as cocked half up; his tail swept the dirt side to side. His chest took deep breaths before a paw moved slightly, almost as if he were in the midst of a puppy dream.


    Sino¡¯s head didn¡¯t raise when the light brown wolf stepped from the shadows, an odd response for a veteran sentry. As Mala walked closer, she took in the details of the massive werewolf. His grey-brown coat appeared darker at his paws, more brown than grey, whereas his thick fur turned more grey than brown towards his spine. It gave him the appearance almost like he had armor protecting his back. Even with his eyes shut, he projected an aura of power.


    ¡°Should we wake him or let him stir on his own?¡± Mala¡¯s wondered via mindlink to any nearby wolves.


    Guiller responded candidly, ¡°Not on my list of things I want to accomplish if I want to have pups one day.¡± His dark wolf form slid out of the shadows, perhaps decided cowering in the bushes wouldn¡¯t look good if Sino did wake.


    Mala looked for signs of rogue behavior or some reason why the sentry wasn¡¯t communicating back to the pack.  Instead, she found a wolf snoozing on the far side of what used to be the signal fire.  Mala¡¯s thoughts weren¡¯t charitable.  It''s negligent, at the very least. He should be actively communicating through mindslink.  He should be ready and waiting for the rotation switch.  He should be at least scanning the forest for danger and not napping by the firepit like a lazy pup sun drunk from summer.


    ¡°Maybe he finally went crazy?¡± Guiller suggested interrupting Mala¡¯s thoughts. The breeze shifted.  A burst of citrus hit Mala like being pitched with potpourri.


    Mala cleared her nose in irritation. ¡°Don¡¯t say awful things like that.¡± She sent to Guiller immediately.


    Sino¡¯s voice roared into their mindslink. ¡°Go. Away.¡± His voice sliced into a mindlink connection with a deep and guttural hum.


    Mala¡¯s eyebrows raised at the sound.  Her step halted mid-stride.  His essence permeated a calm chaos in the small clearing at the edge of the pack¡¯s territory.  Doubts crept in of whether or not to move any closer.  Mala never felt intimidated being alone with anyone from their pack until she laid eyes on Sino.


    Even back at the training center for sentries, he towered over everything and everyone.  It wasn¡¯t just his massive size.  Sino moved quick and agile during drills, unlike other wolves his size. He should be slow but powerful.  He wasn¡¯t. Also, Sino never missed a day to train.  Pack warriors told stories of their adventures whenever multiple wolves shared a meal. Still, with Sino, they spoke of rarely and only in whispers.


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    Mala remembered only one story of a jealous wolf named Eki from one of the southern packs.  Eki¡¯s companion wouldn¡¯t stop talking about Sino.  How Sino was the perfect embodiment of the original wolf blessed by the Moon Goddess in every way.  How they desired him.  It drove Eki mad.  He traveled in wolf form for many moons, hardly stopping to rest.


    When Eki arrived, he didn¡¯t stop to eat or sleep.  Marching into the training center, he found Sino¡¯s beautiful form.  Sino didn¡¯t just fight using his bare hands or as a wolf, as most warriors did.  Sino used a long staff he would slice across the air.  Every move measured to maximize brutality.  Anyone nearby stopped to watch his display.  When Eki found words, he tried goading the enormous man into a fight.  It was said Sino liberated Eki¡¯s tired feet from the unforgiving ground before he finished his sentence.  The poor wolf couldn¡¯t move for a week, even with his healing magick and help from the healers.  No one saw when Eki sulked home.  But it is rumored Eki¡¯s companion heard about the fight and sent word Eki wouldn¡¯t be allowed home without a token of his love¡¯s strength.  Something everyone doubted Eki was capable of finding.


    Mala remembered seeing Sino only a few times and never spoke directly with him.  She never saw such a stunning display from another wolf.  The last time not many moments ago, Mala mustered up enough courage to say something, only to find the pavilion empty.  At the morning roster, she learned Sino volunteered for the north boundary edge duty rotation- alone.


    No one else volunteers to take a lone sentry position, and as far as she heard, the pack never agreed for any wolf to do so but Sino.  It was enough to make him the talk of the community for the first time in many moons.  Mala voiced her concerns to her friends if anyone brought him up.  It seemed irresponsible to allow any wolf to do the duty alone when another wolf could be assigned.  Nope.  No one would do it.


    Wolves were brave enough to face a gaggle of screeching banshees, but none had sufficient courage to volunteer for a duty rotation with Sino.  Not even Mala.  Whether to assuage their own guilt or hers, her friends pointed to the other murmurs about the Purge Atrocities.  How many wolves came to Faeland from the human¡¯s land broken?  Eventually, each found companionship.  Not Sino, not one rumor of any.  He seemed to be the only wolf choosing to remain companionless regardless of the considerable interest.


    ¡°LEAVE.¡±


    Mala and Guiller shifted their heads down and tucked their tails underneath, trying to make themselves as small and unthreatening as possible, an instinctual reaction to the command in his voice.


    ¡°Si¡­ Sino.¡± Mala tried. ¡°We are here to relieve you of duty so that you can go back to the pack.¡± Even as the words came out, she cringed.  It didn¡¯t matter that she was the best fighter in the pack. Nope. All that confidence disappeared, and she became a stuttering mess.


    Hearing his name, he lifted his head, sat up, and flicked his tail at the two young wolves. ¡°You are late...¡± Bright yellow eyes narrowed at them. He was like a statuette. His dark coat gave him an appearance of a wolf carved from rock, even with the light grey blaze down his forehead, a mark of his current pack.


    This time Guiller spoke, ¡°We apologize. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Sino¡¯s tail flicked again. ¡°Perhaps I should remain until someone responsible shows up.  Where is Xeri?¡±


    ¡°I took his shift.¡± Guiller started.


    ¡°Obviously,¡± Sino interjected. Another flick.


    ¡°He had permission from the council.¡± Guiller took another step forward but kept his head down.


    Sino sighed. He hopped over the coals. Then sat on the edge of the pit. ¡°News?¡± It was standard duty practice to allow a mind read of recent events for those who have spent time away from the main pack.  This allows easier integration back into the group once their duty is complete.


    Guiller pushed memories through the mindslink of all the main events since he took his duty. Mala shook her head at Guiller when he tried to keep one secret.  Sino growled at the young wolf for the attempt. The news bubbled to the front. Guiller flinched, leaving his neck exposed for punishment.


    The news: Six new wolves were taken in from Earth during the last Samian.  The Purge Atrocities were still occurring, and the council decided not to send anyone when the Bramian does occur.


    ¡°Pathetic.¡± Sino seethed.  Mala wasn¡¯t sure if it was in response to Guiller¡¯s actions or the council''s decision.


    ¡°Please, Sino. S¡­send us your update, we should get to cover.¡± Mala¡¯s voice cracked even in the mindslink. She cursed herself for showing weakness to anyone, but Sino¡¯s wolf¡¯s presence seemed to push on her fur.  Not even Guiller would pick on her for it, at least not until they were alone.


    Unlike the young wolves, Sino had better control of sending information.  He could filter what he wanted them to know.  The report seemed a very uneventful duty. He recommended a patrol of the North grid section first.  However, Mala got a nudge on the outside of her mindsgrasp as if something was missing towards the end.  Mala decided asking would probably set him off. She, too, wanted to make it back from this duty rotation without any new scars.


    After the report, Guiller offered a curt nod with the standard goodbye in a mumble, ¡°Blessed Be.¡±


    Mala was glad she wasn¡¯t the only one off-kilter by the beastly sentry.  When she did finally find her voice, though soft and unsure, she didn¡¯t mumble. ¡°Blessed Be, Sino.¡±  Mala flicked her amber eyes up to him, feeling proud she didn¡¯t stutter this time.


    ¡°Blessed Be,¡± Sino auto-responded.


    Mala felt Sino¡¯s eyes lingering on her even as she sought out her spot.  She noticed a tall curved Uli tree with white and blue scratched bark.  It curved in such a way she could watch just over the fire pit.  Something wasn¡¯t right, and it was her duty to find out.  Her paws made quick work of the tree.  From her viewpoint, she watched Sino walk over. He gathered something on the other side of the fire pit.  Whatever it was, it was covered in beige cloth.  Some wolves whittle while on duty or start other projects, so it isn¡¯t unique to see, but it is frowned upon.  The wolf should be patrolling, and Mala wanted to follow him further.  She needed more information, but Guiller shook his head slowly.

 Counsel me this

    East of the north boundary just outside Echka¡¯s new location, Sino knew he could find a small supply den.  Traveling Fae used it, which is why the pack¡¯s council stopped near it a few cycles ago.  While there, the wolves kept it well stocked with food, weapons, herbs for wounds and sickness, as well as plants to clean oneself when returning.  Inside the carved-out stone cave, the scouts found a small waterfall that was a huge benefit and frequently used by pack wolves upon return from a run or cycles of duty in Sino¡¯s case.


    As soon as Sino walked in, he felt the temperature difference. Warmer and humid. After assessing the interior and seeing it was empty, he placed the beige bundle near the fall but out of the way from getting wet.  Its contents were currently sleeping from the rocking of Sino¡¯s cadence.


    He took a deep breath to prepare himself.  He probably should have shifted while on duty, but he preferred his animal form when he didn¡¯t have other weapons. It kept forest creatures from wandering too close, and he was less vulnerable than when he was in his two-legged form.


    He tried not to scream as his bones popped out of their sockets.  His breath hitched as he concentrated on allowing his muscles to pull away from the bones.  In these moments, he cursed at the ripping pain washing over his entire being.  He knew it wouldn¡¯t feel like someone was deboning him if he shifted more often.  A small whimper couldn¡¯t be held in.  He took an extra moment to catch his breath before slowly standing.


    The light dimmed as he focused using his other sight.  The room felt colder on his bare skin.  He moved his muscles to stretch them into new positions. It took his mind an extra moment to remember which muscles were where.  Slowly he reached up as if he wanted to touch the sky.  Then he twisted and bent towards his feet, allowing the world''s weight to push him towards his legs. He breathed through the pose.  Feeling the energy of Fae Land centered him as the pain reduced to a dull throb.


    Sino scanned a pile of rocks that hid the salve he could rub on his skin to help with the adjustment. He felt it warm at his touch, and the muscles became less tense.  He rinsed in the waterfall, allowing the water to wash the sweat and blood of the shift from him.  He took long deep drinks from the pale orange liquid.  It tasted like fresh rain, like a blessing from the gods.


    As a sentry, one must be able to think quickly and uniquely.  Sino knew he didn¡¯t want to lose the use of his hands when he approached Echka. Earlier, as he approached the den, he spotted the hawal plant and knew he could weave the long thin orange branches and leaves into something to hold the small child and free up his arms.  The weaving didn¡¯t take long; he had a great teacher, after all.  However, it did take a few different tries to figure out how to secure it safely. In the end, he decided strapping it across his chest would give him the most movement.  It also meant that the child¡¯s pale purple face pressed against him.


    The moment their skin touched, he could feel a blast of numerous emotions emanating from the small bundle like a herd of tiny insects impeding his mind.  As a werewolf, he was used to sorting out unknown thoughts and feelings from the pack members; after the initial shock, he started the process of quickly categorizing it.  The babe¡¯s emotions were complex and powerful; he found it hard not to be overwhelmed.


    Impulsively, he uttered a sound which could be called a growl.  The rumble from his broad chest only served as entertainment to the infant; he received a small coo in response.  Happiness trickled in.  That was an easy one. After a moment of meditation, he was ready to open himself to the members of the traveling pack.


    He shook his head, making his long black braids fall on top of the child like a curtain.  He slowly opened the mindslink block he built carefully around him while on duty.  It took some time, but he knew it needed to be done slowly to not overwhelm him.  Once fully open, he could hear everyone talking at once.  They felt his presence.


    Mindslink wasn¡¯t just a form of speaking without voice, but also emotions and knowledge.  Each person in the pack had their own, which all needed to be categorized, or else one would go insane from the sheer information. Some werewolves immediately greeted him.  More than a few allowed emotions like lust follow in with their greeting.  He rolled his eyes at the boldness.  Several wolves were leery of him on the other side of the spectrum.  They didn¡¯t hesitate to wonder freely why he was there after a duty rotation and not back home with the rest of the pack for relaxation.  It was to be expected.  He didn¡¯t respond. They didn¡¯t expect him to. He was great at organizing emotions and only allowing certain information to trickle out as needed.


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    Sino walked the last mile to the camp keeping his mind, eyes, and ears open for dangers.  Echka was the traveling pack that protected the six wolves standing duty as wolf counsel for all wolf packs on Fae Land.  As elders, they are in a ten-cycle rotation, and each cycle, the eldest retires while a new wolf comes in.  The duty is a tremendous honor for any wolf to be chosen by one¡¯s pack and not voluntary once aged into sexual maturity.


    The camp was in a small clearing of a forest.  The main path had small foldable structures scattered about made from woven plants. Werewolves were communal in nature; it wasn¡¯t odd to gather in a pack member¡¯s structure.  However, since he was a sentry and not on duty to protect the council, everyone was curious about who he was here to visit.  That intrigue was not mitigated by the small being strapped to his chest.  With news of his arrival, some wolves exited their structures, and some followed him cautiously.  He didn¡¯t vocally greet anyone but gave a slight nod to Magdalene, a friend when he saw the tall bronze she-wolf.  She smiled at him and nodded back, then returned to her structure. He would stop by to see her before he left camp, and she knew it.  Everyone¡¯s eyes were wide, and he could feel their questions.


    Why didn¡¯t he stop to see his friend?


    Who was he there to speak with?


    The council could too.  A tall lumbering ware exited a thatched hut at the center of the camp blocking the entrance, and waited for Sino¡¯s approach.  Sino did not hide his irritation once realizing who held the duty of Council¡¯s Voice.


    ¡°Deek.¡± Sino¡¯s voice was scratchy from non-use, but he wasn¡¯t ashamed.  He noted the positions of all approaching Fae, their body language, their emotions, and all exits.


    ¡°Sino.¡± Deek¡¯s voice projected a false sense of authority. He knew he had protection because of his duty, and he also knew if Sino chose to, Deek wouldn¡¯t stand a chance in a fight against him.  Deek pursed his painted lips but didn¡¯t say anything further.  He waited patiently for Sino to advise why he approached, as was etiquette.


    ¡°May I enter?¡± Sino tried to keep his voice respectful and emotionless, but he wasn¡¯t happy about being blocked.


    ¡°Not with that,¡± Deek stated plainly, keeping his eyes on Sino¡¯s as they studied each other. Deek was also good at blocking his emotions and thoughts, which is why he was a good choice for this duty.


    ¡°It stays with me,¡± Sino responded.


    ¡°The counsel will not allow it to enter the temple.¡± Deek didn¡¯t budge.


    Sino expected this.  Without skipping a moment, he responded.  ¡°Then have the counsel come out of the temple.¡±


    Deek looked at Sino like he had grown a second head.  ¡°For what purpose?¡±


    Sino¡¯s teeth ground together as he tried to maintain his composure.  Nothing was more irritating than explaining something that should be obvious.  He was here to speak with the council.  That should be enough as an active member of the pack.


    Wondering how much he should allow known publicly, he chose a static picture from his memory of the purple-skinned woman to Deek.


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t in your watch record when you were relieved from duty.  Why would you keep this from them?¡±


    ¡°Counsel. Now.¡± Sino growled, his patience now gone.


    Deek appeared to want to press further but instead updated the council.  Six elders with wearied faces emerged from the thatched room a few moments later.


    Sino¡¯s eyebrows raised. All six came out?  Custom dictates that only one council member as representative exits the structure, and Deek should relay any decisions.


    Recovering quickly, he asked his main question.  ¡°What is she?¡± Sino asked.


    They stared at him, and then as if on cue, all six inhaled at once.  The only person who could hear the council''s thoughts was Deek, whose face lost all color.  Their body posture was nervous and closed off.


    ¡°Deek? What is she?¡± Sino repeated.


    ¡°Give them the full memory.¡± Deek¡¯s voice should have been calm. It should have been arrogant. Instead, it was almost a whisper.


    Sino pushed the full memory towards Deek.  The six visibly trembled.  Without looking back at Sino, they scurried back to the safety of the temple.


    ¡°Where are they going? I have more questions.¡± Sino yelled.  The other wares that had gathered were all just as confused.  This wasn¡¯t how the council acted.


    Deek nodded.  With renewed confidence, he finally spoke.  ¡°You have been banished from Echka, and all known Fae Land packs as long as you have that infant. Leave immediately for the safety of the council.¡±


    ¡°What did I do?¡± Sino could feel his wolf fighting to come to the surface, and he struggled to keep calm.  A tiny chubby hand grabbed a piece of Sino¡¯s black hair.  Like a small conduit, he could feel calmness. ¡°Deek.¡± He tried again. ¡°Please explain to me what is going on. I need information.¡±


    Deek¡¯s lips remained tightly pursed, and a wall of silence slammed before Sino¡¯s mindslink.  A small group of wolves from Sino¡¯s supposed pack had shifted and slowly surrounded him.  He didn¡¯t need to be in their heads to know they were trying to make him feel claustrophobic so that his wolf would naturally keep them from putting him in a threatening, cornered position.


    He raised his hands. ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± They stopped their approach.  ¡°Deek, can you give me anything first?¡±


    Deek looked at Sino not with anger but almost sadness.  He shook his head.  As Sino turned, he noticed an earworm of an idea, The Lore Estate.

 Magdalene

    Sino looked around at the others, who avoided eye contact with him.


    ¡°What use is this?  You blindly follow, and for what? Banishment?¡± He wanted to say. He didn¡¯t.  Instead, he looked down at the whisps of thin purple curls peeking out of the beige material.  The tiny hand still grasped his long tresses.  Instantly he understood; he didn¡¯t want nor need the council¡¯s advice.  He should have gone straight to Mags.


    Her structure was near the edge of the camp.  The female ware sat at the center of the room with her long legs crossed as she weaved plants into tools like twine or containers to hold things.  Next to her, to the right, a broken statue and small pieces were laid out in front.  That was very much like Magdalene; she always worked on several projects at once.


    ¡°I see you are putting my weaving lessons to a unique use Sino.¡± Her voice smiled with her smokey brown eyes as they flicked up to see him when he entered.


    ¡°Why are you trying to fix that thing?¡± He asked.


    She shrugged.  ¡°It has sentimental value.  My mom gave it to me, and her mom gave it to her. When I have my first born she-wolf, she shall also be gifted its watchful eye. After two cycles, I¡¯m down to these few shards and those pebbles.¡±


    Outside, the six wares paced angrily; Sino wasn¡¯t leaving as ordered.  They were hesitant to enter Mags¡¯ structure without her permission, and she was actively sending a do not trespass mindslink.


    He smiled warmly, a rarity reserved for a select few.  Mags waited for him to speak as she always did.  She was highly respected in their pack almost as much as the counsel but known for her rebellious streak- a trait which endeared her to him.


    ¡°I am banished.¡±


    ¡°So I heard.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    She stopped weaving and nodded towards the babe strapped to the ware.  ¡°They fear what they do not know.¡±


    ¡°What benefit is there to sticking one¡¯s head in the mud?¡± He asked astutely.


    She paused for a moment choosing her words carefully.  ¡°You, of all wares, know that not everything is black and purple or light and darkness.  There are always shadows.  Fae Land is full of colors and hidden dangers.¡±  He watched as she twisted her lips to the left as she tucked the next leaflet into the twine.  It slid in, and she continued. ¡°Do you have any thoughts of what it could be?¡±


    He frowned and placed a hand across his chest.  ¡°Does it matter?  It¡¯s an infant.¡±


    ¡°A child becomes an elder.  You know nothing of its magick.  That could destroy all of Fae, and you want to what- treat it as if it were your own pup?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡­¡± He paused. Perhaps her words were too close for comfort. He didn¡¯t really know why he felt so sure he should help it.  ¡°I was going to return it to its kind.¡±


    ¡°And what if its kind is dangerous for it? Would you leave it to the Fates?¡± She asked.


    ¡°It was left with me for a reason.¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Hence the apprehension of the counsel.  Why would it be left with you of all wolves, and secondly, why a wolf at all?¡± She stopped weaving and looked into his eyes as if trying to assess his very soul.  ¡°Wouldn¡¯t a druid or house goblin make a better choice of Fae?  Goddess knows even a human would be a better choice, and they have one at the Lore Estate whose job is to be Guardian of Fae Land.¡±


    He didn¡¯t respond.  Mags was correct.  Sino was a crappy choice.  He wondered the same notion.  His eyes drifted from hers to the tiny infant.  Its pudgy hand grasped his black tendrils tightly.  It pushed calmness and candor.


    She sighed.  ¡°You aren¡¯t thinking what I think you are, are you?¡± Her voice sounded pained.


    ¡°And if I was,¡± He asked.


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    Without skipping a moment, ¡°You would be a fool.  You should drop it at the Lore Estate and let the Fae Council or the human decide what to do with it.¡±


    He should, but then another thought came to him.  ¡°And yet this is the same council that closed the In-between recently.  It keeps us here so we can¡¯t deal with the cause of the The Atrocities.¡±


    ¡°In your case, both councils were correct.  Their actions benefit the Fae, not your vendetta.¡± He winced at her choice of words.  She continued, ¡°Additionally, they need time to pick a new Fa¡¯ representative.  Murmurs of a bigger war are on the brink with an unknown enemy, and the Fae Council is down a member.  They cannot be at full strength until one is chosen. Plus, how do you know the answers you seek are not here on Faeland?¡±


    He curled his lip in irritation.  Mags knew he spent his first two cycles on Fae Land seeking answers from the various packs.  It wasn¡¯t unusual for a werewolf from Earth to visit each one to determine which pack would be the best fit.  He also used it as an excuse to learn as much about the Atrocities as he could.  In the end, he wound up with several invitations to join the packs and their beds, but very little on the actual murder of Earth-bound packs.


    ¡°At least consider going to the Estate; they have access to knowledge no other Fae does.  You may be able to determine what that creature is and why it was left with you.  Maybe even get additional answers you have been seeking since you arrived.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡± He already had, but he said it to comfort her.  The Fae Council wasn¡¯t his interest, but their library was.


    She sighed again.  Grabbing another piece of plant, the form of a bowl came into being as she pulled the threads tightly at the rim. ¡°Be careful.¡± Her voice had hints of sadness to it.  ¡°Whether you believe it or not, you are an essential member of this pack.  We need your abilities as an expert sentry and your companionship of which you are selfishly withholding.¡±


    He furrowed his brows. ¡°I hardly think that engaging in procreation or adding to the populous is the best use of my abilities and skills.¡±


    Unexpectedly she laughed.  ¡°Companionship is not just about procreation.  Our species is built on family.  We support each other. We learn from every ware we meet.  It isn¡¯t about using each other for one¡¯s benefit.  We all take a portion of the workload, so no one werewolf has to carry the burden alone.¡±


    ¡°Is that why the council banished me? To help me?¡± His voice didn¡¯t hide his irritation at her nativity.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be surprised.  I¡¯ll let you in on a secret that no one pays attention to.  It''s so obvious, but they pretend it¡¯s a problem that doesn¡¯t exist.  Our pack numbers aren¡¯t increasing.  They hide the announcement with other news, but we haven¡¯t had a live birth since we moved from Earth.  The council is working on keeping it quiet as to not start a panic, but this is a real threat to our species.  Keep that in mind when you travel about with that creature; then come back and tell me what the best use of your time is.¡±  She didn¡¯t say it, but since he had a child on Earth, they hoped he could continue here on Fae.  It was the main reason he had so many offers that he always declined. ¡°Soon, the council will be announcing a large Bramian Celebration. All wolves, rogue or not, will be required to attend.  The hope is that they can information dump other news from having all packs together once again.  The hope is that potential mates will have an opportunity to find each other just before the moon goddess blesses us with extra fertility during a rare Bramian eclipse. I trust we will need your skills in case someone decides to interrupt the celebration.¡±


    ¡°Have you seen anything like it?¡± Sino asked, breaking the silence that followed.


    She shook her head.  ¡°It isn¡¯t human.  It also has more magick in its pinky than all the elders combined.  You are navigating a dangerous trail.  As I said, be careful. If I could ask you to look into one thing for me, please look into our origins. I have a hunch that it may be connected to the Atrocities. Everything is connected.¡± She repeated and then went back to her weaving.


    ¡°Thanks, Mags.¡±  He nodded and slightly bowed his head in respect, something he did for no one else.  She didn¡¯t acknowledge it because, at that moment, a moose of a ware¡¯s emotions pummeled towards them. No doubt all of the pack felt it. Jealousy. Anger. Hate.


    Sino smiled and slipped out, leaving her to deal with her companions.  He walked the short distance to the edge of the camp.  The six werewolves kept the charging companions at bay since Sino was heading in the right direction.  If they could avoid a fight with the crazy lone wolf banished by the council, they would, and Sino counted on that so he could pop into the supply hut one more time.  He needed to be prepared. His thoughts scattered from Mag¡¯s speculation and the council, then back to the small magickal being strapped to his chest.


    Sino filled a satchel at the supply hut some plants the child could suck on for nourishment.  He also grabbed a small knife that he strapped to his calf near his bare ankle.  If he was going to travel in this form, he needed protection.  He also grabbed an elegantly carved walking staff.  It was a bit taller than him, and lines of copper corkscrewed down the shaft.  The top had a grey wolf wrapped in feathered beast''s wings like it was being hugged but somehow stable so that the top didn¡¯t change the center of balance.  He spun it around quickly as if it were an extension of his arm.  It would suffice.


    Exiting the supply camp, he immediately noticed the six wolves'' presence.  His inner wolf wanted to growl and get them to back off, but he knew that wouldn¡¯t be useful.  He walked further from the camp.  As soon as he was outside the temporary boundary, the trail itself started to crumble.  He could look back, but all he would see if forest.  His banishment had begun.

 Wisdom Cave

    Sino grumbled as he weighed his options.  He had been moving on his instincts in his wolf form.  Now on two legs, his mind cleared. He focused on his so-called options, and he realized they were about as good as asking an orc to babysit.


    He pondered whether to leave the creature with a hobgoblin or maybe the Fae Council for only a moment.  His inner wolf whimpered immediately.  The idea of pawning the child off to another felt wrong.  If it were dangerous, he would kill it if needed. He told himself, but he didn¡¯t believe his thoughts even as he thought it.


    Sadness enveloped him, and the child got fussy.  ¡°Shhh, little one.¡± He looked around for danger while digging into his satchel for a plant for the infant to suckle.  He felt the long, squishy stick of the oma plant;  he bit off one of the ends and placed it in the baby¡¯s mouth. At first, she didn¡¯t latch on. ¡°Please drink.¡± He kept his voice soft. His thoughts returned to the many days he spent with his own child, trying to get them to sleep in the early waking moments of almost morning twilight just before dawn touches the forest.


    Sino¡¯s thoughts went back to his current and previous pack. Maybe he should find a new one? He allowed the pack¡¯s needs to come before his for his entire life.  His old pack decided who he should procreate with, and then he lost his female and their pup. They chose his path to being a sentry, which was why he wasn¡¯t there to protect them.  After the deaths, they put him on the boundary lines to grieve in peace, but all it did was allow his darkest thoughts to fester.


    Instead of allowing warriors and sentries to go to the human world and attack the being that started the Atrocities, they picked politicians.  He sneered.  Useless.  The longer he thought, his resolve hardened. No. He would wait no longer. After ensuring the child is not a threat to the werewolves and that the infant is safe, he would go to the human world to bring the vengeance he promised the moment he held his dead pup in his arms.


    He spun at the snap of a branch in the distance, placing the staff in a defensive position.  Sino¡¯s sense of smell wasn¡¯t as sharp in this form, nor was his hearing.  But he was strong, agile, and would fight to the death if needed. That didn¡¯t mean his senses were inept.  He felt the new presence as soon as it was within running distance.


    The loud, fast footsteps slowed to a hesitant walk.  Sino waited and steadied his mental barrier just in case. Many moments passed as he waited for the creature to approach. He concentrated on the sounds of the forest.  The winged beasts still chirped, so they did not feel this stranger was a threat.  This notion was confirmed when a light-beige teenage wolf crept into his two-legged presence.


    ¡°Go home, pup,¡± Sino growled.


    The ware hesitated but came out from behind a Linden Tree.


    A soft voice asked for permission to speak via mindspeak.  ¡°I am here to join your path.¡±  It finished through mindslink once Sino allowed it.


    ¡°No,¡± Sino stated succinctly.


    ¡°I saw your meeting with the Council; they are wrong.  Their rules are stupid. I could help you.¡± The youngin quickly shifted to standing form.  His fur changed to pale pink skin with light brown tresses.  The ware wasn¡¯t even at the age of maturity, but it was a clean, quick shift.


    ¡°Go home.¡± Sino turned his back to the teen, an offense to a wolf.


    Like many hormonal pups, his emotions were obvious.  Anger. Fear. Anxiety.  His mind open to every Fae with a basic understanding of mindlink.


    ¡°I have information.¡± The teen tried again.


    Sino shook his head but then hesitated.  He spun around and scanned the teen¡¯s wide-open mind.  The pup¡¯s mental barrier wasn¡¯t even a wall. The boy slung mud up on his mind¡¯s pathways, hoping to catch intruders like quicksand.  Sino was able to skip past easily.


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s not fair.¡± The boy¡¯s voice cracked.


    ¡°Fae believe in balance, not fairness.  Now go home.  Your information is stale.¡±  Sino stretched and scanned one more time, just in case.  The kid had nothing of importance.


    ¡°Mags said you would help me.¡±


    Sino raised his thick eyebrows.  ¡°And why would she suggest that?¡±


    The teenager shifted his weight, moving a pebble with his pink toe. Sino watched the teen correct himself.  ¡°I need your help to ensure a safe journey to the oracles. Perhaps she figured you needed some information from them?¡±


    He was about to ask about the oracles when he felt another presence lurking at just the edge of his senses.  He almost missed it because the teenager kept most of his active attention.  However, as a sentry, he was skilled at multiattention.


    The new presence stayed on the edge of his wolf sense which wasn¡¯t easy to judge for most fae.  Sino changed their path to intercept, but all he saw was a pale fae running away. Perhaps the being wasn¡¯t trying to stay just at the edge of his senses. Maybe it was trying to avoid the werewolves and was not a threat.  He scanned the area again for any other fae and found nothing.  The forest was ambling about loudly.  Sino turned to walk South back towards the Lore Estate.


    A whistling sound cut through the air before Sino detected a presence again.  His ears found the noise just as the boy took a step, mouth open, about to say something. Sino yanked the boy backward as a long slender dart sliced past and landed on a Linden Tree next to where they were standing.


    Run. Sino mindlinked. The boy shifted to his wolf form and darted northwest, weaving through the trees.  Sino turned toward where the dart came from.  The attacker wasn¡¯t there, but he pressed forward a few moments, seeing if they were anywhere near them. He looked for any footprint of its presence. Blank.  What fae can mask their whole aura? Sino wondered.


    Sino ran towards where he saw the young wolf sprint.  The youngling¡¯s tracks were so obvious he shook his head.  He found him quickly, making sure to mindlink his presence early and often.  The boy shifted back to his two-legged form.


    After walking most of the day, the teen finally spoke, ¡°Did you see who it was?¡±


    Sino shook his head. ¡°Who knows you left?¡±


    ¡°No one, Mags didn¡¯t even let me say goodbye to my family.¡± The boy frowned and kicked a rock.  When he looked back up, he looked as if he would say something but changed his mind. He cocked his head and then spoke. ¡°Oh, good! We are near the Wisdom Cave. Maybe I will make it to the oracles after all.¡±


    Sino knew of Wisdom Cave but, like most shifters, never visited. One of their pack¡¯s most sacred places that only few have access to begs the question, how did this pup know of its location?  HE didn¡¯t even know of it.


    ¡°Well, if you are looking for information the council has, you might find it.  I went here with Mags to pick up one of her projects. She¡¯s been trying to put it together for a fortnight¡¯s cycle.¡±


    Sino didn¡¯t know much about Wisdom Cave.  He knew that it was protected by several spells to ensure only those with pure intention could enter.  Was his intention pure?  He wanted to learn more about the infant.  But why? What would it tell him?  Could he really harm the child for the good of the pack?


    He shook his head.  Maybe looking in for some information would help him make a decision.


    ¡°Take me to the Cave.¡±


    The pup nodded.  ¡°It¡¯s not far.¡± True enough, it was hidden behind some nearby bushes. The boy knocked on a rock. A tunnel of rocks formed just enough space for them to crawl in. Sino, careful to keep the child tight to his chest, crawled, barely fitting in the tiny tunnel.  The gravel wasn¡¯t easy on their hands and knees, but their quick healing meant they needed to clean it fast, or else the abrasions could heal over the dirt and cause a deadly infection.  ¡°You can wash up once inside.  We are almost there.¡± The boy looked back and turned a corner.  Sino watched him punch in a pattern etched into a door.  It rumbled open.  ¡°Just in here.¡± The boy encouraged.


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    Sino¡¯s knees bloodied by the time he crawled into the room.  It was a large cavern with a pink pool in the center.  The walls were covered in books, scrolls, statuettes, relics, weaponry, and other treasures. ¡°We can wash our wounds in the pool before it heals over.¡± The boy grabbed a basket with some cloths, dipped the fabric in the water, and started wiping his knees.  He hissed.


    Sino did the same while looking around the room.  It was amazingly free of dust.


    ¡°It''s wondrous.¡± The boy admitted.  ¡°Let me use my magick. I might be able to find...¡±


    ¡°What magick does a pup have?¡± Sino narrowed his eyes as he watched his knee¡¯s skin weave back together.


    ¡°Umm. I wasn¡¯t supposed to say, but since you¡¯ve already saved my life.  I¡¯m an¡­ omega.¡±


    ¡°An omega!¡± Sino looked the boy over.  He had never seen an omega. They were rare.  Though he wasn¡¯t sure what he expected, as the boy just looked like a youngling pup.


    ¡°Here.¡± He handed a book to Sino.  ¡°This is the book Mags let me read. It talks about my powers and what I am expected to do. I guess I am to help the oracles.  I have the power to sense things regular wolves don¡¯t. I could sense you if you would like a demonstration.¡±


    Sino narrowed his eyes but nodded.


    The boy closed his eyes.  He took a deep breath and slowly released it.  He spoke his voice deeper than before.  ¡°I see your pain in your heart. You seek¡­ vengeance¡­ and it¡¯s eating you up whole.  Your spirit is fractured.  But you are intertwined with that child by The Fates.¡±


    Sino growled.  ¡°The Fates?¡± Sino¡¯s inner beast chuffed at the notion.  He was in control of his life¡¯s paths. He didn¡¯t believe in something or someone controlling the outcomes of people¡¯s lives.  How could he? That would mean they stood by and watched his family and most of his old pack be slaughtered, with the power to stop it, and did nothing.  It''s a monstrous notion.


    The boy frowned. ¡°The Fates are misunderstood.¡±


    ¡°If you believe in such things, they would be immoral¡­¡±


    The teen looked up, the young boy cocked his head to the side. ¡°Mags explained it like this.  The Fates are powerful, but they are limited in what they can do.  She said that while The Fates sets paths out for fae to take, it is up to the being to actually choose their life¡¯s journey.  Each step they take has its own set of consequences.  Because balance is important, every path has its opposite. For joy, there is also pain. For death, there is life.  The oracles help The Fates as a voice to the people of Faeland, and omegas like me are the voice for the shifters.  Our people are in chaos right now, and most are too blind to see the oncoming¡­ threats isn¡¯t the right word, but maybe it''s close enough.¡±


    ¡°You speak like an elder, boy.¡± Sino looked the teen over.  ¡°What is your name?¡±


    ¡°Danada. I¡¯ve always been more mature than others my age. I can¡¯t help it when I see things others don¡¯t. I really do need your help.  There have been accidents around me, and I think someone is trying to stop me from getting to the oracles.  Mags was going to have me wait until the next cycle, but just before you arrived, another accident happened.  My family was hurt very bad.  Then you showed up.  After she saw you enter the territory, she sought me out.  She knew you wouldn¡¯t let me go with you.  Said this was my first test. I just don¡¯t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. I¡¯m just glad we made it safely here. That means my path to the oracles should be clear now. Did you know there are several tunnels, some of which go under the rivers that intersect near here?  The ancients used the cave system to connect to the four main areas of Faeland.¡±


    ¡°You talk a lot.¡± Sino looked over the book. He was about to ask a question about the roles of the omega when he noticed the boy.  He was sitting on a square near the pool.  One of his hands was on his chest while the other lay on a knee across his body.  His eyes were squeezed shut, and he started murmuring.    After a while, the teen sighed loudly.


    ¡°That creature''s presence is too loud. It''s distracting.¡±


    ¡°Infants can¡¯t mindshare?¡±


    Danada shook his head. ¡°No, she isn¡¯t sharing a mind link. She¡¯s just weighing on the room.  I feel like she needs you to do something, but I also think she is getting weaker.¡±


    ¡°Weak? Does she need food?¡± Sino dropped the book and started looking through his satchel for another oma plant.


    Danada shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Maybe restless?¡±


    Sure enough, though she was quiet, her face tinged redder undertone.  Sino touched her forehead.  She felt hot. ¡°She¡¯s so hot.  We need to cool her down.¡± He saw something similar. His own pup sick with fevers, and the doctor made them fill a tub with cooling water.


    ¡°The pool.¡± They both said at the same time.


    Sino nodded.  He unwrapped her from his chest.  She felt like a rumbling fire.  Sino heard her begin little hiccups. The pink pool was cool. He held the tiny baby in one hand as he dipped her in the water. He used his other hand to cup water and gently pour some over her head.  He heard sizzling.


    ¡°It''s not quick enough. She¡¯s hurting. Dunk her.¡± Danada said while he searched a rack of herbs. He found his prize- a bright pink dried flower from the Ulpa plant.  It was the size of two of his hands.  He approached Sino¡¯s side just as the ware dunked the infant.  The pool bubbled around the child.  Sino lifted the child out of the water; her skin looked like a bellymover detaching its scales. Danada rubbed her face with the petals.  ¡°This should be soothing.¡±


    Sino dunked her again. Both stared in wonder as the tiny baby grew. The petals revealed a longer torso, arms, and legs with new paler purple skin.  Her chest and back turned darker into a deep blue with sparkling blue scales on either side of her spine.


    It was as if she grew in age instead of being just born; she looked at least a few full cycles.  Her bright green eyes opened, and she cocked her head aside. Sino felt her forehead. It was cool. She now had a full bushy head of dark purple-black hair.  Danada wiped the last of the darker purple skin from her legs.


    ¡°Strange,¡± Sino admitted.


    ¡°Very. Is she a shifter?¡±


    Sino shrugged. ¡°We don¡¯t know what she is nor who her people are. Is she still weak?¡±


    Danada closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He shook his head. ¡°She feels really powerful and curious.¡±


    The infant¡¯s chubby hand grabbed out towards Sino¡¯s face as if on cue.  He made a face at her like he used to with his daughter.


    Immediately thoughts of his pup filled his mind. Sino cooed at his daughter and looked over at his smiling wife.  His wife was so beautiful.  He remembered thinking that he hoped they might be pregnant again with more pups to add to their family.  Not that he wanted a big family, but because she did, he would move the world if it made her day.  His wife laughed at his antics. It was music to his ears.  ¡°I love you, husband.¡± Her voice whispered.  All the good memories shifted past and then, like an infestation, the worst day of his life.  He tried to block out the memories, but it was as if something was suctioning it out of his head.


    His wife¡¯s beautiful face morphed into a frozen scream lying on the ground of their hut. She was shielding their daughter, blood pooling around them both.


    ¡°Sino?¡± Danada shook him, hands-on both his shoulders.


    ¡°What?¡± Sino snapped, pushing the teen away and pressing the child to his chest.


    ¡°Sorry. You needed to get out of your memory. It was affecting me.¡± There was a long pause.  Sino didn¡¯t want to look at anything but the child he held.  Danada broke the silence, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about your family.  I don¡¯t know exactly what happened, but I heard stories about The Atrocities.  Have you talked to anyone about it?¡±


    Sino did not answer.  Even his inner wolf grumbled in irritation.  He looked around for a distraction.  ¡°You¡¯ve been here. Tell me if there is anything in here about the Atrocities?¡± Sino asked while he began busying himself, rewrapping the child.  She was larger than before, like she aged a few cycles, so his ropework would need to be redone.  He sat down next to the pool, laid the babe back, wrapped swaddled in the beige cloth on his lap while he retied his woven rope to fit the larger child.


    The boy wandered around and frowned at each book spine and trinket, sure not to touch anything.  ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Danada finally spoke as he walked the perimeter of the room.  ¡°But I¡¯m not sure anything that would be here about that would actually be any use of you.  I think there is a list of the known dead and missing.  There are also lists of the incoming shifters and which packs took them in afterward.  They have books filled with birth records and death records- that type of information.¡±  The teen pointed to a stack of books in the corner.


    Sino strapped the child back on his chest immediately; feelings of calm and contentment flushed through his body when her face touched him.  He let out a breath he didn¡¯t know he was holding.  Sino got up and walked around, eyeing some of the old books.


    The boy approached and pulled out a thin book. The cover had an old man carrying a baby strapped to his chest.  Subconsciously Sino rubbed the baby¡¯s back. She cooed. ¡°This is my favorite. It has all kinds of stories, but they are very short.  I memorized them. Maybe you can read them to her? Each story has a theme, like one story is about being stronger by working as a team. It¡¯s a story of a farmer and his sons. His sons fought all the time and couldn¡¯t work together. One day, he gives each of his sons a stick and asks them to break it. Each son breaks it easily.  Then he gives them a bundle of sticks and asks them to break it. None could.  He told them individually, they are easily broken, but together the family is strongest.¡±


    Sino nodded. It reminded him of a storybook he used to read to his little girl.  He slipped the book into his satchel. No one should notice anyways.


    ¡°Just bring it back.¡± The boy frowned. ¡°Mags told me which tunnel to take to get to the oracles. Will you stay with me until I get there?¡±


    Sino, still rubbing the baby nodded. ¡°I suppose I could swing that way before heading where I¡¯m going, but you have to stay out of the way.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± He jumped like he would give Sino a hug, but Sino stepped back and put his hand up, blocking the baby. ¡°Oh, sorry. Thank you.¡±


    Sino waved his hand.  ¡°Anything else you think might be helpful?¡±


    The boy looked around. Then closed his eyes. ¡°No, but it''s hard. She has a lot of magick. I¡¯m having trouble seeing anything else but that book I gave you.  I don¡¯t know if it''s because she wants to read it or if it''s connected to your journey.¡± His voice was slow and tentative as if he was worried Sino might yell at him. But the older man just nodded.  He was now swaying the baby, trying to encourage her to sleep.  The little girl was fighting it like she was afraid she might miss something.


    Sino looked at Danada. ¡°Which way?¡±

 The Oracles

    They walked for what felt like days through the tight tunnels that smelled of fug and felt hot and sticky.  They only stopped to rest when Sino noticed the teen start to lag. The entrance of the main cave finally appeared.  Water droplets dripped from stalactites and stalagmites, creating an effect that looked like the jaws of rock.  Sino kicked a rock over. The jaws snapped shut.


    ¡°Shitake.¡± Sino said.  ¡°Any idea how to get through?¡±


    The teen shook his head.


    ¡°Ok lets rest again and think about how to pass.¡± Sino stared at the jaws.  He waved a hand between careful to do it quick.  The jaws didn¡¯t snap. He cocked his head to the side.  ¡°Come over here.¡± He looked to Danada.  The teen nodded and eyed the jaws.  ¡°Give me your hand.¡±


    The boy¡¯s hand was ice cold and shook.


    ¡°Its okay.¡± Sino tried to reassure him.  While holding Danada¡¯s hand, he waved their clasped hands under the jaws. It didn¡¯t move.  ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a test of faith. I think we are to just walk through.¡± He guessed.


    ¡°You think the oracles live in the belly of a rock creature?¡± Danada pulled his hand back.


    ¡°No. I think its charmed. Its not living.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°I thought you wanted to see the oracles.  This is just another test.  Have faith that your intentions are pure.¡±


    ¡°Are yours?¡± It slipped out. Danada covered his mouth. ¡°My apologies. I didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡±


    ¡°If anyone should know my intentions, it will be the oracles, right? They are connected with the gods.  They speak, their voices the gods.¡±


    Danada took a deep breath.  They murmured something under their breath. ¡°Ok. I¡¯m ready.¡±


    Sino nodded, taking the first step in.  The jaws creaked but didn¡¯t move.  Both their hearts stopped, their adrenaline spiking as they took another step.  A breeze blew up from the tunnel cooling their skin.  The dust felt smooth and soft on Sino¡¯s callused feet. The boy walked closely behind Sino, almost touching his back.  The tunnel widened, revealing an oversized cavern with gigantic stalactites that formed a half circle. Two beings sat on a stone that looked like it was sliced in half, giving a flat space for them to sit.


    As Sino got closer, he was taken aback by the ethereal looks of two twins. Their faces were stark white.  It looked like someone took an eraser to their skin and removed all color. Their soft blue eyes flicked over to where Sino and the teen were standing.  One pointed towards them.


    ¡°Oh goody. A new game. Jayne.¡±


    ¡°I hope it won¡¯t be the same Layne.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he can answer a riddle of ours?¡±


    ¡°Then we can listen to requests of theirs.¡±


    Sino nodded. Danada stood behind Sino and peeked over his arm at the twins.


    ¡°Hold me without your hands.¡±


    ¡°People all over the lands.¡±


    ¡°But no one can hold me long.¡±


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    ¡°But some try for a song.¡±


    Their light blue eyes stared at the group standing at the cavern''s edge.  Sino thought it over. He wasn¡¯t good at riddles.  Danada tapped Sino¡¯s arm. He opened his mindlink.


    I think it¡¯s breath.


    Sino¡¯s eyes went wide. So simple. You should say it.


    I¡¯m scared.


    So am I. These creatures scare the shitake out of me.


    Really?


    Sino nodded.


    ¡°Maybe they can¡¯t answer.¡±


    ¡°Are they unworthy?¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s breath.¡± Danada finally found his voice. Though it studdered a bit, he bowed as he spoke.


    They both cocked their heads to the side.


    ¡°Approach.¡± They said in unison.


    Sino kept his feet planted, shielding the babe with his hands.


    Danada¡¯s steps were small.


    ¡°A pupling, does it play?¡±


    ¡°What does it say?¡± The twins alternated speaking.


    ¡°I love to play, but I¡¯m suppose to help you.¡±


    ¡°Ok, enough, you too.¡± A woman¡¯s voice echoed through the caverns.  Sino¡¯s eyes widened as he didn¡¯t notice her presence at all. ¡°I¡¯m LeLa.¡± She was beautiful and graceful as she walked in from the corner using a long pale white staff as she walked.  She made her way to the center of the rock to stand near the twins. She towered over the pale companions. Her skin the dark color brown of a itashi tree a juxposition from their colorless paleness.  ¡°Who are you?¡±  She was looking at Danada, but Sino got the sense she was talking to him.¡±


    ¡°My name is Danada of the Echka pack. I am an omega.¡±


    ¡°An omega here and now Jayne.¡±


    ¡°There hasn¡¯t been an omega in hundreds of years Layne.¡±


    ¡°Big problems for the wolvesies.¡±


    ¡°Big for all Faesies too.¡±


    Lela sighed.  ¡°The twins can be a bit much, but you might be too if you had to translate the words of the deities. What is your protector¡¯s name?¡± She asked Danada.


    ¡°Oh. This is Sino, a lone wolf seeking answers for the ward he protects.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s really what he seeks?¡±


    Everyone looked to Sino.  ¡°Do you know what kind of creature this child is?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Well, its refreshing at least you aren¡¯t bowing like the zillion other creatures that stumble into our little haven.¡± Lela admitted.  ¡°And you are straight to the point. A lost art with the twins here.¡±


    Sino cocked his head.


    Lela walked down the path past the young wolf.  Sino moved to show the child off better.  She reached forward slowly to feel her face. Sparks flew when she touched the child. She pulled her hand back quickly.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t and good luck getting any clear answers from the twins, but I¡¯ll ask. If the answers are meant to be yours then I¡¯ll send the boy to you with a message to the Lore Estate.¡±


    ¡°How did¡­¡± Sino was about to ask.


    ¡°Where else would you go? You need information.  The library there is unparalleled in all of Faeland.  We have several requests from your people. Why do you not ask about their troubles?¡±


    ¡°My people banished me. Its up to them to work out their problems now. I have my own path.¡±


    ¡°A bitter sentiment.¡± LeLa clinched her lips.  ¡°You may be surprised when your path merges again with your people.  Don¡¯t give up on them just yet.¡±


    Sino¡¯s inner beast chuffed. He scoffed.  The child cooed at the rumble, and LeLa smiled. She walked back near the twins.


    ¡°We will watch over the boy. You have a journey ahead of you.¡± Lela smiled. ¡°Take this tunnel for a day¡¯s worth walk. It will take you under the Gista River and out North West of the Lore Estate.  You¡¯ll have to walk southeast through the Hoofed Creature¡¯s Meadowlands and then another days walk until you are to your destination.¡± Lela smiled and then turned to Danada. ¡°Say your goodbyes. He¡¯s already late.¡±


    Sino raised an eyebrow at the word late, but said nothing.


    Danada bowed again and backed up. He walked over to Sino.  ¡°Thank you for getting me here safely.¡±


    ¡°You sure you want to stay. I don¡¯t even see any huts or food or anything.¡±


    Danada smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sure. This is my path.¡±


    Sino gave a curt nod.


    Danada offered a hand. Sino grabbed his forearm. ¡°If you do make it back to Echka before me, please tell my family not to worry and that I am well.¡±


    Sino gave another nod and released his hand.  The boy looked like he was tearing up.  So gave him a slap on the back which propelled the teen forward a step. Then he walked toward the tunnel Lela recommended.


    ¡°Oh, forgot to mention the boobytraps.¡± Lela said once the werewolf was out of sight.


    ¡°If anyone can get through them unscathed its Sino. He won¡¯t let anything happen to her.¡±


    ¡°Good. She¡¯s more important than anyone can realize right now.  She needs to grow, learn, and hopefully not die.¡± LeLa bit at her lip.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t he know that?¡± Danada asked tentatively.


    ¡°As you said, if anyone can get through unscathed its Sino. I¡¯ve had many dreams about him. He¡¯s going to change the world. Let me show you how you can see these dreams too.  You have much to learn before you see him again.¡±


    Danada nodded.

 Off to the Lore Estate

    The tunnel Sino took seemed innocent enough until the first dart blew past him. He twisted and covered the babe.  That was when he noticed the pattern on the dusty floor.  Symbols were etched into the stone.  Once ensuring the infant was unharmed, he inched forward, careful not to touch what ended up being stone tile blocks.


    He allowed his inner beast to come forward just a bit. It was feral after almost getting harmed. Sino tried to get it to focus. Smell it. He encouraged the beast.  It paced in his head until finally taking a breath in.  His senses were limited in his two-legged form, but his beast was a tracker. He could see scents like bursts of colors. It took time to focus the beast so that he could move and see the scents.  Bursts of color hovered over certain tiles, and Sino knew this was the safe passage.  Before he moved, he memorized the etchings and fought with his beast to move forward cautiously.


    The child on his chest giggled when his beast rumbled in dissatisfaction. Sino smiled back at her and rubbed her hair before taking his first steps over the tiles.  A few wobbled and broke off, but no darts flew past.  When he got to the other side, he stepped forward to continue when he noticed more etchings on the walls. Looking closer, one side looked similar to the steps, so he slid past closely to that side, keeping his chest and the child towards the wall.  Part of his foot slipped too close to the other side, and small stinging rocks pelted Sino¡¯s back.  He growled lowly.


    The path seemed clear for a few steps until they reached a three-way tunnel.  One looked like it was home to eight-legged vampire creatures whose webs of colors sparkled, taunting Sino, but he knew better.  Those were dangerous nets. On the opposite side, rocks were filling most of the tunnel.  They moved and skittered about, and Sino had no doubt it was home to rock goblins.  Sino didn¡¯t mind them, but they were very much like shifters who prefer to be left alone. That left the middle tunnel, which looked clear.


    With his first step, he felt the air change. It was a sickly sweet, cloying breeze. He got excited when he saw the light at the end of the tunnel.  Then he saw the first ears pop up near an outcropping of rocks. They were fuzzy round ears.  Sino stopped.  He heard a cooing noise from the boulders.  The infant in his arms immediately responded in back.  Little bear-like creatures walked out from behind three boulders. They looked at Sino with confusion.  He moved slowly closer. The creature nearest him narrowed its eyes.  Sino narrowed his eyes and growled back.  The response was immediate.  The closest creature jumped toward him with teeth out and small claws that sparkled in magick.  Sino growled, moving his walking stick into a defensive position, and swatted the beast back. It stumbled back with a squawking sound.  The two others attacked.  Their small stature meant they were quick and agile. Sino had trouble keeping them back.


    Sino¡¯s hair flew forward with his step, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a small tiny hand grab his locks.  Pink and purple magick swirled around the hair, and moved up to his face, down his body, and to his stick.  Sino felt a buzzing through his body.  This time the swing pushed the beasts flying back into the stone walls.  They grunted and crumbled.  Sino walked past, eyeing for any more of those small beasts.


    Coming out of the tunnel, the bright light of the day blinded Sino.  He waited until his eyes adjusted before moving too far from the tunnel, but he also didn¡¯t want to keep his back there in case those creatures got up and attacked him from behind.  He scanned the area both for signs of danger and to get an assessment of where he stood.  The sun was to his back, this much he could see through the large overhanging Ipso trees.  They draped with swaying branchlike arms and danced in the breeze.  He knew to stay far from its grasp.  Rushing water was nearby, and he decided to follow the nearby river.


    He looked down to check on the child. Her face was scrunched up in pain, and cried silent tears of pink magick.  ¡°Aww. Shh little one.¡± He felt her head.  She was starting to get warm again.  His decision made for him, he ran towards the sound of the rushing water.  It wasn¡¯t far, and he had to run past an Ipso branch, but he swatted its grip away using his staff.  The river cut through the trees. It was fast-moving, but Sino found a section near a boulder which was a small pool of slow-moving water.  Sino looked in for any danger in the water.  He didn¡¯t see anything.  He stepped in, the water felt cool on his ankles. He untied the infant dipping her in the water.  The pink bubbled around her legs. He used his hands to rub the water over her skin, and the blue from her chest lightened to a sky blue. He dunked the burning child again and again. The scales seemed to change to fur. Her hands and feet remained purple, as did her face.  She looked similar to the fuzzy creatures in the tunnel.


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    ¡°You look closer to a pup now little one.¡± Sino said after the last dunk.


    She smiled.  She was bigger now. A toddler for sure.  Sino allowed her to play in the water, holding her, so she didn¡¯t float away.  She squealed in delight.


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile.  His own pup loved bathtime.  He frowned.  She seemed to notice and cocked her head to the side.  Her green eyes glowed.


    ¡°Ok. Time to get out.¡±


    She immediately pouted.


    ¡°You understand what I¡¯m saying? Can you speak?¡± Sino asked.


    The bright green eyes of the child went wide, looking over Sino¡¯s shoulder.  Sino looked behind him, his eyes narrowing on a pride of six sphinxes.  Each sparkled in various shades of brown.  Sino positioned himself in front of the child.  One of the Sphinx¡¯s golden eyes caught Sino¡¯s.  Its eyes narrowed.  The pride suddenly turned direction.  Knowing the strength of a Sphinx¡¯s Magick Sino was puzzled by the action.  Once satisfied they were gone, he turned back to the child.


    ¡°We should get going.¡±


    The child nodded and wobbled to a standing position.  Sino quickly washed the twine and cloth in the pink river, then stuffed it in his satchel.  Their small, long fingers wrapped around Sino¡¯s callous fat fingers.  He was struck by how cold their fingers were on his, though wares did tend to run a higher body heat.


    ¡°Are you cold?¡± Sino asked.


    She shook her head but didn¡¯t speak.  They began walking slowly.  Sino kept his stride slow so that the child could keep up.  Silence followed them, which Sino didn¡¯t mind.  The child was a quick study, learning balance and matching Sino¡¯s quiet steps.


    They followed the Magenta River taking no breaks, past a deep purple thicket until they finally came upon the sprawling estate.  A pink moat protected the building, described as a tilted castle.  Sino sighed, causing the child to look at him with wide green eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of big groups,¡± He admitted.  The child smiled at him and rubbed his forearm with their free hand.  A calm wave grew from his arm to his body.


    He smiled.  ¡°Thanks.¡±


    They walked to the invisible bridge, but Sino could see it with his wolf senses.  It was barely detectable in his two-legged form, but the jumbles of various colors danced in the wind.  He could smell the traces of various fae who walked upon it, and it was like bits of breadcrumbs.  The child hesitated its first step but trusted Sino, who walked confidently over the moat floating a few feet over its surface.


    Passing through the gate, the inner courtyard was bustling with Fae.  He watched her take in it all.  A big burly rock giant-sized troll stomped passed then tiny house hobgoblins scurried past to go about their day.  Some were looking through a market of sorts, while others were practicing with different types of weapons.


    As they came closer to the actual castle steps, Sino noticed a shimmer of an invisible being.  Its essence floated up the steps and opened the door for them. Then disappeared.  The air inside was surprisingly warm, as was the gravel floor.  He had only been here once cycles ago, but he still remembered where the main ballroom was where the Fae Council met, which was in the center of the castle.  Using his sense of direction, they walked the various halls until they found the vast ballroom. It was strangely empty, but he expected that.  How would they know visitors were on their way?


    He took in the cream and orange pillars and the thirteen staircases leading to 13 wings of the castle.  In the center of the room were 13 tiled circles making a larger circle.  He felt the child squeeze his hand.


    ¡°They are going to ask your name.  What would you like to be called?¡± Sino asked.


    The child shrugged.


    ¡°Perpetua?¡± Sino suggested.  The child scrunched their face.  ¡°Amorlil?¡±  Another cringe.  ¡°Since you seem to be evolving, how about Evo?¡±  The child tilted their head and gave a nod.


    ¡°Evo, it is.¡± Said a feminine voice behind them.


    Sino whipped around, putting the child behind him growling.  A short lanky house goblin smiled at them.


    ¡°My apologies, Lycan. My name is Macha. I am to be your escort. The Fae council isn¡¯t meeting just yet.  Guardian Jackson would like to invite you to join him in the library.¡±

 Guardian of Faeland

    They followed the small steps of the house goblin.  Evo gripped Sino¡¯s hand walking shyly slightly behind him.  The library was exactly as you would expect, with tall walls of books, larger oversized chairs, and a large table in the center.  A large human sat beside the table with a small blonde boy stacking wooden blocks.  Both had shoulder-length wavy blonde hair and blue eyes.  They looked up as they entered.


    ¡°Mornin,¡¯¡± He said in a strange accent to Sino.  Before Sino could respond, Evo dropped his hand and sat by the small boy.


    ¡°Hi.¡± The boy¡¯s bright blue eyes smiled at Evo.  ¡°I¡¯m Wrigley.¡±  He handed a block to Evo.  The child¡¯s response was to place it in their mouth and took a bite as if it were bread.  ¡°No. that¡¯s not food¡­ Daddy!¡±


    The older man smirked.  ¡°You have a room filled with blocks. Will you really miss that one?¡±


    ¡°But they could choke on it?¡± Wrigley stated.


    ¡°You will be here to save anyone needing to be saved.  You remember what we practiced?¡±  Wrigley nodded his blonde ringlets.  The man stood and offered a hand to Sino.  ¡°Oh, sorry. I¡¯m still getting used to the customs here.  How do you greet others in your culture?¡± He asked Sino, pulling his hand back.


    Sino eyed him.  He was tall for a human, but Sino could see he didn¡¯t have any weapons on him. Strange.  ¡°We say Greetings.¡±


    ¡°Macha tells me you are Lycan?¡±


    Sino nodded.


    ¡°My name is Guardian Jackson, but you can call me Bo.  What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Sino, from the Maytec Pack.  I was sent by Magdalene of the Echka Pack.  She said the Lore Estate might have information.¡±


    ¡°Have a seat.¡± He offered Sino one of the chairs.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stand,¡± Sino replied.  His thoughts wondered how a puny human could be the guardian of Fae.


    ¡°No problem.  Now, what do you need information on, or do you wish to only speak to the council?¡± Bo asked.  ¡°Either works for me.  I just figured that you wouldn¡¯t mind one on one.  The counsel can be¡­ overwhelming.¡± He continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for information on ware legends.¡±


    ¡°Cool.¡± He said quickly.  ¡°Any particular one?¡±


    ¡°Not sure yet,¡± Sino admitted.  He felt he probably should keep as much to himself as possible.  He would only share what was necessary.


    ¡°You are welcome to explore the library.  I¡¯m told it goes back several millennia.  I¡¯m not a big reader, but my mate is,¡± He smiled.  ¡°She could probably point you in the right direction.¡± Sino walked over to one of the walls scanning the binds.


    ¡°Wrigley, could you ask Mommy to come to the library for Daddy?¡± Bo asked.  The boy nodded, and he ran out.


    ¡°Now that he is gone.  I want to be clear.¡± Bo¡¯s voice much more commanding.  ¡°I am the protector of FaeLand.  This is my home.  Anything that endangers it, I need to know.¡±


    Sino turned to face the human.  It was almost cute to see a human trying to be tough.


    ¡°It''s my understanding that only wares will be affected,¡± Sino said finally.


    ¡°You are LeLa¡¯s right with the twins?¡± Bo nodded.


    ¡°She told me that you are also a protector and that the balance is at stake. So I¡¯ll ask you again, Sino.  Why is a protector seeking information from us?¡±


    Evo shifted.  The room¡¯s atmosphere was tense.


    ¡°If LeLa was here, why didn¡¯t she trust you with why I was coming?¡± Sino asked.  He watched Bo¡¯s lips flattened.


    ¡°She mentioned a ware in passing that you may come here, but she was here for another more pressing matter.¡±


    ¡°Why should I trust you with that information if she didn¡¯t trust you enough to tell you?¡± Sino dug in.


    He opened his mouth to respond but stopped when Wrigley returned.  The boy arrived at the doorway alone but had his hand up like he was holding the hand of an invisible person.


    Sino caught Evo¡¯s eyes who¡¯s head tilted.  She looked curious.


    ¡°Can you see my Mom?¡±  Wrigley asked, noticing the same response from Evo.  She smiled and nodded slowly.


    ¡°Is she part mere?¡± Bo asked.


    Sino shrugged.  ¡°Your mate is a merewoman?¡±


    ¡°She Is Fee, council representative of all water Fae. Only those with water magick can see her and, of course me."


    ¡°Fee?¡± Sino¡¯s eyes went wide, and bowed towards the door.  ¡°I am honored by your presence.¡±  Evo noticing Sino followed his example.  She stood next to him and bowed.


    ¡°You always get all the respect, my love.¡±  He kissed the air.  He moved as if his Mate sat on his lap and nuzzled into him.  ¡°I love you too.¡±  He whispered softly.  ¡°Please, no need to bow,¡± Bo said.


    Sino waited a bit longer, then growled softly in irritation but raised.  Evo moved in front of him, and he placed his hands on her shoulders.


    ¡°He says he is looking for information on Ware Legends,¡± Bo told her while nuzzling toward the empty air.


    Evo walked forward suddenly.


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    Bo eyed her as she extended a long purple finger.


    Bo, Sino, and Wrigley¡¯s eyes went wide as they watched Evo''s black branching lines move like a moving vine over to Fee.


    ¡°What is she doing?¡± Bo yelled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Sino yelled back. ¡°Evo!¡±


    The branching lines spread to Fee¡¯s entire body in what appeared like shimmering black gemstones giving Sino the outlines of the mermaid.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± A harmonic voice said from sparkling black lips.  She wanted to make it easier for us to speak.¡± She smiled at Evo.  ¡°I would have done the same, but I was distracted by my mate.  My apologies.¡±


    ¡°That takes ancient Magick, right?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°Yes, my love.  What an intriguing creature,¡± She responded. Evo seemingly bored went back to playing with the blocks.  Fee stood and gracefully floated to a high spot on one of the shelves.  A thin, tall book was retrieved.


    Sino¡¯s eyes widened as he recognized the picture on the cover.  He grabbed the same but smaller book from his own satchel.


    ¡°You have the same book?¡± Bo said, getting up.  All three adults went to the table.


    ¡°I recognize this.  It¡¯s Aesop¡¯s Fables, and it''s a children¡¯s book teaching morals.¡±


    ¡°What is an Aesop?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s the writer, or at least that is what I was told growing up.¡± He smiled as Fee¡¯s blacked hand passed the book to him. ¡°He was a really old Greek Philosopher or storyteller.¡±


    ¡°What is a Greek?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a¡­ kingdom on Earth.¡± Bo tried to put it in familiar terms, and he looked to Fee. ¡°But what does this have to do with wares?¡±


    ¡°Many of the stories you know as children¡¯s tales are just a retelling of history.  Of course, humans have changed them over the years, but it does have root in history.  This is the modern publication, but¡­.¡± She floated to another shelf and pulled a stone block.  She placed the grey stone on the table.  It had a carving etched into it.


    ¡°This is the oldest known representative of the story.¡± She traced a hand over it.  ¡°Do you know why The Fates protect the balance above all else?¡±  She asked.


    ¡°To ensure the survival of all species,¡± Sino replied.


    ¡°Partly survival is important, but these stories, it''s our collective knowledge of magick.  To forget the trials of the past, we are doomed to repeat it.  Wares do something similar, but with mindlink, but also your Wisdom Cave.  If you have that, there must be a similar story that your species is about to repeat.¡±  She paused.


    ¡°I know wares are happy to just live their lives in packs away from other Fae, but isolating yourselves makes your species prone to things like this.¡±


    ¡°This?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°I am being summoned,¡± She said suddenly.  ¡°It was a pleasure to meet you.¡± Evo ran up and hugged her; the black branching lines moved back to Evo.  The fae disappeared.  Sino bowed.


    ¡°She does that,¡± Bo said, interrupting the silence.


    ¡°She really didn¡¯t tell you anything, did she?¡±


    ¡°About the same as LeLa and the Oracles.¡±


    ¡°Sorry about that.  The fae are always so cryptic, and sometimes I just wish they would speak their minds and tell it plainly.¡±  Sino smirked. ¡°Can you read that?¡±  He pointed to the slab.


    ¡°Sorry, but don¡¯t you think they look like fancy hieroglyphics?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with that word.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.  Those are pictures that represent words or meanings from a kingdom called Egypt.  It is a place with pyramids and sphinxes.  Hieroglyphics is an ancient language older than Aesop and the Greeks.¡± Bo tried to explain.


    ¡°We saw a pride of Sphinxes when we were bathing in the Magenta River,¡±  Sino stated while opening his book.


    ¡°Really? Why would they be this South?¡± Bo asked.  They should be in the Deserts.¡±  Sino shrugged.  It wasn¡¯t the first migration he had seen.  He thought it odd that they seemed to change direction when they saw Evo and Sino.  He wouldn¡¯t mention that to the human, though.  ¡°Can you read this hieroglyphics of Egypt?¡± He asked


    Bo shook his head.  ¡°It''s what we call a ¡®dead¡¯ language.  Though our scholars have mostly figured it out, it is all subjective since no one speaks the language.  I know just the most famous ones.  We had something called The Rosetta Stone, a tablet that had two languages and three different scripts etched on it; umm, I know hieroglyphics were on that tablet as well as ancient Greek.  Academics deductively figured out a few pictures into a rough translation.  They then figured out a written language, but translations of what it might have sounded like is still a big question.  Their language was tough because sometimes an etching could represent a word, a letter, or an entire phrase.  My baby sister was obsessed with all things Egypt.  She tried to get me to pass notes to her in Hyro, but I was just a dumb jock.  She was the smart one.¡± Bo frowned.  ¡°I think this one is the ¡®eye of Ra,¡¯ one of their Sun gods- or maybe Horus which represented rebirth.¡±


    ¡°Rebirth?¡± Sino said a little too quickly.


    ¡°Ye-ah.¡± Bo stretched out the response.  ¡°Horus was one of their most revered and oldest of Gods, maybe the god that ruled all of their gods.  I remember it had a body of a lion, the head of a bird-like hawk, and similar to the sphinx.  I know he always has an Ankh, which is this symbol.¡±  Bo pointed to two lines intersecting with a single loop at the top of the line going vertically.  ¡°It¡¯s a symbol of life, and some humans call it a vampire''s cross being a symbol of eternal-¡° He ran a finger over the loop. ¡°¡­ life after¡­¡± He ran a finger over the crossed section¡­ ¡°Death.¡±


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t know this language?¡± Sino looked at Bo.


    ¡°I only know about a few.  Humans were fascinated with different mythologies, but we were only able to decipher parts of Egypt in the last hundred years.  Thanks to entertainment, some of the fantastical stories were retold, but they didn¡¯t much care about keeping to history as much as entertaining people who didn¡¯t know much about it.  I could be way off and wouldn¡¯t know any better.  I wonder if the Sphinx might be able to help you?¡± He suggested.


    ¡°No one knowingly speaks to a Sphinx,¡± Sino said curtly.


    ¡°Nor wares.¡± Bo returned with a smile.  Sino huffed.


    ¡°Where do you think the Sphinx¡¯s were going?¡± Bo asked.


    Sino shrugged.


    ¡°Do you know what this has to do with the weres?¡± He asked.


    ¡°You ask a lot of questions.¡± Sino retorted.


    ¡°Sorry. Habit.  I¡¯m- I was- an investigator, back before I was brought here.  I am fascinated by how all this connects with Egypt and Greece.¡± He looked to Evo and Wrigley.  ¡°Are you guys hungry?¡±


    ¡°Starving Daddy!  Can Evo try pancakes from ¡®Merica?¡±  He stood up and ran to his father¡¯s arms, who squatted to his level.


    ¡°If she wants.  Macha could make a whole stack of them!¡± Bo said, looking at Evo with a smile.


    Of course, as house goblins do, the small hobgoblin appeared at the door frame.


    ¡°You called Guardian Jackson.¡±


    ¡°Machacia!¡± Wrigley ran over to the goblin, both being the same height.


    ¡°Manners Wrigley.¡± Bo stood.


    ¡°GoodDay Macha.  May we please have pancakes?¡±


    ¡°Good Day Master Wrigley.  What type of pancakes were you inquiring and is it for everyone?¡±


    ¡°Berries!¡± He exclaimed.  ¡°Evo wants some too! Right, Evo!¡± He looked to her, who decided at that moment to take another bite of one of the blocks. ¡°Daaaad.  She¡¯s doing it again.¡±


    ¡°Please have the chefs do a full breakfast spread.  Our travelers should get a full stomach and rest before they continue on.¡± Bo said with a laugh in his voice.  ¡°Did you want to clean up while they cook?¡± Bo asked.


    Sino shook his head, but Evo nodded.  She stood up and grabbed his hand.  Her eyes looked like a pup begging for table scraps.


    ¡°Very well. Perhaps a quick nap is in order as well.¡± Sino sighed.  ¡°Would that be available?¡±


    ¡°Sure.  We will set you up in one of the rooms.  Stay as long as you need.¡±


    ¡°The night is enough.  We wouldn¡¯t want to overstay our welcome.¡± Sino¡¯s voice sounded tired suddenly.


    ¡°Well, Evo, you are welcome always.  We can make an exception for that guy.¡± Bo said, smiling.


    Evo smiled shyly but hid behind Sino¡¯s leg as if she could disappear.


    ¡°If you follow me, I can take you to a room,¡± Macha said.


    Sino held Evo¡¯s hand and guided her out, nodding at Bo on the way.


    ¡°She¡¯s weird.¡± Sino heard Wrigley say not too softly.


    ¡°Who¡¯s not Wrigley boy?¡± Bo said with mischief in his voice.  Squeals of laughter followed.  Sino looked back to see Bo tickling his son.


    He shook his head at the two.  He smiled, but then he frowned, thinking of his own pup.  Evo rubbed his arm and smiled at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Evo.¡± He paused. ¡°Do you need a bath because of what you did to Fee?¡±


    She nodded.

 Pancakes

    ¡°That was really fascinating,¡± Sino told her.  She smiled back at him with a hop in her step.  Their room wasn¡¯t too far from the dining hall they passed on their way.  Macha explained she would let them know once supper was served.


    He smiled at the soft pelt rug.  The room had one large pelt also over a very soft pillow bed.  To the far left was another room.  He saw a beautifully tiled oversized shower room with a step-in well for baths.


    ¡°Fancy, we are being spoiled, little one.¡±  Sino smiled, noticing her eyes wide in surprise.  He walked over to a dark blue tile and pressed it.  A waterfall of crystal blue water fell down the back wall into the well.


    There were white tile steps into the well; he walked down them and then held her hand as she wobbled down.


    As soon as her toes touched the water, the black branches melted like candle wax.


    ¡°Do you want me to stay, or do you want to do it yourself?¡± He asked.  She looked at him with wide eyes and gripped his hand harder.  ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll stay. But soon, you will be too big for me to be doing this, so you should do it yourself, and I¡¯ll just be here in case you need me.¡±


    She nodded.


    Sino placed his satchel outside the well, but not before grabbing the cloth.  He smiled, remembering her laying on his chest.  He dipped it in the water and handed it to Evo.¡±  Slowly, the purple skin was wiped off with the rag in its place, trails of different colors orange and white.  Her arms and legs stayed long but fattened up with muscle.  Her pecs grew slightly with muscle.  Her abs are not quite flat but proportionate to her widening hips.  The water was to her stomach now.


    She sank in the water, letting her entire self be submerged in the clear water.  Her bright pink hair turned rich dark brown with orange roots.  Sino also noticed the ears on the top sides of her head were round and furry.  When she came out of the water, she was taller, reaching Sino¡¯s chest instead of his waist.


    ¡°Feel better?¡± He asked.


    She nodded.


    They got out of the well allowing the air to dry them as they exited the bathroom.  Evo yawned and slipped under the pelt on the bed.  Sino sat next to the bed, reading aloud.


    Though startled by Evo¡¯s new look, Sino knew the house goblin would never offend by asking.  Instead, she announced the supper and left.  Sino walked Evo to the dining hall, allowing her to hook her arm instead of holding his hand.


    Guardian Jackson and his son were already sitting at a large, oversized table.  Piles of round flatbread and fruits covered the center.  Sino smirked when he saw their unfiltered reactions to them entering.


    ¡°Have a seat here, Evo.  I¡¯ll sit to your right so I can talk to Guardian Jackson.¡± Sino said.


    She nodded.


    ¡°That¡¯s Evo?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°Yes.  She seems to change and grow every time she bathes in water.  Though she has only taken a two-legged form so far.¡± Sino replied as if it were natural.


    ¡°How many transformations?¡± Bo asked, genuinely intrigued.


    ¡°Third, I¡¯ve seen. Four forms in total. Infant, toddler, child, preteen.¡±


    ¡°So you don¡¯t think she¡¯s at her adult form?¡±


    ¡°Your guess is as good as mine.¡± He sighed.  ¡°As she is sitting here, let us not be rude by talking as if she were not a sentient being.¡± Sino couldn¡¯t stop himself.  His wolf instincts always to protect her.  She had her eyes down, and gone was the excitement she usually wore.  He put a hand gently on her shoulder.  ¡°What would you like to try first, Evo,¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°Try these Evo!¡± Wrigley pointed to a round flatbread covered in fruits.  ¡°You put this syrup on it and eat it.  It''s really sweet, so I only dip mine in, but Dad drowns his.¡±  Wrigley said without taking a breath.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The boy caught her attention. She cocked her head to the side, then nodded.  Sino put a few on her plate and put a small cup of liquid he called syrup so she could decide how much she wanted.  Wrigley was already using a weird utensil to cut and eat his food with small round points.


    Bo seemed to notice Sino¡¯s curiosity.


    ¡°It is called a Spork- an underrated eating utensil.¡±


    Sino had been trained in proper etiquette, as all pups are, in case they must attend with their pack leaders.  He just chose not to use it.  He grabbed a few cakes and fruits using his hands.  Wrigley¡¯s eyes went wide.  Evo smiled and visibly relaxed.  She grabbed a cake, folded it in half, and shoved it in her mouth.  Sino messed with her orange, brown hair.  ¡°Good girl.¡± He thought in his head, smirking.


    ¡°This is¡­ yummy¡­ daddy.¡± A small female¡¯s voice found her words through mindspeak.  Sino stopped eating, coughing on a half-chewed piece.  She snapped up, looking at him with worried eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay little one.  You just¡­ shocked me.¡±  He responded through mindspeak.  His mind was isolated from all Fae; he even checked it, but her voice clear as a newly shaped bell.


    ¡°What are these called?¡± She asked him in mindspeak, taking another cake dipping it in the container, and engulfing it with one bite.


    ¡°What do you call these breads?¡± Sino asked Bo aloud.


    ¡°Pancakes.  Some humans call them crepes, but those are the thinner ones.  It took us a while to determine which FaeLand grains and fruits could be combined to give it the right fluffy texture.  These one taste like butter pecan, and these like strawberries and cr¨¨me. Our favorite are these.¡± She showed a plate with wedges of Mickleberry on it.  ¡°It tastes like apple cinnamon caramel.¡±


    ¡°Better taste them all, little one, so you can understand what those words mean,¡±  Sino told Evo, who devoured another five cakes.


    ¡°Impressive appetite,¡± Bo said.


    ¡°No doubt cause by her recent transformation.¡± Sino nodded as he finished another cake himself.  ¡°Wares metabolism is always highest at this age and especially after a shift.¡±


    The house goblin came out with more jiggly towering stacks of cakes.  Sino enjoyed the strawberry and creme-flavored ones the best.  ¡°Tell me more about Aesop and the stories,¡± Sino said suddenly.


    Bo sat back, hands on his stomach.  ¡°When I was younger, I used to think Aesop was a writer, but it''s actually a collection of stories that have attributed to being Aesopic but could have multiple writers.¡± He paused as if he were trying to remember something.  ¡°During that time, many stories were oral, so it wouldn¡¯t be uncommon for a traveling entertainer to bring stories from different lands that they heard from their travels.  So the stories have no known true author.  He probably just wrote down the stories he heard.


    ¡°So do you put the weight that these are based on history,¡±  Sino asked.


    ¡°I do, especially since where I come from, your species is a myth of its own.  We don¡¯t know that your species exist, but we have numerous stories of many different Fae.¡±


    Before anyone could speak again, the temperature in the room raised.  Sino didn¡¯t like it, his already warm body quickly sweating.


    Bo¡¯s pale face turned pink.  ¡°Are you doing this?¡± He asked Bo.  A bright green, white pop landed in the middle of the table.  Evo jumped, eyes wide as the pancakes.


    ¡°Daddy!¡± Evo yelled in Sino¡¯s mind.  He stood up and put her behind him.


    ¡°It''s not her,¡± Sino yelled.


    Wrigley disappeared, whether by foot or magick; when Sino looked to ensure the boy was safe, he was gone.


    ¡°He is safe,¡± Bo said as he pressed a piece of wood, and suddenly Bo had a sword. Another green-white popped, this time closer to Evo.  Bo also moved to put himself between the table and his guests.  ¡°Get her out of here,¡± Bo shouted, but Sino was already pulling her towards the door closest.  Cursing that, he left his walking stick in the room.  Another green, white pop, and the exits filled with green-white light.  Sino changed direction, bringing Evo back to Bo¡¯s position.  The sound of clicking accompanied the next pop of light.


    ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Bo yelled over the clicking.


    ¡°Was hoping you would know, Guardian,¡± Sino growled.


    ¡°I¡¯m new to the job.  I¡¯m learning as I go.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s comforting.¡±


    ¡°Only one type of magick can overpower the protection spells on this estate¡­ Ancient Magick. I know this much.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m scared.¡± Evo¡¯s small voice temporarily turned off the clicking in Sino¡¯s head.


    ¡°I know, little one.  I¡¯ll protect you.  Are you hearing the clicking too?¡± Sino asked via mindspeak Evo nodded.  Another green-white pop, and the clicking turned higher pitched.  A white orb the size of a small pebble now hovered over the table.


    ¡°Shitake.  I know that sound, magickal bomb.  Duck for a moment.¡± They did.  Sino grabbed the table edge to see if the bomb moved with it.  It remained floating.  ¡°Evo, go by that wall. Help me move the table, don¡¯t touch it, not even a hair.¡±  Bo and Sino carefully dragged the table from under the floating orb.  It was strobing now.


    ¡°How much time do we have?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°Help me tilt the table!¡± Sino yelled.  ¡°Umm, if nothing touches it, we are safe¡­ unless it''s drawn to a material in particular, then once it''s fully charged, we will be Fungi.¡± Food dishes crashed to the floor.


    ¡°How do we know it''s fully charged?¡±  Sino pulled Evo between the table and the wall furthest from the center, but the room was a rectangle with two doors on either long side.


    The high pitch stopped.

 Duck!

    Sino¡¯s eyes were wide. ¡°It stops making noise. Duck. Evo grabbed her legs. Sino positioned his body against the wall around Evo and the table to create a safe zone. Evo didn¡¯t make a noise.


    When it exploded, Sino felt the moments stop. The room was dead silent except for his own beating heart. He looked up, and the bomb was post-exposure with a white-green explosion pushing the air. The table was mid-buckle around his body, and a single wooden shard pointed right at his eye. Instinctively he moved, trying to pull Evo, but she was frozen solid. He pushed Bo, who was also trying to cover Evo, but a wooden shard was sticking out of his shoulder, his blond head thrown back mid-scream.


    Suddenly he heard unnatural voices in his head overlapping. It took a moment to Separate them.


    ¡°Duck! No. Etesha Meldo. Destroy Duck Tish Sphinx. Meddlesome¡± Each in a different voice.


    He moved his head and recovered Evo. Moments began. Pain peppered his back as shards of wood pelted him. The one near his eye went past his head and stuck out of the wall. Sino heard Bo grunt in pain.


    ¡°Shit!¡± Bo grabbed hold of the bloody wood poking through his shoulder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pull that!¡± Sino yelled. He growled in pain as well. The doors were open now.


    ¡°Fee,¡± Bo yelled. ¡°She¡¯s not responding.¡± He spun around to sit. ¡°Matcha.¡± His breath was heavy. ¡°Why is no one responding?¡¯ His sword impaled the floor.


    Sino noticed the entire room was a mess of wood shards, broken plates, food, and cloth. The air felt different. Sino wasn¡¯t sweating, but it also felt different. His lungs felt heavy like the air wasn¡¯t right. Sino looked over Evo. ¡°Are you hurt.¡± He asked through mindspeak. She looked up at him and shook her head. Her green eyes filled with tears. Sino hugged her. He winced at the pain covering his back.


    ¡°Is that your only injury?¡± Bo asked, nodding to Sino¡¯s Back. ¡°Is she okay?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine.¡± He grunted. ¡°Something¡¯s not right.¡±


    ¡°Your back?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°No, the air, it isn¡¯t right.¡±


    ¡°What does that even mean?¡± He said between breaths.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It doesn¡¯t feel right. It smells and feels normal heat-wise, and it¡¯s like¡­ ugg.¡± He grunted in frustration. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°We should probably move. Can you get up?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°Ya, just give me a hand.¡± Bo took two quick breaths. Sino grabbed Bo¡¯s uninjured arm and yanked the human to his feet with ease.


    ¡°Evo. Stay between us.¡± Sino told her and helped her stand as well.


    ¡°Your room should be close,¡± Bo grunted. Sino nodded, taking it slow and peeking into the hallway. It was empty. Stepping over the threshold, he felt a zap of electricity hit him. He put his free hand up, the other holding Evo¡¯s


    ¡°Zap of current. Not a lot,¡± Sino warned. Bo nodded and winced as he stepped over, and Evo didn¡¯t react. Sino noticed that it felt like his lungs were having trouble filling every step.


    Bo suddenly spoke. I understand. The air is getting hard to breathe like the oxygen levels aren¡¯t right.¡± Sino didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet you in your room.¡± Bo veered into a nearby room.


    ¡°Are you having breathing troubles?¡± Sino asked via mindspeak. Evo shook her head.


    Once in their room, he grabbed his satchel and walking stick.


    ¡°You¡¯re hurt.¡± She grabbed his arm.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Had worse.¡±


    ¡°Daddy,¡± her voice whined in his head.


    ¡°Wares heal quickly. I¡¯ll be fine shortly.¡± He patted her head. She smiled with worry still in her eyes. Bo reappeared, still heavily breathing, a potted plant in his good arm. ¡°Get in the bathroom and fill the tub he said.¡±


    Sino¡¯s eyebrows raised, but he did as told. He also grabbed the pillow bed into the large oversized bathroom as the well-filled.


    ¡°Sit,¡± Sino told Bo. ¡°We need to do something about this.¡±


    ¡°It may be helping the air. Plants make oxygen.¡± Bo said.


    ¡°I have some herbs I brought with me that will help with infection, but we need to sew your flesh to stop the bleeding."


    ¡°That¡¯s where this beauty comes in,¡± Bo said, nodding to the plant.


    Sino¡¯s eyebrow raised. It was a tefler plant, its leaves made a delicious fermented drink, and some weave leaves into baskets. Bo sat on the tub''s edge and tore off the tip of the leaf. As he pulled, the inner vein peeled from the length of the leaf. ¡°A few years ago, I went to a¡­ kingdom called Mexico. We call these plants Agave. Makes a great tequila, but the earlier generations would also use this part of the pointed leaf as a needle and vein as thread. I saw a demonstration on it when I went tequila tasting in Mexico City. Not sure it will work, but hoping it will.¡±


    ¡°Smart. This is gonna hurt.¡± Sino warned as he grabbed the cloth out of his satchel. He dipped it into the water. Evo watched, her eyes wide with interest.


    "We call this plant Tefler. We also use it as a fermented drink. Leaves are also dried and used as materials to weave into baskets. Some like to eat it raw, very nutritious, but biter for wares.¡± Sino broke another leaf off. He also pulled out two plants from his satchel. He took the knife from the twine by his ankle, splitting the plump leaf open with the blade. He sprinkled pieces of the two other plants in the fleshy opening of the leaf.


    ¡°This is gonna hurt.¡±


    ¡°Just do it already.¡± Bo grimaced.


    Sino gripped the bloody shard. ¡°I¡¯m gonna need you to put the cloth on it once I pull it out. Bite on the handle. He handed the dagger to Bo. Bo nodded. His breath was quick in anticipation before he bit down.


    Sino assessed the shard, it was surprisingly smooth, and the widest part already was sticking out the front of his shoulder. Without warning, he yanked it through. Bo grunted in pain, breathing through clenched teeth. Bo¡¯s hand shook from the pain, but he took the wet cloth and pressed it to the hole. Sino pressed a few leaves into the back end of the wound. He ran the needle and thread through his mouth and then spit on the back of the wound.


    ¡°Did you just spit on me?¡± Bo asked in almost a whisper through clenched teeth on the dagger.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Wares heal quickly, but our saliva is particularly healing for humans and has a numbing venom. Bo nodded. His hand was still shaking as he held the cloth to the front of his shoulder. Sino pierced through the human¡¯s skin and proceeded to sew the wound shut, trapping the leaves in place.


    Sino looked at Bo, who was now clenching his eyes closed. ¡°It needs to drain, so I¡¯m going to push in the mixture, but only going to use pressure and ware venom to stop the bleeding. It''s probably gonna ooze out any infection, so don¡¯t be scared.¡± Sino warned.


    ¡°K¡± Bo¡¯s voice clipped and mumbled on the dagger. Sino grimaced and munched on the fleshpart. He spit it back into the leaf and shuttered at the bitterness. He then coated his finger with the ground-up mixture. The wound was as wide as Sino¡¯s finger. He scraped the mix and nodded to Bo to move the cloth. Bo dropped it into the water. Evo fished it out. Her hand changed from light brown to ruby red to match his blood, but she rinsed it out for him and handed it back, her hands looking like ruby gloves with long pointed claws. Sino pushed the mixture into the wound and recoated his finger each time he stuck it in. Bo grunted, eyes clamped tight. Sweat trickled from his forehead and chest. Sino watched as a white ooze dripped out. Sino grabbed the cloth and wiped the ooze. Then rinsed it again and wiped Bo¡¯s face. It oozed again with bubbles and froth. Bo opened his eyes. ¡°Dude, that feels weird.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s healing.¡± Sino wiped away the ooze. When the ooze turned clear, Sino wrapped twine around Bo¡¯s shoulder to hold the mixture and the leaf pressed against the wound. ¡°Evo, your hand?¡± She nodded. ¡°Do you need to fully bathe?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Daddy.¡± She looked down as if she were embarrassed.


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s empty the well, and then we can refill it for you.¡± Sino said to Bo, ¡°Lay down and rest. I¡¯ll keep an eye out for trouble.¡±


    Bo crawled over the pillow on the floor and immediately passed out.


    Sino went into the well, scrubbing the sides with the cloth until the human¡¯s blood was gone.


    Once satisfied, he pressed the blue tile to refill the well.


    ¡°Will he be okay?¡± Evo¡¯s small voice asked in Sino¡¯s head.


    ¡°Yes, He¡¯ll heal quickly,¡± Sino said aloud.


    ¡°And you?¡± she asked.


    He turned. His flesh was already blistering. ¡°Almost all healed.¡±


    ¡°Do I heal like that?¡± She asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, little one.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask something?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Are you my mate?¡± The words took Sino by surprise.


    ¡°No, little one. Ware¡¯s recognize their mate¡¯s presence even if one isn¡¯t yet old enough to produce pups. We just won¡¯t feel the ¡®pull¡¯ to consummate it until the first Samian after both are sexually mature¡­ But we know. It''s like a feeling of completeness.¡±


    ¡°So, what do I feel?¡± Evo asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, little one. Can you try to describe it?¡± Sino asked. The tub was now filled, and Sino helped her down the stairs. The water frothed at her touch, so he couldn¡¯t see her skin change.


    ¡°It''s hard to describe.¡± She kept talking through mindspeak. ¡°Like when we met.¡±


    ¡°Rinse off, and we can talk more about new feelings you may get that could be confusing for you.¡±


    She nodded and sunk entirely into the bubbling water. Sino checked on Bo, and he was sweating but sleeping soundly. Sino placed the wet cloth on his forehead.


    ¡°Daddy?¡± Hearing her matured voice in his head made his heart pound.


    He didn¡¯t look at her. ¡°She¡¯s just a child.¡± He told himself. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s the air. The air isn¡¯t right. The last time his heart raced like this resulted in a strapping healthy pup.¡¯


    ¡°Daddy? What new feelings?¡±


    ¡°Shitake.¡¯ He thought not the proper conversation. He worked to slow his heart, but the heavy air didn¡¯t help. He could hear the water splash as she stepped out of the tub. He didn¡¯t have to turn around. He felt the same feeling as before when the woman dropped the infant off. Having made that conclusion, it was as if the ware could click it off. His breathing leveled out. He turned to face her.


    She was breathtakingly beautiful. She had nice wide childbearing hips and healthy long curly bright red hair. Her skin is dark ivy sap, a deep rich brown. Plumb round lips that looked fun to kiss. She was going to drive fae crazy. He smiled at her.


    ¡°For wares when sexually mature they start having feelings of attraction. This leads them to seek a mate or companion to have pups with. For wares, we take multiple companions to ensure we can spread our seed for a diverse ware population, but not all fae are like that. Some monofaes believe in one soul mate sent by the gods and are devoted to only one companion at a time. Both lifestyles are natural, and you will need to figure out which works for you.¡±


    ¡°Are we companions then?¡± Evo asked, her voice more sing-song than her curious young voice.


    ¡°No, little one. I think of you as if you were one of my pups.¡± He stood up and put his hands on her rosy brown cheeks. Her green eyes looked down. Her skin heated to his touch.


    ¡°Like Wrigley and Bo?¡± Evo asked in his head.


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°Every time I take a bath, it''s like I get a different set of information, and it confuses me.¡± She said in mindspeak. ¡°I feel like you are important, though.¡±


    ¡°If any fae is important, it''s you, and that''s why no matter what happens, I¡¯ll protect you,¡± Sino explained.


    ¡°You said you would kill me.¡± Tears fell onto his hands.


    ¡°Oh, little one. How could you remember that? You were just a baby.¡±


    ¡°I remember every word, every feeling. Just now, you had a feeling like when the woman dropped me off.¡±


    ¡°The woman was emanating ¡®Lust.¡¯ It¡¯s a strong sexual emotion to help encourage sex to create pups."


    She looked up. Her eyes were wide and innocent. ¡°Are you lusting towards me?¡± Her voice had hope, and her lips quivered.


    ¡°For a moment, I did feel lust. It''s perfectly natural for a sexually mature fae to be attracted to another sexually mature fae. But as I said, I think of you like my pup, which is like an antivenom for lust. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t feel the same and why we will never be companions.¡±


    ¡°I understand, I think.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember anything about your time with the woman?¡± He asked and dropped his hands.


    She shook her head, ¡°Just the feeling of lust. I remember what she said, but it was like I didn¡¯t exist before that, or maybe I was just asleep. There were no moments before that. Just a forest, a fire, a wolf, the woman, and lust.¡±


    ¡°Do you know who she was?¡± He asked.


    Evo shook her head again.


    ¡°You said you get more information; what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It was like when I walked. I knew how to do it; my muscles just weren¡¯t strong enough. The language was last time; I really wanted to speak with you.¡±


    This time he nodded. ¡°What about this time.¡±


    ¡°Pleasure.¡±


    ¡°If all this is about fertility, then that makes a lot of sense.¡± He paused. ¡°Mags did talk about the ware population.¡±


    ¡°But we don¡¯t know what my purpose is.¡±


    ¡°Correct, but we will figure it out,¡± Sino said.


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°We need to speak to the Sphinx, I think.¡±


    ¡°What if they want to kill me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll protect you.¡±


    ¡°Even if it hurts wares?¡± She asked.


    He raised an eyebrow at her and processed what she said. ¡°The Fae talk about the Fates and the various Gods/Goddesses that affect our lives. Do we genuinely have free will, or is everything we do predestined? Since they know all, they would see how we will react to the path they put to test us. However, there are talks that once a life is born and let loose, you and all your lessons can be changed. If they wanted to change things, they would need to wait until the new generations were born.


    Since multiple deities can make changes, no one really knows if the Fates got it right with your life or not. So even if you think you know what you should do and what the Fates want from you, in the end, even a single fae can change the balance. That¡¯s why the balance is so fragile and why you are so powerful. Your ancient magick pulsing through your veins can save my species or destroy it.¡±


    ¡°Stop filling her head with nonsense.¡± Bo coughed and then struggled through a chuckle. ¡°We all know that I¡¯m gonna save the day. Sino will protect Evo, and I¡¯ll protect FaeLand. All will work out.¡±


    ¡°Apparently feeling better?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°Yeah. Actually, other than this cough, I feel surprisingly good. Pain-free.¡±


    ¡°The cough is a side effect of the herbs. It should go away shortly on its own.¡± Sino walked over to Bo to remove the bandages. Bo was staring at Evo. Sino knelt next to Bo, reaching around to untie the last of the twine.


    ¡°Do you have to eye Evo like that?¡± Sino growled softly to Bo as he fiddled to untie the twine.


    ¡°You think this is healed already? I¡¯m just a human, and I don¡¯t have healing powers like y¡¯all.¡±


    ¡°My venom is like a super herb for you humans, and it comes in handy if a mating goes awry.¡± Sino inspected the site. It was scared but completely healed.


    ¡°Holy shit, that¡¯s fantastic.¡± At that exact moment, Bo¡¯s green eyes met Sino¡¯s. Sino¡¯s heard Bo¡¯s heart quicken.


    ¡°Fuck. Can you back up, bro?¡± Bo¡¯s voice lowered an octave, but it was pleading.


    Sino didn¡¯t respond but got up, pretending he didn¡¯t notice the human¡¯s response to Sino.


    ¡°Is that normal, Daddy?¡± Evo¡¯s eyes were wide, but she shamelessly stared at the human¡¯s bulge.


    ¡°Don¡¯t embarrass the human. Pretend not to notice.¡±


    Too late. Bo¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°I have a mate. I¡¯m not attracted to dudes. Not that being attracted to dudes is a bad thing. Just being clear here.¡±


    Sino snickered. ¡°Guardian, you would be so lucky. I don¡¯t think your body¡¯s response was to me specifically. Evo is excreting Lust as she is sexually mature now, so your body is most likely responding to that.¡± Sino watched the human¡¯s shoulders visibly lower.


    ¡°How are you not reacting.¡±


    ¡°I think of her as my pup, so I just think of holding her to my chest while we journeyed.¡±


    Bo opened his mouth to say something, but an unnatural grinding sound began.

 The Sphinx

    Pieces of white tile broke and cracked.  Pale white cave spikes grew from the floor and ceiling.  Bo jumped to his feet, grabbing his sword, and Sino moved to Evo¡¯s side.  The walls crumbled to reveal pale blue sand with white spikes.


    Mounds of slow-moving rock trolls started at them.


    ¡°From where stranger?¡± A loud voice pushed all three beings backward.  Bo seemed to sum up some confidence.


    ¡°The Lore Estate.  I am Guardian Jackson.¡±


    ¡°Here. Why?¡±  It again pushed them back from the booming voice.


    ¡°We were brought here against our will.  Please excuse our intrusion.  It was not our intention.  Where are we?¡±


    ¡°Sediment.¡±


    ¡°Sediment?¡± Bo said in a surprised tone. ¡°That¡¯s far north of the Lore Estate.¡± He explained to Sino, and Evo thought Sino was aware, he allowed the human the show of leadership.


    ¡°How far is Osiri?¡±


    ¡°Journey Osiri? Why?¡±


    ¡°Since we are here, I might as well visit the hidden village.¡± Bo stated as if it were normal.  ¡°I plan on visiting all of Fae as Guardian.¡±


    The rock troll grumbled, but no words were spoken.  Soon the ground shook in a quake.  It stopped.


    ¡°Allowed.  Enter the cave found behind Neuten Bushes.¡± A strange feminine voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere simultaneously.  A pale white trail appeared.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Bo bowed his head respectfully to the rock trolls.  Surprisingly the trolls returned the bow.  Trolls don¡¯t bow.  Sino was impressed.  They walked until their leg muscles cramped before they saw the bushes.


    The bright yellow thorny plants looked like a flame with orange and red fire.  Most fae would probably avoid it, it made a good deterrent.  The trail went between a large row of bushes.  A small entrance barely noticeable as a tunnel into a cave.  However, it wasn¡¯t a true cave but a rock tunnel.  On the other side, they found large rolling dunes of sand.  Several sand statues, pyramids, and buildings made of sandstone littered the immediate area.  The white path lead past two towering statues.  On the left, it stood on two feet, hands crossed, head facing right.  The neck led to a head of a winged beast.  The right statue mirrored looking left but with a slightly more pointed-winged beast.  Both held the Ahnk in the center and two walking sticks crossed.


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    Once they walked passed, they entered a courtyard of sorts.  Small round insects flew past.  They were black with spots, but on closer inspection, the spots were translucent.  Evo smiled at the insects, especially when one landed on her bronze shoulder, then flew off.


    Several buildings dotted the trail, but other than the insects, no beings were seen.  Ahead three large pyramids appeared as they walked closer.  The insects disappeared.  The three pyramids surrounded them.  In the middle, a white flat circle with two sandy brown Sphinx lay in the sun waiting for the travelers.  Bo immediately bowed once their eyes landed on them.  Sino and Evo followed suit.


    ¡°I am Guardian Jackson.¡±


    ¡°We know who you are.¡± The voice was feminine, but sounded like multiple voices of different pitches.


    ¡°You may address this figure as Pharaoh.¡±


    ¡°As you wish.  Thank you for your audience.¡± He paused for a moment. ¡°We seek your guidance with Aesopic Legends.  Would you be so kind to see if you can translate a stone tablet?¡±


    An altar of sorts raised in a wide bowl on a skinny rock column of sandstone.  Sino cautiously removed the stone and placed it inside the large bowl. Before he could walk away, the Pharaoh¡¯s voice added, ¡°We require an offering.¡±


    ¡°What kind of offering do you seek?¡± Bo asked from behind Sino


    ¡°htp di nsw.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t speak your language, please allow us some patience and clarification.¡±


    ¡°That he may give an invocation offering of bread, beer, animal, fae, earth, clothing and everything good and pure thing upon which a god lives.¡± Pharaoh advised.


    Sino looked back toward Bo and shrugged in confusion.


    ¡°You have anything pure in that bag of yours?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°I am pure.¡± Evo¡¯s voice suggested.


    ¡°I am not offering you Evo.¡± Sino replied aloud.


    ¡°Wait a minute, she is speaking to you?¡± Bo asked eyes wide.


    Sino nodded. ¡°Via mindspeak.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t think that was important?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°We have other more relevant challenges to address Guardian.¡± Sino growled.


    ¡°What about a small blood sacrifice?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°No.¡± Sino said firmly.


    ¡°Why not?  I mean if she is willing, if she is pure, we could get the information you need.¡±


    ¡°The answer is No.¡±


    Evo walks forward.  She slid seductively down Sino¡¯s body, the action making him ridged in shock.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± His voice clipped.


    She wrapped her bronze arms around his body sinking into his chest.  The action though seductive, it wasn¡¯t sexual.  He hugged her back, visibly relaxing.


    ¡°I love you father.¡±


    ¡°I love you too Evo.¡±


    ¡°Offer accepted.¡± The Pharaoh¡¯s voice rumbled.  The two sphinxes cocked their heads.


    Sino dropped his arms. ¡°What offer?  We didn¡¯t offer anything yet.¡±


    ¡°Hathor''s daughter did in your stead Lycan.¡±


    ¡°Hathor?¡± Bo questioned.  ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± Bo asked.  Sino only shook his head.


    ¡°The text tells a story of two sisters¡¯ journey to a kingdom of Egypt looking for princes to wed.  They find Horus-Ra instead.  They began to fight for the Pharaoh¡¯s mighty seed.  Disgusted by the bickering, the Pharaoh transformed them into two dung beetles.  He declared the one who brought him a worthy offering would have his seed to populate their village.  For hundreds of cycles, they brought new offerings.  None pleased the Pharaoh.  Even at this moment, you see two beetles pushing another piece of dung, It may just be those sisters looking to appease the Pharaoh.


    ¡°Forgive my ignorance Pharaoh.  What does a story about beetles have to do with the Wares and Evo?¡± Bo pointed to her.

 Hathors Journey

    Evo took the lead, the two males trailing behind.  The marketplace was bustling with people wearing beige-white cloaks.  They stared at Evo¡¯s naked body as wide with shock.


    ¡°I told you she needs clothes.¡± Bo stated.


    ¡°This place doesn¡¯t exist anymore.  This is the past.¡± Evo told Sino.


    ¡°They seem to be able to see you.¡± Sino said aloud.


    ¡°No, they see the person who was actually here, Hathor.¡± Evo stopped at a cart with large sparkling armor and smiled in the reflection.  A bonze complected beauty with dark brown eyes and long black straight hair stared back at the group.  Her body was covered in a traditional cloak, but her beauty made her stand out.  She walked with the confidence the goddess was known.


    Sino and Bo then noticed their reflections were not their own either.  Two tall, broad-shouldered women stared back. They also had darker skin, the color of bronze, and deep amber-brown eyes.  They carried weapons under their cloaks.  Sino¡¯s reflection had a scar running the length of her left cheek, while Bo¡¯s was sporting a blackish-purple bruise.


    Evo continued walking through the Market, stopping to look at the carts.  They finally reached the temple.  Two female guards stood watch.  Evo didn¡¯t acknowledge them.  Sino wondered where this confidence came from. They walked the path into the temple.  Columns hand carved and painted with pictures decorated every section.


    The first room they entered was large and square.  The walls covered in drawings.  A single large rectangular stone block was placed in the center.  Standing atop of it was a young girl in her teens.  She was surrounded by several older women who were doing her hair, makeup, and fixing her dress.  She wore a golden strap over her small breasts. Thick black tattoos were carved into her otherwise flawless skin.  Another golden material draped just under her navel, and both glittered with stones.


    The young girl noticed their presence first.  ¡°Goddess Hathor.¡±  She bowed.  The other women immediately stopped what they were doing and followed suit.


    ¡°Hetpet, your beauty honors me. ¡°Evo¡¯s voice dripped with seduction.  ¡°I have a gift.¡± Evo opened a satchel and retrieved an instrument she bought from one of the carts.  Made from a strange plant, it was carved into a lute.  The woodsmanship was surprisingly intricate in detail, with similar symbols.


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    ¡°Goddess Hathor, I am undeserving of such a gift.¡±  Hetpet¡¯s voice was soft and mature for her young age.


    ¡°Nonsense.  You will honor me with your music before you leave on your journey through the underworld.¡± Evo explained.


    ¡°As you wish.¡± Hetpet returned, still not returning from her bow.


    ¡°I will wait for you in the inner sanctum please ensure every mark is perfect before entering.¡±


    ¡°As you wish Goddess Hathor.¡±  The woman spoke as one.


    Evo then continued her walk down another hallway.  Pictures of Hathor overseeing the hunting and fishing dotted the walls.  Sino even noted Evo stopped at a depiction of a dung beetle.  She touched the beetle.  Sino¡¯s mouth dropped, watching the beetle appear to move under her touch before they continued deeper into the tomb.  They passed several smaller rooms filled with grain, pottery, and even animals mummified in white weavings.  The main room had a large sarcophagus adorned in hieroglyphics.  The walls also had instructions for Hetpet¡¯s journey.


    Evo sprinkled the floor around the sarcophagus with white gravel brought from FaeLand.  It sparkled and gave light to the dark room.  Then they waited.  Perhaps two days passed before bare-breasted women came in wearing light beige skirts and gigantic bird masks.  They walked in a single-file line holding rounded instruments made of animal skins.  Sino frowned at the indignity. Hopefully, the animal died naturally, but he doubted it.  Humans ate the animals here.  The women began beating a tempo into the skins.  Hetpet appeared glistening in gold.  She was breathtakingly beautiful.  A small monkey hung from her neck.  It jumped down and ran over to Evo, who cooed at the small creature.


    Hetpet also had the hand-carved lute.  When she reached the sarcophagus, she turned and began to strum the notes echoed through the chamber.  The sound, both happy and sad.  She played until her fingers were raw, and a single tear escaped her left eye.


    Sino watched as one of the bird women handed a small wide bowl to Evo with a bow.  Evo wiped her tears and carefully walked over to Hetpet carrying the bowl.  The young priestess¡¯ voice uttered a simple prayer.  Evo replied with an old witch¡¯s spell.  The white FaeLand dust hummered.  Sino felt the room¡¯s air get heavy.  The ground shook, and the sandstone blocks slid into place.  They were trapped.


    ¡°Evo! What¡¯s happening?¡± Sino asked via mindspeak.


    ¡°Trust me Dad.  This is the path we must take.¡± She whispered back via mindlink.  Sino put a hand on Bo, who was wide-eyed.  The birdwomen repeated the prayer over and over as Sino watched Hetpet climb into the sarcophagus.


    The poison was quick.  Hetpet¡¯s body shook, and white frothy bubbles oozed out of her beautiful brown lips.  Sino heard a small cry from one of the women as she watched Hetpet thrash around.  Then just as quickly as it started, she was still.  One of the bird women slid over a large chest, tears streaking her face.


    They made quick work of the body.  A long-hooked tool was used to scramble her organs and filled ceramic jars.   They wrapped the body in linen and a white plaster.  Finally, they painted a prayer over the body.  They placed the lute with Hetpet and slid the top over the coffin.

 The Underworld

    The moment the lid slid shut, Sino felt a shift in the air.  The FaeLand dust sparkled gold. A small door opened on the other side.  Sino heard Evo whisper, ¡°Thank you.¡± She took a moment to bow before the three entered the new hallway.  Sino felt a small tug on his cloak.  A small elder woman handed a jar to him.  He bowed and put it into his satchel.  The sandstone door shut behind them, and somehow, he knew the women would slowly starve trapped in the main death chamber.


    Looking ahead in the dim hallway, Sino noticed a small glowing winged beast guiding them deeper beneath the earth.  The pillars grew hotter the deeper they went.  A two-legged creature with a dog¡¯s pointed snout growled.  He had an ankh chain hanging from his tiny loin cloth and a large golden scepter.  Sino and Bo leapt to action, both hands on their own weapons.  Bo had a long sword; Sino had a long staff.  They clashed with the creature who outpaced both the human and the ware.  Sino growled in frustration, which made the creature pause.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± He asked Sino.  Its voice similar to an echo in a deep cave.


    ¡°I am Sino of Maytec Pack of FaeLand Wares.¡±


    ¡°A fae?  What brings you to journey through our underworld?¡± He asked.


    ¡°It is my journey, they are ensuring my safe travels to the field of offerings.¡± The winged beast glowed as Hetpets voice spoke.


    ¡°And you assume to be worthy of such an afterlife?¡± He asked.


    ¡°It is an honor for every Egyptian.  Please Anubis, will you take me to the Hall of Truth so that I may be judged?¡± Hetpet¡¯s voice pleaded.


    Anubis ears perked up.  ¡°Follow me.¡± He said after a moment of thought.  The boys kept their weapons out but fell behind Anubis.   The walk deeper yet through the catacombs left even Sino, with his excellent inner sense of navigation, utterly and completely lost.  Anubis took each path and turn with confidence.


    The Hall of Truth was a large, oversized cavern.  Pillars of carved totems and sarcophagi lined the hall.  A long line of Egyptians stood or sat glowing as Hetpet¡¯s soul did.  Above the hall, the ceiling had paintings of various gods and goddesses.  Their eyes watched the line with interest.


    At the far end, a tall two-legged figure stood.  "Osiris," Evo whispered to the guys. His skin sparkled a dark green.  His eyes glowed golden.  He had a white cloak draped in such a way to reveal his perfectly sculpted body.  Behind him, two blue and yellow striped canes and a throne made of sandstone intricately carved with hieroglyphs.  To his left was a large golden scale.  To Osiris''  right, a strange creature called Ammitt.  There was no mistaking it.  With the body of a lion and hippotums, it towered over even Osiris.  Its head had a long sharp snout with razor-sharp teeth completing its frightening crocodile head.  It¡¯s job to devor the unpure hearts to doom Egyptians to oblivion.


    Ammit rose to her shackles the moment they entered. Like a witch¡¯s familiar, it alerted Osiris to our presence.  Anubis walked past the long line of souls.  Sino wanted to ask why, but feared that showing any weakness of knowledge would show them as frauds and, therefore, not worthy of the journey.


    ¡°Hathor, you honor me with your presence.¡± Osiris''s voice sounded both arrogant and flirty.  Sino wanted to growl, but Evo gave him a look that warned him not to growl at Osiris.  His grip tightened on his staff, but he stood watch.


    ¡°Thank you.  We have brought one of my priestess¡¯ souls.  She is a humble servant pure of sin.¡±


    ¡°Pure of Sin?¡±  Osiris stepped forward to the glowing bird.  He waved his hand over it.  He smelt the air.  Hetpet¡¯s bird glowed into a bright white orb, then when the light went out, the small beautiful human stood before him.  She immediately bowed.


    ¡°The jar.¡± Evo¡¯s voice echoed in Sino¡¯s mind.  He nodded and gave the jar to Evo.  She, in turn, handed it to Hetpet.  With a look of relief, she pushed the jar forward towards Osiris'' feet.  He plucked it from the ground and poured the bloody, foul-scented organ onto one side of the scale.  Hetpet¡¯s voice whispered a prayer, her eyes never looking at the scale.


    The dark god-king walked back to this throne and sat back with a grin. ¡°Egyptian.¡±


    A single white feather sparkled as it fell from the ceiling. Hetpet¡¯s prayer felt more anxious, but she dutifully continued.  Sino was awed by the feather¡¯s dance in the air.  Ammit began growling and licked her lips in anticipation.  Sino found he was holding his breath the moment the feather touched.  The scale slowly lurched to life as the weighing began.  It waivered left and right.


    ¡°Speak your sin¡¯s priestess.¡± Osiris commanded.


    Without pause, Hetpet rattled off not her sins, but of the life she never lived.


    ¡°I have never felt the touch of a man nor woman.


    I have never stolen what was another¡¯s.


    I have never spoken untruth.


    I have never taken another life¡­¡±


    Sino was surprised as he listed to her rattle on her confession.  He wondered how one could accomplish such a life of no sins.  As Hetpet spoke, the scale dropped on the heart and the feather¡¯s side.  As Hetpet continued her list, Sino looked up he saw the figures above standing on the ledge went from standing to a deep bow.  When all 42 of them bowed, the scale stopped moving to show the heart was perfectly balanced with the feather. Sino let out the breath he had been holding.


    ¡°So it is true.  You have brought a beautiful soul worthy of A¡¯Aru.¡± Osiris smiled, but Sino could hear the mischief in his voice.  Sino stood on edge, waiting in case everything went sour.  Bo, equally cautious, shifted, holding his sword in a defensive posture.


    ¡°Hraf-hef awaits.¡± Osiris stared at them but pointed to another hall.  They would have to walk past Ammit.  Hetpet offered a quick thank you but never met Osiris¡¯ eyes. However, before moving, she revealed her lute.  She began strumming a lullaby.  Her voice hummed along, creating a harmony with the chords and beat with the palm of her hand on the front.


    Sino¡¯s muscles relaxed.  Osiris¡¯ and Ammit¡¯s eyes drooped until they began softly snoring. Even Anubis curled up into a ball to sleep.  Evo tapped on Sino¡¯s shoulder and put a finger on her smiling lips.  They walked slowly as Hetpet continued her lullaby as she led them to the new hallway.  Each step led them deeper into the earth, and Hetpet¡¯s lullaby got slower and sharper.  A feeling of dread started to consume Sino.


    At the end of the hall, Ammit stood snapping her jaws.  Bo and Sino rushed forward to try to push her back so the women could get to the other side.  They clashed against the razor-sharp teeth with their weapons and pushed.  Evo and Hetpet were able to squeeze past.  Bo distracted Ammit as she tried another thrashing.  Sino took the opportunity to take out his dagger and shove it between a rib.  Ammit screamed in pain and hit Sino with her tail.  He felt the force of a thousand sandstone blocks force him into the wall with a crunch knocking all wind out of his lungs.  The pain seared from his chest to his shoulders.  He gasped. At the same time, he heard Ammitt scream again and then a large thump followed by silence.


    Gathering a struggled breath, he took Bo¡¯s offered hand.  The human impressed him yet again.  They found Evo and Hetpet standing by a river¡¯s edge, speaking with an orange towering two-legged creature.  She was stunning in her confident presence.  Bo let Sino lean on him so they could join the women.  Hetpet removed a jeweled sash and handed it to the creature. Its long-pointed teeth protruded from its dark orange lips.  It nodded, and the four stepped carefully into the boat.


    The River water moved unnaturally.  The surface went from a glass line, and after a turn, it became a large lake filled with purple, pink, and white flowers.  When the canoe touched a flower, it would burst into a puff of smoke and petal debris.  When Sino looked deeper into the water, he saw shadows of people clawing at the surface, trying to break through.  Sino eyes felt heavier than his lungs, but he tried to keep watch just in case.  Evo had fallen asleep draped over his lap, her head on his shoulder.  He looked over the boat with hooded eyes. He was the last one sleep had taken. The last thing he saw was the violet-flowing eyes of the orange beast who pushed the canoe using a long white cane made of bones.


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    Sino woke to the canoe shaking.  His body felt heavy, as if he weighed twice his size.  He moved in slow motion.  Bo woke simultaneously as Sino and seemed to notice the slow movements.  Bo gave Hetpet another shake while Sino gently set Evo on the bench next to him.  The orange beast was nowhere to be found.  Instead, a long white rope tied the canoe to a long brown dock.  Sino grabbed the rope to pull the canoe closer and held it so everyone could get out.


    Every action had to be efficient since it took twice as long to do.  The dock was lined with piles of bones covered in flowers.  Hetpet and Evo took the lead until it split into two stairways.  The young Egyptian hugged Evo.


    ¡°Many thanks for your blessings.  I shall honor you always Goddess Hathor.¡±  Her voice was unnaturally slow and echoed back, deeply reverbed.  They watched as Hetpet stepped down the left stairs.  Her speed was back to normal by the third step.  A group of kids embraced her in a hug.  She looked back with a wide smile.  This was her happiness.  Sino almost wished he could stay longer, but Evo pressed forward, moving fluidly down the stairs to the right.  Instead of a beautiful utopian garden, the three were met with a blinding snowstorm.  Hail pelted frozen rain crystals giving Sino a headache.  They put their head¡¯s down and pushed deeper.  Lightning and Thunder threatened to disorient them, but Evo led with determination.


    She led them from the blinding snow into another tunnel of scarabs.  They choose their foot placement to ensure their foot didn¡¯t squash one being.  The door they approached towered above the three.  It had different languages sprawled across; Sino wondered if perhaps it was every language ever written.  Evo brushed some dust off the carvings to get a better look until she found the words needed.


    ¡°Egyptian.¡± She touched the letters like it was made of the finest stone.


    A smaller entryway opened when she touched the last word. As the group walked deeper, a small blue light grew brighter until they were in another chamber.  A single round blue orb of flame hung in the middle of the room.  12 circles formed a circle around the flame.


    ¡°Dead end?¡± Bo stated as he peered in.


    Evo smiled. ¡°Only for the ignorant,¡± Sino heard her response and snorted.  She grabbed their hands and led them to a circle with a dung beetle on it.  As they stood on it, the ground pressed down using their weight as the key, and another opening appeared.  Deeper they walked until they reached another chamber.  This one filled with no-legged beasts, flicking tongues and venomous fangs.


    ¡°Snakes. Fuck.  Of course. There has to be snakes.¡± Bo¡¯s heartbeat thumped loudly from his fears.  He stood defensively in case a beast changed direction. Sino didn¡¯t much care about no-legged beasts, and these seemed more scared of the newcomers than anything else, especially Evo, who pushed forward. They pushed each other out of the way of her step. As they moved, the slithering mass braided itself into a bit of a bind.  Without the swarm of no-legged beasts, the floor sprkled with gemstones.  Sino noticed a large red sparkling gemstone begin to glow, the red light caused other stones of all colors to glow one by one. With the light, Sino noticed the room was in fact filled with different treasures from weapons to jewelry.


    ¡°We are looking for a crystal scepter.¡± Evo said as she looked at the walls.


    "How do you know that?" Sino asked.


    Evo frowned.  Its just I recognize this room.  This is where Hathor stores her most treasured of items."


    Sino looked around.  Some gems were carved as intricately as the staffs holding them, and others were kept natural.  Sino was drawn to a large walking stick made of wood with a large grey oversized wolf and sparkling emerald eyes.  Bo pointed to an ice blue crystal of a winged beast, its face open like it was midsquawk.  On its forehead, a single purple-green gem and diamond eyes.  Evo shook her head.


    ¡°The truth is often ugly and scared.¡±  She stopped when she found it.  ¡°The sceptre of truth would be the same.¡± The scepter was caked in mud.  Its stem tall, thick, and gnarly.  The tip splintered.  Its grip looked as if the crystal may fall out.  The crystal was an opal white rough with earth still on it.  It barely glowed until Evo touched it.  Then it washed a light yellow beam on the room.  Everything disappeared.  Sino¡¯s mind was confused at how everything could be bright yellow and black simultaneously.


    Suddenly Sino found himself in a familiar place.  His old pack.  The sounds of screams from the huts brought back his worst memories.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the truth we need Sino.¡± Evo¡¯s voice yelled in his mind.  She dropped to her knees, still clutching the scepter.  ¡°Please don¡¯t make me hear more.¡± Her voice no more than a true whisper.  Sino tried to think about anything else, but his mind returned to the day he lost not just his pack, but his companion and pup.


    Bo finally spoke, ¡°We came for the truth of the legend of wares.¡± He looked around at the huts set ablaze and wares fighting each other.  Surely it did not start with this?¡±  Bo wrapped his arms around Sino who¡¯s eyes filled with tears.  ¡°What is the legend of the wares?¡± Bo asked again.


    ¡°A mighty warrior wrestles with another.  Impressed with each other¡¯s strength and prowess, they declare each other friends.¡± Sino¡¯s voice heavy laden as he tried to remember the story.


    The scene around them shimmered away, replaced with an older ancient city.  Two men were laughing and wrestling.  Evo¡¯s heavy breathing evened out, and nodded at Bo.


    ¡°What happens next?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°Gilgamesh tells his friend, Enkidu about a reoccurring dream he has.  His friend has heard of dream quests and insists that Gilgamesh must make a name for himself.¡± Sino¡¯s voice more steady as the legend seemed to come alive in front of them.  ¡°The two men traveled to the Land of the Cedars only to find it was protected by Humbaba, a giant ogre.  In an act of savagery, even when Humbaba begged to serve the men, Enkidu still kills Humbaba.¡±


    The figures clashed swords with a wet rock goblin.  The two dodged the rocks being thrown and attached from two sides.  The fight was quick, and Enkidu was merciless.  Sino even shed an additional tear for the fallen Rock goblin as they watched the creature beg for its life.  His only crime was his duty.


    ¡°Ishtar, the goddess of love and beauty, heard of the murder.  She invited both men to her castle.  They had a long night of merriment and fornication.  They watched as a towering woman with dark brown curls sat at the head of the table.  The world fast forward through the dancing, drinking, and then they devoured each other in pleasure.


    When she woke, both men left her bed.  Angered by this, she threatens to release the undead on the Earth if her father Anu doesn¡¯t release the Bull of Heaven to kill these two men.  However, the two men were strengthened by their night with the goddess.  They easily destroyed the stead, but not until after the bull ran the streets killing any person by pummeling them if they dared to be in its way.


    They watched as an oversized ox with a single emerald nose ring plowed through the streets.  These were busy streets filled with bustling people as they celebrated Ishtar¡¯s announcement of marriage to Gilgamesh.  Her people were almost all destroyed.  ¡°Ishtar begged the other gods for their forgiveness and asked for their help in punishing the men.¡±  They watched as the crying woman pleaded at an old altar, a large baby¡¯s bump now evident.  The other gods and goddesses were so appalled they decided to punish them all. Enkidu was sickened by death himself.  Gilgamesh sent away on a pilgrimage to survive a monstrous flood that threatened his people.


    Ishtar, thick with babes, was cursed with the same curse she gave to previously rejected suitors.  Rumors were she would turn them into feral wolves, never to know domestication again.  Therefore when her babies were sexually mature, they, too would have to fight to learn how to control their inner wolves inside.


    They watched a sickened Enkidu die quickly.  Death¡¯s black hand led his soul away.  They watched Gilgamesh enter the wilderness on his journey of atonement.  Finally, they watched the beautiful Ishtar give birth.  Evo smiled, watching the two lives enter the world.  Then they watched the two girls grow up until they were teenagers. Their mom created a beautiful statue by their sixteenth birthday to celebrate their womanness.  At the moment of first menstruation, the daughters cried so hard, only Ishtar could calm them down.  When their wolves broke free,  it was chaos they could not control.  They mauled Ishtar, her punishment from the gods finally completed.  Sino shed another tear.  ¡°It would take many generations for wares to understand the balance between going rogue and being in control.  Most died.  There was a small beacon of hope, the birth of pups.¡±


    Evo¡¯s scepter strobed.  They watched two girls, bellies round with pups, locked in a basement chained to their beds.  They shifted and attacked each other.  A small pale woman walked down and whispered a sleeping spell.  While they slept, she looked up, locking eyes with Sino.  ¡°When the girls waken, they must learn how to control their inner beasts.  Left unchecked, their lust for revenge will cause their species downfall.  They will doom every milenia a battle of same lust until a guardian can teach compassion.¡± The woman pressed a warm cloth onto the girls¡¯ forehead.  When they awoke, she screamed for help.  Two men ran down to try to hold the women down.  One sister birthed a stone pup.  The second sister revealed the next generation of shewolves.  The sister¡¯s contractions started almost at the same time.  The true first born was a screaming feisty female, and the second, dead silence.


    ¡°They cannot birth boys?¡±


    The woman went over to a table and rubbed the belly of the statue saying a spell.  It glowed and she placed a small opal white stone in the statue¡¯s belly. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how many generations they will last, but this stone shall give your families full bellies as long as the stone sits in its sanctuary.¡± She smiled at the cries of the boys.

 Party Time

    Evo¡¯s staff shone again, and when Sino blinked, they stood again in front of the Two Sphinx.  Two black dung beetles pushed a rounded rock toward the white circle.


    ¡°Rumors say the wares are having a festival soon.  Everyone must attend.¡±


    ¡°Who doesn¡¯t love a party.  We should attend.  Maybe our mate is there?¡±


    ¡°Who would be mated to a bore like you.¡±


    ¡°You have always been jealous of my beauty sister.¡±


    Suddenly the booming voices of the Sphinx spoke. ¡°Your pack calls for you Lycan.¡±  Before Sino could respond, the stone touched the Sphinx, which then shimmered away, leaving not even the beetles with the travelers.


    ¡°Do you think Pharoah will ever give them a break?¡± Bo asked with a smile on his face.  ¡°That piece of shit was so polished it looked like stone.¡± He paused.  ¡°I guess one person¡¯s poop is another Pharoah treasure?¡±


    Sino laughed.  ¡°Call it what you want, it¡¯s still feces.¡±


    ***


    Sino walked back into the forest, the treelines memorized to the pine needle by his numerous duty watches.  This time he was accompanied by a human and Evo, who once again had shifted. Evo¡¯s skin was a deep graphite with matte texture like stones themselves. Her bright green eyes popped against her dark grey skin.  Her hair was waist length and streaked with black, and silver sparkling strands that swayed as she walked.  Her cute pixie-like ears peeked out of her darkest strands, but she wasn¡¯t short like a pixie.  No, she matched Sino¡¯s towering form, but she still had wide childbearing hips that drove all weres crazy. As such, all eyes were on them as the trio walked into the open field crowded with various Fae.


    Sino didn¡¯t miss the whispers of ¡®banished¡¯ and ¡®the guardian?¡¯ but all three ignored the murmurs.  Bo walked in front.  Evo held Sino¡¯s crook of his elbow.  She walked confidently, but Sino felt her rubbing circles on his skin.  Maybe she was trying to soothe herself, Sino thought, but it definitely was helping him stay calm when his own anger spiked at the word no were wants to hear from his pack.  He would need to come to terms with being banished.  For now, ignorance was his bliss.  He had more pressing things to address and it was in the form of the stunning creature on his arm.


    The crowds seemed to split open in front of them once they reached the edges.  They made their way to the far end.  Bo stopped, and all three bowed to the ware council who were in a line previously chatting and observing the field.  A makeshift stage elevated them just a few arm''s lengths.  Mags approached Bo with a bow.


    ¡°I am Guardian Jackson."


    ¡°Welcome Guardian Jackson.  We are honored by your presence here.  To have such a presence of FaeLand¡¯s own guardian here to protect our people is a gift we shall remember.¡± Mags spoke with authority.  She looked over to the Ware Council who nodded in agreement.  She continued, ¡°The rest of the Fae Council is not due for a few moments yet, but we hope to announce our representative for the wares.  My name is Magdeline of the Maytec Pack.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the gracious welcome.  In my culture, we bring a gift for the host.  I would be so humbled if you would accept this gift from the Oracles of behalf of your pack.¡±


    Mags¡¯ eyes went wide, and she looked over to the Council.  They narrowed their eyes but nodded. ¡°I am doubly honored Guardian.¡±


    He gave her a polite smile and held out his hand to Sino.  Sino arched an eyebrow at Mags.  It had been a while since he saw her act professionally.  Sino grabbed a book out of his satchel.  It¡¯s cover was made of Hatchel bark.  What Mags will shortly find out, one must complete a puzzle to open the book¡¯s magickal lock.  Sino handed the book to Bo. The Guardian offered it to Mags with a slight bow.  She gasped, seeing its cover.


    ¡°This gift so humbles me.  May Luna¡¯s blessings be upon you and yours.¡±  She tucked said book into her satchel, giving it a bit of a hug.  She turned to address Sino.  ¡°I am so glad you have decided to attend.¡±  He gave her a stiff nod.  He watched her face twisting as she waited for him to fill the silence.  She wasn¡¯t one to wait, though.  Her curiosity wouldn¡¯t let her wait for the socially acceptable.  ¡°And may I ask who you have brought with you?¡±  It was the question on everyone¡¯s mind.  As such, the entire crowd went silent, straining to hear his response.


    Sino¡¯s eyes met Evo¡¯s.  She smiled warmly and stepped forward.  ¡°You may call me Evo.¡± At her voice, a collective gasp echoed in the valley, most likely from the tone of her voice.  It was like a Ware Lullaby.  It melted the hardest of hearts.


    ¡°Pleasure to meet your acquaintance.  May I ask how you know my friend, Sino?¡±  Mags was never one to mix words, something that caused many of conflicts.


    This time Sino spoke.  ¡°But you met her before, in your hut, before I left.¡±


    Her eyes scrunched in confusion, then wide in shock and doubt.  ¡°Who¡­ What- are you?¡±


    ¡°She is family and she told you to call her Evo.  She is under my protection.¡±


    Her lips gapped before she recovered.  ¡°My apologies.  Of course.  Sino, please enjoy yourself.  We have all five Fae Packs here today.  Since the Inbetween isn¡¯t open, The Earth Packs could not be invited.  Word spread in Fae.  We have beings from all over FaeLand here to see if any new matings occur.  The ware council has been announcing them.¡±


    ¡°How exciting!¡± Evo beamed.


    ¡°Oh look, there¡¯s another.¡± Mags smiled and nodded her head towards the crowd splitting again.  A short house goblin was holding hands next to a short squatty ware.  Sino¡¯s eyes went wide; that was Lu, a nerdy ware who ran the training program.  He was older, and finding a mate at his age was unheard of.  He was beaming.  Sino knew Lu had reluctantly given up hope that he would ever find his true mate.  Though he had a few long-term companions, they always fizzled out since his heart was dedicated to training the new wares.


    Lu approached Deek, who stood to the left of the council.  After speaking for a few, a loud booming voice echoed in the valley.


    ¡°Announcing Lewis Scott of the Maytec Pack, Master of ware tracking techics and herb medicine is mated to Oolong, a house goblin duty bound to the Vixen Clan.  This is the first mating of ware and goblin on record.  Blessed Be the Godess Ishtar for your wisdom and to the Fates for bringing our families together.  May you birth many.  FaeLand, please join us in celebrating this match.¡± The voice was interrupted by cheering, howling, and stomping.  Sino couldn¡¯t help but join in.  Evo¡¯s smile reached her ears, and Sino could feel the joy pulsing from her being.  She approved.


    Mags turned back to face Sino.  ¡°Have you found¡­¡± Sino asked, but seeing her eyes drop.  Switching gears, his eye caught a pile of offerings near the edge of the stage.  ¡°Why is your statue there?  Its for your daughter.¡±


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    Her lips flatlined.  ¡°Its an offer to Ishtar, may she bring our pack many pups.  I¡¯m just happy I was able to glue it together to the last piece just in time.¡±


    Sino felt the pull to inspect it.


    ¡°Evo, does this look familiar to you?¡±


    She smiled and nodded.


    ¡°You know this statue Sino,¡± Mags said.


    ¡°Its missing a stone.¡± He said.


    ¡°I assure you there are no other pieces of Migsly Rock.¡± Mags stated. He heard her voice crack.


    ¡°I do not mean to offend.  But its an actual stone in the belly button.  A small, round milky stone with streams of light green and pink.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Mags frowned.  Her eyes held recognition as if she just remembered.  ¡°I scoured every grain of stone.  I don¡¯t remember seeing that in the rubble, but now that you say that.  I do remember the small while belly button.¡±


    ¡°Maybe someone saw it and just picked it up to reuse it?¡± Sino tried.  ¡°I can¡¯t believe you were able to put it all back together.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, the Goddess will accept it as is.¡± Mags explained.  It''s going to the Wisdom Cave after the Bramian.


    Sino opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.


    ¡°Announcing Pichu of the Azaya Pack, sentry is mated to Lilp of the Maytec pack, master of shifting studies.  Blessed Be the Goddess Ishtar for your wisdom and to the Fates for bringing our packs together.  May you birth many pups.  FaeLand, please join us in celebrating this match,¡± Again, the crowd cheered at the two wares, who shared a laugh and a quick peck.


    ¡°This is amazing.  So much love here.¡± Evo¡¯s voice again cut the crowd to silence.  It was as if her words lulled them into a daze.  ¡°The Fates will be very pleased by this celebration.¡± She smiled.  The ground shook as if in agreement with her statement.  Everyone¡¯s eyes went wide, but no one moved.


    Puffs of smoke, magick, and figures exited the edges of the forest.  The crowd shifted towards the approaching creatures.  Sino was glad they were near the offerings and, therefore, off to one side, the right of the back of the circle.  Bo was the first to bow.  It didn¡¯t take long for everyone to follow suit.


    A large towering Rock Goblin was leading the odd mix of creatures.  They stopped outside the crowd edges.


    ¡°FaeLand, The Maytec Pack is honored to host this gathering.  Its purpose, to extend an opening arm to mates outside our packs and now our species.  Though we are happy to live isolated from most of Fae, such isolation has perhaps harmed our species.  Though our species is a proud race, we have come to terms that our broken path forward can only be mended with the help of other Faelanders.  Our knowledge is vast, but not omniscient.  We humbly ask for the forgiveness of the land. It is the decision of the Ware Council to step out of our cloaked spell.  From this day forward, our community is open to any Fae for trade of food, knowledge, and companionship.¡±


    Murmuring spread like a wildfire.  Sino was quick to pick out the utters of ¡°Ridiculous¡¯ ¡®why¡¯ and ¡®shameful,¡¯ but then it was replaced with other voices, ¡®cool¡¯ ¡®what about travel? Can we go see FaeLand?¡¯ ¡®you could study with the elves like you always wanted to.¡¯  The last one was a young ware whispering loudly to her friend.


    The voice continued. ¡°To ensure our culture isn¡¯t lost, we will have counsil meetings at this location just before the Bramian and Samian Festivals.  All of Fae is welcome to attend.  This new transition is sure to have its bumps.  We look to leadership within our community.  Our historians will be busy and therefore will need new apprentices.  We shall be opening up one slot to an academic from outside our species for ten cycles before that position will be dissolved.  It is our hope that our history is never lost and thus must be taught to species outside of the ware community.¡± There was a pause.  ¡°This will be a challenging time and therefore we need our representative to be a figure of this new face of the packs.  The Ware Council has chosen a ware representative to be candidate for Fa¡¯ FaeLand Council.  This ware has shown wisdom, loyalty, duty, and will honor our Packs to ensure our species is represented well within the Counsil.¡±


    Sino watched the collective head swivel as everyone silently looked around for clues. However, Sino narrowed in on the smug face pretty quickly.  The voice continued, ¡°This leader is no other than Deeklistapectoo, mediator specialist of the Maytec Pack and current voice of the Ware Council.  As such, we will begin the selection process for the newest Voice of the Ware Council. Ansley Grid of the Azaya Pack will be Voice-protemp.  Please join us in celebration of change.¡±


    The crowd seemed happy with the choice.  Deek nodded at the front of the stage, taking in the hoots and cheers.  Deek¡¯s eyes met Sinos.  All warmth disappeared.  His eyes were cold and smug.  Sino wanted to punch him in the throat.  The crowds swelled forward to speak with him.


    Sino was quick to try to pull Evo toward the edges so they could make their way to the Fae Council, hoping they may be able to get a quick moment to speak with them.


    ¡°Sino.¡± Deek¡¯s voice made Sino¡¯s teeth clench, but he put his best no-emotion face on and turned back to the Ware.  Evo¡¯s hand left his arm. He frowned.


    ¡°Deek.¡± His voice clipped.


    ¡°I thought you were banished?¡±


    ¡°He comes as my guest.¡± Bo inserted himself into the conversation.


    ¡°Noted.¡± Deek¡¯s head bowed respectfully towards Bo.  Deek wouldn¡¯t leave it at that.  But when he brushed past Sino, ¡°Ensure you leave once the festival is over.  You are not welcome here.¡±


    ¡°Are you speaking for all Ware¡¯s or just the council?¡± Sino asked dryly.  ¡°One would think you have more important duties than speaking to a rogue.¡±


    Deek sneered at Sino. ¡°No one wants you here, not even your mate dares to show their face.  They probably heard about you killing younglins.¡±  Sino went ridged.


    Deek eyed Sino, ¡°Yes. That must be it. They heard about your poor dead companion and pup, then you tossing an orphan child creature.  No one would ever want to mate with you.¡±


    Reason and clear thought left.  His eyes glowed golden as he fought to control his wolf.


    ¡°I will give you two breaths to walk away out of respect for the Ware Council and Fae Council.¡±


    ¡°Or what?¡± Deek scoffed.  He kept his voice low, slow, and barely loud enough for Sino to hear his words.  ¡°You can¡¯t touch me or you will be banished by the human guardian as well as the Fae Council.¡±


    A flash of grey pushed Deek.  He was flat on his back, Evo with long, pointed claws extending out of her knuckles.  ¡°He may be bound to ware loyalty, but I¡¯m not.¡±


    Deek laughed.  ¡°Now that¡¯s cute.  What a hot toy you have, Sino. She is fun. Now get off me before you cause problems for your whole species.¡±


    Sino didn¡¯t know if this action should amuse him.  Evo was straddling the ware, her claws against his throat.


    ¡°She isn¡¯t my companion.  She is her own being.  I told you before your cockiness was going to cost you.  I didn¡¯t say I was going to do it.  I could care less if she rips out your jugular.  I¡¯m not in your pack anymore.¡± Sino towered above, looking down on Deek as if he wasn¡¯t worth his time.  ¡°A piece of advice though, for your new role.  Might I suggest you apologize to her.  Just because you don¡¯t know who someone is doesn¡¯t mean you can treat them like excrement.  Once day, you may need help from her and if you piss her off, I doubt she¡¯ll help.¡±  Deek rolled his eyes.


    Mags tried approaching.  ¡°I apologize on his behalf.  He must have had too much celebratory drink.  Please forgive him Evo.¡± She kneeled, pressing her chest into the ground.


    The crowd nearest gasped.  To show such submission to another attacking their own was unheard of, but everyone stood frozen, unsure what to think.


    ¡°Mags, don¡¯t worry. I got this.¡± Deek said.


    ¡°Quiet pup.¡± Mags growled. ¡°While I may not be on the council.  I still have their ear.  Your actions thus far hasn¡¯t reflected well on our species for the role.  If you are not careful, you will lose the position before you are officially sworn in.¡±


    His eyes went wide as that information sunk in.  Then it narrowed.  ¡°Please allow me to apologize appropriately.¡±


    Evo¡¯s claws retracted and disappeared into her knuckles.  She stood up, waiting.


    He huffed, but bowed next to Mags.  She pulled him to the ground.  This disrespect earned Mags a growl from Deek, but he followed.  ¡°Please forgive my rudeness.  It was inappropriate and though not an excuse, I did have many celebratory drinks.  Please do not hold my words or actions to my species.¡±


    Evo looked at Sino, who nodded.  He understood that Deek was not a humble ware.  He allowed not only for Mags to publicly humiliate him by treating him like a pup, but calling him such as well.  This was an appropriate punishment for his disrespect.


    ¡°This time,¡± She said so others would hear her approval.  Evo leaned down to pretend to help Deek up. She leaned into his ear. ¡°But careful or I will remove your tongue permanently next time.¡± Sino helped Mags to her feet who kept her head down in respect.  Deek nodded once and scurried away.


    ¡°How did he get chosen?¡± His voice a whisper to Mags.


    ¡°They know they can control him.  Though young and rough around the edges, he will suit their purpose.¡±


    ¡°The Ware Council or Ware Species?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°Now there¡¯s the right question.¡± Mags clicked her tongue as they watched Deek continue his walk towards the Fae Council.  Sino locked eyes with a pale-skinned Fae who had swirls of pink magick snaking around him.  The Fae was walking through the crowds stopping to speak in the ears of the other fae.


    ¡°Who is that?¡± Sino asked aloud.

 The Pink Fae

    ¡°Who?¡± Mags asked, craning her neck.


    ¡°The Pink Swirly Fae.¡± Sino said.


    Bo, Evo, and Mags followed his point.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see¡­¡± Mags was interrupted. Evo tensed.


    Suddenly a while spinning magick bomb appeared above their group.  Sino and Bo moved to grab Evo, but her scepter had appeared.  Her eyes glowed. Green and white magick pushed against the magick bomb until it exploded inside the shield.  Sino watched as the people whose ears were touched glowed pink, and they started attacking the people around them.


    Bo drew his sword. ¡°What the frack is going on?¡± He yelled as a wolf was nicked by his sword.  He kicked the wolf knocking it cold.


    ¡°Jin?¡± Mag¡¯s yelled.


    Members of the Fae Council seemed confused by the sudden attack and put up magical shields or disappeared.


    Bo nodded, ¡°I don¡¯t want to kill any fae.  How can we snap them out?¡± He blocked an oncoming attack by a pink-eared Ware.  Evo shimmered grey.  Her scepter pushed a white glow over the crowds.  Everyone except their immediate group fell limp.


    ¡°Woah.¡± Bo said, ¡°Are they-¡°


    Evo collapsed, but Sino caught her.  He wrapped her in his arms.  Sino looked at the council; they softly chanted, swirls of different colored magick snaked around each being.  ¡°No!¡± Sino yelled.


    Bo sheathed his word and came over to help Sino with Evo.  Her eyes were closed, but her breathing steady.  ¡°She needs water.¡± Sino said.


    Bo nodded and ran towards the remaining council who one by one began stepping back into the forest or shimmered away.  He spoke to an empty space that glowed light aqua blue-green.  Then returned back to Sino.  ¡°How much water do you need?¡± Bo asked.


    ¡°Enough to rinse off all her skin.  She needs to regenerate.¡±


    The aqua-blue swirled around them.  Above them, fat droplets fell.  Within moments, he was soaked to the bone.  Evo¡¯s skin was bubbling like a heat blister.  The one on her arm oozed open, revealing a blue-green sparkle of puss.  In its tracks on the skin, yellow-orange scales were left in its place.  Sino wiped away as much of the peeling skin cringing when she groaned in pain.


    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong.  It doesn¡¯t normally hurt her.¡± Sino yelled.  He looked up and saw two swirls of pink magick snaking toward them.


    Instinct took over.  He shifted.  His bones cracked at the sudden change.  His skin ripped off; his bones snapped into a new configuration.  He howled in pain.  His brain clouded by hurt.  Again he was going to lose his family.  He was here this time.  He couldn¡¯t let Evo die.  He sprung into action towards the source of the magenta magick.


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    The grey-brown brindle wolf sniffed at the bodies but kept his yellow eyes on the pink swirls looking for the exact source.  He came upon a small pile of collapsed beings.  Using his mouth, he flung the beings away until he found the pale-skinned fae staring at him.  His wolf senses heard its heartbeat speed up. ¡®Good. Be scared.¡¯ He thought.


    His sharp canines pierced the pale skin quickly as he ripped at the creature¡¯s jugular.  He was prepared to kill this being, but the magick of Faeland pushed him away, tossing him away like a pup.  He howled, cursing at the Gods.  He sprung back up to take another section of the Fae¡¯s throat.  It was already hanging by a thread of neck skin.  A presence ran past him.  His teeth found its throat again, but his instincts told him to hold the being in place.  The human guardian had his sword unsheathed again.  He was saying something, but Sino did not recognize the language.  From his peripheral, he watched the human complete his duty.  The sword glittered aqua-blue green. Then as if he could finally see the fae, he sunk his sword into the fae¡¯s chest.  At the same time, Sino released the throat.  Bo¡¯s second action was a quick swish removing the head entirely from its place.


    A necklace also fell from the neck landing in a pool of now coagulated blood.  The smell of iron hung thick in Sino¡¯s nose, but his wolf sight zeroed in on the creamy stone.  Not really knowing why, he plucked it out of the blood with his teeth shivering at the metallic taste of the fae¡¯s blood.  He knew he shouldn¡¯t enjoy the taste as much as he did, but his ancestors were carnivorous.


    The taste, gave him a jolt of pleasure.  He knew he should walk away now, but he also wanted to lap up the remaining liquid.  A human¡¯s voice and firm grip on his scruff switched his attention from the pool.  Sino saw the blonde¡¯s lips moving, but he didn¡¯t understand the utterances.  He yanked on Sino¡¯s scruff with his puny human strength.


    A word finally wormed its way into his wolf¡¯s mind, ¡°EVO.¡± His body went from tense to moving towards Evo.  Bo pulled again, trying to move the wolf from the blood.  Sino wanted to move.  He had to help her, but he also wanted to take just a quick lick.  Just another quick taste.


    The human kept shouting.  He ripped the necklace from Sino¡¯s mouth and held it in front of his face.  The smell of its contents drew Sino to it.  Bo started running.


    ¡®I must chase it.¡¯ Sino¡¯s self being driven solely by instinct.


    The human suddenly stopped and picked up a body using it as a human shield.  He went to sink his teeth in it.  Toss it away so he could have another taste.  A garbled scream came from the yellow-orange limp being.  He froze.  He cocked his head to the side and sniffed.  Water droplets were soaking his thick fur and it was masking the scent around him.  He blew out his nose to clear it and sniffed again at the scaly she-beast.


    A familiar scent brought a word to him. ¡®Pancakes?¡¯ He paused.  ¡®Tastes of strawberries and cream pancakes.¡¯ He licked his being''s face.  She tasted like pancakes.  Another word filled his mind, ¡®Evo.¡¯ He nuzzled at her neck.  Why is she so cold?  He needed to warm her up.


    He growled at the human holding her limp form.  It was shouting something.  Sino knew what the human wanted. He was making himself bigger, puffing out his chest.  He wanted him to submit to him.  He growled again, but then a small noise came from Evo.  His body moved on its own, head down, ears back, exposing his neck.  He laid down as small as he could.  The human laid Evo next to him.  Sino groomed her and left his body warm hers.  Sleep engulfed him.

 The Meeting

    A not-so-secret to make any ware mush is to scratch just under the jawline. It''s both a trust action letting a being access to one¡¯s throat, as well as a submissive act of grooming. That¡¯s why when he felt small fingers rubbing that spot on Sino, his eyes flew open. Bright green eyes blinked back at him through dark jade green hair perfectly complimenting her orange-yellow scaled skin; thorns peeked out down the side of her head like double braids. He saw it when she turned her head to say something.


    ¡°Hello sleepy head.¡± Evo¡¯s soft and sultry voice filled his head.


    ¡®Evo. Protect Evo.¡¯ Sino couldn¡¯t think of anything else. Her fingers rubbed under his jawline again and leaned in, which gifted him an adorable giggle from his Evo.


    Other voices interrupted her giggle. His head snapped towards the two forms. A human male and a she-wolf. He growled towards them.


    ¡®Protect Evo.¡¯


    ¡°They are friends.¡± Evo¡¯s voice was followed by a scratch behind his right ear. ¡°Mags told me that the force-shift and blood taste has made you rogue-minded driven purely on instinct and forgetting things. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll help you get back to yourself.¡± She pressed her face into his neck. He nuzzled back, not really understanding her words, but he had to return her affection.


    His eyes flung open. He scanned the area. He was in a field covered in bodies surrounded by trees. He glared further into the brush. Something was off. Turning around, a makeshift stage and a pile of items were quickly dismissed, but as he looked past into the trees, he noticed a glow in his periphery.


    He cocked his head. He stretched his legs, ensuring Evo was standing. She was looking at him with bright, curious eyes. Sino walked to the items; a figure emanated a warm glow. Voices engulfed his mind. His wet nose touched the figure in the belly, making it teeter. He whined as the voices overlapped and grew in his mind. He shook his head. Whisps of golden magick grew from the belly of the figure. It wasn¡¯t right. He didn¡¯t like it.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on Sino?¡± Evo¡¯s voice asked. He didn¡¯t understand her words, but maybe she could fix it. She approached and kneeled in front of the figure. He put his nose to the belly again. The voices yelled back again one on top of another. He shook his head and whined. He pushed his nose against her arm towards the figure. He whined. The noise was too much.


    External voices of a human and the she-wolf spoke in a language he didn¡¯t quite understand. The human approached slowly handing something to Evo. She nodded. The smell drifted to his wolf senses. Thoughts of hunger started to overpower the distraction of the figure. The voice started to quiet as his mouth watered for what was in her hand.


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    He watched her green eyes widen as she noticed the immediate change in him. He should care. He didn¡¯t. He snapped his jaw at her hand drool, landing on her lap. He growled a warning. Surely she would give hit to him. Why wouldn¡¯t she? She didn¡¯t.


    Instead, he watched her push her hand into the belly of the statue. The figure''s whisps grew and then dimmed. The voices went silent. Evo brought her hand back out empty. He wanted to be angry with her, but she looked up to him completely at his mercy. He sniffed her hand, definitely empty. ¡®What was it missing.¡¯ He could attack the being, she was so delicate this close to his sharp teeth. Her eyes seemed too big for her face as she looked through her long lashes. He felt her hand back around his neck. Calm. She was so familiar. Did he know her?


    A small clicking noise came from in front of them. Then a howl emitted through the bellow of the figure. He responded. Goddess Ishtar. He howled from his belly. The shewolf also howled. The sky seemed to fall, leaving nothing but darkness. The world he knew was now masked by shadow. He heard a small gasp. The figure grew to life, mirroring the woman clinging to his neck. He listened to her her heartbeat race.


    He sat and wagged his tail. She cocked her head at him and then spoke toward the figure. Night fungus sprouted around them, glowing iridescently. He bowed his head. The figure smiled. She was the moon reborn in the night. She spoke to the woman. The words they spoke unlearned to him, but he felt the emotion, love. He loved them both with his whole heart. He would protect them until his last breath.


    The goddess approached him. She rubbed behind his ears and kissed his forehead right where his blaze was. He felt her warmth. ¡°You have surpassed my expectations little pup.¡± Her voice deep and feminine. He kept his eyes down on the ground.


    ¡°You are so adorable. Its okay to look at me.¡± She rubbed behind his ears again. He couldn¡¯t help but to lick her face, tasting of happiness if that had a taste. She laughed a deep belly laugh. ¡°Thank you for returning the fertility stone and for bringing my young daughter to me. She is ready for her next adventure thanks to your guidance.¡± She walked back to the spot she first came to life. ¡°I know you are still hurting little pup, but fleeting love is worth heartache. Stolen love is easy to dwell on what could have been. Then then you miss out on what is right in front of your adorable wolfy eyes.¡± She moved into position taking a mirror of how the statue sat. ¡°I have a few gifts for you when you get back. Don¡¯t offend me and reject them.¡± The words were scolding, but it sounded like she was about to giggle again. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, young pup. I¡¯m excited to watch what happens next. Have fun on your next adventure.¡± She winked. The golden tendrils came out of her belly and pushed the orange creature back towards Sino. She grabbed onto his nape. Ice¡¯s cold wind blew them back, and he had to close his eyes.

 The Gift

    ¡°He¡¯s back.¡± Mag¡¯s familiar voice cut into the darkness.  Sino felt like a Rock Goblin used him as a punching practice dummy.  He groaned, holding his head as he sat up.  Every muscle twinged sharp pains as he moved them.  He felt a soft feminine hand on his back rubbing circles.  He groaned again, his eyes trying to open, but the light hurt.  ¡°Shitacki, that¡¯s bright.¡±


    Several voices laughed.


    He squinted.  Three wares and Bo stood in a half circle, looking at him and laughing.  The three had red orbs glowing behind their heads.


    ¡°You speak to the Moon Goddess and come back sane.¡± Mags tisked at them.


    He scrunched his eyes towards her voice.  She was rubbing his back.  She had a weird orange glow about her.  He swatted at a white light that popped in front of him.  ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Long story or short?¡± Mags asked.


    ¡°Short.¡± He groaned.  He tried to stretch his muscles.  They seemed different, longer, wider, stronger.


    ¡°Jin crashed our party.  It attacked Evo so you went rogue-minded. Bo killed the Jin, you tasted its blood and was lost to the ancient bloodlust magick. You found the missing piece of my statue. Evo put it back. You both disappeared. Now you are back and the statue is glowing gold.¡± She pointed.  The statue was pulsing golden whisps.


    ¡°Did it do that before?¡±


    ¡°Definitely not.¡±


    ¡°So why is it doing it now?¡±


    ¡°We were hoping you could tell us.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you said Moon Goddess?¡± Sino groaned, trying to move his legs and arms to stand up.


    ¡°You kept saying her name when you got back until you woke.  I just assumed.¡±


    ¡°Did I hit my head?¡± He groaned again; the lights around him gave him a headache like stomping feet.


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember anything?¡±


    He shook his head.  ¡°Last thing I remember¡­¡± He paused. Suddenly, he had to move.  It''s like his muscles were hurting.  He had to run. ¡°I need to run.¡± It was a need.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think-¡° Mags started.


    He scoffed, cutting her off.  He took a deep breath to relax his muscles.  He would feel better in his wolf form.  As he shifted, his bones and muscles glided into his four-legged form.  He stretched his back, pushing his head towards the sky.  His muscles felt better.  He sighed in relief.


    Several gasps interrupted his calm.


    He cocked his head towards Mags, who backed up to the group of wares.  Every being had their mouths gaping.  He looked behind, nothing seemed to be out of place.  He reached out to Mags via mindslink.  Dropping his protective walls, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°What the fungi did the Goddess do to you?¡±


    ¡°What? I feel fine.¡± He moved and bounced.  In fact, he felt like a pup again. ¡°I feel great.¡±


    ¡°You have¡­ wings?¡±


    ¡°Have you lost your mind Mags? Maybe you should shift and run with me.  My mindache is gone.  The brightness isn¡¯t as bad.  My muscles feel normal again.  I wanna run!¡± He put his butt up in the air and playfully nipped at Mags.


    ¡°Ok, but lets go get a drink at the lake. Let¡¯s run that way.¡± She shifted into her light grey and brown wolf.


    ¡°You look smaller.  Are you eating enough?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°No, you have doubled in size.  Lets see what you can do.  Can you catch the fastest ware in the pack?¡± She asked back and took off in a run.


    Ha! He laughed and let her run for a few moments.  ¡°You must be getting slow in your old age shewolf.¡± He said and shook his butt before taking off to follow.  She was quick, but his muscles stretched, and he powered past her in less than a breath.


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    He slowed, and they weaved around the brush.  He allowed her to get ahead as she pushed as fast as she could go jumping over a fallen tree. A family of forest fairies squealed in delight watching them leap effortlessly past their home.  They didn¡¯t stop until the lake.  He jumped right in.  The cool water felt fantastic on his hot, sweaty paws.  He jumped back out and twisted his body to shake the water from his fur.


    Mags panted, but she was giggling at him. ¡°You are acting like a pup.¡± She mused.


    ¡°I feel like one.  It¡¯s like a huge weight off everything.¡± He laughed and licked his huge paw.  It did look big.  He cocked his head.


    ¡°You should take a look.¡± She said. ¡°Its amazing.¡±


    Another fallen log stretched into the lake.  He was able to balance so he could look at his reflection.  She was right.  His dark grey-brown fur was the same, but dark brown wings were folded to his sides.  On his forehead, a golden chevron gem above his light grey blaze.  It sparkled in the sun¡¯s rays.  He stretched and found the muscles that widened his wing out. The sudden change tipped him off the log and he splashed in the shallows.  He scrunched his face.  Mags howled in laughter.


    ¡°Try again.¡± She said, trying to stay her giggles.  He snorted the air from his snout. Again he made his way out, shook out the water, and went to the log firmly planting his feet using his claws as anchor.  He concentrated on stretching again and felt his wings move out to stretch as well.


    ¡°Oh. My. Goddess on Faeland.  Simply Beautiful.¡± Her voice didn¡¯t mask her awe.


    His mind was racing.  How did this happen?  ¡°What is going on?¡±  He asked.  He moved the dark feathered wings feeling the air moving around him.  He laughed as he released his claws and felt his body lift.  ¡°Mags!¡± Sino still laughing. ¡°I¡¯m-¡°  His wings stopped, and the little lift he got was lost.  His body fell again into the water below.


    Mags laughter broke through his mindslink as he slunk out of the water.  This time when he shook off, he made sure to do it in just the right position to drench Mags with the spray as he wiggled the water free from his fur.  She squealed. ¡°You hobgoblin navel fur.¡± She laughed.


    ¡°I feel happy for the first time in cycles.  Even though I¡¯m confused by this.  It just feels like I¡¯m finally complete.¡±


    ¡°It means everything to hear you say that friend.  When you lost your family and as the cycles passed, I hoped you would find your happiness.  Maybe even your actual mate.  Seeing you waste away your entire pack especially when you pushed us all away.¡±


    ¡°It was like I was trapped, but then¡­ Evo. Where is she?¡±


    ¡°She said you would find her when you awoke.  She said something about checking on something called a dung beetle.  Does that make sense to you?¡± Mags cocked her ear to the side.


    He nodded, inside smiling.  He knew exactly where she was.  We should head back to the field so that I can thank Bo for his help.¡± Sino wondered aloud.


    Mags nodded.  Their run back was slower.  His muscles fully stretched.  He felt a peace wash over him as he practiced pushing his wings with the wind as he leapt over the fallen log again.  He surprised even himself when he yipped in joy as his stomach flipped when he dipped suddenly up into the sky.  ¡°Whoooo!¡± He laughed.  He pushed higher, but kept an eye on the running wolf under him.  The trees seemed to be waving at him.  He almost missed the airstream, but a fresh air of wind pushed him forward.


    Relief.


    Peace.


    Calm.


    Freedom.


    Its like he could finally be himself.  The wolf he used to be, he now knew, felt wrong, especially after his family was murdered.  He swooped down towards the gawking wares.  His landing not so perfect.  Okay. He crashed.  He landed on his left shoulder, but shook it off.  ¡°Ouch.¡± He said as he shifted to his two-legged form.  Mags had beat him and stood already shifted next to Bo.  He bowed. ¡°Guardian Jackson.  Thank you for all you did to help the wares and for protecting Evo when I couldn¡¯t.¡±


    Bo returned a deep bow. ¡°Sino, I would say anytime, but I have a feeling I¡¯ll see enough of you as it is.¡±


    Sino chuckled. ¡°Ya, I have that feeling as well.  Did Evo say anything to you before she left?¡±


    ¡°I got a hug and thanks.  She said she was gonna go bug watching.¡± He smiled to Sino.


    ¡°You heading back to the Lore Estate?¡±


    ¡°Ya, Seems like you have things wrapped up here.  Just make sure that Statue is placed somewhere safe.  I really don¡¯t want to have to go through literal hell again.  It¡¯s not on my FaeLand Bucket List.¡±


    ¡°Bucket List? What list is this?¡± Sino asked.


    ¡°List of things to do before you kick the bucket. Oh nevermind.  It¡¯s kind of macabre just thinking about it.  Let¡¯s just say humans try to make the most out of their short lives and that a list is a some of the things they want before they die.¡±


    Sino shook his head, bemused. ¡°Did you want to travel together?¡±


    Bo lifted his light blonde eyebrows.  ¡°I¡¯m actually going to head west since I¡¯m out this direction.  Make sure the Fae out here don¡¯t need anything.¡±


    ¡°Ah. I¡¯m going the opposite way.  Take care my friend.¡± Sino said.


    Bo smiled and offered his hand out.


    ¡°Why do you do that?¡±


    ¡°You shake it . Like this.¡± He grabbed Sino¡¯s hand and gave it a firm shake.  ¡°It¡¯s a greeting and a good bye gesture showing respect in some cultures of humans.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Bo then gave Sino a bow and said, ¡°Until next time¡­ friend.¡±


    Sino bowed, then turned to face Mags.  ¡°I¡¯ll be back before the Bramian Festival.¡±  His eyes tracing her face to try to understand the emotion written on it.


    ¡°Understood. I am taking a group of warriors with me to place Ishtar¡¯s statue in the Wisdom Cave.¡±


    ¡°Take my satchel.  It has two books and a stone tablet that should be returned there as well.¡±


    She nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure it gets there safe.  What are you going to do next?¡±


    He paused. ¡°I¡¯m leaving it up to the Fates.¡±