Her Mantle Upon Your Shoulders: Part 10

The return to the Narulus was a long, somber walk. With each step put forth by the soldiers that carried his litter, Rupland's wounds pulsed with pain. But he neither groaned nor hissed as they made their way through waves of northern folk, wagons, and carts. He watched them pass by, around the wake of troops that surrounded him, Akuna, Brunka, Zulca, and some other female warrior he did not recognize. Curious children and adults alike watched them go onward, to look at the wounded male laying still on his back upon the litter. When he grew tired of their stares, he pointed his muzzle upwards and looked toward the light blue sky. But it would not settle his worrying mind. Turning his head, he found her at his side, hoping she would meet his eyes.

Akuna was reluctant to even look at him, he found. Her strides were full of anger, fists clutched tightly at her sides. He was not surprised and couldn't blame her for feeling this way. He had been reckless to leave the black keep without any protection except a dagger at his hip. It was stupid of him to wonder Wevren's streets, lost. But most of all, it was the danger he had put Brunka in that pained him more than any of his wounds. Fool, he thought bitterly to himself. Fool of fools. Foolish, foolish damned fool.

Akuna only gave a hint of a glance towards him and he could read some sort of tension in her eyes. The rage was there, but something else too. Was it shame, to walk the streets for these city folk to see her mate torn and bloodied? He couldn't blame her for feeling this way either.

"Against five, is it?" a voice came to his ears. Rupland found it came from the tall, unknown  female. She gave a glance down at him and smiled. "Against five anyone would feel lucky in your place." The female looked across from him and to his mate. "Wouldn't you say too, Captain?"

Akuna's head snapped to the side and eyed the tall female, her face devoid of any friendly expression. Then she took a look down, the first full stare Rupland gained from her. It wasn't long before she turned her head forward again. "Against five southerners, I would believe my male would have only a few cuts upon him.  It appears I had too much confidence in him." Her words were strained, as if the rage within her was about to burst.

"Be gentle, Captain!" the female suggested, her tone light and playful. "You wound him with your words.  Don't you think he has enough wounds for today?"

Rupland watched Akuna turn and look down at him again, eyes full of disdain. "Not enough," she growled. "Not nearly enough."

There was only silence now between them, heavy and undeniable. Rupland found his daughter still close, her soft hand held within his callous palm. When she met his eyes, he found hurt and sadness there. He showed a smile and for a moment, she showed her own and brought her doll, Joos, closely to her chin.

"I'm sorry, Akuna," he told his mate suddenly. Her head turned towards him and for a moment he thought he saw sympathy in those greys of hers. "I'm sorry."

But the rage burned away any sympathy, her brow scrunching as she leered at him. "Hold your apologies for later.  Once your hide heals, I'll make it bleed again.  If I have to train you like a child to make you half as refined as you were years ago, I will.  And you," she pointed a claw at Brunka, "I'll do the same with you."

The Narulus' healer was sure and gentle as he checked Rupland's dressings and stitching. To be sure, he unraveled all the cloth, applied mending gel to all his wounds, and wrapped them back up. Faster to heal, less chance to fester, Rupland thought as his cuts and gazes burned anew. Once satisfied, he bundled up his bag of medicines and took his leave, leaving Akuna, Rupland, and little Brunka within their chambers.

Zulca and the others had peeled off from the group once Rupland was safely up in the room and on the bed. He gave his thanks to all of them and was surprised to learn the name of the unknown female who had given the assistance of her troops. "Vicris," she had told him. "Vicris of Talrun, if you had the pleasure of watching me perform in the Blood Pool's pit."

"I have," he said to her incredulously. "You fight well."

She bowed her head, smiling. "Come again and I might throw you a severed ear to nibble on." And then she left with her soldiers in tow.

The rage was stricken across Akuna's face, arms crossing her chest. For a time, she lingered, door shut, Rupland laying on the bed with Brunka at his side, knees pressed to the sheets.

"I pray your hide will heal quick and well," she began, her tone surprisingly calm like a puddle of water after a spell of rain, "because I have a mind to run you raw," and then came the anger again. "Your killing skills have left you, my mate.  I'll temper you yet to return you to the state you were years ago.  It sickens me to see you like this," she waved a hand at him before her eyes set upon the child, "but it sickens me more to see the fear you hold in your eyes, my cub.  It fills my belly full of bile to see you so fearful, so feeble.  Will you be wearing that face while in battle when the blond-hairs are coming at you with their blades?" she hissed loudly, Brunka holding her head down to hide her timid expression. "Pitiful!"

"Enough, Akuna!" Rupland barked, warily of her prolonged rage.

"Quiet!" she snapped, her face scrunched in a snarl and he fell silent before it. "Once you heal, I'll temper you like the waned blade you have become.  Have no doubt about that!  I will not be shamed to have people saying I have a weakling for a mate!  And you!" she gestured towards Brunka. "You'll never run from the enemy again!  To retreat is be craven and a coward, the lowest of all!  I'll carve that on your head if I have to, word for word.  You'll be accompanying me when I'm with the High Captain tomorrow.  You're damned soft, child and I won't have that.  Rest now, both of you.  Rest now!"

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The High Captain would not have any of it, he outright refused her proposal. Even so, Akuna was tenacious, detailing her reasons for such a request.

"She requires guidance, the guidance of her clan!" she told Zulca, her tone heavy with priority as her voice echoed up and down the hall. "She's a green girl and she needs to know the teachings only you and I can show her.  Without it, she will not survive the blood grounds."

"She's indeed a green girl, Captain, but she is also a child," the High Captain told her, his voice held at a calm volume. "A child has no place to accompany us."

"But why?" Akuna hissed.

"Because we are not your caretakers," Akzla sneered, arms crossing her chest as her annoyance grew bolder.

"Quiet, Akzla and let me finish, Captain!" Zulca warned both female captains. "She has no concern for what I show you.  Your child has no need of the knowledge I give you daily.  She has no want for it either."

"She does have the need and want.  This is her clan, her comrades, and she has the desire to become a great champion for all her brothers and sisters-"

"And so do all the children of Clan Shigu with their dreams of valor, I remind you," Zulca smiled at her, as if it would somehow calm her disposition, "but that does not mean they are ready for the burden that is our duty."

"But she is ripe for the learning.  Let us teach her now as she grows."

"I am not against teaching her, Akuna," he said, beckoning her closer. "A great soldier must be taught at a young age for them to know glory and the sweet taste of blood and victory.  But no child, even yours, is ready for our burden."

"She needs not be asked to carry any burden.  Let her come with me, her company will not be bothersome." Akzla gave an unconvinced snort, but Akuna ignored it and the condescending smile her comrade displayed. "She will remain silent and listen to what you have to say and see what you have to show."

"I say again, Captain," he said harshly this time, "a child has no place to accompany us.  Within these walls are secrets and you and I must both know that no child can keep a secret.  What if she lets her lips go loose before children like herself?" "Brunka's lips will seal tight at my command.  She is no gossip."

"Indeed, but what if she is captured?"

The words made Akuna stand silent for a moment. "What do you mean?  Are we currently besieged by kidnappers?"

"Kidnappers, spies, Reonos going under the guise as slaves to rob our secrets with their eyes and ears.  That is why the Grand General is so cautious." The High Officer's eyes were grave and serious. "Even you must know a brother or sister might seem a comrade by their looks, but they might be a turncoat in essence."

"I'm well aware of such, but-"

"And what if your daughter is made a target?  Hmm?" he interrupted. "We are all gossips when  put under the threat of pain and death regardless of what oaths are made."

"She is already a target, High Captain," Akuna told him. "She is my cub, the cub of a captain."

"Aye," Zulca agreed, "but will they keep her alive and unharmed if they realize she knows all the tactics and secrets that you hold as well?  Have no doubt the blond-hairs will carve your child up to get what they desire.  There will be no need to demand a ransom.  The little Brunka and Clan Shigu remain safer as she is now.  An ignorant child.  Will you agree or will you continue your begging?"

Akuna was taken aback by the accusation. She never begged. She might scowl, hiss, and make threats, but she never begged. "I was not begging, High Captain" she explained. "I merely desired my daughter to start her career as a grand soldier early.  She has the wits and the vigor to learn quickly."

"I am not doubting that, but never burden a child with the responsibility of an adult.  Now, come!  Enough of such foolish talk.  The day is new and I have another sight to bring to your eyes."

Akuna desired to press the matter further, but Zulca and Akzla were already several strides ahead of her down the carpeted hall, morning sunlight streaming through the slits in the black stone walls. She could feel the warmth the wedges of light donated to the red carpet, each comforting her naked foot-pads.

A series of turns and ascents were made before they came to the room Zulca sought. Two guards flanked the door, but once they saw the High Captain, they uncrossed their spears and allowed all three to pass.

Once through, a high ceiling opened up over their heads. The room was wide and windowless, but light was given by cords of burning bulbs stringed along the walls, crisscrossing above their heads. Despite the ample lighting, Akuna still despised the bulbs and their unnaturally stable illumination. Against the walls and in the corners of this great room she could see shelves of books and volumes, bundles of scrolls and parchment, and clusters of quills and inks. But what dominated most of the floor was the grand table set in the middle. Stacks of books and scrolls laden it's edges among other things. Once closer, Akuna realized what laid before her. A map. A wide-reaching and huge map that covered the table. It showed the southerner lands, the realm that once was the southerner empire.

At the sides she could see the east and west, but the majority of the map display the deserted lands, the upper peninsula that jutted out into the sea. Akuna's eyes went over the map, sighting the black lines of territories, the blue curving streaks of rivers, the collection of castles that represented cities and villages. Tiny blue, red, green, and yellow flags that might have represented southerner and northerner positions.

"A tad late, aren't we, High Captain?" came a voice from the opposite side of the table, startling Akuna from her admiration of the enormous map. Her head snapped up and could make out two others waiting in the glooming dark: One green-furred youth and an older Shigu with shaggy, black fur, his hands placed upon the table before him.

"Excuse our tardiness, Era," Zulca walked forward as he waved a gesture. "A less-significant matter manifested but it was quickly quarreled.  Captain Akuna, Captain Akzla, please introduce yourselves to Master Strategist Era Mot and Soco Tista, his apprentice." Only the green-haired youth gestured with the Shigu salute Akuna and Akzla gave. The black-haired Era simply nodded, beckoning them to the side of the large table he and his apprentice stood.

Akuna saw they were placed at the foot of the southern deserts, where it's yellow lands met the green of the lower peninsula. The veins of rivers, shapes of lakes and oasis', the lines of territories, and text of names created a striking collage. It's age was apparent, it's material discolored slightly with little tears here and claw marks there, but the majority was quite seeable.

Akuna looked over the map with stark interest, never having laid eyes upon such an expansive atlas before. Despite it's worn condition, this one was much more detailed and maintained than any other she had seen in previous times.

"Come to see our lands by right of conquest with a view only meant for the gods?" the Master Strategist asked in a gruff voice, looking to the two female captains with a hard stare. Before the females could let out a response, Zulca spoke.

"We also came to see how vast our numbers remain," the High Officer said to the Master Strategist before turning his eyes to Akuna and Akzla. "A silver piece to the one that can guess how many of our clan continue to reside upon these burning lands and honor our General's last command."

Both warrior females became quiet with recollection, looking to the huge map before them. They eyed the little blue and red tacks embedded in it's material, took note of the green and yellow flags placed elsewhere. Neither gave any indication of how many Shigus still remained upon the southern homelands.

"Thirty-thousand strong," Akzla answered first, her tone never hinting at any uncertainty.

"And you, Akuna?" Zulca asked as the captain took a few more moments to think over her guess.

"Four hundred thousand," she stated confidently, head held high.

Zulca smiled and looked back at Era and his apprentice. The Master Strategist gave a grumble and Soco relented a small smile. "You dishonor yourself by supposing such a low number, Akzla," the High Officer said firstly, showing a smile. "Are you so certain that a majority of our forces have retreated back to the cold lands of our home?"

Akzla bowed her head regrettably but was charitable enough to give a tiny grin. "I was never too good with numbers, High Officer."

"Not the only thing you are lacking in," Akuna commented lowly and gained a jab at your ribs by Akzla's fist.

"And you were too generous, Akuna," Zulca said then. "Your overconfidence can be just as dangerous as Akzla's low guess.  How many of us remain, Era?"

The Master Strategist's answer was quick and sure. "The estimate is around two hundred thirty-five thousand to two hundred ten thousand."

Zulca's hand reached into his pocket. "Two times our real strength," he said as his hand came out, "even so, a closer guess than your comrade's, Akuna." He tossed the silver piece to her, bulb-light flashing off it's flat, round surface as it flipped through the air. Akuna snatched and pocketed the cold silver, generously giving a bow of her head to her senior officer and an arrogant grin to her comrade.

"Now let us allow our Master Strategist give tale of the specifics of our forces."

The olden Shigu reached to his side, retrieving a long cane of wood with hook upon it's tip. "Our forces are no longer the combined sword or spear that it was years ago," his deep voice entailed. "Shattered as we may be, we are not broken." He turned the cane downward and tapped upon several black circles scattered throughout the yellow mass of the Sailzane Desert. "For each shattered piece is now a dagger, poised to strike at the many hearts of the southern cities." The cane's hook reached forward and tapped another black circle, this one with a four-pointed star inside it. "Here we stand.  Wevren.  The center of our operations and the safe haven of over fifty-thousand of our warrior population."

The hook rose and moved further north, near where the yellow sands bordered green forests. Era gave a grunt as he reached and tapped a diamond shape. "Here we have Gozo, a captured city like our own but lacking in size.  It still remains a large settlement of nineteen-thousand." The cane hovered eastward and tapped another diamond. "And this is Nel'an, with a force of twelve-thousand settled upon a bundle of agundar ruins." The cane lifted, flying westward toward the edge of the Sailzane to tap two more settlements. "And here are Vinn and Sako.  All four and any settlements in between," Era said, encircling Gazo, Nel'an, Vinn, and Sako as a whole, "act as the shield for the northlands, in case the southerners decide to retaliate and invade."

"Have they made any move towards facing us on our own soil?" Akzla asked before Akuna could, both seemingly concerned for the safety of their faraway home.

"None to our knowledge," Era answered, motioning to the top of the map where the north resided. "No attacks of a large force has been reported.  Despite this, the northern shield remains vigilant, watching the roads and taking note of any and all traffic that graces the sands."

"And where is Rellon on here?" Akuna asked, having difficulty picking out the correct diamond from the array scattered across the parchment. Even so, looking to the western coast she saw a series of large gold circles, indicating the largest city of all Vilous and the shared seat of their civilization:  Gold Ring.

Era motioned the hook south by east and tapped a diamond found near the southern border of the Sailzane. "Rellon, a population of five thousand or more coexisting with a population of a thousand or less nevreans and agundars.  Village and camp, living among rocks and boulders upon hills of dirt.  A place of slight hardship when compared to the rest of the desert."

"The hardship is a bit more than slight," Akuna commented, staring down at the map, at the diamond shape that was the village of Rellon. They had been quite generous with their estimation of the population. She tried to imagine the huts and buildings speckled upon the ground, beaten paths carving through the mounds of dirt. She tried to see how it would look upon this height, to look upon people as if they were the size of insects, to look upon the world with the view only meant for the gods.

"I take it you hail from there?" Era looked to Akuna, waving a hand at the map.

"We both do," Akuna answered, gesturing towards Akzla. "You neglected the hardship of living among those feather-bottoms and hoof-feet.  We are required to ask for supplies, materials to build and arm ourselves.  They have the power to deny us what we dearly need to strengthen ourselves."

"And to overthrow them would mean conflict with their clans, yes?" Era asked, seemingly interested.

Akuna nodded. "We were lacking in iron and steel.  They refused to arm us, in hopes to preserve the neutral status they possessed among their clans.  We knew not when a raid would occur and if it did, we were ill-prepared.  The nevreans knew this, but they had no care for our needs."

"You neglected to tell them about your unreasonableness, Akuna," Akzla spoke up at her shoulder, her face baring an angered expression.

Akuna turned to face her comrade, mirroring her displeasure.

"You were prepared to undo our favor and agreements with the nevreans with your brash ideas and fearful theories."

"I was prepared to protect our people from the threat of the southerners!" Akuna proclaimed defensively. The bitch dares to make me look unwise before our superior, she thought wrathfully. "If I must break a few meager agreements with the nevreans, then so be it.  My loyalty does not lie with them, it only lies with Clan Shigu."

"You would not have aided us with your idiotic plots!" Akzla boasted. "You would have antagonize our standing with the nevreans.  They would have seen us as more of a threat and would have forced us from their territory.  You had put us at risk, Akuna!"

Akuna gave a low growl, her anger sparked. "And you risked our lives by surrendering to the will of that nevrean bitch Acli!  Have you forgotten-"

"Enough of this!" Zulca's voice broke through their volume, rage stricken across his face. "You embarrass yourselves with your childish squabbling.  More is expected of you both when you are within this keep.  Leave your pettiness where it is unseen." The High Officer's eyes watched them, both captains humbly bowing their heads.

"Curious alliances and dealings we have created with this war," Era commented, looking at all three of them with his apprentice peeking over his shoulder. He twirled the cane in his hand before returning his gaze back to the map before him. He pointed with the hook. "Here, Eroca, a score of our troops settled among clans of agundars.  As long as ours respect the aungdars' laws, their holy days, and what have you, they share their meat, milk, and ale with our people."

Akuna, thinking quietly to herself, didn't know if she would rather share land with a clan of agundars or nevreans. They were short creatures when compared to their race, both possessing an affinity for lost technology and the use of firearms. She despised both for their liking of such distanced combat with their unhonorable cracklesticks.

"A few other populations of Shigus are known to live as peaceful as they can among the nevreans and agundars," Era continued, eyes ever upon his map. "They fear our presence, but we require their sustenance and the prosperity of their trade.  But most curious of them all is one fair settlement due north, near an oasis town called Vist'om." The cane drove in that direction and tapped a diamond neighboring a blue oblong shape painted upon the yellow field.

"Northerner and southerner, living as neighbors, sharing mead and milk and tale with one another." The Master Strategist gave a wide smile. "Our curious times have borne curious tidings."

Akuna gave a dubious look, not believing her ears. "And what?  They live with undisturbed peace, neither master nor slave?  Untrue tales are meant for cubs, sir."

"The tale is as true as the sun is shining, Captain," Era looked at her, holding the cane parallel to himself as if it were a spear. "The town's population and the squads' numbers are of equal force.  The southerners donate food as long as the northerners protect the oasis's territory from the raiding of bandits."

"Cravens and cowards," Akuna snared. "To settle with the blond-hairs is traitorous.  Their deaths will be asked for to wipe their shame from our clan."

"Their shame will be forgotten once we rise up and make bleed the Sailzane once more," Zulca told her.

Akuna could scarcely believe such violations of honor could be simply thrown from memory once the war started again, but she reframed from bringing an argument between her and the High Officer like she had with Akzla just moments ago.

"You know much of the Sailzane," Akuna commented towards Era. "It is...unexpected."

"Our ignorance of the land was once our disadvantage," Era said, scratching at his neck. "And the advantage of the southerners.  Now we have gained their knowledge, like a fine blade wretched from the death grip of a fallen foe.  We have sharpen the blade we have won, honed it.  My own troops have spied the many reaches of this desert, it's cities, rivers, crossings and posts.  Their reconnaissance will be the eyes of the army beyond these blinding sands and sun."

"Perhaps that is what your daughter is meant for, Akuna," Zulca intercepted. "She could find a fine career as a scout.  Like Era has said, to be the eyes of the army.  And he is always seeking fresh recruits, training them to be the fittest lot."

"I have my own plans for my daughter," Akuna said, refusing to give the proposal a second thought. She didn't know if she should take the suggestion as a slight or a compliment towards her cub.

"A wise choice to send a child my way," the Master Strategist said. "I knew our Grand General from when he was just exiting cub hood.  I taught him the game of Sumatill.  Anyone of you play?" No one answered and the silence seemed to displease him. "Hmmm, unsurprising.  Not an easy game to play.  Twenty-six pieces, each with a different way to move.  I taught Vok how to play and how to play well.  Despite this, I drew the majority of victories between us.  I taught him when to be aggressive, when to draw up your defenses, when to sacrifice a piece, and so on.  But being a master strategist has little to do with being so well at Sumatill.  I was a tactical advisor to Rain before I was for Vok.

"I was one of many that tried to steer the war back in our favor, seen the displeasure our failings brought to our General firsthand." Era stopped for a brief moment, eyes becoming heavy with melancholy. "The southerners have taught me like I had taught Vok.  Sheer numbers have the vigor to trump tactical ambition.  Or maybe it's numbers that trump overzealous grandeur."

"Please, Era.  Let us not linger on past failings," Zulca spoke up. "We have present dealings to think of and future celebrations to attend.  Oh!  My memory returns." His head turned, muzzle pointing towards Akuna and Akzla. "Another feast is to be held in the gathering hall.  Might you both be attending?"

"Will the Grand General be?" Akuna asked.

"It's uncertain," he confessed, "but better to be there for the chance than to miss it while brooding in your chambers, yes?"

Akuna found herself unable to disagree, but then found herself anticipating the night with dismay. She would attend, but she loathed the opportunity to wear that dress once more.

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The mattress under Rupland's rump and the pillows which propped him up were soft and undeniably comfortable. More comfortable than what they had at their home, at Rellon. The air was cool with the night so dark. A sole candle flickered with flame, shadows dancing against the stone walls.

Rupland was undoubtedly comfortable in their room, but he was also utterly alone.

The night brought another feast for Akuna to attend and she had also pulled Brunka along to accompany her and sup with the others. They had both dressed in their appropriate clothing. He had smiled when the servants dressed her, but Akuna had believed he was making a jest of her and the cloth wrapped around her frame. He knew of his mate's disdain for such clothing, but he believed she looked beautiful in those fabrics, as beautiful as she was in her mail and armor, with a spear in her hand and a sword at her side.

Thoughts of her body cycled through his mind and teased him. Taut muscles bulging all over her large form, underneath her fur. Her mane was gray smoke tumbling over her shoulders, puffy and ever so soft. Her tail was a whip behind her and he remembered she fretted about how it wasn't the same like had it been before, before Rain had forced them to sever their tips and regain her trust. But it mattered little, especially when both their tails, once maimed but now fully healed, intertwined as they took each other in the lover's embrace.

Rupland realized his breath was quickening, his crotch uncomfortably tight. How long had it been since their last loving? It had occurred at Rellon, he was most certain. How many more nights must he endure of Akuna returning after a long day of touring with Zulca and Akzla before they were to make love again? Was she just as uneasily stressed with lust in her loins as he was? He could answer neither question.

His hand descended, going under the waistband of his kilt to find the hot piece of flesh hidden there. He was careful of his claws as his fingers wrapped around it. It throbbed in his palm and then he stroked, softly. With his eyes closed and a purr in his throat, he thought of her, the muscles under the fluff of her fur, the smell of her mane. He imagined her on her back, gasping with each thrust he gave her.

The moans that were first pleasured soon turned frustrated. His stroking hand ceased, feeling his hurried breaths and the hammering of his heart. His eyes opened to the gloom of their room, staring at the black stone ceiling. More shadows quivered there as his thoughts wandered.

She would know when returning from the feast in the gathering hall. The smell would immediately find her, no matter how careful he was. He didn't even know how he would clean himself afterwards. Any unwashed cloth would do, but even a small scent of that and she would know. Rupland was sure she would not be angry, only slightly annoyed. "Call the steward for a bowl of herbs," she would yell. "I will not be sleeping with your stink filling my nostrils." His embarrassment would be twice as burdening with the cub present.

"Your rage is unyielding, my mate," he said to the flickering candle at his bedside. "As is your love, your heart."

He turned his head back forward, the afterimage of the candle flame burning momentarily on his pupils. He stretched, but soon came pain, both thick and sharp, drilling at all his limbs. The southerners' gifts, his wounds, were still very sore, but they would heal.

The wrath then came to him, like it had when it all began yesterday. It grew in his chest, his claws peeking from his fingertips. He recalled a piece of wood crashing against his face, his left leg bucking to kick at a southerner's gut. He remembered Brunka lashing out at the southerner that grabbed her mane. Then she twisted away, dropping her doll, and she was gone, with two tramps chasing her down the dirty street.

His panic rose with the southerners closing in around him, his daughter's fate left so uncertain. They tried to pack him in between them, but he pushed out and reeled back. Three southerners approached, spreading out. The pain pulsing through his cheek was great, but Rupland held his dagger up threateningly. The largest of the southerners came closer, hands empty, seemingly unafraid of the blade gripped in the northerner's hand. "Come here, dark fur," the hulking fiend bellowed in a half-snarl, half-smile. "I'll crave you a cunt with that little knife."

The large southerner reached for Rupland's dagger arm, but he pulled back. Driving forward with the dagger, he tried to stick the southerner at the midsection. He missed, the large southerner dodging. Quickly, Rupland found the bruiser at his back, arms wrapping around him. Soon, the movement of his arms and the capacity of his lungs were constricted as the southerner squeezed him brutally, hoping to break bone.

At his front, the southerner with the shiv of glass rushed forward, ready to stab down with his weapon. Rupland brought up both his legs, the southerner restraining him donating enough strength to hold him up. He bucked, toes and foot-claws slamming into the attacking southerner's face, but not before his shiv dove and stabbed into the northerner's thigh. He yelped, but in his fear and rage, it was quickly forgotten.

Then came the thrashing-rod wielding blond-hair, arm raised over her head like her comrade. Rupland struggled left and the hulking southerner holding him slightly shuffled in same direction. The thrashing-rod swung, but missed.

Rupland remembered the dagger still clutched in his hand. He was too restrained to stab over his shoulder and at the southerner's face. But, switching his hold on the dagger, he was able to stab over his hip, at the blond-hair's side and upper leg. The blade drove down brutal and quick. After a few thrusts and barks of pain, the southerner twisted and throw him to the street. Rupland landed on his knees to the cobblestone and rolled out of the way from the blond-hair that now rushed at him.

Then came the thrashing-rod female again, this time slamming her rod against his skull. Rupland retaliated with a stab at her torso, but it only seared her ragged clothing. Even so, the unharmed female jumped back in retreat.

The shiv-wielder pounced forward, his glass blade cutting them the air with vicious speed. He tried to dance towards Rupland's left, his eye-patch, his blind-spot. He felt the sharp glass rake down his side, cutting between his ribs and hip. His own dagger came up in a horizontal slice, hoping to distance himself from the shiv-wielder, but the southerner leaped back from the hostile cut. The blond-hair came at him again, growling as his glass blade drove into Rupland's shoulder. The northerner felt himself surge with pain, screaming as the blade sunk deeper and twisted.

He felt the southerner's breath upon him as he lingered there, the blade sinking deeper into his shoulder, relishing the sight of the northerner's pained look. Rupland could see their muzzles were mere spaces away from each other, the grin etched across the southerner's face, the dark look in his blue eyes.

Rupland's dagger lunged up and into the center of the southerner's abdomen. The blond-hair gave a gasp as the blade turned and twisted inside him, embedded at the bottom of his ribs. Rupland's free hand grasped the tramp by the chest, clawing at his rags. Pushing him away, the glass shard exiting his shoulder, Rupland retched his own blade from the southerner's stomach. The hand on the tramp's chest held him there, fingers tangled in his clothing. He could feel his face wrinkling with rage as the dagger rose and struck out in a horizontal arc. The iron tip pierced the left side of the southerner's throat easily and peeked through the right. The blond-hair's expression of vicious delight had evaporated, now replaced with the murk of pain and panic.

The southerner reeled back as Rupland pushed, glass shiv clattering to the stones of the road. His hands came up and around his throat, somehow trying to stop the red flowing between his fingers. It was not long before he was kneeling and then fully collapsed to the street. Blood bloomed around his head, the light of his eyes lost to death.

With one disposed, Rupland faced the other two, dagger held up in defense. He felt the warm trickle of his blood weaving into his fur, but he could only focus on the fear and hate roaring in his gut.

Neither the bulky southerner or the thin female charged forward in retaliation for their fallen ally. Instead, they began to back away.

"Bastard of a whore," the big one sneered, baring his teeth.

"Too much trouble this one is," the female stumbled backwards, still holding her thrashing-rod.

"I pray our friends fuck your little cub rough and bloody," said the big one. And they were gone, running down the road with wide strides. Rupland desired a pursuit, but one step forward and he knew he was incapable of it. The pain in his leg and the bleeding of his wounds would not allow the venture. But once the thought of his cub came to mind, the pain didn't seem half as crippling and the bleeding didn't seem half as distressing. Picking up Joos from the street, he began his search for her, praying her hide was unharmed. He had been surprised to see the city watch finding him as he hurryingly limped his way through the roads. Once he saw Brunka with them, he felt as if three layers of armor were lifted off his shoulders instantly.

The memory was laced with rage and regret, but Rupland was grateful of how he escaped death and how his cub dodged injury. Despite this, the shame still lingered. Akuna was right. He was not the soldier he had been in previous years. His skill with the dagger and sword was diminished, even though his muscles were just as toned, thanks to his many odd jobs of labor.

Only one, he thought without the sour tone Akuna had donated. Only one kill. The old thrill had been there, the satisfaction of seeing a foe fall before you, leaking his life's blood. Rupland could not find his pity when he had first laid eyes upon the ragged blond-hairs. He could neither find guilt for the blood that coated his dagger's edge. He had been provoked. He had gave charity, the last few coppers in his pockets, to that southern female when asked. It would had been seen as a shameful act by others of his clan, especially in the eyes of his mate, but he had felt no threat in those few southern derelicts.

Rupland felt his only shame was the danger he had put his cub in. He was a fool to leave the black keep without the knowledge of how to return. He only pitied the child for what terror he had caused her.

"Forgive me, my little one," he whispered to the quivering darkness around him.

=
=====================================================================

Akuna's irritation was strong that night, stronger than ale she currently drank, but she would hide it as long as she was here, among her reveling brothers and sisters as they drank, ate, and cured their lusts. She watched the crowds, clusters, and couples of Shigu mingle and swirl about the brightly lit gathering hall. For her, she lingered around one of the long feasting tables, close to the platters of meat and barrels of ale. She was hungry, filling her belly with strips of southern flesh, imagining they were of the fools that had attacked Rupland and threatened Brunka. When she did, the flavor became more pronounced. Her appetite for the drink was minimal. She did not desire to embarrass herself and the cub with a drunken stupor. Her comrade, on the other hand, acted differently.

Akzla was across the room on the opposite wall, taking refuge in one corner, making talk with a male that was not Cagost. This male wore black fur, a black sash around his waist and orange breeches. He look like a pale coal of fire there in that corner with Akzla, Akuna thought. She watched them become more and more daring as the hours passed. He would smile at her lustfully and she would return the expression. He would nip at her neck and she would pinch at his muscled arms and chest. Now, they were kissing with their tongues tangling, him thrusting up against her with the captain's back against the wall. Cagost had accompanied her to this feast but now he was nowhere to be found in that hall.

You are truly a new breed of bitch, Akuna thought sourly as she leered angrily at her fellow captain. You had invited Cagost to come with you here to this jewel of the desert, the least you could do was stay loyal to him until our stay here had expired.

More than a fortnight laid before them, Akuna realized. It greatly displeased her, her belly filling with dread. She looked around the hall once more, seeing only overwhelming excess and unbridled lust. Captains drank themselves into a slumber, couples mounting one another as their fellows conversed close by, officers turning glutton at the sight of all this bounty. Akuna abhorred it. It lacked a sense of duty, of order, of purpose. It was a wasteful and inept merriment.

Looking down at her side, Akuna found Brunka fussing with the folds of her dress. "Don't do that," Akuna warned, pulling at her daughter's right ear. "You'll make it fall off." The child obeyed and went to the side of the feasting table that held the pastries and fruits. The meeting continued to roar around them and Akuna continued to sneer at it with only contempt.

"Why the sour look, Captain?" Zulca appeared from the crowd, smiling with a cup of ale in his hand. It was still half-filled, Akuna saw. His appetite for the drink is subdued this night, she thought to herself. "Too tired from the Master Strategist's banter?"

Earlier that day, Era proved to be an endless source of tactical information. The male confessed to be somewhat of a recluse, working in that dark room of his till the day was night and the night became day. "My mind is overwhelmed with strategic possibilities," he had said, looking over the huge map with invigorated eyes. "What route should a score choose?  Where should it be they go?  What manner shall they take an enemy position?  Where would the enemy lay in ambush?  Should the army attack at day or night?  Where shall they go if a sandstorm manifests itself?  Vok chose well when he named me Master Strategist.  There are limitless chances.  Nothing is ever certain, but nothing is ever improbable either.  Squads and armies shift and move like the dunes.  Villages and cities remain still, but their defense may wane or wax.  Our movements will be precise, vicious, and unpredictable.  It will not matter what southern clan holds what territory.  It will be ours in short time."

Akuna found Era's words to be foreboding and heavy with confidence, but it was not what gave her the sour look Zulca saw. "All this discomforts me," she said, waving a hand over the gathering hall and it's occupants.

The High Officer looked about but didn't seem to see what she saw. "Are you saying there is not enough of us here?  Maybe if you a bit clearer..."

"What do we celebrate with this feast?" Akuna asked, leering at Zulca. "What have we done on this day that we have cause to praise?"

"We praise our revival," he told her, holding his cup high. "We celebrate with the knowledge that our clan has returned with strength and the spoils of these southern lands, including it's people.  These are the days we are pushing towards our rightful place in Vilous.  Is that not reason enough?"

"Era spoke of overzealous grandeur, the same that brought low our army with our first attempt at conquering these desert fields.  The time is not to celebrate, it is a time to prepare, to temper our recruits, our weapons, even ourselves for the moment of battle.  It is simple to boast of the harvest before it grows, but it is truly difficult to sow the seeds, water the sprouts, and reap the bounty."

"Your fellow captain appears to think differently," Zulca came to her side and pointed with his cup hand. Akuna could see Akzla enjoying her new fling with the black-haired male. He had lifted up her dress, driving and hammering away at her loins.

"Akzla is ignorant of the importance of these times of preparation," she snapped. "She pays more mind to which male will defile himself by mounting her." Zulca hooted with laughter, losing his breath as Akuna waited for him to become silent again. "I have no understanding of how she gained her rank."

Zulca gave one more little chuckle. "I say the same for a few captains and officers I have had the honor of meeting.  But let's stay upon the subject of celebration.  When should we celebrate, Captain Akuna?"

"When the sands have ran red and no evidence of southern legacy is to be found," she answered. "We shall dance on their corpses, make bonfires of their homes, and we will celebrate as we march back home where there is grass and cold air and trees.  Only then will it be appropriate to celebrate."

"Such a long time to wait!" Zulca cried out jokingly. "Isn't today enough to celebrate?  Fill your stomach, fill your cup, Akuna.  Why squander what we have now when life is so uncertain?"

"Do you see Master Strategist Era filling his cup here?  If he is, point him out for me."

Zulca waved the comment away. "Era's way of celebrating is decorating his maps and writing scrolls of history and poems."

"But he knows of the importance of using today to prepare for tomorrow," Akuna retorted. "Our captains and officers should be defining our squads, to the last recruit, to the greenest and youngest soldier.  We cannot delay our action.  Time does not wait." The sound at the end of Akuna's sentence was a heavy, wanting sigh. Her mind thought back to Rellon, to her squads, their own kind of merriment, and the trials they endured through their drills and exercises.

Zulca was looking at her curiously. "Something amiss?"

"How many days has it been since we arrived in Wevren?" Akuna suddenly asked, dreading his answer.

"Only a handful," Zulca informed, taking a sip from his ale cup. "There is still more than a fortnight to stay."

Akuna's response was an irritated growl. "Must we stay that long?  My whorish comrade and I are convinced of our clan's renewed power.  What you have shown us provides that and I have no more doubts concerning it.  I have enjoyed your company and the places you have shown me, most so the Blood Pool, but I think our time would better serve our clan and General Vok if Akzla and I were to return to Rellon and train our troops.  A new war is looming over and I have to make sure we can weather the storm."

"The storm is neither looming nor bearing down towards us," Zulca assured her. "It is the southerners the storm is heading for.  Many months of red rain is sure to come to these deserts, with showers of iron and steel drenching every city and hovel from the east coast to where the Sailzane ends.  And besides that fact, Vok might find offense in your early departure."

A snort blasted from Akuna's nostrils, her displeasure mounting. Zulca's tone told her that she could be threatening the Grand General's favor for supplies and armaments if she were to leave now. Akzla would never let that rest if such an occurrence came to pass.

"But if it is the tours of the city and of the Narulus you despise, you need not worry," Zulca continued, drinking down the rest of his ale. "The keep and city holds no newer sights for you to see.  From this day forward, you and the rest of your company are given freedom of Wevren and the keep.  But tread carefully, you surely know of what dangers this city hides after yesterday's...incident.  On that matter, how is your mate faring?"

"Faring as well as any injured, dim-witted male can," Akuna answered with a harshness in her voice.

"You sound upset, Captain.  Is it the news of your continued stay or do you still harbor anger towards your male?"

"It is a mixture of both, High Officer," she confessed, folding her arms over her chest, her jaw set hard.

"The only fault your mate must shoulder is leaving the keep without an escort.  On the matter of your continued stay, might I suggest you accompany the city watch in their daily duties.  Who can say you might not find your mate's attackers when they do their sweeps of the slums?"

"It all depends," Akuna said, considering the suggestion. "Will I be under the command of a senior officer of the watch or will I be given a squad of my own under my own authority?"

"My apologies, Akuna," Zulca shook his head, "but the city watch has their own priorities.  Only under the most dire of circumstances would a squad captain have reign over the guards of Wevren's streets.  You may aid them in their search, but you would be under the authority of City Watch Commander Fasin Meel."

"Then I hand them the challenge of finding the inbreds that assaulted my mate and child," she relented. "They are more versed in navigating the streets than I am.  And I have no interest in sharing their responsibilities.  I would only be concerned in finding those southerners. Has there been any news concerning their capture?"

"Afraid not, but the watch carry onward with their search.  Mayhaps it would be a better suggestion if you were to assist in the training yard.  Spar with the recruits, learn and teach techniques, make conversation with captains like yourself.  Perhaps Vicris will be present, if she is not performing in the Blood Pool.  By the gods, the Blood Pool is a good idea too!"

"I will consider my choices," Akuna said solemnly, watching a drunken male give chase for a laughing female through the hall.

"Ah, put more cheer into your words, Akuna!" Zulca laughed, putting his ale cup to his mouth before he realized it was drained. "Pardons," he said, walking to the ale barrel to fill his cup again. Once he returned, taking a long sip, his attention came back to Akuna. "You are a female of force, Captain," he said as if it were a compliment. "You need duties to fulfill, to have your arms and legs and mind in motion.  Does stagnation give you a deep discomfort?"

"If it must be described as that, then yes, it does," Akuna straightened her back, her tone most serious. "Life is full of deeds to be sown."

"Such is known," the High Officer smiled up at her. "But what made you this way?  Such a serious female, full of vigor and will.  Tell me more about yourself.  How Akuna Viscra became Captain Akuna Viscra.  All the way back."

"Do you want the long story or the short one?" Akuna asked, not sure if the High Officer was making some jest of her.

"Whichever you'd like," he answered, smiling.

She decided to humor him. "I was born the eldest of four to a farmer mother and a father that was never there.  His name was Gunso, if my mother had the truth of it.  His own history changed year after year, depending on what mood my mother was in.  She told me once he was half her height, and my mother  had quite the body like me.  She called him a warrior and a coward in the same breath when she was drunk, but I never knew of him truly.  He was like a myth that my family only knew, but it matters little to me now.

"Like I said," she went on, "my mother was a farmer and thus we were raised as such.  My first sister was Elsoona, and my second sister was Spelo.  The earliest memory I can recall is on the farm in Veska, my fur full of mud and my hands blistering.  I pulled the plow, dug with the shovel, planted the seeds, and tended to their growth until it was time to harvest.  My sisters and I were farmhands to our mother and she had us work the land in the chill of the morning until the sun rose and set to bring the night.

"I was also responsible for keeping my two siblings in check.  They were both slightly younger and slightly thinner than me, but they were my bane.  If they were not arguing with me and our mother, they were fighting amongst themselves.  They forgot their chores easily, but I was there to remind them with a swift backhand and a screaming earful." Akuna gave a laugh and saw Zulca was still intently listening to her, nursing at his ale.

"The years were long at the farm," she remembered. "Hard and without a moment's rest.  My hate for it was greater than I can truly say.  The horizon was bleak for me, I realized once.  The fields would fall to me once mother turned too old and fragile for the tilling in years far ahead.  And then the farm would be mine until I too became old and useless.  Then came General Rain Silves and her Clan Shigu," she smiled with joy. "There was no choice, our own clan was to join or die.  Clan Shigu became my clan and they were truly a boon from the gods.  My shovel was replaced with a spear, my dirty rags for armor, which chaffed me more often.  Rain's army came to Veska and we departed with them.  The farm was left behind, but the young harvest came along to fill our stomachs.

"My bonds with my sisters and mother were stretched through the campaign.  I was picked by a captain for one squad and my kin was chosen for others.  We would see each other once every fortnight by chance, trade a few words, but the war distanced us more and more.

"I long to see my mother again, smell the soil in her fur, hear her rough voice.  I am not certain of how far our distances maybe, or even if she resides with us or our ancestors.  But I pray she is still among us."

"And what of your siblings?" Zulca asked.

"What of them?" Akuna retorted. "If they are dead, then the world is a little quieter and better for it.  If alive, then they are someone else's bane instead of mine."

Ale then sprayed through Zulca's nostrils as a laugh erupted from his throat and rose with volume against the jollity of the gathering hall.

=
=====================================================================

The night of lone recollection came and went, Rupland falling to sleep before his mate and daughter returned. But once he woke before the sun had rose, he was grateful to find both sleeping soundly at his side. He relented this respite and listened to their calm breaths as the sun appeared and brought light to this black stone keep and it's many occupants.

Akuna surely, though groggily, awoke at the first sign of light. Rupland found it strange how she did not immediately rise up from the bed to don the usual sole skirt around her wide hips. Instead, she lingered on the bedside, seated up straight with her feet planted on the wooden panels of the floor. As she sat there, Rupland watched her large back pulsate with each breath she took in.

"Something amiss, my mate?" he asked, resting his head against the mattress.

Her ears twitched and she turned to look at him, as if she had forgotten he was there. "What?"

"Is something wrong?" he asked again, propping himself up on an elbow despite the soreness of his fresh wounds.

"Oh...no," she said, turning back to look at the wall across the room. "I plan to go to the training yard and watch the recruits in their drills.  We have freedom of the keep." She turned back to him, eyes examining his body, the bandages and stitching on his hide. "You may go where you wish...if you can manage."

Rupland gave a light nod, knowing too well he was still too tender to walk on his own. "What of Brunka?" he asked, the cub still slumbering behind him on the bed. "Will you be taking her with you today?"

Akuna seemed to considered that. "No," she finally answered. "She has the same freedom as we do now, with freedom of the city as well.  But you surely know I will not have her roaming the city after what occurred, don't you?" she growled lowly.

"I do," Rupland relented. "But you seem tense.  Is something of bother to you?"

"You will be if you keep asking," she snapped, silencing his concerns.

The servants, Blax and Mal, came as usual with trays of meat, milk, and bread for the Shigus to break their fast on. Brunka rose instantly at the smell of the food and devoured it quickly like her mother. She asked her mother where they might be going on this new day, but a mask of disappointment came over her face when she was told she would not be accompanying her in her errands.

Once Akuna was full and dressed, she left with her skirt flowing and her ashen mane bouncing out the door. A moment of stark silence fell upon the room, father and daughter content and bored without any tools of distraction at their disposal. Even so, Brunka was able to entertain herself by making mock conversation with Joos. She talked to the doll, actually voicing the words between her and the sawdust-filled toy. Rupland listened curiously, watching his cub smile and banter as if with another child.

"How is the north, Joos?" she asked it, clasping the toy with both of her little hands.

"Oh, it is delightfully cold here and full of trees to climb and grass to keep your feet from burning," Brunka answered in a different, tinier tone. "Might you come and visit me?  I would be happy if you would."

"Once the war is over and mother is not busy, I'm sure we will return to our homeland," she told the doll, smiling widely.

"Aw, I am sad you cannot come sooner," Joos said. "I hope you visit soon.  The heat is dreadful here."

"Nothing is truer," Rupland spoke up. His daughter smiled at him and giggled.

A scratch at the door sounded suddenly. Without consent, it opened and a black-furred head popped out. "Finished with your fast, my sirs and ma'ams?" asked Blax, ready to retrieve the plates and utensils crusted with crumbs of food.

Rupland waved him in and the steward entered. As the plates were gathered, Blax took an interest in Brunka talking to her doll. "I see you are caring for the little one today, master Rupland," he observed, his voice full of courtesy.

Rupland never enjoyed the pairing of master with his own name. I am no master of any craft nor knowledge, he thought. Only a former soldier, mated to a captain, father of one. But Blax never seemed to mind the title, despite what Rupland thought. "I am, indeed," he said to the steward. "My mate seems to need the time alone."

"Don't we all," the steward commented, plates clattering together in his hands. "But I must ask, you came with the female and male in the next room, yes?" he leaned in close, his voice slightly hushed.

"You mean Akzla and Cagost?  Yes, we came with them," Rupland answered, curious to see where this might go.

"Is that the male's name?  Poor dear," he sighed, shaking of his head. "I found him sleeping in one of the lower halls after the feast last night.  This Akzla seems to have a new fondness for another captain, one by name of Vosgoloma.  I am not sure how it came to be, but now it seems this new male tends to the lady Akzla's loins now.  Poor lad, poor dear." Again, Blax shook his head sadly to and fro.

Rupland was slightly shocked. Of all places to be scorned by a female, he thought, it had to be so far from home. "Is he still here?  Will he be taken care of until we leave?"

The steward gave a shrug. "I am sure he will find sleep on a bunk in one of the lower compound rooms, away from the cruel smirks of his former lover and that guiltless Vosgoloma.  May the gods help his tender heart," he said, eyes closed with a sad look over his face. "But," he turned back to Rupland listening on the bed, "let's be sure this little piece of gossip is kept between us, yes?" He showed a small, playful smile.

"I shall," Rupland nodded, still struck with surprise at this new development, feeling the same pity Blax said he felt for Cagost.

"How are your wounds?" the servant then asked. "I am sure you are in need of a redressing today, once the Master Healer arrives."

"I am sure," Rupland said, neither relishing the event nor dreading it. He would surely deserve any pain that came, he thought. "I'm annoyed that I'm too weak to move much.  I would visit the gardens again if I could."

"Might be you need a crutch," the steward suggested. "The stairs could be a peril, but it would be better than to sit here in this dark cave of yours."

"I would greatly appreciate that...but..." He shook his head, sighing sadly. "No.  I cannot risk it.  Not yet.  I need to wait...wait and heal." "If that is your wish..." Blax said reluctantly. "Mayhaps you would like your child to leave your chambers and play?  The dear must be praying for it," he said, meeting Brunka's grays with his blues. "I know a little army of cubs that roam the keep, running havoc through the yards, but they mean well and keep out of the way of our troops."

Rupland considered that for a short time, knowing the child dearly needed the activity. "Would that be to your liking, Brunka?  Better to play out there than be caged here like a prisoner with me?"

The cub's eyes brightened, her smiling widening. She nodded wildly. "Please, please, please," she begged. The moment her father gave his consent, she jumped up to fit herself into her little skirt, tail whipping behind her as it were about to wiggle off her body.

"Will you see that is safe and well-kept?" Rupland turned to the steward. "I do not say this as a threat, but my mate's anger is quick and brutal.  My hide would be shredded from my ass if she was put in harm's way."

"I put both my honor and my own ass proudly at risk for your child, master Rupland," Blax said both courtly and mockingly. "I will see the child is treated fairly and without harm."

"You have my trust now, Blax," Rupland smiled, "I hope it is well placed."

"Please, master Rupland," the servant grinned. "You sound so uncertain.  You should know your trust is well and safely placed like your child."

Quickly, Brunka was at the steward's side, following him out through the door and into the hall.

"Keep Joos safe, father," the cub said before leaving. "He is still a little scared to meet new cubs after...yesterday," she frowned, but it was swiftly gone, replaced with her smile. "Keep him company, yes?  He is a good talker."

Rupland nodded. "I will and keep safe," he told her and they were gone, the door closing shut behind them. His pride swelled, dwarfing the loneliness that now plagued him in this stone room, but he was happy to know that his cub would have a full day of play. Looking to the edge of the bed, he found Joos sitting upright, watching him with black-button eyes. "Well, Joos," he said to the doll, "what shall we discuss?  Quite scandalous this news of Akzla and her new lover is, wouldn't you say?"

=
=====================================================================

The air was choked with dirt, mercilessly hot, and overtly full of noise, but Akuna was glad to find the pit fighter tending to her Wind-dancers. She was at first reluctant to approach, watching from a distance near one of the walls of the keep, waiting in shade like she and Zulca had when news of Rupland's assault had been whispered into the High Captain's ear.

Akuna was well aware of captains etiquette, even though she knew herself to bend such rules at times. But she had a respect for Vicris and the iron discipline she handed towards her troops. Akuna slightly believed her presence might sully the pit fighter's routine, if she was unwelcome and uninvited. So she stood and waited from afar as matches were made between the squadmates and they sparred. Hand-to-hand, for a time, then with wooden swords, their clashes snapping through the air. Other captains and their troops took a momentary glance Akuna's way, but her gaze only watched Vicris's squad, even if another squad moved in front and obstructed it for a slight time.

The matches went out, blue-fur against green-fur, black against purple, grey against indigo. Each time, Akuna favored one from the other, hoping her eyes did not betray her. Her favor shined true for two out of three, the black winning over the purple and green over the blue. She grew patient as time went on, but soon she found Vicris's looking towards her across the dusty yard, their eyes surely meeting despite the long distance between them. The tall female's arm rose and waved the large female over. An excitement rose in Akuna, but her steps remained delicate and sure as she crossed the yard.

"So lonely over there, you look," Vicris smiled widely as Akuna approached within earshot. "Has the High Officer dismissed your company?  Displeased by your refusing his advances?"

Clearly, it was a jest and Akuna smiled at it. "If he desires any advance upon me, then he has not shown any interest.  He most likely thinks I'm too much female for him."

Vicris loudly clamored with laughter, muzzle pointed upwards towards the wide blue sky. "Then you are blessed.  Many females find his hands have a tendency to reach deeper into them than they would like!" Again, laughter. "So," she said after a breathless moment, "my troops are begging me to demand a rematch.  With swords, real steel.  To the death." The pit fighter stared and for a time, Akuna didn't know if she was serious, but after awhile both smiled and giggled amongst themselves. "Such children my troops are.  They know nothing of sportsmanship towards your fellow.  But what would you say towards the opportunity?"

Akuna played with the idea in her head and was enticed, but she was currently not in the mood for a duel. "Offer me a few more nights to enjoy my victory and I will love to face you again.  But let's not use actual steel.  I do not wish my hide to look like my mate's."

Vicris giggled at that. "Aye, I can imagine you wouldn't.  How is he?  Abed and healing, I can presume?"

"Abed, healing, and, I'm praying, a bit more mindful than he was before," Akuna answered, relaxing her stance as the female before her did the same. "I thank you again for assisting us yesterday.  If you and your troops were not there, my anger might have boiled over in the streets."

"I saw worry in your eyes too, friend," Vicris stated, pointing at her brow. "No need to hide the shame.  I would have felt the very same, if I had claimed a mate or kept either one of my bastards.  Though one might be here now, in my squad or in another, unaware of how close their true blood was."

"You do not keep the cubs that you bare?" Akuna asked with perplexity. To her, it was a strange act to abandon a cub that was your blood. It was sign of disloyalty and questionable strength.

Vicris merely gave a shrug. "Such is the way I think.  I allow the members of my clan to raise my brood, to decide if they are worthy.  If not, then it is the fault of the male's seed for being so weak."

Akuna could not say a word that felt right. She knew Vicris saw the confusion etched on her face, the open mouth and creased brow.

Vicris's response was a smiling snort. "Old ways from old clans.  The child may not know it's mother or father, but it gives the child the chance for anyone to be their mother or father, brother or sister.  It worked for me, why not another?"

"Strange ways your old clan practiced" Akuna said.

Vicris's long smile returned, beckoning Akuna closer. "Come, let's watch my soldiers debate with blades and blows.  Tell me what you think.  Maybe you would like to fight a few?  But be gentle, I don't need one crippled and another limping, if you understand."

She surely understood, but the warning did not delay her strikes or soften her blows. Perhaps she is just testing my technique, reading my moves, Akuna thought as Vicris suggested she face a youth, sword to sword. She quickly won the match and another with spears. Both were close to being decided differently, but her skills were honed and her step was sure. The defeated were scowled and made to run three laps around the yard, but Vicris was not angered by Akuna's victories. Actually, she seemed delighted by them.

The sun soared to noon and began it's decent towards the horizon when Zulca appeared at their backs. "High Officer," Vicris smiled. "Looking to woo Akuna still?" "Not my intent," Zulca smiled too, waving a hand at the teasing jest. "Even so, I am here to whisper certain sweet words in her ear.  Come close, Akuna."

She did so, leaning down slightly for Zulca's muzzle to tickle the hairs of her ear.

"Grand General Vok has invited you to sup with him on this night.  In his chambers," he said so softly.

Akuna's mouth opened but she could only speak silence for a moment before her wits returned. "What sort of jest is this?" she asked firstly, unbelievingly.

"No jest," Zulca shook his head. "Hashin told to me personally voice his invitation to you and to bring it only to you.  Not for your mate and not for your cub.  Only yourself."

He is speaking true, Akuna knew with a certainty. "What does he need of me?  Have I displeased him in some way?"

"Not to my knowledge.  He merely desires to have dinner with your presence."

Merely, he says. Such an understatement, she thought inwardly. "How should I prepare?  Must I wear that dress again?"

"Wear what you have now," he answered to Akuna's slight relief. "It will not matter to Vok.  Just mind your words and answer what questions he asks of you.  You only need to remember back to the first feast you attended.  If you act as you did then, you have no need worry."

Akuna could only nod along with Zulca's words, Vicris watching the conversation occur from not too far away, but no words reached her.

"When shall I find his chambers?"

"When the night begins, a servant will arrive at your room and escort you to the Grand General.  The rest of the day is yours.  Only find yourself in your room when the night comes.  Our Grand General loathes tardiness."

The Grand General seems to loathe those that cannot keep a secret, Akuna reminded herself. "And shall I keep this invitation concealed?"

"Vok told me to tell you only.  He did not say if you should keep your lips tight.  Judge for yourself who you should tell."

"Yes, sir," Akuna said, saluting him before he turned back towards the keep and left.

"What matter was that?" Vicris asked as Akuna turned back to her.

A small breath exited between Akuna's lips, tail lashing nervously behind her. "I am to sup with the Grand General tonight.  Him and me...alone."

"Ah!  Truly?" Vicris asked with much excitement in her voice. "Many congratulations to you, Akuna!  A rare occurrence this must be for you!  I myself had sup with Vok as well, many months ago, but it was nevertheless pleasant.  The male is easy company.  But I've heard many rumors through the Narulus of what happens when he invites someone for supper up in his tower.  Would you like to hear?  They might interest you."

=
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The rumors did not settle well with Akuna. Once she found she had enough, she quickly dismissed herself from Vicris's company, reasoning she had to make water and needed a drink. In truth, she only required a moment alone, a time to think to herself.

A few tales of gossip said that such an occasion as this meant a promotion in rank. Other tales said it meant Vok himself had a slight curiosity for certain guests. The rest of the rumors were less than flattering or caused Akuna to pause with reconsideration. Damn you, Vicris, I pray you are not toying with me. The pit fighter did seem to enjoy watching Akuna grimace as the gossip became fouler and stranger.

"Perhaps he desires to bed you, if he knows of what had happened with your mate.  ‘A simple solider is unbecoming of you, Captain' he will say.  ‘Become my mate and you will never go wanting again!'"  Vicris surely laughed at that and it was simple for Akuna to feign a smile, but her worry grew with such a probability. Could Vok mean to woo me, Akuna asked herself. She knew there might be a chance, knowing General Rain would bed any of her soldiers if she so desired. Dreadfully, Akuna wagered Vok acted in the same manner.

A test of loyalty might be why she had been invited, another rumor provided. Any General demanded solid devotion, but gossip spun Vok to demand unwavering and doubtless loyalty. He would require something of her, someone even. Rupland or Brunka, either would do. The only way to prove her loyalty would be to throw them from the tallest tower in the Narulus and her loyalty would be claimed unquestionable.

Another tale was that this invitation was a trap and Akuna was suspect of being a Reono spy. Word said that she would arrive in his chambers, with him seated behind an empty table. Once she would sit down, Vok would lash out with his black blade and decapitate her without any warning, the blade to quick to dodge. Traitor or not, the Grand General would have his dinner.

Several other rumors, the less likely and most unusual said that Vok would invoke the spirits of his ancestors to judge Akuna from the grave, to see if she was worthy of her rank and place in the clan.

Akuna did not return to her room just yet. Instead, she found herself wandering the Narulus aimlessly, walking down many stone hallways. She had lost herself once, going up and down floors of corridors in a panic. Once she found a servant, she was easily escorted back to familiar halls.

Wandering into an airy and empty study, Akuna placed herself before a tall window. It looked over another part of the inner yards, where guards and soldiers alike walked to and fro. She could hear only a hint of their words, the clamor of their laughter, but did not know their jests and jokes. For awhile, she watched the guards in their duties, on the walls and on the ground, the sunlight turning the keep's black outer ramparts to a stark gray.

"I need a bath," she said, eyes looking to the sky. "Or a drink.  A hot bath.  A hard drink.  I need both, damnit!"

=
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Rupland grumbled on the bed, shifting around to get more comfortable, his wounds newly dressed. He hissed again, frustrated, but not with boredom. He arranged the small and square wooden tiles around once more, trying to find the correct arrangement. No, this will not do, he thought ruefully to himself. Ah, not that, maybe this way. Of course, it was right there! Three similar tile games awaited him on the table at his bedside. He had been diligent with the first one for a good portion of the day.

His head was beginning to ache and he felt more than a fool at failing at these cub games, but at least he was not bored, thanks to the most generous Blax. The servant had at first suggested several volumes of books to read, but it was quietly dismissed once Rupland told him he didn't know his words. But he did slightly know his numbers, enabling him to undertake the task of solving these tile-board puzzles.

The day turned dim, night invading with Rupland finishing the first puzzle and then taking up the second. The scratching at the door startled him, the tile-board clacking in his hands. With his admission, Blax entered, partly illuminated by a candle held in his hand.

"Apologies for disturbing you, master Rupland," the steward said with his entrance as a smaller figure followed him in. "Your cub has returned, but not after a wash and scrub of her fur."

Through the gloom of the room, Rupland could see Brunka move around the servant and come towards the bed. She had a clean and flowery scent about her, her mane still slightly moist with bathwater.

Rupland could only smile at the cub and the guilty look upon her face. "Had your fun with the other children?" he asked her, waving her closer.

"Yes, I did," she answered as her father ran his claws through her mane, moisture coating his fingers.

"Your mother will appreciate that your fur is washed now," he smiled at her. "A great thanks to you for helping me with the child, Blax.  And thank you once more for the puzzles.  I would have turned stir-crazy without them.  Apologies if I caused you any delay in your own duties."

"No delay whatsoever!  My duties are to serve the keep's guests ," Blax bowed his head generously, smiling with the candle casting shadows around room. "Your mate has not returned from her daily errands?"

"I have not seen her since this morning," Rupland answered with slight worry. "Is there to be another feast held?"

"I believe so."

He hummed to himself, thinking. "Perhaps she is there already, but it is usual for her to brink the cub along."

"If I see her, I will tell her of your concerns," Blax assured him. "But I doubt she is there.  The foods have not be placed out and the guests are yet to arrive in the hall.  Will you be desiring your own dinner soon?"

"Indeed," Rupland said, nodding lightly once. Brunka nodded as well, but with more haste and anticipation.

"Will it be more slices of meat, cups of milk and ale, a helping of fasca leaves, and a bowl of berries to chase?"

"Our own little feast," Rupland smiled, looking to his cub and Brunka smiled back. Blax took his leave as Rupland returned to his puzzles and Brunka began making conversation with Joos once more.

Little time passed before someone else came to the door. The cooks are quick tonight, Rupland thought before he saw the large shape of his mate stalking through the doorway. He laid the incomplete tile-board upon his lap, noticing something queer about the condition of Akuna's fur. The gray of her mane and the white of her belly was freshly combed and puffy, her clean and soapy scent carrying itself over to tickle his nose.

"Had a wash?" he asked as she lumbered herself over to throw her bottom squarely upon the bed.

"A need I have, indeed," Akuna said, her words devoid of any enthusiasm. She gave a snort as her tail lashed and whipped Rupland in the chest. He grabbed after it, nibbling on it's long hairs. He saw her winch, turning to look at him with deep disapproval. He quickly released the appendage.

"Should I ask is something amiss?" he ventured, reliving this day's beginning as he again stared at her large gray-furred back.

"Nothing is amiss," she answered without looking at him, scratching her head. She grumbled once, inhaling a deep breath before allowing it to exit out her nostrils in a long sigh. "I will be supping with the Grand General tonight instead of going to the feast," she said, and the words struck Rupland like cold ice, but he dared not show the fear he felt.

"A great honor, this is," he said, smiling, trying to force his ears not to dip down. "What is the occasion?  Are you being promoted?"

"It might mean that," she answered, looking to the wall in front of her, "or it might be a dozen other things.  I will tell you once I return.  Promotion or demotion, I will return tonight." Her words were solemn, but true. She lifted from the bed and located the chest were their bundles of clothing resided. She kicked away her dirty skirt and dressed in a clean, red one. Red works well for you, my mate, Rupland thought silently.

"Should I worry for either?" he asked her.

"Why should you worry?  You are not dining with a general on this night."

Silence continued to loom between them as Akuna sat quietly on the bedside, her back to her mate. Rupland watched her, these little moments turning long and unbearable. A hundred questions screamed to be asked, but he voiced not one of them. A scratch came at the door before he could bring up the courage to do so.

"Who's there?" Akuna asked the wooden slab of the door.

"I am here to bring Captain Akuna to the high tower," a muffled voice answered, calm and without haste.

Rupland watched his mate lift from the bed to open the door. A young white-furred male stood waiting outside, his hands clasped behind his back. "All in order to leave?" he asked, his eyes casting a relaxed expression, looking solely at the large warrior female before him.

Akuna gave a nod and the servant took the lead. Before the door drew shut, Akuna looked back at her mate and child, her gray orbs showing a slight sign of concern.

Rupland listened to their claws click upon the stone floor and recede down the hall. All that was left to hear was Brunka hum an unknown melody to herself. "Oh, gods, don't let my fears be true," he said, too low for his child to hear.

=
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The last rays of sunlight were at the horizon, turning the sky golden as Akuna passed tall windows cut into the stone walls of the keep. Torches were beginning to be lit through the halls and corridors, bulbs burning brightly to fight the darkness. She followed the young servant ahead of her, his white fur a ghostly shape in the blackest hallways. He took turns and braved flights of stairs without the slightest sign of doubt for his destination.

Akuna felt no need to speak, saving her words for Vok. The journey to the Grand General's room was far longer than she had anticipated as she felt her breath begin to leave her after crossing rekusus of stone hallways and twisting stairwells. The corridors became less cramped, darker, the ceilings losing height as they climbed higher and higher.

The door to Vok's chambers was a simple slab of dark, polished wood banded with iron. The white-furred male gave it a scratch while Akuna waited nervously behind him. A slot inlaid in the door slid open, blue eyes taking note of the servant and the captain. The door jerked open, another servant waiting within the brightly-lit chambers. The white-furred male quietly dismissed himself as Akuna was beckoned inward. Once inside, the door closed behind her, it's sound echoing up towards the high ceiling.

Trails of incense burned in a lantern upon a small table in one corner, filling the room with a scent of lavender. Cords of burning bulbs and lamps lined the walls and linked overhead. Cushioned chairs, loungers, and stools occupied a wall where tall windows looked over the outer Narulus and Wevren as it's people braved the night. Shelves of books and scrolls, bones and skulls, fine daggers and swords, and even servants in waiting stood at the other sides of the chamber among colorful tapestries and the banners of Clan Shigu. "A fine evening to you, Captain Akuna," said a voice at the far side of the room, across a wide, empty floor. And there she saw Grand General Vok Hashin, seated upon a red cushion before a low, vacant table. "Come and sit.  The dishes are soon to arrive."

I shouldn't have listened to Vicris's damned gossip, Akuna thought sourly as she walked toward the empty table. Her stride was confident, tail low and swaying. The look upon the Grand General's face was as ever calm and joyless. He sat cross-legged, wearing only a faded gray kilt around his hips. His elbows rested upon his knees and he gestured at the cushion opposite of him.

Akuna lowered and planted herself, shuffling to find some comfort on her cushion. "I am honored to sup with you tonight, Grand General," she said with much civility, bowing her head. "Thank you for this privilege."

"My presence is only half the privilege," Vok said, remaining still as a stone. "The other half will be the words we trade." A sign of a smile manifested upon his face as he waved for a servant to his right. The servant shuffled to and laid glass cups in front of both of them. Another servant came and filled the cups with a dark, purple wine. "The vintage was found in one of the cellars here, under the Narulus.  The southerners are far from warriors like us, but they know how to make a good wine, I have found." Picking up the glass, he swirled the wine around slowly before taking a long sip. "They say it tastes of bruise berries, but all I can taste is our conquest.  Taste it too, Captain.  The flavor of conquest never displeases."

Akuna did so, drowning her tongue in the wine, defining it's flavor as it drew down her throat. It had a fine taste, she admitted to herself, but it was light and tart. She preferred ale that felt like a punch to the throat and burned in her belly. "My tongue is dry of the flavor of conquest.  It feels good to know it again."

"I pray our brethren has not forgotten such a taste," the Grand General said, placing his glass down upon the table. "Are you well looked after?  Has my keep been a home away from home for you, your mate and cub?"

"The beds are warm, the food is bountiful, and the drinks are finely brewed," she answered, taking another strong sip on her glass of wine. "The conditions are undoubtedly lavish here, and rightfully so for our breed.  I cannot bring a complaint to my lips."

"None whatsoever?" Vok asked, leaning forward with one side of his brow lifted up in curiosity. "Zulca told me of how tense you seemed last night, at the gathering hall.  He said you had requested an early departure back to Rellon.  Have you suffered some insult in some way?"

Akuna's ears twitched in alarm. Damn you to the hells, Zulca, Akuna growled inwardly, even though she knew she shouldn't be surprised. She knew the High Officer surely reported all happenings and conversations that occurred during their time together. "It was not a request," she retorted. "It was simply a suggestion.  I felt my time here, eating and drinking away your charity, was wasted and it would better serve you and our clan if I was back at Rellon, training my squads for the enviable conflict that will arise.  I meant no insult with such a suggestion."

"I'm sure there is no insult intended," Vok said to her, looking down at his glass, "but I just find it strange Captain Kusno had requested the same.  He even went so far as to leave without announcing his departure to me or anyone for that matter.  He seemed distressed by something.  I know I asked before, but are you certain he mentioned nothing that would cause him concern?"

Akuna shook her head in a negative. "Nothing that graced my ears.  I apologize for him if he offended you by leaving so swiftly."

"No apology necessary and no offense received," he waved the statement away with his hand like a bothersome insect. "It just bewilders me deeply.  Mayhaps someone told him something that did not agree with him.  Could that be it?  I cannot say for a certainty.  But what of you, Captain?" His eyes were back upon her, watching, his stare unwavering. "What words have you heard within my keep?  There must be several rumors that have graced your own ears."

Akuna looked beyond Vok, past the servants and at a rack of swords at the back of the room. The golden scrollwork on their scabbards glowed with bulb light. She dared not tell all the rumors Vicris informed her of, but which should she say? "I heard you kill those that you invite to sup with you, on the suspension they are spies.  You cut off their heads with your nevrean blade," she touched her neck, "and dine on their severed heads."

The Grand General remained ever still, but before long a smile etched itself across his face and Akuna quickly mirrored it. He giggled slightly, picking up his cup to take another drink. "Forgive me that I don't have my sword with me and forgive me again considering I do not feed on my own race.  And why would I dine with a spy and give them the greatest of chances to slay me?  You would have to be witless to do such.  What else have you heard, Captain?"

Akuna breathed in deeply, bringing up her courage with her next set of words. "I was also told there was a chance that this invitation meant you had a fondness for me and you meant to claim me as your mate." Her words were brash and forward. She disliked being so coy and reserved. She needed to know, even if she was in the company of a general.

A hint of Vok's smile remained, but most of it had diminished. He seemed to consider the proposition of such an union, but his words said otherwise. "If you were hoping for my favor, I'm afraid I have no interest in making you my mate.  Are you not mated yourself already?"

"I am.  We have a cub," she stated plainly.

"I could guess as much.  I've seen both." he grinned, gulping down the last remnants of his wine. Without a moment's respite, the servant at his left came forward, flowing more of the vintage into his cup. "Then you must be comforted to know I have no desire to make you as my own?"

"Doubtlessly," she answered, feeling only relief. "I only say that because my own affections can focus on one male at once. "

"I'm afraid I'm not allowed such simplicities," Vok grinned, scratching at the scruff of his neck. "So many come forward, ready to accept my seed, and birth my brood.  My choices are wide, but I haven't the patience to choose a true mate.  Not with war hovering over us like dark clouds.  Have you seen Insin's Warchildren?  Parentless cubs, but I am told they call me "Father" Vok when in their barracks." His eyes looked to Akuna, seeing the patient expression drawn across her face. His raised his drink and sipped again. "You hear small rumors, Akuna.  Small, simple, unworried gossip.  The rumors I'm told are far more dire."

"Settlements far off in the Sailzane splitting off," he began with his tone most grave, "claiming themselves independent from Clan Shigu, taking up other names and banners.  Southerners within our city, playing the role of slaves, ready to overthrow us on the morrow. Our brothers and sisters turning bandit, assaulting and raping their own.  Our clan, Captain!  Our clan!  There's also tell of mounting conflicts in our own homelands, of cowards who have retreated and disobeyed our General's last command.  They are reviving old tribes to make war with our loyal comrades who safeguard our lands." For the first time, Akuna saw concern in the Grand General's eyes. It was a startling sight, but she also saw an accusing hint in those orbs of his. Could he know of Kusno's true intentions of journeying to the north? He told comrades he sought after the fresh youth in reserve at the northern plains, but Akuna knew he only desired to visit his native territory and speak of better times with his elders.

"And I'm told many other things.  Things that occur inside and outside this keep," Hashin continued onward, his voice full of power and conviction. "It's said blond-hair ghosts walk the halls when the night comes, howling curses and pushing sentries off the walls.  Even more so, there's a tale that there are flesh and blood southerners scurrying between the walls through secret tunnels.  It's said they can speak to the rodents and command them to spy on our dealings.  I've also heard I, myself, and others make pacts with Reono gods deep within some hidden cellar.

"Even the most solidified of warriors are not safe from such tales," Vok told Akuna, his glass of wine forgotten. "I believed such tales found Captain Kusno's ears, even yours perhaps .  Have you heard such falsehoods?  Had Kusno?"

Akuna gave a thought to the question, remembering Kusno's warning words and the careful tone he coated them in. "No," she answered with an assuring tone. "I haven't and I don't believe Kusno possesses the failings to believe such...banter."

"I pray so," Vok said, remembering his wine, sipping. "But again, even the most solidified are not safe.  I had want to ask him why he seemed so reluctant to stay and so quick to leave.  Perhaps the festivities here were not to his preference."

The same could be said of me, Akuna thought silently, but daring not to offend the Grand General and his generosities.

There was then a scratch at the door and a servant dutifully answered it. "Now we sup," Vok said as a long  line of servants was given entrance, carrying in trays and wheeling in humble carts. Akuna was already salivating, her nose full of the heavy scent of their dinner before her eyes caught sight of it.

A set of wooden plates and bowels were laid upon the table between Captain and Grand General. Pots and dishes of silver and gold were carefully placed down, steam rising from soups and gravies, biscuits drowning in warmed blood and melted cheeses. Meats roasted and kept raw beckoned Akuna's stomach to quiver. She paid no mind to what she saw as lesser foods; leafy greens and the mashed innards of other vegetables or buci berry paste.

"I am told you have an affinity for southern flesh," Vok said, taking away her attention from the assortments before her. He waved a hand to a meat platter and she immediately recognized the brownish-gray hue of blond-hair meat. "Please, have at it.  If you are wanting for more, I can have a slave killed at your request."

"I'm hungry enough to request two be killed," she smiled with desire in your stomach. Both surely took their shares of the supper from the bowls and platters. Their own plates became filled, blood and gravy mixing, mouthfuls of southern and kulooka beef slices washed down with cups of wine. Vok was ever calm when devouring his own meal, sipping minutely and nibbling at his cuts of meat and spoonfuls of fruit paste. Akuna dutifully remembered the courtesies that Zulca badgered her with, wiping the bread chums and blood from her lips with a cloth and to be careful not to dirty her fur as she picked up more meat to suffocate her appetite.

Before long, the plates of food were taken up and replaced with morsels of a sweeter variety: pastries filled with berries and fruits, breads soaking in chocolate sauce, and bowls heavy with scoops of frozen milk. Akuna greedily took part in the frozen milk, covering the mounds with spoonfuls of the chocolate sauce while the Grand General was content in only feasting on pastries.

Soon their feeding slowed as both had their fill. Akuna purred to herself and the fullness of her stomach, licking her lips as Vok did too. The empty and half-empty plates were taken away and wine glasses were refilled to the brim. After the table was wiped clean, Hashin waved his servants to exit the room, to leave the two alone in the stable lighting of the burning bulbs with his many trophies of valor and warfare.

"The High Officer spoke of your past," he began, his chambers seemingly more vast with only him and Akuna there. "Is he correct in saying you were a farmhand before you were a solider?"

Akuna grumbled lowly, despising her openness with Zulca, though most of her ire was aimed towards his loose tongue. Even so, she could not lie. "I was...once," she said, taking a gulp of her wine. She was beginning to feel it's influence make it's way through her, filling her head. "I worked with my mother and two sisters."

"And you did not enjoy the honor of your work?  Every village has a need for a farmer and their bounty." Vok grunted as he laid down in lounging position, his frame elongating with a stretch.

"I found little honor in tilling soil and collecting the harvest," Akuna growled out, slumping on her warm cushion. "I found more honor in bashing skulls, gouging eyes, cutting tails, and biting throats."

"A warrior cannot ask for any less," Vok raised his glass and Akuna met the gesture. Both drank. "So it is to say you still have the heart for battle and blood?"

"Indeed, I do," she said. "I have more than heart.  I have the soul for battle and blood." The wine was making her bolder, she knew with careful observation. She needed to tread carefully, hoping she would catch herself if she stumbled in her wording.

"Even with yourself mated?  With a child?  After so long waiting in the sands for the battle-crier to howl and call?" Hashin seemed most interested, she saw, making her wonder why he was so enthralled with this line of questions.

"The wait has only made me more perfected, more filled with vitality and strength," she answered with more volume in her throat. She smiled proudly, maybe a bit too cockily.

"And if the war is undeclared and you are forced to till the soil again?" the Grand General then asked.

A maddening look came upon Akuna, her smile vanishing and the boldness in her chest diminishing. All to be replaced with dread. "N-No...I, we...," she stammered, trying to find the words. "I cannot...I will not." Her jaw set hard, her claws peeking, her purr now a snarl. "I will not go back to plowing fields and sowing seeds.  I cannot!" She tried to tame the anger inside her and for a moment it settled in the center of her chest, hammering at her ribcage. "No matter the victor, I will fight the southerners on any front, by any means, however long I can still hold a blade and trample a foe under me!" She gave a leer to the Grand General, as if he was ready to revoke her rank and position in the clan.

"You feel strongly about your future, I see," Vok watched her steadily, relaxing on his side. "I wish more soldiers, those higher than your own rank, could put forth a convincing address like yourself.  You've seen them, yes?  In the gathering hall, dancing, making merry talk with each other while they grow fat and more gutless with each day.  But they ask for more and more and more.  Gods, I am surrounded by scroungers, Akuna.

"Wherever I look, there they are, asking for my favor.  Gold or silver or copper.  Some are even brazen enough to ask for spare emeralds or rubies for them to continue their idle lives.  Slaves to release them of their responsibilities!" The Grand General's voice was full of anger, but his face gave little hint of his true emotion. "They hardly ask for armor or soldiers or weapons.  You can't buy luxuries so easily with those.  They pay no mind to the events playing out around us, the southerners too afraid to attack, but just brave enough to stand their ground.  They deny war is on the horizon and shut their ears to news of it.  Cowards!"

Akuna nodded with high agreement. "They betray the nature of our clan and bring a blight on the honor our General Rain gifted us with."

Hashin gave a snort. "They are even so low as to use her last command as an excuse for their lethargy.  We might be unable to mount an attack on the southern strongholds until Silves returns, but what if the southerners mount an attack first?  What then?  They say retreat, but we are Clan Shigu and there is only one sensible act to follow.  We fight back and mow down their hovels and stick huts.  We might in effect disobey our General's last undeniable order, but she would understand our reasons, understand we as northerners have no place in stagnation.  Our blades have no use if they remain dry."

Akuna could not believe her ears. She was used to hearing lowly soldiers and squad leaders daring themselves to disregard General Silves' last command, but here she was, listening to the Grand General rant about the same bold move. Despite this, she could not disagree with him. The desire to bring conflict to the southerners again was more than strong in her, to feel their hot blood drench her fingers, to peel the hot skin off their bones. It was a desire she believed all her comrades held deep and secret in their hearts. "Our General would be shamed to see us retreat in the wake of thin-limbed blond-hairs," she said to him. "She would not damn us for protecting our honor as Shigus."

"Many would disagree with you," Hashin said otherwise. "Those that sit on their backsides while they grow fatter and softer with each day.  But a question remains to be asked.  If the southerners were to rush over the dunes, sword and spear held high in their hands, ready to ravage our settlements and strongholds, would you be willing to risk your hide and disobey an order from the General herself to shield your comrades from attack and make war again with the southerners?  And with me as your commander?"

What he was asking was treasonous, heresy even, but it mattered little to her. The wine made her gallant. Her anger made were wild. Mixing the two created a danger. "If the battle-criers howl and the blond animals come from their hills of sand to kill, I'll bring a sword to our defense to whomever has the vigor to lead our squads.  I will not have the legends tell we ran in fear of the southerners."

The hatred left Vok's face, his brow calming like the rest of body, all the while his lips stretched in a smile most cunning and sharp.

=
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To Rupland's tongue, the plates of meat and cups of milk were strikingly tasteless. It was no fault of the cooks. His appetite had been snuffed out by the dread that now occupied his stomach. He tried the spice sauce he had purchased back in Rellon, but even the fiery heat that enveloped his mouth could not rouse his hunger. Yet he chewed on, swallowing down little bites and small sips. Through the shifting shadows cast by the flickering candlelight, he watched Brunka hungrily devour her own food before enjoying the sweet and sour flavor of the berries. And then once her plates laid empty, he once again listened to the conversations she indulged Joos with.

Forgetting his half-eaten food, he lost himself in a fearful trance, staring into the dark at the foot of the bed. Would she dare, he asked inwardly, and found himself uncertain. He remembered her agitated attitude, the nervous pace of her breath. To sup with a general was not a matter to be taken lightly, but he still possessed his doubts. Had her disgust for him been that great? Would she truly toss him away for the likings of the Grand General? He never had seen Vok's skill in combat, but the male was a general and must possess skills better than his. This fact only aggravated Rupland further into his depression.

His trust for his mate was immense, but he knew Akuna had a wrath just as great. Was it so powerful that she would undo their mateship? He truly did not know. Even if she didn't, how could she deny the advances of a general, her superior? Like her wrath, her resolve was great and resilient to the wills of others.

Brunka soon became quiet, her maw opening in a long yawn. Clutching Joos close, she climbed up on the bed next to her father and laid upon the sheets. Her purrs were loud and long as her tail curled around her. Soon her purrs turned to snores and sleep fully dawned on her. Rupland smiled down at the cub, but then his thoughts turned bitter again. What of her? If Akuna denounced him? He had no doubts Akuna would gain the child and do what she wished with her, regardless of the father's pleas. The iron ball of worry in his stomach grew and gained weight.

He laid awake for much of the night, the wax of the candle melting lower and lower with each passing hour. More and more possibilities entered and left him, ready to add weight to that iron ball of worry. Then, with his anxiety nearly engulfing him, he asked the surrounding darkness, why worry? She has not claimed any love or liking of his Vok. She gave no words of admiration for him either. She has not danced for him. And yet, he knew at once, she has not consummate our mateship either by dancing for me. With his head and stomach aching, Rupland decided it was best to snuff his suspicions out, lest he go the entire night without sleep. He closed his eyes to the dark, his mind quieting, but before sleep could fully find him, the door opened without a scratch and startled his eyes wide.

The candle was still lit and he could see the dark gray outline of his mate enter. Her looming frame came forward, swaying as the door closed behind her. Grumbling, she slumped to the mattress and against Rupland. "Still awake?" she slurred, her eyes half-opened.

"I am," he answered as she discarded her skirt. She laid atop the sheets, resting on her side. He could smell a thick aroma on her hot breath as she pulled him closely and none too gently. Wine, perhaps, he thought with his side pressed hard against her chest and belly. "Did it go well?" Soon, he felt her body quake with a heavy purr, her muzzle nurturing his neck before it made it's way to the top of his head. She nibbled at his mane.

"Yes, very well.  So much food.  So much drink," she mumbled, giving out a throaty laugh. "Maybe when I'm general I will sup like that every night.  So many meats, so much drink." Her purr grew louder, vibrating Rupland as her arms drew him closer still. Soon, he was buried against the fluff of her breast, taking in her scent with each breath, feeling the beat of her heart on his nose. He could not smell even a hint of sex on her and for once this night he felt secure and certain. Careful of his bandages, one of his arms came around her hip and pulled at her as she did at him. Softly, he fell into sleep, drowning in her smells.

=
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"And that was it?" Vicris laughed, her words heavy with disbelief. "No black sword to kiss your neck?  No spirits brought up with a chant?  Just fine food and fine wine to fill your stomach?"

Akuna smiled with her, shrugging as she nursed at her second cup of ale, sore after the day's rough and tumble sparring. "I'll be dreaming of that meal for days to come," she assured the pit fighter. "I'm not sure if it was Vok's company or if the cooks were careful with their picks of meat, but it was a meal that will survive memory."

The taller female scoffed at that, drinking at her ale too. "But he did not show you his cock and say, ‘Look at my rod!  Is it not longer and thicker than your mate's?  Suckle and you will find my seed has a flavor better than the wine you are now drinking!'"

Both females erupted with rowdy laughter, echoing over the chatter of the keep's own tavern. Ale dripped from their clay cups as both turned breathless.

"He can keep his wine cock.  I would rather have a male with seed that tasted like a dark and hard brew.  If my mate could dispense that, I would milk him until his balls shivered!"

Again, laughter erupted at the tavern's black stone bar topped with dark wood. The burning bulbs were dim here, chairs and tables reasonably populated with soldiers, guards, and the like as the day's duties came to a end.

"But truly," Vicris began, motioning for the barkeep to refill her cup, "was that all it was?  A meal of meat, bread, wine, and frozen milk?  He did not ask you to sacrifice either your mate or cub for the cause of the clan?  Nothing of the sort?"

"Nothing of the sort," Akuna said, drinking her ale as a squad of troops loudly entered into the tavern.

"I beg you, Akuna, make up a lie so I might spin it into gossip and feed to my troops!" Vicris playfully said. "I promise I will not allow it to be traced back to you."

"There's no gossip to spin," Akuna retorted. "Though, he did seemed quite fixed on why my Captain left so suddenly.  Believed it might be because he heard something that caused him fear."

"Oh?  What would that be?" the pit fighter asked, deeply intrigued.

"Talk of our brethren turning rogue against their own.  Worrying news of settlements separating to become their own clans.  Fighting in the homelands.  Unbelievable talk, but damn me if it's true." She growled to herself, not fond of such news. She drank down the rest of her ale and gestured for a third helping. "It might tickle your fancy that there are tales of ghosts walking the halls of the Narulus, screaming curses and pushing guards from the walls."

Vicris rolled her eyes. "I've heard all that talk before.  Talking rodents, southerners stuck in spaces between the walls, spirits dancing in the gathering hall, and a mouthful more nonsense.  There was an officer here by the name of Rekie Vasmot that disappeared not three fortnights ago.  Some say he never enjoyed Vok's company or his close alliances, especially that nevrean and agundar seen shadowing him at feasts.  Now, it's said that he went mad, found some hidden stairwell deep within the Narulus and never came back up.  Servants tell they could hear his scream even through the thickest stones.  But this talk of your captain is curious.  Who was he?  Does he scare easily with tales of ghosts?"

"Far from it," Akuna assured her, tongue lapping at her cup. "Kusno is too fierce to consider tales of ghosts and shows little concern with he hears bad news.  I never knew him to worry over events elsewhere and out of his influence."

"Maybe it's something deeper than that.  Maybe he had committed some act that Vok found appalling.  Perhaps he mated one of the Grand General's females and was in a rush before he could find out?  Oh, this might be a good tale to twist," she grinned a long grin.

"Keep my captain out of your tales!" Akuna suddenly snapped, her smile replaced with a growling sneer. "He is a loyal soldier and he does not need such hearsay.  He's recruiting in the homelands as we speak and if the news of the north is true, and I pray that it isn't, he will not need to return with false tales of himself moving from ear to ear thanks to you!"

"Alright, alright," Vicris gave a wave of her hand, "I'll keep your captain out of my tales of curiosity.  It sounds like an interesting matter though.  Anything more that caught your ear while you were with Vok?"

Akuna gave that a thought, digging a claw into the think wood of the bar. "He asked if the southerners attacked us, if I would fight for the honor of our clan or retreat to honor the General's last order."

"And how did you answer?" Vicris was looking at her, listening for her answer.

"Fight, of course!" Akuna said, as if it were the only choice offered. "Silves would die of shame if we retreated, southerners chasing our tails.  Unimaginable, isn't it?"

"Cowards at heart, they are," Vicris nodded, smiling. "But many of our own warriors have lost the thirst for war.  They have forgotten the weight of iron and steel in their hands and they shudder at the thought of reviving our quarrels with the south.  Their loyalty has turned brittle like an old master's bones.  General Rain kept everyone in order, told them when to plunder, when to kill, and when to maim.  Now that she is absent, the question remains whom will push forward and kill, and those that will cut and run.  You answered the most wisely at the Vok behest.  You will be one of the few he looks to if the sands turn against us."

"Perhaps it will entail a promotion for myself, wouldn't you say?" Akuna jested, smiling widely, but with much hope.

"Perhaps or perhaps not," Vicris shrugged. "But don't go wanting or expecting.  Even so, you are the most deserving when compared to your fellow captain from Rellon.  What was her name?  Zulca tells me she has a new lover, casting the last one out to wander lonely through the keep."

"I had seen Akzla rubbing up against another male the night before," Akuna remembered. "I'm not surprised she would push Cagost to the side for another.  Poor lad," she laughed, not having the slightest of sympathies for the male. She shook her head, cackling.

"You don't seem to be fond of your comrade," the pit fighter observed.

"She holds the rank of captain, but she has an unwillingness to play the part.  Let's call it that." After drinking down the rest of her third cup of ale, Akuna rose to her feet, tossing a few coppers down to the wooden bar. "I'm going up to my chambers."

"Already?  The day is only half done.  Will you not spar a bit longer, bludgeon a few more of my troops?"

"I wish I could," she smiled, "but I need the rest.  Tomorrow, I'll have enough strength to bludgeon all of them."

"Or maybe you would be rested enough to face me in our rematch?" Vicris teased, watching as Akuna turned and made for the door.

"I'm still enjoying my victory.  Be grateful, I'm allowing you another day to hone yourself."

"Oh, I'm so grateful," she said, her tone most sarcastic. "Rest well and may my eyes see you on the morrow."

"And to you too," Akuna said, exiting out into the hot sun of the yard, making her way back to the wing of the keep that held her room.

It was becoming easier and easier for her to travel to her chambers without the assistance of the servants. A turn here, find the flight of stairs, down this hall, up more stairs, down another hall. But on the last turn, she was greeted with the sight of a black-furred female waiting patiently at the door to her room. Immediately, their orbs saw one another. Slowly, Akuna approached, claws slipping from their sheaths. The black-fur female remained completely still as Akuna came within arm's length, back straight and tail twitching.

"Captain Akuna?" the unknown Shigu asked, her words light and subtle.

"I am," Akuna said, her voice echoing in the hall. "What business do you have?"

"A most important one," the female answered, examining Akuna from where she stood. "Tonight, you, and you alone, are to meet me in the eastern study when the night is at it's darkest," she told her, tone most serious. "I will be waiting there, to guide you to meet with Grand General Vok and a number of his cohorts.  This is at his command.  You must attend and will."

Akuna's mouth opened, but it took the words a few moments to arrive. "And what is the essence of this meeting?"

"The Grand General will answer that this evening," she answered, body stiff and unmoving. "Remember, tonight, when the night is at it's darkest.  At the eastern study."

"And where is that?  I'm not too familiar with navigating this black maze."

"Just follow your way to the gathering hall.  On the bottom floor.  There is a black banner there.  Above the fireplace.  You'll see it."

"I pray I do," she said doubtfully.

"And most of all," the female said, closing the distance between them, "speak not a work of this with anyone.  Not one.  Keep your maw closed as if it were muzzled.  Is that understood?"

"Greatly," Akuna answered, folding her arms across her chest. "Anything else I should know?"

"None," the female said, moving back. "Just keep your lips sealed.  Our Grand General would be most appreciative if you did." She turned and made for the stairwell down the other end, opposite of where Akuna came from, crossing in front of Akzla's room. She mounted the stairs, disappearing as she climbed up. All the while Akuna could hear not one of her footsteps.

Akuna stood there in the dim hall, confusion and intrigue running ramped through her skull. She took in a long breath and let it out slowly. Perhaps I will get that promotion, she thought hopefully. She grasped the latch to her door and stepped inwards to her chambers.

Rupland was there, laying and healing, abed with a child's tile-board in his hands. He immediately looked to her, wide-eyed with ears twitching erratically.

"Why are you back so early?" he asked, putting down the puzzle board.

"I needed nap, but I might reconsider it," she told him, her voice deflated. She came to the bed, floppy down beside her mate on her back, rocking the entire mattress. She rested the back of her head against the sheets, her breath calming while her stomach stirred with nervousness. "I'm to supp with the Grand General again." Before Rupland could give a response, she lifted up her head and looked about the room. "Where's Brunka?"

"Playing with other cubs," her answered. "You needn't worry, they stay within the boundaries of the Narulus."

Laying her head back down, she let out a soft sigh. "Save a plate of meat for me.  I think I'll need it once I return."

Rupland stared at her, his tile board forgotten. "Not enough to have your fill at his chambers?"

"I rather not be rude and eat all of his offerings."

"What will you being discussing?" her mate inquired, seemingly nervous to ask.

"About me, my career as the soldier, my stories of the campaign, of kills and battles..."

"And it will be just you and him again?"

"Yes...just me and Vok.  You might count his servants who just stand and listen."

"Oh," was Rupland's response, his eyes moving to the tile board resting in his lap. Akuna turned her head and saw the lost expression there in his eyes, ears dipped low.

"What is that look for?" she sneered at him suddenly.

Her mate's gaze returned to her, surprise in his eyes now. "...what?  What look?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"That look you gave," she said, lifting up from the bed to sit on her legs. "That stare was full of something and I think I know what it was.  I know that look.  You think I'm letting him fuck me."

His eyes widened at the accusation, head cocked back and away from her. "N-no," he said firstly, blinking rapidly. "I wasn't thinking that."

"I seen it," he snapped at him, pointing a claw at his face. "I know the look and you think I'm feeding his rod to my slit, don't you?  You damned well better not lie to me!"

He seemed to consider that, studying her face franticly as if he could find the right answer there. "I'm your mate, so it might have...crossed my mind?"

The answer did not please her. Her hand leapt forward, grabbing at his ear and pulling tightly. "Crossed your mind?" she growled. "You think I'm that easy to bed?  You think I'm a whore like Akzla, with my back turned and my rump in the air, waiting for the first male to fuck me?"

Her mate grimaced at her tight grasp, but he didn't attempt to remove himself from her hold. "I would never think that," he said defensively without meeting her gaze, "but..."

"But?  But?" she snarled in his face.

"He has invited you...up in his chambers...in private.  Can you blame me for feeling a little...abandoned?"

Akuna cocked her head back in surprise, her snarling lips relaxing. "And why would I abandon you?  Do you think I would chose differently if I was tempted?  If I was presented a chance like you were with Chalo?"

"But he is...a general," he said, smiling pathetically. "And I'm a soldier...wrapped in bandages."

"Gods damn if he is a general!" she yelled in his ear. "You are my mate!  My pathetic mate wrapped in bandages.  My foolish mate whom has forgotten how to kill, how to use a dagger.  My mate, the one I chose for me!"

His eyes found hers and she hoped he saw the determination through her rage. He seemed unable to speak, laying there helplessly with his hands to his sides.

"What?" she asked, pulling at his ear once more. "Shall I prove it to you?"

"What?  I-"

Swiftly, Akuna's other hand groped the hot lump there under Rupland's kilt. She squeezed it tightly, but not painfully. She tugged and he gasped. "I'll drain you dry," she snapped, as if presenting a threat. "You won't be able to walk for another fortnight after I'm finished with you!" Her tongue come out, wetting his muzzle and rolling across his cheek.

Suddenly, she released his ear, moving downward. Her hand reached, pulling down his kilt. He yelped and she remembered his wounds. More carefully this time, she removed the piece of cloth from him and threw it to a far-off corner of the room. She settled herself in between his legs, her feet hanging off the foot of the bed. She saw he was nearly ready, his pink member peeking from his sheath. Her maw opened and her tongue rolled out to lick and invite the remaining length out.

Salty, thick, and hot he tasted on her tongue as her wet appendage wrapped around his pulsing rod. Her pads massaged him well, careful of her claws. Looking up, she saw the ecstasy plain on his face, his chest heaving up and down as his claws dug into the mattress. She knew he was ready then.

Rising up, she quickly did away with her skirt too, throwing it to another corner of the room. Her knees pressed against the sheets, straddling him, lining up just right. Grabbing his meat, the flesh hot in her hand, she teased him a bit more, rubbing his tip against the valley of her slit. She watched Rupland gave a pleading look and she gave a snarling grin as she purged the member deep into her.

Once she was comfortable, the rod hard between her wet walls, she began her motions. Her first downward thrusts were not gentle or slow. They were quick, hungry, and savage. With her hands on his chest, claws denting his hide, her hips bucked wildly. Her mouth opened wide, tongue lolling and her head swimming from the heavenly friction. Up and down, up and down, up and down. Fast as her fury and as strong as her will.

Their breaths quickened with pace, Rupland moving his hips ever so slightly to add depth to each of her thrusts. His hands were on her hips, claws prinking her hide as drool dripped on his belly from Akuna's maw. Harder and harder she went at him, her pounding fierce and without pause. Her purrs turned to growls, and growls turned to snarls. Soon, she was roaring, moving the entire wooden frame of the bed with her.

She was the first to finish and it surprised her. The pleasure slashed her like a burst of cold wind, engulfing and flowing through her like hot spring water. She moaned like a beast, her face, fingers, toes tensing as she wetted her mate's pelvis with her juices. She smiled and purred, looking down to the male underneath her to see the fatigued but pleasant expression on his face.

"We're not through," she said in a commanding voice, pulling at the scruff of his neck. "Up!  You're thrusting this time!"

Despite his wounds and the pain of moving so quickly, he did as she bid. She laid upon her back, her mate hovering as he mounted her. His thrusts were soft as they began. He enjoyed the silken, hot walls wrapped around his member, her lower tongue pressed to it's base. Then, finding his courage, his speed increased. His hips flew, bumping up against his mate, bouncing her ever so slightly with each attack. She felt his rod harden in his moment of ecstasy, his face forming into a pleasured grimace. He seemed fatigued with the deed done, but Akuna pulled at him again, desiring more. They would both finish once more before they collapsed to the sheets, arms, legs, and tails entangled in a lover's embrace.

Akuna purred softly to herself as Rupland nurtured her neck, his tongue lapping against the white fur there. Their lovemaking scent still filled the room. "Ask a steward for another bundle of sheets," Akuna said to her mate. The bed was speckled with stains, both of seed and of blood that had escaped Rupland's wounds.

"Does the Grand General allow you to be so rough with him?" her mate asked, showing a mocking grin.

Akuna gave a sneering snort from her nostrils. "He does and you should see his cock.  It's as big as your arm!"

"But does it have fingers too?" he asked, wiggling his digits.

"It does," she smiled. "He used it to pick up his cup and when it's inside, it tickles me." Her fingers kneaded Rupland's hip, inducing a loud, cackling yelp.

=
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There was much enjoyment laying there, with her mate clutching at her side. But she did not want to wait for night to come. "I need a bath.  Don't want our scent spoiling Hashin's appetite, do we?"

"I suppose so," Rupland smiled coyly at her, stretching as she lifted from the sheets to retrieve her skirt from the floor.

"Eat and rest well.  I will return once I am given leave." Her stride to the door was calm, her muzzle held up and level.

"Fine feastings to you, my mate," he said softly to her, presenting his smile. "You hold my heart."

"I've held other hearts before and I ate them," she grinned back at him. "Find yourself lucky yours is still in your chest, my pathetic, bandaged mate."

"Lovingly noted," he cackled, watching her exit the room and into the dark hallway.

Without a second thought, she went straight to the bath halls. She felt there wasn't time to relish the hot pools or the waves of steam rising from the water. She scrubbed away any dirt or insect embedded in her gray and white strains. Oils and soups were close at hand to cover any odor of the deed. As quickly as she scrubbed, she toweled herself off.

Once cleaned, Akuna tasked herself with finding the right study in the eastern portion of the keep. It took little effort to find the banner. It was hoisted up above a cold fireplace, but Clan Shigu's glyph burned brightly upon that black cloth.

Brow cushions creaked as Akuna  settled herself in a chair and waited with dusk still moments behind. Dimmer and dimmer the light outside the windows became as more and more guests came and went, paying her only a minute glance before moving on and down other ways. Once, a group of three had decided to come and lay merry chat within the study, fully ignoring Akuna as she brooded in a corner, sitting still as if she were cut from stone. They spoke softly, and she caught only a few words. "Sleep-," one male said. "Hashin Vok," came from another. "The meat was cold," a female dispensed. "Their ales are as flat and tasteless as their talk."

Soon, the three were gone, leaving Akuna to sit alone in the study with the black banner once more. The sun turned colors in the sky, she saw, watching the world change minute by grueling minute with fear tearing at her empty stomach. Then it was night, servants appearing from the dark to light torches and little candles. One had asked if she needed assistance with any matter, but she quietly waved him away.

With the night at it's darkest, when the black stones of the Narulus matched the black, starry sky above, the unknown, black-furred female came. She walked with her arms behind her back and Akuna suspected she might have a weapon, but the female made no hostile action towards her. "Here and waiting, I see," she said, her voice always close to a whisper.

"Longer than you may think," Akuna rose from the chair. "Will you be escorting me now?  Could it have been any further from the Grand General's room?" Akuna's back was straight, eyes watching the female cautiously.

"We will not be going to his chambers," she revealed. "I will be escorting you to places elsewhere within these walls but it must be without your knowledge." Her arm moved from behind her, a ribbon of black silk in her palm. "Pull this over your eyes," she demanded.

"What in the hells is this?" Akuna spat, taking the black ribbon from her. "How will I see where I am stepping with this over my eyes?  You want me to break a leg?"

"I will be leading you by hand.  The path is safe and the ground is sure."

"And hold my hand as if I were a child?  Will you be strong enough to catch me if I fall?" she leaned close, her annoyance quite obvious. "Wouldn't it be easier if I just closed my eyes?"

"This was an order directly from Grand General Vok," the female said, her volume turning lower. "Put it on or I will return alone and say you defied his command."

Akuna watched the smaller female, seeing the determination in her gaze. "If it's from the Grand General..." she relented, securing the black ribbon across her brow, blackening her vision. The female aided her, tugging at it here and there, tying the ends tightly behind her head, and making sure Akuna could not see the bright torches and burning bulbs about the study and halls. She then felt the hard pads of the female's hand touch hers, fingers clutching palm. Akuna did the same and gained an annoyed grunt from the female.

"Not so tight," she growled. "Now you will be silent until we arrive where the Grand General is.  Not a whisper.  One word can be carried from one hall to the other easily."

Slowly, but surely, they began down one hall and moved onward to the next. The female pulled Akuna this way and that way, right, left, right, left, left, right. At one moment, she believed they were going in circles. Other times, she thought they were backtracking.

"Stop.  Quiet," the female commanded her, pressing a hand against her chest.

"What?" Akuna asked in a whisper, highly annoyed at this entire ordeal.

"Shut it, fool.  Another guest," she explained, waiting until it seemed safe to tread onward. Through each hallway, Akuna could not hear even a hiss of the female's footsteps or a tap of her claws against the floor stones. Only her own.

They never went up, she realized. Only down, deeper into the keep and it's darkness. Cords of nervous fear snaked through Akuna's belly. Does this female speak true? What if Vok had been displeased with my choice of words last night? Am I being lead to my punishment? To walk before an unfinished stairwell, to be pushed into a pit and made to splatter at the bottom of the canyon this city is built above? Then, suddenly, they came to another stop, much later into their journey, Akuna's anxieties never quieting. "Stay here," the female said, releasing the grip on her hand. "I will not be far."

Akuna waited, not knowing whether the female went in front or behind her. Is this the moment my throat is cut? She heard a scratching and an audible grunt accompanied with the sound of grinding stone. Once it stopped, the female returned to lead Akuna a short ways before stopping again. The grinding sound came again, behind her this time. And then it ceased.

"You may now see, Akuna," came a calm voice, the voice of Hashin Vok.

The black ribbon was lifted and the sudden light made Akuna blink before her vision could focus fully on the room around her. She stood in a high-ceiling vault, a large, oval, white stone table before her. All around her was black stone, even from whence she came. The unknown female moved away from her side to join the ring of northerners standing round the white stone table, cloaked in the partial darkness. Torches gave light to their faces, but Akuna did not recognize many of them expect the female, Master Strategist Era, even Vicris. And there stood Grand General Hashin Vok, standing in the middle of them all, watching her with blank, gray eyes.

"Welcome, Captain Akuna," he said with heavy generosity in his voice. "I am pleased to welcome you before the Brethren of Unity."