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Late spring time in the Kitsune Patriarchy was always pleasant. The scent of pine trees was sharp in the air, and the dirt road that the carriage bumped over had a light coat of needles from the evergreen forest they traveled through. The wolf was anxious to finally arrive at his destination. Bianca had not seen the wolf this anxious or upbeat since their early days back in the Eastern schools. The wolf had been so anxious, he had not noticed the subtle change in demeanor Bianca and Bomani had been displaying the closer they drew to the estate.

The Vulpacha estate sat a week's journey from the Bsani borderlands. Considered a major hub of the Patriarchy's religious beliefs, the Estate and the surrounding 100 leagues of land around it were considered sacrosanct to any kitsune that did not bear the blood of Vulpacha. Only by invitation were guests or even outside druid hierophants allowed onto the territory. The lands around the estate were kept pristine in their natural beauty by the most powerful druid circles in the lands of the Patriarchy. Rumor has it that the blessed line has produced some of the best warriors, archers, and generals that the Kings could ever need in their armies. It is also well known for its architecture. Formed from the trees, vines, and flowers of the surrounding woods, the mansion and surrounding structures are the last remaining major estate to use the ancient building techniques of the kitsune druids. Long ago abandoned to the easier building materials of stone, processed lumber, and metals the old estate has kept much of the old charm since its formation shortly after the end of the Culling. The old magical and religious building styles required huge upkeep from surrounding druid circles that the technique was quickly replaced with better and more flame resistant materials. Though there have been several attempts to destroy the estate itself by the classical use of fire, the local druid circles consider it their duty to keep the wards against the damaging flames that often broke out within the confines of the estate.

The true beauty of the technique, however, was not entirely obvious until their arrival at the front gates. The main fortifications of the estate resembled their buildings, formed from evergreens, redwoods, and vines that grew through out this region. Being late spring, the wall itself was awash in colorful blooming flora. Reds, pinks and whites dotted the wall from the rose bushes grown into the walls, along with blues, yellows, and oranges from various other plants that were native to the northern nation. The wolf was not watching the beauty of it all though, his mind elsewhere as he brought the carriage to a stop at the only piece of metal architecture on the estate. The large main gates bore the family crest of the Vulpacha on the left door, and the royal crest of the Vulpeño family upon the right. The guards on the walls shouted orders into the compound and the gates were opened quickly.

The scene in the compound proper put the outer wall to shame in its verdant beauty. The forest's three largest redwoods had been used to form the main house, though as random as nature, the windows of the mansion were not made of the typical glass, but of long ago fossilized tree sap. Flowers, bushes and vines crept up the sides of the house, all bearing flowers of colors in such variety that The occupants of the carriage would have to blink several times to make out the separate colors present on the walls of the mansion. Though the trees themselves were not visible though the seasonal covering of flora, there was no doubt that this ancient building would weather several thousand more years, even under the harshest of freezes that the northern part of Daquia could provide. In contrast to the natural buildings of the estate, the well tended lawns and gardens of the Vulpacha compound gave it a taste of the civilization that lay just inside of the intimidating front doors of the main house. The wolf grumbled, seeing the staff of the estate assembled out in front of the main doors to welcome the new guest. The head housekeeper bowed as the carriage rolled to a stop before the doors and began disgorging passengers and luggage. The wolf returned the bow respectfully to the servant, surprising the aged kitsune female slightly as he greeted her. "I have greetings for the Lord Vulpacha and his daughters from the Grand Dragon of the East." He said flawlessly and anxiously. "My Lady Helenka sends her greetings to you Grand Master, and those who travel with you. I regret to report that Lord Vulpacha has passed into the Void more than three years ago." She says. The wolf answers. "I apologize for my indiscretion. When may I see the Lady Vulpacha?" He queried. The servant bowed her head. "I must apologize Grand Master, but she will not be able to see you this night; though she has left me with orders to meet with her near her family tomb on the eastern part of the compound first thing in the morning." She says, the wolf nods, slightly put out that he could not see Helenka at that very moment. "First thing in the morning it is then." He says. The servant bowed again and spoke. "I am to show you to your quarters Grand Master. She said, several servants already picking up luggage. He nods and followed, Nadia moved to follow behind her master but was brought up short by Bianca. "Hold Nadia. It would be best if we spend this night talking, and preparing for tomorrow. Your master will need all of our help very soon..." she said, sorrow finally beginning to show on her. "But Ceberune is about to become so happ..." the fox began before Bomani chimed in. "There is a very important saying amongst the dragons that you must be acquainted with this night Nadia. Before the morning comes you must be informed of what is to transpire here and your preferred role in the proceedings..." he said. The fox looked confused. "Have you ever heard the Gryphon saying 'shatter the sky'?" Bianca asked. The fox shook her head. "It is a saying that Gryphon grenadiers use to begin shelling an enemy position from above with their largest guns. Though most of these guns are horribly inaccurate from range, the tactic is not used to cause damage amongst an army, but to break the morale." Bianca said. The fox shook her head. "What does this have to do with dragon sayings...?" Nadia said in complete confusion. Bomani sighed. "After hearing the saying for the first time, and watching the effect of the bombardments, Suzujomei coined a new phrase, one you are likely far more familiar with than this simple war time tactic." Bomani said. The fox scratched her head a moment ,thinking, then her eyes opened in a combination of realization and terror. "Shattering the Morning Sun?!" Nadia quoted. Bianca nodded solemnly "Your training never ceases to amaze me Nadia." Bianca said. "But that means...." She said with dread before she was cut off by Bomani. "Yes. Now come. There is much to discuss and prepare for this night." He says following the servants to their quarters.

In his quarters alone, the wolf meditated upon the void, hoping to glean some truth behind the reasoning of his beloved's inability to see him this night. Despite his attempts to tailor questions to best get a satisfactory answer from the ever truthful black dragonet, the little black and white speckled elemental always gave him the same maddening and vague answer. "She is here" it would say simply. Finally frustrated beyond reason, and still very anxious, the wolf trained. Unable to sleep the wolf performed his kata and thought of himself, his love and their future together when he met her in the morning.

"I am telling you little princess...that spell will never work. The wolf would have to be so horribly distracted that you could simply walk up to him and smack him in the back of his thick skull with a sap." He said as the rabbit pored over her spell book. "I know you were never one to back down from a bet Bomani, so I will make you this wager." She said quietly, the light breathing of a sleeping fox nearby as Nadia slept lightly through the argument between these two friends. The tiger chuckled. "Go on..." he said, the rabbit smirked and closed the book. "This spell is effective, and when it works, you will pay me ten talons, and a good night of hard mating." The tiger chuckled, obviously wanting to laugh louder, but unable to as he did not wish to disturb the sleeping fox. "Ok, I understand the talons, but how is the mating a bad thing?" He asked. "Are you kidding? Have you never heard the old saying 'breeding like usagi'?" She teased. He chuckled. "The only males you could outlast in bed are the dragon's student before his training, and Cong." She smiles evilly. "That doesn't mean you are getting any mercy from me..." she said seductively. The tiger smirked. "Then I accept the wager." He says as he reaches for his war vestments. Bianca sighed, getting her order's battle robes and donning them as the first slivers of daylight began to show through the amber window. The rabbit sighed, sorrow overtaking her again. "He shouldn't have to deal with this Bomani...This kind of pain should never be released into the world..." she said sadly. Bomani hugged her close. "I know little princess. I can only hope that whatever he did in a previous life to deserve this kind of karmic backlash is balanced after this..." he said glumly. "This is not karma Bomani, this is fate lashing out at the one who challenged it...and should he survive this, his retribution will be horrible and bloody..." she said, shuddering and sobbing in the hulking tiger's strong arms. "Yes it will little princess...the fury of a Grand Master is legendary indeed. Such power could challenge the gods and Fortunes without flinching. We can only hope this ends well and play our parts in it." He says, she nodded as the light of dawn signaled their departure to duty. What they did not notice was the empty bed where a fox had been no more than moments before.

As the sun crested the eastern wall of the estate, the wolf nervously stood in front of the Vulpacha family tomb, waiting to spot that familiar and sexy kitsune form appearing from one of the nearby hedge rows. He spotted movement and brightened a moment when he noticed kitsune coloring, but quickly became disappointed as he noticed a male approaching. "A message from my lady Grand Master." He said simply. The wolf sighed taking the envelope with barely concealed annoyance, dismissing the messenger curtly as he took the envelope with unsteady paws, turning it over a moment before he noticed that the messenger was bolting, as if for dear life. The wolf paused a moment and thought this turn of events over a moment as he absently broke the noble seal of the Vulpacha. Before he began reading he mused to himself. "No news can be so bad to prompt such behavior..." he thought...until he read the letter.

Bomani and Bianca watched the wolf dismiss the messenger with a sigh of relief. "Ready?" Bomani asked. "No, but whoever is for this kind of situation?" Bianca answered. "An excellent point little princess." He said as they both watched as the wolf began to read.

Nadia watched the wolf stand nervously in front of the stone tomb of the noble family of the estate. Her mood somewhere between despair and bottomless sorrow for the still ignorant wolf. She longed to be there when he found out to provide him with comfort...any comfort, even if she was torn asunder in his sorrow and rage, she would feel more useful than she did now. Then the messenger showed up and she feel to her knees, sobbing silently for the pain her master would soon feel.

The wolf's visible eye scanned over the letter which read:

My dearest love,

If you are reading this missive you will no doubt notice several things amiss. The first is the fact that despite my promise to meet you this morning, I am not by your side. The second is that this letter was not penned by my hand. Both of which have very relevant answers which I will explain shortly. Before I get into those reasons I have much I wish I could tell you in person. Not the least of which is my pride in your performance in the schools of the east and your subsequent choice for dragon training. Secondly, and far more importantly, I wish to profess my undying love for you. Sadly that is not possible.

This is not possible, because if you are reading this letter my dear wolf, then I am now interred in the stone structure you now stand near. As I lay here in bed with Bianca and Bomani here next to me, trying to put on brave faces for my benefit, I know that I have little time left with this illness slowly killing me hour by hour. Bianca was kind enough to write this letter for me as I lay dying, and after she is done, I will make both her and Bomani promise not to inform you of my passing before you arrive here and read this. Please do not be angry with them if they have kept their promise then I am forever grateful to them for their services and friendship. I also hope you have dismissed the messenger that delivered this note. Bianca has told me of the legends of the rage and fury of a disturbed Grand Master, and pray to the goddess that madness will not take you when you learn the truth.

For the truth is, my love, that if you are reading this alone, on my estate ground, standing near my family crypt as per my instructions, that you must now learn of my passing. I have willed you my family's estate, signed by my father before his death. Attached in this letter are the deed and the transference of my family name to the one I love. The Vulpacha estate is now the Onyxclaw estate, and all the servants and druids of these lands will follow you now as they did my bloodline for thousands of years. Follow your dreams my love, even without me there by your side.

Though I deeply regret the deception I have put you through, I hope that Bomani and Bianca will be able to comfort you as they have me in my final days on Sarthas. I pray to see you in the next life if karma sees fit to give me another life, or in the void should I finally find end for my purpose.

With my deepest love,

Helenka Vulpacha.

Bomani watched with sorrowful eyes as the wolf read the letter, each part of his body weakening with every word he read. First the wolf fell to his knees, his legs unable to support the sorrow that was piling up upon his shoulders, followed by his arms falling listlessly to his sides. Bianca sobbed uncontrollably as she turned away from the scene before her. Bomani watched the wolf with special attention as the dragon's student slowly lost the will to remain upright. The paw holding the letter going limp and releasing the pages of it to the well kept lawn. The tiger was finally forced to avert his eyes as his ears flattened against his skull following as the wolf took in a deep breath. Bianca tried to cover her ears, but she was not fast enough to stop the pained and sorrowful howl from reaching her mind. It spoke of the death of all that the young wolf had lived for, what he had fought for, what he had trained for. It spoke to the death of his happiness and the end of what he once was. In that howl he spoke of his wish to cease life; that the pain and sorrow that now wracked his body and soul were too much to bear. Bomani held the sobbing and shivering Usagi near him as the soul crushing howl slowly faded into the morning. "And so it was that Ceberune Onyxclaw felt the shattering of the morning sun..." the cat said.

Nadia cringed as she heard her master's howl of pain. She had felt such a loss when her mother had died long ago, but this howl spoke of far more than simple familial loss. Such pain was not meant for mortals to bear while they lived. She thought of moving to comfort him now, in his time of need. As she looked back up she saw that he was gone. She looked around in alarm as a cry went up within the compound. "The Grand Master is missing! To Arms!"

Patrols of non-landed male kitsune soldiers searched the estate compound the entire day. No signs of the wolf could be found. As the sun set, search parties were preparing to leave the compound and begin searching the surrounding lands. Druid circles were already beginning rituals to find the wolf within their lands as the first of the two Sarthian moons began to rise in the night sky. As the full red moon came to its apex, the entire compound heard the howls of its master echo sorrowfully through the grounds. Within moments, a fully armed Bomani and Bianca were searching for the source of the howls. Once they spotted the wolf's silhouette against the backdrop of the golden second moon of Sarthas, they moved quickly to get to the wolf on the roof of the mansion. Nadia was also on the move, and despite their alertness, she arrived before Bianca and Bomani at the site of her master's sorrows.

When she arrived, Nadia took in every detail of the scene. The wolf's appearance had changed drastically, from well kempt and refined in the morning, to fully feral as he howled out his pain to the blood red moon. The wolf was nude, but his fur was standing on end in agitation, his hackles raised in a combination of sorrow, rage and confusion. The wolf was oblivious to her presence as she crept forward towards him. His final howl cut short by wracking sobs as the wolf curled up near the weather vane into a fetal position. Every form of common sense the fox possessed screamed how foolish this action was as she reached out to comfort her master. Before she made contact however, the wolf's protective wards activated and flung the fox back from him several feet. Lucky for her, the roof was flat, large and not particularly dangerous. She winced grimaced as she stood back up, only to meet the rage and hate filled gaze of her master. She shivered with fear as the tone she had first heard when the wolf spoke had returned. The cold emotionless tone was back, though she could almost taste his anger in his demeanor as he spoke. "Go....now....leave me to my sorrow." He said. She shivered, and again fought the fight or flight response in her mind as she stood shakily. "No." she said simply, fear in her voice. She cursed her weakness in her tone as the wolf armed himself and growled at her in barely controlled rage. "Leave now 'slave'" he spat out that word hatefully. "Or I will kill you." He said, his tone now fully showing the building powder keg of his emotions to her. "My life is yours to do with as you will Ceberune. But I shall not leave you." She said. Her surprise at the resolve in her voice made the wolf hesitate a moment before he drew his blade, his teeth bared and his intent deadly as he began to advance on her menacingly. The sudden impact of the heavy blow of a Bsani war maul caught to wolf by surprise as he skidded back from the barely deflected swing. "You will kill no one wolf...you will not dishonor your sensei, your friends, or the memory of the one you love with the blood of an innocent..." Bomani said as he set his maul for another swing. The wolf's body shook with fury as he assessed the new threat, then he simply charged at the tiger. Bomani braced for the impact, but it never came. Nadia watched as a white beam hit the wolf in the face just as he began his charge, though he seemed unaffected, two steps later he over balanced and fell forward, sliding to a halt three feet short of his target. The ball of black fur was motionless as the tiger looked at the wolf with a bit of confusion, then grumbled as he dug into his pockets. Next to him was a smirking bunny, one paw held out towards the cat, open and waiting, her other outstretched, her finger tips smoking from the magics she had focused. The grumbling bsani placed ten golden coins in her open paw. "I told you it would work..." the bunny said as the war priest approached the motionless wolf. "Is...is he alive?" a barely standing fox asked. Bomani frowned. "Yes, but I fear he may have been poisoned. He is running a high fever." He said as he quickly lifted the wolf's body from the roof. Bianca growled. "Damned Matriarchy...I bet they had something to do with it..." she said. Nadia, terrified and coming down from her adrenalin high slumped to the floor and passed out. Bomani tossed her over his other shoulder as he passed. "I will leave the investigation to you Bianca. I will do my best to try to keep the Grand Master from dying..." he said "Bianca turned toward the newly arriving guard squad. "You there! Fetch the heirophants. We need the Grand Master's room heavily warded for his protection. And notify Alhundro. The Matriarchy has tried to assassinate the Grand Master on Kitsune lands." She ordered. The patrol saluted and bolted to carry out their orders. She turned and surveyed the small battle field of the roof, then looked up at the red and yellow moons of sarthas. "What are you after now Queen Serina....what could this male possibly hold that could be such a threat?" she mused to herself before leaving the roof to begin her investigation.