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"Show a bit of backbone, you useless fag! Stop your blubbering and get up! Face me like a male, not a pansy!"

A loud thud and a sharp yelp of pain cut through the afternoon heat as the tiger's fist slammed into the cub's cheek. Dark blood sprayed onto the bystanders, making soft splatting sounds as the droplets hit. The sharp tang of iron filled the air and mixed with the dry scent of dust.

The young lion cub collapsed on the ground and lay still. Blood pooled around his short little muzzle.

Bynarr snorted and turned to face the bystanders. No one protested the violence. No one moved. They stared straight ahead as the cub bled, frozen lest they attract the vicious tiger's attention.

Bynarr was the leader of their little band...a 4th Tier Warrior of the 5th Army of Kaurog. His muscles bulged, filling his clothes to capacity. They were perfectly formed, and rippled when he moved. His clothes were perfect. The black leather vest he wore clung just enough to his chest to show his physical power, his perfectly flat belly and muscular flanks. Embedded steel mail gave it the same protective qualities as regular chainmail. His arms were bare save for the plain steel upper arm cuffs that he kept polished to a mirror shine. Plain brown suede breeches adorned the lower half of his body, a mere addendum that didn't detract from the sheer sensuality of his waist. They were gathered in at his knees and flowed neatly into the tops of tough, workman-like peasant boots, tailor-made to fit his muscular calves. They were hard as rocks, as were every other part of his body. His eyes included. They were brown and shone like diamond. Only his fur hinted at softness, and was perfectly groomed like the rest of him.

Bynarr was a handsome devil. No doubt about that. It made him no less a devil.

"Will none of you face me? Pah! You're beyond useless. In battle, you'll be mowed down like grass, trampled underfoot like fodder. You'll never amount to anything!"

His eyes glinted as the group shrank back. His short muzzle twisted as his lips curled in a contemptuous grin.

"And if that wasn't bad enough...there's one among you who's weaker than the rest. I'm not talking about the wreckage lying there, bleeding on the ground. There's one here who would be weak enough to care. One who's been unsuccessful in defeating me numerous times. Step forward Idan. You weak excuse for a wolf. Your honourless ancestors look down in shame upon you. Look at him. Look how his male-parts shrivel at the mere mention of his name. One would expect a wolf to have a bit more courage. He'll shit his pants in a moment. Won't you, Idan?"

The wolf addressed as Idan stepped forward.

Seven years ago, he'd left the city as all males did at the age of ten. From that moment forward, he had to fight for every skill he had, every possession he carried and every meal he ate. The white shirt he wore flapped in the wind. The sleeves were rolled up and tied with string to keep his paws free and his black leather pants were badly scuffed and almost worn through in places. Cream and brown fur stuck out in wild tangles from any opening it could find in his clothes. Neatly concealed underneath, his smooth muscles flowed as his steps took toward the muscular tiger, where he paused.

The tiger sneered down at the young wolf.

"I asked you a question, fleabag. Will you shit your pants?"

"No sir."

The quiet dignity in his voice reflected the perfect calm in his soft brown eyes.

Bynarr smiled, and for a moment, his eyes shone with demonic satisfaction.

"No? You dare contradict a superior Caste?"

Idan said nothing. There was nothing to say. Bynarr had all his bases covered. Now he was free to do what he loved most.

Similar scenes had played themselves out often over the last year. Right at the start, Idan had tried silent submission...and paid the price in blood, torn flesh and abused private parts. He tried defiance, and paid an even worse price in damaged insides, blood and humiliation.

Bynarr lived to abuse and humiliate those around him. He never advanced to higher Tiers. He never wanted to. It was easier to prey on the 5th and 6th Tiers.

Bynarr stopped and stared Idan in the face.

"Ah." He purred softly. "Puppy thinks he can take me on. Puppy thinks he's ready for the 4th Tier. Puppy is wrong. You're nothing, and you'll never be worth anything. Puppy is going to get raped again. Like all the other times. Face it, fag. You love it too much to even try and beat me. You couldn't, even if you tried. Isn't that right, boys?"

His voice rang out. Young faces flinched. A weak whimper of "yes sir" was almost lost in the breeze. They were broken. Beaten. Of no importance to Bynarr anymore...except as a tool to break his newest toy with.

He saw the slight flinch in Idan's eyes as the boys agreed, and almost panted in sadistic pleasure.

Yes, puppy. You're doing this all for nothing. They're lost already. You have no reason to keep fighting me.

Bitterness rose in him then. It was almost finished. They always broke. As satisfying as that was...it didn't slake his thirst for pain. He'd been witness to dozens of moments when the spirit died and had gotten off on it so many times...and yet there was always this foul taste in his muzzle. Dissatisfaction. Disappointment. Hollow. Devoid of true victory. It sometimes left him with dark circles around his eyes for lack of sleep as he lay tossing and turning in pure frustration.

This one had so far managed to keep his spirit intact. He'd lasted almost a full year now. Just a few more weeks, and he'd have to release the pup. It was unacceptable. No one survived him. No one. If the pup refused to be broken...he'd have to kill him. It would be the first time that happened. Intrigued by the idea, Bynarr wondered if he couldn't break the pup through an act of murder. See him break as his life faded away...

He shivered in dark need and panted slightly. Yes...he'd do that. But first...

The muscular tiger stepped forward. Everyone knew what was going to happen. Contradicting a team leader from a higher caste had consequences, and Bynarr never failed to opt for violence. The other members of Bynarr's band lowered their ears. They knew that Idan was once again going to suffer on their behalf. There was not a soul among them who did not feel burning shame at the thought. Bynarr was correct. They were worthless, useless fags...

Still grinning, Bynarr slowly disarmed. His paws worked the buckles of the scabbard and the belt knife. The weapons clattered to the dark soil beneath.

"A fair fight. No weapons. You beat me, I'll release you early. I understand that you need only defeat one more 4th Tier to move up. Good for you, puppy. Like that's ever going to happen."

Idan didn't say anything. The young wolf merely waited. By now, he knew exactly what Bynarr was thinking. He knew every taunt, every trap that waited in that so-reasonable sounding voice. There had been a time when he might have half-believed Bynarr, but that time was in the past. He'd had good teachers and bad ones, and over the last 7 years since he'd left the female-hearth, he'd learned to trust himself. He'd gotten to know his own worth. That was something Bynarr could never take from him, because Bynarr didn't know his worth.

Not his worth...but he certainly knew the vulnerabilities.

"There cubs here still have a long way to go though. Useless as they are, maybe I'll just kill them. I wonder if Puka down there will survive. I gave him a good smacking. Possibly a cracked skull. He never was strong enough, poor piece of shit."

Bynarr could see the slight tightening of the jaw-muscles as the wolf ground his fangs. His breathing was becoming more rapid. He was slipping, losing control.

"Just a drain on the army. Not worth the effort to train, or even to feed. Cubs like you serve only as toys for the real warriors. They deserve it. All of you do."

Idan snarled. Instead of the punch Bynarr expected, his foot lashed out, aimed not at the crotch, but the knee.

He danced nimbly out of the way and grinned.

"Tsk tsk. Not good enough, puppy."

With no further ado, he rushed forward. Bynarr was a superbly conditioned fighter and he kept his skills sharp by using them often. He was 30 years old, almost twice the age of the pup that faced him, and more heavily muscled. There was no way the whelp could win. None.

Perhaps I'll kill him now.

Inside the confines of his sheath, his barbed cock swelled at the though.

I'll play with him a bit first, though...

They half-crouched in the classic stance of warriors about to engage in paw-to-paw combat, eyes focussed on each other.

Idan's gaze was intent on Bynarr, but curiously, Bynarr could find no hint of fear, or any emotion at all there. The pup seemed dangerously in control of himself. He kept his arms in the defensive position, knees slightly bent, perfectly balanced. Bynarr recognised the pose. It was one he favoured himself. He narrowed his eyes, sudden irritation disturbing his concentration. The pup was learning all the wrong lessons...

Idan's fist darted forward, more swiftly than the eye could follow. It slammed solidly onto the joint of Bynarr's shoulder. Jolted back to his senses, Bynarr's leg swept out, but Idan was no longer there. He'd retreated back into the defensive crouch. His eyes showed hints of mockery, of triumph even.

See, Bynarr? I can do something. Can you?

The challenge was plain to see. There was no way Bynarr could resist it. He rotated his shoulders, assessing the damage. The left shoulder was a bit stiffer than it should be, but otherwise he was fine.

He rushed at Idan and sprang. He drew up his legs, and extended them outward. Idan was retreating, but he wasn't quite fast enough. Bynarr's feet connected solidly to his chest. It wasn't quite enough to damage him, but there was enough to push him off-balance. Bynarr landed on his feet and followed up immediately with an upper left that slammed into the side of the young wolf's head.

Dazed, Idan darted awkwardly away, out of reach. He stumbled and righted himself. Bynarr gave him no time to recover. The next punch was already coming. Idan dodged right and tried an undercut punch toward Bynarr's stomach. It slammed into the mail-and-leather vest, but the combination of muscle, steel and leather was solid enough that he barely even felt it. Two arms thundered down onto Idan's shoulders. The pain and shock drove him to his knees, and before he could head-butt Bynarr in the balls the tiger slammed him back. He fell back onto the dusty ground. Bynarr came flying in, a gesture well-known to the young wolf. The tiger loved to pin his victims beneath him. His arms and legs swept up and met Bynarr as he tried to pounce. With all his might, he heaved the muscular tiger overhead. Bynarr fell hard, but rolled quickly to his feet again.

The annoyed look on his face told Idan that he was doing well. The fight had been going on longer than Bynarr expected. He grinned mockingly, knowing that it would destabilise his opponent.

Abruptly, Bynarr smiled, and an instant later, his arm whipped up and out. A rock half the size of his fist came sailing Idan's way.

Startled, Idan dodged. This was all Bynarr needed. He pounced while Idan was instinctively trying to evade the rock. In an instant, his body hit Idan and bore him to the ground. The breath whooshed out of the young wolf and the bigger tiger fell on him.

Contest over. A moment, later, Bynarr had Idan pinned under him.

His fist smashed into the side Idan's muzzle before the young brown wolf could get his breath back. Blood sprayed from his nose and busted lip. A muffled yip escaped his lips. He bucked under Bynarr, trying to get him off. A fist slammed into the pit of his stomach.

"Oh no, my stupid little wolf. None of that. I know you're just dying for it, but I'm not done with you yet." He grabbed Idan by the muzzle and forced his to look into his eyes.

"I am going to win, Idan. And there's nothing you can do. You can't even keep me from fucking you like a little girl. But I'll do that later."

Slowly, he rolled off the young wolf, and hammered a fist into his ribs. Idan screamed and twisted his body, but Bynarr forced his legs back and hit punched into the wolf's delicate nutsack. This time, Idan just groaned, and retched violently onto the ground. He pinned back his ears, unable to move. His nerveless body lay twitching on the ground, and tears ran down his face.

Bynarr grinned. The bulge in his pants had grown to a very prominent tent.

"Aw. Poor puppy. Look at him, crying like a little bitch who lost her mama. He reached out and ripped Idan's shirt clean off him, revealing the creamy belly and chest. His flanks were a delicate brown that darkened toward his back.

The tiger's claws lashed out and ripped at the exposed skin. Dark red blood welled up in clear red welts, soaking that magnificent, creamy coat. Idan screamed through clenched fangs and twitched.

"Ohh...yes...how beautiful. You see wolf? That's all you're good for. All you'll ever be good for. To be a victim to stronger warriors. We'll use you, and abuse you as we see fit. Because you're nothing."

Idan whimpered and shook his head. He tried to push himself up, but his arms wouldn't hold his weight. His crotch hurt nine hells frozen over and the fire in his belly fogged his mind and sapped his strength. He was beaten. Flat out beaten. Still he tried to get up. He made it as far as his knees before a clawed paw kicked into his ribs, and ripped his skin. New blood flowed from the wound and dripped onto the ground. He collapsed into a small pool of his own blood.

He was vaguely aware that his pants were being removed. The baggy thing had never fitted him properly anyway.

He screamed when a tiger paw gripped his swelling balls and squeezed. The pain lanced up his spine and down his legs. His bladder released and soaked his blood-streaked belly in urine. Fire ripped its claws into him when the acidic fluid ran into the clawmarks Bynarr left.

"Say it, puppy. Bynarr wins. Say it. Say it!"

The wolf only growled and shook his head.

Bynarr smiled.

"Not the best answer you could have given, little bitch. Now I'll have to rape you."

Idan snarled through clenched fangs and grated, "You were....going to do that anyway...no matter what I said. Stop...pretending it was...my fault. You're...the sick one..."

Bynarr's fist closed on Idan's left ear and pulled. His claws dug into the shell, then penetrated. Idan squealed as Bynarr slowly drew his claws up, shredding the ear. The smell of blood hung thick in the air. He leaned in and whispered into the damaged appendage.

"I may be sick, but you're still a weak little bitch with nothing but words to fight with. And look...your words couldn't save you. You're still mine, and I'll break you, little wolf."

His paw ran down the young wolf's coat, from his neck, over his deeply muscled chest and over his soft belly down to his crotch.

Idan flinched slightly as the tiger gently stroked the soft, creamy sheath. It was impossible to ignore the pleasure of such gentle intimacy, given how racked with pain the rest of him was. He shuddered from head to toe.

"Oh, look. Faggy puppy is enjoying it. Let's see if you enjoy this..."

Bynarr's paw pushed at Idan's bruised ribs to flip him over onto his stomach. The young wolf growled, but he was physically spent. It hurt too much to resist. Still he tried. With painful slowness, he struggled onto his knees once more. Two red paws gripped his hips.

"I knew you were hot for it, bitch, but this hot?" Bynarr grabbed his tail and wrenched it up over his back. The delicate little bones that connected his tail to the base of his spine creaked and he whimpered.

"Pity that hole is not so tight anymore. You let yourself be fucked too many times, girly.

Idan heard the slight tinkle as Bynarr unfastened his belt and drew his pants down with his one free paw. He clenched his eyes shut, and with the last of his strength, tried to heave himself to his feet. Bynarr's fist slammed into his nuts again, and he collapsed back onto his knees, arms clenched around himself, weeping with pain.

"They're going to be the size of melons tomorrow...if I decide to let you keep them. Maybe I'll cut them off along with that worthless sheath. Make a little female out of you. The rest of the boys will love it. But I forgot. They're fags. Just like you. Maybe I'll just feed it to them. One last suck, eh? On their dear protector."

Pure pleasure made Bynarr shiver and drops of pre appeared at the tip of his barbed cock. There wasn't a day that went by he didn't thank the gods for it. It gave him pleasure, and pain to whoever he fucked with it. His cock topped 10 inches. 10 inches of pure, barbed, thick pain for whoever he forced it into.

He didn't bother taunting Idan further. He simply slammed his meat into the young wolf's hole. A thick cry of hurt rang beautifully in his ears as he hilted himself, then pulled back and rammed in again with even greater force. The wolf rocked forward on his knees, but the tiger held him in place. The barbs caught on Idan's insides and ripped at them viciously. His tailhole tried to expel the length of Bynarr's cock by clenching tightly around it, causing him even more pain. With each wild, powerful stroke, the barbs poked and pinched his prostate. Massively overstimulated, the organ released its contents into Idan's cock. Spurts of milky prostate fluid shot from his hardening member. His abused orbs protested the rough treatment with sharp stabs of pain. Overwhelmed with pain, Idan almost blacked out, but grimly held on.

He would not give Bynarr the victory.

He would win.

He would survive intact.

Behind him, the tiger continued to slam in and out of him with terrible force. He could feel hot blood running down his legs, and knew that it would be many days before the bleeding stopped. He felt the tiger reach out to grab his head. He ground Idan's muzzle into the ground. The busted lip bled and started to hurt anew as dirt was rubbed into it.

I will beat you, Bynarr. I will beat you by surviving you...

It didn't take Bynarr long to cum. It never did. With a last, powerful thrust deep into the young wolf, he released his seed in a single, enormous flood. As soon as it was over, the tiger withdrew. He simply ripped loose, not caring about the damage he caused. The wolf barely even twitched. Numbed and hurt almost beyond endurance, Idan collapsed to the ground and just lay there.

Bynarr snorted, and stepped over him. He dressed quickly, and gathered up his weapons. With a sharp gesture at the rest of the band, he left.

A few moments later, it started to rain.

It didn't take Bynarr long to reach is tent. He jerked the flaps aside and entered, letting them fall shut behind him.

His mind spun with thoughts and remembered sensation. Idan was a problem. A big one. One thing had become abundantly clear during the assault and rape of the young wolf. He would not break. Not even death would break him. Bynarr had felt it in the way the wolf's body resisted him. Any other pup would have broken and just let him fuck him, but not Idan. Even battered and pained as he'd been, he'd resisted with what he had. He hadn't given in. He'd been hurt, and this pleased the big cat...but he wasn't defeated. He never would be defeated. Even if he killed Idan...the memory of him would never leave. He'd always know that he'd failed. It had robbed the moment when the pup's body had quivered with pain of all its pleasure. It caused him to dump his load long before he was ready.

His cock throbbed with thwarted need. Dissatisfied. Empty. Only the pup's complete submission would satisfy him.

But deep inside, he knew that if Idan ever did that...it would be just as empty as the feeling he had now...

The rain fell down, but he didn't notice.

Idan lay curled up on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. His body hurt all over. His ribs creaked where Bynarr had kicked him. His tail refused to move, and his balls...

He turned and retched. Blood and sperm ran from his body, and an erection stood proudly between his legs. Now that his prostate was no longer being assaulted, it throbbed with pleasure, causing a rampant boner that he did his best to ignore. His nuts hurt. Even the slightest touch caused him to whimper. There was no moving from this spot...not until the pain subsided somewhat. He winced and turned onto his back, letting the rain soak his fur and wash away the blood from where Bynarr's claws had torn into him. His shredded ear throbbed.

His whole body throbbed.

Oh gods...he needed a healer. He knew that. But there was something else he needed to do first.

The young brown wolf sighed and rolled over, then started the long, painful process of getting to his knees. He crawled over to where Puka, the young lion Bynarr had assaulted earlier, lay. Gently, he turned the young cub over to examine him.

Soft yellow eyes stared up at him. There was a fleck of dirt in one.

"Oh Puka..."

Idan clenched his eyes shut and pulled the little cub into his arms. He screamed and wept as he rocked the dead little body.

He'd been just 11 years old...

Hot rage lent strength to his limbs and he hauled himself up. He left the dead cub where he'd fallen and walked away, in search of a healer.

It took days for Idan to recover. He just barely managed to find the healer's tent before collapsing. All he could remember was the old hippo's savage swearing and being hauled up onto a bed. Other short snatches of memory suggested that it had hurt a lot to have his wounds cleaned...and at some point he'd growled and tried to maul the good healer when the hippo tried to examine his torn and abused tailhole.

His body still ached, but it was tolerably muted now.

He'd pissed blood for the first three days from damage to his kidneys and had cum blood too. Healer's orders, to get rid of the excess fluid the beating had caused. It was not easy, pleasuring himself when his heart mourned for the loss of the little cub. He hadn't known Puka well, but that was beside the point. He'd been just a little cub who didn't know better. He'd come into the army at 10 like every other Kaurog male, expecting to be taken in and trained to fight for their people. This had happened for the young pup's first year. It was just bad luck that his second should get him Bynarr and death.

Life in the army was harsh, but one was supposed to die at the paws of the enemy, not one's own leader. Bynarr was a bad leader.

Idan shuddered.

Fag...

Well...that much was true. He'd long since accepted that he enjoyed sharing pleasure with his fellow males. He'd seen females in the various raids they made, and he remembered what it had been like in the city, living with his mother and sisters while growing up. They'd tried their best to prepare him for life among males, but the truth was that they didn't know what it was like. They only ever saw the males once a year when it was time to breed. They saw them only for breeding, and nothing more. How could they know what it was like? He himself hadn't yet gone through puberty when he was sent away. What did he know? No more than the females did.

In an army composed exclusively of males, where only the strongest ones, those of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Tiers mated, and then only once a year...the lower caste males, and the new boys, found themselves pressed into service as sexual toys. Sex in return for training. That's what it amounted to. Some of the warriors were good about it and Idan had come to enjoy sharing his bed with such as they...but unfortunately, there were also those who were like Bynarr.

Oh Puka...

How many cubs ended up like him? Good pups who would have made good warriors if they'd only had the chance. If they didn't run into the Bynarrs of the world.

But life was what it was. He could lose himself in self-recrimination, or he could survive.

"Doc!" He called.

The big hippo was called Docarra and he insisted on that name, no matter how much Idan insisted on calling him by the honorific Lé?itel.

"Doc! When can I get out of here? I feel okay, now. I really do!"

"Fuck you, Idan," Doc growled from the next room over. His deep basso voice made the tent poles vibrate when he talked.

"You come in here on average of once a month with wounds like this and you expect to be out of here quicker each time. I'm not a fucking miracle worker. I'm just an understaffed, overworked freaking Lé?itel. Now you stay the hell put! I'm not fixing you if you break yourself."

Idan relaxed as Doc muttered and mumbled to himself.

Truth was, he needed the time to recover, if only because he knew that he would not be able to stop himself from challenging Bynarr if he saw him now. Puka's death had ignited a white hot rage in the young wolf. Bynarr had to die...but for him to succeed, his anger needed to be cold rather than hot. During this latest fight, he'd discovered that a calm, unemotional state unsettled Bynarr, and that mockery made him lose control.

He'd studied Bynarr over the last year with exactly this aim...finding a way to defeat him. It was the only way to ensure no more cubs died.

"I heard your band got selected to participate in a raid on Schmollesk. There's been a lot of shipments going that way and Gital reported that the females wanted more flour."

Idan snorted.

Flour. They were raiding a small town for...flour.

Still...if that's what the females wanted...And there was always the chance of finding a decent sword or some gold that he could trade for better clothes, a better tent, a nice, thick blanket...decent food. He was getting a little tired of soldier's rations. Salted pork in cabbage stew had never been a favourite of his.

"Any word on when we're going?"

"Four days."

"Will I be ready to..."

Doc sighed.

"Yes, Idan. You'll be ready. If you stop squirming around and annoying me to the point of wanting to kill you myself."

Idan laughed.

It was the first time all year...

"Now remember, Idan. It's down Magister's Way. That's the main road from the west gate. You..."

"Proceed down Magister's way until the 4th intersection. I turn right and follow the path to the 11th crossing, then turn left. The 19th house on my left is the one I should raid. For...um...packages of rolled cloth, and...wait...don't tell me..."

Idan closed his eyes precisely recalling what Doc had told him earlier.

"Vials of clear fluid. It smells like vodka. And whatever small knives I can find. And I'm not to kill the Lé?itel."

"Yes. That's right. Don't kill the Lé?itel. If you do, I'll personally skin you. You people. Forever killing."

"It's what we do, Doc. I don't think the Lé?itel will just hand me the goods if I ask nicely. Maybe...mmm...do you think their Lé?itel will have gold, Doc?"

Doc sighed and rolled his eyes, but his lips were parted in a slight hippo grin.

"Maybe. You won't know unless you look. Just don't kill him. It's bad luck to kill a Lé?itel."

Idan grinned, and for a moment, he looked like the feisty young whelp he'd been. Full of life and playful, he'd fought and played with the other 6th Tier trainees for a number of years, and even managed to attract the attention of a fairly large band that saw him advance quickly in skill. Until Bynarr came along and silenced that playful side. Now, there was constant sadness and rage in his eyes, and he hardly ever smiled.

Doc sighed. He'd treated the damage Bynarr had done to Idan's body, but he could only pray that the damage done to his soul would not turn him into a monster.

"Don't worry, Doc. I won't. And I'll come back with the stuff you asked for, even if I carry back nothing else. Thanks." He smiled, and for a moment, Doc imagined he saw a hint of warmth in the pup's eyes. Then he was gone, out of the tent, his step confident, tail raised high, ears alertly pricked. Neatly concealing the pain he held locked away deep inside.

Again, Doc sighed. Idan was such a good cub. The old hippo returned to his duties, wondering if he'd ever see Idan again.

The raiding party was mustering at the edge of the army encampment. Vary-coloured tents stood crammed in tight clusters with no pattern or planning, and smoke rose from the centre of each cluster. Large open spaces interspersed the clusters where some bands were practicing their skills or training their latest recruits. At the very back of the encampment rose the mighty grey walls of the city. Drogh'Dwreidd. 5th City of the Kaurog. Inside, the females did whatever it was that females did. No male ever set foot beyond the city, into the land the city guarded. Only the females ever ventured there. The females kept the land. One supposes they cultivated it, mined it...whatever it was one did with land. The females looked inward and protected and cultivated what the males captured.

As Idan approached, he felt the warmth of another body beside his own. His nose told him it was Bynarr.

"Oh look. Our little rose graces us with her presence."

Idan ignored him and strode forward to the pack of bodies that was assembling. It looked like a decent raid. He recognised 3 band leaders, each from the 3rd Tier, and Ingrair, a 2nd Tier. Ingrair, it was rumoured, was one of the favourites to replace their ageing 1st Tier. He certainly cut a dashing figure in his polished metal armour and red-plumed helm. Unlike the usual Kaurog armour, Ingrair's was smooth and without embellishment. Form followed function and its only concession to show was that it was polished.

Bynarr dared not push Idan now, not in view of the 3rd and 2nd Tiers present and watching.

Ingrair stood on a wooden platform, arms folded across his broad chest. He barked a quick command.

"Warriors of the 5th army. Assemble!"

Instantly, the motley crew assembled before him organised themselves into a unit, according to band, and according to Tier. The largest bands led by the 3rd Tiers toward the back, the 4th Tier bands who followed them in front.

Idan found himself next to Bynarr. The tiger was trying to get his paw down the back of Idan's pants, no doubt so he could finger at his tailhole. Idan stood still, relaxed, showing no reaction, no matter the revulsion and hate he felt.

An annoyed look darkened the tiger's eyes, but he dared do no more at this time.

Ingrair waited until everyone was in place before starting.

"We go to Schmollesk. It is a small town, and walled, but the walls are crumbling and the gates are in poor repair. We have not staged a rain in that direction for over a year. Our scouts report that it is virtually undefended since its ruler is engaged in a war with the city of Chalkatjukat. As always, we raid according to the wishes of our females, and we have been told to gather flour as a priority item. We will capture whatever wagons are available and drive them back here. You may take whatever else catches your eye, as long as you give priority to flour. Perhaps also grain. I'm told that flour is made from this item. This is your priority. We are instructed to keep our killing to a minimum, so kill only as needed. Is everything clear?"

There was a thunderous noise as well over a 1000 warriors quickly smashed their fists to their breastplates, Kaurog affirmation and salute all in one.

"Good. We start immediately. Your bandleaders have been instructed to inform you to bring sufficient food for the day in your packs."

"Oh, did I forget to mention that?" Bynarr purred into Idan's ear. "I guess you'll be hungry today." He removed a piece of bread from his pack and bit into it, chewing with relish.

Idan smiled and slowly withdrew a piece of dried meat from the pocket of his new pants. He nibbled it delicately as he didn't have a care in the world.

A haunted look crossed the tiger's face, but Idan ignored him as if he didn't even exist.

"Move out, raiders. Maintain discipline."

With that one line, Ingrair cut off any avenue of retaliation Bynarr might have had in mind.

Idan smiled. By the time they got to the town, Bynarr would be fuming.

It took them three days to reach the town. The first day took them through pleasant pastureland patrolled by Kaurog bands. It was effectively their territory. In years to come, if their range extended far enough, the cities would be abandoned and new ones built along the new frontier. But it would not be soon. In this direction lay the Great Thirstland. Towns were few and far between and had little to interest a Kaurog.

The following days, the land grew rockier, more suited to the farming of goats than grain. Water was plentiful, but soil to grow crops in was lacking. It was out here, on the edge of the Thirstland that the townsfolk had built their city. The ground was flat and vegetation sparse, offering little cover. They trampled crops on their way and hunted the goats and sheep for food, stripping the land as they came.

During the march, Idan spent as much time as he could alone. It was not compulsory for bands to stay together. The march and setting up of camp every night allowed warriors to bond, and for 5th and 6th Tier warriors to advance in rank. Warriors also sought companionship for the nights spent out.

For once, Idan was not interested in finding a warm body. His own still ached, and was too tender yet to take on a lover. The memory of Bynarr was still too fresh in his mind. He kept alert and avoided Bynarr as best he could, keeping tight control over his emotions. Thinking instead of feeling allowed him to keep functioning, but soon, he would have to deal with the events of the last year. He'd seen the sadness In Doc's eyes, and knew that in the old hippo's eyes, he wasn't the person he'd once been. He couldn't afford to be. Not if he wanted to survive.

Briefly he wondered what he was surviving for before he closed down the thought and concentrated on the coming battle. They'd arrive an hour past midnight and attack immediately. With luck, they'd find the city gates unlocked. It was unlikely, but possible, given how little incentive the Kaurog had to raid this backwater little town. Not that it would matter, either way. The walls were barely the height of a full-grown fur. Any Kaurog pup could climb it in his sleep. They'd be inside the walls before any guards could even sound the alarm, and they'd be out and on their way home before dawn.

Night fell, and the raiding party paused to rest before making the final walk to the walls. It was cold out, and Idan shivered. His thick, cream and brown fur fluffed out. He sat down and rested his muzzle on his drawn up legs. He wrapped his arms around his knees and watched as a sickle moon rose slowly over the town. He thought of Doc, and his life.

"Don't kill the Lé?itel."

The words bothered him. Why would Doc think he needed to be told that? In all the raids he'd taken part in, he'd never killed unless it was necessary. He'd never hesitated, but he'd also not flinched from it. And yet...at the back of his mind, he could also not find any reason why he should not kill the Lé?itel. The rat was likely to try and resist his taking the supplies Doc had asked for. The easiest way to stop that would be to just cut him down.

He found that the thought didn't bother him.

It should have, but it didn't.

Had Doc seen the change in his thinking? A year ago...it would have been a given that the Lé?itel would live. That was no longer the case. Doc had seen it, and had given warning in his own way.

Idan shuddered. Had Bynarr managed to twist him after all? In so small a way that he hadn't even noticed how hard he'd become. How callous and uncaring.

Not that caring had a place in male society.

Fag...

Or was he wrong? Did Doc not care?

He shivered, his soul thrown into confusion. To his horror, he found that tears were streaming down his face. He wiped them away angrily and stared out into the night until the call to muster came to him.

They marched quickly, but silently. Most Kaurogs kept padding between their weapons and their armour to prevent clinking, and marched bare-pawed. They marched in small groups of no more than 10 warriors, and approached the town from multiple vectors. It was easier to conceal small, fast-moving groups under cover of darkness than to hide one large one.

It didn't take them long to reach the walls. They were in place exactly on time. The larger bands entered first, quickly and efficiently killing whatever guards they found. They would also run around the inside of the walls, killing whoever they came across before signalling the rest of the party to enter.

Excitement mounted as the time approached, and many warriors were openly grinning at the prospect of an undefended town. What rich plunder they could take...

Even Idan could not escape the mood of excitement.

This was his first big raid. He was 17 years old, and about to carry out his first mission. He smiled, but kept alert.

An owl hooted nearby and within moments, 1000 Kaurogs vaulted the crumbling walls. The need for silence was now gone, and many gave vent to their excitement by howling and whooping gleefully as they unsheathed swords, drew knives or nocked arrows. Idan waited an instant longer before smoothly hauling himself over the low wall. He looked quickly left and right to orient himself, then took off along the route Doc had outlined.

Seven years fell away and he was back in the city where he'd grown up. The cobblestones felt instantly familiar, if a little rougher than he thought they should be. There were holes in the streets where stones had gone missing, and more bumps that there should be, but otherwise, it wasn't that different. The houses were smaller, and he soon found that the streets twisted and turned a fair bit more than Kaurog cities. He ran on, keeping a wary eye out. The clashing of steel told him that the town was now waking up and starting to fight back. He ran faster.

Shouts and shrieks of pain sounded all around him as the night claimed its second wave of lives. There's the 11th crossing. He darted left and sprinted as fast as his long legs could carry him, counting houses as he went. At the 19th one on the left, he paused and drew his belt knife.

Don't kill the Lé?itel...

He charged the door and hit it hard with his broad, muscular shoulder. The door splintered and bashed inward. Idan was through in an instant. His eyes darted this way and that, taking in all the detail. Masses of bottles lined wall-to-wall cabinets, and a dark wooden table separated them from the rest of the room. There were drawers beneath the cabinets. Doc had told him that these might contain the knives. Two passageways led out of the room. The one on the left led to stairs that went upward. Doc said it was the living area. The second one was behind the counter to the right. That was the examination room.

Idan shook his head. He had no idea what Doc was talking about, but it didn't matter. From upstairs, he heard startled squeaking, and a quivery voice calling down.

"Who's there?"

The voice was unlike anything he'd ever heard before. It creaked and squeaked like a rusty wheel, and moments later, he heard unsteady footsteps on the floor. There was also a tock-tock sound of wood on wood.

What the fuck...?

Idan blinked in confusion, momentarily forgetting his mission. He stood still, waiting to see what would materialise.

The tock-tock sound came closer and there was a wheezing sound, like one who had trouble breathing. Idan blinked as a gnarled rat stepped through the door. His fur was completely white, and he was hunched over a wooden stick that he apparently used to keep himself upright. The creature looked so pathetic, all thoughts of fighting or killing vanished from his mind. Shocked, Idan blurted the first words that came to mind.

"Dear gods! What the fuck happened to you?"

The creature wheezed. It took Idan a moment to realise that it was laughter.

"What a thing to ask. You young scuts. Can never be respectful. Time is what happened to me, youngster. Time is what will get you too, in the end. You just wait and see."

The rat wheezed again, then looked up. Curiously, his eyes were absolutely clear, and as blue as anything Idan had seen.

"Mmm. Kaurog I see. Oh, put away that knife, whelp. I'm obviously not going to fight you, just as clearly as you're not going to stick it in me." He looked around and winced. "You broke my door down, I see. I don't suppose you feel like paying for that? No? Oh well. Too much to wish for, I expect."

The wizened old rat shuffled over to a chair in one corner near the door and sank down in it.

"Ah! That's better. The old legs...not what they used to be. Now tell me. What can I do for you?"

Idan blinked.

"Come now, youngster. Surely you came here for something. You look healthy enough to me. Maybe a bit pale and undernourished and that ear is really gruesome. But I expect it will heal. Good job, your healer did. I rather expect you were sent here by him, yes? An oversized hippo by name of Docarra if I'm not sadly mistaken. Well? Aren't you going to say something? I seem to be carrying this whole conversation. That's not fair, you know. Especially at my age."

Idan just shook his head, and grinned. He couldn't help it. It was impossible to be serious around the strange old rat.

"Ahem. Yes. The... Lé?itel Docarra did send me...He asked me to come here and...well..."

Inexplicably embarrassed, he blushed and looked down.

"He sent you to come steal bandages, spirits and scalpels." The rat wheezed. "The old reprobate. How is he doing? I haven't seen him in years."

The whole scene seemed unreal, and completely unexpected. Of all the scenarios Idan had imagined, this one hadn't even been an option. His lips twitched. The old rat reminded him of Doc. They had the same irascible manner, but this old rat seemed more humorous.

"Repro...um...he's fine."

"Good, good. Give him my regards when next you see him. Now...if you would be so kind...?"

"Um...what?"

The rat sighed. "You Kaurogs. Worst manners in the cosmos. Don't even know what kindness means. I mean, young wolf, please help me up. There seems to be some disturbance outside. No doubt it's your people causing havoc. They always do. Always burning and killing on top of the pillaging. Honestly I ask you. Is it really necessary? How much land do your people hold now?"

The question struck Idan like a blow. Necessary...? How much land...? He opened his muzzle to answer, but found that he had no idea. It had never occurred to him to ask. How much land? Did that matter...? Surely not...

He stepped over to the old rat and pulled him to his feet.

"Now...let me show you where the stash is. "With Idan's help, he shuffled slowly toward one of the cabinets. I've prepared a package for your Lé?itel, as per our agreement. No doubt he didn't tell you about it. I expect he has his reasons. Perhaps you can ask him when next you see him. Ask him too how I managed to...get his way." He made a general gesture, encompassing his entire makeup. "Ask him why you never see furs like me in your land." He hauled a neatly wrapped package off a shelf and handed it to Idan. "There you go. Be careful with it. Now go. Scoot. I'm going to hide in the cellar now. Hopefully I'll still have a place tomorrow."

Idan nodded, and impulsively hugged the old rat.

"Thank you. I will ask our Lé?itel. And I will never forget you. Take care. I hope you do."

Idan left promptly, so he didn't see the old rat smile and shake his head.

"Well! Now that's something you don't see every day. An affectionate Kaurog. Perhaps there's some hope after all."

Outside, the fighting intensified. Screams rang out in all directions, and here and there, the ruddy glow of fires could be seen. The smell of smoke and blood filled the air. Frightened furs ran before advancing raiders. Idan ignored all of this. His aim now was to find his band, and hopefully to organise them into finding a wagon and raiding what was needed.

It seemed inconceivable to him that Doc would know this rat. And what did land have to do with anything? Land to a Kaurog meant territory to raid in. It seemed reasonable to Idan that other people would dislike his kind, but the rat had implied that they were somehow...excessive in their dealings with others.

Excessive.

Bynarr.

It all crashed together in Idan's mind. Gods above...

He skidded to a halt and looked around. His eyes told him nothing beyond the ordinary. One band had found a bunch of wagons before an inn and was busy trying to guide them toward a grainery and a nearby bakery. The owners of the wagons were putting up a valiant defence, but were soon cut down in the street. One old buck held up his hands and was pleading for mercy as he was being beaten down, but all he received was a vicious fist to the muzzle and a sword in the crotch.

His fellow raiders laughed and kicked the buck in the face, the ribs back and crotch. They kept beating him long after he was dead.

The town militia came rushing in, but it was too late. The drivers were dead, and the wagons were not worth the effort to save.

Sickened, Idan shrank back and sank to the ground.

Our whole race have become as twisted as Bynarr...

The rat was right. They weren't just raiding anymore. They lived to kill.

Horror and remorse filled his soul.

Gods...gods...

"Well, well, well. If it isn't our little lady. As always, too weak to fight. What do you think you're doing, bitch? Hiding until the fighting is over and then just take your share of the spoils? Not even you could be so craven."

With a savage growl, Idan jumped to his feet. His sword hissed out of the plain black scabbard he carried strapped across his back. The polished steel blade shone in the dim moonlight, a perfectly straight blade that tapered to a fine stabbing point. All the pain and hurt of the last year, and the discoveries of the past hour fell away. There was just Bynarr, and for once, his mind was perfectly clear.

I will end you. Here and now.

The fire in Idan's eyes spelled out his death. The wolf had been pushed beyond his endurance at along last...but still he was unbroken. Undefeated.

Idan advanced a step, his brown eyes intent on Bynarr.

Suddenly uncertain, Bynarr took one back. He'd never see Idan like this. The young wolf had always been passive before, only resisting because he had to. Something had changed in him. He was no longer holding back. It was as if a leash had been taken off him. Instead of breaking under the strain, the bowstings of his soul twanged tight, ready to release death on his tormentor.

Bynarr drew his scimitar and waited, watched.

The wolf attacked without warning. With the sword gripped in one paw and the tip pointed up toward Bynarr, he danced forward. The edge whistled as it swept toward Bynarr's throat. The tiger grinned as his own curved blade quickly deflected what might have been a fatal blow.

"Not good enough, whelp. Your swordplay could use a bit of sharpening."

The blades rang out clear. Neither warrior was an absolute expert. Bynarr had twice Idan's experience, but Idan had nothing left to lose, and fought with cold rage behind every cut, slash and parry. The power behind his blows was far beyond what Bynarr expected. Every move he made was inelegantly countered, or simply beaten aside. The pup fought with absolutely no regard for the aftermath.

He fought to win...and for the second time in his life, Bynarr feared.

The pace quickened. Idan's footwork was superb. He kept his knees bent and his balance perfectly centred. His fur was soaked in sweat, but he didn't let up, didn't lose concentration. Every blow he hammered down on Bynarr was meant to kill, but it didn't faze him when the killing blow was stayed. It simply unleashed a new flood of energy, powered by the sheer force of his will and his hatred. It burned in his eyes as he drove Bynarr back and back again. He didn't seem to care how long the battle lasted.

Desperate, Bynarr tried to respond, but Idan's concentration didn't waver. The whelp learned quickly. With every move, he improved. He seemed almost to absorb swordskill out of the air as they fought. He never repeated a mistake, and the number of small cuts and nicks Bynarr managed to inflict didn't slow him. It dawned on Bynarr that maybe he would not win.

Well...what was winning, except survival?

A small smile curved his lips. One always had to have an escape route...

Slowly, bit by bit, he retreated.

Idan's eyes flashed triumph and he renewed his assault on Bynarr's flagging defence. Their blows were slower now as they tired.

Focussed solely on his opponent, Idan never saw his danger. Before him, Bynarr seemed almost finished. The tiger was panting heavily and his arms seemed weighed down by lead, but he kept grimly on. Idan saw the small cobblestone that stuck out of the road, and steered Bynarr toward it. He watched as the tiger's bare paw caught it. The tiger stumbled back with wide eyes and swept his blade in a protective arc to keep the wolf at bay, but to no avail. Bynarr went down, and Idan's thin, straight blade struck the scimitar clear out of his paw before sweeping down toward his throat.

"5th Tier! Stop!"

The tiger's command cut through Idan's bloodlust. His body jerked as if doused with ice water, and the blade stopped at Bynarr's throat.

"5th Tier. I concede the fight. I recognise your claim to the 4th!"

Idan snarled, but stayed his paw. The blade quivered in his paw, drawing slight lines of blood from Bynarr's throat.

Bynarr could see the bloodlust and rage, and knew that he was the victim of his own success. His plan was about to backfire on him. Idan really did want to kill him...but then, for some reason, the pup's eyes cleared. His fangs were still bared, but the blade steadied. Bynarr stared in mute disbelief.

"I beat you, Bynarr. Remember that in the future. You failed. I'm still whole."

Bitter bile mixed with sweet victory in Bynarr's soul as his ears detected the steady tramp of boots coming up the road.

"True. I failed to break you...but I'll still win."

Quick as lightning, Bynarr's paw flashed forward and hurled something straight into Idan's face.

The young wolf screamed and clawed at his face, then started to cough and sneeze uncontrollably.

Bynarr rolled away and jumped to his paws. He grabbed the package Idan had dropped and sprinted away, laughing as he went. As he disappeared into the night, the sounds of a scuffle could be faintly heard, and the clap of iron as the town militia captured a young wolf vainly trying to clear his lungs and nose of a fistful of pepper.

Bitter satisfaction for the retreating tiger.

He may have failed...but it was Idan who was in trouble.

He had failed. Maybe the vengeful citizens of Schmollesk would not.

Despair unfurled in his soul. Dissatisfied. Empty.

He howled into the night.