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Selak Quietwood paused in his walking to survey the land before him. He breathed in deeply, letting the arctic air invigorate him just that much more. His vulpine senses easily detected no threats around him. All was quiet, save for the distant cries of high-flying eagles overhead.

The fox ranger sighed slightly. Duster, his pet eagle had died only a year ago. Selak had bonded with that very bird around here. It hadn't been long after stepping through that device, which had allowed him to travel impossibly great distances in the mere blink of an eye. Eagles such as Duster were non-existent back in Ascalon, so to have one on his arm when he tread those lands had turned many a head.

Of course, there had been many other things about him that had turned people's heads, his pet the least of them. He, along with his comrades, was almost entirely responsible for the downfall of the great evils that had plagued the land for so long. From the Searing of Ascalon to the Nightfall of Elona, Selak and his friends had carved a bloody path through the legions of creatures that would see this world fall to darkness, only to emerge victorious.

It hadn't been an easy victory, though. As well as the ever-present threat from the Charr, Destroyers, and other such denizens, Selak and the others had faced off against opportunistic generals, warlords, and the like, all seeking to somehow profit from evil's rise. It seemed to the ranger that even in the face of absolute annihilation, politics and corruption stubbornly clung to their twisted ideals.

Leaning against a tree, Selak sighed. It had been five years since that final day...five long, peaceful years since his bow had struck something other than his next meal. Now, the only battle cries he heard were in the many taverns he'd visited since then. News of minor conflicts between the many kingdoms of the land now replaced the stories of epic battles. Such tall tales were fast becoming the words of legend, most of them centering themselves around Selak and those with whom he traveled

Since the end of the war, Selak had retraced nearly every footstep he and his comrades had made over the years. From Ascalon, he went to Kryta, then on into the desert. From there, he took a ship to Elona and even to Canthia. His feet trod the very same miles he had before, but now in peace. No longer was he beset upon by countless waves of creatures, mages, and mercenaries. Now, only fellow travelers, merchants, and other well-wishers encountered him, all with smiles and nods of greeting. It lightened his heart to see such a thing, especially after so many years of fighting.

Everywhere he stopped, he made sure to look for his former comrades to see how they were faring. In the ruined city of Ashford, he encountered Brother Merast, a young otter monk who'd been responsible for keeping Selak and the others whole whilst in the thick of combat. Though nervous and inexperienced at first, Merast soon proved himself on the battlefield, giving the others the advantage they needed in the face of overwhelming odds.

In Kryta, he met up with Darius, the jackal necromancer. When they first met, the two seemed to be polar opposites of each other. While Selak's occupation was the preservation and sanctity of life, Darius seemed the personification of death. His curses and hexes often turned Selak's stomach. Still, upon getting to know the jackal better, the fox soon formed a lasting friendship with him.

In Elona, Selak found that his old leonine companion, Orestes, had become the supreme leader of the Lightspears, the elite guard of Elona. Once a devastating dervish, Orestes was now less a warrior and more a teacher. The scythe he'd used to carve his way into legend now hung in the Lightspear Academy, a lasting tribute to one of their own.

A slight shiver ran through Selak. The sun was beginning to set, and he'd be a fool to stay out in the cold after dark. It had taken many a month to reach this place...this last place on his journey. After this visit, he would head back to Ascalon and finally settle down. Perhaps he would build a house in Ashford and hunt game for the local butcher. That was certainly a possibility.

He walked down the familiar hill into the icy valley. Even in the fading sunlight he could see the enormous building in the distance. The light from many small fires made it sparkle like some kind of alien gem in this frozen landscape. Selak shivered again at the thought of finally getting warm after so long in the snow. With a renewed sense of purpose the fox plodded onward, the ankle-deep snow soon giving way to the frozen lake bed that surrounded the building.

Finally he reached the entrance. He smiled as he recognized the symbol on the door. It was from Ascalon...he'd finally made it back to the Eye of the North. This bastion of the Ebon Vanguard had been the true staging ground in the final days of the war. From here, Selak and countless others launched attack after attack against the Charr, striking deep at their very heart. It was also from here that the final campaign against the Destroyers was launched, driving them back to their fiery pits for eternity.

As he entered, Selak couldn't help but shiver as the intense heat of the place washed over him. He let it soak into his body for a few moments before removing his outer wear and proceeding into the Great Hall. The place hadn't changed a single bit since the last time he'd been here, although this time that air of tension was no longer present. No more did everyone here spend every waking moment anticipating the next attack from the Charr or some renegade Norn. Instead, the air was much more relaxed. It no longer carried the underlying scent of fear that Selak once detected in this place.

As he walked the circumference of the hall the fox recognized many of the vendors. He and his comrades had once dealt with the majority of them, purchasing anything from armor and weapons to provisions and other such things. Only one or two recognized him...something for which he was grateful.

"Selak?"

The fox's ears perked up and he turned almost a little too quickly; a lingering side-effect from spending so long at war. If the speaker took offense to his actions, she said nothing. Then again, the moment his eyes locked onto the white wolfess standing before him, he realized that he could do almost no wrong in her presence. After all, she'd been there from the start, hadn't she?

"Kaylan?" His eyes widened as the wolfess nodded slightly. Selak allowed his muzzle to twist in a small grin

"By the gods," said Kaylan Ironpaw. "It's so good to see you." She regarded the fox before her and couldn't help but smile. The last time they'd seen each other, Selak and she had been clad in armor so battered and beaten, it was a wonder it could deflect anything more than a mosquito bite. Now, while still armed with his trusty bow and quiver of arrows, Selak was garbed less like a ranger and more like a traveler

It suited him, she thought.

They stepped towards each other, the fabric of Selak's tunic colliding with the cold steel breastplate of Kaylan. It didn't matter to the fox, though. He still held the wolfess tightly to him, his heart skipping a beat as he embraced his old friend. He thought he heard her murr slightly as the embrace tightened. His ears perked up at this. Surely those feelings had cooled after so long apart.

For her, anyway...

"What brings you here?" Kaylan asked as the two broke their embrace. Unconsciously though, she still held onto his hands. She should have let go, but something deep down didn't want her to.

"I grew tired of staying in one place," replied Selak, also barely aware that the wolfess still had his hands in hers. "So I thought I would travel for a while, and re-trace some of our steps. I wanted to see how things have fared since the end of the war." He felt his ears grow warm. To do such a deed was something he'd never once debated. To actually say it to someone, though, made him wonder at the folly of it.

"Rather ambitious," Kaylan said. "As I recall we all covered a fair bit of ground."

"True," the ranger said. "Still, it was worthwhile. So much has changed, Kaylan. People walk freely now in places where we had to struggle for a mere league of distance. Gods, even the deserts are open to travel." He made to continue, but a monstrous yawn came to his muzzle. The heat from the many fires was beginning to take a toll on his already tired body.

Kaylan smiled. "Come," she said. "Let's get you settled in. You can rest and we can talk later."

Selak nodded. "A good idea," he said. "I could use a soft bed after so many nights on the forest floor." It was then that he became aware that he was still holding Kaylan's hands. He was reluctant to let them go. However, let them go he did and he followed her to the guest wing of the fortress. Had he been imagining it, or had she had just as hard a time letting go as he? Was he not alone in his feelings, or was the exhaustion from the recent journey playing with his mind? Surely by now Kaylan was steadfast in her job here, with no time to dwell on past feelings, fleeting as they were.

Still, her smile and the tightness of her embrace told him that maybe, just maybe, something of those old feelings still remained.

* * *

"It's been an honor fighting alongside you, Selak."

He remembered those words as clearly as though they'd just been spoken to him, not five years ago. It had not been much of a statement, but given the circumstances and subsequent events of that night, those few words struck a chord in Selak's heart unlike any words ever had.

Kaylan had said those words to him on the eve of their final battle with the Destroyers. The others had bed down for the night, leaving the fox and wolfess to stand watch over them. It had been the first time in a long time that the two had been alone.

How the others had been able to sleep Selak never knew. That night, on the eve of the final battle, his nerves refused to settle. Was it anticipation? Excitement? Or was it something more? Perhaps he was far too tired of the many months of fighting, and merely wanted it to all be over with. So much blood on his hands. So many hellish things his eyes had seen. So many death rattles he'd heard. He just wanted it to be over.

He remembered Kaylan sharing his anxiety. Like him she had been fighting non-stop since the Searing of Ascalon. Never a moment's rest were any of them granted, and it was finally taking its toll on her. So close to the end...so near their goal. It would have been nothing to drop into that last cave, confront the Great Destroyer, and be done with it all. Yes, she knew their chances were better if they were all rested up, but that did little to ease her frustration.

As they sat watch, Selak and Kaylan drew close to each other. There had been an unspoken chemistry between them since the day they met in Lion's Arch. During their travels they stared a bit too long at each other, or shared the odd touch when none were necessary. Despite the growing attraction between them they'd always kept a professional distance from each other. They both knew why they were together, and that took precedence over any growing personal feelings. There was a war going on, and for that time they had to act as soldiers. That meant fighting and, if necessary, sacrificing themselves or each other for the good of the war. Such a sacrifice would have to be made at a moment's notice, and any hesitation in the name of love or friendship would have spelled doom for all.

'Was I being noble, or just cowardly?' Selak asked himself as he lay back on the bed. 'We both knew the truth...both truths. But even so, could I have left her to die, even if not doing so meant death for the rest of us?' This was growing more complicated by the moment, his stay here. Deep down he knew he had to see her again, but he had no idea those feelings he'd developed for her all those years ago were still so strong.

'I can't tell her,' he thought. 'Not now. It's been too long, hasn't it? What we had - or could have had - that's in the past, isn't it? Surely she's stopped thinking about me by now.'

Still, after their first embrace she'd been rather hesitant to let go of his hands. He hadn't imagined it, had he? No; she'd gripped him tightly and only released him when she led him to this room. A friendly gesture he would have recognized, but this felt different somehow. Her touch had lingered far longer than that of a mere friend. Could it be? Was it too much to hope for?

Did she still have feelings for him?

Another yawn came to Selak's muzzle at the same time as the question formed in his head. He realized he was far too tired to investigate this any further and closed his eyes. His last thoughts were of Kaylan, and how good it was to see her after so many years apart. He knew he would be satisfied with little more than a get-together with her, perhaps sharing a few rounds of ale and reminiscing. But deep down, he kept a small glimmer of hope alive that it could lead to something more.

Something much more.

* * *

Kaylan leaned on the balcony's railing, overlooking the frozen lake bed below. She recalled with perfect clarity the day the Charr came to this place looking for an easy kill. It had been a slaughter for both sides, she remembered; Charr and Vanguard bodies littered the ice that day. Time and again she'd been certain her end would come in that battle, yet every time a Charr raised its weapon to her, the would-be slayer of Kaylan Ironpaw would suddenly fall, one or two arrows protruding from its head or neck. Time and again she would thank the gods for pairing her with a master archer like Selak.

It had been difficult to keep her distance from him. A soldier by trade, she knew her place in wartime. At any time any of them could have been called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the party. Painful as it would have been for them to witness such a thing, it would have been excruciating if she'd been more than a comrade to Selak. Things like love and affection were unwelcome on the battlefield.

But oh, those times in between the battles. The long marches by day, nights by the campfire, or mornings in some stream or another. It was easy to focus on the overall quest whilst fighting, but the temptation to act on her baser feelings during those lulls nearly drove her mad. Many were the times she thought of sneaking off with Selak in the middle of the night, finding some place away from prying eyes and having her way with him.

Yet, her training always overrode her desires and she ended up never acting on those carnal impulses. Even at that final stand against the darkness, all she allowed herself was a small nuzzle of his shoulder. How desperately she'd wanted to feel his arms around her that night, just to be comforted once before facing what could have been their deaths. Would it have been so wrong then? After all they'd been through to that point, did they not deserve just one night, or at least one moment of vulnerability?

No. They were all still soldiers, and they all still had a job to do.

She stared down at her gauntlet-clad hands just then. No sooner had they all returned here that Gwen, the leader of the Ebon Vanguard, offered her a position amongst her soldiers. Of course the offer had been extended to all the survivors, but only she accepted. She was Ascalonian; she felt it was her duty to do so.

And once again, her acting as a soldier kept her and Selak apart.

A lone tear rolled down her cheek. In truth she'd never planned on seeing him again. They had parted friends, but as the days turned into weeks and then months, the wolfess had resigned herself to her fate. She would do her duty and defend this outpost, determined to live with the consequences of her choice. Until she could no longer lift her sword, she would serve the Vanguard.

Then he came here. He came to her...

Now, the armor she'd been so proud to wear all this time felt useless and petty. Peace had reigned over this land for the past five years. Even the warlike Norn, as well as the hated Charr, were on peaceful terms with the rest of the realm. Any battles being fought now were between rival kingdoms, not supernatural forces of evil and darkness.

She felt tired suddenly...tired of this charade of a life. Until she saw him in the common room she'd been so sure of her place in this world. But having seen him again...having felt his arms around her, holding her tightly...clasping his hands in hers...she wasn't so sure anymore. Hadn't she done enough for Ascalon? Would it truly be so selfish to cease her endless servitude and take something for herself? Did she not deserve some kind of reward for all she'd done?

"Captain Ironpaw?"

Kaylan turned almost too quickly towards the questioning voice. The young fennec standing there flinched, his ears pulling back submissively. She shook her head, clearing away her inner conflict and focused her eyes on the newcomer. "What is it, Corporal?" she asked.

"B-Begging your pardon, sir," the fennec stammered. "I-It's my watch now."

Kaylan tilted her head to one side. "Already?" Her eyes grew wide as she regarded her replacement's nod. "Gods," she whispered. "I must have lost track of time."

"You did seem lost in thought, ma'am," the fennec said. "I apologize for inter..."

"No it's all right," Kaylan interrupted, raising her hand. "Thank you for relieving me, Corporal. You have the watch."

"I have the watch," the fennec recited. With that, Kaylan moved away from the balcony and towards the Eye's barracks. As she did so her hands found their way to the buckles and straps holding her armor in place. For the first time in five years it felt uncomfortable on her...a burden she so longed to be rid of.

Despite her overwhelming desire to be out of it, Kaylan still took the time to hang her armor appropriately on its stand within her quarters. She was still a soldier, and as such had been trained to respect her armor properly. She still breathed a sigh of relief, though, as its weight was lifted off of her and placed on its stand. Now garbed in only a tunic and leggings she felt light as a feather. She spun in a circle; arms outstretched and head tilted back, soaking in this strange, liberating feeling. As she did, her mind's eye was filled with the presence of Selak. She could see him standing in the room, watching her with a smile on his muzzle as he watched her spin. Oh, how she longed to feel him walk towards her...feel his arms envelop her once more, only this time without the obstacle of her armor in the way. She could almost feel his warm body pressed against hers as they embraced...could taste his tongue as their lips met and parted. She could...

_ Knock knock! _

Kaylan's eyes flew wide open. She nearly tumbled to the floor as she was so rudely snapped out of her fantasy. "Who is it?" she asked sharply, ready to verbally blast the disturber of her dream.

"I-Ilara," spoke a timid, high-pitched voice from the other side of the door. "I have the w-water for your b-bath, ma'am."

Kaylan felt herself blush. She admonished herself for getting so angry, especially at Ilara. The mouse had been a diligent servant of the Vanguard for three years now, doing her small part to keep the soldiers here happy.

Quickly the wolfess moved towards the door and opened it. "I'm sorry, Ilara," she said with an apologetic smile. "I completely forgot you would be here. Please, come in." She ushered the mouse in, guiding her towards the empty wooden tub in the far corner. She watched as the tub was filled with hot, steaming, lightly scented water. "Lavender?" the wolfess asked.

"Forgive me, ma'am," said Ilara with a bowed head. "I-I added a touch of lavender oil to the water. I thought it might...that is...your friend...I..."

"My friend?" Kaylan tilted her head in a gesture of curiosity. "You mean Selak?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Ilara quickly. "I-I saw you two in the great hall earlier." She began to shuffle her feet.

"Ah," said Kaylan. She felt her blush deepen at what this mouse servant was implying. "Thank you, Ilara. I'm sure he'll appreciate you being so thoughtful." She smiled as she saw Ilara begin to brighten again. "That will be all."

"Yes, ma'am," said Ilara cheerfully. She hefted the now-empty buckets on her shoulder and made her way out of Kaylan's quarters.

* * *

It was late in the evening when Selak entered the dining hall. He felt refreshed, both from the long peaceful sleep he'd had, and the warm bath he'd enjoyed just after waking. The mouse servant - Ilara was her name - had come bearing enough water to fill the room's tub. As she'd poured the water in, Selak had picked up on the gentle scent of sandalwood oil mixed in. She was a perceptive one, that Ilara. Sandalwood was a favorite scent of his; an earthy scent that reminded him of the deep forests of Ascalon.

His eyes scanned the nearly full hall, looking either for an open place at which to sit or a familiar face. During his bath, a message had been delivered to Selak's room (slid under the door), inviting him to dinner. He knew it had come from Kaylan, though the handwriting wasn't hers. Ah, the benefits of a high rank in this place: Warm baths, servants to deliver messages dictated to them. He momentarily reconsidered his decision to leave five years ago.

He suddenly caught sight of a raised arm and smiled. He followed the arm down to its origin and saw that familiar face for which he'd been looking. Quickly he made his way over and was pleasantly surprised to see that a space had been reserved for him just opposite her. He remembered the first time he and his comrades had eaten here, wedged in between all the soldiers and mercenaries, all who'd come to strike their own blow for Ascalon.

As he sat, he took a moment to gaze across the table at the wolfess who sat there smiling. By the gods themselves she looked radiant. In the firelight that illuminated this great hall her fur seemed to glow with some kind of inner radiance, only accentuated by her smile. It made his heart skip a beat.

"You look rested," said Kaylan, doing her best to inhale the scent of sandalwood but remain inconspicuous. The moment that heavenly aroma found its way to her muzzle she tried as hard as she could not to close her eyes and be carried off on it. Her entire body flushed with the memories that scent brought to the forefront of her consciousness.

"And you look relaxed," said Selak with a smile. He then tilted his head to one side. "You know," he said, "I don't think I've ever seen you outside of your armor before." He took a sip from the cup of water before him. "It's a good look on you, Kaylan."

"Surely I must have..." She trailed off, her mind running through as much of the quest as she could remember. It seemed inconceivable that she would have been clad in her armor at all times. After all, she had bathed almost daily. However, when she did, the others had always afforded her privacy. That, and every time she returned to the camp afterward she was indeed fully clad and ready to fight. She flushed again as she realized Selak was right. "I never really thought of it," she said, beginning to chuckle. "So, you like?"

"Very much so," said Selak. He continued to gaze at her while she poured herself a cup of water. The rest had done his body a world of good, but the questions in his mind about this wolfess still lingered. He could smell the lavender coming off her, which made him smile. He remembered teaching her about the flora in the areas in which they traveled, and she'd always loved the smell of blooming lavender. Much like sandalwood did for him, lavender was always a scent he associated with her. He also doubted that it was her initiative to bathe in it before dinner. He wondered if Ilara's timidness was all a show, and that she was far more calculating and pleasantly devious than anyone thought.

Just then, another wolfess appeared, this one bearing a tray with several items of food on it. The aroma wafting from that tray was enough to make Selak's stomach growl in anticipation. Kaylan stifled a laugh, but the ranger could see her begin to lick her lips as she too caught scent of the food.

"A special dinner for a special night," the wolfess announced as she began unloading her tray. "Compliments of Mistress Gwen herself." She gave Selak a knowing look as she placed a thick, fully dressed steak down in front of him. "She passes on her welcome, sir, and hopes you'll have some time to speak with her before you depart."

"I'll be sure to," said Selak. By the time the server was done, no less than half a dozen plates of food and a pitcher of wine had been placed before them. As well as the main course, there were rolls, salad greens, and what looked to be a rather sweet treat for afterward, which made Kaylan smile. Selak noted the smile and stifled one of his own. He knew Kaylan had a sweet tooth, and apparently Gwen knew too.

There was very little conversation between the two at the start as they concentrated more on the food. Selak found himself moaning after nearly every mouthful of his steak, savoring the spices being used not only to accent the meat's natural flavor, but also to introduce new, complementary flavors to it. He'd been living off the land far too long.

"You eat like a starving man," commented Kaylan after a while.

"I'm sorry," said Selak, pausing to wipe his muzzle with a napkin. "I shouldn't be acting like such a glutton, but this food...it's been so long since I've stayed in an inn, or ate a meal I didn't cook myself over an open fire. Compared to this," he pointed at what was left of his steak, "I feel like I've spent the past year eating little more than nuts and berries." He paused, his face contorting into a contemplative look. "Come to think of it, that is mostly what I've been eating."

Kaylan laughed loudly. "You're telling me, that the best bowman I've ever fought beside has had to forage like a deer? Hardly what I would have expected."

Selak chuckled and poured himself another cup of wine. "No," he said. "It hasn't been that bad. I would catch enough for a meal or two each day." He paused to take a drink. "But there are very few ways one can preserve meat without visiting a town or settlement, and whenever I found myself in a place with little game, I improvised."

"Is there any particular reason you stayed away from the towns?" she asked. At the mention of the word, the wolfess had picked up on a subtle change in the fox's tone of voice. It was one of annoyance...almost bitterness at the thought of being in some kind of civilization.

Selak sighed. "The war," he replied after a time. "All over Ascalon I'm recognized, Kaylan. We're all recognized." He took another bite of food and paused as he savored it. "Every place I stopped in I was either hailed as some kind of hero or worse, afforded luxuries above the needs of others."

"They were just trying to show their gratitude, Selak," said Kaylan. "Were it not for us, those people would have perished or been enslaved by the Charr."

"I know," the fox said. "I just think the best way they can show their gratitude is just to live, Kaylan...to rebuild and put their lives back to normal. To me, a loaf of bread is best used if it is shared amongst those with starving bellies, not presented to one person out of gratitude. It just felt wrong to me, so I spent as much time as I could away from civilization." He shrugged. "Perhaps I just wanted to be forgotten."

"That I can understand," the wolfess said, finally finishing her meal. "Part of me wonders if that's why I accepted Gwen's offer: so I could disappear back into the rank and file and eventually just be another name on the duty roster." She drained her cup of wine and refilled it, her ears drooping slightly as she wound up pouring out the last of it. "While people still recognize me, they at least have the decency to treat me as befits my rank, not my reputation." She chuckled. "The only hard time is when the Vanguard gets new recruits. They stare at me, completely slack-jawed like they're in the presence of divinity or something."

"Either that," said Selak, "or they're just awe-struck by how striking a profile you make in that armor of yours." Kaylan nearly spat out her wine at the insinuation until she saw the fox's smirk. At that point she began to laugh again, this time nearly toppling out of her chair. Selak joined in the laugh, grateful both that he had not offended her with such a statement, and that she had not read too much into it. It was true to the ranger though: Kaylan Ironpaw was a sight to behold when dressed for battle.

And a sight to be held, too...

"Y-You always knew how to make me laugh," she said after calming down. She pushed her empty plate away and moved the tray of sweets between her and Selak, who had also finally finished his main course. "But now," she said, leaning her muzzle on her hands and staring at him. "Regale me, ranger. Tell me how you've spent the past five years."

* * *

The conversation lasted well past what anyone considered reasonable hours. Another pitcher of wine was shared between the old comrades as Selak recounted the details of his five-year journey down the old paths. It felt good to the fox, being able to share his tale with someone who understood...someone who could relate to the nuances. He spoke of prosperity across all the lands he'd traveled, and also passed on the well-wishes of the others who'd shared in the journey. He spoke of the people they'd met on their quest, and brought the wolfess up to date on how their lives had fared. Not all stories were happy or even finished, but overall, the world did indeed seem to be healing itself from all the destruction it had only recently experienced.

Kaylan sighed almost blissfully as Selak wove his tale. Perhaps the wine had dulled her senses somewhat, but in that moment she could listen to his voice forever. Those precious few times during their quest when they could speak casually, she had devoured every word he'd said without her even knowing it. She knew now though, for the feelings she'd had back then were the same ones she had now...here...listening to him.

Before long, they were the only two people left in the dining hall. Even the servants had completed all their chores and had turned in for the night. The lack of additional food and drink didn't seem to bother them though. So lost were they in each other's stories that an entire age could have gone by without them noticing. It was during a brief lull in the conversation, though, that they finally tore themselves away from each other's gazes.

"Hm," Selak chuckled, looking around the darkened room. "Reminds me of the victory celebration in Lion's Arch."

Kaylan also took a moment to gaze around the now-empty room before she too began laughing. "I can't believe we didn't notice," she said, blinking her eyes several times. "I guess we just got lost in..."

"Each other?" The moment Selak said those words he instantly regretted it, for the shocked expression on Kaylan's face all but shattered the innocent mood of the evening. Selak felt his ears grow hot from embarrassment. "I'm sorry," he stammered, sitting back against his chair. "Kaylan...I didn't mean to...that is I..."

The fox was about to continue when Kaylan held up a single hand, silencing him. Part of him hoped the gesture would be followed by some kind of understanding smile and a nod indicating it was all right, but instead she looked at him almost accusingly.

"Why, Selak?" she asked, the pain in her voice apparent. "Why did you leave here? After that night in the cave I thought...I thought there was something there. And then two days later you headed back to Ascalon? Why?"

The fox turned his muzzle away and closed his eyes. He knew one day that he would have to explain himself. However, even after five years of planning...of rehearsing...it still made his heart tighten in his chest as the moment arrived. He took in several deep breaths to help calm himself before he spoke.

"I remember that night too," he said softly. "And I remember how badly I wanted to kiss you...to hold you."

"Then why..."

"Because the next day we were going into battle, Kaylan," Selak interrupted. "Because despite everything, we both knew there was little chance if any of us making it out of there alive. We had to stay focused...you know that."

"Yes," she said, her voice growing in volume. "But afterward? You weren't two days out of bed-rest and you were on your way back to Ascalon, Selak."

"You had accepted your posting with the Vanguard," the fox said, keeping his voice neutral. "No matter how I felt, I saw how much your eyes lit up when Gwen made you that offer. How could I have ever denied you that...this?" He waved his hand around. "That," he said, "and I had to be sure."

"Sure of what?" she asked. That Selak had not tried to blame her for the years of separation made her feel somewhat at ease deep inside. In truth, being part of the Vanguard had been nothing short of a lifelong dream for her. Even if Selak had stayed, she doubted that she could have turned down Gwen's offer. "What did you have to be so sure of that you had to leave?"

"That these feelings, my feelings, were indeed my own," the fox replied. "It was the Searing that brought us together, Kaylan. War makes you make fast friends with people you normally wouldn't. If we'd met in Lion's Arch under any other circumstance, you would have just turned your nose up and moved on. I would have shrugged and done the same. But the war...the quest...that's what brought us together, Kaylan. Were it not for that, we never would have met, nor shared so much."

"When it was all over," he continued, "and when you accepted your commission here, I realized that what we had was just because of the quest. Now that it was over it was time to say our good-byes and get back to our own lives, such as they were. At least, that was what I thought at first." He bowed his head.

"And now?" Kaylan asked, barely noticing that she was trembling. The explanation had made sense, painful as it was. They had all together shared in laughter and tears throughout the entirety of the war, and she would have been more than content to hear little to nothing about all the others. As long as she was able though, she'd kept that flicker of hope alive that Selak would come for her.

"Now," Selak said. "Now I've spent five years wandering alone and missing you. I realized that I could cross this world a dozen times and it wouldn't mean a thing unless you were by my side. I didn't fight it, Kaylan, but I wanted to be sure in my heart that what I felt wasn't because of the war but because of me and you." He moved his hand across the table, gingerly covering hers and feeling relieved that she didn't pull away. "I went to everyone else to see if it was the companionship of my old comrades I missed, or if it was something more. I planned to come here last in the hopes that by the time I arrived, I would be sure that I...that is...I..."

"Yes?" Kaylan felt the fox squeeze her hand almost too hard. She covered his with her own in an effort to calm him. Her heart was quivering with anticipation at what his next words would be. Though she already knew, when he leveled his gaze with hers and spoke, it still hit her with the force of an avalanche.

"Kaylan," Selak said, "I-I love you. I've always loved you." Inside, the fox suddenly felt as though someone had lifted the weight of the world off his heart. The words were like an exhale for a breath that had been held since that night in the cave. For five years he'd carried that burden, and now whatever Kaylan's response would be, he could rest knowing he'd finally admitted his feelings for her.

Kaylan's heart thundered in her chest. She thought she would be ready for his admission, but the weight behind his words still caught her off-guard. Her ears grew warm from her blush. If her fur could have changed color, it would have gone from its usual snow white to a bright pink. She blinked twice in order to re-focus her vision just in time to see Selak rise slightly from his seat to lean across the table. She was barely aware that she was doing the same thing.

Their muzzles met gently...their first kiss. They held it there for an unspoken eternity before separating. Emboldened, Selak moved in again and kissed her once more, his lips just barely parting. Kaylan responded in kind, letting the kiss deepen. She moaned only slightly when she felt the fox's hand come up to caress the side of her muzzle. It only drove her onward, and she dared to graze his teeth with the tip of her tongue. He groaned softly and opened his jaws wider. Before long the two were kissing with all the wanton passion they could muster. Their tongues battled furiously in each other's mouths. The only thing keeping them from going any further was the table between them.

At last they came up for air and gazed into each other's eyes. Selak tilted his head to one side and offered a smirk. "I take it the feeling is mutual?" he asked. Kaylan giggled softly before standing up fully. The fox did the same and accepted the wolfess' offered hand.

"Come," she said, her voice low and husky. "Let me show you how mutual the feeling is...my love."

* * *

Both Selak and Kaylan were surprised when the wolfess opened the door to her quarters. In the hearth a blazing fire roared, warming the room. Some of the lamps had been lighted, the candles bathing the room in a golden glow. Even the bed's coverings of rich, thick furs had been turned down.

Kaylan smiled; Ilara had outdone herself, preparing the room for this most special of nights. She would have to remember to commend her servant somehow for this. However, the moment she felt Selak's hands on her shoulders, all thoughts of any future dealings past this night were washed away.

She turned and melted into the fox's embrace, her muzzle seeking out his almost desperately. Their lips locked together with full abandon, their tongues battling lazily against each other. She moaned loudly as she felt his arms squeeze her tightly. Her tail wagged uncontrollably. Her heart pounded in her chest like some ancient war drum. Her claws dug into the fabric of his tunic...she wanted so desperately to rip it off of him at that moment...to tear off all his garments and finally seize what she had been craving for all these years. It was only through supreme will that she didn't indulge that more feral side of her, and instead only held her fox - her love - closer.

When the kiss finally broke, Selak gazed down at the wolfess in his arms. He smiled at her warmly. Her eyes seemed to glow from the reflection of the firelight. He brought a hand up to gently scritch behind her ears, which caused her head to tilt into it. "I dreamed of this for so long," he said softly. "Part of me wishes I hadn't waited this long, knowing what I know now."

"I'd nearly given up hope," Kaylan admitted. "I watched you leave from the watch station all those years ago...and for months after I watched for your return, hoping...praying...that you would come back." She turned her gaze away and nestled her head against his chest, sighing as he tightened the embrace. "I threw myself into my duties, and it worked for a while, but by the gods, Selak...I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." Selak's voice was barely above a whisper, but Kaylan heard it clearly enough. She felt his muzzle plant a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "And I'll never leave you again, my love...not until you send me away."

The wolfess lifted her gaze to meet his eyes. She could see the truth in his eyes about what he'd just said...and it made her heart pound even harder in her chest. "That's going to be a long time, my ranger," she said with a smile. "You came back to me...and damned if I'm going to let you go again." Their muzzles met once more, and Kaylan began to pull at Selak's tunic, untucking it from his pants. She could feel his body twitch slightly from his tail, and it was then she realized her hands were trembling.

The kiss broke, and Selak looked down at Kaylan once more. "Are you all right?" he asked. "You're trembling."

"I..." Kaylan gripped the fabric of Selak's tunic tightly to try and quell the shaking. It worked to some extent, but it did nothing to stop her quivering heart. "I just...I've wanted this for so long, Selak. I'm just scared that...that somehow I'm going to suddenly wake up and find you not here." She tore her gaze away from him, only to feel his hand gently prod her muzzle back to look at him.

"Kaylan," he said. "I assure you I'm real...all of this is real." His one hand still embracing her ran down her back, stopping at the base of her tail and lingering there for a few moments. At this, Kaylan swooned, her eyes closing just slightly from the pleasure such a touch produced. "Whatever is necessary to convince you of this, I will do."

"Then love me, Selak," Kaylan whispered. "Please...for one night let me not be a warrior...let me be a woman...your woman." She shivered when he heard his whispered 'Yes,' and finished pulling the fox's tunic free of his pants. A moan escaped her muzzle as she felt him continue to massage the base of her tail, and she felt herself begin to grow warm inside. Sensations she'd not felt since before she joined the Ascalonian army played over her body. She began pulling on Selak's shirt again, this time pulling it up over his head.

Selak regretfully let go of Kaylan just long enough to let her finish removing his shirt. He couldn't help but smile slightly when he felt her bury her muzzle in his white chest fur, tinted almost golden in the amber light of the room. Kaylan inhaled deeply, letting the combined scents of Selak's growing arousal and the remaining sandalwood swim in her senses. Her entire body ached with desire. She moaned softly as she felt Selak's arms around her once more, but now gently manipulating the catches on the back of her dress. Her breathing grew heavier against his chest with each successful release of a catch...opening the back of her dress that much more.

Selak's heart began beating that much quicker with each catch he undid on Kaylan's dress. At any moment he was expecting her to tell him to stop. Instead, she moaned each time another catch was released, and he could feel her breath becoming warm on his chest. This made his tail wag that much more. When the last catch - the one just above her tail - popped free he ran his hand up her bare back, realizing that she wore no bra beneath. He continued to stroke her fur gently, reveling in its softness as it glided through his fingers.

Kaylan's hands were also busy. Still trembling slightly she fumbled with Selak's belt. It took three tries, but she finally felt the clasp give way, followed by a sigh from the fox. She quickly undid his pants and let gravity do the rest. Nimble as he was, Selak barely paused in his explorations of Kaylan's back as his pants fell to the floor. He paused only momentarily to step out of the fallen garment.

Their muzzles met again in another searing kiss. Kaylan pressed the length of her body against Selak, and moaned as she felt the bulge of his arousal now only blocked by his undergarments. His scent was nearly overpowering, so strong was his desire. She felt her own arousal growing, her wetness beginning to soak the flimsy undergarment she wore.

Their kiss broke and Kaylan took a step back from her love. Slowly she brought a hand up to her shoulder and, gripping the fabric, pulled at the loosened dress and let it fall to the floor. Selak gasped softly. Before him stood an angel now...her white fur glowing golden in the candle light and clad only in a pair of apparently drenched undergarments. "My gods," he whispered. "You're...you're beautiful."

Kaylan smiled and stepped out of the dress on the floor. Instead of moving back towards Selak though, she moved towards the bed and sat down on its edge. Without a word Selak moved to join her and sat down beside her. He brought a hand up and stroked the side of her muzzle tenderly. "I've wanted this for so long," he said softly. "I love you so much, Kaylan."

"I love you too," the wolfess whispered back. "My wonderful, dear, heroic ranger." Together they lay down facing each other. Immediately Selak moved his muzzle to Kaylan's neck, licking and nibbling gently at the tender flesh there. The wolfess gasped loudly and her entire body trembled from the sensation. From where his teeth grazed her, a warm tingly feeling seemed to spread throughout her entire body, culminating at her burning, dripping sex.

Determined to not simply receive pleasure, Kaylan reached a hand down between them and traced her fingers over the bulge in Selak's undergarment. She began to tremble again as she moved her hands over his swollen but still concealed sheath. Only in her deepest, darkest fantasies had she ever dreamed of a moment like this. Deliberately she pulled at the garment, moving it away from what it was hiding. She heard Selak moan loudly as her hands finally touched his exposed sheath.

The fox arched his hips and gasped as he felt Kaylan's exploring hand finally reveal his length to her. It took every ounce of his willpower not to climax when she squeezed him, coaxing his throbbing manhood out into the open. As it was, each beat of his heart caused a dribble of pre to leak out of the tip, filling the air with the scent of his desire. He could hear Kaylan's breath grow heavy...ragged. She began stroking him slowly, careful not to send him over the edge just yet. He responded by pulling at her undergarments, though he wasn't able to get them very far.

He needn't have worried though. Kaylan squirmed and pulled, and eventually kicked the soaked apparel to the floor. She paused in stroking him and did the same with his own underwear before returning her hand to his throbbing length. At the same time, Selak moved one hand between her opening thighs, stroking the fur there ever so softly and delighting in her reaction. What started as a moaning growl from her was quickly turning into a high-pitched whine of anticipation the further up his hand traveled.

"Oh Selak," she whispered the moment she felt his fingers brush against her sex. She gave his throbbing length a gentle squeeze, causing him to moan and force a single finger inside. The wolfess arched her back and gasped as she welcomed the intrusion into her sex. He began moving it around slowly...deliberately. He explored every part of it he could, and all the while Kaylan's hips moved and ground against his finger. It was as if she was trying to help him to touch every place inside her...not wanting him to miss any part of her.

"Kaylan," the fox breathed. He slipped another finger inside her, making her moan and gasp that much more. She responded by giving him another squeeze, which nearly brought him over the edge. He gritted his teeth and tried to take a few deep, calming breaths to prevent that from happening. "I...I want you so badly now."

She said nothing, but began to move instead. She eased Selak onto his back fully and moved to straddle him. She never let go of his length the entire time, and now she pointed it towards the ceiling. She began to slowly lower herself, the lips of her sex just barely kissing the tip. She rubbed him just along the opening for several moments before she took one final breath and lowered herself slowly onto him.

"Oh gods!" she cried out. She felt her sex stretching almost uncomfortably to accommodate Selak's length. Slowly she lowered herself onto him, taking an inch or so at a time before moving back up. Each time she took just a bit more into herself until finally he was hilted inside of her. At that point, she collapsed on top of him, her muzzle meeting his in a deep, wet kiss.

Selak flexed his hips, causing Kaylan to utter an incoherent 'mmph' into his muzzle. His hands ran down her back and gripped her tail, pulling it up towards him so he could stroke its underside. This made Kaylan moan even more and begin to grind her hips, moving Selak's length in and out of her ever so slightly. The kiss finally broke and the two lovers gazed into each other's eyes.

"You feel so good," the wolfess whispered, her breath ragged. "I've wanted this for so long, Selak. I...I used to dream of this night...the night you would make me yours....ah..."

Selak also began to move his hips in time with Kaylan's. The feel of himself sliding in and out of the wolfess' tight, wet sex was indescribable. He did his best to keep calm though; he could feel his knot beginning to swell and he wanted to prolong this as much as possible. "I dreamt of it too," he said softly. "I...I even used to consider watching you when you...ah...bathed in the streams...mmm...just to see what you...gods...looked like under the armor."

Kaylan chuckled. "You mean you never peeked?" Selak shook his head. "Not once?" The fox only smiled. "Perhaps it was a good thing," she mused. "I can't imagine you having to walk with...ah...this thing at full attention." She ground her hips down hard, letting him fill her completely once more. Her entire body quivered at the sensation. "By the gods," she whispered. "Sooo gooood."

Selak whined softly, feeling his knot swell even more. Oh, how he wanted to bury it deep within her...to tie with her...to make this wolfess atop him his and his alone. Yet, at the same time he wanted it not to end. He wanted to feel her in this most intimate of embraces forever if he could. Still, he could not deny his instinct, and his upward thrusts slowly became more urgent.

Kaylan felt this and growled softly. Her own movements became more urgent in time with Selak's. Like him, she was also of two minds. On one hand she wanted to draw this out and revel in the pleasure of the moment. On the other, she wanted nothing more than to feel her body convulse and squeeze that hard length of flesh within her, and force it to fill her with his seed. Consciously she tried to focus on the former, but the latter could not be denied.

Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, each feeding off the other's motions to drive them ever closer to that one perfect moment. By degrees their want to extend this time fast faded away, replaced by the base need to mate...to claim. Kaylan moved up from Selak, and he took the moment to cup her breasts in his hands. He toyed with her nipples, making her moan and driving her hips against him even more forcefully.

It came upon Kaylan first. She craned her neck to the ceiling and tried not to howl out to the gods as her orgasm overtook her. Her entire body tensed and her sex clamped down on Selak's invading length to the point that the fox was having to strain slightly to keep moving. She felt a rush of her juices flood her passage, bathing Selak's already slick foxhood with more warmth.

Feeling her body trembling was enough for Selak. He cried out her name and thrust upward as hard as he could. Both his and her eyes flew open as his knot popped inside. This time Kaylan did howl, not ready for the sensation of something so big suddenly forcing its way inside her. It was painful, but the moment she began to feel that spreading warmth inside her, the pain was quickly forgotten. She shuddered as rope after rope of vulpine seed erupted from Selak's pulsating member and coated her insides. Her body bore down on the intruding knot, coaxing more of Selak's essence to pour into her. She wanted all of it...as much as she could take lest this be their only time together.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of ecstasy, the tension and sensations faded, the pulses of warmth Kaylan felt inside soon faded away, leaving only a warm, full feeling inside. She moved her hips and realized that she and Selak were still tied, and would be together like this for a time. She didn't mind the inconvenience though, given who she was tied with.

Kaylan collapsed atop her lover - her love - and kissed him tenderly. Selak collected the wolfess into his arms and held her tightly. As their muzzles separated, he looked into her eyes and smiled. Even after the haze of their pent-up lust had cleared, his feelings for her remained. It was real...all of it was real. "I love you," he said softly. "I've always loved you, Kaylan."

"My ranger," she said with a smile. "My brave, handsome ranger. I love you." She moved her hips again, making Selak grunt. "Looks like we're stuck like this for a while." She giggled.

"Not the worst situation we've been in," said Selak with a smirk.

"True, though our positions weren't so...compromised," the wolfess said. They laughed through another kiss before Kaylan lay atop Selak fully once more, her muzzle on his neck. "What now, Selak?" she asked. "Where do we go from here?"

"Truthfully, I don't know," the fox replied. "I suppose I could see about securing a place here. Surely there must be something a retired adventurer can do to help this place out."

Kaylan sighed. "No," she said. She moved back up to meet Selak's eyes once more. "This is no place to settle down, love. This is still a military base, relaxed though the rules may be."

"I'm not going to leave you again, Kaylan," Selak insisted. "I can't leave you again, not after this. I love you, and I can't bear the thought of being without you anymore."

"I know. I feel it too." The wolfess said. "After seeing you again, so much of this," she waved her arm around as much as she could, "just stopped making sense to me. Or maybe it never did make sense to me, and seeing you again just finally woke me up to the fact."

"I'm...sorry?"

Kaylan chuckled. "Don't be, my ranger." She kissed him again. "I always held out some hope that you'd come back even as the years dragged on. I just wasn't sure what I'd do if you did."

"Being part of the Vanguard was always important to you," Selak said. "You used to talk about it non-stop."

"It is...it was," she admitted. "For the first year I was so happy to have finally realized this dream. But it was lonely, Selak. I never really realized until it was too late just how much I missed everyone...missed you." She kissed him again. "I never realized just how much I loved traveling the land with you. I thought I'd be happy here, but after all this time it's felt..."

"Empty?"

"Confining." She sighed as she felt Selak's hands roam over her back. "I feel trapped most times, Selak. Duty was the only thing keeping me here thus far. Wearing the colors of the Vanguard is a great honor for any Ascalonian soldier, but it's not enough when your heart belongs to something - or someone - else."

"I'm sorry," Selak said, his words heavy. "Kaylan, I'm sorry I put you through all this. If I'd stayed..."

"No," she interrupted. "If you'd stayed, this wouldn't have happened." She wiggled her hips again, feeling his knot give but only a little. "We would have settled into our roles and never been more than comrades in arms, Selak. Painful as these years have been, this moment now makes the pain all worth it." She kissed him again. "I wouldn't change a thing, my ranger. Not a single thing."

They fell silent for a time, still basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. After several more minutes, Selak's knot slipped free of Kaylan, making both of them wince and giggle. They were both a mess now, but neither of them really cared, so long as they were together.

"So what now?" Selak asked, echoing Kaylan's earlier question. "Where do we go from here?"

Kaylan moved off Selak and snuggled up beside him. The fox turned to face her and collected her into his arms. "Tomorrow," she breathed. "Let us worry about that in the morning. Right now, all I want is to fall asleep in the arms of my wonderful ranger." They shared one last kiss before sleep finally overtook them.

* * *

Gwen watched from her balcony as Kaylan and Selak set out across the frozen lake. From there they would doubtlessly find the path back to the portal that would take them back to Ascalon proper. After that, who knew? Perhaps they would settle down together and raise a litter of pups/kits, or perhaps they would wander the realm, seeking new adventure in this time of relative peace. She didn't know, nor did she really care. All that mattered to her was that Kaylan was happy.

The letter of resignation had not come as a surprise to the leader of the Ebon Vanguard. She always suspected that should Selak Quietwood ever show his muzzle around the Eye of the North once more, Kaylan would step down from her position. It stung to lose a commander of her caliber, though, but Gwen knew the wolfess no longer belonged here. Better to let her go now rather than watch her slowly fade away and become just another soldier in the ranks.

Now, as she looked out at the retreating couple, Gwen let a smile grace her muzzle. Kaylan was off on another grand adventure, this time at the side of the fox she loved. It was where she always wanted to be, even though the wolfess had denied it for years. Gwen only hoped that now, Kaylan was truly happy and that she and Selak would enjoy many more adventures together.

"Gods watch over you," Gwen said. "Gods watch over you both." She waited until the pair were out of sight before turning away from the balcony.

The End