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Vailadriel

It was cold.

Winter's icy grasp was all I could feel. It's chill biting into my hands and knees as I collapsed into the water of the crystalline pool.

The image before me flickered back to mirror the skeletal branches of the tree above me, though the final moments of battle replayed in my mind's eye.

I could still hear the cold cackling laughter, the dead, black look in his eyes. I could see the blood spurting from Lord Aquilis chest as that dark blade ripped him from the air.

Twilight had taken hold of us, and with the coming darkness, the snowfall intensified. Even here in the Fey Circle, it seemed the shadows could reach.

I inhaled a quivering breath, fighting against the tears that already ran in streams down my cheeks.

I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't believe it. That was not the gnoll I knew. That was not my Rekkdyr.

I felt a presence before me, drawing my gaze. I looked up from my own reflection in the chilled water to see the large silver eyes of the she-wolf.

They were filled with sympathy. She cautiously inched her muzzle close to my face.

“I'm sorry, child." She whispered.

My throat was dry, almost too dry to speak. Still, I somehow managed.

“H-how? W-why?"

“The Lord of Shadows has untold tortures and torments for those he claims. Rekkdyr stood for everything the shadowlord sought to destroy. In all of history, he is the only mortal to ever inflict such a wound as to kill the Shadowlord's Harbinger." She explained.

“But why did he turn? Rekkdyr is no traitor!" I snapped suddenly through tears. As if the vision I just witnessed was not reality, but merely a cruel lie.

The one being I could always count on, no matter how grave the task, was gone. In his place stood a twisted, wretched copy. One that would sooner rip out my heart.

My breathing quickened, my vision blurring. I could feel the air quickly escaping my chest as it tightened up, refusing to permit any more air to flow in.

“The Shadowlord needs a Harbinger. It serves as his Avatar in this realm. Without one, he is nearly powerless here. But he is also prideful. Rekkdyr, a mere mortal, inflicted a great wound upon him. He sought to destroy what Rekkdyr was. But beyond that, he chose Rekkdyr to destroy a martyr. The very creature that sacrificed himself to protect his friends and allies was chosen to serve as the instrument of their destruction. To destroy all hope in Ryze."

If these words were meant to comfort me, the wolf failed miserably. The cold penetrated to my very core, to my rapidly beating heart. I could feel pain in my chest as it struggled against the compression of my own despair.

Any shred of hope I still had leaving Rainhaven was gone. If Malmyrkris wished to destroy hope, he certainly had succeeded here.

I fell back from a crouch into a seated position, the weight of defeat threatening to crush me into the cold pool.

Dizziness took me as the world spun. Panic and isolation all struck at once. My heart suddenly became a cold, dead blackness to match the look of hatred that now existed in Rekkdyr's eyes.

“Vailadriel!" Eluniss barked suddenly, a thunder of command erupting from the wolf spirits form.

I sat erect, eyes being torn back to her.

“Glance at your wrist! That ring was given to me by the gnoll, just as he willingly entered into the service of Malmyrkris! He said it was his most prized possession, and that it should be presented to the truest love of his life. He plead I seek you out and return it to you. He believed that you alone could stop this rising darkness. Even the strongest could not long resist the dark lords torment. Rekkdyr gave in, because he knew it was his only end. And he knew that your love for him was strong. That you would find a way to end his suffering. Tell me, was Sir Rekkdyr's faith misplaced?"

My tears splashed upon the silver band about my wrist, the glint of magic just visible in the fading light.

I forced the image of the gnoll thrusting his weapon through my kinsmans chest out of my head. I forced the sound of hideous cackling as well. I focused on the gnoll that stood before me in the arena, which willingly threw himself on blade and claw to defend me. The gnoll that groomed his fur and ensured his claws were filed dull, so that he may appear more civil to the rest of the world. I focused on the gnoll that held me close, and kissed me so gently with jaws powerful enough to shatter bone.

“The true Rekkdyr is not destroyed. He exists still. He is trapped, a prisoner within his own skin. He needs you, Princess Vailadriel, now more than ever." The wolf stated.

I inhaled a deep breath, forcing myself to rise to my feet. My legs shivered as my water soaked gown clung to me.

I wobbled unsteadily, before forcing myself to stand firm. As she spoke, another thought had occurred to me.

“Rekkdyr will march on Rainhaven. I need defend my home."

Camden O'Connor

I watched as Aklys reclined on the boulder, a silvery-green glow to her usually arctic blue eyes. Her gaze was locked to the mirror-like surface of the water as the events of the distant throne room flickered once, before revealing a large seal bearing runes of silver flames.

I forced myself to return my gaze to the vision in the water. Disbelief shook me.

I hadn't known the gnoll knight for long. In fact, I had been acquainted with him for less than ten minutes. Still, the tales told painted him as some wondrous hero, sacrificing himself for others.

But this couldn't have been the same gnoll. He was different. His hand, which had been severed in combat had clearly been in place. I had heard of such magics, but they were not common.

His fur was a darker greyish black than the once brownish-tan.

But beyond that, his mannerisms seemed different.

The massive beast approached the seal, a wicked grin upon his hideous muzzle.

A short, ancient looking man, a man I recognized immediately as Archmage Telvrin, stood beside him, appearing no larger than a halfling himself compared to the lumbering hyena.

I had to stifle my gasp at seeing the master of my old school.

Telvrin spoke.

“Harbinger, the elves have been driven back. They are on full retreat. It wasn't easy, however. We suffered many casualties, though their losses are also great."

The gnoll examined the seal closely, making no sign he had heard the man.

Finally, he replied, his voice a deep growl.

“Good. Let Aralyn flee back to Rainhaven. It will not keep her safe. The armies of dead shall march on her doorstep, bringing doom upon her."

“What of the other Lords? Lady Aralyn is a formidable foe on her own, and she returns to allies. Lady Eava is half fey, my lord, and quite powerful, if her reputation is true. I fear facing them together to be a challenge."

“The soldiers they sent against us here were merely a relief force. The rest of their armies are off fighting some pointless conflict in Manir. Rainhaven is defenseless." He whispered maliciously.

“What of the seals guardian, my lord? Is there not one assigned to this seal?"

“Ah, the Naettura here is gone. They know we are here now, Telvrin. Their eyes are upon us. No use in hiding."

The gnoll grinned, lifting the point of his black blade to the center of the seal.

With a quick, simple thrust, the blade slide ever so easily into it's depths, causing a rushing of silvery-green light, before darkness took over.

With the force of a mace colliding with my chest, I slammed back, gasping for breath as the pit of black swirled back to the cool pool before me.

I glanced up at the Naettura on the rock, then over to the spectral stag, Varadyr.

Another seal falls. The stags lamenting words echoed through my head.

“And Rainhaven is next." I commented, gaze falling back to the now clear still water.

So it is true then. What this spirit told you. That the Harbinger had been slain? Aklys asked.

I glanced at her, confused.

She was clearly addressing Varadyr. It was then I realized they must have had a private mental conversation. I felt somewhat hurt that Aklys hadn't included me, but the thought was merely passing.

Indeed. Eluniss believes it to be the sword the gnoll drove into the previous harbingers back. This Silvernight.

The image of the magnificent bastard sword instantly came to mind.

“The sword is capable of slaying the harbinger?" I asked.

It is possible. As you witnessed, normal blades are all but useless. However, Silvernight is different. Aklys replied.

Where is the blade now? Varadyr asked.

In Rainhaven, in the Hall of the Honored. The leopardess replied.

“Well, that's lucky, eh?" I commented.

Not if you can wield it, small one. Aklys is too weak to do battle with the Harbinger, and I cannot leave the grove. That leaves the remaining Naettura who now flock to Rainhaven, and the mortal defenders there. Tell me, is there any mortal capable of wielding the blade?

I thought for a moment, remembering the weapons sheer size. Ciara had told me it was built specifically for the gnoll as a gift for defending the elvish princess. A noble gift for a noble knight. Not many elves I could picture wielding the heavy weapon.

Then I remembered the fey-orc. She was more than strong enough to lift the weapon, and as far as I could tell, lacked many of the brutish qualities of her full-blooded kin.

“What of Skempta?" I asked. “The orc is more than capable." I commented.

She is no longer in Rainhaven. She has returned to the Reach. Aklys commented.

The Reach? Oddvar still maintains the Fey Circle, as charged. Varadyr stated.

Then we can get word to her? Aklys asked.

Possibly more than that.

Ciara O'Connor

I watched as the dark haired human approached the main guards at the gate to the encampment. He was clad in similar leather armors as the others, and must have been recognized by the man on duty, who approached with a broad grin.

“Auka! What brings you to the compound this morn? I believed you to be at the Northwestern Gate again?" the man spoke.

“My business is rather grim, I'm afraid. The Lady Kala is to be executed by orders of the captain." He stated bluntly.

The look of shock and hurt on the guards face almost made me feel sorry for the man, who had no idea what our plans had actually been.

“We'd heard the horn. Never thought it would be calling for the lovely lady. This because of the incident with Hjalmar?" the man asked.

“I'm not certain what drives the captain. He seems to believe Lady Kala is a witch, just as Hjalmar claimed. He wishes for all soldiers that can be spared to gather at the barracks courtyard to witness the execution and await orders." Fyrsil, disguised as the young human Auka, explained.

Seemed like a reasonable statement to me, but the guardsmen looked skeptical.

“What does that mean? All soldiers off duty? All soldiers here?" he asked.

“Mentioned something about leaving two men on the gate, and one on each stretch of the compound wall. I don't know, my friend, I feel like something odd is going on. I'd rather not keep the captain waiting." Fyrsil explained.

The guardsman glanced back at the wall, before gesturing to the other man on duty. He mumbled something about going to spread the word amongst the men, before turning back to Auka.

“Does he not realized tensions are high? Will he really risk leaving the wall even more undermanned than before? We're stretched thin, Auka."

“These orders don't come from me, I'm afraid. I'm just a grunt, remember?" Auka—Fyrsil replied.

With a sigh, the guardsman, turned to meet with the gathered men and distribute the orders he'd just received. The men began to move away, but Fyrsil remained.

“I was also told to relieve you at the gate." He said to the guardsman.

The man looked surprised at this.

“So that you may receive the orders directly from the Captain." Fyrsil added quickly.

The man shook his head.

“Very well." He said moving to follow the stream of men as they wandered up towards the barracks.

The disguised Phooka waited for the last of the men to move away, before turning to give a wink in the direction of my hiding space.

The plan was working rather well thus far, with Fyrsil sending a majority of the guardsmen away disguised as one of them. The others would be easier to slip past, especially since they would be more concerned about the refugees suddenly seeming so much more threatening without their comrades to back them up.

I exited my hidings spot, walking casually down the path towards the gate now.

“Hail halfling." The other remaining guardsmen called when he noticed my approach.

“Hail, friend. My hound was brought away from my meeting with the Captain, and I am seeking him out. Any chance he was brought here?" I asked.

“Aye, saw the hound. Impressive beast, but last I knew, he was on his way to the stables, lass." The man stated.

“Blast! That is why I prefer to keep him within sight! Loyal beast, but he could never resist oogling at some bitch somewhere." I replied, trying not to cringe at my own words. Such comments did no justice to the wolf.

“Ah, I'm sure he's alright, lass. Not at the stables?" the man asked.

“No, I just came from there." I replied.

I could see Fyrsil roll his eyes, growing impatient. If I could help it, I would rather not slay any of the men here, as they had done no wrong to me.

“Could I possibly take a quick look around in there? It's just, I do rely quite heavily on the beast for my profession, and would be quite out of luck if he were to go missing." I explained.

“I'm afraid not. We are sorta shorthanded at the moment, and I cannot guarantee your safety if you enter the camp." He replied.

Just then, I saw a large cave bear with black fur rising up slowly behind the man, right were Fyrsil had been standing.

I gave him a small head shake, and the ferocious look of bloodthirst fell away slightly, being replaced with a hurt expression followed by a wink.

“I can handle myself." I commented.

He stared for a moment, in deep thought, before turning to “Auka."

“What'ya think, Auk—“ his words were cut off by a yelp of shock as the massive bear that had replaced his companion slammed down on the top of his head with a heavy paw, hard enough to send him collapsing to the ground in an unconscious heap.

“Will he be alright?" I asked, glancing up along the wall to ensure nobody saw us.

“No idea." The Phooka said, turning to pull the heavy wooden barricade out of the gate.

With a great heave, the log sized latch fell free and he slammed the gates open.

Then, as sudden as before, he was replaced by a black-furred squirrel, which quickly ran up my shoulder.

“Well, now all we have to do avoid detection long enough to make some contacts inside." He laughed in my ear.

“So I get to do all the sneaking?" I complained, even as I slowly picked my way through the guard shacks and random ruined huts within.

I was overly attentive to the walls above, keeping an eye out for any sign of a guardsman.

“Would be easier if Tokala was here. He could just work his charms and convince them that they actually want to blow the bastard!" Fyrsil commented from my shoulder.

“Well, there should be no need to rescue him then." I commented, probably harsher than I meant to.

The chattering squirrel fell silent on my shoulder.

“I'm sorry." I apologized.

“Hey, don't worry about it. Pretty lass like yourself gets a few allowances." The squirrel replied.

I shook my head, just as we came to a small gathering of creatures milling about in what appeared to be the center of the compound.

“Alright, this looks promising." The squirrel said in my ear.

Just then, a massive humanoid bear started sniffing the air, slowly turning in my direction.

“You are no prisoner." He said in a deep, booming voice which drew the attention of the assembly of creatures.

I was suddenly painfully aware how many of the towering monsters standing about me could easily swallow me in a single gulp.

“N-no, I'm not." I stuttered.

A large lion stepped up beside the bear, nearly as tall, though not quite as broad. In fact, it was then that I noticed that a great many of these creatures were frail in appearance.

Indeed, many had a certain fragileness to them which made this plan sound all that much more insane.

“Such a tiny thing. Would hardly make for a decent meal. Still." A reptile-like creature commented, stepping forward threateningly with a flicker of his unnaturally long tongue.

Fear shot through me as the realization that hunger likely drove these beasts now entered my head.

“Brave for you to come here, halfling. Even the guards no longer enter this deep into their prison." The lion spoke.

Trying to ignore my rapidly beating heart, I summoned all the height I could muster, stepping forward to a full three feet and four inches tall. Only came up to the lions knee.

“I'd rather you hear me out instead of tear yourselves apart over such a pathetic morsel such as myself." I stated.

“Why should we hear you out?" the bear growled. “We have had nothing but distrust and hatred from you and your kind."

“Halflings have wronged you?" The squirrel squeaked from my shoulder.

I had almost forgotten that Fyrsil was there in that moment, and the sudden voice by my ear made me jump slightly.

“Natural-born creatures." The bear growled at the phooka.

“I bear you no ill will. In fact, I come with a warning. These humans here intend to put you and everything else in this compound to the sword." I stated.

“Put to the sword? For what? We have fallen in line at all of their demands, despite the deplorable conditions they've forced upon us. At every turn, those wishing peace have given in. To prove we are not the monsters they believe us to be." The lion-man growled.

I was beginning to realize he was not the starving brute I had first believed. He spoke with a sort of eloquence typically associated with an educated mind.

“These humans are a superstitious lot." Fyrsil replied.

“One of the guards here tried to escape with one of the prisoners. They are both to be put to death. I believe Captain Illska has grown weary of the situation here, and wishes for an immediate and bloody resolution." I explained.

“Why do you care?" a new creature, some sort of slender, doe-like humanoid, asked. She was obviously a she, due to her feminine appearing curves and the softer cadence to her voice.

As I opened my mouth to speak, the squirrel leapt from my shoulder, taking the fuzzy goblin form from before, standing between me and the ever growing group.

If the creatures felt any shock at the sudden transformation, they didn't let on. It was likely they had seen so much during their birth in the dungeons of Manir, a simple shapeshift was now commonplace.

“In truth, I'm not here for you lot. I have no ill will to you folks here, but I don't like getting involved. I'm here, because my brother is up there, about to be burned at the stake. I'm here, because he decided to try and do something to help you creatures. He is to die, alongside all of you, because he tried to help you." The phooka growled fearlessly.

“Your brother? He the one leaving bread and cured meats around the compound?" The lion asked.

“Acquired from the garrison storehouses themselves." Fyrsil replied.

“Have you seen the Lady Kala? She was really the half-fey Tokala, who had disguised himself in order to get close to the situation here." I explained.

“Lady Kala?" the lion perked up at the mention of her.

“That horn blast you heard earlier? That was the call for his execution." I stated.

“What are we supposed to do about this?" We have no weapons, no armor, nothing." The doe asked.

“Why should we even care?" The bear snapped.

“The main gate to the compound now stands unguarded and open. There is only one guard per stretch of wall. The rest have been incorrectly told to gather up in the barracks courtyard to view the execution and await orders. Those order will be to return here and slay each and every one of you." Fyrsil said.

“You don't have to march on the barracks. I don't expect you to. But your freedom is yours to take. What you do not realize is the prisoners here outnumber the guards. Most of these guards are not trained warriors, but merely the sons of farmers and craftsmen. Most are defended by nothing more than leathers or cloth." I explained.

None of the gathered hybrids spoke, as each seemed deep in thought at our words.

“When will you weary of being treated like an animal?" Fyrsil asked.

The lion snapped from his thoughts, a look of anger upon his face.

He turned to the bear-man beside him.

“Rojark, spread the word. We're breaking out."

A wide, needle-toothed grin spread across the phooka's face.

Sir Araed Kappis

What had I just seen?

It was a question I had been asking myself since I retreated from Lady Kala's chamber. I sat slumped against the wall in the corridor, eyes never leaving that oaken door.

The memory replayed itself in my mind non-stop.

The sudden flicker of the room as if reality itself shifted, twisting itself into a new actuality.

The beautiful human woman had suddenly been replaced with that…fox?

He had used magic.

But it wasn't a fox. Not a natural one, at least. It stood on its hind legs, much like any humanoid I'd ever met. Its hands were clearly capable of manipulating objects like a human, though they each were still capped by the short claws of a beast.

He spoke with an eloquence that many humans lacked, something completely unexpected from a beast.

And he had used magic.

I shook my head. Had to be some form of hybrid, like the others. The creature would not appear out of place in the compound, save for the fine tunic and well fed appearance.

He had used magic.

The thought kept echoing in my mind. I had heard tale of sorcery and runecrafting throughout my life, but never had I seen anything like it before. I could always explain away things that many uneducated commoners would take with superstition. Yet, I could not explain away the fox.

Footsteps sounded down the corridor, and I quickly rose to my feet and turned to meet the two soldiers as they approached.

“Sir, It is time." One of them, Devrin I believe his name was, said.

“V-very well." My eyes fell back to the door. I hesitantly approached the portal, feeling my hand close around the latch. With a deep breath, I pulled.

It fell open with little effort, and my heart was racing, sword suddenly in hand in case the…witch decided to attack.

The creaking of hinges filled the corridor as the door swung open to reveal the small fox sitting on the bed with his face held in his hands, head hung low.

At the noise of the door, he sniffled, rubbing his eyes, before hopping off the bed, any sign of tears either nonexistent or lost within the fur on his cheeks.

I turned to the men, hoping to gauge their reaction to the new creature.

They didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary.

“They only see the Lady Kala." The witch said.

My attention snapped back to the creature as he stood nervously in the chamber. He was fiddling absentmindedly with his large tail.

“Do not speak!" I snapped, glancing back at the others.

“They cannot comprehend our words, either." He stated.

“You have bewitched them?" I snapped.

“They will suffer no harm." He replied.

I took a deep breath, scanning the creatures face for any sign of its intentions.

“Your blade will not be necessary. I intend to cooperate as I am a bit of a pacifist." He stated.

“Forgive me if I don't find comfort in your words." I said, taking a step away from the doorway.

“It is time witch."

“My name is Tokala." He whispered sadly.

My heart pulled oddly, as if I still felt some sort of concern. It was all lie.

It had to be. I was still under some spell.

He stepped forward regardless, passing me to enter the hall.

The two guards stepped on either side of him, with me walking behind, blade at the ready.

“If you can prevent them from seeing or hearing you as you are, then what is stopping you from just escaping?" I asked, realizing I could very well now be talking to an empty hallway.

The fox didn't answer for a moment. He just walked slowly forward.

“Aye, typically I could just leave. I'm afraid, however, that my efforts in maintaining my magic here has made me weary, and my foolishness in it's use has left me reluctant to try and overdo it again. I wouldn't want anyone to go against their true natures. Not again."

He sniffled at the end, clearly fighting back tears.

“What do you mean?" I asked.

“I'm unsure if Hjalmar was my fault or not. The man may have acted against his true nature, and I may be to blame." He replied, stifling another sob.

I took a deep breath.

It was all just an act. Looking for sympathy.

But to what end? Why would the creature, who could clearly control the reality people perceived, be seeking sympathy from me?

We walked in silence for a while, just the occasional sound of the fox's attempts at concealing his tears as we made our way down the corridor.

Finally, the main hall and the double doors to the courtyard came into view.

I paused, drawing the attention of the fox and the two guardsmen, who all turned with a questioning look.

“Sir?" Devrin asked.

“The men are gathered?" I asked, trying to give reason for my hesitation.

“Aye, sir. The captain waits out in the courtyard."

I nodded.

“If I am to die, Sir Kappis, I have one request, if you would be so kind." The fox said suddenly.

I took a deep breath.

“What is it?" I asked.

“Do not allow this extermination order to be carried out. It will only lead to bloodshed on both sides. I would rather not see anyone else die on my account." He replied, turning back for the double doors.

The two soldiers pulled the doors open, allowing for daylight to flood into the hall.

We walked out into the cold winter air, the courtyard falling silent as we made our appearance.

The crowd was gathered around in a massive circle, with a clearing left open for the pile of wood stacked up around a single log post that had been driven into the ground. I took a deep breath.

A massive raven sat atop the post, cawing ominously as we made our way down the stone steps of the hall and into snow covered stone courtyard.

Captain Illska stood in the center of the clearing by the execution stake, two corpses laying at his feet.

One was the body of the salamander creature—Slana—Brunis had called her. The other was the slain form of Sir Brunis himself.

They lay in the snow, fresh blood pooling around them.

I could feel each step I took growing heavier and heavier. I felt my heartbeat slow, my chest growing cold.

Brunis had grown to be a good friend.

I could have stopped him. I should have. He would still be alive today, and none of this would be happening.

The fox's tears seemed to increase at the sight of the two corpses in the snow.

With a deep, quivering breath, he spoke, and I was certain I was the only one who could hear him.

“I'm sorry, Sir Kappis. He seemed like a good man.

“Sir Kappis, bind Lady Kala to the stake." Captain Illska commanded.

I lead the fox forward with trembling limbs, pushing him up to the post, though he made no move to resist.

The raven atop the post gave an agitated kaw, but made no move to take flight. It eyed me suspiciously as I took the rope from one of the guardsmen and began binding the fox to the post.

“I'm sorry." The fox said to me.

I glanced up into his eyes, noting the tear matted fur beneath his brilliant emerald orbs. There was nothing but sincerity on his face, and it made my chest hurt even more.

It had to be a spell!

I cursed myself and the fox, turning to the captain once my work had been completed.

“It would seem Lady Kala is guilty of impersonating someone of noble blood, and using witchcraft to sabotage the garrison. For such crimes, I sentence her to death, by fire!" Captain Illska called to the gathered garrison.

A gasp ran through the soldiers, as if hearing it from the captain himself made it real.

A torch was brought forth by one of the men-at-arms. Captain Illska grasped it firmly in his hand, turning to the wood, which had clearly been soaked with pitch and oil.

“Any final words, my dear?" he asked.

The fox looked up into the face of the captain, hatred in his eyes. It was a sudden change from what I'd seen previously.

“You would sentence these men here to die? For what, superstition?" The fox asked.

A strange smile formed on Captain Illska's lips, one that left me somewhat uncomfortable.

Without a word, he dropped the torch into the pile of kindling and oil, causing the flames to immediately rear up about the creature.

I flinched at the sudden flare, as did the fox, who clasped his eyes shut, and held his teeth gritted.

I waited for the sound of agony as the flames consumed the wood about him, and licked up at his green tunic, but it never came.

The fox noticed this lack of pain as well, for he looked right back into the eyes of Captain Illska, an odd determination on his face as the fire ineffectively lapped away at him.

“Your Captain intends to send you to your doom!" He called out over the fire.

“Shut up, witch!" Illska said, moving to backhand the creature. However, the heat from the fire burned with too much intensity for the captain to get close enough.

“He intends to order a mass culling of all creatures in the compound!" the fox called.

“Enough!" Illska growled.

“Even I know your forces are outnumbered. Any such attempt at a culling will only end in a riot. Will you die for a pointless cause? For this man?" The fox asked.

Illska turned to one of the nearby guardsmen, ripping the spear from his grasp.

He moved forward, thrusting with the tip through the flames.

I don't know what drove my actions. In a moment that would undoubtedly seal my fate, I rushed forward.

Fear coursed through me, as I stepped into the fire, slapping the spear point away with my blade.

The flames immediately caught my military cloak, forcing me to dive forward at the captain, who in turn backpedaled in shock.

Stumbling forward, I ripped my flaming cloak from my shoulders, tossing it to the ground in the snow.

Panting heavily from shock and fear, I glanced around at the gathered crowd, all eyes falling on me and the captain.

I shook my head, trying to force the fox from my mind. There was no way I just willingly moved against the captain. No way. It had to be a spell.

“What are you doing, Sir Kappis!" the captain growled.

My eyes returned to him, my chest heaving.

“I-I…" I stammered.

“Your life is forfeit! You will hang for this!" Captain Illska roared, rage entering his eyes.

As if that was the spark that drew me back from the brink of fear, I gathered myself.

“The creature is right! We cannot hope to prevail against the refugees! Our numbers are too few!" I called more to the crowd than to the captain.

“The witch has his mind, men kill them both!" Illska cried, stepping back.

Everyone in the courtyard moved forward, weapons drawn and ready.

I took a step back, feeling the heat of the fire at my back.

So this was how it ended. I would die by the hand of my countrymen labeled a traitor. All for some fox I wasn't fully convinced wasn't pulling my strings.

Just then, a horn blast sounded from down the hill, in the direction of the refugee compound. An alarm call.

“See! The witch has planned this! She uses the hybrids to fight against the garrison here!" Illska cried, as men gathered closer about the circle.

“Captain, the compound calls for aid!" Devrin stated.

“Kill the witch! She is the mastermind to all of this!" Illska ordered, ignoring the man's warning.

Multiple soldiers moved to rush forward, but were immediately halted by a blur of black as the raven leaped from the top of the pyre, also unharmed by the heat of the fire.

It swept down beside me, suddenly growing to the size of a pony, black feathers being replaced with white fur.

I startled, stepping away from the massive winter wolf that stood in its place.

It had eyes of silver and black, with fur that seemed an unnatural white color. A single feather token was braided into his fur, falling down behind its ear.

The great beast suddenly spoke.

“Any man who takes a step closer will suffer for it." He growled.

I turned my blade on this newcomer.

The fox also seemed shocked at the unexpected appearance of the winter wolf.

“Soldier, these men here are all under some form of enchantment, and I don't believe it is this creatures doing." The wolf said to me, with a nod at the bound fox.

I opened my mouth to speak, awestruck. No words found their way out.

Finally, I managed a confused, “What?"

A guard rushed forward suddenly, chopping at the wolf with an axe.

The wolf turned, giving a quick huff that blasted the man back with the force of an arctic gale, coating him and anyone unfortunate enough to be standing behind him with a fine layer of frost.

The few poor souls stumbled backwards, shivering uncontrollably.

“I can see magic, and these men are all suffering from some sort of spell, including this fox. You, however, seem to be unaffected." The wolf explained.

I shook my head, trying to get over the absurdity of it all. This had to be a bad dream.

More men rushed forward, but the wolf muttered something that sounded like “Vagrunnr."

Suddenly, snow seemed to swell up in a gust, melting rapidly about us until the moisture formed into a large ball of water which levitated unnaturally in the air before us. The men halted, all eyes falling on the orb as it sat suspended.

“Witchcraft!" Illska roared.

The ball suddenly flashed around, spinning wildly as the wolf seemed to direct it in a circle about us, crashing into any guard who risked drawing too near.

His eyes were glowing an odd silver color now, I noticed, and I turned to see the fox, still bound to the post, watching the wolf with a look of awe on his face.

Suddenly, a man lunged below the orb of water, before coming up to thrust a sword point at my flank.

I only just managed to spin enough to catch the blade with my own.

He thrust again, but this time I was ready, catching the weapon and sending it spinning away with a twist of my wrist.

The unskilled warrior hardly noticed, however, as he roared, rushing forward with fists raised.

I slammed him back with the crossguard of my sword, forcing him beyond the barrier caused by orb of water.

Another man had lunged at the wolf, having found an opening. The creature batted him down with a massive paw, pinning him to the ground.

His eyes were still focused on maintaining control of the orb.

It was obvious the wolf was trying to refrain from doing any lasting harm to these men.

“Kill the wolf, kill Araed! Kill them all!" Illska called again.

Trying to ignore the absurdity of it, I turned to the wolf.

“W-what do we do?" I asked, completely lost. I had studied battlefield tactics extensively, but nothing had prepared me for dealing with magic.

“Cut the fox free!" he growled, sending the orb of water crashing into a row of men, where it suddenly burst into a wave and disappeared into the snow, leaving a group of thoroughly drenched and unconscious soldiers behind.

“But the fire!" I cried, turning for the post.

“It will not harm you." He growled, turning to a group of newcomers as they rushed forward.

“Sutiss." He cried. Daylight started to fade almost instantly, as if a heavy cloud concealed the sun from view. The temperature rapidly dropped to a bonechilling low.

I gasped against the sudden change, stumbling forward into the flames, which seemed to do nothing in relieving the sudden chill.

The surrounding guards and knights were seemingly affected by the cold as well, as they struggled forward, breath billowing up about them in visible clouds, their fingers turning blue as the struggled to grip their weapons.

Ignoring the bite in my own fingers, I chopped at the rope binding the fox to the post. The fire had already eaten away at most of it, so the remaining strands snapped with little effort.

The fox stumbled forward, completely unharmed.

Just then, a loud roar sounded, and a massive bear-like humanoid burst into the courtyard, followed shortly by the lion hybrid who was now wielding a sword in one hand.

Refugees poured in behind them, swarming the unaware guardsmen, hacking and slashing with fury. An arrow thudded into a man's leg as he swung his ax at the large wolfs flank.

Suddenly, the red haired halfling appeared from the crowd, bow at the ready with an arrow nocked.

“Got the fox?" she asked the wolf, rushing up to the beast without hesitation.

“You?" I asked, taking a step back. “What's going on here?"

“No time, we have to get out of here. There is something larger at work!" the wolf growled. “Ciara." He added, lowering enough for the halfling to climb up his flank.

Just as she managed to pull herself up, a soldier rushed, axe raised.

The halfling had an arrow in his thigh before I could blink.

A black squirrel leaped from her shoulder, quickly being replaced by a large black wolf, nearly equal in size to the winter wolf.

“Tokala." The beast said.

"Fyrsil!" The fox rushed forward, hugging the black wolf around the neck, before climbing up himself.

“So, Aatu, any chances now?" the black wolf said to the white with a wink. The white wolf shook his head.

I was at a complete loss for words.

“Soldier, stay between us." The white wolf said, before muttering “Sutiss" once more.

If I had known better, I would have believed night fell, and with it, a blizzard all at once.

It seemed that even if I had wanted to change my mind and side with my bretheren, it was far too late. I had committed to treason, and now it seemed this odd assortment of creatures were my only salvation.

Howling gusts erupted around us, blasting any that would get too close.

We made our way through the courtyard slowly, and out the main gates.