{"sf1_id":1202854,"sf2_id":"4nABRzG1","title":"A Tail of Two Peoples - Reunited","author":"Kythl Moonpaw","words":4794,"posted_at":"2017-06-28T17:46:00.000Z","tags":["A Tail of Two Peoples","Anthro","Assassin","Backstory","Clean","Folf","Fox","No-Yiff","Otter","Reptile","Tribal","Twins","Wolf"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1202854-a-tail-of-two-peoples-reunited","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/4nABRzG1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/44/b2/44b246d6-a1c2-423e-a65f-30b7547fbc25","description":"#9 of A Tail of Two Peoples\n\nFinal chapter before my summer hiatus. Here, we get a bit of backstory on Kar'na. Anywho, enjoy this one!","content":"\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\"Come on Svara, it's been two days!\u0026nbsp; We have to go back!\u0026nbsp; Kar'na could be in trouble!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You heard my orders, Kiri,\" Svara said, giving the wolf a sidelong glance.\u0026nbsp; \"I am to get you to Arlea.\u0026nbsp; Kar'na told me to wait here for a week.\u0026nbsp; If he doesn't show, I'll take you through Undefryn Pass, back to the guild.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"But what if he's in trouble?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He's definitely in trouble,\" Svara snorted.\u0026nbsp; \"It comes with being a master assassin.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Seeing Kiri's distraught face, Svara's gaze softened and he tousled the younger wolf's head.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Cheer up.\u0026nbsp; He'll be fine.\u0026nbsp; Kar'na's been through worse.\u0026nbsp; Much, much worse.\u0026nbsp; Did he ever tell you kids the tale of Winterwrath?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No,\" Ari answered.\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na never really told us anything of himself.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Literally just his name and the fact that he's an assassin,\" Kytra offered.\u0026nbsp; \"Something that _you_ neglected to tell us, by the way.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I was embarrassed,\" Svara said, looking down.\u0026nbsp; \"How would you have liked to tell a bunch of strangers that you were an assassin who was in that mine for failing a mission?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Wasn't it supposed to be a really tough mission?\" Aryn asked helpfully, looking at Svara.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It was,\" the fox answered.\u0026nbsp; \"One that I was in no way ready for.\u0026nbsp; A mission that Kar'na himself had pulled when he was my age, but nobody else.\u0026nbsp; I was determined to prove that I was as good as he was.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And how old were you?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"_Are_ you,\" Svara corrected.\u0026nbsp; \"That was just...a month ago?\u0026nbsp; I can't remember.\u0026nbsp; Either way, I'm only eighteen.\u0026nbsp; A novice.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And Kar'na did a mission like that one at the same age?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah,\" Svara nodded.\u0026nbsp; \"When he was eighteen, he made a high-level infiltration and assassinated the slaver who had ordered the kidnapping of his mom.\u0026nbsp; That mission had been ranked master.\u0026nbsp; Immediately I wanted to be like him.\u0026nbsp; But Kar'na had a drive and skills that he had discovered a while back, in Winterwrath.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The others stared at him expectantly, including the newer group of slaves.\u0026nbsp; The slaves from the underworks and J'inuan, whom Kar'na had also insisted they get out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"When Kar'na was a child of...six, I believe, slavers attacked the city of Winterwrath.\u0026nbsp; Only, these were no ordinary slavers.\u0026nbsp; This was a small army of slavers, come to make a fortune on the people of the city.\u0026nbsp; Some they wanted to take for slaves, some they wanted to kill, some they wanted to maim.\u0026nbsp; Overall, it was a disaster.\u0026nbsp; Kar'na had been at home with his mother.\u0026nbsp; When the slavers came, she told him to hide.\u0026nbsp; She pushed into a closet, left him a knife and told him to use it if the slavers came for him.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He paused and the others tried to picture how this would've been to a six-year-old wolf pup.\u0026nbsp; The shouting, the screaming, the panic.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na heard his mother scream as the slavers came for her.\u0026nbsp; They took her away and, as far as I know, Kar'na never saw her again.\u0026nbsp; But that's irrelevant.\u0026nbsp; The slavers ransacked the house, tearing it to pieces.\u0026nbsp; Kar'na's father wasn't present for this.\u0026nbsp; He was already an assassin in the guild and was there on duty when the attack occurred.\u0026nbsp; When one of the slavers flung open the closet door, Kar'na, in a fit of panic, lunged out, stabbing the knife right through the slaver's eye socket.\u0026nbsp; A child of six.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"After the death of that one slaver, the other three in the house ganged up on him.\u0026nbsp; He killed them all.\u0026nbsp; After the assault, when Kar'na's father arrived with a group of eight master assassins, they cleaned up the remaining slavers and found no survivors of the city.\u0026nbsp; Except one.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na,\" Kiri breathed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na.\u0026nbsp; The wolf's dad, fearing the worst, went into his house, hoping at least for the bodies to bury.\u0026nbsp; Instead, he finds his son, hiding in the corner, a knife in his hand and the bodies of seventeen slavers near him.\u0026nbsp; He went to go pick him up, but Kar'na nearly killed him.\u0026nbsp; He'd almost gone feral.\u0026nbsp; When they finally got him to calm down, he told them what had happened.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Svara paused and looked at everyone around the circle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Imagine what that child had gone through.\u0026nbsp; He'd been present for his mother being kidnapped.\u0026nbsp; His home being destroyed, his city burned.\u0026nbsp; He had killed, not one but seventeen people.\u0026nbsp; All when he was six years old.\u0026nbsp; His father took his son to the guild and stayed with him for a week, before setting out to find those who had done this to his son.\u0026nbsp; And to find his wife.\u0026nbsp; He searched for weeks.\u0026nbsp; Nothing.\u0026nbsp; It was as if they'd vanished into thin air.\u0026nbsp; He returned to the guild.\u0026nbsp; From pretty much that moment on, Kar'na dedicated himself to his training, determined to avenge his mom.\u0026nbsp; He finally took his first assignment at age eighteen, performing a high class infiltration into Parai and assassinating the slaver who'd ordered the entire thing.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"The only reason anyone let Kar'na go on a mission like this was that a mind-studier said that he might never have recovered if he didn't bring at least some level of closure.\u0026nbsp; The Kar'na you know now was not the Kar'na everyone knew five years ago.\u0026nbsp; That Kar'na was not living.\u0026nbsp; He rose at sunrise and trained until almost midnight.\u0026nbsp; He ate at meal times and only spoke when spoken to, usually answering in monosyllables.\u0026nbsp; His father said that Kar'na never slept restfully if he wasn't pushing his body hard all day, thrashing and screaming in the night.\u0026nbsp; When Kar'na killed the slime that had ordered the whole raid, he returned to the guild and everyone saw something unusual for Kar'na.\u0026nbsp; A smile on his face.\u0026nbsp; He used the Rednari dialect and muttered, \"_Iep si apari da._\"_I have won_.\u0026nbsp; With that, the wolf collapsed.\u0026nbsp; He slept for a whole day and on his waking, he was someone totally new.\u0026nbsp; He smiled.\u0026nbsp; He joked.\u0026nbsp; He had fun.\u0026nbsp; He was a person again.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Svara sighed and leaned back..\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"An interesting side note, the guild didn't kill all the slavers immediately after Winterwrath.\u0026nbsp; Some they took back to the guild and questioned.\u0026nbsp; A couple said that the house with Kar'na within had been mostly skipped because of something known as 'The Demon of Winterwrath.\"\u0026nbsp; A vengeful spirit inhabiting the body of a young wolf was killing all who entered.\u0026nbsp; They believed the house to be cursed.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"This is all true?\" J'inuan asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Every word of it,\" a new voice confirmed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Everybody jumped and looked up.\u0026nbsp; Sitting in one of the holes in a wall that helped comprise the ruin known as the Lonely Tower, was a grey-furred, fox-like figure.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Tes'ali?\" Kiri asked, hoping he had the wolf-fox's name right.\u0026nbsp; Also hoping that this was indeed the wolf-fox they'd met in Parai, just outside the city of Saskin.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, not bad,\" the older one said, dropping down beside them.\u0026nbsp; \"I'm impressed you actually remember me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kiri smiled, happy that he indeed was right about the name.\u0026nbsp; Also, after being on the run from so many people, he was happy to see a friendly face.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Now I don't know any of your names,\" Tes'ali said, his eyes narrowing.\u0026nbsp; \"But I know there were definitely less of you the last time I met you.\u0026nbsp; And...Svara?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey Tes'ali,\" Svara said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Surprised to find you still alive,\" Tes'ali commented.\u0026nbsp; \"Popular rumour at the guild says you're dead.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated,\" Svara said dryly.\u0026nbsp; \"Now, what are you doing here?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Literally?\u0026nbsp; I was looking for this group.\u0026nbsp; With the route they probably would've been taking, I expected they'd have to cross the Lonely Tower.\u0026nbsp; One of the only ways through the mountains after all.\u0026nbsp; Now, where's my brother?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Honestly?\u0026nbsp; I don't know,\" Svara answered.\u0026nbsp; \"We all got captured in Juxtpa.\u0026nbsp; Kar'na broke us out and told us to head for the Lonely Tower.\u0026nbsp; We're supposed to wait here for a week and if he's a no-show, head on to the guild.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Through Wolf Clan territories?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, through Undefryn pass.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" Tes'ali said, a frown creasing his face.\u0026nbsp; \"That makes a tricky situation.\u0026nbsp; How're your supplies?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Not good,\" Svara admitted.\u0026nbsp; \"We have some, but our supplies are almost non-existent.\u0026nbsp; We've been scrounging the local environment, but not much has occurred.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I have an idea,\" Tes'ali said, looking at Svara.\u0026nbsp; \"How about I leave you with a pack of supplies and take these slaves to the guild headquarters.\u0026nbsp; You can stay here and wait for Kar'na.\u0026nbsp; Then, you and Kar'na head back when he shows?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No,\" Kiri said.\u0026nbsp; \"We're staying.\u0026nbsp; We're going to wait for Kar'na.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kiri,\" Svara said.\u0026nbsp; \"Tes'ali's got a good plan.\u0026nbsp; I think we should follow his advice.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah,\" J'inuan agreed.\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na will show and he and Svara will just meet us at the guild hall.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That's not going to happen,\" Kytra butted in.\u0026nbsp; \"We _need_to wait for Kar'na.\u0026nbsp; He's got to come back!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And he will,\" Tes'ali said.\u0026nbsp; \"Trust me, I know my brother.\u0026nbsp; He'll show.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"If it's all the same to you, Master Tes'ali,\" Ari said politely. \"I think we'd rather wait here with Svara for Kar'na.\u0026nbsp; The others are probably a different matter.\u0026nbsp; Am I right?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I really want to see our homeland,\" the otter slave from the underworks nodded.\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na could be a while in showing.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Are you guys sure about this?\" Svara asked.\u0026nbsp; \"I doubt I'll be able to find enough food, even with Tes'ali's supplies.\u0026nbsp; Kar'na won't mind if you've already gone ahead...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We're sure,\" Wraith said.\u0026nbsp; \"We're sticking with you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well then,\" Tes'ali said, his mouth twitching into a small semblance of a smile.\u0026nbsp; \"I guess _that's_ decided then.\u0026nbsp; Well, I best make haste.\u0026nbsp; Come.\u0026nbsp; Those who are coming with me to the guild, come along.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The five slaves broke away from the group and went along with Tes'ali.\u0026nbsp; Now there were only eight of them.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The group watched until Tes'ali and his group had disappeared from sight down the road.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The night was still and the air cool.\u0026nbsp; Crickets chirped.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" Svara said quietly as the others turned to look at him.\u0026nbsp; \"I guess it's just us now.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; It was on the third day from this event that something new occurred.\u0026nbsp; The group was sitting around the fire at the base of the lonely tower, idly chatting, telling stories and performing feats.\u0026nbsp; The slaves loved watching Svara scurry to the top of the Lonely Tower by climbing, before leaping off into the deep river.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; When Kiri expressed interest in climbing, Svara had laughed and told him it had taken the young fox assassin a long time to learn that skill.\u0026nbsp; Then Kiri climbed to the top of the tower, much to everyone's delight.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"How did you do that?\" Svara asked, laughing.\u0026nbsp; \"The last wolf I ever saw climb that good was Kar'na himself.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Now I have a problem,\" Kiri confessed.\u0026nbsp; \"I can't get down.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No worries,\" Svara said, still with a big smile.\u0026nbsp; \"Behind you in the tower is a staircase.\u0026nbsp; You can just walk to...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He stopped and tilted his nose to the air.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We're not alone,\" he said quietly, so quietly that Kiri had to strain his ears to hear him.\u0026nbsp; \"Everybody!\u0026nbsp; Hide!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The group did as they had practised, with Wraith and Ari pulling a dampened blanket over the fire, extinguishing it without so much as a puff of smoke.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Then, the two females took the blanket with them as they fled to go hide in one of the bushes.\u0026nbsp; Tyra dove and hid behind a rock and Kytra dove in the river.\u0026nbsp; Myra and Aryn climbed a tree and hid in the branches, their green scales camouflaging them perfectly.\u0026nbsp; Svara whisked his way to the top of the tower, easily beating the wolf's time.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They ducked down below the edge of the parapet and waited, peeking out from between bricks in the wall.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Stumbling into the clearing, a figure in Falskin guard armor staggered forth.\u0026nbsp; He bent over the remains of the fire and muttered, \"Curses.\u0026nbsp; They _were_ here.\u0026nbsp; They must have moved on.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The figure, looking all for the world like he'd had to fight _all_ the world, walked over to the base of the tower and sat down heavily with a grunt.\u0026nbsp; He took off his helmet, revealing a familiar face below the visor, albeit dirtier and bloodier than any had seen him before.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na!\" Kiri cried, already running down the steps of the Lonely Tower.\u0026nbsp; \"You're back!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kiri?\" Kar'na asked in surprise as the wolf ran over.\u0026nbsp; \"You're here?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Obviously,\" Kiri laughed as everyone else about the clearing started coming from their hiding places.\u0026nbsp; Svara leapt from the top of the tower, plummeting into the river, where a startled-looking Kytra leapt out of a second later.\u0026nbsp; Myra and Aryn climbed down from their branches, with Myra having no problems but Aryn just tumbling down.\u0026nbsp; Ari, Wraith and Tyra emerged from their hiding places to rush over to the white wolf.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You're all here!\" Kar'na cried out in delight, giving a slight cough.\u0026nbsp; \"I had half expected you all to move on.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Not without you,\" Kiri said.\u0026nbsp; \"We'd never leave without you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good to hear,\" Kar'na laughed.\u0026nbsp; He looked around and his smile turned to a frown.\u0026nbsp; \"Where's everyone else?\u0026nbsp; J'inuan, Tas'ofey and the others?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"They were picked up by Tes'ali,\" Svara explained.\u0026nbsp; \"He was headed down here to wait for you and these guys.\u0026nbsp; But he took them back to the guild.\u0026nbsp; He was willing to take them all, but these ones _insisted_they stay with me and wait for you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ah,\" Kar'na said.\u0026nbsp; \"That's good.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He coughed again and Svara placed a hand on Kar'na's armoured shoulder.\u0026nbsp; The fox looked into Kar'na's golden eyes and said, \"You don't look to good.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I had my difficulties,\" Kar'na admitted.\u0026nbsp; \"My escape wasn't as easy as I'd hoped.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You can tell us all about it,\" Svara said, already beginning to undue the straps to Kar'na's armour.\u0026nbsp; \"In the meantime, Kiri, help me get this armour off.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So after this, I had no choice but to leap off.\u0026nbsp; The other guards were coming and there was no way I could've fought them off.\u0026nbsp; So I leaped from the wall into the river.\u0026nbsp; It nearly drowned me, but I managed to get out.\u0026nbsp; From there I set off for the Lonely Tower.\u0026nbsp; Guard patrols were everywhere and I actually got caught by one too.\u0026nbsp; But, I escaped.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; All was silent for a bit as the others digested the information of the story they'd just heard.\u0026nbsp; It was quite a tale.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So, you were almost killed for refusing to turn us over?\" Aryn asked Kar'na, glancing over at his sister.\u0026nbsp; \"Why would you do that?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You made your choice,\" Kar'na said, wincing as Svara and Kiri continued to clean up Kar'na's myriad wounds.\u0026nbsp; His sword wound was, again, split open and he had a few all across his body too, including a sizeable slice by his ear.\u0026nbsp; \"Drysenn and Sanvar needed to understand that.\u0026nbsp; Whether a right choice or a wrong choice, a choice is a choice.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And do you think we made the right one?\" Myra asked quietly.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That's not for me to say.\u0026nbsp; The choice you made, good or bad, is your own for you to determine.\u0026nbsp; In due time, I suppose you'll find if it's the right choice.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Myra didn't seem to like that, but Aryn nodded, apparently thinking it over.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"How'd you get this wound?\" Kiri asked, hoping to change the subject, as he pointed to a small, bleeding mark, just above his ankle.\u0026nbsp; \"Unlucky dagger slice?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Believe it or not,\" Kar'na laughed.\u0026nbsp; \"I got that one from a crab.\u0026nbsp; A crab!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Everyone burst out into laughter, though Kar'na's quickly turned into a coughing fit.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I had just leapt off the wall and was pulling myself onto the shore, when the stupid thing decided to attack.\u0026nbsp; It sliced my skin with one of its pincers.\u0026nbsp; I had to give it credit.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A few mild chuckles followed this statement and Kar'na smiled.\u0026nbsp; Svara and Kiri kept up their work in silence, cleaning the wounds and checking for more.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Did Tes'ali leave you guys with anything?\" Kar'na asked, briefly biting his lip as Kiri and Svara washed an extra-sensitive wound.\u0026nbsp; \"A pack of supplies or medicine?\u0026nbsp; Anything?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A pack of supplies,\" Svara answered curtly, not really focused in the conversation.\u0026nbsp; \"There was some food, some herbs for tea and a bit of medicine.\u0026nbsp; Ari, would you grab the medical herbs?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I got it,\" Kytra said, walking over to the bag.\u0026nbsp; \"Which ones are the medical herbs?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"In the vials,\" Svara said, glancing over.\u0026nbsp; \"Every vial except the ones marked with the word 'tea'\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kytra rummaged through the bag a minute before finding the vials needed.\u0026nbsp; He carried them over to Svara.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thanks,\" the fox said, taking the vial with a smile before turning back to Kar'na.\u0026nbsp; \"Now, hold still.\u0026nbsp; This _will_ hurt...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kiri woke up with a yawn and looked around.\u0026nbsp; Everybody else was still asleep, with the exceptions of Kytra and Aryn, who were talking by the Lonely Tower.\u0026nbsp; Kytra had been assigned for morning watch, which Aryn offered to help keep him company through.\u0026nbsp; The two had become quite good friends.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kar'na and Svara were not far away from the grey-furred wolf, both of them sleeping curled into a ball, thick tails over their noses.\u0026nbsp; Not far from them, Ari, Wraith and Myra were all curled up sleeping.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Morning Kiri,\" Kytra greeted quietly, nodding in the wolf's direction.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good morning,\" Kiri answered with another yawn, as he looked at the dim sky of really early morning.\u0026nbsp; He wasn't used to day travel yet, despite having lived most his life in it.\u0026nbsp; A week with Kar'na had certainly changed many things.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Tea?\" Aryn asked, equally quietly, gesturing to the pot boiling the water just above a small fire.\u0026nbsp; It wasn't a large pot, just a little bigger than Kiri's hand, but it fulfilled its purpose of boiling water just fine.\u0026nbsp; The rule was that if you drained the pot for your tea, you had to refill it with water again.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kiri poured the water into one of three wooden cups Tes'ali had left behind when he took everyone to the guild hall and added the leaves.\u0026nbsp; His personal favourite tea type was known as Fentari, which was silver-coloured and had a somewhat spicy taste, though in the best of ways.\u0026nbsp; Not spicy like the one fruit Kytra had tricked him into trying years ago.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The wolf walked down to the river and dunked the pot in, filling it again.\u0026nbsp; Then, after he had returned the pot to its mounting and collected his tea-cup, he went down to the river's edge with it to sit and think.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Barely a month.\u0026nbsp; Thirty days, if he was correct, since they had met Svara.\u0026nbsp; From there, it had only been four more before they decided to escape the tyranny of the slave drivers.\u0026nbsp; They'd met Myra the next day, escaped with her and her brother, almost been captured and met Kar'na and Tes'ali.\u0026nbsp; Then they'd gone together to another city, escaped and been captured again, escaping from that one too.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kiri chuckled.\u0026nbsp; It seems like escape was in their nature.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He sipped his tea, briefly savouring the spicy taste, before he heard footsteps behind him.\u0026nbsp; Twisting around, he noticed Wraith coming down the slope to the edge of the riverbank, where he was sitting.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey,\" she greeted quietly.\u0026nbsp; \"Mind if I join you?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Not at all,\" Kiri said, shuffling over a bit.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The puma sat down on the edge of the water and dipped her feet into the fast-flowing water.\u0026nbsp; Though the water was quite cold, she didn't seem to care.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What are you thinking about?\" she asked after a bit.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I don't know,\" Kiri answered.\u0026nbsp; \"Mostly about how our lives have changed in just a month.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Half the time it doesn't seem real,\" Wraith agreed thoughtfully.\u0026nbsp; \"Feels like we're just...living a dream and then...we'll wake up to find ourselves back at the mine.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Where the cycle would repeat,\" Kiri chuckled.\u0026nbsp; \"I, for one, would do an escape like this in a heartbeat.\u0026nbsp; Anything would be better than that...existence at the mines.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He took another sip of his tea and Wraith nodded.\u0026nbsp; Nothing more needed to be said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So...\" Wraith hedged a few minutes later.\u0026nbsp; \"What're you going to do when we reach the guild?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I have no idea,\" Kiri confessed.\u0026nbsp; \"I was originally just hoping to get free and rejoin our people.\u0026nbsp; But apparently, society is different in Arlea.\u0026nbsp; We don't have a unified people.\u0026nbsp; Just various, bickering tribes of exclusively one species.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I was talking with Kar'na and he said that the few cities that exist in unity usually get toppled by slavers or taken over by the tribes.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kiri nodded.\u0026nbsp; Though he hadn't asked Kar'na himself, he had no reason to doubt Wraith.\u0026nbsp; Why would she lie?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"There is one place where the species all get along just fine,\" Svara said, coming down to join them.\u0026nbsp; \"The Assassin's Guild doesn't play favourites.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Aren't they all assassins though?\" Kiri quizzed.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Point taken,\" Svara conceded.\u0026nbsp; \"I suppose not everyone would want to be an assassin.\u0026nbsp; Still, that's where you find the most people living in harmony.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He paused, seeming like he was thinking for a second and Kiri and Wraith waited for him to continue.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh, right.\u0026nbsp; I came down here to tell you two that Kar'na's up and we're breaking camp.\u0026nbsp; He feels rested enough to continue on.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Got it,\" Kiri and Wraith said in unison, before looking at each other and laughing.\u0026nbsp; They followed Svara back up to the camp, where they were greeted with the sight of everyone getting up and about.\u0026nbsp; Beyond the trees, a warm glow was occurring, signalling the rising of the sun.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"There you two are,\" Kar'na said, smiling at them.\u0026nbsp; \"I was wondering where you were.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Just down at the riverbank,\" Kiri said.\u0026nbsp; \"We were talking about stuff.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The grey wolf looked down at the cup of tea in his hand and gulped the rest of it down.\u0026nbsp; It had cooled considerably.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright,\" Kar'na said, glancing around quickly.\u0026nbsp; \"I assume Svara told you we were packing up today?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The two nodded and Kar'na continued.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We're changing our route slightly from the original route I had planned.\u0026nbsp; Originally, I wanted you guys to head up through Undefryn pass if I didn't show.\u0026nbsp; We're heading through territories owned by the Wolf Clan.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Why, Kar'na?\" Svara asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Because the tribe's alpha and I know each other.\u0026nbsp; I hope they'll just let us through without incident.\u0026nbsp; It's a more direct route to the guild headquarters.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I know,\" Svara said.\u0026nbsp; \"I was just wondering why the change in decision?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I want to make it back to the guild by tomorrow.\u0026nbsp; In time for the graduation of the new apprentices.\u0026nbsp; It's almost a necessity for the masters to be there.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"That makes sense,\" Svara nodded.\u0026nbsp; \"Then let's be off.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They walked for a long time, with Kar'na calling few breaks, despite the fact that he obviously needed them most.\u0026nbsp; Eventually the forest they had been in turned into a rock-studded forest, with large boulders and a myriad of smaller rocks peppering the forest.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We're in the foothills,\" Kar'na announced softly.\u0026nbsp; \"This is good.\u0026nbsp; Means we're at the edge of the Wolf Clan's southernmost border.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The group nodded and they continued on.\u0026nbsp; It wasn't much longer beyond this point when Kiri started to feel a little uneasy.\u0026nbsp; The young grey wolf kept his eyes roving through the underbrush, sure he'd spot something there.\u0026nbsp; But he never did.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; From the way the others were glancing around, it was obvious they felt something too.\u0026nbsp; Despite the fact that they were now in Ch'kiliil-held lands, Kiri felt exposed without his hood up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I don't like it,\" Kytra muttered, coming up on Kiri's right.\u0026nbsp; \"It feels like they're watching us.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"They probably are,\" Aryn concurred, joining the two of them on Kiri's left.\u0026nbsp; \"They'd be fools not to.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The reptilian Sanvar'a siblings kept their hoods up, in contrast to the others.\u0026nbsp; Kar'na had warned everyone that the wolves wouldn't be too welcoming to the reptilians, what with them being natural enemies, so it would probably be best to hide themselves.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A snap in the woods caught everyone's ears and heads jerked in that direction, eyes roving.\u0026nbsp; But they saw nothing.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kiri turned back to look down the road and nearly leapt out of his fur when he saw a wolf, with the exact same coloured fur as he himself had, standing in the middle of the trail.\u0026nbsp; He was wearing a loincloth and nothing else.\u0026nbsp; In his hands, he held a single spear.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The warrior's face was painted with symbols and markings, obviously designed for religious or intimidation purposes.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hrinty!\" he cried, planting the blunt end of his spear firmly in the dirt.\u0026nbsp; \"Tyhek ek trita tyil ip tyha Vinp Fn'y!\u0026nbsp; Nawiya!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"P'eayt!\" Kar'na cried back.\u0026nbsp; \"Ec Kar'na ip tyha'kik keyk alawent!\u0026nbsp; Eani'wakty ta'cek keiy tyi kectnil tikik tryhiI'wawh vetyh cil p'eaytk ha'a.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What are they saying?\" Kiri whispered to Svara.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Not entirely sure,\" Svara whispered back.\u0026nbsp; \"Wolfspeak has never been high on my list of languages.\u0026nbsp; I think basically the one told us to turn around.\u0026nbsp; We're trespassing and Kar'na asked to pass through.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ti'ik tyhiI?\" the tribal asked, his snarl turning to a frown.\u0026nbsp; \"Vhi tyhaka p'eaytk?\u0026nbsp; Tyhac?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He gestured to the rest of the group with his spear.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He's asking if we're his friends,\" Svara said.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ilak,\" Kar'na nodded.\u0026nbsp; \"Tyhaka cil p'eaytk.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The wolf stared at each of them for a bit, eyes scouring over each one.\u0026nbsp; When he looked at Aryn and Myra, appearances still kept beneath their cloaks, his frown returned and he turned to Kar'na.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Vhi tyhika?\" he asked, gesturing to Myra and Aryn with his spear.\u0026nbsp; \"Vhil tyha tek'wekak?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Svara?\" Kiri prompted as Kar'na gave a reply to the tribal wolf.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He asked who Myra and Aryn were,\" the fox replied.\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na's assuring him first that they are not his enemies.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Myra,\" Kar'na said, glancing over his shoulder to the reptilian siblings.\u0026nbsp; \"Aryn.\u0026nbsp; Take off your hoods.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The Falskin siblings reluctantly did so and the wolf's eyes widened and he stared at them for a second, before turning back to Kar'na.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Iliwa ca tyh'ty tyhaka yity ayaceak!\" the wolf spat.\u0026nbsp; \"Yt ilaty tyhail na tyha pafa ip I'wa ayaceak?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He's asking why if we're not their enemies, why we have two with us.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Tyhaila akfety tyha kroca ty'yil va!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Kar'na just explained that they're escaping with us,\" Svara said quietly.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The wolf stopped and tilted his head, seemingly thinking.\u0026nbsp; He looked at Myra, then Aryn, then back to Myra again, before sighing.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"E fyity tyw wiap waak,\" he sighed.\u0026nbsp; \"N'waty yait yha fy e naty iliw v'yta tyh waw Iaw tya'etyi il.\u0026nbsp; Fica!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He turned away from them, gesturing down the path with his spear.\u0026nbsp; Then he started off, Kar'na following behind him and gesturing for the rest to follow them.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What's going on, Svara?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"They want us to go with them,\" Svara answered, staring heavily at the back of the wolf.\u0026nbsp; \"I think back to their tribe.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Exactly what I was hoping wouldn't happen,\" Kar'na said.\u0026nbsp; \"I was just hoping to cut through.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Kiri looked around him and noticed a bunch of painted wolves emerging from the forest, weapons kept in ready poses as they encircled the group and herded them after the leader.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" Kiri said, looking at Kar'na.\u0026nbsp; \"At least they don't plan to kill us, right?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The look on Kar'na's face was far from encouraging.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"A Tail of Two Peoples","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1199468-a-tail-of-two-peoples-the-lords-of-parai.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1235778-a-tail-of-two-peoples-the-tribals.json"}}