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The next day, after breakfast, I had to attend my first ever meeting of the Pride Council. From what Olaf, had told me the day before, all newly adult cats in the Pride got to attend one council meeting, when they were formally introduced as members of the pride, but I would be on the council instead of merely a guest of the council. I also had to bring along Chris, Robin, and Lea as well as Mika, since she was to him what all our ravens were to us.

The council room was a long affair, with seats on both sides, at one end of the room was the door, as well as a place for guests of the council to stand and in the case of my guests, make their presentations. At the other end of the room were four raised seats for the Matriarch, the Guardian, and their assistants. My seat was to the left of Olaf while Anna was to the right of her mother.

Almost as soon as the doors were closed one of the cats to our left stood up and growled. "What is he doing here in that seat? That belongs to Ivan!"

Olaf stood up and growled, "Be quiet Vladimir, you know that a mating is final."

"I will not shut up, that... that thing is a turned cat, I will never follow a turned cat as my Guardian!" He shouted and in his eyes, I could see a burning hatred for what I represented.

On his perch beside me Caspian flapped his wings in agitation and cawed loudly, and I growled low in my chest, feeling my cat getting more than a little upset at the implication that I was any less of a were-cat than Vladimir was.

"You will shut up, and you will hold your tongue Vladimir. We have guests here from outside of the Pride who are here to show us what can be done to improve our connection to the rest of the world, as well as improve our security."

"They are wolves." Vladimir spat, growling, "They shouldn't even have been invited to be on our land."

I stood up at that and growled, "They are also my personal guests, here at the request of the Matriarch and the Guardian. I will not stand by and listen to a bigot like you tell this council that they do not deserve a voice here."

For his part, Vladimir growled something in Russian which was hugely insulting before he proclaimed that he wouldn't listen to anybody that wasn't a born cat.

My own cat was incensed by the comment and I could feel his anger at the implication in the comment, but I controlled it, for the moment and listened as Olaf stood up roaring, since he to had heard the comment and began shouting the other cat down. His language was a mixture of both English and Russian, and some of the terms were less than flattering.

After a few minutes and order was restored, I was formally introduced to the Pride Council.

"Fellow Councillors I have the distinct pleasure to announce a new spirit in our Pride his name is Mark McEwan. He had shown himself to be an upstanding cat and a good addition to our number." Shanna said by way of introduction.

One of the old guard councillors stood and growled. "I agree with my esteemed college, Vladimir. Why should we work to welcome that turned cat among our number? Furthermore, I see that he doesn't sit down where new introductions are normally seated, but instead up there with you and your mate, what is the meaning of this?"

"Fedor, the meaning of this should be clear. Not only is our new cat highly dominant, but he's also already found himself a mate among our number. That mate is my daughter Anna, which means that he is now my mate's assistant until the time when we retire."

"I feel that isn't right, he isn't of the Pride, he wasn't born as one of us. He doesn't know what it means to really be a Were."

"We had similar thoughts before he got here Fedor, but can't you feel him in the bonds, he is as much a cat as you are." Olaf stated softly.

"I find that hard to believe Guardian, from what you've already told us at last month's meeting he's only been turned since August. No human can learn how to be a Were that fast."

I growled slightly and my cat, though calmer than when Vladimir was speaking, was still slightly upset. "Sir, I am not saying that I can learn everything that there is to being a Were in such a short amount of time, hell I am still learning a lot of things. But to imply that I can't be sitting here, as a mate to your future Matriarch is patently incorrect, unless you already knew me. Furthermore, I've taken great pains to learn from my cat over the past few months and I take great pride in that learning."

"I will never follow a... a... thing like you." He growled and his raven cawed roughly from his perch.

"Perhaps in time you will warm up to me, for now my guests, which are here at the request of the Matriarch and the Guardian and they are going to demonstrate how we can begin to get ourselves on track to begin introducing our pride to the modern era."

"They shouldn't be here either. I don't like having dogs in this room, this room is only for those of us who have the honour of being cats, born cats."

I growled at that, and so did Chris, Robin, Lea, and even Mika. "That is highly offensive Fedor, perhaps you should be more considerate of your words. They were brought here because the Matriarch asked me, personally, to try and help the Pride upgrade to a more modern level of technology."

"I stand by what I said, besides we don't need what you are peddling. The kind of things you are considering bringing into the Pride will only serve to distract us from what is really going on. We need to keep our focus on what we have and the challenges that we face. There are wolves on our borders who'd like nothing more than to swallow up our territory and render us homeless. There are humans who're getting far too close to knowing what we are now, and then there's you... a turned cat who has delusions of being capable of leading what he doesn't understand. No right now my voice on this council must always be heard." He spoke, and it was with conviction and what he believed was true.

"I must admit, that you speak from what you believe is right, but there is a time, and I feel that it is coming sooner than you would like to admit, when all of us will have to be able to explain to the humans what we've done and why. I'd rather be able to tell them that we have never gone out of our way to harm them, indeed when somebody comes for help would you turn them away? Or would you lend a paw." I stated with conviction.

"I will never help a human, they are the reason that we aren't still in Mother Russia." Fedor answered back and I could hear the derision in his voice.

"I feel sad for you then, to put so much blame on humans when we are in part human. I will always render aid if it is needed, after all is that not part of our oath to the pride? To protect those that are weaker than you are?"

"Humans don't count in my book," He stated stubbornly, the glint in his eyes was hard and dangerous as he glared at me. I knew that beyond a shadow of any reasonable doubt that this was a cat who was firmly in Vladimir's camp when it came to who's side he voted for on the council.

One of the younger cats growled softly before deciding to speak his mind. "Fedor you haven't really been listening to what he's said have you? Perhaps if your mind hadn't rusted shut during the October Revolution you wouldn't be so damned stubborn."

Fedor glared at the younger cat and growled, "Perhaps it is time for you to actually remember our ancient traditions, or did you ever learn them in the first place?"

"I learned what I needed to learn Fedor, not all of our traditions make any sense any more in this day in age." The younger cat, which I quickly learned was the master of House Valshenka, said patiently. "There will come a day when the world learns that we exist, would you rather be prepared for that time, or still trying to hid in your little hole of self considered safety?"

"If we all just followed the traditions we were taught as cubs perhaps wouldn't have that problem."

One of the other younger and more flexible House Lords growled and stood, "Fedor you don't really get it. I doubt that the revelation of our existence is going to come from one of us cats. In fact, I can almost guarantee you that it won't. But, the day is fast approaching when our secret will no longer be a secret and I for one would rather be adequately prepared for that day, rather than trying to live in isolation."

"Aleksey, your father used to be one of my closest friends, but alas his son has fallen far from the tree, I can't even count on you to follow properly in his footsteps."

"Why would I even want to try? My father was a hopeless stick in the mud with his mind stuck in the mid nineteenth century." Aleksey commented harshly and I could feel some of his distaste for his fellow councillor in his speech.

"Before we get carried away with all this shit, how about we focus on the biggest issue," Another of the old guard members said harshly. "I firmly believe that this... thing has no right to be standing there like he's part of this Pride! I Challenge his right to even be here!"

I stood up and growled, my hand dropping down to the hilt of the sword that I had buckled at my side while both the Matriarch and the Guardian stood and roared for silence. "Vitaly you will..."

"I will not withdraw my challenge! I hold that he doesn't belong here anymore than he belongs in the city. The reality of the situation is that he should have been eliminated or allowed to die when he was first attacked."

I turned to the Guardian, "With respect Olaf, I will accept his challenge, on the stipulation that we either do this as cats or as humans."

"See the mu'dak can't even shift to Were! Is there any more indication that he's a weakness?"

I roared out, recognizing the Russian swear word easily, "If I'd been given a choice on the matter of being turned perhaps I would have one, but until such time as I kill the son of a bitch that made me I am restricted to those two forms. So, what shall it be you poor excuse for an alley cat? Swords or claws?"

He looked at me, his eyes taking a measure of me before he growled, "Swords," His hand by his side loosening the blade of his shashka in its sheath. The sheath was highly decorated, which was something that I'd learned was normal for a sword of that type, but I was under no illusions as to how effective the weapon itself was.

"How about we all adjourn to the challenge circle out back so that we don't get blood on our council room floor?" Olaf said with a growl and a push at the Pride bonds. I nodded, though I could tell that Vitaly was more inclined to finish this matter here and now. Olaf had his own hand on the hilt of his own shashka, though I could see a couple of centimeters of the blade showing as he'd already partially drawn the weapon.

As soon as I reached the circle, though it was bitterly cold I pulled off my suit jacket and handed it to Anna, "I will be fine dear heart. I know what I am doing." I told her, though I wasn't really sure if that was entirely true.

On the other side of the circle Vitaly did the same thing before drawing his weapon and swinging it lightly. I could see that he had some experience with the weapon and his form looked decent enough.

As he warmed up I drew my own long sword and began my own series of warm-ups, trying to show him as little as I could about my abilities, or the technical style that I would be using.

"Now since we all know each other here, as members of the council I will ask both parties to pledge that they will obey the rules of this match." Shanna dictate loudly.

Vitaly growled, "I desire a death-match. If he dies, then his filth is ridden from our midst."

At this I closed my eyes and began to work to calm my cat, I wouldn't catch myself going into a fight in a hot-blooded rage. Instead I would work to keep my cool and use my anger and rage to give me focus it would make sure that my edge was honed so sharp it would even split a hair.

After a few more moments, when everybody was ready Olaf growled for us to start, and I stepped into the circle before holding myself in a defensive posture while taking my time to regard my enemy carefully. As I carefully measured him up in my eyes I watched for any signs of movement or any tells that he could be giving me and I was fully aware that he was doing the same thing.

I held my pose as I could hear the leather of his gloves creaking and making noise as he gripped the hilt of his weapon, it was a small tell to me, but an important one as I now was aware that he was building up his nerve to attack me. I held my position but I already was well aware that he was going to attack, so when it came I was prepared and ready with a quick parry and a devastating riposte. When I swung my sword in riposte I was slightly surprised at the gasp from the audience.

On turning around, I saw why everybody had gasped, Vitaly's torso was on its knees, wobbling slightly as blood fountained from the severed neck, while his head lay several feet away with open staring eyes.

"How the hell did he do that?" One of the observers asked in a shaky voice just as the body fell to the ground, with blood still weakly pulsing from the neck.

Olaf looked around and then answered all of the questions that were being asked about how I could defeat a man in just two moves. "Mark has read, and understands something of what being a warrior means. One thing is that he is aware of the ancient maxim from the book Art of War, that a good warrior first puts himself beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waits for an opportunity of defeating the enemy."

"What does that mean Guardian?" One of the others asked.

"What it means, is that Mark first prepared himself to face Vitaly and waited for him to attack. By that time, he was ready and waiting for him so for him it was easy to see how he could complete his victory." Olaf said, "When Vitaly attached he was seeking a victory, while Mark was already aware that victory was already his."

While Olaf was explaining those things to the other members of the Pride I bowed slightly to my former adversary before I found a piece of cloth and gently cleaned my sword before returning it to it's rightful place in the scabbard at my side. "Olaf is correct, there are many ways to win a fight, and the way I chose was, I think, the right one given the circumstances. Guardian, I feel that even though Vitaly's ideas weren't valid he fought to defend them with honour and integrity, I feel that it is his due to receive a proper cremation."

Olaf nodded in reply, "I agree with you on that point Mark, while I do disagree with his point of view I see nothing that has indicated that he fought with anything less than the full honour of a warrior."

"I suggest then that we reconvene the council and get on with the business at hand." I pointed out.

"We will have to wait for an hour, I know that you and your cat are both hungry, as is everybody else. Furthermore, we also need to get Ilya to come and take his father's place on the council." Olaf stated softly as he knelt to remove the sword and scabbard from the body, I already was well aware of the fact that Vitaly's jacket, with his house Sigil pin would be given to his son, along with the sword. Some would see the actions of the Guardian as a sacrilege against the fallen cat, but in this case, we needed to move forwards. "Tonight, his house would have a memorial for his death, and we would all feel the mourning of our fellow Pride members."

I nodded and I could already feel the void in the Pride Bonds that Vitaly's death had caused, it hurt and I feel a hollow pain in my chest. While it was nowhere near as bad as when Katy's parents had died, it wasn't something that I really wanted to experience with any great frequency. "I understand sir, this isn't something I wanted to have happen but..."

"He was questioning your right to live, and to be here Mark, that is something no cat can ignore." Olaf softly told me before he stepped forwards and gave me a hug.

I hugged back tightly, and took comfort in my Pride Guardian's presence. My cat also took comfort in being around Olaf, and he no more enjoyed taking the life of a fellow Pride Member then I did. "Sir before Vitaly attacked me I got the impression he'd been arguing with his cat. Like his cat didn't really want to do what he was committing himself to doing."

Olaf released me from the hug and then placed his hand on my shoulder as he stepped back to look into my eyes. "Mark, not every Were out there agrees with their animal side. Sometimes, like what happened the other morning with Ivan, the animal will take over. However, there are others where the human side overrules their animal side. The results can vary, but in this case I think the cat was aware that he was going to die and like all living things he didn't want that."

I nodded, following him back into the Pride House where we made our way into the dining hall. Almost as soon as I walked into the room Anna tackled me with a rough hug.

"Mark, you scared me half to death there." She proclaimed vehemently.

"I'm sorry kitten, but it had to be done." I told her softly "You think I enjoyed doing that to him?" I asked her.

She shook her head, "When he died I felt the hole he left in the Pride Bonds, that wasn't a nice feeling, then again I've felt it before, it's never something I get used to, and I would never want to get used to it either."

I nodded in reply, "I understand dear heart, I too have felt it before, though it was worse, because it was the bond between Katy and her parents."

Anna nodded somberly, to lose one's parents when she was so young... that is a terrible thing." Then she gave me a grim smile, "At least Vitaly's youngest child isn't as young as Katy, and her mother still lives."

"That's a small consolation to me Anna, I don't like causing that kind of pain, but he didn't really leave me a whole lot of options. There only ever was going to be one person walking out of that circle, and I had no intentions of it not being me."

"I understand that Mark," She told me softly as she had me sit down before she went to grab a plate, before she got back I heard a noise behind me and turned and caught a hand with a small knife in it. "Ivan!" I growled, standing up as I squeezed his wrist mercilessly till he dropped the knife from nerveless fingers.

He was a few centimeters shorter than I was though he was very heavily built, even more so than myself. "You took my mate you... you... Outsider!" He growled back.

I backhanded him roughly and he flew a few feet before he fell against a table. "She was never going to be your mate Ivan, you are just a little insect who's been annoying her since she was a cub."

He stood up, his hands balled into great fists like hams. "She is mine!" he growled, his eyes showing that this time he was in control this time and he wanted to take out his frustration against the one who he believed has stolen his future.

I smiled and held my own hands up, though I didn't have them in fists, I was using and open handed style that my cat had learned at some point in the past, though I wasn't really sure when he'd learned it.

Ivan waded in swinging and each time he swung, I blocked with an arm or hand before returning the blow with a sharp strike of my own, often aiming for pressure points or just to cause a bruise. Compared to my last fight with Vitaly, this was almost too easy, though it wasn't in the challenge circle I treated it as such and my cat was feeling immense satisfaction in administering a just and enjoyable chastisement before Olaf came behind my opponent and punched him in the side of the head, causing him to drop like a stone. "That is quite enough!" He roared, "This is a dining hall, not the challenge circle." He glanced at me and nodded, "As you all are aware, Mark is now my assistant, and that is no longer up for any form of debate."

He then bent down and grabbed the unconscious Ivan's jacket by the back and began dragging him towards where his father sat. "Take your son home Vladimir, and tell him that next time he tries anything perhaps he'd like to meet either myself or Shanna in the circle for a just punishment." At the same time, he was saying that I could feel him sending to me in the Pride Bonds, *I saw all of that Mark, he's going to have more than a few bruises to get over when he wakes up.*

I ducked my head slightly as I replied, *He didn't really give me much choice sir, he was trying to slip a knife into my neck as I was waiting for Anna. I didn't want to make anything serious of it so I decided that I should only leave him bruised, not dead, I've had enough death for the day I'm afraid.*

*Yes, I agree Mark, but next time try and save that for the challenge circle, as I said before, this is a dining hall, not the Circle.*

*Yes, sir.* I replied as Anna finally got over to me with a plate of food and I sat down once more.

"Mark, that was very satisfying for my cat to watch. Where did you learn to fight like that?" She asked me after placing my plate in front of me.

"My dear, that is one of the many things that my cat has taught me since I became what I am now." I told her honestly as I began eating, I was highly amused when Caspian landed on the table beside my plate and began stealing tidbits for himself. *Silly raven,* I sent to him and his reply was that he was hungry.

Two hours later we were once again seated in the Council Chamber and debating not only my networking and security upgrades but also the teardown and rebuild of the Pride House. Since I'd learned of that possible plan I'd had my visiting techs also create a plan for that possibility.

When the meeting finally wrapped up, at almost six in the evening all measures were approved, which Anna told me was not a coincidence. I'd been most persuasive on which way the council voted, and Ilya, the replacement for Vitaly as his House's House Lord, had voted with the modern element of the Council.

As we left the chamber I could also sense that Vladimir was toweringly angry at the way things had turned out and I knew that this thing between the modern cats, such as myself, and his regressionists wasn't finished.

After the council was finished, Anna, myself, Sergey, my guests, and Katy all went to join the evening meeting of the Pride, though not all members were here. Indeed, most were in fact at their own House' Meetings, though a significant number from all Eight Houses were present. I got many comments regarding my mating with Anna, as well as the striking appearance of my pup with her dark tiger striped fur.

When we began roaring our unity at the stars and the full moon she hid under me, the noise of so many tigers letting their cats stretch their voices was probably more than a little frightening for the pup, though she did send to me that it was kind of fun, especially when she added her puppy howls to the mix. What was also interesting was the fact that my three guests, and Chris' Companion Mika also added their howls, which was quite a bit different than our own roars.

We'd only just headed back towards the Pride House, and our homes when a tearing searing pain came across the Pride Bonds as cats snapped their bonds to the Pride. I lost track of the number of times I felt the hollow loss of a cat as he or she broke their bonds. As it got worse I saw both Shanna and Olaf flop into the snow, the loss of so many cats causing them to lose consciousness and a short time later both Anna and I also fell to the snow, our minds overwhelmed by all of the broken bonds.