And The Fires Burned Bright

"Listen, pup. Listen closely."

"Wind."

"Tales."

"_Wind._"

"Tales of a world past. Told by time and nature."

Fire crackled. Birds of the night screamed. Crickets chirped. Wind blew...

_Fine_, Litas thought, taking a deep breath and swallowing his impatient anger.

"What tales?" he asked, his teeth clenched.

"Tales of empires and distant lands, of heroes and monsters."

"Fantasy then."

"No." his opposite exhaled. "Not these tales. These are of events that changed the world to what it is today."

_How much mistweed did you smoke, old man?_

The weary eyes that looked into his from across the fire were many things - bloodshot was none of them.

_No mistweed then_, Litas conceded, _but firewater, surely._

A quick glance at the usual signs, but no, neither was there any hint of firewater. Litas curiosity was more with what the old man had consumed, rather than his words. Somewhat late Litas noticed, that it was his turn to speak again.

"Ehhh... interesting. You don't happen to have some mistweed or firewater I could borrow, do you?"

The old man blinked. He took so long just to blink, that Litas wasn't sure if that man had died or was just annoyingly slow. This evening was dragging on far too long already.

"I neither cloud my senses, nor my mind with such means. And neither should you, pup. It will bring about pain and suffering, eventually."

_The only pain and suffering here is listening to you ramble, old man._

"It helps staying warm throughout the night." he said instead.

"You have fur, have you not?"

"Doesn't mean I'm not cold!"

_Relax_, he took a deep breath of the cold air. When he blew it out again the misty cloud was clearly visible in the flickering glow of the fire. Point taken.

The old man too took a deep breath, but no cloud was to be seen.

_He has no fur_, Litas considered, _so he is probably colder, too._

"I wish for you to know what shapes the world, outside of eyesight and earshot." the old man continued after a moment. Still no cloud of breath.

"Are you drunk?" Litas bit his lip and clenched his eyes shut, before he finished his sentence. His patience had worn thin over the past hours and now he had slipped.

_Nice one_, he swallowed.

"Sor-"

"I do not care for your excuses. I heard plenty in my time. I care only for you to listen." the voice of the old man was sharp as a blade, but calm like the great pond.

That was the first time this night, that Litas was left speechless. His mouth gaped open, the rest of his excuse was blown forth by the wind, another story about impatience told. The creeping feeling of dread crawled up his spine and his fur stood up. The old man may have not carried a weapon, but that didn't mean he was not dangerous.

"You have no need for your blade, pup." the man spoke. His voice now back to the croaking Litas had heard all night. Litas looked down. His hand had wandered to the grip of his knife, he hadn't even realized it.

"What is it you want?" finally he mustered the courage to speak back up again. The weighty heft of the blade felt good in his hand. It was as if the courage streamed from the handle into his palm, into his lungs.

"You already know."

"To listen." Litas concluded.

"To listen." the old man agreed.

Litas looked into the old man's eyes again. He saw no hint of the dangers that may lie behind them. It had come with the wind and it was gone with again. He took another breath and bowed his head slightly. "I'll listen."

The old man faced the direction the wind was coming from and took a deep breath, held it in, and blew out. No mist.

"I will tell you a story. An old story. A story before your kind treaded the lands."

"We were always here, just like you." another kind of fear made itself apparent in Litas' stomach. Was this old man from one of those sects? The ones that believed mankind was the root of creation? People said them crazy. It would fit the old man.

"You agreed to listen, pup. Now, listen."

Litas stopped himself short of growling. He hated being called a pup. Long since had he walked his own path. It was but his immaculate teaching, that made him put up with the condescending nickname given. Elders were especially fond of that nickname it seemed. Instead he nodded, so that the old man may begin the story.

_And be done with it all the quicker_, he thought and braced himself for what was to be a long night.

"This world was not always the world you've come to know. Mountains were not always reaching for the clouds and lakes not always filled with water. These changes come by nature over many generations. This story however begins at a time when the western highlands were all but buried in an ocean, stretching farther than any man or beast could walk in a lifetime. When the great pond was but a puddle in the sands of the far east. The world was a different one back then. One neither of us can comprehend. It is told the people back then could reach the stars, could travel the world in a day's time. A rare few artifacts have remained from that time. You have heard of the great catacombs of Durfell, have you not? Or the eternal bird of metal circling the ice shelves of the south? It is rumored these ancient wonders were once nothing more than contraptions made with purpose to have purpose. Which? I dare not say. But like the tides these things come and go. Empires rise, cities fall, worlds change. It is said that at the peak the ancients were able to change the world with their voice. Speaking mountains into existence, erasing rivers with a whisper. Feats thought impossible today. This is what my elders called the words of power. A mere word - and the world would shift." the old man stopped, cleared his throat and turned his head into the wind again. Breath. No mist.

"There are many stories all telling the same tale. Harkir the Great and how he screamed forth an avalanche, burying his arch nemesis, beneath a hundred feet of snow. Or the story of Magno the Fearless and how he conquered the northern kingdom by whispering to the river to sweep away his foes. Or the catastrophe of Amber Cliffs and how an entire city was sunk into the ocean by a girl reading out the ancient lore aloud. You think them feats of magic, maybe exaggerations, but they and countless other stories all share the same root of power. A tale, a phrase spoken into wind, carried forth and bringing with it untold menace." another pause. Litas gave the old man credit. He sure was good setting up a story. Taking things he knew from other tales, weaving them in with new ones. He would've made for a great bard back in his days, he was sure. Everyone knew the story of Harkir the Great or the catastrophe of Amber Cliffs, but bridging that gap with a note about the ancient tongue? Maybe this story wouldn't be so boring after all.

"I have heard King Rokkor knows one of these words, but he keeps it a secret."

The old man blinked so very slowly again.

"Rumors, pup. The people of today do not know the tongue of the ancients."

Litas nodded. The old man had not picked up on his cue. He had not used it as another thread to knit his tale. That meant that the old man either knew the story by heart or he was just too stubborn to let others take part in the lore. But he definitely didn't make it up on the fly.

"Proceed, please."

Another agonizingly slow blink. Litas could've taken a leak in the meantime and the old man wouldn't have seen him gone.

"Most of the ancients took off to the stars after the cataclysm. They are said to reside on the red eye, sometimes seen in a clear night. But a select few found refuge down deep. Deeper than any cave leads or any mine goes. Down there, it is said, they rebuilt their ancient empire. Using the heat of the great liquid fire vents to sustain themselves. They might even still be alive down there? Who can say? What is said however, is that small groups came back to the surface every hundred winters or so. And of these few, some remained on the surface. Yes, ancients among us. Wandering the lands or living in hiding. You could encounter one and never know. They are out there. Watching. And they have found an interest in some of us."

Silence. The tale was told.

_That's all?_, Litas cocked an eyebrow. The old man wasn't as creative as he first thought after all. _Shame._

"Why?" Litas asked.

The old man shrugged. "If I knew, I would not be sitting by a fire telling a pup such tales."

Litas bit his lip. The old man couldn't know his nicknaming stung like an angry flowerfly.

"A fascinating story to be sure. Thank you for sharing it, old man."

The old man nodded just as agonizingly slow as his blinking. Litas was about lay down on his cloak next to his fire as the old man continued.

_Of course_, maybe the old man needed to gather his spit for the second part of the story.

"I have spent my time traveling the world, learning. Finding the secret of the magic of the ancients - and I have learned much. Yet its secrets elude me still. And I fear my time has come. I am old now and I have only ever found a single phrase."

Litas ears perked up and he sat back up straight.

_Oh, really_, curiosity.

"So you know one of the ancient spells?"

"I do."

"What is it?"

The old man leaned forward and so did Litas.

"I can trail these ancients. Like the dog, that follows the trail of scent left by the hare." his voice had become ominous.

"And what have you found?" Litas matched his.

There was that lingering feeling of danger again. Sudden and overwhelming. Litas' fur stood up in an instant and his hand jumped to his knife again. Only to find it not in his lap anymore. He looked at the old man - of his weary eyes had become slits of fury.

"You!" he shrieked and then he was over him.

He had jumped the fire and thrown Litas on his back. The sudden strength and agility took Litas by surprise. He was wrestled to the ground and cried out as his wrists were twisted.

"Get off me!" he yelled, trying to punch the old man in the face. What he hit wasn't the face of an old, grumpy man however, but a grimace of horror and greed.

"I can smell it on you!" he screamed, stinging painfully in Litas ears. "Where is the ancient one?!"

Litas cried out in pain as a clawed hand ripped across his face, barely missing his eyes and a fist hit him in the neck. He struggled, trying to wriggle free under the weight of the maniac. The rabies had taken this old man's mind, it had to be! Litas punched again as he got his arm free, but to no avail. Instead he yelled and reared up as old human teeth sank into his arm. Blood splattered, blinding Litas and making him wail with his claws wildly in front of him. His fingers connected. He felt flesh tearing and ripping, gurgling sounds of pain and agony and suddenly he got free.

He rolled to the side, stumbling to his feet as fast as he could, before finally rubbing his eyes and trying to clear his sight. The world was bathed in a blurry, red haze.

The old man - the crazy maniac lay on Litas' cloak in a spreading pile of dark blood. He gurgled and thrashed his arms in the direction of him. As if to reach him still. Litas saw chunks of his throat missing.

He watched in shock as the old story teller's movements grew slow and finally stopped entirely. He was dead. Litas was alive. He took a deep breath, only now realizing he had held it during the last struggle of the old man. He put his arms on his thighs and started coughing and sputtering, trying to get his racing heart and ragged breath back under control. His arm had a deep, gashing bite mark and bled profusely. He looked over the rest of his body. His throat ached and his face itched from the clawed fingers of the old man, but he seemed okay. Whatever that meant in this situation.

"By the gods...", he exhaled in relief. This had gone to shit in an instant. He was damn lucky to be alive.

His legs were shaky as he made his way over to his backpack. There was a bandage in there somewhere. His fingers tried prying open the lacing of his backpack, but they were shaking so much and were so bloody, that he simply had to give up until he got it back together. He kneeled but two feet from the remains of the old man.

_I hope I don't end up like him_, he looked at his lower arm. It was still bleeding, dripping dark blood on his ruined cloak and torn pants.

He should-

A groan. His head shot towards the old man. Another groan. A muscle twitched, an eyelid flickered.

_Impossible_, panic rose in Litas once again. He jumped to his feet and looked around for his blade. It was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile the old man had risen from his crumpled position on the ground and stood back on his feet staggering.

"You're dead!" Litas shouted, his voice cracked in fear.

"Far from it." the old man croaked. A few droplets of blood splattered from his torn throat. Litas saw his vocal muscles twitch in his throat. "I lied. I know more than one spell." his voice was horrifically distorted. Litas took several steps back. This had to be the work of demons. This had to be one of the cursed ones.

"Give me what I want, pup, and I'll kill you quickly."

_This can't be happening_, Litas swallowed and it hurt like a bitch.

"Don't run. I will find you anywhere, pup. I will-" the old man's head flew off to the side. His eyes focusing behind-

"I have walked the plains." a voice behind him, full of anger and force. It boomed in his ears and made him pull his paws up in an attempt to cover them, but the voice just ripped right through. It grew in intensity and Litas felt like he heard the voice vibrate in his bones. "I have walked the woods. I have walked the sands." Litas ears started to bleed, he screamed in agony as his ear drums ruptured. His eyes began tearing up and his vision to blur. He broke to his knees, still trying to keep the voice out of his head. "I have walked the mountains. I have walked the oceans."

Litas felt blood pouring from his snout. His head was swimming and the world around him seemed to twist and turn. The camp fire shrank down into glowing embers, the stars in the sky stopped glowing. Even Luna started fading. What was happening? Was he turning from the bite?

"I have walked the flames... and the fires burned bright." Litas screamed again a he felt muscles ripping and bones breaking. He crashed to the ground and in his last moments he witnessed what could only be described as the magic of the ancients.

Another man - a younger one - stepped into his vision from behind him. He was clad in all white. A high priest of the dominion?

Before his eyes, the smoldering campfire became a blazing inferno. It outshined all and enveloped the wailing old man entirely. No sound came from it. There was but the pounding of his heart and an infernal ringing in his ears.

He fell unconscious at last.

The darkness was filled with a soothing sound. It was like waves of warm water engulfing him over and over again. Every wave brought about energy and calm and took with it strain and ache. He just remained and enjoyed it. The sound became clearer the longer the waves washed around him. It became louder, more distinct. That was speech. Someone spoke.

"...brought the water. The ocean brought the waves. The land brought the seeds of new. The sun brought the light... and with it your life."

Litas' eyes shot open and he was about to push himself up as he felt a hand press down on his chest.

"Calm, pup. You are safe." a voice.

Litas followed the human hand to its owner. There sat a man, clad in all white. He smiled at him, but Litas shuffled off to the side, only to be met with a tree, which he pressed his back against. He took a quick look around.

A forest.

Bright day.

The human male sat cross-legged at a small pond of crystal-clear water and smiled still.

_What just happened_, nothing in his vicinity could explain any of what happened. He looked down at himself. He looked like he had just bathed. Squeaky clean and dripping wet... and buck naked. He quickly pulled his legs together to cover himself, realizing the predicament he was in. The human, though, smiled still.

He looked around again trying to make sense of what happened. Where was the bite mark? He rubbed the fur on his arm, but found nothing. Not a scratch. He gnawed his lip and looked deeper into the forest. Nothing indicated any kind of settlement or civilization nearby. This was the wilderness. He had been abducted. By that human. That had to be it.

His legs were carrying him forth, before he even realized he was running. He might've not known where he was, but he was still a wolf. He could run faster than any human.

A quick glance back and he almost struggled and fell face first to the ground. The human still hadn't moved, had made no moves to go after him.

What was going on?

He looked around again. Still forest. Forest left, forest right, behind and front as far as he could see.

_You're a wolf_, he said to himself, _you can survive in the forest._

The human, though... He made double sure he could still make a run for it if he felt the situation getting out of hand.

Slowly and very carefully he approached the human again. Going around the pond as to keep it between them and then kneeled down a bit awkwardly, trying to remain somewhat decent and ready to rush off at a moment's notice.

He heard the human chuckle, shortly followed by his voice. "Would you like some food? Or maybe some water?"

Litas looked the human in the eyes.

A striking green. Ash-white, short hair and defeating smile. He tried to see if he could make out danger in the eyes of the human. The last one hadn't treated him well, why should this one? Again, he found nothing.

_Not that it means much_, Litas thought, considering how his last meeting with a human went. What happened that night anyway? Some kind of hallucination or fever dream, surely.

The human didn't move and by the time Litas remembered he had been asked a question a small eternity had passed.

"Who are you?" Litas grunted. Trying to sound as intimidating as possible. The human shouldn't pose much of threat, now that he was prepared.

"Sorin. And you?"

"What did you do to me?"

"Healing you after you got hurt last night."

_So, no dream then_, he figured. If the human - Sorin - wasn't lying that is.

"What happened?" Litas had a pretty good recollection of what happened. Up to that booming voice nearly killing him. He shuddered just thinking about that.

"You got attacked by a cursed one. You killed him... and then I did it again." Litas' eyes shot back to the humans. There was still the smile and not the faintest trace of danger. The old man had fooled him the same way. What made this one different? What told him this was not a cursed one?

"Why?" he found himself asking, even though he didn't consciously think about it.

"You bumped into me in the entrance of the inn a few days back." the human pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

_Ha!_, a clue. He had just given away the path to freedom, _foolish human_.

_Wait..._, Litas swallowed. He remembered that moment. He had nearly run the guy in cloak over... and had taken the coin stashed in one of the pockets, _Ohhhhh..._

"You took one of my coins. Nothing would've come of it, but as fate would have it, a cursed one picked up on the trail." the human shrugged.

"...Sorry." Litas bit his tongue the moment the word left his mouth. He just admitted to it. He tensed his muscles, ready to run off again.

The human shrugged again. "You could've asked and I would've given you the coin."

Litas swallowed again. He didn't hear any accusations, any anger. It was as if he had really just bumped into him. And what does he mean, given him the coin? That was a solid gold piece. Easily able to get him a month's worth of the best food at the inn. He had to play some kind of game here, right? It had to be.

"What do you want?" Litas was damn sure he wouldn't do anything for the human, but he could at least get an idea of what the human was up to.

"Nothing. Sorry I got you into all that." he reached into one of his pockets and Litas tensed up. The human flipped something over the pond. It shone in the sunlight breaking through the roof of leaves. Litas caught it easily. A solid gold coin. Another one. Identical to the one from a few days ago.

_What_, Litas looked at the coin, then at the human, who smiled again, looked back at the coin and bit on it. _By the gods!_, he nearly let the coin drop in the pond, _it's real._

"For the troubles I've caused. I hope that covers the gear you lost."

He couldn't be serious. He knew people that didn't earn as much in a whole winter. Litas grabbed the coin tightly in his paw and was about to rush off yet again, but again, his curiosity got the better of him.

"What happened to my stuff?"

"It burned to ashes."

Litas remembered the great wall of fire that had erupted from the small campfire. The inferno had filled all of his vision. How did he not get caught in it? How did it happen in the first place? He remembered what the human had said. _You've killed him... and then I did it again._

But the old man had burned up in the wall of fire. He was sure of it. He looked at the human again. This time in dreadful revelation.

It had been the human! He had caused that! He even wore the same clothes!

"You almost killed me!" Litas yelled in a sudden flash of anger. Balling up his paw, which still held the coin tight.

"I'm sorry. You got bit by the cursed one and I had no choice, but to" the human licked his lips and looked at the pond. The pause was not lost on Litas. "fix it."

Litas anger faded as soon as it had come over him. He really had to keep himself in check better. His temper would be the end of him, someday. He knew better.

"So you know of the ancient spells? You killed a cursed one. I always thought they could only be locked away."

The human chuckled, but didn't respond.

"What? You do know at least one of them. I heard it."

Another chuckle almost a snicker.

Why was the human laughing? This was no laughing matter! His very life had just flashed before his eyes. He had just learned that the tales of old were true and had been attacked by a cursed one. What was there to laugh about?

"Why are you laughing, human?" Litas demanded to know. He put as much growl as he could in his voice.

The snickering became a full on laugh. The human waved his hand dismissively. "Sorry!" he laughed. "I didn't mean to."

"What's so funny?" and now his real anger got the better of him, making his growl actually authentic.

The laughing stopped abruptly and the green eyes of the human found his. Litas tried to hold the gaze, but that wasn't so easy all of a sudden. The friendly and smiling eyes had become hard and cold. His gaze was that of a blizzard, cutting into the very core of Litas' soul. There was danger in those eyes. Danger like the cursed one couldn't even hope to match. He had to look away.

When he dared looking back the human was back to smiling again like nothing ever happened.

"I think it's quite funny" the human continued - and his voice too was that of friendliness "having a pup clutch a gold coin in his paws, while trying to intimidate me buck naked."

Litas clenched his teeth with searing anger, but he swallowed again. He would not dare having the human's gaze burn right through him again.

"You didn't answer my question from before." he replied meekly, trying to shift into a more covering position.

The human chuckled again and gave him another look. Litas was relieved to find their talk back to normal.

"You don't have to cover yourself, pup. I have healed you, while you were unconscious... and naked. I know what you look like."

It wasn't the nickname that stung this time. It was the inconvenient truth behind these words. Not that it changed anything for him. He still looked at the human expectantly - without trying to blush.

The human noticed his look and sighed deeply.

"Fine." he said. Some of that happiness was gone - and so was the smile. "Yes, I know the spells of the ancients."

_Why are you saying it like that? Also, spells? More than one?_, he thought and started chewing on his lip again.

A sudden realization hit him. How could he have been so blind? But it wasn't possible, of course.

"You're an ancient one, are you not?" the words had left his maw. There was no taking it back now. Litas tensed his muscles again, ready to run. This had probably been the most loaded question. The most dangerous one.

The human - Sorin - looked back at him and tilted his head ever so slightly. There was the smile again, but far from being warm and welcoming as before.

"I am." he said, but his mouth didn't move. Litas eyes became as big as the coin clenched in his paw. The voice had come from inside his head. He head heard it without his ears.

Litas jumped to his feet and took of. A solid twenty steps as fast as his legs could carry him. And again, the human didn't move. Still smiling at him. Waving even. He was letting him go?

Before his eyes he watched as the human rose from his seat and patted off his clothes. Litas was about to run again, thinking he was going to get chased by this ancient being, but again his expectations were subverted. Sorin simply waved and headed off into the other direction. Deeper into the forest.

Litas was free.

He took a moment to catch his breath.

He lived.

He had met an ancient one.

He had a solid gold coin in his paw.

He had the best story to tell at every inn.

He was naked and without gear, true, but that he could manage.

High time he got out of here.

He took the first step into the direction the ancient one had pointed at. The inn couldn't be too far off. He was a wolf, he could cover that distance quickly.

He took another and stopped mid-step.

He had met an ancient one and let him go. It was an ancient one. He could tell him even greater stories. He could maybe even teach him one of the spells. But should he risk going back to him?

Litas gnawed his lip until he tasted blood. He had turned the gold coin for the hundredth time in the span of a couple of breaths.

Then he ran off. As fast as he could. After the ancient one - Sorin.

"Tell me a tale of your people!" Litas exclaimed, trying to keep his composure around the ancient one and failing miserably. "Is it true your people were reaching for the stars? Could you really travel the world in a day? Was the-"

Litas fell silent as the ancient one put a finger to his lips. He had insulted him by asking too many questions. He had managed to annoy the ancient one in the span of a few moments. He scolded himself for being such a fool. He had to be careful with this ancient one. He didn't knew their customs. What if he had deeply insulted him, by accident?

"Sorry." he all but whispered.

"It's alright, pup. But one question at a time."

_Right. Right_, he nodded eagerly.

"Were you really up there? By the stars?"

"Yes."

"How was it? Are some of them really made out of crystals? What ab-" he stopped himself and scolded himself a second time.

"Sorry."

The ancient one chuckled.

"Can you teach me one of your spells?"

This was the first time the ancient one turned his head to him and locked eyes with him. Litas cringed. He shouldn't have asked that. It was probably rude.

"And what for?" the ancient one countered.

Was that a test? To see if he was worthy? What if he failed? Would he be banished? Be made a cursed one? He swallowed hard.

_Think, Litas, think_, he forced himself to think of the most noble reason he could.

"To protect the ones I love and do good in this world." he exclaimed, quite proud of himself.

The ancient one chuckled and turned his gaze back front. Litas almost came to a stumbling halt. He hadn't even come close to what the ancient one wanted to hear.

"I'm sorry." he said, quickly catching up to him and falling into his step.

"Try again." the ancient one said, this time not giving him a single look.

_Okay, a second chance. Don't fail him_, he forced himself to think hard again. What would he want to hear? He had laughed at the prospect of being the hero. Maybe the villain then? No, that didn't sound right with him. Maybe he wasn't thinking big enough?

"To prevent another cataclysm from happening!"

A laugh was all the response he got and he wished himself to never having run after the ancient one. His was making a complete fool of himself. A stumbling and naked fool.

"I wish I had some clothes..." he mumbled to himself, still somewhat shielding his bits from view. The ancient one didn't seem to care though, which made him feel somewhat easier.

"Speak after me." the ancient one said all of a sudden. Litas head flew up and he looked in shock.

"What?" he babbled, just to curse himself for it.

"Speak. After. Me." the ancient one repeated. Still with unwavering smile on his lips.

Litas nodded frantically.

"The fields provided the cotton."

"The fields provided the cotton."

"The plants provided the thread ."

"The plants provided the thread."

"The river provided the water."

"The river provided the water."

"The trees provided the wood."

"The trees provided the wood."

"The animals provided the leather."

"The animals provided the leather."

"The craft provided... and clothing came about."

"The craft provided... and clothing came about." Litas recited.

A cold shiver ran over his body and when looked down he found himself wrapped in some of the finest clothing he had ever worn. He almost stumbled in his step admiring himself from all angles.

"Looking good." the ancient one said with an approving nod, before trotting on. Litas however, wasn't as quick about the change. He had to look at every piece. He pulled it off, wondering if might disappear. It didn't. He checked the fabric and the seams. Masterfully done. He knew of no one, who could've done it better. It might not have been fancy, but the quality was worthy of a king. This clothing must've been worth a solid gold coin, maybe even more. He could sell it, when he came across the next shop. Could he create more with that spell?

"The fields provided the cot-"

"Pup!" the ancient one shouted. He looked over his shoulder. How long had he stared at his clothing? He hurried to catch up with the ancient one.

"Thank you, ancient one. Thank you so very much!" he offered the gold coin he had gotten earlier back to the ancient one. It was the least he could do. It wasn't sufficient in his mind, but that was all he could offer.

The fingers of the ancient one closed around his own and kept the gold coin inside. Litas couldn't help but shiver.

"Keep it." he said.

"But how can I repay you then? This is the easily the best piece of clothing I have ever laid my paws upon. I can be your servant for a month, ancient one. I could-"

"You asked for a spell and you got one." Litas looked at the ancient one. He had.

"I have spoken the tongue of the ancients." he mumbled as he came to the sudden realization, that he too was able to speak the spells of old, just like Harkir the Great or Magno the Fearless.

"You did."

"I have channeled a spell of the ancients!" he exclaimed with somewhat more vigor this time.

"Indeed."

"I can't wait to show it! I'll have a free stay at every inn, ever!" Litas began laughing.

"Or you'll get burned alive for witchcraft."

Litas nearly choked on his tongue and looked back at the ancient one with wide eyes. He was right of course. The tales of Harkir the Great and Magno the Fearless were but tales of times past. No one would believe him if he told them he could do the same. They'd think he was in cahoots with demons. He swallowed. The ancient one might've just saved his life again. He bowed his head deeply.

"I appreciate your wisdom, ancient one."

A snort - maybe condescending? - was all Litas got in response. He knew what it meant. He should've been able to figure that one out himself. He was but a child playing with the powers of a god. How could he hope to please the ancient one with his foolish deeds?

"Sorry, ancient one. I will think harder next time." he bowed his head again. Hoping to appease the ancient one somewhat.

"Just Sorin is fine, pup."

"Of course, anc- Sorin!" he was to call the ancient one by his name. What an honor!

They continued their walk for a while. Litas was still busy checking out his new clothes. It felt good not being as exposed to the world, though he was still missing his old gear. It had served him well during his travels. He contemplated on what to ask the ancient one - Sorin - next. He had promised to think harder, he would hold up to that.

"Where are we headed?" Litas asked, noticing they had left the forest behind and were just walking the wilderness westward.

"To the western highlands."

He gulped. That would take many nights and many days. The highlands were known for being rather harsh during this time of the seasons. It would also take him far off his own path. The highlands required a lot of gear and preparation if you weren't born there. Dangerous animals, murderous bandits, treacherous mountains, these were but a few of the dangers along their path.

"What is it, that you seek there, Sorin? A weapon? A meeting of the ancients? A secret ingredient for-"

Again the ancient one laughed.

_Foolish wolf_, he scolded himself. How could he hope to grasp what an ancient one was planning on doing?

"It came to my attention, that there are flower fields as far and wide as the eye can see during this time of the... seasons. I want to see them."

"Do they hold ancient power? Or do they-"

Another laugh, this time louder and heartier. Litas clenched his teeth. He couldn't just listen, could he? He had to satisfy his curiosity every step of the way, even if that meant asking stupid questions. He would stop now. He would ask questions of great meaning and deep philosophical value. One's that the ancient one would approve of.

"I have heard my share of tales about these fields. If you look long and patiently, they will start to whisper. I wonder, Sorin, could these whispers be of your own and you simply came to realize, that you are but a part of nature?"

The booming laughter was all that he got in response and he felt his cheeks flush red with embarrassment. How could he ever hope to match the ancient one's intellect? His questions must've been that of a pup, not an accomplished traveler.

"You should worry less of what I think of you, pup. Ask your questions and I shall answer."

Litas gnawed his lip, tasting blood again. He could never hope to understand such a being of power.

"Can you teach me another spell?" he asked after reconsidering his options.

"What for?" again such a loaded question. He had to convince him somehow that he was worthy of another spell - maybe one that wasn't as uneventful as the appearance of clothes on his body.

"I'm grateful for the spell for clothing. Please don't get me wrong, Sorin. I'm just... worried that it won't help me against more daring odds. What if another cursed one picks up on the scent? I still have the coin."

There. Great one. That had to convince him.

The ancient one stopped in his tracks and looked at him directly. Shivers ran down his spine. "Do you know the story of how the cursed ones came to be?"

Litas nodded. "They were seekers of ancient artifacts, but what they found drove them mad. They could not handle it."

"And what makes you think you could?" the ancient ones voice was stern. More shivers.

"If I learn more, I'll become one of them?" Litas but whispered. Horror flickered across his eyes.

"No. It is not the knowledge, that will drive you mad. It is power that comes with it."

"Like the kings of old, that were driven insane by the power they wielded?"

"Smart pup." the stern expression faded and was replaced with the smile again. He continued on his way.

"So you will not teach me anymore?" he couldn't hide the disappointment in his voice. He had hoped so dearly.

"I didn't say that, but I'll not give you the means to bring about harm to yourself or others."

"I understand. What can you teach me then?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Is there a spell I can fly with?"

A chuckle. "And letting you crash to the ground, because you didn't pay attention? No."

_No harm to myself and others, right_, Litas reconsidered. He thought about it for a moment. A lot of things could potentially harm people.

"Can you teach me a spell that sates my hunger or thirst?" Litas was careful with the question. No telling what might come of it.

The ancient one nodded. "A good choice."

Pride filled him, he was getting it now. He understood what the ancient one was like.

"I have drunk the milk. I have tasted the fruit. I have consumed the water. I have devoured the flesh. I have enjoyed the nectar. I have eaten the food.. and I was sated."

Litas recited the spell dutifully. Nothing happened. He looked around. Half expecting to see a feast appearing out of nowhere. Nothing. He looked at the ancient one.

"Are you still hungry or thirsty?" he asked and smiled.

No, he wasn't. It was somewhat unsatisfying. He wasn't thirsty or hungry, but he kind of expected to be able to taste something.

"I asked to have a spell that sates me, not one that gives me food, right?" he asked after he got his head wrapped around the issue.

"Not very satisfying, right?"

Litas nodded.

"Can you teach me another one?"

"Another time. Remember these two first and then we might continue." of course it wouldn't be that easy.

They made their way through another forest. A big one at that. Litas could smell the wildlife here. There was a lot of it. He could hear it too. Part of him wanted to hunt now. He may have not been hungry, but the lack of taste felt off. This forest was a lot more filled with animals in general as he noticed. They didn't come across felled trees or any other signs of people. He figured they had to be in the grand forest of the west. From here he could probably still find his way back. Just head north along the edge of the forest, until he came across the next merchant road. Litas took a moment to consider. They had traveled far. Mostly while he was out cold, but still. He had never been this far from home. Every step set a new record. There was uncertainty dwelling in his guts. Was he ready for what lay ahead? Was he willing to go that far? Litas had never left the dominion in his time. He prided himself an accomplished traveler, but he had never actually left the great plains and forests of the dominion. What would come of it?

The ancient one certainly didn't hesitate in his step. But given that he had probably walked the stars made the comparison lacking.

"Why are you here?" Litas asked and he swore he saw approval in the ancient one's face.

"To roam the lands, to experience nature, to get to know people, to learn about cultures."

Litas blinked. "You are not here on a quest? No evil that must be smote?"

Chuckling. "These times have long since passed. I am here to live, not buck."

_I understand now_, Litas started grinning. "So you are a traveler, too! How did you like the dominion?"

"Boring. Your folk is the only thing worth the visit."

"Then I feel honored to be of service. I shall attempt my best to answer any questions you might have." Litas bowed his head again. His folk was special and the ancient one had found an interest in him. Any more pride in his chest and it would have burst.

"I do not have questions about your people, pup. I am a keen observer."

"Of course, sorry for assum-"

"I am however curious about you, pup. If you feel like telling me about yourself, you may do so."

"What do you want to know, ancient one?"

"Sorin."

"Sorry."

"I don't want anything. Tell me what you think is worth being told."

_Another test_, Litas would ace it. He was sure of it.

"I have found no pleasure in living in a village with my kind. It is good to be back once in a while, but I can't stay for long. It's the world that is of interest to me. I want to see the wonders of old, the spectacles of nature. Such things. I do not care for menial work in the foundry or on the fields. I do not wish to be bound by borders and laws. I wish to be free, to explore. I wish to see all there is under the sun and look back on a life of adventures." that was sure to impress the ancient one.

"Well spoken, pup. But all I ever saw of you is steal and travel from inn to inn. Drinking and trying to drown your problems."

Litas stopped dead in his tracks. It was like a gut punch. He had to blink a couple of times to register what just happened. Careful to keep his temper in check he put on a smile and asked with all the kindness he could muster. "With all due respect, Sorin. What do you know about my problems?"

It was the ancient one's turn to stop in his track and turn to him. Looking him in the eyes. No smile this time, just... pity?

"I know that what you told me is but part of the truth. You do not travel solely for the wonders at the horizon. You travel to escape a life that pains you still. You try to drown your problems and force them away. But they follow you. They hunt you and every so often they catch up with you. Causing you to flee into the wilderness in the faint hope you'll find peace there. I know of your conflicts, pup. I know..."

Litas felt as naked as before. He felt exposed and he couldn't cover himself. The ancient one had touched a part of him that he tried to bury every day of the sun and every night of the moon. He took an unsteady step back. His neck grew hot. The formidable clothing suddenly started itching. A lump formed in his throat and his face contorted as he tried to suppress his blush. "You must think I'm disgusting."

"Only you do, pup. I think you're beautiful the way you are." the voice was soft again. Just like when he had waken up today. A soothing calm that washed over him. Easing his nerves, but not making him any less bitter.

"Is there a spell to fix me?" he dared asking, trying to blink away the dwelling tears.

"No," his heart sank. "because there is nothing to fix."

Litas tasted blood in his mouth again. He was gnawing his lip with so much force, that it hurt. But it was okay, it was distracting him from the truth in his heart.

"You-... you don't think I'm-"

"No. I don't - and I wish for you to one day think the same."

"But it is wrong!" his paws started moving about and he felt himself losing control over his tears.

"Well, if that's the case, then I am disgusting as well." Litas stopped sobbing and moving at once.

_What_, did he hear that right?

"Do you think an _ancient one_ is disgusting?"

"N-... No, of course not. You are gods. You are perfect."

The smile on the lips of the ancient could've melted glaciers. It did so with Litas' hurting heart at least.

"Then so are you."

Litas swallowed. His eyes wide in shock and fear and panic. His heart was hurting, his throat aching.

_I am perfect_, Litas swallowed again. The taste of blood ever stronger from his sore lip. _The ancient one - the gods said so._

He didn't know what to do, let alone think. It was as if his world had been twisted the same way his stomach just had.

The ancient one - Sorin - let out a gasp as Litas hugged him with all he could. Tears streamed into the white clothes. Spit and blood ruined the garments. Litas pressed himself as close against Sorin as he could. And then he cried. He cried his heart out. Cried as if he was a pup again. His legs shook and gave out, but Sorin held him and supported him. It wasn't the pain of stress, but of relief, that shook the Litas' body to its core. The pain of chains around his heart coming undone. A pain far worse than the night before, far worse than any he had ever endured - and oh so good.

Time passed, birds cried and crickets chirped, from light came twilight and with it the cool and soothing wind of the west.

"I'm-... I'm so sorry!" Litas sniffled, taking an unsteady step back and trying to clean off the tears, snot an saliva of the shoulder of Sorin. His clothing was ruined. Red speckles were all over. He made it all the worse. "I'm sorry!"

He was stopped by a smooth hand on his cheek. The warmest smile was on Sorin's face. "Calm down, pup. It's alright."

Litas couldn't help it, but leaned into the hand and licked its palm. A gesture reserved for his kind. A gesture of utmost appreciation and affection. Sorin's thumb caressed the wet fur around Litas' eyes before finally receding. Litas longed after the touch just a moment longer, before composing himself and trying to straighten himself.

Sorin chuckled. "Do you want to rest here for the night?"

A quick look around. This place was as good as any and the sun was but a sliver at the horizon. Litas headed for the next best tree and sat down against it. With his gear gone it was but his clothes, his fur and the long night. Sorin made no such moves. He cleared a spot around him of branches and thicket and started walking. He described a perfect circle, before stopping at his starting point. He suddenly clapped his hands in front of him. The sound echoed loud and sharp through the forest. Litas was blinded by a sudden flash of light and a harsh wind made him slide off his spot. Leaves swirled around them and silence followed. In front of him, just in the circle Sorin had marked, a camp now stood. A small tent made of leather and a crackling fire at the center.

Sorin gave him a smile and invited him over with a motion of his arm.

"You haven't said a word." Litas noted somewhat unsure as he sat down on the opposite side of the fire.

"What makes you think you need to speak for this to happen?" Sorin pulled the white garment of his upper body. Litas stole a glance at the toned upper body and smooth skin. The ancient one snapped a finger and a canteen materialized itself in his hands. He laid his ruined garment out in front of his crossed legs and started working it with occasional pours of the canteen. Without looking up he spoke. "I will let you in on the greatest of secrets of the ancient spells."

Litas eyes grew big. He couldn't possibly be worthy of such honors. What made him earn the privilege?

"Words are but constructs. They change. Etymology, morphology, syntax. These things change all the time. It would be foolish to assume spells made in a tongue would survive the eons, but intention never changes. It is that, which matters. Give your words or gestures meaning, give them intention and you will change the world."

Litas blinked, he hadn't understood half of it. Sorin had used words he had never heard before. Though, the message still stood. He looked at his own clothes and snapped his fingers. Nothing happened. A chuckle came from the other side of the fire.

"It's not quite that easy, pup."

"But why the... " he chewed his lip for a second in search for the right word. "incantations earlier?"

"It wouldn't be half as mysterious and cryptic if I were to just snap fingers every time, don't you think?"

_Why do I have to remember these spells then_, his eyes darted around the campfire, in a vain search for the answer.

"That means I could yell obscenities at people and clothing would appear on my body?"

"Smart, pup. Not quite, but close."

Silence fell upon them. Litas looked around, but there was nothing to do. He felt somewhat tired from the long hike and the emotional whirlwind he just went through. His intentions weren't entirely honest as he stood up and walked around the campfire, just to sit down next to Sorin. As close as he dared. He offered his paw.

"Please let me take care of that. I ruined it, I'll clean it."

Sorin made no moves to hand the garment over and continued his work.

"Why are you not using your magic to do it? I can use the spell you taught me to get you a new one."

"Moderation. Also I like working with my hands. That way I can enjoy honest work and keep my skills sharp. You will come to realize, that there is no reward in using magic. It is but a tool, that cheapens the victory."

"I understand."

"You don't. But you will eventually."

Litas remained quiet. He just sat next to Sorin. To a real, in the flesh ancient one. As if it were but a close friend. Sorin seemed fully invested in his work. Slowly and methodically removing speckle after speckle. A small hint of Litas' weeping remained still. It would not wash out, ruining the immaculate white garment, but that didn't seem to bother the ancient one.

Litas' eyes wandered about again, they stopped at Sorin's body, but only for a short moment. He didn't dare getting caught admiring.

"You should go to sleep, pup. Plenty has happened, plenty your mind has to deal with, plenty you have to come to terms with."

He was right. Of course, he was right. He was an ancient one after all. It would be best to listen to his advice.

He moved back a step and laid down next to fire in leaves.

"There's a tent right there." Sorin didn't look up as he pointed behind him.

"But that's yours. I have a fur, I can-" his protest was silenced immediately.

"Get in the tent."

No other words were spoken. Litas obeyed and crawled into the small space. A thick blanket dampened the hard ground and with another he covered himself. This was more comfortable than some inns he had stayed in. He looked over his shoulder, but Sorin just sat there, back facing him and hands working on his clothes.

"Thank you." Litas whispered, before drifting off into sleep.

Litas woke to the sounds of a branch cracking in the fire. He looked up and around. Outside the tend sat Sorin. His back to him and staring into the darkness beyond the fire.

He shuffled out of his blankets and sat down next to him. It seemed to him like he hadn't moved at all, except for the now almost clean garment he had put back on.

_Shame._, he thought.

"Do you ever sleep, Sorin?"

"I don't."

"How come?"

"I do not have need for such things. You though, pup, you should get back and get some more. You look awful."

"I can stay with you if you wish for my company."

"Sleep, while I stand guard and keep the fire going."

"If you don't sleep, do you ever dream?"

"I do. I just don't need to close my eyes for that." Sorin tuned his head to look at him. Their green hue mixed with the yellow flickering of the flames. They were mesmerizing to look at.

"If you never sleep, do you ever rest?"

"No."

"Then why are we stopping for the night?"

"For you, pup. You still need to rest."

Litas gulped. "You are wasting all your time, just so I can sleep the night?"

"No time is ever wasted. Even if it's just to know you've had a good night's sleep."

Litas stopped himself short of choking upon hearing those words. He bowed his head deeply, not daring to say another word and crawled back into the tent. He had never known someone that had cared as much as this ancient one did.

Come day and Sorin still said in the same place he had been in all night. The fire had burned down to glowing embers and the sun brought the warmth of late spring. Litas had taken a moment to collect his thoughts and think about what happened yesterday. A lot of things, really. Life changing things to be sure. And definitely not a dream. One thing though, one thing stuck with him and didn't want to escape his mind again.

"You said you are... like me. What is it like having a-... another one?" Sorin looked up at him and there was pity and sadness, something Litas hadn't expected or seen before. It was a scary sight, but in a different way.

"I wouldn't know. I don't have a partner." he said and then stood up as well, stretching his muscles.

_No one_, Litas knew he should've stopped right there, but he just couldn't. "For how long?"

Their gazes met again. And something died in Litas. His heart sank to his knees and a pained breath escaped his lungs. The look of resignation, of sad acceptance could've send an army of mountain bears running for the hills. Sorin didn't respond, but snapped his fingers and the camp was gone.

Litas looked after him as he started walking deeper into the forest. Slightly uphill, the western highlands were getting closer.

_What do I know of sorrow_, he said to himself, _If Sorin has spent eternity in solitude?_

The white garments had almost disappeared behind the trees when Litas came running after him.

It had been a question he probably shouldn't have asked. He didn't feel comfortable asking Sorin any questions. He didn't dare ask him about spells or tales of the past. He simply trotted along beside him, constantly questioning himself on what he could do to break the ice again.

It was a lot more difficult to hike through this part of the forest, the slight inclination made it very tiring in the long run. There were many fallen trees and thickets that blocked their paths, many detours they had to take. By the time the sun had crossed its zenith Litas was exhausted. His thighs burned and he had started sweating through the clothing. He felt bad for staining them, but there was nothing he could do. He'd have to wash them, given the chance.

Sorin on the other hand showed no signs of fatigue. He had locked his hand behind his back and seemed to enjoy their hike like a stroll through the park. He started to envy him.

"I can carry you, pup. You don't have to play tough with me. You're exhausted - I can see it." he heard Sorin say.

Litas bit his lip again. The prospect of relaxing his muscles was incredibly tempting, the prospect of being close to Sorin, just like at the campfire was-

"I-... I can manage..." he grunted and he hated himself the moment he spoke those words. His damned ego.

Sorin grunted and in three steps his was over by him. Litas yelped in surprise as he was lifted off his feet and found himself in Sorin's arms. One hand holding his back, the other his legs.

"You don't have to-...eehhppp!" he tried to protest and wriggle. No such luck. Sorin started walking again, keeping Litas in his arms.

"See? Not so bad now, is it?" there was the distinct smile on Sorin's lips again. The one Litas has tried to bring back all day. Relief washed over him.

"It's-... It's alright. I guess..." he gulped and tried to look somewhere more interesting than Sorin, who was but inches from him. His mind started to wander now that his muscles started to relax. He was still sweating, just not from the exhaustion. He desperately tried to find a topic to think about. Anything to keep his mind from wandering to places he didn't feel comfortable with. If he could just get rid of the clothes now. To stop sweating of course.

"Can you please stop wagging your tail, pup? I'm about to trip over it." Sorin's voice rang next to his ears making him shiver. He blushed heavily and tried forcing his tail to stop wagging. It was damn near impossible to do. He looked away, turned his head away from Sorin in an attempt to hide his blush. He pretended to be scouting ahead only to be met with another chuckle, telling him all he needed to know about the success of his cover-up.

The image of a princess carried up the tower shot through his mind like an arrow and he blushed even more. Why would his own mind conjure up such imagery? What was wrong with him? Litas attempted focusing on his breathing.

_In. Hold it. Out._, he got this.

_In. Hold it. Out._, he surely got this.

He lasted a full ten iterations and then he jumped off Sorin's arms. "I feel better already!" he exclaimed in a pained whine and rushed up the inclination. His legs might've been burning, his muscles aching, but the burn in his cheeks was worse. The cringe that rolled over him was something, that he wasn't able to stand any longer. "I'll go scout ahead!" he yelled and ran off as fast as his legs could carry him.

Litas had found a small creek he used to cool his hot head off with. It took him a few minutes to regain his composure, to clear his mind and get rid of a certain number of thoughts that had left him with stinging heat under his collar.

_What is wrong with me_, he thought. The distorted reflection in the creek showed a grey and white furred wolf that seemed to be lost in the woods. Yellow eyes stared back at him, judging and being disgusted with him. He smashed his reflection with his paw and balled his paws up to fists, so strong, that he felt his claws draw blood. He should've burned up in the inferno back then. It would've made it so much easier.

The reflection was back. Still judging, still being disgusted.

A second reflection joined his and green eyes met his. A hand dropped on his shoulder. He slumped forward. There was no power left in him. Not even enough to run again - or smash his reflection.

"What is wrong with me?" he asked aloud.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing." it was easy for Sorin to say. He was an ancient. No one would ever doubt him. But Litas was a mortal. A mere thief and traveler. A disgusting one.

"Please fix me. Just use your magic and turn me to ashes. I don't care. Just let it end. I can't handle it." he sobbed.

Sorin let himself down next to Litas and his hand wandered over his back, rubbing it encouragingly.

"There is no magic, that can fix what's not broken, pup. And I'd rather turn this world to dust, than have you turned to ashes. You are beautiful the way you are. You are beautiful to me."

Litas all but broke into tears again. Burying his head in the grass in front of him. Sorin petted his back and just sat in silence. He wrapped his arms around Litas' quivering body and pulled him into his lap. He started petting Litas behind the ears and stroking his chest all the while looking far off into the distance.

"You'll be alright." he whispered. Meanwhile, Litas just cried, his tears running down his fur, dripping into the creek and being washed away.

Sorin grabbed one of his paws. He raised one and looked at the puncture marks of his claws and the small streams of blood, that were pouring out of them. He leaned in and kissed them. Litas recoiled, pulled his paw back, but Sorin just went ahead and repeated the same process with the other paw. Tingling sensations of joy and happiness instead of pain and stress rushed through his arms and into his belly. There was no more blood, just tears.

"I just want to be happy." Litas croaked, his throat was sore from all the crying over the past few days.

"The only one stopping you, is yourself."

_Of course it is_, he whined.

Time may have passed, but none of them cared. Sorin waited patiently, encouraging Litas again and again, making sure he had something to hold onto, physically and mentally. Litas was but a wreck by the time he found the energy to wash himself in the creek. He had ruined Sorin's garments again and felt guilty for it.

He turned to Sorin, who was still kneeling next to him and waiting. He leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on his cheek "Thank you."

Only to blush again and push his head back into the creek to let him cool down.

As he got back up again he almost lost his footing, his legs were heavy. Worn down from the hike.

Sorin offered a hand "Let me carry you, pup."

This time Litas hesitated, but gave in, and before he knew it they were walking through a quickly darkening forest.

"Sleep, pup. Once you awake, the world will be a different one."

And so he did.

"I have wondered how old you are?"

"About as old as you are."

"But you are an ancient one, are you not? You are supposed to be many thousands of winters old!"

"This body is your age, but I've had many in my time."

They had left the forest behind them. Litas was still being carried. He didn't mind now. He even had his wagging tail under control. The plains before them were vast and uneven. The horizon was filled with plateaus, mountain peaks, rocky cliffs and lush hills.

Litas enjoyed the soft up and down of Sorin's step. It had been years since he had last been able to let go of his worries and just enjoy the day.

"The flower fields are behind the next horizon." Sorin stated, nodding in the direction. Further west from what Litas could tell, but who cared? And if their journey went on for days, he wouldn't mind.

His fears, his problems had caught up with him in the days past. There was no denying that, but he hadn't fled. Not this time. With Sorin's help he had endured and come out on top. He had been victorious at last.

He leaned into Sorin's shoulder and closed his eyes. Taking in the smell his wolf-nose provided him with. Sorin was not one to smell like the peasants in the villages, the bar maids at the inns or the guards in their armors. No, Sorin smelled different, otherworldly. He smelled of things he did not know, but greatly enjoyed. He smelled clean in a world filled with dirt, sweat and rot.

Litas didn't need to witness the landscape to enjoy himself, he just had to rest on the shoulder of someone he could trust.

Wind bristled his fur. The strong wind of the west brought with it a serene sense of calm and soothing cold. It was balm for his tormented mind... and there just the faintest hint of flowers.

"A view to behold." he heard Sorin say and he blinked the sleep away. He was let down on his feet and had a look around. They stood in the middle of a vast field. It was a field of flowers Litas had never seen before. Many colors, many smells. He could see mountains in the distance, but no end of the field on either side. Gusts of wind swayed the multicolored sea of flowers. The flowers were bowing their heads in humility from the wind and then raising their heads defiantly to the sun. A sight that felt awfully familiar.

"The rumors held true." Sorin said, his usual smile on his lips. "A wonder of nature and at the right time of the seasons."

Sorin took multiple deep breaths and whispered a couple of words into the wind. A thick blanket draped over a small portion of the field and he let himself down on it.

Litas followed him and sat beside him.

"A most beautiful sight to behold." Sorin whispered.

"The colors of the flowers are beautiful, indeed." Litas agreed, smelling one of the flower pods.

"I did not talk about the flowers."

Litas turned his head to face Sorin. He was looking straight at him. The green eyes friendly and the smile one to bring even a dead heart back to life. It took him a moment, before he realized what Sorin had just said, what he had meant.

Litas blushed, he couldn't help it. It was like a reflex. His eyes went wide, when Sorin leaned in and planted a kiss on his muzzle. The blush grew stronger.

"You are the most beautiful being I have met in my time on this world."

Litas heart began racing. His left paw started to shake so he hid it behind his back. His breath quickened.

"I have walked these planes for longer than I can remember. I have walked them alone. I may be what you call an ancient one, but I'm also just human. My heart too longs for love and now, finally, I think I have found it. Would you-" Sorin wasn't able to finish his sentence, because Litas' mouth was suddenly pressed on his. For a moment he saw real surprise in the ancient being, before he closed his eyes and gave in. Sorin put his arms around Litas trembling body and steadied him, keeping him from toppling over.

"I haven't been surprised in well over a century, pup." Sorin chuckled and put his hand against Litas cheek, caressing it carefully. "A few days ago you were but a sobbing mess, look at you become a rising star - outshining all of the night sky."

"Yes!" panted Litas, still breathless from his first kiss. "My answer is: Yes. I want to be with you. There is nothing I want more."

Litas watched how a tear ran down Sorin's cheek. "You have no idea how happy that makes me."

"Only the faintest." he chuckled and wrapped his arms around Sorin, hugging him tightly and pressing his body against his. Sorin returned the embrace and let himself down on the blanket. Litas suppressed a chuckle as his whiskers were tingled. Sorin's tongue started hunting his own in his muzzle. There was the burning intensity, he had found it. He didn't try to run from it, he embraced it, pushing back, against tongue and emotion alike, enjoying the moment and letting no worry touch him.

It was only when the two of them were out of breath, that they parted lips. Strands of saliva a testimony of their affection. Sorin rolled Litas on his back and rose a few inches, trying to catch his breath.

"I wanted you when I first laid eyes upon you." Sorin breathed, before leaning back and assaulting Litas neck and cheek with all the smooches and kisses he could handle.

"So did I." it was more of a whine, than a response, a very needy one. Litas grew hot under the clothes and he pushed his paws under his garments. Sorin helped him. Simply ripping the fabric off his partner's chest and tossing it aside into the flowers. The barrage of kisses moved down, all over Litas' soft body. Sorin's fingers trailed through his fur, leaving Litas with shivers and with all the tingling sensations in his belly. He started writhing, struggling to remain still. The need rose above all else, he wanted Sorin, he needed him.

"I-... need you." there was no breath in his lungs. How was he supposed to tell him? Sorin's hands traced his body back up, running through his fur, before settling down on both sides of Litas head. There was the same need in Sorin's eyes that Litas felt inside his body.

"Moan for me." Sorin whispered as he leaned down and started nibbling on Litas' ear. Switching when his victim buried one side of his head in the blanket. There was no escaping the onslaught. Litas couldn't do anything, but give in. The sensations that railed his body carried his mind far into the world, meanwhile his body grew all the more sensitive. Jolts of pleasure shot down from every spot Sorin's mouth assaulted into his tingling groin. His need grew bigger than the mountains around them.

"Please-" he tried to voice his needs again.

Sorin chuckled and a string of kisses and pecks trailed down his torso again. For a short while they stopped at his chest. Each nibble of his nipples driving him mad. His body wriggled and writhed. His stomach was overflowing with butterflies only to be greeted with Sorin's caressing fingers and mouth as they tried to escape.

Then, finally, Sorin tugged down his pants leaving him as naked as the first time they've met. There was no embarrassment this time, no shame, but raw, unrelenting lust.

Another ripping sound as Sorin tried to get the pants of Litas' legs. The garments had to go. One way or the other. There was no time.

Litas bucked his leg as Sorin began kissing the beans of his toes and paw pads, but the human's firm grip kept the leg right where he wanted it to be. His other hand kneading the other paw. Litas was but a panting mess by the point the human dove back down, pushing aside Litas' paws. Leaving him to claw at the blanket. Moans of pleasure, of ecstasy, of unbridled lust left his mouth. All words lost to the pleasure and the short supply of air. He tried biting his own paw, tried keeping his own muzzle shut, but all that came from it were moans turning to whines and whimpers.

Sorin took his time to work all around Litas' most prized possession. Teasing it, kissing and licking just off to the side, working his thighs and his groin.

"PLEASE!" it had taken all of Litas' strength and willpower to muster the single word that left his muzzle. Sorin didn't respond. His hand traveling up his fur again, sending more shivers down. He pushed two of his fingers into Litas' gaping maw and made him suck them, shutting him up effectively.

It was then, that Sorin turned his attention to the red, hot rod of bulbous flesh that stood tall and proud in the center of Litas' nether regions. A kiss, on the side of knot. A single, quick peck. Litas' bit down on Sorin's fingers, drawing a tiny bit of blood, to which he Litas' immediately began lapping at the fingers like his life depended on it. Sorin didn't pay attention and started kissing again. Another string of kisses all the way to the leaking tip and back down the other side. He drew his tongue from the base of Litas' cock to its tip. Litas' went wild. Lapping, clawing, sucking, writhing, moaning and whining, he did all that and started bucking his hips.

Sorin chuckled and lowered his mouth around Litas' tip. He was greeted with lots of pre and the heat and lewdness - all the could've ever asked for. He let his tongue glide along the underside and started bobbing his head ever so slightly, slowly increasing pace and depth. He made sure Litas would enjoy himself, would get to have the most fun, the most pleasure possible.

Litas paw clutched Sorin's hair, more as a handle to steady himself than as leverage. He grunted as Sorin's lips kissed the tip of his knot. He groaned as Sorin's free hand grabbed the base of his cock, just behind the knot, tightly, pulling on it ever so slightly.

"Give me all you have, pup." he said as he went up to catch his breath, before diving back down with much more vigor and energy.

Litas' hips bucked wildly, his lapping stopped and his moans became cries of pleasure. Sorin made sure he stayed in place with his hand tightly wrapped around his knot. There was no stopping now.

Stars flashed before Litas' eyes and they rolled back in his head. He bucked his hip again, wildly, trying to spear into the hot mouth of the human.

A white flash, a deep grunt - almost a snarl, a last push of the hips and Litas all but exploded. Sorin buried his head deeply in Litas' crotch, making sure to catch all of what the wolf had to give. Sucking, lapping - just as his fingers had been treated - he treated his wolf's cock. Splurt after splurt, gush after gush shot into his throat and he had trouble swallowing it quickly enough. He choked, coughed and as the last buck, the last twitch came of Litas' nether regions he finally let go of his prize. Leaning back he admired the view. A totally spent young wolf, clad in a grey and white pelt lay on the blanket and panted as if he just had a heat stroke. His cock still stood at full attention.

It filled him with joy seeing him all happy and contend.

"Would you like to try something different, pup? Something... more intense?" Sorin asked.

The blurry yellow eyes that looked at him had a questioning look to them.

"More... intense?" he panted, leaving Sorin to chuckle.

"We don't have to."

"I do! I do!" the wolf quickly said, before starting to pant again. If his dick was any indication, he spoke the truth. It was still raging and throbbing.

Litas watched with hunger still as Sorin disrobed. He had spent years feeling guilt and shame and disgust. He had spent years denied of what was rightfully his. He would not be satisfied with going just once.

What caught Litas eye was not the toned upper body of his partner, but his lower body. He had wondered, had fantasized, had speculated. All for naught as his expectations were fulfilled and more. The ancient ones truly were gods. Gifted with the greatest of gifts. And he was the lucky one to have the gift shared with.

"You seem to like what you see, pup." the mischievous grin on Sorin's lips made him shudder as did what hung below. Litas couldn't nod frantically enough to agree with the statement. "Would you like to have a try?" it made his head spin to nod as fast as he did - but that could've also been because of his fantasy unfolding in front of him.

"Very well." Sorin grabbed Litas by his waists and hoisted him up into his lap. Litas shuddered as his cheeks brushed against Sorin's tool. For now though, the human had other plans. He hoisted Litas even further up so that he was barely touching the ground with the upper part of this back. His waist was hugged tightly and in a sudden flash of pleasure and bliss he felt something hot press against his tailhole.

He grunted, trying to suppress a moan. A futile attempt as Sorin started to work his hole vigorously with his tongue. He began clawing at the blanket again. It had long been torn by his claws. Deep furrows marked their session of love and Litas' loss of control. It felt oh so good. He tried biting his lips, but the pleasures of the flesh were too much.

"Don't stop." Sorin grunted. "Your moans are music to my ears."

He embraced Litas' waists even tighter and started working his tailhole with all the tricks an ancient one had picked up over the many winters. His tongue swirled, poked, prodded and wormed its way inside. Only to spread more saliva and love. Uncontrolled contractions and cute moans were his reward and he worked extra hard to make sure to milk them all from his partner.

Litas' erection bobbed and throbbed dangerously above him. Pre hit him in the face and his tongue went about lapping up all he could. He would cum if Sorin didn't stop. He would cum buckets way before the main event.

Thankfully, he did.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Take me already!" there was no anxious tip toeing around the fact he was speaking to an ancient. His body knew what he wanted and the words left his muzzle without him having any control over them. The lust was greater than any inhibitions or anxiety.

Sorin chuckled and pressed against the prepared entrance.

Another grunt left Litas' lips and then the human's head popped in. Followed by a solid few inches. Litas gasped and started writhing.

Sorin went about it slow. Very slow. Just slightly pushing in and pushing out. Driving his dick just a fraction of an inch deeper on every trust. Litas' hole clenched and convulsed, milking him so very good. It cost him all the willpower an ancient one could muster to not just pound away. Though, part of him was sure that his wolf wouldn't have objected.

He was hilted by the time Litas' gaze had lost focus again.

"Very good, pup." Sorin cooed, giving the wolf a belly rub. Feeling the slightest shift on the tip of his own dick. Groaning and other sounds of bliss were all he got in response. It was enough.

He started driving in and out of him. Slowly. Carefully. All the way in. All the way out. Keeping a watchful eye on his partner. There was never anything in Litas expression, that had Sorin worried. His pup was enjoying the treatment immensely. Testimony was the throbbing erection bobbing up and down in front of him.

Sorin started wondering just how far he could push the wolf. A goal formed in his mind.

He started thrusting. Somewhat faster now. The entire length. It elicited all the cute sounds from the wolf beneath him. And he started going faster. And harder. From sounds came cries, came a state of trembling and muscles turning to puddy.

"Are you alright, pup?" Sorin slowed his thrusting. Litas lay on the blanket, tongue lolled out to the side and panting heavily. His eyes were unfocused and his gaze far away. Gone into the lands of pure bliss.

"Don't... you... dare... stop." was all the response Sorin could make out, but it was all he needed. He started up again, doubling his efforts, tripling them. Going down on his pup with all the energy and power his young body could muster. He rutted him for all his worth. He made sure to hit all the spots and drive him wild.

He had to keep himself under control too. It was hard enough to not go over the edge too soon, but he still wanted to reach his goal. He watched the expression and the body language of his wolf carefully. He looked for signs - and he found it. It started slow - almost imperceivable. A slight tremble in the legs, toes that stopped wriggling and remained cramped, deeper, more voluminous breaths. Paws that balled into fists, followed by an uncontrolled lapping of the tongue. Folded ears, a low and long whine, reaching from breath to breath. His nipples, that just got that tiny bit more stiff. His dick, that started spasming faster and uncontrollably, balls that pulled in tight, the knot that started to engorge just a tad bit more. And finally, the walls Sorin was so busy railing, clenching and tightening around him.

Sorin let out a groan followed by a grunt as his dick was gripped like a vice and his wolf started cramping and shuddering all over while his dick shot a couple more of white, hot ropes into the air and on his creamy-white belly-fur. With his goal now accomplished he stopped holding back and dropped all of his remaining self control. He slammed in - once, twice, thrice - and with a last deep push he hilted himself in his wolf and shot his load.

Sorin's eyes rolled back, his own body started shuddering just like his partner's had not moments ago. Pure, unadulterated pleasure jolted through his body. An ancient's life of waiting and seeking was released in a few spurts.

Sorin collapsed onto the wolf and hugged him tight.

It was all good and well now.

Night had come about during their time together and the following recovery period. Sorin had rolled to the side as to not crush his partner under his weight and had pulled him close into his warm embrace. As their breaths had settled and somewhat normalized, they had begun kissing, sharing words of caring and affection. They had laughed and chuckled.

"That was amazing." Litas whispered into the chest of his human.

"This, pup, this is real magic." Sorin kissed him on his forehead.

Litas snuggled into his warm body somewhat more "Are there magic spells for this kind of stuff?" There it was. His curiosity back at it.

Sorin pulled back a little to face his cute wolf. His smile became a grin and there was a certain something in his green eyes.

"Oh, you mean something like this?" he snapped his fingers.

"What-.... OHHHH!" Litas' hips bucked wildly and he groaned as stars danced in front of his eyes. Heat radiated from his groins and he started shaking uncontrollably. Pure bliss and pleasure came over him and he lost all self-control, before dropping back into Sorin's arms. His dick still twitched. Whatever had remained after their love session had now been expelled in a sudden and unexpected orgasm. It left his legs trembling and his just calmed breath ragged again.

"Or like this?" Sorin snickered and snapped his fingers again, before Litas could stop him.

Another violent orgasm shook him too his core. It came out of nowhere as if he went from nothing to full blown orgasm in the matter of a blink. He shivered, trembled and moaned even louder this time. There were but a few drops of pre dripping into his fur this time.

"I-... I see." he gasped and tried to regain his breath.

"Another one?" Sorin had raised his fingers and Litas grabbed them just in time.

"You know, I don't really need to snap my fingers." Sorin's grin had become a warm smile again. The threat was left unheard.

"Please." he whined and hugged the human tight. "I need-... a moment."

"Sure, pup." Litas got smooched on the head and couldn't help but let out a sigh.

With his body now puddy and relaxing into Sorin's arms, he could finally close his eyes and rest his head and mind. What an adventure the last few days had been. What an up and down of emotions. He was just happy to have come out on top for once.

Sorin kept him tight to his chest, slowly petting him and stroking his fur. It seemed to have all turned well for both of them.

Sorin lowered his head to Litas' ear and whispered but a single sentence.

"You have never told me your name, pup."

Litas chuckled. "Litas. I am Litas."

"I love you, Litas."