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Shock. Grief. Confusion. Kemly did not know why this confusing mixture poured through him. But it began to haul him out of his state of bliss and back to his senses. First, the soft, fine warmth of Illeb's body against his, next the musky scent of his mate, and the voice of someone speaking. Kemly turned his head and gasped when he met eyes with a black-backed grey wolf. He seemed a little taller than Illeb, but leaner as well. He held a staff and watched Kemly and Illeb both with an expression Kemly couldn't quite recognize.

A twitch from inside Kemly reminded him just what this new wolf interrupted.

The wolf spoke to Kemly, “My name is Tuulpen, I was sent to retrieve you and the Kinless tied to you."

Kinless... in Tuulpen's voice Kemly heard the same tone when humans at Shore's Edge called him Marked. “You mean Illeb," Kemly said.

Tuulpen nodded. Kemly wished this wolf had come at any other moment than this one… That wasn't true. He was glad Tuulpen waited until Kemly sealed his bond with Illeb first, so the other wolf knew Kemly wouldn't just accept Illeb being mistreated. Illeb, Kemly noticed, had his ears flattened and had trouble looking at Tuulpen.

Kemly touched the wolf's cheek and asked, “Is everything alright?"

“I…" Illeb released a sigh glancing between the two.

“You might as well tell him. We will not be moving for some time, hmm?" Tuulpen said as he walked inside and sat next to them both.

“Tuulpen and I were very close," Illeb started to say.

“We were each other's mates," Tuulpen interjected. “Bonded until Illeb betrayed both me and the tribe."

Kemly felt a pang of guilt run through Illeb's chest. In that moment, though, Kemly just felt great anger towards this new wolf. Right now he and Illeb should still be recovering and reveling in their newfound intimacy, not dealing with this.

“I do not care what Illeb did in the past," Kemly said.

“Did you tell him?" Tuulpen asked Illeb.

Illeb whined a little before he said, “No."

“You wish for me to?" Tuulpen voice carried an old bitterness to it.

“Tuulpen please…"

Kemly said, “Stop it! You've no right—"

“No right?" Tuulpen snarled. “Boy you don't know anything. I was the second human turned after Illeb. When our memories of our old lives began to fade, we carried each other's stories. I carry Illeb's story as much as he carries mine. And I lost my memories because of him, lost the person I loved and dealt with the Ache for years grieving that loss and trying to understand what he did. Do you know what he did, boy?"

Kemly felt stunned. The wolf's voice had cracked on the word love like an egg meeting a hard surface. Tears beaded the corners of his eyes. The pain Illeb carried, the one Kemly felt now, he realized Tuulpen carried, too. Different, though, sure as Tuulpen's anger was different than Illeb's shame.

Tuulpen seemed to remember himself and sighed. “This is ridiculous. I will not have this argument while you are sitting on my mate's old knot." He stood and said, “I am sorry for my outburst. There is… much I've thought to say and never thought I would say to you Illeb. Perhaps it is best if those things remain unsaid." Tuulpen walked to the entrance of the cave before he finished, “I will wait until you both have collected yourself. Then we must leave at once."

Kemly watched the wolf leave the cave before Illeb released a deflating breath.

“I'm sorry, Kem."

“You don't need to apologize," Kemly said quickly, leaning into his wolf.

“Tuulpen… he's right about me. What I did to him."

Kemly idly ran a finger up and down Illeb's furry chest, watching the way fur parted around his hand. He asked, “Are you afraid to tell me?"

“Ashamed. I don't know what happened, it felt like I was struck by madness. It feels mad now, at least…" Illeb wrapped his arms around Kemly and hugged him tight before he continued, “Of the wolves who turned and made it out here, we always had one or two people we trusted with stories of our lives. After a year or so, our memories begin to fade, and now things I used to know are covered in… in a fog. I know the story of my life, but all of those details I can't reach for anymore. Can't see them, even if they're described to me. When I was exiled, about five years ago, it was because I asked Tuulpen to describe the face of my wife. Even with all the words I'd given Tuulpen, I couldn't see her… It drove me mad. I rushed to Shore's Edge, terrified that this was being taken from me for good. I pleaded with the guards at the wall, told them if they let me in and turned me back I'd show them where the wolves lived."

“That was you?" Kemly asked. He remembered the story, or what hearsay ran through the town years ago when a wolf showed up at the gates. A wolf who insisted he was once human, talking in their language and yelling up to the guards while they answered his pleas with crossbow bolts.

Illeb trembled against him.

“It was Tuulpen who found out. He and some others brought me back to the tribe. By then I'd realized how foolish I'd been, but I was judged as untrustworthy. I got stripped of my kinship to the tribe and exiled out here."

“Illeb…"

“Pathetic, isn't it? I was willing to throw away all I loved just because I couldn't accept what I lost."

“Illeb please, please don't say that," Kemly urged. He felt warm tears running down his face into Illeb's chest. Both human and wolf's throats were dry. Kemly said, “You were scared and made a mistake. It's okay now."

“I just…" Illeb choked and had to take a deep breath. “Kemly how do I face him? I… I really loved Tuulpen and still… how can you trust me knowing what I've done before?"

“It's okay, Illeb," Kemly said quietly, because he did not know what else to say. He just did trust Illeb. How could he not after all the wolf risked for him? “You are here now," Kemly eventually said. “I trust you because you are here with me now, not back there. You're not that person anymore."

“Kem…" Illeb's voice quavered. “Thank you. I'm not sure I deserve this, but thank you."

***

“After Illeb's exile, our entire tribe moved deeper into the wood," Tuulpen said as they walked through the dimly lit forest. “We do not kill our own, so exiling Illeb and then leaving him clueless to our whereabouts was the only way to guarantee he would not be able to lead the humans to us."

Kemly wore his clothes now and walked beside Illeb, hand clasping the much larger wolf's. They moved at a fast pace for Kemly, though he suspected it was leisurely for both Tuulpen and Illeb.

“He didn't, you know," Kemly said in Illeb's defense. “He didn't interact with no one till the Anesh sent him to me."

Tuulpen said, “We could not know that. He broke trust with our tribe, so we had to assume we could not trust him." Frowning, Kemly studied Tuulpen's back. The fur down his spine had been teased into a set of braids, with one strand dyed an eye-catching blue. When the sun caught it, Kemly thought it almost glistened like water. Beside him he felt Illeb's still simmering guilt, but Kemly had said all he could on the matter for now. He would do his best to defend his mate from whatever the wolves might throw at them both.

Wanting to change the topic for everyone's sake, Kemly said, “You told us the Anesh wanted me brought there. Why me?"

Tuulpen shrugged. “The Anesh are very old spirits. Their sight is long. My guess is that their long sight noticed someone who walked between worlds, and recognized what potential that might hold."

“Am I supposed to just work out some deal for everyone then?"

“No," Tuulpen said, stopping so he could face Kemly with a hard look. “Humans are killing the Anesh, cutting them apart piece by piece like they did your left leg. There is nothing we want negotiated, they must be stopped."

Kemly thought about the day before when he stood on a stump of one of the Anesh. Before him Lady Bough and her group of misfit settlers and Raysh with his imperial decrees and soldiers. Kemly never went into the empire, but knew it was vast. Knew there were a lot more mages and soldiers they could send. He glanced at Illeb, wishing the two of them could be left alone. “I don't know if it can be stopped. There are good folk in Shore's Edge, but not enough of them to stop what's going on."

“If it does not stop, we will all be in peril for it," Tuulpen warned. He turned around and started walking again. “We must keep moving. We can talk more about this when we make camp tonight."

Illeb finally spoke up. “If we are in such a rush I can carry Kem and we can—"

“No, the human must walk. His body should feel the length of this forest so he can know just how great a loss we face."

***

Though he kept a determined stride, Illeb felt how hard Kemly's pain at the pace Tuulpen set. Kemly's it became a weight in Illeb's body as well, but the human never once complained. He walked with them until the light in the woods dwindled. They came to a stop at the bottom of a long slope. There a screen of tightly grown trees blocked wind blowing up the slope.

Tuulpen said, “We will make camp here. You did well, Kem, keeping up with us today. Illeb will hunt for us while you and I set up camp." Both Kemly and Illeb hesitated, until Tuulpen said, “I promise to take care of the boy. I know you are a better hunter than me, Illeb, that is why I'm asking you to hunt. Besides, your connection wouldn't let me simply leave you behind in the first place."

Kemly started a little. “You know about it?"

“I sense it, yes," Tuulpen said. He studied them both a moment before he asked, “Neither of you understand it, do you?"

Illeb finally remembered what the snake marking Tuulpen's chest meant. “Tuulpen… you became a spirit runner?"

The wolf nodded. “I am the first of our kind, those who were turned, but yes. I've been apprenticing for some years now. It was where the spirits led me after you… hmm, well there is no need to return to that now."

“Spirit runner?" Kemly asked.

“It is the closest translation," Illeb explained. “In wolven Tuulpen is carries the title of Agghysstriss."

“Almost, I've not earned the title yet, but in a few more years I should be ready for its burden."

“Tuulpen," Illeb couldn't help but feel some of the long buried affection for his old mate, “It is wonderful to hear the elders let you do this. I remember you longed to learn when…" Illeb's words trailed off, just as his smile did.

“Yes, it has felt like a gift to learn. I feel closer to this world than I ever had before," Tuulpen said, his eyes mirroring the same mix of emotions Illeb felt. Though if Tuulpen felt them himself or just reflected what Illeb felt, he could not be sure. Spirit runners were empathic by nature, and soaked in what others felt like a sponge. It was such a powerful trait that if they saw a creature wounded it would be as if they themselves had been wounded.

Illeb said, “I will hunt, I do not wish to put you through slaying something when it could hurt you as well."

“Thank you, Illeb," Tuulpen said with a grateful nod. “I will explain what he means when Illeb leaves," he added, sensing Kemly's confusion. “It is fortunate you two are tied together as you are, for it will make the explanation easier for you to understand."

A lump swelled Illeb's throat that he needed to swallow before he said, “You mean the connection me and Kemly share is a matter of our spirits?"

Tuulpen nodded again. “I am not sure what consequences it carries for you both, and perhaps my teacher will know more. But looking at you both, I can clearly see your spirits grown into each other like bramble around oak."

Kemly shuddered. “Doesn't bramble strangle oak?"

Tuulpen said, “It can. Whether your bond is safe or not, I cannot say."

***

When Illeb left, Tuulpen put Kemly to work gathering some firewood. While the boy scavenged around the forest floor, Tuulpen moved, as if he already knew where to look, around their clearing, gathering stones he used to arrange a fire pit. Kemly returned with bundles of fallen branches and twigs, which when he set down, Tuulpen asked, “Did you find anything bigger?"

“There was a bigger tree limb that looked like a storm downed it."

“Show me."

Kemly led Tuulpen to the spot, the now near darkness made it hard to spot had Kemly not tripped over it. By now, his nightvision was sharp as it could be, but still most things were just shapes in the dark. The dark wolf included. He carried back the limb, which must have been as thick as Kemly's thigh at its torn base. When they reached the campsite, Tuulpen leaned the limb against the tree and stepped on it. The wood snapped as easily as Kemly might a twig, with a loud crack that filled out the night. By the time he finished, several small logs sat next to Kemly's rather diminutive pile.

The wolf gathered some of the twigs together in the fire pit next. He then waved his staff over the pit and said something in his kind's language. Bright tongues of flame erupted in the center of the pile soon as he finished speaking.

“You can do magic?" Kemly asked.

“Nothing like that wretched mage in your settlement," Tuulpen said as he stoked the flames with more wood. “He takes from others. The Anesh gave me this staff, and the energy is drawn from my own spirit. I can only do minor things, like what you just saw."

Kemly said, “I see." He did not really, but he turned back from the fire to scan the darkness. He didn't sense any trouble from Illeb.

“He will return, you needn't worry," Tuulpen said.

Kemly faced the wolf again. “I'm not worried about him coming back."

Tuulpen sat down before the fire with a sigh, as if he waited the entire day to get off his paws. Kemly felt a similar ache, and joined him on the ground across the fire. Tuulpen told Kemly, “You may not be worried, but you already miss him."

Kemly pursed his lips and demanded, “What are you getting at?"

“Nothing. I am just commenting on it. Though it pains me to see Illeb again, I am also glad he has found love again."

Kemly almost got mad at himself for how easily he blushed at that comment. He bowed his head to try and hide the change of color, “I don't think… we've barely gotten to know each other."

“There is no need to hide your face from me, Kem. I feel your feelings like the heat of this fire. You do not need to be embarrassed."

Kemly reluctantly looked up and saw that over the fire Tuulpen was giving him a soft smile. “You feel them?"

“It is the blessing and curse of spirit runners. We develop senses of the world that feels much like what you and Illeb share. Though we feel what others do just by our proximity to them." Tuulpen said before his smile broke into a toothy grin, “Which, speaking of, if you wish privacy with your mate please let me know so I can leave camp. The heat of some fires are harder to ignore than others."

Kemly felt flustered in an instant and tried again to hide it before he realized he was, in some ways, amusing Tuulpen with his embarrassment. Kemly cleared his throat and said, “How long will we be traveling for?"

“At this pace, some days yet. It took me two days on my own."

Kemly thought of all that walking. He knew his foot and leg would be aching by the time they got to where they were supposed to. A place far away from Illeb's den…

“You do not wish to go," Tuulpen said.

Kemly nodded. “Despite how hard things have been at times, I've been grateful for all that's happened. But I wish me and Illeb could have time alone together. It feels like I spent my whole life being shunned and not noticed and now everyone wants me for something."

Tuulpen said, “I appreciate you coming with me, and think it will be good. It might perhaps be a step towards letting Illeb rejoin the tribe."

“You really think they will let him return?" Kemly asked.

Tuulpen sensed the question Kemly really wanted answered. “If he did, you would be able to live with him. Though I do not know how you would be received, we would never turn another spirit away. Especially when the Anesh seem so fond of you."

Kemly glanced around the wood. “They're fond of me?"

The trees were dark shapes in the night, and had no answer for Kemly.

Tuulpen chuckled. “Do you think they would pay you so much attention if they were not? Perhaps it is your foot that makes them feel kinship to you."

Kemly squeezed his peg and asked while studying it, “You really think this is what draws them to me?"

Tuulpen's chuckle turned into a hearty laugh. “No! That would be like you finding kinship with someone who used your cousin's skull for a soup bowl." Kemly glared at the wolf, but his expression softened at Tuulpen's winning smile. “Dear boy, only the Anesh can tell you why, and only if they wish to tell you."

Kemly felt strange talking so friendly with another wolf. It did not help that this was Illeb's old mate, or that, presumably, would still be Illeb's mate had that been possible. He knew what Illeb felt when he saw Tuulpen, and it was nothing but grief for what he lost and longing for what felt out of reach. Kemly worried that, along this trip, Illeb would remember he knew Tuulpen for years while he only knew Kemly for two nights. Fond as they were, connected as they were, Kemly wasn't naive enough to discount the weight of time.

“Something troubles you," Tuulpen said, breaking a silence Kemly unknowingly drew out.

Kemly sighed. “I… do not wish to talk about it. I am sorry, but I would like to go on a walk."

“You wish to be alone?"

“Yes."

Tuulpen stood and said, “Stay by the fire and I will give you space. If you wander the woods at night there is a chance you will become some animal's prey, frail as you are."

Kemly winced, but knew Tuulpen was not wrong.

“Call for me when Illeb has returned and food is ready, will you? I will make sure to be close enough to hear if you shout."

***

Tuulpen had not meant to leave the camp only to run into Illeb, but it seemed the Anesh were determined to make paths cross tonight. He sensed his old mate before he heard or smelled him. He turned to face the other wolf as he moved through the dark.

Tuulpen said, “Kemly is at the camp, beside a fire. He will be fine, he just wanted to be alone."

“Ah," Illeb said sheepishly. “I was not able to catch more than some small game."

He carried by the scruff a few dead rabbits he must have found in a burrow.

Tuulpen said, “It is fine. We will make sure the boy eats, since humans cannot go as long without food." Illeb lingered a moment, hesitating. “You have something to say?"

“I'm sorry, Tuulpen, for everything I've done. I've grieved most for what I did to you."

Hearing this only filled Tuulpen with a familiar, crestfallen grief. “Sweet Illeb, I am not sure you have learned your lesson out here, when the person you should feel the most grief for is yourself."

“Tuulpen…"

“You do not need to apologize anymore than you have. I forgave you long ago. I just... I was not prepared to see you this morning. I lost my temper, and while I forgave you for what you did to me, as a member of my tribe, I can't forgive you for what you did to them."

Illeb's tail tucked under his legs. “I understand…"

“I do wish I could comfort you more. I've missed you, and while I've moved on and bonded to another, it does not change what I felt for you."

He could tell hearing that eased Illeb's pain as much as it confused him. “What do we do now?" Illeb asked.

“You love the boy, don't you?"

Illeb's jaw hung open a moment, but he nodded. “I don't know how to describe it Tuulpen. I just… I feel…"

“It is okay, dear," Tuulpen said, grabbing Illeb above the wrist and squeezing his arm. Illeb shuddered. It was the first time they had touched each other in more than five years. “You do not need to explain. You have been alone a long time. I am happy you have someone again."

“Tuulpen… thank you."

“Thank the Anesh, the boy, yourself. But not me, I did not make this happen. You still care too much for the pain of others. Did you tell the boy why you were exiled?"

“Yes."

“That you begged to see your wife and child because you wanted to care for them again?"

“I had a ch-ch…" Illeb stumbled on the word. But Tuulpen's grief was so great he barely felt the other wolf's shock.

“Spirits Illeb, you forgot?"

“How could I remember? Five years is a long time, I can't even remember breaking down at the settlement gates. I just remember you dragging me back to the tribe, Bishnekara cleaning my wounds after they took the crossbow bolts out of me, and then the elders passing judgement. They were the ones that told me what I did."

“What did you tell the boy then?"

“That I went back so I might remember my wife's face, but now all I know is I had a wife."

“Her name was Melgret."

“Melgret… I will try my best to remember."

“Do you still remember my sister's name?" Tuulpen asked, finally letting go of the other wolf.

“Selbough," Illeb said.

Tuulpen nodded. “Thank you, Illeb, I had forgotten. You had best get back to camp. Your mate missed you the moment you left."

***

Governor Frault returned quietly as he left. But Shore's Edge was a settlement where no one passed unnoticed. Fear of the curse made sure of that. A fear which already worsened. It had been three days since that wolf broke into the settlement and took Kemly from Sir Lyon. The mage kept himself locked away in his workshop, and Carrow had left for the Thrush.

Lady Bough had no guess what came of the hunter. Nor did it matter. In a matter of days she uncovered more about the curse than all her time at the settlement. All that remained was to find out who bore responsibility for creating it in the first place.

The lady sent a messenger out to Governor Frault, asking if he might spare time for afternoon tea. Lady Bough spent years working into Frault's graces, so it surprised her when the prompt response from the governor was, “The Governor says he's got too much to catch up on." This received by Carrie, who stood in the doorway of Lady Bough's cottage.

“Surely he would need to take a break from work," Lady Bough suggested.

Carrie said, “I pointed that out lady, and he said he had too much to do. What with the fire and all this nonsense with Kemly, he seemed in a state you know."

Lady Bough frowned, “What kind of state?"

“You know how the governor gets some time, all red-face and voice strung up. His hands were sweaty, too. Saw in his office a bunch of scrolls all scattered around his desk."

Lady Bough said, “Perhaps I should pay him a visit."

“He'd throw a fit, lady."

“That's what I'm hoping for."

Lady Bough left in a dress, her cloak, and gloves that went up to her elbow to protect against the cold. She pinned her hair in a bun using a long, thin painted bone. The governor's mansion was on the north end of the settlement. Like Sir Lyon's workshop, the original settlers built it a little apart from the rest of the settlement, with a stone wall and armed guard at the gate.

Unlike Sir Lyon's men, though, these were actual men who lived inside the settlement. So when Lady Bough approached the gate, the soldier smiled at her. He had an oiled mustache and a rasping voice. “Afternoon Lady Bough, here to pay the governor a visit?"

Lady Bough returned his smile. “Good afternoon, Brannan. I thought I would check on his health, see how his trip went."

Brannan said, “I see, well I'm sorry to say lady, he gave orders to not let anyone else disturb him."

“Oh, Brannan, I am hurt," Lady Bough said, “Am I just anyone?"

The guard warmed to her. “Course not, Lady Bough, but he might let me have it if I just let you on through."

“Come now, and what is the worst he can do? You know our governor is all talk," Lady Bough said, leaning in and giving the guard a wink.

Her charm worked. “You are right. Listen, my wife has been wanting to lead the choir in a song she wrote a few weeks back. Think you might let her do that?"

The lady stepped back and adjusted her gloves. “Of course, your Frindheld has a lovely voice. And really the Shore needs more folks encouraged to share more than just Thrush wood and grain. The spirit is nourished many ways you know."

The guard beamed. “Thank you, Lady Bough."

Brannan let her in, and Lady Bough made her way through the front door. The house servant heard her entry. A mousy young woman greeted her, and after exchanging pleasantries and catching up, she cheerfully led Lady Bough to Governor Frault's office. It was at the end of a hall on the second floor, a wide room with a large window looking out over the town. As they approached, both the servant and Lady Bough heard shouting from the office. Lady Bough grabbed the servant's shoulder and whispered, “Perhaps we should wait out here a moment."

Also not wishing to confront the governor right now, the servant agreed. The two stood outside the door, Lady Bough trying her best to hear what came through.

“What do you mean you spoke with the emperor? I just spoke with—"

A second voice, quiet and contemptuous. “There are many ways to contact our lord. You left town under the cover of night to try and speak in secret, when I could have scried for you any message you wished. As it stands, I have orders directly from his lips." This had to be Sir Lyon.

“I do not believe you. My commission for Shore's Edge lasts another three years, the woods are ripe. The empire needs those woods."

“We do not decide what an empire needs."

“What the fuck am I supposed to do then? What do I tell the men? The logging crews?"

“Tell them there will be work for them soon. There are more valuable things in the Thrush than wood. I will need their help collecting that, as well."

“And you won't tell me what that is?"

“Like you, my commission comes from the emperor. I am not beholden to anyone but those at the capital."

Lady Bough felt she had enough of that conversation, and she did not wish to be caught out eavesdropping. She turned to the servant and asked, “How about we wait in the governor's tea room?"

The girl led Lady Bough to the nearby room connected to the hallway. She sat at a couch until the door to Frault's office opened. A single set of boots walked down the hall, and Sir Lyon passed by the doorway. He paused when he saw her, making eye contact before nodding. “Lady Bough."

“Sir Lyon," Lady Bough echoed.

“I hope you do not mind me using the youth you had protect you the night of the wolf's attack. He seemed just so resourceful and like one eager to move up in the world."

Lady Bough concentrated on keeping her voice and expression even. “I would never begrudge another spirit to do as they desire. I am glad you saw the same potential in him that I did."

Sir Lyon gave a polite bow. “I appreciate it, now I must be off. Take care, my lady."

As he left, Lady Bough could not hold back a shudder. She thought again of that wretched soul turned into a Thrush tree, his screams coming through a snapped, bleeding branch.

Taking a deep breath, Lady Bough let the servant lead her into Governor's office. He had been sitting with his head lying in his arms on his wide desk. He looked up first in anger then sheepishness. His face was still red from his fight with Sir Lyon. Governor Frault's mouth flapped once, twice before he said, “L-Lady Bough. I thought I told—"

“You did, my lord, but I was worried about you. And with good reason it seems. You left Shore's Edge on what they called a vacation but you look haggard as one of my Marked in winter."

Governor Frault grimaced and leaned back in his chair. He waved to a seat across from his desk. “Very well, let us talk. It seems I will have more time on my hands than I thought."

“Ah, I saw Sir Lyon leaving as I came in," Lady Bough said.

“That mage," Governor Frault said the word with a dark sneer. “The spirits have certainly tested me with his presence here."

Lady Bough asked a probing, “Oh no, has something happened to sour your relationship?"

“Oh, it has been soured, my lady. I would tell you more, but I wish to not even think about it. Besides, the whole settlement will know soon enough."

Lady Bough made sure not to give anything away as she said, “It is just as well. Sir Lyon has had a troubling amount of days himself. You heard of the wolf that attacked his workshop?"

Governor Frault nodded. “Oh yes, and I heard you were there in the thick of it. You are lucky to be unharmed, my lady. Shore's Edge would be simply desolate without you."

The flattery Lady Bough could do without, but she responded positively, giggling a little to try and tease out the governor's good humor. “You are too kind, my lord. It was such a strange turn of events. One minute one of my Marked was saying there was no curse at all. That he had been bitten and nothing happened."

“Then a wolf attacked the settlement just to drag him back into the Thrush," Governor Frault finished for her.

That was how most saw the account. Still, Lady Bough needed to try and push something out. “Yes, well, I was quite shocked when I heard it. My brother turned you know? One of the first."

Governor Frault grunted. “Mmm, I remember. A tragic turn of events, but it did bring you hear to carry on your brother's work, and we have been blessed since."

“Yes, the loss shook me to my core. We were all we had growing up, I knew that he would have asked of me to carry on his work if he could. Which is why it made the boy, Kemly, his claim about the curse so troubling."

Governor Frault lifted a brow. “You mean about the curse not being real? Why your presence is evidence enough."

Lady Bough said very carefully while watching Governor Frault closely, “Yes… what troubled me is he told me the wolves claim it was some curse of magic turning humans into wolves."

Spirits bless him, Governor Frault was a very poor actor. He scoffed loudly. “How ridiculous. Are you saying Sir Lyon is responsible for the curse?"

“It seems like madness, does it not?"

Governor Frault rose out of his chair. He barely stood taller than Lady Bough even when she sat down. Like her brother she was tall and lean. “Madness indeed. Why, if Sir Lyon was the cause wouldn't someone see him dumping wolves out of his workshop? Frankly, it sounds like it was a good thing this boy was taken back to the Thrush. Let him live with the wolves if he thinks so highly of them."

Lady Bough nodded. “I admit, I am saddened by his loss, but only because I am sad at the loss of any spirit in our settlement."

“Did he tell anyone else about the curse?" It was Governor Frault who now watched Lady Bough very carefully.

She shook her head. “Just me. And I told him he frankly insulted the memory of my brother and his parents with such a preposterous claim." Lady Bough stood and asked, “You still seem troubled, Governor. Perhaps we could retire to your tea room? We could relax and talk of what shows are playing in the capital. Surely you managed to visit one of the theaters before you left?"

This suggestion pleased Governor Frault. His pinched and pained and angry expressions softened into a smile. “Yes, excellent suggestion, my lady. I am so grateful a lady of taste exists in the settlement."

Lady Bough held open the door for the governor. “After you then, my lord." When Governor Frault's back was to her, Lady Bough allowed her glare surface just a moment, enough to convey an ounce of the hatred she felt towards those who took her brother from her.

***

The trip to the wolf tribe never lost its urgent pace, but the tension between the three of them relaxed with the journey. Tuulpen did not begrudge Kemly's relationship to Illeb, and the three got on well when they managed to talk around old wounds. Kemly learned what to expect of the wolf tribe, who called themselves Moskhewenke, but after tripping up on the word several times, Tuulpen told him, “It means Those Who Walked from the Ashes, but perhaps The Ashen would be easier for you?"

Kemly appreciated not being asked to embarrass himself.

The deeper they traveled into the forest the stranger things became as well. Flitting creatures that walked on two legs and glowed in the now nearly constant dark would follow them. They were spirits the size of mice, but liked to watch and recreate what the three travelers did. There were mushrooms that filled the forest floor with scattered bioluminescence. Birds the size of chickens would zip and dart about overhead, their beaks bright glowing red while their wings worked in the dark fast as a wasp's. Everything about the forest now felt completely alien and strange, yet it happened so slowly Kemly barely felt uncomfortable at all. From Illeb, he felt his mate's nostalgia for these deepened interiors of the Anesh.

Kemly realized they were close when suddenly the path they traveled became easy. Forest undergrowth disappeared for a carefully tended path that occasionally circled round trees, but otherwise tended straight and wide enough for a horse drawn cart. Tuulpen told them, “We are close."

Kemly felt a swell of fluttering nausea in Illeb's belly and grabbed the wolf's hand. Tuulpen sensed it too and said, “Illeb you will be fine. You will be treated well, if not companionably. Though…" Tuulpen's tail drooped a little, “I may be expected to be more stern with you both. If that is the case I apologize."

Illeb said, “Your duty is your duty."

Kemly asked, “Will they separate us?"

Tuulpen shrugged. “I cannot say. But, judging by what you both told me of your adventures, I doubt either of you will need to go rushing into danger to save the other. Despite what you've been told at the Shore, Kem, wolves don't bite." He looked back and spared them both a wink, “Unless, of course, you want them to." Kemly felt heat run to his face, and knew beside him, a similar flustered feeling ran through his mate.

Kemly and Illeb both talked during the journey about Illeb's old relationship with Tuulpen. There were things still left unsettled, but Kemly told Illeb he did not mind the wolf feeling old tugs of attraction for Tuulpen. What they did not discuss was what they should do about Kemly feeling those same tugs when the wolf softened into a playful attitude. Like that wink, or his laughter after he teased Kemly that first night.

They walked along the road for another hour before Tuulpen came to a stop. Kemly wondered if they were about to set up camp. He had lost all sense of time at this point, and relied on both Tuulpen and Illeb for when to do such things. But instead, he noticed Tuulpen's ear flick, felt Illeb tense with anticipation as well, then heard himself the sound of movement through the forest. Two wolves appeared next to Tuulpen so quick Kemly started. The wolves embraced Tuulpen, and the three became an indistinct mass of physical affection. Kemly felt Illeb's longing, but the two were ignored while the wolves exchanged greetings in their tongue. Tuulpen motioned back to Kemly and said something. Both wolves now gave him an appraising look, before Tuulpen said something that made them both laugh. It was frustrating to not know what was going on, but he held tight to Illeb and patiently waited. The wolves departed quickly and Tuulpen turned to say, “Those were the watchers. They have gone ahead to let the village know of our arrival. Space will be made for you both, and food prepared as well."

“Did you know them?" Kemly asked. “They seemed awfully happy to see you."

Tuulpen said, “We all know each other in the tribe, but you mean our greeting, hmm?"

“Wolves are less guarded than humans," Illeb said dryly. “We express our feelings through touch, and they were happy to see Tuulpen returned."

And like a key, it clicked into place that Illeb must have spent years used to such touching, and lost it all in a single day. One of the many things he lost. A creeping dread told him that even if the wolves were not unkind, their silence towards Illeb would still be a deep wound. Not once did those two wolves acknowledge their exiled tribe member.

This time, Illeb gently squeezed Kemly's hand. A quiet, unspeaking exchange between them told Kemly his mate appreciated his sympathy. During their trip through the forest, the bond that connected their spirits had only deepened. To a point that at times, they didn't even need to speak to let the other know what they thought.

They continued down the path until the forest's density began to wane. The small spirits that followed them trailed off, and light began to break through the canopy again. Bright light that stung Kemly's eyes till he adjusted to it. By then, on both sides of the roads were plants growing with buds of some bright vegetable hanging plumply from their stalks. Kemly noticed a few wolves working at harvesting these, investigating them and taking the ripest before they dropped them into woven baskets. Ahead he saw the trail drop down a hill, the trees breaking off until they only grew every ten or so paces apart. And there at the base of the hill Kemly saw the shape of a village made of wooden lodges. And running up the hill were a dozen or so wolves that Kemly quickly realized were shorter than him. They came yelling loudly and Tuulpen ran forward snarling, waving his staff theatrically above him before the wave of wolf children crashed into him. Tuulpen quickly let himself be overwhelmed and the pups bowed him over before he went rolling and wrestling with them, growling playfully.

From Illeb, Kemly felt that mixture of affection and longing again. The two of them stopped and watched Tuulpen loudly play with the pups. He would shout in The Ashen's language and occasionally toss pups into the air, catching them while two children might play bite at his legs. This frantic match of wrestling finally ended when a wolf with patches of grey along her muzzle came waving her hands. She drove the children off, who scattered back to the village, a chattering bundle of chaos and fur. This older wolf spoke to Tuulpen a moment. She wore around her neck several glowing beaks that hung above her breasts, which would be bare if not for the large fur of some creature thrown over her back and fastened with a button of bone. Her fur was red like a fox's, except where patches of grey crept in. Her left ear carried three fine industrial piercings that caught the light, each a flute of some turquoise stone.

Tuulpen returned to the two of them with the new wolf in tow. Tuulpen said, “Kemly, this is Bishnekara."

She bowed her head to him and spoke some greeting to Kemly before she turned to Illeb and huffed. Illeb seemed sheepish as she said something stern before approaching the wolf and wrapping him up in her embrace. Kemly nearly started to weep from the wave of emotion that swept through Illeb. Illeb quaked in the smaller wolf's embrace, tears beading his eyes but his tail wagging as he hugged Bishnekara back. Like a tiny leaping spark, Kemly suddenly recognized that Bishnekara was Illeb's adoptive mother. The one who took Illeb in as kin after he had been turned. The two broke the embrace to touch their brows together, Bishnekara cupping Illeb's muzzle in both hands. She rubbed away his tears with a single thumb before she stepped away and turned to Kemly. “I know little human tongue," she spoke. “Thank you for my son's return."

Kemly struggled to find an anchor through the flood of Illeb's emotions. He eventually smiled and said, “I am happy you saw him again."

She bowed again and turned to say something to Tuulpen before they began to walk down into the village, Bishnekara and Tuulpen leading while Illeb and Kemly followed. Illeb whispered to him, “I am sorry, this will likely continue to be a difficult trip for me."

“It's fine, dear," Kemly said, hugging his arm and leaning into the auburn wolf as they walked. “It seems it's not been all bad. Maybe they will let you live here again when all's said and done."

“And what about you?"

Kemly studied Tuulpen's back, admiring how the fine, black fur caught the light. “I think if they would have me, I would be happy staying."

Illeb did not say anything in response, but Kemly felt the bright warmth pounding in the wolf's chest.

At the center of the village, a larger round offered more of a clearing than anywhere else in the forest. Here, Tuulpen explained, most ceremonies and meetings for the village happened. Most of the buildings consisted of longhouses, some used for the making of goods and others for habitation. These buildings were dug into the ground, and they numbered in about two dozen in all. Some were built around trees, and it was to one of these the four traveled. Wolves from across the village noted their passage but few did more than that. Some stared of course, having probably never seen a human before. When they reached the doorway of their destination, Tuulpen and Bishnekara stopped.

The older wolf took Illeb's free hand and said something Kemly could not understand. Tuulpen said to Kemly, “Bishnekara will take Illeb to her home, where both of you will be staying with her kin till it is time for you to leave. You will follow me into the Agghysstriss Lodge, where only spirit runners and those they invite may enter."

Kemly looked up at Illeb, who tried to smile down at him. But Kemly felt his worry, too. “It will be alright, Kem. We can trust the wolves, and if I feel anything I will come running."

They both embraced tightly before Kemly let him go. Tuulpen let Kemly watch Illeb be led elsewhere in the village a moment before the wolf said, “The elders are waiting. Please try to clear your mind, we are sensitive to your feeling after all. They will wish to judge more than just your spirit."

Kemly finally tore his gaze away and said, “Lady Bough always told us our bodies were just extensions of our spirits. Do wolves not think that way?"

Tuulpen did not answer. “Lady Bough?"

“She runs the church at Shore's Edge."

“Ah, I see. You know that's why I came to the Shore, to found a branch of the Church of Spirits."

“Huh, so if you weren't turned we might have known each other. Lady Bough raised me after my mom died."

“Not your father?" Tuulpen asked.

“He died before I was born. My mom never told me much about it, seemed like it shook her up to think about."

“Hmm," Tuulpen glanced inside, “To answer your question, wolves see the body, mind, and spirit as all connected. One is not more important than the other, all parts need to be tended in order for a person to be healthy. Illeb could tend to his body all he wanted, but alone his spirit would rot. That was the true punishment of his exile, you know? I'm not sure even he fully understood it, but I wept for him, Kem. I grieved more than I would have if he had died begging to be let back into Shore's Edge."

Tuulpen spoke with a weight on his tongue. He sighed and said, “We have kept them waiting long enough. Let us go."

The building was built into a great tree. It smelled smoky, and along the floor several furs had been lain in a circular path around the tree. More hides hung up along the walls, some of these carried beads with intricate patterns. What they depicted Kemly couldn't begin to guess at, but he was led around the building where three older wolves sat cross-legged exchanging a smoking pipe. Upon seeing Kemly and Tuulpen, they scooted backwards and motioned that the two sit with them.

Reluctantly, Kemly followed Tuulpen's lead. Tuulpen took the offered pipe and dragged off it before handing it to Kemly. Kemly hesitated, holding it up to his mouth. The wolves watched him expectantly. The smoke from the pipe made his eyes water and the smell reminded him of the incense the church might burn, only this was harsher. Reluctantly, he put the pipe to his lips and breathed in. The hit of smoke struck the back of his throat and he sputtered and coughed immediately. Someone took the pipe from him while two of the wolves laughed as Kemly coughed, holding his throat while his eyes watered and he struggled for breath. A strange warmth passed through his body, lingering in his head like coals simmered in the back of his skull.

He heard one of the wolves speak its tongue, but at the same time: “You think all humans take the pipe this poorly?"

“Wonder if he disappoints his mate the same, eh? Do you know, Tuulpen?"

They were speaking their language. He knew because the sound felt off from his tongue, but he understood what they said.

Tuulpen spoke in the Ashen's tongue as well, “I cannot say. They chose not to couple while we traveled."

“Shy, you think?"

“Perhaps," Tuulpen said.

“Wh-what?" Kemly said. The warmth had passed, but those coals remained. It did not hurt, but he felt strange regardless.

“Aneshkabar," which Kemly now knew meant “Peace to your spirit." This said by one of the elder wolves who added, “My name is Peshtaal, kin of the Woven and Steady." Peshtaal might have been the oldest wolf Kemly had seen. The lips of his muzzle were wrinkled, and all his fur were different shades of grey. A big mole grew out of the fur along his cheek.

“Aneshkabar," said the next wolf in the circle. “My name is Korvinsk, kin of the Glowing and Loud." Korvinsk was a white wolf with a gentle voice, high and feminine. Their fur seemed carefully trimmed and they wore some red dye as eye shadow above their blue eyes. They seemed young as Tuulpen. Kemly felt a little flustered when they looked at him.

“Aneshkabar, my name is Shenswip, kin of the Calm and Wet," said the third wolf. Shenswip was between the age of Peshtaal and Korvinsk, a wide-set wolf that looked like he could plough a field better than an oxen. His fur was a brown that lightened on his front and turned nearly black at his broad shoulders.

“Aneshkabar, my name is Tuulpen, kin of the Glowing and Loud," Tuulpen said, exchanging a look with Korvinsk.

What it conveyed, Kemly had no time to think on because they all watched him expectantly.

“I don't speak wolf…" Kemly said, expecting them stare blankly back.

“Yet you understand it, as we understand you," Peshtaal said.

“How, though?"

“Is he always this rude with his elders?" Shenswip asked Tuulpen.

Tuulpen rested a hand on Kemly's knee. “He is simply curious of our ways, even if he feels flustered by them."

Right, all of these wolves sensed what he felt! He winced and Korvinsk said, “You do not need to feel embarrassed. Please, we will explain, but greet us as we greeted you."

Kemly, nodded reluctantly. “Peace to your spirit, my name is Kem, and I am not sure I have kin."

Korvinsk chuckled, a soft pretty lilt to their voice. “Kem, if you had no kin you would not be here. We gave you family names, but if you do not have one tell us who your parents were."

Kem swallowed down his nervousness, and said, “Alright, then, Kem, kin of Ebaird and Melgret."

Korvinsk's soft, encouraging smile ended soon Kemly finished his introduction. They asked, frowning, “Is something wrong, Tuulpen?"

“I…" Tuulpen looked at Kemly with an alarm that scared the human. “I am sorry, I must break the circle. I need to go and… I will explain later. I am sorry, Kem, elders," he bowed till his nose touched the ground, “Know this is a violence I must commit."

All the wolves seemed worried, but said nothing as Tuulpen broke the circle. Kemly felt one of those coals tug against his skull painfully a moment before it withered. The other wolves shuffled forward to close the circle again. Kemly asked, “Is everything alright?"

“Certainly not," Peshtaal said. “You felt it, boy, that hurt! I'm too old to endure such things."

Korvinsk said, “The humans you mentioned brought some memory back to Tuulpen. He is likely going to the Kinless to ask him about it, since the Kinless carries Tuulpen's memories of when he was human."

“I… Tuulpen might have known my parents?"

They shrugged. “We cannot say, but you have completed your part of the ritual, and we can begin Kem. You have questions, no?"

Kemly started by working his way backwards. “We can understand each other?"

Peshtaal said, “Spirit runner magic, boy. It only works so long as we stay in the circle. Soon as we break it we'll all be jabbering at you senselessly again."

“Will it hurt to leave?"

“Not if we all break the circle together," Korvinsk said gently. “You will be safe among us, have no fear."

“What about Illeb?"

“The Kinless is only here because the Anesh told us to bring him with you," Shenswip answered. “He will leave when you do."

Kemly pursed his lips, idly, his hands picked at the fur they sat on.

“You are frustrated with us," Korvinsk observed.

“I felt what Illeb did when he returned. I know how badly he misses it here. Hasn't he been punished enough?" Kemly asked Korvinsk, seeing them as the most reasonable of the three.

It was Peshtaal who answered, “When the Kinless—"

“Stop calling him that!" Kemly snapped.

Peshtaal was stunned. Shenswip murderous, and Korvinsk trying their best to remain calm among them. Slowly, Peshtaal started laughing, which broke into a hearty, barking sound until his body had enough and he began coughing. Both Korvinsk and Shenswip went to him, but Peshtaal waved them off. “I'm fine I'm fine!"

“I can feel your pain elder," Shenswip said with a grimace. “Please don't pretend—"

“It will be alright, Shen. I am just admiring this boy's spirit. It is surely what drew the Anesh to him in the first place," Peshtaal said, offering Kemly a smile. Kemly felt his anger a little disarmed by the wolf. He expected more of a confrontation, but Peshtaal said, “Very well, Illeb's punishment was made in consultation with our tribe and the Anesh. While members of our tribe might think he has learned his lesson, the Anesh have not told us he is ready to be returned to his kin, and they have as much a say since his actions endangered them as well."

Kemly's fists bunched into the furs. He took a deep breath and tried to remind himself that getting frustrated did no good. He wanted to understand the Anesh the way the wolves did, he really did. But when they kept doing things like this…

“How do you speak to the Anesh?" Kemly asked, voice tight as he tried to keep his emotions at bay. “I want to speak to them," he added quickly.

“We cannot add the Anesh to our circle, nor do they have tongues to talk with. We speak by communing our spirits," Peshtaal answered.

Korvinsk added, “As spirit runners, one of our chief responsibilities is to maintain our tribe's bond with the Anesh. We speak with them regularly, and if you wish Kem, we can speak on your behalf."

Kemly nodded, feeling some of the frustration ease from his chest. “Thank you, yes I would appreciate that."

“If we are offering favors, then I think we should ask the boy for one as well," Shenswip said, leaning towards Kemly. “We wish to know why the Anesh took interest in you. Tell us Kem, when did you and…" he struggled around the word, “Illeb first meet?"

Kemly supposed telling the three spirit runners might help him untangle why exactly he and Illeb had been drawn to each other. Hesitantly, but with steady encouragement from the three wolves, he shared his story.

***

“What is wrong, Tuulpen? Where is Kem? You said—"

“Kem is fine," Tuulpen said. Illeb's old mate paced in a small room at the back of the longhouse of the Weighted, the family Illeb once called his kin. Tuulpen had asked that family to give them both privacy, running wolves out of the back of the home. Not even their reunion had left Tuulpen so… frantic. The last time Tuulpen had been this frantic, Illeb was only half conscious with a dozen crossbow bolts in his hide.

Finally Tuulpen stopped and asked, “Did you know?"

“Know what?"

“Spirits, of course you didn't. How could you—you forgot so much and—"

“Tuulpen!" Illeb grabbed his old mate by the shoulders. “What is wrong?"

Tuulpen ears folded back and he looked away. “Damn the Anesh, for leaving it to me to tell you this..."

“Tell me what?"

“Kemly is your son, Illeb."

Illeb just stared at Tuulpen, muscles going slack.

Tuulpen gently led him to the ground, until they were sitting together. The shocked wolf leaned against Tuulpen's grey chest, his voice a little muffled as he repeated it. “Kem is… my son?"

“He told us, his mother's name was Melgret," Tuulpen said, voice clearly pained, “And his father was Ebaird. That was your old name, dear. Kem was the child you never met."

Each moment left Illeb more and more hollowed out. It could be heard in his voice: “Kem told me his father died before he was born."

“He doesn't know, Illeb."

“And that means Melgret is dead," Illeb said the words with a cloying in his throat. “I can't even remember what she looks like and yet… I…"

“It is okay to feel grief, dear. Do not feel silly for it."

Tears began to bead Illeb's eyes. He wrapped Tuulpen close, and his mate gently stroked his chest. The spirit runner's chest heaved with his own sob, overcome by Illeb's grief. Both wolves began to weep in each other's embrace.

***

Kemly felt Illeb's sudden pain. The heaving in the wolves chest, his throat tight and dry, the warm tears on his face. And all this strange grief he did not have a name for. Kemly felt it so deeply he paused in his story, struggling to hold back tears.

The three spirit runners felt it through Kemly. Korvinsk offered, “Please do not worry, Kem. Tuulpen is likely with Illeb right now."

“I…" Kemly felt he needed to leave and see his mate. He took a deep breath and asked, “Can we continue this another time?"

“We can reconvene tomorrow, but before we do, I wish to examine this bond of yours," Peshtaal said. “Lean in for me, boy, so I can touch your face."

Thoughts elsewhere, Kemly listened to the wolf to end this meeting as quickly as possible. The wolf's hand cupped Kemly's face and stayed there for a few moments before it withdrew. Peshtaal said, “I believe I understand it."

“Can I leave then?"

“Wait boy! This is important. We all understand the duty to comfort those close to us, but that is why we have many mates and many we trust. Illeb should never just be your responsibility."

Kemly resisted snapping back that it would be hard to let anyone else care for Illeb while they kept the wolf in exile, but he simply nodded.

Harrumphing, Peshtaal said, “Very well, there is an old story you know, of a wolf who formed such a connection between his spirit and one of the Anesh. They longed for each other so much that eventually, the Anesh allowed the wolf's spirit change them to a wolf as well. Though it has been many generations since it happened, such things are what create clearings in the forest such as the one our village is in. It is not as densely packed because an Anesh chose to become a wolf to be with the one they were connected to."

Halfway through his story, it dawned on Kemly what Peshtaal meant. “So I am going to become a wolf?"

Peshtaal shrugged. “The Anesh became a wolf because their partner could not grow into an Anesh. But never has such a bond existed between a human spirit and wolf spirit. You may remain as equals, or you may turn one to the other. Who can say?"

“But if I did turn into a wolf… would me and Illeb be able to stay here?"

“You may be welcome, but Illeb's punishment—"

“Then what would be the point?" Kemly snapped. “If I turn Illeb back to a human, they still won't let us back into Shore's Edge. The mage there wants me dead. We just live in exile no matter what happens to us?"

Korvinsk laid a hand on Kemly's leg. “Your frustration is understandable, and your devotion to your mate admirable. But do not believe those are your only options, Kem. No one has decided the future yet."

Kemly spared a glance at the tree behind him. “That hasn't stopped these woods from meddling." He ignored Shenswip's growl and said, “I want to see Illeb. Can we be done here?"

Korvinsk said, “There is still much we need to discuss, but we can reconvene. I will lead you to where he should be staying."

Korvinsk offered their hand, and Kemly took it, and soon they had all joined hands in a ring. Kemly followed their lead, bowing his head and saying a prayer before those coals in the back of his head withered away. The strange warmth they brought now suddenly cold before Korvinsk spoke to the two other spirit runners. Then said, “Kem" to indicate Kemly should follow them.

In the sunlight, Korvinsk white fur was even more dazzling: like freshly laid snow on a bright morning. They led Kemly across the village to one of the longhouses along the perimeter. There, several wolves hung about outside, seeming bemused. Korvinsk greeted them, and after some conversation, one went inside to fetch Bishnekara. The older wolf came outside and took Kemly's hand. She said, “They wait. Come."

Bishnekara led Kemly through the longhouse. Most of the building consisted of a single open room at its front. The floor held more furs and bare dirt, a fire pit for cooking, some stretched hides with paintings on them reminiscent of the one Illeb had been making in his den. All of this Kemly barely took in before Bishnekara brought him to a room at the back of the house. A bedroom of sorts, the furs piled here were soft and fine. A narrow, but long window in the back of the room let in light. And waiting underneath it, both Illeb and Tuulpen sat, grimacing when they saw Kemly.

“What's wrong?" Kemly asked.

Tuulpen said something to Bishnekara, who quickly left the room.

“What did you say to her?" Kemly asked.

“Just that we wished for privacy," Illeb told Kemly. The wolf had been crying. Kemly heard it in his voice. He felt it in Illeb's throat. But the mix of emotions Illeb felt… Kemly had no clue what to make of anything.

“What's wrong, dear?" Kemly asked, approaching the two.

“I… please don't come any closer," Illeb said when Kemly was only a few paces away. It hurt to hear that, but he listened.

Tuulpen said, “Perhaps I should leave."

“No Tuulpen," Illeb said, grabbing his old mate's arm. “You… you were the one who found this out. You may be needed to answer questions I can't."

“What questions?" Kemly asked.

“Kem, where to begin?" Illeb said. “What did your mother tell you about your father?"

“She didn't like talking about him," Kemly said, something turning in his head. A deep, distant thought that hadn't quite taken a recognizable form. It made him nervous, but Kemly kept talking, “All she told me was his name and that he was the first person the wolves took in Shore's Edge. My mom was seen as bad luck for it, you know? Why she never got with someone else. My father, though, folks just told me he was dead."

But he wasn't, Kemly realized. That thought barreling forward. Why else for Tuulpen's reaction? For this question? His heart started to pound, his face flushed and he stared at Illeb who returned his gaze with… the wolf's whiskers drooped in a frown, but his eyes still carried so much affection. Illeb had said it right before Kemly kissed him the first time, “I've felt this kinship to you I've not been able to explain..."

Kemly said, “My father isn't dead, is he?"

The affection in his eyes creeped toward his lips. Illeb was relieved, admired how quick Kemly was, even.

“You didn't know, did you?" Kemly asked.

“How could I? I didn't even remember I had… I had…" Illeb choked on the words.

“A son?"

“Yes."

Kemly stared at his father. Who, like Tuulpen, could no longer look at Kemly. The human felt something curling up inside him. Kemly spent his whole life thinking his father dead. And Illeb spent those seventeen years here, trying to put his life together, forgetting Kemly even existed… but Kemly wasn't mad at that. None of this was Illeb's fault. And then the Anesh brought them back together, but as what?

Words sprung from Kemly's mouth. “I want to hear you say it."

Illeb flinched, but said quietly, “Kemly, you are my son."

“And if you're my father, what does that make us?" Kemly asked, not sure what kind of answer he wanted.

Illeb muttered, “I will accept whatever you think is best."

Kemly felt a little angry at that cowed response. “Is that it? Do you not want me anymore?"

“Kem…"

“Well?"

“I do, I do still want you," Illeb spoke up, getting a little riled himself. “But if this changes things between us then—"

“It changes nothing!" Kemly snapped, feeling both angry and exhilarated as he said it. He crossed the distance between them and embraced Illeb, falling into the comfortable embrace of the wolf's arms. The smell and warmth of him hadn't changed. The soft touch of fur on his skin the same. He nuzzled into Illeb's chest, voice muffled by fur as he said, “You're such a fool."

“I'm sorry… I just…"

“Quit apologizing," Kemly said, feeling himself overcome with emotion. He felt tears sting his eyes and hugged Illeb tight. “Quit feeling bad for me just because I love you." Illeb's whole body went rigid at the words. “You are what I want, Illeb. Nothing else. I mean—" Kemly sniffled and pushed away to look Illeb in the eyes, “Can you even be related to me anymore? You're not human, and we got along fine not knowing."

“Kem, I'm glad I know what happened to my son," Illeb said, and Kemly could tell his words had stung.

“And I'm glad my father's not dead," Kemly said, he touched Illeb's cheek. “But whoever Ebaird was, that wasn't you. And I don't want you to think you need to be that. I just want you Illeb. Who you are now is who matters to me."

Illeb hugged Kemly tight again. “Kem, thank you. I love you, too. Thank you, thank you."

Tuulpen cleared his throat. “Um, perhaps I should be leaving now."

“Wait," Kemly grabbed Tuulpen's wrist as he tried to get up again. “I want you to stay."

Tuulpen could surely feel that all this emotional upheaval and catharsis had left a certain part of Kemly aroused as well.

“You can't be—"

“Peshtaal told me wolves have many mates."

Tuulpen shook his head. “Kem, Illeb is… I am forbidden from—"

“Only touch me, then," Kemly said, feeling warmth stirring in Illeb's sheath at the suggestion. “I owe you for helping us find each other, really find each other again."

“Illeb!" Tuulpen hissed. Kemly knew his mutual arousal with Illeb must be having an effect on the spirit runner as well. He said himself the warmth of some fires were harder to ignore than others.

Illeb chuckled. “It'd be best if you just let him repay you, Tuulpen."

Tuulpen growled at them both before he said, “I suppose I've been curious what Illeb sees in you."

Kemly grinned and slid off Illeb's lap next to Tuulpen. He touched the wolf's muzzle, which was black on its top but a fine grey color on its underside. “Let me show you," Kemly whispered before he led Tuulpen into a kiss.

It was cute how much the other wolf responded to Kemly's touch. He quaked with a wanting Kemly hadn't expected, but he still hesitated when they kiss. Kemly stroked his cheek, pushing their lips together, his tongue coaxing at Tuulpen's mouth. The wolf relented, and Kemly's tongue pushed inside. He tasted the other male's mouth and felt his pulse speed up. His cock pushed against the fabric of his trousers while he ran his tongue across Tuulpen's sharp fangs before their tongues met. Tuulpen released a long breath through his nose before his paws pushed under Kemly's shirt, touching his warm belly and stroking skin. Kemly shuddered, and Tuulpen's tongue pushed into his mouth to explore it. While the wolf did, Kemly felt Illeb nuzzle into the back of his neck. His father growled before nipping the back of his neck. The human was sandwiched between the two wolves: Tuulpen's hands and tongue exploring the boy while Illeb helped pull off Kemly's open, tattered shirt. It felt good when the familiar fur of his mate rubbed softly against his back.

Illeb's hands rubbed along Kemly's length in his pants while Tuulpen now groped his rear. Illeb growled and said to Tuulpen, “His clothes are a nuisance aren't they?"

Tuulpen broke the kiss to say, “I've not missed having to wear them. You've taught him well, Illeb."

Illeb traced a claw up Kemly's neck and along his jaw. “Mmm, much as I'd like to take credit," Illeb craned Kemly's head back so he was looking up into his father's muzzle. “He came to me with these skills." Illeb kissed roughly, forcing his tongue into Kemly's mouth and making the boy gasp. While he did, Tuulpen licked along his skin, tasting the human's salt before he settled on one of the boy's nipples. He teased it with his tongue before pressing both lips to the bud and sucking. Kemly whined, never having some stimulate him there before, the sensation was sharp but good. Teeth teased his nipple while tongue dominated his mouth. It lasted a few sweet, tender moments before Kemly felt a lupine arousal pushing against the small of his back.

Illeb and Tuulpen released him at the same time, though Kemly had no time to get his bearings because Illeb shoved Kemly into Tuulpen's lap. Kemly found himself face to throbbing sheath, the first few inches of wolf cock already peeking out. Tuulpen's thick musk made Kemly whimper a little with need. It poured off that large sheath, which Kemly nuzzled his face into. He took a deep breath, savoring the way that scent teased his senses. He felt a welcoming haze settle along him. Behind him, he felt Illeb manhandling his bottom half to remove his pants, but in Tuulpen lap, with the wolf's obvious arousal, he barely noticed. Kemly propped himself on elbow and tipped Tuulpen dick to his wet lips. Kemly loudly moaned, a shock of pleasure playing through him when he tasted Tuulpen's dick. He eagerly stroked the shaft with a hand while he licked along it, teasing around the sheath so he tasted fresh musk as Tuulpen's arousal grew.

Behind him, Illeb buried his muzzle in his son's ass. His teeth nearly chattered at the smell of his boy's musk. That now familiar scent. He tongued Kemly's rim quickly, finding the boy's muscle relaxing at his touch. Illeb's tongue pushed its way inside him, teasing and working along Kemly's walls to get the boy ready for his cock. He needed Kemly now. Needed to reclaim him to show that nothing had changed between them. His cock ached with the need, dripped messy drops of pre into the furs while Kemly tried to squeeze around his tongue. Those soft walls now slick with spit as Illeb pushed more and more drool against and inside his boy.

Tuulpen felt overwhelmed by the pair. Illeb's urgent need to breed his son mixed with his son's submissive pleasure left Tuulpen unsure if he wanted to fuck Kemly's throat or beg Illeb to take him like old times. Fortunately, Kemly made the decision for him. Warm lips, smeared with Tuulpen's precum, kissed the pointed tip of his cock. Kemly had risen up to take Tuulpen in his mouth. The wolf bared his teeth and tried his best not to shove the boy down, not wanting to hurt him. Kemly seemed blissfully unaware of Tuulpen's struggling. The boy was in a rapturous state, the powerful musk of two wolves leaving him with no other thoughts but servicing them. While Kemly worked down his shaft, Tuulpen watched Illeb sit up with a snarl, manhandling Kemly's back half to put him in a position for Illeb to fuck him. The wolf grabbed his son's backside roughly with one hand while his other lined up his cock.

Tuulpen's breath hitched when Kemly's did. Cock opened up his ass, that familiar, burning pleasure as he was claimed again by his father. Unlike previous occasions, Illeb did not patiently ease in, but quickly shoved half his cock in by the second thrust. Kemly groaned at the sudden pain, which Tuulpen gasped at as well. But Kemly didn't stop. He felt what Illeb did. And desperately wanted father to claim son as well. He bore the pain and focused on bobbing his head deeper, till Tuulpen's cock teased at his throat. Given the haze from lupine musk, it was easier to relax his throat and push Tuulpen into the tight seat of his throat. Tuulpen growled, resting a hand on Kemly's shoulder, claws pricking skin to bear with the warm swallowing around his prick.

Illeb loved the sight: his son's entrance red and puffy from Illeb's cock, a deeper red shaft that teased that rim down then up as Illeb pushed and pulled out. His son's muscles clenched weakly while Illeb pumped his hips, forcing more and more dick inside the boy's yielding warmth. His ass seemed bred to take a dick like Illeb's. No matter how insistent Illeb was, Kemly just ground backwards, trying to encourage the wolf to hollow him out even more. It made Illeb snarl and grip the waist of his boy tighter. And he felt the penetration, too, which made Illeb more eager. He felt his son's pleasure, how that first painful thrust blossomed into a warm pleasure spreading through him, each push inward teasing his nut and being felt all the way down his hard dick.

Illeb bottomed out in his son and paused there a moment, panting. Then with a curse, he leaned down and bit Kemly on the neck. The boy shuddered and Illeb felt his walls spasm. His seed spilled onto the furs below. Illeb ignored it and started ploughing Kemly, feeling his knot already rising while his balls slapped roughly against Kemly's thighs.

His father's dick made him feel so much that Kemly barely registered his orgasm. But what did bring his attention back was when he heard Tuulpen groan. The spirit runner felt what they felt, and with his cock sheathed in a willing boy's throat, it was all too much. Tuulpen's dick twitched inside Kemly before lupine cum began to fill the boy's throat. Kemly moaned, a little encouragement as he swallowed warm seed and bliss took over his body again. Kemly wanted desperately to taste it, and drew back only to have his mouth filled with sticky, musky wolf cum. The thick essence of wolf spilled around his lips while he struggled to swallow several blasts from Tuulpen's balls. The wolf's seed coated his palette, and seemed to stretch out his own orgasmic bliss.

Illeb fucked his son so fast his swelling knot punched inside and out the boy. Ramming and ruining his messy hole until his knot got so large he could no longer pull out. He clenched his teeth around the bleeding mating bite he still kept to his son while his balls churned against Kemly's thighs. Cumming inside his son nearly hurt with how much it wracked his body. The wolf spasmed over Kemly while Illeb's cock flexed inside him. Seed spilled in thick gouts, enough cum to quickly rushed up against that knotted seal and that Kemly's belly began to swell with his father's claim. The boy shuddered weakly beneath him while his belly grew heavy and warm with his and Tuulpen's cum. Sweet, exhausting pleasure rushed through Illeb as he sated his need and his balls unloaded more and more cum into his son.

Illeb finally released his son from the bite, tenderly licking his bleeding shoulder. By the end of the year, his skin would probably become dotted in scars from similar bites. Tuulpen gingerly withdrew his own spent cock from Kemly's mouth, and the boy rested his head on Tuulpen's lap, panting softly.

Tuulpen said, “The boy… is pretty spent."

“Mmm, we will rest here," Illeb said, collecting Kemly and lying his son across the furs so Illeb spooned him without breaking their tie. Tuulpen sat next to them, watching before Illeb asked, “Will you join us?"

Tuulpen chuckled, “I would like to. But if anyone asks, I'm here because of Kemly. Not for you." Tuulpen lied down beside them. With Kemly nestled between the two, Illeb nuzzled Tuulpen cheek and made sure to keep his old mate close to them both.

***

Rain sung across the roof. Tuulpen's ear flicked and he groaned, body fighting with itself as he roused from a warm, dreamless sleep. Illeb still had a heavy arm slung around Tuulpen, and between them that human, snoring softly. Tuulpen thought, had things been different, he might savor many days spent like this. He wanted the moment stuck in time, time to enjoy his old mate and take in the love Illeb felt for Kemly.

Kemly's reunion with his father, if that title meant anything, seemed the only good to come from Illeb's exile.

Tuulpen quietly hoped that exile might come to an end soon. Strong as their bond might be, two spirits should never be condemned to live alone. Bonds and community, relationships with others, objects, the land, these all strengthened the spirit. That is what Korvinsk taught Tuulpen when they took the wolf as an apprentice.

Speaking of…

Reluctantly, Tuulpen carefully untangled himself and quietly left the room. The longhouse was inhabited again, Bishnekara stopped him only to ask if her guests were alright. Tuulpen told her as much, unsure who should be told the true nature of Illeb and Kemly's relationship. The rain was a steady, fall storm. The sort that just washed the land in water, and all across the village, furrows dug into the dirt channeled water around the longhouses and outside the village. It drained to the beginnings of a nearby marsh where they collected wild rice.

Korvinsk, Tuulpen knew, sat back leaning against an Anesh. The tree shielded them from the rain while they looked out down a slope to where the marsh began. Korvinsk said as he approached, “You have rekindled your bond with Illeb."

Tuulpen flinched. “You sensed it."

Korvinsk tapped their muzzle. “Smelled it, dear. Sit with me."

Tuulpen sat next to Korvinsk, black shoulders touching white. Tuulpen said, “I hope that was okay."

“I do not mind," Korvinsk said. “I love you and wish to see you follow your heart."

“I… thank you, Korvinsk," Tuulpen said. He settled more against them, enjoying their scent among the rain.

“Besides," they joked, “Saves me the trouble of having to sate you."

“Do you really dislike it that much?"

Korvinsk chuckled. “Not at all, love. You know my appetite is just not as great as yours. I'd rather enjoy your company in the rain."

Tuulpen smiled and nuzzled into Korvinsk shoulder. “I know, I am grateful to have you. And love you, and love spending time like this."

“The boy, he's related to Illeb isn't he?"

Tuulpen winced.

“His father then? Kem is very young, and Illeb has been a wolf for a while."

“Nothing passes your notice, does it?"

“There is a reason they made me the youngest spirit runner the tribe has had, dear Tuulpen."

Tuulpen did not plan to bring those two up, but since Korvinsk did… “What do you think the Anesh want with Kem? I did not ask you if you communed with them while I was traveling."

Korvinsk shrugged, lifting and lowering Tuulpen's head with the gesture. “The Anesh have told us nothing, and I do not believe it is because of some grand plan. I think they are just hoping the boy will act based on what he can learn here."

“How much do you plan to teach him?"

“Nothing more than the basic stories. They should be free to return home in a week's time."

Tuulpen whined a little at that.

Korvinsk lifted their arm to pull the black and grey wolf closer to them. They said, “There there, the years are long. I am sure they will not be exiled forever."

“But they are as short for the Anesh as they are long for us," Tuulpen said. “And it is their word we are waiting on."

“Patience, Tuulpen."

Tuulpen growled a little, but settled after some time. They relaxed together for some time. The rain had begun to die down when noise from the village roused them both. Korvinsk looked over their shoulder while Tuulpen faced the village. “A ruckus?" Korvinsk asked.

A bunch of wolves had gathered around the village square.

“I cannot tell. It does not seem anyone is in danger," Tuulpen said.

“Still, what is the point of a noisy crowd if not to attract others, hmm?" Korvinsk got up and said, “Let us see what the fuss is about."

Tuulpen heard him yelling for Kemly before the wolf even pushed his way through the crowd. A human in a heavy traveling cloak with a pack, weapons on the ground next to him and his hands bound. He was afraid, but keeping it buried under a mask of frustration.

“Any you speak Balamese? I asked to be taken to Kem, not to be gawked at."

Tuulpen, seeing he might be the only one gathered who spoke the language, rose to his full height and said, “Give me your name and how you found us and I may let you live to see the human."

The human glared at him, “Carrow, and a mage Raysh got me here. Or rather, this spell he worked up led me here. Now let me see Kem, or all our spirits are going to be ten ways to fucked."