I realize it's been...months since I started this, but I haven't had the most time in the world this last little while either. Still, I DO plan to get this story finished, no matter how long it takes me.

Anyways, enjoy.


The other Beorc had taken a hint and left, leaving only Sol and Marco. And only a few feet apart. Twenty seems about right.

Obviously Sol was worried. He didn't feel like he could talk his way out of this, even if he was against a Beorc. Too bad this particular Beorc seemed as battle-ready as any Laguz. So that left him with escaping or fighting.

Hm...escaping could work; Sol was definitely fast enough. But then this "Marco" knew the area better and was his only lead at this point. Escaping now meant giving up on Malini and everyone else. Well, maybe not, but sometimes you have to think like this to convince yourself of things. Basically, the wolf had to stand his ground and fight.

"Some time for my first real battle...and I have to start like this too..."

Battling with a chain was fairly unheard of in these parts. Maybe Sol would be alright. He had trained with this for quite a while, but his aim was still...how did Malini put it? "Unrefined", that was it. The only the wolf could really do any damage was with the metal wolf claw he had attached to the chain's end.

Luckily this all flashed through Sol's mind in about a second. Unfortunately, Marco was only willing to wait that one second.

As Marco began his dash, Sol took a step back and took aim as quickly as possible before launching his weapon. Meanwhile, the target quickly stepped to the left to dodge. Many ranged fighters made the mistake of striking where their target was currently, rather than trying to predict movement.

Sol had made the mistake too, but he didn't have the greatest accuracy, so...

"What?!" Marco exclaimed, surprised as the metal claw slashed his shoulder. "He actually connected? Who is this kid?"

"Wow. Go figure." Sol smiled, pulling the chain back.

Was his lack of skill being mistaken as some sort of "tricky strategy"? As long as it worked it was fine. It wasn't like Sol was planning on killing the Beorc; just subduing and questioning. Hopefully there would be no more death today.

This time Marco didn't wait for Sol to finish thinking.

Sol threw his chain in battle for the second time in his life, though this time in more of a panic. And while Marco was zig-zagging towardshim to dodge, it didn't really matter; the chain struck the ground about one foot away from the wolf.

"...crap."

And now Marco was within slashing distance. With no time to block, Sol held up the chain to block the first sword swing.

"This is what a real battle feels like? Not as much killing intent as I thought."

Sol managed to keep his strength in line with Marco's. The swordfighter wouldn't win by overpowering him. But then that's not what sword-fighting was about. Marco raised his weapon and prepared to stab. Still, the chain would be between the sword and Sol's face.

But precise aim could fix that problem.

To Sol's surprise, the sword slid through a loop in the chain ("how the hell did he do that?!") and stopped at his neck.

"There's that killing intent!" Sol thought, frozen in place.

"You were a strange opponent." Marco said, with absolutely no emotion in his voice. He twisted his sword ever so slightly, earning a drop of Sol's blood.

How strange that Sol seemed to enjoy the scent of his own blood. It was...almost intoxicating. Was this what they called blood lust? Whatever it was, it provided unexpected confidence. He felt so alive.

Dropping his chain, Sol back flipped and narrowly avoided a fatal cut. Marco himself was quick to jump away after unlocking his katana.

"Not bad." Marco said, this time with a bit of excitement. "But now Tusaki has tasted you. You won't escape."

"I'm not trying to escape." Sol grinned.

He shot out a quick kick, which Marco easily blocked. But Sol wasn't finished. With his free leg, the Laguz leapt of the ground and nailed the swordsman in the head, barely landing back on his feet.

"My aim's not bad now, eh?" Sol smirked, brimming with confidence.

"Interesting technique." Marco coughed, regaining his stance. "I wonder..."

Tusaki flashed towards Sol and twisted around his guard to slit his arm.

"Ready to die?" Marco said, mentally preparing himself for the kill.

Only to barely dodge a right hook.

"So I was right before..."

Sol continued with a flurry of punches, none of which connected. That last cut hurt like hell and his battle lust was fading. But then it wasn't like he could simply give up.

Maybe it was time for his trump card.

The wolf`s train of thought was quickly interrupted when one of his punches connected with a metal surface; Marco`s sword. The vibrations off the blade threw Sol off balance and the swordsman didn`t hesitate.

In a split second, Marco was behind Sol and Tusaki was at the wolf`s neck.

Yup, he couldn't back flip out of this one. In fact, even transforming right now wouldn't work; before it was complete, Marco would have had plenty of time to kill him. Who was he trying to fool anyways? He was no hero, just a normal Hatari. Hell, there were much stronger Hatari back home, but that didn't mean they could take out an army of stronger-than-average Laguz. But no, he had to try and save everyone by himself, being the idiot that he was. Maybe he deserved death for his stupidity...

"Will you transform now?" Marco broke in. "No sense denying it now."

"I...what?"

With that, Marco sheathed his sword, causing Sol to quickly turn around and punch him in the face.

"I'm not finished with you!" Sol growled. Here comes the battle lust. And more importantly, his transformation. He was soon in his natural orange-furred wolf form.

"A Hatari?" Marco smiled, picking himself off the ground. "It's been a long time since I saw one of the desert wolves."

"Where's Malini?!"Sol shouted, completely disregarding the fact that this was the first non-Hatari who knew of his species.

"I don't know who you speak of."

"You're after a Branded girl. I heard you earlier."

"I am, but her name is not Malini. Nor is her alias."

"Oh really? How convenient." Sol said sarcastically.

"It's also convenient to believe Malini is the only Branded girl someone would be searching for."

"Even if it's someone else, she might be connected. There was a Branded village raided not too long ago." Sol tried to reason.

"I've heard..." Marco began, turning away from the wolf, "that a band of Beast Laguz are hiding Branded slaves nearby. I'm sure you can find more answers in Freyr."

And with that, the swordsman was off. Sol returned to human form and re-locked his chain.

"One more thing. Well, two." Sol called. "Why didn't you kill me?"

"A Laguz fighting in human form is at a handicap. I'll kill you when you fight properly."

"Oh...kay." Sol nodded. What a friendly guy this was...

"Second thing; how do I get to Freyr?"


Night fell shortly before Sol reached town. The wound on his arm proved more distracting during the walk than the fight; a make-shift bandage made from leaves was his only treatment. It wasn't like he could have a priest heal it for him.

Anyways, he was finally in Freyr. So now he just needed information. Which sucked, because this was his first visit to a Beorc town. How nice it would be to just relax and explore.

"Now then..." Sol thought, double checking to make sure his ears were hidden. "How do I get information without looking suspicious?"

Asking people on the street would get him nowhere, except in trouble. Someone once mentioned that Beorc gather in "pubs".

"So what exactly is a pub?" he wondered, looking at unfamiliar signs. He knew how to speak the Common Tongue used by Beorc, but he could only read in Hatari.

Which meant he was practically forced to talk to someone on the street now.

"I need to find the most non-suspicious Beorc."

His wolf eyes were as sharp as ever in this darkness, so he could spot people before they spot him. Well, in theory.

"There you are!"

Sol froze in place at the voice. Hopefully, it wasn't directed at him. Maybe if he just walked slowly...

"Yeah, you know you're in shit now!" the voice continued. Sounded like some pissed-off girl.

In any case, Sol didn't want to die today. He had enough of a near-death experience today anyways.

The voice was getting closer too. Run back the way he came or fight it out? Decisions, decisions...

Maybe he should get a look at the hunter before deciding. If they were wielding a bow, Sol could probably just rush them.

Yet pointing a knife towards him was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her red hair was almost painfully bright, yet traces of black roots balanced them out. Add in sharp hazel eyes and a well-fitted outfit, and she was very stunning.

"Aw, surprised to see me?" she said, a smile growing on her face. A smile that Sol instantly recognized.

It was the smile a hunter gets right before the kill.


Not as long, I know. But hopefully it was still enjoyable.