Chapter 32

Wolf and Darkest Past

I

The Treachery of a Merchant

When the sun arose once more to illuminate the basin of Ketchiwa mountain it also in respective parody illuminated our minds to the activities of Lawrence and Matthias, who, last we had seen them, were released from prison on peculiar terms. They being that Lawrence was to dedicate his time and efforts to the kingdom of De Buhr who faced certain bankruptcy and was ready to cut off all loose ends and liabilities at a moments notice.

What aim did the man have in aiding and assisting a tyrant such as his host? None knew for the time being for during the time when he was released until the present morning he laid in bed and slept many hours. The despairs brought upon his body and mind called for sufficient recuperation in equal measure. And when he awoke his body groaned in anguish, for the torture yielded the same consequences of a dozen sprains across his personage.

He durst not murmur, for Matthias was much more worse for ware. When properly assessed it was concluded that the leg wound had become infected despite the searing remedy provided by Lawrence. The affected tissue had swollen greatly while puss oozed from its corners and amidst the use of herbs and poultices, the infection needed to be drained which Matthias harrowingly awaited for.

Once Lawrence awoke he inquired what day it was, then bolted upright when informed he had been recovering for days. He wobbly rushed to the servant and demanded to be placed in the study De Buhr had fore arranged so that he could make good on his promise without the wavering confidence of the man who dictated his comfort and misery.

The servant, Tefri, replaced him back in his room along with the suffering Matthias and instead, brought the study to him. Placed before Lawrence were half a dozen albums containing ledgers, business deals and expense reports. Upon first glance, there was nothing deemed useful to what the merchant had in mind for what he had access to were on Jurgen's legal side of business.

Still agonized, Matthias near scolded him, "Finding what you are looking for?"

Lawrence turned in his chair to admonish a stern look to compel the man into silence for Tefri was nearby tending to the leg wound. Of all traders, merchants and shop keepers Lawrence had the pleasure and displeasure of having discourse with, non could compare with the tenured cunning of Lord De Buhr. The man's entire life and career had been nothing short than the subtle crafts of deception while keeping his pursuits suppressed from the public eye.

Yet Lawrence was a reckoning force when time came to think analytically who concluded as to why Jurgen would dispatch but a simple servant instead of a group of thugs to occupy him under surveillance. As he may have guessed, Jurgen wished to have Lawrence examine information he only desired him to see to oppress his greater knowledge, then to uncover Lawrence's real intent, put him in a position of comfort with his ally so he would feel more obliged to share his ulterior motives while the inconspicuous Tefri would overhear, observe and report.

It was for this rash reasoning, Lawrence desired his companion to withhold any complaints that demanded honest answering. And Lawrence's desires came at a price, for he did get them, at the expense of Matthias groaning horrifically when Tefri applied the poultices to the infection.

Lawrence returned cross examining that which was given to him as a means to drown out the wails of suffering his good nature would necessitate his focus to.

An hour and a half passed on uneventfully, save slight interruptions of Tefri gracing them with refreshments. Matthias would become agitated from time to time when detecting none other than Cyrus lurking about and awaiting that one excuse to barge in and liberate their blood from their vessels, but Lawrence ensured none could be given.

Midday could be seen through the windows and at that time, De Buhr entered unannounced and expressed his wishes to lunch with them. The lunch was a modest one at that, yet Lawrence was at a crossroads with this cordial act of ceremony. Either De Buhr was attempting to obtain trust for his own means, or he simply wished to poison them and be done with it.

At long last, after an uncomfortable duration of chiming silverware and chewing sounds, Jurgen, upon wiping his lips with a napkin said, "Forgive the scarcity of abundance, what food I had in the cellar has been packed into barrels and loaded onto my vessel, what petty amount remained, is what is before you."

Lawrence chewed awkwardly while peering over to his host, and replied with the uncertainty provided when addressing his former torturer in a formal setting, "You plan on leaving soon?"

"I am afraid so. Which may all the well be more fortunate for you."

Perking his eyebrows the merchant asked, "How so?"

Upon taking a sip from his goblet, Jurgen replied, "Well the informant I dispatched to keep me updated on your wife and roughen has not reported back and I have received no news concerning my other arrangements with the natives and the little band of Cyrus', therefore I assume the worst and that they have failed. This can only mean that Holo is alive and well and very little stands in the way between here and her."

A slight sigh of relief pushed itself from Lawrence's lungs who quickly concealed it by raising his glass to syphon the dregs. Then in a quick counter point to ensure De Buhr felt he had all the power said, "Well, it's not as fortunate for me when considering you have all the more reason to cut all ties upon your leave."

De Buhr rested his silverware whilst he gazed upon Lawrence inquisitively, "No matter where I intend to go, my debts will follow me to the ends of the earth. I consider you, with understandable unease, to be my last lifeline to save me from whatever fate has in store for me. There is more for me to loose than gain in the moment for killing you."

"Speaking of,' deviated Lawrence by extension of his hand towards the ledgers, 'I have made some discoveries in your practices that, if corrected, can balance out the deficit."

"Go on."

"I noticed that whichever product you invest in, you pay out of pocket for the shipping. If you diverted that to the private sector, I'm sure you could find a shipping company to move the goods at a lower rate."

Jurgen flexed the corner of his mouth as if to somewhat ridicule Lawrence's perceived ignorance by which he responded, "That is not a secure option for me." said he.

After coolly taking a sip of wine, Lawrence replied, "Yes, because I can figure as to why you would prefer to handle the shipping yourself. Because along with the honest goods, you most likely are smuggling illegitimate products that you can't risk being moved by anyone on the outer circle of you operation."

"Touche." remarked Jurgen.

"I can only figure what you smuggle are weapons and currencies to either arm your subordinates you have placed across the map, or payoff what is owed to members of the tribunal."

Jurgen paused, as if frozen in time.

"Yes I know about the tribunal, and rest assured your secret is safe with me, given that there is nothing I can do with the knowledge of it in the moment anyway."

"Well, seeing how you already know of that, what solutions do you have for me?"

"Why not smuggle gold, copper and silver? After all, the Delink company has taken to mining in Yoites and you must have some of your own working for them. The amount you could make by selling to metal smiths who wouldn't be burden by the taxes would be extraordinary."

"It has crossed my mind, but it is much trickier to have unrefined ore leave the Delink company and not look as if the hauler is attempting a stroke of luck."

"Then adjust your hauler."

"What do you mean?"

Lawrence rested his hands on the table, "When in Ruvenhaigen, I was once faced with bankruptcy. Holo had an idea to smuggle gold within the bellies of sheep. If there is some kind of livestock in these regions you could use to pose as a herding endeavor then have the ore extracted while also selling the meat to a butcher for additional revenue, that is an option."

Pushing out his underlip, De Buhr nodded but said nothing. There was a secular anticipation in the air of which Lawrence knew Jurgen had taken note. Therefore the merchant quickly moved to address its source.

"However, the business aspects you've shown me, if adjusted, could not recover your losses on the level you want because they were not the the main source to your fiscal crises."

De Buhr let out a silent yet deep huff from his nose which flared his nostrils in such a way that it was impossible for Lawrence not to notice. Therefore he picked this time to demand the access of what he really sought.

"I need to see your black market dealings."

Jurgen cringed his brow somewhat while allowing a slight scoff to escape his throat, "You desire access to the information that can incriminate me and threaten my operation in all its entirety?"

Lawrence was quick to refute, "I already know enough from the Count Laternieux, before you sent a brigade to kill me and my wife, before locking me and torturing me for almost a week. That's more than enough to incriminate you, if this all came to light, it's not like any investigation wouldn't uncover your illegitimate business dealings."

"That is not the entire point." remarked De Buhr with the utmost seriousness.

Retiring his fork and knife upon the table, Lawrence leaned back as if exhausted, "I understand your skepticism about someone like me who has all the more reason to hate and see you fail, but how can I systematically bring you to ruin if I'm constantly under your nose? This deal was to spare me and Matthias and I'm not ignorant enough to assume you wouldn't kill us at the slightest hint of foul play. I have not choice but to remain honest and accountable."

Jurgen pondered as he stroked his chin then said, "You make valid points, and I suppose I have no other recourse than to divulge that information to you. But if I do, what say you to another deal?"

The tone in which Lord De Buhr transmitted this proposition immediately put Lawrence on edge, for the gears of his most sinister mind could practically be seen turning. Before he could make a response, his host leaned towards the door and called out, "Tefri!"

Within seconds his most reliable servant appeared in the doorway by which he was instructed by his master, "Send for the boy."

A chill creeped into the spine of Lawrence and dispersed a tingling waive up and down his back. Within the minute Tefri returned and presented Emilio, the boy Lawrence had much discourses with that had only been mentioned but not seen, who was accompanied by Aswadi appearing in countenance in comparison to the boy as a thuggish ogre.

Jurgen extended his hand to command the boy to stand next to him, who, as soon as he had done so, was addressed, "Emilio, you know who this gentlemen is?"

"Yes, master."

"When he was locked in, what task were you charged with regarding his care?"

Clenching his moistened palms, the boy answered hesitantly, "To deliver food and water."
"Yet this was not all you have delivered was it?"

The young man fidgeted as if his heart became a restless canary fluttering around its confines within his ribs. Sighing with disappointment, which appeared very sincere, Jurgen went on, "Do you know why Mr. Lawrence is up here lunching with me instead of being disposed of properly?"

Emilio muttered his reply but his embarrassment and fear muffled the clear annotations his mouth attempted to make. De Buhr, with feigning patience demanded the boy speak up.

With an uneven tone, Emilio repeated, "Because he had made a deal with you."

Nodding coldly the blonde haired man replied, "Yes…Yes. Do you know how he was able to so quickly strike a deal with me?"

The youth tensed and darted his eyes away. De Buhr then answered for him, "It is because Mr. Lawrence had information he could use to sway me. Information he should not have had. Information that was given to him without my consent. Information I feel he received from you during your times attending to him."

Trembling with unbearable fear, the boy attempted to speak but the words tore to pieces in his throat of which the remaining fragments resounded as a petrified whimper. Lawrence was becoming equally perturbed by this whole scene, while Matthias, due to his condition had been in and out of it, yet was coherent enough to interoperate the weight of the situation.

De Buhr then soothed, "Emilio, if you are honest than the worst shall not befall you."

Nodding the boy said, "Y-yes, it was me. We would talk together and I would say things. I'm sorry m-master."

He waived his anxieties down by stating, "Fear not Emilio, your honesty is admired and appreciated and thus shall prevent an untimely end on your behalf."

Jurgen then turned to Lawrence, "Now then Mr. Lawrence this brings me to the deal I have for you."

Becoming intensified, he answered, "I'm listening."

"This young man has betrayed me and that cannot go unanswered and you wish to learn about all aspects of my empire. All things have their price and some costs can be very steep. So I will allow access to my black ledgers at the cost of this boy's freedom. He shall be put in the very dungeon you occupied and from there be accommodated accordingly. "

Lawrence felt what could almost be interoperated as a major vessel rupturing in his heart. "What if I refuse the conditions of this deal?"

"Then the usefulness which compels me to keep you alive, shall be outlived."

An innumerable amount of thoughts flooded his mind while his bosom nearly burst from the uncontainable amount of emotions welling within. His inner thoughts where; should he refuse then it shall be his life which meant Holo would be without her husband and his child would be without it's father and his goals would come to an end. Or he could accept and fully effect his desired purpose in aiding this tyrant, have the potential to be reunited with his family, but all at the expense of another who would suffer the fate he had been so well acquainted with.

Emilio pled with his eyes which is why Lawrence, who realized the time taken to rationalize would provoke De Buhr to make the ultimatum for him, lowered his eyes to keep them from engaging the boy's and said with the horrendous reality his choice would impose on another, "I accept."

Taking it as any other casual business negotiation, Jurgen looked over to Cyrus and instructed, "Take him."

He seized the cusps of Emilio's shoulders and easily began to drag him out while the boy begged for reconsideration. He was taken out the door while his cries for mercy echoed down the halls until their reverberations fell silent.

Lawrence kept his head down and held back the urge to weep. Jurgen then arose and said as though the tyrannical events we have just witnessed never transpired, "Enjoy your lunch Mr. Lawrence, excuse me while I retrieve the black ledgers."

II

The sounds of life the stories of death

The transfer from dusk till dawn within the Kahotoe village did not pass easily for Holo the wise wolf who spent most of her recuperating hours tossing on her deer skinned mattress or pacing about. Her response when the revelation given to her that the man she had spent this last week and developed a significant relationship with was the dark legend of Yoites which was the forbearer of her nightmares as of late, was, let us say, less than to be desired by which Nazani departed allowing her time to simmer down.

In time, the god of healing entreated upon her in hopes to find her in more bearable moods. He invited her to sit down which she had reluctantly done so while he sat beside her. And from there, a long silence filled the air.

At long last, Nazani broke it, "I am sure you must have plenty of questions."

Nodding while in the crossroads of shock and rage she replied, "How can this be?"

"How so?"

"If he is Chugiak the demon hunter, then not only is he older than I, but that he is also responsible for the deaths of Kenrou and inuit alike back in those days."

"Exactly what do you remember from those stories?"

"That he was summoned by dark rituals, he slew wolf spirits and that he killed innocent women and children on behalf of our ancient enemies."

Nazani twiddled his thumbs which were held by interlinked fingers then said, "There are some truths to that."

Snapping her face towards him she went off, "How is it possible? He is not a pagan god as we are likened to!"

Raising his hand to quell her hysteria he replied, "Not as a pagan god as we have understood them."

"What do you mean?"

"To our understanding this land shows the supernatural beings as to be animal spirits with abilities to cultivate the earth and serve man. But the earth is a much larger place than our own echo chambers. There are lands round about that we know not of, and from there who is to say what their indigenous supernatural beings are like?

"You mean to say that he is a type of pagan god from the lands of his inheritance?"

"It very well may be so."

She rested her head upon her hand, "It is just that- I cannot take this all in at the moment."

The kindly shaman crooked his head, "Your situation has been nothing but short of a myriad of trials."

Sliding an eyes towards him she inquired, "You know all that I have been through?"

"More or less, we were informed that you would make a return to Yoites with Chugiak at your side by Terusilan well in advance."

She erected herself, "The serpent? What alliance does he have with you?"

"One that serves his interests best." replied Nazani.

"Why would he go out of his way to inform you."

"I cannot say other than he has a very slithery way of helping those in need. But if not for his intervention we would not have been able to assist you in time."

Holo then had an epiphany, "You were the one driving off the Sawattii from behind the scenes, when I was in my wolf form, your presence is the one I was detecting."

"It was not all me, Shenu decided to throw her lot in with us as well."

Holo's ear perked up, "I recall her but it has been so long."

"She is known to many within Yoites as the frost mother for she can control blizzards and manifest herself within the snow."

"Can she also speak within the wind?"

"Indeed so."

Holo stood up, "Where is she? For now I understand all the phenomenons that have occurred. The random blizzards, the whispers in the wind guiding me here and there. They were all her then."

"She is very elusive and I cannot say if she will meet you formally, for as far as I know she may as well assume her interventions concluded upon me bringing you to the village."

Holo's frame began to tremble in which Nazani arose to tend to her, "What is the matter?"

Quivering with her voice she said, "It is just that I am so grateful that we were not alone. The odds against us made the situation all the more hopeless and to know that I still have friends in Yoites fills me with overwhelming joy!"

Turning to sit down she sniffled, "I am sorry, it that I have always wondered what became of my home and my friends. Paro, Enti and Myuri when the bear attacked…do you know what became of them?"

Sighing out his nose he said, "Yes I recall you and your friends being quite the rascals, you of all being the most mischievous.' Holo let out a disheartened giggle, 'but when the bear, Yanu attacked, many of us fled, many died but I cannot recall which ones where which. For it was many years ago."

She nodded and gasped, "This is not all that has been on my mind. You know why it was I have returned to Yoites?"

"All Terusilan had said was that you were looking for something very precious."

"Aye, tis my husband."

It was Nazani's ears that flexed upon hearing this, "Why would he be out this way?"

"He was kidnapped by an evil man named Jurgen De Buhr."

Nazani scrunched his lips and harshly angled his eyebrows, "I have never heard of him."

"According to many sources, it is said that he has a mansion beyond the old village off the banks of the Siakluk river."

"Ah,' realized the shaman, 'That is Sawatti territory, I scarcely venture into there according to the truce made between us."

"I do not understand."

Sitting beside her he explained, "There is much history that has happened, but let me suffice it to say that the Kahotoe and Sawatti have been enemies for a long time and before the attack, we wolves lived in harmony but some alliances were delicate to say the least. After the bear attack, those who returned, human and wolf alike eventually came to a power struggle and as a result of much domestic conflict, borders were drawn and a fragile truce was formed. The Kahotoe on one side, Sawatii on the other and a division among the wolves whose sympathies determine what side of the border they dwell."

"So is that why your interventions were so sparse and hidden?"

"Yes, however I am sure this violation has been noted and now the people must prepare for the repercussions that may come."

Holo nodded slightly and wished to press the issues in greater details when a more pressing matter betook her train of thought, "You are a god of healing yes?"

"That is my calling."

Rubbing her hands together she went on, "Are you able to detect certain conditions of all living things?"

He overturned his head slightly as if to wish for a more direct approach from her inquiries, "Do you have a request from me?"

Nodding desperately she blurted, "Would you be able to know if I am still with child?"

The atmosphere of the yurt changed significantly to which Holo explained every detail pertaining to the request along with her fears and desires to know of an absolute certainty the fate of her child.

Nazani, with such pristine understanding began to approach her while informing, "My ears have a unique ability, they can hear anomalies within the frames of all living things allowing me to diagnose the conditions of the sick and afflicted. If you allow me, let me listen to your womb and I can know of a surety."

He beckoned her to lay down in which she done with a pounding heart that both yearned for and feared the truth. Yet she had to know.

Gently, he laid his head to her lap and pinned his ear adjacent to the womb, closed his eyes and concentrated. Holo would make nervous murmurs in which he would request her to be more silent so that he could listen more clearly.

At last he lifted his head in which she sat up faster than he did with her hands clasped together before her chest.

A soothing smile graced his lips and he replied with a most welcomed reassurance, "I can hear life within."

Holo put her hands to her mouth, "I am still pregnant!?"

"Yes."

She nearly collapsed as her head dropped in her hands and she let out an unconfined weep of joy.

Wiping her eyes as one whose unbearable burdens where suddenly lifted she proclaimed, "I do not believe there has ever been any more welcome news till this point!"

Nazani, though kind, spoke sternly, "Which brings me to my next point. You have been under a tremendous amount of stress lately. I am under the impression that is what nearly caused you to miscarry. Had it not been for Chugiak's intervention, it may have been so."

With moistened eyes stained a tinge of pink, Holo replied, "What would you expect of me. I cannot stand idly by during such times of distress."

He indecisively shook his head.

Nibbling on her lip Holo then had another request which befell her with the same urgency as the last, "If you can heal most ailments,' said she while adjusting her skirt, 'can you heal this too?" she pouted out with wobbling lips while she presented the charred ends of her tail that was blackened from the fire that claimed her inn.

Charmed by her childlike despair, Nazani chuckled, "Of course."

He departed then returned with a folded linen which, when unfurled, revealed a vial filled with the blue elixir. Dousing the singed end of her precious tail, and wrapping it up Holo asked, "What is this remedy?"

Nazani replied like the good informative physician he was and replied while tying the bandage off, "A medicine of my creation. As you have a vast knowledge of the harvest, my knowledge of healing herbs, plants and poultices combined with my blessing can produce tonics and ointments that produce results near instantly."

"This blue elixir is your creation?"

"Indeed."

"So that is where he obtains it, from you?"

Nazani lifted his head enough to allow his eyes to meet hers, "Has he really told you nothing?"

"No, in fact, this feels as though I am meeting him all over again."

Arising, he reassured, "Well, I shall see if he has awoken, perhaps it would be better if this history comes from him and not I."

Before he quitted the lodgings Holo called out to him once more by which he regulated his attention to her. Holo then asked with hope and uncertainty, "If you recall my cherished friends, did you also know my mother and father in equal detail?"

Pleasantly enthralled the shaman turned directly towards her, "Yes I did. Your father was a strong and proud leader and your mother was wise, nurturing and kind. You came from a very noble family who wished nothing but the best for you."
Overcome with softening closure she asked a follow up question which she would regret, "Are they still alive?"

Nazani's demeanor changed which expressed the answer before it was given, "No, the day the moon hunting bear attacked your father and mother chose to stay behind. Your father rallied a few others to engage the bear while your mother guided the weak and the young away from danger. They perished as a result, but in the end they sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others."

Holo closed her eyes and set her chin towards the ground with heavy reverence, by which Nazani departed.

III

Riddles and Inaccuracies

Though we have only been just scarcely introduced to this small village of the Kahotoe people, and though their customs and traditions appear foreign to the traveler, it is by natural instinct within all members of the human family to immediately assume something was amiss in their day to day activities. The men skinned their game, the women minced and grounded herbs, the children ran and made merry and the elderly seamed and counseled with one another, yet the spirit by which their regular discourses were done, were in the spirit of uncertainty and anticipation.

It was apparent that the source of this pulsing waive of unease originated from the very den Nazani left Ranger to be tended to. The signifiers of this were their constant glancing over to the hut made in intervals during their cycles of domesticity. The buzz surged to greater degrees upon seeing the wolf shaman stroll towards it with his hands tucked within his sleeve.

Just before he reached the entrance, its door swung ajar revealing the flustered and antagonized countenance of Soldatna who spared no indication that her mood was soured by the obvious offenses of her patient.

As Nazani's feisty daughter marched past him making curses in the inuit language, her father closed his eyes, crooked his head and smiled, "Oh good, he is awake then?"

She yelled back to him, "Yes, unfortunately!"

Nazani then, in attempts to constrain his more volatile side, received a deep sigh, opened the door and entered. And there the man was, removing the bandages that once covered tarnished flesh all while he kept a linen drooped over his head to obscure his face. A tradition that even the old shaman could not explain.

His activities quickly relinquished themselves upon snapping his head to the intruding sound of the parting door and from there the two stared at each other whilst filling the room with heavy tension. Nazani furled an eyebrow as if to scold him while saying, "I would say it is a bit early to remove those…however…"

Breathing animosity so heated it nearly sparked fire, Ranger growled, "I did not ask for you to interfere."
"You are welcome regardless." replied the healer withholding his annoyance.

Ranger, dispelled by his own temperament, fiddled with the clumps of soiled bandages but said nothing more. Nazani paced around his bed while expositing the details which brought them together.

"So, the two of you seek a man by the name of De Buhr who is said to live within the domain of Yoites. And it is your desire to reunite an expectant mother with her husband?"

The hems of Ranger's linens made an arc around, "She is still with child?"

"Ah,' remarked Nazani, 'is that concern I hear in your voice?"

Displaying a refuting attitude in his mannerisms, the man quickly shot back, "Perhaps this will quell her murmuring over the matter."

Slightly stunned by such an unfeeling remark Nazani leaned upon a cabinet, "Do you know who she is?"

"You wolves are all the same to me." he antagonized.

"That is the daughter of Helushka."

Ranger's demeanor on the matter changed entirely and slouched his form with a defeated sigh.

Nazani followed up in a tone that did not go unnoticed, "You remember him, do you not?"

"No one involved with that affair would ever forget."

"Chugiak…"

Ranger bolted to his feet and put a finger to his face supported by vein induced muscles, "Do not call me that!"

In that same passive aggressive manner he always up-took, Nazani lowered his hand while attempting to speak reason to quell Ranger's self contempt for his own humanity, "That poor woman has been through a great ordeal. She is the reason you still live and some debt should be repaid by means of explanation."

Ranger turned with his head held low, "What have you told her on the matter?"

"Very little for she knew little and did not seek to overwhelm. It is the wisdom of my council that you tell her what she seeks to know, for in the moment you have a stronger relationship with her than I."

He remained a statue plastered after the manner of flesh until his long drawn out decision came in the form of this reply, "Send her in then, when she is ready."

Nazani honored his request, nodded his head and quitted the hut. Ranger sat once more upon the elevated cot and contemplated. He heard delicate footfalls ascend their way to the entrance only to pause, pace back then return followed by the somber unhinging of the door.

Holo entered timidly and looked upon the man with such a petrified stare that it testated that she beheld him in an entirely different light. Just a little ways a way was a three legged stool which she drug over and sat across from him.

Holo sat nervously still with her legs pettily pressed together dawning all anxious activity to flare out into her hands which messaged the knuckles. They dwelt in this little chamber of melancholy in total silence for many minutes before alas Holo spoke.

"Despite my wit and clever thinking, I am not sure what to say other than to ask; How are you feeling?"

A hot surge of air released from his nostrils do indicate all would be well but was antagonized greatly by the sentiment.

Holo continued to fidget her thumbs while refraining from looking up from the ground, "Is it true? Are you really Chugiak the demon hunter?"

Taking a collective sigh, Ranger said horribly, "It is so."

Holo lifted her head while every facet of her neck bulged and flexed. "I remember this topic is what caused me to lash out against Lawrence so violently those days ago. The mention of your name sparked harrowing nightmares keeping me from a restless sleep. However I find that contention breeds contention, therefore I choose to respond differently and instead ask you, how can this be?"

His head assented slightly as if to say, "What do you mean?"

"The legend of Chugiak had been around since before I was born, if what you say is true you must be older than I am. You cannot be one thousand years of age."

Without changing his posture he replied with the agony that comes from unsuspecting revelation, "I am at least under twelve hundred."

Holo immediately stood with her hands to her face as if to collectively prevent her sanity from escaping out her temples. Ranger observed her reaction with the very same indifference she would take when being confronted with the natural fear expressed towards her in the like manner.

"Immortal like myself, eh?"

"No,' he calmly refuted, 'my days, though prolonged ten fold over that of the natural man, are numbered."

"So you will die of old age some day?"

"That is if blade or peril not take me first."

She turned from him and remained silent. Finding no peace in this he attempted to explain, "You understand now as to why I had kept such things from you? Even one known as the wise wolf of Yoites struggles to make sense of this."

She turned with the facial display that her mental cogs were turning in well tuned fashion, "On the contrary, this makes perfect sense."

Ranger was somewhat alarmed by her realization who continued while pacing about, "Your expertise in warfare, your intuition and knowledge of the world and your total lack of surprise when coming across the standard of the unexplainable. These attributes are products of experience and not just study. You have walked the earth for so long that you have obtained the countless experiences of multiple lifetimes that have crafted you into a product only centuries of existence and refinement could."

Ranger flexed his neck muscles, "That is a better explanation that I could ever give." he sighed.

"But now,' said she, recollecting her courage, 'I must discover what is true and what is legend. For I myself have countless stories told of me yet they are riddled with inaccuracies, which was something I always hated. I will bestow this courtesy upon you by allowing you to separate reality from inaccuracy."

Ranger nodded but gave one warning, "Be wary in asking questions you may not want an answer to, for you will get answers you may not want to hear."

She accepted the reality with a grain of harshness then asked, "It was said that you had killed the wolf spirits of Yoites. Are you capable of such a feet?"

"I am." he answered with no hesitation that, despite Holo seeking anticipation to the unexpected, was still caught off guard.

Holo stammered, "H-how?"
Ranger interjected to prevent her thoughts from escaping her, "You should know, you fought three half breeds of my ilk, you have witnessed it first hand."

"No I mean, their speed and strength was beyond that of humans, by what force of nature is this attributed to?"

Ranger quelled his lips, looked around then went to the the jacket of Lawrence that she forgot was left there. He pulled from its pocket her beloved novel and presented it to her with a page predetermined for her to read.

"What is this?" she squabbled.

"Just read…" he beckoned.

She took the album and read the script therein.

"And it came to pass that the multitudes did fall upon Shalal and though he smote many, yea so great was his slaughter among them that it cannot be numbered. Wherefore it was the will of the people of Nephilai to perish fighting evil than live under its awful chains. And it was that the mightiest among them, yea even Rabana who had been cast out by his brethren yea he was slapped upon the left cheek and even on the right, yea even verily he did fight and rallied what few remained against the might of the dragon.

And it was by wisdom in Rabana to cripple the dragon if they were to succeed in slaying him. And he did call out, "Seek ye his wings, for verily he is a greater danger among the winds than upon the ground."

And after this manner did Rabana convince the people to cripple the dragon. And it came to pass that when the people heard this, they did seek to pierce the wings of Shalal and lo they were successful in crippling him. Inasmuch that when he attempted to lift himself from the ground he did fail in the craft of flight and could not escape.

And Rabana then called out, "Strike the vessels between his scales so that you you may bleed him."

And it came to pass that the people had done as instructed and lo the dragon became weary from loss of blood. And it was that when Shalal realized his fate, he lunged forth and took up Rabana in his jaws for it was his wish to devour him even unto death.

And it came to pass that as Shalal swallowed, behold Rabana did cut himself free from his throat. And verily when he had done this the dragon did fall to the earth as if dead.

And it came to pass that Rabana rested himself upon his sword then thrice struck his sword upon the the neck of Shalal and by the third blow he did smite off his head.

And the people rejoiced exceedingly over their victory of the black dragon and the heavens did open and the gods did speak unto them, yea even the voice of Eloran spoke down unto them saying, "Blessed art thou this faithful generation, for thine courage and diligence shalt thine posterity be blessed throughout all generations of time and eternity."

And unto Rabana He said, "Blessed art thou Rabana for thine diligence in keeping mine covenants, yea even unto solitude and thine dying breath. I shall greatly multiply thy blessings, yea power shall be bestowed upon thine loins and sinews and strength in thine seed shall befall thee all the rest of thine days."

Holo turned the page put found the final one tarnished and missing. It was then that Ranger realized he had ripped them out when building the fire to save them from freezing to death near Silver Tongue lake.

"I-I do not understand,' she stammered, 'why have me read this?"

Ranger spoke very sternly with great respect to what he was about to recount, "It was said that the posterity of Rabana would be blessed and become a new nation favored by the gods above all other nations."

Holo dinted her eyebrow, "How do you know this?"

"This is the legend of my people Holo. This is the story of our ancestors that explains the strength and power of the Muhalen-Zhan-Shen. We are the descendants of Rabana the dragon slayer."

Holo dropped the book and became all shades of pale in one go. She fell back only to be supported by a nearby table while covering her mouth, "This story is true!?"

Ranger put his hands up passively, "It is simply a legend that explains the origins of our nation. The blessing of Eloran, as we have come to call it, was said to have bestowed upon us a portion of the strength of the gods, prolonged days and to be the governing body of the land."

This did nothing to return the color to her face by which he beckoned with an outstretched hand towards the stool she once betook, "Perhaps you should take a seat."

She collapsed upon it while gazing upon him as a freakish oddity. She could sense his embarrassment and shame as to be interpreted as such, yet some things were too outlandish even for the wise wolf to ponder.

"So then…' said she, 'now that I know what you are truly capable of…tell me… why did you kill my ancestors, why did you kill the inuits?" her welling eyes filled his, therefore he opted to tread very carefully.

"Because your ancestors wanted me to."

She became frightfully pale, "Speak sense this instant!"

"Before you were born there was much strife and great dissensions among the inhabitance of Yoites. The hierarchies were seeking to establish order but there was corruption within their ranks. Secret pacts were formed between some wolves and the Sawatti people and they sought to completely irradiate the Kahotoe and other Kenrou they deemed as enemies. I was caught in the cross fire and threw my lot in with the Kahotoe and according to the customs of my people would not negotiate with such treachery but instead cut it down without question or mercy. The wolves of the higher council feared the repercussions it would have if they were to involve themselves this way, therefore they submitted the task of ridding the land of any and all dissenters to me and I carried it out as desired. When the nature of my venture was becoming to public eye, the ones who charged me with the task were the same ones who condemned me before a tribunal and had me exiled so that their own images could remain unmarred."

Holo arose vehemently, "I cannot believe this!"

With a refute as quick as an arrow he pointed towards the exterior, "If you do not believe me, ask the shaman."

She became aggressively resilient to her conflicting emotions, "Who then? Who would make such an order to have one of their own slaughtered? Who would be so cowardly? That is what I cannot believe."

Ranger became somewhat darker as if to mock, "You think your home was filled with nothing but frolic and carefree nobility? You believe your race so pure and incorruptible, that there would never have been foul play amongst them? You wolves never change. No Holo, there were creatures willing to have their own and others destroyed if it meant their place of power was secured. Their were creatures who would have the foulest deeds carried out by another so that they could quickly cast blame, distort truth and keep their hands clean when brought to light. Creatures like your father."

"Enough!" she bellowed with unconstrained negativity to his version of the recounting, "Was it my father who also ordered you to kill women and children? Or was that an act of good will for your services?"

Ranger turned around with a hand on his hip, "In order to fight back corruption and preserve your way of life, there were many who died who were deserving…along with those who were not."

Enraged she threw were hands at him, striking his back, "I expect nothing less from a deranged ideologue!"

When she had a moment to breathe he faced her who then made and emotionally charged statement, "You were cast out because you were the real monster, not us! I should have known it was you when you tortured Beatrice! Just because you lost the innocence in your life gives you no right to rip if from another!"

Clenching his fists burning red with passions he sputtered, "I expect nothing less from the backbiting daughter of a wolf who showed such ungrateful and unjust treatments to the man who saved his own flesh and blood!"

He was so overcome with rage that when he moved past her his shoulder checked her chest and she stumbled down to the ground. Holo let out a stunned whimper and gazed upon him completely bewildered. They both interoperated and felt this action with the same justice had he intentionally struck her to the earth.

Realizing now that this whole encounter was a mistake he pointed to the door and said with such a frightening countenance of grief and vulnerability that it hit her like a bolt, "Leave me!"

Pulling herself up with the weight of the conflict resting on her shoulders, she gave one last sorrowful look upon the man who supporting his weight on the far table with his head in hands, then departed.

She made it to the outside steps, rubbed her sternum then descended down them. Her lip trembled with the pangs of regret. Had only she kept her temper in check, perhaps a better understanding could have been reached.

She supported her chin within her hand and concealed her face with her hair then a kindly old hand caressed her back. She turned and found Anaksuq whose elderly wisdom guided her actions to provide comfort and attempt to reconcile her pain.

The old woman did not ask for any explanation by which Holo dropped her face into her shoulder and said, "I did not mean to hurt him…"

Anaksuq patter her shoulder and hushed her, "I know he feels the same way."

The timing of the following interruption was both impeccable and unwarranted. Both women looked to a group of frightened Kahotoe villagers running from the entrance of which stood the blacked figure of Telekna who when last seen was lost in a blizzard. But now had hunted his prey down and ready to enact vengeance upon the village.