Two years had passed and it was now the middle of winter. "What has happened in that time?" you may ask. Well, to start off, Spyro was able to recover after being in a coma for a year. As soon as he woke up, Cynder declared her love for him. They got married soon after that despite their young age. I told them the secret I had been keeping about a month later. Long story short, the mental trauma is still present today, though not as severe. I had turned 18 years old while on the campaign to finish off any resistance. I had taken a few leaves to spend time bringing about as many advancements as I could in whatever I could. I had also been moving into the wolf village-or settlement, whatever you wanna call it, same thing really-in the north. Since the wolves' culture and way of life was not all too different from my ancestors, I figured I'd feel right at home. I bid everyone farewell, hugged my brother and sister-in-law, and shook everyone's hand on my last day, though no good wills were extended towards Prowlus. After what he did to the apes, I couldn't bring myself to do so. He enslaved them. Some say he actually treated them worse than Gaul and his lapdog. Well, as I am an eyewitness to his treatment of the apes, I can tell you the truth: for the most part, those reports are entirely true. Children were still taken from their mothers and were still forced to work. Slaves worked at all hours of the day. All slave owners were allowed to treat them as they saw fit, and a small handful did actually improve the conditions of their slaves. However, the majority worked and lived in such horrid conditions that it'd make a sewer seem like a nice resort and a factory worker during the industrial revolution seem like a dream job. Other than that, nothing else changed. As you might expect, apes were suppressed and sometimes even executed for protesting. I hated this, despised it. If that wasn't bad enough, in the days following the official end of the war, those who were considered too weak to work were exterminated in a similar fashion to the 2,000 prisoners executed before, something I didn't find out until it was too late to do anything about it. I asked Prowlus if this was perhaps a bit too cruel, or that we may be perceived as no better than our enemies. He scoffed at my suggestions.

"We ARE better than them. There's no question about that. These animals are inferior to us and it's only natural that they-the weak and less civilized races-serve us, the strong and pure. Lest the weak lead us to destruction. And as for the executions, some are too weak to be of any use to us."

I clenched my fist, though he didn't notice. "Your expulsion of Icanna wasn't really because of a food shortage, was it?"

"Well…even if that were the case, I don't see how that's relevant."

"Your dislike of dragons didn't start with the attack on your village, did it?"

"Again, I don't see how-"

"You know, I've seen this before. Enslavement and extermination of a specific ethnic group along with belief in greater and lesser races."

"You clearly have no knowledge of our kind if you consider the former two to be morally corrupt and the latter one false. This conversation is over." he said dismissively.

I stormed out of his newly built palace. Realizing the truth that I should have seen long ago, I shouted back to him calling him a…well, I'll just say I called him an Austrian art school reject. The bastard had used me and the dragons for his own personal gain. I couldn't let this stand, couldn't stand by and watch this backstabber abuse these people, but I couldn't take immediate action. For one, the wounds from the last war were still fresh, and second, all of Avalar still had great support for Prowlus and I knew that if I went and started a civil war now, it would appear unjustified and as if I were the aggressor which-to be fair-I would have been. So for now, a civil war would have to wait. For now, it was time to retire to my new home and get out of this bitter cold. Sam was at my side the whole ride there. I stabled Sora, pat him on the head, and strapped on Sam's new harness which was professionally made, albeit quite outdated by human standards. Still, it was better than what I had used previously. We made our way to the familiar wooden door. I knocked three times and Icanna opened it.

"Commander Brandon. Come in, that snowstorm can't be good for you. I've already got a fire set, and I've prepared you a meal."

"Thanks, Icanna. And it's just Brandon these days, I'm retired. At least for now. Come on, Sam, let's go in, boy." I ordered softly.

Icanna pat the animal on the head. "Congratulations. Hey, little guy. Did you take care of each other these past two years?"

Sam barked in affirmation. I nodded.

"Good." she said.

Icanna removed my large coat. I noticed that the cabin was just about empty except for the three of us.

"Where is everyone?"

"They're all scattered in other homes for the night. After I received your letter from your eagle friend, I asked if they'd give us some time to talk in private."

I raised an eyebrow. "About?..."

There was a brief pause.

"I'll tell you soon. Just get yourself warmed up."

I nodded, slightly confused, and sat down by the fire. It crackled and popped as the orange flames danced gracefully, the black smoke rose up and out through the chimney and into the clouds. Icanna handed me a wooden bowl filled with venison stew and sat next to me.

"So, how is it?"

I tasted some of the stew, swallowed, and smiled with satisfaction. "Mmm! Wow, this is really good! You said you made this yourself?"

Her smile at that moment radiated such strong energy, it could have lit up the world. "Uh-huh. Glad you like it."

We talked for hours. My last visit here had been almost nine months ago and there was a lot to talk about. The completion of the first Roman and Greek-inspired construction projects in Warfang, rumors of a storming horde overseas that had beaten back the apes in their land, and of course, my time in the field.

"Hey, did I ever tell you about the mission in southern Avalar?" I asked with a mouthful of stew. "The first mission I took Sam on?"

"Was this before or after the war officially ended?"

I swallowed. "After."

"No, I don't think so. I think you told me about a few other missions, but you weren't there, right?"

I put another spoonful in my mouth. "Right. You're thinking of the campaign led by Platius." I swallowed. "I'm talking about the mission that took place approximately…seven months after the Well of Souls was destroyed."

"Platius? Wasn't he the one who replaced you as captain after you got promoted?"

"Yep… I wonder how he's doing… Anyway, this one mission in particular had me and Platius arguing quite a bit on the strategy to use. Our dispute almost cost us the mission 'cause some of us were sick of the bickering and were about to leave."

"Oh no!" she gasped.

"Oh no is right. That small army the apes had could have grown and caused a lot of damage."

"You can't be completely sure that was their intention. You said yourself that the tribal governments were enslaving the apes, yes? I think they might have just wanted to free their families. I'm sure there are many out there that have good hearts." she placed her right hand over my heart. "Just like you."

I smiled. "I have a good heart, do I?"

She nodded and removed her hand. "A beautiful heart."

"Not as beautiful as you, though."

She gave me that same smile I had given her before looking into the fire. "So, now that you're back and you're going to be moving in with us, I wanted to know about…me and you." she said timidly in what was little more than a whisper.

Her timidness took me slightly by surprise. She had been so straightforward when she kissed me, I was expecting her to act the same now.

"Why the hesitation?"

"Hmm?"

"Why the hesitation? You were quite straightforward when you kissed me in front of everyone."

"You could have died in the past two years. You'd do the same." she explained.

"...Fair point. Alright, well, what exactly do you mean?"

She placed her hand over mine. "Where do we go from here? Do you want to…make this happen? At least try?"

I looked down to think about this. For months, I had outright refused the idea of a relationship with anyone around here for a few reasons, but now, all of those reasons were either nonexistent or did not apply to Icanna who I had accepted I was developing feelings for. I looked back up and made eye contact with her.

"You know, despite the fact that you and I are different species, it's hard to deny that I've come to like you. I always look forward to our visits, whether it's just an hour to catch up, a few days to move my stuff in here, or a week to heal my injuries. You're sweet, caring, beautiful, the list goes on. You took care of me for an entire day, putting your duties aside. That tells me that you are devoted to those you love, a quality that any man desires in a relationship. So, in short, yes."

"How does us being different species affect anything?"

I had forgotten that I never told her that there was only one form of intelligent life where I come from. Well, no time like the present. "Where I come from, humans are the only intelligent life forms and other species don't have the mental capacity to love in the same sense or consent to that kind of a relationship. Interspecies relationships are frowned upon by the majority of us. I don't know what the rest are doing, but they need to get their heads out of whatever fantasy world they live in and snap back to reality(you fucking furries). My point is, where I come from, other species have not evolved to the level that your kind has, and the thought of a relationship with anyone here feels…odd as a result. Understand?"

She nodded. "I do. But most of us, save for ones like," she pointed at Sam, "were given the gift to love each other thousands of years ago. Some races may not be able to walk like us, some may, but all who can speak have the capacity to care for and love each other. But we don't have to take this to the next step if you don't want to."

I shook my head. "I appreciate it, but I'll manage. I have to. It's not like there are any other humans here. Not like I can return home either, so I don't have the luxury of sticking with my own species."

She tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean you can't go home?"

I paused to think about how I should explain this to her. "Well…let me put it like this. Do you know what existence is? What it really is? This world is but one of many that exist within this space called a galaxy, that galaxy, like this world, is one of many that exist in this other place called the universe. That universe, surprise-surprise, is also one of many that exists in a place called the multiverse, or so the theory goes. Well, it was a theory until it was proven by my arrival here. Now it's clear that there are at least two universes that exist, but for all I know, the multiverse could be infinite."

"Hold on, stop, stop, stop. So what you're saying is that you're from a different world?"

"Exactly. Not just from a different world, but something far beyond."

"Wow…that is…" she trailed off.

"Tell me about it. The idea that there are possibly-now definitely- multiple versions of the same place with differences that could either be insignificant or could completely change the place itself is mindblowing."

"Well, from another u-ni-verse, or whatever you called it, or not, you're still Brandon to me. You're still the same human who saved me two years ago. The same human who I fell in love with. The same human who…is about to fall asleep."

I shook my head in denial. "No I'm not."

"Yes you are! I can see your eyelids getting heavy! You know what? I'm getting tired too." she then did an obviously fake yawn. "So, I've got an idea."

She giggled as she tackled me and forced me down onto the soft bearskin rug before grabbing a nearby blanket and throwing it over us.

"There," she said triumphantly, "now you have no choice but to go to sleep and you can't do anything about it."

"Fine." I muttered in defeat before yawning.

"See? You're tired."

"Oh, shut up."

"Sleep, Brandon. Goodnight."

I woke up to find myself in a tent, slightly confused. Had the past six months been a dream that I was just now waking up from? A vision? A-

"Hey, commander! Get up, the day has arrived!" one of the soldiers poked his head into the tent.

I rubbed my eyes, shrugging off my thoughts. Guess so.

The day that he was referring to was the day where we would finish off this little pocket of resistance. They were encircled and under siege. They had been for about a month. My soldiers and I had marched all the way back to the old dragon temple to assault the enemy base. How poetic. I entered the war here, and now I was back with the goal of ending it.

To make a long story short, we stood victorious over the freedom fighters. I was hoping that the leader would submit to us, at least then he would have been spared. Once the resistance leader was defeated, we brought him before the chief in chains. He had yellow eyes, a scar on the right one, brownish fur, and he was covered in cuts and bruises.

"Chief Prowlus," the rebel leader began, "all I ask is that my people are treated with fairness and as equals. So that all may live in peace."

"So that all may live in peace…" Prowlus repeated. "Very well, you may have your…'peace' if you tell me where the rest of your friends are."

"Tch. You expect me to believe that? I know where you're going with this. You'll just kill us once you have the information you need."

"Ha! You couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm not going to kill you. No, you're too useful."

The prisoner simply spat at the chief. He missed, but the message was clear as day.

In response to this, Prowlus casually moseyed on over to one of the other prisoners, a little girl, leaned down to her eye level, and grabbed her chin. "Your girl… So precious… Flog the child until he talks or she dies."

I shook my head. One-and-a-half years. One-and-a-half-god-damned years of having to witness and participate in war crimes such as this. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to do something.

The prisoner's face went white and he started screaming and begging for his daughter to be spared. "NO! SPARE HER, PLEASE! PLEASE DON'T! I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!"

I stepped in between the child and the approaching thugs. "Hold sir, I-"

"How dare you, commander?!" Prowlus shouted. He looked at me, offended and appalled that I would dare to oppose him. "How. Dare. You. I am an Avalarian chieftain." he started walking over to me slowly before unsheathing a small dagger. "I do. Whatever. I. WANT." he grabbed me by the collar and stabbed me in the throat multiple times before driving the blade into my kidney.

"You see what happens when you defy me?! Never! Defy! Me!"

I fell to the ground on my side choking, gagging, gurgling on blood, my ears started ringing, every sound became muffled. My brother and his wife reached out in desperation but were restrained by Prowlus' lackeys.

"Brandon! No!" Cynder managed to shout before her throat was slit.

"CYNDER!" Spyro cried before being surrounded by cheetahs and beaten to a bloody pulp. The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes was the aftermath of the beating: one of his eyes hanging out of its socket with the nerves still attached, his horns snapped off and jammed into his side, and his jaw and tongue completely ripped out, blood pouring from his mouth.

I jolted awake, gasping for air. I felt all around me, grasping at my sweat-drenched chest. My heart was pounding a million beats a minute. I looked to my left and right to find that I was exactly where I had fallen asleep, though Icanna had since rolled off of me.

"Oh Jesus… Just another nightmare…" I breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed my forehead. I looked at the shewolf sleeping next to me and my fears disintegrated for a moment.

What did I do to meet someone so great? I smiled, though my smile quickly faded.

I was sweating terribly, so I decided to go outside and cool off. I stood up and walked over to the door. The cabin door creaked open loud and slow. I winced painfully, mentally praying that I didn't just wake her up. I saw that it was blizzarding outside, so I grabbed my coat. I sighed as I walked out the door and began walking to the treeline. I thought about everything that had happened since the war ended. I had promised the apes peace and freedom, but what did I give them? Nothing. The same routine, the same life they lived under Gaul's oppressive regime. I had failed the old man, failed Altan. I grabbed the tomahawk off my belt and clenched it in my hand, my knuckles turned white from how tight my grip on the tool was. I was trembling with a deep sense of rage and betrayal. A single tear formed and rolled down my cheek.

"FUCK!" I threw the hatchet at a random tree. As it struck, digging itself into the trunk, I let out a powerful scream that expressed all of these emotions that I had been holding back for the past two years. The boom of thunder sounded throughout the forest.

"I'm sorry!" I fell to my knees and covered my face with my hands and started to sob. "I'm so fucking sorry, everyone… I failed all of you."

"Brandon? Brandon, where are you!?" Icanna called.

"Over here." I called back, tears streaming down my face.

"Brandon? Brandon!" she ran over to me and kneeled down, "What happened?" she pulled me into an embrace. "Why did you come out here? What's the matter?"

"I failed them all. The apes, I…I promised them freedom, but I couldn't keep it." I sobbed. "I'm a failure. All I wanted to do was to make things better, but all I've done is replace one tyrant with another. All my efforts have been for nothing."

"Shhh… Shhh… It's okay. Let's just go back inside." she hushed.

"Alright…"

The fire inside was beginning to die. Even in my distraught and messy state, I still wanted to care for others on a small scale. That was something I could do right at least. So I grabbed some of the firewood and put it on the dying embers. As the fire crackled back to life, I got down on my knees, clasped my hands together, and-for the first time in over twelve years-started to pray.

"Whoever is out there-if anyone even is-I ask that you hear my prayer. Please help me. Chief Prowlus has backstabbed me, those I hold dear, and the apes. I never wanted any of this to happen, I just wanted to make everything better. I just wanted to lead these people-my people-to a better future. I know I haven't been all that faithful to any of you, but please-for the sake of my people-grant me your wisdom, your strength, anything. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, I don't know what to do! I have no choice other than to cause death and destruction to overcome this obstacle or to just sit back and watch as this demon reaps the rewards of backstabbing others. Please…help me."

By the time I had finished my prayer, my eyes had become a waterfall. I sniffled and grabbed the rag in my pants pocket to wipe away the tears and blow my nose. "Ugh…"

"Feel better?" Icanna asked.

I shook my head. "What do I do, Icanna?" I asked, my voice hoarse from crying and screaming. "I don't want to become the very thing I once protected these people from, but what choice do I have?"

She pulled me into another embrace and started running her fingers through my hair. "Perhaps you could gain the support of the peasants?"

"But how? None of them see the apes as equals."

"Maybe you shouldn't make your cause out to be for the sake of the apes. Think for a moment. Is there anything that could cause division between the aristocrats and the commoners? Something that you could convince the people they'd be better off with that the chiefs might oppose?"

I calmed down to think for a moment. What was one thing that all these separate clans, villages, microstates, and city-states were preventing the Avalarians from achieving? Unity. A united Avalarian nation-state. It was then that I had my solution. I knew what to spread among the people. I also knew-however-that this would not be enough. Prowlus and the other tribes would simply satisfy the people by uniting the tribes under one government. I had to go a step further and introduce one of the many ideologies of my world. Which one though? There were many options, some good, some bad, though two stood out: democracy and monarchism. I weighed the two options, considering the stability of each. There were good examples of both, but democracies-in theory-give even the poorest man the ability and right to have a voice in the government. Something that almost no aristocrat wants. Of course, no democracy is perfect(just look at the United States) and some have even failed in the past to make way for brutal dictatorships(just look at Weimar Germany), but the kinks could be worked out. All wasn't perfect, however. To gain support, I would have to slander Prowlus' name by stealing and forging incriminating documents, exaggerating the truth, and even flat out lying. I didn't feel comfortable with it. I still don't. But it would have to be done.

"Perhaps there is." I pulled away from the embrace. "Thank you, Icanna. I really needed that… Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, anything." she answered.

"Whatever I do going forward, will you be there for me? Even if it may seem questionable?"

She nodded. "Always. I know whatever choice you make, you will always put the best interests of others first. You have a good heart, a heart that desires only to break the power of the wicked and corrupt. That's why I love you so dearly."

I didn't even notice we were slowly closing the distance until the deed was done. When it was, I swear I could hear disembodied voices cheering. She wrapped her arms around my neck as we both started to cry tears of joy. I could feel that there was no lust in this kiss, the partners' only desire to get their clothes off and go from there. No, this kiss was filled with nothing but pure love. Two partners just sitting there in stillness and in each other's embrace. We truly did love each other. We stayed like that for what felt like a lifetime-the world around us seeming to vanish-until we had to pull away for a breath of fresh air. We were both panting heavily as we pulled away, staring deep into each other's eyes. Her next move was to plant a kiss on my cheek. I smiled as she did.

"I really do love you, you know?" she asked.

"You just said that."

"I know. But that's only because it's true."

I laughed quietly. "I love you, too."

She pushed me down onto the same spot I was sleeping in, she then got in her same spot right on top of me.

"Isn't this nice?... I could just fall asleep right here…" she whispered tiredly.

"Be my guest."

After a while, I sighed, somewhat depressed. "I miss my parents. Boy, I could use their guidance right now."

"What were your parents like?"

"Oh, they were the best. Did I tell you that I had a stroke when I was two weeks old? A botched stomach surgery. Idiots didn't do a background check for any type of hereditary diseases. As it turns out, I have thick blood. One thing leads to another, a blood clot forms and travels to my brain, I end up having a stroke mid-surgery. What's worse is my mom didn't find out for like eight months because they tried covering it up, didn't want to get sued. She had to take me to one of her colleagues and BEG him with tear-filled eyes to have a look at me. Every other doctor had dismissed it as a side effect of the anesthesia. Yeah, right. A side effect that lasts for eight months? Get outta here. She wasn't buying that. After she unearthed the truth, she took me home in tears. Usually, this would be where every parent would give up, let their kid stay like that. But my mom believed that if an old stroke victim could learn to walk and re-strengthen the affected side, so could a baby. After all, a baby's mind is still developing, unlike an elder whose brain has already been developed. 17 years later, and here we are. Not a single sign of a stroke in sight."

"I see where you get your heart from."

"Like I said, the best parents that I could ask for. I miss them so much."

"I know you do. I still think about my mother's last words before they crucified her. 'Child, I will always be with you in spirit. One day we'll meet again, so don't weep so much.'"

"She still is, you know?" I asked, beginning to run my fingers along her back.

"I do. I think she'd like you."

"I know mine would love you. Well, if you were human. She always told me, 'Brandon, you don't need money to be happy. Find a woman who loves you and who you love. A woman whose shoulder you can cry on without being judged and who can cry on yours. A romantic relationship where both people take care of each other is the best kind.'"

"Well, I think you've found one."

"I definitely have."

"Did your parents use to sing you to sleep when you were young?"

"Why?"

"I was wondering if maybe you wanted me to do the same?"

"...Alright, shoot."

Icanna started to quietly sing an improvised version of Gott Erhalte Franz, den Kaiser, one of the many historical songs I had taught across Avalar.

"Gods and Spirits guide our leader. Oh, our great leader Brandon.

Pour thy blessings great upon him, guide him ever to victory.

One day he shall hear your heavenly cheer. One day he shall bring us glory.

Gods and Spirits guide our leader. Oh, our great leader Brandon. (2x)

From the tip of his gleaming sword, shines justice and morality.

May he raise us up to freedom, from oppression and tyranny.

With your sacred hands, guide this righteous man, so light may ever prevail.

Gods and Spirits guide our leader. Oh, our great leader Brandon. (2x)

May he live to see us prosper, may he live to set us free.

May he live to unite the country, from this land to the Blue Sea.

May he forever hear, those whom he holds dear, sing these words once he has passed:

Gods and Spirits guide our leader. Oh, our great leader Brandon. (2x)"

I started to drift off from the gentle lullaby. The final nail in my consciousness' coffin was one last soft kiss on the nose.

"Goodnight, my love. Sweet dreams."

I woke up to hear quiet snoring. I opened my eyes to see Icanna was still sleeping on my chest. I ran my fingers through the soft fur along her back.

"Hey…" I shook her slightly. "Wake up."

She whined quietly. "No… I don't wanna… Hold me…"

"Come on, don't we have work to do?"

I didn't even get a response, just more light snoring. I sighed. Not wanting to move either, I relented and returned to stroking her fur until I dozed off again. I was rudely awoken by something rough and wet running across my face. I swiped at whatever it was, sat up, and wiped my face. Sam was on my left, his tongue was hanging out, saliva dripping off of it and onto the floor.

"Alright, alright. I'm up."

Sam walked over to the door and scratched on it.

"Hold on. Give me a minute... Ah-ah, don't give me those eyes, you're not a puppy no more. Stop it. No. I'll let you outside in a minute, let me get woken up."

He whined, then growled in annoyance before walking off into another room.

I stood up and stretched. I saw a piece of parchment paper on the floor. I picked it up out of curiosity.

"Gone gathering with the girls. I'll be sure to look for some rice for tonight's dinner.

Your breakfast is on the table. Eggs just the way you like them.

We should be back before sundown. If we aren't, don't worry, we're just making a brief stop at the traps, we'll be back no later than 9. I love you.

P.S. The rest of the village knows. They've been anticipating it since you started moving in. They're probably standing outside waiting to congratulate you."

"Congratulate me on what? Us getting together? No, that can't be right. A whole community wouldn't celebrate a single relationship, especially one that's not permanent. I doubt even if it was marriage the whole village would celebrate."

I shrugged it off and sat at the table. I got about halfway through my breakfast-best eggs I've ever had in my life, by the way-until I was full. "Sam! Here, boy!" I called before placing the plate down. "There ya go."

I went outside and-as she predicted-the entire settlement was outside in a long line to congratulate me and give me gifts of jewelry, a blue and gold silk robe, and-to my surprise-art supplies. I gave my thanks before asking what the special occasion was.

"What's the special occasion? You're getting married!" one of them explained.

My eyes went wide, my pupils constricted to a microscopic level. "Wh-wha-"

"I know! Exciting, right?"

"W-w-wai-"

"So are you two thinking of starting a family or-"

"STOP!" I shouted. "MARRIED?! NOW?!"

"Well, not now, but the ceremony's tonight, so don't worry!"

"But, we haven't even been together for a few days! Isn't that rushing things a bit?"

"What's being rushed? You've known each other for a while, you both love each other, you're both old enough. I don't see what you're talking about."

"I… I… I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"...What?"

"If I knew that last night alone would've been like us proposing, I would've held off for a while! She never told me! No one did!"

"You're telling me that your kind-"

"Doesn't get married after that first 'I love you'? Yeah, in general. Marriage, that's a huge commitment. Usually, we can spend a few years together before we're 100% sure about it."

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'? For all either of us know, one could cheat on the other!"

"Well, do you plan on cheating on her?"

"What? Hell no! I'm just saying that as an example. But I don't know if she'd cheat on me."

"She wouldn't."

"How would you know?"

"We of all people would. She prays for you every night, she goes to the shamans every few nights to make offerings. She spent an entire day taking care of you. To top it all off, last winter, she just about isolated herself from the men."

"Alright, but what does that last thing have to do with anything?"

"Around this time, females enter…how should I put this? They're…able to get pregnant around this time of the year. They also get the urge to do so."

"Ohhh… So to keep herself faithful, she quarantined herself."

He nodded. "Exactly. She loves you, Brandon. You've already expressed that you feel the same, so what's being rushed?"

I shook my head. "I still need some time to think this over. Just…leave me alone for a bit."

They all nodded before leaving me with my thoughts. I argued with myself for hours. One part of me argued that there was no turning back and I was stuck with my current position, that divorcing-if it even was an option-would be a dick move and would devastate Icanna. The other half of me argued that she would be understanding. She understood why I felt uncomfortable being in a relationship with her, so why would this be any different? But what if she wasn't? Then I would just tell her that we could take things slow. But it was already done at this point, we were already getting married. It'd be too late to "take things slow" now. I went back and forth with myself. Every point from one side was met with a counter from the other. Eventually, my concern for her feelings won over, and I was set on the decision to go through with marriage. Besides, I truly did feel like I loved her, and with how things went when it came to my visits with her, they were always pleasant. I needed someone's shoulder to cry on last night, and she was there for me. She loved me. She really loved me. I sighed in relief. After hours of bickering and arguing with myself, I had finally reached a conclusion.

"Finally." I whispered. "Wait… Hours… What time is it?"

I burst out the door and it was pitch black. Way past sundown, they should have come back by now. A handful of the others knew this as well as I did because they were outside looking visibly concerned for their wives, sisters, and daughters.

I approached one of them. "How long has it been since sundown?" I asked.

"Three hours. My wife told me they'd be back by now. If anything happened to her or the others…"

"Icanna left a note for me. She said they would check the traps and pick up some rice for-"

"Rice? Oh no… No…"

"What? What's wrong?"

The wolf looked me dead in the eye, the concern on his face increasing tenfold. "The Sel'ia recently migrated to the nearest rice fields."

It took a second for me to realize what he just said. "Sora! Sam!" I whistled loudly. "Those of you still waiting on family, come on! The rest of you, be on your guard. If any stranger turns up, take no chances and imprison them."

The wolves led me to the rice fields. I ordered them to sweep the area and look for anything. Baskets, personal belongings, tufts of fur, something that had their scent on it.

"Rushing River, what can you smell?" I asked.

He sniffed the air a few times. "Rice…horse dung…more rice… Wait. I can smell them! This way!"

"Go, Sam! Find the girls!" I ordered.

We came to a small clearing. In the middle of it was a tiny bone attached to a thin string. I dismounted and picked it up. I looked it over for a moment.

"Her necklace…" I muttered. "Sam, here boy. Here, here. Find her, boy. Find the scent."

I put the wishbone in front of his snout, he sniffed it and put his nose in the dirt.

Another one of the wolves called to me. I ran over to him and he handed me a basket full of rice. "Find anything?" he asked.

"Just what we needed." I answered.

We were interrupted by Sam's barking. We ran over to him. He was barking at another basket. This one was full of fruits. He continued to follow the scent, we continued to follow him. Eventually, we found their camp.

"Brandon, I'm not sure about this anymore." one of the younger wolves whispered.

I grabbed him by the collar and spoke in a stern, authoritative voice. "So, you're just gonna let these monsters do whatever they want to your family? You'd let them be killed?"

"N-no! Not at all. I just… I'm scared."

"I know you are, but our families are counting on us. They NEED us. Being scared is no excuse to turn your back on them! If we don't succeed here, the Sel'ia will come back to kill us all!"

"I…I…"

"I'm with you." Rushing River said.

"As am I." another added.

"I won't leave my wife to die!" another declared.

I looked at the young wolf. "Well?"

"I…I can't. I'm sorry. I'm a coward." he said as he looked down shamefully.

"Hey." I put a hand on his shoulder. "You can still help out. If we're not back in ten, twenty minutes, ride back home and warn the others to prepare a defense. Can you do that?"

"Y-yeah, I-I can do that." he replied shakily.

"Good."

We kept our heads down as we passed by tents of unwashed animal hides covered in old fats and oils. We curled our noses at the putrid stench coming from them. We passed by crude wooden wolf effigies that had been set in a circle holding hands. Sam continued to follow the scent until we came to this huge tipi made from thick buffalo hides. We could hear terrified screams coming from inside.

"No! Leave her alone, you monster!"

"That's my sister!" Rushing River almost shouted. "Hurry!"

"Wait! Don't rush, we'll alert the whole camp!" I warned.

We made haste, though we were still careful to not make any wrong step that might give us away. We ripped off the curtain to reveal a grisly sight. The women, beaten, bloodied, and bruised to hell, were tied up for the leader to beat them whenever he pleased. And Icanna was next in line.

"GET YOUR FILTHY PAWS OFF HER, YOU SON OF A WHORE!" I roared.

He didn't even get a chance to speak before I socked him right in the cheek, knocking him out cold.

"Bastard." I spat on the Sel'ia barbarian. "Icanna, are you okay? What did he do to you?"

As soon as I cut off the ropes binding her, she wrapped her arms and legs around me, latching on to me like a magnet as she sobbed into my chest. When I saw her injuries, I snapped.

"Son of a bitch." I whispered. "YOU'RE FUCKING DEAD!"

"Easy, Brandon." one of the wolves said, placing his hand on my shoulder. I tried lunging at the unconscious body, but he held me back. "Brandon, wait! Think about this for a moment!"

"He deserves to die, you know he does. Look what he did to them!" I argued.

"Yes, but think about this, we could send the Sel'ia a message, make the leave us alone, maybe even get them to leave the forest entirely. Kill him, just make it clean. We want them to recognize his face."

I clapped my hands and rubbed them together extremely fast. "With pleasure."

I straddled him, put my hands around his throat, and squeezed as tight as I could. He woke up shortly after and tried to push me away. He was too weak to do anything, though, and his arms soon fell back down. I felt his neck for a pulse, there was nothing. Rushing River took out an axe and decapitated the body. The women pointed out those that were involved in the kidnapping. We swiftly sent them on the same path as their leader. We then tore down the effigies, made a new one out of the heads and sticks that remained, and set it alight. I stepped back to observe the effigy.

"I call this piece…Well Deserved Fate."

"Ha!" the other men laughed.

"Well, ladies, you're up."

They looked at me, puzzled.

"Get their attention. Scream or cry or something."

"Oh!" they said in unison.

They screamed, cried, feigned fear and terror to get the Sel'ia's attention before hiding in the tall grass nearby. The Sel'ia sniffed for the captives, but stumbled back when they saw the gift we left.

"Xuy ji'mas'daro, tok'no?... C'he'le m'azda! Al'ac'hed nu'l de'sha!"

"Ya'k m'ar'chil du'u burr'aa?! No'kh Sel'ia'a ma uz de'sha. Ghejh'amak ulni saja nu."

"No'kh im non. Be'k zha'terra! Mu'o li burschi'a mala!"

They sounded the alarm, waking up the rest of the camp. We scurried out of that place, got back to the watchman, and bolted back to our territory.

"Alright, I think we're in the clear. You okay, girls?"

"Well, define 'okay'." one muttered.

"Bright Gem! Don't worry them! We're fine, Brandon." Icanna reassured.

I stopped the horse. "You're sure? He didn't do anything else, did he?"

She remained silent for some time before answering me. "No. He beat us, but that's all. Nothing more."

"I'm so sorry we didn't come sooner. If I had known, I'd have gone down there myself."

She simply placed a finger over my lips, shushed me, and kissed me on the cheek. "Just drop it, Brandon."

I turned around, wrapped my arms around her, and kissed her back. "I love you."

"I love you too. Now, get us home. We've got a wedding to go to."

The entire village celebrated our safe return. They threw flowers, jewelry, and other gifts at us as they cheered. We waved at them, smiling brightly. They helped Icanna off the horse and took her away to get cleaned up. I-meanwhile-went back to the cabin. After dressing myself in the robe I was given, I decided my hair could use a bit of a trim as well as a new style. As I finished, I heard a knock on the door.

"I'll be there in a second." I called.

I opened the door to see the most wonderful sight. Icanna's red dress-illuminated by the aurora of the night-was decorated with beautiful golden embroidery.

"Hey there, handsome." she said with a smile.

"Hey there yourself, beautiful. Are you ready to go?"

"I've been ready." she held out her hand and I took it. "Let's go."

The ceremony itself was spectacular. Music, games, a huge feast. One might mistake it for a royal marriage, were it not for the location. We finished the ceremony with our vows and went home. As we lay there in each other's arms, there was a question that had been floating around in my mind for a few hours now.

"Icanna, I was wondering, when are you going into your…cycle?" I asked.

"Cycle?"

"You know, when are you able to…get pregnant?"

"Is that what you call it? Well, I actually went into heat last week." she said before looking away and frowning.

"What's wrong? Did I-"

"No, nothing." she quickly interrupted.

"Do you not want kids?"

"No, I do. More than anything. I'm just…not sure if we can. Hybrid children are rare. And being that you're not even from here, there's no telling if hybrids are even possible with you."

"Hey, hey. It's okay. If not, then we can always adopt. Our inability to have kids won't change anything. I'll still love you. I always will,"

I held her tight to comfort and kiss her just as she had done to me last night. "Also, just because you're not sure doesn't mean that we can't try..." I whispered.

I smirked, grabbed her chin, and lifted her head up to look at me. She smiled back and I kissed her deeply.