Geras Iridanis returned to Calishan in triumph with his depleted retinue.

The ferret crime boss folded his paws behind his back, puffing out his chest proudly and grinning ferociously as he entered his mansion, Hallic Thargo and Sithrin flanking him while the mysterious Kirathal Frostclaw-recently hired- walked calmly at the back of the small train. The arctic fox wore his cloak in a more concealing manner than in his fight with Eroket Nightblade and had gone so far as to wrap a black cloth around the lower portion of his face, leaving only his eyes visible.

Geras's meeting with the heads of Targas's guilds had been successful and with Geras's 'bargaining' (More like demands, subtly covered by the ferret's honeyed words) Targas would shortly be under in Geras's iron fist as well, covered by a velvet political glove.

With Davrag gone for oh so long, Geras had began to feel fear without his top killer and enforcer and had commissioned Sithrin to expend all the resources of Crimson Tears to find a beast who could match Davrag, who could surpass him! Given a few months, Sithrin had found his new idol; Kirathal Frostclaw.

Kirath and Geras had met in a small Calishan tavern and while Kirath seemed willing to sell his sword and the swords of his comrades, something about the mysterious fox didn't ring quite right in Geras's mind. He hid something beyond his love and lust for war and battle; Ambition beyond belief coursed through his veins as surely as his heart's blood. Geras would employ him, but Geras would never trust him.

But with Davrag gone, there couldn't afford to be problems. Sithrin almost adored Kirathal Frostclaw anyways, and the ferret was not a beast noted for his poor judgment.

Kirathal was not a beast who refused to talk about his past. He had the mind of a strategist which he employed in his fights and Sithrin had even claimed a move was utterly useless once the arctic fox had first seen it…but Kirath had been an assassin for the armies of the north in what was known as the brutal Unification Wars where Aleran Nightblade and Jald Nightson had carved their legacy before joining the Calpathions. Kirath had replaced Jald and Aleran as the 'Assassin of the Shadows' in the war. But some beasts-the Snowshadow clan includedincluded- had decided Kirathal's presence, nay, his existence was too dangerous to prolong. If his assassinations-which he had not yet revealed to Geras and that the ferret suspected he would die before Kirathal would ever tell him- were ever revealed, no kingdom in the North would be faced with anything but prejudice and hatred for its leaders. Kirathal had been 'erased' in the wars, a victim of convoluted politics.

But he had survived, and here he was. The beast reputed as the better of the Manticore, better than the Five, better than Davrag!

Geras would have been less enthused if he ever knew Kirathal's true schemes and plans, and especially that Kirath hadn't slain Eroket Nightblade.

Kardran the otter lieutenant nodded hastily to Geras and moved out of the ferret's way, bowing lightly as Geras leaned back on his throne. "What happened while I was gone?"

Kardran swallowed heavily, knowing it was best to get it over with. "The bandits plaguing the trade carvans were exterminated."

"Excellent! Kirathal, your beasts operate better tha-"

"Sir, it wasn't the Ice Wolves' doing…"

"What?!" Geras snarled, more furious at being interrupted than at any contradiction of his words. "Then what, Kardran?!"
"Davrag Joris…" The otter whispered.

The world seemed to go deathly silent. Geras slumped back on his throne, mouth wide open. Hallic's crimson eyes flew open and a surprised snarl escaped the brute. Sithrin seemed incapable of words.

But Kirathal Frostclaw folded his arms and smirked beneath his mask. Geras finally managed to regain his composure and replied calmly. "What happened, Kardran?"

Kardran took a deep breath to steady himself. He knew his life hinged on how Geras took the news. Geras had replaced Davrag, given up the black stoat for dead…it wouldn't do for a conflict between Davrag and Kirath, the possible result being the victor turning on Geras himself.

Kardran continued, "Arredon was running his scouting mission on the outside of the city when he found Davrag half dead-dagger in the back, face mutilated, he barely looks like himself anymore- The bandits were dead behind him. It wasn't hard for Arredon to decipher what happened…sir."

"Where is Davrag now?" Geras replied softly and calmly.

Kardran swallowed. "Arredon wouldn't stand for anything less than medical treatment. He's half dead in a bed in the third wing."

No beast but Geras and Hallic-even the brute knew what the symbol meant- saw Kirath make a subtle gesture to which Geras put his index to his middle finger and lowered it, a sign of refusal. Kirath shrugged.

Geras rose and nodded to Kardran. "Good work, Kardran." Kardran mentally sighed with relief.

Geras nodded to two of Kardran's beasts. "Hallic, you go talk to Verria and Arithia if she's not busy in her…playroom. Kirath…I want you to go to the other Ice Wolves. I want you to discuss plans for the Western takeover…as well as dealing with the Iridans and most of all, that damnable Jald Nightson!"

Kirath bowed. "Of course…" Everybeast took note that what Geras had said to Kirath had been no direct command.

Flanked by two of his thugs, Geras exited the room

Geras arrived in the medical wing, to the rooms reserved for his top commanders, where Davrag currently lay. A gesture opened the door and he stormed in.

Davrag Joris lay upon the bed, covered up to his neck in a silken sheet, mutilated face-and how a contrast the battle scarred visage seemed to radiate an odd…emptiness? This shell was nothing like the cocky, cruel Davrag of before. He'd been beaten, defeated…and he knew it.

Sitting across from him was the youthful Arredon Torroth, sitting back serenely, watching his mentor almost anxiously. The youth was an amazing killer with some tragic past. Geras didn't really care about that…but Arredon followed orders and would spy, steal or kill without a change of expression. However, Geras always knew his first allegiance was to Davrag and not Crimson Tears. Geras hated the brat as a result.

"Well, look at you!" Geras's voice was thick with contempt as he folded his paws on his hips. Arredon made no move and Davrag just shifted slightly.

"Look at this handsome face…you were crushed and humiliated! Too bad you weren't killed, Davrag! You deserved it for that horrific job bungling."

Jald was no longer in Geras's service; Geras had lost face and ground to the Northern Lords and even to the Corsair Lords in the south. Kirathal's Ice Wolves were more than just a good business decision; they were the necessary tool for Geras's domination and very survival!

"Demon? Master of the Blade? Fucking joke!" Geras grinned confidently as neither Davrag nor Arredon did a thing to stop him. His paw extended. "More like a sad, little baby demon who can't play any-AAAAGH!"

Before he got near taking hold of Davrag, Arredon was moving in a blur, paw gripping Geras's forearm with unearthly strength, his face a mask of cold rage. "Don't you…ever defile Lord Davrag with your touch."

By Vulpuz, his grip was steel! A million fires raked across Geras's arm as Arredon bent it back. He wrenched it away with a scream of pain, hoping it wasn't broken.

His guards moved forward, two big weasels-not Hallic's size of course- swords moving.

And suddenly they froze as Arredon blurred again, disarming them, swords crisscrossed across his narrow chest, tips touching the necks of the guards. It was clear their lives would end if Davrag willed it…Geras would never leave this room if Davrag willed it!

"Enough, Arredon," Davrag replied calmly, easing himself into a sitting position, piercing amber eyes- unchanged by his injuries-scrutinized Geras, "I screwed up. Arredon's told me the change of development and I frankly don't care much."

Geras's glare was one of pure hatred but Davrag was undaunted. "I have my own vendettas…you will NOT interfere in them. Master," He added as an afterthought, lips twisting in a cold parody of a smirk.

Geras practically ran from the room, cradling his arm against his chest.

Kirathal sat back in his seat, eyeing the other foxes that made up the Ice Wolves. "Well, what do you lot think?"

Sithrin had been left behind now. Kirath found he liked the brilliant ferret, for his nimble mind and unwavering devotion.

The Ice Wolf Kirath directly addressed, Tethik was slim and of average height, short spear held at attention pose. Tethik was a beast Kirath valued highly in battle for Tethik's supposedly 'supernatural' battle powers, but Kirath never trusted the other fox, nor dropped his guard around him.

Tethik had been blinded by Kirath during a fierce sword duel during the Unification Wars years ago and now lived-as he said-to kill his master and one time enemy. He had joined reluctantly, on the condition if Kirath ever lost his edge or dropped his guard; Tethik would be around to end his master's life.

The many years had been kind to Tethik, who now wore a bandanna around his mutilated sockets and dressed in flamboyant crimson colors. In battle he was invaluable, if untrustworthy asset. Tethik was violent and sadistic to the extreme and one of the best fighters of the Ice Wolves

"I don't like the sound of it, Kirath." Tethik replied calmly, informal as always, tapping his spear shaft against the ground lightly. "Geras is clearly reaching…"

"I've got that already." Kirath leaned back. His beasts knew his flippant attitude, but knew he wasn't dismissing Tethik so much as contemplating.

"Harkon?" Kirath's gaze flicked up to the second of the Ice Wolves, a fox larger than all of the others, but with a quiet and calm intelligence in his eyes. Kirath had been lucky to find Harkon. He was a good beast at heart, true, but his paw-to-paw skills were absolutely beyond compare. Harkon had been a healer at one point but had grown sick of the world's cruelty and its pains and had resolved if a change must be made, Harkon would usher it to that change and he would do it at Kirath's side.

"No thoughts." Harkon replied with a light shrug. Kirath shrugged lightly and turned to the last member of the present Ice Wolves: Curian.

Curian was the brightest and the medium of pacification of the present trio, A nimble mind and sword arm with a wit nearly matching Kirath's. Curian wore a variety of weaponry. All taken from deceased enemies; the golden furred fox considered himself a 'collector.' And he took his collection from the dead or from other swordsmiths, the rarer the better.

The prize Curian desired most was the blade that Serion Redfletch had made…the one that Jald Nightson wore at his hip.

"I say we take an opportunity," replied Curian with an icy smirk. "We can slam a village probably, make it ours. It's small…but it's a start, Lord Kirathal."

Kirath sat back, looking to Harkon who shrugged lightly and to Tethik who-oddly-nodded as if he just felt Kirath's eyes upon him.

Kirath smiled. "Decision made…gentlemen, what should we devastate first?"

Kardran's pen scratched across the paper frantically

'Davrag Joris is alive, two Calpathion survivors reportedly dismantling Crimson Tears interest. Situation is becoming desperate, Ice Wolves growing stronger.'

He sighed and rubbed his temples. Infiltration was a deadly game. He was lucky Geras hadn't recognized him, but the ferret probably never bothered to recall beasts he'd seen in passing, so huge was his ego. 'Kardran' hated the life of a crime lieutenant and hoped his 'superiors' would bring it to an end soon. He needed only pass this message off secretly. That was the easy part.

He brought the quill down and wrote two more words

'- Commander Riverblade.'