The clear spring water was warmer than the young basitin expected. Throughout the summer, they had traveled across the continent on a network of roads that were not nearly as well developed as those in the center of the human kingdom. Across the northern tier, the group had traveled through thick pine forests, the muskeg, the tundra, more woods, and finally the white fields. Asher remembered seeing the towering western mountains from a hill overlooking a vast lake, the foothills still several days away. He could hardly tell in the setting sun where the earth ended, and sky began that night. The snowcapped peaks seemed so high that they were clouds. Now they had climbed up into those same mountains.

Connor said that they were going to be going through the White Pass. It would be a tough climb but at the top they would be able to see their new home, the north country! That had to be put on a pause though as Connor and Shadow agreed that the spring-fed mountain river would be the best location to finally bathe and get some of the trail dust and sweat off of them all. Asher still wasn't used to how humans and keidran bathed, nude and in the open, but at least the ladies had taken a spot further upstream. That just left him and Connor, who was currently busy scrubbing his little brother down from head to toe.

"Hold still Asher, it's hard enough to clean out this fur without you squirming."

"For the last time Connor, I can clean myself."

"That's what you said a month ago, remember what happened after a couple days?"

"…That was totally different?"

"All that sweat didn't get washed off and you were covered in heat rashes. Wasn't fun, was it?"

He was right. Asher had felt like he was burning up. It was only through an ointment Liz made and some vigorous daily cleaning those areas, especially his privates. Those rashes stung to the touch.

"And trust me kid, I didn't like having to help either. I was worried you'd get an infection what with the humidity and heat."

"Fine, but can I at least try again? I'm seven now."

Connor thought about it for a second. Yeah, he didn't like having to clean every inch of fur on Asher but he was kid without anyone else to show him how some of these things are done.

"Alright, you win. Guess you'll need to learn somehow. Here's the brush and ash soap, go wade over there and start scrubbing like I've done, okay? I'm going to get started on our clothes. But if those rashes start to come back, you tell me right away before they get painful again, got it?"

"Yes sir…"

"Good kid. Just count yourself lucky that it's just us in here. I'm pretty sure keidran think nothing of bathing together all at once." The thought of them all in the same pool shuttered both. At least there was that commonality, men in one area women in the other.

Truthfully, Asher did love being dotted on by Connor. They had already gone through so much together and over the last few months the human seemed to ease back into his role of an older brother, this time to both of his siblings. Along the way Connor had been teaching Asher what he knew. How to hunt, how to follow trail signs, and how to take care of himself. But some things a basitin should do for himself, and hygiene was one of those things. There was one area no one could quite reach on themselves though.

"Connor?"

"Yeah?"

"C-could you get my back? Please?"

Connor finished hanging their clothes and waded over to the young basitin. "Can't reach, huh? Alright, hand me the brush and sit on that rock.

Using the soap bar to get some suds, Connor started scrubbing first with his hands, letting the soap build up in the fur. He could feel against Asher's skin the mark of the cat-o-nine tails. Drake was gone, but a reminder of him would be there forever. That was something they had in common and it was something Connor wished he could fix. That wasn't the only thing Drake left on poor Asher, but this was the most visible. At least the fur covered it up.

Running the brush through Asher's back fur followed by a thorough rinsing completed the task. "Okay Asher, all done. Go climb out and I'll give you the brush and soap to take back to the horses."

Getting out of the water, Asher still didn't like being naked out in the open. "Hurry up Connor! I want to get clothes on before anyone else sees us!"

"Relax Asher, the ladies are way up stream, there's no one else here. And as I keep telling you, you're covered in fur, so it's not like anything is showing. Besides, you've got nothing that I don't have as well."

"You don't have a tail…"

"You know that's not what I mean."

A mountain breeze picked up just then. Asher didn't have much insulation to begin with but being wet with waterlogged fur made it feel a lot colder. He shivered as the breeze past, which Connor of course noticed/

"You know, the ladies might follow the stream back to us. And they might be finished since Shadow and Liz don't need extra help for themselves." It was a lie, but Connor knew that would get the kid into gear. The basitin took all of half a second to make a run for it. Connor just took his time though, collecting their damp clothes and carrying the bundle back to the horses. Everyone had managed to find at least two sets of clothes, so one could afford to stay wet until camp was made for the night.

By the time the teen had made it back to the mares, Asher already had pants on and was wrapping his ankles. Connor leisurely strolled up but was courteous enough to keep his horse between him and Asher's line of sight. Pulling out a fresh rag, Connor patted himself down and had breeches on in a couple of minutes. Shirt, socks, shoes, and jumper came next. It wasn't particularly cold, but a good wool jumper was a welcome addition to his wardrobe in the mountains. The short northern summer was quickly coming to an end and already some of the leaves were starting to show hints of color.

As he packed away their damp clothes, Connor noticed that Asher was still wet.

"Did you dry off?"

"…yes?"

"Tsk tsk Asher, you've got a puddle of water under you."

The basitin looked down and saw that there was indeed a lot of wet dirt under him, even on the rock he was sitting on. Connor just rolled his eyes and pulled out another couple of rags. "You know you can't ride all day soaking wet like that. Here, take those clothes off and dry off properly."

"But…"

"Now Asher, if you don't, you're going to regret it later."

The basitin rolled his eyes before taking the rags and walking behind some tall bushes for privacy. Just then hooves could be heard a short distance up-trail. Around the bend came Liz and Shadow, done with their own bathing. Liz's long, nut-brown hair glistened in the sun, still damp with creek water. Shadow though…

"You boys done yet? Shadow teased."

"Come on Shadow, you know I don't really care much but have somemercy on poor Asher. It's bad enough he has to let me clean his…"

"Ah! Shadow, why!?" Asher exclaimed as he came out from behind the bushes. The boy immediately shielded his eyes and looked away. The black leopard was in her saddle without a single scrap of clothing on, preferring to dry off the only way a keidran knows how. Liz and Connor could only laugh.

"What?" Shadow asked.

"Why are you animals always naked?!" Asher replied.

"Hey, I got to dry off somehow." Shadow responded, a hint of offense in her voice. You've got fur too kid, you mean you don't just let the water evaporate?"

"Evapo...? I don't even know what that means!"

Connor then stepped in before another family argument would erupt. "Shadow, Asher was about to ride around clothed and soaking wet rather than spend another second nude. That's just how the basitin do. Can you at least put your cloak on?"

"Ah come on!" Shadow protested. We're in keidran territory, and I'm a keidran. Don't I have a right to…"

"Alright, alright." Liz interrupted. This wasn't the first time this 'discussion' had occurred on the trail. She wasn't exactly comfortable either but it wasn't that big of a deal, however the two humans in the group were getting tired of these cultural differences. "How about Shadow and I ride ahead, and you two can catch up when we make camp in a few hours.

"Good idea sis, now get going before Asher here dies of shame and embarrassment." Connor winked at Shadow as he finished his sentence. Her horse answered with a puff before being steered around to go back up the trail.

"Hey, where's Zephyr?" Connor asked the girls.

"Up here!" Zephyr answered with her mind. Connor looked high up in a tree to see the small dragon perched at the top.

"And what's so interesting up there missy? Eating bugs again?" Connor replied with a thought. He still wasn't used to it, but with conscious effort he could hold a telepathic conversation as well as any human.

"Hey, that was only one time! I can see the top of the pass. Should only be a couple more miles and we'll be on the other side."

"Glad to hear it. Now, you want to come down and keep us company or are you going to fly off until sunset again?"

"I'm a dragon Connor, I can take care of myself."

"Yes, but you're also, like, the size of a cat. Some of the eagles around here could pick off Asher, but at least I'd give him a fighting chance."

Zephyr was about to protest when another creature landed on the tree just above her. The young dragon looked up just in time to indeed see a large golden eagle agitated at her presence. She quickly scanned the bird's mind only to realize that at the very top of the pine tree was a nest with chicks. The eagle couldn't exactly speak, but Zephyr could see what the bird was focused on.

"Look out!" Asher yelled.

"Oh crap…" She thought as the eagle dropped down. Zephyr quickly coasted down the side of the tree. Yeah, she could use her fire breath in self-defense, but she didn't want to hurt anyone. Racing down toward the ground, Zephyr pulled up, and quickly made for Connor. She could feel the bird close behind. Quickly landing on Connor and hiding behind his back, the human was just as surprised at the encounter as his dragon. But he quickly ducked out of the way as the bird came flying past at eye level before flapping it's great wings and making her way back up to her next with babies.

"You, okay?" Connor asked out loud and mentally as Zephyr moved her perch to the horse saddle.

"Yeah. I didn't see that…"

"Honestly Zephyr, I didn't see that nest either."

Zephyr moved to the horse's withers as Connor hoisted himself in to the saddle. Asher had to get a running start, but was getting rather good at mounting his own mare by himself. Zephyr then nestled herself on top of the saddle, sitting in her preferred roost in Connor's lap.

"So, the big bad dragon runs to her human for protection at the first sign of trouble?"

"Hey, I could have roasted her! I just… didn't want to."

"Well, that's for the best. But you've got to be careful. I can't exactly climb a tree that tall."

"True, but at least you make a good scarecrow!" Zephyr finished that sentence with the flick of her forked tongue.

Connor just rolled his eyes as he pulled the reins, joining Asher on his mare as they walked up the trail in the same direction as the ladies. "Well, this scarecrow thinks you should just rest a while until we're away from that bird. She's got your eye on you now."

"It's not like I was going to eat the babies…"

"Yeah, but I distinctly remember your mother burning an adrakist to a crisp for trying to steal your life essence."

"What's that got to do with this?"

"Don't mess with babies, or else you'll have to face mom's wrath. That's all I'm saying. It's a universal truth."

"Fine, lesson of the day I guess."

"That's my girl."

Connor then place his hand over the small dragon as Zephyr rested her head on his thigh. The horse quickly caught up to Asher and the two continued, giving the girls enough of a lead.

Asher thought to speak his mind in private with his brother, "Connor, why do animals like Shadow have to be so…"

"Best not finish that sentence kid. For one thing, Shadow is a keidran, not just some animal like these horses. They're different in a lot of ways, so to keidran, modesty is a foreign concept. Let's just leave it at that."

"It's just… I thought she lived around humans. You humans are weird too, but at least you have clothes on when around Liz."

"I'll admit Asher, humans aren't as strict as Basitin. To me, bare ankles mean nothing, and not just because you're my brother either. People walk around with bare legs all the time. Well, keidran see clothing the same way. You could be butt-naked in front of her, and she wouldn't care."

"I guess. But what is she going to do when we find the white basitin? I don't want her to go to jail for being… herself."

"My guess is the basitin live away from humans and keidran. I think it will just be us and Zephyr when we track down your people, the girls should stay in Callow."

"They aren't my people, Connor, we're a long way from Dad… I mean, the islands."

Connor noticed the slip. He sighed. "Yeah, okay. But you were saying the Western Basitin lived like keidran, right?"

"Yeah?"

"And Shiloh was fully clothed just like you, so do you think these basitin came from the East or West?"

Asher didn't answer, he was just thinking.

"Look, it doesn't matter if they were from East or West, they are Basitin. I love you Asher, and I don't want you to be away from your kind. Even if they are a little different, I'm sure we'll find someone who will take you in and make you feel like you're home."

After some silence, Connor thought to give Asher one more order. "By the way, you should apologize to Shadow for calling her an animal."

"I didn't mean to insult her. She's just…"

"I know, but you did. I've apologized to her a lot for things I've called her in the past because she's part of our family now and Shadow shouldn't have to feel less than us."

"I thought you didn't like keidran, Connor?"

"I don't, generally, and I especially didn't like Shadow but she's more than made up for anything she did to us. And besides, we aren't in the human territory anymore. If we aren't nice to the keidran here we could get into deep trouble.

Further up the road, Liz and Shadow were nearing the top of the pass. Liz and Shadow hadn't talked too much, but the silence was starting to get to them both. Liz didn't want to lead as her mare was somewhat timid, but she wasn't so comfortable to see two bare asses in front of her, one walking and the other riding without a saddle, both tails swishing back in forth in rhythm.

"You know Shadow, we aren't going to be living with wolves. Connor says Callow is full of humans. You're dry now, so maybe you could…"

"Ah geez, not this again. Come on Liz, what's so great about wearing clothes anyway? The whole time I was in the guild, I had to wear all sorts of silly clothing. That's despite the fact that I blend in at night better than any of you humans! Can't I have a little bit of time to be myself?"

"Okay, look Shadow. You know Connor and I aren't that uncomfortable around keidran. We had plenty in Maine. But could you at least put a shirt on? Preferably one that goes past your tail?"

Shadow realized the problem. "You don't have to stare at it if you don't like it Liz, no one is forcing you."

"True, but on the trail it's trees, blue sky, and two bare butts in front of me. I don't like staring at the horse's either, but it doesn't have saddle bags full of clothing."

"I guess Connor is the only cool one here. I'll put something on if you insist, guess I shouldn't be letting a young boy see me anyway. If he hasn't started having big-boy thoughts yet he will be soon enough."

"I highly doubt Asher sees you that way." Liz retorted. "Connor doesn't seem too either."

"That's because Connor is focused on a girl a way back East. He's been writing her, you know?"

Liz didn't know that. "He's been… writing a girl?"

"Yeah, a couple of times. Don't believe me? Wait till he's asleep and find his latest one in his courier bag."

"Why would I do that?"

"Why not? I have."

"Shadow! That's a private conversation! If Connor wanted to us to know, he would tell us."

"Hey, for whatever it's worth. It's just some dopey love notes. But suit yourself if you aren't curious."

They stopped at the nearest clearing. Shadow didn't want to admit it, but the stiff mountain breeze was getting a little chilly anyway. The arctic air was coming up from the vast scene before them. Shirt, cloak, and a jumper Connor gave her were quickly pulled from the saddle bag and donned. It was a catch twenty-two though because even though Shadow liked the extra insulation, the wool clothing didn't mesh well with her thick black fur.

"There, happy?" Shadow said, gesturing to her attire.

"Thank you, and I'm sure Asher will appreciate it when they catch up."

"So what do we do now?" Shadow asked.

"Turn around and look at the view?"

For the first time Shadow had the mind to turn around and see the view before them. They had really made it to the North. As they stood there, tall mountain peaks to the left and right framed a view which could just as easily be a painting. The sheer cliffs gave way to foothills covered in pines, which in turn yielded to the vast plains. In the far distance was a river flowing west to the sea. While the plains looked desolate, hints of life could be seen near the river as a small stretch of trees bordered its watery lifeline. To the North stretched out beyond the horizon another massive lake, not unlike the one they saw approaching the mountains many days ago.

Liz once again broke the silence. "Damn, that really is…"

"Cold" Shadow finished. "That wind feels ice cold."

"You're cold? You might still be half-naked, but you've got fur."

"I can feel it right up my…"

"Okay, I get it. Yeah, put some pants on Shadow."

The leopard could hear Liz's stomach grumble through her sensitive ears. Pulling out both pants and jerky she took a bite while putting on breeches. "Want some?" She said through a mouth full of meat.

"Hell yes!" Liz exclaimed, desperate for something after a long morning.

The two were just finishing up when Asher and Connor reached the top of the pass. Asher was struck by the view and stopped giving the horse instructions, though the animal was sensible enough to walk up to her companions. Connor had his mare trot a short distance, the jostling awoke Zephyr who flew up into the air. Helping Asher off his mare, Connor then took in the view with everyone else.

"Bout time you made it Connor. We're just about ready to continue."

"Sorry, we had some trouble between a certain dragon and an agitated bird of prey."

The girls looked at Zephyr as she landed between them. "Wait, what?" Shadow asked.

"Let's just say, don't get too close to an eagle nest." Zephyr answered.

"Oh, you poor thing. Were you attacked?" Liz questioned while scooping up the little dragon.

"I'm alright, Liz."

"Quite the view, isn't it Asher?"

"Yeah… Hey, look over there!"

Asher pointed off into the far distance, following the river to where it met the sky. It was hardly perceptible, but there was a spot that had hazy smoking rising up. The only settlement around.

"That must be Callow." Connor reasoned.

"Or a wolf village" Shadow added.

"Or a wolf village, yes, but at least they'll know where to go."

"How far do you think that is?" Liz asked while at Connor as he sat down beside her.

"Hard to say, but I'll bet it's a couple days of riding."

Shadow heard another, much stomach, growl beside her as she sat propped against a log. "Have you eaten yet, Asher?"

"No. Hey, you're wearing clothes now!"

"Yeah, yeah, I got cold. Here, come sit and have some meat."

He didn't make eye contact, but Asher did as he was asked.

"Hey, what's wrong? Still not enough clothes for you?"

"N-no. I just… I'm sorry for calling you an animal."

To be honest, Shadow had forgotten about it. Yeah, little things like that hurt, but she knew Asher wasn't trying to hurt her, that's just how people talk about keidran and that's what he picked up at some point.

"It's alright Asher. You're still my friend kid, come here."

"No" Asher said as he scooted closer and let Shadow put an arm around him. "You're my family."

Shadow couldn't help but let a small tear form in her eye. Not even Connor had openly admitted that to her. "I… thank you, kid."

As happy as Connor was to see them make up, they still had a long way to go.

"Glad you made things right Asher. But I want to get off the trail as soon as possible, so shall we keep going?"

"Yeah, we better get off this mountain before dark." Shadow said, pulling Asher up with her and helping him into the saddle.

"I'd hate to feel how cold it gets here at night." Liz added.

"I'll stretch my wings and find a spot for us." Zephyr offered, unfurling her small wings, and taking aloft in the rising breeze.

Hours later, they had made camp. A small clearing by a creek deep in a drainage under the mountain. It wasn't quite out of the foothills, but it was noticeably warmer down low. There was no need for a tent, but blankets were spread around the fire. The young dragon had made her own spot close to the fire, the warmth feeling good against her scaly flank. Shadow and Liz had their own bedding to share while Connor and Asher took what remained. Shadow had gone off to find more wood to burn and Asher was resting, head in Connor's lap. Liz hadn't let go of what Shadow had said earlier about Connor's letters to a girl he had met and she could no longer ignore her curiosity.

"Hey Connor?" Liz asked.

"Yeah sis?"

"Shadow told me that you, uh, met someone?"

"Oh yeah. Her name is Eira."

"Where is she?"

"Well, she and her parents travel around. Her dad sells stuff at different markets. So she doesn't really have a home."

"Oh… So, are you planning to find her again?"

"I, uh, well… I guess I did make a promise to go back and find her eventually."

"You love her?"

Connor sheepishly smiled while looking down at Asher as he stroked the boy's ears. "Yeah, I do."

"So, what's her name? How did you meet? Why didn't we go find her before coming up here?" Liz asked, genuinely interested.

"Well Liz, I guess neither of us were ready last time we saw each other. Her name is Eira. It's honestly a long story, so maybe we should wait until we find Callow. It's going to be a long winter, so it's not like we will be short on time."

"That's fine, I can wait. Speaking of, you haven't told me yet what happened before you found me. Shadow filled me in on a couple things, but I was hoping you'd tell me the story."

"Sorry Liz, I don't really want to relive that tale. Some things just weren't… well, some things weren't very fun, let's put it that way." He said that as his hand shifted down to rub Asher's back, feeling the scars underneath the boy's clothing.

"So it's not a very happy story then, is it?"

"Few are, Liz. But I will tell you everything. Just… I'd like to get to Callow and make sure we're all set for winter before I start thinking about everything that happened in the last six years. But could you tell me something?"

"Tell you what?"

"Do you think this was a good idea, coming all the way up here? I didn't want to Shadow or I getting imprisoned for things we've done. But I also want to make sure you, and Asher, and even Zephyr are going to be okay up here."

"Connor, I…"

Shadow then emerged from the darkness with dead wood to burn and decided to answer for Liz. "Connor, you've gotten us this far. I don't know what awaits us in Callow, but I do know that if we all work together, we'll be just fine."

"You agree, Liz?"

"How can I not? Shadow is right. Connor, you're my brother. You managed to find me after all this time and so far we've managed to get all the way across Mekkan to this frontier in one piece. I trust you like no one else."

"As do I." Shadow added.

"Thank you both, seriously. I just hope this is the right move for us."

"Look." Shadow said while sitting down on the blanket next to Liz. "Asher will get to be with other basitin, this place might be the one part of Mekkan where the guild won't find me, and you two can finally start a new life. What other options do we have?"

"That's what scares me shadow, I just don't know."

"Then we'll make do, Connor," said Liz. "That's all we can do."

Connor stoked the fire one last time as the girls laid down and covered themselves. The blankets weren't exactly comfortable, but they were cheap and quite warm. He gently moved Asher from his lap to the ground and pulled him in close, doubling up their large blanket to share before tucking in Asher's sides. That was certainly one benefit of having to share the bedding with a kid, a basitin no less, there was a lot more blanket to go around.

Looking up, Connor could see the aurora borealis. The blue and green waves danced across the sky. He had occasionally seen these lights in Maine, but now that they were in the far north this was a regular occurrence. Connor thought about Eira and sat up to add another couple of notes into his latest letter to her.

"We've made it Eira! Today we crossed the pass and now we're on the downhill run to Callow. Asher is snuggled against me like usual. You should see the lights at night around here. Long waves of blue and green across the sky. Anyway, when I reach Callow I'll send this with a courier, so rest assured that if you read this, we've made it safe and sound." -Connor

Satisfied with the update, Connor let the ink dry for a minute, taking the opportunity to stare into the flames some more. Once satisfied that the parchment was ready for an envelope, he put the letter away in his own carry bag. Liz and Shadow teased that it was a purse, but Connor didn't care, it was practical and that's all that mattered.

Laying back down, he covered himself with a very generous "half" of the blanket and carefully moved one of his arms under Asher's head for a bit of support and security. The kid was growing up, there was no question about it. Becoming more capable every day. In moments it felt like those changes were coming too quickly, but then Asher would do something more expected of one so young.

Part of Connor dreaded having to let Asher go after so many months of traveling together and getting to be a big brother to the young orphan, but he knew that a basitin ought to live with his own kind. They didn't have to rush it though, and Connor planned to take his own sweet time making sure that Asher was going to be safe and cared for. That kind of worried the teen though. Asher had told him all sorts of things about the Eastern Basitin. Sure, they weren't human, but recruitment at age 7? Fighting in the front lines by age 12? Maybe the Northern basitin were more sensible.