AN: Here is the next chapter. Not much else to say.

Disclaimer: I do not own Armello, but Rory is my own original character

"Keep your guard up!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

"Position your left foot out more and keep your focus on me! Not anything else."

"Right!"

"Watch my eyes! They will tell you where I am going to swing!"

Thane took his practice sword and lightly attacked Rory's left side, which he blocked before being forced on the defensive again. The two of them had been exchanging sparring blows for the past hour in the Bandit Clan's training area, which was composed of multiple sparring rings and racks of weapons ranging from practice swords to full-on steel. Some were watching the king and their leader's son while others were training themselves. Thane narrowed his eyes and let his guard get lowered so that Rory could attack him, which he did with quick thrusts and half-slashes, but his footing was making it too easy for him to be noticed that even a novice could stop him.

"Stop," Thane commanded, making the red wolf pup freeze. Sighing, Thane shook his head. "This isn't working. You're leaving your stance open and not moving right."

"But this is the same way Mother taught me, and she can fight well," Rory pointed out in confusion.

"Scarlett's style is different because she's a fox. Her body is lighter than yours, and she has more flexibility," Thane said as he walked over and patted Rory on the shoulder. "You are a wolf. You have speed, but power should be your main focus. Your stance is too wide when it should be more narrow. Also, your swing is not wide enough for your arms, and your tail is not positioned right."

"I see," Rory sighed and looked down as if he disappointed Thane.

"Do not see this as a bad thing," Thane said, smiling at him warmly as he knelt down to look at him eye to eye. "Seeing what you are doing wrong helps you figure out how to do things right. Nobody becomes a master at an early age, and even geniuses need to practice to hone their skills constantly. You are young. You have plenty of time to learn. All you need to do is go through a different training regiment."

Standing beside Rory, Thane lifted his blade and held it in his usual two-handed stance. "Follow my lead. Step by step. Tell me if it feels better, okay?"

"Okay," Rory answered as Thane went through the primary training forms of swordplay and dances that he learned when he was his son's age.

Still can't believe he's my son. Well, looking at him, it's obvious, actually, Thane thought as he watched Rory follow him step by step perfectly. Raising his blade for invisible blocks, broad chops for cutting the armor in half, stepping and positioning themselves for the next attack. He had followed it with ease. He does have potential, much like Snow. I wouldn't be surprised if both were equal as they got older.

During their sparing, Thane also learned much about his hidden son's true nature. The boy was practically a combination of all his children. While he was shy and quiet like Ned, he had the passion and kindness of his Riverfoot and the determination and spirit to prove himself like Snow. There were differences still. Rory was not charismatic and seemed to always want to not stand out. He could tell by how he avoided the gazes of those around him and blushed furiously when a few even bowed.

"So, Rory," Thane said as they continued their sword forms. "Do you plan on becoming the next leader of the Bandit Clan when your mother passes it on to you?"

"M-Me? No! No way," Rory claimed with a firm shake and nearly lost his footing upon hearing this. "I…I don't like the idea of being a leader. I like being a follower more. Don't get me wrong, I love the Clan. It's my family. But I don't want to lead them like Mother. I'd rather go out and explore the world or settle down with Mother and start a trade."

So he has a lack of ambition, Thane thought with relief. He then winced and wanted to kick himself. I'm judging my own son in case he is a threat to another one of my children. Wyld, this is why I hate politics.

"I see," Thane replied as he ended their exercise and turned to Rory. "How did that feel? Better?"

"Much better!" Rory said with a glowing gaze. "I felt like I was really one with the sword. I didn't feel a struggle or anything. Plus, I did that thing you said with your tail? It's a lot easier."

"Yes, your tail helps with balance and can be used to help you with your swordplay," Thane said with a chuckle. "My second oldest child, Riverfoot, calls it the butt handle."

"Butt handle?" Rory asked, confused but almost looking ready to snort.

"Because handling your tail is important in handling a sword. So she called it the butt handle," Thane explained while shaking his head in amusement. "She's not really much into swords and prefers reading. Though she once had my son think if he had the strongest tail, he'd be the strongest swordsman, so he tried to figure out how to do butt exercises."

This actually made Rory howl with laughter and strike his knees while barely keeping himself from standing. "T-T-That's hilarious!"

"He's seven. We all have silly actions at that age," Thane replied with a grin. "When I was seven, I once even convinced my friend River at that age that you could fart spells if you tried hard enough. It was amusing seeing her raise her little tush at the training dummy to try and cast a spell at it. Her look of determination made it look like she had constipation. When she learned I had pranked her, she got back at me by dumping ice-cold water in my shorts. It looked like I peed myself, and jumping around didn't help."

The two openly laughed, and Thane wrapped his arm around Rory. It felt more and more like the two were bonding as father and son. It made Thane sad that Rory didn't know this, but he knew telling the boy right away would only cause problems. This situation needed dedication, and he knew Rory had a right to know. Besides, I…I think I want to keep seeing him…

"Well, this is a sight that I had waited to see for some time," An old raspy voice echoed behind the wolves, which made Thane jump and nearly grab his real sword as he knew that voice from anywhere. Sure enough, an aged blind rat in red robes and a mask walked towards them with a rod that had a large golden halo on top with three spikes. The most fantastic thing about this rat was not that he was blind but that he had no hair and instead was as naked as a newborn. The rat smiled with his yellow teeth, saying, "A Blue King with a Red Prince. Such an interesting moment this is. But again, I have foreseen it coming to pass long ago."

Sargon the Death Teller! Thane thought with worry. He didn't even think the old rat was still alive.

Before Thane could react, Rory launched himself at Sargon. He hugged the old rat like a grandfather, and Thane's jaw dropped when he embraced him back. "Good afternoon, Uncle Sargon!"

"Uncle…Sargon?" Thane asked in disbelief.

"Surprised to see me, Winter Wolf?" Sargon asked, chuckling. "I am not surprised to see you."

"Because of your visions?" Thane asked with a snarl.

"No, Scarlett told me you had come," Sargon said with no fear as if he wasn't threatened by Thane. "The Rot has resurfaced itself with an old champion seeking to grant it revenge. It summons fear and brings death to those it hates. Seeing as you are the Champion of The Wyld, it is natural that fate has brought you here."

"...How did you survive the cave-in?" Thane asked.

"Oh, I nearly didn't, but fate was not yet finished with me," Sargon cryptically replied.

Rubbing the back of his head, Rory stood in front of Sargon and blushed. "Um, Uncle Sargon is a member of the Bandit Clan now. I know you and him were…conflicted…."

"To put it lightly," Thane muttered, folding his arms. Sargon had been one of the most mysterious beings that Thane had ever met. Always helping various sides and betraying them at certain moments for his own gain. All to come up on top by the visions he had. Visions that often came true, provided you did nothing to prevent them. It made Sargon a dangerous foe but a helpful ally. Yet Sargon's only allegiance was to himself and the goals he had in mind.

"Peace, Winter Wolf," Sargon said, raising his hand as he hobbled over to a nearby rock and sat down. "I am no threat to you or anyone here. My best years are long gone, and now I rest here, using my visions to help the Bandit Clan when needed. Though, I admit, my visions don't come to me as often. Age, it seems, is finally catching up to me."

"You're not that old, Uncle Sargon," Rory said with a smile. "You can still do some pretty amazing things with your magic."

"Yes, but now is the time for a new generation to do the things necessary for the world," Sargon said as he patted Rory on the head. "You will one day be a great wolf, Red Prince. I do not need the visions I get to see this. Now, why don't you run off? The Winter Wolf and I have a few things to discuss."

"Um, okay," Rory said as he turned to Thane and smiled brightly. "Thanks for the lessons, King Thane! I'll be sure to remember them!"

"You're welcome, Rory," Thane replied as he nodded. "If you want to spar any time, just let me know."

Thane watched as his son waved goodbye and rushed off before making his way to Sargon and glaring at him. "What is your game, Sargon? You never do anything without purpose. What is your scheme?"

"So suspicious, Winter Wolf," Sargon chuckled in amusement. "Do our past entanglements cause you to lash out this way? Or is it jealousy that I am closer to your son despite not being related to him?"

"Y-You know?" Thane asked in surprise.

"I've known longer than you," Sargon sighed. "Thane? Listen to me. I am not causing any schemes or plans, as you put it. Those days are behind me. When I nearly died, I saw my visions tell me that fighting against you was pointless. You would win every time, so I stopped and ended my ambitions. I merely watched and waited for you to become King. A better King than Armelllo has had for a long time with a legacy that shall last even longer. Now all I wish to do is live in peace and wait until the day when I pass from this world peacefully. "

"How did you end up in the Bandit Clan?" Thane asked, tilting his head.

"After I was thought dead, I figured it was best to leave the Rat Clan," Sargon explained with a shrug. "There was nothing left for me there, so I sought Scarlett and her Bandit Clan. Figuring they could take in an exile like me if I proved my worth. My visions have been helpful to them, and Rory sees me as an uncle or grandfather figure. He has few male role models, so I do what I can."

"...I see," Thane whispered as he closed his eyes and wondered how Rory would be if he knew him sooner or later.

"Do not worry about your son, Winter Wolf," Sargon whispered, lowering his head. "He is a good boy. Strong in heart and his blade. He will not seek the throne if that is what you fear. His heart is not ruled by ambition, but by a desire to feel safe and happy."

"... more of your visions?" Thane asked.

"Instinct," Sargon said, pointing at the king. "You will not need to worry about him. Instead, focus on the battle ahead. Death lingers around us. It is seeking to claim someone. Make sure it is not you."

Thane slowly nodded as he turned around and walked away, but he paused and said, "Sargon. How will Rory take the truth? I ask this because…I don't know what to do…."

"...That I cannot answer," Sargon sighed. "Only you and Scarlett can figure that out. If you wish to find her, go to the rocks with runes on them to the left of the camp."

Thane nodded and decided it was time to find the mother of his child and get some answers.

Just as Sargon said, Thane found Scarlett looking over a minor hill with boulders that had runes on them. Not like the ones the druids used, but of something else. He didn't know what they meant, but his focus was on Scarlett, who was just sitting there looking without any emotion on her face. Sighing, Thane took a seat next to her. The two just sat there for a long time, focused on the wind and the air around them.

It wasn't until nearly thirty minutes passed that Scarlett finally spoke. "I…I saw you sparring with him. You two looked so…happy…."

"I wanted to see what he was like," Thane replied, closing his eyes. "He's…a good kid. Strong. Kind. Gentle. Yet he has spirit."

"Yes, I've done my best to raise him," Scarlett whispered as she wrapped her tail around her waist. "It hasn't been easy, especially as the leader of a group of bandits. I keep hoping that I'll finally stop and settle down one day to give him a less dangerous life. I was close until this Rot situation showed up."

"Well, you've done a good job," Thane admitted before sighing. "And yet you still never told him about me."

"What was I supposed to say?" Scarlett scowled. "That he was the bastard son of our kingdom's King and a possible heir to the throne? I never wanted him near the thing, and I never wanted him to be used as a pawn by some scheming noble who wanted to use him to get power."

"I wouldn't allow that," Thane argued, glaring at her. "You think I don't face that anyway with my own children? I get asked by multiple nobles every day to arrange a marriage between their children and mine, but I refuse because I want them to have a chance to find love. They constantly praise them or whisper about how I should make one of them my heir. Sometimes I understand why Sylas had such a hatred for the nobility."

"Hmm," Scarlett muttered as she closed her eyes. "Maybe it's a good thing I never became Queen then. Amber can handle that stuff better than I can."

Thane sighed and shook his head. "Enough about what ifs. Tell me why you didn't tell me about Rory. I had a right to know he existed. Ignore all the political ramifications. Why did you not tell me we had a son?"

"...When I left you, I did so knowing that I would never see you again," Scarlett whispered while holding a paw to her heart. "I did it because it was the right thing to do, and I still stand by that, but it doesn't mean it didn't hurt. I loved you, Thane. I think, deep down, I still do, but leaving you was the hardest thing I ever did in my life."

She turned to him and opened her eyes as Thane paused upon seeing the sorrow deep inside her heart. "When I learned I was pregnant, I was so scared. I didn't know what to do. I was afraid of telling you or anyone for that matter. I also was afraid of being a mother, especially an unwed one. When I was pregnant, I feared what would happen to him. Would he be in danger? Could I even raise him right? My shitty father wasn't the best example I had, considering he sold me to bandits at a young age. I thought about maybe putting him up for adoption or telling you so you and Amber could take him."

She smiled warmly, and that fear in her gaze was soon replaced with love. "And yet, when I held him for the first time in my arms after he was born, I never wanted to let him go. I fell in love with him the moment he saw me and I saw him. It was then that I knew I could never give him up and would give my life for him no matter what."

Thane didn't say anything. He knew what it was like to want to love and protect your child upon seeing them. He had done the same with all of his children. There was that feeling even with Rory and his current unborn child with Amber.

"Having him around felt like I had a part of you with me all the time. It's selfish, I know, but whenever I saw Rory, I saw you. The one person I loved so much. It made me happy knowing that there was a part of you with me all this time despite our separation. I truly did want to keep him safe from the troubles of being a royal, so I kept it from you," Scarlett explained before shaking her head. "But also, some of me feared you would take him away from me. Sometimes I wrote letters and prepared speeches, but I was a coward. I didn't want to lose my son. I didn't want…I didn't want…."

Thane slowly put his arm around her and rested his head on her head. "Scarlett…"

"...Please, Thane," Scarlett grabbed him from the threads of his shirt and looked at him with trembling lips. "Please, don't tell him the truth. Let him stay ignorant. I am sorry for not telling you about Rory, but… He's my boy…."

"Don't I deserve to know him too, Scarlett?" Thane asked, holding her paws and biting his lip. "Scarlett, you don't want him to be a prince? Fine, I can live with that. But I deserve to see my own flesh and blood. His siblings, at least, should know they have an older brother. Amber won't do anything to him. Despite what you might think, she would never hurt a child of mine out of fear of one of her own not becoming King. You know that."

"I know," Scarlett whispered as she lowered her head. "I…I know I can't keep this a secret forever…but…."

Thane sighed and shook his head. He slowly got off the rock and took Scarlett with him as the two looked at each other while holding paws. "Look, we can go about this all day and night, but it's not up to either of us. It should be up to Rory."

"But he-"

"He's old enough to make a choice, Scarlett," Thane said with a growl. "He needs to know the truth. All of it. I won't let my son grow up ignorant of who he is, regardless of his choice. My honor won't allow it."

"You wolves and your honor," Scarlett grumbled.

"Rory should have the right to choose what life to lead and the right to know who his father is," Thane started with a firm tone. "If Rory wants to stay with you and never see my family or me in the palace, that is fine. I will accept that. If Rory wants to come with me to see his family, that should be his choice. I won't take him away from you forever, but he should at least see his other family."

"You only just met him, Thane," Scarlett whispered, shaking her head. "At most, you spent a few hours. Not years like I did. You don't know everything about him."

"But I want to know," Thane said as he closed his eyes. "Scarlett, I lost my original family. My brother went mad, killed my father, and I had to take his head. My father and I didn't get along, and I'll never get a chance to make up with him. My mother, who I was close to, died while I was away, and I never got to say goodbye. Amber and the kids helped fill that void over the years, and I swore to never lose my new family the same way I did before. I promise you, Scarlett, I will protect Rory and you. I'm not asking you to live in the palace or anything like that. I just…I just want you both in my life again because I miss you. Not just because we were lovers, but we were friends. Friends that trusted each other."

"Thane," Scarlett whispered with surprise.

"I want Rory to have the choice. He deserves that much. You can explain everything to him, Scarlett. Explain it with as much love as you want, but give him a choice. Whatever it is, I will respect it. Will you?" Thane asked.

Scarlett was silent for a while before she sighed and nodded her head. "You're right. It should be his choice. But…after we deal with the situation? Please?"

"That's fine," Thane agreed as he nodded and turned away. "I'm going to check on my men. I'll…see you around…"

"Thane!" Scarlett shouted as he stopped. Scarlett held her paws to her chest and asked, "Do you still love me?"

"...Yes, but it's not as strong as it once was," Thane whispered as he turned to her with regret in his eyes. "And it never will be again."

Scarlett could only stand there with tears coming down her eyes as Thane left her to her regrets.