AN: After months of nothing and then finally beginning to work on this, we have the eighth chapter (not that anyone cares honestly). As for Remus Lupin, he is only alive thanks to Cedar asking for him to be spared for the sake of Seal and Seal's siblings, not that a certain wolf or his human care at all. Thus, I feel no regrets in him getting the punishment that is coming to him. I had to split this chapter as it was going on 21 pages in microsoft word.

JOF Spell-Crescere means 'grow' in latin (according to google translate), causes a item to grow in size.

Sivius, Grass Moon, Year of the Dragon

Orfahil, Armbruster Valley, Souldes

Beauvis decided they would remain within Orfahil when Severus collapsed on the way to the carriage that first night of arriving. It was now the twenty-fourth of Xygerk and they were within the second week of the month, a month that held thirty-three days. Many of the months on Xaythea held thirty-three days with the longest month being Ash Moon in the season Shafak and the shortest month being Harvest Moon in the season Alkharf. His young fledgling was refusing to feed on humans, so he had tried elven blood, but the fledgling refused elven blood as well. The elf at least had volunteered to give its blood for the fledgling's health. Beauvis found himself at an impasse with the stubborn lost one.

Beauvis wanted to give Severus the chance to feed on his own without being forced to do so or becoming mad with bloodlust and thirst which would create a mess that he would have to clean up. Unfortunately for Beauvis, Severus Snape didn't appear to understand this was for his own good to have blood. Yet Severus had no problems taking down a fox on their journey to Orfahil, even if it had been amusing for Beauvis to watch Severus struggle as all fledglings struggled. "Thou art lucky thou here in Haru rather than Fuyu. 'Tis a harsh season," said Beauvis as he sipped at a glass of kitsune blood. "Thou need to feed Severus," said Beauvis. "Thou will only grow hungrier until thou cannot control thyself, thus making a mess and putting thyself in danger."

"I'm not drinking the blood of anything other than animals."

"Then thou will become weak and easy prey for hunters…or werewolves if they've a mind to hunt us. We art not only competition for humans but also food for them…and wolves were made to hunt vampires," said Beauvis.

Severus tensed as he heard that werewolves on this planet hunted vampires. As if he didn't have enough of a reason to hate and be afraid of werewolves. If Remus were here, would that mean he had indeed turned into the monster that Severus always feared him to be? "Werewolves...hunt vampires here?"

"Aye," said Beauvis. "We art food for them and compete for humans as food."

I knew werewolves were monsters, thought Severus to himself. Lupin even knew he was a monster. He would have gladly killed me in fifth year and Black would have let him. Dumbledore…the Headmaster never spoke up for me either…never punished Black and Potter nor Lupin. Told me to keep my mouth shut about Lupin's condition. Never even questioned how Black and Potter knew about the Whomping Willow or how to get past it either.

It was a sour revelation Snape had stewed over for years, even when they'd graduated, and he'd joined others in Slytherin as a member of the Dark Lord's forces. The fact that he was allowed to perfect his craft…that the Dark Lord had paid for him to go through the four-year apprenticeship to be a Potioneer, something he would always be grateful to the Dark Lord for…and the Dark Lord likely knew it as well. "Aren't werewolves monsters?"

"Nay," said Beauvis. "Nor art vampires. We be simple races both striving to live and survive in a world with many races. We do have our differences with werewolves but they, unlike vampires, will not hunt humans if there art vampires in the area," he said. "'Tis rather surprising…thou art not insane with hunger like all lost ones," spoke Beauvis as he examined Severus. "Lost Ones…they be what we call newborn vampires, those who are bitten, from one second to nine years of age," he said, "though fledglings be the correct term for any turned vampire from one second to one hundred years of age. If and only once thou reach one hundred one years of age will thou no longer need mine protection and guidance. Thou at the rate thou going, 'tis possible thou may not last long. If thou wanted to learn what monsters be on Xaythea, one would need to check out the book on fauna. There also be a book on the flora of Xaythea as well if thou art interested."

Severus perked up at the mention of there being a book on plants of this planet. That will be helpful for my studies here, he thought. Despite it being Azimuth, the two vampires were awake due to Severus having gone out to look for plants in the valley and was a stubborn fool who couldn't believe that his life as he knew it was over. He'd paid the price by being caught in the sun's rays and had to be rescued by a couple elves who were out hunting, shielding and taking the injured fledgling back to his sire in Orfahil where upon Beauvis had been found and brought to his fledgling's side. "It stings," he said, rubbing at his burnt face.

"Consider it a lesson," said Beauvis. "Thou cannot go out in the day until thou hath reached elder age. Thou also doth not hath Regenerative Healing so thy burn will scar," said Beauvis. "Perhaps 'tis time to teach thou of the abilities thou hath as a Lost One."

"When are these elder years?"

"A long time from now…something thou will not hath to worry about since thou refuse to hunt," said Beauvis. "But to answer thy question, a vampire in their elder years be between 1,000 to 5,000 years of age. I suppose you could be considered an infant since thou art a fledgling," he said.

"I'm not a child!"

"Children be those born vampires from eight to sixteen years of age," said Beauvis. "Well…for vampires at least," he said. "Each race hath their own age span…with the Runimagi having two. One being known among their own race, the other being how they are aged according to those who art not Runimagi. As I understand, Runimagi tell their own age by their skin which changes color as they grow older."

"When were you bitten? And…yes…I suppose that will be helpful."

"I was bitten some eleven years ago and am thus a Thrall," said Beavuis. "Not only am I a Trapper I also be the responsibility of mine sire who thou will meet…thou grand sire I suppose thou might say he would be to you. I ended up leaving after being his servant and haven't been back since…however going back is something that be necessary since I hath a fledgling of mine own now. As for the abilities you have, a vampire's abilities get unlocked as they age and grow in strength and power. For now, your abilities are as follows: Decelerated Falling, Scaling Walls, Hypnosis, Aura, Teleportation, and Night Empowerment. Powers that all vampires have no matter their age are Enhanced Eidetic Memory, Echolocation, Flexibility, Magic, Superhuman Stamina and Enhanced Senses."

"I thought you said you were forty-five," said Severus.

"Aye. That be the age I was bitten and turned," said Beauvis. "However, I figured thou would be easier to relate to if I gave thee mine age I appear," he said. "Was that not the correct course?"

"It's confusing," said Severus.

"Thou will get used to it," said Beauvis. "In time thou will get used to the life I've bestowed upon thee and thy place in the world. Now, as for mine coven…our coven I suppose since thou will become part of it. Perhaps being around other vampires will awaken your vampire instincts to hunt though that will be dependent upon the Trappers like mineself," said Beauvis. "However, sires do train their fledglings in hunting as well but we do have a hierarchy among our own kind…as do the werecreatures…well I'm not sure if the werecrocodiles have a hierarchy but the werecanines generally do, not to mention other races like the elves…the humans naturally, the Zalyon and the Kitsune. The leader of a vampire coven be the Sovereign, always a male and leader of the vampire family…the coven as it were. Next is the Countess, the Sovereign's mate and beneath them is the Scion who is the chosen child of the Sovereign and Countess. The Scion is the next in line to become Sovereign of the coven and the Sovereign can sometimes be the founder of the coven if they're still alive. They have the final word on everything. The Deputy is second in command and acts as the Sovereign's right hand while the Baroness is the Deputy's mate and acts as the right hand of the Countess. It goes down all the way to Fledglings…but there is one thing you must never do Severus bat."

"I'm not a bat."

"In time," said Beauvis. While leaving Severus wondering what his sire meant by this, Beauvis continued. "Never do something to become a Shadow."

"A Shadow?"

"Aye. 'Tis the worst fate for a vampire to endure…besides death. A Shadow…they be outcasts in vampire covens, having their fangs so they can never feel the pleasure of feeding, instead needing to use blades or needles to get blood. They have turned against their family and are thus outcasts, having no protection in the world against wolves and hunters or anything else that might harm them," said Beauvis. "It's a threat that every vampire must be aware of from infancy or Lost One if bitten in our case. Mine sire parted this on me after I was turned, and I am doing the same to thyself. Really, we have three rankings…the hierarchy which will be fleshed out once we're safely back in our coven and thou get training by the Keepers, but another thing of import is that wealth is everything to a vampire.

"I wouldn't think that money would matter to a person who kills people for their blood," said Severus.

"Well, it does," said Beauvis. "The richest of vampires are those known as Overlords. Next be the Masters, then there be the General and following them are Purebloods, Knights and Esquires. The lowest and poorest be the fledglings, those who have been turned into vampires. A Fledgling might through time rise up in wealth to Knight but they will never obtain the rank of Pureblood. Purebloods being those who are born vampires," he said. "There is…one last thing," said Beauvis.

"Which is?"

"Prestige," said Beauvis. "All vampires originate from two vampires, Anwar Tawfeeq and Jinan Shareef. This presents two lines of vampires and these two vampires are known as Sourceblood. They are the only vampires that can be resurrected and if either Sourceblood is permanently killed…the entire line of vampires descending from them perishes," said Beauvis. "Below the Sourceblood, there are the Regium. Regium are the royalty of vampires, those who are ancient and have been around since Jinan and Anwar have been alive. Thou may think of them as the first generation of vampires. They are few but very powerful and among them be the son and daughter of the Sourceblood. Sometimes, an Overlord can get into the rank of Regium if they live long enough. Then there are the Purebloods…compromised of the seventeen pureblood vampire families as well as Overlords, Masters and Generals. After the Purebloods be the Mathusia…the Knights, Esquires and Fledglings falling into this category. They be the average vampires…average in strength and wealth…the commoners if thou find it easier to figure out," said Beauvis. "Lastly be the Profugus."

"Profugus?"

"Aye. Profugus be known as the regenades…the hybrid offspring of vampires and other non-vampire parents as well as their vampire parent," said Beauvis. "This be where thy find the Snadeheld, the vaewolf, the half-dwarf…well the half-dwarves with vampire parents, the half-kitsune...again those with vampire parents, the werepires, the lubat, dhamphir, and the faepire."

"And…what are these hybrid offspring made of?"

"Sanaedhel are the children of elves and vampires, vaewolves be the children of vampires and werewolves, half-dwarves can be the children of a dwarf and human or the children of a dwarf and vampire, half kitsune can be the children of a human and kitsune, an elf and kitsune, a halfling and kitsune or a vampire and kitsune, the werepires be those of vampire and werecreature blood, the lubat be the children of demons and vampires, the dhamphir be the children of vampires and humans and the faepire be the children of fairies and vampires. Eight hybrid young opportunities if thou wished to sire young with another race," said Beauvis. "Though I wouldn't really recommend such a thing…if thou hope to gain respect in the coven," he said. "Now…get some sleep fledgling…we have some hours left before Nether when I suspect we'll be getting up," said Beauvis, pointing to the bed as an indication that Severus should get to sleep, the younger man moving to the straw tic mattress and lying beneath the blanket which was naught by a simple wool blanket, Severus falling asleep rather quickly despite the thoughts and information in his head.

When Nether finally arrived, with it came the vampires rising from sleep. Severus woke to find the curtains had been drawn aside and Beauvis sitting by the window already awake and staring silently outside. "Thou be awake fledgling?"

"Yes."

"'Tis a safe night for traveling. Xygerk be within the Waning Gibbous while Odrapus be a Waxing Crescent and Necalea be a Waning Crescent," spoke Beauvis.

"I thought we were staying more?"

"Thou foolish actions today hath changed my mind," said Beauvis. "Thus we be setting out tonight. Now change fledgling and make sure thou hath thy bag. The stage will be here at fifteen past," spoke Beauvis. The vampire was already dressed in a red linen shirt and brown wool pants, his own bag resting at his feet. Severus stared blearily at Beauvis for a moment before getting to his feet and changing into some jeans he'd purchased in a muggle shop after getting out of Azkaban and a t-shirt, throwing on some black boots and a cloak. "Such an odd outfit…a shirt without proper coverage…and a strange material of pants I hath not seen," said Beauvis.

"It's made out of denim…and they're called jeans while the top is a t-shirt," said Severus. "Popular during the spring to summer as it keeps one cool."

Beauvis said nothing more, merely got to his feet and led Severus out of the room, holding his bag while Severus had his own bag in his hand, Beauvis having put their clothing purchases into their respective bags. Out in the hallway, they headed down to the porch before Orfahil Mercantile. There were some people waiting for the stage as well and Beauvis nodded to a couple of the women standing there. Severus did not do so, causing one of the women to whisper to her companion, a middle-aged gentleman who glanced over at Severus and Beauvis briefly. "I declare, some hath no respect in the presence of a lady."

"Perhaps you should not stare at people or did your…" Severus was cut short as Beauvis suddenly gripped his shoulder, turning his eyes on Severus.

"Beg thou pardon ma'am," said Beauvis. "Mine fledgling be inconsiderate and new to the life of a vampire."

"Perhaps thou should take a strap to his hide to teach him some manners."

"W…"

"I shalt deal with mine fledgling as I see fit," said Beauvis, his polite tone still there but holding a warning as well. "He will learn."

"We shalt see Beauvis."

"And thou would do well to remember thou hath no right to be chastising me just because thou be mine sister," said Beauvis, "much less the fact that thou be of a different coven. Now shut it Amelia. Thou not be important either."

The woman just smiled at Beauvis, showing her fangs before tsking at Severus. "Such an unloyal creature you have there as a fledgling."

"He'll learn," said Beauvis. "Mind thou place Amelia," he growled at her.

When the stagecoach arrived, the passengers handed their bags to the driver who hoisted them onto the roof while another man helped the women into the stagecoach, the coaches themselves being designed to carry six, nine and twelve people respectively. The stagecoach they found was designed for twelve people, thus it was comfortable enough for the passengers waiting for the coach. They picked up a total of six passengers, four passengers already on the stage though two passengers got off at Orfahil, elves who were returning home. A bag of mail was up on the front bench with the driver as well and more mail was added which was tossed into the mail bag. This was no mail coach though, thus there could be as much luggage as needed. "Who is that?"

"That be Amelia Rune, mine blood sister," said Beauvis. "She was bitten a few years before me, even if she looks young."

"She's a right bitch," said Severus causing Beauvis to laugh.

"Aye…she certainly thinks she's better than me, just because she's older," said Beauvis. "Unfortunately, that means she'll think she's better than thyself as well," he said. "Still, there are some blood siblings that thou may like of mine sire," said Beauvis. "She is one of five," said Beauvis. "I'm the youngest of my sire that has been turned. Not counting his three born children," said Beauvis. "Aye fledgling," he said at seeing Severus's startled look, "we can have children same as any other race," he said.

"Do you have children?"

"No," said Beauvis. "I've not yet found a partner to court, much less settle down with and start a family," he said. "There aren't many female fledglings in our coven and the older females usually don't want anything to do with us fledglings due to the training and guidance we still need from our sires," he said. "It's alright though. I'm in no hurry to settle down or have offspring of mine own."

Severus, sitting by one of the windows, looked out at the city as they ended up passing through it, heading back the way they had come when entering Orfahil. The dirt road which stretched out before the team of horses wasn't rough like Severus expected though Beauvis had said the road might be rough as they traveled to their destination, and they'd need to be careful crossing the isthmus in the north. "We'll be crossing mountains at some point," said Beauvis, "once we get to the northern part of the continent. However it will be a few days before we get there..we'll beheading through the Solstice Wastes, Eclipse Canyon and Dune Mountains as well as Parzay Thicket before we reach the southern end of Avir Isthumus."

"You seem to know the land a lot," commented Severus.

"Well, I hath been traveling since I left our coven," said Beauvis. "I find it important to know of the continent I live within, and it may be useful to thy little herb fledgling as well," spoke Beauvis. "There be an inn in Solstice Wastes where we'll likely stop as well as an inn located outside Eclipse Canyon in the north and an inn upon the border of the desert and mountains in the north. Eclipse Canyon runs through the desert by the way, so I suggest thou settle back young fledgling and get comfortable."

With nothing to do, Severus wished he had brought a book from earth with him to read, he settled back against his seat, listening to the horses' hooves and wheels run over the earth. Not until a thought struck him. "What did you mean by Amelia wasn't of the same coven?"

"Exactly that," spoke Beauvis with his eyes closed. "Amelia, though she be mine blood sister, be of a different coven. Not all blood siblings decide to remain within their sire's coven. Though I hath heard of a coven that be composed of nothing but fledglings from a sire," spoke Beauvis. "They be a rather territorial coven, bonded together through the sire that created them and their sire be their coven leader with the oldest fledgling the deputy."

"What do we do if we run across a wolf?"

"Run," said Beauvis. "Avoid feeding off its blood and avoid a werewolf's bite, both of which are bad for a vampire. We should be fine in the stagecoach. To mine knowledge, there are no werewolf packs in this area though it hath been some time since I ventured into the Solstice Wastes and thus hath no idea if werewolves moved in or not. Once thou turn ten years, assuming thou live that long, thou shall become mine servant…or if I not be around and mine sire is, thou will become thy grandsire's servant instead. Until thou reach the age of twenty. Once thou turn twenty-one, thou will be considered old enough by then to no longer be needing a sire's guidance and protection. For now, I'm interested in when thou will give into thy hunger and desire to feed, when thou will give into the thirst and bloodlust though this chat is quite useful for thou and interesting for me."

Sivius, Grass Moon, Year of the Dragon

On Board the Aeolus

The wolves and their pups had survived their turning as had the werecats on board the ship, managing to survive without killing each other. There had been an incident where Remus had gone for Cedar, only for Roesia to get in his way, resulting in the Caretaker nearly losing an eye as the omega's jaws clamped down on Roesia's skull. The only reason the female wasn't dead and hadn't lost her eye was Siren and Aluxious attacking the wolf, the red-haired kitty even getting involved when he heard the scream of Cedar as Remus grabbed the pup and began shaking the sickly youngster. Neville had stared in horror and fear as Cedar had been attacked and the pups, even Diamond, were naturally shaken by the attack. They couldn't risk killing Remus right away with him being feral and the wolves themselves being feral, so the pups had been given over, with some reluctance by Roesia, to the cat to care for. The feline was forced to pin Diamond to the floor of the ship due to the pup wanted to go back to his dame. It was the nineteenth of the month and the ship was still at sea, would be at sea for a while. However, with the full moon having waned and the wolves back under sanity, the males at least would tend to the killing of the omega.

Roesia was injured and would need rest as would poor Cedar. Eponine remained with Roesia, keeping an eye on the younger female. Eponine was no Caretaker, nor a Knowledge Keeper and thus didn't have medical knowledge but she could tell the facial and head injuries were bad, the caretaker suffering a linear or possibly both a linear and depressed fracture in her skull. All she could tell was that Roesia was alive and had barely avoided losing an eye but whether the Caretaker would recover from the trauma and her head heal, blood seeping out of the bite wound from her head and face. As for poor Cedar, the pup had been bitten around his back and ribs, trapped within Remus's jaws as he was shaken and a nasty crack had been heard, not only in the pup's ribs from the bite force of Remus's jaws but in his back as well. Thus, when Nether came, Remus was dragged up by the other three wolves onto the weather deck, the three males standing around him. There was a very likely possibility that the Caretaker would pass on the voyage, leaving them with nobody to watch the pups if she did not get immediate treatment and her accelerated healing didn't kick in right away but Eponine tried to keep Roesia awake. Even so, Roesia suffered a concussion and slipped into unconsciousness shortly after her attack.

*'The alpha didn't say how to kill the omega if he attacked the pups did he?'* Cox glanced at Siren who stared at Remus.

*'No,'* said Siren with a snap of his teeth in irritation. *'Aluxious, what do you propose?'*

*'Rip his throat out and let him bleed,'* growled Aluxious, the Xi shaking his head in annoyance.

Siren pawed at the deck as he stared at the omega. *'All thou had to do was not attack the pups and grow to accept them as your responsibility,'* growled Siren. *'I thought thou were doing better this week on the ship. It seems I was wrong and you have not only disappointed the pups, thou hath disappointed thy mentor Cox here as well as the alpha. Thou made the pups scared of thee. Yet thou seem determined to make the sickly pup suffer and snap at even the herb pup if it goes near your progeny,'* growled Siren.

*'Roesia informed me that the sickly pup didn't want to go back to thou earth for fear that his parents would shun him as thou hate the pup who has done nothing to thou, nor has the herb pup,'* spoke up Cox. *'Said he wanted to remain on Xaythea with her and Siren.'* This earned startled looks from Aluxious and Siren who were not privy to this information. Though Siren knew the human pups wished that Siren were their guardian instead. The gamma turned, pacing the ship where quartet of wolves were located. The wolf shook his head, turning back towards Remus. *'Do thou hath anything to say for thyself?'*

*'I didn't want Cedar to come along when we were attacked! I only wanted to save my pups and Neville!'*

*'Yet thou bully the herb pup like thy bully the sickly pup.'*

*' My wolf told me to save our pups over the pups that weren't our own progeny!'* Apparently this was Remus talking but even then, one could hear the bitterness of the human within the wolf's voice. *'Severus! Severus was the one who tossed Cedar into the portal after shoving me and my pups plus Neville in it!'*

*'How cruel,'* spoke Aluxious, *'to hate a pup that is kin to at least one of thy pups. Yet thou grew to not like the other pup that thou saved.'* Aluxious bared his teeth at Remus who growled back defensively.

*'His parents, Seal's dame, neglected Seal while he was with them!'*

*'And that be a reason to do the same to the sickly pup?!'* Cox was frothing at the mouth now, though the wolf didn't have hydrophobia. *'The sickly pup, even the herb pup, hath done NOTHING to thou to warrant such disrespect and cruelty towards them! How doth thou think that teach thou pups?! Let alone Cedar's half-brother Seal?!'*

*'I'm amazed Seal hath turned out to be a good pup with how much of an ass his sire is as well as how cruel his dame be according to the omega,'* spoke Aluxious. *'Because he obviously didn't get manners from either of them.'*

*'I agree…it's lucky the pups have actual mentors for them in the Caretakers because their sire has rocks for brains,'* said Cox bitterly. *'I was nervous yet excited to be appointed a mentor finally to a Peon. I thought I could teach thou many things while thou were a Peon and then Custodian. Not to mention the excitement of the new blood brought into the pack with thou arrival and thou pups, even thy human orphans.'* He looked down at his paws, his mental voice filled with emotion. *'Now I wish I had not met thou at all,'* he spoke.

*'The omega apparently has nothing to say Siren. We may as well execute him and be done with it.'*

*'Execute? What are you talking about?! What about my pups?!'*

*'Thou pups will be cared for by the Caretakers or dames,'* said Aluxious. *'They will be safe in the pack's paws as will the herb and sickly pups.'*

*'You can't execute me or take me from my pups!'*

*'On the contrary omega, this trip was not only to get the pups to Calius to see about getting training for their magic but to have thou bond with thy human pup wards. The alpha said before we left if thou attacked or harmed the pups in any way, thou were to be executed and we, as loyal pack wolves, will carry that out and save not only thy wards from any more suffering but also thy pups from thy abusive paws as well,'* spoke Siren. *'That thou also attacked a Caretaker is further grounds for execution. Therefore, as the highest ranked wolf in the pack here, I hereby sentence thou to…'*

"Gamma wait!"

All four wolves' gazes turned to see Cedar crawling towards them across the deck, the pup's face pale and tears in his eyes. Since having his back broken, the sickly pup couldn't stand or walk, only crawl and cry in pain. It would surely have hurt the pup, crawling up all those stairs. *'Cedar. What are thou doing up here?'* Siren questioned the pup, staring at it with a stern gaze which made the youngster advert his eyes at the gamma's hard stare. Aluxious jumped at the wolf, slamming him to the deck floor and pinning the omega.

"Gamma Siren…don't…kill. Not…worth…"

Siren rumbled in discontent at the pup's pleading. *'The omega deserves to suffer for hurting thee, trying to kill thou,'* spoke Siren. *'Death is an adequate punishment and one the alpha ordained if thou or the herb pup were attacked.'*

"Why kill? Why no…ile?"

*'Exile? Thou art scared of the omega…he hath not been nice to thou from what he just admitted since thou were but an infant,'* spoke Siren. *'Do thou believe he worthy of another chance pup?'*

Cedar whimpered and shook his head, the pup trying to breathe. The older wolves stared at the youngster, Aluxious gripping Remus by his scruff like a disobedient pup. "Seal…Talon…his pups…no deserve…sire death. Might…ha…"

*'The pups will not hate thou for the omega's death,'* spoke Cox gently. At least, the Custodian didn't think so. *'Nor will they blame thou or Neville. They may hate their sire instead. Thou and Seal close, being kin,'* spoke Cox.

"Ex…ile like death?" Siren and Aluxious nodded. The pup didn't dare look at Remus, the wolf scaring him even if he were pinned down by Xi Aluxious. "E…ile him. That…like death? For…brother…brother's siblings?"

The three males stared at each other in disbelief. The sickly pup was asking for the omega's life to be spared for the sake of his half-brother and half-brother's siblings. *'Very well Cedar. If that is what thou wish,'* spoke Siren at last, looking at the pup who let out a pained grimace. *'Thou owe thou miserable excuse of a life to that pup thou shun and hate,'* growled Siren to Remus, making sure the pup couldn't hear him speak to wolf yet making sure that Aluxious and Cox heard. *'It be only because of the pup's plea that thou life being spared...though not much of a life being an exile. Therefore, thou art exiled from Grimcrown, to spend thy days as an exile. Unable to come Thou will never be allowed to see thy progeny again and if thou dare come within a hair breadth of our territory, thy pups or try to steal thy pups, the pack will hunt thou down and kill thy worthless hide.'*

With that, Aluxious stepped off the wolf and he and Cox moved forward, hefting the wolf up over the railing and tossing the omega overboard into the water below as Siren walked back over to Cedar and shifted, carefully picking the injured pup up. A scream tore from the pup's throat at being moved and Siren whined comfortingly before carrying the pup back down to the hull, leaving Aluxious and Cox to stare down at Remus as they saw him drop into the water below. *'Let's see how the exile survives the sea,'* growled Aluxious.

*'We need to stop somewhere to get help for Roesia and Cedar,'* said Cox worriedly. *'And a message probably needs sent to the alpha.'* Aluxious nodded, the wolf satisfied when Remus didn't surface. The two wolves settled on the ship's deck, needing time to think about what had happened and wonder at the kindness in the sickly pup's soul and heart.

*'We're bound to be needing supplies soon,'* said Aluxious in agreement. *'Perhaps we should seek out the carpenter for help with the pup and Roesia. They do double as a surgeon.'*

*'I'd rather the pup be taken to a barber or an actual doctor,'* spoke Cox. *'Besides, what are the chances Aluxious that a carpenter has the tools to set a broken back or broken ribs?'*

Travether, Grass Moon, Year of the Dragon

Penzance, Piplath

It was now the thirtieth of the month, and the Aeolus reached their first stop, the supercontinent Piplath. The temperatures as they approached the supercontinent got warmer for Piplath lay where the equator was. The entire trip had been uncomfortable for the injured and sickly pup, the youngster still unable to walk and still in pain. Eponine had been forced to fetch the carpenter and have him look at both the pup and Roesia's injuries. The carpenter had done his best with Roesia, operating on the female and relieving pressure on her cranial cavity and brain but for the pup he had not the tools to help it. All he could do was try to align the pup's ribs and wrap them up so they wouldn't move though the pup had been treated for infections as had Roesia, their wounds being cleaned. At the pup's first scream as his ribs were set, Cox had taken Diamond and Neville out with the other wolves, the adults and adolescent pacing the ground in front of the doctor's office as chatter continued around them.

"Gamma, Cedar okay? Roesia okay?"

Siren peered down at the herb pup, crouching so he was eye level with the youngster. "We can only pray to Conri and perhaps we wouldn't be remiss in praying to Rodar." At Neville's confused look, the gamma explained. "Rodar is the god of medicine, blacksmiths, metalsmiths and craftsmen," he spoke to the pup. "One of the Mother and Father's children," he spoke, speaking of Mother Nitrix and Father Vamdes. "Rodar created the weredragons," he spoke to the pups for Diamond was staring as well, Cox having to keep an eye on the youngster with the pup wanting to be with his mother. The pup didn't understand why his dame was injured and that she couldn't respond to him.

"Siren, we may have to book passage on another ship," said Aluxious. The group had transformed back humans barring Diamond who couldn't turn until his third birthday. "The ship won't wait around for us to get Roe and Cedar treated, not to mention get their strength back and healed fully."

Siren nodded, looking at the others. "I'm going to take Neville to see if we can't find a temple and an inn to stay in," he said. "We'll offer prayers to Conri and Rodar pup, perhaps to Vutrix as well as she be the goddess of children in the pantheon and maybe Lupa as well," he spoke to the pup. "Never hurts to pray to both the wolf mother and Vutrix," he spoke. It won't hurt to pray to Lupa for Diamond's sake...and the sake of Remus's pups, he thought to himself though said nothing to the pup at his side.

"Why hate?"

"Hmmm?"

"Omega…why hate Cedar?"

Siren frowned to himself before sighing, unsure how to answer such a question when the gamma didn't know himself. "The omega…an exile now," but the pup only gave him another blank look. This prompted Siren to explain to the pup that the omega had been exiled from the pack and what it meant, that he would have been sentenced to death as per the alpha's wishes and that it was only due to Cedar that the omega had been exiled and allowed to live at all. "But you and Cedar will be taken care of by the dames and Caretakers, as well the exile's pups," said Siren.

"Cedar trouble alpha?"

"No pup," said Siren. "The alpha may be surprised and upset but it won't be at the pup, it will be at me as the highest ranking wolf in this group," he spoke. "Which reminds me…I hath to write a message to the alpha. Are thou hungry pup?"

"Aye," said Neville.

"Well, we'll see about getting some food in us after we get this message and prayers taken care of," said Siren. The gamma also knew that they'd need to purchase a place to stay at an inn as well as passage on another ship. The pup stayed beside Siren though couldn't help looking around as they walked through the city.

"Where are we?"

"Piplath, specifically Penzance from the sign I saw when we disembarked," said Siren. "It's a supercontinent," but the pup didn't understand the word so the gamma had to find another way to explain, "a huge landmass," said Siren and the pup nodded. Siren wasn't sure the youngster understood. "'Tis home to elves pup."

"What elf? Food?"

"I suppose they might be for rogue or exiles and perhaps vampires," said Siren thoughtfully, "but no pup, we don't eat elves. They can use magic." The pup perked up at that and the gamma chuckled. "I don't think thou can use elf magic pup, not being an elf," said Siren.

"Gamma Siren?"

"Hmm?"

"Find herb help Roe…help Cedar?"

Siren was taken aback and yet pleased that the pup had such care for those who were injured. The pup might prove a good caretaker. Perhaps a Custodian if it doesn't want to take a rank but there will be time for that. "I don't know Neville if there are herbs that can help broken bones or a head injury," said Siren. At the pup's crestfallen face, Siren sighed. "Let's see if we can't find something to at least take Cedar's pain away hmm? But first, let's get this message sent to the alpha to at least let him know about what has happened so far and that we're safe," said Siren to which the pup nodded.

Penzance was built upon the banks of a modest natural harbor, its beauty matched by the backdrop of monumental waterfalls that helped shape the city to what it was today, the city itself being a leading-edge curiosity to both the citizens of Piplath and those from other continents. The port itself looked stunning. With its murky wooden and blue stone rooftops, galvanised steel and stone walls and whistling wind with mirror lake, Penzance has a peculiar atmosphere. The waterfalls themselves were incorporated into the architecture designs for many buildings not only used the water from these falls but also incorporated some form of falling water into their architecture. The city had been built next to the ocean for the dark ruins it held, Viscount Hagar in charge of the city.

Entering the post office which turned out to be located near the city hall in the northeast corner of the city, they entered the Ochre circular stone building of which a mew was attached to it. Siren explained this meant they likely sent messages via birds, the area they found themselves within being lined with old shops catering to the needs of the city. Telling the pup not to touch anything, Siren walked up to the counter and touched the bell on the counter with a small sign in front of it saying 'Ring for service' in both the common tongue and Elvish. Siren touched the bell, its peal ringing through the building. Through an open window, a pigeon flew in and landed on a perch, a moon elf coming out from the back. "Welcome to Penzance Mail," said the moon elf. "How may I help you this morning?"

"We need to send a…"

"Siren look!" Neville scurried forward, holding something in his hands, the pup holding up a bat-winged fox, its nose like a bat's and bat wings extending from its shoulders while having four legs and being covered in fur. However, there were also spines on its back and spiked fins extending from its front legs which made it somewhat resemble a fish. "Can I keep it?" He then frowned at the creature. "What this?"

"Ah, that be one of the creatures of the Krozuvine," said the moon elf as he looked at it. "They be magical animals between the size of a house cat and medium sized dog that art crossed with insects, birds and bats with the mammalian animals of canine, feline mustela and bear," he spoke. "This creature thou hold be a Neafoux," he said. "That one hath some lionfish spliced into it," he said. "They be kept as pets and used to carry packages and mail here on Piplath in addition to our birds," he said. The clerk whistled and the pigeon flew over, a message attached to its leg. "Crescere," said the moon elf upon removing the tiny scroll and a yellow light appeared before them which sank into the paper and the parchment grew before their eyes. The pigeon then flew off to settle upon a roost above a line of mailboxes and Neville looked up to see other pigeons and birds resting on roosts built into two walls above them.

"I'm afraid thou cannot keep it," said the clerk as they set the parchment aside, taking the creature from Neville's hands. "Now, may I enquire as to how I can help you gentleman?"

Siren nodded, watching briefly as the pup's face fell. "Yes, I need to send a message to our alpha on Faumios," said Siren. "The city is Bausbile in the west province. How much would that be and what type of birds are available?"

It took Neville and Siren some time to find a temple dedicated to the pantheon that all races tended to worship if not recognized as being vital. The temple was a series of stone buildings with a temple garden, the buildings themselves painted in different colors with wooden covered walkways between the temples and steps leading up to the temple itself. Granted the werewolves, werebears, werecats and suon had their own gods and goddesses but they did recognize and understand the importance of not only the six ancient ones, the first children of the Mother and Father but also the pantheon itself of which the Mother and Father's second children were born, those being the Gods and Goddess. Siren had purchased some offerings for Conri, Vutrix, Lupa and Rodar. For Rodar, the gamma had purchased some tongs and for Vutrix, a wolf statue given the goddess took the form of a wolf. For Conri there was a pile of gems and for Lupa, a bracelet of pearls. The pup had begged to get something himself and had chosen a flute for Vutrix and a piece of coal for Rodar while Lupa had a flower and Conri had a small pouch of herbs that smelled nice to the pup. "Siren? Will our gods work with the pantheon?"

"Cedar is a pup. I'm sure Lupa and Vutrix will work together to help the pup and Conri will help because Conri knows you pups worship him along with Lupa and the other wolf deities," said Siren. "I'm sure they will help Roesia to heal as well," he said.

"Pup no lose dame," Neville said, and Siren rumbled in his chest as he understood the pup was talking about Diamond.

"Not to worry pup," he said, "but if they do not accept our prayers and something happens, we must help to care for Diamond and will continue our journey to Souldes and seeking out Calius," said Siren. "Death is a part of life, even for us wolves who are immortal beings," said Siren.

"Siren die?"

"Perhaps one day," said Siren.

"Where go die?"

Siren stopped just outside the temple and turned to the pup. "Rignoya I hope," said Siren. "That is the heaven of the people though there are five realms of the afterlife," he said. "I believe Suon go to Etaden and the kitsune and elves go to separate places as well."

"Bad place?"

"There is a bad place," said Siren. "But it's nothing you need to worry about pup, the afterlife. We'll do everything we can to keep thou safe from vampire and wolf as well as other bad people," he said. "Thou art pack pup and the pack protects the pack." He watched the pup's face fall before he grunted when the pup flung himself into the gamma's body.

"No go away Siren! Mean wolf…come back…hurt me…hurt Cedar!"

"If that exile comes back, he'll be killed," growled Siren, anger once more rising in his body at the fear in the pup's voice towards Remus. If that exile ever came back, he'd let Aluxious kill the former omega. The Grimcrown gamma wouldn't be surprised if Cox helped, given the disappointment and shame the Custodian felt towards his former apprentice. "Now come on pup. The sooner we can get into the temple, the sooner we can give these offerings to the gods and goddesses for the health of Roesia and Cedar."

Once inside the mail building, one of the monks their guests to take their shoes off by the door and the buildings themselves, despite being painted, were also intricately carved in various designs. When Neville questioned why, the monk said it was respectful to not only the gods and goddesses but the monks themselves. The temple was dedicated to the gods and wolf gods, given there was a small pack on the outskirts of Piplath. Hearing this, Siren spoke to Neville to tell him to stick close, making a point to inform the others of this pack and getting its name from the monk. Once their shoes were off, they were allowed entry, their stocking covered feet treading over stone floors and pillars stretching up before them in a long main mandapa with several recessed domes in the ornate ceilings, the pillars and ceiling being carved with strange designs that made no sense to the pup. "Begging thou pardon but where be the wolf pantheon?"

"Thou will need to head to the easternmost building devoid of color and there be where the werewolf gods and goddesses can be worshiped," said the monk. "Be warned, the ochre building which be the northernmost building and the westernmost building of blue are for the monks who live here and thus not able to be accessed by visitors," spoke the monk to which Siren nodded.

"We shall keep that in mind," said Siren, glancing at Neville who was looking around him. After getting information on a general layout of the temple complex from the monk, Siren began walking and Neville quickly followed the gamma.

"Gamma Siren?"

"Hmmm?"

"Can humans work and live in temple?"

"Anyone can live in a temple pup, but they swear a vow of celibacy. One will find temples with male monks, ones for only female monks and even some that are codependent such as this temple," he said.

"What celibacy?"

"Ah…one takes a vow I think before their respective god or goddess to live a life free of finding a mate, or in the case of non werebeasts marriage, nor engaging in procreation," said Siren. "Instead, they give their entire lives to serving their respective gods and goddesses," said Siren.

"No see pack?"

"Monks tend to live at the temple for the rest of their lives yet also engage in training I think from a young age," said Siren. "Why doth thou ask pup?"

"Lupa ask be monk for helping Cedar and Roe?"

"I'm not sure," admitted Siren. "It's hard to say what the gods and goddesses will ask or if they will ask anything but I doth not believe they will ask something of us for offering a prayer, otherwise there would be no prayers offered to the various pantheons. Try not to worry about it pup."

"Okay."

The temple buildings were beautifully decorated as they walked, and Neville begged to go to the temple gardens when they were done praying. Siren agreed because the pup enjoyed plants and because he thought the herb pup didn't want to go back to the others and worry about Cedar and Roesia's treatments. As for the talk of the pup becoming a monk, Siren wasn't sure what to think about that conversation. He pushed it aside though to focus on finding somewhere where they could pray to Vutrix and Rodar and soon found an area where they could in fact do so. The shrine was set in a recessed alcove with a wolf statue above the shrine and two salamanders circling the wolf's paws. "Vutrix takes the form of a wolf and Rodar a giant salamander," explained Siren to Neville. "Doth thou know why Rodar a salamander?"

Neville stared at the salamanders, one encrusted with jade gems while the other's eyes were rubies. His gaze traveled up to the wolf who had moonstones, the pup recognizing the gem as one of the acolytes had shown the human pups the gemstone that was used with silver to trap a werewolf in their wolf form. "Rodar born in fire right? In…fire mountain and the Mother and Father shape the salamander into Rodar's godly form."

"Correct pup and the term for 'fire mountain' be volcano," explained Siren. Even though the gamma of Grimcrown was a werewolf, after the human pups had come into the pack, the gamma had a made a point for the pups' benefit to study more on the major pantheon that all believed in as well as what little information there was on the Ancient Ones. Given Siren had spoken up for the pups before they'd left on their journey, the gamma didn't want to see the pups being thrown out of the pack when they became young adults. They would grow up among wolves and may not be able to function among their own kind, but it was better than the alternative. Them being killed by either the exile or used by humans to hunt the pack and other werewolves or even other werebeasts. The sad thing was not all werebeasts were cruel or hunted humans. The werebadgers were neutral and tended to get along with the humans, providing they were not hunted while the werecrocodiles were territorial but only attacked humans when there was no prey to be had or they wandered too close to a nest.

"Siren?"

"What is it herb pup?"

"What do I do with Lupa's gift?"

"Hmm. Set it here," he said, pointing to a side table outside the alcove, watching as the pup set all the offerings he had down on the table. Siren then showed the pup how to make an offering, the gamma only lighting the candles and placing them around the altar which made of stone. He then allowed the pup to lead the prayer as Siren set his own offerings upon the table and then placed the ones for Vutrix and Rodar on the altar as well.

"Goddess of Mothers. God of Healing and the Forge, please…listen…prayer," said Neville, looking at Siren who nodded encouragingly. "Help Cedar recover and walk again and don't let Diamond lose his…"

"Thou can say dame or mama pup," said Siren.

"Dame mama," said Neville. "Roesia take good care exile pups and us…take care of son. Diamond not fair lose mama," he said. "No let bad omega exile back…hurt me…hurt…kill Cedar unless change," Neville begged. Siren snorted at the latter part of the pup's prayer, not believing the exile would change. Even though the pup's prayer was serious, Siren couldn't help chuckling as the pup shot him a peeved look. "No laugh Siren."

"I'm sorry pup. I'm not laughing at thee or thy prayer," said Siren. Neville's face turned into a scowl as the gamma bowed his head, struggling to hide the smirk on his face. Siren could feel the pup's scowl burning into his bowed head, forcing the gamma to struggle to get a straight face before lifting his head back up to see the pup continuing to murmur at the altar. Siren then offered his own prayer before thanking Vutrix and Rodar for listening and led Neville away to go to the building for the werewolf.

Sivius, Grass Moon, Year of the Dragon

Somewhere in Broscier Deep

Remus had only a moment of confusion as Cedar asked to spare his life followed by a moment of horror as Aluxious removed his paws from the injured omega and his fate was sealed…exiled from his pack…exiled from his pups! Rather than feeling a breath of relief and gratitude towards the pup who had asked for his life to be spared, the omega felt instead anger anew towards Cedar for daring to say he couldn't be there for his pups. The next thing the omega knew was being picked up by the scruff of his neck by Aluxious and the two males hauling him over the side of the deck railing before dropping him into the sea below, a sea for which he had no name. By the time the wolf surfaced once again, the salt of the sea stinging his wounds and causing them to burn, the Aeolus was already away from him. The wolf found himself bobbing in the sea like a cork. He searched the sea for any sign of the ship but found the Aeolus nowhere in sight.

Moony took over, beginning to swim though the wolf had no idea that his former pack was going to stop in Piplath. The wolf only knew they were traveling to Souldes yet knew he couldn't hope to make the long swim to Souldes and he soon lost all sense of direction as the sky and the sea began to blend together as he moved, his legs struggling to keep him afloat. Thankfully Moony knew how to swim when running around the school grounds and in the Forbidden Forest on the full moons. He couldn't help winching at the burning sensation as the salt licked at his wounds, blood flowing freely in the water. He didn't realize this would attract sharks or that Xaythea even had sharks as well as other creatures in the water that might pose an even bigger danger to a lone wolf swimming in the sea.

The day slowly passed as the exiled wolf continued swimming yet even a wolf couldn't swim forever and as the day dragged on, his body became tired, and his swimming slowed. The next thing Moony knew he was sinking beneath the water as his body and energy gave out, the wolf gasping as he began sinking. Bubbles of air drifted up to the surface from the wolf's open mouth as he gasped, his lungs burning, but he had no energy with which to make it to the surface. It seemed that he would die anyway, regardless of Cedar begging for his life to be spared. With wide eyes, he watched the surface of the water recede as he sank lower…and lower…until something swam towards him, diving beneath him and then pushing him up to the surface of the sea until his head broke the surface.

Immediately the wolf began coughing and gasping for air. Where before his lungs had ached with lack of air, now they were aching from the great gulps he was trying to force into his lungs, gulps of air mixed with coughing up sea water. Water dripped from his head as he surfaced, causing his fur to cling to his body. "Well, what doth we hath here?" As the voice reached his ears, Moony looked around to see a boat floating in the ocean with two humans sitting in the boat that bobbed in the water. "Strange to see a wolf here in the water this far from shore. Thou need help? Of course, thou do. If thou be so kind to swim over, I can haul ya up." Moony was too exhausted to look a gift horse in the mouth and swam towards the boat where the two men helped the wolf into the boat, the dolphin darting back underneath the water and swimming away. The two men then began rowing but it wasn't until they reached a wooden ship resting on the water. It was with horror that the wolf saw the pirate ship flying above the ship on top of the main mast before he was suddenly hit with the butt of a musket in his temple, knocking the wolf out. Ropes were then lowered and hooked to the boat which was then hauled up by the crew and the wolf hauled out onto the deck and bound in chains.

"What hath we here?" The crew stepped aside as their captain walked forward, a creature covered in pale grey fur with a feline maw and whiskers, black spots peppering the pelt. Teal eyes shone out of the feline's skull and as he spoke, sharp teeth could be seen hidden in his maw. A long tail flowed out behind the creature's rump as the Bast walked forward.

"A werewolf captain," said the man who had called out to the wolf.

"A werewolf? Aye, one wouldn't find a regular wolf out this far from land." The captain walked forward and nudged the unconscious wolf. "Put it below in a cage and then when it shifts, chain it to next to one of the rowers. It can start earning its keep until we find somewhere to sell it or keep it for our own use," said the captain. A few crew members went to pick up the wolf after securing its paws with rope before heading below deck. "How be the wind?"

"Fair captain," said one of the sailors.

"Then unfurl the sails," said the captain as the crew hurried to do what was asked of them, the captain standing at the deck railing and looking out at the sea as the Galleass drifted on the water, miles from land.

Solstice Wastes, Souldes

Duo, Grass Moon, Year of the Dragon

The twenty-seventh of Grass Moon came upon the passengers before they knew it, the horses traversing through the desert that lay within the center of the southern half of the continent, the sun harsh and causing the vampires in the stage to keep their curtains closed. When Severus peeked out through the curtains, causing a growl from his sire's blood sister, he saw there was nothing but sand all around them, the sun harsh and cruel. "Fledgling, put the damn curtain down," growled Beauvis.

"I'm hungry."

"Perhaps thou should hath fed and not been stubborn," said Beauvis. "We'll stop at an inn to rest the team and feed them while we're allowed to get a meal though we hath to pay for it. Luckily for thou, I hath money to cover food expenses," he said.

Severus dropped the curtain, watching as it fluttered back to settle against the windowpane. He then leaned back in his seat, wondering how Arastos was doing and wishing he could have brought his son with him to this planet, wishing that he hadn't been thrown in Azkaban, not knowing where his son was. Arastos had been only a child when Severus had been thrown into Azkaban, his son having been born in his seventh year of Hogwarts. They continued through the desert dunes until they turned to their left and headed deeper into the desert until they reached a stone-walled building surrounded by gates with a livery stable around Sunbane. As soon as they entered through the gates at the beginning of the stable hands hurried to unhitch the team and take care of them while the driver opened the door and said they would be staying the night at the inn for the team to rest and rooms with meals could be purchased by the passengers but that everyone had to disembark.

As they entered the grand building's dining area they were greeted with finely crafted tables and chairs, their luggage left on the carriage to be deposited into rooms for the evening. Severus took a seat, a fire already roaring in the hearth as they were given a simple menu with meal choices on it. "Welcome to the Dune Jackal," said the host, a female dwarf who came in with mugs and was followed by a young girl clinging to her skirt. "If there art any vampires there be an outpost further down the road where thou be free to hunt," she said. "Otherwise, luggage will be deposited in the rooms. A mug of ale be 2 Vicla and a mug of beer be 3 Vicla. Rooms be 10 Soul and 5 Ragbo a night," she said. "Now if I can just hath thou all write on this parchment how many in each party, we'll know where to deposit the luggage," she said cheerfully. As they would find in the night, the accommodations consisted of several large rooms with beds upon which feathered mattresses rested. There were other patrons there as well, two halfings, an male dwarf entertainer and a human peasant. The female halfling was a alchemist who was arguing with a group of dwarves at a large table while the male halfing was a thief with auburn hair and narrow brown eyes.

Beauvis wrote that there were two in his party, writing down Severus's and his own names as well as their race. Passing it to another table, he then turned his gaze towards the menu, pursuing it. "Interesting. They have roasted phoenix and bitter cheese with a glass of wine or roasted dragon with artichokes and a glass of brandy," said Beauvis thoughtfully. There were also other meal options as well besides these two mythic dishes. Salted pork and dried cabbage with a tankard of perry, Braised chicken with blue cheese and a glass of rum, baked carp with clove and leek with a glass of wine, steamed hare with garlic and artichoke with a glass of cider, stewed crab and millet bread with a tankard of beer, steamed pheasant with cardamom and onion with a glass of gin, roasted mutton and dried artichoke with a tankard of mead, roasted dragon and poached eggs with a glass of mead, roasted mutton and rye bread with a tankard of cider, boiled egg and acorn bread with a tankard of perry, braised phoenix and blue cheese with a glass of whiskey, roasted phoenix and currant pie with a glass of gin, salted chicken and bitter cheese with a tankard of stout, steamed phoenix and poached eggs with a glass of gin, boiled eggs and watercress with a tankard of mead, pottage with rye and millet bread and a tankard of ale, boiled eggs and oat bread with a tankard of perry, boiled sausage and parsnip with a tankard of cider, roasted pheasant with clove and oats with a glass of rum, baked dragon and dragonfruit pie with a glass of rum, steamed dragon and dried oranges with a glass of rum, smoked oxen and dried leek with a tankard of perry, roasted camel with rice and rye bread with a mug of ale, baked lamb and whey cheese with a glass of wine, roasted pork and millet bread with a tankard of beer, boiled mutton and dried artichoke with a tankard of ale, steamed grouse with clove and millet bread with a glass of brandy, steamed boar and gooseberry tart with a glass of rum, roasted shellfish and poached eggs with a glass of cider, roasted carp with sugar and wheat biscuits with a glass of cider, clam chowder with rice and rye bread with a glass of rum, boiled sausage and beetroot with a tankard of cider, braised partridge and mulberry tart with a glass of wine, boiled eggs and leek with a tankard of cider, roasted pork and bitter cheese with a tankard of stout, stewed pork and curd cheese with and a tankard of ale, and roasted duck with acorn bread and glass of wine.

"What does dragon taste like?"

"It has a smoky flavor though aquatic dragons and sea wyvern tend to taste a bit like fish," said Beauvis. "It tastes a bit like chicken though is similar in flavor to alligator…same thing with wyvern. The meat's rather tender and not as stringy but it does leave a burning aftertaste in your throat and gut. Mature dragons develop a depth and richness of flavor with older dragons tending to be used in soups and stews," he said. "Though dragons are sacred and we be in Year of the Dragon, one will find they are hunted for meat and their hides, scales and claws. Likewise, Phoenix tastes like chicken."

"Are we hunting?"

"Aye," said Beauvis. "At least I and mine blood sister and her companion be hunting," he said.

"And if I don't?"

"Then thou will be locked up in our room and if necessary, chained up so thou cannot hurt the innkeeper or the workers here," he said. "One day thou will get so hungry that thou will hunt. Thou art getting weaker each day little bat." When the hostess came to ask for orders, Beauvis ordered a glass of ale and the baked dragon and dragonfruit pie that came with a glass of rum and a loaf of rye bread with boiled sausage and cabbage on the side. Severus decided on the roasted dragon with artichokes that came with a glass of brandy though he substituted that with a tankard of cider. They then settled down to enjoy the chatter, Beauvis already counting out the money they would owe the inn keeper at the end of their journey.