Blood on the Sand

Chapter 5: The Northern Wolves

The wolf pack ran through the forest. The tall trees seemed to glow in the moonlight. The Dream Blossoms were in bloom and their petals gave off a soft golden glow. In a world where power was everything, there was still beauty to be found. One only had to look for it.

Edmonn Starrk watched the pack run by before he knelt and plucked one of the Dream Blossoms and brought it to his nose. He inhaled deeply and turned to Ciel who was lying at the base of one of the trees. He looked over at Noelani who glared at him with her golden eyes. He smiled a little as he made his way to Ciel and got on one knee. He placed the Dream Blossom behind her ear and gently kissed her forehead.

She stirred a little and grabbed his hand.

"I thought I felt a Wolf nearby," she said. "But I didn't expect for the Wolf to be bearing gifts for me."

She brought her hand up to her hair and gently touched the Dream Blossom tucked behind her ear. She smiled at him and looked at Noelani.

"Noelani must not have minded since she didn't bite your head off."

"Yeah, she must have known that you wouldn't like it."

Ciel laughed a little gave Edmonn a little kiss on the lips.

"Yeah, because then I wouldn't be able to kiss you. Come on, my father will probably be worried."

"Are you kidding me? Your father would probably kill me. I mean, your father is challenging my father's right to be High Lord."

"He's only doing that because he wants to make sure that your father could handle the pressure. The same holds true with House Schiffer. Well…also the family rivalries play a role."

"I knew it," Edmonn said and laughed a little.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine."

"You…you didn't tell your father about us…did you?"

"Maybe I did and maybe I didn't," Ciel said and smiled.

Lobo De Plata

"Sir, Chancellor Apacci is arriving," Guerra said.

Lupos nodded. He stood up from behind his desk. He ran his fingers over the smooth stone surface and took a deep breath.

"Have Chancellor Schiffer and Chancellor Chelute arrived?"

"Not at the present moment, sir," Guerra said. "Sir, I'll have the House Guards ready to move if there's a need."

"That won't be necessary," Lupos said. "I doubt that they'll try anything."

"Sir, Houses Schiffer and Apacci have challenged your right to be High Lord."

"I am aware," Lupos said. "However, they are honorable and both only challenged me because they thought it was the right thing to do to keep order in the Northern Lands. Perhaps seeing that we did not descend into a state of constant war like in the Southern Plains will prove that I am worthy."

"What if they continue to refuse to acknowledge you?"

"Then I will do what I must for the good of the Pack. I will not forsake my House's honor for the sake of power. However, I will not roll over and accept anything they may suggest that would put the Northern Lands in danger. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," Guerra said and smiled. "You know. I figured you would say something along those lines."

"I see. You wanted to make sure that I knew what I was doing," Lupos said and clapped his third Colmillos on the back. "You're a good man to have by my side. I need advisors who can tell me when I'm making a mistake and keep me honest."

"Well, I'm sure that your wife does a better job at that than I could."

"You got that right," Lupos said and laughed.

The two made their way to the outer court. Lupos stood at the opened gates and watched as the Apacci banners of a brown horse on a silver field approach. He saw that Aidalla and Harietta were already waiting for him. He nodded to them as he made his way to stand next to his wife. He frowned as he looked around and whispered to Aidalla.

"Where are our children?"

"Edmonn and Edvarrd are at Ángel Caído. Conall is probably climbing among the old ruins. As for Lianna, she's probably playing with the Schiffer girl."

"Oh yes," Lupos said and shook his head.

Even though House Schiffer was one of the challengers to Lupos Starrk, they still permitted their daughters to visit each other. He found it amusing how much Lianna Starrk and Selena Schiffer were so much alike. They were both competitive in archery and fencing and they didn't care about making fools of themselves.

He turned his attention to the approaching company. He smiled when he saw Hadrian Apacci at the head of the column, his wife Elysia was beside him.

"Chancellor Apacci, Lady Apacci," Lupos said. "Welcome to Lobo De Plata."

"Yes, yes," Hadrian said as he dismounted the Hollow he was riding. "Is my daughter, Ciel, here?"

"I'm afraid I haven't seen her," Lupos said.

"I dare say that she's with that son of yours, again," Elysia said and smiled. "She's reaching that age. Next thing you know she'll want to run off like her sister."

"Emilou was always impulsive," Hadrian said. "She ran off before she even became an Arrancar."

"Well, she at least was an Adjuchas," Elysia said. "The next time we heard from her she was an Arrancar."

"Yes, but in that Usurper's service," Hadrian said. "I nearly died of shame knowing that one of my daughters was serving a…a Soul Reaper," he spat.

"Yes, and what happened to her," Lupos said. "My wife and I offered up our prayers to the Huntress when we felt them die."

Hadrian looked at Lupos and nodded.

"Yes, and we offered our own prayers on behalf of your loss as well," Elysia said. "The Usurper's war cost many Houses their loved ones."

"That's why I want to make sure that the Northern Lands remain strong by being united," Lupos said. "Baraggan Luisenbarn is dead and with his brother in exile and disgraced, there's no one to rule the Empire."

Hadrian Apacci nodded.

"And that's why we came," he said. "The only reason I challenged your right to be High Lord was because I was afraid that you would not measure up to your ancestors. However, the Northern Lands did not descend into chaos the way that the Southern Plains did nor did it become a land of back-stabbers like the Eastern Mountains did. Instead, you helped to keep the lands united. "

"I had help," Lupos said. "My advisors helped in forming the networks I needed to ensure that talk of rebellion or conquest was kept to a minimum. During Aizen's reign, we only had ten factions forming against me and most of them were relatively minor houses with only you and Schiffer as major houses standing against me."

"Yes, and we only agreed to it to see how you would handle the situation," Hadrian said. "I must admit, that I was impressed that instead of waging total war against your rivals, you instead tried to negotiate with them. You only had to fight against three minor houses and even then you made sure to spare their families and allowed them to keep their lands. A rather foolish gesture since you ran the risk of them taking advantage of it."

"Yet they did not," Lupos said. "I understood the risk, and had my networks keep an eye on things. They were more honorable than I thought."

"True, and in that regard you were fortunate. However, not every house in the Northern Lands is so honorable. However, Chancellor Schiffer and I have agreed that you proved yourself worthy to be High Lord since you were able to avoid catastrophe."

"Then you and Schiffer are in agreement that avoiding a war between our Houses would be in the best interest for the Northern Lands as a whole."

"Of course," Hadrian said. "Also, we wished to discuss another matter with you."

"I can guess at what it is," Lupos said and smiled. "I suppose my son and your daughter have been spending a lot of time together without our consent."

"Yes, and they seem to get along just fine," Elysia said.

"Yes they do," Lupos said. "Lady Apacci, I'm sure that you and my wife will want to discuss that particular matter. Chancellor Apacci, please follow me and we can work out the terms."

"That sounds like a plan. I can then send them along to Chancellor Schiffer since he wasn't able to come like he hoped. His daughter's been…a handful."

"I bet," Lupos said and laughed, "especially if my daughter's involved as well."

Noche De Tormenta

Selena Schiffer smiled when she saw her target. She looked over at Lianna Starrk and nodded. Lianna gave her friend the thumbs up and grinned. They snickered softly as they got the rope ready. When their target was making his way to the archway, they raised the rope they laid out across the arch.

"What the…?" Anton Schiffer asked as he tripped and struggled to maintain his balance. Instead, he fell to his face. The two girls laughed as Anton got up. "Oh…I should have known," Anton said as he brushed himself off. "I shall inform father of this."

"Oh lighten up, Anton," Selena said. "You're too much like Ulquiorra for your own good. How about you get that branch out of your ass and live a little."

"Perhaps you should try start behaving in a manner worthy of a Schiffer. You're not a…Starrk," he said and glared at Lianna.

"What did I do?" Lianna asked. "It's your fault that you weren't paying attention to where you were going."

"Need I remind you that you are a guest?" Anton asked. "I would expect that a Starrk would behave in a noble manner."

"HA! I'll start behaving in a 'noble manner' so long as I don't have to become some stuck-up prude to do it," Lianna said and stuck out her tongue.

"Sometimes, I wonder where you get that attitude from," Anton said and shook his head as he walked off.

"Do you think he'll tell your dad about this?"

"Nah, he threatens to, but he never does. He tries to be like…like Ulquiorra," she paused this time when she said her other brother's name. "Damn that Aizen. If I see him, I'll be more than happy to plunge a dagger in his heart," she said as she un-sheathed the dagger that housed her Resurrección.

"I know what you mean," Lianna said. "Now…now I won't be able to play with Lilynette anymore." She sighed as she stroked the thin jawbone hanging around her neck with its tiny fangs. "I was hoping to show Uncle Coyote that I became an Arrancar, but…"

"You became an Arrancar just before their failed invasion?"

"Yeah, and…damn Soul Reapers. They always kill Hollows and Arrancars without thought. That invasion they did 700 years ago…that was a glorious victory for us."

"Yes, one of the only times when all of Hueco Mundo was truly united. And we defeated an invasion led by their Head Captain, Genryusai Yamamoto himself. They never tried that again…at least until Aizen."

The two made their way to the marble steps that led to the gates to the central keep. Two Adjuchas-class Arrancars stood on either side of the gates. Their silver armor gleamed in the moonlight and their black cloaks fluttered softly. They bowed to the two as they approached.

Even though House Schiffer was challenging Lupos Starrk's title of High Lord, they kept relations with the Starrks open. The nobility in the Northern Lands were rarely hostile with each other. Even though times arose when two houses would enter a fight, they would still meet on friendly terms in order to ensure that chaos did not come into the Northern Lands and make things like they were during the Chaotic Era before the five First Families outlined a plan under the leadership of Arturos Leonisra, the first True King of Hueco Mundo.

"So, Lianna," Selena said. "Tell me, are the rumors true?"

"Oh…and what rumors might those be?"

"You know. The rumors I've been hearing about your brother."

"Which one? I've got three of them."

"I was thinking about Conall, the youngest. However, I've been hearing some juicy ones about Edmonn and Ciel Apacci."

"Well, the ones about Edmonn and Ciel are true. As for what rumors that could possibly be spreading about Conall…I have no idea."

"IS IT TRUE THAT CONALL'S BEEN PROMISED?"

"Not that I know. Why?"

"Oh…no reason," Selena said, blushing.

"I get it. You like Conall, don't you?" Lianna asked with a sly look on her face. "Well, he's still got to enter the Crystalline Grove before he becomes an Arrancar."

"I bet he'll look good as an Arrancar," Selena said.

"AH HA, I knew it and you just confessed."

"I did not confess to anything."

"Yes you did. You like my brother, Conall, and you said that you'd think he'll look good as an Arrancar. That proves it."

"It proves nothing."

"Oh really, then why did you ask if he was Promised to someone?"

"Did I? I can't recall."

"Why you…" Lianna said and began to tackle Selena.

The two girls laughed.

"I thought I heard a commotion."

They looked up and immediately stood at attention as a stern-faced Arrancar approached. He was dressed in a fur-lined coat with silver embroidery on the black material. His mask remnant was on the back of his head and resembled the back plates of a Samurai helmet. He wore a silver broach of a spear with an emerald tip on the left side of his coat. His black hair was tied back with a silver ring. Even though he was relatively slender and small, he radiated an air of authority and intensity.

"Father," Selena said with a bow.

"Chancellor Schiffer," Lianna said with a bow.

"I gather that you two were up to no-good again," Antonin Schiffer said and looked at the two girls. "Anton just finished telling me about your little…prank."

"Whoa, you mean he actually told you?" Selena asked.

"Yes, and he also told me about how you put an entire bottle of Dream Blossom Wine into the punch at your brother's Arrancarization Party."

"Which brother was this?"

"Ulquiorra's, and you made a mess of things that evening. Lady Tiburón still hasn't forgiven me for the insult."

Selena and Lianna snorted at the memory. When Ulquiorra returned from the Ordeal in the Far North, they decided to liven up the celebration. They thought the best way to do that was to pour an entire bottle of one of the most potent alcohols known to Arrancars, Dream Blossom Wine, into the punch. As soon as Ulquiorra took a sip, he immediately burst out into a bawdy song and grabbed Lady Tiburón's ass.

"Ah yes, the only time we ever saw him actually enjoying something," Selena said and burst out laughing.

"Oh…and then there was the time when we snuck into the kitchens and took that Tart Berry pie," Lianna said.

"Shut up, I don't think he knew about that one," Selena said.

"Actually, I did," Antonin said and sighed. "Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do with you, Selena. Lianna, I can't do anything about your conduct since that's your father's and mother's responsibility and I highly doubt they would be pleased with your conduct. Selena, it's obvious that you did not inherit the same sense of dignity that your…your brother has."

"That's for sure," Selena said. "But, I do have another brother."

"And he's dead," Antonin said and closed his eyes. "He died in service to the ruler of Las Noches."

"He died in service to a Soul Reaper," Selena said. "You didn't even try to stop him when Aizen asked him to join the Espada. You should have. IT'S YOUR FAULT HE'S DEAD!"

"Ulquiorra made his choice," Antonin said. "He was an Arrancar when he made it. If he was not an Arrancar, then I would have intervened."

"But still…"

"What would you have me do?" Antonin asked. "A father must learn to let go of their children and hope that they forge their own path. However, all paths come to an end and we cannot avoid it."

"So…you don't even mourn?" Lianna asked.

"Of course he didn't mourn," Selena said. "He didn't care about Ulquiorra like he doesn't care about Anton or me."

"That is enough," Antonin said. "I do care for you. However, we are Arrancars, Selena, and members of House Schiffer. Regardless of what happens, we move on. We don't show tears for a simple reason: there's no real purpose to them. We don't have the luxury of tears, especially not in a world where every moment is a struggle for survival. With Baraggan gone, the lesser Hollows are beginning to become restless. More and more of their raiding parties are coming from the Menos Forest. However, there are rumors of war breaking out in the Southern Plains and House Rureaux seems to be becoming a likely threat. It looks like another war will break out."

"When war breaks out, I'll be on the front lines," Selena said.

"I FORBID IT!" Antonin shouted. "I lost Ulquiorra; I will not lose you as well. Whether you believe me or not, I do care for my children and I did mourn for Ulquiorra in my own way."

"Oh…and who's going to represent House Schiffer on the front lines?" Selena asked. "You and Anton would only bore your own men to death. Plus, unlike the Schiffer men, the Schiffer women have more than once proven to be excellent leaders in combat, but do the men think that way? Nyooooooh, because they think that women should just stay on the sidelines like good little girls and not go out on the field. I refuse to be swept aside just because I'm a girl."

"That may be, but I'm your father and you will obey me."

"Twelve Hells…"

"You will mind your tongue. Any discussion of you going to the front lines is out of the question."

"I'm an Arrancar," she said. "It's my decision. If I want to go to the front lines, then I'll go to the front lines. I want to be as brave as Tia Harribel or Nelliel Tu Odelschwank, the two most famous women Espada. You let Ulquiorra become an Espada under Aizen. Let me become a Valkyrie or a Northern Wolf. That's what I choose to do."

"So…you're using my own words against me."

"Damn right," Selena said and smiled. "Besides, I'm sure that Lianna will need someone to keep an eye on her other than her brothers."

"Don't you mean that I would have to keep an eye on you?"

"Like Hell," Selena said and the two girls laughed.

"Well, if I can't talk you out of it, then I have no choice but to let you do what you want.

"Lianna, I will have some of my men escort you back to Lobo De Plata. Chancellor Apacci is already meeting with your father on my behalf as well. As soon as I get confirmation of a treaty being signed, then we can end this foolish debate and get back to strengthening our borders with Chancellor Chelute."

Lianna nodded. She was relieved to hear that neither Houses Apacci nor Schiffer were willing to wage war against her father. That would make things easier when the real war began. She hoped it wouldn't happen, but it was very likely. There were too many noble Houses in Hueco Mundo for war not to happen. She began to wonder which Houses would drag the others into Civil War.

Storm's Head

The waves of the Dark Sea crashed against the stone docks in the northern city of Storm's Head. The fishing vessels were designed to handle the rough seas as well as the large creatures that lived in their waves. The docks for the ships loading and unloading cargo to be taken along the Dividing River were bustling. Some of the supplies were being moved to the larger sea merchant ships that would take their cargo to the Kraken Islands further north. The howling wind struck against the stone walls of the keep where Moranna Tiburón watched.

Her black hair flowed from under her mask remnant that resembled the upper head of a barracuda. Her aqua-colored eyes shone brilliantly. She tightened the wool shawl around her as a burst of cold wind swept across her. She turned and looked at the banner hanging behind her showing two sharks, one was silver and the other was golden, fighting each other on a black field.

"The silver shark of House Harribel and the golden shark of House Tiburón," she muttered. She withdrew her dagger and thrust it through the silver shark's head. "'Hungry, Violent, Focused,'" she said, reciting her House Words.

"Yes, and yet we're continually being beaten by House Harribel."

She turned as she saw her brother, Thrasher, enter the chamber. His mask remnant was a collar around his neck shaped like shark teeth. He was looking at a sheet of paper. Moranna noticed the black kraken on a grey field, the emblem of Lord Korson of the Kraken Islands.

"What does he say?"

"Hmm," Thrasher said and then saw that she was pointing to the message. "Oh, Lord Korson has agreed to open Stonefist to our ships. Of course, he wants a tribute of crops and wool and if we refuse, he'll simply send the Kraken Fleet against us."

"I see," Moranna said and sighed. "He's always been difficult to work with. Even Baraggan had difficulty getting him to fall in line and even after he signed Baraggan's pact he still called himself 'the Kraken King.'"

"And rightfully so," Thrasher said and returned his attention to the letter. "Oh…he says that since Baraggan's dead, he might as well become 'King of the Seas and Islands.' It's only been two days by World of the Living reckoning and he's already putting on a crown. I wonder if it's made of octopus tentacles."

"That's nothing to joke about. If the other houses get word that we're making a deal with Lord Korson, then they will turn against us. Lord Korson was the only one to declare himself a king of anything during Baraggan's reign and he kept Baraggan's armies at bay when they tried to move against him."

"I know. He is a pain to deal with, but we need him if we're going to crush House Harribel."

"Is that all we want with him?"

"For the last time, I don't want to sit on some damn throne. I just want to crush House Harribel; that's all."

"Wouldn't a better way to appease our House's rivalry with the Harribels be to rule over them? What better way to do that than to sit on the throne?"

"And be made a target by every other power-hungry house? No thank you. You know full well that House Tiburón hasn't been in a major position since the days of Arturos Leonisra."

"And why do you think that is? It's because the damn Harribels took away everything that should belong to us. Now, we're just a minor house with very little say. The most we can brag about is saying that two of our brothers were in Baraggan's army. One was killed shortly after becoming an Arrancar by the Hogyoku and the other spends his time chasing women and drinking like some damn Andjo."

"Don't talk about one of the First Families that way. What if someone heard you?"

"Why should I care?"

"I agree that House Andjo is a bunch of lazy fools who would rather spend time feasting and hunting instead of ruling. However, they are still one of the First Families and their name alone carries authority. And if…oh…I see what you're getting at."

"If that's the case, then how could House Luisenbarn rise up against House Leonisra? Or how could Houses Schiffer and Apacci challenge House Starrk? How could House Tuma be reduced to nothing but ashes? Perhaps times are changing and new families should be given absolute authority."

"And you said you had no interest in the throne."

"I don't. That's because the throne is not enough for me. I want the Tiburón name to be raised to the absolute heights of glory. A throne can be taken away and a crown broken, but a glorified name is immortal."

"Well, it would appear as though I misjudged you, brother. We can use Lord Korson to get that and then toss him by the wayside."

The Northern Coast

They were called the Northern Wolves since they travelled in packs. Their duty was to guard the Far North against raiders and brigands.

Reisa Chelute, the youngest child of Chancellor Reidon Chelute, rode at the front. Her chestnut hair flowed out from under her mask remnant that covered the top part of her face and resembled a deer's head. The banner of a golden wolf on a white field for their order fluttered in the wind along with the Chelute banner of a golden whirlwind spiraling on a blue field.

"Commander Reisa," one of her officers said. "Our scouts have returned and reported seeing a group of five ships flying the black kraken sailing along the coast. But none of them had the golden Kraken's Bride figurehead."

"I see," she said. "Inform the scouts to keep an eye on them. They're probably just merchant vessels if they don't have the Kraken's Bride, but you can never tell."

"Yes my lady," he said and Sonídod to the scouts.

She knew that Lord Korson sometimes encouraged his ships not to display the Kraken's Bride, a figurehead made to look like a woman entangled in tentacles, when they raided the coastal villages in the Far North. It was difficult to tell which ships from the Kraken King were merely merchant vessels sent to trade or were going on raids. During Aizen's reign, the Kraken King became bold and launched a series of raids against the Northern Lands, but the Northern Wolves succeeded in laming the tentacles enough to make them draw back. However, one did not stand against the Kraken and not expect for the Kraken to try to get revenge. However, Lord Korson's men were only good at sea or on the water or the shorelines. However, they were impotent when it came to waging land warfare and that was the advantage that the Northern Wolves had.

"Captain Orson, I'll put you in charge for the time being. I'll go to Lobo De Plata and inform High Lord Starrk of this."

"Yes, my Lady," Captain Orson, a tall and burly man with a mask remnant like a falcon's head, said. "I'll also send a messenger to your father."

She nodded.

"Yes, Chancellor Chelute will also want to know of this. Also, send a raven to the Tower of Crows and inform the Western Watch to keep an eye on the Dark Sea as well. And send another raven to Las Noches. If there is going to be a Council of Houses, then we'll have to remind them that Lord Korson could pose a potential threat as well, especially if he sends the Kraken Fleet down the Dividing River."

Captain Orson nodded and made his way to see it done. Reisa sighed. She wondered how many potential sides war could come from. She knew that Houses Starrk, Apacci, and Schiffer would try to make sure that war within the Northern Lands would be avoided while House Chelute would organize the border defenses. Not since the Soul Reaper Invasion had the Northern Lands faced the possibility of war coming from so many different directions. However, she was confident that as long as House Starrk remained strong and focused as they had always been, then they could possible come out with only a few scrapes and bruises.

"Shall I have them return to the Den?" Captain Orson asked.

"That's a good idea," Reisa said. "Make sure that the other Squads are ready to move out in case those ships prove to be raiding parties."

"Yes Commander," Orson said and saluted. Reisa Sonídod away from them and Orson turned to the others. "Alright, you Wolves, what are you waiting for? Let's get back to the Den."

Lobo De Plata

Conall Starrk flecked the fingers of his left paw. The claws were nice and sharp. He looked up at the moon. His tail began to wag with excitement. Soon, he would be allowed to enter the Crystalline Grove and hopefully become an Arrancar.

"You look excited."

He turned and saw Lupos smiling at him.

"DAD!" he cried out and launched himself at Lupos who caught him and allowed his youngest son to lick his face. "You came to see me."

"I told you I would. I just got through with the final negotiations with Chancellor Apacci and he's sending things along to Schiffer. So, were you playing among the ruins again?"

"No," Conall said, but the way his golden eyes sparkled told Lupos otherwise.

"Conall, you were, weren't you?"

"Yeah," Conall said and lowered his head, his ears drooped.

"So, did you find anything interesting?"

Conall's head lifted at that and he nodded. He reached into the pouch he carried with him whenever he went to the ruins of the old Starrk seat and brought out a stone carving.

"I found this in one of the deeper chambers. What is it?"

"Well, let's see," he said and took the carving.

The carving showed a man in an Arrancar mask and some kind of crown holding up a spear in defiance of a black-clad monster. Lupos knew that the black-clad monster was a Soul Reaper, but as to the other figure, he didn't know. He guessed that it was probably some kind of representation of the Soul Reapers' failed invasion 700 years before, but Baraggan was king then and he used an axe.

"Interesting," Lupos said. "It's probably some kind of art to represent the Soul Reapers' defeat at Coldwater."

"But, the Battle of Coldwater was 700 years ago," Conall said. "The old seat burned down 200 years before that."

Lupos looked at his son in surprise. Even though his son was not an Arrancar, he was still extremely intelligent and had an excellent memory for things he learned even as an Adjuchas. Lupos sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, you're right."

"I heard there was a time when the Starrks were the Northern Kings and they were the only kings in all of Hueco Mundo."

"That time is just a myth," Lupos said. "The Starrks have always been the Lords of the North, but never the Northern Kings, except in stories that some wish to be true. The only kings that Hueco Mundo has known were either from House Leonisra or House Luisenbarn."

"I know, Dad. But…it's nice to think that such a time could have existed."

"I suppose. However, we are Starrks and Starrks don't think about personal glory. We do what we must for the good of Hueco Mundo. That's why our House Words are 'For The Pack.' It's to remind us that what we do have an effect on the whole, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Dad, but…"

"Is there something else?"

"Well, I had a dream and…"

"Oh…what sort of dream?"

"It was…me being an Arrancar like Uncle Coyote and you."

Lupos smiled and rubbed his son's head. He knew that his son wasn't being honest, but he decided to let it go.

"Hopefully more like your Uncle than me."

"Dad, why did you leave Uncle Coyote's pack?"

Lupos looked at his son and sighed. He shook his head and smiled.

"Maybe some other time," he said.

The Forest

Ciel Apacci sighed as she stroked Edmonn Starrk's hair. She felt content just being in the forest with the one she loved. He stirred a little as he made himself more comfortable. She smiled at him.

"My Little Wolf," she whispered. She felt Noelani's muzzle nudge her a little. "What is it, girl?" she asked and then looked to where Noelani's focus was.

She was about to call out when Edvarrd put a finger on his lips and Ciel grinned. Edvarrd looked at Vulfolaic and nodded for him to go to where his brother slept. The Spirit Wolf panted and wagged its tail as it rushed towards Edmonn. It sat on its haunches and panted as it looked at him and began to lick his face.

Ciel giggled a little and she could tell that Edvarrd was trying hard not to laugh. Edmonn moaned a little and smiled.

"Ah, Ciel, that feels good," he said.

That did it. Ciel and Edvarrd broke out laughing. Edmonn opened his eyes and then he let out a little yell when he saw Vulfolaic. Vulfolaic let out a bark and licked his face again.

"AAAAAAGH!" Edmonn screamed. "EDVARRD!"

"Hey, don't look at me. Vulfolaic wanted to say 'hello' and wake you up with a kiss, just like that story in the World of the Living. Hmm, what was it called again?"

"Sleeping Beauty," Ciel said with a grin.

"That's it," Edvarrd said and the two burst out laughing.

"Oh, ha, ha, ha, that was so funny I forgot to laugh," Edmonn said.

"Hmm, no, it would have been funnier if you were in some kind of pretty World of the Living dress," Ciel said.

"I highly doubt I would look good in such a thing," Edmonn said. "So, Edvarrd, how did you find us?"

"I'm your brother," he said and shook his head. "Honestly, Edmonn, you're so predictable. I know this is one of your favorite places to come because the wolves usually come to this part of the forest."

"So, what brings you here?" Ciel asked.

"Our mother sent me. Apparently, she and Lady Apacci have been talking…" he trailed off and smiled at his brother.

"I KNEW IT!" Edmonn shouted. "Ciel, you did tell your parents."

"Like I said before, 'Maybe I did and maybe I didn't,'" she said with a smirk.

"You did," Edmonn said.

"Well, maybe I told my sister before she went on Aizen's failed mission and maybe she told our parents."

Edmonn looked at her and shook his head.

"Great, they're probably making arrangements even as we speak."

"You know it," Edvarrd said. "That's why I have no intention of getting married."

Lobo De Plata

Lupos Starrk made his way down the stone steps. He sighed as he held the torch in front of him. The flames lit the path ahead and he made his way forward. He saw someone move in the shadows and smiled.

"So, you made it after all, Chancellor Gallan Chelute," he said.

"How did you know it was me?" Gallan Chelute asked as he stepped forward.

Gallan Chelute was medium-height and slight build. His closely-cropped black hair was like a raven's wing and his hollow mask resembled the beak of a bird and covered his nose and area around his eyes.

Gallan Chelute was unique among the officials and nobles in Hueco Mundo in that he did not call one place "home" the way the others did. Instead he was always on the move. When he was appointed a Chancellor in the Northern Lands, he felt that he would do more good on the move instead of just sitting around in one city. As a result, he surrendered Ángel Caído to become the Volante Riders' main base of operation and training. Of his three children, only his daughter showed the same kind of inclination to roam while his two sons remained bound to a place or a master.

"I guessed," Lupos said.

"That was rather risky. I could have been an assassin."

"You could have been, but you weren't. An assassin would not come at me from the front."

"That's true," Gallan said.

"So, what brings the 'Homeless Noble' here?"

"I received a report from my daughter. The Kraken King has sent an envoy. Their ships are heading south, most likely to Storm's Head."

"Are they raiders?"

"No, they don't have the Kraken's Bride figurehead on the bow."

"Well, I trust that the Northern Wolves are keeping an eye on them."

"They are. I highly doubt that the Kraken King will act right away. He would want to make sure that he can attack."

"Even then he would only attack the shore and the areas along the rivers. He's not prepared to wage any kind of warfare on land."

"Yes, but we need to prepare. I'm already thinking of areas that we can abandon if we have to. Do you wish me to pass my plan along to Harietta?"

"Yes, I'm putting her in charge of creating a spy network to keep an eye on some of the other houses. How are things along our border with the Southern Plains?"

"They're quiet, except that some of the Amazonian Tribes have been crossing the borders both ways. Don't worry. I'm only having them watched."

"Good," Lupos said. "The Amazonian Tribes and my House have an understanding with each other. I will not put it in jeopardy."

"I understand, but my scouts have been reporting an increase in the number of those bearing the black horned viper on a crimson field. House Rureaux could pose a serious threat."

"I understand. Now, you must excuse me while I pay my respects."

"I understand."

Lupos walked forward. Ahead he could see the large carving of a wolf howling at the crescent moon that covered the back wall. He stopped at one of the many alcoves dug into the wall. He knelt and looked at the two statues that occupied it. He reached out and traced the names carved on the pedestal.

"Coyote Starrk, Lilynette Gingerback," he muttered. "I pray that your souls find joy in the Hunt. I pray your souls will find refuge in the Huntress's pack. I pray that your souls find rest in the Huntress's embrace."

He reached into his pocket and brought out a small figure of a woman holding a bow. He put it on the pedestal and stood up. He walked forward towards the carving at the wall, passing other alcoves that contained the statues of other members of House Starrk, until he could see the inscription written below the carving:

We are the Fangs of the North

We are the Guardian Lords

We are the Northern Wolves

We are House Starrk

We do all things

For The Pack

End of Chapter 5

A.N.: One of the first images I had when I started writing this story was of Lupos kneeling before a statue of Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerback. I knew that I wanted each of the various lands to have their own unique culture. So, I had the Southern Plains being about conquest through warfare and value ruthlessness and power. The Eastern Mountains became about power through plots or trade or a combination of the two. The Western Wastes became about control through violence and inducing fear. The Northern Lands became very much a place where the old ways are valued and a tradition of honor and duty and protecting others is very much entrenched in their major families (Starrk, Schiffer, Apacci, and Chelute), but it's also a place where old grudges hold sway as well.

The idea for the group of the Northern Wolves is based on the archetype of the Ranger (i.e. Aragorn from LOTR) who go around protecting people from bandits and the like. I pretty much wanted House Chelute to be somewhat different in that while Rudobon is bound to protect Las Noches and his brother is bound to serve Mordrath, their father and sister would not wish to be so tied down. So while they are bound to protect the North, they are not bound to a single person or place and become something like a bedouin tribe who moves from place to place.

Next chapter will return to Las Noches and also introduce some of the families who dwell in that area.

Thank you for reading and please review.