The courier walked briskly down the busy city street in Knockford. Wooden houses made a sort of canyon down the winding street. The fall breeze kicked up leaves. Further north winter was setting in but being near the coast, the town stayed relatively warm, if a little wet, during the winter. He had been delivering packages all morning and had only a couple of runs left until a well-earned break after noon. Turning a corner at a large fountain, the courier went down a side street, one of his many short cuts memorized from years of running through the city.

After several blocks of weaving around people in the street going about their business, the man came to his destination, a large courtyard filled with market vendors from all over the human kingdom. It would take him several more minutes, but eventually he found the right lot in the market place. A large wooden wagon laden with all kinds of textiles and oddities from around Mekkan. No one seemed to be at the booth though, so walking around to the rear of the wagon, he knocked gently on the back step. A young woman's voice replied.

"Just a moment, I'll be happy to help you with whatever you need."

"It's me, ma'am. Got a letter for you."

"Oh, Gerald! I didn't realize it was you!" Eira poked her head out, putting down the thick book she was reading. She reached out her hand as Gerald placed it in her hand.

"Is it from an admirer of yours?"

"Oh, I… well, Gerald, I guess you're right. His name is Connor. Last I saw him, he was going home to Maine. But his last one was dated three months ago. He was around Sarn when he wrote it."

"Well, this one is from Callow, ma'am."

"Callow? Where is that? Eira said as she took delivery of her letter.

"In the far North, snow wolf territory. A mining and logging town."

"Really? So that must mean he's…"

"Gone as far west as a human can go on Mekkan, at least not without being slaughtered by those vicious beasts."

Eira new that was nonsense… mostly, but it was the predominant view of people in the center of the human territory. Far from any conflict, humans thrived here without interaction with other races besides slaves and servants.

"If you don't mind, Eira, I must keep going. Almost lunch time."

"Oh... right. Apologies for keeping you, Gerald. Take care and thank you!"

With a nod of his hat, Gerald melted into the market and headed toward his next destination. Unsheathing her sword, Eira used the sharp tip to open the seal of the letter. Unfolding it, she read every letter with excitement and anticipation.

"Eira,

We made it! Not to the basitin village, unfortunately. But we made it to Callow. I'm sitting on the wall right now as I write. This is going out with the last horse-courier back over the mountains. I figured you'd be down in Knockford by the time this gets to you, so I sent it south.

Anyway, we are all in good health. I joined the local guard in Callow two days ago. Not a terribly hard job, just a lot of walking. Liz is working at the inn, doing double duty as a barmaid and a housekeeper. This has given us a good discount on our room, which is fortunate because there isn't much for housing up here. So many loggers and miners, it seems they just sleep in the forest or the mine shafts…

Shadow is doing well, as is Zephyr. Shadow has been taking odd jobs around town, which seems to be winning her friends. Zephyr, ever curious, is usually off exploring. I tell her to be careful, but since when does a dragon heed the words of a human? Asher is healthy, but I can tell he's not satisfied staying in Callow. He misses his people a lot. We're in the right spot to find a basitin, but we may have to wait until spring until a merchant comes through, then we'll find out where to go. Asher isn't so happy about that, poor little guy, but he's safe and has a warm bed to sleep in, so I think he'll be okay.

I sure hope to hear back from you this spring when trade roads open again. The courier is leaving in an hour, so I'll leave it at that.

As always, I love you.

-Conner"

"Conner… You did it." She said to herself. They had made it before winter, found shelter, and jobs. But now they were in the far North, surely that was going to be cold…

Two months earlier…

The brutal North wind howled as the first snowstorm bore down on Callow. Most people would have enough sense to stay inside, but Connor was on patrol with Smith. They had become fast friends and were working the same shifts. The storm had come upon the town in the early morning. Until then, the air was chilly but dry. Now it seemed old man winter had come to collect his due, the price for living this far North was a miserable 7 months of continuous snow.

Connor and Smith had volunteered to escort a party down river to the port. The river would be frozen over in a couple more weeks, and the town needed as many supplies as could be found. They were on top of the wall when, over the sound of the wind, they caught a distant shout for help. Both teens looked at each other before quickly descending the nearest stairway to street level. Running toward the cries for help, they came upon a many trying to find guards in the storm.

"Guards! Over here! Quickly!"

Concerned, both approached the figure, revealed to be keidran. A snow leopard to be specific, and one that Conner knew of but hadn't conversed with.

"What's the problem?" Smith shouted over the wind.

"There's a brawl in a tavern!"

A glowing light flew into view, revealing Zephyr who swooped down to Connor's shoulder. "It's Anna Marie's! There's a big fight."

Connor's eyes lit up with concern.

"Show me! Come on Smith, my family could be in danger!"

It was a busy night in the tavern. Liz was running dishes and drinks for Anna Marie. The storm was good for business, as locals attempting to stay out of their homes for as long as possible before the heart of winter set in would flock to the few places, they could get a good meal and food. Anna had hired all the help she could get to keep her clientele happy with service. Four out of her six part time staff were keidran. The cook, a large wolf that more resembled a bear than a canine, could cook a meal as mean as his looks. Fortunately for the big guy, he was in the back where he could be left to his work.

It was so busy in fact that Shadow and Asher had pitched in for a little extra in wages. They weren't officially employees, but they could easily clean tables and wash dishes. Zephyr was intrigued by the gathering and used the beams holding up the ceiling as a perch. She was practicing her mind-reading skills but wasn't liking a lot of the topics being discussed. Liz was running empty plates back when someone tapped her shoulder.

"One moment sir—" But she didn't finish her sentence when Liz turned to see Sam.

"Oh, Sam! Sorry, I didn't see you there."

"Hey Liz, busy night, huh?"

"Yeah, hey, look this really isn't the best time to talk."

"Oh, totally! I just wanted to ask if I'd be able to catch you after your shift tonight?"

"Shift, ha! I'm going to be working until the early morning."

"That's right!" Boomed Anna's voice from behind both. "Now Sam, are ya gonna order somethin' or are ya gonna git?"

"Oh, I, ah—"

"Alright then. Get movin' Sam before I give yer daddy a holler."

"Y-yes ma'am!" Sam gave Liz a quick smile before leaving the bar.

"Boys…" Anna sighed. "That one's a goodin' Liz, but I need ya'll to focus tonight. Hasn't been hoppin' like this in ages."

"Yes ma'am, sorry."

"Oh don't be sorry Liz, Sam needs to learn to leave a woman alone when she's a workin'. Now, let's serve them hard-ass bastards their ale." Both went back to their tasks. Even that minute or so of a distraction was enough to put a couple tables behind. Normally not a big deal, but on a night like tonight when space was at a premium and blood-alcohol levels were at a high, it wouldn't take much.

Normally, keidran and humans would keep to themselves, but a group of visiting snow wolves didn't know they were sitting too close to a group of human miners. Already drunk and impatient for their food, the miners weren't exactly in a good mood. The wolves, for their part, were irritated by the noise inside the bar. It was disorienting. They had come into town to trade and do a bit of gambling. None had much success that day and were cutting the trip short, planning to leave in the morning.

What set it off was a mystery, but a loud crash and a scream rang out. For just a split second, everyone dropped their conversation to see a wolf and man slashing at each other. What happened next was pandemonium. The wolves were outnumbered, but they fought tooth and nail. Unfortunately, the miners and loggers ate nails for breakfast and could give as well as they could take. Most other keidran and a fair share of humans fled for the exits, including a certain snow leopard, but the brawl was composed of about twenty individuals.

Liz rushed out from the back only to dodge a mug shattering against the wall. It was meant for a man's head but missed. One man was thrown over the bar counter and landed hard on the floor.

"Liz!" Zephyr yelled from the rafters. Liz looked up "Go find Connor!" She then turned her attention back to the man on the ground. "Sir, are you okay?" Liz asked, concerned with the sudden change from busy to fury.

The man, drunk, wasn't in a healthy state of mind. "Oh, well aren't you a pretty one…" Liz backed up as he stumbled to his feet. "Come here you, it's been a long time since I was with a proper woman."

"Wait, what? Ew, no! Get away from me!" He wasn't deterred. The man cornered Liz when Sam approached from the rear.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing to Liz!" Sam shouted, but he was too slow in his armor to dodge the man's right hook, hitting so hard it dented the side of his helmet. Sam fell back and struggled to get up as the miner turned back to Liz. Only, Liz wasn't there. Confused, the man looked up slowly to see a big, bad, wolf.

"You… out of my way! That lady there, she's mine!" The cook responded by picking up the man up by one arm and throwing him across the room and into another miner. The wolf turned to Liz and motioned for her to get into the kitchen. Shadow, now aware of what was happening, quickly grabbed Liz with one hand and Asher with the other, who had poked his head out to see what the commotion was about.

"Come on guys, let the big guy get to work." Shadow said, worried about how bad this was going to get.

"Where's Anna?" one of the staff asked.

"No idea, but we gotta slip out the back, let's go!" Shadow replied, pulling Connor's siblings into the back alley with the remaining kitchen staff following.

"T-thank you…" Sam said to the cook as he picked himself up off the floor.

"Get fighting or get out." Is all the wolf said before pulling out a bat to defend his kitchen. Sam knew it was his duty, but he had no backup and by the Masks did he need it! He stood on the counter and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Stop fighting! NOW!"

A couple of men turned their head and sneered at the young guard before diving back into the fight. By now the wolves were starting to get picked off. Two were down on the ground and another was beaten to a pulp. Sam had enough. He unsheathed his sword and jumped from the counter as the big cook leapt over the bar. Anna Marie came out from the back with a bucket of cold water and threw the contents on a miner that got close enough before slamming the bucket on the man's head. That attracted unwanted attention from another miner, but before he could get close enough to the woman, Anna's cook delivered a devastating blow.

Sam charged into the middle of the brawl, but a couple of miners tried to take his sword away from him. Instead, one got a blade right through the gut. This shocked the rest of the miners. "Hey, you're supposed to be on our side!"

"I'm on the side of the law, now cease it, now!" Sam growled. Unfortunately, the teen was hardly intimidating. The big wolf behind him was a different story though. One miner, too drunk to see the situation properly, charged at Sam but the teen slashed him down in an instant. Another tried to flank the guard, but the cook gave the man a chunk of his bat. The rest, possibly figuring that backup was on the way, took the opportunity to run off into the night.

None of the wolves, save the cook, were uninjured. Four lay motionless on the ground, two more were barely conscious. Only one, clearly a veteran warrior, had escaped serious injury.

"Sam!" Liz shouted, rushing in from the side of the building, Shadow, and Asher in right behind her.

"Liz, are you hurt?"

"No, thanks to Victor… and you."

The cook only gave a nod before going to help Anna out from behind the bar.

Liz looked into Sam's eyes. "You were really going to fight that man for me."

"Well yeah, I wasn't about to let some drunken bastard hurt you."

Liz quickly embraced Sam. "Well, you've certainly earned yourself a date for that."

She peeled off Sam's helmet and went in for a kiss. However, both heard new footsteps approaching and Sam looked up just in time to see Connor being led by Zephyr, his sword drawn and ready to fight.

"Oh! Connor. Thank the Gods you're here. We need to—"

Connor's fist made a hard contact with Sam's face, sending the guard straight to the ground.

"What the hell happened here? Liz, are you okay? Where's Shadow and Asher?"

"Wha- Connor! What the hell was that?"

"I'll deal with Sam latter, now answer me."

"We're fine, Connor. Thanks in part to Sam! And you just knocked him out!"

"He was kissing you… also it looks like a battlefield in here. Seriously, what the hell is going on?"

"I was kissing him you idiot. He saved me from getting hurt."

"Okay, okay. Hold up. Why would you kiss Sam? You're only fourteen."

"So what if I am, Connor? Are you going to punch out every boy I'm interested in."

"…maybe."

"Alright, so if I kiss Victor over there, who also saved me, are you going to punch him out too?"

Connor looked at the big cook. Victor took a moment to glare at the teen, sending a chill up Connor's spine with his one good eye.

"Okay not Victor." Connor said, sweating nervously at the thought of having to fight such a hulking figure.

"Connor! What's going on here?" Gerrick said, entering the tavern with a contingent of guards. By now, people had rushed in to help the survivors. "Sam! Connor, is he hurt?"

"He'll be fine, sir."

"Sir!" Smith said. "Sam was kissing Connor's sister and—"

"And I get the picture…" Gerrick said, shaking his head. "Connor, you realize I could court-martial your ass for striking a superior, right? When my son wakes up, he's going to have every right to have you kicked out of the guard, and I'll be happy to strip you of your contract."

"I'm not going to do anything of the sort." Sam said, getting up off the floor, having come to a few moments ago. Smith moved to help Sam up, but he waved his friend away.

"Connor didn't know the situation, and I shouldn't have been fraternizing while in uniform."

"No, you shouldn't be. So you don't hold anything against Connor?"

"I don't, but I hope he'll talk to me before getting violent again."

Connor was shocked by the exchange. He knew that punching Sam wasn't a bright idea, but every fiber of his being urged him to keep his sister safe.

"Right, well, Connor, Smith, you should get back to your posts. I've got it from here, and I'll see to it that your friends and family stay safe." Gerrick said, moving past his teenage guardsmen, muttering under his breath about stupid kids and their drama.

"Shadow, keep Liz and Asher safe until I'm done with my shift." Connor said to Shadow as he turned to leave with Smith, ruffling Asher's hair in the process. "And Liz, this discussion isn't over."

"Neither is it between us." Gerrick said. I want to see you and Sam in my office in an hour.

"Yes sir…" Connor said, before exiting the bloody mess inside the tavern and entering the storm again to cool off, figuratively and literally.

The hour passed quickly before Sam and Smith were relieved of their post. After putting away their equipment in the armory, Connor went to wait by Gerrick's office. Sitting outside was Sam, holding a pack of snow on the side of his head.

"You got a hell of an arm, Connor."

"Sam, look, I'm sorry. I just—"

"You're protective of Liz, I get it."

"It's not just that. Sam, it's not that I don't trust you, but we've only known each other for a couple of days. If you are interested in Liz, why didn't you just tell me?"

"Because I don't need your permission Connor, you don't own her. Liz doesn't need your permission either. But all the same, I get it. You told me that you and she had been separated for a long time. I'd be protective too."

Before they could continue, Gerrick came into the room. "Alright boys, inside."

Both stood at attention in Gerrick's office.

"Sit, both of you. This isn't the bloody army; we just keep the peace."

The man took a moment to let his silence get under the boys' skin before starting.

"Connor! You're damn lucky Sam doesn't want to press charges! You're even luckier I don't kick you out onto the street. I give you an opportunity to have a real career and you're already letting your anger destroy it for you. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Spine stiff as a board, Connor responded as best as he could, being careful to choose his words. "I let my emotions get the better of me, sir. I saw my sister and Sam standing in a pool of blood and reacted as any brother would. But it won't happen again."

"Which brings me to you, Sam." Gerrick's eyes then narrowed. I'm the captain of the guard, I can't have my son going around kissing every teenage girl that looks at him. When you are in uniform, you are not my son, you are my lieutenant, perhaps even my replacement one day. You cannot afford to slip up even once, and from Shadow's testimony, it's clear that if you two had communicated like guards should, one wouldn't be assaulting the other.

"Yes sir." Sam said. He understood every word. He had read the rules many times to the point that he had them memorized. If there was any guard that knew better, it was him. Still, it's not like flirting with a woman is wrong, it was only wrong to do so while representing Callow's guard.

"Now then, I'm going to leave the details up to you two, but I suggest you both talk it out. Connor, I highly suggest apologizing if you haven't done so already. I know my son is a forgiving man, so I don't doubt you can move past this."

A knock on the door then interrupted Gerrick, who called for the stranger to enter. A guard leaned in. "Captain, Jarl Tostig requests your immediate presence. Snow wolves are here demanding answers."

"Thank you, tell Tostig I'll be there momentarily. Alright boys, I need to get to work. Connor, go home and help Anna clean up that mess. That's an order, not a suggestion. Sam, I'll see you at home.

Gerrick entered the main hall where two councils were in the middle of their meeting. One on side of the table was Tostig and his council members, on the other was a group of local Snow wolf chiefs. Gerrick came to Tostig's side of the table and waited while they argued. One of the wolves was especially angry.

"Four wolves dead, and another hanging on for dear life. I want the guilty men handed over to us."

"Now now, chief." Tostig replied. "I'm not just going to hand over men, they wouldn't even get a trial from you savages. They are humans, not animals."

This latest remark astonished the snow wolves. "You, sir, are nothing like your father."

"My father was a patient man, a good man. But he wasn't a wise man. He gave you all far too long of a leash. Gerrick supervised the clean-up and took testimony from witnesses both human and keidran. Captain, what did you find?"

"My Lord, we spoke to as many as we could. While we know the results of this tragedy, we don't yet have a clear picture as to who started the fight and whether the miners were acting in self-defense."

"See?" Tostig smiled. "I can't hand over guilty men because, well, they aren't guilty yet. I assure you all, we will have a trial and-"

"A trial" one wolf growled, standing up. "This isn't the first time one of my people have been killed in this city. This never happens in our wolf villages to you human traders, yet you dare to call us savages!? Your trials mean nothing to us anymore, we want justice, not excuses." The other wolves nodded in agreement.

"Well, I'm afraid I can't just hand over the men. For one thing there's what, twenty or so suspects?" One of the counselors whispered in his ear. "Twenty-three suspects. Besides that, some of the injured victims are my own subjects. Some are even keidran. Where's the justice for them?"

"Your justice is a joke, Tostig" The leader of the wolves stood to support his brothers. A dozen trials for various offenses like this, and not once have you convicted one of your own. We know it's because you need all the labor you can get. Labor to dig out the earth, pulling wealth from the land that rightfully belongs to us. You use our timber for your gain, and we get little in return. Well no more. The Snow wolves are done putting up with your transgressions."

"What are you saying, Kardak?" Tostig asked, teeth grinding.

"No more timber, no more minerals. No more travel, no more trade. We won't allow you to defile our land and people any more. By springtime, those of you still holding on will beg to be allowed to return to your own lands."

"So it's war then?"

Kardak laughed. "No Tostig, we wolves will defend our land and resources, but we aren't going to attack your city. Most of the people in these wolves did nothing to defend us, it's the company that you keep which we despise most. People your father would have despised. You're nothing like him. You lack his compassion and empathy. I knew we should have supported your brother when we had the chance. I suggest you and your people abandon this town."

"I'm not abandoning my town."

"Then I hope you humans can eat grass, Tostig. Because you'll be starving by spring."

With that, the wolves stood up and promptly left. Not a guard dared to harm them, lest their actions bring about swift and brutal retribution. Tostig was incensed, though he did his best to keep his cool. "Damn fleabags" he said once he was certain the wolves were out of earshot.

"This isn't good for business Gerrick. But we can't let these wolves tell us what we can and can't do. They might get it in their heads that they still own this land."

"Sir, if I may, no one owns this land. It's far too wild to be tamed, and we are in no position to survive a blockade. Let me find the guilty men and hand them ov—"

"No, Gerrick. Those miners might be insufferable fools, but I need every man to keep working. Where am I going to find two dozen miners to replace the idiots who got us into this mess? No, they need to work, and mark my word I'll work them until they drop for this, but not before I can extract every ounce of iron out of these hills. It's the largest vein in Mekkan and it has the potential to put this town on the map."

"So what would you like me to do then, my Lord? We certainly don't have the men to fight."

"No, but you do have the men to fetch supplies, right?"

"Well, yes, I suppose. We were going to send an expedition to retrieve supplies from the port. The river should remain open long enough that if they leave within two days, they'll be able to return before freeze-up."

"Good, then make it so, Captain Gerrick. I need all the supplies I can get. It will take the wolves several days, if not a couple of weeks, to organize outside our walls. Tell your volunteers we're going to need them to move quicker than we had originally planned."

Asher and Shadow could hear the siblings arguing in the room down the hall. They had volunteered to help clean up the mess alongside the staff for the tavern. Yelling would get louder, then quieter, then louder again. A couple of minutes felt like hours.

"Shadow?"

"Yeah kid?"

"I've never heard either of them this angry before. Are we… are we going to still be a family?"

"Oh Asher," Shadow sighed, "yes, we'll still be a family, as will Connor and Liz."

"It's odd." Zephyr commented. "I know those two love each other, I can feel the intent behind their thoughts and words. So why yell?"

"I guess Liz doesn't want to follow our leader." Asher surmised.

"You really didn't have siblings back on that island, did you?" Shadow replied, before explaining. "Trust me on this, siblings argue a lot. Conner is being over-protective, and Liz has been on her own long enough that she isn't going to sit around and be told what to do."

"So Connor is in the wrong?" Asher asked.

"Mostly. Yeah, he does make a point that you shouldn't fall head over heels for the first boy you see, but I've been around Liz long enough to know she wouldn't just go kissing anybody. Connor has to learn that he doesn't need to protect us so much, or one day he'll get himself killed."

Just then a knock on the door to the tavern attracted everyone's attention. With faint shouting in the background, Sam poked his head in the entry.

"Is everyone alright?"

Shadow scoffed. "What, you mean besides the dead wolves and Anna's ruined tavern?"

"You're right, but what I mean is you all okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine."

"And Liz?"

"Right now Liz and Connor are having a—"

"Conversation." Connor said while massaging his cheek, interrupting Shadow.

Sam looked at him up and down. "Not much of a conversation, if you ask me. It looks like Liz gave you a taste of your own medicine."

"Yeah, well I suppose I deserve it."

"Could I see her?" Sam asked sheepishly.

"I don't think so Sam. Look, I deserve a boot up my ass and a slap in the face for hitting you, and I am sorry I let my temper get the better of me. But Gerrick is right about not talking to me first. I don't own my sister, but keeping her safe, along with Asher, Zephyr, and even Shadow is my job."

"That'll have to keep for a while, I guess." Sam said. "Dad… I mean, Gerrick, is going to need you and the other expedition volunteers to move out tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? I thought that wasn't for another few days?"

"This latest incident was apparently the last straw for the wolves."

"Hard to blame them." Shadow interjected, "if this is what happens to keidran coming into Callow, I imagine those wolves would love it if you humans up and left."

"That may be, but at the moment we are expecting the town to be cut off from the outside world. Normally we wouldn't fret about the coming snow, but if we aren't able to get to local resources…"

"Then we won't make it through the winter." Connor finished.

"Exactly. Tomorrow's expedition will be our best chance to secure enough supplies to last the winter. You think you're up to it?"

"Well, while I don't like Shadow talking too much about what happened before we got here, I've got plenty of experience evading people whom I don't want to run into."

"We both have that experience, actually." Shadow said. "Let me come with and I can help if there's any trouble."

"No chance, Shadow." Connor said. "I need someone here to protect Asher and Liz. However, Zephyr would be a perfect addition to the expedition. Small, doesn't eat much, plus she can read minds and she can fly ahead to give us warning."

"That'll do." Sam smiled. "I'm sure Gerrick will be happy with that addition."

Zephyr then floated down from the rafters and landed on a nearby table. "If it means seeing more of this area, I'd be happy to help in any way I can."

"In that case, looks like we've got preparations to make, Zephyr."

Connor turned to leave with Sam, confusing Asher and Shadow. "Where are you going?" the boy asked.

"Back to the guard station. I'll probably sleep in a bunk there tonight; I doubt Liz wants to see me until tomorrow. Shadow, you've got the kids, right?"

"Yeah yeah, I'll make sure we don't have any more trouble around here."

With that, Connor and Sam walked back into the storm as Zephyr floated up into the air, using fire breath like a beacon. It was already beginning to let up and promised a bright, sunny day tomorrow.