Tiamat, who is a close friend, asked to write this "lost chapter" for Clover Spear, and I couldn't refuse him, certainly not with the story he tells here. I think he did a fine job with the characters!
Clover Spear: Epitaph
By Tiamat
"Here, with the Strana Mechty wolf, we see what the epitome of a warrior may be, cunning matched with instinct and stealth, joined with a final, terrifying attack. For this mighty creature, I name you. You are Clan Wolf. "
— Nicholas Kerensky, 2810
IlKhan's Office
Tamar City
Tamar
Wolf Occupation Zone
February 3057
Ulric Kerensky, IlKhan of the Clans, sighed as he gazed momentarily into the hot beverage in his wine glass. It was a vintage, locally made on Tamar, heated by the fire that roared in the fireplace to keep away the winter chill, and flavored with local spices. It was a favorite of the IlKhan during this time of the year…which seemed to put things into perspective as he wondered if this would be his last glass.
It is strange, and sobering, to now truly complement my possible mortality, Ulric thought. It was not an unfamiliar feeling, but one that hung heavily on him now regardless. He looked again at the fire that hissed and popped in the fireplace and imagined that fire as an inferno that was now threatening to consume the Clans completely. The forces of Clan Steel Viper and Jade Falcon had fallen to the arms of the Federated Commonwealth, with demands from the other Clans that they be absorbed in Trials. There were further reports from the Clan Watch that Clan Star Adder was moving to forcibly take the holdings of the Smoke Jaguars as they were still mired in bloody conflict with the Draconis Combine, there were also rumors of even more wars and conflict, enough that the Clan Watch could barely keep track…an inferno that was now threatening to finally rage out of control. Just as we had sadly predicted…and feared, he thought. That thought had been marked by the rather chill air outside that even now could be felt in his office…but it had done little to deter the wrath of Natasha Kerensky, Khan of Clan Wolf when she had stormed into his office.
"Ulric, have you lost your fucking mind?! Do you have a damned death wish?!"Which was more or less the summary of what Natasha had bellowed, with Phelan Kell, SaKhan of Clan Wolf, following right behind with a somewhat more polite, yet rather blunt statement as to the "wisdom" of Ulric's decision to return to the grand halls of Strana Mechty.
The IlKhan had admitted to himself that this may indeed be…what had Phelan called it? His "last ride". But his decision was made and had told him thusly. "Natasha, Phelan, I cannot very well restore order to the chaos now engulfing the Clans via an impersonal video link from Tamar. I must be home, and the other Khans must see me. Present, and unafraid." With this, he had tried offering glasses of that same hot spiced vintage wine to Natasha and Phelan, who had refused at first…but then reluctantly accepted.
Perhaps it was a mistake to simply relay a message to Natasha and Phelan, they deserve better, Ulric thought. Neg, it was, I know them too well that their response would be this.He had already been informed by Captain Fetladral that Natasha had begged her to prevent Ulric from departing. The captain, ever loyal to her duty, had replied, "He is Khan, where he commands, we follow. And I must be at his side. Protecting him."However, she knows full well that the Ebon Kashik will not allow her entry into the Council chambers…
"Natasha…this is my duty as IlKhan. I must go into the dark places where the rest of us dare not go. And if the Great Father be willing, lead us into the light…or something better than this."
Natasha, stubborn as she was, was not easily swayed. The glow from the crackling fire illuminated her red hair and jacket, as though to emphasize her own fiery spirit. "Dammit Ulric, we talked about this, the Clans are practically doomed!"
Ulric took a forlorn sip from his wine glass. "I know…but I am first among equals of the Clans, 'Tasha. Whatever awaits us on the other side of this? I have to at least offer it to the other Clans. A future where we know, the Crusade is now over."
Phelan, who in any other situation would have been a bit more mirthful, was solemn as he regarded the IlKhan. "Do you honestly think the Crusaders will just lay down their swords, Ulric? You and I are familiar with the history of other such zealots…they never go away quietly."
The IlKhan pursed his lips momentarily. "I have to try, Phelan. History will judge me harshly if I do not. Whatever future Loremasters say of me, I will not have them say that I scurried away like a cowardly surat with his proverbial tail between his legs." He took a moment to sip and drain what was left in his wine glass, before setting it down nearby on a dark ebony stand. "We are Wolves. Whatever we think of the other Clans? Right or wrong, they are still members of the larger pack."
Natasha slammed down the wine goblet she held on the nearby table with a furious sound, the liquid frothing and spilling across the wood. "Jesus, Ulric, this is not the time to embrace your inner Ghost Bear! Half those people back on Strana Mechty want you dead! Why give them that chance?!"
The elder man, as commanding as he was…felt his shoulders sag ever slightly. It was not in defeat, but rather perhaps a self-realization. "Because Natasha…the truth is, I am an old man, set in my ways."
"Am I not old as well, Ulric? What the hell is that kind of stupid logic?"
A small bit of anger seemed to cloud Ulric's face momentarily, but he knew it had more to do with Natasha's continued stubbornness than anything. "The truth then, Natasha. You and Phelan are the future of Clan Wolf. I am the past…and the past is now dying in a fiery inferno of death and despair. See this fire?" He pointed to the blaze that continued unabated in the fireplace. "That is the Clans now, on who can even begin to imagine how many worlds, including millions…neg, billions of people now." He sighed again. The proverbial weight on his shoulders seemed to grow heavier with every passing moment. "This is what the so-called Honor Road has led us to. You once mentioned an ancient phrase, Phelan,' the road to hell is paved with good intentions', quiaff?"
"Aff, Ulric," Phelan replied quietly.
"Indeed…I am beginning to wonder as much as we owe to the Great Father…he may have been flawed in some of his thinking." That alone elicited a small gasp from Natasha and Phelan. To have any Clan say such a thing openly was outright heretical, but to have the IlKhan of all others say it…
"And while I did not start the invasion," Ulric finished, "I played my part."
"We ALL did, Ulric."
"Aff, 'Tasha, I know. I say this with reluctance. We were taught the Honor Road was everything, for which might makes right. But now? We face an enraged opponent, the Federated Commonwealth, who is ready to win at all costs. Especially now after the deaths of Hanse and Melissa…I admit surprise that their daughter Katherine has come out with such sudden vengeance, but I suspect Victor will not be far behind. Thank the Great Father the Commonwealth doesn't know the exact location of the Clan homeworlds…yet." That last sentence seemed to chill the air even further in the room.
"Could we imagine what they would do if they knew?" Natasha spoke that thought out loud. "Jesus…it'd unify us, perhaps…but in the end?"
A still moment passed before Phelan nearly whispered. "There would be no hesitation…they'd go completely nuclear on the Homeworlds, wouldn't they?
"
The elder Ilkhan quietly regarded the SaKhan. "You know the answer to that one, Phelan. We adopted you from them." There was no reply, saving the hissing and popping of the fire. It was a moment where silence spoke even louder than words.
"So," Natasha's own shoulders had also begun to sag. "What then?"
"I will be departing for Strana Mechty soon. You, both of you," his eyes darting between the Khan and SaKhan of Clan Wolf, "Will stay here. Once I have departed, there is a sealed envelope in my desk, which you will open and read immediately. I have allocated some resources to aid you in what is to come. You will follow the instructions to the letter, and no matter what may come…under no circumstances are you to follow me, trothkin. Swear this, NOW." Despite the wear and gloom that seemed to hang over the IlKhan now, his eyes along with his voice still burned with authority as they bore into Natasha and Phelan.
Several moments passed before Natasha, ever reluctantly, said in a near whisper. "Seyla."
"Seyla," Phelan also said with that same reluctance.
"Seyla," Ulric said, completing the ritual with a nod.
"Ulric," Phelan spoke again, "If…if this is truly the end…"
"Then, do what you must. Save as many of our fellow Clan, however you can, and get them away from this insanity. And after that?" Ulric's voice almost cracked momentarily, before continuing. "Preserve…save what is best of us, what made us to be named Clan Wolf by the Great Father, and build a new future for them, a new Road. One…hopefully better than this."
Silence hung momentarily in the office again, the only sound of the fire continuing to pop and hiss, before the IlKhan clasped the shoulders of Natasha and Phelan, as though wanting to embrace both. A sad smile graced his elder features. "You have both been, very good—"
A sharp rap suddenly emanated from the door. "My Khan? Your transportation is ready."
Ulric nodded. "Yes, thank you Star Commander. I will be out shortly." Ulric had already had his personal luggage taken aboard the shuttle; the office still looked very much as it always had. He looked around, wondering if this would be his last glance. "It's time," he said simply, releasing Natasha and Phelan. He walked toward the door, paused, and turned to them, as though about to say something…then smiled and nodded. There was nothing else to be said.
Ulric opened the door, walked out, and closed the door behind him, as the Khan and SaKhan of Clan Wolf watched wordlessly, in helpless, yet respectful silence.