FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Azirliath

Reliath spent the last few days lying to him self that he would go outside and see what Arlithian had to offer. That is, until he became aware that he's been saying this for an entire week and nothing had changed. It wasn't until on a Tuesday morning that Reliath truly felt he was going to brave the city streets of Arlithian.

Before he awoke that morning he dreamed a very bizarre sexual dream which included Nathan. When he did awake Reliath felt unusually happy and in the need to speak or at least see Nathan. Aiva wasn't around and at about 2 P.M in the afternoon Reliath had his wish come true as the sound of knocking was heard on the door. Very quickly he jumped out of his chair and answered the door as fast as he could.

'Hi Nathan!' Reliath greeted excitedly.

'Er . . . Hi Reliath.' Nathan replied awkwardly.

'Can we go out and visit the shops?' Nathan stared at him slightly confused.

'You're actually asking to go out?' Nathan asked and Reliath nodded.

'Yes, what kinds of shops are there?'

'Um . . . Shops of every kind imaginable?'

'Even Book shops?'

'Sort of, except most of us call them book stores. Would you like to go to one?'

Reliath nodded as he stepped out of the house and he closed the door behind him.

'Um . . . you brought some keys with you right?'

Reliath turned around and glanced at the door only now remembering that he usually locked it even while he was inside. 'I um . . . I forgot. Aiva has her own key so I'll go home with her.'

'Yeah, maybe this is just a sign. No need to travel throughout all of Arlithian, we'll just cover the shops here, that sound good to you?'

'If there's a book shop here then yes.'

The two Foxes walked through the city streets of Arlithian and as they did Reliath compulsively looked at Nathan. The complete truth was Reliath fantasized about Nathan a lot more then Aiva and the dream felt too good to be true. And that's because it was too good to be true that it was just a dream.

Aiva was his wife and because of this Reliath loved her but at the same time even before he saw her naked he wasn't ever curious to find out what she had as opposed to what Nathan had.

The city streets were packed full of civilians and a fair share of them looked at Reliath wondering if it was the husband of Aiva that they just passed.

'Have you ever gone to church before, Reliath?' Before Nathan even finished his sentence Reliath shook his head.

'Well, would you like to come with me one day?' Once more Reliath shook his head. He wasn't ever going to go to church. When he had left his tribe the only thing he brought with him of those days was his faith, and he wasn't going to trade that for another.

'Are you sure?'

'Yes.' Reliath replied slightly annoyed.

'Well, if you ever do I'll bring you on a Sunday.'

There was an awkward silence between the two of them.

'Religion's not a very good topic is it?'

'Nope.'

'All right then. Have you ever wondered why your muzzle's longer then mine?'

'Actually I have. At times I also wonder why my ears are longer.'

'Do you think your sense of smell is better?'

'Probably, and I bet I can hear better too! Your curved ears probably can't hear as good as mine and your little snout probably can't smell as good as mine. Actually, you look kind of like one of those small bear plushies.'

'Is that why you keep looking at me?'

'You noticed?'

'You're right beside me so it wasn't hard.' Nathan turned to his right and entered a building with a sign which read 'Normans books.' Reliath followed and instantly he was greeted.

'Good afternoon Nathan, is that Aiva's husband you brought here?' The shop keeper asked, he was a tall Wolf with white fur and very little muscle. Both his looks and his personality clashed completely because he had a rather humble quiet tone of voice and he dressed up in a colourful fashion.

'That's right, the two of us just wanted to drop by and get a book or two.' Nathan approached Norman meanwhile Reliath stood still and looked at the wolf without saying a word.

'Just as shy as they say huh?'

'Yup. The stories were true.' Nathan replied.

'Not in my life did I ever think that I'd have my ears fall upon a rumor that is actually true.'

'It gets even better; this is the first store he's ever been to.'

'Really? Of all the shops, restaurants, and buildings you both came to my humble little book store? My this is . . . Reliath, do you think you could come here? I won't bite.'

Reliath walked up to Norman and gave him a nervous smile.

'You're far too modest. So you like reading, yes?'

Reliath nodded.

'This store has a great quantity of diverse books, just name any of your intrigue and I'll point you in the right direction.'

'Any books here about the tribes in the north?'

'You mean the tribes in the frozen wastes?'

Reliath nodded and Norman frowned.

'I'm sorry, but those kinds of books are banned all throughout Arlithian.'

During the silence which followed between the three of them Norman had an exchange of thoughts in his mind. This wasn't just an ordinary customer, this was Reliath! The husband of Aiva and son - in - law of Vickta, and this was his first store he had ever been to as well!

Norman looked down at the counter which separated him and Reliath and he glanced up at his two customers. Nathan didn't seem to care too much about the book being banned meanwhile Reliath seemed a lot more upset then Norman would have predicted, strange fellow.

'Actually, the books are indeed banned . . . but I do have one copy and I am going to give it to you. I don't have a clue why it's banned because I haven't gotten to reading it yet . . . but I want you both to know that a lot of copies of this book has been burned back seventy years ago and simply owning this book today is considered a capital offense. If you accept this book keep it between the three of us.'

'Are you sure it's wise to tell us these things?' Nathan asked.

'I'm a good judge of character.' Norman lied. Aiva and Vickta were both regular customers here and he knew all he had to know about Nathan. The Arctic Fox used to be a complete brat until Vickta straightened him out. Not a single official would ever believe a thing he'd say unless Aiva or Vickta were around to clarify it was the absolute truth. Besides, Reliath seemed like a decent kind and quiet fellow; he'd probably take the book and be happy with just that.

'How much does the book cost?' Reliath asked and Norman gave him a warm smile.

'It's a very rare book. But due to you taking the burden off my paws of owning it I guess I'll give you a discount, four gold.'

'You want four gold for a book?' Nathan asked.

'Books are very powerful objects. That's exactly why this book was banned.' Norman stated and Reliath gave him a smile, the two of them were in complete agreement.

'How much gold do you have Nathan?' Reliath asked.

'A bit, why?'

'I forgot to bring any; I'll pay you back if you get the book.'

Nathan nearly went off on a lecture but he decided to keep his mouth shut and just pay the Wolf the four gold. Hopefully Reliath was going to be responsible enough to keep such a burden.

Then again he was the guy that just handed over four gold for a book.

'Thank you for paying, Nathan. I'll go in the back and get Reliath the book. In the mean time why don't you two browse around and see what the rest of my store has to offer?'

Norman left the room and Nathan waited at the counter as Reliath checked the numerous book filled shelves seemingly far more entertained simply looking at them then he ever was at home. It cheered Nathan up to finally see Reliath adjust to Arlithian, even if it did cost him four gold.

** ** ** ** **

Inside a room scattered with parchments, books, and pages Norman was crouched down unlocking his special chest which was beneath the floor boards. This chest was full of his rarest, most expensive, and at times even banned books, and lying on top of the rest of the books in the chest was a book which read 'The Shadows of Azirliath'

For a long time Norman had told him self that he was going to read this book, but he never had and for awhile . . . felt that he wasn't going too. A part of him wanted to take back the four gold offer and for the love of god find out why it was banned . . . but the rest of him knew he had to get rid of this thing. The title alone was very sinister for a book; Azirliath was the darkest of gods. Yeah, that's probably why it was banned; the name was clearly hinting that this book was dedicated to the darkness.

Norman also didn't understand why Reliath wanted such a book, but he didn't really care. Reliath seemed like a good enough fellow so he probably wasn't going to bring forth the apocalypse. Norman finally picked up the book, closed the trunk, and placed the floor boards back in place. Before leaving and returning to the counter to see Nathan waiting for Reliath to select a book.

'Would you like me to also get you something to carry the book in, like maybe a sack?'

'Yes please.' Nathan replied as he placed the gold down on the counter. Norman reached his paws under the counter for a sack as Reliath took a few books from the shelf. Norman put the book in the sack and his eyes locked with Nathans.

'It's your book now. As such I will not be the one to receive punishment if either you or Reliath are caught with it by an official. It's been seventy years since these books have been banned so I don't believe a lot of the guards will even know of it, but keep it hidden from all other members of nobility and never let the white riders find it in your possession.'

'The White Riders would never kill anyone over a book.' Nathan stated and up until he noticed that Norman's expression never changed Nathan almost believed he was right.

'Would they?'

Reliath dropped four books down on the counter and Nathan right on cue took out a gold coin and placed it down.

'Just keep it.' Nathan said as Norman accepted the coin and placed the rest of the books in the sack.

'Thank you for your business and remember. No one is to know you have this book.'

'Thanks and don't worry no one will.' Nathan replied as he left the book store with Reliath who did not speak. Nathan wanted to show Reliath to the rest of the shops but he figured he'd let Reliath take baby steps. One shop was a good enough start.

'Why did you want that book so much anyway?' Nathan asked as the two of them walked towards the orphanage to meet Aiva once more.

'I don't know the word in English but uh . . . it's for the memories. At time's I miss my tribe.' Nathan found it a bit amusing how much trouble Reliath had pronouncing the two words 'miss' and 'my' together. Actually, that was probably the first time he probably actually heard Reliath say 'my'.

'So you want to read up on your tribe? I guess that makes sense, a lot of times we read about what's absent in our lives.'

Reliath chuckled and Nathan looked at the Fox confused. 'What?'

'Nothing' Reliath replied. One of the books he bought was a romance and time after time Aiva read romance novels. Reliath knew for sure that neither of them had 'romance' absent in their lives, for the most part they lived a perfectly fine relationship which involved a bit of wine in the weekends, a lot of reading daily, and sex every two or three days.

'So what's the name of the book anyway? I mean the one that's banned.' Nathan asked.

Reliath took the book out of the sack and read the title aloud. 'The Shadows of Azirliath' Even though Reliath pronounced the name 'Ah-zure-lee-ath' as opposed to the usual 'A-zir-lie-ath' Nathan recognized the name immediately as the darkest of gods.

'Reliath, you know who that is, right?' Nathan asked and Reliath nodded.

'Azirliath is the god I'se tribe worshipped!'

Nathan then gave Reliath a queer look.

'Your tribe worships him?!' Nathan asked in disbelief.

'Yes, he's the god of gods; Ah-zir-lie-ath doesn't even make sense!'

'What do you mean Ah-zir-lie-ath makes no sense?'

'In I'se language that's gibberish.'

'Well, what's Ah-zure-lee-ath supposed to even mean?' Nathan asked. He began to wonder if Reliath's Azirliath was even the same individual.

'Goddess of the Arctic.'

'In the church I go to he's known as the Dark God, and it fits the title of the book a lot more. 'The Shadows of the Dark God.'

'That's because this book was probably written by someone that's English, not from I'se home. How do you know of her?'

'Everyone knows about him. I'm just wondering how you and your tribe knew about him.'

'She. I'se tribe probably originated Azirliath far before your church ever heard of her. And here's the proof - Not a lot of English names have 'Liath' in them. Meanwhile, my tribes have quite a few, mine included.'

'So all this time I've been pronouncing your name wrong?' Nathan didn't quite notice Reliath say 'my'.

Reliath nodded again. 'It's pronounced Rel-Lee-Ath which In I'se language means 'Arctic Wind.'

'Weird name.'

'At least it's got a meaning to it.''

'Probably.'

Once more the two of them stood before the orphanage and as Reliath walked to the doors Nathan looked at the destroyed building feeling just as bitter as he had back when he lived there. As opposed to joining Reliath in the building Nathan turned his back on the orphanage and walked away, it was time he went home.

Inside the orphanage everything was nearly the exact same as it was last night. A kid was lying down on the floor, the girls were drawing, and a few of the boys were playing with (or destroying) toys.

'Hi Reliath!' Aiva greeted to Reliath from the group of girls that were drawing.

'Hi Aiva.' Reliath greeted back.

'So . . . what's in the sack?'

Reliath chuckled. 'Nathan's head, what else?'

One of the girls looked up in horror, apparently she missed his sarcasm.

'A head is in the bag?' The girl asked in disbelief despite clearly believing there was a head in the bag; kids were just funny that way.

'There isn't. Just a few books I got from Normans.'

'You actually went shopping?' Aiva asked with a cute smile.

'Yes, Norman seemed like a nice guy too.'

'He is. So what brings you here?'

'I um, before I left I forgot to bring a key . . . I's locked out.'

Aiva dug her paws in her pocket and took out a key.

'Just don't lose it' Aiva said as she gave it to Reliath. Aiva figured she could trust her husband to not lose the keys and she knew he wouldn't want to stay in such a loud place like this all day.

'Thanks Aiva.' Reliath said before he kissed her on the cheek and practically ran out of the orphanage only to find that Nathan wasn't around.

** ** ** ** **

Nathan wasn't actually looking forward to returning home but none the less it was better then the orphanage, even if Vickta introduced a wooden paddle to his face every now and then while Aiva wasn't around. While Aiva was kind, compassionate, and humble her mother was a wretch. Well, maybe that was a bit unfair of a judgment, Vickta was just superficial and her number one concern in life was the family reputation.

To be fair Nathan knew why she hit him, two of the things she feared most involved him. She feared him marrying her daughter and so she adopted him so he couldn't and she feared him damaging the family reputation, so she punished him over small petty things like accidents. And of course Vickta wasn't always awful to him. Even though he was an outsider from the family she never threw him out of the family circle and she never said anything bad about him to anyone. Instead she would deny any rumors about Nathan being a brat and instead say what a kind little angel he was.

'Nathan!' Reliath called out and Nathan turned around to face him.

'How did you know where I was?'

'Your scent and I just guessed you were going back home. Aiva gave me the key so we can go back to my house!'

Nathan didn't seem to find Reliath's offer too interesting.

'We'll drink and play some chess, how does that sound?'

'Drink and play chess?' Nathan asked.

'Yeah, you know, what's it called . . .'

'A drinking game?'

'Yeah!'

'Well . . . ' Nathan scratched his head fur. 'I guess I can visit for just awhile.'

The two of them went back to Reliaths house and once they made it home Reliath wasted no time in getting a bottle of wine from downstairs. He never cared too much for liquor, especially wine, but drinking and chess was all that came to his mind. When Reliath returned upstairs with the bottle of wine he saw Nathan sitting down at the chess table.

'Do you have anything else planned?' Nathan asked from the other room.

'Yeah, I do.' Reliath replied as he got two wine glasses from the cupboard. He walked over to the chess table and poured wine in both of the glasses handing one of them to Nathan. The pieces were already set up, and luckily the chess table had just enough room to places two or four glasses on it without getting in the way of the game.

'So do you know how to actually play chess?' Nathan asked.

'Of course. What's your favourite piece?' After Reliath asked he heard Nathan laugh.

'The queen of course. What's yours?'

'The knight.' Reliath replied.

'How come, is it because it's the best looking piece?'

Reliath shook his head.

'I might tell you why I like them after the game, but it's important for my strategy that I don't.' Nathan didn't really have any faith in Reliath's skill as a chess player.

'So how do we play this drinking game?' Nathan asked as he eyed the pieces.

'Every time you lose a piece take a drink. If you lose all pieces of a certain type take two drinks, if you lose then take four.'

'Sounds interesting, as long as you don't mind having Aiva find you passed out on the chess table.'

'Not at all.' Reliath replied as he moved one of the black pawns.

'The traditional way is for white to move first.'

'Just like how the traditional way to play a drinking game is with shot glasses, not wine glasses.' Reliath commented. Nathan moved a white pawn forward and needless to say the game began.

And Nathan was thoroughly surprised when Reliath turned out to be a formidable chess player. While Nathan was centralized and dependent on Queens and bishops Reliath was playing defensively and had basically all of his pieces covering another.

A few turns went by and neither of them had a taste of the liquor because hence far Reliath's strategy was completely solid.

'Where did you learn to play chess?' Nathan asked as he moved a pawn forward and just as soon as he set it down the pawn was taken by one of Reliath's knights.

And that knight was in a safe place.

'Aiva taught a bit and I self figured out the rest.'

Nathan was just a tad surprised on how he didn't see that the square wasn't a safe one but it didn't bother him too much. Chess was just a game and the piece he lost was only a pawn, he was just being a bit careless. Nathan picked up the wine glass and inspected it.

'We're not actually drinking entire wine glasses are we?'

'Be lucky it's not rum or whisky?'

'Wine isn't even a drink that's supposed to be downed; it's supposed to be enjoyed, with food.' Nathan randomly commented, hell if Reliath knew why Nathan didn't just say sooner. Reliath stood up and made his way downstairs.

'Wait, what do I do with the wine?!'

'Whatever you want!' Reliath replied from down in the cellar. Nathan took a modest sip of the wine and looked down at the chess board. Soon enough this game was going to end up one sided for whoever was less drunk. From what Nathan gathered Reliath didn't actually drink too often so he was probably going to be an easy opponent after say, two or four pieces.

The slamming of the cupboards was heard in the kitchen and Reliath stepped into the living room with a big rum bottle and two shot glasses, Nathan was surprised to see they even had one shot glass. Finally Reliath sat the shot glasses down and poured Nathan the amber coloured liquor.

'Drink up.' Reliath teased with a sinister smile.

'All you did was take one pawn.' Nathan said just before downing the shot glass. He blinked twice and moved again. Reliath was still playing defensively and once again Nathan lost a pawn, this time to a queen. Before Reliath extended his paw for the rum Nathan took out the queen with a bishop and Reliath took out the bishop with a knight.

Nathan wasn't too pleased, but he got rid of Reliaths queen at least.

'That's two shots for you and one for I.' Reliath poured him and Nathan the rum and the two of them downed their shot glasses at around the same time. Reliath coughed three or four times before he poured another glass for Nathan.

'Are you all right?' Nathan asked and Reliath nodded.

'Yeah I'se all right.'

Nathan downed his third shot and felt the appropriate buzz. The game continued and it wouldn't be long before Nathan took another drink after losing a pawn to a knight. And so a drink later Nathan took away one of Reliath's rooks.

'Heh, how ironic that you play defensively and lose a rook.'

'How is that ironic?' Reliath asked as he poured him self a glass.'

'Because it's a castle and well, castles have walls.'

Reliath downed his second shot of rum and the game continued, the next turns following Reliath was successively taking down pawn after pawn. While Nathan was trying taking out the few but important figures relying on his queen and bishops Reliath was focusing on getting Nathan as drunk as possible to impair his perception.

After Nathan downed his fifth shot he took out Reliath's other rook. After his third shot Reliath began to hiccup just a bit and he felt warm and fuzzy with an attitude to reflect that, meanwhile Nathan was becoming cockier with each drink, he was completely unaware that his strategy was collapsing. The thing was, a Queen may have been the very first piece Reliath lost . . . but he didn't care for the pieces hence the loss wasn't too devastating, as long as he had the knights he knew this game was his.

And it was. Nathan took out one of Reliaths bishops and lost his precious queen in the process by a knight. The two of them took their shots and Reliath asked the greatest question of the evening.

'Did I say three shots if the king is checkmated?'

'I think you did.' Nathan replied drunkedly.'

'Yeah, that's not going to happen. One shot if the game is lost. Agreed?'

'You're just 'fraid you'll end up throwing up!'

Reliath sighed. He didn't know how much drinks were too much so he was worried for Nathan's health. The last thing he ever wanted was for Nathan to die of alcohol intoxication.

Nathan took away Reliaths other bishop and the very turn afterwards Nathan was in check, then check mate. Nathan checked the chessboard about five times for just one square to move to . . . but there was none. He still had quite a few vital pieces. Rooks and knights were completely in tact.

Before Nathan even had the chance to take a final swig of the rum Reliath swiped the bottle and placed it in the kitchen. 'The glass of wine I poured for us earlier is the last thing either of us is having tonight.' Reliath stated. Nathan didn't reply and just sat down the couch soon to take a sip of the wine before he closed his eyes and laid his head back.

Reliath joined Nathan on the couch and leaned against the other male. Nathan didn't seem to mind and between the two as Reliath's body was against Nathan's there was a silence for a very short time.

'She's going to kill me.' Nathan uttered out.

'What?'

Nathan let out a nervous laugh before he rubbed his face with his paw.

'I'm not supposed to drink; mom's going to be hysterical.'

Reliath's ears instantly perked up in response catching on to the very foreign word Nathan used. Reliath had known Nathan as long as Aiva, one thing he knew about Nathan was that he never referred Vickta as 'mom.'

'Don't worry. Aiva and I will let you stay for the night.'

'How the hell am I supposed to tell her that I'm staying here for the night?'

'Aiva and I will tell Vickta you broke you're leg or something. I don't know, we'll think of something later.'

'Thanks.' Nathan took another drink of the wine.

'Nathan. . .'

'Yes . . . ?'

'Can I . . . can I pet you?'

Nathan opened one eye and gave Reliath a queer look. 'Why would you want to do that?'

'I don't know. You just look kind of cute the way you are.'

'You're weird. You're very, very weird. But go ahead.'

Reliath ran his paw through Nathan's head fur and to say Nathan didn't mind was an understatement. Even though it was a guy's paw that brushed through his fur he still loved the feeling. His mind was in this certain happy place that didn't quite exist. Nathan could remember how wonderful it felt to have his mother run her paw through his fur when he was ill. He was coughing and his head felt like it was on fire but none the less he looked back at that time as one of his happiest moments in his youth.

'Reliath . . .'

'Yes, Nathan?' Reliath imagined Nathan giving him a heartfelt confession on how he actually loved the other male.

'What are your parents like?' Nathan asked.

'I'se parents? Well, I guess they're fine. How about yours?'

There was a silence in the room and it took Reliath's drunken mind an entire thirty seconds to remember what Aiva told him a few nights back about Nathan's parents. After realizing his gigantic fuck up Reliath continued to do nothing more then pet Nathan and finally the other Fox spoke.

'I think they were the best parents in the world.' Nathan finally replied. Reliath couldn't help but wonder whether Nathan was lying, or if he genuinely removed the bad memories from his mind.

Suddenly as Nathan took yet another sip of the wine he felt Reliath's paws playing around with his ears.

'What are you doing?' Nathan asked after he swallowed the wine.

'I've always wondered what your ears felt like, that's all.'

'And how do they feel?'

'Like I could squeeze and play with them all night!'

Nathan smiled at Reliath. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or not but he had a certain appreciation for Reliath's friendly (though odd) out look.

'That was probably the best chess game I ever had.' Nathan said slightly incoherently. Reliath was still fondling around with his ears.

'Sounds like the liquor talking.'

'Yeah, it probably is. All right, stop with the ears for a moment so I can lie down on this thing.'

Reliath stopped playing around with Nathan's ears

'Why don't you sleep on the bed?' Reliath asked as Nathan lay down on the couch.

'Then where are you going to sleep?' Nathan replied.

'On the bed.'

And so Nathan tried again.

'Then where is Aiva going to sleep?'

'. . . On the bed, there's probably enough ro-'

'No, there isn't. The last thing a married couple ever needs is a relative lying on the same bed.

'I guess you're right.' Reliath licked Nathans cheek and the arctic Fox took a final sip of wine and handed the glass to Reliath.

'Thanks for everything.' Nathan said with a drunken smile.

'Not a problem.' Reliath replied as he walked to the kitchen and sat the glass down on the counter. When he returned to the living room Nathan was lying down on the couch with his head rested on the couches arm. Reliath sat down in front of Nathans chest and looked down at the Fox. Sleeping or not Reliath couldn't help but have the thought cross his mind that Nathan looked far cuter then Aiva.

When a knock was heard at the door Reliath's eyes shot up and he practically ran to the door and greeted Aiva in. 'Hi Aiva.'

'Good evening Reliath.' Aiva said with her attention completely set on Nathan.

'We had a few drinks.' Reliath un necessarily explained. Aiva figured that much out when she saw the two liquor bottles sitting near the chessboard and Nathan lying down on the couch sleeping.

'How are we going to get Nathan home?'

'Well, I'm sure Vickta wouldn't mind if we let him stay here for the night.'

'And then she'll ask why Nathan's staying here.'

'Just tell her I asked him to stay here a bit longer so we could talk and time just flew by. We were too worried to let him walk the streets of Arlithian alone.'

'I'm not going to lie to my own mother, Reliath.' Aiva replied, 'I'll pay her a visit and tell her Nathan's staying with us for the evening.' Reliath followed Aiva out the door and once again just as Aiva left the streets of Arlithian she was walking amongst them.

'So we're going to tell her Nathan got drunk? It was I at fault, really. I insisted we played a drinking game.'

'I'll just tell her Nathan's sleeping over for the night and pray that she doesn't ask why.'

'Wait, why can we drink and not Nathan? We're the same age!'

'He's also not married. I don't understand it either but my mom seems to think that because we're married we're adults.'

'That doesn't make any sense.'

'It does to mom.'

There was a silence between the couple.

'Would you mind if I held your paw?' Reliath randomly asked.

'Not at all.' With their paws extended the two of them talked about Vickta, Nathan, and food until they reached a rather grimacing looking manor. Vickta and her husband had a very odd taste. From what Reliath gathered Vickta liked black far too much meanwhile her husband, Narjin, liked gold far too much - sort of.

'And to think the nicest girl in Arlithian came from such a scary place.'

Aiva laughed, 'You find it's scary?'

And as Reliath looked up at the building he found it had this very cold and frightening quality to it, as if the manor its self was some screwed up monster that would swallow him whole if he were to enter.

'Yes, I do find it's scary.'

Seriously, Reliath was probably doing Nathan a favor by getting him drunk and keeping him away from this place.

When the couple reached the door Aiva looked at Reliath with an 'open the door' expression on her face, meanwhile he just looked blankly back at her not so sure why he had to be the one to even touch the door.

And regardless he knocked. Once again the two of them looked at each other awkwardly and then a rat answered the door. Arlithian was weird like that; almost all of the nobles had rat servants. The rat looked at the both of them and quietly nodded before stepping to the side and greeting them both in. As cold and bland as the colours were inside this dark manor Reliath had felt this peculiar warmth.

'Just wait right here and I'll get Vickta.'

'Thank you Mazurn' Aiva said as the rat left the room. Aiva folded her paws behind her back as she waited meanwhile Reliath inspected his claws. As always they were far sharper then Aiva's.

Vickta made her entrance by walking down the mansions staircase (Which just so you know had black fur covering the steps and a dark blue veil decorating the railing) and she greeted the two of them. And yeah, just like everything else in this manor her dress was black. Reliath never knew too much about Vickta besides she had this odd fascination with the colour black and she was probably from the same tribe as Reliath, for black was the tribe's favored colour.

'It's nice to see two of my three children in my household, what brings you two here?' She said as she hugged Aiva. Her voice had the a very motherly quality to it.

'We came to tell you Nathan's staying with us for the evening. But, if you're willing I'd like to stay here for a short visit.

'Well of course you can stay here. Reliath, you don't mind do you?'

Reliath shook his head.

'Good. I'm sure us ladies will bore you to tears so why don't you go visit your father? He's upstairs in the library, as always.' Aiva and Vickta walked up the staircase meanwhile Reliath stood still and scanned the mansion. To be honest Reliath forgot where the library was so he randomly entered one of the numerous doors and took his first few steps investigating the mansion for the man Vickta called Reliath's father.

And wouldn't you know it, the room Reliath entered had book shelves draped with black veils touching the ceiling, chandeliers with black ribbons and in the middle of the room there was a Fox much like him self standing in front of a table which held a diverse assortment of liquids, spices and even books which had some of the liquids spilled on them.

'Hi.' Reliath greeted and the other Fox turned his head, his face had even more cuts and scrapes then the last time they met.

'Hi um . . . what's your name, son?'

'Reliath.' He replied awkwardly.

'Yes, very sorry about that, Reliath. I guess I'm getting old.' The older Fox gave a friendly chuckle and turned his attention back to his little project. Actually, the last few times Reliath came over his step father was doing nearly the exact same thing with just around the same mess.

And probably the same ingredients too.

'What are you doing anyway?' Reliath asked.

'Oh you know my hobby, mixing this and that in hopes I'll make it.'

'What's it?'

'Exactly, what is it?'

As Reliath shot his step father a confused look he noticed the elder Fox pour this peculiar golden liquid in a goblet. Nothing new there, he always did things like this and always the liquids were either black or gold. He inspected the liquid and took a curious sniff or too and he felt as if his head were up in the clouds. Once more his grasp on the real world lessened. His name was Narjin and he was very open about him originally being an alchemist in a tribe.

'Are you sure it's healthy to sniff that? It's strong from even here.'

'To be honest I don't have a clue. Being a noble is rather dull and I just love mixing things! Ahh yes, now I have all the ingredients and tools I would ever want and all the time I can make whatever I want! Sure, it's unhealthy but all the same I might make a fantastic discovery!' Narjin rambled on before taking a small sip of the golden liquid.

He coughed, he shuddered and he was just as strange as he always was. It really didn't matter what he drank or sniffed, in the end Narjin was always acting weird one way or another. Complete with sentences that never ended.

'My, that really gives a kick.'

He finally sat down and lowered his paw to a seat right next to him. 'Please, take a seat and make your self comfortable. You seem like you had quite a few drinks.'

'How do you know?' Reliath asked and Narjin touched his nose, 'I can smell the drunkenness right off of you.' He explained as he handed a small glass of the golden liquid to Reliath.

'No thanks, I really don't think this is healthy.' Reliath sat the glass back down on the table.

'Come on; just take a sniff of it.'

Well, Narjin was his father in law and he was also the man who made this substance, so he probably knew whether or not it was bad or not. Reliath took a sniff of the odd substance and to say it was strong was an understatement, the effects were instant and with no strength to hold his head up Reliath leaned back and gazed at the chandelier above him and found an odd fascination in the way the candles flickered. The room seemed a lot darker and the shadows grew to gigantic sizes. For most, this would be a nightmare, for there were great shadows cast from even the candles. But, Reliath had felt warmth that seemed more of a soft embrace.

And there was one thing Reliath hadn't noticed, he was hardly breathing.

'Amazing isn't it? You can just feel her warmth, can't you?' Narjin smiled, it was a first in a long time that he shared one of his creations with another.

'Who . . . what?'

'Azirliath.'

Reliaths ears perked up and as he continued to stare at the chandelier he had agreed in silence.

'So you actually know who she is, Reliath?'

Reliath tried to nod but he gave up.

'Yes.' Reliath replied.

'That's good to hear. Do you believe in her?' The question sounded far more desperate then casual.

'I. . . I'se . . . I . . . I don't know.'

'You don't know? Oh dear, it's happening to you too, isn't it?'

'What's happening?!' Reliath asked frightened, thinking that maybe the solution Narjin conjured had serious side effects.

'No, I don't mean . . . not like that. What I'm saying is that the exact same thing that happened to Vickta and Aiva is happening to you. Arlithan is slowly devouring you. Now do you understand?'

'I think I do.'

'Hopefully. Never compromise your self or your faith for the sake of this city. The buildings here cannot feel like the blades of grass do nor will they lend an ear to hear of your problems.

'Do you think Azirliath is real?' Reliath asked.

'Of course I do! In every religion she is at least mentioned. There's even proof she once walked this earth! I have absolute faith in her. And you, you have nothing to lose if you retain your faith in her.'

Reliath sat down in silence and continued to stare at the chandelier. He never actually talked to Narjin before besides the old fashioned 'how are you? Oh, your fine? How's the weather?'

'The most miserable I had ever been was back when I started going to the churches here and substituted my goddess with theirs. By us and us alone Azirliath is felt in all that is dark, for black is the shade in which he presents her self. The proof that she exists is how differently we perceive the darkn-'

'So is he evil?'

'What?'

'Uh . . . is she evil?'

'According to some other religions, yes. But that's only due to their own lack of insight.'

The opening of a door was heard and together the two males turned their heads to see Aiva had entered the room.

'Hi Dad!' Aiva greeted as she walked to the table and with great difficulty Narjin stood up and hugged his daughter, Reliath was just a bit surprised with how much he shook.

'Good evening Aiva! My, you're looking less and less like your mother everyday!'

'Um . . . Thanks Dad.'

'No problem. It's late so why don't you two hurry on home?'

Aiva gave him a queer look and nodded.

'Okay Dad. I'll see you later.'

'Bye Aiva . . . Reliath, can you please get up? Surely you don't plan on staying here all night.'

Reliath looked up at the chandelier and after an entire three seconds he finally left the room and joined Aiva at the manors front door. Aiva looked at Reliath, he didn't know why but she seemed either upset or worried.

From Aiva's perspective Reliath looked kind of funny. His pupils were bigger and they had a certain cartoony quality to them. Reliath hugged Aiva and nuzzled her cheek.

'Dad did this to you didn't he?' Aiva asked and Reliath looked at her with a confused 'What-are-you-talking-about' expression.

'Did he offer you something to drink?'

Reliath nodded his head an un necessary three times and Aiva was just a bit worried about her husband. In her youth it was one of her mother's sacred rules never to touch, drink, or accept any of her father's creations.

'Now what am I to do with you?'

'Take I'se paw and walk to hoe.'

'Hoe? Rel. . . .' Aiva sighed and grabbed her husbands paw with her right paw. Like a bloody a child. She opened the door and together the couple walked most of the way home in silence.

'You're not n-mad are you?'

'Not at all. You're kind of cute like this, actually.'

'Cute like what?'

'Never mind.' Aiva unlocked the door and together they stepped into the house closing the door gently behind them.

'I don't know about you but I'm going to bed.' Aiva whispered before kissing Reliath on the cheek.

'Okay.' Reliath kissed her on the cheek and she made her way to the bedroom. Reliath stared down at Nathan and very slowly he took a few steps towards the sleeping male.

Very quietly Reliath rested his paw on the couches arm and kissed Nathan on the cheek.

'Good night Nathan.'

** ** ** ** **

That ending wasn't too abrupt was it? Hopefully not! Long Live Azirliath!