Chapter 29 - Plots of Intrigue

788 I.C, March 7, The Pierced Veil: Tower, Midday

I was looking at a page in Rastlin's tome when a fuzzy hand reached out and blocked my view. It made me look up and I saw Talwin with a gentle smile.

"Yes?" I asked in wonder.

Talwin tipped his head a little, "Long time no see, Avery."

I blinked out of confusion, "Huh?"

"You spend your days in the tower. You ponder things at night in silence. You barely acknowledge anyone else," Talwin said.

"I'm stressed, and quite busy," I answered.

Talwin nodded, "I know that. But you should consider taking a break, because you might be working yourself into a corner without realizing it."

I drew a deep breath, closed my eyes for a moment, and rubbed the top of my muzzle, "You may be right. Any plans?"

Talwin grew one of his sly smiles, "Leonard gave me a tip about someone who sells ice cream late at night. Take a walk with us later, and let Clyde see the city. I think it would do him good to see what a real society looks like."

"Sure, that would be nice," I answered with a smile that felt strangely enough felt like relief.

"I was curious about something," Talwin said with a curious grin.

"Yes?" I asked.

"That thing you threatened us with, to nail me and Clyde to the ceiling if we didn't obey."

"Yes?" I said once more.

Talwin fixated on me with a cautious glance, "Were you serious? Would you have done it? Were you really ordering me to obey?"

I couldn't help but chuckle, "You were both snapping at each other like children. In front of me I might add, with voices loud enough that everyone else could hear."

Talwin cleared his throat, and glanced away, "Let's ignore that for a moment."

I leaned over the table and gently tapped the hand he still held on Rastlin's tome, "Obviously I wouldn't have followed up on the threat. In fact, I was counting on that you were levelheaded enough to realize that I did it for Clyde's sake."

Talwin caught my hand and glanced back with a shy smile, "That's what I figured as well."

"That being said though: You were acting like runts," I added.

Talwin gently sighed and nodded, "I know, I know."

I let my fingers rub against his palm and felt his pads. The way they were rough in one direction, and soft in the other.

"Are you alright, Avery?" Talwin whispered and leaned closer.

I straightened myself, "I'm fine, why?"

"You know w-" Talwin's voice faded when the sound of footsteps emerged from the staircase.

Both of us turned to look and within moments Clyde glanced into the room. He was bathed in the morning sunlight and it made his white fur shine while he covered his eyes and looked at us.

"Yes, Clyde?" I asked.

Clyde glanced at Talwin for a moment, and then focused on me, "I want to have a talk with you."

"Sure, go ahead?" I asked.

"In private," Clyde added.

Talwin's expression strained for a moment but was followed by a gentle smile, "I'll just take my leave then."

Should I stop him? If Clyde wants a chance to talk in private, then he has that right...

Talwin walked over to the stairs, exchanged glances with Clyde, and then descended. Moments later Clyde approached and stopped near the table I was standing by.

"What's on your mind, Clyde?" I asked.

Clyde was silent for a moment, and discretely pulled a deep breath, "We... I mean. The two of us haven't had a chance to talk since I got here. I feel that there are things that need to be said."

"I'm all ears, Clyde," I answered.

Clyde idly scratched his neck, "I had figured that you'd feel the same way, but you don't?"

I gently smiled, "You know me, Clyde. I work out some things in private, and the old wounds between us can only be repeated so many times without becoming tiresome."

Clyde made a forced smile that faded into a pained expression, "I used to be the same way, but then I changed. The problem now is that I want to talk, but I'm not sure whether it's the best option."

"If you want to talk in private, then I'll listen and try not to judge."

Clyde glanced back for a moment and then lifted his gaze to focus on me, "I'm sorry for what I did, I truly am. It's strange to look back and wonder why we all did what we did, but that's how it is. It keeps me up at night thinking about it, it shames me, but I just..."

Hearing it stirred the lingering anger, hatred, and fear of the memories that still plagued me. It made me flex my hand while I drew a deep breath. "It's not something that will go away in just a week, but I've given you a chance and so far you've behaved yourself well."

Clyde made a slow nod and smiled once more, "Talwin showed me around the guild, and I've interacted with the others. It's a nice group, or a pack... Whatever you call it in this part of the world. It's very different, and everyone are pleasant with each other. Yet the hierarchy is here, though hidden."

"All social creatures seem to congregate in various hierarchies, some which work better than others."

Clyde made an eager nod, "Yes. It's sort of creepy when you don't know your place, but it seems more efficient since everyone cooperates without constantly being at each others throats. They might look at me a bit weird and but they're all pleasant so far. Even that tiger, Archer."

It was a comforting relief to see something going well, "I'm glad that you're finding your place, Clyde."

Clyde glanced over at the bed in the room, "I kept wondering why you smell like the coy- Talwin."

This is going to be troublesome...

Seconds passed before Clyde glanced back at me, "You've got nothing to say?"

"We share the same bed, what are you getting at, Clyde?" I asked.

Clyde's tail twitched, his brow strained, and his lips pulled back in either pain or anger, "Why would you do that? I mean... Are you... Are you..."

I angled my head a little and looked at him in silence.

Clyde gulped and he clasped his hands, a moment later he made a sudden chuckle, "I guess this is punishment for the choices I made. The irony of it... It's like the universe itself decided to play a joke on me."

"Clyde," I whispered.

Clyde's hackles rose and he knit his hands into fists, "I can smell it on the two of you. I know how it works, and what it is. I don't have a name for it, but it's something I've struggled with all my life. Fearing what others would do to me if they knew... What you would do to me if I ever slipped up and acted on what I felt."

"Do I need to tell you what will happen if you ever act against Talwin? If you try to get between him and me?" I asked and looked him in the eyes.

Clyde gulped, "No, I understand that perfectly. I understand what love is Avery, and what you'd do for the person you hold dear. It would make your earlier threat seem like a joke."

"Then?" I whispered.

Clyde exhaled, relaxed his hands, and held them out by his sides, "Talwin is my packmate now. I'll treat him as such, and protect him with my life. For you... Avery."

"Thank you," I said with a nod.

"I want you to answer something though," Clyde whispered and inched closer.

"Alright?" I asked.

"If I had been first... If he hadn't been here, if our moments back at Everwinter had become more than they were... Would you have... Could you have..."

"What?" I asked.

Clyde's throat strained, and he gulped once more while his ears folded back, "Could I have become what he is, for you?"

"I don't know, Clyde. I just... I don't know."

"Would you have... killed me? If you found out?" Clyde whispered.

Idiot...

I glared at him in response, "Of course not, how can you even... No, I wouldn't have."

"Because?" Clyde whispered and carefully sought my eyes.

I stepped around the table and walked up to him, "Clyde, I want you to listen, and I want you to understand what I mean, because it's not meant to give you any false hope. Understand?"

Clyde stared at my chest, and looked up to meet my gaze, "Alright?"

I inched closer, "The reason I spared you at the camp was because we had a precious bond, formed over time while growing up. I love you just like I loved my parents and my brother. That's why all of this hurt so much, because I did and do love you. I know that the fates must seem cruel to have things play out like this, but please... Try to come to terms with it."

Clyde slowly lowered his head and remained silent for a while, "It'll hurt, but I'll try. For what's it worth it helps to hear that, and it's good to know that I still have someone strong enough to understand without hating me for it."

I reached up and placed my hand on his shoulder, "I'm glad that you're here, Clyde."

Clyde glanced up with a mellow smile, and slowly reached out toward me, "Can I..."

"Hmm?" I whispered.

Clyde's hands touched my side, and he eased himself closer, "Just a hug... I just..."

I let him ease me into an embrace and within moments we hugged tight, "Not to break what's a tender moment. But Talwin suggested a walk through the city, you're invited if you want to come?"

"Through the city?" Clyde whispered.

"There's going to be ice cream," I said with an amused grin.

"Ice cream sounds good. I haven't had some ever since we lost our powers," Clyde murmured while holding tight.

"There's something that we need to deal with before that," I said.

Clyde eased back and glanced up, "What?"

I let one hand slip to his front and touched his chest, "The parasitic crystals are still there, just inactive, we need to deal with it."

Clyde's ears clamped against his head and his expression twisted with fright, "The stitches have barely healed, don't tell me you're going to-"

I shook my head, "No, I won't. But if you ever get into the Master's range, then he can reactivate the blessing and will likely use it against you. Understand?"

Clyde swallowed hard, "So, what do we do?"

"I've been toying with samples of the crystal and I've studied what the star is capable of. Through it I've constructed a spell that can survive within the parasitic crystals, and hopefully stop the Master from gaining control."

Clyde stared at me, "... You're going to reactivate it? Just like the Master?"

I shook my head, "No, and please don't make it sound like that. Hopefully the effects will be nothing but positive."

"Hopefully?" Clyde asked.

"Yes," I answered with a simple nod.

Clyde sighed with a reluctant frown, "If this is what's necessary to keep the Master from restoring the blessing... Then do it."

I stopped for a moment, cleared my mind, and focused on the distant presence in my mind.

Come...

The presence flared, a tingle spread across my skin, and the Star began to glow with such an intensity that a red hue glowed from within my clothes. Its activation caused rough images and sensations of emotion tickle my mind. The Star hungered, it felt curious, and it was already probing Clyde in recognition of its earlier work.

"Is this safe?" Clyde whispered.

"Yes," I said and moved my hand to his chest while threads of red emerged from the black fur on my hand.

Aetheric runes formed in the air and I thought of the template I had crafted. The Star snapped it up in curiosity, and the patterns of aetheric runes grew more intricate.

Let's use this? Transplant this into the crystals... That should amuse you, yes?

The Star responded to my beckoning, and the runes began to coalesce into an intricate block of shifting gears. Once fully formed it drifted closer to Clyde, passed through his protective barrier as if it wasn't there, and settled in his ribcage. Within moments it latched into place, and the parasitic crystals kicked into gear with a jolt that made Clyde jump.

Clyde clutched his chest, stepped back, and looked at me in horror, "What did you do?"

I motioned for him to calm down, "How do you feel?"

Clyde's hackles had risen, but as he felt and prodded himself it soon turned into surprise, "I feel... Fine."

"I've used the Star to place a spell within the parasite. At the moment it does nothing more than occupy its place, thus sealing it from others," I said.

Clyde observed me with caution for a few moments, followed by his ears perking up, "At the moment?"

I stifled a chuckle, "You're observant, just like you used to be. As you suspect, the spell has another function."

"Which is?" Clyde asked.

I stepped over to the table, grabbed a charged crystal, and threw it toward Clyde. He snatched it in one hand, and glanced at it.

"Power crystal, roughly made. Enough for a few fireballs," Clyde murmured while staring at it.

"Your health is improving rapidly, and so is your presence in the aether. But you're still too weak to power the spell imbued in the parasite. So you're going to use that crystal."

"How?" Clyde asked and looked up.

"Do you remember how to channel energy? Draw it through your arm, channel it into the presence now resting in your chest. Let it surge and see what happens."

"Are you sure?" Clyde asked.

"It's not the Master's magic if that's what you're worried about. It's a spell that triggers a regular shield, with some properties that are unique to the parasite."

Clyde brow furrowed into a dark stare, " Not the Master's magic? "

I drew a deep breath and sighed, "Trust me, please? I've been using it myself."

Clyde focused on the crystal in his hand, clasped it tight, and shut his eyes. Moments later it began to gently glow and the energy was funneled along his arm. Once it reached his chest it absorbed it, and there was a subtle shift in the aether.

"Now what?" Clyde asked and looked up.

"Observe," I said and raised a hand.

Clyde stared at my hand as a small bolt of energy formed, his eyes then widened in surprise as I flicked it his way. While jumping back in fright there was a shimmer in the bolt's path, followed by a sudden fizzle as the spell failed into little more than a puff of aetheric flux.

"See?" I asked.

Clyde blinked in confusion, held his chest, and looked at me, "I don't understand, what just happened?"

"The parasitic crystal is like a big obsidian plate woven with functions that the Master's blessing used. One of those functions is the ability to target and intercept spells. Rather than trigger a massive shield around you and blocking it by force, the spell is intercepted and disabled in a way that's both faster and more efficient."

"In other words, this is a light form of the Master's blessing, as long as I have a source of aetheric energy to fuel it?"

I nodded, "Pretty much."

Clyde focused on his hand, focused, and a small light began to flare above his paw, "And I can still use my magic."

"That you can," I answered with a smile.

Clyde looked back with a renewed smile and nodded, "Thank you... I'll make sure to find a way to make use of this."

788 I.C, March 7, Aetherius, Evening

Raymond drew a deep breath, adjusted his footing, and searched along the boulder with his claws. After a while he found a good grip, and glanced over at Robert, "Ready?"

Robert wedged a metal rod between the rocks and nodded, "Ready."

"Go," Raymond snapped and began to pull.

The boulder groaned, chafed against the other rocks, and began to shift. Raymond held his breath, gritted his teeth, and pulled with all he had. The pressure grew within his head, his lungs began to ache, and his claws felt like they were about to be ripped off.

"Gah!" Raymond snapped and let go.

The boulder immediately snapped back into place and Robert was jerked forward by the metal rod that became wedged in place.

"Are you even pushing!?" Raymond snapped in anger and glared at the smaller fox.

Robert panted, held his chest, and glanced over, "I'm doing the best I can, Raymond."

Raymond huffed, jumped off the rocks and paced along the room while rubbing his arms and aching back, "Weak, like all the-"

"I'm far from my prime, you'll have to excuse that," Robert interrupted and climbed down from the rocks.

"Oh?" Raymond sneered and glanced back.

Robert glared back, "I'm 62, Raymond."

Raymond stopped for a moment, "What?"

"I'm old, you didn't notice?" Robert asked and pointed at his head with a claw.

Raymond idly scratched his neck, focused on the fox, and noticed the gray hue that invaded the fur along his muzzle and tail. In fact, there was a peppering of gray along the arms as well.

I didn't realize...

"Isn't that really old for a beastkin?" Raymond asked.

Robert sighed and walked over a stone desk, "What do you mean, 'for a beastkin'?'"

Raymond inched closer and kept his eyes focused on the fox, "Wulfkins serve the Master until they ascend to join him, we don't get 'old' like your kind does."

"Ascend?" Robert asked in surprise.

"Yeah. Though I'm not sure what it actually means, just that people disappear at times."

Robert scratched his cheek and stepped closer with a curious glance, "What kind of people?"

Raymond tipped his head, "Err... Wulfkins?"

"I mean, what status in your hierarchy? Circumstances, and so on?" Robert asked and motioned with his hands.

Raymond shrugged, "Sometimes it's a reward for a great deed, other times it's a graceful way to die."

"A graceful way to die? You mean voluntarily?" Robert asked.

Raymond shook his head, "Well, maybe. A graceful way to die when your abilities start fading."

Robert pointed a hand at Raymond, "So you do get old, and sick?"

"No. Sometimes your abilities just fade, and it doesn't just happen to wulfkins that are old."

"Could it be that your Master makes their abilities fade somehow? Thus forcing them to make a gracious exit?"

"Possibly... Probably now that I think about it. But magic isn't really my thing," Raymond answered.

"What about the mages that aren't wulfkins? Do they ascend as well?" Robert asked.

Raymond crossed his arms in an instant, "Of course not. They're not wulfkins... Ascending is..."

"An honor?" Robert filled in when Raymond's voice faded.

I'm not sure what to think any longer... About anything...

Raymond's gaze slowly dropped, "No... Well, yes... To the others."

"But?" Robert asked.

"Do we have to talk about this? Can't we just focus on getting out of here?" Raymond growled and gritted his teeth.

Robert looked toward the blocked entrance and stroked the fur along his chin, "I've been thinking."

"Yes?" Robert whispered and gently rolled his eyes.

"I know the codes necessary to open distant transporters, but the symbols for it are not similar to your language. The aetheric symbols should be the same though, they're just written down differently."

Raymond nodded, "Obviously. It's the reason we're trying to move these fucking rocks."

Robert raised his hand and pointed at the ceiling. It made Raymond look upward at the partially stripped pipes with aetheric conduits that glowed with a purple hue.

"We could try to map the symbols and make a makeshift spell to help us move the rocks," Robert said.

Raymond sighed, "If I so much as touch the pipes they'll short out, and probably alert the Master in the process. Besides, I thought you weren't a mage, so how are you planning to construct a proper spell?"

Robert tail gently lashed while he grew an amused smile and held his hands out in a welcoming gesture, "With your help of course. I've seen slabs of the material you call 'obsidian' and there are plenty of tools lying around. Guide me with your knowledge as a mage, and we can use the conduits as well as my magic to trigger the spell."

Raymond looked around, pondered it, and sighed, "Do you have any more jerky?"

"That I do, and I'll give it to you if you help me," Robert answered with a nod.

Raymond drew a deep breath and focused on Robert with a growing annoyance.

"What?" Robert whispered after a few moments of the awkward silence.

Raymond inched closer, raised his massive hand, and pointed a claw at him with a low growl in his throat, "I don't get your kind, not any longer."

"What do you mean?" Robert asked.

"You haven't eaten anything for days, and you're growing weaker. To make matters worse is that you're old and you could drop dead at any time. How are you planning to survive if you feed me everything?"

Robert was silent for a few moments, and then grew a shy smile, "Is that compassion, coming from a wulfkin?"

Raymond gritted his teeth and glared, "I'm calling you stupid! It's not compassion!"

"Oh, is that so?" Robert mused and leaned onto one of the boulders.

Raymond held out his arms in a choking motion and made a snapping snarl, "You..."

Robert eased his expression, stood tall, and gently motioned toward Raymond with one hand, "What do you suggest, Raymond. What should a stupid fox like me do?"

"We'll share what's left, that way both of us will hopefully live through this," Raymond huffed.

788 I.C, March 7, Dracwyn: City Streets, Night

A steady thrum from above drew my attention. It made me look up and I caught sight of a blimp moving overhead. The massive balloon and its lights stood in stark contrast to the night sky and the stars twinkling behind it. For some reason it seemed to move at a much lower height and it gave me a good look of its structure.

"That's weird," Talwin whispered beside me.

On each side of the blimp were engines that propelled it through the air, and the underside had a long cabin. Strangely enough there seemed to be movement on the underside of the cabin. It looked like moving machinery, and shifting optics that glinted at times.

Oh... They're spying on people? Or are they looking for something specific?

"Should we move?" Talwin asked.

I glanced over at Clyde who stood beside me. He seemed enthralled by the blimp and stared like a pup about to receive its first toy. Moments later the engines of the blimp roared and it began to pick up speed once more.

"No, whatever they were looking for wasn't here," I said and looked back at Talwin.

Clyde inched closer to me, "Were they looking for us?"

"We're camouflaged, even if we were they wouldn't find us," Talwin whispered.

I wonder...

"They might be looking for aetheric signatures," I said.

Talwin looked at me in wonder, "I couldn't sense any spells from the blimp."

I shook my head, "You can probe someone by simply listening, and our camouflage isn't perfect. It's just meant to throw of mages without the time and equipment to properly sense the aetheric ripples."

Talwin glanced up at the increasingly distant blimp, "You think that's a... flying listening station?"

I nodded, "With the right crystals and materials you can create something akin to a telescope for the aether. The problem is that such devices are heavy and immobile."

"Which isn't a problem for a flying ship like that," Talwin said while his ears folded back.

I made a slow nod, "Which is what worries me. I used to think that I knew a lot about the aether and how to wield it, but the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know."

Clyde raised one brow and glanced at me, "Aren't you giving them too much credit?"

I chuckled, "Maybe, maybe not. But why would the Master and his magic be the only dangerous one? What about all the other countries?"

"Because the Master is kicking everyone's asses," Clyde added.

"We'll see about that when that joined army reaches Everwinter. It could also be a case of simple catching the continent with their pants down. In either case, we should underestimate our enemy."

Talwin poked my arm, "Agron is not your enemy, Avery."

"I know, I know," I said.

"So what were they looking for, undead?" Talwin asked with a curious expression.

I felt my ears perk, "Maybe, but the rotting stench and appearance ought to alert people."

Talwin chuckled, "And what if they can camouflage themselves?"

Rastlin's notes did mention this... Spells and potions that could give the dead new luster...

"Very true, which means they could already be in the city without us knowing," I said.

"One chocolate triple. One triple mix. One soft serve vanilla." A loud voice announced.

Talwin lit up with a bright smile and motioned toward us, "I'll get it, don't worry."

Clyde and I watched while Talwin skimped over to the corner shop, picked up the ice-cream, and then carefully walked back while staring at the chocolate icecream.

Within moments we each had our own and Clyde chomped off a big piece. In silence he chewed, shifted it around his muzzle, and closed his eyes to ponder the sensation.

"Long time huh?" I asked.

Clyde opened his eyes and his gaze drifted to mine, "I shouldn't mention it, but when the food ran short we were forced to eat the same thing that..."

Cave mushrooms...

"I get it, no need to mention it," I whispered.

"You're talking about cave mushrooms, right?" Talwin asked while lapping at his brightly colored icecream.

Clyde cringed for a moment and glared at Talwin, "Yes, and you'd better hope you never have the misfortune of tasting it."

I motioned toward the alley, "Shall we go?"

The others nodded, and I took the front while glancing up. The view may not have been as spectacular as the tower, but to feel the cool wind, scents, and the warm light from the city windows were a reward of its own.

We neared the edge of the alley when I heard the noise of marching steps. It made me slow down and to my surprise a large group of people marched along a street further ahead. Loud murmurs could be heard from the group and I perked my ears to hear.

"-beautiful sermon, wasn't it?"

"-should listen to Master Trawain."

"Something needs to be done!"

"-new constellation, what do you think it means?"

Within moments they passed and I looked down the street from where they came. In the distance there was a structure that seemed similar, flat roof, finely textured walls with wood, grand windows, and loads of carvings that depicted the stars.

Another Antalorian Temple?

Talwin inched closer, "It's rather late at night, one of their ceremonies just ended."

The doors to the Temple were wide open and my curiosity was peaked, "I want to take a closer look."

"... All right?" Talwin whispered.

I started walking and they followed in my wake. Clyde walked up next to Talwin and whispered, "What is this?"

Talwin held one claw by the front of his muzzle, "Just be silent and listen, you'll understand."

Within a minute we stood outside the temple and I glanced into the depths of the building. The interior was filled with strange chairs that looked as if they could lean backwards. The ceiling consisted of massive glass panes providing an unobstructed view of the night sky.

Stargazers...

There was movement from within the temple, and a man clad in a black robe emerged from the darkness within. The man proceeded reached into his robe, flicked something with his hand, and a small light could be seen. Within moments the object brightened and turned out to be a small torch.

The torch revealed what looked like a rather young female fur with the appearance of a house cat. Something near her chest caught my attention, and I focused on it for a moment. To my surprise it was a replica of the same Star around my chest.

That brings back memories...

"Pleasant night, isn't it?" The feline said with a warm smile.

"Quite pleasant, yes," I answered.

The feline motioned to the clear ceiling, "Have you seen the light of the stars?"

I glanced up for a moment, "Yes, why?"

Talwin whispered, "She's asking if we share the faith."

Oh...

The feline chuckle and faced Talwin, "No need to be like that. The beauty of the stars are constant, no faith necessary."

Talwin's ears twitched for a moment, "Uh huh."

The feline looked over at me, "I'm Sister Leliana of the Antalorian Temple, how may I be of service to you?"

I offered her a courteous smile, "I was just curious, that's all."

Leliana motioned toward the temple's interior, "Curiosity is good, it is the heart of progress. Please, come on inside?"

I gave Leliana a cautious glance, "Is the temple only open at night or something?"

Leliana looked up at the night sky, "Yes, it's the only time when the stars shine upon us."

"Do you mind a few questions?" I asked.

Leliana focused on me once more, "Not at all, if we can bring answers to a curious heart, then are we not bound to do so?"

Talwin averted his gaze while I nodded, "Let's start with the basics, you are a religion, yes?" I asked.

"Yes, the Antalorian Temple is a religion. We look to the stars for guidance, and Aeternus was our grand prophet."

"Do the stars speak with you?" I asked.

Leliana shook her head, "No, they do not."

"Then how do they provide guidance?" I asked.

Leliana motioned at the roof and night sky, "Look to the stars, what do you see?"

"Space, stars, solar systems, the telescopes tell us so," I answered.

Leliana made an approving nod, "Yes, and that is truly fascinating, is it not? That we are but a small speck in a grand universe so big that even our numbers cannot fathom it."

I nodded, "Yes, it is. But so what?"

"During the day our world is illuminated by a giant ball of fire hurtling through space. It seems quite unbelievable, doesn't it?"

I cocked my head, "Not really, but I can see your point."

Leliana blinked for a moment and seemed taken back, "Well... The point is that we people, fur and human alike, have found ourselves in this place with only our natural skills and curiosity to bring us forward. Despite those harsh beginnings we have learned how to use the environment to our advantage. It is the natural way of things."

"Admirable, yes, but it doesn't bring us closer to an answer of why this temple exists."

Leliana raised his hand, "Patience. Tell me, are you from around here?"

I shook my head, "No, though I would prefer not to say any more than that."

Leliana slowly nodded, "I see. Well, the temple exists because we saw a problem, and Aeternus provided the solution. Now we seek to better this place, for all people, for all nations."

I tipped my head, "You're being awfully cryptic."

"You are a mage, are you not?" Leliana asked with a morose smile and pointed at me.

"I do have magical aptitude," I answered.

Leliana pointed at herself, "I'm not. That means that if I need firewood, then I need to take an axe and cleave it with my own strength. If I wish for something out of reach, then I have to go and fetch it. It means that if a mage stands in front of me, and threatens me, then I am helpless to stop him."

I watched her carefully, "A sad state of affairs, though things are what they are."

"Are you familiar with the history of this continent? The wars are too numerous to be counted, and the last one nearly extinguished life itself."

"I am aware. What's your point?" I asked.

Leliana drew a deep breath, "All of these problems, the wars, the jealousy between people, the natural instability brought by such differences in power. What's the origin of it all?"

Ah... So that's it...

I smiled back, "Let me guess, the aether?"

Leliana brow turned into a momentary frown, "Yes, magic. Control of the aether, whatever you wish to call it. It is something that is separate from the natural world, a strange thing that allows you to manipulate the world by mere thought."

"Amazing, isn't it? Just like the ball of fire hurtling through the skies?" I mused.

"You can't see the problem with it? Imagine if you lost your powers, then what?" Leliana asked.

I eased my expression and softened my tone, "In this aspect the world isn't fair, and I can see your point. But I think it's unfair to pin the problems of this world on magic, rather than people."

Leliana motioned at me, "What if magic did not exist? Would this world not be safer? Fairer? Would there not be less war?"

I pondered it for a few moments, "Maybe, but there's no guarantee for that, and you forget about the good things that magic brings to this world."

Leliana grew a humble smile, "True, magic has brought a lot of good to the world. Perhaps it was that ease of which we could control the world that brought us together as a community, allowing us to pool our resources and form civilization as we know it."

"Yet you argue against it?" I asked.

Leliana motioned to the city outside, "At some point civilization needs to grow up, to cast away the tools of old and embrace something new."

"Explain?" I asked.

Leliana clasped her hands and drew a deep breath, "The world is not well. We might think it so but the last war tore something apart. Even now our continent suffers from the rift that formed. In Karashak there are vast fields that burn with an invisible fire. Droughts and famine plagues much of our lands, and to the north there are vast fields of ice."

"All of this was caused by the last war?" I asked.

Leliana nodded, "Yes, and the primary source of it is still there for all to see. The Ruins of Aeternus, a hole ripped into our world, a vortex into the aether itself. Testament to the dangers of magic."

"I'm not arguing that magic isn't dangerous, but it is simply a tool like so many others, and tools are neither evil nor good."

Leliana sighed, "Everything that magic can do, the natural world can do better, with some help of course."

"I don't follow?" I said.

Leliana pointed at the nearby window, "You create a temporary shield, while our hands and hard work build walls and windows. You conjure a mirror, while we create a perfect one of aluminium

and glass, far more precise than your own."

"Magic can help build those things," I countered.

"Can you? Can your powers melt tons of ore in the steel foundry?" Leliana asked.

It was the first question that made me frown, "No, I can't. I might be able to cut a piece in half, but I'd never have the energy required to melt such a huge amount."

Leliana smiled, "The natural world can do that. Through coal and fire, generators producing electrical power, rather than conduits of aetheric energy."

I pondered it for a few moments, "I'm beginning to understand what you mean, but the reasoning is still flawed."

"Why?" Leliana asked.

I motioned toward her, "I can sympathize with those that don't have any magic potential, and I realize that it's an unfair situation. But you've chosen to separate magic from the natural world, and you've condemned it as a thing that brings tragedy to the world. Magic and what you consider the natural world can work together, and it often does. Rather than vilify magic, wouldn't it be better to look for a way to instill aetheric aptitude in people that don't have it?"

Leliana shut her eyes for a moment, "Previous nations have tried that. Planned breeding, forced marriages, inbreeding, all in the name of spreading the 'gift' of magic to others. It has never worked, and it never will. There is only one way forward."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," I answered.

Leliana grew an amused smile, "I've heard other mages say that. But fact remains that there is an uneasy peace between those with aetheric aptitude, and those that don't. We seek to solve that, and we have the solution."

I tipped my head, "How? By killing every mage you find?"

Leliana shook her head, "That's where Antalos comes in, our prophet and herald of the new world."

"... Go on?"

"Within Antaloria there is no magic. Our lord bestowed on us the power to dissipate magic, to render everyone equal. Science and machines have replaced your magic, and we are all better for it. If you allow it, we can do the same throughout the continent, and perhaps heal the land."

No magic... The bullets were made there... Such a field amplified to cover a continent...

"I think your approach is wrong," I answered.

Leliana lifted her gaze and looked toward the road. I glanced back as well and caught sight of people approaching the temple.

"Disagree all you want, in the end the people will decide, and we'll see how many that still favor magic once this war is over," Leliana whispered.

I stepped aside and the others followed while the people began to march into the temple.

788 I.C, March 8, The Pierced Veil: Dining Hall, Evening

Clyde audibly gnawed on the ham, his tongue lapped against the bone, and his tail lashed against the chair with enough force to make it thump.

"Thish i'sh goo!" Clyde blurted out in joy.

Leonard observed the carnage in horror while Talwin stared with an amused grin. I merely sighed in amusement when-

CRASH!

The loud sound of breaking glass could be heard from the corridor and in that instant the room went silent. Everyone's ears perked, and eyes shifted to focus on the exits and windows. Clyde glared at the exit with his hackles rising while the ham remained firmly in his maw.

I sent out aetheric tendrils to scout, let them flow across the floor, and entered the hallway. They found what felt like a rock surrounded by shattered glass and wood. In moments they searched the walls, found the shattered window, and began to flow out of the guild.

"Someone threw a rock through a window in the hallway. We could be under attack so don't get separated and be ready to take cover at a moment's notice," I said and rose from my chair.

Clyde and Talwin joined my side as we walked up to the hallway and glanced around the corner. Sitting on the floor near the guild exit was a simple rock surrounded by the remains of a window. Upon looking along the wall we saw some drapes flutter while growing wet from the rain outside.

"There's no message on the rock. Do you think it's some kids playing mischief?" Talwin asked.

"If they are, can we give them a good beating?" Clyde asked.

Talwin gave Clyde a harsh stare while I approached the window and focused on the scouts searching the outside. Within moments they homed in on a presence standing within the guild's perimeter. A human, with no magic potential.

"A human threw the rock, he's still outside," I said and reached for the door.

Clyde rushed up next to me and leaned in to catch my attention, "May I catch him?"

I glanced at him with a curious smile, "You seem eager?"

Clyde flashed me a quick grin, "Hunting is fun, Avery. Have you ever had a chance to do it yet? Running through the snow, catching the scent of deer. Feasting on it?"

Talwin marched up, "We did hunt a little, in the forest."

Clyde glanced back at Talwin, "You? Hunt?"

"I'm a coyote! Not a rabbit!" Talwin snapped.

I smiled to myself at their idle bickering and focused on the human in the rain outside. To my surprise the man seemed to stagger, and there were no discernible weapons on his body.

"Clyde?" I said.

Clyde's ears perked as he focused on me, "Yes, Alpha?"

I raised my brow, "Use my name, will you?"

"Fine, 'Avery'," Clyde answered.

"The guy is unarmed, possibly very drunk. I'll let you catch him if you're careful not to break him."

Clyde grew a wild grin and nodded, "I'll take care of it, and make sure to leave him in one piece."

I eased the handle down and pushed the door open to reveal a dark night beset plagued by a rainstorm. The heavy downpour created a mist of moisture that was heavy with the scent of earth and grass.

"Off you go," I said.

Clyde bolted out of the door, leaped off the stairs, and landed on the rocky ground with a thump. A split second later he was off once more and disappeared into the darkness.

"Are you sure that's a-" Talwin managed to say before a sudden scream cut through the storm.

"Oh gods! AIEEE!" A human male shrieked in the distance.

A maniacal laughter was followed by a hearty bark, "Got'cha!"

Something tumbled in the distance, a splash was heard, and the screams grew muddled. Moments later it ended, and something approached the guild. Within moments the hazy visage cleared and I could see Clyde approaching with a now muddy human in his arms. The human squirmed in panic while Clyde blocked his mouth and dragged him along like a prize rabbit.

Clyde hurried up the stairs, stopped outside the door, and looked up with a feral grin, "Kitchen? Or the larder downstairs?"

The struggles of the human intensified and he kicked at the ground with a muffled scream of fear.

I pointed at the floor, "Pin him to the ground and we'll hear what he's doing here," I ordered.

Clyde dragged him inside, hurled the human to the ground, hastily clambered on top, and then leaned down to snarl in the human's face. I pulled the door shut, stepped closer, and loomed over Clyde while the human shivered in fear while staring at the fangs of his captor.

"Who are you, and why did you hurl a rock through our window?" I asked while focusing on the human.

Leonard entered the hallway, glanced down, and his eyes went wide, "Avery... I know who that guy is."

I looked up, "Oh?"

"He's Cromwell's agent within the army, the guy who was here and tried to plant evidence while you and Talwin were gone," Leonard answered.

"Oh, you're in big trouble now, human!" Clyde said and snapped his jaws with a feigned bite.

Clyde's acting just like they taught him at Everwinter...

For now it might be of use... But it'll be bad if he causes a scene...

Either way... It seems to work, I can smell the fear underneath the alcohol and... Urine?

Did he just piss himself!?

I reached down, grabbed hold of the human's jaw, and angled his head to focus on me, "If you answer our questions, we'll let you go. Lie or try to trick us, and I'll let my friend have you for dinner, understand?"

Clyde's grinned with a twisted grin and a dark growl while the human screamed out his answer, "Yes! Please! For gods sake! I'm sorry!"

I motioned for Clyde to back off while I glanced up at Talwin, "Will you get a few blankets before the floorboards start to rot?"

Talwin stepped back with and nodded understandingly, "Coming right up."

Clyde eased off the human while I settled on my knees, "What's your name?"

The hands of the human shook from fright while his eyes remained focused on Clyde, "Gus..."

"Alright, Gus. Why did you just hurl a rock through our window?" I asked.

Gus turned his head to look at me, "... I'm sorry. I was... I was just..."

He might smell like a distillery, but survival instinct seems to have sobered him up a bit...

"Yes?" I asked.

"I was angry! It was stupid and I'm sorry! May I go? Please... I'll pay for it! Honest!"

Leonard crouched on the other side and flicked Gus' ear, "Hey!"

Gus twitched, and looked over at Leonard, "I remember you! You're Leonard."

Leonard nodded, "The commander wasn't happy with what you tried to pull last time. Given that you're no longer in uniform and smell like a distillery, I'm guessing things didn't go so well?"

Gus expression hardened into anger, "What do you think!? I was kicked out of the army, and now Cromwell wants me dead!"

I filled in, "So you got wasted, came here, and thought you'd get a little revenge?"

Gus looked over at me, seemed to ponder it for a few moments, and grew a sheepish grin, "... Yes."

Leonard spoke up, "If Cromwell's after you, is he coming here?"

Gus made a sudden burp and followed it up with a dark chuckle, "He's coming here either way, and this time he doesn't care whether he has to level the building."

I angled his head to focus on me once more, "Is he coming now? Tonight?"

"How th'feck should I know!? I've been on the run for days!" Gus snapped.

Talwin threw a few towels on the soaked ground and spoke up, "If you help us, we might be able to get Cromwell off your back."

Gus angled his head to look up at Talwin, "Help you?"

Clyde loomed over and bared his teeth so wide that his gums shone red, "That, or I get my snack."

I snapped my finger and caught Gus' attention, "You're going to tell us all that you know about Cromwell. His new mansion, security, routes, and his guards. Understand?"

Gus glanced at Clyde once, and began to nod, "Anything! Just keep that freak away from me..."

788 I.C, March 8, The Pierced Veil, Night

I glanced into the dining room and saw that Casey was still probing Gus for information while Archer stood by the side trying to look menacing. Moments later I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Leonard.

"What do you think we should do?" Leonard asked.

"This is an opportunity. The information you've gotten from the underground corroborates his information, and now he's given us the last parts needed to strike at Cromwell."

Leonard observed me for a few moments, and then lowered his gaze, "You're talking about walking into his home and executing him?"

"Pretty much," I answered.

Leonard crossed his arms and sighed, "I might be able to plant a spy in his mansion, and gather evidence against him. We could hand it over to the commander and let the law deal with it."

"And if he strikes at us before that? What if the commander can't be bothered now that Everwinter looms over the horizon?" I asked.

Leonard was silent for a few moments, "Maybe that's a risk we'll have to take. We've survived his other attempts and we shouldn't sink to the level of murder."

"You're trying to take honest path in a situation that no longer allows it, and we're all running out of time. Not just the guild, but all of Agron. Cromwell is an obstacle, and he needs to be removed."

"Just give me a few days, Avery. It's not like you can strike at him tonight," Leonard said and looked up to meet my gaze.

"Hmm," I murmured before Leonard walked back into the room and joined the interrogation.

If we wait... Then Gus' information may become useless...

Worse, Cromwell might improve his defenses once he realizes Gus might have gone here...

I turned around and to my surprise I saw Clyde leaning over the rails by the stairs. His fur still looked damp, and there was a big towel wrapped his midsection. The scent of wet dog wafted from his direction, and the matted fur gave an impression of the musculature hiding beneath.

In silence he gripped the rails, eased himself over like a hunter on the prowl, and let go. With a thump his big paws hit the ground, and he rose with a curious glance that was focused on me.

"Yes?" I asked while I walked along the hallway, and stopped next to him.

Clyde's blue eyes sought my own and his muzzle wavered with some kind of question, "... Well?"

It was a curious sensation, to feel his presence, to see the glint in his eyes, and the body language that told a story of its own.

You want us to ignore Leonard and strike when we can...

"You're not strong enough," I said.

Clyde's expression hardened in an instant, his ears twitched and his lips pulled back to reveal a hint of teeth, "I'm both stronger and more skilled than Talwin. I'm also a master of the sword. Give me a chance, please?"

"And what about your magic?" I asked.

Clyde inched back and his ears lowered a little, "You just need to shield me. I can be of use, Avery."

"Do you how to sneak around?" I inched closer and whispered.

Clyde's smile grew into a feral grin, "There's a kind of beast in the wastes. Fourlegged, hide like plate armor, big horns on its head, and there's a shield that extends from its head to protect its neck. I sneaked into its den, moved on top of it, and pierced its neck from behind. It never knew what hit it."

I reached up, and put my hand on his shoulder with a heavy pat, "And you almost pissed yourself in the process, right?"

Clyde glanced at my hand while he lowered his gaze, "That's entirely beside the point..."

I eased my grip, let my hand move over his neck, and pulled him closer until out heads met, "How quickly can you get into gear, and dry your fur so that you don't stink as much?"

Clyde's tail made a sudden wag and his gaze lifted to focus on me, "Give me half an hour and I'll be ready."

"Ready for what?" A voice asked.

Both of us glanced toward the hallway and saw Talwin staring back at us.

"Nothi-" Clyde managed to utter before I wrapped my hand around his muzzle and forced it shut.

"You have other things to take care of, right?" I said and gave Clyde a harsh stare.

Clyde eased out of my grip, flashed me a sheepish grin, and moved toward the staircase, "On my way."

Moments later Clyde was on his way up the stairs while Talwin approached, "What's going on?"

"Gus spilled the beans about Cromwell and his new hideout. Leonard wants us to wait for his agents in the underground to do their thing," I said and focused on Talwin.

Talwin tipped his head a little and lowered his voice, "You don't agree?"

I raised my hand and motioned toward him, "I want to hear your thoughts on it first."

Talwin slowly pulled a deep breath and mulled it over, moments later he inched closer and whispered, "You're not the boss of this guild, Avery. Not yet anyway."

"I know that," I whispered.

"You know Leonard, how will he react if we go against his wishes?"

"If we ignore that for a moment, what do you think of the situation itself?" I asked.

"Cromwell's companions might be less than capable, but the man himself seems to a be a sly bastard. What if Gus was intentionally sent here to lure us into a trap?"

I nodded, "That's a possibility, but what if it isn't?"

Talwin looked me in the eyes, "Then it's an opportunity to get rid of someone who keeps getting in our way. By the sound of it, we'd also rid the city of a pest that has troubled it far too long."

I raised my brow a little, "You realize what you're saying?"

Talwin remained steadfast, "Avery, I don't like unnecessary death. But this isn't one of those cases, as long as we're discreet and don't create a bloodbath, then I'd be as eager to see him dead."

I made a slow nod, "Clyde is joining us, make sure to shield him in case my own defenses falter. OK?"

"Are you sure?" Talwin asked and glanced toward the staircase,

I reached out, touched the underside of Talwin's muzzle, and gently shifted his head to focus on me, "You were so eager to save Clyde, now you have to adapt to him."

Talwin made a reluctant sigh, "I'm making progress, but he's the one who doesn't like me, not the other way around."

I let go and stood tall, "He's testing you, Talwin. Both for the pack, and to gauge what kind of person you are."

"For the pack huh, and I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with jealousy?" Talwin asked with a raised brow.

This again...

I looked toward the exit, "We should get ready."