Tooth and Talon: Chapter 2

It took nearly two hours before they reached the forests that were at the base of the mountains. Zernan led them right to a camp that had been set up already. There was no fire but there was a small tent and two bedrolls. Virfin landed in the middle of the camp and Zernan circled it. The sun was setting, signalling an end to the day.



Tooth and Talon: Chapter 1

Zernan shifted and frowned at the small camp. "This won't work. We need a fire, food...And where are those two going to sleep?"

With a grin, Virfin looked at his bedroll. "One can share with me and the other with you." This earned him a rock to the chest from Zernan. "Ouch! I was just kidding."

Vix shifted in mid air and landed in a crouch. Her eyes darting about as she surveyed her surroundings. Going from the mindset of a dragon back to the mindset of her half form seemed awkward to her, it took her a few moments to adjust but that didn't mean she missed Virfin's comment.

Leana landed swiftly on the ground of the small camp, and she shifted forms again to her human one, giving her tail a shake as she did. "Oooft!" She exclaimed, her ears twitching as she also looked around herself at the camp and surrounding trees. She had heard Virfin's comment too, but she simply blinked and looked very awkward. "I don't sleep." Leana said with a shrug, absently touching the medallion in her hair.

As light faded, a slight rustling came from the bushes not far from the camp. Before any of the others around the campfire could react, a Large, white lion shapeshifter sprang from the bushes, spear in hand. Landing with unnerving grace from something of his size, Alastor set his hand to the ground. The hulking mass of a man stood up, planting the butt of the spear into the ground, "I am not here to harm you. I am Alastor, the White Lion," he said in his deep, roaring voice, raising his right hand in a defensive posture. "Sorry for my delay, I was also beckoned for this mission, but ran into some delays with the outside world, but I am here now to assist."

It took a mere second for Virfin to leap up. He bodily tackled the Lion, his dagger in hand before anyone could see where it came from and pressed against the Lions throat. "How long have you been following us?" he asked, his voice holding a menace that would have petrified any lesser being. A slight flame was forming on his hand, traveling down the length of the dagger. "And don't tell me you're here to assist and couldn't be bothered to be invited to join our camp."

Zernan jumped when Alastor landed, but she recovered quickly and unsheathed her sword. "Calm, cousin," she told Alastor. 'Cousin' was the term used among the Lions, Tigers, and Wolves. "Don't make any sudden moves and he won't hurt you..." Virfin meerly growled low in his throat, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Accepting the tackle and rolling back slightly to reduce the damage from the fall, Alastor let loose his spear. The air still knocked loose from is lungs, he gasped "I've not been following you. I found this camp not to long ago. I waited to see whose camp his was, and once I saw the medallion, I realized you were all enlisted by the king. If you would kindly move, I would be pleased to present you with my letter."

Virfin's head lowered slightly as he kept his eyes locked on Alastor. "I suggest you do so quickly. Unless you don't have one, in which case I suggest you run...really fast." He waved his hand and a second dagger appeared out of nowhere. This one glowed blue, as did Virfin's eyes. "Show me."

Alastor cautiously reached down with his right hand to retrieve the slightly tattered piece of parchment that was rolled up in the waist band of his loincloth. Reachg it, he pulled it out and unfurled it, showing the marking and the entire note to Virfin, "There it is. The King's mark."

Virfin flipped his daggers in hand and they vanished. He took the note and looked it over, then handed it back to Alastor. "Okay. I won't kill you." He glanced over at Zernan. "Yet," he said under his breath. Turning to Leana and Vix, Virfin closed his eyes and restarted the fire with a small ball of flame, shot directly from his hand into the firepit. "Zernan, do a sweep of the surrounding areas. Let me know if there's anymore...prowlers about."

Zernan pulled a face. "Yes, sir." She grinned lopsidedly at Alastor. "Care to join me?" She shifted into her Tiger form and trotted a quick circle around Virfin, scent marking him as her return point. Zernan walked over to Alastor and yawned slightly.

Alastor grinned and stood up, quickly dusting himself off before grabbing his spear and turning into his Lion form, probably nearly two times the size of the small Tigress. He gave a quick Yip and bobbed his head as if to indicate he was ready to move out.

Leana raised one of her hands to scratch the top of her head, her yellow eyes full of complete puzzlement. "Oh kay?" She said slowly, blinking at Virfin as she spoke. She honestly had had no time at all whatsoever to grab her sword or shift forms to also lay upon the lion since Virfin had been too quick and got in there first. His speed had amazed her, though. Leana had to admit that, and she was one speedy wolf when it came to combat. "Now you're just showing off." Leana said, raising one of her eyebrows playfully as she nodded at the crackling camp fire Virfin had just created.

Vix had perched herself beneath a tree, she couldn't help but notice that Virfin was a little quick to fight and a little slow to listen. She only hoped he wasn't the same when they passed into Essin, though she knew he could handle himself there were a lot of dragons who would like to take a bite out of a slightly cocky hawk. She could tell she would have a hard job trying to convince people that he wasn't an enemy.

Zernan made a noise between a purr and a growl as she led the way into the shrubs. Her smaller, lithe body slipped easily between and under the sharp branches. She came out on the other side of the bramble, shaking leaves from her fur.

Virfin frowned at Leana. "I'm not showing off. That's the simplest way to light the fire." His eyes traveled to Vix as he sat down. "You can come out of the trees." The ground was hard and he grimaced slightly, flipping onto his stomach on his bedroll so his wings were extended. Virfin reached behind himself and untied the back of his shirt, letting it fall from him and baring his back. Stripes of flesh crisscrossed on his back. Whipmarks. He pillowed his head on his arms and closed his eyes, looking to the world as if he was asleep.

"I was not waiting for permission. I'm actually comfortable." Vix looked back at Virfin, studying the marks on his back and frowning slightly. She flexed her fingers before placing them on her knees, which were pulled up in front of her chest.

"Suit yourself, then," Virfin said quietly. He turned just right so his back popped and settled down again, ruffling his wings and causing several feathers to float to the ground. After a moment, he put his chin on his arms, staring off into the woods, a vacant expression on his face.

Pulling the amulet, which had previously been wrapped around her wrist, into her hand Vix began to study it. It was quite pretty really, but it still made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Leana took out her sword from her belt, and she layed it flat on the floor so she could feel a bit lighter. She sighed gently through her nose before she moved to sit on a high pile of rocks, her amulet tied in her hair jingling so it sounded similar to that of ringing bells. Like many other Wolves, Leana liked to sit as close to the moon as possible, so the higher she was to the sky, the more comfortable she became. Leana smiled as she looked up at the setting sun, and she waited patiently for her moon to rise. After gazing up at the sun for a short while, Leana's yellow eyes moved down to look at the two who had stayed at the camp. Firstly at Vix, whom she wasn't sure really liked her, so she couldn't think of anything to say to her, and then to Virfin, who was almost a stranger to her. Leana blinked at him as she caught sight of the whipmarks on his back. But her eyes moved to look at his wings, and she suddenly had the great desire to touch them. "Pretty." Leana said softly, her voice speaking over in Virfin's direction so it sounded like she was addressing him, when really, she had thought out loud.

Following Zernan, Alastor made his way through the brush, though a bit more foreward than the lithe tigeress managed, as he went over most of it than under.

Zernan cut through the forest, making her way in a wide circle around the camp. Her heightened senses told her exactly how many people had been this way.

Virfin sat up again at Leana's voice. He glanced back at her, his eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Excuse me? What's pretty?" He shifted, his wings pulling in slightly as he watched her. While Vix, it seemed, made a point to avoid him, Virfin was starting to like this odd Wolf girl.

Leana's ears flicked madly when Virfin spoke to her, and her tail wrapped around herself absently, almost as if it were trying to shield her. "E-eh?" She asked, blinking her yellow eyes at him. "Did I say that out loud?" Her cheeks flushed pink as she grabbed her tail with one hand and pointed at the sun with her other. Only.. there was no sun now. It had vanished now that it had set completely. "I-I was talking about the sunset, it's really pretty! Hahaha!"

Pushing himself up from the ground, Virfin looked over at the moon that was rising. He didn't seem to realize that his shirt was now on the ground, leaving his chest bare. The same marks that were on his back marred his chest as well. "You're right, it was pretty. The moonrise is prettier, though." His tone was odd, contemplative yet calm.

Leana blushed away from Virfin so she wouldn't stare at him, and she swallowed thickly before nodding. "Y-yeah.. it is." She said, her voice a slight squeak as she spoke. She frowned and cleared her throat once before looking back up at the sky. "Us wolves like the moon after all. She's like our mother." Leana said softly with a small shrug, peeking at Virfin out of the corner of her eyes. "Do they get annoying?" Leana asked, referring to Virfin's wings.

He looked at her, then at his wings. "Not really. But I grew up with them, so I'm used to it. Plus I can make them vanish at will, so..." He lifted his shoulders slightly, his wings loosing more feathers. "That is annoying, though." The feathers blew across the ground from the light wind, and he managed to catch one, holding it between his fingers.

Leana tilted her head at him as she looked at the feathers on the floor, his wings, and then the feather he was holding. She frowned slightly before leaning forward in her sitting position on the rocks. "Um.. may I?" She asked softly, taking the feather from him gently without waiting for his permission to do so. She studied it closely, prodding it with the fingers of her other hand. "Pretty.." Leana said softly, smiling at it. Virfin would now know without a doubt that Leana had indeed been talking about him earlier had he listened to her tone carefully.

Vix watched the exchange silently, a small smile quirked on her lips. She looked away, so as to not ruin their privacy. Instead, she re-lit the dying flames.

Virfin stared at Leana for a second. He caught on quick enough to what she had been saying. Taking the feather back, he crushed it in his hands, destroying the texture and beauty in one motion. "No, they aren't." His voice was monotonous as he turned away from her, his arms folded.

Leana stared at the back of Virfin's head with a small frown on her face as her mouth fell open slightly in awe. "Well.. as much as you don't think so, I think they are.." She said softly, biting her lip as she looked away for a moment before slowly leaning forward again. "Pretty is an understatement.." Leana added, raising one of her hands to touch Virfin's right wing where she let her fingers trail along his feathers lightly in a pleasant stroking way.

Vix looked up as she sensed a change in Virfin's emotions, she kept an eye on him, just in case. More out of instinct than thought that he would actually do anything. She moved to sit back under the tree monitoring the changes in feeling about her.

Virfin's shoulders tightened as he felt her fingers in his feathers. His arms fell from his chest and he looked back at her. Silver eyes glowed slightly as he watched Leana. It was calming to him, and he closed his eyes, a half smile forming on his lips.

Leana tilted her head at him a little, and when she saw that he was enjoying her petting, she couldn't help but laugh. "You're a big softie really, aren't you, huh?" She asked between giggles as she raised her other hand and began to stroke his left wing too. Leana smiled as she watched her hands run over Virfin's silky soft ebony feathers.

Virfin nodded, his grin growing. "It's all my master plan. Fake being an irritable noble just so unsuspecting girls will..." He trailed off as her other hand touched his left wing. (OOC: Girls, think when someone is rubbing your shoulders or playing with your hair, if you like that sort of thing. That's what's happening here.) His face seemed to relax a little as his breathing became slower.

Leana blinked at Virfin when he stopped speaking, and she couldn't help but laugh again. "You're a weird one. You don't act like a noble at all. In my opinion, anyway." She said softly with a small shrug. "I guess you don't get girls stroking your wings all that often, huh?" Leana asked, raising an eyebrow at him slightly, the smile still there on her face as she continued to pet him.

He shook his head quickly, the smile on his face peaceful. "I don't act like a noble..." Virfin said quietly. "I wasn't exactly raised like one either. My mother says I have too much of my father in me..." He sighed contentedly and looked at her. "Mind if I sit?" he asked, not waiting for her response as he sat on the edge of the bedroll. Her petting had relaxed the tension that he had been holding since the tavern incident.

Vix began to ignore the changes in emotion when they returned to a calm state. She always felt better when the people around her were calm, it was not the most enjoyable of experiences, feeling everyone's irritation. She let out a contented sigh before leaning back, closing her eyes and thinking of home.

Alastor took off after Zernan, bounding not as gracefully through the woods. His forte wasn't the under brush, it was open plains. However, he was an adept hunter and followed Zernan fairly close.

Zernan paused as she smelled something...or someone. She glanced back at Alastor, then slipped under another bush, getting closer to the source of the scent.

Traveling through the forest was a lofty man of the Hawk race with long, raven hair and dark auburn wings. He was clothed in a variety of black shades, including a pair of gloves and a pair of pants that were worn over his boots. This man wore a tight-fitted shirt with a silver, large "x" on the front,and a belt with two duplicates of the same "x" on the sides. Hanging from his belt were sheaths for his swords and his daggers. He had a bow hanging from his back and a quiver of bodkin arrows strapped to him. His right hand was gripping an elegant charm of a necklace as he gazed up at the stars beyond the canopy of tree leaves; stars that were glittering with a magnificence similar to beautiful candlelight. The charm was a metallic winged heart with an aquamarine sword going straight down in front of it. Stopping, he decided to climb up onto a tree branch where he could rest for a while from his lengthy journey. It had been a long time since he had last seen anyone of his own race, including his adoptive brother Virfin. Sighing, this Hawk, whose name was actually Ananias Xarma, peered down with his deep green eyes at the charm, holding it gently with both hands. It reminded him of all the events of his past, events that filled him with both longing and sorrow. He wasn't sure if he'd ever get to see his foster family and his friends again, but something told him that he would if he pressed on. Ananias hated the fact that he was so alone and he had been for years. Yet...there was something about this night that comforted him in a way. He folded his wings at his sides to stable himself on the tree branch as he leaned back against the rest of the tree. If the Goddess of Fate wills it that I be alone on my quest then let it be so, Ananias thought to himself. But is it worth it? All my life I have dealt with toils and I have this trinket of a necklace to remind me. At least the stars aren't ever alone, for if one is it still has the moon like I had Virfin's family... I wonder if he is doing well...

Zernan came closer to the source, and she wasn't sure this was an enemy. Approaching a tree, she sensed familiarity in the smell, but couldn't place it. Against the sky, she saw a winged form, and ran across the short distance to the tree, leaping into it with grace and knocking the person to the ground. Zernan shifted mid fall so she could land with one of her daggers pressed to the man's throat, but when they landed, she almost couldn't believe her eyes as she pulled back. "Ananias?" she asked suddenly. This Hawk had been in Liatus while she had visited Maloryn and Melfin. "What are you doing here?" She was still on top of him, confusion on her face.

In great confusion, Alastor sped up, transforming into his hybrid form in stride as he clutched to his spear, "Friend of yours?" He shouted ahead to Zernan, ready for the best or worst.

"That's.. bad, then, I suppose..? Having too much of your father in you?" Leana asked Virfin softly. "You don't seem happy about it, to say the least." She added with a small shrug as she followed him to sit on the bedroll also so she could continue gently stroking his wings. "I was raised by humans, so I wasn't exactly raised like a Wolf.." Leana commented lightly.

"Not many know, but my father was notorious for going his own way, even when that way nearly got him killed." Virfin absently rubbed at a long scar on his chest, his eyes fixed on the trees around them. "I take after him that way..."

Leana frowned a little. "Oh.. I see.." She replied softly. "Well.. at least you have a sense of independence like me. Some nobles rely on others too much. They prefer to have bodyguards and people like that surrounding them.. But not you, huh?" Leana's frown turned into a smile as she studied the back of Virfin's head for a moment.

Virfin looked over his shoulder at Leana. "I have had two good friends in my life. My foster brother and Zernan. No bodyguards, no servants." He grinned crookedly. "And, if you look at it that way, I would be more servant to Zernan's will. She is, after all, more royal than I am." Virfin stiffened suddenly as he realized what he said. An 'oh crap' look came into his eyes and he turned to face Leana. "Don't say anything! She'll kill me for telling you."

Leana grinned at him and she mimed closing her mouth like she was zipping her lips together. "My lips are completely sealed." She said, patting one of his shoulders reassuringly. "So nobles can make mistakes too, huh? I'm glad I'm not the only one. Not that I'm noble or anything.. I just mean I can be a bit clumsy." Leana commented, giving Virfin a wink before she laughed.

"Be glad you're only clumsy," Virfin said with a smile. Laying on his stomach across the bedroll, he grabbed his shirt so he could use it as a pillow. "If you were royal, you would have to put up with lessons and restrictions and secrets. I can't tell anyone everything and can't tell most anything." He trailed off, looking up at Leana. "I'm glad we have companions again. I was getting quite lonely with just Zernan, who usually isn't around for any length of time."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Leana said softly with a small frown. "Well.. I'm sorry to say it, but I may start to get a little annoying if you're around me too much." Leana grinned. "Just a little, though, I promise." Leana added, winking again with a small laugh. "So sorry in advance."

Virfin laughed. "I don't think you could be nearly as annoying as my sister, Alex. She's the worst. Never stops talking. Took after our mother in that." He moved so his head was more pillowed against his arms, closing his eyes with a yawn. "I've been awake too long, I think."

"Zernan!" Ananias scramplied to his feet to better look at his visitors. He half-expected to run into anyone he had known while he was traveling. He thought he had lost everyone altogether. "I was looking for you and the others!" Ananias could barely believe his own eyes. "What are you doing here! Where is everyone else? Are they close by?" He asked in an almost desperate tone of voice. He was absolutely bewildered, causing all of his words to run swiftly from his mouth. "How..."

"It's only me and Virfin," Zernan said just as quickly. She laughed suddenly and wrapped her arms around Ananias in a tight hug. She released him and stood back. "Alastor, this is Ananias." Zernan shook her head. "I'm on patrol, but you can head to the camp. Virfin will be happy to see you if he's not asleep. He's been awake three days. But that shouldn't be news to you." She pointed in the direction of the camp. "Just make sure you announce yourself first. There are two others there as well." She smiled and hugged him quickly again.

Leana smiled at him, although her eyes were full of curiosity as she continued to stroke his wings to soothe him. "If it's alright for me to ask.. How long is too long?" She asked softly, watching the back of his head again. "I'm an insomniac, so I don't really sleep much.." Leana said thoughtfully with a shrug.

Virfin felt himself falling asleep. "Going on four days." He shifted slightly, pressing up closer to her. His arms pillowed his head and his breathing slowed as Virfin more or less passed out on the ground.

Alastor nodded and waved to acknowledge the newcomer, "Welcome," he said simply and gruff before turning to Zernan, "Shall we continue."

"Four days..?" Leana whispered in awe. However, by the time she had finished what she was saying, she had mouthed the words instead when she realised that Virfin had fallen asleep. Poor thing.. Even I've not stayed awake that long before.. Leana thought sadly as she frowned down gently at Virfin's sleeping face. She brushed some of his hair away from his face and carried on stroking his wings, only lighter this time. She was still doing it because she enjoyed the feel of the softness of his feathers on her fingers.

Zernan looked back at Alastor and nodded. "Let's keep moving. Ananias, I'll see you back at camp." She shifted again, moving past the Hawk and further into the trees.

In his sleep, Virfin cuddled close to the source of heat, one arm flinging around Leana, his head landing on her lap. His eyes flew open and he looked up at her. It was obvious his mind was still gone, because he simply mumbled "You're warm. Stay." before falling back asleep, cuddling her.

Leana blinked at him, and she scratched the side of her head with a puzzled expression before she finally smiled and shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere.." She said softly, but very quietly as she continued to both smile and stroke Virfin's feathers as she watched his sleeping face, unable to stop herself from gazing at it. "Silly goose.." She whispered, stroking under his chin lightly for a brief moment.

Virfin's face seemed more relaxed while he was cuddling her. He looked younger, more of a man in his twenties. His lips twitched into a smile and he completely sank into the realm of dreams.

Alastor also transformed back into his Lion form, taking off at great speed after the Tigress.

Smiling, Ananias shouted, "It's good to see you, too!" He gave out a laugh and took to the skies for the camp. Virfin is there as well! he thought happily. I never thought I would see any of them again! This is truly wonderful!! Once he got to the camp, he landed in its midst and gave it a look around. "It's quiet..." he said out loud.

"That, it is. And who are you?" Opening one eye, Vix looked at the newcomer from under her tree. She opened the other eye then, taking a look at him properly.

"My name is Ananias, old friend of Zernan and Virfin. And you are?" Ananias wondered with a smile. He had never seen this girl before; perhaps she was new to the group.

"Vix." She stood up and moved towards him, feeling that she was being impolite staying in the shadows, "Will you be travelling with us?" Vix stretched her limbs, having been sat in the same position for too long, her joints made an audible cracking. The sound made her grimace, I hate it when that happens.

Ananias laughed. "Of course, I am. I have been searching for this camp for ages, for what it seems." He folded his arms as he peered over at her. "How goes it here?" he wondered curiously. "It is good to meet someone new like you, by the way," Ananias continued respectfully.

"Likewise. It's... quiet. Not much has been happening." She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly, moving her hand up to touch her horns before opening them again - she was going through the headrush that one normally gets when they get up too quickly after sitting or laying for quite a while.

"Are you alright?" Ananias asked before he chuckled behind his lips. He could tell that she had a dizzy spell. "I can tell..." He looked around again, but folded up his wings to his sides so they would be out of the way. "Any idea where Virfin is?"

"Head rush, got up too fast. He's sleeping." She pointed towards Leana and the hawk in question with a slight smile.

"Ah..." Ananias said, grinning. "Then I shall wait until morning."

Zernan led the way around the camp until they reached their starting point. She walked to the edge of the camp and sat there, stretching her feline limbs and settling down to take first watch.

Ananias sighed. He really wasn't sure what to do until dawn would arrive. "Zernan!" he called to her. "Is there anything I can do to help around here until Virfin wakes?"

Zernan shifted and looked over at Ananias. "I'm not sure how long he'll be out, so you might as well get comfortable."



Tooth and Talon