Chapter 8

Finding a secluded area didn’t take too much time with Ebony having previously investigated the city. He worked fast in the period I caused mischief, I am both impressed and grateful.

The exits were indeed sealed off, but word of the Gem Wolves were limited to the guards. There was no leaving nor coming through the town’s walls through the gates. From our isolated area, an underbridge, I can observe the people from a distance while enjoying the shade.

The residents of this kingdom seemed a little puzzled by the shift in atmosphere, occasionally eying the armed authority but soon focusing back on finishing up the decorations. A party, Ebony had explained as the plan had been discussed. A birthday celebration for the prince. With the Queen advertising the event to be grand and miraculous. The whole kingdom had been invited to partake in this joyous occasion, hence the long lines when we first arrived.

The same kingdom lacked the truth the Queen hid from them. The newly released danger in their mist because her long fingers couldn’t let go of something that did not belong to her. Thieves of a pharaoh's tomb were often cursed and so were their descendants, what would Kazo prefer, I pondered. Should I ask the twins what Kazo intended for a Shepherd? How do I punish someone?

May your kingdom forgive you, I sang to myself with a silent tap of the foot, arms crossed yet deeply pleased. My ears feel raised from the glee. When things work in my favor, what else am I to do but celebrate? Because I sure won’t.

A weight crashed into my back. It was by sheer endurance to prevent a sound from escaping bitten lips. Glancing at the weight now clinging to my cloak, Ruby nosed the side of my ear. The insistent sound from the pup is wet and sniffing, rubbing up my spine in all the worst ways.

The contact was much too sensitive! What’s with these wolves consistently approaching and rubbing against my ankles or skin? They’ve been doing this since Ebony arrived.

Within seconds, Ruby was gone from my back. I breathed relief and freedom as the rosy wolf, I now dubbed Opal, carried the troublesome pup back to the other wolves huddled in a group.

I absentmindedly rubbed at the back of my neck, careful of the claws. “Ebony, are the wolves prepared?” I lightly called.

Within seconds, Ebony was back by my side, face scrunched up as he straightened himself. “Do you not hear them?” Ebony’s confusion made his voice lighter. Better than his previous tone of being cross.

Still, each of his emotions are nostalgic to me. It’s like arguing with Ebony’s counterpart over the stupidest things all over again.

“...Is there a music I am to hear?” Another rub, the chills finally receding.

“If thoughts are ‘music’ to you, Shepard.” Ebony confirmed with a raised eyebrow, oh so nostalgic.

Rolling the shoulders again, I kept observing the distant world around us. There hadn’t been any approaches, no accidental sightings despite the search by the enemy…Ebony had been thorough in this pick. The concrete-like tile may be a little uncomfortable from collected heat, but this beats any sort of cage if we were caught.

“Then no.”

Ebony looked away, back to the Gem Wolves.

“Strange. I can understand them clearly. In fact, we were having a conversation while you were on watch. Yes, they’re ready. They also have strong opinions about the way you carry yourself.” Ebony offered, and I cocked my head up to the cloudy sky. “Perhaps this means you’ll have to tune with yourself further.” Stated as a matter of fact, with the type of knowing promising pain.

“Meditation or training?” Stillness or misery?

Ebony smiled. “Both.”

Well. At least he was honest about it. As for the Gem Wolves’ opinion, we just met. I refused to hear what they had to say.

“Whatever, let’s get this show on the road, I’m beginning to prefer the absence of people.” The forest was a lot more peaceful than the city. Could be the enhanced senses, or the envy of being unable to eat the wondrous festival-seasoned meat from earlier. “As we discussed, Ebony.”

Ebony gave a dark smile. “As commanded, I will not senselessly take lives.”

I didn’t say that. My heart gave a little jump regardless, the startle had been intense.

“I was crafted from your memories, Shepard,” Ebony informed in a low tone of plain understanding. “You may say you’re ready to kill, think of it, but in your heart…It is still overwhelmingly fragile and harmed.” Ebony did not flinch at my alarmed twitch of a hand.

“You said you didn’t see Father.” I growled, a grit to my teeth.

“I didn’t,” Ebony replied, short and calm. “Your world and home were built with a different set of societal rules. None of us expect you to cross the threshold and betray your values.”

Not so soon, felt implied.

“So please. As long as Ivory and I are around…There is no need for you to get your claws bloodied. Unless you desire it.” Ebony paused, two fingers on his chin as Ebony’s counterpart used to do in thought. “Feel free to threaten and cause as much destruction as you’d like. I only want you to remember we’re here. We will bear the brunt of what you consider the worst deeds.”

Ebony left swiftly. Two easy kicks of the legs, and he was gone, dashing down the road.

Less than two minutes later, I hear the rallying cry of a guard shouting at their people. Reinforcements, orders, there was a growing number of steps charging in Ebony’s previous direction. The shouts and crashing of wood violently crashed in the ear, irritating my ears. I shuddered from the impact, hoping Ebony wasn’t harmed out of sight.

Opal pushed against my leg. I eyed them, and they eyed me back with tentativeness. Behind them, the other wolves were already on their feet. Everyone was ready to sprint, ready to move forward toward the possible future.

“Right. With Ebony’s distraction, we should be able to break through. Should I tell you what formation,” I glanced over, seeing the adult wolves surrounding the elderly, and the young in the direct middle. “Great, so you understand. I’ll do my best so none of you get hurt. Follow my lead, alright? I’m actually a very good actor.” Actor or not, I will make this work.

I take a step forward, two.

Opal is the first to follow, I’m sure Ruby would’ve been the leading wolf if they weren't baby-enough to be nudged back into place.

Then, I sprinted ahead, keeping my footsteps quiet on the concrete ground. I can smell salt in the air.

The accompanying steps of the Gem Wolves erased lingering hesitation. I made sure we turned down a street away from the distraction. As expected, the guards posted at the door had long left to aid their allies, leaving the exit briefly undefended. It was time to strike before replacements arrived.

It began to rain. The heavy presence and scent of salty raindrops burned my nose. The drizzle is cruel against my fluffy ears but now is not the time to settle.

I leapt forward, left foot first. I can see the empty exit ahead, familiar dense foliage from outside the wall.

A sharp whizz whistled under the beginning rain, and my head snapped up from the sound.

The heels of my feet throbbed as I threw myself into the air, right into the Gem Wolves’ formation. For two seconds, I am airborne and soaring, horizontal yet feral as my eyes zoned in on the shadows. The location had been a distant alleyway. Rabbit-sounding heartbeats hammered away, much louder over the rain as my gaze remained locked on them.

Something sharp crashes against my side, the impact pinning me to the floor by impaled ground and cloth. My head spun from the experience, the close call.

A whimper echoed, I witnessed Ruby attempt to break formation with frantic paws, but an elder wolf snatches them back, hurrying along to leave through the unguarded exit. Opal is leading the frazzled wolves, guarding the exit-way with duty.

As for me, there is a faint ring in my ears.

My body remained pinned to the ground. It did not hurt but my blood burned. It does not ache but my mouth ached. None of the Gem Wolves were harmed, but my gums are bleeding from how hard I clenched my fangs. Claws dig into the polished concrete-tile, the scrape swallowed by pattering rain.

“Nines…Do you see that?” Someone whispered, terribly young and ignorant. “What am I looking at?”

“That’s no Dulling,” Sputtered another in a hasty realization. “I knew security was up for a reason, but what is that? Some kind of beast? A monster?”

“But it looks like a Dulling!” A gang of rowdy youngsters then, just my luck.

“Are you kidding me, look at those mint colors! And the short ear tufts…! What kind of Dulling has those–”

I tuned out the unneeded conversation to grip at the arrow with my teeth. I tore it out of the ground. The arrow broke under my strength, freedom arriving with a cost of five seconds and any lingering pride. It was then I noticed my cloak’s hood had completely fallen off, hence the chatter, which had become a lot quieter.

A warning stomp of Opal’s paw is all I hear before my face grew still from a shiny arrow right between my eyes.

“Whatever you are,” Hissed the cocky teenager. From this distance, all I could see was dull blue short hair and duller cobalt eyes tied to an emotionless smile. “You’re disrupting the Prince’s birthday. See ya never, Trespasser.”

Blat.