Idani Halrum

WARNING: This short story is 18.5 THOUSAND words long (roughly 30 pages in a word document.) Do not feel pressured into reading the entire story. This is designed as an example piece on how to write a short story backstory for your Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) Character.

These are the key points used:

• Guide* - This was originally a subcategory of Outlander in the 2014 edition of DnD.

  • *Outlander Origin (2014): I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies.

    • I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and societies. (Flaw)

    • I suffer awful visions of a coming disaster and will do anything to prevent it. (Bond)

    • Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. (Chaotic Ideal)

    • I was, in fact, raised by wolves. (Personality Trait)

• Druid of the Land

• Personality – Disinterested (Neutral)

• Trinket: A necklace with the symbol of her god

• Aasimar – The Child of the God she follows, unwillingly.

• Idani Halrum – Raised by wolves* and starts with a different name.

*I went back into the 2014 for prompts since I was struggling with her start. DnD 2014 has a much better way to create character backstories. Check out my blog on 2014 backstory creation for more information.

Idani Halrum 

Pain electrifies the air. Howls and screams of the mother. She moves forward, trying to hug the she-wolf. The mother is wounded from protecting her young. The two-legged pup snuggles close, pressing down and licking at the wound to staunch the blood.

A warm tongue licked her face as she whimpered, clinging tightly to the fur keeping her warm against the winter’s chill. She rolled over before sighing as her mother licked her face clean. Another terror for her to see in sleep.

“Pup?” her mother asked in a soft whine. The furless pup shook her head against her mother’s side. “Star Hide, what are your dreams, pup?”

The girl leaned back and wrapped thin arms around her mother. “You die, mother! You dying is all I dream.” The wolf’s deep breath lifted her slight form before her brother whimpered at the noise. Star Hide slid down next to him and curled close again, feeling the hunger pangs from the night’s sleep. Her and her fur-coated brother nursed deeply.

“I have long yet before I pass, pup. Fear not,” their mother replied, nosing the pair of them closer as they nursed before laying back to rest. Star Hide curled tightly to her mother’s teet and her brother’s warm fur. She was coming of an age that she was too many winters old for this meal. But in the dark of the night, with her brother wanting it and nothing for her to eat until the morning, it was a good substitute. Star Hide curled closer and held her brother between her and their mother. The alpha didn’t take to them, considering her brother was a runt out of those born in this last season. She was a runt though of different kin.

Star Hide ran on her hind legs, not all four like her fellow pups, and had fur only a top her head instead of coating her to her claws. She was a gift to her mother, so she was told. A gift when her last pup was killed by two-legged monsters. Star Hide had yet to see those monsters. She hoped she never did.

The dream came back more violently than the last. She saw the battle this time and woke, pushing herself from her mother’s still form after trying to save her. Her brother comforted her this time. She ran her long oddly shaped paws through his fur and gripped it for comfort.

“Star Hide!” the alpha barked across the pack’s den. Star Hide flinched and bared her throat as the alpha stopped next to them. “Where is Moon Fur?” Star Hide shook her head.

“I don’t know where mother is. She left before I woke,” Star Hide managed. The alpha growled and stepped closer to her. Star Hide flattened herself at the gesture.

“Take that runt and go find her. If you don’t, do not return.” Star Hide whimpered at the thought before she nodded against the stone.

“Yes, alpha. Brother, come.” Star Hide left on four legs as best as she could with her head down and her brother trotting along beside her.

Her stomach growled angrily at her in her search. After an hour, she found herself carrying her brother in her forelegs since he was too little to run for long. She looked for signs the better part of the early hours and stopped to rest when the sun was high. Star Hide was shivering against the cold, huddled in a stream of sunlight that gave little warmth. Her brother lay curled up at her feet, whimpering about hunger.

“Star Hide!” Star Hide lifted her eyes, widening them to take in as much information as possible. A gray furred male trotted forward towards her. “Littermate, what are you doing out here?” the male asked, brushing his thick fur over her shoulder and sitting to shelter her brother.

“The Alpha sent me to find mother,” Star Hide replied, her teeth clattering together. “I… she left nothing. I…”

“Nuzzle closer, littermate. Let’s warm your hide, then I’ll help you search.”

“What are you doing here, Smoke Tooth?” she asked, burying her face and paws into his chest. Her brother whimpered again, and she sighed against the warm and musky fur.

“I was hunting. I have my own pups in my den now.” Star Hide nodded against Smoke Tooth’s chest. “Come, I’ll carry your brother. My mate can take him until we find Moon Fur.” Star Hide nodded and leaned back, lifting her brother again. He was shivering and whining in a high-pitched panic. “Why did you bring him with you?” Smoke Tooth asked, taking her brother by the scruff and starting off at a trot. Star Hide followed on her hind legs to keep up.

“The Alpha sent us both,” she answered ten steps behind. Smoke Tooth slowed and his ears twitched left before flattening back and flicking forward. His tail rose, and he growled in threat. Star Hide stiffened, sensing another wolf ahead of them.

“Leave now. This is your only warning,” came rumbling out of Smoke Tooth. It was slightly muffled by her brother’s scruff, but the approaching wolf backed down and left. Star Hide blew out a silent breath as the steps padded away. “This way,” he said, tearing his eyes from where the threat had been. He turned and took a slower pace towards a large cave. It was much smaller than her pack’s cave, but still roomy enough for a small group. He trotted in and nosed a white furred she-wolf who was lying with her head towards the cave mouth. She lifted her head, her ears flicking towards Star Hide’s soft footfalls. The she-wolf took the pup from Smoke Tooth and pushed him in to nurse with the other three already eating.

“So this is the two-legged littermate you spoke of,” the she-wolf said, staring with a soft snarl on her muzzle. Star Hide’s brow furrowed. “You’re sure it can be trusted near the pups?”

“Yes, Snow Claw. Mate, she is no more a two-leg in mind than you or I. Just in form.”

“What do you mean?” Star Hide looked towards Smoke Tooth with her question. He brought his eyes from his mate to her and huffed out a breath.

“You know you’re different. You are my age, Star Hide, and still small and furless. You cannot hunt. You cannot care for yourself the same. You cannot believe you are anything less than a two-leg.”

“I am no monster,” Star Hide said in a soft growl.

“Four winters and you are the only one who did not join us in leaving the pack and growing,” Smoke Tooth said in reply. “You are a two-leg pup, littermate. I have seen them and not all are monsters. I do not know why you were left with us, but you are welcome here if you wish.” Snow Claw made a noise that was half growl and half whimper. “She is pack whether she walks on two legs or four, mate. I remember helping her learn to run with us. She is nothing more than a young pup.” Snow Claw loosed her breath in a huff and leaned back down to rest.

“Help me find my mother, littermate,” Star Hide said in a soft growl. Smoke Tooth grinned and came to stand beside her. Her brow furrowed as he leaned against her for a moment.

“You are small enough still I can carry you, littermate. Climb up and hold on.” Star Hide blinked before for rocking forward and pulling herself up onto Smoke Tooth’s back. She leaned forward and gripped around his shoulders to keep from hindering his speed any further.

Smoke Tooth found them small game to eat before continuing their search. It took several more hours before he stopped, sniffing the air. Star Hide lifted her head and did the same. It was hard to smell, but her mother’s scent came to her on the wind along with something oddly familiar. Star Hide started forward and Smoke Tooth caught her forelegs with his teeth.

“It’s a two-leg. Let me go first.” Star Hide stepped back with effort. The scent was like her. It surrounded her dreams of late. Instinct took over, and she ran forward past where Smoke Tooth was creeping. “Stop, Star Hide!” he barked, lunging after her. She found her mother with gashes in her side and throat from oddly clawed two-legged and furless creatures. Two of them lay dead. The third bore no claws but was sitting on his hind legs and pressing a hand to her mother’s worse wounds.

Star Hide cautiously approached the brown furless two-leg as her mother opened her eyes. Pain, sorrow, and a fleeting happiness flickered through her expression as her eyes crossed Star Hide and Smoke Tooth. Star Hide’s littermate paused at the scene before coming closer. The furless two-leg glanced over at Smoke Tooth’s warning growl and smiled.

“This was my fault, pup.” Star Hide stepped back at the wolfen words. Smoke Tooth’s growl faltered, and he sniffed the air between them. “I cannot help her. I do not have the strength. Not after that fight. I will not harm you.” The two-leg’s eyes shifted to Star Hide and its lips curled up at the corners. “Neither of you.”

“Star Hide back away.” Smoke Tooth said in a soft growl. Star Hide’s eyes came back to her mother, and she ran forward, burying her face into her mother’s neck. “Star Hide!” Smoke Tooth snapped before growling and lunging forward. The two-leg stood and took three swift steps back, raising its forepaws before it.

“Star Hide, Védő is his mark. He brought you to me.” Star Hide leaned back at the whined words from her mother. “I was caught. Those two legs were sent to take you and kill the pack.” Her mother panted for a few moments before she continued. “Stay with him. He is safety.”

“No! I’ll stay with Smoke Tooth or the pack. I’m not going with that monster!” Her mother stilled at her words and Star Hide howled in despair. Smoke Tooth looked back before his attention came to the two-leg waiting there.

“Star Hide, we need to leave.”

“No!” Star Hide snapped before laying across her mother and howling again. Smoke Tooth growled as there was a crunch of leaves.

“Back up or I will take your throat, two-leg.” The motion paused and the two-leg inhaled slow and deep.

“Whether you believe it or not, I am a friend.” Star Hide howled a third time in the heavy silence behind her. “Star Hide?”

Smoke Tooth barked and was standing half over her the next breath. “You speak to me, not the pup.” The two-leg huffed a breath before there were more sounds of movement. Star Hide looked through Smoke Tooth’s front legs and found the two-leg had sat again and was waiting.

“Even if she is my pup?” Smoke Tooth’s weight shifted, and Star Hide stared in shock. “I came to see her, her mother and the she-wolf, Moon Fur, that raised her once a season. Her mother passed this season from a sickness that she has been fighting for some time. The she-wolf was raising her at my request since her mother…” the two-leg paused. “I can be considered a mate-thief. Her mother chose me over her mate. He was none too pleased to find her with a child that was not his.”

Two-legs are strange, Star Hide thought. Wolves mated for life. The thought of a mate-thief was confusing. What female would choose a male after choosing her mate?

“May I know your name? Your mark, young protector?” the two-leg asked, watching Smoke Tooth process his explanation.

“I am known as Smoke Tooth. Why would you steal another male’s mate?” The two-leg licked its lips.

“Why would an alpha seek a female he wanted?”

“But she was another’s!” Smoke Tooth barked.

The two-leg nodded. “She did not choose him. She was given to him. Much like when two packs join. Is it always true wants or just necessity?” Smoke Tooth leaned back and nodded. “Smoke Tooth, why do you protect a young two-leg like Star Hide?” Smoke Tooth bristled and growled in warning.

“She is pack and young. It is my duty as alpha to do so.” The two-leg’s head tilted in what looked like curiosity. “Star Hide, we must leave.” Star Hide whimpered but backed up from her mother’s corpse. “Do not follow us or it will be your death.” The two-leg’s lips curled up at the threat and it bowed its head.

Come summer Star Hide had been shunned while her brother thrived with Smoke Tooth and his mate. Star Hide woke before the sun to the memory of her mother’s passing. Her dreams were calm beyond reliving that sorrow. She rose and took a slow breath, peeking out from her meager shelter. The Alpha hadn’t pushed her out completely when he heard of her mother’s fate, but he had done nothing to aid her since then. She ate what little scraps she could find or hunt for herself. If she was caught hunting by the pack, she came home wounded or with an empty belly.

Star Hide sniffed the early summer air and loosed a huff at the potent floral scent. She could sneak out now and hope to catch prey, or she could try to rest longer. Her stomach growled angrily, causing pain to spasm through her core. Hunting it is, she thought, starting off at a low trot. Star Hide paused at the careful footsteps of the hunting pack leaving the den. She tucked behind a tree and waited, holding her breath.

There were comments exchanged between the hunting party, but none paced closer to her. Her hunt took her across pack lines towards Smoke Tooth’s territory. Star Hide paused as she found a small rabbit munching the roots of some budding greens. She launched into motion as the rabbit’s ears pricked. The next thing she understood, she had flattened the rabbit and been flattened by something larger than her. The larger creature dug at her side, trying to get to her struggling prey.

She fought to end the rabbit and keep it as she was forced from her belly to her back by the threat. The rabbit went limp in her forepaws, and she froze as a muzzle wrapped around her throat in warning. Star Hide panted, stuck in submission as something tugged at the carcass in her hands. Her grip tightened at the tug, and she shook, letting go at the teeth pressing deeper into her skin.

“Thank you, mother!” was chorused in small voices. The sound of tearing hide and crunching bones made Star Hide close her eyes and whimper. The muzzle pulled back and Star Hide blinked, staring at Smoke Tooth’s mate, Snow Claw. She leaned down and licked at Star Hide’s side, where her claws had opened wounds.

“You’ll live, two-leg.” Star Hide sat up and watched four pups wrestling over the rabbit. Her stomach growled, drawing another whimper from her lips. Snow Claw glanced down at her, gripping her stomach and shaking against the pain. Snow Claw huffed at the sound before snapping her jaws. The pups backed off the remains, and she gestured Star Hide forward. Star Hide kept her head bowed and ate what she could. She kept her eyes from the pups and backed away a distance once she was done. “You are being starved, aren’t you?” Snow Claw asked. Star Hide nodded, her eyes flicking to the pups. One looked like her brother, but she wasn’t sure. He had grown a lot, if it was.

The young male met her gaze, and his hackles raised in challenge before recognition flickered in the yellow eyes. “Star Hide?” he asked in shock, trotting forward. He sniffed her face, neck, and chest, circling her to continue his investigation. “It is you! Littermates, this is my sister!”

The pups hesitated under Snow Claw’s gaze, but moved forward to scent Star Hide as well. Star Hide kept as still as she could before the pups jumped about and against her in play. Star Hide giggled and winced, biting back just as much before Snow Claw barked to break them apart. Star Hide bowed her head as the pups pulled away.

“That was hardly a meal for you five. Stay close pups and watch and learn,” Snow Claw said. Star Hide glanced up at the statement of ‘five’ and found Snow Claw’s eyes on hers. “Can you keep up?” Star Hide nodded quickly and pulled herself up onto her hind legs. Snow Claw eyed the posture before nodding and scenting the air. The next moment, they were off and running.

Large, oddly shaped but familiar paws grab her and pull her away. They take her far from the forest she knows. They force her into a small, cramped den. One she cannot break free or run from. She is terrified and lashes out at the two-legged monsters that captured her. They hurt her. Burn her. Cut her with strange claws and hide vines.

Star Hide gasped, launching to her back paws and lowering herself to fight an enemy that was not there. It was still dark. The moon had yet to make its mark beyond the far side of the den field. Star Hide blew out her breath and dropped to all fours. There was moisture on her face. It was from her panic. Star Hide wiped it away with a forepaw. It had been six winters since she’d last had a nightmare like that. One so vivid it woke her. The alpha of the pack stood, watching her from his den across the way.

He was younger than her prior one, but no less cruel. The first day after he’d taken the pack, he had fought against her and won. She was then subjected to a challenge of rank to keep her place within the pack. Star Hide had killed one of her littermates’ pups, a healthy and strong five winter male. It had taken her time to recover, but she was allowed to stay. Star Hide brought her eyes to her trembling forepaws. Their claws were cracked and broken. She studied them before looking towards her sleeping space. She had dug at the dirt and stone from the gouges.

Star Hide swallowed and leaned back down, keeping herself focused on the stars overhead. They were few and far between this season. There had been plenty of rain to keep them damp and the skies coated with gray. She relaxed back and thought about Smoke Tooth and Snow Claw. They would be nearing the time when a young male and female would take their pack, too. She lived longer, slower lives than her littermates, it seemed.

I haven’t seen that two-leg or any two-leg since that day. Since I lost my mother. Star Hide brought the scene to mind. She was small and weak against her mother’s body while Smoke Tooth protected her. What was his mark again? she thought, fighting to bring his furless face to mind. Védő. Mother called him Védő.

Star Hide curled onto her side and closed her eyes. She dreamt of the loss of her mother. How powerless she had been back then. The next she woke, the sun was just beginning to lighten the sky. The younger wolves were starting out on their hunt and leading them was the alpha. His eyes met hers as she came to her haunches. Star Hide bowed her head to avoid the challenge. Once the hunters had left, she would head towards Smoke Tooth’s territory to hunt for herself.

Smoke Tooth’s pack had become sizable in the last six winters, as had his territory. She knew her alpha viewed Smoke Tooth as a threat. Some of this pack had left and joined Smoke Tooth when the young alpha had assumed control. Star Hide shifted on her haunches. Her body felt strange to her. Something was different beyond her lack of sleep. Star Hide lifted herself onto two legs and crept out of the den field when the hunting group left.

Her first thought and action was to hunt. She had managed nothing the day before. Bitter berries became her first meal and by the time the sun was high, Star Hide had managed to catch and eat a squirrel and, to her own shock, caught a rabbit. They easily outpaced her, but this one stunned itself, making it easy prey. She carried the rabbit with her to Smoke Tooth’s den. He was watching the woods, and the two seasons’ pups play around the small copse of trees near the den entrance. He nosed the air as she approached on four paws. The pups went to the ground and watched fearfully as she laid the rabbit at Smoke Tooth’s feet. His eyes went from the rabbit to Star Hide, then to the pups.

He huffed at them and cautiously they moved closer. “I did not think you had survived the new alpha, Star Hide,” he said as the pups pulled the rabbit away and began tugging it in play. Star Hide smiled at the motions and sat back on her haunches next to Smoke Tooth.

“He is… it is strained,” Star Hide said, leaning against Smoke Tooth’s shoulder. She closed her eyes, breathing in the musty fur. Smoke Tooth adjusted with her weight but stayed, supporting her.

“You will always be welcome here. You know that,” Smoke Tooth said after the rabbit was torn to pieces. “Those are your brother’s pups,” he added, smiling at the carnage. Star Hide grinned. “He and his mate will be taking the pack from Snow Claw and I by winter.” Star Hide’s grin faded, and she looked up at Smoke Tooth.

“I am glad you saw past him being a runt to give him that position, alpha.” Smoke Tooth looked at her and tilted his head. “Mother would be proud of his growth.”

“Yet, you are not proud of your own,” Smoke Tooth said watching her. Star Hide looked away and curled around herself. Smoke Tooth watched the strange ball she turned into. “You believe yourself too different now,” he noted. Star Hide nodded against her forelegs. “You are a two-leg with a wolf’s nature, littermate.” Her eyes grew wet. “Have you tried seeking out your true kin?”

“No,” Star Hide whimpered. “I… I have been having nightmares of them.” Smoke Tooth watched her another moment before nosing her face. He licked the tears from her skin before nosing her again.

“Speak to me, Star Hide. Tell me of your fear.”

“They hurt me, and I cannot fight back. They put me in a place I cannot leave,” she whimpered. “It goes on for seasons–winters at a time.” Smoke Tooth nodded.

“You won’t come to that here, littermate.” Star Hide loosed a whine and curled tighter to herself. “Pups, come comfort Star Hide.” The next thing she knew, she was being nosed, licked, and nipped by the pups. Smoke Tooth huffed a laugh as they started yipping. Star Hide began smiling while gently fending the pups off.

“Ow!” Star Hide yelped as a pup nipped the soft flesh of her ear. “Easy pups!” she snapped, sitting up and loosing a growl. Three of the four pups cowered. The fourth stood firm between the three cowering and Star Hide. Star Hide huffed out her breath and looked to Smoke Tooth. He tilted his head, waiting. “I… I am not as sturdy as you.” She met the challenge. Star Hide focused and held the snarling stare of the pup. He faltered after a heartbeat and bowed his head. For the first time in her life, she had won a challenge. Smoke Tooth smiled.

“One down, now to watch you grow,” he said. Star Hide snorted and shifted her weight forward onto her haunches before looking towards the sounds of yelps and growls. Smoke Tooth’s head lifted, and his ears flicked forward at the sound.

“Pups, into the den. Hide,” she ordered, straightening to two legs and scanning the woods. “It must be…” Smoke Tooth stood and started through the trees before she could finish her thought. I pray my brother survives the alpha. Star Hide waited until the pups were out of sight before running after Smoke Tooth and the sounds of snarling and howls.

The sight that met her was indeed a battle between the two hunting parties. Smoke Tooth stood as part of the challenge circle as her brother and the alpha squared off. It took a great deal of control to keep herself outside the circle as the alpha lunged. Star Hide took two steps before there was something holding her back by her shoulder. Her brother dodged well enough but was snapped at by another of the alpha’s pack.

“Star Hide, come with me. Leave this life behind and let me show you my world. Your world.” Star Hide blinked at the voice out of memory.

“Védő,” she whispered. Star Hide glanced to her left, where the heat of the two-leg radiated. He stood just within her sight, but far enough back, the pack wouldn’t notice. “No.” Her breath quickened in fear of her dream. “No, that leads to pain.”

“You always have a choice, but why not see your other half?” Védő asked as her brother yelped. Star Hide brought her attention back to the fight. Her breath caught as her brother struggled to get free of the alpha. Védő’s grip tightened as she moved to step forward. She trembled against his paw. “Will you hear the mark your mother gave you?” Her brother staggered the alpha and stood on bloody paws.

“Yield, runt!” the alpha snapped, shaking himself out. Star Hide saw the blood fly from his fur and her nostrils flared.

“Never. Never against a pathetic brute like you!” her brother growled back. He shifted his weight and limped a step as Védő gave a gentle squeeze.

“Step back or they will see us and turn on us,” Védő coaxed. Star Hide reluctantly yielded three steps on silent paws. Védő brought his attention from the fight to her and studied her like Smoke Tooth had done. “You see yourself differently now, but still refuse?”

“I stay with my pack. You are not them.” Védő’s lips curved upwards, and he nodded in what seemed like understanding.

“Then when you no longer can see yourself as one of them, even in short bursts, leave to the northern lake. The neutral watering hole. Do you know it?” Star Hide gave a slow nod. “Tell me that you’re ready. Call to me and I will come and show you what you truly are. Who you truly are… Star Hide.” Another yelp drew her attention from the intensity of the silvery stare, and she exhaled a breath of relief. Her brother had pinned the alpha, and the alpha had submitted. “Your dream will not come to pass if you stay with your brother.” Star Hide looked around and found herself very much alone where she was standing. Her brow furrowed as she studied the woods with all her senses. Védő had simply vanished.

“Star Hide!” She twitched at her name before dropping to her haunches and seeing who had called her. Her brother led Smoke Tooth’s hunting party, and she recognized two of the five wolves as the pups she had learned to hunt with. Her brother was limping, but standing strong as he approached her.

He touched noses before stepping forward to nuzzle her. Star Hide curled around him with a smile and rubbed her face in his bloody fur. He was larger than Smoke Tooth in her forepaws. “Don’t worry me like that,” she whispered into his fur. Star Hide pulled back as she fell to her rear. A she-wolf stepped forward and growled.

“No, mate. She is my sister. Smoke Tooth’s littermate. She is a friend.” Star Hide blinked at her brother’s words before taking in the sleek silver wolf that glared at her. “Star Hide, this is my mate, Moon Stream. Moon, the rest of you, this is Star Hide, my two-leg sister.” Star Hide leaned forward and came to four paws, watching the rest. The two she recognized as Smoke Tooth’s pups came closer and greeted her like old friends.

“We thought we caught your scent. Did you watch Night Paw’s challenge?” asked one of the two she knew. They had been too young for mark names when she had met them the first time. Star Hide lifted her eyes to her brother, who grinned at her.

“Yes. He was as strong as the mountain and as steady as the river,” Star Hide answered.

“Will you come with us?” asked the other she knew.

“I… That… that is up to Smoke Tooth if I am allowed to stay. I daresay that I will not be allowed back, considering Night Paw won against the alpha.”

“That wolf is no alpha,” Smoke Tooth said, moving through the circle of wolves to her left. “Stronger than most, yes. But no alpha.” Star Hide swallowed. “And Star Hide, it is not up to me if you are allowed to stay. It is up to Alpha Night Paw.” Her brother’s eyes lifted to Smoke Tooth before he bowed his head in respect.

“You are always welcome with me, sister,” Night Paw answered, meeting Star Hide’s gaze. She nodded and bowed low in submission. “Never, sister. You stand equal to me and my mate within this pack.” Star Hide lifted her watery eyes and met Night Paw’s hard look. “You never submit to me or any of the pack.” She shifted onto her haunches, and nodded to him as her tears left her eyes. “Let’s go home.”

 Two-legs swarm their den with hard, oddly shaped claws on the ends of sticks and small suns on branches. They are there for her. To save her from the vicious wolves. A small pack of them see her running through the trees and come looking. They hate the wolves. Hate the pack. They fear her world and for her.

Star Hide sat up, breathing hard and curled inwards on herself as pain flared in her middle. This pain was familiar to her after three winters of it happening every full moon and she loosed a soft sob. Star Hide looked around in the predawn light and was thankful that Night Paw’s two youngest pups surrounded her. They were two winters old, and their fur was warm against the summer’s morning chill. The days were growing shorter as autumn grew near. The leaves were turning every shade of color she knew, and Night Paw was nearing the end of his life. Smoke Tooth had passed four winters ago. He had woken her so she could nuzzle into his side for warmth and hadn’t woken when the sun broke. Smoke Tooth’s mate had passed the season prior to him.

Star Hide leaned down and held her whimper at bay as the pain intensified. The darker of the two pups lifted her head, sniffed twice at the air and wrinkled her nose before dropping her head over Star Hide’s shoulder. The pup behind her did the same, but dropped his head along the line of pain and it eased dramatically. She closed her eyes but did her best to stay far from sleep due to her dream. She would have to leave for the lake. There was something wrong with her beyond this moon cycled pain.

“Star Hide?” Star Hide lifted her head and blinked Night Paw into focus. “Are you all right?” He paced closer with his eldest pup and her mate next to him.

“Star Hide,” the pup said in respect. Star Hide gave a pained smile and sat up from between the two helping her.

“Fine. Just pain, alpha.” Night Paw tilted his head in a knowing fashion and Star Hide sighed. “Fear in dreams as well as the moon pain.” He nodded.

“Silver Snow, you and your mate now hold this pack. When Star Hide returns, please welcome her like an old friend,” Night Paw said, bowing his head to his pup before he walked closer and nosed her shoulder. “Walk with me, sister. Like we used to.” Star Hide nodded and bowed her head in respect to Shadow Moon, Silver Snow’s mate, and Silver Snow. Shadow Moon blinked and tilted his head in confusion before returning the motion.

“We will make sure those of the pack know you as friend, Star Hide,” Silver Snow said with a smile. “You are a good friend to me and my mate.” Star Hide returned the smile and stood with a bit of effort. She straightened to her hind legs to rid herself of the pain and walked out of the den behind Night Paw.

They walked around the edges of his territory in silence before he stopped, looking through the tree to the north. Star Hide hesitated, glancing down at Night Paw. Much had changed about her in the last four seasons. Her scent and herself, according to Night Paw, was maturing. He couldn’t explain it beyond that, though. He made mention that he’d seen female two-legs look similar to her at her years, but they were much different. Weaker than she. Star Hide moved to sit back on her haunches and whimpered as the pain struck her again. Night Paw leaned towards her, and she dropped to sit oddly on her hind legs and lean into him.

“Tell me what you saw,” he said softly. She sucked in a shuddering breath before losing her held tears.

“The death of the pack because of me,” she whimpered into his shoulder. Night Paw’s chest inflated between her forelegs, and he huffed a sigh. “I… it’s not the first time I have seen like this.” He watched the woods for a moment, ears flicking back and forth as she lifted her eyes. “I saw mother’s death and horrible things beyond. It is my curse.” Night Paw huffed a laugh.

“Not curse. It is who you are, sister. But I think you no longer see yourself as one of us. Not wholly, at least. Not anymore.” Star Hide’s face twisted, and she pulled away, curling in on herself. Night Paw gave a sad smile. “When?”

“None of the she-wolves have this pain in heat,” she said in a soft voice. “When it started, is when I began to… to distance myself.” Night Paw nodded and nosed her shoulder before licking the tears from her face.

“This isn’t wolf heat. I’ve smelled it on the female two-legs I’ve avoided. It is something they deal with. That’s why I explained what I could when it started,” Night Paw said. “I want you to come with me.” Star Hide looked up with her brow furrowed. “I want to pass by the lake. I would have gone with my mate before she passed but could not. Will you come with me?” Star Hide felt more tears leave her before she nodded and stood on her hind legs.

“Of course, brother.” Night Paw smiled and stood, stretching a moment before looking up at her with a challenging grin. Star Hide sniffed and wiped her face with her paws before returning the grin and darting off.

He outpaced her easily, but was breathing just as hard as she was after the first day of running. It took three to have the lake come into view and by then Star Hide was more than happy to run to the edge and drink from the cool waters against the cold air that sunk into her skin. Both prey and predator were within this space, and many looked at her and bolted as she walked down the hill on two legs instead of four. Star Hide sat by the water, digging her hind paws into the sandy dirt of the shore. Night Paw drank his fill and slumped next to her, leaning his head across her middle as she lay back. His breathing eased to sleep, and the weight of his head eased what little pain was ramping up from the lack of movement.

“Védő,” she whispered. “I am ready to learn.” Star Hide dozed off with her soft words and woke with a start the next morning to find Night Paw had passed overnight. It took her a few moments to get herself under control before she howled in sorrow. The animals surrounding her stared in confusion at her motion before a small hunting pack of wolves came over and joined her.

Their fur was brown and gray instead of the silver and black of those she was used to seeing. The leader among them was cautious but accepting of her. The three of them stayed with her for the morning and brought her something to eat as she wept over Night Paw’s form. Stone Fur was the leader.

“I have seen two legs interact with wolves, but they use strange things to speak to us,” Stone Fur explained. “None have known our tongue naturally as you learned.” He looked to where she had placed Night Paw’s body. It was at the edge of the trees on the hill they came down two nights prior. “Where are you from, two-leg?” he asked, tilting his head with his curiosity.

“Stone Fur, leave the poor pup alone. She is still grieving,” a she-wolf named Sun Tooth said, nudging against the much larger male. He blinked, looking towards the sky for a moment before standing and pacing away. “He means well, but is indifferent to loss,” Sun Tooth explained. Star Hide sniffed and stared across the water. “It is strange for me to meet a two-leg that did not wish me dead at the end of their sticks. Our pack is accustomed to fighting with their hunting parties over kills.” Star Hide leaned her head down on her forelegs as she listened to Sun Tooth speak idly. “Most of our pack sees them a necessary evil. They flush out prey faster than we do and leave some wounded when they cannot see them. It can make hunting easier, but the prey are thinner because of it.”

“Come to think on it, Stone Fur, isn’t there a two-leg that walks this water every few seasons?” Sun Tooth asked, raising her voice so the male could hear her by the water’s edge.

“There is. Smells of the trees and those four-legged beasts the two-leg typically ride. They are much like deer, but larger and hornless,” Stone Fur answered, coming closer again. Star Hide kept her surprise hidden. That was Védő’s scent from her memory. It was much like hers, though she smelled of the wolves and musty fur instead of whatever beasts Stone Fur mentioned. She’d never seen or heard of such a thing. “Prey for us, regardless. They bolt like deer but are stronger when they kick,” he added, sitting back on his haunches. “That male two-leg is a friend to us. He has been since long before my birth and succession of the pack. It is a scent that’s passed down through our kin and recognized as friend.” Star Hide wiped her face on her forelegs and looked up at Stone Fur and Sun Tooth as they smiled at her.

“That’s why you’ve stayed. I smell like him,” she said in a soft voice. Stone Fur nodded as Sun Tooth grinned.

“A young pup from him, yes,” the she-wolf said. “As we said prior, pup, we’ve encountered many two-leg who claim to be a friend to us and others. I’ve even seen several speak to squirrels, of all things. Such an odd thing,” Sun Tooth said with a shake of her fur. She stood and stretched before trotting off to see what their companion was up to as Stone Fur sat down beside Star Hide.

“What do you know of that two-leg?” Star Hide asked, studying Stone Fur as he watched Sun Tooth and their younger female begin play fighting.

“He has always been a friend to us. My pack, at least. He stops other two-legs from harming or hunting us. Many have tried, and all have been killed by him in some fashion. Though I have been stopped by him when two-legs have wandered into our territory. He protects both us and them.” Stone Fur took a slow breath before his nose lifted to scent the air. He stood and twisted, loosing a deep resonating growl that made Star Hide come to her haunches at the ready. A two-leg female came stumbling down the hill. She was older by the lines and creases of her face. She slid the first few feet of the hill before stopping and loosing a noise of pain and fear at the sight of Stone Fur and the other two wolves coming to his sides. Star Hide was likely still visible, but the female’s eyes were on the wolves.

The female spoke in a hushed voice Star Hide didn’t understand, but it sounded as panicked as the rest of her posture. Stone Fur moved forward cautiously and sniffed the air between them, growling as the female held out a hand in feeble defense. She dropped her hand and cowered against the ground instead. Stone Fur took a few more steps, sniffing around the midriff of the female before snorting and tugging at the thing around the female’s forepaws. It looked like some variant of fur for the two-leg and came off easily to the female’s high-pitched noise.

Stone Fur dragged the thing down to Star Hide and tugged it around her middle. The heat was welcome against the cool day, even if it itched against her hide. “She is like you,” he said, nosing at her middle. “The same scent is on her.” Star Hide’s brow furrowed as she curled up tighter under the removable fur. The female sat up enough to figure out what Stone Fur had done before she gaped at Star Hide on her haunches behind the three wolves.

She called out. Speaking in the tongue that made no sense to Star Hide. She gestured towards her chest in quick panicked motions. The female seemed more stressed that Star Hide wasn’t leaving the wolves than at the potential of Sun Tooth and the younger growling at her in warning.

“She, I think, is requesting you to leave with her.”

Star Hide shook her head. “No. Do not make me leave with her. I want to go with you. Or to stay. I need to find that two-leg you spoke of,” Star Hide insisted before shuddering and pulling the itchy fur thing over her shoulder.

“Did you want more of that fur?” Stone Fur asked, watching the motion.

Star Hide looked towards the female on the hill and frowned a moment before nodding. Stone Fur returned the nod and trotted back to the female. The two-leg flattened herself against the dirt as he approached before he started tugging at the fur she wore. It took her a few moments to be out of it all. Star Hide slid it over her limbs awkwardly and shifted on her hind legs within the fur for a moment before tugging the larger pieces off again. It felt strange against her hide and tickled against her paws. She pulled free the smaller pieces of fur and settled them around her forelegs and middle before holding the piece that Stone Fur had given her first around her lower half. Star Hide sat back again and tugged at things until it felt like a part of her. Stone Fur nodded and pulled the large mass of removable fur back to the female. He dropped it on her to her squeak of panic before walking back and positioning himself between Star Hide and the female.

A few minutes went by before the female moved to tug the fur back around herself. She seemed very confused and conflicted about the situation. Star Hide didn’t blame the female for that. To come upon three wolves and someone perceived as your own kin only to be pulled free of the fur coating you, seemed rather strange indeed. The female cautiously sat up and watched the wolves and Star Hide. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak again before she exhaled and crawled down the hill towards them. Star Hide snarled, much like the rest of the wolves surrounding her. The female stopped and looked pained before her tongue slid across her lips. She hesitated before closing her eyes and bringing herself to a position of submission.

Stone Fur snorted. “She must know a speaker to know what to do.” Star Hide brought her attention back to him and he moved forward, nosing the female’s shoulder. She flinched but exhaled, keeping her head down while bringing herself back to four legs.

“I think she wishes to help you, Star Hide,” Sun Tooth said in a cautious huff. Star Hide blinked, the fear of her nightmare coming forward, then she swallowed.

“No. I will not.”

“But this may be the way Védő can help you for now,” Sun Tooth said with a snap of her jaws. “Did you not think of that?”

“If he wishes to help me, he can come find me,” Star Hide snapped, walking away on four legs to sit by the shore. The next thing she heard was a snap of jaws and the female panic before the sounds of her scrambling up the hill.

“We must return to the pack, Star Hide. You are welcome to join us or stay here. Just know most will still see you as a threat,” Stone Fur said after a few moments of huffed arguing between him and Sun Tooth. Star Hide shook her head.

“I will go back to my pack and tell them that Night Paw has passed,” Star Hide said, tearing free of the fur and dropping it next to the water. Stone Fur nodded before trotting away to the east.

“If you ever wished, you will find our pack den a day’s run following the rising sun from here,” Sun Tooth called. “You would be just as welcome there as you would your own.” Star Hide bowed her head in respect before she started running back along the path she and Night Paw had run.

Two days and she came back to the familiar woods and wolves. She dropped to four legs and sought Silver Snow first. The alpha she-wolf was saddened but thankful for the news of her father’s passing. “He always enjoyed the run to the lake, according to mother. I am glad that is where he passed,” Silver Snow said. “As I said before you left, you are always welcome among the pack, Star Hide.” Star Hide had bowed before finding something small to eat and resting among the pups the matron wolf was laying with. She slept through her nightmares and woke to a warning howl. Star Hide came to her hind legs and looked out into the woods to where small suns burned and were coming too close to the den.

“No,” she whispered. Star Hide darted out ahead of the pack’s hunting party and stopped them. “Stay low. I will draw them away.”

“No. We fight them. They are too close to the den, Star Hide.”

“Please, Silver Snow! Let me try,” Star Hide pleaded.

The wolf flanking Silver Snow snapped, “she is only trying to save her kin.”

“No! I am trying to save you,” Star Hide snapped. She realized her mistake when the snap of her bark echoed, and the cracking of a downed branch was closing in from behind her. “Run!” she pleaded, standing on hind legs and facing the four male two-leg. Two held the small suns while carrying some shining, long claw in their other forepaw.

There was stunned conversation between the four males before their eyes went to the wolves flanking her and they lunged. Star Hide threw herself past the claws and small suns to attack the leader. Her weight took them backwards, and she was thankful that he dropped both sun and claw to fend her off. She bit, clawed, and did everything in her power to silence the male, but was pulled free by a second as the other two held the hunting pack at bay with the long claws on sticks. She fought wildly against her captures as images from long avoided dreams crept into her mind. They would keep her in a den made of unbreakable stone and torture her if she couldn’t break free.

A female voice shouted something a distance off as the wolves began to attack the two wielding the long stick claws. The leader she had knocked to the ground clenched his forepaw and hit Star Hide across the jaw with it to stop her fight. Star Hide’s world skipped a few moments before yelps and growls of retreat and regroup came to her from Silver Snow.

Star Hide howled, praying she could be heard. “Run! Run for the lake! Run for safety! Don’t fight! RUN!” The male before her stared in shock at her howls before a familiar female face swam into view. The female from the lake smiled at her with pain and apology in her eyes. She snapped something at the men with stick claws and they grumbled, but backed down as the one holding Star Hide adjusted his grip and dragged her away from the wolves. I avoid one fate only to see the other fulfilled, she thought, trembling in the grip of the male as she was indeed shoved in an open den with unbreakable stone bars.

The two males she had fought lifted it and placed it on something even larger, made of flattened trees, attached to a beast that resembled what Stone Fur had described. The female climbed up next to her and pulled the removable fur from her shoulders, offering it to Star Hide as she paced the containment on four legs for a few moments. The female reached through the bars in offer and the male Star Hide had taken to the ground snapped at her. Star Hide took the opportunity to bite the female’s forepaw. The long claw was slammed against her head in a blinding but blunt pain from the male and her world grew dark.

The pain of loss sets itself deep in the young woman, the young female two-legged she-wolf. She remains apart from her four-legged kin so long they do not recognize her scent. They do not know her beyond the memory of betrayal. She is death. She is hate. She is torment. In her wake, all are killed, and all is destroyed.

Star Hide groaned, rolling out of her dream and against the softness she had come to understand as a pillow on a bed. Her companion, a female two-leg with the mark, Anna Halrum, was still asleep. Star Hide huffed a breath and sat up with effort. The warmth of the bed was something she both loved and hated. She enjoyed no longer being cold, but hated the desire not to move. Star Hide took another moment before lifting herself from the bed and walking to the fire as she now knew the small smoldering sun and added logs to it to bring it back to life. Once the flames crackled high, Star Hide leaned down on the cold stones of the hearth and lay with her front to the fire with her eyes closed.

“Star? Star?!” Anna’s panicked and slurred voice came from the bed after another hour and the rustling of blankets and furs sounded. Anna blew out a breath of relief as Star Hide looked over her shoulder from her spot next to the fire. “You shouldn’t be lying about like that! You aren’t a wolf. I know you still see yourself as one after a year, but you aren’t. You’re human.”

“You took me from my home and shove me in your coverings, force me to learn your tongue and assume that I am going to change from what I’ve known the last seventeen winters. Allow me my comforts,” Star Hide snapped back. Anna sighed and turned pink.

Anna was twenty-seven winters and the pup of what she explained was a lord. It sounded like an alpha to Star Hide, but the male had welcomed the wolf woman into his home without a thought. He had the ‘finest’ instructors and tutors to teach her everything she now knew. Star Hide was told that she was his daughter’s companion and protector now. She had been taught to use a staff and a small, curved claw called a scimitar, but she hated using either. She much preferred the bow. The simple wood and string made the perfect hunting companion for Star Hide.

“When I saw you by the lake after getting separated from my guards, I couldn’t just leave you there. You… You seemed so out of place that I wanted to help. Especially since that big one tried to give you my clothes.”

“Stone Fur. His mark was Stone Fur,” Star Hide answered with a sigh. She sat up and crossed her legs. Anna giggled and threw the blankets off hers, shuffling out of bed. She came to sit in front of Star Hide holding out her hands, palms up. Star Hide blinked at the offer before huffing out a breath and slid her fingers from tip to palm onto Anna’s. Anna smiled, her cheeks turning pink again.

“I’m grateful you are finally comfortable with me to do that.” Star Hide watched her for a moment before nodding. “I should explain why I giggled.” Star Hide nodded a second time with a small smile. “You still use some of the sounds of a wolf when speaking to me. Only me. Never in front of my father or anyone else. I’ve heard you slip with Sir Gredain. I can understand, since he is the closest to us now as a protector.” Star Hide loosed a quiet laugh. Sir Gredain was the male she had attacked first a year ago. “You like him?” Star Hide met Anna’s gaze and tilted her head. “Well, you like me well enough to be comfortable like this.” Anna gestured to Star Hide’s form. “You’ve been the same with him.”

“I do not understand why this matters. Are you not comfortable in your skin?” Anna smiled.

“It’s not proper unless you’ve wed. Though I know several women who have their chosen man and have done so before marriage.” Star Hide blinked and lifted her shoulders in a confused gesture. “Did you not have marriage within your pack?”

“Those who chose or were chosen were known as mates. There was nothing more special than to be with one like that, but I…” Star Hide loosed another breath. “I couldn’t, for obvious reasons. Not that I found a wolf to my liking, either. I outlived too many.” Anna bit her lips together to hide her confusion.

“What is a, um…” she made a strange noise trying to mimic what Star Hide had said earlier. It was Star Hide’s turn to laugh. She lifted a hand and slid a finger into Anna’s mouth, putting pressure on her tongue.

“Pull this back so it touches only the back of your throat and widen your mouth before forcing the breath through,” Star Hide instructed, pulling her finger away. “Mark,” she repeated the wolfish word for Anna to hear. “It is like your name. What you are known as.” Anna took four tries before her sound was correct and Star Hide grinned.

“Mark,” Anna said again, this time smiling herself. “So your name… your… mark is Star Hide?”

“As you would understand, yes,” Star Hide replied. “As yours would be, Anna.” Anna pouted.

“That’s not what I would want.” The two females watched each other before Anna grinned. “Can you teach me how to say your mark in wolf?” Star Hide was saved from answering, as there was a courtesy knock on the door and Sir Gredain strode in, his eyes roving around the room before landing on Anna and Star Hide. He cleared his throat and met Star Hide’s challenging gaze.

“You two should have been dressed an hour ago.” Sir Gredain brought his gaze to Anna and sighed. “None of this is proper, my lady. You need to stop playing with this pet of yours and focus on other things.” Star Hide stiffened at the term but understood the sentiment and growled frustration. She had often reflected on Anna’s carefree nature. Her heart and nature had saved Star Hide from a life in a true cage, but the stone and wood walls of this place were just a prettier version of those iron bars. Star Hide stood and lifted Anna by her hands.

“Star and I will be dressed and down to breakfast soon enough, Sir Gredain,” Anna said from behind Star Hide. It sounded like she was smiling as Sir Gredain’s eyes came back to Star Hide. His eyes didn’t wander like the other males did. He just met her gaze with an even and often tired look. Sir Gredain took a slow breath and nodded to Star Hide before walking out and closing the door with a snap. “I think he likes you back. I’ve never seen him challenge anyone before.” Star Hide loosed a huff of annoyance, turning to aid Anna in getting dressed before doing so herself. “Will you teach me to say your mark? Maybe find one for me?” Anna asked, aiding Star Hide with the lacing of her dress.

“If you insist.” Anna chuckled at her words.

“I want to be able to speak to you without other ears understanding. Or if I am ever in the wilds again, I can understand those wolves that find me.”

“Most won’t speak to a two-leg,” Star Hide answered. Anna tilted her head and Star Hide blinked before clearing her throat. “A human. Most wolves won’t speak to a human or any other like the elves your father speaks with. Anything on two legs a wolf will not speak to.” Anna nodded. “I shall think on a mark for you, Anna. Though I suspect our business, your business, is more important.” Anna gave a pained smile.

“Likely another poor suitor father is trying to set me up with.”

“Aren’t you considered old for childbearing?” Star Hide asked, confused. Anna smiled and nodded.

“Older, yes, but no less fertile, according to the gods.” Anna rolled her eyes. “That’s one reason he is desperate. He does not wish me to rule this house and honestly, I do not wish to rule it either.” Star Hide nodded, only partly understanding. Anna was a free spirit. Chaotic but free, and her father was bound tightly in his self-inflicted cage.

Chaos. Change. It’s all nature. It’s the same as the seasons. This female is very similar, though I am a part of this new change of hers, Star Hide thought. Anna gave her a warm smile and hooked arms at the elbow.

“You look worried, Star.”

“Will you throw me away like you have so many others? If I am a pet to you?” Anna stopped halfway up the hall and stared in shock, anger, and concern.

“You are not my pet. You are more a sister to me. Closer to me than any other I have interacted with. Be it servant, guard, or even my father. I would never throw you away.” Star Hide studied the female’s face. “You–ugh–how do I explain this in a way that will stick with you?” Anna growled at herself. “Pack. We are pack, you and I.”

“Two does not make a pack, Anna,” Star Hide said with a sigh. Anna rolled her eyes.

“Then you, Sir Gredain, and I and anyone else who we deem close enough.” Star Hide nodded with a deep breath. “Now let us go figure out what my father needs.” Anna pulled Star Hide in for a quick embrace before moving them forward.

Star Hide found herself crouching on her haunches outside a closed door while Anna and her father spoke. Sir Gredain came to stand on the other side of the door after a time and she glanced over. The male was in full iron chain as he explained it with his sword at his left hip and a long dagger on his right. When they had first fought each other, he had used the hilt of his sword to calm her down. She had come to understand the weapons he used, though he had chosen only to teach her the smaller blades or blunt weapons. She was sure it was because he didn’t want to arm her with anything too deadly in case he had to face her again.

Sir Gredain cleared his throat. “Could I ask you to walk with me, wolf?” Star Hide blinked before straightening. Sir Gredain came to stand beside her and offered his arm like Anna often took hers. She hesitated a breath before slipping her arm around the metal coating him. He walked her down to the training yard and stopped. “Why do you sit with the lady bare as the day you were born?” Star Hide lifted an eyebrow and huffed. “Is it because you’re that comfortable with her, or is it because you have yet to shake your wolf ways?”

“Does it truly matter to you?” Star Hide asked, her lip twitching at the challenge in his eye. His nostrils flared.

“I would wonder why you haven’t or why you are that comfortable with a woman who wanted to keep you as a pet.”

“Call me that again, and your claws and armor will not save you,” Star Hide snarled.

“Be more than a wolf and I may stop,” he snapped back. Star Hide leaned back and shifted her shoulders to settle herself.

“How would you suggest I do so? I will not stop being comfortable in my own skin. Nor will I stop teaching her how to be. That is not in my nature.”

“No. Very little is in yours beyond the beast you were raised as,” Sir Gredain answered, his voice a low growl like hers. Star Hide’s brow furrowed at the statement. “You wish to stay and the lady wishes it as well. Her father has asked me to see if you are worth keeping. You must prove to me that you can change. That you can be more than a beast.”

“What must I do?” Star Hide asked, feeling the weight of her dream. Was she meant to stay? If she left, would that mark her as a betrayer? If she left, would Anna go after her and destroy anything that got in her way? If she truly felt they were pack, it was likely to be the outcome. Sir Gredain studied her for a moment. She kept still under the observation. It was much like her first alpha’s stare.

“Do you truly wish to stay?” Sir Gredain asked, sounding much more sincere than she was used to from him. Star Hide nodded.

“If I don’t… if I leave, I cannot go back to the pack you took me from. I would need to find a new one or survive on my own. Neither of which I can do well. Not after the winter here.”

“Correct your speech. Years. Not winters,” he countered before asking. “And if I could help you find another?”

Star Hide’s brow furrowed. “Why would you?” Sir Gredain smiled.

“You are not the only one more comfortable in the woods than in a cage, though my clan’s land was taken by the lord when I was but a boy. My leader and his wife taught us youngin’s much of the wooded life. I can track wolves as any other prey. That’s how I found you so easily when Lady Anna mentioned finding you and needing to save you.” Star Hide blew out her breath in a huff before smiling at the offered kinship.

Anna was right. He is part of this new pack. Sir Gredain returned the smile and waited for her to answer. “Anna believes–”

“The lady or Lady Anna.” Star Hide rolled her eyes before nodding.

“Lady Anna believes you and I have feelings for each other and that we three are a pack. That is how close she wishes the three of us to be.” Sir Gredain blinked, and the faintest trace of color entered his pale skin.

“Why would she believe that? Unless you had feelings for me and confessed them.” Star Hide snorted and shook her head.

“I find you a challenge and refuse to bow to it. I think you find me the same.” The male’s lips began to lift before he licked them to pull the expression off his face.

“An accurate assessment.” He lifted his hand to the hilt of his sword and sighed. “Whatever you feel should always be secondary to what the lady wishes of you. As you are hers. Her servant, guard, whatever she chooses. You must start acting the lesser instead of the alpha you crave to be.” Star Hide understood his behavior then. He had been broken to be what he was now.

“I will not yield who I am to anyone within this place,” Star Hide stated. “If that is what you would have me do turn me out or end me.” Sir Gredain smiled at her words before the look became pained.

“Then be better about hiding it,” he said, lifting his eyes to meet hers. “Become better at hiding what you are. Guarding yourself away from them until you are alone. Be what they wish, but on your own, be who you are.” She stared at him a few moments before he sighed and walked towards her, sliding his arm around her waist to walk them across the yard. Star Hide didn’t fight but was stiff at the motion until she was pushed into a well-maintained room filled with different trinkets and things that reminded her much of the woods near her prior home. Sir Gredain closed the door behind her, lighting a lantern that sat next to the door just before he did so. The light shone across skulls of prized kills, symbols made from different woods or stone, and several blood ordained carvings. Star Hide turned to face Sir Gerdain as he exhaled slowly, waiting for her response.

“I thought you broken.”

“To a degree I am. Unless I am in here. This is my space. One you likely won’t gain from being so close to Lady Anna,” Sir Gredain answered. “My father before me refused to break and built this for us unbeknownst to the Lord Halrum. We are followers of Védő, the Protector. Lady Anna’s father and herself are followers of his opposite. Chargarihn. She sews chaos and terror everywhere she chooses.” Star Hide inhaled slow at the information.

“You… you follow Védő?”

“You recognize the name?” Sir Gredain asked, watching her as her face heated. He offered a hand to her, and she hesitated before sliding her fingers into his. He smiled and pulled her further into the room towards a dangling thin rope with an engraved stone. Sir Gredain slid his hand free and lifted the trinket from its perch. He turned and studied her for a breath before sliding the trinket over her head. “It’s his symbol. The Seven Points of the star represent the hells while the tear drop represents the blood he is willing to shed to protect all who need it.” Star Hide swallowed. “How would you know his name, living in the wood as a wolf?”

“I… he… saved me. When I was a pup, a child,” she corrected. Sir Gredain grimaced at her correction. “When I was a child, he saved me from a fate of torture in a cage.”

“That is what he does. That is what I do with Lady Anna.” Star Hide nodded. “To have seen Védő himself is… I wish I would have known you or seen him. It…” Sir Gredain exhaled a shuddering breath. “It’s the dream of a paladin like myself to meet my god. Clerics would be more amenable to it, but I have found that being the protector as I have been, I wish I could have seen him. Spoken with him.” Sir Gredain’s gaze became distant before he closed his eyes and blew out another breath, centering himself. “My apologies, Star,” he said, opening his eyes. “Please keep that. I cannot wear it openly, but I think it suits you, especially with your experience. It was my mother’s. She was the speaker of my clan.”

Star Hide stared at his rambling words. “You do have feelings for me,” she whispered. Gredain met her gaze and chuckled.

“Much like you have for me, Star. You are a challenge. One I will gladly meet head on until one of us yields.” Star Hide swallowed in confusion and discomfort.

“That is the second time you have used my name since we met. I have always been wolf to you.” Sir Gredain smiled again.

“You remember my statement prior? Show them what they wish and be you in private.” Star Hide nodded. “You and they see the gruff warrior, the grizzled bear of a man.” Star Hide nodded a second time. “That is what they wish me to be. That is who I am to them. What you see here is me. The me I am only in here or in private when I can walk the woods on the edges of the castle.” Gredain offered his hand to her again as she reached for the trinket around her neck, touching the stone instead.

There was a soft heat coming from it that she didn’t understand. “Why give this to me before understanding what I knew?”

“Because of what I am. I am a paladin of Védő. I can sense when he has touched someone. When someone is a light in the darkness against those like Chargarhin.” Star Hide took his offer and returned the smile.

“Thank you. Will… will you teach me more of him? When we can.” Gredain grinned and nodded.

“Of course, wolf,” he winked, and she nodded with cheeks heating.

“My mark, name, what they called me was Star Hide.” Gredain tilted his head, looking over her face. “My mother, the she-wolf who raised me, she said I was a gift from Védő. That I was a pup of the sky.”

“Hence why she called you Star Hide. I wonder if you would like a name more like ours. Something you can hide behind.” Star Hide curled her shoulders in before squeezing Gredain’s hand. He pulled her closer and hugged her. “I can give you a name that suits you if you want.”

Star Hide leaned her head against his chest and breathed in his scent a moment before pushing away from the comfort. “What would you call me?”

“Idani.” Star Hide stared at him. Gredain smirked. “There is a story my mother would often tell, of a child from a legend as beautiful as the stars and as fiery as the sun. The child was known as Idani. She challenged all who threatened to destroy her forests and the animals within it. She was often drawn surrounded by wolves. A black furred one and a brown furred one.” Star Hide pulled away completely. “It is your choice.”

“What other stories would your mother tell?” Star Hide looked around and moved to sit on her haunches where she stood. Gredain chuckled and lifted her by the elbows before steering her to the bed.

“I will tell you them with what time we have.”

 A female’s mate is tortured and killed before her eyes. She is held tight by iron bindings and thrashes and screams as the male watches her, unflinching. He made his choice to protect her, not her companion, and he would do it again in a heartbeat. She was his. His chosen. His mate. He never makes a sound as he is whipped and slashed until his heart stops. And even after is staring lifeless in her direction. She is turned loose shortly after, and they hunt her like the wolf she once was.

Idani sat up screaming from her bed next to Anna. Anna jerked and sat up, terrified at the noise before understanding there was no danger. She watched as Idani sobbed, curling in on herself and shaking. “Idani?” Anna coaxed, sliding a hand up her leg. “Idani, what happened?” She shook her head, curling tighter on herself. “Tell me what happened.” It was more order than request. The door opened the next moment and Anna’s husband, via arranged marriage, came in with a sword in hand.

“What happened?!” he demanded. “She woke up everyone within three rooms.” Anna shook her head.

“Darius, all I know is that she screamed, then started crying in fear,” Anna snapped back.

“What would a beastial woman like that be afraid of?” Idani flinched and Anna glanced at her. Anna sighed.

“I don’t know. Certainly nothing mundane, husband. I’m sorry she woke you and others. I will set it right and she will be reprimanded if the cause is needed.” Lord Darius grumbled and adjusted himself in his small clothes before walking out of the room. The male had taken Anna’s name instead of making her take his own. He had become Lord Darius Halrum as Anna’s father passed a year ago in the summer. In two days, Star Hide would be twenty-six years old. “Idani, what frightened you so?” Idani shook her head and got out of bed.

“I’m sorry, Anna, I cannot explain it.”

“Was it a nightmare? This is the first time in the last nine years you’ve woken in this much fright.” Idani clenched her jaw and moved to sit in front of the fire. She adjusted in the gown she was in and sat much like she had when she was first here. Anna loosed a soft noise and got out of bed. “After so long, you wish to be a wolf again?” she asked in a quiet whisper. Idani dropped back to her butt and crossed her ankles, pulling her knees tight to her.

“I have never been anything more than a trained wolf to you, Anna.”

“Wrong!” Anna snapped. “I told you and have proven to you time and again that you are my sister. We are pack.” Idani flinched again and bowed her head. Anna sighed. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to sound that way. Come back to bed. Dawn is far off.” Idani shook her head and stayed curled up. Anna loosed an annoyed sigh this time and moved back to snuggle under the warm covers.

The servants came in several hours later to assist in getting Anna and Idani dressed for the day. Idani refused and stayed curled up by the fire as they puttered around with Anna. “Leave her. She can rest for the day.” Anna had ordered before leaving. As soon as the door closed, Idani stood from her spot and tore the gown from her, curling up by the fire like the wolf she had once been. She tried to sleep but found herself reliving the nightmare twice, screaming each time she saw Gredain’s lifeless face hit the ground.

It had taken her three years to trust him more than as a friend and companion. She had fallen in love and had yielded first in their continued battles. He refused to allow her to submit to him and they had kept it secret to a degree from Anna and the rest. They were mates. Not just lovers, as Anna would phrase. He spoken oaths to her, and she, as was his custom, had done the same before she had shown him how wolves chose and kept. Gredain had taken to it with a grin that matched an alpha choosing his own mate.

Hunger was biting at her stomach for several hours after midday by the time the door to Anna’s chambers opened again. “I don’t know what happened, but she won’t speak to me, Sir Gredain. Maybe you can coax it out of her.” Anna’s voice was quiet but concerned, unlike earlier.

“I will do my best, my lady.” Gredain answered before walking forward on soft but clinking feet. He was in his full plate armor today instead of the mail he usually wore. Idani felt him kneel behind her before the leather of his glove slid up her side. “Idani?” he whispered. Idani’s face contorted at the sound, and she sat up, throwing herself around him to his grunt of surprise. “What happened, mate?” he asked into her shoulder. “What has made you this afraid?”

“I… I saw your death. You defend me instead of Anna and are tortured and killed for it.” She sobbed into his neck. “I don’t know how to stop it! I ca-can’t lose you!” Gredain adjusted his hold on her and exhaled slowly at the soft footsteps that came up behind her.

“So, you two are married,” Anna said. Her voice was just as soft as Gredain’s had been.

“We are lovers, my lady, nothing more.” Idani scrunched her face at how much his words sounded like the truth. He tightened his grip on her and she felt his love through the tips of his fingers digging into her ribs and the pressure of his plated forearms against her back.

“I see. Then Darius will make sure you are assigned to himself or another, so you don’t get distracted,” Anna said before walking away. The door slammed closed and Gredain clenched his jaw. Idani cried that much harder against him for another few minutes. His hand came up to the back of her head.

“I think she meant it as a way to stop your vision, mate,” He said, kissing her head. “She came closer when you sat up.” Gredain sighed. “The separation won’t stop me from saving you, if that’s the case.” Idani pushed back and stared at him. Gredain smiled and wiped her tears away with a leather coated hand. “It won’t matter and if I die protecting the wolf I love, so be it.” Idani slapped at him with her nails, and he jerked before laughing.

“Why? Why will you not send me from you or why will you not avoid me to avoid death?” Idani asked, desperate and angry at the same time.

“Because if it is meant to happen, then it will, no matter the paths we take to avoid it. Beyond that, why wouldn’t I stand in the way of my mate getting hurt? You wish me to let you die? That’s not in my being. Not in my oaths as a paladin, and certainly not in the oaths I took to you as my wife and mate,” Gredain said in a heated whisper. “Star Hide, my love, do you not understand what it means after these years for us to be together?” Idani blinked at her mark from his lips. “Do you not remember how a male and female protect one another from the threats that they face?” Tears flooded her vision again. “We are mates. We chose each other and I will not abandon that in the face of your vision. I will not abandon you, but I will do my best to prevent the outcome while protecting you.”

Idani’s jaw trembled, and she nodded. “Thank you, mate.” Gredain smiled and blinked his own tears away.

“You’re freezing even before the fire. Let’s get you covered since I cannot aid in warming you at the moment.” Idani chuckled and stood with Gredain’s aid. Once she was dressed, he wrapped her in a tight embrace and nuzzled his head into the crook of her shoulder and throat, kissing the spot tenderly. “I would walk through the gods’ hell and back to save you because I chose you and you chose me back,” he whispered. “I made that oath to you six years ago, and I meant it then, as I do now.” Gredain pulled back and kissed her forehead before the tip of her nose, then her lips. “As a man like myself chooses only one woman for his lifetime.”

“As a she-wolf like myself, does the same,” Idani whispered in return. Gredain grinned at her. “I–”

“Don’t speak on it. If it happens again, come to me straight away and I will soothe the fear,” Gredain interrupted. “You have a duty to Lady Anna, as do I. We must go.” Idani nodded with effort and pulled away.

It took two weeks before the nightmares subsided and the first three days, she had failed to stop herself from screaming out in terror and pain. Lord Darius was furious that she couldn’t be controlled. Anna explained it away as fever dreams from some sickness Idani must have had. He cautioned her against sleeping next to Idani and threatened Idani in private that if she kept it up, he would hang her. The threat didn’t scare her. She would make him and his guard regret touching her if it came to that. As Anna had stated, Gredain had been assigned to night watch and not as Anna’s personal guard. Idani had sought him out twice when she’d woken over the last week, unable to shake the fear and pain of his dying face. He held her while she cried and brought her to his room to sleep while he went and watched the wall.

Anna hadn’t taken too kindly to waking alone without a note or information on where Idani had vanished too. Idani stood with her head bowed off to the right of the two thrones for Lord and Lady Halrum as they received those guests from neighboring lands. Today was meant as negotiations and terms of trade, according to Anna. It marked four weeks since Idani’s initial nightmare. She was hopeful the danger was over, but something was off in her, more than her hope. The day dragged on as Idani brought glasses of wine to Anna and Darius, or plates of food. Several times, she caught Gredain’s eye as he scanned the surrounding nobles. He had been pulled from the night watch to guard today both the Lord and Lady Halrum since he was the most experienced out of the soldiers. He looked haggard, but seemed very alert in spite of it. When their eyes would meet, he’d flash her a small reassuring smile.

The mid-morning dwindled to afternoon before giving way to early evening, and the negotiations began. By the evening meal, half of the issues between houses were resolved thanks to Anna’s suggestions alone. Darius seemed relatively useless today, which made Idani smile to herself. She was dismissed to fetch another pitcher of wine and found Gredain with his head bowed outside the door to the feasting hall. His eyes were closed, and he was breathing slow as if he slept where he stood. Idani crept up to him and noted two servants waiting and watching as she approached the male.

“Sir Gredain, how are you to watch the hall when you see only the insides of your eyes?” she asked. Gredain sucked in a deep breath and opened his eyes with a rueful smile.

“I listen, wolf. I thought you would know how to do that yourself,” he answered, blinking hard a few times before leaning back against the wall. “I have not slept in a day, Idani,” he added. “Lord Halrum had me arranging the preparations and guard posts yesterday before setting me to lead the night watch, then pulled me again for today’s affairs.” Gredain swallowed and exhaled, wobbling a moment before straightening with effort. Idani grimaced but nodded before hurrying off to refill the pitcher. When she returned, Gredain was inside the feasting hall with his head held high, watching the table to Darius’s left. Idani refilled goblets before handing off the pitcher to another servant as Anna gestured for her to return to her post on the right.

“Idani, please do me the favor and sit next to me,” Anna said. Idani glanced at Anna, then the occupied chair, before she exhaled and nodded, sitting back like she used to. The position made her muscles ache, but in a good way. Like it was shaking off the dust from them.

“You were right. She does look much like a wolf in a woman’s clothes that way.” The female occupying the chair next to Anna stated. “How odd.” Idani kept her face passive but just barely and looked up at Anna. The smile she received was cruel. “And you said you’ve broken her like a horse? She is more pet now than a handmaid?” Idani clenched her jaw as Anna chuckled and nodded.

“Yes. She has been and even sleeps with me like the dogs do Darius,” Anna replied. Idani resisted the urge to straighten and walk away. Anna had to be acting as she often did with those not a part of the house. “Idani, fetch me a cake from the middle of the table, will you?” Anna said, directing her attention downward. Idani caught her snarl and stood quick enough, Anna’s expression shifted to momentary fear. It was schooled away, and she waved a hand.

“Of course, Anna,” Idani growled, walking away to the indignant sounds of Anna and her companion. Idani dropped the tray of cakes unceremoniously on top of Anna’s plate and Darius stood, backhanding her. Idani stepped back at the impact but made no noise or motion beyond. The sudden silence in the room made her close her eyes.

“How dare you speak and act like this after so many years of kindness my wife has given you, beast.”

“My lord, this is because of Lady Anna’s words and actions towards her companion,” Gredain said in a low voice. “Lady Anna treats Idani with respect. What she is doing now is anything but.”

“How dare you speak back to me!” Darius turned on Gredain, who lifted his chin and kept his face passive.

“I am simply explaining why Idani is acting this way. Nothing more, my lord.” Gredain’s eyes hardened as Darius glared. Darius broke from the challenge and turned his glare on Idani.

“Get that thing out of here,” he ordered. Gredain bowed before taking Idani by the arm and steering her towards the door. “And Gredain.” They stopped halfway through the door. “If I find you treating her with anything short of the punishment she deserves, you will be the one to pay for it.” Gredain took a slow breath before walking them forward.

He brought them to his room and gently pushed her forward before closing the door behind her. Idani stared at the door between them before she bowed her head and curled up in his bed.

Three days later, Anna coaxed Idani’s temper again with her newfound companion. Her hide was still healing from the whipping she’d received after her initial outburst and Gredain was recovering from a black eye and a broken nose. He paid no mind to the pain and made sure she was healed when it was within his power to do so. Idani refused to leave with the women and was bound by the throat on a leash before the end and forced to walk with them through the gardens with Gredain and two others as a guard. Idani slept on the floor of Anna’s room that night, not caring for the clothes or blankets the female offered her.

Anna tried to explain that this was the way she was meant to act around those like the emissaries. That’s what was expected of her now that she was the Lady Halrum. Idani ignored her. She woke the next morning earlier than intended due to the flash of her nightmare again. Idani dressed quickly and sought Gredain. He was sleeping in his room and bandaged around the middle.

“Gredain?” Idani whispered when she realized the bandages were damp. He grunted with his exhale and sat up with a wince. “What happened?” Gredain smiled at her and pulled her down to rest beside him.

“The Lords Halrum, Denart, and Kelmance made me their personal pin cushion last night,” Gredain whispered. “I only just managed bed an hour ago.” Idani curled tighter around him, wishing she knew his healing. His magics were the one thing he’d refused to teach her, stating that it was against his oath to Védő to do so. There was a pounding knock on his door after a few moments and he groaned, growled and stood from bed with effort. Idani kept herself still and flat against his bed as he cracked the door open. “Yes, Telman?”

“Lord and Lady Halrum requested that you find the wolf pet and bind her, set a four-man squad for a guard, and meet them at the gate. They wish to walk through the woods to the lake. The Lady insisted on bringing her companion, Lady Denart, with her to see where she found the wolf pet.” Idani closed her eyes and loosed a silent sob.

Gredain huffed out a breath before instructing Telman on who to wake and bring to the castle gate. That he would have the wolf well in hand by then. Gredain then snapped the door closed and leaned against it. His eyes were on the altar to Védő and he was muttering under his breath. Idani blinked as the red from the bandages seemed to fade and he lifted himself off the door and moved to the altar. He pulled the necklace he’d given her so long ago from it and sighed. Idani had left it with him when Anna’s father had passed. Darius had become enraged at the sight of the symbol.

“Wear this for me today, mate,” Gredain said, coming to sit next to her. Idani shook her head. “I will take care of it. Please trust me.” Idani’s jaw trembled, but she nodded, taking the necklace from him and pulling it over her head. “I will take care of it,” he said again with a small smile. “I promise.” Idani nodded again and curled into his offer of comfort.

Soon after she found herself unbound, save the necklace and walking the party through the woods towards the memory of the lake. Gredain was on horseback flanking Anna and Lady Denart as the other guards kept a patrol on foot surrounding them. Idani knew they were being watched as they crossed through her old pack’s territory. None attacked them, though. Not until they found the lake. There were four different groups of wolves and Idani instantly drew back as a precaution. Gredain was the only one to notice and softly called the two women to stop. Lady Denart glared and opened her mouth before a clear warning howl cut across the space.

Idani brought herself to all fours around her dress with a growl in reply. The lead wolf stopped and tilted its head, sniffing the air between them. The older she-wolf came forward cautiously as Idani hiked her skirts and matched the wolf step for step. “We come for drink and rest.” Idani said before realizing that her tones had changed drastically from the last time she had spoken wolf. Idani bowed her head in submission as proof.

“You are known to us via scent, Star Hide.” Idani’s eyes opened, and she lifted her gaze to meet the she-wolf who spoke. “I am the daughter of Sun Tooth.” Idani nodded before she heard the shock behind her.

“You were speaking truth, Anna. She is nothing more than a beast on two legs.” Lady Denart dismounted following Anna, who was smiling at Idani and her position. Gredain stayed on horseback. His horse was the only one not disturbed by the wolves approaching. Two of the three guards grabbed the free horse’s reins to stop them from bolting.

“Lady Anna, Lady Denart, for your safety, do not approach the wolves,” Gredain cautioned. Idani looked around at him and found his eyes on her with a loving and proud smile on his lips.

“Are they your pack?” the wolf asked, watching Anna and Lady Denart.

“They are not. The male on the beast is my mate, however,” Idani answered. “He would live like us if he had the choice.” The she-wolf growled in warning as the two females approached.

“Stay back for your safety,” Idani commanded. Anna scoffed and kept walking. Idani’s gaze came to Gredain as he drew his sword and scanned the three men between him and her. They were readying to protect the two women. Idani saw what was about to happen. The wolves would attack the threat. The guards would come to the two females’ aid. Idani would choose the to protect the wolves as they were innocent of their actions and Gredain would come to her aid and kill the guards attacking her. “No,” she whispered. “Stop, Anna!” Idani said in desperation. “NO!” Idani threw herself forward before the wolves could move and knocked both women back. The guards stabbed at her with the spears to remove her from the woman and the wolves launched into the fray as Gredain dismounted.

The two women died under the wolves’ teeth and claw as Idani was stabbed and Gredain killed two of the three guards before the third managed a lucky blow. Gredain dropped to his knees and muttered under his breath. His sword glowed with a deep red flame and slashed across the retreating guard’s back. The man died engulfed in fire as Gredain went back to his knees, wheezing. Idani caught him before he collapsed outright.

“Stay here. Stay with them,” Gredain whispered. He touched the necklace around her throat. “Let this be your memory, mate.” The daughter of Sun Tooth dropped onto her side next to Idani and Gredain. He reached out a hand to the deadly wound on the wolf’s side and muttered under his breath. Idani watched the wounds seal themselves as she felt her own do the same. Idani shook her head in panic and he smiled. “At least you watched it differently.” Gredain swallowed before growing still. Idani howled in sorrow as the light left his eyes. The she-wolf stared rather confused at her healed wounds before she joined in Idani’s loss.

The world turns inward as a figure walks forward. The winds whip around the figure, pulling her hair to cover her face. A flash of light blinds her, making her recoil, and the landscape freezes as time stops. Life around her decays rapidly from the light and heat surrounding her. It burns deep within her, scorching the lands around her as her form breaks. Her soul shatters then reforms.

Idani sat up, breathing hard from her dream. It had been almost ten years, ten winters since her last nightmare. This dream was the same as every night for the past two weeks. She walked through an aging world. Both ancient and young and because of her, it would always turn to ash. Idani glanced around. Those two she was guiding were still fast asleep, deeper in the cave she normally occupied. The fire had died down to cinders, and she shifted her shoulders against the cold. It had been difficult leaving the pack a decade ago, but after two seasons, she was tired of fighting for her position. She knew the land. Knew the packs’ territories. It was easy for her to help those in true need to walk this forest for clothes or food stuffs she couldn’t find during the winters.

She couldn’t even remember why she had started to help strangers. It felt right, but was likely due to the shortage of meats between the packs. They were growing and a lone wolf starved first. Idani watched the sleeping forms around the fire another moment before standing and stretching. She needed to scout to make sure the packs weren’t on their boarders readying to take strays. It took her the better part of an hour to scout a clear path and return to the two sleeping in her den. The older of the two was sitting up when she squatted in the entrance watching the surrounding forest. This would be something Gredain would have done. Idani took a slow breath and pushed the feelings of grief aside. Change was nature, and it was nature that forced her hand.

“You sleep like the beasts do.” Idani glanced to her right at the whispered words from the male. “How long have you been here alone?” She ignored the question and went back to her watch. There was the sound of soft movement and an even quieter groan as the older male stood and stretched. He paced closer and knelt next to her in the mouth of the cave. “Long enough not to want to speak to a stranger. I understand,” he said, keeping himself to a whisper. “Thank you for finding us a safe path through these woods.”

“You’re welcome.” The male took in her profile a moment before sucking in a deep breath that turned into a yawn.

“I was often alone in my travels when I was younger than you. I made my home more often than not in places like this.” He gestured to the cave behind them. “I would watch and wait. What you might understand as a hermit.” Idani glanced at him and clenched her jaw.

“You chose to leave that life, considering your companion,” she offered in reply. He chuckled.

“I did. I was found by her mother when she was still a babe. Now that she’s old enough and knows a thing or two, I figured I would bring her to her kin.” He sighed. “That went about as well as me trying to raise her.” Idani glanced back at the young female, still curled up by the embers. The female was no more than fourteen winters old and had horns and a tail, while the male kneeling next to her was as human as she was and graying.

“And where would you think to find her kin?” Idani asked, bringing her attention to the skittering of animals beginning to wake and forage.

“There is a city far to the south that may hold some. At least one to point me a direction to guide her.” The male bowed his head and muttered a soft prayer to the woods and land. “After that, I intend to go back to my home. I doubt it will be empty by the time I return, but I can always hope.” Idani snorted. “What do you find amusing?”

She shook her head and took a deep breath. “You’ll find yourself wishing to fill the void of a lost child. It’s nature.” Idani crept forward, watching a shape coming closer in the woods. The silver fur paused and turned yellow eyes on her. Her hackles rose in a snarl as she took a more threatening stance. The wolf stepped back, looking insulted, before trotting diagonally instead of straight to the cave.

“One would think you were a wolf if they did not see what was making the sounds,” the male said behind her. Idani rolled her eyes and straightened.

“You should wake her. Our time is running short, and the packs will be hunting soon,” Idani said, straightening. The male watched her another moment before standing and returning to his companion. There were soft sounds and words exchanged in a tongue Idani didn’t recognize. She rolled her shoulders back and sighed. I shouldn’t have snapped, Idani thought, listening to the sounds of leather on leather as the pair behind her packed their bags.

“Ready when you are, friend,” the male said after a few moments. Idani nodded and began a quick but careful walk through the trees. She was following the path the scout had taken. It took several hours to make it through without incident. They came close when the girl tripped and fell across a border into a bed of thorny vines. The male made quick work of the vines while Idani positioned herself to challenge a young scout. The wolf backed down at her display and trotted off with a huff and a whimper.

By the time they reached the edge of the forest, the sun was high, and a small hunting pack was on their trail. Idani half dragged the female with her while the male lagged a few steps behind. When they cleared the trees, she threw the female forward and turned, lifting a long dagger and lowering her stance as the male tore past her. Idani threw herself back instead of forward as the woods exploded with vines, trapping the lunging wolves in their grip. She stared half in awe, half horror at the containment. The male came forward and helped her to her feet, though his focus was more on the wolves thrashing in the vines than on her.

Idani stood and stepped back, staring at the wall. “How?” she whispered. The male chuckled.

“I didn’t live alone and do nothing with my days,” he answered. Idani watched as he pulled his eyes from the wolves. “It won’t last long. We need to move.” He tugged her into motion. Idani took three steps and stopped. “You do not wish to leave?” He glanced back at the wolves. Idani shook her head.

“No. I’ll be fine. You go.” The male took a long black feather from his belt and gripped it tightly and the wall of vines shifted forward along with the wolves. Idani held her breath, waiting for one to tear free.

“I feel you would be better off coming with us,” the male said, taking another step back from the wolves. Idani watched the rage in the hunting parties’ eyes as the sounds of more howls came to them. She frowned, but nodded.

Nature forces my hand again, Idani thought, turning from the woods and bolting past the girl to tow her along. “The sooner we are away from the woods, the sooner they will break,” Idani said as the male caught up with them and overtook them by a good clip. The two females blinked and lengthened their stride.

It took them three weeks to make it to the outskirts of the city the male spoke of. Vath Emberoot, Idani reminded herself. He explained more to her of what he knew in the twilight hours while his charge slept. Her name was Afvari. She was a young tiefling, demon child, according to Vath. Though her appearance and species might be a child of demons, the girl was a kindhearted innocent youth. Idani refused to enter the city with the pair come the morning but waited for Vath to return as he swore he would. She didn’t need to wait more than the daylight before he returned without Afvari.

“There was a coven of druids that included several of her kin. They were excited to learn that she had taken to the ways. I grab us some supplies for our return journey,” Vath explained as he squatted like she would by the fire. She stared in confusion at his comfort and slowly lowered herself the same way. “Would you like to learn more of the magics I know?” he asked, while offering her a plate of food. “You seemed intrigued by my skill in healing and containment.” Idani hesitated before taking the plate and eating it slowly.

“Why would you offer to teach me?” Vath chuckled.

“You claimed the nature in me before we left your den, young wolf.” Idani stared at him. “I am not the first druid you’ve helped. Afvari explained animatedly about you and your aid. One of them recognized her description. He was attempting to speak to the wildlife and understood your grumbles as wolf tongue. So are you not a wolf in human skin?”

“You speak too much,” Idani answered, bringing her gaze back to the fire. “I have lived as both wolf and human and much prefer the life I have made for myself after my nightmares have caught up to me time and again.” Vath’s head tilted, and he nodded in what seemed like understanding, but said no more. They journeyed in silence the whole way back to the woods. Idani stopped short of the trees as Vath knelt and closed his eyes, muttering a prayer to the woods and land. How was she to avoid this nightmare? It had haunted her for over a month. Vath remained still behind her.

“May I ask what bothers a wolf’s mind?”

“Everything,” Idani whispered in reply. “You use the land as your magics, don’t you?” Idani turned to look at Vath. His lips were tight with a small smile of amusement.

“Yes, I do. I have learned from many different lands how to use what elements they each provide.” Idani took a slow breath at the statement weighing her paths. Does she trust another human or will it end like it had with Anna? “I can teach you if you wish.”

“Why do you wish to teach me?” Idani asked, her voice stiff.

“An old friend wishes you to learn what you are,” Vath stated, finally opening his eyes and looking at a spot over her shoulder. Idani’s brow furrowed, and she turned to find a familiar and unaged two leg bronze skinned male. She dropped to her knees, clutching at the pendant around her neck.

“Védő. Why now? Why after everything else?! I sought you and you did nothing!” Idani shouted from her knees. She heard Vath’s deep breath, but he stayed still.

“There is only so much you can understand from me, Star Hide.” Idani’s face contorted with rage and she forced herself back to her feet.

“You have no right to call me that!” Védő gave her a patient smile.

“Would you like to know the name your mother gave you then?” he asked. Idani shook her head.

“No, I will keep the one my mate gave me,” she growled. Védő tilted his head in curiosity. “He gave me the name Idani. I am Idani Halrum.” She hated that she had taken Anna’s name for hers, but it was who she had become and would keep the name in respect of what Anna had taught her. Védő smiled again.

“Then you know your name and your mate listened to me when I spoke to him in his dreams.” Idani’s eyes widened in shock, and she went to her knees again. “He could not hear me or see me like you can or like the druid behind you can. But he could hear me through his dreams like his mother could.” Idani’s world collapsed in on her and her chest tightened in panic and sorrow before the feelings of her nightmare caught up to her. “You are the child of the prior Lady Halrum and I, Idani. Whether you wish it or not, you are named and grown and should seize the power that comes with it to protect those around you like you have been.”

Idani screamed in pain as her form broke, and strength that she’d never known flooded her. She felt the wings form from her flesh pulled forward and away from her with the light within her before they darkened and became engulfed in flames as the memory of Gredain’s death came forward. Védő had warned her and made her powerless to watch. This strength had been in her this whole time, and yet he’d kept it from her. Vath moved behind her as she threw herself forward to strike Védő. He smiled and caught the fist she threw before wrapping her in a restraining hug.

“I kept nothing from you. You refused to see it,” he whispered. “Vath will aid you in learning to use it and the magics of the land you have within you from living within these woods so long.” Idani loosed an angry noise before Védő’s tight grip loosened. “I am sorry that I could not show you sooner. Let Vath guide you like Gredain did, but see him as a father and pack.” Idani dropped to her knees with Védő supporting her. He pulled back and kissed her on the top of the head. His heat surrounded her as the power diminished around her and her body became her own again. Védő vanished the next heartbeat and Vath came to kneel next to her.

“I know my years are limited to a dozen left at best. I am old and will leave you but can show you what I know as best and quickly as I can,” Vath stated. “I have little experience with god-children nor do I have anyone I know that could help, but I am willing to help in what way I can.” Idani sobbed and leaned into his offer of comfort. “I will help you, Idani Halrum. I will show you the way of the land, the way I understand it.” Idani nodded into the comfort of his hug.

Her mentor passes peacefully in his sleep after fighting a disease that she cannot cure. As she mourns him, her world vanishes, only to be replaced by something too new. Somewhere she’s never seen or heard of. This place is warped by time and stars. This place is hell. This place is far from all she has ever known and understood.

Idani started awake and furrowed her brow as Vath coughed in his sleep. Her thirty-eighth birthday had passed two weeks ago, and that is when Vath had started with his cough. The old male said he would be fine, that it was nothing to worry her, but she had her doubts. Even before her dream this night. Vath loosed a soft noise of pain before the cough came back even harder. He sat up and covered his mouth as it became bloody. Idani stood as he wheezed and slumped back against his moss bed. He flashed a blood-filled grin at her and loosed a pained chuckle.

“I guess I’m wrong. I’m sorry, Idani.” Idani sat next to him and returned the smile before curling up with him to pull the chill out of his skin. “Thank you for being my companion so long. You were right. I would have missed this company.” Idani smiled.

“Change is nature and life. Much like the seasons, we must change to survive. Thank you for your patience with me and teaching me with what life you had left.” Vath hummed and relaxed back to sleep. Idani sighed and closed her eyes, resigned to whatever her dreams and nature had in store for her.