So, as promised, another chapter of the wolf and the rose for your viewing pleasure.

Let me know what you think.

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            My father stood in the middle of the small council chamber, rereading the missive a third time, the other Councilmen talking together in small groups.  The messenger from the Nine Sons sat on one of the benches against the wall, a pair of guardsman standing at either end of his bench, seeming to alternate between ignoring him completely, and warily watching his every move as the council’s talk waxed and waned.  My mate and I were sitting together on another bench across the small room, almost completely ignored for the moment.  Julianna had never been here before, and I could tell that the enclosed space was making her nervous, her hand clasping mine tightly as we sat, her tail giving little twitches behind her.  The members of the council had been less than pleased to be called to a meeting after the Grand Council had finally reached its wearying end in the heat of the afternoon, and even less pleased when I had explained the reason I had asked them to be here.  Shaking my head, I looked up at the Elder Slayer, who was talking to Danos and Rossen as they sat on their usual chairs, the trio talking so quietly that even I couldn’t hear what they were saying.  I was starting to wonder when they were going to speak to the rest of us, when at last the Elder Slayer nodded, both of the other councilmen sitting back fully in their seats.

            Danos was almost glaring at the place where my father still stood, finally rerolling the scroll back into its tight bundle, and I could not read the look on his face, his expression carefully controlled, despite the small tics that danced here and there across his features.  One moment, he looked as if he might start shouting, and the next, that he would slump into what I might almost call a sulk.  Rossen on the other hand looked nearly jovial, his expression almost careless, like he didn’t care one way or the other how this situation ended.  But at last, the Elder Slayer rose to his feet once more, the room falling silent as he stood.

            “I have thus far heard many arguments about this message and all it might entail.  Some among us want it and its bearer thrown into the nearest fire, trusting in the word of our comrades of the Nightlancers.” He began, and I watched the messenger carefully.  To his credit, despite the stark pronouncement of his certain death, the man did not so much as flinch, merely cocking his head slightly to watch the Elder Slayer as he continued.  “Others would have us trust to this message, and go, especially considering the Nightlancers’ recent behavior, both in the council and without.  But I for one, would hear the opinion of the one that the messenger risked so much to find.”

            Swallowing against my own nervousness, I stood up slowly, my mate giving my hand one last squeeze before letting go.  Trying to keep my wolf spirit from surging to the fore and taking control, I stepped forward, taking a position within the circle of reflected sunlight on the floor.  It didn’t help that we both hated this place, hated how close the air was here, hated how many people were in the room, hated the very fact that we were required to be here at all.  Now that my mate had released my hand, both of mine were flexing of their own accord, the sharp claws on my fingers bared.  Taking a deep, steadying breath, I reached up and smoothed down my hackles, forcing my fingers to relax.  I began to speak, my mind already made up of what we should do.

            “Enoryth Valley is only a few days journey from the southern reach of the Cerolus Mountains.” I began, not surprised to find a faint echo of growl in my words, my wolfish side still wrestling me for control. “It would not be a long detour from the direct path to...”

            “You can’t honestly be considering this lunacy, surely?” Danos interrupted, his tone incredulous.  “Since they splintered from the Nightlancers, the Nine Sons have been renegades.  Do you really think we can trust anything they say?”

            “With respect Elder Slayer,” I continued, addressing myself to the head of the council rather than Danos, because in the mood I was in right now I was struggling with the urge to launch myself right over the table and attack him, an urge that oddly enough came from both the wolf in my heart and my own mind.  “We have only the word of the Nightlancer Lords that the Nine Sons are not to be trusted.  To my knowledge, they have never offered proof of any betrayal.  But, be that as it may, I do not think we can do anything other than go to the Nine Sons.  If for no other reason than to have questions answered.”

            “What questions do you have for them, Hunter?” Councilman Rossen asked, looking interested.

            “For one thing, this message was written three weeks ago, and at the time, the Enoryth valley still had demons within it.” I stated and he nodded for me to go on.  “Normally, that would hardly be cause for us to go; except that the demons vanished everywhere else, all across the world, weeks before that.  So why are they still there, and nowhere else?”  Even Danos looked taken aback at the implications of that detail.  “And more, how did the Nine Sons know that we would be looking for the fountain in the Cerolus Mountains, weeks before even we knew?  If they had said almost anything else, I would be inclined to dismiss this and send their messenger back empty handed.  But the fact that they obviously know about what we are about to do, when only yesterday we decided, would seem to lend some credence to their words.”

            “And the edict against the Nine Sons?” The Elder Slayer inquired, his face inscrutable.

            “To be honest, Elder,” I said, watching the rest of the Council carefully.  “I have not yet met a Nightlancer who has been totally honest with us.  I do not know if it is the way they are trained, or simply the kind of person who joins with them, but I do not fully trust anything they say.  And since they have never seen fit to explain exactly why they named the Nine Sons as enemies of their order, I am not inclined to blindly trust such an edict.”

            “Good points, all.” The Elder Slayer remarked, sitting back, his fingers stroking his chin thoughtfully.  Finally, my father spoke, laying the scroll on the table before the Elder Slayer.

            “Elder,” He began and the old man who headed the council looked at him. “Though it must come with little surprise, I agree with Galen.  We have to know.”

            “And if it is a trap?” Danos asked, laying both of his hands flat on the table before him.  “Consider this, all of you.” Looking around, he met the eyes of everyone, even me, before he continued. “The seers of the priesthood of Auré themselves could not foresee where the Fountain would be found.  These are the favored of Auré, and if they could not see it, then how could anyone see what they could not?  If the knowledge did not, indeed, could not, come from the powers of good, then what if this knowledge comes from the Demons, to tempt us to risk our efforts by walking blindly into the midst of their servants?”

            “With respect, Councilman Danos,” I began, the muscles in my jaw twitching with the effort of preventing them from clenching into a snarl.  “I doubt that that is the case.  If the demons knew where the fountain was, long weeks before we even knew to look for it, then they would have claimed it already, and the world would be plunged into darkness.  The priests still wield their powers, and though I cannot guess what power could see what our own seers cannot, it would be foolish to assume that we know all things in the world.”

            “What do you mean by that?” The councilman with the braided beard asked from where he stood across the room.

            “For as long as our war has been fought, it was assumed that lycans had no magic of their own.” I stated, smiling slightly. “But I know very well that that is not the case.  Assuming that we have seen all forms and sources of power is a dangerous assumption to make, and it could cost us dearly.  However, I do take your point, Councilman Danos.  The entire group need not go.  Nor do I think that it should.  I am willing to go, because I believe it would be worth it, and if needs be, I will go alone, and take on all risk myself.”

            “No Hunter,” Danos said, a dangerous gleam lighting in his eyes, though his face held only a pleasant expression.  “That will not be necessary.  On this journey, we all must fare alike, or else what is the point?  And you do raise a good point about our knowledge of the powers of the world.”  At his words, I caught the barest ghost of a smile on my father’s lips, and it took a lot of self control to keep the smile from breaking out on my lips as well.

            “I believe that decides it then.” The Elder Slayer said, looking towards the messenger. “You have our aid.  Councilman Galnikin, how long will it take before the expedition is ready?”

            “Three days, no more.” My father replied and the Elder Slayer nodded.

            “Very well.” He said, nodding to the messenger.  “You will be given quarters in the Hold until then.  I daresay that after such a long ride, you would appreciate a few days of rest.  You will not be our prisoner while you are here, but with the Nightlancers lurking about, I would not wander far, if I were you.”

            “Of course Elder Slayer,” The messenger said, giving a seated bow.  “And thank you for your hospitality.”  Returning his bow, the Elder Slayer rose from his seat, nodding once to the council.

            “Now, we all have much to do.  Lets get to it.”

***

            I lay my head back down on the soft pillow, letting out a long slow breath, tracing the patterns of the stone ceiling with my eyes.  Of course, something far more worthy of contemplation appeared in my gaze a moment later when my mate settled herself on me, her beautiful face filling the whole of my vision as she came in for a kiss.  Back when she was a human, she could almost use my large, transformed body as a bed, and had numerous times during our journey.  But now a lycan like me, she was larger as well, though more lithe than my own form.  Smiling up at her as she broke the soft kiss, I settled my arms around her, stroking through her soft, warm, white fur with both hands.  Neither of us felt the urge to mate right now, not after the whirlwind of the day we had had, but lying together like this was a satisfying luxury in itself.  Returning the smile, she stroked one hand through my hair idly, a faraway look in her eyes.

            “So, three days.” She said softly, “Three days and then we will be back in the wild where we belong.”

            “I almost wish we could leave tomorrow and meet the rest of those going on this venture on the road.” I commented and she nodded her agreement. “Almost.  There is one more thing I want to do, before we leave.”

            “Oh?  And what is that?” She asked, seeming surprised.

            “Well,” I began, reaching up to take one of her hands in mine. “Since we are here where there is a temple to Auré, I would like to take the opportunity to be married, before we go off on another long journey.”

            “Really?  Got someone in particular in mind for the bride?” She teased, a mischievous grin crossing her muzzle as she continued, her eyes sparkling with mirth.  Giving a snort of amusement at her attitude, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, grinning up at her.  Almost anyone else who had had such a proposal greeted with a joke might have been offended, but then, this was the woman who had set about tickling a werewolf soon after we met.  Laughing, she leaned down and gave me another kiss, nestling her head under my chin and nuzzling in comfortably against me.  “I keep forgetting that we aren’t already married.  Is it strange that it doesn’t even seem important?”

            “No, not strange.” I replied, shivering at the wonderful feeling of closeness this position always gave me.  “Not really.  We are not exactly the most normal couple in the world anyway, are we?  But I guess it is just something I have always wanted.  I had given up hoping that I would ever have the chance before I met you.”

            “Galen,” She said softly, tracing her claws down the length of the inside of my left arm, making me shiver.  “I never dreamed I would actually have a choice in the matter, and now that I have been given one, I know there isn’t one, not really.”

            “I take it that is a yes, then?” I asked teasingly, tracing her spine beneath her fur with my own claws, making her laugh.

            “Of course that is a yes.” She replied, gently swatting my arm and I enfolded her in my arms, holding her close in reply.  After a few moments of silent cuddling, she spoke again.  “You know, I never expected to have a wedding that could be organized in a day.  Royal weddings last for days in Gulnia.”

            “Well, I know how you feel about royal duties.” I replied, feeling the slightest pang of regret despite the fact that she nodded agreement with my unspoken meaning.  Our wedding would be a small affair, as it always was for Slayers, and I knew Julianna would never want some grand ceremony.  But in my heart, I felt that she deserved the celebration that would come with a royal marriage.  “But we will do what we can in the absence of such resources.”

***

            Standing at the west edge of one of the outer cloisters of the temple, I was starting to fidget with nervousness, which was odd, considering how fast things had been laid on.  I wouldn’t have thought I had time for my nerves to be bothered.  The sky above the hold was a rich blue, cloudless as the sun approached its height, and this part of the Slayerhold was quiet, only the soft twittering of song birds in the trees that stood here and there in the open space around us to be heard, rather than the hustle and bustle of the fortress city.  In the center of the cloister, both of my parents stood in the full ceremonial panoply of their high positions, my father shining in white and silver, my mother equally radiant in jade green and gold, side by side with her husband.  My brothers stood around me in the shade of the trees on this side of the cloister, silent, watching for the right moment to begin.

            Aldric carried my sword in his hands, its battered sheath worked with oil and wax until it gleamed, its worn pommel and hand guard polished with the high skill of a smith, reflecting bright whorls of light as it moved.  Soldan had a band of white silk and woven silver before him, held reverently in both hands, and Torian carried a three foot rod of silver and alabaster, richly carved and topped with a delicate sun cross crafted of strands of silver and white, twined and interwoven like a braid.  The rod was an heirloom of our family, a gift given to one of our ancestors in the long tale of years by a master artisan, and cherished since as a symbol of our family as the original coat of arms we had borne before the Slayers existed was abandoned, unneeded by endless generations of demon hunters.

            Within a half hour of telling my brothers of the happy news, they had sent to the temple to prepare, and set about making necessary arrangements of their own.  I had suddenly found myself whisked off to a bath house within the Keep, my runecloth uniform and cloak taken away to be cleaned while I bathed in the magically heated water.  Then, servants bearing the sigil of the Slayer Council had come in, brushing out my fur and hair until it was as sleek as I had ever seen it, something that I found highly embarrassing, but they wouldn’t hear of my objecting.  Finally, dressed in my clean uniform and cloak once more, I had been brought to the temple by my brothers, the other Hunters accompanying us through the town as an honor guard, though they waited outside the walls of the temple.  And now, at last, as the sun came close to its zenith, I took a step into the cloister, waiting while Torian took the lead, the rod carried before him like a standard, Aldric falling in step behind me to the right, Soldan in the same position to my left. 

            My second step after the pause was almost the last one I managed, because of the sight that greeted me across that open, sunlit space.  Coming out of the tree shadows beneath the east side of the clearing was a procession no larger than the one around me.  A priestess of Auré I did not recognize led the procession, a bundle of deep red roses in her hands, the Ovate of Alarand walking as a mirror to Aldric, a cup of jade set with golden filigree in her hands before her.  On the other side was another priestess clad in jade green and gold, so alike to the one that led the way that I knew she must be a sister, carrying a cloth of deep red and royal blue, the colors of the Royal House of Gulnia.  But I only noted those three in passing, every other detail paling in my gaze to the vision in the middle, standing head and shoulders taller than the rest.  Julianna looked...beyond beautiful to my eyes in that shining moment.

            Her long brown hair had been gathered and braided into an elegant cascade down from the crown of her head, woven flowers of red and blue in lieu of the circlet she deserved as royalty, her wolfish ears rising artfully from within.  Every strand of hair shone with the luster of gemstones or polished metal, radiant in the sunlight.  She wore no cloak today, her usual garment replaced by a simple, elegant dress of green that had been woven so that its hue seemed to shift as she moved, first light green as the leaves of the Aspenhald, then as deep as the needles of pinewoods.  The cloth hugged her curves in a way that was alluring, but not seductive, accentuating her fit physique, clearly cut to accommodate her wolfish legs and tail.  But more than anything else, it was the joy in her eyes and reflected in her smile that set my heart fluttering.  I was so entranced by my mate in that moment that I found myself standing two paces away from her, with little memory of the journey to cross the open space.  My brothers stood behind me another two paces away, and the priestesses behind my mate, completing the ancient circle around us.

            “Auré, Lord of Light, God of the Sun, whose power protects and warms the world, bless this place, and these people assembled.” My mother began, raising her arms upward, as if to take the Sun itself in her hands.  At her words, the grass beneath our feet seemed to shine with a faint, golden light, a glad warmth wrapping itself around everyone in the clearing, until the gold on the priests and the silver on the Slayers seemed almost to glimmer like polished mirrors.  Lowering one hand, my mother indicated my mate, speaking once more, her voice gentle but sonorous. “Our world exists, poised between the light of the Sun, and that of the pale Moon.  Julianna, Princess of the Royal House of Gulnia, servant of the Sun, if there is one here whom your heart desires, step forth.” With no hesitation, her beautiful liquid brown eyes locked upon mine, Julianna stepped forward, standing at the center of the circle.  Turning her head slightly, my mother lowered her other hand, indicating me this time.  “Galen, Son of Anton, Hunter of Demons, if your heart desires this woman who stands before you, step forth.”  I was in motion before she even finished the command, stepping forward so Julianna and I were barely a foot apart.

            “Met beneath the shining moonlight, hearts joined in the sun, let those who stand here bear witness to their choice.” My mother continued, and I reached out, offering my hands to my mate.  Julianna laid her palms in mine, gently clasping them as my mother continued the ceremony. “Julianna, speak to your beloved from your heart.”

            “All of my life, I nurtured a simple, secret hope.” My mate began, looking down at her feet, a smile coming to her lips that made my heart ache.  “I hoped that one day, I would find someone who would see me, not as Royalty, not as a conquest or prize, but simply me.  I dreamed that I would love someone who would love me as I was, and for who I was.  I thought it would be some kind Prince I would meet, who would seek me, for me.  I dreamed, and hoped, and long thought in vain.”  My love looked up at me then, and I saw a look on her face that I had never seen before, one almost of wonder and delight.  “Then, one day, I found myself in danger, danger such as I never thought I would see.  I thought that day that I would go to the company of my ancestors with my hope forever unfulfilled.  At the last, when I thought my life at its end, you came into it, and though I could not know it then, my hope, my dream, came with you, where I least expected to find it.  I know now that I have all I had hoped to find, and so much more.  One whose love for me, matches my love for you.  Galen, my heart is yours, and forever shall be.”

            It had never mattered to me, to either of us really, why we loved each other.  It had always been enough simply to love, but to hear her words, laying it all out in a rush made me feel something odd.  I had to fight back the sudden urge to take her in my arms and never let go, to be everything she had ever wanted, to prove my love for her.  And yet, at the same time, I knew somehow that she spoke absolute truth.  I already was what she wanted, and that knowledge only seemed to reinforce the urge.  Oblivious to my feelings, my mother continued the ceremony after a moment of silent pause to allow my mate’s words to sink in.  “Galen, speak to your beloved, from your heart.”

            “When I was young, I too held a hope of love, and life.” I began, meeting my lover’s eyes with all the love and understanding I could muster. “It was a childish hope, to find one who would understand the path I would walk, and who would walk it beside me.  It was a hope I thought had been stolen from me when I became what I am.  For long years, I dwelt without light, without hope, continuing the fight for there was nothing else left for me.  I existed in darkness, turned away from the light I sought to protect.  But even knowing what I was, you drew me out of the dark, showed me the light I had long ago given up.  You gave me your love when I believed I would never know love again.  But, never, not once, did I ever conceive that I would find someone like you.  You are more than I ever imagined, more than I could ever wish.  I will stand by you, and walk our road together, for all the days of my life.  Julianna, my heart is yours, and forever shall be.”

            When I finished my vow, we let go of one another, taking a slow, reluctant step backward, Aldric stepping up beside me, the Ovate beside my mate.  Turning to the side, I reached out and took hold of the hilt my brother offered me, drawing my sword carefully from its sheath.  For the first time, the battered blade did not seem like a weapon of war, the blended jade and silver blazing bright in my hands.  It seemed rather like a shining beacon, a symbol only.  Turning back, I found Julianna holding the jade and gold cup, the golden mead within it a bare half inch from the brim.  Holding it carefully out before her, my mate held it still while I saluted her with the sword, then turned it slowly over in my hand, dipping the shining tip of the blade into the liquid.  The moment the blade touched the surface, the mead seemed to shine out as if the cup held liquid sunlight, not pure mead and I held the sword out to my elder brother, hilt first.

            “As a symbol of your union,” My mother said, a slight smile twitching her lips upward at the implication of her words and our actions, “Drink from the cup of joining.”  Julianna was first, lifting the cup in both hands and tipping a mouthful into her muzzle, before holding out the cup to me.  With infinite care, I cupped her hands in my own and raised the cup to my own lips, drinking slowly.  The fine mead was mildly sweet, rich with the flavors of the summer sun and spring flowers in wild glades but I barely noticed its flavor, my eyes only for the woman who held my eyes as I swallowed.  That part of the ceremony complete, Julianna handed the cup back to the Ovate, Soldan and the other priestess coming up to our sides as Aldric and the Ovate stepped back.  With gentle motions, they made simple loops with the cloths they carried, tying silver and white around my right wrist and red and blue around Julianna’s left.  Then, as we clasped those hands together, my mother placed her hands upon the cloths, her touch so gentle it was barely felt.

            “Let this day stand forever, as the day where your hearts, your families, and your bloodlines were joined.  Auré grant that none shall come between you, forever after.”  At her words, the sun cross she wore around her neck flashed softly with golden light, making us both blink, and when I could see again, I found that the two clothes bound about our wrists had blended together, white, red, silver and blue twining together as if they had been woven that way, a single, continuous tie linking our wrists.  Smiling broadly, I finally followed the urge, taking my wife into my arms, holding her tight while our lips met.  Had I the choice, I would have never let this moment end, never let her go again.  A whisper at my elbow though, reminded me that we couldn’t spend eternity like this.