Winter always brought the memories back of his time in the Old Growth. More so then the hot summer or the painted fall. Even after so many years Nik still thought of those nights when the fey had come to tempt him.

Those were stories he told now. Around the campfires to the young ones. How he’d outsmarted the fey three times. Warnings about going alone one the wood. He never thought anyone believed him, but they always asked for the story, one of the many he told from that time. He kept it clean of course, leaving out the bits where he a Noctus had fallen into passion. That was nearly seven years ago now and if not for the magic he was left with Nik could have passed it all off as a dream.

He’d drifted back into the fold of the tribe. It was slow, but as the years passed he’d softened to it all, he’d found his connection again. People seeking out his stories and knowledge, his company, reminded him of why he’d chose to bare their past sins in the first place. The knowledge still at the forefront of his mind but the weight of it all easing with the passing of time. Choices made while barely a man, rested now on wiser shoulders.

The elders never called on him, but they kept watch of course. Made sure his lips stayed shut, and he towed the line, which he did. In his own way, the wild sage at the edge of the village, where the teenagers went looking for mind altering plants and lovers came and went. But no one ever complained, and Nik was content.

This last cold winter night he’s spent his night with Dominic, a fire Druid who made the perfect sort of bed made for these cold winter nights. This man commanded flame like he commanded the plants and earth. His tent cozy from the warmth of his companion, his flesh hot from the passion they shared.

“Dom,” he rolled on top of his lover and woke him with a kiss one hand finding its way between his legs, the other brushing the red hair from his face. “Get up.”

“Aren’t you willing this morning.” Dom yawned a hand moving onto Niks ass.

“I’m always willing.” Nik deepens his kiss. “Warm me up for the day would you.”

“You’re an animal Nik.” Dom smirked.

“Yes I am.”

Hands caressed and touched as the lay under the furs both hardening at the others embrace. Nik hands massaging their members against each other as Dom firmly played with his ass. Therese were always the best sorts of mornings.

“Nikulas.” His fathers voice broke the mood instantly. Calling from outside his hut. “I need a word.”

“One second!” Nik sighed and rolled off his companion. “Don’t move I’ll be right back.”

“Not good to keep a man waiting Nik.” Dom pleasured himself as Nik scrambled to finds clothes.

“I’ll get rid of him and then you can fuck my brains out?” Nik grabbed his shirt and pants and threw he cloak around him. “Alright?”

“Hurry or I’m finishing without you. Some of us have work to get to.” He smirked.

“Tent warmer is the only job your suited for,” He kisses him deep once more before rushing out the door.

He father stood their waiting arms crossed with his normal stoic look on his face.

“Yes?” Nik emerged his cloak around his concealing the remains of his morning excitement.

“If I had known you were busy.” He father replied. “Your usual flames are out on treks and accounted for I thought you were alone.”

“Dom’s back from the Reaching Woods. Got back last night.” Nik stated.

“Ah, bad time then?”

“You’re here now so out with it Dad.”

“Elders have a job for you.”

“Excuse me?” Nik blinked was he still asleep?

“Night patrol found some one camp led out on the ridge overlooking the village.” He said. “Well hidden, but Yara caught a glimpse of large wings and found a man hold up there watching.”

A man with wings? Noctus? No way Nik thought, the fey would never linger so. Had he come call on him again? Nik shook the thought from his mind. The elders were actually calling him.

“What do the elders want then?” Nik folded his arms.

“They want you to investigate. Due to your talents.” His father said. “Though bathe or make sure you stay down wind. The smell of the fairy grass in strong on you right now.”

“My talents, right.” Nik ran his fingers through his hair.

“Nik take this seriously please. They’re finally asking for you.” His father retorted. “You’ve grown into a future leader prove to them you can do it.”

“Spare me the lecture father. I’ll go, for the village. Not because they asked me to.”

“Stubbornness is not a good quality lad.”

“Stubborn roots crack rock dad.” Nik turned at returned to his lover, if he was actually going to have to do something he was going to enjoy himself first.

*****

It wasn’t Noctus, but at least he was cute, cute enough to hold Nik here in this weather. He watched from a above in his owl skin hiding from the man half sleeping under the tree. He’d been there for about three days now, drifting in and out of slumber, closing his eyes for about five minutes at a time within the span of a hour, watching the camp below the rest of the time. Nikulas, been watching him nearly as long had yet to see him eat a thing.

Stolen story; please report.

So he wanted to discover the secrets of his Circle, did he know of the Queen of Rot and Death or had he found them for other reasons?Thing s Nik cold not tell from here.

He had to be cold Nikulas thought as he shook the snow from his feathers. Thinking how he’d rather be taking a tumble with Dom right now instead of being here. But so his elders bit him, and as much as Nik hated to admit it he was not without concerns about this newcomer.

Niklus flutters closer during one of those five-minute slumbers to get a closer look at the man, settling himself snugly into a near by bush. Though his white attire allowed him the blend in with the snow covered terrain it didn’t seem overly warm to him and he had made no fire. If he stayed out her much longer, he’d probably get frost bite. He was young, his age, he thought, not more than twenty-five. Small body type but strong like a deer, and he was probably pretty good with those two swords clutched tight in his reddened hands. If he attacked Nik would stay well out of range.

As the man’s eyes opened Nikulas saw they were deep purple, sharp and cold as the scanned the area, shaking off the tiredness. Sleeping that way couldn’t be good for such a person. A soft glow seemed to radiate around his head, the sort he suspected you wouldn’t see unless you looked closely.

The man moved his neck and stretched a bit, moving his fingers and checking to see if they still had feeling. Someone needed to tell him gloves were a thing. He was a little dumb, Nik suspected, but none the less cute. Maybe he’d let him warm him up, but some how Nik didn’t think he was the cuddling sort. Yet he couldn’t just let him out here in the cold.

He flew out of the bush and into the snow in front of him, watching as the man moved a sword to strike but lowered it the moment, he saw the owl. He rubbed his eyes and said something under his breath.

You’re tired, aren’t you? Nikulas sent the words into his mind. His target jumped to him feet, swords drawn. Drop the swords or I’ll turn into a bear and neither of us will have a good time.”

Anger flared in those purple eyes as the man lowered his swords. Nik dropped the owl form and shifted back into his human self. This man had about half a foot on him, now that he looked at him from this perspective, skinny yes but stronger than him if it came to actual blows. Nikuls raised his has to show he was unarmed.

“You cold?”

The man nodded.

“Hungry?”

Another nod.

“Want to come down to the village with me and warm up and get some food?”

He shook his head no and raised the swords again.

“I know you’re watching us so why don’t you come down and get a closer look.” Nikulas moved forward, extending his hand. “Nikulas… and you would be?”

“Non expecto caritas,” the man shook his head like he was trying to remember how to talk. “I do not need your charity.”

“You’re tired and it shows,” Nikulas continued. “I think you’d have a hard time hitting me if you tired eh?”

“I think I’d be just fine…” he replied almost a little embarrassed sounding.

“I could summon a breeze right now and it would knock you over,” Nikulas conjured some berries into him hand. “Here at least eat these, they will keep you from dying at least.”

The man sheathed a sword and took a berry, smelled it, and popped it in his mouth. After a moment he stood a little straighter. He looked the druid over and nodded his thanks, before sitting back down in the snow and looking back to the camp. Nikulas sat down beside him, there was a slight acknowledgment of his presence but other than a look of annoyance he didn’t seem to care he was there.

“I could just tell you know? You’re looking for the secret of the Druid’s of the High Forest right? I could bring you some mushrooms. People in cities pay a lot of gold for those.”

“Leave.” He scowled.

“Why you’re just sitting here. Maybe I want to enjoy the view too.”

“You’re talking too much.”

“I think you’re mad I got the better of you.” Nikulas teased.

“I’ll pay for that I’m sure… now leave.”

“Fine have it your way,” Nikulas sighed taking the cloak off his back and threw it over the man’s shoulders. He seemed to recoil at his touch. “Keep it so you don’t freeze.”

********

“He’s come searching for something.” Nik told the elders later that night. “If he knows what beneath I cannot say for certain. Though he is of a singular mind, I fear the elements will take him before he finds what he is looking for.”

“What’s your assessment then?” One of the elders asked. “How are we to proceed?”

“My assessment? I gave my report, since when do you all care what I have to say about anything.”

“The Circle finds you favourable Nikulas. This much is clear,” another spoke “you have dwelled on the secret of the rot for much time now. This man presents us elders with a prefect opportunity to see what you truly do with this knowledge, and what sort of leader you will be.”

“Delightful another test.” Nik scoffed. “You just want me to deal with this for you.”

“How you proceed with this man, will determine your future in this circle. We will not interfere unless the village is threatened. He is your responsibility now Nikuls and we all know how much you love that.”

******

He brought him food later that night, warm stew and fresh bread, treating him like any other animal he came across. Build trust, and go from there.

“I thought I told you to leave.” the man said as soon as Nik came into view, his cloak had been over him until his presence was made known.

“I have food that’s all.” Nik held out his offering. “Thing people do to welcome new comers sign of good faith and hospitality.

“You shall not eat of their food, nor dink of their wine.” He sounded like he was quoting something now.

“I didn’t bring wine, not sense getting you drunk on a first date no fun.”

“I should run you through right now.” He glared at Nik. “I’m already compromised.”

“And yet I’m alive, eat or at least kill me on a full stomach.”

The man took it with that same sort of apprehension he took the berries, but did eventually eat. Even the stubbornest animal eventually gives into their base needs.

“See now was that so hard?” Nikulas grabbed some sticks and started building a fire. “I’ll get you a fire going an thing’s will be a bit more tolerable up here what do you say?”

“I was fine.”

“You’re hearty I’ll give you that much, but nights out here are only going to get colder and as much as I feel you’d make good fertilizer I’m not about to let you freeze.” He snapped his fingers and a fire began to crackle.

“She won’t let me freeze; you waste your magic.”

“I’m not too worried about it.” Nikulas smiled. “Now how about a name? They call me Nikulas.”

“Bezaliel, the Darkstar, Galliadia’s Grace, left hand of the Vengeful One.”

“I think I’m going to call you Baz, that’s less of a mouthful.” Nikulas laughed. “This Galliadia sent you hear to freeze then?”

Baz shrugged and pulled the cloak tighter to him. “I had my orders,”

“She sounds pretty crazy if you ask…”

Baz’s sword was at his throat before Nikulas knew what had happen. He could see the anger in his eyes as the fire danced between them. There was that primal intent to kill, Nik put up his hands, and Baz drew back the sword, scowling.

“Do not take the name of my Goddess in vain.”

“I didn’t know she was a goddess. We don’t really subscribe to the whole vengeance things here.”

“Propitius esto huius stulti et falsum lingua.” Baz closed his eyes and seemed to pray. “Educate yourself then.”

“How about you tell me?”

He listen as Baz spoke of his goddess, a champion of those who had been wronged, who dealt out punishments for the wicked. Nikulas listen as a hint of passion came into the man’s tired voice, he did have a bit of life in him after all.

“And you’re here to see if we need to be punished then?”

“I was told to watch at report back once I am called, her judgment will come after.”

“Well you kinda fucked up the watching part.”

“I let my mind go somewhere else…”

“Then why not get a better look?” Nikulas stood extended a hand, if this didn’t work he’s comeback again tomorrow with a new plan. “Come down with me and have some food and get yourself a warm bed for the night. I wont tell them why you’re really here just a lost traveler I found wandering the woods.”

“You willingly lead a wolf into a heard of sheep?”

“I’ve helped my share of lame wolves; sometimes they are just really hungry sheep.” Nikulas took Baz by the hand. The servant of the gods flinched at the touch. “You’re not used to that are you.”

“You shouldn’t touch me,”

“Why?”

“People aren’t suppose to touch her chosen,”

“Good thing I don’t care.” Nik laughed giving his hand a squeeze more to keep him off balance more than anything else. “We touch and feel things here.”

********

The rest of the tribe kept to themselves after Nik had explained things. The story of a cold, weary traveler was convincing for now, they would question things further he was sure but for now all he was of was laying a good foundation to build from. Prove to the elders he could handle things.

Baz sat hunched over near a fire, a bowl of food sitting untouched beside him, those purple eyes darting about his surroundings, like a caged animal waiting for an attack. In his defence the others were looking at him too, whispers of the stranger danced on the wind. He still had Nik’s cloak draped over him.

“See isn’t this better?” Nik sat down beside him. “Not nearly as cold down here, I even got you set up with a place to stay.”

“Its more than I need,” Baz shrugged.

“Well that’s just sad, are you really content having so little?”

“Its not always like that, when I’m home its different.” Baz continued “There its warm and I’m taken care of.”

“I’m surprised at that actually. But I suppose I’d want someplace nice to go back to if I was enduring what you have been.”

“It’s her design, we do our mission and then come home and restore ourselves.”

“Who’s we?”

“Her other chosen and myself… we usually do these things together.”

“Oh so this is your first time alone?”

“I’m never alone… she is with me even now…”

“So that’s a yes then.” Nik laughed, “Its fine you don’t have to tell me but no wonder I snuck up on you. Feet on the ground head in the clouds.”

“You talk a lot,”

“I do, and it seems like you want to say more than you think your allowed to.”

“When I talk too much, I tend to get in trouble.”

“Then I’ll keep talking then. Tomorrow I’ll show you around our domain. You came at a bad time of the year, but it will still show you how things are that way you’ll have plenty to tell your goddess when you return to her.”

“People usually don’t share so freely. You are all fools. Letting me be here.”

“You’ll understand in time.”