Dog grunted as he set Dung against the hearth, his stomach bleeding in full with the pace towards Cliste’s safe house.

“Ruby.” He grunted, laying back against the wall, his feet over the floorboards, “Go get Harlow. We’ll deal with Une later.”

“Another companion?” Cici asked.

“Yes.” He nodded, poking at his open wound, “This will not take long to heal.”

“I will return soon.” Ruby said, fading out the door, and vanishing into the forests.

“You’ll be safe here. This is my temporary domain. Nobody gets in or out without my permission. It would take an exceptionally powerful mage to force it apart.” Cici beckoned for him, “Come. No brother of mine is sleeping on the floor. Let’s get that wrapped and get you comfortable, my sofa is also a bed.”

“I’ve never seen such a thing.” Dog said, “This is a bit lowly for you, isn’t it? No sloping towers, no tea rooms. Just books, and furniture I’ve never seen. Why so quaint?”

“Sometimes it’s nice to relax, silly boy. Enjoy more simple pleasures. You really must learn to widen your scope of appreciation.” She pulled him down, setting him on her kitchen table, “That does look nasty. It didn’t pierce like a sword, they penetrated differently. I’ll try to stitch the holes shut. Nasty work. Lay back.”

He obeyed, as she dug through his pack.

“Really, you would think you’d have a less rugged bag than this. I suppose it’s in good shape all things considered.”

“Safer. Nobody wants to rob a traveler with nothing.” He explained.

“Clever, Light.” She said.

“Dog is fine.”

“You are not a dog, you are a light. Beautiful, kind, and pure. Not some mangy animal. I don’t care what he says, that’s not your name.”

“I am both.” Dog shrugged, “Dog is easier to say.”

“I am fluent in mothers tongue, Light. I am not your uncultured companion’s. Do not presume to give me orders.”

“It’s more of a request.“

“I do not care.”

He sighed.

“What bothers you?”

“Would you care if I said?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” She scolded, “Of course I’d care. You’re my brother.”

“You didn’t care when I asked you to do something.”

“That’s very different.” She replied, “He named you Dog, mother named you Light. I despise him and what he did to you. Why would you allow yourself to be called that? It’s derogatory and insulting. Do you not remember our home? The days we spent together? What you truly are? That you are a legacy? A part of her as surely as I am?”

“I have begun to make his brand a symbol of myself.” Dog replied, “I don’t know if I really get it. But if I take it, and turn it into something people respect, then he can’t use it against me anymore. I think.”

She blinked, “That is… Very emotionally thoughtful, Light. I… I will admit I did not consider you willing or able to take such a route. What have you done with my difficult little brother? I’m proud of you.”

She worked at stitching his wounds, content to be able to touch him again, her hands lingering, pausing over each and every scar, a quiet rage mounting inside her chest.

“Can I tell you something, Cici?” He said nothing for a moment, “I can’t remember home.”

She froze, “Oh.”

“It has been a long time. I remember warmth, and fields.” He said, shifting as he felt tears on his bare stomach, “Why do you cry?”

“You’ve been all alone for so long. You haven’t even been home?”

“I don’t know the way. I can’t remember.”

“Oh gods.” She sobbed, “I’ve failed you. I’m so sorry, Éadrom. I thought you had perished. You’ve been fighting for so long alone. How could we leave you to suffer like this?”

“It was my choice, sister.”

“It should not have been one you needed to make! You are my little brother! We are supposed to take care of you.”

“I’m grown now, and I’m not too far gone. Don’t carry this burden.”

“How could you not hate me? None of us stopped him. Look at what’s happened to you. You lost your eye, Éadrom.”

“It’ll grow back.”

“How are you not taking this more seriously?”

He rubbed his eyepatch, “Mother is granting me eyesight here till it heals. Do you see her symbol?”

Cici sighed, wiping at her tears, laughing softly “So spoiled.”

“I am. It was my fault I lost it.”

“How was it your fault?”

“I let my guard down. I failed her. I was too childish to understand how to express how I felt. All I’m good for is fighting, and I’m not even the best at that.”

“Light, you can’t-“

“I think I want to keep learning how to express myself. If I had been better at expressing myself, I might not have lost it. If I had learned instead of trying to shut out the world, trying to forget about all of you, I might have not been so weak. I will carry on. Mother entrusted this to me, so I will do it even if it costs me my life. That is all I can give.”

“You’re as foolish as the day I lost you.” She sighed, “Maybe you haven’t grown as much as I thought.”

“I don’t think so. But I’m trying.”

“You always try. I have watched you give everything your all since we were children, Éadrom. You still don’t recognize yourself the way the world does.”

“I know. But it doesn’t matter. As long as my… Friends,” He strained, “Are alive, and happy, then it is okay. I can keep going, because mother asked me to. I can’t fail her again.”

“You were nine summers, what could you have done?”

He paused, “How old am I?”

She swallowed down the tears in her throat, “Today is your birthday, Éadrom. You are nineteen summers.”

“Oh. I’ve been tracking time wrong.” He flushed quietly, “I was really tracking time wrong.

“We have all failed you.”

“I failed myself. You all grew strong, I didn’t. Mother had to save me.”

“We grew strong to fight for what she held dear. That includes you.”

“If it’s not you, or Kon, the others might try to kill me. Will you help me? I’m not strong enough.”

She took his face in her hands, “I love you, Éadrom. All you must do is ask. They do not hate you.”

“They all resent me for what happened.”

“They do not. They were young, they did not understand.”

“I still need to atone.”

“You will not, and you do not.” She said, kissing the bandages on his stomach, “Their ire will have faded. Besides, the twins like you. Our beloved elder sister, wherever she is, also likes you.”

“I noticed you didn’t mention Prionsa. Or our dear lecherous brother.” He snorted, “You have not seen her?”

“No one has. We’d fear the worst, but she is strong. Maybe as strong as him now. It would take a kingdom to stop her, and that’s only stopping her. I can’t imagine how they’d kill her once she transforms.”

“Who have you seen?”

“This year?” Dog nodded, “Well, the twins and Kon, they travel together. I have heard word of Bród, he’s still leading his band down south. Uasal is up questing in the Mercenary Kingdoms, saving peasants, the usual. Prionsa is far to the north, he’s taken a lair.”

“That’s everyone but Foirfe.”

“Nobody’s seen her. Not even Prionsa. You know how those two are.”

“Rebellious and motherly?”

“Precisely. He said she hadn’t seen him in a year. She looked hearty and healthy last we met for dinner, but she vanished. I’m sure she’ll turn up, knowing her.”

“Mother said there were still nine of us. So she can’t have fallen.”

“When?”

“When I summoned her in Korone.”

Cliste slammed her hand into the table, “She was here? On this plane? Was she okay?”

“She wiped out most of the invading army, so I think so. She seemed fine. Then she gave me the quest, so I set out that week.”

“How long was it to get here?”

“Two weeks, roughly. Nearly a third.”

“She was here within the month? I can’t believe I missed her,”

“She’ll be back. She said so.”

“It’s so soon. How could she reform already? It usually takes a century for one of her strength to return to this plane. Most of the Gods haven’t been seen in over a thousand years.”

“I forgot to ask.” He admitted sheepishly, “Sorry.”

“It’s alright, sweetheart. You need not worry. If she said so, she would. So who’s next? Do you know who’s closest?”

“Kon,” He nodded, “I can feel a tug towards her. She is further north, in the Dark Elf conclaves. Likely because of the twins.”

“How do you know it’s her?”

“I feel several tugs. I was wondering why, it makes sense now.”

“I’m surprised. Mother?”

“Yes. I also heard on the road that a giant was dealing with a band of rogue goblins. Can’t imagine another one that wears armor.”

“True. Very well, after this we’ll journey forth.”

“We need to stop in Korone.”

“Why?”

“It’s where the Highgarden company is. I need to escort Harlow, then we’ll continue.”

“Why?”

“She’s only human. A swordswoman of great skill. It would be a shame if she died out there beyond the human kingdoms.”

“Are you fond of her?”

“She’s my friend.”

“That’s an excellent dodge.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about anyone right now.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“There’s more?” She laughed.

“Too many.” He pulled at his cowl, “It's too complicated.”

“You’re not marrying anyone unless I approve.”

“You can stop at not marrying anyone.”

“So tell me of the girls who are trying to steal my precious baby brother?” She asked.

They sat up, taking a pair of stools, “Victoria. But you don’t like her, and it’s complicated.”

“How do you know I don’t like her?” He pointed towards his eyepatch, “I’ll gut her.”

“The elves, Maestra and Ariel.”

“Elves? Plural?”

“They soulbonded to me during the last campaign. That’s been a headache.”

“Typical.”

“Harlow, I guess? She’s complicated. Louen is too, she’s younger than me. It’s messy.”

“Sounds like it. Who is Une?”

“My former partner. Turns out she’s one of the wolves. So I’m not sure what we’ll do about that. Ruby said it didn’t look like it was by choice.”

“Complicated it is, little brother. Women are complicated.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“What shall we do with our little captive?” Cici asked.

“Up to you. I’m going to sleep.” He set himself on the nearby bed, eyes shutting quickly as sleep took him.

----------------------------------------

“Light, beloved.”

Dog sat up, the sky above him clear, and warm. He shifted, a heat flush against his back. Turning his gaze up, he stared into his mothers face.

“Hello, Éadrom.” She smiled.

“Mother.”

She pouted, “My boy isn’t as excited to see me. Whatever will I do?”

“I am.” He said.

“So stony.” She pinched his cheek, “What ails you?”

“I fear I may not be enough for this quest.” He admitted, “I am not sure how to deal with my companions' emotions.”

“Which of the three confuse you, my son?”

“I’m not certain I’m equipped properly to understand anyone, mother.” He admitted, “I am only good at one thing.”

“Have you ever tried to be good at anything else, beloved?”

Dog blinked.

“Curious.” She laughed, pressing her finger to his nose, “Silly boy. I did not give you this quest just to reunite our wandering and lost family. I gave you this quest so you could search for yourself.”

“How do I know that I’ve found who I am?”

“Unfortunately, little light, there is never any certainty in it until you are certain. There will come a day when you know, but I cannot say when. That is up to you.”

“Even the gods cannot predict fate?”

“Well, I could.” She admitted, “But that isn’t what a mother should do. I may not be perfect, in fact I’m far from it. But I can let you do this, let you live and discover who you truly are as your siblings did before you.”

“It's hard.”

“Nothing worth doing is ever easy, Éadrom.”

“Everything I do is hard. Nothing is ever easy.”

She pulled him close to her chest, “I know, my dear. But it will happen. You are destined to be great. Destined to achieve anything you set your mind to. I will always be here. Understand?”

“I miss you. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” She scoffed, “Your brother killed me. What would you apologize for?”

“If it was one of the others, you could have beaten him.”

“My boy, I could have beaten him either way. I just could not bring myself to strike down my child.”

“One of the others could have done it for you. Before he got too strong.”

“Maybe. But they weren’t there. You were, and you did all you could.”

“I still miss you.”

“I will come home soon. I swear it.”

“I know. I just don’t know if I can do this.”

“You don’t have to, Éadrom.” She laughed, “This is only one path, one doorway. You can go and do as you wish, I will find them when I return if you feel this is not something you wish to do.”

“I don’t want to let you down anymore.”

“You have never disappointed me. None of you have.”

“Are you okay?”

She smiled, “I am when you’re here.”

“Do you get lonely?”

“No. I have all of you to look after, even if I cannot touch you as I am now.”

“Have you spoken to the others?”

“Your eldest sister.”

“Where is she?’

“She is suffering.”

“Where?”

“I cannot say. It is a journey she must undertake on her own. You will find her, when the time comes.”

“I understand.” He nodded.

“Ever the well behaved child.”

“I’m learning to be.”

“Liar. You’ve always been good at heart, Éadrom. You’ve just been through a lot. I wish I could have been there for you.”

“I will bring you home if I must.”

“I know, my child.”

“What do you wish for me, mother? I am lost. I… I don’t know if I should continue. I don’t know.”

She pressed her forehead to his own, “I wish for nothing of you, my son. Only that you are happy, hearty, and content with all that you do in this life, and the next. I wish for you to do what you’re best at. I wish for you to thrive.”

“What am I best at? What do you wish for?’

“Your friends need you. Go.”

He stood, her face fading into dust before his eyes, “What do you wish of me, mother? I don’t understand. What am I really best at?’

“You know already, silly boy.” She kissed his hand, her light flickering, “You are a fighter. Fight, Éadrom. My wish is that you fight!”

----------------------------------------

Dog sat up, his forehead wet as Cici called for him, “Light! Your friends need aid! I am not yet able to join you in battle.”

He pulled on his tunic, and dragged his axe from the floor beneath his feet, “What calls?”

She guided him to the window, and his blood burned. Ruby sat on her knees, a wolf’s claws around her head. Harlow glared up at her captive through bloodied eyes, her hair stained crimson.

“How’d they get through the barrier?” Dog asked.

“They forced their way through with your allies. I’ve been trying to wake you up for a while. They want me for them. Are you okay? I couldn’t access your mind.”

“I was speaking to our mother.”

“Is she well?” Cici looked ecstatic, “I didn’t realize you had that kind of magical potential!”

“It's mother.” He replied, “I’m going out.”

“To fight?” She smiled.

“To fight.” He nodded.

He strode through the entryway to the cabin, axe in hand. He eyed the largest of the beasts, its mangy fur dark against the pale light of the sun. It smiled lazily at him, its tail wagging with an uncaring aura as it dragged a tawny wolf forward, pressing its clawed toes into the back of its head. It mewled pitifully, unwilling and unable to resist.

“You come with my friends beneath your boots.” Dog called, “I would not call you wise, stranger. What do you want with us?’

The wolf howled with laughter, “No, slaughterer, I can’t say this choice was wise, lookin’ at you now. But boy, they make a mighty convenient shield!” He gripped the tawny wolf’s neck, “This look familiar to you at all?”

Dog shifted, “Smells familiar enough. Are you in there, Une?”

The tawny wolf cast its gaze aside.

“That’s good.” The pack leader smiled, “Real good. See, you took something I want from the bloodsuckers. A woman, slimmer, a bit taller than most, and an incredible mage.”

Dog shook his head, “You’re misunderstanding something.”

“Just what am I misunderstanding?” The black wolf asked.

“This is not a negotiation. It is an ultimatum. You will release my companions, or I will kill all of you and tear your body into pieces to feed the fish with.” Dog shrugged, “I apologize, I am not smart enough to negotiate.”

“An interesting fellow.” The dog narrowed his eyes.

“I’m not that interesting.” Dog disagreed, “Surrender my companions, this is your last warning.”

“An arrogant little bastard, aren’t you?” He called.

Dog shook his head. He launched forward, his axe whistling in the air as he brought it down in a wide arc. The wolf yelped, leaping back in time to avoid a deeper cut, managing to escape with a scratch. Dog spun, his axe held out at his side like a scythe as he cleaved the dogmen apart, splitting legs and arms apart at the torso in a whirlwind of blood and fur.

“Ruby! Get them to the house!” He roared, leaping on a nearby wolf and slamming his head into it's own, splitting it apart in a shower of bone and brains, “I warned you! I tried!” Dog called, his slaughter unceasing.

“Une! Deal with him you worthless whore!” The black wolf charged, claws meeting metal as he attempted to stall Dog’s relentless attacks.

Dog turned, smashing his fist into the back of Une’s head and knocking her out cold before she could escape from Ruby.

“You’re being awfully violent with our mate there, mutt!” Their leader grunted, cursing as Dog twirled, his axe singing.

Dog said nothing, his fury palpable in the air as his body began to burn.

“Unusual. Very well, retreat!” The wolf called, “He’s a mage himself! Let’s regroup and rethink our strategy!”

Dog retreated, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he eyed the retreating beasts. They took to the trees, vanishing with an uneasy speed into the forests beyond, their movements silent in moments.

Dog turned at last, shoving into the cabin and pulling Ruby into his arms, “I’m sorry.”

“Why-what?” Ruby yelped, cheeks tinting beneath her fur.

“I should’ve gone with.”

“Harlow-thing fault! She is weak and slow!”

“Hey! I nearly lost an eye, you rat!” Harlow protested.

“You are welcome-thankful! Ruby saves-defenses eye!”

“Argh!”

Cici laughed, “And this wolf? Is this your lover?”

Dog glared, “No.”

“Ah-I see.” Cici recovered, “Well, excellent work. A blunt and simple resolution.”

“Thanks.” He nodded, “Do you have enough rooms?”

“I should. But you may need to share between two of you.”

“That’s fine. Ruby, come.”

----------------------------------------

Dog awoke to a pressure in his chest. He shifted, smiling to himself as Ruby draped herself over him, her body hot against his own, her tail wrapped around the pair of them as she slept. He rose, untangling himself with the skill he’d garnered from weeks of travel, and headed for the door. He exited the cabin quietly, putting his back to the great oak along the cobbled path, eyes on the forest as he began to sharpen his heirloom.

He took his time, ensuring it was clean, and well kept, its luster gradually nearing a level he deemed acceptable, when his ears twitched, his nose detecting a familiar scent.

“Une.” He greeted quietly, an ugly sensation rearing its head in his chest.

“Dog.” She greeted, and he noted that she lacked the fur, and bulk she once had, her form human again.

“What can I do for you?”

“Are you… Angry?” She asked, “I’ve never seen you look like this.”

“Like what?” He turned to her, surprised to see her flinch.

“Like… That.”

“I’m not quite sure what it is that I am feeling.” He replied, “You’re human looking again.”

“Yeah…”

“What do you need?” He repeated.

“Can we talk?”

“We are.”

“Right.” She conceded, “I wanted to talk about Gentry.”

“The large wolf?”

“Yes…”

“By all means.”

“He and I are… Complicated.”

Dog’s whetstone stilled,

“We have been… Close. It’s not something I really expected to see. That form is very complex. He is my alpha. My leader. My-“

“Mate.” Dog finished.

“It’s not the same as us. It isn’t how we are at all. I don’t care for him the way I care for you.”

“I left you.” He replied, “I made my choice. I cannot hold any anger over this.”

“We don’t need to be like this.”

“You have chosen your partner.” He stood, “I will naturally accept this. I have no say in such things. I will honor you, and our past friendships.”

“Dog I don’t want to just be friends or comrades. I was looking for you, I promise. I just… I got stuck with someone else. The wolf doesn’t care what we think or feel, it just does as it wishes. I want to go with you. I love you… I just also can’t help but love him.”

“I told you before.” He said, heading for the cabin, “I can’t love you. I can’t be with you.” He raised his axe, “Go to him, and don’t ever come find me again. Tell him we’re leaving at dawn tomorrow, and if he tries to stop us I'll kill him.”

“You can’t! We need her! You don’t-“ Une stilled as Dog raised his axe, the blade pointed towards her.

“I will do as my mother wishes. Do not presume that we are still comrades because I am giving you this opportunity to part on good terms.” She found herself unable to comprehend the look in his eye, “I will kill you, Une. My family comes above all. Ruby, Cici, even Harlow. They’re my family. My companions. If you try to stop us, I’ll kill you to the last. We are nothing anymore. Do you understand? Nothing.”

Une nodded slowly.

“Now go.” He cocked his head, “Don’t come back. Don’t think about me. Don’t remember me. Pretend I’m dead like you have all this time. Make sure your friends know that I’ll reap a toll they couldn’t fathom if they try to stop me.”

“Dog…”

“I understand you were no captive. You allowed yourself to be used as a potential bargaining chip. You don’t owe me anything, but after yesterday… I do not owe you anything either.”

“If you leave people will die.” She cried.

Dog blinked, cocking his head in confusion, “So? They’re not my people. Not my family. This isn’t even my country. Why would I give up my blood for strangers?”

“So we’re strangers now?”

“Une.” He said, “Yesterday proved we’ve always been strangers. Since we’ve reunited, we’ve done nothing but show at every turn how little we really knew of each other. I didn’t… I didn’t love you. I don’t even know if I understand what that is. We are nothing. Get out of here!”

Une took a final glance at him, before retreating to the edge of the forcefield, exiting with quiet steps. He did not dare look at her face, his own chest throbbing, rage boiling.

“Light.” Cici called from behind his tree.

“Yes, elder sister?” He panted, wiping at his face.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I don’t know.”

She hummed, “Tomorrow at dawn?”

“No.” He shook his head, “Tonight.”

“You told her dawn.”

“I lied.”

“You're not one to scheme, little brother.”

“I guess I do now. Prepare, I will aid you if you need me.”

“Very well. Where to?”

“Korone. Where you will be safe to recharge while I search.”

“So it will be, little brother.” Cici sipped at her tea cup, “Your companions are watching. They heard it all. Both look very upset.“

“I know.” He sighed.