"Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom."

― Elizabeth Gaskell, Wives and Daughters

"Wake up, little one..."

A calm voice poured into Ooulin's sleepy brain. His dream of roasted fish and warm blankets shattered, replaced by a mighty noise. A twisted rush of air that heralded the end of a world. His limbs sucked back, into his shell, mind set on a return to slumber.

"Don't worry, I'll take it from here..."

A soft glow, cast by a delicate lace of runes, lit up along Ooulin's shell. An intricate network that turned the little turtle silver. He stood, front legs pressed together like a monk, as he pushed Ven's hood aside.

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Ven lay, limbs askew in a pile of crumpled ants. The space worm above opened its mouth, a subtle hum in Ven's bones. A series of cries echoed in reply, the howls of smaller worms.

The horizon filled with worms in flight, babies that fled to their mother's embrace. The mighty parent loomed closer, its fangs around the world. A vast breath huffed forth from its throat and became a storm.

It swept the world, stripped it of its atmosphere in a single explosive push. Ven clung to the insects around him, linked to the colony like a fellow ant, as the air fled into the void. His hood twitched, and a small silver turtle stepped into the air.

"Ooulin!"

Ven lunged forward, but the wayward reptile dodged his grasp. Caught in the wind, Ven twisted and spun, until a cool light stopped his travel.

"Don't worry, young monster," Ooulin laughed, one hand extended to catch Ven's flight. "What remains of me is enough for this mindless beast... though I wish you had given me time to train you."

The small turtle expanded, a mouse that became an elephant as Ooulin returned to his original size. A wide constellation of runes orbited him, a blanket of stars that calmed the wind.

"I thought you were dead?" Ven tilted his head. "If you're still here, then..."

"No," Ooulin shook his head. "Kalina did not leave a soul fragment like I did."

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"Oh... too bad."

"Indeed, but she died how she lived," Ooulin smiled, his black and white eyes turned to face the void worm above. "Free... and with passion!"

He opened his hands, a command that sent his constellation into the sky. The runes burned, brighter than any star as they arrested all passage through space.

The worm roared, a howl that carried through the vacuum and shook the earth. Teeth the size of moons clamped on the barrier, halted by the silver glow.

"Tell Mother, I'm sorry I had to go so soon," Ooulin faced Ven. "Find a man called Cain, he's the one who taught me to use runes and seals..."

Ooulin's bulk faded, transparent under the backdrop of runic stars. A turtle, asleep like a baby, hovered at his heart. Ven nodded, hand extended to catch the younger Ooulin.

"I can find him, but what..."

"Your path is yours to choose, more than any other." Ooulin bowed his head. "Learn all you can, and decide yourself what leads to the greatest end."

The Old Ooulin vanished and his smaller self fell into Ven's palm. He tucked the peaceful turtle, back under his hood, and turned to the silent king.

"Well, should we get going, or..."

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"Come one Lyra, let's go!"

Brull rushed in, the wolf-kin's spear an inch from his throat as he slashed at her leg. His weapon, a well-balanced longsword, was still unfamiliar in his hand.

"Close!"

Lyra danced back, a flash of black in her eyes. She tipped her spear, a thrust that grazed Brull's cheek.

"Same here!"

Brull grinned, his sword already in line to force aside her weapon. It slashed along the spear's shaft, a cleave that threatened Lyra's hands.

"Hey," She loosed her grip, spear held steady with a single hand. "That's cheating!"

"Everything's fair in love and war!"

Brull darted forward, past her guard, sword pressed in line with her throat. The blade closed, faster than Lyra could react, its tip rested beneath her chin.

"How did you get so much better," Lyra pouted, hand pressed to her nicked skin. "Arthur's only been training me..."

"My breakthrough helped..."

Brull shrugged as he offered her a hand up. He didn't know why either. His breakthrough had been ordinary, a regular tribulation that brought him into the Nirvana tier.

"Whatever it is, it's annoying!" Lyra gripped his hand and pulled herself up. "Fen hates it..."

"Good!" Brull laughed. "I can finally take a step away from being food."

"She says the best food struggles well before it dies..."

Brull flinched. His relationship with Lyra's wolf was complicated. The hungry woman had made it a goal to eat him, and Brull made it his to steal Lyra away.

"Well, good for her," Brull waved toward the exit. "Let's get some supper before we call it a night."

"Ok!" Lyra smiled, eyes bright. "But I want to go to that same stall as yesterday, the skewers are too delicious!"

"Alight, we can..."

"I'm afraid you'll have to go alone, I have business with young Brull."

The beastfolk turned to find Arthur in the shadows of the hall. Wrapped in a thick cloak, he resembled any commoner, out for an evening stroll.

"But Arthur..." Lyra turned her puppy eyes to the portly knight. "He's the one with the money!"

Arthur sighed. His hand flicked and a gold coin landed in Lyra's open palm. The wolf-kin crowed, a trail of dust all that remained as she charged towards her chosen meal.

"Traitor..."

Brull slumped toward Arthur, shoulders defeated. Abandoned for a single gold... Such is life! He turned to face his fairweather teacher.

"So, what do you want... more squires training?"

That had been his life, when he wasn't embattled with Lyra. An endless parade of menial tasks that he accomplished without complaint.

"Not this time," Arthur shook his head. "This time, we test your heart."