Everyone knows not to sneak up on any Fae. Doing so, especially a lone sentry not in contact with other wolves for numerous cycles, is like slicing your wrist and waving it in front of a vampire. Not smart.

Therefore, the approaching wolves were understandably hesitant to appear at the edge of the forest without first attempting to contact Sino. The scout reported earlier the lone wolf sentry wasn’t answering the mindlink pings or pushes, which worried the pack. Being the better fighter, Mala, a lithe light brown wolf, took the lead position. Her best friend, Guiller, a dark brown wolf, stayed back to assess the danger. Though he could fight as any pack member could, his job was to report any issues to the scout, who waited midway between the signal fire location and the pack.

Mala kept the link open as they approached, scrying for any familiar connection from their packmate, only getting a rise of dread in return. The air weighed on Mala’s fur while also somehow feeling like all her fur was trying to stand on edge. It was as if the air would snap against her skin if even a branch brushed against her. Mala glanced toward Guiller, who followed a few steps behind her. Guiller gave a return nod. Mala took a deep breath scanning the signal fire’s immediate area for danger. Nothing seemed amiss.

“Do you smell that?” Guiler asked. He made an exaggerated sniffing noise. Mala looked back at him, eyebrow cocked. She sniffed the air but didn’t notice anything. He shrugged.

Guiller, a scenter, immediately picked out any scents in the immediate area. A hasa plant has a very earthy and pungent smell when first plucked. Once dried, the scent calms. A telas tree bloomed nearby under the canopy of elder ancient tree beasts. Its scent reminded Guiller of a perfumy flower and has been used in teas to help one relax after a long day.

Mala noted the signal fire’s embers were long cooled- not even smoke pretending it might light again. A scoff slipped out when Mala saw Sino. The oversized dark wolf form lazed in a curl near the fireless pit. His ears relaxed as well as cocked half up; his tail swept the dirt side to side. His chest took deep breaths before a paw moved slightly, almost as if he were in the midst of a puppy dream.

Sino’s head didn’t raise when the light brown wolf stepped from the shadows, an odd response for a veteran sentry. As Mala walked closer, she took in the details of the massive werewolf. His grey-brown coat appeared darker at his paws, more brown than grey, whereas his thick fur turned more grey than brown towards his spine. It gave him the appearance almost like he had armor protecting his back. Even with his eyes shut, he projected an aura of power.

“Should we wake him or let him stir on his own?” Mala’s wondered via mindlink to any nearby wolves.

Guiller responded candidly, “Not on my list of things I want to accomplish if I want to have pups one day.” His dark wolf form slid out of the shadows, perhaps decided cowering in the bushes wouldn’t look good if Sino did wake.

Mala looked for signs of rogue behavior or some reason why the sentry wasn’t communicating back to the pack. Instead, she found a wolf snoozing on the far side of what used to be the signal fire. Mala’s thoughts weren’t charitable. It's negligent, at the very least. He should be actively communicating through mindslink. He should be ready and waiting for the rotation switch. He should be at least scanning the forest for danger and not napping by the firepit like a lazy pup sun drunk from summer.

“Maybe he finally went crazy?” Guiller suggested interrupting Mala’s thoughts. The breeze shifted. A burst of citrus hit Mala like being pitched with potpourri.

Mala cleared her nose in irritation. “Don’t say awful things like that.” She sent to Guiller immediately.

Sino’s voice roared into their mindslink. “Go. Away.” His voice sliced into a mindlink connection with a deep and guttural hum.

Mala’s eyebrows raised at the sound. Her step halted mid-stride. His essence permeated a calm chaos in the small clearing at the edge of the pack’s territory. Doubts crept in of whether or not to move any closer. Mala never felt intimidated being alone with anyone from their pack until she laid eyes on Sino.

Even back at the training center for sentries, he towered over everything and everyone. It wasn’t just his massive size. Sino moved quick and agile during drills, unlike other wolves his size. He should be slow but powerful. He wasn’t. Also, Sino never missed a day to train. Pack warriors told stories of their adventures whenever multiple wolves shared a meal. Still, with Sino, they spoke of rarely and only in whispers.

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Mala remembered only one story of a jealous wolf named Eki from one of the southern packs. Eki’s companion wouldn’t stop talking about Sino. How Sino was the perfect embodiment of the original wolf blessed by the Moon Goddess in every way. How they desired him. It drove Eki mad. He traveled in wolf form for many moons, hardly stopping to rest.

When Eki arrived, he didn’t stop to eat or sleep. Marching into the training center, he found Sino’s beautiful form. Sino didn’t just fight using his bare hands or as a wolf, as most warriors did. Sino used a long staff he would slice across the air. Every move measured to maximize brutality. Anyone nearby stopped to watch his display. When Eki found words, he tried goading the enormous man into a fight. It was said Sino liberated Eki’s tired feet from the unforgiving ground before he finished his sentence. The poor wolf couldn’t move for a week, even with his healing magick and help from the healers. No one saw when Eki sulked home. But it is rumored Eki’s companion heard about the fight and sent word Eki wouldn’t be allowed home without a token of his love’s strength. Something everyone doubted Eki was capable of finding.

Mala remembered seeing Sino only a few times and never spoke directly with him. She never saw such a stunning display from another wolf. The last time not many moments ago, Mala mustered up enough courage to say something, only to find the pavilion empty. At the morning roster, she learned Sino volunteered for the north boundary edge duty rotation- alone.

No one else volunteers to take a lone sentry position, and as far as she heard, the pack never agreed for any wolf to do so but Sino. It was enough to make him the talk of the community for the first time in many moons. Mala voiced her concerns to her friends if anyone brought him up. It seemed irresponsible to allow any wolf to do the duty alone when another wolf could be assigned. Nope. No one would do it.

Wolves were brave enough to face a gaggle of screeching banshees, but none had sufficient courage to volunteer for a duty rotation with Sino. Not even Mala. Whether to assuage their own guilt or hers, her friends pointed to the other murmurs about the Purge Atrocities. How many wolves came to Faeland from the human’s land broken? Eventually, each found companionship. Not Sino, not one rumor of any. He seemed to be the only wolf choosing to remain companionless regardless of the considerable interest.

“LEAVE.”

Mala and Guiller shifted their heads down and tucked their tails underneath, trying to make themselves as small and unthreatening as possible, an instinctual reaction to the command in his voice.

“Si… Sino.” Mala tried. “We are here to relieve you of duty so that you can go back to the pack.” Even as the words came out, she cringed. It didn’t matter that she was the best fighter in the pack. Nope. All that confidence disappeared, and she became a stuttering mess.

Hearing his name, he lifted his head, sat up, and flicked his tail at the two young wolves. “You are late...” Bright yellow eyes narrowed at them. He was like a statuette. His dark coat gave him an appearance of a wolf carved from rock, even with the light grey blaze down his forehead, a mark of his current pack.

This time Guiller spoke, “We apologize. It won’t happen again.”

Sino’s tail flicked again. “Perhaps I should remain until someone responsible shows up. Where is Xeri?”

“I took his shift.” Guiller started.

“Obviously,” Sino interjected. Another flick.

“He had permission from the council.” Guiller took another step forward but kept his head down.

Sino sighed. He hopped over the coals. Then sat on the edge of the pit. “News?” It was standard duty practice to allow a mind read of recent events for those who have spent time away from the main pack. This allows easier integration back into the group once their duty is complete.

Guiller pushed memories through the mindslink of all the main events since he took his duty. Mala shook her head at Guiller when he tried to keep one secret. Sino growled at the young wolf for the attempt. The news bubbled to the front. Guiller flinched, leaving his neck exposed for punishment.

The news: Six new wolves were taken in from Earth during the last Samian. The Purge Atrocities were still occurring, and the council decided not to send anyone when the Bramian does occur.

“Pathetic.” Sino seethed. Mala wasn’t sure if it was in response to Guiller’s actions or the council's decision.

“Please, Sino. S…send us your update, we should get to cover.” Mala’s voice cracked even in the mindslink. She cursed herself for showing weakness to anyone, but Sino’s wolf’s presence seemed to push on her fur. Not even Guiller would pick on her for it, at least not until they were alone.

Unlike the young wolves, Sino had better control of sending information. He could filter what he wanted them to know. The report seemed a very uneventful duty. He recommended a patrol of the North grid section first. However, Mala got a nudge on the outside of her mindsgrasp as if something was missing towards the end. Mala decided asking would probably set him off. She, too, wanted to make it back from this duty rotation without any new scars.

After the report, Guiller offered a curt nod with the standard goodbye in a mumble, “Blessed Be.”

Mala was glad she wasn’t the only one off-kilter by the beastly sentry. When she did finally find her voice, though soft and unsure, she didn’t mumble. “Blessed Be, Sino.” Mala flicked her amber eyes up to him, feeling proud she didn’t stutter this time.

“Blessed Be,” Sino auto-responded.

Mala felt Sino’s eyes lingering on her even as she sought out her spot. She noticed a tall curved Uli tree with white and blue scratched bark. It curved in such a way she could watch just over the fire pit. Something wasn’t right, and it was her duty to find out. Her paws made quick work of the tree. From her viewpoint, she watched Sino walk over. He gathered something on the other side of the fire pit. Whatever it was, it was covered in beige cloth. Some wolves whittle while on duty or start other projects, so it isn’t unique to see, but it is frowned upon. The wolf should be patrolling, and Mala wanted to follow him further. She needed more information, but Guiller shook his head slowly.