Evo’s staff shone again, and when Sino blinked, they stood again in front of the Two Sphinx. Two black dung beetles pushed a rounded rock toward the white circle.
“Rumors say the wares are having a festival soon. Everyone must attend.”
“Who doesn’t love a party. We should attend. Maybe our mate is there?”
“Who would be mated to a bore like you.”
“You have always been jealous of my beauty sister.”
Suddenly the booming voices of the Sphinx spoke. “Your pack calls for you Lycan.” Before Sino could respond, the stone touched the Sphinx, which then shimmered away, leaving not even the beetles with the travelers.
“Do you think Pharoah will ever give them a break?” Bo asked with a smile on his face. “That piece of shit was so polished it looked like stone.” He paused. “I guess one person’s poop is another Pharoah treasure?”
Sino laughed. “Call it what you want, it’s still feces.”
***
Sino walked back into the forest, the treelines memorized to the pine needle by his numerous duty watches. This time he was accompanied by a human and Evo, who once again had shifted. Evo’s skin was a deep graphite with matte texture like stones themselves. Her bright green eyes popped against her dark grey skin. Her hair was waist length and streaked with black, and silver sparkling strands that swayed as she walked. Her cute pixie-like ears peeked out of her darkest strands, but she wasn’t short like a pixie. No, she matched Sino’s towering form, but she still had wide childbearing hips that drove all weres crazy. As such, all eyes were on them as the trio walked into the open field crowded with various Fae.
Sino didn’t miss the whispers of ‘banished’ and ‘the guardian?’ but all three ignored the murmurs. Bo walked in front. Evo held Sino’s crook of his elbow. She walked confidently, but Sino felt her rubbing circles on his skin. Maybe she was trying to soothe herself, Sino thought, but it definitely was helping him stay calm when his own anger spiked at the word no were wants to hear from his pack. He would need to come to terms with being banished. For now, ignorance was his bliss. He had more pressing things to address and it was in the form of the stunning creature on his arm.
The crowds seemed to split open in front of them once they reached the edges. They made their way to the far end. Bo stopped, and all three bowed to the ware council who were in a line previously chatting and observing the field. A makeshift stage elevated them just a few arm's lengths. Mags approached Bo with a bow.
“I am Guardian Jackson."
“Welcome Guardian Jackson. We are honored by your presence here. To have such a presence of FaeLand’s own guardian here to protect our people is a gift we shall remember.” Mags spoke with authority. She looked over to the Ware Council who nodded in agreement. She continued, “The rest of the Fae Council is not due for a few moments yet, but we hope to announce our representative for the wares. My name is Magdeline of the Maytec Pack.”
“Thank you for the gracious welcome. In my culture, we bring a gift for the host. I would be so humbled if you would accept this gift from the Oracles of behalf of your pack.”
Mags’ eyes went wide, and she looked over to the Council. They narrowed their eyes but nodded. “I am doubly honored Guardian.”
He gave her a polite smile and held out his hand to Sino. Sino arched an eyebrow at Mags. It had been a while since he saw her act professionally. Sino grabbed a book out of his satchel. It’s cover was made of Hatchel bark. What Mags will shortly find out, one must complete a puzzle to open the book’s magickal lock. Sino handed the book to Bo. The Guardian offered it to Mags with a slight bow. She gasped, seeing its cover.
“This gift so humbles me. May Luna’s blessings be upon you and yours.” She tucked said book into her satchel, giving it a bit of a hug. She turned to address Sino. “I am so glad you have decided to attend.” He gave her a stiff nod. He watched her face twisting as she waited for him to fill the silence. She wasn’t one to wait, though. Her curiosity wouldn’t let her wait for the socially acceptable. “And may I ask who you have brought with you?” It was the question on everyone’s mind. As such, the entire crowd went silent, straining to hear his response.
Sino’s eyes met Evo’s. She smiled warmly and stepped forward. “You may call me Evo.” At her voice, a collective gasp echoed in the valley, most likely from the tone of her voice. It was like a Ware Lullaby. It melted the hardest of hearts.
“Pleasure to meet your acquaintance. May I ask how you know my friend, Sino?” Mags was never one to mix words, something that caused many of conflicts.
This time Sino spoke. “But you met her before, in your hut, before I left.”
Her eyes scrunched in confusion, then wide in shock and doubt. “Who… What- are you?”
“She is family and she told you to call her Evo. She is under my protection.”
Her lips gapped before she recovered. “My apologies. Of course. Sino, please enjoy yourself. We have all five Fae Packs here today. Since the Inbetween isn’t open, The Earth Packs could not be invited. Word spread in Fae. We have beings from all over FaeLand here to see if any new matings occur. The ware council has been announcing them.”
“How exciting!” Evo beamed.
“Oh look, there’s another.” Mags smiled and nodded her head towards the crowd splitting again. A short house goblin was holding hands next to a short squatty ware. Sino’s eyes went wide; that was Lu, a nerdy ware who ran the training program. He was older, and finding a mate at his age was unheard of. He was beaming. Sino knew Lu had reluctantly given up hope that he would ever find his true mate. Though he had a few long-term companions, they always fizzled out since his heart was dedicated to training the new wares.
Lu approached Deek, who stood to the left of the council. After speaking for a few, a loud booming voice echoed in the valley.
“Announcing Lewis Scott of the Maytec Pack, Master of ware tracking techics and herb medicine is mated to Oolong, a house goblin duty bound to the Vixen Clan. This is the first mating of ware and goblin on record. Blessed Be the Godess Ishtar for your wisdom and to the Fates for bringing our families together. May you birth many. FaeLand, please join us in celebrating this match.” The voice was interrupted by cheering, howling, and stomping. Sino couldn’t help but join in. Evo’s smile reached her ears, and Sino could feel the joy pulsing from her being. She approved.
Mags turned back to face Sino. “Have you found…” Sino asked, but seeing her eyes drop. Switching gears, his eye caught a pile of offerings near the edge of the stage. “Why is your statue there? Its for your daughter.”
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Her lips flatlined. “Its an offer to Ishtar, may she bring our pack many pups. I’m just happy I was able to glue it together to the last piece just in time.”
Sino felt the pull to inspect it.
“Evo, does this look familiar to you?”
She smiled and nodded.
“You know this statue Sino,” Mags said.
“Its missing a stone.” He said.
“I assure you there are no other pieces of Migsly Rock.” Mags stated. He heard her voice crack.
“I do not mean to offend. But its an actual stone in the belly button. A small, round milky stone with streams of light green and pink.”
“Oh.” Mags frowned. Her eyes held recognition as if she just remembered. “I scoured every grain of stone. I don’t remember seeing that in the rubble, but now that you say that. I do remember the small while belly button.”
“Maybe someone saw it and just picked it up to reuse it?” Sino tried. “I can’t believe you were able to put it all back together.”
“Hopefully, the Goddess will accept it as is.” Mags explained. It's going to the Wisdom Cave after the Bramian.
Sino opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.
“Announcing Pichu of the Azaya Pack, sentry is mated to Lilp of the Maytec pack, master of shifting studies. Blessed Be the Goddess Ishtar for your wisdom and to the Fates for bringing our packs together. May you birth many pups. FaeLand, please join us in celebrating this match,” Again, the crowd cheered at the two wares, who shared a laugh and a quick peck.
“This is amazing. So much love here.” Evo’s voice again cut the crowd to silence. It was as if her words lulled them into a daze. “The Fates will be very pleased by this celebration.” She smiled. The ground shook as if in agreement with her statement. Everyone’s eyes went wide, but no one moved.
Puffs of smoke, magick, and figures exited the edges of the forest. The crowd shifted towards the approaching creatures. Sino was glad they were near the offerings and, therefore, off to one side, the right of the back of the circle. Bo was the first to bow. It didn’t take long for everyone to follow suit.
A large towering Rock Goblin was leading the odd mix of creatures. They stopped outside the crowd edges.
“FaeLand, The Maytec Pack is honored to host this gathering. Its purpose, to extend an opening arm to mates outside our packs and now our species. Though we are happy to live isolated from most of Fae, such isolation has perhaps harmed our species. Though our species is a proud race, we have come to terms that our broken path forward can only be mended with the help of other Faelanders. Our knowledge is vast, but not omniscient. We humbly ask for the forgiveness of the land. It is the decision of the Ware Council to step out of our cloaked spell. From this day forward, our community is open to any Fae for trade of food, knowledge, and companionship.”
Murmuring spread like a wildfire. Sino was quick to pick out the utters of “Ridiculous’ ‘why’ and ‘shameful,’ but then it was replaced with other voices, ‘cool’ ‘what about travel? Can we go see FaeLand?’ ‘you could study with the elves like you always wanted to.’ The last one was a young ware whispering loudly to her friend.
The voice continued. “To ensure our culture isn’t lost, we will have counsil meetings at this location just before the Bramian and Samian Festivals. All of Fae is welcome to attend. This new transition is sure to have its bumps. We look to leadership within our community. Our historians will be busy and therefore will need new apprentices. We shall be opening up one slot to an academic from outside our species for ten cycles before that position will be dissolved. It is our hope that our history is never lost and thus must be taught to species outside of the ware community.” There was a pause. “This will be a challenging time and therefore we need our representative to be a figure of this new face of the packs. The Ware Council has chosen a ware representative to be candidate for Fa’ FaeLand Council. This ware has shown wisdom, loyalty, duty, and will honor our Packs to ensure our species is represented well within the Counsil.”
Sino watched the collective head swivel as everyone silently looked around for clues. However, Sino narrowed in on the smug face pretty quickly. The voice continued, “This leader is no other than Deeklistapectoo, mediator specialist of the Maytec Pack and current voice of the Ware Council. As such, we will begin the selection process for the newest Voice of the Ware Council. Ansley Grid of the Azaya Pack will be Voice-protemp. Please join us in celebration of change.”
The crowd seemed happy with the choice. Deek nodded at the front of the stage, taking in the hoots and cheers. Deek’s eyes met Sinos. All warmth disappeared. His eyes were cold and smug. Sino wanted to punch him in the throat. The crowds swelled forward to speak with him.
Sino was quick to try to pull Evo toward the edges so they could make their way to the Fae Council, hoping they may be able to get a quick moment to speak with them.
“Sino.” Deek’s voice made Sino’s teeth clench, but he put his best no-emotion face on and turned back to the Ware. Evo’s hand left his arm. He frowned.
“Deek.” His voice clipped.
“I thought you were banished?”
“He comes as my guest.” Bo inserted himself into the conversation.
“Noted.” Deek’s head bowed respectfully towards Bo. Deek wouldn’t leave it at that. But when he brushed past Sino, “Ensure you leave once the festival is over. You are not welcome here.”
“Are you speaking for all Ware’s or just the council?” Sino asked dryly. “One would think you have more important duties than speaking to a rogue.”
Deek sneered at Sino. “No one wants you here, not even your mate dares to show their face. They probably heard about you killing younglins.” Sino went ridged.
Deek eyed Sino, “Yes. That must be it. They heard about your poor dead companion and pup, then you tossing an orphan child creature. No one would ever want to mate with you.”
Reason and clear thought left. His eyes glowed golden as he fought to control his wolf.
“I will give you two breaths to walk away out of respect for the Ware Council and Fae Council.”
“Or what?” Deek scoffed. He kept his voice low, slow, and barely loud enough for Sino to hear his words. “You can’t touch me or you will be banished by the human guardian as well as the Fae Council.”
A flash of grey pushed Deek. He was flat on his back, Evo with long, pointed claws extending out of her knuckles. “He may be bound to ware loyalty, but I’m not.”
Deek laughed. “Now that’s cute. What a hot toy you have, Sino. She is fun. Now get off me before you cause problems for your whole species.”
Sino didn’t know if this action should amuse him. Evo was straddling the ware, her claws against his throat.
“She isn’t my companion. She is her own being. I told you before your cockiness was going to cost you. I didn’t say I was going to do it. I could care less if she rips out your jugular. I’m not in your pack anymore.” Sino towered above, looking down on Deek as if he wasn’t worth his time. “A piece of advice though, for your new role. Might I suggest you apologize to her. Just because you don’t know who someone is doesn’t mean you can treat them like excrement. Once day, you may need help from her and if you piss her off, I doubt she’ll help.” Deek rolled his eyes.
Mags tried approaching. “I apologize on his behalf. He must have had too much celebratory drink. Please forgive him Evo.” She kneeled, pressing her chest into the ground.
The crowd nearest gasped. To show such submission to another attacking their own was unheard of, but everyone stood frozen, unsure what to think.
“Mags, don’t worry. I got this.” Deek said.
“Quiet pup.” Mags growled. “While I may not be on the council. I still have their ear. Your actions thus far hasn’t reflected well on our species for the role. If you are not careful, you will lose the position before you are officially sworn in.”
His eyes went wide as that information sunk in. Then it narrowed. “Please allow me to apologize appropriately.”
Evo’s claws retracted and disappeared into her knuckles. She stood up, waiting.
He huffed, but bowed next to Mags. She pulled him to the ground. This disrespect earned Mags a growl from Deek, but he followed. “Please forgive my rudeness. It was inappropriate and though not an excuse, I did have many celebratory drinks. Please do not hold my words or actions to my species.”
Evo looked at Sino, who nodded. He understood that Deek was not a humble ware. He allowed not only for Mags to publicly humiliate him by treating him like a pup, but calling him such as well. This was an appropriate punishment for his disrespect.
“This time,” She said so others would hear her approval. Evo leaned down to pretend to help Deek up. She leaned into his ear. “But careful or I will remove your tongue permanently next time.” Sino helped Mags to her feet who kept her head down in respect. Deek nodded once and scurried away.
“How did he get chosen?” His voice a whisper to Mags.
“They know they can control him. Though young and rough around the edges, he will suit their purpose.”
“The Ware Council or Ware Species?” Sino asked.
“Now there’s the right question.” Mags clicked her tongue as they watched Deek continue his walk towards the Fae Council. Sino locked eyes with a pale-skinned Fae who had swirls of pink magick snaking around him. The Fae was walking through the crowds stopping to speak in the ears of the other fae.
“Who is that?” Sino asked aloud.