Wolf does not, in fact, welcome the visit.

He downright loathes it.

When I told him that I offered his home up as a meeting place, he scowled but didn’t tell me to change my plans. I told him I would but then he shook his head, mumbling something about it being my home too now. And while I appreciated the sentiment massively, I didn't want to make him uncomfortable in his own home.

“I can go somewhere else with them," I offered.

“No,” he said. “It's good they come here so I can watch them. Make sure they’re not suspicious.”

Suspicious in what way, I wanted to ask, but I already learned not to waste questions like that on Wolf.

So I simply asked him, "Are you sure?"

To which he grunted his agreement once more.

But by the time the group arrives, Wolf has resorted to scowling in the corner of the room as I greet them at the door.

Both Jace and Tia hesitate at the threshold eyeing Wolf's unfriendly expression but Savannah walks right in, shrugging off her coat and throwing it in his hands.

“Wolf.” She grins. “Nice seeing you again. And your scowl looks just the same as ever. With the stories I was hearing, I was starting to think you’d lost your natural charm.”

“Savannah,” he responds, shifting his gaze to her. He nods once in greeting but then she shakes her head and throws her arms around his neck for a hug.

Wolf doesn't seem surprised by the hug. He doesn't reject it but he doesn't exactly accept it either. He raises his hand and pats her back lightly but he doesn't push her off.

Not like he did to me yesterday.

Although this is a markedly different situations.

And I cannot believe you're standing here getting jealous over a hug. The voice in my head that had remained silent for so long I forgot it was there, comes back to life. She’s still his fated one remember?

“In any case,” I hear Savannah say “I’m glad you’re ok. I’ve been wanting to visit ever since I came back to town but I didn’t want to intrude and wanted to give you your space. I figured if and when you want to see me you would come to our meeting place. I went there and waited a few times but you never came.”

They have a meeting place? That thought is soon followed by the next one. It's not Savannah he's been going out to meet. I halfway thought it was her. Then who has he been meeting all this time?

“I was busy,” is all he says and Savannah frowns sorely.

“Too busy to catch up with an old friend. Really, Wolf, I thought I meant more to you than that.”

He grunts again and I guess to appease her he reaches out and ruffles her hair. She smacks his hand away and he pokes her in the rib which she smacks away too.

I turn away feeling my heart ache but I'm also happy for their reunion. This is how it was meant to be and they both suffered such loss in the past. Hopefully this time, I can keep them both alive so they can live out the rest of their beautiful love story.

While I only become a distant, fond, memory.

“You okay?” Tia asks as she ventures inside. “Because you kind of look like you want to cry again.”

“I’m fine.” I assure her. “It’s just been a long day of thinking.”

“So have you figured it out,” Savanah seems to have finished her play with Wolf and now inquires, “Do you know how we can sneak in?”

“Wait,” Tia holds up a hand. “Can we talk about this with him here?" She gestures to Wolf. "Technically he’s on a different team and I don't think we're supposed to let anyone else know about our mission.”

Wolf and I share a look.

On our walk back to the cottage earlier, I was tempted to tell Wolf about our mission, so I could pick his brain on what he thought we should do. He was a mercenary after all, and probably knew more about subterfuge than I did.

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But I didn't know what the rules were, so I asked him, “Can we talk about our missions?"

He shrugged. “Not sure. But I can tell you ours if you want.”

I shook my head. “It's fine.” Although I was curious, I didn't want him to potentially break the rules and get in trouble for me.

But I ultimately decided not to tell him about our mission mostly because I don't want him to worry. He's getting...protective of me lately. Knowing Wolf he might tie me up and prevent me from doing what I need to do. Or he may even challenge the King.

I shudder at the thought. I can't have Wolf going up against the king. Not just yet.

One glance at Wolf now and he rolls his eyes. He mutters something under his breath then strides past us through the door.

“Where’s he going?” Tia asked as she watches his retreating form.

"To the Dark Forest," Savannah and I both answer simultaneously, then glance at each other.

“I thought it was…you know, dangerous.”

“Not to Wolf apparently,” Savannah says. “He’s been going there since he was a child. “

She pulls up the pink seat and then sat crosslegged her front against the back. “Enough about him. Now tell me, what’s the plan?”

Jace leans against the wall, and Tia perches herself on the counter next to the stove. I sit on the broken leg seat and rest my palms against the table, feeling the chill against my skin.

It's colder today than it was yesterday, by several magnitudes. It's only going to get worse from now.

I haven't yet worn the new coat Wolf got me yet. It seems ridiculous since the temperature has been desperately dropping, but I don't feel like I earned the right to wear something so fine yet.

Plus what if I damage it?

I need to save it for when it's too cold to bear. When I've exhausted every other avenue needed to keep me warm, then I'll wear it.

But not outside, in case the wet snow damages the fur.

Or in case I get attacked again, and the coat gets ripped. If that ever happens, I will forever mourn it.

I sigh and return my attention to the task at hand, eyeing all of them.

“Whatever path we choose, one thing is clear," I start. "We can’t sneak into the Pangean tower. We may have the advantage of being in more familiar surroundings, as this is our nation, but their specific abode is unfamiliar. The Pangeans are unfamiliar as well. They may have different warning systems and their defenses will be higher than normal, staying in enemy territory. And there will certainly be an alarm that goes off if we enter, regardless of whether the Pangeans are in the room or not. There are possibly also traps set to prevent us from escaping capture. And that’s only if we manage to get past the Knights and the Elite Guards which I'm highly doubtful we will.”

"So it’s a lost cause then?” Jace asks.

“Not necessarily,” I answer. "I simply said we can’t sneak in. The only way to have a chance at getting our hands on any information is if we’re invited in.”

“How on earth are we going to get invited to the Pangean's guest tower?"

“You leave that to me,” I say. "The most important thing is what we’re going to do once we get there. Ideally, the Pangean Knights won't be as guarded if we're invited, but they will still be naturally suspicious. They will search us for weapons when we enter, and when we leave, they will likely search us again to ensure we haven't taken anything we're not supposed to. And they will keep their most important information stored away. It's standard procedure.” I drum against the tables. "But in times of chaos, standard procedure falls to the wayside.”

“So we need to create chaos,” Savannah grins, her eye twinkling.

“Exactly,” I respond.

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

The first step of my plan is perhaps the most odious part. Not for any technical reason, but simply because I'll need to visit and talk to someone I find most odious.

As I approach Black Castle, I meet the same guards as before standing outside.

“Hello,” I say and the one on the right nods back.

“Come to see the healer again?” he asks.

“Unfortunately not,” I respond. "I've come to see Sir Tyne. I have made some discoveries about our assignment."

"Sir Tyne is busy entertaining the guests."

“I can wait.”

The two guards frown at me.

"I'm sorry to inconvenience you," I say. "It's just that I must talk to Sir Tyne today. It also concerns my prior meeting with the King."

They share a look brimming with doubt. Luckily, at that point, a smaller boy, a page, is passing by carrying a saddle.

One of the guards calls to him. “Boy, tell Sir Tyne that one of the Elite hopefuls is here to see him. Tell him that it's important."

The page nods and scurries off.

While we wait in awkward silence, I figure we might as well make conversation. “So. Do the two of you have any tips about making it through the elite academy? Or do I just pray to a deity that I do not die in the process?"

The one on the left snorts. "Why are you asking us? We’re here because we barely passed." Bitterness laces his voice. "It's why we have to stand here in front of this gate all day instead of being sent on important missions.."

“Well on the contrary, I would say the King likely kept the Elite Soldiers he most valued closer," I say. "To give you this task, he must have known your loyalty was insurmountable because you're all that stands between him and intruders."

Well, you and a few towers filled with canons and archers and other Elite Soldiers, but not adding that seems to make the one on the left puff with pride.

His companion rolls his eyes, but before he can respond, we hear heels tapping on the ground.

Tyne approaches quickly and gestures for me to walk down the street away from the hearing of the guards.

"What is this?" he asks when we reach, seeming irritated. "How dare you come here and summon me?"

"Forgive me for my insolence, Sir Tyne." I curtsy like he taught me to do in the past. "I apologize to death for that, and for what I'm about to say next but I cannot keep this to myself for I fear what will happen to the North if I do."

"What is it?" Tyne's tone is curious and slightly appeased by my supplication.

I straighten but keep my head ducked. "Please, I mean no disrespect or traitorous talk. But the King is about to make a mistake and I feel you're the only one who can stop him."