"So this is for revenge." said Riley, her eyes briefly rolling skyward.

　　"Partially, certainly," said James, "but the real goal is returning things closer to how they were and mending the current fractures rather than allowing the wounds to fester. Among us, the Thieves had it the worst," glancing at Magpie, "I am very sorry about that. But the group hardest hit: them. And a number of them are very upset. The implications of that, how would I describe it to you, blood has so many intricate and subtle ways of revealing its intentions. If things continue as they are, it could be a very bad thing. I don`t think that helps you much, but understand revenge is only a small part of it."

　　Riley taking in the explanation with a patient concern.

　　"You said we`re going to be attacking House Solstice?" said James.

　　"That`s what I was told. No timetable, no nothing, but that`s where your guy is making us hit. Looks like you`re going to get your stuff back first." The tick hitting, three o`clock. "Shit. Listen, I`ve a got a work thing, I need to be at the gate in about a half hour. Very nice to see you," shaking James hand, "very nice to meet you," shaking Derrick`s hand, "and-"

　　Julie regarding me with a seemingly neutral expression.

　　"Julie, I`m not going to apologize for what I did to your thing, but since we`re such good friends now I`m not going to do anything like that again. Truce?" Reaching out my hand and her grasping it with no visible emotion.

　　"Truce," she said. Even sounding like she meant it. A capable liar.

　　"Hey Evie-"

　　"Yes." Riley, looking mostly recovered, bounding to her feet. Magpie slower at getting to hers.

　　"Kate?" said Riley.

　　"Your name is Kate?" said Julie. "I want to thank you for today and I want to thank you for back at the gala. I`m sorry I was a bitch to you earlier."

　　"You`re welcome and water under the bridge," said Wolfe.

　　"Oh, Kate," said James, "I need to get your schedule to figure out how we`re going to do this."

　　"Sorry, Evie," said Wolfe, "I`m going to stick around here for a bit."

　　Magpie slightly tilting her head in Wolfe`s direction. "I`ll stick around for a bit, too, then."

　　"Okay." Thank you.

　　"Alright, I`ll see you," said Riley. "Very nice to have met all of you." Looking around, taking in the whole room.

　　Walking out the front door with Riley.

　　"What, precisely, did you get me into?" she said. Tired, exasperated and more than a little annoyed.

　　"It`s basically a revolution."

　　Looking past me a long way into the distance.

　　"Their demands are reasonable."

　　Just looking into that distance.

　　"What did your thing have to say about it?"

　　Taking a deep breath and then considering me. "How long you been involved in this?"

　　"With this whole this vision?" Waving both my hands in front of me. A smile cracking through her irritation. "Not that long. Apparently Kate got in before me by a cycle. That was an interesting first face to face, let me tell you. Met that particular individual last cycle and got you in quick as I could."

　　"Why," favoring me with several blinks, "did you get me involved in this?"

　　"Well, I never figured you for a revolutionary, but you`re one of the few people I actually have some trust for in this world. And Kate wanted you in, so I had to find a way to get you in. You think we were going to let you sit this one out? Nope. Sorry. I know you`re in admin, and I realize we`re putting you in an interesting position because of that, but who else could I possibly turn to?"

　　Riley turning her head to the side, bringing a hand up to her face. Turning back.

　　"I want you to know," she said, "that this is completely insane."

　　"What did your thing have to say about it?"

　　Her lips pressed together firmly.

　　"Did it have any objections?"

　　"No, she did not. She was supportive of whatever choice I made, even if it required allying with these people." Riley looking back at the brownstone. A short look this time. "I`m only agreeing to do this because you phrased your reason so nicely."

　　"That`s probably the best reason I could hope for. You have my sincere thanks."

　　Giving me a dismissive wave of her hand and then a puzzled look. "You, I can see joining this revolution, I assume it has something to do with you and the Director, but how did Kate get involved?"

　　"Kate`s usually pretty sensible, but she can be a bit of a do-gooder." Riley opening her mouth, but then shrugging, conceding the point. "One of the reasons for joining this thing is because three of the masters are spearheading it. One of them is Kate`s."

　　"The Empath master?" said Riley. "I`ve met him at the temple multiple times. He seems extraordinarily nice. Is that an act?"

　　"No, he`s sincere. And most likely sincerely trying not to let this whole thing spiral out of control. If I didn`t see him there I probably would have considered running away screaming. Because one of the other guys is their guy." Pointing at the door.

　　"That sounds scary as fuck," said Riley.

　　"He is. But the Empath master is in on it and they have reasonable demands. We hit a place or two and both sides come to the negotiating table. Then some demands are met and, hopefully, Director Shaker doesn`t have so much power around here anymore."

　　"I knew it was for revenge."

　　"Kate`s the do-gooder, not me."

　　***

　　Jogging to the West Gate after buying a four quart pan for the trip, as well as an additional stop at the weapon shop. Wilde standing just inside the gate with a large wolf at his side. Dark grey on the top, with lighter coloring toward the legs, and the unmistakable spark of intelligence in its eyes. Two men standing there with him, Stormhawk symbols visible on all their cloaks.

　　"Lucy," yelled Wilde, cupping his hand around his mouth, "you`re late."

　　One of his friends saying something to him after that.

　　"Sorry. Things went long today and then I needed to get stuff. You have the tent?"

　　"Yep, everything`s ready for our trip down south," he said.

　　Flicking my eyes over to his two friends.

　　"This guy certainly got big quick." Holding my closed fist out and letting the wolf sniff. Revealing a small piece of jerky. The bribe once again easily accepted.

　　"This is who you lost to," said one of the men, "this little girl?"

　　"That`s her," said the other. "Your name`s Macarthy, right? I`m sorry about your brother."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

　　Sorry about the existence of your brother. Sorry you exist. Sorry about that. Fixing Wilde with a stare. "Sorry I`m late. Are we ready to go?"

　　"Doesn`t seem as friendly as you said Nico," said the first. "Lotsa luck on your trip."

　　"Yeah, we`re ready to go," said Wilde. "I`ll see you guys later."

　　The two starting to wander off.

　　"You didn`t need to act like that," he said.

　　"I recall asking you to leave me out of your gossip."

　　"I didn`t bring you up. They wanted to know what I was doing tonight, and when they heard I was going with a girl who actually wanted to go out into the field overnight they wanted to see who. I didn`t mean anything by it. They`re good guys."

　　Nothing to be done about it. An innocent gesture adding a few more pinholes to an already leaky bucket.

　　"Alright." Giving a shrug. "Let me see your gear."

　　Wilde handing over his bow, quiver and then a spear. His buckler and sword not with him today.

　　"You`re changing it up?"

　　"I am. I`m going to get some practice in before our rematch. Your energy field extends roughly out to around here." Making a fairly accurate guesstimate of my range with his hand. "I can`t let you get too close or there goes the fight."

　　"I guess its good to see you`re taking it seriously, but if you`re going that far I may need to get serious myself."

　　"We haven`t even talked about stakes yet," he said, with a smile. "You may regret it if you don`t take it seriously. That ended up biting me the last time."

　　"Maybe, maybe not. I`m sure we`ll come up with something not too objectionable. Let me do this real quick."

　　Runes drawn and activated.

　　"Listen, if we`re going down to that forest," he said, "Maybe we should take the road instead of going back country. House Koln may be willing to put us up for the night. My house is allied with them."

　　With Holly being any indication a friendly welcome at Koln sounds seriously doubtful.

　　"Koln is pretty far west. Besides, on the way in I was thinking we keep an eye out for Cave Trolls in the hills. They like to poke their heads out after dark. And then possibly try and get some Night Hounds if we see any closer to the forest." Wilde starting to object at that. "Ones or twos, any more than that and we`ll steer clear or run. There should be some safe areas on the northern edge of the forest where we can camp. Safer, at least. And then we`ll spend tomorrow doing your thing with him. What`d you end up calling him anyway?"

　　"Uh, nothing yet."

　　"Nothing?" Balancing on the balls of my feet to get eye level and reaching into my pocket for another piece of jerky. "So what do you want me to call you?"

　　The wolf taking this piece a little more forcefully than the last, managing to scrape his teeth on my fingers and causing me to jerk my hand back in order to save the ends of my digits. Swallowing the treat in one gulp.

　　Careful," said Wilde. "He likes you but he`s still just a big puppy."

　　The wolf seeming to smirk at that characterization.

　　"I`m going to get Nico to give you a really bad name if you don`t behave."

　　The wolf doing his best to look bashful, pulling his tail in slightly. Getting back to my feet. He told Nico he supposedly likes me, huh? More like he`d like a taste. Need to keep an eye on him.

　　"Ready to go?"

　　"I am," said Wilde, before looking away and furrowing his brow. "Give me your hand." Putting one of his hands on the wolf and holding his other out to me. Closing his eyes for a moment in concentration and then all of our forms taking on the blurring camouflage of natural colors, blending a bit into the background. "You weren`t the only one holding back. This will make travel much safer. Especially out there and especially at night."

　　"Is there anything else you`re holding back?"

　　"I have excellent night vision," he admitted.

　　That particular piece of information, at least, was known. It had always been particularly more difficult to sneak up on Rangers. The only type more difficult, Blood Mages. They were nearly impossible to catch unawares.

　　"In that case," coming to my own decision, "this is for your armor. Makes it stronger."

　　Looking at each other for a long moment.

　　"You ready?" he said.

　　"After you."

　　***

　　In fresh underwear, our feet bare, sitting on our bedrolls on a cleared outcropping overlooking the darkened forest the formerly huge and ravenous Koln had considered the center of his territory. Our clothes airing out on the rope line containing the tarp that was our tent. The smell of nearly cooked stew filling our camp, the lightly bubbling pot resting on a pile of glowing embers.

　　Taking a taste. ""It`s ready. The rabbit your wolf caught was a nice addition." Taking another taste of the stew. Rabbit, a quarter of the bacon, veggies and a cider base. "I probably should have caramelized the onions a bit more, but it turned out pretty good. Just the right amount of pepper."

　　Filling his bowl with a wooden spoon and handing it over, and then filling my own.

　　"Finally," he said, and then his eyes lighting up in surprise after taking a spoonful.

　　"Worth the wait?"

　　"This is great," he said. "Did you used to do this before coming out here?"

　　"Nah, I learned how to do this all out here." Out of necessity. Lumeer didn`t used to have quite so many restaurants and other conveniences. Blowing on my spoon and starting to eat.

　　"I had thought-" he started. "So how long have you been here?"

　　"Long enough. My life sort of changed when everything went sideways about a year back." Leaning against him. "But I think everything is finally getting all situated again. You`re proving yourself to be a big help."

　　Sitting in silence for a bit eating. A growl from his wolf setting my teeth on edge. Wilde getting to his feet and looking down the hill.

　　"Is it a monster?" Safer area does not mean safe.

　　"No," he said. "Three of us, looks like. Coming up this way and they`re not trying to hide it." His eyes squinting. "They`re waving." Lifting up his arm and waving back.

　　Getting my socks on and buckling my boots as the three shapes came up the hill. Getting closer to the firelight, three men, Koln emblems, a white wolf`s head on a field of green, on their cloaks. Two of them unknown, but the one at the front known. Last time seen when getting caught picking his pocket, getting what was needed and vanishing. Following him to the West Gate afterward and watching him leave town. Robert Barnes.

　　"We saw your campfire," he said, glancing at Wilde and then at me. "You`re Macarthy, aren`t you?" Tracing, my entire hand. At the sound of my name his two friends glancing at him and then all their eyes on me.

　　"Yes, she is," said Wilde, stepping in front of me.

　　"I wasn`t talking to you," said Barnes.

　　"I fixed my shit with Shaker." Peeking around Wilde.

　　"Even so," said Barnes, "I`m surprised they`re letting you wander around as you please."

　　"I`ve got my minder." Hugging Wilde around his middle, still peeking around. "You planning on starting something, Barnes?" You`ll end up regretting it.

　　"Lucy, don`t worry," said Wilde, patting one of my hands. "You don`t need to worry, she`s my responsibility. What do you want? I`m in Stormhawk." Now why`d you go and tell him that?

　　"Is that right?" said Barnes. "We were heading home and saw your fire. Came by to say hello. That`s it."

　　No response from either of us.

　　"Well, have yourselves a good night," said Barnes, giving Wilde a polite nod. Turning to leave and then turning back. "Watch yourself with her. She`s much more dangerous than you`ve probably been told."

　　"Thanks for the warning," said Wilde.

　　Watching Barnes and company make their way back down the hill. Wilde taking my hands, still clinging to him, into his own and turning around.

　　"So I`m your minder?"

　　"Yes, and you`re doing a great job. Keeping me out of all sorts of trouble." Squeezing his hands. "I figured Sam would have told you that much, at least."

　　"He only wanted updates on you." Getting a hard look. "But I suppose it makes sense, I should have assumed worse." Releasing one of my hands and bringing his up to touch my face. Then, without warning, grabbing the braid at the base of my skull and giving a solid tug to make me look at him. "Are you sorry about this?"

　　"Sorry about what?"

　　"Get on your knees."

　　His furious expression and the low rumble of his command releasing a blistering torrent of emotion. Ready to balk, to laugh in his face, but also thrilled to my core at hearing it. Both put off and titillated by his anger. Satisfied at driving him to it. Swallowing my initial impulse to resist and instead giving into tantalizing desire. Kneeling down on the stone.

　　"You`re so troublesome." His face, thunderclouds. "But at least you`re eager and you don`t complain." His face becoming even more severe at my grin. "Get to it."

　　Pulling down his underwear and discovering my slowly expanding prize. Starting with a slow tease, coating the outside from the base as it continued to grow. Pulling at the skin and then sliding my tongue underneath the skin, around the head. Alternating my attention, his hand only lightly on the back of my head, but then forcing me onto his member. Breathing through my nose, keeping my teeth out of the way as he used my mouth. A laugh starting in my belly, vibrating up my throat, driving him further and making me gag. Letting me recover for a moment.

　　"I want to hear you say it."

　　"I`m sorry I`m always causing so much trouble." Back to teasing him, looking up at his face and unable to control the giggle. "Let me give you a kiss, I`ll make it all better." Planting an exaggerated wet one and grinning up at him.

　　The hand on the back of my head forcing me again. The laugh starting to come up, but not getting a break this time. Eyes watering, trying to get as much air in through my nose as possible, but starting to gag in earnest. Releasing me and letting me recover again.

　　"Better."

　　Roughly being pulled to my feet, tee and panties shucked off. Easily picked up and placed on one of the unfurled bedrolls. Expecting his fury to continue, anticipating it, excited for it, but instead enjoying a slow, passionate kiss and a gentle insertion. Surprised at the change in intensity, but accepting, and then falling into the more deliberate and more intimate rhythm. A long, slow lovemaking after his earlier roughness. Afterward, pressed against each other in the roll, closer now than before, the prior turbulence forgotten and forgiven.