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POV: Astaros
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After I left the Inn I cloaked and jumped the wall. The wolves now basking in the morning sun stood. In total there were 23 of them. Their gray pelts seemed to reflect the sun and they dozed off lazing in the flowing grasses. 25 if you count the two pack alphas. I should name those two at the very least. I walked out and de-cloaked. The guards on morning duty jumped at my sudden appearance. I looked up and gave them a lazy two fingered salute to which they responded heartily. I then turned to the wolves who were trotting over.
I placed my hands on the heads of the two alpha's patting and rubbing them. They uttered low guttural sounds as they turned their heads so I could scratch their necks. I then pulled back and looked at them. They certainly could not go nameless.
The red one stood with the pride and strength to raise his head above his brothers, sisters and family. He was a wolf to the core. So why not give him a name befitting his position.
"Your name will be Lupus" {Astaros}
"RUFF" {Lupus}
Then the other dove into my shadow as though it was a pool, his head sticking out of the floor like it was natural.
"And who gave you permission to do that my friend" {Astaros}
I looked at him as he reluctantly climbed out of my shadow. I chuckled before giving him more headpats. Alright he is obviously different from his brethren. I wondered if he was adopted. He looked up at me. Alright he shall be family.
"You shall be Val Systin." {Astaros}
The other wolves howled as their brother became their direct connection to their master. They were now ready to serve. I began to walk through their ranks, the pack parting as I and the pack leader alongside my first family new member walked towards the forest. I am going to walk alongside them today as I need a little break.
"Lets go" {Astaros}
I stepped forward. Once. Twice. My speed increased and the wolves were now also speeding up. I then began to run with the wolves. The light filtered between the leaves and branches as I headed the pack leaping over fallen trees and heading off the beaten path. It was truly fun.
For the first time I had come to this world I was truly having fun. I raced the wolves, the fastest being a grey wolf with long legs and a thin build. He was however beaten by the now rocketing Lupus who seemed to understand thrust to the basic extent. The closest to me was Systin who was lazily sitting in my shadow, his head racing across the ground like a furry, reverse dullahan, a manless head.
I ran and ran the hours passing by before the sun began to set. I forgot my plans, hunger and the problems of the world and simply sprinted the wind whistling around my armor's horns. I began to slow and the world caught up to me, its problems returning to belittle my pure smile. I came to a stop as I looked at where we were. It was a large lake, the water glistening and seeming to be empty of life. I then watched as small insects flew into the air upon our arrival and settled over the lake and they then began to glow bundling up. The water seemed to bubble and then a number of fish began to leap into the air taking them from under the light of the moon. It was a great sight. If I ever got a lover I would definitely bring them here.
Val nuzzled against the palm of hands panting slightly. I then put out my hands and a net of wind appeared beneath the mana light bugs. As the fish leaped up they were caught dark colored scales flashing in the moonlight.
I then floated the net over the lakeshore and then dropped them, the wolves catching the fish as they fell. The mud was stained red as I, Val and Lupus sat down with our fish as the two alphas began gnawing away. I roasted my fish on my finger with a lighter sized flame before digging in.
After I finished my meal I laid down in the grass as the pack began frolicking in the water. I breathed out and looked at the starry night sky.
"Freedom, Huh" {Astaros}
This has always been something foreign to me. I will protect this feeling till I fully understand it. I then slowly nodded off the pack surrounding me.
'Establishing link with target Val Systin' {Damage Core}
This was a slow calm chapter. This was also a shorter one. Its for us to get a little development and familiarity with the wolves and Astaros before we move on.