"King Attican, we finally meet," Wildeye said with a gracious bow. The Starlight's Pearl pulled into the bay of the ice elven capital city in the twilight hours. She wiped the exhaustion from her eye, so as not to insult the Highstorm king, but her tired yawn betrayed her intentions.

"Queen-Reagent, did you not sleep well on your trip?"

She gave him a sheepish grin. "How could I? All I could think about was seeing your grand city!" A quick recovery. With any luck, Attican would excuse her rudeness.

The king gave the cobalt wolf a curt nod. He looked past Wildeye and bowed to Arrelion. He turned back to Wildeye. "I am an elf of my word. You are free to walk through my lands to Draconicus."

"Thank—"

"But know this," he said, interrupting Wildeye. "Upon reaching the base of the mountains, you are on your own. Your previous king left our relations with the dragons in a dire situation."

"We are aware of this, your grace," Arrelion said. "But we are prepared to forge forward."

"The Ice Elven nation does not wish to gamble with the fate of our world," Attican continued. "Say the word and I shall send my army to forcefully take that seal!"

Arrelion raised his brow.

Wildeye stole a glance from Arrelion, who nodded to her. Wildeye paused for a brief moment, now collecting her thoughts. "If it comes to that, your grace, then we shall consider it."

"As we speak my forces prepare. You only have to ask, Long Whisper queen, and the might of the Highstorm shall be sent to your aid."

Arrelion bowed before the ice elf. "We appreciate your cooperation, my liege."

***

"Pass the salt, Essie," Lugthic said, pointing to the wooden shaker with his lone hand.

Essie Windfoot frowned and moved the salt shaker further away from his reach.

"Hey! What gives?"

"Sorry Lugthic, but the last thing I need for you to do is to keel over and die from that much of a salt intake."

Lugthic looked down at his salted pork and grumbled sourly under his breath. "Can hardly taste anything…"

Mave hobbled down the stairs to the galley where her Anti-Rogue soldiers ate their breakfast. "We've arrived at Wintershard and after getting the wagons and riding wolves off the ship, we'll be preparing to move out." She looked around at each tired face. "So I eat up and maybe get a bit more shut eye. We've got a long march through the mountains."

"Roger that, Captain," Timber complied through mouthfuls of porridge.

"Mave placed a hand on Lear's shoulder. "Take Elisa and Kyzo and watch over the unloading of transportation."

"Do you expect trouble?"

"No, but I think we should stay alert." Mave scanned the galley. "Where is Cade?"

Lear shook his head. "Inle is with Wiccer. The commander thought it best for him to eat separately from our men in case that Black Rabbit tried something."

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Mave crossed her arms and gave the tiger a stern look. "Try something like what?"

Lear ducked his head, avoiding the harekin's stern gaze. "This yikahti has no idea what Wiccer means."

"Yeah, that's what I thought! Wiccer better leave that shadow elf alone before I give him a good wallop!"

Lear licked his chops. "This yikahti doesn't understand why you stick up for him. He's a criminal and hasn't paid for his crimes."

Mave rubbed her furry chin. "Oh, I think he's paid for his crimes in his own way. Just like Elucard. Just like anyone that's had to live with what they've done."

Lear rose to his feet and adjusted his scabbard. With a flick of his wrist he gestured for Elisa and Kyzo to follow him. "Elucard is different."

"Why's that?"

Lear held silent before finally speaking. "Inle fights well, this yikahti will give him that, but once you take a blade from him, he will need to try harder to gain this yikahti's trust."

***

Avalon flailed a high kick into Vada's raised arm. She grunted and spun around with another kick to Vada's gut.

The Silent One reeled back and fell to her knees with a long groan.

"You haven't missed a step, Blade Sister," Vada croaked beneath labored breaths.

Avalon assisted her to her feet. "You, on the other hand…"

"...Have gotten slower?" Vade smirked and flung Avalon over her shoulder and slammed her to the ground. She laughed and shook her head. "Tsk, tsk, Blade Sister. Your reaction time has dulled over the years."

Avalon smiled and cradled her head with one hand. "We haven't done much training these last few months.

Vada fell to her palms and pushed her body down to kiss Avalon. "Some things have changed over the months."

Avalon gently held Vada's head and kissed her back. "In a world torn by the seals, I'm happy we've grown closer."

She also had feelings for Vada, more than just a sisterhood. She tried to express it to her, but something held those feelings back. Perhaps caused by her time in the Black Rabbits. With the clan, emotions were a hindrance. Cruelty prevailed, but even then she shared a kinship through her training with Vada. A connection. Deeper than the Rabbits could reach, but deeper than she could understand. When Vada was sent to hunt her down, she knew she still loved her.

You were right, Guster. There is something there, something even I struggled with. To touch, to feel again, to love, and become vulnerable. I was afraid of it all, but when I'm with her, I find my courage.

Her eyes flickered with spirit. Jedeo's wings she needed this feeling—this love in her life. Pure. Powerful. Passionate. An intensity she couldn't function without.

" Avalon rubbed her forehead against hers. "I love you, Vada. You are my soul; my anchor to this world. Without you, I'm lost."

A tear rolled down Vada's cheek and a short laugh escaped her. "Yes, I love you too, Blade Sister. And I'm here for you— here for us."

***

Elucard stood over a cliff overlooking the city of Wintershard. He narrowed his eyes, focusing on the Lost Dawns ship docked in the port. Behind him stood twenty to thirty Black Rabbit servants, each who swore fealty to the Dead of Winter mission. To find the seals and destroy them at all costs. Each who now followed Elucard as their new Silent Master.

A cold gust of wind blew through the elf's blonde hair and nipped the tip of his long ears. However, the cold no longer bothered him. Nothing could flinch his desire to serve the Black Rabbits. Raised into subjection, he too swore an oath to his blade to be a lifelong Black Rabbit, even in death. No one would make him falter. Not Jetta. Not Wiccer. Not Inle. No one. Nothing will break his loyalty. He was the perfect killer. The perfect Black Rabbit and soon all who opposed him will find out why.

"Once they were your allies, Elucard."

He turned to the battle-scarred Legion; his master and father figure. With empty eyes, he gave him a slow nod.

His aging master continued, "They act against our clan. They must not reach the seal. Do you understand this, Elucard?"

He raised his black hood. The twin moons of the Dead of Winter emblem glinted on his wavering cloak. "Yes, Master."

"They are weak willed and do not deserve to live. They are a distraction—weeds that must be removed."

"Yes, Master," Elucard repeated once again. Mechanically and without emotion.

Legion gave his student's shoulder a firm grip. "Failure is not an option for a Black Rabbit and you are the perfect killer. The perfect Black Rabbit!"

Elucard looked back at the city.

"Do you understand?"

Once again Elucard responded, but with only a whisper. "Yes, Master."

Wraslyn released his grip of Elucard's shoulder and gave his thrall a fanged smile.

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