Helotes had awoken that morning with a large hang over and had spent most of the time of the day so far in his room trying to calm the pounding in his head. But luckily he knew that to drink plenty of water and ingest protein was the best way to regain one’s senses, and therefore by early afternoon his was feeling much like himself again. He wasn’t sure why he had decided to drink alone last night, but he knew it had something to do with Zana. The previous day he had met with her and she had confided in him her stress when it came to the tumultuous relationship with his trainer, Halo. He now felt torn between the two of them, despite Zana having reassured him and Halo seemingly unawares; he felt that he now had to live two separate lives. He sighed, women.

The dark Hastati rolled in his bed, thinking about perhaps lazing the day away and continuing to sleep when he felt a wetness on his arm. Raising his forearm from underneath the covers he noticed that he was bleeding, though not profusely; a cut he had endured from training with Halo no doubt. With a groan he pried himself from his bed, and after several moments of rummaging through his meager belongings he found that he was out of his personal bandages. With a sigh he looked out the window and then departed his room.

The weather had eased up on the chill somewhat, the frosty snow of the previous week had been replaced by cold rain, but Helotes did not mind. His winter coat was now fully grown in, giving him all the warmth and protection he needed. When he exited the mansion, the fresh air hit him and a he took a moment to breathe in deeply. He was glad that it was cold, it shot even that much more alertness in him.

It did not take long to reach the guest house and he could see from a distance that its sole occupant was home; lovely smoke rose from the small building signaling that the doctor was in. The dark Lykoi suddenly was glad that he would have a chance to speak with Enkiel; his straight laced cousin had just the masculinity and sobriety that he needed to rid his mind of all the drama. Helotes took the several steps up the porch and knocked on the door, Doc, it’s Helotes. He said.

He heard the quiet word and gently entered the building and immediately the smell of what Enkiel was doing hit his sensitive nose. He took pause for a moment, his mind sorting through the unusual scents; some he recognized others he didn’t. He saw Enkiel sitting at a long table in the kitchen area, obviously working on the source of the smell; roots and various other medicinal plants. Then Helotes saw the small kitten on his lap and he grinned wide, crossing his arms and giving his cousin a quirky look, So I see Zana’s little gift has taken quite a shine to you? He wanted to laugh, it was such a funny site seeing the small mewing thing sitting on the jackal’s lap; Helotes chuckled.

Before he could begin to chat with Enkiel he would need to take care of his wound, Enkiel, I have a small cut, He held it up, the fresh blood clinging to the opening, Do you mind if I grab some bandages from the storage? He moved towards the door to the storage room but hesitated until Enkiel gave him the go ahead.

He had decided that he really liked the guest house; the smells the warmth, the memories, good and bad. Inferni was really beginning to feel like home, but every time he thought of home his mind raced to Ilusion and his heart would sink. He knew Columbine was getting anxious and Jacinto made himself scarce… Helotes knew they would soon have to leave to find her.

Helotes nodded and opened the storage area and retrieved a small bandage. The wound really didn’t need one, but he’d rather be safe than sorry; he couldn’t risk any kind of infection while he was actively training. He closed the storage area behind him just in time to notice the kitten was no longer on Enkiel’s lap but now was at his feet. He wasn’t sure how to react, Zana’s cat hadn’t cared for him much, but this one was curious. He pulled up a small stool and sat upon it, reaching a large paw out to the kitten who sniffed at him.

He was silent for a moment, turning his attention to the Imperium, who was inking something. The writing was in a different language, Arabic; Helotes was surprised he remembered that. His mother had told him about all the cultures she had knowledge of; German, Spanish, Irish, French, oriental and middle-eastern. He had been lucky to have such a well-versed mother; he missed her dearly. So, what part of Arabia do you hail from? Helotes asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

He had been meaning to talk with Enkiel, learn more about him, since the night he had patched Zana up. He was a very mysterious man, and exotic, his heritage boasting of not only coyote but jackal. His accent was also hard to miss, and Helotes wondered if he had emigrated from across the ocean or if he had lived in the Americas all his life. Enkiel however was a quiet man, a man of few words, but a gentle man as far as Helotes could tell. And they were related, and with every new and interesting Lykoi Helotes met, the more curious he became about his own family. Their blood line was vast and strong, and he was proud

His reaction was not what Helotes had expected, with the bristled fur and tense silence. Then when he spoke, Helotes ears drooped; he hadn’t meant any disrespect, it was just a simple question. But then Enkiel turned and said that his insult, as unintended as it had been, was like someone calling Helotes a wolf. He tried hard to keep from snorting out in laughter, but managed to keep a straight face, he could understand the strength that bad blood between nations could hold, I meant no disrespect, I just recognized the script as middle-eastern, and that is all. He kept silent on his opinion about wolves and how much being called one would be a non-insult to him.

Shifting to the less dangerous portion of the conversation, Helotes continued, So you’re from Egypt then? It amazes me how many of the canines around here come other lands. Just several weeks ago I met and Oriental trader near Salsola. It seems as if Nova Scotia is a hotspot, "for misfits and immigrants" he thought to himself.

Helotes reached down an managed to scratch the little cat on the head with his large claw and the animal cooed. He could see why this man seemed to have no friends, he was very stoic and easily insulted; that made relationships difficult. No doubt he probably missed his homeland and the customs there, Helotes could sympathize. Though he had never been to Mexico, his mother’s birthplace, somehow he felt that he would fit in nicely there.

Helotes sighed and leaned back against the wooden wall of the house, peering at Enkiel’s hands as he worked with half lidded eyes, Do you miss it terribly? He asked quietly, with as non-threatening a tone as possible; he did not want to insult the man further.

Enkiel said that he missed the warmth, and Helotes took this to mean various things. The Imperium was a private man, but Helotes could sometimes read between the lines. His cousin then asked him if he had come for family, just as he had and Helotes nodded, I did… my father is an angry man, full of regrets, one of which was abandoning this place. He finally pushed my siblings, mother and I to the brink, and we knew we would be welcome here… his mind then went to the last time he had seen his father, how vicious he had looked, how he nearly had attacked their mother. They had to steal away in the middle of the night, leaving the pack in which Helotes had grown up in. But the stories his father had told in happier times, of Kaena and Inferni, those are what gave the family strength.

Helotes watched as the kitten grew disinterested and walked away, and the dark Lykoi’s eyes strayed to the window to the cold outside; even though he had only been here for several months, he already felt the family bond with Kaena, Zana, Enkiel and many other Lykoi’s was much stronger then the bond he had had with his own father. There was one Lykoi however, that he was still struggling with, Tell me Enkiel, do you know much of Halo Lykoi? I have begun training under her… she is… like a poison. She reminded him very much of his father, and his brother Columbine.

Halo Lykoi was a deadly flower, one to gaze at but not touch, not disturb. He was in awe of her, both revering her for her pride and being revolted by it. Something about her scared Helotes, though he would never admit it. She was dangerous, and he felt like this danger could consume any in its path, including the ones he loved.

The answer to his question came as a surprise; Halo was Enkiel’s half-sister? Helotes nearly laughed, but he was too shocked to make a sound for a moment. The two were so different; where Enkiel was reserved and modest Halo was insane and forthright; they two were like opposites! But then again, when Helotes thought about it, them being half-siblings made sense; he could see some similarities; like how the two were nearly hermits, pushing all away from each other. He wondered if there was any affection between the two of them.

Helotes was quiet as he watched Enkiel finished sealing the jar, the measured way the Imperium did he was work was similar to how Halo fought, and she fought well. Helotes was in a constant state of battery from their training lessons, but he relished it; every bruise was a badge of honor and ever cut a mark of improvement. He could feel him getting stronger, smarter, and more reserved in battle; it was enough to make him wish there was a war he could fight in.

Helotes then decided to speak, in a cool tone, Your half-sister, eh? Interesting. Well she is quite the coyote that’s for sure. Under her tutelage I will most certainly become a Hydra for the clan. This had been his goal, his choice rank, for it marked him as a true warrior and gave him the privilege of serving at Ezekiel’s side, protecting the Aquila. It was a rank he coveted and would not take lightly once he attained it.

Finally, a reaction from Enkiel, and an actual expression; so the Egyptian devil had emotions after all. The smile that curved on the jackal’s lips was somewhat off-putting, but the Lykoi male mirrored it with a smirk of his own, especially when the Imperium had finished speaking. Halo’s half-brother knew her well, for he was very much correct in his describing her as a dragon. She was a sultry serpent that breathed a hot fire for sure, but that was what made her such a great trainer. If Helotes didn’t have some fear of her, then what could he possibly expect to learn from her? Her fierceness kept him on his toes, constantly watching, constantly becoming stronger. She pushed him in ways that both exhausted and exhilarated him and that was what interested him about her so.

Helotes let the laugh bubble up in his throat and come cascading out, Ha! Too true, I’m sure I will be a feast for her yet. It was in jest though, for Helotes knew that the stronger he became, the less of a threat Halo was. Her skills were still beyond him, but that may not last. The ways of the sword were at her command, but his knowledge of the bow was growing ever stronger, whenever he had the time to practice or meet with Aemon. Soon he would attach sharpened blades to the end of his wooden weapons, and when he finally mastered the art he would be quite the formidable opponent indeed. Helotes was quite confident that sooner or later, his stature and strength would be the trump card against Halo.

The next statement from the jackal however cause Helotes’ features to darken. It seemed as if there was some rite of passage one must take to reach the higher echelon of the clan, and it was rite paid in blood. A sigh then passed from his lips, I am not afraid to kill, but I will not bring about the demise of someone who does not deserve it. Helotes stood then brooding, his eyes trailing to the window again, I suppose I must wait then, until an opportunity to prove myself arises. He paused then, standing ever so still, these thoughts playing out in his mind before he turned to his cousin again, Thanks for the bandage doc, and the company. I will speak with you again soon. And with a quick bow Helotes went to exit the guest house, but before doing so took a moment to bend down and pet the tiny cat creature before finally leaving.