It took several moments to shake all the snow from his clothing, and longer still to shed the thick coat and boots that were soaked through. Aksel sighed wearily, hanging the clothing up inside the atrium, eyeing the open door to the library. It seemed his visitor had somehow made his way down the stairs then. His injuries must not bother him as much as Aksel had feared they would.

He moved quietly, taking care to mask his footsteps on the stone floor, reaching out with his senses. The Hunter’s scent was thick and it did not seem that he had left the library. He was not lying in wait for him, in fact it was quickly apparent that the Hunter had made himself quite at home on the large rug before the fire. Aksel could not stop the smile that pulled at his lips at the sight. The other man was sprawled out, sleeping deeply with what had to be about a shelf and a half’s worth of books stacked about him. The Icchorian chuckled, moving forward to sit in his favored seat, eyes taking in the book titles that the Human had chosen. Several were general studies on the Icchorian race, others based in more mundane topics, and a few on language differences and dialect trivias that dated older than Aksel. He felt an eyebrow raise at that.

It seemed the Human was skilled in leaving him baffled.

Hours passed, and Aksel found himself drifting in and out of sleep several times, but his attention never wavered off the Hunters slumbering before him. During this time he reflected on various things that he knew Alois’s presence here would mean to him. His family and Clan had certainly become entangled in the fate of the chosen ones, and he was all that was left to show for it. It was ironic that now, so many years later, one would show up in his courtyard - and a Hunter at that.

Aksel was sure he would be pelted with questions once the Human had slept his exhaustion off.

Finally Alois moved, sitting up with a wide yawn and becoming instantly alert once his gaze landed on the Icchorian who calmly watched him mere feet away. He tensed, silently cursing his lack of weaponry. How could he forget something like that while in the domain of his enemy?

Several tense moments passed while the two of them sized each other up, and finally Alois broke first.

“Where did you go?”

Golden eyes widened a bit in shock. That was certainly not the first thing he thought he would be asked.

“I went outside, to hunt.”

Alois stared at him, straightening to make himself taller to no avail. Despite the Icchorian sitting down, Alois doubted he would be much taller than him even if he were standing.

“Why am I alive?”

Aksel sat back a bit. There it was. The Hunter certainly didn’t beat around the bush for long.

“I told you before. I am curious to hear certain things from you.”

“You mean that nonsense about me not being a Human.”

Aksel’s gaze took on an amused glimmer. “You still have yet to say you are one.”

Alois growled. “You are as impossible as my men. I am a Human Hunter.”

Aksel remained silent, his gaze heavy as he regarded Alois. The Hunter could feel where his gaze landed, and jerked back when the golden gaze rested on a fringe of his hair that hung outside his hood.

“Stop being so creepy. Pay attention to our conversation. I am not an Icchorian, despite what you think my strange attributes mean. Why would you even think they’d make me one of you beasts?”

Aksel tilted his head, again feeling his brow raise. “I would hardly call them strange. Unusual perhaps, but not strange.” He pushed himself up, ignoring how Alois scrambled back away from his towering figure and turning to one of the shelves. He made his way down a few rows, and found the exact title he was looking for where he left it last. His gaze found Alois’s as he made his way back, handing him the book. “This particular title has a recording of my fellows that dates a few thousand years. It speaks of beings that are like yourself, who our Seers say will save us from eternal war and lead us to peace.”

Alois stared at the cover, before his wide eyes landed on Aksel as he spoke. “Seers?”

Aksel nodded. “Prophets who are able to glimpse the future. We heed their words, sometimes as law.” He made himself comfortable in the chair, his gaze falling briefly to the book before settling on Alois once more. “You should read it, as it is my own belief that it is you that they are talking about.” Mukesh’s words seemed to echo in Aksel’s own. This had to have been what the Elder had spoken of.

The Hunter did not answer, running a hand gently down the cover before opening it. The script was slanted, and it took him a moment to adjust to its scrawl. Aksel was left in silence as the Hunter absorbed the information within.

Four pieces of a single soul, split by blood. That sounded very fantastical and seemed to come from the things that kids whisper in their make believe games in the streets. But the way the prophecy was recorded, it seemed that this particular belief was held in high regard, perhaps the author had been weary of battle, and saw this as hope for a peaceful future. Alois read on to see the description that Aksel had spoken of. White haired warriors who would stand out from their brothers, who would hold influence like no other of their kind and speak with the voice of a thousand. He had to reread the passage a few times, blinking as the information sunk it. Finally he looked up, finding that Aksel had not moved from his perch.

“This is all well and good, but the problem still lies in the fact that I am not an Icchorian. Or an influential warrior for that matter.”

But I could be. As Yulian’s Shadow. His traitorous mind whispered, causing him to growl.

Aksel stared in slight puzzlement, and accepted he would just have to deal with being confused around the Hunter. He watched as the smaller man was plunged once more into his internal strife, and decided to take the opportunity to regard him. Hiding his white hair so closely was an indication of insecurity about it, which lead the Icchorian to believe that the other Humans surely gave him trouble for this trait. Which in turn meant that they held no special legends or beliefs about it.

To him that meant the only logical explanation was the one he had presented to Alois.

Of course, Aksel could not recall a single Icchorian that did not suffer from the Thirst, so that was something that worked in Alois’s favor of maintaining his Humanity. His train of thought was interrupted as Alois sat up, gaining his attention once more.

“It talks about there being other pieces. Have these other white haired people been found?”

Alois noted that Aksel had been lost in his own thoughts, and resolved that he wouldn’t allow himself to become further distracted in the Icchorian’s presence.

“There has been word of one other. I would have thought that a Hunter from your city would know who that was.”

Alois stared at him now, his mind racing. Why should he, a Human, have knowledge of a special Icchorinan? Unless...

“The Golden Ones.”

Aksel pushed down his bafflement once again, waiting instead for the Hunter to explain. When Alois caught his questioning gaze he seemed to huff in annoyance.

“Everyone in the Capitol knew about them at one point, but it’s been many years, and all but a few have forgotten the damage they did to us. Two Icchorians dressed head to toe in golden armor tore the entire army of the time to shreds. There were no survivors. It was what lead to our walls being built, and travel restricted. It is remarked that neither of them even broke a sweat, and were able to leave freely after they were done.”

Aksel soaked in the information. “An Interesting name for them, I’m sure they would find it amusing.”

Alois nearly stood up. “They are alive?!”

It was Aksel’s turn to snort softly at his outburst. “Of course. We do not die as easily as you. Our lives are much longer than Humans could ever hope to dream.”

Alois shook, not at the insult but at the implication of Aksel’s words. “They are alive...and you know them?”

“I do. Or know of them at least. It’s been many years since I’ve spoken to one of their Clan.” Aksel shifted. “Their Clan was recently established, relatively speaking of course.”

Alois leaned forward eagerly, again shaking in his repressed excitement. “And one of the Golden Ones is the other white haired person?”

“That must be their Head of the Clan. I believe her name to be Lady Layrion. Last I heard, they had found themselves a home in the eastern mountains.”

Alois let the name wash over him, and sat back down. It was as if being told about a long lost family member, so desperate had he been to hear of someone else like him all his life that he felt relief hit him. It was unreal, and the moment was one he knew he would recall for a long time.

“I must talk to her.” Alois murmured, eyes unseeing as they rested on the book in his lap.

Aksel chuckled, and Alois jerked his attention up to him to hear it. It was deep, shaking him almost as much as the wind that pelted the castle.

“So you do believe then, that you are a piece that book talks about?

“I don’t know. Honestly I just want to talk about certain things… that I think only she would understand.”

Aksel seemed to mull this over, before shaking his head. “I’m afraid it will be impossible.”

Alois bristled, setting the book aside. “And why is that? Do you intend to keep me imprisoned here?”

“No. But you know that others will come after you. Well after me on your behalf. They will stand in your way, and I can not allow you to lead them to that Clan.”

Alois froze. The Icchorian was right, and it was something that had lingered in the back of his mind. “How long has it been since I arrived here?”

“Over two weeks, plus three days since the storm started.”

Alois felt a chill set in then. The Recruits would have taken word back to Alexander that he was defeated. And that would in turn have led to word going to the Capital...straight to Yulian. Knowing the King as Alois did, he could only imagine the reaction that would follow. No doubt a massive army would be dispatched here, and the village itself could possibly pay the price of Alois’s folly.

He ground his teeth. Word would need to be sent to Alexander as soon as he was able. His gaze drifted to the still clouded window, and Aksel could read the unasked question.

“It will take a few more days yet, before the storm will abate.”

Piercing red eyes bore into him. “Why do you know that?”

“Because I am the one that will control it. Given time.”

“And is that something all Icchorians can do, or are you just special?”

He was met with a stoic silence and he scowled once more, looking away from the now quiet man. Alois should have known that the Icchorian would not be open about everything. He was lost in his thoughts, not noticing the soft smile now on the Icchorian’s lips.

It had been so long since he had someone to talk to, someone that was willing to stay long enough to even have a conversation that held any merit. Aksel enjoyed the Hunter’s company, even if the risk of his death continued to rise as time passed. He’d heard the whispers of the boy turned King that lead the Humans, he knew that his anger was vast and unforgiving.

He knew that he wouldn’t resist, if the life the King presented was better for Alois than the life the Hunter could have if he accepted himself.

“What is your plan to stop them Hunter?” It was a guess that Alois would be concerned about his people coming for revenge. From the look the Hunter gave him, he had guessed right.

“I have to get word to my men. They are camped between here and the Capitol. If anything, they can send word to the King.” Alois murmured almost absently.

Aksel nodded and stood up. “How do you feel? Can you walk?” His gaze fell to where he knew the bandages were.

Alois didn’t answer, instead pushing himself up and standing with only a bit of hesitation in his actions. A scowl fell in place and he seemed to search for words before finally addressing Aksel.

“I suppose I have to thank you for healing me…”

Aksel stared at him, waiting. Alois eventually shifted uncomfortably before finally snapping.

“What?”

“Are you going to thank me, or think about it?”

Alois flushed and resisted stomping his foot in frustration. “Thank you!” He growled out, eyes blazing. Aksel’s lips twitched into the beginning of a smile before turning and indicating for Alois to follow him. He led the Hunter out of the library, and to another room close to the front doors he had entered earlier. Inside Alois was surprised to see it had been converted into a type of kennel room. Four large wolves lounged around, each a different shade of color than the other. What struck the Human silent was the intelligence that shone from their eyes as each one regarded him after greeting Aksel. The Icchorian seemed right at home with them, his gaze landing on one that seemed to be the largest, all black in color and with eyes golden, not unlike the Icchorian’s own.

“He can take your message, even in the storm. These wolves are capable of tracking down whoever I ask them too.”

Alois felt his jaw drop once more, unable to think of anything to say. No where had he read about Icchorians domesticating animals, in fact all sources had always stated that animals were naturally afraid of Icchorians and avoided them at all costs. Yet he did assume it would make sense that the hunters of the wild would find a bond to the monsters that lived on blood.

“Do you have anything that belongs to the one you would like to send the message to?” Multiply sets of golden gazes were fixed on him, and Alois flushed from the amount of attention.

“I...yes….I…” He recalled that before leaving, Alexander had given him some of his spare bandages for injuries, and that Alois hadn’t used them since receiving them. “It is down in the village though. With my pack.”

Aksel tilted his head in thought. A trip to the village in the storm would be difficult, but not impossible. Yet with the Hunter’s injuries he did not want to risk making them worse as the Human was starting to look healthy once again. He certainly couldn’t go himself, the Humans would surely panic if he made his presence known. His gaze fell back to the black wolf, who regarded him almost as if a slightly judgmental way. Ah, he had forgotten the capabilities of this pack.

He nodded once at the wolf, who then lifted himself up with a huff and moved towards Alois. The Hunter to his credit did not back away, but tensed as the creature approached him. It drew close, seeming to drink in his scent before giving a shake of its head and trotting out the door. Aksel smiled at the bewildered look on Alois’s face.