Before Mammon could absorb what he was hearing, Haru was already voicing both their concerns. “Rudi? Little Rudi from the market? He’s just a child!”

Realisation hit Mammon all at once, and though he struggled to hold his surprise he needed Faolán to continue. There had to be more to this. The fist the soldier wolf made while gathering his nerve told Mammon as much.

“Rudi doesn’t belong here,” Faolán began. “It’s been agreed that Rudi should be my charge, and if I go, he needs to come with me. You’re right, Mr Ito, Rudi is young. He can easily lose himself in his own head, but he’s a good kid. A sharp kid. He’ll work hard to impress you and the king and he would never—”

“You said it’s been agreed. By whom?” Mammon heard himself interrupt before he could stop.

“…By his family, sir.” Faolán replied, his tone relenting.

“Why?” Mammon asked, though it sounded like a statement. “Because of what he is? Because he’s far from Vargr’s ideal wolf warrior? What kind of father cannot even speak for his own blood?” Mammon spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing on Fenus.

“Mammon-san…” Haru tried, but Mammon couldn’t look at him right then, lest he risk softening his anger.

“So this is you now, Fenus? At least in the old days, you used to try to face me like a wolf. You remember, when you used to pretend to be brave. Now you use children to carry out your dim-witted plans. I’m curious. How did you think this would pan out? This brilliant idea? ‘Let's attack the Grand Marshal of Hell; I've known him since we were young. We're not such good pals, but I'm sure he will be so overjoyed, he will take my kid to court.’ Hm? Something like that? Were you looking to dazzle me through battle?”

Fenus kept his gaze low, a poor growl was all he managed.

“Low does not begin to cover a unregenerate like you.” Mammon seethed, as though the very words soured his mouth. “Why don’t you be a true wolf for once? Why don’t you ask me — no, beg me to take the half-breed you most likely sired while you were out of your mind drunk.” Mammon never wished so hard for Fenus to lose his temper. “After all these years, is there even a pulse in you?”

“Grand Marshal, it was me who proposed it.” Faolán interjected, but Mammon kept his sight on Fenus, frustrated that the slimy wolf kept his mouth shut.

“I didn’t plan for it this way,” Faolán continued, “the ambush, or making you think we were after Mr Ito. I hadn’t realised Grodus was throwing his scent around to make you believe that was the case! But when you refused to check our troops, I just saw my… our chance slip away. I may be a full wolf, but I’ve always looked up to you since I was a cub. Even before you became Grand Marshal.”

“Faolán, have you ever heard the expression ‘flattery will get you nowhere’?” Mammon finally glanced at the soldier. He liked Faolán, but this was pushing it, and now really wasn’t the time. “It is one of my favourite human idioms. They use it as a jest, but I like to take it quite literally. I will let you consider why, before you continue.”

Faolán paused. “You don’t know me well, and that’s fair. If you did, you’d know I don’t lie. I don’t give out flattery to impress. Everything I spoke here was the truth. It was always my intention to leave with you when I heard you were coming. Before you got there, I went to Fenus' house and suggested that he allow Rudi to accompany me if I was selected to go to court. Rudi is like family to me. I wouldn’t settle if I just left him behind.”

Faolán sounded truthful enough. Mammon recalled how Faolán carried Rudi at the market, and how playful he was with the boy during their walk to the chieftain’s manor. But it wasn’t from Faolán that Mammon needed to hear things from. “Mighty and brave of you, soldier. Still, you are not Rudi’s blood to speak on his behalf, are you?”

A shadow of resignation coated Faolán’s eyes as he turned to Fenus. The smaller wolf had been keeping his gaze low, as though the conversation had never concerned him.

Fenus finally raised his head to meet Mammon’s glare. He seemed calm as he spoke, though he did so through clenched fangs. “You think I give three shits about the boy? You think I’ll stand here and beg? Faolán told you this was his idea. He likes the wretch; he can keep him. Faolán is probably the best thing that happened to the half-pint. The way he looks, he’s lucky he’s survived this long! The kid doesn’t just look weak, he’s a menace! Faolán came to me out of respect, that’s it; something you’d know nothing about ‘cause there was no one there to teach you. Take him, don’t take him, I couldn’t give a hound's arse.”

“You… h-how can you…” Haru’s voice trembled. “He’s your son!”

“Aye, he’s my seed. So what?” Fenus turned to Haru, both his fists clenched. “A mistake anyone can make. Mr Grand Marshal said it right. I made him when I was shit-faced. I don’t even remember his mother’s face! Someone told me she was a rare soul, or whatever the hell. Sh-she died after having him. He was lucky… he was lucky Grodus…” Fenus’ voice broke at the last. Though his frown deepened, his stare seemed intent on holding to anger, yet it drifted away from Haru's and finally at nothing. Mammon felt Haru’s pause, and it confirmed they no longer understood what they were looking at.

Fenus inhaled rapidly, startling both Haru and Mammon, and as though he mustered the last remnants of his rage, he said: “He was fucking lucky Grodus convinced me to take him in!! He’s nothing but a… despicable little…”

Grodus’ large palm rested on his smaller friend’s shoulder, though the cheery expression he held did not match the comfort he perhaps was trying to pass on. Mammon wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Fenus’ stare turned vacant once more, as though he had lost himself somewhere along the way. Or perhaps his whole life. In any case, the slime seemed unable to continue, and none of this made sense.

“Well, this is precious.” Mammon said exasperated, ready to move on. Only when Haru reached his arm was he prompted to look again. And regrettably, Mammon saw it: The eyes of that slimy, weasel-looking idiot were shimmering.

Mammon couldn’t help a shocked chuckle.

Fenus was everything a wolf should never — could never be. He was despicable, spurious, spineless, and most of all, he was a blitheless lying coward. His only two advantages were that he was a full-blooded wolf, and that Mammon existed. And oh, did he make use of those. Fenus’ very existence revolved around making Mammon’s life more miserable in Vargr when they were young. Fenus thrived on it; to despise everything that Mammon was, and the stain he represented on their proud and pure race, as though it could further propel his own ambitions. It was a good cover. After all, given his weedy frame and absence of battling skills, were it not for Mammon’s existence, Fenus would most certainly be Vargr’s next best victim. So he played his cards right at least, back then. Hating half-wolves was part of his make-up.

Now, he went and fathered himself a half-wolf. Father to a son he would never love; not truly. It was unthinkable, yet here they were. Fenus wasn’t begging, Mammon knew it would never come to it; but he was desperate. It was impossible to deny or mistake the scent of desperation coming off of his most hated enemy; even through his lies. Fear gripped Fenus. The irony of it all made Mammon quiver with disgust. Most of all, it irritated Mammon to no end, because he sensed it true.

Mammon looked at his mate, realising right away that Haru saw the same thing. He didn’t need special scenting abilities to read some of the situation. And as though Mammon called his name aloud, Haru met Mammon’s gaze and stole his defences. Haru’s concern was fixed on Rudi, and Mammon was once again assaulted with memories of his own childhood. Mammon had been alone to fend for himself against most of Vargr. Still, he was the son of a God and a wolf; that provided him with powers, abnormal as they were, but they helped protect him and keep him alive until Lucious came for him.

Rudi. What did the child have? This miserable excuse of a father? A guardian who, if not taken to court, would most likely venture out in Hell, anyway? Even in Faolán’s arms, Mammon recalled, the child looked meek. It would not survive Vargr or out there in the desolate. Faolán’s love for the child was clear, but it would not be enough to protect it; not alone. What other future awaited the child?  

“Faolán,” Haru said quietly, “Rudi’s bruises from before…”

“Children. Rudi fights back, he’s not afraid, and he has grit. I’ve also been training him, but he’s still too small to best a wolf his own age. We’re not even sure at this stage if he can use Risúl.” Faolán replied.

“I’ve seen Rudi fight.” Silvoh said as he stood up and crossed his arms. His tone, even his posture seemed surer than before. “He can hold his own for a while. I’m sure he’ll have his Risúl in no time.” He finished, while Ghenus nodded vigorously. Mammon took stock of the two youths. He had almost forgotten that the two were still there.

Haru tilted his head as he spoke. “Mammon-san, if it will mean the child will be safer in court…”

Mammon pinched the bridge of his nose, already knowing the end of this discussion. “It’s not that simple, Haru. Even in court, things are not a sea of roses; and the soldier’s quarters are not a place for a child to grow. Rudi is much younger than I was when I went to court. And I had Lucious’ protection, as his servant; who would look after the boy when Faolán is not around?”

“Well, he could have your protection; as the Grand Marshal.” Haru simply stated. It prompted an eyebrow raise from Mammon. With a soft smile, Haru added, “and…I could, too. I could help.”

 At that, Fenus and everyone else looked at Haru, incredulous.

“Haru, that is…” Mammon attempted to measure his words as he was rarely astounded, yet Haru seemed to master this ability. “I don’t think that would be wise. Wolf children are not… well, they are not like human children.”

“How do you mean?” Haru cocked his head at him, his eyes impossibly innocent.

Mammon cleared his throat. He then gently moved Haru closer to him, as he had somehow strayed nearer the other wolves. Too much for his liking. “They need more training at self-control for one. Rudi is clearly not used to being around human souls. As he is, he could easily imprint on you.”

“Imprint? Oh, like marking me as his parent?”

Mammon knew this tone. It was dangerous how Haru could simplify things.

“Similar, but not quite, sweetheart. There is much I need to tell you about my race. For now, please just trust me.”

Then Mammon looked again at Fenus, whose eyes still favoured the ground. Mammon knew he was most likely wrong, but he preferred to think that Fenus was capable of at least feeling shame. They would never be friends, he and the slimy wolf. They would never come to respect one another; Mammon’s hatred would never allow it. And he knew he would come to regret this. Generosity was not a demon’s top skill. Albeit, if Raymon had not done it for him many years ago, where or what would he be today? Foremost, did it matter whose child Rudi was, if it meant saving his life?

“I’m tired, so I need a quick response to this.” Mammon said loud enough to the others. All except Fenus looked at him. “The mother, was she blind?”

No one seemed to know how to respond.

“Mother, Grand Marshal?” Faolán tempted.

“The rare soul Fenus says he impregnated. She must have been blind, no?” A note of impatience lined Mammon’s tone.

Yet Faolán seemed at a loss. “I… I have never met her, sir. I’m sorr—”

“I’ve got this one, Fay!” Grodus’ vivacious voice cut through. Mammon saw him too eager to answer. “Nah, she wasn’t blind. She was dead gorgeous though, wasn’t she Fen? Well, for a human soul and all. Not my type, but she had Fen here all up in a twist! He was pretty embarrassed about it at first, but then he started washing up every day, going past the dens just to go see her, and—”

“Right, yes; you’ve answered the question, thank you, Grodus.” Mammon held a hand up, seeing Silvoh, Ghenus and even Faolán’s ears perking at the oncoming backstory. “I would still rather think of her as blind. She couldn’t have known what she was dealing with. Or perhaps she was the one shit-faced. A more rational explanation to survive Fenus.”

“I need rest, and I need to be with my mate.” Mammon held Haru’s hand again as they began walking away. “We shall meet at the gates tomorrow at dusk, right after the feast. If you are a second late, gentlemen, I will leave you behind.”

Fenus and Faolán looked up, their eyes wide, while Ghenus and Silvoh exchanged perplexed glances and Grodus chuckled.

“After the troop inspection and the matches, make sure you wash and dress all your wolves accordingly. The child in particular needs to be scrubbed up thoroughly. He may not be a soldier, but he smells like one. I will not take any fleas with me to court.” The grand marshal waved.