Perfect certainly wasn't the word Thoery would used to describe this situation... 

Reluctantly, Theory stepped further into the room, closing the doors behind him. With all the eyes in the room watching him as he made his way to one of the available chairs in front of the desk, the clawing in his gut intensified. 

"Join us, Niro."

Silent as death, the Shifter moved to the seat beside Theory, keeping as much distance between them without making it abundantly obvious. 

The dislike was mutual.

"We have a special assignment that requires the utmost discretion. It is imperative that this is handled quickly and quietly. There are few that would execute this in the manner that we prefer, which is why you are here," Boquin explained, getting straight to the point. 

From the grave expressions on both of their superiors, it was clear that the importance of the mission was definitely not an exaggeration, but what made the pit in Theory's gut twist was the silent unasked question: Why them?

Neither Theory nor Niro spoke, only waiting for more details. In that pregnant silence, it was unclear if they would receive them. Just as Theory opened his mouth to ask, Boquin spoke again. 

"This package must be delivered to the Elvish embassy. Only to be received by King Elion and no other."

King Elion? All the way in Aldrid? That would take several moons. Theory couldn't sacrifice that time, not with his abundant heats and certainly not with a companion. But he couldn't refuse a direct task, especially of this caliber.

He was screwed. 

"Why us?" 

Niro spoke for the first time, daring to ask the question Theory was too afraid to. Those bright green and red eyes glinted with emerald smoke and deadly poison. Many were too fearful to spar with him for that gaze alone.

"Both of you are unique. The longest to date to go without a shift. That is a skill that will be of the utmost importance in this journey. As you have probably already surmised, you will be traveling through several regions and even more territories. With the unrest between the Kappas and Nymphs spreading, people are sticking to their own, our kind will likely not be welcome across borders. It is why you must be spelled, appearance and scents hidden. If you shift, or use too much magic, the spell will be broken and you can travel with only but so many potions."

A part of Theory raged. He didn't shift because he couldn't. It was not a choice as it was for Niro. Just his damned luck that his ailment would be the reason he was exposed. 

"Of course, you will be compensated handsomely. To ensure your delicacy with the matter, you each will receive twenty thousand gold rue," Aizend added. 

Theory's jaw dropped. 

Twenty thousand? He'd be set for life! He could finally buy that cottage in central Rhettick without having to worry about his damned heats exposing him. He wouldn't have to do any of this anymore. It would be his last mission. 

He'd be a fool to pass up this opportunity. 

"And what is it that we are delivering? What are the risks?" Niro pushed. His eyes were narrowed in suspicion. As if the sheer amount of money offered was nothing but petty change. The arrogance alone made Theory sneer. 

The shared look between Captain and Lieutenant was alarming to say the least. As if they had expected the two to take the task without even asking, as if they were mindless soldiers, obeying any command. Some in the Guard were like that. But these two? Far from it. 

Theory's sense of self-preservation never allowed him to risk himself unnecessarily. Goals meant nothing if he was dead. 

"You understand that this is a matter of utmost importance and could change the future for Shifters and Elves alike. What you hold will be a treaty between the Shifter Clans and the Elves."

Theory's eyes widened as Niro's narrowed. 

"The Shifter Clans...all of them?" Niro asked. 

Captain Aizend leaned forward, "All of them."

The two males stared at each other for a moment, before Theory broke the silence.

"When do we depart?" Theory asked, finally speaking up. 

"You'll leave at dawn. Your horses have been prepared with the supplies you'll need and the coin to get you by," Aizend said before knocking on the desk in front of him three times. 

The door opened and one of the healers came in. With a nod of respect to the two high-ranking officials, they stepped inside holding a black metal box. They stepped up to the desk and placed it on the wood as the room watched.

"To ensure the safety of the package, it will be implanted in you. No one can steal it, no one can sense it, and only the King knows the spell to extract it."

Theory tensed, fingers gripping the wood of his chair uncomfortably. He didn't like the idea of something being implanted in him. 

Niro was equally tense as he watched the healer through narrowed eyes. They were practically slits at this point. 

"Niro, the package will be implanted inside of you," Aizend announced. 

Niro's nostrils flared angrily and Theory tried to hide his own relief.

The healer, sensing the tension, quickly added, "It will be painless. You will not sense anything amiss and it will cause no harm."

Niro only grunted in response. As he stood and unbuttoned his shirt, Boquin turned to me. 

"It will be your job to make sure that nothing happens to him." 

Theory could only nod in response, the surreal situation barely sinking in. He didn't watch the healer's ministrations as he implanted the package that he still didn't know what entailed. Was this really what being in the Guard was like? Following orders blindly, without choice? Up until now, his orders had never made him question his choice of occupation, but this was...more than he had expected. 

Sure, a part of him was glad that he wasn't the one to have the package placed inside, and as much as he hated Niro, the fact that his choice had been stripped from him put a bad taste in Theory's mouth.

After the package was implanted, Boquin handed each of them a tiny ring with the insignia of the Light Elves, to help them cross borders. It would also back up their glamor. The tonics would make them appear to all but each other as Light Elves. 

Theory heard about the use of tonics this way, for more of the high-risk, stealth tasks, but never thought he'd need one for himself. He tended to shy away from those. 

Was the coin worth it?

After the two were dismissed, they walked side by side, back to the barracks in total silence. Ordered to rest, they had little else to do but wait and prepare. 

Should Theory see Haywen? Ask for more tonics?

No. It would be too risky.

Sneaking a glance at the surly Breeder, Theory wondered what the male thought of it all. From what Theory could remember, Niro didn't take stealth missions either. Not because he avoided the dangerous ones, but because he got a kick out of notoriety. At least, that was what Theory had always assumed. The bastard looked smug most of the time. It irritated him. 

"What are you staring at?" Niro grunted, green and red eyes sliding toward him. Immediately, Theory bristled, unbridled anger made him puff up aggressively. 

The two glared at each other before huffing and splitting ways. It was always like that between them.

This mission was going to be horrible.