A full moon shone on the night I found Fakir by the river. He waited with a picnic blanket and a basket of fresh fruit.

  As I approached, two pairs of paw steps followed side by side. All three of us made sure to create noise as we closed in; Fakir’s wizard-like robes shifted as he lifted his head to greet me.

  And as expected with added guests, Fakir froze up before composing himself with a shuddered exhale.

  I don’t blame him. At the same time, I lacked any sense of guilt for wanting to feel safe. It was my right.

  As for the Gem Wolves, they weren’t too far away. Opal kept guard alongside their trusted confidants. I trusted the rosy wolf to sound the alarm should there be any issues.

  “Erm,” Fakir offered a wary smile. “I assume these two wolves are your friends?” He glanced at the furry twins before tearing his gaze away. “Such striking creatures. Can you take on a form similar to theirs? As your special magic, I mean.” Fakir eyed my claws.

  I lifted a hand to my left, Ebony pushed his muzzle into the sharp tips without fear. I do not scratch him, careful to card the claws into his fur rather than anywhere sensitive.

  Ebony is a black wolf with dark eyes. His claws were white if one looked close enough.

  Ivory stuck closely by my side as a snow-white wolf, poised and cool as ice. He leaned against my knee with his weight.

  For two seconds, I entertained the idea of ‘going wolf.’

  “A wolf with mint fur,” I imagined with a casual bob of the head. “That would be eye-catching. Standing out would be annoying, however.” That’s why the cloak was so very useful. Hiding in plain sight triumphed secrecy. “I was told it might be possible, but I have to train first. What about you? Your magic? What type is it?” Joining Fakir on the blanket, I reached over and dragged the fruit basket to my side. I offered one of the fruits, strawberry-like but violet, to Ivory.

  My white-furred brother gave it a thorough sniff before lapping the berry into his mouth. Ivory’s tail lazily flicked as he swallowed.

  Ebony resolutely watched the Dulling like a hawk.

  Fakir laughed lightly at the scene before hesitating, as if the incoming information was something he had never said aloud before. “I’m uncertain. I believe it's magic rooted in defense.” He reached for a berry himself, then tossed it at Ebony. “Otherwise, I would’ve been able to cast the water spell you witnessed some days earlier…”

  Ebony allowed the berry to bounce off his snout. He rumbled a growl instead.

  Fakir swiftly folded his hands and legs closer to himself with another wary smile. “Your wolves are sure…Interesting, Miss.” Fakir’s politeness rang with sheepishness.

  Ah. I had forgotten.

  “Shepherd,” I interrupted him. “That is what I’m known as, and I’ve grown fond of it.” Since it was the first title my brothers had called me.

  “A Shepherd of what?” Fakir raised his head.

  I smiled and petted both heads of the twins.

  Fakir balked. “No,” His disbelief made me a little giddy, hidden fluff wriggling. “Of wolves?” He cleared his throat as both Ebony and Ivory stared him down. “I suppose anything is possible. I heard those personally summoned by a Nine would achieve impossible feats…You were summoned, weren’t you?”

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  I nodded, curt and quick. “That’s all I’m willing to say on the topic. What about you? How did you get your magic?” I did not hesitate with sensitive topics; my hood provided a sense of confidence in staying hidden from social consequences.

  Fakir flicked the top rim of his hat. “I rescued a snake when I was a child.” A smile slowly slid across his lips. Emerald eyes twinkled as Fakir became lost in a memory. “It was a wee little thing. I thought she was dead when I found her in my mother’s garden.” He shook his head fondly. “I had her patched up, and took her everywhere with me. She had the prettiest scale pattern you’d ever see.” Fakir breathed out. “I have no idea what a Nine was doing in our realm, considering Dulling history, but she took a liking to me. Next thing I know, she saved us from a rough fall.”

  Fakir’s emerald eyes finally turned elsewhere. “When one of the Nine reveals their true form, they’re forced to retreat from where they’ve come. This was no different. She left, but not without a parting gift. I was able to use magic ever since. Magic brought me both pain and joy.” Fakir looked at Ebony, then Ivory. “I’m assuming it was the same for you, Shepherd?”

  Ebony snapped his jaws while Ivory lowly growled, Fakir jolted, startled. He made sure to fall back to a further corner with a piece of the blanket.

  The river continued to run, neutral of the tense air.

  “I’d say it was similar,” Is the careful answer I decided to go with. “These two are my dearest companions. Condolences for your loss. I did not know Kazo well,” Less than two hours, really. “But I assume we might’ve gotten along if fate permitted it.” They gave me Ebony and Ivory after all.

  With a flex of the arm, I nibbled on some of the fruit. Most were sweet, I found myself pairing fruits together to experience wonderful combinations.

  “Kazo…Ah, the ‘Increase’ member of the Nine,” Fakir mused aloud. “The one I knew never gave me her name. I called her Miss Jules up until she departed.” Fakir gave a bittersweet smile at the memory.

  “You wanted to learn more about Magic, right? Here,” Fakir pushed forward the stack of books. “I am beginning to suspect the Nines’ division is what causes us magical beings to have unstable Magic. We could be good at one attribute, but everything else is left shaky.” Fakir adjusted his hat. “I wanted to learn other magics to protect myself. There are many who are envious of any Dulling lucky enough to be given a blessing. In fact, some kingdoms capture them.”

  As ‘pets’ or otherwise? I mused with a heat of protectiveness growing in my claws. I gave both Ebony and Ivory a flick to their ears, both wolves had gawked respectively.

  “So we need one another to survive against unified threats,” I looked to the stars, pacifying Ivory as Ebony laid his head on the ground to recover. “Annoying. I just want to live in isolated peace.” And then, the words register.

  “Fakir, could you use a safeguard spell to protect a place? Keep outsiders from entering?” Defensive spells, right? These sounded like defense! Can it be? Books weren’t needed if a teacher this good existed.

  “Ah? I can.” Fakir admitted. “It’s close to illusions, I suppose. However, with the right application…Yes. Your desire to have an isolated forest wouldn’t be far off.” Fakir nodded twice. “I’m a dedicated scholar. I learned greatly from my studies. I could try to teach you. It’ll take some time due to incompatibility, but your determination sells me on this.”

  I grinned, popping another not-strawberry into my mouth.

  Something whizzed like a tickle close to my ear.

  Ebony snapped to alert, snarling.

  Ivory retreated from my side, now facing the overgrowth by the bank. Ebony was quick to have jumped next to him. Both wolves braced themselves.

  In effort of their warning, I scraped my claws against one another in preparation.

  Fakir eyed at us like we were the odd ones. “What is—!”

  And then, someone stepped out of the river’s dense bushes. They wore a cloak darker than mine. Their hair was a dull green, and they wear the mask of a fish. In hand was a simple grey sword. My eyes caught onto the handle, glittering feathers wrapped around the hilt.

  RageDisgustSeething, I read from Ebony, clear as day.

  RageProtectWary. Came Ivory’s own emotions.

  Those hilted feathers were so very colorful. Gradients of red and violet colors.

  “I found you, Prince of Little Rock,” The aggressor hummed as Fakir rapidly turned white as a sheet. “You sure fled the coop, yeah? I was told to bring you back.” There was a throb of delight in her voice. “They never told me about witnesses. It’s nice to finally meet you, face to face. As for your friend?”

  I jumped up to my feet, feeling not fast enough.

  Ebony and Ivory bared their fangs. They were not directly attacking, instinctively sensing an unknown danger if reckless action were taken.

  The fur on my head, legs, and arms tickled with discomfort and alarm.

  “Goodbye.” The Hunter tightened their grip on their weapon.

  “Don’t do this!” Fakir clamored, pitched in fright.

  A swing of the sword brought on a gigantic tsunami wave of flame.

  It was then, as the fire glittered, I thought of the pretty feathers. Even as the fire washed forth in my direction, I thought of the feathers and the number of them. A flame so bright it didn’t immediately evaporate without a stable force. The fire flew closer instead, ready to bite away and burn anything it touches to ash. Yet in its destructive force, there was no grace. No beauty. A stale recreation of an original.

  Magic. But it wasn’t like Fakir’s generous show.

  No. This magic was stolen.

  Harvested.

  Ripped away from a magical body who had fought tooth and nail, only to be purged by a greedy hand.

  My heart ached for the wolves I currently have in my care. The Gem Wolves who lost family and loved ones in similar ways. To scum like this.

  I ripped loose a snarl, vibrating from around my lungs.

  Thief.