Alpha Update

Zas watched as Ebony took off into the sky after the pack was a little ways out on the road headed for Austin. He knew in his head that her leaving was probably for the best. That she would likely be safer far from the trouble the pack would find itself in. Far away from him, but in his heart; his heart was not so reasonable-he wanted her to stay. His heart wanted him to go...to run after her and be with her--but he couldn't; he shouldn't.

Watching her form slip out of sight was hard. Turning his head back to face the road ahead doubly so. All that he knew was that he meant every word he said to her-"If you call... I will come running" and Gaia fear anyone or anything that stood in his way if such a time came to pass.

Zas looked upon his packmates. The lighthearted Mocks the night was in high spirits for the first time in what seemed like forever. The soothing yet contemplative gaze of Hears the Song rested upon the fetish she now carried. Leper Friends wounds having been bandaged made him seem slightly worse for wear but his positive mood seemed to be ignoring for now the pain. The new addition to the pack-Silke, appeared externally at least to be returning to what Zas could only guess was her normal state, but there was much he didn't know about her...less that he trusted. The one glaring exception to this was the also bandaged and cut up get of Fenris alpha who walked along beside her. He had to trust in his alpha. His decision to be with a woman none of the pack had ever met-had been made.

Zas made his way to Rends and began speaking, "You surprise me Rends. You seem to be handling all that's happened recently in stride. Did anything back there not catch you off guard?"

Rends had a wide smile on his face in spite of his wounds. Or perhaps in some part because of them. Silke walked at his side, close by and occasionally touching his arm. She hid it well, but Zas could see her tense up when he made his approach. Though she seemed relatively at ease with Rends, it was obvious the rest of the pack made her at least a little uneasy. She clung to the Alpha's arm, though she gave Zas a warm if not quite earnest smile. Rends pushed his hat back with his free hand, waving for Zas to walk up front with them. He winces just a little as the motion aggravates his bandaged wounds.

"If they's one thing I's learned, it's the art of taking things in stride. I weren't counting on having ta kill Pa twice, or on runnin' into my dead family. I gotta admit, it was nice seein' Daniel... Steel-Fang, that is..."

His gaze goes off for a moment, losing a little of its happiness. Silke gives him a reassuring squeeze.

"Not to mention rescuing the beautiful damsel. I don't remember much, but I know I've never had someone come to my rescue before. You have twice now."

Rends smiles back.

"I reckon."

He turns back to Zas.

"Feels good to win one outright. Ya know?"

Zas nods to Silke but does not return the smile. His gaze shifting between watching her and maintaining eye contact with Rends as he says, "Steel Fang was an honorable Garou-or I suppose rather that he could have been. I didn't much care for your fathers..."

He scratches his chin, "I'm glad you're doing okay though. That being the case, I was hoping you would consider something you told me once, as I have been mulling over this here lately. You once said that you and your kin prized strength, which leads me to wonder if relying on fetish weapons doesn't make us weak. Reason I bring this up is that when you fought and killed your father, you did it with tooth and fang-no tricks, no weapons. He many times your senior, armed with advanced knowledge and powerful weapons, and being in his own territory still fell to you. Then when we talked to Omega he said that the more we used these things the stronger they would become-not the stronger we'd become but the stronger the fetishes themselves would get. By that line of thought-it stands to reason that we could be placing ourselves in danger. Maybe it was just luck, or Fenrir''s favor, or something else entirely, but I figured I would let you think about that too because it is vexing to me."

Zas then says to Rends almost as an afterthought as he stares at Silke, "Your wife-she seems to be a strong woman. Perhaps in another time she too may have been one of Gaia's chosen. Her tales and memories of what she can recall may be helpful in determining what your father was doing before you killed him."

He pauses at Rends question, "We did what we set out to do, but I'm not entirely certain we have won. The others had strong points of concern regarding the fulfillment of your fathers goals in creation of these..." gesturing to the God's Nails, "I'm not sure I agree with the end of the world conversation, but there is much we don't know about this. You said you weren't willing to part with them, but would you be willing to bring them before the tribal elders for closer scrutiny? These fetishes weren't made in the traditional way. Most spirits need to agree to inhabit a fetish...these were forced-I'm concerned they may be cursed."

Rends considers for a moment.

"I don't see what the problem is. I ain't opposed to letting the Elders take a look at em, if fer no other reason than to put yalls concerns to rest."

They take a few more steps in silence before he goes on.

"When I say I'm strong, I ain't jest takin about how hard I can hit someone. My strength is the packs strength. Together we succeed, as Gaia intends. That's why we have the Auspices. We can't win if everyone is Ahroun, ot Philodox or whatever. And we can't win without kinfolk and their own kind of strength to give us a home and focus for the war. But we don't jest have the strength wes born with."

With a metallic *shhk* one of the Gods Nails pops out and rends holds the blade up for the Philodox to see.

"We learn gifts. We make spirit pacts. We fight beside other packs. We make or find powerful weapons. By right of might, we take them from our enemies and make their strength ours. That's the way it's always been. Yes the weapons of the enemy can corrupt, but sometimes the enemy are only the delivery boys who get a thing where it needs to be."

Zas nods as Rends explains himself but says, "These are all true things. What I'm saying though is that we have been blessed by Gaia already with our teeth and claw. I'm not saying it's wrong to use fetish weapons or gifts, but I am questioning whether or not we should keep these specific new fetish tools let alone use them. Your father was born of Fenrir-a fighter, and had more experience and familiarity with these implements and he still died to your teeth and claws. I question whether or not these fetishes themselves were weakening him, draining him...whether they may weaken us-weaken you. Maybe I am overstepping my bounds as this is a point to be made by your beta but your ability to lead and stay in top fighting form is vital to the packs survival. Takes the Weaver certainly seemed interested in sharing these with you...it could have been a trick. These are powerful time spirits-time wears things down. I could be completely wrong-I certainly hope I am, but using these tools sparingly if at all until we learn more about them is what I suggest. Perhaps Roaring Jack will have more insight into these tools true purpose. I certainly trust his words more than your late-ish father."

Rends chuckles and is about to reply when Silke jumps in.

"He's right."

Rends stops short, staring at the woman.

"Do what now? You don't even know what half that shit he's talkin' about is!"

Silke scowls, jabbing a pair of fingers into the large man's bandaged side, drawing a surprised yelp as she halts him with a glare.

"I don't have to to know sense when I hear it, Sylvester Clemons! Now I liked your daddy when we met in Austin, but if he's crafty enough to make those... things and cloud my mind he's certainly clever enough to lay a little trap for you and your friends! You may be a real piece of work, but you're not invincible and you don't know half what you think you do! If this Roaring Jack is some sort of... Werewolf-Garou-king or whatever you call them, then you'd be wise to get his input in the situation wouldn't you?"

Rends only response is a sheepish nod. Silke bobs her head once in return, then grabs his arm again in both of hers and resumes the walk.

"Good. I just got rescued and I don't like the thought of being left on my own again due to your bullheaded streak. Now apologize to Mr. Zas'Bul."

Rends sputters for a moment, face turning red.

"Now wait one goddamn momeOUCH!"

He jumps as the fingers jab their way into his side again, but is silenced by another scowl.

"And watch your mouth. Ain't proper to talk like that to your wife, Sylvester Clemons."

Rends sputters again, then the anger leaves him in a blustering sigh. Trying to hide his blush under the brim of his hat, Rends turns to address the ground between Zas' feet.

"Sorry."

Silke favors him with a kiss on the cheek, and Rends' face discovers that yes, there are deeper shades of red it can achieve.

The Silent Strider gives somewhere between an surprised and an impressed nod to Silke as he says in a hushed tone while leaning closer to Rends, "She's perfect for you."

Zas then leans back and says more audibly, looking between Rends and Silke, "No apology is needed, but the thought is appreciated. I trust in our Alpha's leadership, and his decisions."

Silke rests her head against Rends' arm, regarding the Philodox.

"I'm standing inches away, Mr. Zas'Bul. Don't pretend I can't hear you."

She smiles again, this time more genuinely as she turns back to Rends.

"Sorry if I overstepped myself. I've got a lot to learn. Suddenly there's this whole world all around me with Werewolves, and magic, and spirits, and God knows what else. I guess I don't quite know where I fit in just yet. I should probably leave all this magic and politicking to y'all."

Rends laughs earnestly, his face returning to its normal tan shade.

"Heh. Well, to be honest I ain't much fer politicking myself. We're more the hands on types in my pack. We'll make sure they ain't nothing wrong with the Fetishes, Zas. And if they is we'll see about how to fix or if necessary destroy them. Either way, once it's settled either way I don't want to hear no more about it. Sound fair?"

A thought seems to occur to him, and he turns to Zas with a wide grin.

"Oh I cain't wait to introduce Silke to Red Oath..."

Zas nods once in affirmation and says, "Agreed. Until we can find our footing-the tools are off the table."

The philodox turns to look at Silke as he says, "You can just call me Zas...and I'm glad you heard."

At Rends latter comment the Philodox chuckles but says nothing.

Zas then walks a little further ahead gazing at the road before the pack in silence his smile fading before turning back to Rends and asking, "Do you think Ebony will find her way back to Vineagaroon safe?"

Rends quirks his head to the side and a chuckle escapes him.

"You ain't worried about her are ya? She may not be Garou but ebonys a fighter. She can take care of herself. I'd be more worried for judge Bean if he hasn't got his shit together while she's away."

Zas looks at Rends with a sad smile as he says, "She is tough-that's for sure."

He hangs his head as he says, "You didn't see her the way I first found her though-she looked like an empty shell...her spirit-gone...her eyes--" he goes silent.

"I am worried for her."

After a long pause, "Judge Bean is--he's lucky. I think he will have made progress to recovery."

Zas looks to Silke as he says, "You belong with our Alpha. You fit in. You bring with you a powerful form of magic that isn't easily undone. Let none say otherwise."

Silke looks a bit unsure at the compliment, and looks to Rends for confirmation. He sighs, then nods his head.

"You'll have to get used to Zas. He can be a bit... weird. But he means well."

She nods, squeezing Rends' arm.

"I guess I'll take what I can get."

Rends turns back to Zas.

"Ain't no such thing as luck. Either he's got his act together or he hasn't. He struck me as the type to bounce back and find a way to turn a profit though, so I'm sure he's found some way to turn it all around. I'll never understand why Ebony would waste her time with him though. He's too isolated to be of any real value, and being an outcast he cain't even talk to the Nation or Pure really. I'd be mighty interested to learn how he earned the services of a Corax. I'll have to ask next time we see her."

Zas considers Rends interests in the judge as he says, "I'm sure every woman has reasons for how they choose to spend their time, and who they choose to be with."

Zas shakes himself and then says, "Back there with your father-you were fully prepared to deal with him. We all were. Had we run into your brother from a different time and he was closer aligned to the father you know in our time though, what would you have done? Would you have been able to stop him too?"

Rends doesn't reply for a long time. He chews his lip, lost in thought.

"I... I honestly don't know."

Another pause.

"It... I wasn't expectin' to run into any version of Daniel. Seein' him as a Garou, how strong he was. How strong he could have been? I dunnow. Maybe he was Garou here too but he died before he could have his First Change. Losing my family was the worst thing ever happened to me. It's been my drive to get revenge for years now. It's all I've dreamed of. But I don't reckon there's any version of Daniel that coulda helped Pa with what he done. Daniel was a good kid. Helluva lot better 'n I was. I always gotta put on a real effort to follow the rules and do right by human rules, but it always come natural to him. I could lick 'em nine out of ten but he always tried to make me follow the rules and do my chores when I jest wanted to go huntin' or play hooky. You'd a liked him, Zas."

He clears his throat and wipes a sleeve across his face. Silke scratches gently at his back, but keeps silent; unsure how to comfort him, or even if she should.

"I'm glad we ran into them though. Like I said to that other Pa, it's good to know there's at least one version of him that ain't a total bastard. And it's good to know they's one reality where at least two Clemens boys is fightin' together under Great Fenris. Ha! Hell, I bet they ain't nothin' worth killin' left in that world after we done rampagin'!"

Zas smiles and then shudders at the thought of Rends and his family on the warpath. "As I said-I think your brother was a fine Garou. It is no surprise that in our time he was a good man."

A quizzical expression works its way across his face as he says, "You said that you've been driven by revenge to do as you've done...now that you've gotten it though, what is it that you find drives you now? If your dreams are realized and have come to pass, what will you dream in days ahead?"

Rends chuckles as he takes Silke by the hand.

"I dunnow, Zas. I ain't tryin' ta think too far ahead right now. I know I want to learn more about the Fenrir and our ways. Growin' up away from most of the Nation kinda left me in a lurch when it come to communicatin' with other Garou. I want to restore the Clemens name and bring honor to my bloodline again. I wanna make a name for myself. Build a legacy my children can be proud of..."

He trails off after a moment.

"Oh, and I want to win the Apocalypse. Chase the Wyrm back into the Abyss and lead the charge against the minions of the Wyrm."

Zas gives an audible huff as he says with a grin, "I'm glad you have organized your priorities and winning the final fight is an after thought. But in truth-do you think we can win in the end?"

He considers for a moment before turning to Silke and asking, "Do you think you're up to the task of getting or helping to get, all that he just said, done? It's a fairly large list."

Silke smiles.

"Sylvester talks big, but I reckon he'll need a hand. I'm no stranger to hard work or murderous monsters. It'll take some adjusting, but I think it'll be good to have... friends around for once."

She seems surprised at her own words, almost as if she's surprised to be claiming friends. Rends gives her a squeeze, smiling again to Zas.

"Zas, when you fight with honor on the side of right, the battle is already won. We are righteous and strong. Even if every single one of us dies in the fight, we die with honor and win glory forever. What more could you possibly ask for?"