Never Alone

Rends' ear throbbed for some time after his Rite. He'd gone off to the edge of the island and walked along the surf for some time alone with his thoughts.

He missed Silke.

He missed little Jack.

He didn't see Zas until he'd nearly walked into the Silent Strider, alone in his own meditation standing in the surf. Rends gave him a nod of greeting, and nearly walked on by, but doubled around to stand next to the Philodox instead.

They shared a companionable silence for a time while the waves slowly pulled the sand from under their feet. When Rends spoke, his voice was barely a whisper.

"Thank you."

Zas looks out at the surface of the water. He doesn't turn to look at Rends when he stands at his side. His focus is undisturbed. When Rends speaks, Zas lets out a short breath.

"You have no need to thank me. I have done nothing."

He is slow to continue. When he does, the philodox' response is soft, gentle. "Strength and honor."

The Philodox turns to him after a long pause, "That's what you told me once."

Zas looks at the shifting sand beneath his feet and says nothing for a long while. When he speaks again he plants his feet down firmly, "You displayed both traits admirably tonight by submitting to the rite. I'm certain Roaring Jack would be proud to call you son."

The Silent Strider then looks back to the sea and grows quiet.

His next words carry weight, as if he's been sitting on the thoughts for some time. "You are not your father Sylvester. You are a far better man. Choosing to act as you did why you did; your intentions were not wrong. Your decision to attack the priest and the mob was not wise, but your heart was your guide. Robert is a murderer who does not value the life of anyone other than him, including those of his tribe mates. He would have let the mob kill the other Get and then acted when it suited his interests."

"None of Robert's brood may see it that way, but they do not see the Litany for what it is. They know the law, but do not understand the spirit of it." He said with a sigh.

He grinds his teeth, "This was a pack matter, and as such Robert had no business interfering. I will be damned before I let him overrule my judgment, punish my pack, and also get pleasure from seeing division or rifts form."

The Philodox shakes his head, "No. I stood beside you. I will continue to stand beside you. Nothing anyone can do to change that. You are a Garou of honor, and I am lucky to call you friend and brother."

He turns to look back at his Alpha after a moment as he looks into his eyes, "Robert cast down his judgment upon us when he was barely able to stop his rage overtaking him. Justice born of fury is anything but just."

Zas nods his head, "Heed my words: Serve out your time on this- endure the suffering. Learn from Robert's weakness and grow strong from it. You told me once that I teach you patience-when I am buried I will be unable to teach you anything. Instead I give you this lesson, here and now. Patience. It is something you must learn if you hope to best Robert. He lacks it. Learn it and you will surpass him in both worth and measure."

There's another long pause, and for the first time since his Rite he feels some measure of his own uncertainity ease away. Doubt is still there, along with the emptiness, but he stands a little straighter. They watch the tide come in for some time, both men's minds weighed by their burdens.

After a time Rends chuckles quietly.

"It's funny. Back the first time we was at Washington on the Brazos I held back and chose to deal with Hanging Maw rather than go with my gut and tear him to shreds. We all know where that got us. I thought I'd learned my lesson from that. Then here we are, and I dive into a fight headlong and end up gettin' myself and my Philodox strung up cuz I was too eager to fight."

He chuckles again, shaking his head.

"Shame life cain't be as easy as the stories. The heroes always set out, know exactly what to do, and conquor the Wyrm's minions lickity split, no questions asked. But I reckon that's all jest pretty talk. I don't know if I'll ever be done learnin' and makin' mistakes, but I'm glad to have Garou like you standin' with me all the way."

He turns to Zas, giving him a side long look.

"Hangin' Maw's gonna be commin fer you, isn't he?"

Zas listens to Rends as a slow small smile works it's way across his face.

"Yes...who would have thought an ahroun would be excited to start a fight?"

At his alpha's reflection on old tales and legends, Zas nods his head.

"Yes-those types of stories aren't any good. If there is no risk of failure and the journey is too easy, the hero isn't really able to inspire anything, because he hasn't done anything worth mention."

By the time Rends shares his sentiment, Zas has turned to face him. The philodox nods his head in acknowledgment once and then turns back to look at the water. No more words need be spoken.

After the pause and the Fenrir's knowing inquiry, Zas smile fades and he re-shifts his footing.

The Silent Strider turned to look back at him and the truth is written across his face, his eyes failing to conceal the inner pangs of terror that were already beginning to assail him.

"Yes."

The tan skinned Apache turns his head back to the waterline as he adds, his voice attempting to conceal his worry, "...and he will not be alone."

Rends reaches over and gives Zas shoulder a firm squeeze as he turns to him.

"You won't be alone neither."

Some of the fire returns to Rends' eyes, though he still seems deflated and flimsy since his Rite he seems full of grim resolve.

"You stood by me and defended me to my Tribe and put yer own life on the line to do it. Hell, you're the only one who seems to fully have my back lately. I won't forget that. And I won't hesitate to do the same fer you, no matter what else I got goin' on."

A shadow of fear flits across his eyes for half a heartbeat, then he swallows it down and gives Zas' shoulder another squeeze.

"I don't got much to give right now. I'll be downright useless in a fight, and I feel like a stiff breeze will knock me out. But I'll make you two promises. First, Robert will pay fer what he done to Roarin' Jack. While I'm here, I'll eb watchin, patient and quiet with Omega so I can plan, then one day when I'm ready he'll pay and I'll do my best to set the Get to the right path."

He straightens up, squaring his shoulders.

"And I promise you this: Hanging Maw will not have you. I will spend every moment I have at your grave. I will stand guard over you, and I will make an end to any ghost, Spectre or spook what's dumb enough to cross my path."

He hitches his thumbs on his belt, resting them near his knife and club, hands trembling just slightly.

"We got into this together. I don't care if Hell its self is emptied out and Hanging Maw comes with the buring silver rivers of Erebus pouring out of his eyes. We stand together, or we fall together."

"You won't be alone neither.
The philodox tilts his head, wearing a surprised expression.

As Rends explains his reasoning, Zas speaks, having difficulty trying to find the words "I--...I am honored."

Upon the Fenrir's first declaration, the Silent Strider crosses his arms and turns to face him.
"You may be able to see patience in action by spending time with the caern Warder. The position requires it."

He adds after a pauses, "I will hold you to this oath."

Upon hearing out the secondary promise and additional words of inspiration, The philodox nods and gives a grim smile.
"Strength and Honor...to the bitter end."