Partings of Sorrow

Zas sat staring into a slowly dwindling fire pit, the eve before his own punishment rite would be enacted. He was mostly left alone to his own devices, though he knew better than to assume that he was not still being observed. But any onlookers would find themselves bored. He wasn't going to run. He had chosen his fate and path.

He had watched his Alpha's outcome take place from afar in stony silence earlier. Even after the howling had begun declaring the duration for which he was to be stripped of the wolf, the philodox did not join in. The Silent Strider simply gazed out across the frothing waves, his mind seemingly lost somewhere out in the churning sea.

He watched as the glowing embers quickly consumed themselves before dying out into small piles of ash. "A fitting end it would seem", the philodox mused quietly to himself.

The philodox gaze and focus were momentarily disturbed by the appearance of the prodigal's ragabash who seemed to be approaching his direction coming from the waterline.

The seated garou lifted his head in acknowledgement of his packmate, but said nothing further.

When Kefka drew closer, Zas looked at him and said with a low even tone. "I am glad you have come."

He looked back to the fire and poked at the flames stirring a few sparks to life as he continued. "I'm sorry for the responsibilities that will likely fall to you. That is not a light burden given everything else you already have going on."

The Silent Strider turned to face Mocks again, his eyes sincere but full of grief, "If I could be there for you, I would."

He lowers his gaze.

"Maybe in a way I will be. You will have a better chance to do what must be done without my presence disrupting and causing further problems."

The Philodox looked down, his tone serious but his voice was teetering on breaking, "I hope y-you understand why I did what I did. I hope the p-pack sees..."

His words fade into a whisper.

"You're gonna have to look after them Mocks." His eyes returning to his brother.

Mocks smiled softly at the philadox. He walked over and sat down next to him.

"I've accepted the burden of Alpha. It's my duty, and I will fulfill it. I pray it will be a welcome distraction."

He puts an arm around Zas.

"I know you would be there for me. If you were able and willing, I would ask you to be my Beta. You have always challenged my thinking. Pushed me to be better. Your presence will be sorely missed Zas Bul...All Friend..."

He turned to look at his packmate and frowned.

"You owe no one an explanation. We will always have your back, as you have always had ours. That includes Rends."

He forced a smile.

"I'll look after them. I promise you that. But I need you to do me a favor. Don't lose faith in me. Don't give up. Don't stop fighting for one second. I'm going to do what I can to get in Robert's graces to lessen these punishments. I need you to stay strong until that happens. We're going to have to believe in each other.

Zas forced a smile at Kefka's report of accepting the role of Alpha. "I have faith and trust in your ability to lead. I will pray also that your mind is free of distraction."

His friends latter words cause his eyes to begin to get a little misty.

At Kefka's request for a favor, Zas tilts his head initially with a look of confusion. As he listened, he nodded solemnly.

"I have no intentions of letting Robert the kin-slayer break me, here or anywhere else...and I do believe in you brother. I see you having a grand destiny."

Zas words soften, "I appreciate what you seek to do, but I must ask you not to try and play the political game here on our behalf. I certainly don't want you to have to bow and scrape before Robert-he doesn't deserve that honor. No...please, whatever you do, just let Rends and I serve this punishment out."

The philodox grits his teeth, "I want there to be no question as to whether or not the Get of Fenris idea of Justice was served here. We play this straight. No short cuts. We suffer under their ruling....because I want this time to be remembered long after this moment has passed, by everyone present. Make no mistake, justice is balance."

He turns to look at Mocks with fire in his eyes, "You really want to help Rends and I, then make sure that no one forgets what happens here. Make sure every garou you meet hears of our alleged misdeed-no secrets or shame-every detail including how we paid the highest price. While you do this work to strengthen the alliances we currently have. You told me once that since you were the Ragabash-supposedly the weakest of all of us, if you were able to prove how powerful you were-how much stronger that would make the rest of us look. Do that again here. I will stay strong knowing you are fighting for us."

Mocks stared into the fading embers. When Zas finishes speaking Mocks wipes a tear from his eye and takes off his hat. He fiddles with it in his hands. He is silent for awhile before nodding and speaking.

"I understand. I shall not prostrate myself before Robert. I shall stand strong, defiant until the time you and Rends can return from your personal Hells."

He smiles slightly.

"Whether the world is ready...whether I am ready... it matters not. The time is nigh to show my strength, and I intend to do that. With Gaia's grace, and Luna's luck I will not fail the Prodigals, I won't fail Grandfather Thunder, I won't fail Rends, and I won't fail you."

He takes his hat and places it upon Zas's head.

"Jes' a little something so you can't forget I'm with ya."

"I shall stand strong, defiant until the time you and Rends can return from your personal Hells."

Zas nods, "You will do well. Remember not to rely on your own strengths, and to trust in the pack. Sharing your burdens and your doubts does not make you weak-it makes you the leader I know you are. You will make both Rends and I proud."

The Silent Strider gazes into the night sky. "You have always done or been willing to do what was needed. Gaia knows I need you, as does Rends and the rest of the pack. Grandfather Thunder likes to test his children-you would not be in this position if he did not find you ready to be tested. No-you are ready."

As Kefka places his hat and says his words, Zas grips his arm and slowly turns to look at him. "I know you are with me."

Zas knicks his finger on his teeth and smears the blood on Kefka's shirt with his other hand and points to his heart. "I am with you also bloodbrother."