Like Ghosts from the Grave

[Ina]

(OOC: a little thread for Archer and Nightblood to see one another)

He'd been dreaming, he had to be! Too many long nights had he suffered under the knowledge she'd died. Too long it'd been.

But now... there was a reason to hope again. There were whispers of the dead coming back to life. He was panting, his chest heaving as he tore none to quietly through the pack. Everything in him was set on fire, even as a bucket of ice perched perilously above his heart. He stumbled blindly for a moment as his foot caught on a root and he nearly went face forward into the dirt. He didn't waste time to regain his footing as he jerked upright onto his paws. Archer's eyes searched the pack, searched the foliage. Red and black against green and black. It shouldn't have been that hard. His mind was racing, and for the first time in forever, he couldn't think clearly. All his thoughts seemed to evolve and changed. He wondered if the rumors were true, that his beloved Nightblood had come back from the dead. He came to a rather abrupt stop, his body and mind frozen as he detected her scent permeating the area. She'd been here. He sniffed at the ground, inhaling it and letting it bring back memories of love and lust, among other things.

He could barely contain his laughter, even though his suspicions were not physically confirmed. Her scent was here, and that was enough for him. He couldn't sit down. His entire body was terse as he waited for her to show herself to him. Archer snarled to himself and then tossed his head. A sound that was neither howl nor yell came forth. It was a strange combination of the two. He knew he'd probably just frightened some poor creature half to death, but at that moment, he couldn't be bothered to care. He'd apologize later. His nose was quivering as he took in her scent again. Somehow, his thoughts turned to Zuka. His smile faded a little. She was young and inexperienced with the kinds of things that were rapidly happening between them and as much as he hated to say it, perhaps it would be better for him to end it, to stop it while he could. No doubt Nightblood would smash his skull in he hurt her baby girl. He smiled at the image this made in his mind. She was indeed the baby girl of the bunch, but she was so much like her mother that sometimes he forgot that it was Zuka, not Nightblood.

Ah, to be ghost from the grave was an interesting experienced, at least for him. Now, how would Nightblood deal with her old lover turned boyfriend to her daughter?

[nightblood]

NightBlood had only been informed of his presence a mere two hours ago. Zuka, by some crazy manipulation of words, had been able to keep the identity of her new friend a secret while she talked about him. It was only minutes ago when she was talking extensively about his background that the dark female had guessed his name. At the confirmation, NightBlood had raged and left her daughter in her dust. She laughed darkly when she heard her comment.

"That went well... Don't hurt him, Mom!"

"I won't!" was all Night could call back to her. She would have loved to add some comment at the end of her statement. 'Much' or 'Not emotionally or mentally!' Then again, seeing a ghost was enough to take care of those two.

Her plan was to track his whereabouts starting from where they had met. It wasn't hard to find. She knew the place well. If she ran into him before hand, it was pure coincidence... or luck. Her bad leg was, as usual, hindering her speed. It would even be easier if he was tracking her instead.

Then her eyesight landed on a dark figure in the distance. At first, her automatic thought was Amageddon, but Armywas taller than that. The figure before her was the same height as herself. There was no pendant to adorn his neck. That was Archer. She halted in her tracks and ducked behind a boulder. A grin crossed her lips as she looked out at the male. She was beginning to enjoy these ghost expeditions of hers.

Unfortunately, it seemed that he had already be informed of her return. He was far too happy. Darn it. She couldn't trick him. However, it also meant that he knew she couldn't float through him. Her dark smile returned as she prepared herself to pounce. He was getting closer. Just one more step...

"HA!!"

Her 'battle cry' came out as a hiss as she propelled herself toward him. She secretly loved her injury sometimes. It made her sound beast-like. She could frighten anyone, she'd bet. With the exception of those who knew her well.

[Ina]

He'd known, as the whispers had risen, that it'd been true. He'd have to thank Zuka for her bravery and her assistance in keeping his name a secret for that short while, just enough. Little did Archer know she was looking for him to, but not in the same desperate, searching manner that he was. Instead, she was seeking him out for a purpose entirely different, one that he could only begun to formula. Was she anger? Was she overjoyed? The answer was one of a darker truth, that she'd wanted to harm him. He'd let her. He'd left her, after all. He was the one that had disappeared in the early mornings just after the consummation of their relationship. The very act that was supposed to drive them closer together had merely driven a wedge between Archer's mind and heart that night, causing him to take flight and slipping away like a coward. There was nothing to forgive, nothing to explain. He'd done what he felt was right. He'd done what was unforgivable in her eyes, and he'd take the punishment, and the minutes ticked on by...

Lost instincts -moments of speed and a flash of fang and claw- was triggered by the thundering about of his once-lover. Archer's black lips twitched backward and he closed his eyes. His tail wagged as it had done when he had seen Zuka, wildly, with abandon of age. Green eyes searched the foliage for the slightest of movements. Each the twitch of leaf as she breathed by it would have been enough of indication. There was hope and love in his gaze, a sense of belonging and trust as the old seen played out like a play. Two old lovers, one betrayed and the other begging for his forgiveness danced the timeless dance. Each stepped matched, each breath equaled. It was overly cliché, but yet fitting for them to reunite in this manner. Zuka and Nightblood, then Archer. A triangle of love and lust and lives. It was complicated and confusing, but Archer had always dealt with things like that. He caused confusion, and wherever he went, he caused some kind of impact. He was a living disaster and he knew it.

"HA!!"

Archer's mind blanked for just a second. Then, he reacted. He tilted backward, ducked low for a moment, and then stood languidly. Once a killer, always a killer, at least that's what his moves had said, but there was more than age given stiffness to his limbs. It was clear something else had changed. He no longer bore that haunted, jerky tension in his shoulders. He wasn't that same wolf she'd knew back then. Age and experience had done Archer some good. He opened his eyes at her, taking in her scarred features for the first time. His breath caught in his throat. He trembled. What had they done to her? He couldn't think of anything worse than baring scars from the Sallinians. Some darker part of his mind reminded him of the little tryst he'd "shared" with his half-brother. Blackrage had left his own set of scars, ones he'd refused to acknowledge in the aftermath as Archer had laid bleeding at his feet. So, they were alike in that way. Then, Archer's expression began to transform. His relief and hope fell into resignation. He remained motionless.

"I know you're angry with me, and no doubt you know of my newfound relationship with your daughter, Zuka. Nightblood," He breathed her name, as if he couldn't believe it yet. "do as you will with me. I know whatever punishment you lay upon me I deserve." This wasn't the Archer she had met so long ago. The Archer of then would not have said those words, done these things. His mind had healed itself. He simply stared at her a piercing green set of eyes. "Well?' He asked with the tone of someone signing their own death warrant. God save his soul, for he himself could not have done a worse thing. She was fragile still, but he so much more now that she'd returned. Old and new feeling sauntered across his heart with haughty pride and warred. These factions of what was and what existed now caused him close his eyes and take in a breath, releasing it slowly and purposefully, letting it all escape until he was nothing but a vessel of himself and nothing more.

[nightblood]

"I know you're angry with me, and no doubt you know of my newfound relationship with your daughter, Zuka. Nightblood," He breathed her name, as if he couldn't believe it yet. "do as you will with me. I know whatever punishment you lay upon me I deserve."

NightBlood raised an eyebrow after she landed in front of him. He seemed to take this all in stride for someone who had been informed of her death a few months ago. Being face to face with her now, he was acting as if it was just another gloomy day in Arnlan. Places to go, animals to kill, death warrants to sign...

"Well?"

There it was! The female shook her head in awe of him. He really did get right down to business, didn't he? Straight to the point. No time to be surprised. What's more is that he sounded as if she didn't have a shred of humor running through her veins. There was nothing in the world, nothing more hilarious than irony. Sure she'd crush his skull in within the hour, but she'd have a good laugh first.

"You don't waste time any more, do you, Archer?"

Like him, it was hard to believe that she was talking to her old mate again. His name still came out in a breath of disbelief. How long had it been? Over two years! He'd left over half a lifetime ago. And now here he was striking up a conversation, albeit a grim one, as if he was continuing from one left off the previous day! She grinned and licked his nose playfully.

"Have it your way. And don't worry! I'll let you live. That's your punishment. I want to see this play out," NightBlood let a laugh trickle out from her muzzle, "Oh course, if you hurt her, I'll bash your skull in and rip your head off. Nothing to worry about."

[Ina]

She was surprised and hopefully mildly impressed by his reaction to her arrival. The dead had just returned to the world of the living and yet, he wasn't fazed by looking up her broken form. He managed to sneer a little, if only for affect. All of this, truth be told, was a guard against what he really felt. Deep down, Archer was panicked and scared. He was ecstatic! All of these hard ass attitude was nothing more than a front to keep his real feelings at bay long enough for him to get through this. If she still thought to know him, then Nightblood would know, she'd see him to be a fake beneath the mask. If she did, then all hell would break loose as the emotions surfaced and the long awaited insults and words rose up from their bruised hearts. However, Archer would have liked very much to avoid the topic, and so, he'd not say too much or simply refused to answer. He grinned at her quite suddenly. It was creepy and a little dark in itself as it reflected -just for a split second- the dangerous beast that lay caged. "We're a couple of ghosts, aren't we?" It was humor that fluttered into his deep tone, the same one he'd used when flirting with Zuka.

"You don't waste time any more, do you, Archer?"

He couldn't help himself. "Neither of us is getting any younger." He growled. Ah, there it was. That old growling and fussing he used to do when he was annoyed. "The clock is ticking for us all... but I'm sure you know that now, don't you?'' His eyes narrowed into slits. That was once the tell-tale sign of his insanity taking control, but now it was done with a tease, a threat thinly valued into words. He was mocking her almost, silently challenging her. Despite the two years that had passed, Archer acted as if he was discussing the weather, as if nothing had changed from then, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The threat he gave? It was daring her to speak against him, daring her to try anything. He was a bit slower physically, but he was in his mental prime. He had always been able to outwit her before and now it'd be like taking candy from a pup. It'd be a pity for him to try, because it would show how little she'd change, but he'd certainly get a hell of a kick out it.

"Have it your way. And don't worry! I'll let you live. That's your punishment. I want to see this play out,"

She licked his nose! Archer leaned into the contact for a moment as the warm, wet of her tongue slivered across his nose. Old habits died hard, as the saying goes. He stared at her for a minute and then blinked not once, but twice. He sighed slowly, as if he was tired after a long days work. "It's nice to know you won't kill me Nightblood because I already know I still am unable to raise a paw to you." That admission was slow, each word picked carefully and its results weighed with the determination of a soldier going to war. He spoke little, but he gave away so much more in those. He then did something that no one perhaps predicted he would. He leaned forward and set the very end of his snout by her head and then.. nuzzled her cheek. It was gesture of affections, a gesture of familiarity and intimacy. Archer's eyes softened and he smiled sadly. Things had changed and they'd chosen different paths, but the flame still burned in him to touch her. Even now, as she was a taboo for him, he lusted. She was mated to another, bound in love and soul to Armageddon. Despite this, he wanted to know her again!

"Oh course, if you hurt her, I'll bash your skull in and rip your head off. Nothing to worry about."

That snapped him out and he withdraw as if she had slapped him hard. Archer stirred from the thoughts and his expression visibly was altered. He lowered his head until his chin rested against his chest. "Of that... Nightblood...." He seemed to look for the right words, and then, he started. "She's young enough to be my daughter! Not to mention there's the whole previous relationship with her mother...." Archer allowed his weakness to show. He cringed and his eyes showed true fear. "I'm scared, Nightblood. I don't want to be the reason she runs from a relationship. I'd rather not have to deal with it all if I could help it." He spoke softly and truly, the words coming directly from his heart. He watched the ground beneath his paws. "If I hurt her, I hope she leaves me. I hope she'll have the sense to turn tail and leave me, because I don't think that I'll ever be able to let go of her." He had just admitted to her that he was falling in love with her daughter. Perhaps it was in part that she looked a great deal like her mother, like Nightblood, but she also possessed a gentleness and kindness to her that Nightblood had never been capable of in Archer's eyes.

He then went silent. He knew what he was about to do was wrong, but he couldn't stop it if he wanted to, and he really was particularly interested in doing so. Archer stepped forward, closing the already shrinking space between them. He hugged Nightblood tightly. It was completely and utterly inappropriate the way he clung to her black and tawny fur and how he finally allowed a single tear to fall. So what if he didn't appear strong in front of her. It didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was that she was alive. Archer, after several long minutes, finally found himself capable of letting her go from his crushing embrace and coughed discreetly before pulling entirely away, if somewhat reluctantly. He smiled, but underneath that black fur was a darkening blush. He was blushing like a teenager all over again. He knew there was so much he wanted to know, so many answers that he needed to understand. Instead, he asked something else, something that she'd be astounded by.

"Tell me, Nightblood," He breathed. "Do you hate me for leaving? Am I beyond forgiveness still?'

[nightblood]

"Of that... Nightblood.... She's young enough to be my daughter! Not to mention there's the whole previous relationship with her mother.... I'm scared, Nightblood. I don't want to be the reason she runs from a relationship. I'd rather not have to deal with it all if I could help it. If I hurt her, I hope she leaves me. I hope she'll have the sense to turn tail and leave me, because I don't think that I'll ever be able to let go of her."

NightBlood's eyes widened as she listened to the ramblings of her old mate, then softened again as she realized his concerns. He was thinking too much. She parted her jaw and lunged forward, attempting to close his muzzle for just a second so he'd let her speak. She drew back again, and spoke softly, something she had learned to do only recently after her attack.

"Well now I know you truly love her," she stated, "I also know that, this time, you won't make the mistake of leaving again. It's a difficult concept to grasp, but I've realized that life doesn't stop just because you leave of die. Others will move on, wether you're there or not. I'm sure you don't want to come back in another two years and realize Zuka too had her own children after you've left the second time. Stay with her.

And love doesn't recognize age. I admit, if you were a couple of years older, I would advise against such a relationship, but you're not too old for her. If anything, you're exactly what she needs. You need to stick with someone and she needs to know that she doesn't have to walk in my pawprints. Even though... that's kind of really is what she's doing..."

She grinned at the irony again, snickering like a pup. It really was the most hilarious thing she'd seen since she returned. Her own daughter courting her ex. It was a sight to behold. She never got tired of it.

"Tell me, Nightblood," He breathed. "Do you hate me for leaving? Am I beyond forgiveness still?'

"I would run you out of here if I didn't forgive you. You were young. Stupid. We've both grown since then. Harboring grudges... against friends, anyway, tears holes in the soul."

[Ina]

Archer was so wrapped up in his own mind that he failed to realize the truth that he was indeed rambling. Nightblood was someone he trusted above all else and to be able to speak his fears and concerns seemed to help to alleviate them. His green eyes flickered close -a habit he'd never really been aware of, even now- and he sighed deeply. The exhale of his breath seemed to take with it his stress. He felt better, and oddly enough, not quite so awkward as he had. His eyes opened again and they appeared to be less stormy, the color vivid against his black fur. He didn't know what Nightblood's current mate looked like, but it would be quite the experience for him and Armageddon to meet. But that was for another time, another place. Right now, he had to focus on the she-wolf in front on him and the female that had captured his heart. The male was shocked at Nightblood's action. He froze, every muscle suddenly going rigid. He stared at her in shock and he could feel her teeth on his snout. It was an interesting feeling. Then, she let go and she spoke. Her voice was soft and gentle, something that he had never once dreamt possible for the large female.

"Well now I know you truly love her," she stated, "I also know that, this time, you won't make the mistake of leaving again. It's a difficult concept to grasp, but I've realized that life doesn't stop just because you leave or die. Others will move on, whether you're there or not. I'm sure you don't want to come back in another two years and realize Zuka too had her own children after you've left the second time. Stay with her.

He was left totally speechless. His mouth hung open for a minute and his brain wrapped around the idea that Nightblood had changed just as much as he had. She seemed capable of compassion and a level of understanding that far exceeded her youthful days. Archer then realized that she knew him well and that she would probably be the one he went to if he needed advise from now on. Somehow, he managed to smile wryly at the image of a sagely Nightblood. He then found his voice and the words that forth her both honest and sincere. "She's innocent. I'm a battle scarred assassin who just recently has managed to begin to put his own life into perspective. I'm not quite sure how all of this is going to work out, but I now see that I'm not the only one that has changed." Archer smiled softly at her. He leaned forward, allowing himself a moment as he licked her cheek in a gesture of friendship. "I won't leave her, you have my word. Zuka deserves better than to have me leave and then bare whatever comes after alone."

And love doesn't recognize age. I admit, if you were a couple of years older, I would advise against such a relationship, but you're not too old for her. If anything, you're exactly what she needs. You need to stick with someone and she needs to know that she doesn't have to walk in my pawprints. Even though... that's kind of really is what she's doing..."

"I should be glad then, that I still am of a reasonable age." He grinned a little bit despite the seriousness of the situation. He had learned to relax. "I know now that I have a tendency to run from things and I doubt before I really gave anything a chance. Nightblood, I've got flaws, mistakes in my past that could be dangerous for both of us, particularly Zuka. I want to protect her from the world, I want to let her be happy, but most of all, I want to hold her tight every night and feel her breathing, to know that she is alright." He didn't know where all of this was coming from, but it was just coming up like a flood from his heart and soul, spilling forth with the intensity of a tidal wave. "You know... she's not walking in your pawprints, not really. I'm different now and the relationship growing between us is genuine and I believe it is going to be long lasting. That's more than I can say about what happened between the two of us " He hoped to help his former mate as well. He wasn't as good as calming wolves down, but he hoped to be able to assist her through this, too.

"I would run you out of here if I didn't forgive you. You were young. Stupid. We've both grown since then. Harboring grudges... against friends, anyway, tears holes in the soul."

She had snickered a little at the idea of him going out with Zuka, but Archer understood why. It was a little funny, if not completely unorthodox. He was sure that the dear alphas would be having a fit if they knew, and in no short order would they. Archer's expression altered upon her words and he stared at her as if she were a new species or something. "I'm relieved. For the longest time, I've wondered if you've hated me, but to know now that you don't, it gives me peace of mind." Softly spoken, in the tone of a lover. It was completely accidental on his part, but sometimes, it was hard to let go of how things had been and it was so easy to fall back into his old role. "I am going to assume that Karolek and Sofika had not heard of your return?'

[nightblood]

"I know now that I have a tendency to run from things and I doubt before I really gave anything a chance. Nightblood, I've got flaws, mistakes in my past that could be dangerous for both of us, particularly Zuka. I want to protect her from the world, I want to let her be happy, but most of all, I want to hold her tight every night and feel her breathing, to know that she is alright."

"You make it sound as if you're the only wolf in the world who has problems. Or have you completely forgotten about a certain gray warrior?" NightBlood grinned as she mentioned her adoptive brother. She made her living on conversing with the demented basket cases like him. "And, if you havn't noticed, my daughter is ready to take on the world. I could not possibly be more happy about how she's grown up."

Blood sat down and let her tail thump on the ground, still venting the last bit of excitement she had over seeing her old friend. She hardly noticed the scent of a stag wafting into her nostrils. He was probably near the training grounds. He'd be gone by the time she limped over there anyway.

"You know... she's not walking in your pawprints, not really. I'm different now and the relationship growing between us is genuine and I believe it is going to be long lasting. That's more than I can say about what happened between the two of us."

To this, the former beta nodded and bowed her head slightly in reply. "Know that you have my blessing," she stated, almost grinning from ear to ear, "May your worries about your love prove to be misled. Usually, good things do come from these sorts of things. You know. Peace and love and all that."

The female had to force her muzzle shut to keep from laughing at her own humor. It was only by some miracle that she comprehended his next question.

"I am going to assume that Karolek and Sofika had not heard of your return?"

"In due time, Archy. All in due time. It's hard to chase shadows, you understand. That's half the reason I havn't taken up my scouting duties."

[Ina]

(Sorry for the lateness of my reply)

"You make it sound as if you're the only wolf in the world who has problems. Or have you completely forgotten about a certain gray warrior?"

Archer's eyes went wide, and then his tail wagged enthusiastically. "Of course I remember the old scoundrel!" He laughed. This Archer she saw before her was a far cry from the one she had met. He was aged, and like good beef and fine wine, he had matured into something treasured. Archer then spoke again, this time inquiring as to where her adoptive brother and his close friend was. "If it's of Mortilias Umbra you speak, then I wonder if you have laid eyes on my old friend?" He hadn't seen hide nor hair of the deranged-nut-of-a-wolf. It was all one word in Archer's mind. He grinned at that, the way it all clumped together.

"And, if you haven't noticed, my daughter is ready to take on the world. I could not possibly be more happy about how she's grown up."

His black ears swiveled forward, taking in the soft sound of Nightblood's voice and the grin that plastered across her face. He resisted the urge to cock his head to the side playfully. Instead, he nodded sagely. "And into a beautiful, capable young she-wolf she has grown, if I might say so." Archer's words came out in a low growl that rumbled both his throat and chest. He was still wondering about all that had happened while the two of them had been away and now, he felt that maybe he could ask. "Nightblood?" Archer asked, hesitating for a moment. "I know you have a family now and this may seem like an add question, but I think I should ask. Would... Do you think I might meet them?' He finally managed. It wasn't like the old boy to be so hesitant, so unsure of himself. Apparently, he was growing soft in his old age.

When she sat down, Archer took the incentive and did the same. Somewhere off in the pack, there was a stag wondering about, but he wasn't hungry and he was more interested in this conversation than his physical needs as of that moment. He sighed contently, tossed his head to once again shake his ever lengthening bangs from his eyes, and scratched at one his ears. There was something about the simplicity of this that he found alluring. The way that they could just hang out and talk like they were friends -even though that was what they were- and simply enjoy the company of the other. He smiled unconsciously and his face relaxed, all the tension disappearing.

"Know that you have my blessing,"

Archer's expression went to surprise and shock for a minute, and then it faded into glee. He stared thoughtfully at the female sitting across from him. "It is something that I will treasure. Thank you, my friend." Somewhere along the lines, Archer thought he detected a hint of respect in her words and his brows rose just slightly in response. Again, she was grinning and it was contagious. The ends of his mouth twitched for a moment and then, a grin spread, too, across his face. He chuckled, his voice best described like smoke twirling about in the cold air, warm and mysterious at the same time.

"May your worries about your love prove to be misled. Usually, good things do come from these sorts of things. You know. Peace and love and all that."

Her attempt at humor was not missed. Archer newest smirk was lopsided and he pawed gently at her shoulder. "I know. Eat, drink, and be merry, as the saying the goes." If there was one thing that Archer now regretted, it was that he hadn't spent more time getting to know here back then. She was far more amiable than his memories provided him with. Archer glanced upward. The darkness that pervaded every inch of Arnlan seemed to have vanished from where they stood, as if they chased it away with their happiness.

"In due time, Archy. All in due time. It's hard to chase shadows, you understand. That's half the reason I haven't taken up my scouting duties."

Archy?! Archer laughed at that. No one had called him that for the longest. He felt that it was only fair he gave an equally embarrassing nickname. He bowed his head slightly and a few snorts of laughter escaped him as he thought of the perfect one. "Niiiiiiiiiightttttniiiighht!" Archer groaned, sounding like an overgrown pup. Afterward, peals of laughter came forth from his throat and he grinned at her. It took a few minutes for him to be able to stop laughing at actually finish his reply to her. "Ah yes, the mysterious alphas of Arnlan. Infamy follows their every move and it seems that although we know their names, all other information escapes into thin air, it vanishes." The males somewhat poetic words then made him realize something. "Shadows they may be indeed, for I have never laid eyes on them myself." There was still a hint of laughter to his voice which refused to leave, despite the seriousness of his words.

[nightblood]

"Of course I remember the old scoundrel! If it's of Mortilias Umbra you speak, then I wonder if you have laid eyes on my old friend?"

NightBlood sighed. She had hoped to share a simple memory. The female hadn't counted on ignorance of what had happened to their beloved friend.

"I heard of his death not long after I returned. According to Zuka, the idiot defied the alphas and went on a suicidal mission after I blacked out all those months ago. Walked right into Sallin and killed a few dozen of their warriors before he was subdued and destroyed. I admire his strength, but it was a fool's errand. He should have continued training my pups for the war to come."

Night paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. A shaft of light broke through the branches of Arnlan and landed on her paw. It was rare to see in this time of year. The sky was usually in constant overcast. Like this light, it was possible that another outcome could have come to pass. Something she could not have foreseen if Mortil had stayed in line.

"Then again, had he trained them, they might have been ready for battle before my return and a great many more of them could be dead this day. Perhaps it was best what he did, though it doesn't make it any less crazy..."

"Nightblood?" Archer asked, hesitating for a moment. "I know you have a family now and this may seem like an odd question, but I think I should ask. Would... Do you think I might meet them?'

Blood smiled in response, knowing how curious he was to meet her brood. It was tempting, but she had to decide against it. At least for the time being.

"I think as you spend more time with Zuka, you'll get to meet them all eventually. But you need to understand, Zuka must be the only one to know of our past relationship. It's best to tell the others that we were little more than good friends, like Mortil was with us. They all have enough trouble knowing I was forced to breed with someone I didn't love. It would be hard for them to know I loved before then as well."

"Niiiiiiiiiightttttniiiighht!"

Night chuckled at the nickname. Well, she started it after all. It was owed, though she'd probably rip his ears off if he used it again.

"Ah yes, the mysterious alphas of Arnlan. Infamy follows their every move and it seems that although we know their names, all other information escapes into thin air, it vanishes. Shadows they may be indeed, for I have never laid eyes on them myself."

"Arnlan's reputation had to come from somewhere. Though, rest assured, they're real."

[Ina]

The reply he was given from his friend was not one that he could have expected, nor did he want to hear. Archer frowned, the lines creasing his face as Nightblood spoke and his brow denting ever so slightly. It was less a look of mourning and more so a look of confusion and outright bewilderment. It honestly did not bother him so much that his old comrade was now deceased and the manner of which his demise had been brought about, but the irrationality behind his behavior did. He had always known the old scalawag to be somewhat impulsive and strong willed, but he'd never gone as far as to imagine that it might be the very thing that brought him the end for his old, scar-riddled friend. Archer listened, remaining silent as he voice broke the otherwise quiet that seemed to always posses Arnlan, and then, he chose his moment to speak.

"Mortil, being who and what he was, was indeed strong physically, but mentally and emotionally, he lacked the courage and such to really form a positive response to the supposed death of someone he cared much for. You know, I think that was the best way for him to go, taking out Sallin and then damning the alpha Knightshade with his last, shuddering breath. Somehow, it is befitting of him." Archer's tone continued to be soft, wispy as he talked of their own friend. He sat slowly and with the air of someone who'd felt pain, but was wise.

Then, Archer said more, continuing on in that same whisper. "That damned war still looms high?" He asked, his expression darkening at the mention of it. He wasn't as young as he once was, and although he wasn't elderly just yet, there was a slight hint of light in his muzzle and gray hairs along his coat here and there, appearing randomly. He thoughts turned toward those he saw fit to protect, Zuka included. She was a fine warrior, but he didn't want anything to happen to her and war tended to cut lives short. He grimaced at the thought.

She spoke up again, and his reply was curt. "He was crazy. He did things because he was crazy. Good things he died early on then. Don't need crazy pups in Arnlan." Despite the simplicity of his words, a wry grin had consumed his expression. He was giving Nightblood that half-smirk, the same one he had constantly worn whenever he had flirted with her because he had thought it looked cool. Now, it was because it was habit.

Then, came the question of family.

Although he understood the reasons behind why their relationship had to be kept a secret, Archer could not lie to her. It bothered him. It showed on his face as his eyes closed slowly and then opened with equal slowness and the way his face fell. However, he stayed quiet until she had said what she wanted to say. "I wonder, is there anyone that I should worry about?... perhaps this stepfather that Zuka has mentioned to me before? Or do I need to be more considered about her siblings?" He didn't want to be the reason for a blood feud between mother and daughter, father and daughter. Archer's hadn't had very good relations with own parents, but he knew that Nightblood and this mysterious male were close. He was relieved, though, to know he would meet them eventually.

She chuckled at the nickname he had just given her, but he knew she'd turn him into nice little ribbons for her fur if he ever called her it again. Despite this knowledge, his lips twitch into a smile.

"Ah yes, you're rank of scout back then allowed you the rare privilege of seeing them. What are they like, you know, are they bossy or quiet? Are they as mysterious as they say?" He couldn't help his curiosity. "Arlanian shadows, the soldiers of the mist, the rebels of the dark forests, or so I've heard us called throughout the times I've traveled. I've heard rumors that Alphas Karolek and Sofika are wild and fierce, but agile without physical form." He had to tell her of the little tall tale he had been told by a lost, half-blind, mutt. It had been an interesting story.