Drew had always been able to shrug off insults and wait for the right time to attack, but sometimes enough was enough. Hayden's insults and shove grew more frequent, more vile, and more violent. His friends followed suit, and Drew and Blaze had a whole gang to deal with instead of just one. Blaze always seemed less bothered by their attention, so they focused more on Drew, always trying to get a reaction.

He was finishing his breakfast when Hayden, Marden, Verl, and Kayde found him. They joined his table, knocking against him when they passed and boxing him.

"I didn't dogs were allowed to eat at the table," Hayden said in a mock whisper.

"And I didn't think dogs knew how to use spoons," Marden shot back. For some reason, that was the insult they'd settled on. Dog. They had no idea how close they were to the truth. Drew didn't respond, didn't even look up. His control was fraying, a rope above a burning candle. Wolf didn't help. He raged at the Hayden and his cronies, begging, demanding that Drew let him out, let him fight.

Drew resisted even that. The bell for training began to ring, and Drew stood, silently screaming a thousand curses when Kayde tried to trip him. He still couldn't get away from them. They followed right behind as he walked through the halls, piling on insult after insult, just begging for Drew to give them a reason to beat him. When they reached the courtyard, Drew sped up, leaving them behind at last.

"Yeah! Go on and walk away," Hayden called after Drew. "Lay down just all the rest of you krawler dogs." Drew stopped mid step. That was it. The insult of all insults, the only one he couldn't shake off. Krawler. The most derogatory term possible for someone from Klietus. Drew had no idea where he was really from, but he certainly looked like he was from Klietus.

He turned, slowly, slowly, letting the fire he'd tried to keep dampened down rage to life. The triumph in Hayden's eyes drained away as Drew's own eyes filled with golden hatred.

"Care to say that again?" Drew asked softly. Verl, Marden, and Kayde all took on unconscious step backwards.

"Let's go Hayden," Marden whispered.

"Yeah, we're gonna be late for training," Verl added, fear in his voice.

He's the weakest, Wolf said, a touch of glee in his tone. Drew shifted his gaze to Verl and bared his teeth. Of course, they thought it was a smile. Either way, it had the same unsettling effect.

"But why leave now?" Drew asked. "You've been pushing for a fight since you laid eyes on me. Well, your wish has been granted." He stalked closer, truly grinning when Vern flinched.

"You think you can fight all four of us?" Hayden scoffed.

"Oh, I know I can." Fear flashed across their faces, and the scent of it was the last thing needed to push Drew over the edge. He lunged.

He slammed into Hayden, knocking him and Marden to the ground. Regaining his feet in an instant, Drew swung at Verl. His fist struck his jaw with a most satisfying crack. Kayde aimed a blow at Drew's head; a sloppy roundhouse, one easily dodged. While Kayde was exposed, Drew punched him in the side, rewarded again with a crack and a cry from the unfortunate target.

By now, Hayden and Marden were on their feet and Verl had dropped to the ground. A flurry of blows rained down in Drew, either missing entirely or glancing off him with no effect. In a particularly dirty move, Drew knocked Marden's feet out from under him. He landed on top of Verl- his head, to be specific- and his own skull made sharp contact with the ground. Marden rolled to his side, clutching his head. Verl, however, stayed frightfully still and silent.

Watch out for- Kayde tackled Drew, bringing him to his knees. Using Kayde's momentum against him, Drew flipped him over his head. Knocked breathless, Kayde only had a moment to assess his predicament before Drew landed one, two, three, vicious blows on his face.

Hayden tired to attack Drew as well, but he was ready. He went at Hayden with claws out and teeth bared in a sadistic grin. He caught Hayden's wrists, pulling him close, and sunk his teeth into Hayden's shoulder. Drew bit through fabric and flesh, pulling away with a jerk. Hayden screamed in agony, horror, fear; and Drew laughed.

All the fight went out of Hayden then. He wasn't trying to attack anymore, just get away. But Drew had an iron grip and his claws were firmly embedded in Hayden's wrists. He lunged forward to bite again, the raging red inside his head urging him to go for the throat, to end the fight and enjoy his spoils.

"DREW NO!" A red-headed blur slammed into Drew, pinning him to the ground in the same motion. It was only by sheer luck that Drew recognized Blaze before he broke the hands that were holding him down.

"Get off me!" Drew snarled, snapping his teeth at Blaze and wriggling to get away.

"You almost killed him!"

"What do you think I was trying to do? Kiss him?" He knocked Blaze off, rolling to his feet- and found himself surrounded by guards. A handful were dragging Marden, Verl, and Kayde away, all three unconscious or nearly so.

"H-he bit mu-me!" Hayden sputtered, shock fumbling his words. "H-he bit me!"

"Yes, werewolves bite and fish live in water. What fantasy land have you been living in?" Prince Duncan came striding into view, face strangely blank, and a hungry look in his dark brown eyes. "So, Hawthorne.... You finally snapped." He smiled, a cold, disturbing thing, before continuing. "I knew you would, but I was curious how long it would take and under what circumstances."

This isn't good, Wolf muttered. He could see the trap before them, but couldn't figure out what kind of stake lay at the bottom.

"I have only one question for you: are you as good with a sword as you are with your fists?"

"What?" Drew said at the same time as Blaze.

"You heard me."

Drew narrowed his eyes, weighing the consequences of his next words. "Better."

"Lets test that." Duncan unclasped his cloak, letting it drop to the ground. Not breaking eye contact, he drew his sword, the metal against leather singing of the fight to come.

"My sword's in my room," Drew lied, praying he would be allowed to leave and not Blaze.

"Then go get it." Drew didn't run to his room, no, he stalked away with purpose, not looking back once; satisfied to let the Crown Prince wait.

He stepped inside the hall and waited for a minute or two. Then he pulled his word from his pocket and let the shining blade spring into existence.

When he returned to the courtyard, he couldn't help but smirk at the looks of awe that crossed many of the watching faces. Even the totally ignorant knew that what Drew held was no common sword. The only emotion that showed on Duncan's face was a brief calculation when he saw that Drew was left handed.

Very few knew how to fight a left handed swordsman well. They had to readjust their techniques, and while they tried to adapt, Drew killed them. The cluster of soldiers quickly scuttled back to form a wide ring around the courtyard. Blaze stood fuming on the sidelines, and Drew knew he would get an earful later.

Duncan settled into position, watching Drew the way a vulture watched a dying man. Drew positioned himself across from Duncan, and the fight began.

In most fights, the two opponents would circle each other for a bit, looking for weaknesses and tells. But Drew already knew the most important thing about Duncan; the longer he had to study Drew, the worse it would be. So Drew, hotheaded wolf that he was, attacked right off the bat.

It took him only a matter of seconds to know Duncan was an excellent swordsman, one almost equal to Drew. Almost. Though Drew had far more finesse, it proved to not be his greatest asset. Duncan was used to fighting humans, with human-level strength. Drew was a whole other beast.

He began to put more power behind his swings than he normally would, grinning like a savage whenever Duncan had to take a step back to steady himself. He drew first blood, and second, and third. Duncan managed to cut his arm after that, but it was clear to Drew, and everyone else, who was winning.

He smells of fear! Wolf crowed. We have him now, finish him! Make him kneel. All of the animal part of Drew screamed "Yes!" at Wolf's words, but the very, very small bit of Drew with common sense said otherwise.

We can't publicly shame him; we need to be able to stay here in the castle. We shouldn't even be fighting him in the first place! We're drawing too much attention to ourselves. He realized with shame that Blaze had every right to be furious. There was only one thing he could now.

And then Drew did something he'd never done before; he let his opponent win.

He made one sloppy, foolish swing, and Duncan seized his opportunity like a starving dog. Seconds later, Drew found himself frozen, a blade against his throat.

Duncan was breathing hard, peering at Drew with a critical eye. There was no victory on his face; only cold curiosity.

"Well done, Hawthorne," Duncan said quietly. He let his sword drop. "I wouldn't go into the dining hall looking like that." He turned slowly, still watching Drew, and walked away. The ring of onlookers melted away into the many doorways and passages, and for a moment Drew was left alone in the center of the courtyard. But only for a moment.

"What the hell were you thinking, you absolute twog!" Blaze spat out sparks as he spoke, and little flames flickered in his hair.

Drew sighed heavily. Here we go.

Amber was waiting expectantly when Duncan opened her bedroom door. He usually joined her breakfast, despite having eaten much earlier in the morning.

"What was all that about?" she asked, taking a bite of strawberry.

"Oh, you saw?" She arched an eyebrow.

Duncan moved to take the seat across from her. He moved stiffly, and she saw him wince when he reached over to take a berry.

"I think our wolfy friend would be better used as an instructor, not a common servant."

"Have you told father that we have two werewolves in the castle yet?"

"Of course not. He'd put them in a zoo." Cimmorene made an angry noise from the other side of the room.

"If you're going to listen in, you might as well sit with us," Duncan called. She made another unhappy noise before marching over and dropping into the chair with Duncan. She smiled smugly as he wriggled about for a moment before glaring at her. "Move."

"No."

"An unstoppable force meets an immovable object," Amber muttered. "Play nice you two," she added at normal volume. After a moment more a silent warfare, Duncan stood up, nearly knocking Cimmorene out of the chair, and took a different seat. "Now, can we have a conversation like adults?"

"Please." Duncan shot Cimmorene a glare. She stuck out her tongue in response. "What did you think of the fight?"

"It was quite impressive. Hawthorne was quite impressive. For a moment, it looked like he was winning."

A dark look crossed Duncan's face. "He was."

"What?"

"He was winning, and we both knew it. But then he suddenly backed off; he let me win."

"That's... peculiar."

"Maybe he just didn't want to get in trouble for winning," Cimmorene said with a shrug. "It's what I would do."

"Have you ever even picked up a sword?" Duncan asked.

She scowled. "That's beside the point, oh Miserable One."

"She's got a point, Duncan," Amber said, before they could begin fighting. With everyone else, Duncan was highly professional, never ruffled, never stooping down to the other's level. But with Cimmorene, anything went. The two of them could bicker for hours, and end up laughing at the end of it. Duncan had a very small soft spot, and Cimmorene had managed to wriggle her way in. It may have been because Cimmorene was the first girl he ever kissed, but Amber wasn't even supposed to know about that so she didn't bring up.

"What are you going to do with him?" Cimmorene asked. "You're planning something." She grabbed a strawberry and bit into it thoughtfully. "If you get rid of Hawthorne, can you leave his red headed friend?"

"The Hellhound?"

"Yes. He's pretty."

Amber frowned. "Why do you call everything 'pretty'?"

"Because it's a nice word. I like it." Cimmorene plucked a berry from the bowl and threw it in the air, snapping it up before it fell and was lost under some chair.

"Don't worry, I'll leave your Hellhound alone. As long as he doesn't do anything stupid." Duncan tossed Cimmorene another berry that met the same airborne fate.

"So, you are getting rid of him?" Amber asked, not wanting to say his name. It would make the bit of attachment she had for him grow.

"No..." Duncan mused. "I don't think so." A berry hit him in the face. "Hey!"

"You were supposed to catch it!"

Duncan stood, groaning slightly as his wounds were agitated. "I should go. Council will begin soon."

"Good luck," Amber replied, already beginning to mentally plan her day.

"You're coming too."

Her planning was brought to a jarring halt. "What?"

"Yes, father wants you there."

"Has he said so specifically?"

"No, but he's grows more irritated each time you fail to appear. It would be in your best interests for you to show up before he's truly angry."

"And we wouldn't want that, would we?" Amber said softly, staring at a host of dark memories.

"I'm sorry. At least you're not with my wife."

"That is true," she sighed, rising as well. "I suppose I'll see you down there." Duncan left the room. "Alright Cimmer," Amber grimaced. "Come help me get ready for council."

---

But wait! There's more! I did promise I'd double post today, didn't I? 

It really isn't pretty when Drew loses his temper, is it? Of course, this isn't the last time it will happen and certainly not the worst. :/ 

Thank you to the 0.00001 percent who are reading this! You're my favorites!