Drew was slightly more prepared for the squalid conditions that swamped the slums of Praeverk, but only slightly. From far away, the capital city was an awe inspiring sight. A solid wall that stretched on and on and on, towers that soared into the sky, flags waving and snapping at the top. The crest of the royal family, a crow perched a top a skull, glared down at the city, watching the flood of people that moved between the gates.

All the grandeur was swept away once they entered the gates. Thousands of jostling people, constant noise, the rank stench of humanity; it was almost too much for Drew. He wanted nothing more than to turn and run back to the forest and stay there forever. But Blaze kept him there. He shouldered his way through crowds, right at home in the chaos. It wasn't long before Drew figured out his secret though. Blaze wore a murderous look, staring down every person who walked past him. There was a small, clear space about him that no one dared to intrude upon.

The further into the city they walked, or, shoved, the wider and cleaner the streets became. They entered a wide square with a dark granite fountain in the middle. Two streets went to the right and left, and lining those streets were magnificent buildings. They dwarfed every other building Drew had seen in the city so far. A few were almost as big as the arena. Each building had a different style. Some were light and elegant, with flowers at the entrance and vines climbing up the side. And others were black, red, silver; dark looming structures with iron gates. There were very few people entering those.

"What are these?" Drew asked, studying one made of a peculiar green stone.

"The Great Temples of Praeverk. Twenty two total, and only visited half as much as they should be. These two roads form a ring around the castle with the temples and their assorted buildings placed along it." He frowned. "I need to visit a few soon. It's been too long, and we need all the help we can get."

Drew decided against rolling his eyes and making a scathing comment. Instead, he began pushing through the crowd again. Please let there be less people at the castle. Please, please, please, please, please....

That hope was all that sustained him as they struggled on. At last, the gates to castle stood before them. There were still plenty of people, but it was far more organized. Drew and Blaze stood in line behind a fabric merchant, Blaze making faces at the little child who sat in the back of the cart and dissolved into a fit of giggles at each new face.

"Papers?" Blaze abruptly stopped messing around. After digging in his pack for a moment, he pulled out two sets of folded papers and handed them to the bored looking guard. The guard read the papers briefly and handed them back. "Reason for entry?"

"Our friend Darvey said he got jobs for us." The guards reaction was immediate, though slight. An alertness shone in his eyes that Drew associated with predators.

"Good luck with your work, friends," he replied. "Find Frenk at the stables. He'll show you around." He waved them through and a few feet later, Drew and Blaze were standing in the castle, the true capital of all of Saevus.

"That looks like the stables, over there," Blaze said, pointing. They walked along the edge of the courtyard, a swath of green grass in the middle. The stables were on the same wall as the gate and along the next wall were what looked like barracks. On the opposite wall were a number of doors that led into the castle, and jutting out of that same wall was a small tower.

"I bet the view from that tower is great," Drew said, analyzing the wall for a way to climb up.

"It might be worthwhile to check that."

A dark haired boy met them at the stable door, smelling strongly of horses and something else. It was familiar, but Drew couldn't figure what it was underneath horse and hay and leather.

"Y-you look lo-lost. Can I- can I help y-y-you?" The stutter didn't seem to stem from nervousness, but the boy seemed highly conscious of it to a painful degree.

"We were told to find Frenk," Blaze answered. "We just arrived here, and he's supposed to show us around."

"Oh, h-he's in the b-b-back. Follow m-me." Blaze cringed once the boy turned around, and seconds later Drew realized why. As soon as the horses smelled them, they went wild. They whinnied, shaking their heads, eyes rolling back and backed further into their stalls.

"What's going on?" A man called. A man around Drew's age exited a stall at the very end of the stables, frowning at the frightened horses. "Angus, what happened? Why are the horses spooked?"

"I'm no-not-t sure," the boy answered. "Th-they were fine just a mu-m-moment ago." He cast Drew and Blaze a curious look, as if he had just found two new puzzle pieces and was trying to put them together.

"Maybe we should so you can take of this," Blaze said, backing up.

"They w-were sent from the- the gate," Angus added. "I c-can deal w-with the horses." The man nodded and motioned for Drew and Blaze to lead the way out.

"I'm Frenk," he said, offering his hand once they left the stables.

"Blaze. And this is Drew, but he's a bit overwhelmed."

"Not a city person?" Frenk asked with a smile.

"Not really," Drew shook his hand as well, glaring at Blaze as he did. Blaze just shrugged.

"You two must be the new servants for the trainees."

"We're just here to do whatever work there is," Blaze shot back.

"Well, it's a good thing there's two of you this time." He started around the edge again, leading toward the doors.

"What do you mean?" Drew asked.

"The last servant who worked for the trainees disappeared," Frenk said grimly.

"Disappeared?"

"It's not confirmed, but everyone knows Hayden had something to do with it."

"And Hayden is...."

"One of the trainees. You'll know him when you meet him. I've met rabid dogs who are nicer." They were led through a few passages and down a flight of stairs. "The kitchens are down here," he said as they entered the bustling establishment. The kitchens took up one half of the room, separated from the rows of trestle tables by a partial wall. It looked as though the room was being cleaned from the aftereffects of a meal, and Drew couldn't help but regret missing the food."They ring a bell at meal times so you really can't-" he paused to arm of passing woman and kiss her on the cheek. She smiled at him but continued with her task. "-miss them. Sorry, that was my wife, Marta. Haven't seen her all day."

"How long have you been married?" Blaze asked as they followed Frenk out of the kitchens and down another hall. 

"In two and half months it'll be our five year anniversary. Not that I'm counting," he added with a grin. "Your room is the thirteenth door on the left."

"Just one?"

"Just be glad there's two beds. There's plenty who aren't so fortunate."

"Fair enough." Frenk led them to their room and unlocked the door. Then he handed a key to each of them.

"Don't lose these," he warned. "You only get one." The room was small and dim. There was hardly room for the two beds, the matching foot lockers, and the small table with a washbowl on top. "Drop your things for now, you've got to get right to work. Things have been piling up at the training grounds and Prince Duncan's temper hasn't improved for it."

"Prince Duncan is working with the trainees?" Drew asked.

"He oversees their training and steps in occasionally." Which means we'll get a chance to observe him. He looked at Blaze and it was clear he is thinking the same thing.

Drew blinked hard as they returned to the sunlit courtyard, eyes still adjusted to the dim castle interior. They were led to a small shed with one open side. Inside was a mess of weaponry and armor.

"I suggest you start with just cleaning this up and tending to the weapons. Gods only know what state their in," Frenk shook his head disapprovingly. "Sir Tandry will have clearer instructions for you tomorrow morning."

"Do you fight then?"

"No, but I know how to care for tools. Good luck to you. I hope you're still in one piece by the time dinner arrives." With that grim statement, Frenk left for the stables and Drew and Blaze stared in horror at the disaster before them.

"Why would they ever let it get to this point?" Blaze asked, picking up an unfortunate looking sword.

"To give us something to do?"

"I guess." Mentally berating whatever fools made the mess, Drew and Blaze got to work.

Not long after they began tidying, the trainees returned to the field. There were fifty of them, all young men between eighteen and twenty five. The man Drew assumed was Sir Tandry ran them through basic sword drills, watching with a hawk's eye.

He was an older man, tall and thin with silver hair and beard. Though he looked too old to be much help in combat, a keen intelligence hid behind brown eyes that warned of unadulterated cunning. But he seemed to be the only soldier of worth on the field.

Drew had no idea how long the men had been in training, but he hoped it hadn't been long. Otherwise, they were a lost cause. He hardly kept his eyes on his work, but he'd been sharpening swords since he could walk so it wasn't quite a recipe for disaster.

"He's totally open on his left side," he muttered. "And that one isn't moving his feet enough. Neither is that one. Or that one. Or that one."

"Look over there," Blaze whispered suddenly. "I think that's-"

"-Crown Prince Duncan," Drew finished. Even from a distance, he was formidable. Dressed in the royal blue and black, with bronze skin, dark hair, and darker eyes, he was the very epitome of the Saevian royals. He pulled Sir Tandry aside, and in their attempt to move away from the trainees, they moved closer to Drew and Blaze.

"Tell me you have something else in mind," Duncan growled, casting a displeased eye on the pitiful swordsmanship before him. "This is an utter disgrace."

"My lord," Sir Tandry said, shaking his head. "I bear the blame for that. I don't have the heart for this anymore. I'm too old to running after young men day in and day out. If I could merely oversee training instead of running it all-"

"We have no one else," Duncan interrupted, voice grim. "If there was someone of high skill who could train them, I'd hire them in a heartbeat. But at the moment, there's no one I trust."

"I understand, my lord. I'll try to do better, but I can't promise anything." Duncan turned to walk away- and Drew realized he was staring.

"Have you something to add to this conversation?" Duncan snarled, stalking closer. Drew stood, a retort ready, hand reaching for his sword. But his sense caught up to him before he did anything too stupid.

"No- sir," he bit out. Blaze stood as well, glancing at Duncan warily.

"Then why, pray tell, were you eavesdropping?" He stepped closer, too close. Drew knew a power play when he saw one and stood his ground. Damn it! Why does everyone have to be taller than me?

"It wasn't purposeful," he lied. "I was just curious to hear what other people thought of the sheer lack of skill demonstrated on the field."

A flicker of cold amusement crossed Duncan's face. "And what would you know about swordplay?"

"More than them." He could practically hear Blaze's internal screaming.

"And what are two men who are so knowledgeable of the sword doing cleaning weapons instead of using them? Oh don't look so innocent," he added, turning to Blaze. "I saw you watching, along with the disgust on your face."

"In all honesty, my lord," Blaze said, right before he started spinning a well thought out lie, "We were mercenaries. But we got tired of the fighting and constant travel and ended up here." Duncan looked between the two of them, clearly not quite believing them.

"I hope that's true- for your sakes. Carry on," he started back towards Sir Tandry. "I suggest not eavesdropping in the future. It might cost you your head."

Drew, I think we've found a worthy opponent.

Now I really can't wait until we overthrow the castle.

The sun was low in the sky as Drew and Blaze began finishing up. The shed wasn't completely cleaned by a long shot, but they'd made fair progress. But all their satisfaction was dashed to pieces when the trainees returned their swords. Drew was pretty sure Blaze's eye twitched when he saw the new mess.

As Drew crouched to pick one up, someone slammed into his side and knocked him to the ground. He sprung to his feet, snarl rising in his chest as the culprit smirked at him over his shoulder.

"Whatcha gonna do about, crowfood?" he asked. "Fight me?" Drew started forward, only to have Blaze shoot him a warning look. Using every bit of self control he owned, Drew stepped back and dropped his gaze. "That's what I thought."

"I'd stay away from him," another trainee muttered, one of the younger ones. "Or else you'll end up like Caid."

"And that is?"

"Missing." Blaze met Drew's gaze. This was going to be very, very, interesting.

Drew and Wolf were both too riled up to pay attention to much else besides the trainees during dinner. The one who had pushed him was Hayden, as he'd suspected. He was a piece of work. Just about every male servant he passed got a shove and every female servant a leer or vile comment. And he didn't just torture the servants. There were a number or the trainees who avoided him as much as possible. He watched as Hayden began to start a fight with a young, stubborn man who didn't much like being shoved and wasn't going to let it slide. Drew had seen plenty of unplanned brawls at the arena and knew what was coming. He couldn't take it.

"Where are you going?" Blaze asked sharply as Drew stood.

"For a walk." He stormed out of the dining hall, needing to get away from Hayden before he did something stupid.

The sky was growing dim and the courtyard was empty. Drew looked up at the little tower, temptation singing in his ear. He glanced about, then started to climb.

At the arena, he'd often climbed the walls and gates, just to show the guards he could. Those walls had been made to keep people in, and this one hadn't. Climbing it was easy.

He skirted around the windows and in no time at all he was at the balcony. A large set of glass doors led off the balcony, a curtain drawn over them from the inside. Not wanting to be seen when the curtains opened, Drew pulled himself up onto the roof. He settled into a secure spot and looked.

The view was breathtaking.

Drew could see over the castle walls and out upon the city and the mountains far, far in the distance. The sun burned fiery orange along the mountain ridge, setting the clouds above alight. Golden light stretched across the city, making the foul place beautiful for a handful of minutes. Purple crept into the sky, and the orange turned to a deep red. The light bled away and Drew turned to the West, were the sky was darkest. The moon had yet to rise, but a handful of little stars were dusted across the horizon.

A faint breeze sprung up, carrying wispy clouds and the scent of rain. Drew sat there for longer than he'd intended, watching the clouds drift across the sky and a host of stars blink into view. He was so entranced that he didn't hear the balcony doors open.

Once the sky was fully dark, Drew realized it was long past time to leave. He swung off the edge of the roof, finding the balcony railing with his feet, and almost fell when someone screamed. He slipped, landing hard on the stone railing and tumbling onto the balcony. He rolled to his feet in an instant and found a young woman standing across from him, open mouthed and wide eyed.

"I uh, I didn't know anyone was out here."

"What were you doing up there? What are you doing here?"

"Watching the sunset."

"The sun set a long time ago."

"There's stars, too."

She narrowed her eyes. "I'd shove you off the balcony... but that's what I was doing too. How did you get up here?"

"I climbed."

"You- you climbed up? As in, up the side of the tower?"

"Yes." She moved to the balcony and looked over the edge, then back at him.

"Stay here." She swept through the doors and returned a moment later with a lantern. Setting it down on the ledge, she looked back at Drew, now able to see him much more clearly. "What's you name?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because I could scream for guards and get you thrown into the dungeon."

"Drew Hawthorne. And you are?"

She thought for a moment. "Snaps." It was an undisguised lie, and Drew regretted telling her his real name.

"Nicknamed for your snappy personality?"

"No. It's for all the necks of annoying men I've snapped."

"A woman after my own heart," he shot back. He was rewarded with a dry smile.

I like her, Wolf said, a funny purr in his voice.

We just met her.

And I like her.

Well, she makes me feel tall so I suppose I like her too. She was tiny, maybe four-eight; if she stood on tip toe. 'Snaps' stared at him for longer than was polite, sharp blue eyes looking him over like he was some specimen. Something in her gaze was familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint it. Undeniably uncomfortable, he decided to use the opportunity to stare right back.

Her eyes really were unusual. Most everyone of native Saevian blood had brown or green eyes, but hers were palest blue, striking against her copper skin. Her dark hair was pulled back in a long braid that wrapped around her head.

"Do you work here?" he asked, immediately regretting the stupid question, but desperate to get her to stop looking at him so critically.

"I've been here all my life. But you just arrived; I saw Frenk showing you around."

"You know Frenk?"

"He's head of the stables; everybody knows Frenk." The sounds of someone moving about behind the doors startled them both. "You should go," Snaps said at once, glancing at the doors with concern.

"But if I leave, who knows if I'll ever see you again?" The words slipped out of Drew's mouth before he had a chance to think. Snaps raised an eyebrow. "I have no idea why I said that. Feel free to slap me."

A smirk crept across her face, and it was remarkable what it did for her features. Drew no longer thought she was about to stab him.

"Don't worry," she said. "We live in the same building."

Drew grinned. "It's a big building."

"Go!" Snaps waved him away, holding back a laugh.

"Alright, alright." He swung himself over the balcony railing and dropped. Seconds later, a panicky Snaps looked over the edge. "Worried?" he asked with a smirk.

She scowled at him. "More like, I don't care for cleaning up messes." Drew laughed and began to scale down the side. The next time he looked up, Snaps was gone. I can't believe I said that, he thought, shocked that he hadn't been slapped.

I knew she would think it was funny.

You kn- you made me say that? You did, didn't you?

She likes us.

What have I told you about making me say things?

We should go up there again soon.

I thought we agree- Oh yeah, definitely soon. But not too soon.

Yes. But soon.

Amber was in a far better mood than usual when she returned to her room. She left the balcony doors open, grateful for the summer breeze that made the curtains dance. Cimmorene, her maidservant and only friend, bounded over to her, a grin threatening to crack her face in two.

"You'll never guess who I just met!" she squealed, dragging Amber over to the settee.

"You're new true love?" Amber was unable to keep the sarcasm from seeping out. It seemed that Cimmorene had a new 'true love' every month.

"Possibly, but it's better than that!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Well, who is it?" Cimmorene paused, seeming to hardly believe what she was about to say.

"Another Hellhound!" she shrieked.

"What? Here? In the castle?" As long as she could remember, Cimmorene had hunted down every red-head who entered the castle in hopes of meeting another Hellhound. This was the first time, ever, that she'd succeeded. Amber pulled Cimmorene onto the settee beside her, pulling her feet up under herself. Cimmorene did the same and soon they were in the positions they so often took when alone.

"Yes, yes, and yes! His name is Blaze, in his mid twenties I'm assuming, which isn't too old for me. He just arrived here today from Hagenvale and he works for Sir Tandry and the trainees-"

"Wait, he's one of the new servants for trainees?"

"That's what I just said. He and his friend Drew are retired mercenaries who were looking for steady work-"

"His friend Drew?"

"Yes. If you stopped interrupting I could tell you about him."

"Sorry. He wouldn't happen to be a werewolf too?"

"Oh! That's the other thing!" Cimmorene became alarmingly serious, an edge of fear in her next words. "Blaze says Drew is a very odd werewolf. As in, there's something wrong with the way he interacts with his wolf. Apparently, he taught himself to Shift and has never met another werewolf and was never taught anything about werewolves either. He didn't even know who Lupa was!"

"He seemed rather normal to me." Amber chose her words purposefully, just to see the look of pure shock on Cimmorene's face.

"You- you met him?"

"Mm-hm. He left right before I came off the balcony."

"But I didn't see anyone leave."

"That's because he climbed the tower. He got all the way onto the roof."

"What? What was he doing up there?"

"Watching the sunset, if you'll believe it. He was actually rather flirtatious," she added for Cimmorene's benefit. Cimmorene was a firm believer in the idea of mates, and was convinced that even humans had them. Anytime anyone she knew had even a spark of something possibly romantic in any way, shape, or form, she would examine the whole situation to see if they might be mates.

"Wait, let me get this straight," Cimmorene said, holding up her hand. "A strange man, by both human and werewolf standards, climbed up the tower, in the dark, and flirted with you?" She narrowed her eyes. "You told him you were Snaps, didn't you?"

"Naturally."

"Amber, you do realize that this is the start of every romantic ballad and tale?"

"And ghost story. Now, tell me more about this Blaze." It was one of those times when Amber was glad at how easily distracted Cimmorene was.

She smiled as Cimmorene rambled on, glad to see that her friend had the possibility of happy, romantic future. But she couldn't help but be a bit jealous as well.