[Past].

The winter after Gabriel's passing was the worst one that River's Bed had seen in centuries. Usually, come winter, the warm town of River's Bed was dotted with white, powdery snow, but only for a week or two, and then perhaps a few spotty days following; and the snow was always just holding on, just barely frozen, and even a simple footstep or touch of your hand could melt it back to clear. By the second day after a snowing, the town looked quite like it normally did, only with a bit more mush and mud, and perhaps with an overlaying mist or clouded sky. Lycanthropes in coats and boots, though they truly didn't need them much.

It had truly been quite some time since River's Bed had heard from Gabriel. He'd been silent since he'd left for his meeting with Virulent nearly a week ago, which the town was not so happy about to begin with. Rumours grew, people gossiped, and finally, with a strong sinking feeling and a disdain for Virulent's Forest, a group of four guardsmen was sent out to search for their beloved mayor, walking upon the same route that he did. It was quite the distance, but with haste they had traveled on armoured mules.

The first sign that they saw of Gabriel was a corpse. His poor mule, laying with ribcage torn open and skin sinking, his tackle still strapped to him, and his lead still hitched to a mighty trunk of a mighty forest. The stench was unmistakeable, and it wafted with heaviness across the wind. The guardsmen pulled their mules over, rearing, staring at the dead mule and giving one another frightened glances; and then, with a sharp, "Hi-Ya!" They raced their mules through the woods, calling out for Gabriel. It was a risk to race their mules over tangled roots, but they faired well and swiftly with thumping hooves, and soon enough they came upon another all too familiar reek, filling the air with its weight. And there had been Gabriel, dead and congealed.

They did not bring him back to River's Bed. Instead, they walked with him to Jasper, bartering for spades, and burying him there. They did not want the people of River's Bed to see him as he was. But the people of Jasper were dear friends to the people of River's Bed, and they worried all the same.

Jasper was an Anthromorph town, living close to the forest and strong in their faith, superior culture, and military presence. While the people of River's Bed would often talk gossip or drama about the Anthromorphs of Jasper, talking of how self-absorbed and perhaps self-righteous they could all be, the Lycanthropes and Anthromorphs did hold a strong bond that had outlasted centuries. Together, they threw joyful parties and dances and feasts, and when in times of need, the resources Jasper provided River's Bed, and the resources River's Bed provided Jasper, proved to make them a formidable alliance not to be reckoned with. So now, as River's Bed grieved the loss of a great leader, Jasper grieved- and prepared for war- with them.

The guardsmen arrived to Jasper's muddy streets with a shadow overhanging them, darkening their faces. They were greeted with a warm welcome, and also concern.

A woman walked up to the guards, a worried look across her face, "Guardsmen of River's Bed! How delighted we are that you're here! Why have you come?" Several other passer-bys on the streets stopped to greet them with smiles, waves, and offers.

One of the guardsmen, Kelo, spoke through his clinking armour, wishing he could stop to say hello to the crowd of friends, "We seek to speak with the mayor! This is an urgent matter!" As the wet winter grew nearer, the temperatures dropped, and a shrouding mist overlaid the land, which was seen now, twirling amongst the peoples' ankles and knees like twisting smoke. The dirt pathways were now black and muddy, and the midday sky clouded and grey, a soft shower falling and wetting all in its path. The leaves had begun to fall from the trees, and winter was well on its way. Only a week before, spring had still been in full bloom. A quick winter was a bad sign; a sign of an unusually cold winter.

"Just a moment," the woman said, frantic, pushing back through the crowd and down the lane to where her mayor lived. Only a few moments thereafter, and came the mayor of Jasper, Jillian, guarded with men on either side. She was an older Anthromorph, much older than Gabriel had been, and her age showed strength, creasing her forehead, lips, and beneath her eyes. Her hair strung a brilliant misty white, and her eyes pale hazel. Mayor Jillian walked with tall shoulders and strong legs, eyes and chin up, her leather armour rustling her tanned clothes beneath it.

"Mayor!" The Kelo greeted, though he was not all too happy. She walked up to them, giving her own guards a hand motion to not crowd her nor the men.

"What is it?" Jillian asked, voice quick and with prowess. She looked up at the guards, meeting eye contact boldly, and bringing a hand up to pet the soft neck of his mule.

The guard's own voice was much gruffer, much sadder, "I am Kelo from River's Bed, and I've come to inform you that our own Mayor Gabriel was slaughtered, left to rot in the wood outside of Virulent's Forest!" Gasps scattered from across the wetted crowd, a few cries. Jillian's eyes narrowed, pale brows tucked close together in distressful thought.

"Kelo from River's Bed," Mayor Jillian spoke coolly, though not without empathy or respect, "I believe there is more to this story. Come with me, and we shall talk."

"Right." The guardsmen dismounted their mules, giving the reigns to a fellow woman who was eager to help, and then tossing a gold coin her way for her troubles. One of the guards told her to hitch them and feed them, and she took the three brown equines away.

Mayor Jillian and her own guards led the River's Bed guardsmen through town, waving at the people who were forced to disperse, and then walking to her professional abode. Most mayors had two abodes: one for family and personal life, and then one for their professional life. It was small, but magnificent, with intricate wood carvings of dragons along the front and ebony shingles that gleamed with wet in the grey light. The windows had leather strips concealing them, creating dim candlelit privacy inside. Upon walking inside, there were only a few rooms: a main living and mud room, an office, a kitchenette, and a restroom. The group closed the door behind themselves, wiping the soles of their muddied shoes on a welcome mat, a swaying chandelier overhead providing significant flame light.

Once settled, the guardsmen discussed with Mayor Jillian the untimely death of loved Mayor Gabriel, and she held great sorrow for his loss, agreeing to allow the guardsmen to bury him on her lands. But, she also knew that a war was becoming them, and told that she would help River's Bed prepare by sending many gifts and men along their way; for as big as River's Bed was, Jasper was still plenty bigger.

Finally, taking off his helmet to reveal dirty blonde hair, Kelo asked, "Do you know who could have possibly killed Gabriel?"

Jillian sighed, resting on a couch in the living area, facing the River's Bed men, "Yes. No doubt, it was a Saurion."

"A Saurion? We haven't seen them in these parts for a while. It isn't wet enough here for them, not in the summers."

"Oh, Virulent's forest is chock-full of Saurions. Many of them are mighty fine folk, albeit not as fine as the Anthromorphs here in Jasper, but fine nonetheless. The ruthless one is their own leader, Virulent the Second. His father founded Virulent's Forest when I was just a girl, and he was a mighty respectable Mayor. But his son was no such thing, vicious and selfish." She glanced at her guards, sighing deeply again, "In fact, it is suspected that Virulent the First's untimely death was caused by none other than his own son." She looked back at Kelo, "Do be warned."

Kelo shook his head, his hair long and in thick, wet strands. He placed a hand to his forehead in frustration, "I don't understand why he's done such a heinous thing."

"Not many of us do, but it is clear of his mission." Kelo sat up, curious, and Jillian continued with hush, "He wishes for power. He builds a great army, and wishes to take over all of the Continent. Soon, he will take over Jasper and River's Bed. This is where he will start. His alliances and his soldiers grow... but together, perhaps we stand a chance."

"With our abilities, we can prevail," Kelo assured her.

"Maybe," she said, dim, "Perhaps not. Perhaps our triumph rests entirely in the hands of another."

"What is it you mean by that? How can that be? We will fight to our deaths to protect our village." Kelo leaned far forward on his knees in his leather and wood seat.

The mayor shook her head, her hair swaying gently, "I speak of the blessed ones."

"The blessed ones? In our village, they are not yet of age. They are not even tweens! Gabriel's daughters cannot be called to do the duty of warriors at their age!"

"But they will be soon," Jillian said, "A simple more thirty years. And as soon as they are of age, Mother Nature will send them on their way to defeat Nautis."

"Exactly," Kelo reasoned, "They will have no place in this war; they have other matters to attend to."

"I'm afraid you misunderstand," Mayor Jillian clasped her hands together, calm, "This war is their matters. Virulent did not become evil and powerful all on his own; he certainly has been praying to some evil God, and granted powers for it. If the blessed ones can take him down, then the war will have been won. In the meantime, we can deal with his army." The blonde guardsmen stared at the wooden floor for a while, eyeing the etched lines, and then looked back up at Mayor Jillian, coming to an understanding. Or perhaps, a realisation.

He spoke, "I believe you, Mayor Jillian. I hate to put those sweet girls on the front lines someday..."

"This war is brewing, but it is not yet here in Jasper, nor in River's Bed. You have time to prepare them as they grow. Now, I suggest you return home, guardsman Kelo, for your home will need much protection very soon." The guard was dampened, his face shadowed and dirty, hair wiry and wet. At the sound of such dark news, his entire body seemed to crumple beneath the weight, and he exhaled shakily.

"To another thirty years, then," he said, "And may Mother Nature fight on our side."

"The blessed ones will fight for her," Jillian assured him, standing, and offering him a hand. He stood from the couch, taking it, and nodding his thanks to her. From there, he was led out of the cottage and back onto the cool, damp streets. The men found a general shop, bartering a bit of armour and a knife for some spades; and then travelling to the east side of Jasper, where a large cemetery was, lined with wooden post markings, vines growing along them. It was an honour to have flowers and vines blossom from your grave after death, to have your body consumed by the earth, and Kelo wished only the same for Gabriel. Once buried, they spoke a few gentle words and then departed.

Jillian had told the men where the stables were, and at her words, he and his men found the kind lady who'd taken care of their mules, tipped her fairwell, and boarded, once again to be on their way back to River's Bed. They rode once again with galloping haste, thudding hearts, and single-focused minds. Their mule's chains created echoing, metallic clatter as they raced back home.

As they made it back home, however, another of something terrible and evil had happened. The streets were slow with dull, muddy traffic, and the evening light in the sky now faded from pink to a rich, royal purple, the moon's rising obscured behind boiling clouds. As they entered the town, their steeds slowing to a trot, they heard the sound of crying and wailing. Kelo gestured for the other two guardsmen to follow, and they sped through the town on galloping mules, careful so as not to run anybody down. Mud splashed up the mules' brown legs and kicked behind them like wet paint. They ran all of the way through town, eventually reaching a lovely brick cottage that sat upon a grassy hilltop, where a wail was heard and a crowd was grathered.

Kelo dropped from his mule, not bothering to hitch him, and raced up the plateau, pushing through the crowd quickly, the familiar thud of panic pounding his chest. For he knew exactly who lived here, and he feared for what he would find.

His fears came true. His stomach fell, and he was tempted to throw up, making his way to the front of the crowd and subsequently to the front door of the home. There, the door was open, and from the door several guards were carrying a body on a twine stretcher. The body was covered with a hide blanket, but Kelo knew immediately who it was. And damnit, that aching, head-pounding stench. How had that stink grown so familiar to Kelo in such a short amount of time? What was happening to his quiet, little village?

"Out of the way, sir," one said. In his hands, he carried one strap to stretcher, and behind him, another guard carries the other. The stretcher was very similiar to a hammock, made from intertwined twine and straw, creating a strong, flexible mesh for a body to rest on, leather braided handles for carry.

Desperate, Kelo spoke with his voice raised, "The girls! Where are the girls?!"

"The girl," the guard said, walking past Kelo and through the crowd, "Is in the house." The crowd parted for the two responding guardsmen and the body, bowing heads in morbid, grieved respect. Several sobbed, several cried out. Many strained voices were heard, asking questions that nobody had answers to.

Except for Kelo. Because unlike most of the innocent folk in this pack, he knew exactly who had done this and why. Virulent had done this. He had killed Gabriel's wife, and the mother two those beautiful, blessed girls. The older one was only a good 11 years old at the time, standing to the knee. They were still children, throwing tantrums, discovering the world, and crying plenty. And now...

Kelo shuttered. What a horror for a child to be orphaned, in this lovely, little town. He pushed through the open door and into the dim livingroom. On the couch in front of the dining table was a single young girl, one with short, curly orange hair, and a thousand freckles. She wore a soft red dress made of velvet. It had sticky bloodstains splattered across the front.

Kelo walked to her and slowly knelt, looking at her in the eye. She didn't look at him, eyes down and glassy, thick tears running down her pink face and leaving lines with a sheen. Her forehead was creased terribly, her little round hands clutching the hem of her dress.

"Hey," Kelo said, bringing a hand to her chin, "Hey, sweetheart. It's going to be okay. We'll find you a nice room in a community home, until you're old enough to come back home, yeah?"

The little girl sobbed, "My mama!!" And fell into the stranger's kind arms, sobbing in heaves into his chest, rubbing her eyes with little balled hands. Kelo was a little dumbfounded at first, holding his hands awkwardly to the sides, but eventually gave in, picking her up and holding her tight. Her entire body shook with the powerful sobs, and he understood all too well the painful grief that consumed her. Kelo hushed her as best as he could, patting her back gently and rocking her, but he knew that it would only take time to heal her. And even then, it would never be full.

Finally, after her dreadful, painful sobs had softened and slowed into sniffles, Kelo asked her, "Where's your sister, Adolpha? Where's Danica?"

"He took her, too," she wept, "He took them both!"

At her words, Kelo's stomach dropped yet again. Sorrowfully, the bridge of his nose creased, his lower lip trembling... no, he would not cry. He could not cry. And yet, the tears welled, the forcing ache filled his lungs, throat, and jaws with stiffness, and out leeched a strained sob.

But there was a speck of hope admits the terror, admits the pain, for Kelo knew things now that many of the others did not. He knew, based on Mayor Jillian's observations, that Virulent was in search of military power. And what better military power than the magic of Mother Nature's blessed specimen? Oh, yes, it was quite likely in Kelo's mind that perhaps Danica's fate was not the same as her mother's and father's. Perhaps he had taken her alive.

But that thought angered him so, and his tears flooded his face, but the wrinkles of rage on his forehead and the bridge of his nose did not go away. They were prominent, as was the deep, igniting hate in his auburn eyes. He let out a shaky breath, carrying Adolpha out of her house, which would surely only serve as a terrible reminder to her. Once outside, the chilled breeze hit her face, and her rapid breathing evened out, steady. She looked at the people, at the clouds rolling overhead, and at the wind billowing across tall, green grass. The dew droplets scattered as each blade of grass twirled in the wind like elegant dancers. She did not smile, but she did not frown, either. The wind gave her life.

Kelo knew that this was just the beginning. The other guardsmen knew that this was just the beginning. Jasper knew that this was just the beginning. Even here, in the happy village of River's Bed, war met them, and blood stained their clothes, seeping into their fertile grounds. Kelo promised himself that he would do all he could to prevent any further bloodshed. He would fight until he could fight no longer, and then dear Mother Nature would take him back to the earth's dirt where he belonged.

His voice was gentle and sweet, "Who took them away, Adolpha? Who did this? Did you see them?"

She sniffed, little eyes wide and starry and wet, "Someone I don't know! I don't know!"

"What did he look like, love?"

She buried her face into his chest, "A monster! A big, evil, green monster! A tail like Nautis's!"

He hushed her then, thanking her quietly, rocking her on his shoulder. Then, Kelo stood atop of that rolling hill, and spoke with a mighty voice, the Mayor's daughter clutching to him tightly.

"This is war!" He shouted, and the crowd turned to look at him with fiery eyes, some with shocked or surprised expressions. "We will avenge what we have lost! We will prepare for war! And we will keep these lands clean of famine!" One by one, the people stood tall, lifting hands in the air, beginning with slow voices and then ending with shouts. A riot in agreement. A riot in pain, in agony, and in vengeance.

"We'll take them down!" One said loudly.

Another voice shouted, "We'll slaughter Virulent where he lays!"

Kelo rose above the shouting chaos, "This was Virulent's doing! We will prepare for their attack! We will let them come, and then we will ally with our forces and rally; we will hit them with everything we have got!"

Fists in the air, the growing crowd shouted, "Aye!!"

The people were rallied and powerful.

Kelo pushed through the crowd, thoughts rolling. At first, they were angry, and he was thinking, I will kill that damn bastard where he lives! Slaughter his family, slaughter his children! See how he comes to like it! I will hold him by the throat and force him to beg for his very life!

He bristled, thinking, Why, he deserves not death! He doesn't deserve to become a part of Mother Nature! He deserves to suffer! Why, I ought to put him a jail cell and let him waste away! We ought to never bury him, never let him rot- keep his body on ice, so that he can never reunite with the earth! Then, he shook his head, shoulders and head falling as he walked, a crying girl in his arms. He needn't think so aggressively and rashly; with a deep breath, he regained control of his mind and body, and his tension faltered, calm once again- or, as calm as he could possibly be. Still, the fire bubbled beneath his skin, and he felt pure hate for the first time ever.

He knew where he must go and what he must do next. He recollected his mule first, taking him to a public stall where he hitched him beside hay and water; then, he and several other guardsmen reunited, discussing for only a moment as they all had the same thought: the next mayor.

Typically, mayors were elected in a simple poll or rally of the people after the current mayor retired or passed. Occasionally, they were selected by the previous mayor, if the people called for it and then approved. Lycanthropes were sensible creatures and trusted the judgement of those that they loved, and very dearly did they love their leaders.

And now, resting on the brink of war, through tragedy and blood, a new mayor should rise. Kelo led the organisation; he gathered few guardsmen and noble workers alike, those who were close with Gabriel and entrusted with his commands, telling of a needed, urgent poll to be made to the people of River's Bed. They first must decide who would volunteer to be elected as the next mayor; but as the day grew to night, and Kelo retired to his bed in his own, small home, where he lived young and alone, he was not expecting to awake the next morning and find that the people had rallied to elect him, no poll needed. For he had remained calm, he had remained unified, and he had been caring through it all; who better to govern a town than someone like that?

That day, he helped Adolpha find her right place in one of River's Bed's community houses. He took her to one that held families and other orphans, where she was cared for by the multiple families who lived there. In fact, there were other children there who took a keen liking to her: Yakob and Chase. Chase had ended up in the community home after he was injured, having fallen off of a mule, and had one of his legs amputated due to the infection. Now, he lived permanently in what some were now calling a wheelchair: a wonderful contraption that was a padded seat on wheels. He was still a capable young boy, and fully able to play and roughhouse and get dirty. Him and Adolpha, being the same age, took a fancy to one another and spent their days playing and drawing and gardening.

Yakob was an older boy in the community home, daughter of an older woman named Ware, who lived there with him, for she was blind. He was mature beyond his years, and was a little over 15 years older than Adolpha. He would be an adult in just a short time, then, and Kelo was confident that Yakob would help look after her. He often babysat her and Chase together, and would get down on all fours to play with their toys or dig in the dirt with them. Despite his pleads to Kelo to join the fight, he stayed and cared for many of the children, students, and disabled folk living in that community home.

Yakob's mother Ware was quite a spitfire herself, and was certainly the type to teach the kids swear words. She was greatly loved by all, and in a week, Adolpha had taken to her as if she was her own mother, calling her "Auntie Ware". Ware took the girl under her wing with pleasure, and the two played and sang. Kelo considered that the two were very similar: loving, hardworking, and full of sass. The two were also similar in their sight; Adolpha could see just fine- in fact, she could see better than fine. She could see things that nobody else could. With Ware, who could see nothing but shadows and shapes, the two made for a unique and wonderful pair. Kelo was greatly pleased with Adolpha's progress. Yes, Adolpha would have some substance of a happy childhood, yet, and that alone eased Kelo's wary.

And so, Kelo was elected with swiftness to become none other than Mayor Kelo himself. He did not hold the position with pride, but rather, with honour and respect for those that loved him and rallied for him. He would die beside them, if need be. River's Bed began to heal, slowly but surely, and their strength only grew with Kelo's intelligence, honour, and foresight guiding them.

In Virulent's Forest, Virulent proved Kelo to be quite right about him. Of course, the Mayor Virulent himself dared not to show his face in an enemy's domain, and so he had sent his guardsmen to kill off what was left of Gabriel's family and retrieve his prized daughters. The guardsmen had done it early in the morning when the sky was still dark and not many were stirring, but unfortunately, they were seen and unable to retrieve one of Gabriel's daughters. Although they managed to escape, having killed Gabriel's wife, they paid for their negligence with their lives at the claw of Virulent upon their return. From there, Virulent took Danica under his wicked claw, her magic being his precious desire.