Dawn's soft tendrils broke over the eastern horizon, illuminating Irisa's back as she rode towards the west. Lightning's hooves pounded the cobble road, leaving small puffs of dust in their wake.

Fang, who had been running on his paws behind the horse, put on a burst of speed and pulled up beside her. Irisa pulled her mare over to the side of the road and drew her to a halt. She bent over towards the Wulfen'krrd.

"I smell Helvatian. They have clearly strayed at least this far inside our borders."

"We'll go slowly, and quietly. There ares still several leagues left before we reach the border."

Fang nodded and lightly leaped away, standing up on his back legs. Irisa pulled Lightning into a trot and Fang jogged alongside, preferring to stay upright.

"If we see any Helvatians I want you to speak with them. They'll kill a human on sight but may reason with a member of the Wulfen'krrd race. Your species are not at war in the way mine is."

Fang agreed. "They may yet smell your scent on me. Still be wary."

"Of course."

The road narrowed for a while before opening up to a large plateau. In the grass and even across the bare stone there were large walls, topped with pointed stakes. The walls were about shoulder hight, low enough to see over but tall and intimidating enough to warn off anyone who would enter. It was Helvatian made, even appearing elegant in its deadliness. The spikes were said to contain the poison of the illune fish, a favorite food of the Zlakra. It caused convulsions and internal bleeding before a very painful death. Irisa surveyed the walls with a calculating glance.

If I could stand on Lightning's back, I could jump over. There would be quite a drop on the other side, though, and how would I get back?

The Glacias river wound its way through the trees and over the grassland. It was more of a stream really by the time it crossed the boarder, but it was rumoured to be the main water source of the Helvatian empire.

"Novrrack." Irisa called out. Fang stopped sniffing a nearby bush and walked over.
"Could I swim under the gate?" she asked.

"If they were smart there would be grating." Fang growled.

"If there is an airspace I can get rid of that. Go check."

Fang snorted at her commanding tone but loped over and peered through the water. After a few moments he came back over.
"There is grating, but it looks thin." Fang reported. "I think you could-"

"Oe! Havral adure yeolle rookah!"

"Uh oh." Fang muttered. A tall man rode towards them. His white hair blew off of his face to reveal a proud visage that was clouded with anger. Irisa didn't understand much Helvatian, but what she did understand made her very worried.

"Fang." she hissed. "What did he say?"

Fang growled at her and dropped to four legs in preparation to run.

The Helvatian dismounted.

"Yeolle thring Helvera?"

Fang stepped forwards and spoke, mangling and growling the smooth Helvation words.

"Jeon, lea vra treth thring grala."

"Novrrack." Irisa demanded. "Tell me what he said."

"He asked if we speak Helvatian. I said that you don't. Now be quiet before we are both killed." Fang replied.

"What are you doing?" The Helvation man asked.

"We are sent from the army, to survey the walls." Irisa lied smoothly. "We will soon be on our way."

The Helvation drew his sword. It was thin and elegant, but Irisa was not fooled. She'd fought against their kind before, and that sword was strong enough to hack through stone without squiring a single nick. It was now levelled to her chest.

"I do not play around, human. Our kind have battle prowess far beyond your own. It is by our good will that you have any lands left. Tell me what you were really doing by that wall, or find your head severed from your body." The Helavtian warned. Fang snarled and Irisa gripped the pommel of her sword, ready to fight.

"I was not lying," Irisa replied, fighting to keep her voice calm. "I was sent by Lord Travan to write a report on these defenses."

"Of course she was." A voice broke in behind her. Irisa whipped around to see a dun stallion flanked by six mounted guards walk towards them. Lord Travan wore a perfectly crafted mask of riotous outrage, but Irisa kept her features guarded. Travan was like a coiled viper nesting in a verdant green meadow, the second you dropped your guard to rest he would strike.

"My Lord." Irisa remained upright while Fang bowed. She saw anger flit across Travan's features before he concealed it again. "I am sorry to have kept you waiting." She dropped her gaze, giving every impression of a docile servant.

"We really must be going." Travan told her. "Call your steed." He kicked his horse and pulled the reins, turning it.

"Lightning, Koordd" Irisa called. As she pulled herself onto the mare she glanced back at the Helvatian soldier. A flame kindled in his eyes.

"Zlakra bred." He said, locking his eyes on hers. "I shall be watching you. No underpaid servant should be able to afford that."

His gaze continued to burn into her back as she urged Lightning away.

"What were you doing!" Travan demanded. "This mission must succeed."

Irisa smiled. "Stop worrying. I found a way in." She pulled ahead and cantered towards the trees, leaving The Lord and his entourage to catch up to her.

"Are you coming, Novrrack?" She asked while checking the daggers on the strap under her shirt.

"I will go with you." Fang replied, baring his canines in a feral smile. "After all, you would have never gotten out of Rular without me."

"That was a mistake." She replied without looking at him. "I had forgotten that the water would change my magic. And besides, I was young then, and still learning."

Fang just laughed lightly, causing her to bristle. "How would you like me to chop off your tail?" Irisa threatened. "Then we'll see how many packs are willing to accept you." It was his turn to look offended.

Ha, she thought to herself, all Wulfen'krrd need to be shown who is alpha.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the approaching sound of horses. Travan looked miffed, but he quickly shook it off.

"Here." He said, passing her a clear vial of liquid. "It is odourless and tasteless, from the eastern coasts. I doubt those mountain rats have ever heard of it before, much less know an antidote."

Irisa took the vial and slipped it into the inside of her jacket. The glass was cool, but her skin felt hot underneath it.

"Do not touch the liquid, or breathe in the fumes. One drop will be enough." Travan cautioned. "Come to my tower when the job is complete to receive the rest of your payment." Irisa nodded and turned to face the wall, listening to the thundering hoof steps of the horses receded into the distance until they were no longer visible.

"Well that was abrupt."

"Lord Travan never spends useless time loitering." Fang replied.

Okay. Irisa thought to herself. She looked at the human and Helvatian guards that patrolled the wall. There was a point in time in which they both had their backs to the wall.

"Fang." Irisa said quietly. "Wait until they are not facing us. I'll meet you at the grate."

Fang grumbled to himself, before pushing his head out of the bushes. He hesitated a few seconds and then took off over the open ground, disappearing with a splash into the river beyond. The Helvatian guard swivelled around, brandishing his sword and Irisa held her breath. Seeing nothing, he turned back around and continues to patrol the border. She sighed, and sprinted towards the wall. The wind sang in her ears and she landed in the stream, muddy water surrounding her. Irisa suppressed a noise of disgust as she wiped the muck out of her eyes. Fang's fur stuck to his body, making him appear half drowned. Irisa suppressed laughter at the sight, instead giving way to a coughing fit.
"What?" Fang asked.
Irisa waved him away. "Water in my throat." She explained, trying to to look at him. She focused on the metal screen instead.
The grating was an inch wide and covered the entire entrance in a tight weave. Irisa could just fit her fist through the holes, but that was all.

"I'm going to try and melt the metal." She explained to Fang. "Be quiet and don't distract me." Fang made as if to object, but thought better of it when she pulled out her sword threateningly. Even after all their travels together, she would not hesitate to kill him if he got in her way.

Irisa pulled out a pouch from the belt at her side. Totally waterproof and made from the stomach of a Nùthrae, it was perfect for containing anything she put in it. In this case, the contents were mud. Irisa pulled the goopy substance out and painted a thin rim around her arm.
"What are you doing?" Fang asked.
"All magic comes from the great source in the middle of the earth." She explained. "The mud focuses my energy and is the limit for my magic. Once my arm is covered, I may not use any more without killing myself. Now, I told you to be quiet."
Fang grumbled, and Irisa ignored him. She cast her concentration towards the earth on her arm, and in her minds eye red tendrils lifted off of it. "Burn." She commanded, opening her eyes. The bars glowed white hot and a huge section of the grating fell into the water with a splash.
"We're in." Irisa stated, wading forwards. Fang laid his ears back against his skull looking every but like a scared puppy.

---

Words:

Wulfish

Note: R's in Wulfish are either growled or snarled.

Frrahh Rrond'ra 'Fang'. Ra'crravrrarran 'Novrrack'.- Call me not 'Fang'. My name is Novrrack.

Novrrack- Fang, but in his native tongue

Grrrawrrd Rrrack M'krrad- I challenge you

Zlarkra

Koorrdd- Come

Lokrrah- Go

Flagrah- Leave

Gavrondii

Nvrawch ont refletcj!- It's awake!

Helvatian

Oe! Havral adure yeolle rookah!- Hey! What are you doing?

Jeon, lea vra treth thring grala- No, the girl doesn't speak (Helvatian).

Yeolle thring Helvera?- You speak Helvatian?