"Gwaine! He needs to rest" Em begged exhausted. They were all exhausted from being hunted non-stop for the past three days. She struggled to keep Dastan upright as his figure was slumped against hers. She had removed the arrow from his shoulder and applied herbs to his wounds, but the constant rain and mud wasn't doing anything to help. He needed to be healed properly and she couldn't do it whilst they struggled to stay ahead of the Selvoths.

Hearing a faded howl in the distance made them all uneasy. Em hadn't noticed her chattering teeth as rain continued to pour heavily over the group. Their torches has been extinguished hours ago, as she wished the clouds didn't hide the stars. Stars were a great nagivational point.

"Hurry!" Gwaine instructed as he leapt to her side to assist in carrying Dastan along. Her hair sticking to her forehead as they both struggled to keep Dastan on his feet. His head was starting to drop forwards, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. Em kept trying to coax him awake, refusing to let him go unconscious. They carried or dragged him with one arm over each of their shoulders and their arms round his waist to hold him up.

His weight was starting to take it's toll on Em and Gwaine noticed. Struggling to keep herself on her feet, he glanced back at his wounded men to see who could take over.

"Who goes there!" A deep gruff voice shouted making them all pause and turn around to see a tall muscular figure come through the thick rain fog. They didn't say anything unsure of wether he was friend or foe, but when Em noticed a tail flick behind the figure a smile flooded her face. The men beside her had their weapons drawn, though the man before them could easily see their exhaustion in their faces.

His eyes skimmed over the lot, raising and eyebrow at Edvard. What group would have an old man with them? He thought. Slowly falling down onto Em, Dastan and Gwaine he sniffed the air before releasing a deep animalistic growl.

"We seek refuge with Earl Reddington of Acara" Em called out. The figure's eyes focused on her with suspicion. It grew silent as the group held their breath hoping Em knew what she was doing. The howls behind them grew louder before the figure infront of them nodded.

"Give him to me and stay close" He gruffed holding out a hand towards Gwaine. The soldier shifted on his feet uncomfortably before following Em's example and slipping Dastan's arm over his head. The figure in front without a second thought swung Dastan over his shoulder and directed them East of their location.

They kept a fast pace before coming towards a clearing. The group could see the silhouette of a tall square castle ahead. None spoke another word as they drew nearer, holding their cloaks tight around their bodies.

"I hope you know what it is you are doing!" Gwaine hissed in her ear as she looked ahead at the castle. Her deep breaths began to slowly form into white clouds in front of her.

"So do I" She whispered causing Gwaine to glance at her. Her word didn't give him much comfort as he noticed her wincing, whilst clutching her side. Her wounds were still mending and the strain of carrying Dastan before threatened to break her stitches. Behind them came an angered howl causing them to all yelp and glance over their shoulders.

The remaining Selvoths stood along the edge of the forest, water dripping off their noses. Their beady eyes focused on the group disappearing from their sights. They each pawed at the ground before turning around to return to the Western woods. The nymphs of the East were peaceful creatures, however, they took no mercy on Zal-Kath's demons.

"Do not worry. Selvoths wouldn't dare enter Acara, they will soon flee the Eastern Woods." The figure guiding them spoke. Em glanced up at his figure before watching Dastan's pale face with worry. He barely opened his eyes towards her, letting out a groan, before went quiet once more.

"How can you be so sure?" Edvard asked before sneezing in the cold.

"The nypmhs will drive them back to the West. Only the wicked survive there" The gruff figure spoke over his shoulder. From the small glimmer of moonlight escaping from the dark clouds above Em noticed his sharp canines sitting on his outer lip.

"Funny, you're not the first person to tell us that" Gwaine muttered causing the figure ahead to growl angrily.

"He mean't no disrespect" Em quickly added hoping to keep the peace. He snorted in response as they crossed the drawbridge. Acarans hated to be referred too as people, it was considered disrespectful. The stone beneath their feet held small puddles along the road. Hearing the familiar clicks behind them they noticed the steel gate being dropped, locking them in.

Warm glows of light seeped out from behind closed windows and doors. Houses made of stone sat on either side of the main road until they entered the inner castle wall. The courtyard was empty besides two guards standing beside the entrance. They slowly climbed up the steps out of the rain where the light focused on the figures features. Em had to elbow the men to prevent them from staring. Rolling her eyes she forgot how sheltered they were of races that lived beyond the border.

Acarans were creatures that were a mix of both human and animal. The animal was based on the personality of the person they grew to become. Wesman, the figure before them was a mix of wolf. He was tall with large square shoulders. A brown mane flowing down his neck along his spine all the tail to his tail that swayed from side to side. An elongated nose, sharp eyes, fur on the back of his arms and legs. Another familiar trait was a darkened colour around their eyes and over the bridge of their noses, like a mask, that would blend into their natural skin tone.

"Wesman! You seemed to have picked up strays on your patrol" His sergeant called out as he nodded before him. The creature's skin was a faded orange with black, a long tail and ears poking out from behind ratty orange hair. Unlike Wesman the sergeant was a normal height of six foot.

"The woman seeks an audience with Earl Reddington" Wesman informed causing the sergeant to look at her in surprise.

"The Earl! He won't see them, he's in one of his moods again" He exclaimed shocked before quickly dismissing Wesman. However it fell on deaf ears.

"WESMAN!" A strong voice shouted throughout the castle. They both winced and rubbed their pointy ears. Their sensitive hearing couldn't stand the loud bellow.

"Now you've done it." The sergeant grumbled before nodding towards the entrance hall. He held the door open for the group to enter, following Wesman as they went. Tapestries and paintings hung upon the wall as candles lit the way. A door to the left was ajar with a fiery light seeping from under the doorway.

The room empty besides two tall armchairs in front of the fire. One facing the flames and another angled towards the group. Thick carpet cushioned their steps as the men groaned to soak in the warmth on their skin. Em couldn't help but allow a sneeze to escape as a shudder ran down her body.

"My liege" Wesman bowed, whilst Dastan remained over his shoulder. Em's eyes narrowed at the figure sitting towards the group. He was a mix of panther, skin black as night.

"I sent you to the Eastern woods to protect our allies, not to bring back stray cubs" He growled darkly in their direction. Em's face was emotionless, as she gazed upon him.

"I'm getting tired of being referred to as strays" Gwaine muttered causing her to glare in his direction to shush him. It maybe a soft whisper to Gwaine, but it was as loud as shouting to an Acaran.

"They sought refuge..."

"Why should I care?" The panther growled gazing in their direction.

"The woman asked for Reddington specifically" Wesman spoke causing the panther to focus on Em. His head tilted to the left observing her closely.

"Step forth!" He commanded. Em did as she was instructed without even blinking an eye.

"You are not frightened like your men behind you." The panther noticed. The men were unconsciously squirming but stopped when he brought it to their attention. However their fast beating hearts couldn't be disguised. They were tired, hungry and wet. They haven't been able to rest for days and they hoped Em was correct in thinking they would grant refuge.

"Should I have a reason to be frightened, my Lord?" Em questioned with a raised eyebrow. The panther bellowed out in laughter, surprised with her boldness.

"What's to stop me from sending you back out into the cold?" He threatened with a dark smirk. His threat made Em's eyes go dark, she was tired and has had enough of being taken for a fool.

"I requested an audience with the Earl of Acara, where is Reddington?" She snapped angrily as the fire turned a dark red before returning back to normal. Everyone in the room fell silent surprised until a slow clap came from behind the second armchair.

"I am here. Not many know my face and I like keeping it that way. We shall talk in private. Wesman, take the injured man to the infirmary and the rest of this company to their chambers were they may freshen up before dinner" A weiry voice called out.

"As you wish" Wesman bowed before he and the panther began to usher the men out. Em noticed Gwaine hadn't budged from his spot as she shook her head, sighing.

"Gwaine go with them," She asked as he went to protest.

"Go! Stay with Dastan until I can be with him" She softly asked as he nodded before following Wesman. Once the door closed she slowly turned back to see two large yellow paws hold the arm rest. He was slow to get to his feet before Reddington turned to face her, his paws resting behind his back.

He was a lion and even in his old age still had grace in his movements. Grey fur began to stream in his dirty gold mane. His tired eyes watched Em before him as recognition flooded through them, followed by pain.

"You remind me of a friend I once loved." He whispered sadly as Em felt her heart grow heavy at the sight of Reddington before her.

"Old age doesn't suit you" She whispered hoping to lighten the mood but the lion merely growled under his breath.

"It doesn't suit anyone! Why the fates have dragged out my life I don't know. I wish to sleep and never wake up." He complained wondering why this woman bothered him. He slowly turned to face the fire, his tail slowly swaying back and forth. Em knew to wait for him to ask his questions, he had always been like that.

"Why do you venture this far away from your homes?" He slowly asked.

"We seek out the Library" She truthfully answered causing him to spin towards her with anger in his eyes.

"NO! Return to your homes and forget this foolish quest. You may be lucky to have survived this far, but no further. I won't send youth to their deaths or returned driven to madness. I lost my own son to legends and myths." He collapsed onto the chair beside him holding his heart. Em automatically fell to her knees beside him and held his paw.

"I am deeply sorry for your son's death. But my men and I have no choice." She whispered as he shook his head not listening to her.

"You won't survive a day out there, not with winter around the corner" He informed. Em knew he was right. Snow storms would kill them.

"My liege, you can give us your blessing, but we will still seek out the library without it" She begged as he looked at her and gently stroked her hair.

"You and your men will stay as my guests. But I beg of you to remain until winter has passed." He offered as she smiled.

"You are most kind" She thanked as he frowned. His paw was soft against her skin as he moved the corner of her collar out of the way to see the gem chain of her necklace. She watched him slowly as recognition and uncertainty flashed through his eyes. He watched her for a moment before he got back to his feet.

"Come"