A/n What?! an early release? Ruff as norm, ill look it over tonight and this weekend for anything i missed.

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I’m sitting in my room playing with the crystal that holds a small storm cloud that I inserted into it the day I bought it.

It still silently sparks and emits a glow that ,were it a real cloud out in the open, would no doubt cast a thunder that could be heard from Yoden to the den.

I lean back in my chair that I’ve decided I dislike and mill over the day’s event. Some kiss ass sure was quick to return it to my room for me.

When I asked father what Miklos said before losing his head, he took a while to tell me.

When he finally answered he said, “That his motivation for his crimes was irrelevant anyway. That he was just a pawn in someone else's game to keep the nobles attention.”

When asked why they looked at the thrones, Father replied, “He warned that very soon those seats will be burned one by one, and then I cut off his head.”

Ulfa is out discussing things with mother.

Asta is being detained by her mother, the look on my aunt’s face when she realized Asta had entered her first heat was priceless. I didn’t know someone could make such a combination of shocked, panicked, and annoyed all at once.

Lupa is still with her family, no doubt still working hard on getting the most out of this festival. The few events we were able to attend together were quite fun. I hope I’m done with my business south in time to make it back for next year’s.

Mora walks over from the window and leans against my desk in front of me.

She looks at my toy as I cause the clouds to spin into a cyclone.

She turns to me, “What are you thinking about?”

I grin for some unknown reason and speak without even thinking, “Your legs, I do enjoy the cool feeling that radiates from the scales on your hips, the way they fade into your smooth, slender grey legs.”

She blushes slightly before flicking my arm, causing my little tornado to lose form.

She watches it and asks again, “Are you so bothered by what happened today that you're just going to flirt away your troubles?”

I sigh as I begin to focus on the crystal once more, “Hard to not be bothered by watching some fifty chained men be burned alive by your own mother. I suppose a bit of flirting and perhaps some of that mead from father’s stash could help.”

I tighten down the cloud and once more create the beast called a shark. It’s easier now, I just picture the beast as small and swimming in circles within the toy and the clouds comply. Perhaps understanding that my magic is like an extension of myself helps.

Mora watches the blue sparks radiate from the miniature shark.

She slides her butt onto the desk before taking the toy from me and shaking it up to make it return to a formless cloud.

Next Mora slides over to my chair, a slight flush can be seen in her grey complexion.

She puts a hand on mine on top of the desk before looking me in the eye, “You, sitting up here playing with toys, isn’t going to make your head come to terms with anything. Nor will it help you prepare for our mission tomorrow. Although I don’t mind if you continue to practice flirting.”

I don’t need to be told twice.

I pull Mora from the desk and into my lap...an idea I immediately regret as she’s still in her armor.

I grimace, “Must you be wearing such pointy equipment right now.”

She hops up in an embarrassed panic, “I’m incredibly sorry…”

The door bursts open, “Have no fear! Patra is here!...Oh am I interrupting? I can come back… unless I can stay? Three is better than two, right?”

This idiot...I motion her in and she gives an excited hop before closing the door and beginning to strip as she walks further into the room.

I stop her before she can remove her green, silk wrap top, “Not that you idiot. What are you here for?”

She pouts before putting back on her leather jacket, “Fine, your loss.”

Hardly, Asta already ran me dry this morning. I doubt I have anything even in reserve yet.

Patra picks up a tall wrapped object she had initially left by the door.

She places it on the bed and speaks as she begins to unwrap it, “I ended up going to the academy to get some help designing your new weapon. I was surprised the headmaster Lord Raijin himself insisted on helping. He even commissioned a new piece for himself once he saw what I was working on. I can’t believe the luck you bring me!”

I walk over to the bed and look over her shoulder as she finishes unwrapping.

She stops at the last layer of cloth and looks me in the eye over her shoulder, “You sure I can't talk you into a little fun first? Aka won't be done with the Fenrir for hours.”

Seriously not in the mood to play anymore, I lose a small growl.

She shrugs and removes her jacket once more before picking up the spear from under the cloth and bringing it to a stand on the floor with a spin and a flourish which forces me to take a step back. The spear type thing is exactly the same height as me.

The pommel on the floor is a solid, greenish, metal ball, likely quite dense by the sound it made hitting the floor. The haft has a few black leather straps tied to it for grip, the pole itself looks like twisted darkened silver and a red colored metal. A tuft of long black fur marks the start of the head.

The head has two mirrored sides with a slight gap between them. The primary, red colored, spikes look to be about the length of my forearm, each with a slender curved blade at the base similar to an axe head. The inner edges between the spikes look to be lined with a black colored metal.

Patra hands it over to me.

It’s not nearly as heavy as it looks, even holding the leather I can feel the intertwined metals between the gaps.

Patra might have the biggest grin on her I’ve ever seen, “Try not to lose this one, it is the first of its kind and a genuine work of art and science. I’m calling it a partisan bident. This one in particular is designed to handle your lightning without melting while still allowing you to create quite the light show. This one should also be fine around the sea water at the coast.”

Mora is getting just as excited, she almost hangs off my arm to examine it.

“What’s it made of?” she asks.

Patra gives a haughty laugh, “Only the most genius alloys of silver, bronze, cobalt, iron and a few others depending on which part you look at. Oh and Lord Raijin named it Supaku.”

The base of the slot in the bident, between the axe heads, is cut into a small round hole, I give it a slight charge and watch as sparks form up in the circle before quickly discharging a small bolt that fizzles out before hitting my tall ceiling.

I think about the name for a moment, “I’m not calling it that, sounds too close to spark.”

Mora hops a little in excitement, “Oh! Name it Fulgar. It means lightning bolt.”

Hmm not as bad, “I can’t just call it Spear huh?”

Both girls look at me like I just kicked a small child.

But what if the runt deserves it?

Anyway, “Alright how about something from the north, something that makes sense looking at it.”

Mora holds out her hand and I hand her the weapon.

While she looks it over I ask Patra, “Those colors, did it just turn out that way or was it your doing?”

She sits on the bed and stretches, “The burned dark silver and faded red? A bit of both actually, once I saw how some of the alloys came out of the forge I decided to run with it.”

“Rost,” Mora says from the side “It's an old warg word for rust.”

Patra narrows her eyes at Mora, “I know you’re just suggesting that because of the color but I’m not sure I like my finest piece yet being called rust already.”

I actually rather like the name, short, simple, “Makes sense, Rost it is.”

Patra’s head snaps back to me, eyes full of shock and anger, “Hey! You really like that one?! Whatever, by the way, if you melt this one or lose it I’ll do the same with your dick.”

She hops up, obviously a tad upset, and moves to leave the room.

Unable to resist, I call out to her as she opens the door, “Hey about that three is better thing…”

“Oh piss off!” she calls back, “Have fun in the south you ass.”

“Thank you!” I yell out the door.

I barely glimpse her waving dismissively as she round the hall corner.

I’m actually going to miss her quite a bit.

Just before I close the door I hear running in the hallway followed by the sound of Asta, “Patra if anyone asks you never saw me.”

Asta rounds the corner and tackles me into my room.

Mora closes the door with an annoyed look on her face.

Asta bites my ear and whispers, “No way am I missing my last night with you.”

Guess I get three after all.

Mora goes and sits by the fire without looking at me, guess I don't.

---------------------------------------------------

The next morning, after Asta has been properly dragged out of my bed by her mother, Mora and I meet up with Walt.

He only gives a slight raised eyebrow at the sight of Aunty pulling Asta down the hall.

I stretch before speaking to Walt, “Well, shall we go find out what exactly we’re in for?”

He scratches his head before sighing, “First brother, go change, where is Ulfa? She and I were told yesterday to arrive armored and ready to leave.”

Shit, “She wasn’t in the room this morning, I assume she is in the god realm at the moment.”

Mora speaks up from within the room, “Sorry, I forgot I was supposed to tell you what to wear.”

Really? Why didn’t someone just tell me yesterday?

Mora continues, “It’s your fault anyway, if you hadn’t distracted me with all your fooling around with Asta I might have remembered.”

This might be a long trip.

About an hour later and I am dressed out in my light armor. Patra had dropped it off earlier this week. A black long coat that reaches my knees, collar lined with black fur. The front is rests open enough to see my black leather armor, the metal fittings connecting the plates are of the same reddish metal as used to make Rost.

The bottom of the coat is parted into 9 tails to make moving easier and to shed the rain water. The knee length armored boots also are meant for rainy weather. Within the castle I may seem overdressed but I’ve noticed the weather getting cooler with each passing day. The armor underneath my coat has removable sleeves for once we do reach the coast.

Asta is in her normal blue and steel grey armor which is the skirt and bare midriff. I wonder for only a moment if she'll be cold before I remember her parentage.

I ask her, “Mora would you say it’s cold today?”

She looks at me as if I'm crazy, “Are you joking? This city is suffocatingly hot year round, even now I’m hoping I don't sweat throughout the entire meeting.”

That must be the cool feeling she gives off, interesting. I grab Rost leaning near the door.

Stepping back into the hall I look towards the annoyed Walt, “Well lead the way little brother, I’ve never been to the general’s meeting room.”

He nods and begins to walk, I hear him mutter under his breath, “She’s going to kill me for being late.”

His armor is the same as mine except white, with metal plates versus hardened leather. On second look his jacket is also normal length compared to mine and with shoulder plates.

I can’t see the slim blade of his new two hander sword in its grey sheath on his back. The hilt however fits Walt nicely. The grip is white leather, the pommel is a small steel spike, the cross guard looks like steel with silver accented to look like frost.

After a decent walk clear to the other side of the castle, Walt finally stops outside of a door. I can hear father laughing inside.

Walt turns and looks me in the eye, “Brother, try not to annoy the generals, they are our cousins and hence have zero reason to show us any respect or refrain from putting us in our place.”

I’m hurt, “Do you just assume I have a personal mission to annoy everyone I meet?”

Mora from behind me, “Don’t you dare deny it.”

Walt just raises an eyebrow.

I feel defeated, “Alright whatever, can we just go in? I’m sure we’re plenty late already.”

He opens the door and before I can even follow him in, someone grabs him by the neck.

Poking my head in to see what is going on, Walt is in a headlock by a winter tribeswoman who is both incredibly tall and attractive.

Her armor is all grey, despite being hardened leather and metal plates it seems skin tight to her without any bare skin showing in the front although I glimpse an open back, a small sort of cape drapes from one shoulder to her waist. A rapier rests hilted on her waist. Her pants are white, leather tights.

Her hair is short and shaggy, it’s steel like color matches the fur of her ears and pristine tail.

Someone speaks from across the room, “Let him go Olga, the pup can’t help who his sibling is.”

She releases him and speaks to the man, death can be felt from her grey eyes, “A sentiment I’m sure you know too well Igor?”

The man is in probable the largest set of armor I’ve yet seen on someone and yet it seems to fit his frame perfectly, his feature match the woman perfectly they are probably twins. An enormous zweihander rests against the wall behind him.

Igor rolls his eyes before spotting the hilt on Walt’s back, “A new sword pup?”

Olga claps and once more grabs Walt, “Let me see!”

Without waiting for a response she pulls out the blade. I can now see that one side has an almost curved looking edge while the opposite side is serrated half way up the blade.

She turns it over in her hand, “An interesting sabre, no doubt suited to your ice talents. I guess someone pictures you leading a charge. You may yet have the chance.”

She tosses it to her brother over a large table with a map, who gives it a once over glance before handing it to Walt once he walks over.

Igor grins at Walt, “That little jackal girl does damned decent work.”

Walt nods over to me.

I reply to Igor, “I’ll be sure to let her know, she’ll be thrilled to hear it.”

Olga giggles before walking over to Walt and nudging his head, “So, you finally have your brother here to speak for you?”

He looks at me to say something, not so fast little brother.

I pull up a chair at the table, “Oh don’t mind me, just carry on like I’m not even here.”

Olga laughs and looks back to Walt, “So he says pup.”

I swear Walt looks so disappointed I almost feel bad, now who’s the annoying one.

Igor walks around the table and starts looking over Rost leaning on my chair.

He looks to me, “May I?”

“By all means.”

Meanwhile Olga releases Walt and goes to greet Mora, the pair give polite introductions. I guess the woman does have a civil side. Walt looks as if he can barely stand the injustice.

Igor leans Rost back on the chair before speaking to me, “An interesting spear, I’ll look forward to seeing how you use it. Anyway, I am Igor and this is my sister Olga. We’re your cousins going back three generations on the Cold Steel Tribe side.”

Olga walks over and offers her hand.

I shake it, “A pleasure honestly, I see you’ve been treating my little brother well.”

She laughs and walks around the table to where her brother now stands and leans on him, “Of course, we wouldn’t want our little cousin to fall behind his talented siblings.”

I spot Walt rolling his eyes, I know he hardly cares until we actually have to fight each other.

I hear father clear his throat, “If you are all done playing we do need to discuss the task at hand.”

The door burst open, an exhausted Ivan of the Nico tribe stands in the doorway catching his breath. I can see a rather pissed Lupa standing in the hallway behind him.

Olga gives a single clap and starts with a voice oozing sarcasm, “Oh the elusive General Ivan is going to grace us with his presence today.”

Ivan stands up straight and tucks in his shirt, “Shut it bitch I’m not in the mood.”

Father coughs slightly to make his presence known, “Ivan get in here already before I have Igor pull you in by the neck for insulting his sister. Girl, close the door behind you and find a place to be out of the way.”

Please father, if she’s pissed off even more, I’m the one that has to deal with it… Oh don't grin at me like that Walt.

Ivan walks up to the table, “You’ll have to excuse my tardiness, someone didn’t know what to wear.”

Lupa from the back near Mora, “You mean you, father?”

She is wearing the same traditional gown as ever.

He spares her an annoyed glance before smoothing back his hair and continuing, “I am here to hear the plans for bringing to a close the war going on in my tribe’s homeland and pass my daughter, as the representative of our tribe’s interests, over to my fellow generals for escort.”

Father looks back to Lupa, “Is the girl up for the trip?”

I cut in, “I insist.”

Father shrugs, “I don’t care if that is the case.”

I glance over my shoulder to spot Lupa smiling.

Father continues, “However, as Ivan requested, she will be in the twin’s care.”

What exactly does that mean?

As if on cue Igor steps up to the table, “We will be going in two groups. Olga and I will take the Duna River all the way to the coast and then on to Nicopolis. Walther, Nox, and the Valkyrie Miss Morana, you three will follow by land till the city of Sigdun.”

So I guess Lupa is coming but I won’t be spending much time with her if any until Nicopolis?

He goes on, “Here,” he points out the city on the map, “You three will investigate reports of unchecked banditry and accusations that have been levied against the local lord.”

Greeeat, hopefully this one isn’t a raving lunatic werewolf.

Igor looks to see if I’m following, I nod and Father interjects, “Do not stay more than three days at most, get the best information you can find, then carry out a decision in the name and interest of the capitol. I don't care as long as the people are satisfied and the place doesn’t burn down.”

Igor begins pointing at the map once more, “Once finished in Sigdun you three will follow the river by land once more. Cases of scouts going missing as well as travelers and merchants have been sprouting up in the southern stretch of the river. Investigate the cause, end it be any measure of force necessary, and meet up with us as soon as possible.”

Father stands up and walks to the map before looking from Walt to me, “You boys sort these annoyances out fast and get to the battlefront. We can’t leave large disturbances like these unchecked but they’ve come at a bad time. So as I said, we can worry about the outcome of your decisions later, just bring this damn war the humans dragged us into to an end and come back home.”

He looks over to Igor, “Make the capitol proud nephew and bring my boys back alive as well as your senior generals home to their families. I want order returned to the middle continent.”

The Lord Alpha moves to leave the room, he pauses and speaks to Mora, “The goddess Freki’s pair of attendants will see you off in the courtyard with your instructions Miss Morana. Take care to keep the goddess’ whims in our favor during your journey.”

Mora bows her head, “Of course Lord Fenrir. I do not intend to fail in my first outing as an Apprentice Valkyrie.”

He opens the door, “I’ll hold you to those words.”

With that he’s gone. Somehow I don’t think he was in a very good mood, I blame Ivan.

Apparently I’m not alone, Olga hits Ivan upside the head, “You just had to spoil his mood, he was laughing and smiles until you showed up.”

Ivan rubs his head as he makes for the door as well, he stops at my side, “Do me a favor.”

I arch an eyebrow, he continues, “Don’t let the humans trample my tribe’s homeland, I’d like to see more than ruins someday.”

Igor laughs, “You can always come south yourself Ivan.”

He laughs, “Then who would be left to lead the city watch?”

He opens the door and exits. He was in charge of the city watch?

Olga voices my thoughts, “Walty Puppy could do a better job than him. Who else could be to blame for how out of hand those stupid birds got.”

I spot Walt wincing at her pet name for him, I give him a nice smile and enjoy the look of utter defeat he has now that I know the name.”

Olga walks over and puts a ruff arm around Lupa, “Come on, let’s have some girl talk on our merry journey! The Great Duna River is waiting!”

All I hear from Lupa as she’s dragged from the room, “Oh joy of joys.”

That wasn’t exactly what I was aiming for when I told Lupa’s mother I demanded Lupa be involved in this little mission.

Igor rolls up the map from the table and sets it in a rack on the wall, he then grabs another off the rack and hands it to Walt, “Good luck Walther, see you at the coast.”

Igor places a hand on my shoulder and gives me a wink as he exits the room.

With just us three left in the room, Walt walks over and bangs his head on the wall, I dutifully avoid laughing.

I walk over and put a hand on his shoulder, “Come Walty Puppy, grand adventure awaits!”

He lazily punches my shoulder and I take the hit in fairness.

Mora opens the door again, “Let’s go boys the sooner we get to Sigdun, the more time we have to do a proper job.”

I’m actually really excited, I salute Mora, “Yes Commander Zmaj.”

As I march from the office she whips my ass with her tail.

Thank gods this coat is meant to take a hit, that tail is sharp as a razor.

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Immediately as we exit the great castle doors I spot Ulfa at the bottom of the front steps. She is standing in front of a small one person wagon and a man I don’t recognize.

He is rather tall, lean, with black hair, and a face so handsome I want to punch him. After admiring the style of the black suit he’s wearing I finally notice his yellow eyes.

I smile, “Well hello Maug, I can’t even count the days since we last met.”

He smiles back and shakes my hand, “It really hasn’t been long enough you fuzzy little shit.”

Maug turns to Walt, “Hello Walther glad to see you are well.”

Walt nods.

Maug then steps forward to Mora and makes a rather showy bow, “It is a pleasure to finally meet you Miss Morana, and I look forward to working with you in the future.”

At the sight of the slight blush on Mora’s face I immediately hit the back of Maug’s bowed head, leaving him sprawled on the ground.

I turn back to Ulfa, “I take it this is why you were absent last night and this morning?”

I gesture towards the wagon and spare a glance at Maug standing up.

Ulfa, completely unbothered by Maug’s and mine usual antics, “Yes this small wagon and horse is yours for the journey.”

She tosses me a pouch of coins, “Here are your spending funds, travel quickly, stay on the alert, and try not to attract unwanted attention. The less you are noticed, the easier your tasks will be.”

Mora walks to the wagon and pets the horse, Walt begins checking the items inside the cart.

I look at Ulfa, “So I guess this is where we part. Thanks for your help these last couple weeks.”

Maug rubs his head as he speaks, “Ah don’t be like that Fuzzy, you’ve had more than enough time with my mate. Besides, you have a lifetime of seeing us whenever you want.”

Ulfa sighs, “Correct, you are the mortal champion of our Mistress Freki. You are already proficient enough in your dream magic to reach her realm in spirit. We’ll see each other plenty. Now be a good pup and get going.”

At this moment Akane comes running up and jumps on my back to hug me.

She pouts, “You were going to leave without saying good bye weren't you! Just for that I demand an amazing souvenir.”

We stand and I pat her head, despite it still being taller than mine, her glowing, spiky red hair is warm and I spot the smallest flickers of red flame in it.

I ask, “And what is it exactly you have in mind for a souvenir?”

Clearly not having thought about it she takes a moment, Mora walks up and I hand her Rost for placing on the side of the wagon.

Akane lightly pounds her fist into her palm, “I want a naga helmet! Not just some frontline fodder one either, I want the fanciest, scariest one you can find off of some sort of officer.”

That’s my sister, not pearls, dresses, seashells, but armor.

Queen Emese actually is the next one to approach, Walt and Mora step up to my sides.

She gives Walt and I a light hug before speaking, “You two be safe on your journey, it is troubling to send my dear husbands only sons off to battle after only just arriving in our glorious city. But, you two have proven your selves capable young men, and you have a Valkyrie in your company.”

She looks at me and takes my hands, “I know this city looks at you with a shadow of fear in their hearts, but I know a little harpy princess that will be devastated if you don’t make it back in one piece.”

She gives me one more hug before stepping aside for Mother.

Mother looks over us, “This war is a waste of our race’s military, end it by burning the entire coast to ash and boiling the sea if you have to. The real threat is still here in Yoden, so come back quickly. Now get moving, it should take you four days to reach Sigdun.”

I take this last chance to ask, “Mother, are we really supposed to do all the fighting and then just hand the place over to the humans?”

She leans in and gives me a hug while whispering, “At this point if the humans get caught in your lightning I don't think anyone will mind, but Yoden doesn’t need Nicopolis as much as we need reliable trade partners to the west. You have a couple weeks to think that over on your way.”

Mother is scary when she's sober.

She flicks my head and smiles, “I only care about you pups, stay safe.”

She gives Walther one more hug and steps back beside Emese to wave us off.

We make a momentary stop by a store house at the edge of the courtyard to retrieve some of Mora’s equipment before heading out the front gates and down the hill.

Walt has one horse, Mora is sitting in the wagon bench while I ride the horse pulling it.

As we make our way through the city few heads turn our way, most likely due to mother’s little show in the amphitheater.

Trying to lighten the mood I call back to Mora, “Hey hopefully by the time we return they'll have renovated our tower to give us each more room. Then you won’t have to keep your stuff in a store house.”

Mora calls back, “You sure you wouldn’t rather I be kept in the store house? So you might have more private time with your horny cousin? I’m sure that twit Patra will happily provide you with a larger bed.”

Gods she's sounding like Lupa now, exactly what I needed.

Walt chuckles as he rides up ahead.

I can only sigh, “This is going to be a fun journey, I can feel it in my balls.”

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A/n whelp, there's chapter 18

lookin forward to the comments! gettin this story moving! lol youd know this would happen if ya follow meh twitter, kiddin dont care. Not as many comments as usual last chapter, not expecting many for this one. wel hopefully the next two chapters bring back the hype.

http://docnox.deviantart.com/art/Rost-551033291 ----I tried

ok heres a challenge what city is Sigdun? hint: the 4 day journey is accurate