Aύok and his druids ran quickly in wolf form, the tunnels smaller in some places, slowing their pace. In their current form, they did not tire as easily and their senses were heightened.

They were louder than Aύok would have liked, but the minotaur’s would know they were in the tunnels, so they had to be quick and escape before they were trapped in. Their noise continued to attract the cave dwellers who knew no fear. They left only a few to bleed out, there was no time to feast on or hide the dead and dying creatures. They left a trail of bloody bodies. It was not as planned, but they had to reach the entrance of the mine so they could take their druid form and blend into the workforce. He had all their supplies hidden, waiting for them.

Hours rolled by and the creatures of the dark became less and less. Aύok knew he was getting close. Only the brave dwellers came this close to the surface. Only the starving would risk an encounter with a minotaur to grab a human or half breed miner.

Sounds of picks began to echo through the tunnels. Sound traveled far in the silence, but it was a good sign. They kept up the exhilarating pace until at last Aύok halted and shifted into his druid form. Bones cracked and muscles popped and his armor slid into itself reforming to his non beast form. His clan followed his lead without a word or thought. Aύok reached for roots that dangled from the coving. With a little effort his will flowed into the roots. The stone wall began to push out and then slide to the side. With a thought the dull globe of light flew into the out cove removing the shadows. Inside sat crates and barrels filled with tools and tattered cloaks.

Find clothing that fits and drape it over your armor, sheath your weapons and take a tool.

One by one the druids entered the stone room. Each left wearing dirty, worn-out clothes and wraps that covered their true forms. Holding picks and shovels and various other tools they huddled together. Aύok did the same and when his cover was complete, he looked at his clan who wore dirt covered wraps and dull picks. All but their stature fit the ruse.

When we enter the human lines, hunch over and make yourself match their height. Keep your heads down and eyes to the dirt.

Their postures changed immediately. Shoulders slumped and knees bent. Their cover was complete. Aύok breathed deep and made sure his doubts about sneaking three hundred brother and sisters out the mines. He had blended in many times over the years.

The added workforce may tip the bull’s off. Aύok thought only to himself. They are expecting wolves, not elves. That is our only chance. It has to work. Aύok looked over his druids one last time taking the precious time he didn’t have to make sure each one looked the part. It had to be perfect. One mistake and it would be over. After being satisfied he touch the roots to the opened room and his will made the roots dance to work. His dull globe flew from the room as the roots slid the stone back to its original location. When tight against the wall the thin tips of the roots disappeared into the cracks too small for eyes to notice.

Thank you, Sahla, my friend. May you live a long and flourishing life. His fingertips brushed the roots and the thickest began to bud revealing a single white flower, its small petals moving as if it the wind. Aύok smiled and watched it close onto itself and disappear into the thicker cracks to leave the dry roots alone in the darkness. Aύok turned back to his druids who stood in silence watching the exchange well aware of the friendship between druids and plants. Aύok looked from his ragged druid miners then down the last dark tunnel to the sounds of metal on stone. He began to jog and his druids followed, their armored footsteps dampened by the dirty clothes that wrapped them.

-----

Apex made his way to the castle without being seen. Even if he was, no one paid attention. It was a curse, but a blessing. He limped and hobbled in the shadows, his hood covering all but his snout that poked out. He reached an abandoned building and he shadow stepped into the darkness so all eyes would immediately lose sight of him if they were watching. A lost ability only the runts could truly harness. The pure bloods either knew nothing of it or were unable to.

A perk to being an outcast runt. Apex mused to himself. After standing in the shadow long enough to be sure none were watching, he crept to the stone wall. He placed both hands on the rock wall and pushed. With some effort it began to budge. Stone scrapped against stone, filling the silence for a brief moment. Apex winced and stepped into the open cavity. It was dark and small, his shoulders scrapped against the walls. He pushed the wall back into place, the sound filling the empty area. His eyes adjusted and he could hear something on the other side of the wall in the abandon building.

“What’s that?” A voice said from the building.

“What’s what?” Another responded.

“You didn’t hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“You never hear anything, think your ears are broken I do.”

“Pass the bottle.”

“Nothing in the bottle.”

“Did you drink it all?”

“It was mine to drink, not yours, piss off.” Sounds of moving tables replaced the banter of the building.

Should have checked that. I’ll tie off the loose ends if they are still here. Apex thought shaking his head. He started down the stone stairs. He kept his torso sideways so his shoulders wouldn’t scrape against the stone. The quickest way into the castle was always the most tedious. The dwarves were sneaky architects, hiding tunnels in plain sight and in small overlooked sections of buildings. Living in their old tunnels he learned that quick. The city had a network of tunnels which could traverse to any part of the city in half the time. Only the castle’s tunnels kept their secrets. If there was an easier way then this, it still escaped his knowledge. He thought about going the cave entrance where the he met with the kings, but that was slower and heavily guarded. The king made sure of that; his trust minimal. The pure bloods were too large to ever discover the guild. The dwarves made sure to keep their tunnels small when away from the castle. They hollowed out large areas that Apex called home.

The tunnel became tighter, the walls closing in on him as he pressed forward. At last, the pathway gave way to comfortable standing space which ended in a dead end. His eyes looked over the wall and his fingers felt for the grooves. His fingers hooked on the edges and he pulled. The stone slab easily came loose, dust filling the stale air. He peered into the dark room, but a chest blocked his sight. He closed his eyes focusing on the sounds in the room. His ears twitched under the hood. Nothing but a slight ring his ears always made in the silence. He moved forward and his eyes took in the storage room. It was filled with barrels and wooden chests. He pushed the chest away from the wall and placed the slab back in place, then moved the chest back against it. He went to the door and cracked it open after seeing the hall was empty, he stepped out, closing the door behind him. The halls held small shadows between the blue light crystals. And he made sure to walk along them, his steps silent, his ears twitching trying to pick up the sounds of patrolling guards.

He checked the usual areas Rurak would be found, but the rooms were empty. Guard patrols made their way down the halls and Apex shadow stepped and watched the guards pass. Their eyes checked the shadows, but their sight slipped right over him as his shadow form became one with the shadow. When he moved his form went back to its solid form and he pressed on. He passed a room and he glanced inside when he heard Rurak’s voice.

“This is Krao Oakum, Chaos’ general of the death legions. The painting shows his ferocity in battle. Chaos is where we go when we die.” Rurak paused to take a sip from his jeweled chalice. His eyes looked intently on a human. She was taller than most humans. Apex studied her, sizing her up.

Thick muscles, strong hands, powerful legs. Dagger on the right side? Bright amber eyes? Apex narrowed his eyes on the woman. She looked formidable. She looked stronger than the half breeds that filled the streets.

Is this a human? No horns, no snout.

Apex breathed in deep attempting to catch her sent.

So not completely human. Something else.

“Chaos has five generals, Krao the spears point that carves the path. He leads the way for us all in battle. To die in battle is an honor. Only the most proficient warriors will be taken under Krao’s direct command. It is what we strive for. Those who die in battle without drawing blood will never know Chaos’ honor.” Rurak looked from the human to the painting and began naming the other generals.

“Surik Thosum, Urom Othoas, Guros Hurog, and Ikur Ussa.”

“What of your slaves?” The human asked meeting his gaze.

“What of them?”

“Where in Chaos do they go?”

Rurak laughed and gave her a look resided for a child. He took a long sip from his chalice then stopped.

“You’re not joking?” Rurak asked lowering his chalice from his lips. The human woman stood tall, her face firm, her eyes bright with built up fury. “Look closer at the painting.”

The human look back at the graphic painting and scanned for the humans among the horned ranks. Apex shook his head already knowing. He pried his eyes from the human and looked about the room. Two royal guards stood just far enough to give the king his space, but close enough to thrust a spear if needed. Their eyes tracked the human dangerously. When her hands moved, they tensed, ready to move.

What makes her dangerous enough to cause concern? What am I not seeing?

He looked around the rest of the room and saw only Kimi cautiously watching the king and the human. His hand rest on the hilt of his sword.

More for decoration then use. But still his hand is ready.

Apex’s curiosity began to sink in and he stepped into the room and into one of the shadows. His form went into the shadow, his foot making a slight sound on the wooden floor. The old wood creaked often by itself, and the guards didn’t even glance his way. He watched the human’s eye dart in his direction as she faced the painting. He eyes brighten slightly and she continued to keep her eye on him. After a second, she moved her eye back to the painting.

“They are the skeletons that line the ground. The blood they bathe in after battle.” She said looking back at Rurak.

“Correct.”

“Humans are nothing but something to be conquered and killed.” She stated, no question in her tone.

“That was our way. Now we have found purpose for them.”

“As slaves.”

“As slaves.”

Anula looked away from Rurak and her eyes focused in the direction of Apex. He shadow stepped and was unseen while still. Her eyes slid over his opaque form, but then her eyes flashed for a moment and jolted, locking on his eyes which hid in his hood. She looked him up and down and noted his sheathed weapons by narrowing her eyes. As quick as she assessed him she pried her eyes from him.

Impossible. She could not have.

He watched he note the guards and then Kimi.

“You may have an unwanted visitor Rurak.” The human said, her hand on her hidden dagger. Kimi and the guards stepped forward. Kimi struggled with unsheathing his blade, but the guards had their spears lowered and ready.

Rurak raised his hand halting the guards.

She creates such fear. How?

“Again Anula? What do you mean to accomplish with another attempt? You may kill me, but you will not live long enough to escape.” Rurak said changing his passive stance to a more defensive one.

“I’m not the unwanted guest.” Anula’s eyes locked on Apex again with ease. Rurak followed her gaze but saw only shadows. His eyes glided easily off of Apex and into the other shadows searching.

“Perhaps this evening should come to a close.” Rurak turned away and looked at Kimi and Anula.

“Kimi, see her back to her chambers for the evening. We will resume our conversations tomorrow.”

“As you wish my lord. Anula, if you please, this way.” Kimi gestured to the door and Anula kept her eyes locked on Apex, he hand still on the dagger.

“Everyone out. Now.” Rurak said in short, commanding voice. The guards slammed their fists to their chest and Anula broke her stare and was ushed out of the room by Kimi, the guards behind. When the doors closed Rurak looked around in the shadows.

“We are alone.”

“I know.” Apex said reforming, flowing from the shadow. “You keep pets now?”

“She is different, as you have already discovered.”

“She is.” Apex straightened and moved gracefully around the room, his hood still covering his face.

“What have you learned?” Apex admired the painting before answering.

“You lied. Those are not human skeletons on the ground.”

“Fear is necessary.”

“She does not fear you. Nor your elite guards.” Apex said tilting his head slightly in curiosity.

“She does not know the history.”

“History our family has re written to suite our needs.” Apex said raising his head to meet the king’s gaze.

“She could see you when I could not.” Rurak said looking down at Apex.

“Correct. What makes her different than other humans?”

Rurak shrugged and sipped from his chalice, his ringed finger tapping lightly on the jewels.

“You don’t know, or won’t say?” Apex asked

“Master of spies should already know the answer.”

“So, you don’t know yet.” Apex lowered his eyes and thought for a moment.

“Enough. Why have you come?” Rurak said, his patience gone.

“The wolves are in the tunnels.”

Rurak paused and his mind began to race.

“Where?” Rurak demanded, stepping closer to Apex.

“They are deep withing the mountain. I have a host chasing them as we speak. We will flush them out if we don’t kill them first.”

“Where are they headed?” Rurak asked, his nerves still on edge.

“You would know better than I. You faced them on the human side. Find tunnel entrances near there.”

“I already have increased the amount of guards at all the known locations.” Rurak said eyeing Apex skeptically.

“They are in the labyrinth where the creatures of the dark thrive. They will be slowed and easy to follow.” Apex looked away from Rurak and back to the painting.

“The painting does not lie. The skeletons are fallen minotaur. Human’s using their heads as helmets and their skin as armor. It’s a reminder of our past and what we overcame.”

“We?” Rurak looked down at Apex. “You should have been thrown from the mountain the day you were born.”

“But I wasn’t. And here I stand. Just remember how easily I can walk your castle without raising alarm.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a reminder.” Apex turned from the painting and with speed Rurak could not match Apex held a dagger’s point to his throat and another at his side. Rurak moved but Apex pressed the points of the daggers against Rurak’s exposed skin.

“This is what will happen if I let you see me. Remember who really is in power. You may sit on the throne, but if I choose, I can remove you.” Rurak didn’t move, but his eyes filled with rage. “You are nothing Rurak. You have your kingdom and your history. But your kingdom ends where the wolves begin. A tiny corner of this land we live on. I have seen the forgotten maps, I know what lies beyond our grasps.” Apex lowered his horn daggers and sheathed them.

“I will have you killed for that.” Rurak said rubbing his throat.

“You will not. I don’t exist. The guild does not exist. Enjoy your pet human while you can.” Apex stopped at the door way and looked to the side, not meeting Rurak’s gaze.

“If the guild does not kill the wolves, your reign over the humans will end. Your savior on the mountain image shattered. They will lose faith in your promise of protection and the wolves will be an infestation you will not control.”

“And what of you and your guild?” Rurak asked his fists clenched in anger.

“We will live as we have, un hindered by the death and… the generals of Chaos.” Apex laughed to himself and stepped from the room leaving Rurak stewing in his anger.