Antonis became conscious of himself, seeing a strange darkness before realizing it was the inside of his eyelids. Furrowing, he began to struggle to open his eyes until he heard a smooth voice that sounded near him.

"Oh. So he awakens."

Literally feeling as though he had to peel his lids apart, Antonis squinted and looked to his left from where the voice came from, catching sight of dashing wolf that stood looming over him from where he laid on the bed. The wolf wore a tailored jacket on the bit of the gothic style with silver buttons running down one side against the dark navy, underneath a loosened black shirt.

"You're looking unusually well, Murdoc. Is that why you've been gone?" Antonis almost mumbled, trying to find his voice after his throat took a clawing.

He heard Murdoc chuckle, "How nice of you to notice. Actually I plan on seeing Aidan after I checked up on you. You can't imagine how hard it was to be alone with you from Tamil's watchful eye, especially with Hart."

"I don't even find myself trusting you near me or Aidan." Antonis replied, giving Murdoc a hardened look. He had tested his body out under his sheets. The healing had helped him stay alive but it did nothing for the pain. In response, his body felt almost paralyzed from exhaustion. If not, he fancied he would have jumped on Murdoc to keep him away from Aidan.

"Well that's too bad. You would think by now you'd have a better opinion of me." Murdoc smirked, glancing to something away from Antonis' vision. Antonis began to get a full grasp of where he was. He managed to push himself off the bed with an elbow, glancing down to check the wounds along his chest. He found they were firmly wrapped in bandages. Debalora's work most likely. Antonis realized there was also a bandage around his neck, but not as tight so he could move.

"By the way, you look positively awful. Mundegard gave you a number, didn't he?" Convel said with a little laugh, looking back to Antonis. The general glared back. "Some blame for that can be taken towards you, brainwashing that thing."

"Someone like him?! I'd imagine you would have done the exact same thing." Murdoc pulled out a little towel from his coat pocket, rubbing something from his hands and looking down on them as he spoke, "Someone like him should be kept at bay, under surveillance and controlled with that much destructive power. But he is simple to manipulate...but you..." Murdoc glancing to Antonis with a quirked brow, "...The Mistress had some trouble with you, didn't she?"

Antonis grunted in response, choosing not to reply to that. Murdoc was right, Mundegard had to be controlled somehow. But he was on the loose, and the only one successful enough of that control was Murdoc. Antonis pressed back against the bed with a heavy sigh, opening his eyes after a while to stare up to the ceiling.

"So why are you still here?" Antonis finally asked, not looking towards Murdoc.

"That should be obvious; because of Aidan." He said it so ...matter-of-factually.

Antonis furrowed a brow, "Do you not want to go back to the Ministry?"

"Hah. It's as though you're asking me to. But not at the moment. I'd rather see you injured on a bed with Aidan in the next room than listen to mindless politics. Now if you'll excuse me, I think Tamil is getting antsy by now." Murdoc explained before turning away from the bed, making a casual exit towards the door.

Opening it, he passed by Tamil just outside the door without even a glance before turning down the hallway, walking towards Aidan's room.

Tamil stood with his arms folded and a stern gaze toward Murdoc as he exited Antonis' room; leaning back slightly onto a small end table so he wouldn't have to be standing straight up the entire time. An eyebrow arched as he peaked inside Antonis' room after Murdoc walked by. Seeing he was up, triggered his need to talk to him. Murdoc still needed to be watched. But if Murdoc was smart enough, he wouldn't do anything. Especially with Antonis awake, himself in the same building, and Debalora nearby as well.

Tamil turned his gaze back to Murdoc and watched him intently until he shifted from his view. After Murdoc was gone, Tamil stood and looked back to Antonis before walking into the room.

"Are you still okay with him being here?" Tamil asked, referring to Murdoc; walking into the room.

Antonis frowned to the question, appearing disappointed he had to answer it. "I am not "okay" with him here, but with Mundegard on the loose, he's our safeguard from that." he said, glancing towards Tamil with his features calming.

"What about the others? Are they alright?"


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


Murdoc stepped up to a certain door, turning his fist around to knock three times against it. Without waiting for a reply, Murdoc turned the knob, letting himself into Aidan's room. He saw the cat sitting up on the bed, a hand gingerly fingering the bandages around his stomach as his head turned up to see his visitor. Murdoc gave him a kind smile while Aidan was in between shock or fear.

He wore a simple white shirt with baggy sleeves, the middle of it parted revealing his bare chest and bandages having just changed them out. The room he was in now was furnished with a small bed and a desk. Murdoc thought it was quite small.

"I'm surprised to hear you came back with Voltrick Mundegard." Murdoc said, closing the door behind him.

Aidan looked away with a quizzical expression. "He didn't seem as though he'd just...attack like that. I thought he--"

"Changed?" Murdoc interrupted with a raised brow, "You can't change someone like that, Aidan.

Tamil kept a serious gaze as he listened to Antonis' reply and question. He didn't expect a pleasant answer, nor did he expect an answer regarding Murdoc to be kicked out. Tamil would have liked it that way, but Antonis was right about Mundegard.

"The others are completely fine." Tamil responded, glancing toward the room's window briefly. "Aidan is in his own room, he's been well taken care of by Ms. Debalora, as well as yourself. The only time she left your side was when she was helping Aidan. She has been more quiet, though. I haven't heard a word from her since Mundegard left."

Antonis held a concerned look as he looked to the ceiling, "She knew Mundegard long before we have...this might have been quite a shock to her." he said quietly as though to himself. Ever since mention of Voltrick's return, she was quite reserved. He had noticed this earlier and had thought that Voltrick was different before...and because he hadn't harmed Aidan, believed Mundegard could be given some exceptions. After that decision...look where he was. Helplessly in bed with everything in his body sore. Wonderfully thought out. Murdoc must be laughing at me. Antonis thought bitterly.


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


Aidan glanced at the closed door behind Murdoc as an uncomfortable feeling grew. "He was different in the dungeon. I thought--"

"You were in a dungeon?!" Murdoc exclaimed, quickly scanning Aidan over as he walked closer. He finally caught sight of the bandages around Aidan's stomach, "What happened?! Why were you there?"

Aidan drew back a bit as Murdoc approached him, surprised how quickly Murdoc reacted, "I--I was sent there after you left...by Fyren." he said warily, watching Murdoc carefully.

"Fyren?!" Murdoc nearly shouted, standing straight before Aidan with a complex gaze. Fyren...he must have planned this from the start! Just before O'luca's return...and when she sees that Murdoc had gone (a fabricated lie from Fyren to support it), he will be granted more power than he could have hoped for. Why that... Murdoc fumed within his mind, grinding his hands into fists as he witnessed the trickery before his eyes.

Tamil remained silent for a short moment as he thought about what Antonis said. If she is so affected by Mundegard and she knew him before, he must have been different. But how much different could he have been? No one can change that quickly, he had to of been somewhat like this before.

Overall, Tamil didn't care much for the subject. Voltrick, now, is a dangerous threat that had to be taken care of. If he has to die like a rabid dog, than so be it.

"I searched the entire area for Mundegard and scouted the surrounding area. Unless he's found a way to elude me, which is very unlikely, he's nowhere to be found in the area." Tamil commented.

--------

Outside, Debalora stood alone near the door to the inn. She leaned against the wood paneling, silent as the wind blew past. Her gaze focused south of the inn down the road as she dwelled in her own thoughts. Voltrick mainly, but Antonis and Aidan's condition as well.

Antonis glanced towards Tamil after the report. "I don't question your skills, Tamil. But Mundegard has a...soft spot...for Aidan and his son. He wouldn't leave them here under my watch...not unless he is completely immobilized."

If Antonis knew a little about Voltrick, he recalled the complete hatred in Voltrick's eyes as he was beaten half to death. He was almost certain that Voltrick would return to finish the job.


-------


"Murdoc...?"

Murdoc came to his senses, blinking as he realized Aidan was looking at him strangely. Straightening his back and stature, Murdoc cleared his throat.

"Sorry, that came as a shock to me."

Aidan lowered his ears. He could have guessed that.

"But that won't matter anymore. I've been thinking quite a bit since I've been away from the Ministry. And I've come to...understand why Antonis had left." Murdoc explained, glancing away from Aidan.

The cat blinked in surprise to Murdoc's words. "Understand...Antonis?" Aidan repeated cautiously, furrowing a brow in confusion.

Murdoc smiled to Aidan's curiosity, "Yes. I now see how "free" one feels outside those walls. Granted the power of rank is gone, but that doesn't mean much to me anymore. It was simply a way of thinking to get through in that place. Though, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have become a General." The wolf paused, slowly looking back to Aidan who shrunk back at the gaze, "Yes...You caused a lot of things...didn't you?" he remarked in a lowered tone.

Tamil's brow lowered, his gaze only narrowing as his mood became more serious. Mundegard is an uncontrollable monster that needs to be stopped. His actions upon Antonis, alone, give enough reason to send out a search party to hunt him down. And by what Antonis said, he wouldn't mind the tiger out of their lives any sooner. Aidan may have taken some liking to him... maybe more so beforehand, and Debalora may have been a good friend at one point, but now the monster was hurting everyone without being commanded to by Murdoc.

He's a wild animal attacking innocent people. That calls for the need to hunt him down.

"If you wish it, I'll make sure he's found. Where ever he is, I'll find him. And if needs be, I'll make sure he never attacks anyone again." Tamil commented, giving Antonis a more serious tone. "He has an advantage when he comes to us and attacks us, but we'll have the advantage if we attack him."

----------

Debalora's eyes narrowed slighlty as the wind blew towards her face; protecting her eyes from the cold air rushing towards them. A deep breath was taken through her nostrils to allow the cold air to fill her lungs, only to be slowly released back into the wind.

Debalora thought solely on Voltrick now, and the impact he had now and before became reliant upon the anger that fuels his hate. Everyone now hates him, fears him. He's uncontrollable and cant even control himself. He relies upon his beast, and now he's a slave to it.

It never used to be that way, before he was captured by the ministry and brainwashed into a mindless weapon. He still had his angry moments, but he was kind and thoughtful. He only wanted to protect them, the ones he loved. He was family.. but now.. Now he cant even be around any of them without him losing control of his own rage.

Debalora's eyebrows lowered as her eyes closed. She was there the day he was born, she was there to see him grow up and attach himself to Vincent, the only person who would take him in regardless of what he looked like or did. And now, to see the child she grew to love become what he is... was too heartbreaking to stand. She didn't know if Antonis would fully understand how she felt about him. But it didn't matter. Antonis' only concern should be what Voltrick is now.

A threat and danger to everyone. There's no reason to believe Voltrick will ever be the way he was. So there shouldn't be any hope for it.

A distant clatter down the road caused Debalora's eyes to open. Four horsemen, clad in dark cloaks, were riding toward the inn. Draco was obviously at the front, his horse rode with an elegant trot and he was the only rider without a hood over his head. Debalora wouldn't make any further movement to this; only continuing to lean against the wood paneling of the inn.

Antonis could sense that Tamil wanted his good favor if they dealt with Voltrick. However, he knew if he allowed Tamil to go along with it, it would be out of fear of Mundegard. If the beast has hatred towards him, why should he be afraid of it? He could easily give the word and have the beast dealt with...that was control. But Antonis did not want to be a tyrant.

"If I answered yes, then that isn't justice. My answer will only be driven by fear of what Mundegard's potential is. Before I come to a clear answer, I'd like to speak with Debalora and Mane."


----


"I never decided anything! Whatever happened in the past was by someone else's decision, not mine!" Aidan spoke sternly, gripping the sheets under him in his fists.

"It's almost sad to realize how little you know how much you influence others." Murdoc replied with a pitying smile, shaking his head lightly. Angered by this gesture, Aidan stood up coming face to face with Murdoc.

"And how do I do that?!" Aidan snapped, taking a few steps closer to Murdoc, who walked backwards until the wolf's back pressed against the wall. "What do they want from me?! I have no rank to take! I have no gold or valuables!" Aidan stood near Murdoc, scowling up to the wolf who simply looked into those burning green eyes. There was such an anger in them that wasn't there before. Murdoc felt his chest tighten, almost causing him to catch his breath. "What do they want?!" Aidan repeated, nearly shouting to Murdoc's continued silence.

Murdoc let out a long breath as his brows lowered slightly as though in concentration. "I don't know..."

Aidan snorted, taking a few steps away from Murdoc, "Don't give me that! You were the first to hurt me!"

Murdoc knew what Aidan was getting at now, "Whatever I did to you was from mindlessness from my own control." he replied sharply. Aidan didn't seem to back down.

"So I'm to believe you've become a completely different person from then? Isn't that convenient?!"

"Don't blame whatever happened to you at the Ministry on me. You know very well it wasn't my fault!" Murdoc snapped, gripping his fist as he looked at Aidan sternly.

Simultaneously, the both of them paused after this outburst, staring at each other nearly dumbfounded.

Tamil grunted. "You say that because they have relations with him. But we all know he'll come again. And when he does, he'll lose control again and someone may actually die because of it." Tamil paused briefly before continuing on a lighter tone. "I wont speak against your decision to talk to them. But just take into account they wont want his death, regardless. But we all know if something isn't done, it will only get worse."

------

The four horsemen finally came to a halt as they finally approached the inn. Draco dismounted his horse first and walked towards Debalora. The three remaining horsement dismounted as well. One of the men took his own horse and Draco's horse around to the side of the inn. The other two followed with their own horses to secure them away from the road and in the stables.

Draco became quickly concerned; seeing the look on Debalora's face. Passive, yet sorrowful... but unwilling to admit it. "Is everything alright? The carriage did arrive safely, didn't it?" A quick glance around the area was made, checking for the carriage which was supposed to escort the two back here. The carriage wasn't infront of the inn, but that doesn't mean it didn't arrive. It could have very well been moved.

Debalora's gaze turned back down the road. "Yes, it did. But, Voltrick attacked Antonis and Aidan. He's been missing since yesterday."

Draco's eyes widen and stepped closer. "What?!" the dog shouted before lowering his voice again. "How can this be? Are they alright?"

Debalora's voice weakened emotionally, but she desperately attempted to hold herself and kept her gaze down the road. "They're inside. Recovering." A hand raised and wiped the side of her face as her eyes welled up, but continued to raise it as if moving her hair from her face.

Draco's look of surprise shifted to a frustrated stare, then to anger before he quickly turned and went inside the inn.

Debalora's gaze turned back slightly to watch Draco enter the inn, but soon turned it back down the road.

After a heavy sigh, Antonis shifted a bit, moving himself up against the headboard to sit up slightly.

"You're right that they wouldn't want him dead...but think about what would happen if I didn't talk with them. Murdering a father and a friend out of fear that he'll attack again? What does that make us, Tamil? They don't understand such militant decisions. It's best to treat this with care."

Antonis paused to frown as a concern arose in his thoughts. He looked up to Tamil carefully, "Do not make any decisions about Mundegard without my consent. Believe me, Tamil, I would rather have that thing out of our lives as well. However, it simply isn't my choice."


------


Aidan's gaze was lowered to the floor, his features hidden from Murdoc's eyes as his chest heaved for breath. After a long silence, Murdoc became concerned, taking a small step towards the cat.

"Aidan?"

There was no answer from him. Murdoc decided to continue. "I'm sorry, Aidan. I shouldn't have said--"

"Was it my fault?!" Aidan snapped, lifting his head glaring through glazed eyes. Murdoc stopped dead in his tracks, stunned by the outburst. "...I..."

Aidan wrinkled his brows tightly as he stared at Murdoc for a moment before he suddenly turned to the door, opening it quickly and walking down the hall with similar swiftness. In surprise, Murdoc stumbled to follow Aidan out, calling after him.

Murdoc followed as Aidan walked in determination, even passing a stranger who looked at him in a familiar way. Aidan didn't bother acknowledging him as he went outside the inn. Murdoc glanced to the older dog, taking notice of the Faholgalian wear he had on. It didn't strike a second thought as he went outside as well.

He caught sight of Aidan walking off the road on the grass in the dark night. He was quite far ahead, walking quickly however Aidan was seen faltering at times, most likely from the wound to his stomach. Murdoc suddenly feared Aidan was over-exerting himself.

Murdoc broke into a run to catch Aidan just before he could reach the gate, grabbing hold of the cats shoulder to stop him. "Aidan..!" He quickly felt his hand swatted away, Aidan turning around to glare at him, "Leave me alone!"

"Please, come back inside." Murdoc rose his brows in worry, moving his hands to take hold of each of Aidan's arms. Just as they touched, Aidan fought against it, taking a few steps back.

Murdoc tried again, this time tightly taking hold of Aidan's arm as he sensed the cat was getting more violent. He never acted like this before. For the first time in a long while, Murdoc was frightened. "You're not well, Aidan. You won't do well out here in your condition--"

He was suddenly cut off when Aidan's left fist hooked Murdoc by his right cheek. In surprise, Murdoc's hold on Aidan's arm loosened, feeling him move away. Aidan didn't pause, instead rammed himself against Murdoc, forcing the both of them to fall on the ground.

Tamil gave a hesitant nod before responding. "Yes, sir. I'll only do as you say, in the matter." Tamil's gaze had turned toward the window again, but it quickly returned to Antonis. "But if he attacks again, I will not hesitate to do what is necessary."

----

Draco hurried inside the inn and quickly turned the corner to reach the hallway leading to the rooms. As he hurried his way down the hall; looking for any open doors, Aidan burst out of one of the rooms. Draco would have said something, but Aidan was already past him and down the hall. He would have gone after him, but then Murdoc exited the same room.

A more concerned look crossed Draco's face seeing Murdoc erupt out of the room and run after Aidan. Again, he would have gone after them, but there was still Antonis. He had to see if he was alright. Voltrick would have forced most of his wrath upon him, he barely believed any of it would be against Aidan.

A deeper voice was heard in the next room. The door was open, so Draco made his way into the doorway.

----

Someone running out of the door quickly caught Debalora's attention and she turned to see who it would have been. An eyebrow arched seeing it was Aidan. Murdoc's exit caught her off guard.

Debalora first snapped her attention to Murdoc as he ran out of the inn, but her gaze quickly followed him as he ran after Aidan. A frustrated, narrowed glare quickly appeared. Murdoc, of all people, shouldn't be chasing anybody. Especially Aidan.

After pushing herself from the wall, Debalora went after Aidan and Murdoc. First walking at a fast pace, then running once Aidan started to fight Murdoc. "Hey! ..Stop!" She yelled before approaching the two.

"Aidan!" She yelled after Murdoc was tackled to the ground. She knew they were fighting for a reason, Murdoc was guaranteed to be the culpret for that, but she couldn't allow anymore fighting. Especially after Voltrick. "Get off of him!"

"I realize that." Antonis answered, nodding in agreement. Soon, a visitor caught Antonis' attention as his gaze turned towards the door, finding someone familiar stepping through.

The first glimpse of Draco suddenly reminded Antonis of the letter Debalora had given him. He never got to reading it. Perhaps it didn't matter.

"Good to see you, Draco." Antonis greeted.


---------


Debalora's insistence wasn't heard by Aidan as he prompted himself up on Murdoc's upper stomach, grabbing the wolf's jacket collar with both hands. Once he was sure he was on top, Aidan clutched his right fist and pounded it against Murdoc's face, hitting the wolf's cheek hard.

After two punches, Murdoc moved his hands to grab hold of Aidan's shirt, twisting his body and pulling Aidan away from him until the cat fell onto the ground next to him. The fighting became more reckless, the two of them struggling against each other with growls. However, Murdoc was fighting to hold Aidan down while the other just wanted to do whatever damage he could.

It came to a point where Murdoc successfully wrapped an arm around Aidan's neck from behind. Moving quickly, Murdoc pressed Aidan face first against the ground while he moved himself to pin the cat there. Aidan obviously struggled under Murdoc, ramming his elbow back against Murdoc's side in attempts to get out of the hold.

After a pained grunt, Murdoc growled with frustration. "That's enough, Aidan!" he snapped, holding his place.

"Get off of me!"

An arched brow could be seen on Draco's concerned face as he looked back down the hall. "Should I be concerned.." he quickly turned his head back to Antonis and Tamil. "...to see Murdoc with Aidan?"

Tamil's brow lowered as he turned around to face Draco; a look of frustration seen. A low groan erupted, being reminded Murdoc was alone with Aidan. But he assured himself that it was 'okay' since everyone else was nearby. He would allow Antonis to answer Draco, Draco did ask him.

----

"Murdoc!" Debalora yelled. It would have been so easy to pull them away from each other. All she would have to do is use her power and throw Murdoc away from Aidan while keeping Aidan on the ground. But she couldn't. She couldn't allow herself to use more of her power infront of them, especially Murdoc and out in the open for all to see.

"Holding him down like that isn't going to calm him down, the damage is done. Let him go!" she shouted again, stepping forward and glaring. It was hard enough for her to keep her eyes from fading to white, which meant it was hard enough not to use her power against them. "I will force you apart." Debalora threatened.

Antonis looked up at Draco with slightly widened eyes. The tone he used implied something was happening between them.

"Where are they?"


-------


Murdoc shut his eyes tightly as he held Aidan who wouldn't stop struggling underneath him. In his mind, he had a terrible debate. He heard Debalora shout and there was a strange truth in it. The damage is done. Aidan was in such pain, Murdoc knew that, but he couldn't bring himself to let go. Aidan will never accept him...why was he still trying? Murdoc pressed his head against the back of Aidan's own for a sweet moment before his hands loosened, letting his arms part just enough. Aidan didn't pause to stumble into a stand as he squeezed out of Murdoc's grip, making a run for the gate without looking back.

On his knees, Murdoc stared after Aidan with a pained look. He had been so sure that he could help Aidan. But to see Hart practically running away from him brought a terrible feeling to his chest.

Murdoc lowered his head slightly, away from the gate in silence, lifting a shaky hand to rub his black hair back in place.