The body was willing, but my soul is weak.

Onni had healed the flesh, absent heart; it would seem that even the great Sun prophet had her limits. Things such as moral and energy would return, but with time, my comrades told me. Patience they said. But I was eager to be back on the frontline, restored to some semblance of normal. There was almost a feeling of guilt to have been absent from my home on the eve of its crowning. The sun had returned just as I vanished into that forsaken realm and to long had my presence been away from siblings in duty.

My recovery processed more quickly than most; partly birthed from the compassion of friends and family, and lastly a sense of requirement. A leader wasn’t weak. Kri wasn’t weak. “You’re not weak,” a familiar voice chided. Aye. The most passionate one to aid my return was Fina, the loyal phoenix had refused to leave my side for anything other than hunting since the moment of my washing in.

She saw into my mind far better than wagging words could weave a tale. The soul we shared helped her feel everything I had while in that other place; she saw images that nobody else would. During the absence we had been disconnected, the void had left a gaping wound of confusion. A wound that demanded mending…so I showed her everything to bridge any rift between us.

Weakness and insecurities, the very point of death that came thrice over.

Life went on and when I felt well enough we started patrolling the border again.

Silently the pair of us almost effortlessly rode on a salty breath of southern air. There was no higher emotion than the peace that came from having a hot sun at your back and a heart full of purpose. Fina blazed with a fond glow that was her element, the fire had returned when dawn broke. She glided ahead, blue raptor pools catching sight of an alabaster figure toeing the wall. A haunting, yet beautiful song trailed up to heaven. I didn’t possess the ability to translate wolf speak, but to me the tone sounded urgent, almost pleading.

Leaning forward purposely, I came to greet said visitor; ivory wings thrust with slow intent as my legs uncoiled to absorb weight into soft desert sand. A smile was already presenting itself even before feathers had a chance to close and the dust around me to settle. At a glance I could tell that the creature was intelligent, and not like the dumb beasts that often preyed in the Dark forest. Considering the Throat had been home to wolves before, it really wasn't all that strange one would be calling at the door. “Well met," I offered kindly, "How might I be of service?” Fina soared down, cresting across my spine.

Wolves were of a curious sort. They traveled in a fashion that was similar to our kind; packs, as it was called. Usually a combination of close family related by title, blood, and a few stragglers from other clans. Every so often a rouge would break free, like a colt sent from his father’s land. That loner would spend months, sometimes years scrounging for food until the cycle of packhood could begin again—for he or she would obtain a mate eventually or die a lonely death. Through a mated pair a litter of whelps would be born and thus another pack would be formed.

Thus was the law of common, dumb wolves. It was different for those with a horses tongue, curiously I refrained myself from asking questions until the lad had a chance at explanation. Only one other had lived among us and called herself wolf, Ayaka. Said company revealed rather earlier that it had been our canine lass to point his nose here. I nodded and continued to smile pleasantly, Ayaka was a good soldier and had a decent eye for the nature of others. Compared to his ruthless cousins, the male was courteous and mannered.

“I am Raven.”

It was still only business between us so I wore a facade that would suit such, no softness as with family. But certainly tolerance and kindness are present, “and I Midas.” Considering only for a moment I added, “You are welcome here brother, and the position of soldier would likely suit your needs.” Recent troubles outside the herd and my own curiosity gave way to another question, “It is rare that your breed would seek to join a herd, what led you to us aside from Ayaka?”

Raven’s explanation suited my question well enough; I smiled, appeased by his solid response and mannered ways. To his or her their own path. Accommodating this polite individual with a description so that there would be no misconception or predestined outcomes I replied, “Our home is a desert, nestled by ocean and tropical oasis that is blessed by the God of Sun.” If this creature was used to living in a desolate land filled with rocks, sand, and various poisons critters—he was in the right place. Without the lake and fertile land in adjacent we, nor much else would last long enough to be turned into bleached corpses.

My next statement came out of necessity in clearing up future questions that might arise. This wasn’t the first time our family had sheltered predators, nor would it be the last, “As said, you are welcome to live among us as brother and defender; but note that the hunting or otherwise preying upon your brethren will not be permitted.” A creature of any amount of intelligence would already know that you simply didn’t eat your family; but it never hurt to clarify. Fina ruffled her feathers purposely and made a hissing sound as a way to remind me of another equally important rule. Smirking at her out of amusement, but speaking deliberately I added, “Also the preying of soul bonded companions is forbidden. No matter how much they annoy thy.” Even before the firebird dug her talons into my spine in a way to chastise my poor taste, the inner depths of both our orbs sparked with a luster that could only be humor, “If you can abide by such rules…Welcome to Dragon’s Throat Raven.”