Blackfeather Woods it's good to warm my bones beside the fire

Nothing perhaps best illustrated the depths of depravity of what once had been than Wolfskull Cave. All she could think about, down here, was the kidnapped Redhawk girl, the dull sheen of fear in her eyes. And then Maegi thought of Cass, kept here against her will. And Mou. . . Bile rose in her throat each time at the thought, and she had to turn away, staring into the darkness.

Bone after bone, she moved. She didn't know what to do with them, only that she wanted to get rid of them all. Perhaps she'd take them to the Altar, say a prayer over whatever poor souls had suffered here. She wanted to scrub it all away; she wanted to toss the history in a desk drawer and slam it shut, forever.

A small, round piece of yellowed ivory rolled away from her as she stumbled in the dim light. Bones, bones everywhere. And she couldn't get away from them. She wondered whether she ever would be able to escape the things associated with this place, the things that had doomed her to a life of ostracism.

Even with as long as he'd been away, it amazed Ramsay that he kept finding places in the woods he didn't remember visiting. He had been to Wolfskull Cave only once and that was when he first met Relmyna; besides that, he'd never had cause to be here. His descent down the steep, rock-strewn hill was precarious and just like that, he understood why the original founders chose this cave in particular to house prisoners. It wasn't the easiest place to escape from.

The yawning maw of the cave was certainly intimidating to behold. If he was an outsider, Ramsay would not want to be held in a place that resembled a reptile's toothsome smile. A collection of bones was piled with care outside the cave, indicating someone was already here. As he rounded a spire of rock, he smiled to know who it was, and was glad she had the same thoughts as him. He'd cleared up the borders to the best of his ability, and she'd chosen to tackle this place.

Need a hand? he asked, coming to stand square (ha, ha) in the center of the cave's entryway.

So engrossed as she was in the task, she jumped a little at her brother's voice, but turned and gave him a smile that turned quickly into a grimace. Definitely, she said wryly. This isn't exactly my favorite thing to do, but it's gotta get done. She picked up a shard between her teeth and tossed it off to the side, frowning.

Man, our family was really fucked up, Maegi remarked, shaking her head. I thought about it, after I got taken prisoner. That Blackfeather did the same thing to others, for no reason at all. Why do you think they did it?

She turned to Ramsay, the query clear in her eyes. She thought she already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear his take on it as well.

When invited in, Ramsay folded himself in his strange, unnatural way and took a small tibia bone in his jaws. Maegi said her piece as he strode out to where the other bones were, dropping it unceremoniously and turning back to the cave. Her question was well worth pausing for, though, and he did it with a grim expression.

Fear, he replied. Simple as that. He couldn't claim to know for certain what the Melonii who came before him were thinking, but that seemed to be a common theme. Vaati certainly had relished it. Our bloodline seems to believe that fear is equal to power. He padded back into the cave to pick up another bone, but not before meeting his sibling's gaze and stating, I personally feel fear is utilized by those who do not know how to earn respect. We've no need of it.

She valued his input more than she could ever express. He had a way with words that she had never been able to master, and had grown even more wise in the time they were apart. Maegi nodded, understanding, and moved to one dank notch near the back of the cave, where a couple of long-abandoned bones lie.

If they liked fear so much, you'd think they would love us a lot more than they did, Maegi remarked with a chuckle. Especially with my face how it is now. The words were caustic, bitter, very self-aware. Maegi had never really reconciled herself with her many deformities, those either bred into her or given through the rigors of life.

He recognized her tone and let his eyes roll fondly, not because he thought she was being too self-deprecating, but because he often felt the same. Maybe if their family had shown them and Euron some love, they would be more willing to live among them now, instead of making something for themselves, free of the prejudices afforded most Melonii wolves. Alas, it wasn't to be.

That is the irony, he mumbled as he discarded his bone. They wish to command fear but cowered when met with true horror. This was said almost sarcastically. The most menacing of the three of them was certainly Euron, who despite his gleeful inflection and endearing manner of speaking, wielded information like a weapon. He was the one most capable of being a true monster, for however twisted Maegi and Ramsay might seem, their inborn afflictions were purely physical.

Perhaps they knew they would be surpassed because they could not control fear the way they hoped to, and we could if we so chose. Ramsay had done it more than he could count, frightening others with his near demonic appearance, but never for really malicious reasons. Mostly it was for amusement. He would never hurt them.

She hadn't thought of that before. Well, perhaps she had. That they were the true horror, that the macabre bravado espoused by those like Vaati and Damien was just that--a facade. Twisted and spurned, the trio had the power to inspire fear in others—and yet it was a surface-level ugliness to them. . .well, at least to the two here in the cave. Maegi had been away so long from Euron that she had no idea what he was like, how he had grown.

Well, we can use it to our advantage, she responded, taking one of the bones in her mouth and carrying it to the pile. Ve ca— The mumble came out incomprehensible, and she waited until the relic had been deposited before trying to speak again. Let them think we're a freak show. Those who see past it and know what we're really like are welcome; those who can't can just leave.

That included Mou, too, with his grotesque appearance. And some of the other denizens here. They really were a motley crew, weren't they?

It was wise, thought Ramsay. Those who happened upon their claim would first be tested by first impressions in the most vital of ways. Half of the wolves who met him cringed at the sight of him or scurried away outright; the other half were automatically suspicious, and precious few had ever attempted to get past that. Maegi's face would inspire the same reaction, lovely as he still found his sister, and Titmouse himself was no picture of beauty. He had the same thought as Maegi at about the same time: they were seriously fucked up.

Funny that all the grotesque ones would gather in Blackfeather Woods with the goal of cleansing it of its reputation as a menace, no?

Vet them foremost on their ability to see past the surface, second on their loyalty and third on their merit, he mused, spitting out a shard of bone at the cave's entrance. Makes sense to me. I take it, he said, gesturing with a sweep of his truncated figure at the cave, we are agreed that violence and abuse of any sort will be a last resort for our clan? And should they need to turn to such measures, then they would do so to the full extremity, leaving things like captives and torture to lesser wolves. If they needed to kill to ensure their survival and safety, they would kill, otherwise they would stay their hand. That was his philosophy.

Had Ramsay killed anyone before? She had, by accident. Twice over, for she still considered her failure to save Poppy as a kind of murder, at the very least an abject failure. There were those who deserved death, but they were few and far between. And nothing good happened when death came to the woods.

No violence, no death, unless necessary, Maegi agreed, nodding. It just brings attention to us, and we can't have that. Mou—

It occurred to her, suddenly, that she hadn't told Ramsay the story of Mou's past. Had he heard it from the man himself? Maegi doubted he would be so forthright. But if they were to coexist, if they were to make a new life here, then Ramsay must know everything. (And even she didn't know everything.)

Mou is a Redhawk. Or used to be, anyway. He committed some sins, and there are those out there who want him dead, she explained, looking warily at her brother. I told several of them that he was killed by a cougar, but he was spotted by others looking for him several days ago. We can't afford to bring attention to the forest. It puts us all in danger, but most of all him.

Would Ramsay think him too much of a liability to stay? Maegi swallowed, waiting for her brother's response.

He wasn't at all expecting Mou to come up, and he paused in their joint task to listen, for Maegi spoke with a solemnity that demanded utmost attention. Truthfully, Ramsay's first thought was that Mou was too much of a liability, and a part of him protested it greatly. What use was there in keeping him here if his presence was likely to endanger them? He almost opened his mouth and said as much, but knew before he could speak that Maegi wouldn't take such a risk without a reason. Mou meant a lot to her if she was willing to go to such lengths, and he wouldn't force her to send him away even if he thought it for the best.

The second best option then was to fortify themselves, ensure no one had any other reason to come after them. Which brought him to, and if they find out you've lied to them?

Good question. She inhaled deeply, a shadow passing over her face as she paused before speaking again. If they find out I lied, I'll handle it, Maegi murmured. At any rate, I only said I found what was left—I didn't say I saw him die. There was wiggle room for contradiction.

And did it matter, if the Moonspear wolves had seen him just days prior? Her lie had already fallen through.

I'll bear the consequences, she said, lifting her chin, her voice louder and firmer than before. But for now, my main priority is keeping us all safe. So yes. . .no violence, no prisoners, no torture, no death. Well, no death that is not natural, she added, thinking of hunts and Peryite, rotting things. No death that wasn't already willed by Sithis.

That was a blessing at least. He hadn't truly doubted her, but it eased Ramsay's troubled mind to know she'd weaved her lie with some discretion. Euron would be proud, perhaps, of the delicate web she was attempting to weave. It was a shame their brother wasn't here to see the fruits of their labour, but Ramsay knew he would be pleased with it. Their sibling didn't share the same particular affinity for the woods as far as Ramsay knew, but he felt sure Euron would be happy knowing it was they who held it.

Very well, said Ramsay. We are in agreement. Those things will not benefit us. He stooped to pick up yet another bone, a forearm of some creature or wolf or other, but paused with his mouth parted and let his eyes slide sideways to her. I met with Cassiopeia. She would not come here, but told me to tell you she's happy you found your place. She wishes us good luck.

Her face lit in a smile once more at the news of Cassiopeia. She was sad that it appeared the woman wouldn't be joining them, but who could blame her? She couldn't think of many—bar Mou, and that was a special circumstance—who would willingly live in a place that held so many bad memories. She imagined herself dwelling on Shadow Mountain, and shuddered.

I hope she can find a place that suits her, Maegi responded, moving back to the nook where the second of the pair of bones still remained. They were making good work of the place; just a few more bits to move and stow away, and the cave would be empty. What to do with them, though?

Perhaps she would take them to the Altar, say a prayer for those souls who'd suffered and perished here. Cass, Mou, the Redhawk girl. . . That wasn't their way, and Maegi was glad of it. She picked up the bone and walked over to the pile, letting it fall from her jaws and tumble down the pile with a clatter that echoed off the dark, dank walls.

Ramsay remained silent then, throwing his effort back into moving two small pieces out of the cavern. Just one left now. He shared Maegi's sentiment even though he didn't know Cass well at all. She seemed to still hold a place in her heart for Maegi, if not him, and that was enough to placate Ramsay. He would have preferred that she stayed so they could make it up to her properly, but he fully understood why she couldn't.

What is your plan for this? he wondered, eyeing now the pile of collected remains. He'd buried most of what he found on the borders that wasn't already reclaimed by nature. Did she want the same for these? He was willing to get to work on it if that was her plan. And Ramsay felt sure she had a plan for the bones, or else she wouldn't have tackled it.

It was like he read her mind. She looked up at him, slightly startled. Part of her had thought the connection had severed, died, with time. The trio had once been so. . .telepathic, at least with each other. Or maybe she just had a glass face. A little bit of both, perhaps.

I was going to take them to Nightcaller Temple, I think, she answered, staring back at the pile. If they don't get to be buried among friends and family, at least they'll rest in a place of the gods. Even if it was the gods of the wolves that hurt them. I dunno.

Maybe it didn't make a single difference. Death was the Void, after all. These bones, the souls that once were—none of these creatures even knew whether they were alive or dead.

But she felt like she had to do something.

Nightcaller Temple was a long trek from here, and there were quite a few bones. Ramsay rested his gaze on the pile almost wearily, then said, I'll help you. While he wanted to return to the borders sooner than later to refresh the markings, they'd been done so recently that it really wasn't as urgent as it felt to him. It was only his sense of duty and his unwillingness to let their guard slip in any way that drove him to such purpose, and this task was equally important.

So he awkwardly stooped to fit two of the larger bones into his boxy muzzle. Rising, he waited for Maegi to grab what she could, and then the pair of them headed off at a trot across the territory, to where the rocks rose in the gloomy swamp, where the spirits could lay to rest the forgotten remains of those who had fallen here.