Private Cold Blooded

[Gerwald Lechner]

U R G E N C Y​

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Declan Durinson

The Hunt.

It was a right of passage many cultures observed, and one every Lupo knew to the fiber of their being. For Gerwald it was much more simple. One hunted to live, and he lived to hunt. He had made a living off of it. Over time the wolf had not just learned to hunt wild animals, but monstrosities of all kinds. From supernatural beings to those that would inflict harm on another sentient life. He had torched most of his own village for caging his sister. Treating life with dignity was something Gerwald valued.

Word had reached Gerwald of more fur traders moving about Bellassa. The last time they had come it left several Lupo injured and one dead. Gerwald could not shake the image of a lupo mid transition and skinned. It had been enough to drive him to kill every last one of the fur traders that had caused the ambush. Aelin Erevos had been with him to see his rage, and with their return he did not wish to involve her again.

There had been another wolf Gerwald had met at the summer festival. Much of that night he did not remember too well, but the faces of those he saw before his binge was one thing he did. The Lupo stood at the edge of the training yard waiting for Declan to arrive. A short message had been sent to him explaining the situation. Gerwald was not one for too many words when something more precise would suffice.

It had been something to the effect of:

Fur traders hunting Lupo. We will kill them first. Find me at the training pits.

His time away from the Confederacy had seen the wolf dawn armor and clothing which was a bit more like what he would have worn on Stewjon. Whatever technology that had been in the armor crafted for him as Lord Commander was lacking in what he wore now. It was simple leather and chain, but it was something which made Gerwald feel more himself than he had in a long time. No doubt Bryn would mock his caution, but it was more important to live than collect more scars.

There would be no lightsabers today, simply a hammer. It had been a gift from someone Gerwald still considered to be a friend, closer than perhaps. Their relationship was yet to be defined, and the wolf liked it that way. It was a close and personal weapon, yet one that would cause severe damage. This was how he wanted it. Gerwald wanted to hear bones break and he smashed the face of his blunt instrument into the skulls of his enemy.
​

 

[Declan Durinson]

It had only taken a moment for Declan to move past his surprise at getting a message from Gerwald. He and the other wolf were not particularly close, yes they had both been among those that had helped Aelin in her quest to be reunited with her family but that had been all they had in common. Even on that particular quest Declan and Gerwald were not likely to be found mingling outside of the whole pack being together. There was no animosity, they just had not found common ground. Gerwald had his brother, an interest in Aelin and some kind of thing with Brynjar. Declan had Fi and yes his own admiration for Aelin grew over the course of their mission but with all the others that scrambled to get her attention for one thing or another, Dec had let her have her space.

All that was to say that a message from the man had been unexpected but once Declan read it the surprise was shoved aside for resolve. Without hesitation he grabbed what was needed and headed to the training pits.

As he approached he could see Gerwald clad in simple but traditionally lupo armor that was not all that different from what Declan had donned. Simple treated leather and mail but where Gerwald had chosen to arm himself with a single hammer, Declan had a hand axe on each hip and both spear and shield on his back.

Declan could neither see nor smell any of the others and thought that to be strange. Surly Varick the brother would come, or Brynjar so eager to prove himself, or even Aelin who had spent so much of her time since coming to Islimore off on little expeditions, having only returned a few days ago with Gerwald.

Perhaps Gerwald had learned who Declan was; had learned what Declan was. A dog sent to die in the pits over and over for years, good for nothing more than killing. A tool to be used to protect the new pack, an arrow in the quiver of Aerðs, let loose to take revenge.

Blood for Blood, Durinson.

“Nothing less.”

Perhaps he had heard of Declan Osbourne, The Butcher of Blackborne. His last stop as a slave, Blackborne manor, home to the Nerezza family, until Declan had killed them all. The men, the ladies and even the babies. There were times where their screams still crept into his dreams and nights where he would dance to the sound.

“Gerwald.” Declan said with his hand extended for shaking out as he approached.

Gerwald Lechner

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

U R G E N C Y​

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Declan Durinson

”Declan,” Gerwald reached out for the extended arm and gripped the forearm of the other man.

His weapons were just as close and personal as Gerwald’s. It seemed they were both of the same mind. For a moment Gerwald waited as he observed the man. They had never done battle together, and the wolf wanted to take in a quick study of his partner in this venture.

With a nod, Gerwald moved on.

“Fur traders have been a recent thorn in my side. I have learned they killed many of our people on Bellassa, and they have helped the Fayth cull the numbers of our kind on Islimore. Their stench is getting closer, too close for comfort. I want to deal with them now.”

Gerwald had requisitioned a couple of speeder bikes which needed a lot more work than he had anticipated. With the Fayth active, the two could not simply wolf out. Even though they looked nothing like the kind of people to be seen on bikes, they had to look and act human. For some that would be a challenge. Bryn would likely have not understood the reason for discretion, but Declan likely would.

“Ever drive one of these before?”

By now Declan would notice there were only two, and likely he would put together they were the only two going.

“You’re okay with not taking any of the other for this right?”​

 

[Declan Durinson]

“Fur traders have been a recent thorn in my side. I have learned they killed many of our people on Bellassa, and they have helped the Fayth cull the numbers of our kind on Islimore. Their stench is getting closer, too close for comfort. I want to deal with them now.” Explained Gerwald as he led them to a pair of speeder bikes.

“Great idea.”

The wolf that was Declan’s soul rumbled with approval somewhere deep inside him. These fur traders were the same type of men who had delivered that poor lupo to Blackborne, had put it in the position to be hunted and flayed like something with hooves. They were the type of men who had stolen him from his home as The Gods watched and did not lift a finger.

“Ever drive one of these before?” Gerwald asked as they each took up one of the speeders the other wolf had provided.

“I’ll get by.” being back among his own kind had brought a certain wildness out in Declan, rivaling even young Brynjar but for years Declan had to hide who or what he was in a cowardly attempt to keep his freedom and his life.

“You’re okay with not taking any of the other for this right?” Gerwald asked as their speeders flared to life.

“More glory for the two of us!” He shouted over the engine of the two bikes. He thought that truly on Varick would of been any true use to them, Brynjar being too impulsive, Aelin being too inexperienced and Fi, well something in him wanted to keep Firenne as far away from what was about to happen as he could, though he knew that wasn’t fair.

Truth be told he would’ve preferred if Gerwald wasn’t there either, if he was able to do this thing alone.

The lone wolf dies but the pack is strong. Or that was what they sang in the north.

“Lead the way!”

Gerwald Lechner