Turning of the Seasons

Author’s Note: Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews! They brighten my day. I’m glad this had such a good reception, at least in AFF :P. I appreciate your interest and hope you keep reading! Now onwards we go!

Title: Turning of the Seasons
Author: Fromthedeepsea
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter Warning: slight sexual references, and violent scenes

Chapter 1

Excerpt from the journals of Sir Trogwuf Eton of Dordon; written during his stay in the chain of islands east of our Great Land.

“(August 8, 1705)…The islanders of Saifos have a saying. Its origins are said to be, of course, of the Qyotaul. It strikes me as fascinating just how much these people’s culture is attributed to those beasts. The saying goes: ‘First impressions always lie, and so do seconds and thirds.’”
(*)(*)(*)

“It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Iendro. I hope you’d forgive me about just now. Did I scare you?”

The bearer’s tone of voice was so civil that it only added to Iendro’s utter perplexity.

This guy had almost sent him on a one way voyage to the afterlife three seconds ago. And now he was being all proper and polite. His common sense was at a loss. But his instincts reminded him of the close call he had just survived, and that this Janrios could decide to attack him again at any moment.

Deciding to test the waters, he gave a step forward. He got no reaction at all. The look on the bearer’s face spoke of confidence. He didn’t find Iendro intimidating at all. This brought an unexpected sense a relief and joy to the sire. But he tried to hide it behind a frown. He was still confused.

Seeing as the other was still waiting for an answer, Iendro cleared his throat before giving one. “You surprised me,” he corrected. “You came out of nowhere.”

Janrios raised his eyebrows, obviously finding his argument rather unsatisfying. “You followed my scent here, did you not? You knew I was close,” he said matter-of-factly. “You simply weren’t expecting me to attack you, isn’t that right?”

Iendro’s eyes widened. What was this guy talking about? Of course he hadn’t expected to be attacked! He’d thought the other would be pleased to see him, at the very least. And as far as he knew, he hadn’t done anything to deserve any kind of bodily punishment.

“I honestly wasn’t,” he said, glaring accusingly at Janrios.

The other must found his answer amusing, because he chuckled under his breath while wagging his tail. “I thought you wouldn’t. I apologize.”

Iendro clenched his jaw. Was he making fun of him?!

“So why did you, then?” he asked pointedly, railing back his irritation.

Janrios shrugged. “Curiosity,” was his answer. “I think you did quite well.”

Iendro clenched his jaw. Oh, he was so angry! The cheeky bastard! This was nothing like he’d imagined. He was supposed to have met the love of his life, not this holier-than-thou smartass. Had the gods decided to play a cruel joke on him and sent this guy to break his heart? Were his transgressions so terrible that he merited such dreadful treatment?!

He unconsciously lowered his eyes to the ground in hurt and shame. This Janrios probably didn’t even want to mate with him. He must have attacked him just to drive him away. That made perfect sense. Had he wished to hard on the impossible? Everything he had imagined, about living happily ever after, how could he have made up such a fairytale for himself? Why would the Fates ever smile upon him like that, after what he’d done? He was such a fool.

“Well?”

The sudden question cut into his brooding. Iendro glanced up to see the object of his current misery looking expectantly at him. “Well what?” he asked back.

Janrios chuckled again, standing up straight. The action caused Iendro to tense and straighten up too, raising his ears forward in caution.

This time, the bearer laughed outright. Iendro, though confused by it, found the sound enchanting.

“Did I scare you again?” asked the slighter Qyotaul.

Iendro narrowed his eyes. “No,” he answered stubbornly. He didn’t realize he was pouting.

“Once more, I apologize.”

“Stop apologizing! You didn’t scare me!”

“Of course, if you say so. But shall we go now? I’m rather hungry.”

“Huh?”

“I’m hungry. Shall we go?” the bearer repeated, starting to walk back towards the edge of the glade. “I believe I caught scent of a stag and its females just south of here.”

Now what was he talking about? Was he expecting Iendro to hunt for him? But that was part of the courtship ritual!

Janrios raised his muzzle and tested the air. “They’ve moved farther south. We should hurry.”

It seemed he did indeed expect to be courted. Now Iendro was more confused than ever. If this Janrios was willing to give him an opportunity at mating him, then why had he attacked him like that? He had almost carved out his windpipes! Had it been like some sort of test? To see how well he could defend himself? He’d never heard of a bearer doing that. Was it customary?

“Iendro?”

He realized he’d been frozen on the spot for a while, completely lost in contemplation. But he felt like he’d just figured out something really important. Maybe he had jumped to conclusions, as he was known to do often enough. Maybe Janrios did like him. Looking up at said bearer, he finally got to take a good look at him.

He wasn’t exactly red like he’d first thought. His well kept plumage was more of a deep rust color, which glowed like gold under the moonlight. The shade contrasted brilliantly with his olive green eyes. He was pretty large, as well. Standing at about four feet at the shoulder on all fours, his head almost reached Iendro’s chin. His limbs were long and muscular, his tail luxuriant, his muzzle lean and elegant, his scent simply intoxicating. He was beautiful. The most beautiful creature Iendro had ever seen.

“Iendro?”

He was once again interrupted from his thoughts, and he looked up to meet Janrios’s gaze. The other was staring at him, waiting at the edge of the glade. He turned to see him better before asking.

“Is something wrong?”

“No,” Iendro answered quickly. “Nothing.”

Why was he stalling here, wasting time like an idiot when he had this beauty standing before him, waiting to be impressed? Never mind he had almost killed him during his little test earlier. If Janrios still wanted to be courted, then Iendro would court him like he’d never been courted before. He was definitely and absolutely having pups with this guy.

Bolting up, he raced forward and past Janrios.

“I’ll get the stag! You just wait!” he yelled back, plunging back into the woods and searching for the deer’s scent.

Janrios stood frozen in the glade, his eyes following Iendro’s retreating form. Now it was his turn to be confused. What a strange sire this was. He seemed a bit juvenile as well, quick to take on the offensive. But despite that, Janrios could sense the goodness in the other’s heart. Here was one that was born to protect others. He wouldn’t be surprised if Iendro was the sort that was always looking for ingenious ways to help humans in need. And to be able to amass so much land as quickly as he had, he must be very strong. Watching him on the hunt would verify that. So far, he liked Iendro. He’d liked him from the moment his musk had reached his nose. If the rest of him proved to be as captivating as his musk, then he most likely wouldn’t be spending this winter alone.

He was glad he’d decided to come here. Maybe something good would come out of it after all. He could only hope.

Taking one last look at the half moon, he raced into the woods and after his suitor. He sure didn’t want to miss the chase.
*
Iendro ran at full speed. He had found the stag’s scent and was heading straight for it. He hoped it was large. It sure smelled large. If it was, he would definitely impress Janrios. After all, catching a large antlered buck represented one of the ultimate accomplishments for a hunter. And he was a darn good hunter at that.

Changing directions to approach his prey from down wind, Iendro glanced back and saw Janrios coming behind him, keeping up without difficulty.

Great stamina! He thought. Let’s see how he feels about being tested himself!

With that in thought, he increased his speed, darting over the forest floor as nothing but a flash of dark feathers. He glanced back again, only to discover Janrios was even closer than before.

Looking forward, he smiled to himself, imagining all the other activities that stamina could be employed in. Gods! When did I become this perverted?

He banished the images he’s conjured up from his mind and concentrated on the task at hand. He had to get a quick, clean kill. There could be no screw ups, not with Janrios watching.

They were close now. The deer should be just beyond the trees, so he began to slow his pace until he stopped completely. Janrios stayed behind, observing his every move.

Sneaking onward, Iendro continued until the elk came into view. Four cows were lying around a thicket, their stag standing guard. It was indeed a large one. Its antlers were huge; at least four feet form tip to tip. Perfect.

His prey moved with careful steps, conscious of the predators that could be looming in the shadows. Its ears were swiveling around in search of any strange sounds, and for a second, Iendro thought he’d been heard by the elk, as it looked right in his direction. But then its eyes moved away towards another sound. Iendro’s adrenaline was rushing; his heart was beating in his ears. He’d never been so pumped during a stalk in his life.

He loved the hunt. But this was so much more than just that. If he nailed this, he would be one step closer to mating with Janrios.

Glancing back, he locked gazes with his intended for a moment and offered him a confident grin. Janrios smiled and nodded his support, then Iendro turned back to his quarry and crouched lower, ready to strike.

Once the bull looked the other way, Iendro pounced. The does jumped away in fright and disappeared into the thicket, but the stag had no time to react as Iendro sunk his claws into its hide. The animal thrashed violently, trying to wretch itself free, making loud, panicked cries. But the Qyotaul held fast. Baring his fangs, he went for the neck, hoping to kill it quickly and as painlessly as possible. He wrestled the deer to the ground and held it down until it stopped moving. Warm blood was pumping into his mouth, and he felt the elk’s pulse become weaker and weaker until it stopped.

Once the beady eyes lost the spark of life, Iendro released his prey from his jaws. That went flawlessly.

Janrios came bouncing out of the underbrush and inspected the dead animal with an eager look on his face. “Clean kill,” he said, looking up brightly. “Very well done.”

Iendro smiled smugly and got off of the stag, standing back in offering.

Janrios nodded his thanks and he was on top of it in an instant. Iendro gave another step back, watching his mate-to-be attack the deer carcass like it wasn’t dead yet.

He really was hungry, he thought, a little shocked at the rather undignified display.

Janrios held the buck down with his paws and dug into his meal ferociously, blood smearing all over his maw. He tore at the meat and swallowed it after barely chewing, desperate growls escaping his throat from time to time.

It was a while before the bearer had had his full. Once he did, he stepped back and licked his lips clean before looking up at a stunned Iendro. “Thank you. I sure was in needed of that.”

“If you don’t mind, when was the last time you ate?” asked the sire, searching for any meat left on the bones.

Janrios seemed to consider his answer before giving it. “Quite a while ago,” he said, and the vague response piqued Iendro’s curiosity.

He was about to ask more, but then Janrios sat down and smiled sheepishly. “Pardon me for not leaving you much. I’ve been traveling and haven’t had the time to feed myself.”

His brilliant smile cast out all of Iendro’s inquires from his mid. “It’s alright. I caught a boar this morning. I’m good.”

“I’m glad. At least I won’t starve you,” Janrios laughed, and the sweet sound soothed Iendro’s nerves even further.

Gods! He’s so perfect! He’s like something out of my dreams!

Getting a sudden burst of self-confidence, the young sire stepped forward and around what was left of the stag. He approached Janrios until their faces were only inches apart. The bearer’s eyes met his evenly, green unto gray, and waited for whatever the other intended to do.

This sire was obviously inexperienced, coming up to him like this. But Janrios found the impetuosity almost endearing. Iendro had to be at least three centuries old, a pup compared to his many more, but still plenty enough to have mated before. But something told Janrios that, for some reason, he hadn’t. That was strange, but kind of charming at the same time. It made him very happy. He was curious to see what the other did now. He sure had gotten close.

Finally, Iendro opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out, so he promptly closed it again. What was supposed to happen next? He’d never been told about anything past this point in courtship. All confidence lost, he looked away quickly as though he’d heard something in the dark woods.

“What was that?” he asked, raising his ears and pretending to listen.

Janrios looked in the same direction, following along. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“It sounded like-“

“It was probably nothing. Never mind it,” interrupted the bearer, placing his paw on top of Iendro’s.

The sire felt the feathers on his back standing up. They were touching! He slowly turned back and saw the amusement on the Janrios’s face. He felt his face heating up and looked down quickly.

“I’m sorry, I-“

“It’s fine,” Janrios once again interrupted, pressing down on his paw comfortingly. “Don’t be so nervous.”

Iendro chuckled, not surprised that his unease was so physically obvious. Janrios was so sweet, though. He didn’t feel quite as bad. Looking into his intended’s warm eyes, and hearing his melodic voice, all of his nervousness seemed to just melt away. His racing heart slowed down. And his claws relaxed their grip on the earth beneath his toes. It was like Janrios had cast a spell over him, banishing all discomfort from his mind. His naïveté didn’t feel as embarrassing any longer. So he sighed in defeat and admitted the sad truth.

“I don’t really know what to do from here.”

“You’ve made that painfully clear,” answered Janrios, smirking as though he had anticipated his dilemma. He withdrew his paw and sat down in front of his suitor.

It was apparent that if he wanted this courtship to continue, he was the one who would have to steer it in the right direction. But before it went any further, he decided it was prudent to learn more about this young sire. As much as he liked Iendro, Janrios knew that first impressions weren’t always reliable.

“Tell me about yourself,” he asked, tilting his head in sincere interest.

“Oh.” And just like that, all of Iendro’s nervousness returned with a vengeance. Now he’d definitely driven himself to a corner. He should have kept talking, or making a fool of himself, or doing anything to keep them from stumbling onto to this topic. How was he supposed to explain his situation, without making himself look like a coward?

He sat down and wrapped his tail tightly around his legs, making his anxiety all the more obvious.

“I, uh—” his words died on his lips. There was no averting it. He couldn’t lie to Janrios, not when the other was deciding whether or not to place all responsibility for his well being in Iendro’s paws.

If they mated, and Janrios became pregnant, he would depend on Iendro for almost everything, from food to protection, until he gave birth. It was too important a decision for him not to know about his prospective mate’s unfortunate circumstances, and everything they entailed.

Iendro had to tell the truth, whatever the consequences. It was the only right thing to do.

“I’m originally from these mountains. My pack—my former pack, lives a couple of miles north,” he began, looking towards the peaks surrounding them.

“You left your pack?” asked Janrios.

The strange look that crossed Iendro’s face told him that this was a particularly sensitive subject.

“Yes, last spring. My…alpha and I—we had a falling-out. He felt I was a threat to his authority. I left so we wouldn’t have to fight,” explained Iendro, aware of how weak that story made him seem.

Not surprisingly, Janrios was looking at him differently now. His brows were furrowed and his tail was whipping the air behind him. Was he disgusted by his unwillingness to fight his alpha? Any self-respecting sire would have defended his honor, and met the alpha’s challenge head on, leaving only if he lost. But Iendro hadn’t done that. He had refused to fight, because he knew whoever lost would have been either exiled or killed. As was tradition. As was goddamned tradition.

The Qyotaul’s social structure was so simple that it was beyond understanding, at least to Iendro. It was a violent and brutal system. He had no idea why humans revered Qyotaul so much, when they actually lived no differently than any other wild animal. Even worse, since they were conscious of their own instincts and could choose to act against them if they so desired. It made their way of life all the more savage.

They lived in packs, ranging from five to forty individuals in size, though sometimes they could be much bigger. Packs were usually comprised of a dominant pair of life-mates, their offspring, their offspring’s offspring, and some additional individuals who had been accepted into the pack, and their offspring.

During mating season, all eligible sires and bearers left the pack’s home territory in search of mates, usually from other packs. Bearers that conceived and had pups brought them back to the pack. Their mates didn’t follow, but returned to their own packs alone. If they grew fond of each other, pairs that mated once could meet up again on the next mating season and mate again. The ones that that did that usually ended up becoming life-mates, and left their respective packs to start their own together.

The alpha was the strongest and most powerful individual in the pack. He and his mate ruled over the rest of the group, most of which was usually made up by their offspring. All other members of the pack had the right to challenge the alpha to prove their worth. If they won, they were expected to assume leadership and either exile or kill the previous alpha.

When suspected of committing a crime, the only way a pack member could defend his honor was by fighting with their accuser. This allowed for the stronger pack members to do with the lesser ones as they pleased, without fear of repercussion, since it wasn’t likely that the lesser members would risk their lives by challenging them to fight. Not meeting a challenge was the biggest disgrace any could receive. That meant that every single problem or injustice that occurred in the pack was resolved with violence, or simply ignored.

In Iendro’s specific situation, it was the alpha sire who had charged him; with plots of treason. Iendro had run away immediately, like a coward and a weakling would do.

He looked away from Janrios, knowing he’d probably ruined his chances by confessing to his transgression. This hadn’t even occurred to him!

He was an exile, an outcast. He could never dream of returning to his pack, or joining any other in the area. His pack was very influential and well known, so news of his scandal must have spread far and wide by now. What right did he have to mate with such a bearer as Janrios, or any other for that matter? Naosud had been wrong. In truth, he had absolutely nothing to offer, other than disgrace.

“But that’s not all, is it? I can see it in your face; there’s more to it than that,” Janrios declared, with no antipathy whatsoever.

Iendro looked back up sharply. How could Janrios possibly see that? Why would he even ask? Any other Qyotaul he knew would have scoffed in disdain and left him then and there, if he didn’t turn violent. Why not Janrios?

The bearer let his whipping tail drop to the ground and leaned a little closer to his suitor. His expression held an indescribable intensity.

“Won’t you tell me why you decided not to fight? You certainly don’t seem like the sort who would turn down a challenge for reasons of cowardice,” he said with conviction. So much conviction that Iendro could have sworn he knew everything already.

The words and the security they were said with left him breathless. He wasn’t being judged, or pinned as a pariah? Or was Janrios simply taunting him now? He wouldn’t put it past a Qyotaul to try and add wood to the fire in this particular situation. One who has lost his honor is worth less than dirt, after all, and was subject to all kinds of humiliations.

“What sort do I look like then?” asked the sire, eying his intended carefully. He just couldn’t believe his ears.

Janrios leaned back again. He watched him silently for a long while, and Iendro felt as though the other was looking right into him. It was like he was skillfully pealing away every single layer of carefully crafted distrust from around his heart, in order to find the answer to his question.

Finally, Janrios’s penetrative gaze softened, and he replied.

“Since you told me this, even when you could have easily kept it secret from me, I have to imagine you are of a loyal sort.” He looked right into Iendro’s eyes as he spoke, making sure he had every little bit of the sire’s attention on what he was saying. “The sort who would only relinquish his honor for the sake of someone else, in spite of his own dishonor.”

Iendro’s blood ran cold. Why in the gods’ name would he think that?! Janrios was out of his mind, thinking so highly of him when he’d shamed himself so deeply. They had only just met half an hour before, by the gods’ sake! Nobody, absolutely nobody in his pack had given him even the slightest speck of sympathy. He’d been scorned and shunned. And why wouldn’t he be? He’d refused to meet a charge, to the alpha no less. He’d run away. It was the ultimate shame. Why didn’t Janrios think the same?!

He was so completely shocked by Janrios’s good faith that the next thing he said simply slipped out of his lips before he had even thought to say it.

“My pack’s alpha is my Sire,” he revealed, still in disbelief. “My father.”

His eyes locked with Janrios’s. He managed to catch a sliver of surprise in them before it was quickly replaced by a more neutral and expectant expression. It seemed like the other was still waiting for something else; more information, a complete retelling of events, the whole story, before allowing himself to form any further opinions.

Iendro’s breath caught in his chest. No one had ever listened to him, not since the moment he was charged. Not his parents, not his pack-brothers, nobody. No one had bothered. Now Janrios wanted to listen, wanted to understand. He, a complete stranger, trusted him enough to believe he would never willingly betray his Sire.

Those kind green eyes, they held a silent promise of acceptance and forgiveness. They ensnared his soul in a warm embrace, and cast out his fear. Everything that had burdened his heart for almost a year came rushing out of his lips, like water from a breaking dam.

TBC