Clyde sighed, as he paced around the room. He had put this off for far too long. A sigh left his lips as he stared out the window of the manor. His soon to be wife was the queen of Arri. They haven’t really talked about what happened after. Was he going to be king? Or would he take up his last title, Prince Clyde. Bringing his eyebrows together, he didn’t want to think of such things. He had his niece to worry about. She was the second to be born in the Vladimir family. He only met her once before, when she was a child. When he roamed these lands. Would she remember him?

Memories flooded through his mind of the day his sister was put to death. He searched for Katerina, but never found a trace of her. Now with his newer power of mage magic. He was able just think of someone’s name and send them a parchment.  With everything that happened with his daughter and then Angelique, he didn’t have time to see her or find her. Trying to find his daughter and Katerina would've taken a toll on the elemental.

Holding the paper before he he stared down at his scripted writing.

Dearest Katerina,
I have searched for you for so long. I wish I could of found you
When your mother and father died. Now with this new found gift,
I am able to send this letter to you wherever you are.
I live in Arri now. In the manor of the Yellow Queen.

I don’t think you will remember me. You were just a young child
When we met. I wish we were able to spend more time together.

Please come see me, I need to see you. It’s time for you to know
you have family.

Your Uncle,
Clyde.

Folding up the letter, he held it in his hand. Her name was the only thing he thought of before the parchment burned in his hand and disappeared.

“Hopefully this letter finds you, Katerina Silverstein.” He said aloud as he looked out the window.

Katerina sat down in front of the pile of blood that was from her soon to be husband. Well, now dead husband. He was going to leave the guild of Assassins he was in. She knew how dangerous it would be. She told him over and over, but he wanted to do the right thing.  “He was a good man.” She thought as she stood from the chair. She picked up her bag, she usually only carried around what she could carry. Her eyes looked around the room. She had called this place home for a little over two years. Finally resting to raise her child without moving around so much. Now it was time to say goodbye.

Before she could take one step away from the chair, something appeared before her. It floated down from above her and into her outstretched hand. She dropped her bag onto the ground and opened the letter. A gasp left her lips. Her Uncle was alive. Alive and wanting to see her. Tears filled her eyes as her free hand laid over her stomach. She needed to see him. She thought he was dead all these years.

Folding up the letter, she shoved it into her pocket, picked up her bag and headed out of the house. Walking out, she saw Kiyomi with a frown on her face standing next to her white horse. “Mother, Where we headed?” She asked as she jumped onto the back of the horse, name Storm. “Arri.” Katerina tied her bag onto Athena’s back. A pure black horse with wavy hair. “You haven’t ever been there. Somewhere new?” Athena neighed at her rider. “Were going to visit family.” Katerina said sitting down on the saddle. “Mom? Family?” Kiyomi wondered, her mother always said that she didn’t have anyone else but her and Eden. “I’ll tell you on the way. Let’s go.” The wolf demon clicked her tongue and the road down the path out of the forest. Leaving that house and the grave next to it. The man she once loved now laid six feet into the earth. His ever lasting resting place.

Howls erupted behind them along with a roar of a tiger and lion. Katerina and Kiyomi’s companions followed close behind.

With a knock on the door, Clyde went to answer. It had only been a few days since he had sent the letter to Katerina. He hadn’t heard anything back. While he waited he asked the servants to look up his nephew, Wilhelm. He had heard rumors about his death and wanted to know for sure. “We found him.” The man handed him a note then left. Closing the door, Clyde opened the parchment. He stared wide eyed at where he was. “Highlands?” He said the word aloud. He had been hiding amongst the people.

That was when he quickly got some parchment and ink and started to write quickly.

Dear Wilhelm,
I have thought you were dead all this time.
I am sorry I didn’t look for you harder.
Please come to Arri. Your sister, Katerina.
Will be here soon. I know you haven’t met her yet.
But she is alive and well. She doesn’t know of you.
I think it is time for us all to meet. We are family after all.

Your Uncle,
Clyde

Holding out his hand, he sent the letter the same way he did before. Hopefully he would get this note. They needed to meet. Especially, Katerina and Wilhelm. “I can’t believe you're alive.” He said with a sigh. His family was alive, and they would soon meet. Before he walked out the door, a note appeared before him. “We will be there in a few days. K.” He read the words out loud and a smile cross his face. Katerina was coming, and he hoped her brother would too. He had too, how could he say no to meeting his sister. Then he re read the letter. “We? Who is We?” He asked aloud to himself. Maybe she had a husband? Children? He couldn’t wait to see. He left the room to join Lily down stairs.

He then remembered, the date was set. They would soon be married. He couldn’t wait for that either.

Wilhelm stared out into the ocean. His eyes sparkling against the rays of sun that bounced off the ocean. When his net was pulled, he looked down into the water. He finally had a catch. Taking a knee, he leaned back as he pulled up the net and then threw it over the side of his boat. Fishes moved this way and that trying to get free. “Good catch.” He said to himself with pride. It had been a long time since he had traveled anywhere. Taking up residence in a small village near ocean, he didn’t want to travel anymore; every few hundred years he did this. He needed some down time every once in awhile; a chance to breath.

Grabbing hold of his oars, he stuck them in the water, and went back to shore. The shore was only a few miles off and it didn’t take him long to reach the village. While jumping out of the boat, a few men came up to him; they were ready to buy some fresh fish. “Here ya go.” Wilhelm said as he traded with the men. “How’s the kids, Ed?” He asked as he one of the men paid him. “They’re doing great. Keep saying they want to ride the wolf again.” The villager, Ed, said with a laugh. “Ha! Maybe!” Wilhelm smiled with a wave as the men walked away. He had gotten to know the people of the village, even the children. Telling stories of the places he traveled to the children was the best time he ever had. He also let them ride on him in his wolf form one time.

Recalling the fun times with the children made the wolf smile. He knew he would have to leave sometime. He couldn’t stay in one place for too long. With a sigh, he pushed the thoughts from his mind and tied up his boat. The sun was setting and it was time to eat.

It wasn’t long till he reached his hut, made dinner for himself with a few fish he kept, then went to sleep.

The bright morning sun shone brightly as it hit his open windows. That wasn’t the only thing that was bright. Fire seemed to erupt above him, making the wolf jump and roll out of bed. “Holy shit what the hell was that!” He cursed as he dusted himself off from the ashes on his sleepwear. Coughing from the small amount of smoke, he slowly creeped up to look on top of his bed. His eyes appeared just above the cot. A piece of parchment laid smoking on his bed. “A letter?” He said as he grabbed it.

As the wolf read the parchment, his eyes widened. “I HAVE A SISTER!” He yelled happily. “And an uncle.” He smiled wide. He couldn’t believe what was happening. Wilhelm knew it was finally time to leave the village.

By mid day, the wolf was packed and ready to go. After his farewells, he jumped onto his horse. He had family and didn’t want to waste any time. With a click of his tongue and soft kick to the horse, he road off towards Arri.

It had been two days since they set out for Arri. Katerina didn’t know how Evangeline would do on the trip but she was doing really well. The baby was wrapped up against Katerina’s chest so she was able to guide horses that pulled the covered wagon she had just bought. Athena pulled the wagon slowly, she didn’t want the warmth of the desert to harm her.

“Mooooooo,” The sound of a cow echoed behind them. Having a baby meant having a cow with them at all times.

“How long till we are there, Mama?” Annette leaned over the opening of the wagon to speak to Katerina. “Should only be another day, sweety.” The wolf demon put both reins in one hand so she could wrap an arm around her newly adopted child. It had been only a month since she took her and her sister in, and they only recently started to call the wolf Mom.

Leaning over slightly, Katerina kissed Annette’s head. “Mama..Mama…. Mama.” The soft voice from the back made the wolf smile. “Yes, Freya?” She called over her shoulder to the toddler. Freya moved up along the wagon to where Katerina sat, she squeezed in between her sister and her mother. “Want a kiss too?” Katerina giggled out. “Yes!” The little girl’s face glowed with a smile. Katerina obliged her with a smile then looked ahead.

Just ahead of them was Kiyomi, a smile crossed her face seeing the interaction of her new sisters and mother. The moment warmed her heart as she watched. When Katerina looked forward again, her eyes caught sight of her eldest daughter. She blew a kiss to her which made Kiyomi giggle a bit then look ahead.

Kiyomi and her mother had traveled to most of the land on Canelux, but never Arri. She didn’t know why and decided to ask. “Mom, why didn’t we ever go to Arri when I was little?” The dragon asked over her shoulder. Her mother glanced over at her and shrugged. “I’m not sure, I guess I just love the wildernest better. I’ve heard that this place has a lot of… stone.” She answered. She really didn’t like to be closed up. She loved the trees and the wild. Kiyomi understood that, she loved every chance to spread her wings.

“Let's make camp here.” Katerina pulled the wagon into a stone area. It looked like it used to be a castle of some sort but had fell prey to aging. Stopping the aging, she jumped off of the wagon and walked around to the back. “Hey girls.” She smiled as she grabbed hold of Annette. Lifting her she set her child on the ground, then she did the same to Freya.

As Katerina took care of the girls, Kiyomi tied her horse to the back of the wagon, and then went to look for wood. It wasn’t long until the fire was going and dinner was done. They all say around the fire and enjoyed the heat. Katerina smiled down at the baby as she fed her warmed cow’s milk in a bottle.

After they all were fed and happy. They all laid in the wagon and soon fell asleep. By mid day tomorrow, they would be at their destination.

A few days had passed before the wolf reached the gates. He stopped looking up towards the large archway. Taking out the letter from his uncle once more, he read the directions to where he was staying. During the ride there, the wolf had his doubts. Was this really his uncle? Did he really have a sister? Or was this a trap? He had made enemies in the past.  Whether this was a trap or not, he had to find out if he really had family. The wolf had been alone for too long.

With a click of his tongue, his horse started to move. His eyes looked around at the flowers that seemed to take over every inch of the path besides the white stone beneath his horse's hooves. Leading his horse into a small horse chorale,  he tipped the keeper and continued his way on foot.

Blue eyes looked from one woman to the next as they passed. Will smirked at a few of them, only to get a gasp and the women running way. The man shrugged and continued on his way. He didn’t care because there was more “fish in the sea.” He laughed at the thought and continued on his way. Soon the bazaar came into view and instead of going where he was supposed to stopped and decided to look around.

His eyes looked from one seller to the next. He was amazed by all the natural items they were selling. Will’s eyes soon landed on some leather armor. “Whoa. This is really nice.” He said softly as he touched the black leather coat with a high collar with studs. The arm-guards and leather pants went well together. “You look like a man who needs some armor.” The merchant smiled as he came over. “You don’t have to pitch anything to me, sir. I want it.” Will stated as he tossed a bag of coins to the man. “You have good taste.” The man said with a smile as he tied the coins to his belt. “Yes. Yes I do.” Will nodded in agreement.

As soon as the armor was off, Will didn’t want. He used the man’s private space to put on the armor, the leather coat on over his black tunic and slipped on the leather pants. He quickly tied up his black boots and nodded. He was happy with what he had bought, plus it looked good on him. The leather was lightweight but durable.

With that, he left the bazaar and headed to his uncle’s place in the yellow district. When he reached the door. He looked up and around with wide eyes. His uncle was sure rich. With a few knocks, he waited. His hand on his sword on his hip, ready for anything.

Some days had past for the elemental since he sent out the letters to his family. He received noticed from Katerina that she would be there in a few days, but nothing from Wilhelm. Clyde sighed as he walked back to his new home. He smiled happily at the thought. This was his home. It had been a long time since he felt like he belonged. It was the people around him that made him feel like this was home; Lilly would be his wife soon, he would soon have another child, Angelique had come back into his life and knew the truth. “Everything is falling into place.” He thought with a smile. Soon his niece and nephew would join him and his life would be complete.

Opening the door he entered his home; no one was hope yet. So the house was quiet. Clyde would always give the servants a day off here and there. They appreciated them for that. Being in a house with Lily and her daughter could get to anyone. He didn’t mind at all, he was too happy having a family of his own. Soon he would be able to watch his new child grow.

As he entered the house, he put up his black coat on the hook beside the door and headed towards the first living area. A sigh left his lips, he was getting anxious. He wanted to see his family. He met his first nephew when he was only a baby. He frowned at the circumstances that lead WIlhelm away from the family. Katerina on the other hand, he had met when she was about six years old; hopefully she would remember him. It had been so long.

The elemental’s eyes spotted the empty fireplace, and he finally noticed how cold it was in the house. Grabbing a few pieces of wood by the fireplace, he tossed them in. Not wanting to use any matches, he lit a small fire in his hands and shot it at the wood. Crackling filled the air as the fire roared to life. His eyes locked on the flames as the danced; his mind silent.

The knock at the door made him jump. “Kat?” He thought to himself as he headed for the door. Clyde’s hand circled the handle of the door and pulled. A man stood there staring at him. The elemental stared into the eyes of his sister. “Wilhelm… come in come in!” Clyde’s lips lit with a smile. He stepped back to let in the man. After he entered he closed the door and ushered him into the living area. The elemental motioned him to sit across from him on the couches, and sat down at the same time as him.

“You look like your dad… but you have the eyes of your mother.” Clyde said with a smile. He paused for a moment. The silence looming over them for a few moments. “I haven’t seen you since you were a babe…. When you went missing, I came back and tried to look for you with your father and mother. We couldn’t find you. We had no hope of finding you. There was no trace….” The elemental sighed. “It wasn’t until your mother had gotten pregnant with your sister we stopped. I had to return home as well to help my sister. I'm sorry…. I'm sorry we couldn’t find you before…” Clyde trailed off thinking of the death of his sister. “Your sister… She should be here soon. Also, if you have any questions, feel free to ask anything.” Clyde finished as he sat before his nephew.

Wilhelm was about to turn and leave when the door opened before him. The man standing looked like his mother. He hand to hold back a gasp as he stared at the man with golden hair. The man said Hello and motioned for him to come in. The wolf didn’t say a word as he followed the man inside. He wasn’t sure of what was happening but was hit by grief. The man looked like his mother, and the last time he saw her, she was being put to death. He swallowed hard as Clyde showed him to a living area where they took their seats.

Will couldn’t speak at first, his words lost to him as he stared at the man. He couldn’t get over the fact that Clyde looked so much like his mother. He now knew for sure that this wasn’t a trap, this man really was his uncle. The man before him wasn’t looking to hurt him. Will dropped his hand from his sword and laid his elbows on his knees. He leaned forward listening intently but still not speaking. What words could a man say to this? How could he respond. Will hadn’t thought about his family in a very long time.

“A sister….” He thought to himself. He was excited to have family, but at the same time scared. Or was it something else? He didn’t know.

When Clyde finally stopped speaking, Will nodded. He didn’t want it to seem like he wasn’t listening, he heard every word the man before him had to say. After a few minutes of silence, the wolf finally spoke, “I was kidnapped.” The words that finally left his lips made Clyde lean forward. “I was kidnapped and sailed across the sea’s to an unknown land. Sold along with another girl my age, Julia, and an older man named Charles. I lived there for a long time.” The beatings he took flashed through his mind. “I escaped seventeen years after and came back…at the wrong time.” He swallowed at this and didn’t want to talk about it anymore. Clyde knew enough. Maybe he would understand the last part. The moment of his parents death flashed through his mind. He couldn’t believe he would come to town the moment his family was put to death.


“So you have a sister. That means I have an Aunt as well.” Will smiled at the comment. “When will I meet her and my sister?” He asked hopeful in the greetings. He honestly couldn’t wait.

Clyde sat there before his nephew. His heart sank when Will spoke of what happened to him. His nephew, his blood, was sold into slavery. If only he found him sooner, Will wouldn’t have gone through what he had. A sigh left his lips as he listened. He wanted to cry for his nephew. Sadness continued to grip his heart.

“I am sorry you had to go through that. If you ever want to talk more about it, I am here to listen.” He never knew what slavery was like, he had been a free man since he was born. All his understanding was from the stories he had heard. Some owners could be crew, others sincere and nice. Clyde hoped it was a nice owner, but from the tone of his nephew, he knew otherwise.

“Wait.. You…You came back?!” Clyde sat up straighter and stared at his nephew. Will knew of his parents death. A frown crossed the elemental's lips once more. “Your parents… They loved you so much. I hope you didn’t see how they’re life ended, it wasn’t very…” His voice trailed off. “Your parents didn’t do what the charges said. They weren’t those kinds of people. Your father was a hardworking man who cared deeply for your mother. My sister…She was such a kind person.” As Clyde spoke about his sister, he turned away to stare at the fire, trying not to cry. Grief always came in waves, even years after. Today would be a hard day.

Will soon spoke, his thoughts on his sister and Aunt. “Yes. I shall call for your aunt. Your sister though, she should be here by tomorrow. She sent me a letter a few days ago. She is bringing some company.” A smile crossed his lips. He hoped deep down the “we” were children.

Clearing his throat, Clyde stood from his spot on the couch. “Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich? No one will be home for quite awhile. My fiance’ is the queen of this district, so she has a lot on her plate. And her daughter isn’t home that often.” Finishing he motioned for his nephew to follow him. The elemental lead the Will into the kitchen and pulled out a chair. “If you like I can take you on a tour of the city after we eat. There is lots to see here.” Stopping in his words, Clyde turned to look at his nephew. He was swirling with so much emotions. In a quick movement, he hugged Will tight. “It's good you're here,” the elemental said as he pulled away. His hands on Will’s shoulders. “It has been too long.” With a pat on his shoulders, Clyde pulled away and started on the sandwiches.

When he finished the sandwiches, he sat one plate in front of Will at the bar and took his beside him. “Thank you for coming, Will.” He said with a smile then started to eat his food. Sending a mental message to his sister to come visit as soon as she could.

The wolf demon decided she didn’t want to wait any longer to reach her destination. She made the decision to keep moving, and only stopping to let her girls to stretch their legs. During the night, Katerina would have the girls sleep in the wagon as she made her way across the desert. She saved one day of their voyage just by not sleeping during the night. Kiyomi would force her mother to sleep during the day a few hours and Kiyomi took the reigns.

Among many of the talks Kiyomi and her mother had, only one was the most important. They were almost to Arri and Kiyomi was sitting next to her mother while her sister’s slept. The sky was filled with many oranges and reds; the sun was raising. Kiyomi couldn’t wait any longer for her mother to speak, so she asked, “What was the letter you got about?” The young dragon didn’t know that this would raise so many memories in her mother's mind.

Katerina was quiet for a moment as they made their way through the edge of the rainforest. “It was a letter from my uncle.” Katerina took a deep breath as memories rose in her mind. She only met him once, but she still remembered him. His kindness, the way he smiled bright. How close her mother and him were. “I thought he was dead?” Kiyomi questioned. “This is another uncle, from my mother’s side, Uncle Clyde.” Katerina’s voice was low, not wanting to wake her children just yet. “Mom…..Why don’t you talk about your mother?” Kiyomi asked and didn’t expect the story her mom would tell.

The wolf demon sighed at her daughter’s question. She knew it was time to tell Kiyomi about Katherine, Katerina’s mother. The wolf demon started off with where she lived and how happy her life was, until her uncle “Black wolf” came into the picture. He set up her parents and after he left without a trace, her parents were put to death. She explained how her uncle was killing innocent people to get back at his brother, her father. “Just because Katherine’s married him and not my uncle. The town council put to death my parents thinking that they were the people doing it. Even though my father helped around the town and my mother helped with the orphans.” Katerina paused in her words to take a deep breath. She didn’t want to cry she couldn’t.

After the story was over, Kiyomi sat there quiet. She couldn’t believe her mother had been through what she had and was still standing. Scooting over she put her arm around her mom and snuggled into her. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost you, mom.” Kiyomi whispered into her mom's shoulder as tears filled her eyes. “You will never loose me, love.” Katerina put her arm around her daughter and squeezed her tight with one arm. Her lips kissed her head and she tried not to cry.

A few moments of silence passed before the large stone walls came into view. “We’re here.” Katerina said letting go of her daughter, so she could sit up. “Whoa. This place is beautiful.” Kiyomi’s voice rose higher, excitement filling her.

Evangeline started to cry, making Katerina turn around and scoop her up to snuggle her. “Good morning, sweetheart.” Kat smiled down at her daughter. The one she thought she lost but was given back by her best friend. “Mmmm.. Mom..” Annette sat up while she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Are we there yet?” Annette barely opened her eyes before she gasped. “We’re here!!” She yelled excitedly. “Yay! Yay! Yay!” Freya cried out as she leaned against the seat of the wagon between her mother and oldest sister, her fox ears twitching this way and that.

A laugh escaped Katerina as she watched her daughter's excitement grow. They were there and it wouldn’t be long until they were at the door of her uncles.

Freya and Annette, excited, knocked on the door before Katerina and Kiyomi got there.