Cold Steps

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King of the Coast, Kerberos

Thick paws moved forward over the smooth stones, and he breathed as his eye followed the trail out deep into the ocean. As he swallowed, the pain of memory laced through his mind and he shifted restlessly, and head tipped back as his blue grey orb hit the sky then slid away. It bothered him, really, to know that this was all he had left. He had never discovered his father's corpse, but the day Zarek left the world was the day he had discovered the pathway down to hell. Zarek had carved it down for him, allowed him to know where his father had gone.

Throat tightened, and he found himself massaging the rocks impatiently. There was no need to deny it, there had been days where he believed that there was nothing to be done. His head cocked to the side and his mouth twisted in a wry show of displeasure. So many stories, so many feelings that had not gone on from being missed. Once upon a time, Kerberos could have claimed himself normal. He could have been capable enough to be considered worth some attention by the sane.

That was years past now; the taste of flesh on his lips and the disapproving feeling that washed over him reminded him of his heritage. There was no need to be ashamed, although his mind quietly mocked his grandfather. Achos had been ashamed of Zarek, all that the crazed wolf had represented. Simply on the fact he had never realized that he had brought into the world a demon. Unlike Kerberos, Zarek's birth had resulted in near death experiences of those around him on a daily basis. The inability to control was morphed into a power that could not be stopped as he slaughtered his way through the lands.

Kerberos had not been so lucky; he had not be raised with terror in his heart from the moment he had escaped the womb. No, abusive words had turned him this way. Scars that were imprinted, destroyed any socialization period he could have welcomed into his world. It was a hopeless feeling that he could not deny, and the hint of rage glanced about his features with the reminder.

The sound of paws on the rocks meant that he needed to humor the voices that headed his way. As he managed to twist himself lightly, his head turned until he brought the male into the gaze of his single eye. It had only been seven months, but the adjustment to the loss of his second eye had been rough. Not that he avoided such conflicts, but instead embraced them. His laughter touched his face for a moment, but it softened. The greeting was issued on a tight voice, his words rambled away from him, "Maxim, my friend. Welcome.”

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MAXIM

Trailing the path of Kerberos was not necessarily a dangerous task, provided you were in his good books. Even then it was dependent on his mood, and that he saw you in a generally favourable light. Conditions, conditions, but fortune would favour the brave, and it had done just that for the better part of three years now. Somehow, where others had come and gone and received beatings and bruisings from the bulky kind of the coast, Max had not once had to feel the burning of teeth in his flesh. Whatever had brought him such fortuity was not taken for granted, and only added to the younger male's obsession with his ruler. His king, who he would live and die to serve.

That was not to say Maxim was reckless in his approaches. He knew better than to sneak up in silence or to question anything the alpha male said. He was noisy when advancing, to be certain his king would not be taken by surprise and want to dole out one of his punishments. He could move without a sound if he so pleased, and often did so out of nothing less than habit, but the moment his eyes fell on that brawny larger male his paws would find a rock, or a stick, something to announce his present without having to speak.

A welcome was what he had hoped for, and it was gladly accepted with a gentle nod of his head. His body had frozen once his eyes were met by the only one of his king, his vision falling slightly when he could be sure his presence was not causing any problems. He dared not to hold the gaze of his alpha, not without a stronger standing for permission.

"My king."

His voice was uttered in a low, respectful tone of genuine appreciation, whole ears folding back loosely against his skull as his vision dropped just a fraction closer to the ground. With a swift and practised motion his front legs would seem to cave beneath the weight of his broad chest, powerful muscles supporting his frame as he allowed his upper body to lower slowly to the ground. Where most offered a bow of their heads, the display of the male was far more intense. Falling into a bow with his forepaws folded beneath his shoulders, his eyes would close and his tail tuck tightly up against his stomach. His voice would rise again, a little louder than before, announcing his reasoning and offering the larger beast every opportunity to send him on his way.

"Your face shows signs of stress, and I can't help wonder what makes it so."

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King of the Coast, Kerberos

How long had the male known the one that approached him? Head cocked to the side and he managed to watch the approach, and prevented himself from appearing sullen. He knew if he mentioned even the faintest of words, they would be taken quite seriously. That kind of power was to be embraced, without a doubt, but at the same time it was valued in the simplistic ways. Tail swished impatiently for a moment as the large male folded himself down onto the ground lightly before Ker, and it offered comfort.

Some things in the world remained constant, how would that be something that warranted a complaint of any type? For a moment, he felt the need to scold himself over the acts that he had created. His head lifted, carefully, and his eye darted from one side to the other of the male, just making sure the coast was clear of anything further that would have bothered him. When his attention returned to Maxim, his head bowed and he reached out, taking the other's muzzle in his jaws for a moment. It was considered to be an affectionate gesture, one that represented a hint of trust between the pair.

 "Stress,” The tone was well humored at the announcement that had escaped into the air. Lips pulled back, exposing his features in a healthy grin. Oh, he planned this well in his mind, but the annoyance lingered in his mind. "Yes... Yes one supposes I could be described as that.” Head turned to the side and tongue flicked over his lips lightly.

"I was reflecting, one supposes.” His head turned away and he found his gaze sweeping over the water. It plagued him, and he could not find the reasoning that brought him to the water. Perhaps there was notions in his mind, but on the other hand, he frowned as he looked thoughtfully at the stones. Oh, he could see them as they slipped down into the dark water.

"Death, I think.” Thoughtful aftermath pulled out of him, and the male offered a disgusted huff of air. It was the last thing that he should have approached the topic of, not when he was such a survivor. And yet, he looked at the water again with his single eye. "Death is what picked me this time around to think about.”

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MAXIM

Trust was a difficult thing to come by, even for the softest of spirits. To give someone trust meant to make yourself more vulnerable, and they both had a hard time showing any kinds of weakness. Kerberos was a ruler, destined to take control before his first breath. The mere thought that he would offer even a slither of faith made Maxim shiver with absolute delight. With a few white lies Maxim had the power to bring Ker's reign crumbling down, but in his heart of hearts the shorter male knew he was not capable of causing so much pain to his one and only friend and ally. In the end the world was out to get them, and it would be just the two standing atop a pile of ashes when the rest of the world burned and suffered at their paws.

Keeping still as his king leaned down and took his muzzle between his teeth, he could almost feel his heart stopping in his chest. Kerberos outsized him with ease, in both stature and muscle. Ker was trusting of Max, but each time they met he was made aware of just how easily the king could cause chaos. Brief as the grip on his nose might have been, that was all it would have taken to crack the bones in his face. Should the dominant see fit his muzzle would no longer be so straight. Trust was a two way street, and few had a balance as delicate as the coastal pair.

Death. Since the passing of Ker's father it had been a difficult subject to approach. While Max had never been graced with the beasts fearsome presence himself, he had heard almost everything about him through the son, about his greatness and his feats, and the countless things he had done to ensure his legacy lived on. While Max had wondered in the beginning whether the father had ever existed, the amount of detail with which Ker spoke was not something that could be concocted as a lie.

"Death is not something I imagine you would fear." He offered his words quietly as he rose slowly back to his feet before lowering his rear and taking a seat against the cold stone behind him. "Rather embrace with cheer." Head bobbed slightly, staring at the back of his king's head and wondering what could possibly be flowing through his brilliant mind. "Dread is not a word that would ever be associated with you, my king."

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King of the Coast, Kerberos

Head tipped to the side as he considered his gatekeeper, pondered what had brought the pair of them to where they were. Long term… companions as it stood. His eyes traced over the beast that was before him, and the half smile touched him for a moment. There was always something about Maxim that reminded him of someone innocent, someone so unnaturally tainted by life. No, Kerberos had never discovered where the crazed attitude had entered the realm but he had found himself embracing any side that was offered up. Never so quick to reject someone that proved of value, after all.

”Ah.” Words were quiet in the acknowledgement, and his head dipped a fair bit as he considered the words. Did he fear death? Was there something in the thought of death that drove him over the edge — no, the wolf decided. He could die this very moment and he would embrace it willingly, more willingly than any female he had ever taken. His eyes pondered again over his coast, and he bristled lightly. ”No fear, my friend, fear is not something that would catch me so quick for death. Perhaps the shock will be when I die close enough that those who will speak of me may call it fear…”

A paw lifted, pointedly glancing at the other wolf. ”But I do not shake with the waiting pondering of the black watch from hell coming to collect me.” To be embraced again with his father would be a pleasure. It would be something that would cause his heart to race. Perhaps on the day he passed on into the second life, he would be finally young again. He would have what ever young male was supposed to have out of his life and not be left as sorrily lacking as he had.

”Rather the question is will my whim stopping me from meeting death early.” Words trickled out intot he air and he tossed his head, amused with the announcement. Would his companion get the implication? Would he understand that the days were numbered in the emotions that plagued him? Perhaps Kerberos was bothered by more than that. But for some time now, he had watched death start their way.

Yes, the winter was coming. There would be no abandonment of his following any time soon. But the mere notion that he had power over his own life was a bit of a rush. The curiosity to see if he could feel that pain. See the horror and fear that had died in everyone else’s eyes that he had ever murdered. Would he ever feel that, or had his mother eliminated it from him?

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MAXIM

Communicating with his ruler was a delicate task at the best of times. There was this tendency to say things, to utter words in tones that did not necessarily make any sense. Lowered ears picked up his voice, and the implication of his words had not fallen on deaf ears, but it was not the first time he had heard such a thing on the air. Whether he would ever embrace death before his time though was an entirely different can of worms. Some days he thought it was cowardice and others he spoke like it was an act of bravery. One way or the other Max was not so easily swayed by the attitude presented, no matter how much he adored his king and alpha.

"None would have the strength, nor the right to stop you." His head bobbed faintly as he tried to get a better read on the face of his king, hoping it might shed some light into the level of seriousness behind the words. There were plenty of cliffs that could be jumped from, or pits to fall in that would never be escapable, but the thought of Ker, the mighty and the honourable creature that he was, putting himself in that kind of a situation? He couldn't see it happening. He could see the king thinking about it, but actually acting was something else.

"You would leave us in ruin though, my king." His lips turned into a smirk, one that vanished almost as quickly as it came across his face. "There's not a soul alive that could take your place, nor so much as resemble even a fraction of you." Honest words trickled with ease, his loyalty shining bright in the tones of his voice as he did all he could to offer the highest of praises. There was a reason Max was so highly regarded. There was a reason the two were so close.

"Can you imagine what the females would do if you were to vanish?" He scoffed, head lowering slightly in a quiet little bow as he mumbled a soft little promise. "I'd sooner follow you than have to deal with them."

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King of the Coast, Kerberos

Paws pushed into the stones until they gave way, then the male was forced to shift his body and turn. Eyes pinned on the lovely creature that he considered a friend, and laughter tickled the air. Stress remained in the single eye of the wolf, but never faltered as he stared at his long time companion. The pup had been such an interesting sport, growing up and bonding with Kerberos like it was perfectly normal in nature. He had grown to appreciate his Gatekeeper, however, and now he could not find himself trying to even consider another. It was a bond, it was not something to be taken lightly.

The male pushed himself over though, breaking the ice. He approached calmly, knowing that the male would be pleased to have his leader so close. His king offered a wolfish grin, while he humored the male with his words. "Fear not, my loyal friend,” Husky words pulled out of his mouth, and he sighed. "I will not abandon you, nor will I leave you with the burden of the dogs I have you watch over.” Mind, however, wandered at the notion of the females. Perhaps this was the time to offer up a warning.

The male heaved a sigh, "I have taken another, I fear. One would would bring yourself to hate more than any other, I would wager.” His words harshly grated, shaking his head. There had been favorites to abuse over the years, Kerberos knew that. While he had never witnessed the male taking an interest in another, the purposeful ways of his Gatekeeper had not gone unnoticed. "I've placed her in my den for the time being.” It was a rarity, it was a danger one his part to take in a female that had not been beaten down. Perhaps that was why death beckoned him, on the account he could be murdered in his sleep.

Not that he wagered Namiko would have the gall to do such a thing. No, there was no evil in her heart, she would not take to murdering. It was, and remained, a risk that could not be considered in some cases. His ears swished on his head, "I fear she will be in your paws soon enough.” Apologetic voice murmured, even as his head dropped and he whispered, almost secretively. Hot breath breathed on the the other's ear,  "She is quite a treasure... defiant, harsh on the tongue, not at all what a king deserves.” And yet, he had selected her. Such a wonder.

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MAXIM

There had been a hidden agenda to his requesting the company of his king and his ruler. The two only met alone when there was business to discuss, arranging the punishment of a female or bringing up the possibility of a traitor amongst their ranks. Granted what they had was still a friendship, but there was always something to be done. There was always something that needed the attention of one, if not both of them and their experienced paws. As it stood this time there had been muttering of extended absences, longer periods of time where the alpha had been out of their presence. The pattern was familiar to Maxim of course, but when others started whispering that he might have business in another land there was a problem that needed to be solved. The announcement of a new female was no surprise, given the change in the kings' appearances.

Still he found himself suppressing a growl in the back of his throat. For a male that claimed to hate every breathing female, he certainly seemed to attach himself to more than he would ever think about. Three. That was the magic number, and this new found female was the final of that trio. Three. That was enough, as far as he was concerned with things. Two would have satisfied any need to reproduce, to strengthen the pack against unlikely war, he couldn't help but feel having a third female available to him was just a matter of self indulgence.

"My mind suspected as such." He nodded slowly in agreement and affirmation, showing that he understood the changes that had taken place around him without even the slightest thought of questioning his choices. "Needless to say, the two remaining wenches weren't sure what to make of your lengthened disappearances." Lips curved into a smirk, knowing he would be called to bring them into line, and that he would have a hell of a time making sure that they knew better than dare ask questions. His words were false though, somewhat, he could not actually say with any certainty that the women had been gossiping, but he doubted they would keep their noses to themselves, and he wasn't about to pass up the chance to drive his fangs into their throats.

"I'm looking forward to an introduction, as is the rest of my body." Tongue flashed across his lips with a show of pleasure and anticipation. Oh yes. He was well versed in the way that Ker wanted his females to be treated. He'd tried and practised his methods with them in the years since being taken under the ruling wing of Kerberos. "When the time is right." He'd dare not to test his luck and ask to meet the girl before the king was ready to allow it. He could only imagine what they were like upon meeting the bulky male for the first time, bright and full of life. By the time he ever got to lay eyes on them, they were usually already taken down a peg or two.

"Here's hoping she proves more useful than Zara could be." That acidic name rolled from his tongue. Oh, the wench had been heavy with what everyone thought to be Max's own pups, and then they were gone. He loathed her for that alone, despite having hated her from the very beginning, just as his king had done. He would follow those ideals to the end of the world and over the edge. The king hated females, then so shall he.

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King of the Coast, Kerberos

Sharing was not a natural thing to any wolf, apart from those within the close family circle. A pack was a makeshift family, birthed out of comfort and necessity. It was something that kept one another from dying unjustly, and thus he knew there was a reason to share his secrets with his Gatekeeper. It had been Maxim who had been with him the longest, but the dutiful Alpha did not mean to let that dictate the way he worked his world.

Eyes swished to the male, and his voice was swift. "Some of your body is not meant to touch this one," Fierce voice commanded, a hint of a growl in his tones. "She is mine, until I wish to dispose of her for leftovers." The ugliness in his tone was blunt, but in another it was an offering of protection. Namiko could be beaten, put down but she would not be raped; oftentimes that would have been considered a blessing in some cultures. In his, it was considered to be the highest of honour.

His chosen three were females granted the slightest spot in his dens was considered to be unheard of. It was something he considered sacred, they were like the demon Shai split into the three that he required. Only if they did not break, eventually they would be deemed useless. They would be given to the wolves, as it was, and treated less than what they were worth out of a kindness. It was better than being torn limb from limb.

"Zara has seen fit to teach her." Nose wrinkled at the words that came out of his mouth, "Merciful as I am, I let Zara have the madness." His dismissive words were amused, his eyes sparkled. "She's not quite gotten over the loss of her litter, she wants to make up for it." His chuckle was hoarse at the concept, but it was not lost on him. There was control that was welcomed into his life through using the beastly affections of Maxim and others. It was why he lived, after all, being granted the power that he had been so often.

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MAXIM

Curiosity was a plague, and it had overcome him with a vengeance. Whatever it was that had made the alpha change his tune about the treatment of his women had his brain spinning with wonder and speculation. The standing had always been that they were at the bottom, free to be taken as anybody pleased. Head tilting slightly as he gazed upon the larger male he forced his mind to rest, placing his trust as always in the decisions of his king, who had yet to steer him wrong in all the years the two had been associated with each other. Dismissed was the thought that this new female had been offered a place higher in the hierarchy than his own. This was only a one-off occurrence, and he was certain this stranger would be put in her place within due course.

"Merciful indeed." His head bobbed gently. "For her at least." Whatever it was that made Zara special, it had saved her life. There was nothing as far as he could tell, but his mind assumed she provided something more to Ker. "Although my desire to lay a claim on her has all but vanished." He offered a rather dismissive snort, tongue flashing momentarily across his lips at the images that flashed across the front of his imagination. Oh, his mind could prove to be most brilliant at times.

"I've been waiting to discover her body half-devoured by your jaws." His smile was broad, as though he was trying to plant the same images in the head of the king. "Suppose I'll have to settle for another beating, considering her having the nerve to question your time." Blinking, his tail twitched slightly with wonder while his mind turned slowly. Was he lying? Perhaps. He was beginning to see how he could influence the pack, though, through what was spoken to the king who was so trusting of him. The king who was so doubtful of everybody else.

"Though not for a second would I hesitate to bring her to your den and have her fate decided." Oh yes. Killing the wench in front of the newcomer sounded like a delightful greeting to the stranger, but also like the perfect way to keep his mind from the paranoia bubbling in with the new-coming woman settling in to her place. "It's not as though she would be missed. It's not as though she has a purpose any longer."

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King of the Coast, Kerberos

Laughter rang in the air, and his head turned to look at the male that had been in his life a long time. What should have been complete trust was held with an edge of suspicion at every turn, and his mouth twisted with a show of pleasure. How clever the male thought he was, how evident his hatred was towards Zara! Humored by the notes that were ringing in the air, he licked the top of the male's head that he treasured for the pain.

"Absolutely not, she's useful." His words were fierce, and his eyes were gentle. "We don't kill females who are good teachers for the others, she already has Namiko off in a fit." The words were fierce, delighted as the tone turned into something crueler. It was hopeless, really, to think he could be saved at this point. While he could be welcomed to have his moments, at the end of the day he had no clue where he would end up. "She has seen the horror that will be her fate for being such a messed up dog. Zara is the very epitome of that, let us not forget." His head bowed, almost like he was about to offer a hint of respect for the female.

"Zara may not ever bring a litter to term again," The acknowledgement was soft, "Did you smell the feast that was her young? It was horrific, most assured." The male seemed aghast at the thought. Quite a feat for a cannibal, without a doubt. But they had not been worthy, thus they had not been consumed. Hell, he could still smell the rot in the ground once in a while.

"Best it be acknowledged, perhaps I'll grow bored and take Zara into my den for a bit. She adores me, you know." The smug tone of his voice was not to be denied, and his tail swished. "I do appreciate a female who has good taste..." Of course, she had been horrified of his companion. The terror in her voice was still like fresh water after a walk in the desert. The desire was dead between Zara and his Gatekeeper, but he suspected it had never existed on either side to begin with. It was just a spurt of envy.