Hammers in the Shadows

Part One: Shadows & Ice - Chapter One

Adam grinned wider, "Why do you think I did this?  I'm the same way!  If you're accepting Altair, I'll need to run you by the office, to register it, and so you can get his gear and papers."

I looked over at Altair, who had laid down beside me, with his head as close to me as he could get without getting wet. "I guess that will be our next stop. I can feel him, he seems like a good sort, but I can feel that when him and Caspian get together... that's going to be interesting." I commented before reaching out of the water to give Altair a gentle ear scratch. "Anna is with the cubs, trying to get them sorted out." I laughed at something my mate sent me and winked at Adam. "She says that Kathy is fitting in fine, though Shawn is a lot less comfortable. I hope that he can adapt soon, he's a good kid, but when I told him about where he came from... it wasn't an easy day for him."

Adam got a serious look, "I got that report, and it always is hard.  Maybe introduce him to Fabian, since he's another cat here.  Willow is up helping as well; part of the reason she's my assistant is how good she is with the younger pups."

"Adam that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, turning him." I admitted with my head bowed slightly.  "Killing the one who made me was hard too." I said softly, not sure how my friend would take that admission. "He was lucid in the end Adam, he was aware... of everything and I could see that he regretted it. He believed that we'd dry cave him or worse but I think, from what Olaf told me later, he should be able to have a new chance at life before I die."

Adam nodded, "So far, I have not had to make that choice for someone; a forced turn to save a life is a hard decision.  Zane is the only one here that has had to do it, so it is very rare.  The ending of the rogue seems fitting; he had to die, but as he was accepting them, seems he might be eventually redeemable."

"Adam, I feel that Mikel was guided to the path that he took by his father, indeed my cat knew him when he was alive and from what I've seen of his memories Mikel was full of promise and potential but his father twisted that potential till there was nothing left but that rage filled monster that I faced nine years ago." I told him. "The real responsible party for Mikel's fate is still alive, and he leads his own group now, nor do I have the strength to challenge him. Blackwater isn't as strong as it was before Vladimir took his followers to form that group at Shadow Valley." I was aware that some of what I was telling Adam were things that I'd not told anybody else, but I knew that I could trust my old friend not to spread this information around. One thing that I didn't do was give Vladimir the honour of calling group a Pride, since I was well aware that he really wasn't strong enough to be a true Pride Leader, nor was he trained for it, no matter what he thought in his own mind.

Adam nodded but didn't say anything though I could tell that he had much to say.

"Perhaps this is something best left for your office my friend? I can tell you in more detail about what has been going on in my part of the world since I passed through nine years ago, eh?" I ventured before reluctantly pulling my large body from the water and grabbing my towel. When I was human I'd been more than a little body shy around other people, but in the past nine years of living as a Were had removed some of those inhibitions. "Perhaps later we can talk about these things in greater detail?"

Adam nodded, and heaved himself out.  Brook joined them, interested as well.  Jess smiled and tossed a towel.

"Please Adam, lead the way. Your office I presume?" I asked him.

Adam smiled, "Actually, we share the office," he said, wrapping an arm around Brook, having just pulled on a knee-length sleeveless robe.  Closing the door behind them, Adam sat Brook on his lap, and wrapped his arms around her.  "Now, I read the reports, so you don't need to cover that, but what was not reported for general consumption."