//------------------------------//
// The Trickster 
// Story: Where The Heart Lies 
// by Broman 
//------------------------------//

Quicksilver and Gretchen were frozen on the spot, seeing the tall Diamond Dog stand before them. He wore a red vest over his blue coat. He had muscles all over his body, yet he looked more lean then the other Diamond Dogs Quicksilver had seen. He was quite tall, and upon his back he had a large pack. It had a number of pockets that had who knows what inside. The Diamond Dog kept his broadsword pointed at them, the blade shimmering in the light and casting some reflections within. He kept it there for but for a moment, his blue eyes darting between the two, his smile never wavering.

“I never expected to see guests in one of my caves. Not in this weather, at least,” he said. His sword twisted in his paws before striking into the stone and remaining there. He placed a paw onto his large pack and settled it onto the floor. It was ridiculous in its size, though clearly suitable for his stature. He gave a sigh of relief and sat cross legged on the ground.

“Nothing beats dropping your load and resting your back. It does wonders when you give it rest,” he said nonchalantly. Quicksilver didn’t know if he should be worried or confused by this Diamond Dog’s mannerisms. He gave a certain look to Gretchen, who looked equally baffled, and why it was not threatening them. He looked back to the Diamond Dog, who interlaced his paws and cracked the bones. The audible pops echoed in the cave.

“Um, remind me of your name again. It was…?” Quicksilver began to ask, but stopped when the Diamond Dog gave an eager smile.

“The name is Lupin, my friend,” he said, resting his elbows over his knees and getting warm by the fire.

That’s a interesting name, Quicksilver thought, Why does it sound so eerily familiar?

Lupin took a look at the two and a smirk appeared on his face. “Judging by your conversation earlier, I would say you know each other. Though, in my opinion, you are a bit of an odd couple in my eyes.”

The way that Lupin said that made the two blush instantaneously.

“We’re not a couple!” they both shouted in unison. Quicksilver was flustered while Gretchen raised her claws incredulously, while both tried to speak over each other.

“Why would you think that I was with her!” Quicksilver shouted, speaking over Gretchen.

“This fletching is not my husband!” Gretchen shouted in a higher tone. One of her talons rubbed her arms and she looked at the ground in insecurity.

“She’s doesn't like me that way at all!” He turned his head in embarrassment.

“His wings are not compatible with my own glorious wings!” she extended her own wings for emphasis, while flailing her arms about.

‘She’s cute, but I don’t think I-” he firmly clamped his mouth shut after uttering those words and a hint of utmost regret.

“I wouldn't even think of the possibility…that...” She stopped from her clamor and blinked in mild confusion. “Did you just call me cute?” she looked at him dumbfounded, a hint of irritation in her voice and one of her eyes twitching. 

He pressed a hoof to his mouth, and his eyes widened slightly from his words. Her own eyes narrowed, and a clear vexation grew on her countenance. Without warning, she thrusted her right claw at his neck and pulled him in close, meeting him straight in the eye. Hers were filled with great annoyance that would melt any barrier of composure.

“If you call me cute again, I’m going to pluck that tongue of yours out of your head,” she growled, snarling her teeth at him. She let go, letting him stand on all fours. She then proceeded to give a right hook into his shoulder for good measure. He fell haphazardly onto the ground from the blow and rubbed his bruised shoulder.

“Ow,” was all he uttered, turning to see the Diamond Dog with a paw to his mouth and trying his best not to laugh at the sight. Quicksilver looked back at Gretchen, who still looked bitter and had her head turned away from him. 

He wouldn’t want to say anything like that ever again, even when his life depended on it.

After getting himself up onto his haunches, the Diamond Dog took a deep breath to keep himself relaxed, but he still had that smile on his face.

“You two are quite interesting,” he explained, looking them over. It unnerved Quicksilver to no end with Lupin. He’d barely met the Diamond Dog, and he already gave off a few choice words that threw them off completely.  He looked more like some casual observer over their spectacle. Lupin placed his paws together and rubbed them vigorously next to the fire.

“Mind telling me your names?” he asked once more, still staring at the fire.

“Why would we do that?” Gretchen said bitterly, not looking at him. Quicksilver wouldn't blame her, given their argument mere moments ago.

“It be rude to not do so otherwise. Also, you’re in my cave that I built from my own paws.” 

He does have a point, Quicksilver thought. He cleared his throat to speak.

“My name is Quicksilver. The angry Gryphon over there is Gretchen.” He gestured to Gretchen, who harrumphed in indignation.

“Charmed to meet you both,” he said with a toothy grin. He sighed, until he began to take a breath when his nose began to sniff the air.

“I smell some meat nearby.” His eyes traced to Quicksilver’s sack, who remembered the food was still there. “You mind if I cook some up?” he asked.  

Quicksilver looked at him critically. “You have a giant pack. Wouldn’t you have some food inside there?” he suggested. 

The Diamond Dog gave him a straight face. “I don't have food,” he deadpanned, much to Quicksilver’s chagrin. “What I do got is a number of things for survival,” he explained. 

Quicksilver’s brow raised, and he turned his attention to the sack.

“What do you got in there?” 

“Oh, the essentials. Blankets, some bandages, cooking utensils, ah… tree sap in bottles, traps. Clothespins, big ones. You know, standard office supplies for soldiers on the go,” he said so casually that Quicksilver tilted his head in mild confusion.

“That’s quite a lot, for a soldier,” he mused. 

Lupin shrugged his shoulders. “What can I say, a mercenary's life is never easy.” 

Both Quicksilver and Gretchen looked at him. Quicksilver seemed confused by the explanation, whereas Gretchen bore much cynicism, her face contorting to a scowl over Lupin’s tale.

“A mercenary? I don’t think I know of any Gryphon hiring any Diamond Dogs,” Gretchen explained, her arms folded and a look of irritation on her face.

“Well, I’ve been hired by another group of small importance. Nothing you two would know about,” he explained. Gretchen rolled her eyes and Quicksilver just hummed softly.

This is one strange Diamond Dog, Quicksilver thought.

“What is your job then, for this group?” he asked.

“Can’t tell you much about them. But I was only brought out to hunt some boar around these parts. So far, I only had little luck,” he explained. It was a small enough answer that it only gave Quicksilver more questions. “Speaking of which, that meat?” he pointed again to the sack and Quicksilver sighed. He reluctantly picked it up and handed the sack over. 

“Isn’t that ours?” Gretchen asked, her voice still filled with vexing irritation. He ignored her and allowed the Diamond Dog to grab and sift through it. He grabbed a large piece of meat and marveled at it for a brief moment, a hint of drool falling from his mouth. Lupin then looked to his pack and placed his own massive paw inside and grabbed something within. He then brought out a small dagger, and Quicksilver felt a shudder crawl up his back. 

The Diamond Dog then placed the meat onto the dagger and hovered it over the fire. With his other paw, he opened his pack up and Quicksilver spotted a number of vials and small bottles with what appeared to be various herbs and spices, including one vial that was all black. Lupin grabbed on a small bag and opened it up to reveal a bunch of salt. Lupin then proceeded to grab a pinch and sprinkle it on top of the meat.

“Some salt can never go wrong,” Lupin chuckled, pulling the small bag shut and putting it back inside. “Would you kindly put one of those extra branches onto the fire?” he asked. 

Quicksilver did just that and placed several more branches into the fire, the flames rising higher to encompass the meat.

“Now you’re doing what he says?” Gretchen grumbled, much to Quicksilver’s chagrin.

“Well, I’m not the one armed and neither are you, except for those talons,” he retorted. She narrowed her eyes in disappointment, but the Diamond Dog lifted a paw to them.

“That is true. Besides, I haven’t been ordered to kill you both,” he said in a matter of fact sort of way. 

The two gave an uneasy look to him. Lupin gave a soft chuckle before returning to the meat.

“That’s not very reassuring,” Quicksilver said, a little disturbed by how he said it.

“Don’t worry. I’m a mercenary. I don’t go about killing others unless I’m given good pay for it. So you two are in good paws,” he said. 

Quicksilver couldn’t help but get an uneasy feeling in his gut over his comment. They remained silent for a time, the sound of the meat sizzling on the dagger. The silence made Quicksilver uneasy, and his eyes would dart between Lupin and Gretchen. He wondered what was going on in their heads, but didn’t want to press anything unless there was a moment to speak.

More importantly, why was the Diamond Dog being so friendly with them?

He has seen his share of Diamond Dogs when he fought them in the war. Each dog that he faced and brought down had the sole intention of fighting to the bitter end, and even those brought in as prisoners were fiercely resistant. Yet, here and now, Lupin was something else entirely, and he couldn’t make heads or tails out of him. His demeanor screamed out that he is up to no good, yet the way he acted and his helpfulness to them showed something else entirely.

He began to wonder if in fact Diamond Dogs were more capable of kindness and sympathy than to the ones he had faced.

After another moment, Lupin turned the meat over to cook the other side and he spoke up once more.

“I noticed that your food is quite low,” he began, making the two turn to him in surprise, “It seems you’re not as prepared for this winter if you tend to be out here,” he said. 

Quicksilver looked to the side. I thought I packed enough, he thought, his gut telling him the worst was yet to come. He did pack much during his escape, yet who knew how much the Thestrals had taken or if he had grabbed a smaller sack.

“Fletching was the one who packed the food. I guess he didn’t bring that much,” Gretchen said, not directly looking at him, but a certain sense of animosity directed at him. His ears fell flat as he turned to Lupin, who lifted the dagger up to inspect the meat before putting back over the fire.

“Maybe there is something that can benefit all of us,” Lupin perked up, which caused the two to look at him.

“In what way?” Quicksilver queried.

“It better not involve us doing something stupid,” Gretchen groused. 

Lupin had a hesitant smile. “Well, it will involve you two, but its not stupid,” he explained before clearing his throat. “My contacts want me to hunt wild boar and bring back at least ten boars for them. However, due to my luck, I haven’t found that many boars in the general area. These lands are filled with life, but the winter has forced many to go into hibernation or to stay put in the forests below. I already gave them six of the required task, but I need to find more within a few days. I know of a certain area that is teeming with wild boar, but the herd is always a step ahead.”

“So where is this herd heading now?” Quicksilver asked, curious as to where this was leading. 

Lupin paused for a moment, lifting the meat to inspect it once over before putting it above the fire.

“Last I remember, they were heading north, to a little known grove. I’ve only been in these mountains for a few months, but I’ve traveled past it enough times to know its location. We are at least a few days ahead of them, and they will no doubt be moving quickly to seek shelter.”

“North?” Gretchen spoke, one of her brows curled up at his reply.

“Indeed. And I have a few caves between here and the grove that I had marked. If need be, we can take refuge in the caves until we get to the grounds, where I have no doubt we’ll be seeing the boars make their way there for the winter. Oh… Quicksilver, do you mind coming over and holding this?” Lupin gestured to the dagger. 

Seeing what he wanted, Quicksilver stood up and headed over to him. “What do you want me to-” Before he could finish, he felt an intrusion in his mouth, the pommel of the dagger placed right in between his teeth.

“One second,” Lupin said, going back to look in his pack. Quicksilver groaned slightly as he held the dagger with his teeth. The meat sizzled in the middle and he could see it brown all over. He could hear Gretchen snicker slightly in smug amusement from his predicament. He rolled his eyes, not wanting to look to her. After a few precarious seconds between them, Lupin found what he was looking for, a small knife that had serrated blades on the side. 

“Now hold still,” Lupin said, taking the knife and carving up the meat. Quicksilver couldn’t help but stay still as a rock while Lupin began to tenderly cut the meat, careful to cut strips of meat for himself and for Gretchen. Quicksilver’s stomach growled, making Lupin perk up.

“I take it you want some as well?” he asked. Quicksilver blinked and nodded slowly, careful with the dagger in his mouth. Lupin nodded and offered his paw to the pommel, to which Quicksilver eagerly dropped the blade out of his mouth like a dog’s toy to his owner.

“Like I said earlier,” Lupin said as he cut a good strip of meat. “It would be helpful for me to have aid in getting these boars, while at the same time give you food for your journey to…. where ever you need to go,” he explained. 

Quicksilver nodded to him, accepting the piece of meat and tenderly chewing it. He knew it had little to no nutritional value, but it least kept him from getting hungry.

“Once again, I believe there to be a catch to your plan. Is there anything else you have not shared?” Gretchen asked, ripping the pieces with her beak and chewing at the strips of meat.

“You gotta good eye. I like that,” Lupin said, settling himself with the dagger to cut a few more strips. “It’s true these mountains have life, but not all of it is friendly. The boars will no doubt be converging to the grove, but there will be other predators that will hunt after them. The boars have to cross a frozen river up north from here, and will be moving at a quick pace. Having you two will help make things easier, if not effortless, when the herd comes and we pick off the weaker animals,” he explained. 

Quicksilver exhaled, thinking of the plan. It would no doubt be hard to take such creatures, and it would be perilous if other predators came for them and scared away their prey. However, the pay off would be they would at least have food for a long journey, and if Gretchen could get him out of the mountains, he would no doubt be set on his travel.

Even if it meant letting Gretchen go to her own people. It was then he made his decision.

“I think it’s doable. It would be helpful to get supplies for the journey ahead.” He had his answer, and Gretchen looked at him with a firm conviction. She then reluctantly nodded her head as well, taking another quick bite and tearing the meat in her talons before moving to the corner of the room.

“Excellent!” Lupin said, taking the last of the meat that remained on the dagger with his teeth and devouring the remaining meal. He then shifted a paw into his pack, pulled out a small parchment and laid it down on the ground. Upon inspection, it was a map of what looked like a valley within High Talon Mountains. It was detailed to some degree, marking big locations such as mountains or certain rivers, but more importantly to Quicksilver it could mean a way out of the mountains.

“This map is what I made of the surrounding areas. The boars will be converging here,” he pointed to a area that was marked ‘Grove’ on the parchment. “If the boars get there before we catch them, they will be cloistered up until spring comes and we miss our chance. 

“We are about ten to twenty miles or so away from here.” He dragged his paw down and tapped on the spot on the map. “If we leave by early morning, we can get there within a few days at the very least,” he finished, rolling the map back up and putting it in his rucksack. Quicksilver could easily be there within an hour weren't not for his wings still in pain, and would not to risk them in this weather.

Quicksilver looked at Lupin, a bit puzzled.

“Morning? I thought it was already morning,” he said, looking to the outside and seeing the snow slowly coming down.

“Actually we just had dinner so I would say it is therefore night,” he explained in a matter of fact tone.

I wonder how long we have been out? Quicksilver pondered, settling down near the fire. It couldn’t have been that long ago when they fled from the Gryphon fort and escaped the Nomad’s talons, yet he couldn’t imagine being knocked out for a whole day with Gretchen. Maybe they were more worn out then he initially thought.

While he brooded over the possibilities, he didn’t notice Lupin’s actions until he presented something furry in front of him. He blinked once, looking at the hairy object before him. He turned to Lupin, who had a small smile.

“Might want to give this to your companion if you don’t want her to be cold,” he said softly, offering the blanket to him. 

Quicksilver rolled his eyes at the comment and reluctantly grabbed the blanket. He felt the soft textures, and noticed it was warm to the touch. He turned to Gretchen, who stared at the wall and was silent. No doubt she was ruminating over everything and looked like she didn’t want to chat. He went over to her anyway, unwavered if she decided to lash out at him. Once at her side, she still remained where she was, still quite as ever.

“Gretchen,” he spoke softly, offering the blanket to her. She looked at him, her displeasure still visible. “Here, you can have this and-” He didn’t get to finish when she yanked the pelt away from him and wrapped it over her shoulders. He backed away, seeing she still didn’t want to talk to him. He humbly left her side, not wanting to incur her wrath. He went to Lupin, who was settling his pack to the side and grabbing another pelt from within his pack, though this one looked more like a blanket then a actual pelt.

He didn’t want to know what animal the Diamond Dog skinned it off of.

“She appears to be very complacent,” Lupin observed, giving the blanket over to him. 

“Yeah,” Quicksilver took it and moved to an adjacent wall, wrapping the blanket around him. It was warm to the side and took the chill from the cold outside. He then looked to Lupin, who looked ready to doze off. 

Yet there was one lingering question that remained in his mind.

“Lupin. We’re complete strangers, and you treat us like we're the best of friends. Why is that?” he asked. 

Lupin opened a blue eye and gave a small chuckle. “I was always told by my mother that if you’re always kind to strangers, strangers will be kind to you,” he said, closing his eyes and resting for the night. 

Quicksilver just stared at him. He didn’t expect such an honest reply such as that. He had met Diamond Dogs who were nothing but mindless brutes, as he had fought them in a number of engagements like the Battle of the Crag. 

Yet, here and now, Lupin was by far the opposite. 

Not wanting to delve it any further, he decided to huddle close to the wall and get a long rest. He traced his eyes over to Gretchen, her sleeping form resting on the wall opposite of him. It pained him a little that she didn’t want to speak to him, but it was his fault for provoking her. But given their current situation, they would need to work together to overcome this challenge, and by some chance, mend the wounds that they had lashed at one another.

She may hate him for taking her away from her fellow Gryphons, but at the very least, when he gets out of these mountains, she will be free to do whatever she wishes.

He closed his weary eyes, hoping to get a good night's rest. However, one lingering thought remained on his mind as he drifted to sleep.

Lupin. Where did I hear that name before.