"Because the flower froze
When the dead criminal rose,
Nobody recognizes every sky.
But any dead dog knows,
Never trust a weather girl..."
---The Choir Weather girl
--------------------
They found Lupinithus, the wolf, in the same room where Erin had first seen him. the large canine was reclined amongst a pile of cushions and pillows, clad in the same green adn gold robe, a cunning, thoughtful look on his face.
Lupinithus rose. "Apollo." Said the wolf with a familliar nod. "Good to see you." His sharp yellow eyes passed from the hare to Erin. "I don't believe we've had the chance to be properly introduced." He said. His voice was deep, yet smooth, almost musical.
Apollo dipped his head. "Lupinithus, this is Erin Ruadh. Erin, Lupinithus Phelanit."
Erin stepped forward and sniffed the wolf's nose very politely, but even as she did so she felt herself shudder. Something about this creature wasn't right. It wasn't merely that he was a wolf, wolves being notoriously myserious beasts, but there was something else. Something in those cunning, yellow eyes boded danger of some sort. Perhaps even malice. To Erin, something about Lupinithus simply didn't smell right. But she said nothing, settling down on the cushions when the wolf gestured for them to do so. She let the feeling pass.
"So, young Apollo. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Asked the wolf.
Apollo shifted, a little uneasily, Erin thought. As though he weren't used to being spoken to in that way by Lupinithus.
"We, Erin and I, need to talk to you about something."
"Yes?" The yellow eyes were observing them keenly. They made Erin shudder again.
"Well.." Apollo began. "Erin, you tell him."
Erin licked her lips nervously. "I suppose by now you've heard about the death of Sir Bratis." She said.
Lupinithus nodded. "Mmm hmm."
Erin fidgeted with a tassel on one of the cushions. "Well, it's about the thing that killed him. In his last moments, Bratis asked me to warn the cratures at this castle, paraticularly Apollo, about it."
Lupinithus blinked. "What is it you want to tell me about it? Is it a danger to the creatures here?"
Apollo nudged her. "Yes, what exactly is it? You haven't really explained it yet."
Erin shook her head. "It can't really be explained. I never actually saw it. I only saw what it did..." She faltered for a moment, as the memories came flooding back.
She closed her eyes. "I remember... you could feel it before it came, it was a tingling, buzzing sensation. It would build up, until, suddenly, WHAM! It hit like a lightning bolt. It was death and fear...It knowcked me out, both times I was near it.
"The destruction it left was terrible. I think the only reason Bratis wasn't killed was because he was ready to fight.." Her voice trembled and she stopped.
Lupinithus nodded. "That's enough.
Apollo glanced from the nauseous-looking Erin to the enigmatic Lupinithus. "Well? What do you think?"
The wolf stretched a foreleg out in front of him and studied his claws. "We must do something, certainly. Whatever this thing is, it is a threat to the safety of our land. And of course, we must avenge Bratis' death." He added.
Erin's ears twitched. "Well, at least we know that it can be fought. Bratis was able to defend himself for awile, and I lived through a close encounter with it more than once. So it can't be invincible, right?" She didn't sound entirely convinced.
"Right, I guess." Said Apollo. "We should send out a party to scout, at least, see what it's all about. Maybe actually get a good look at it." He glanced at Erin, who merely rolled her eyes.
"Who's going to lead it?" The vixen asked.
Lupinithus flicked his ears. "Why, you, of course, lady."
"Me!" Erin made a whimpering noise.
"Well, why not?" Said Apollo. "You've got more experience than anyone else. I'm sure you'd do good."
Erin sighed. "Oh fine. I suppose I've got nothing better to do. I owe it to Bratis." She still wasn't sounding very convinced of her own words. "Who else is going to go?"
"That's up to you." Said Lupinithus.
"Well, you know I'm going." Said Apollo. "He was my teacher too, remember."
Erin cast a sidelong glance at the hare. Is that your only reason? she thought. But said nothing.
Lupinithus smiled a wolf smile.
Erin felt herself growing nervous again. She got to her feet. "Well, sitting around isn't going to help us any. We'd better start, uh, making preparations and stuff." She nodded to Lupinithus. "Good day, sir."
Lupinithus remained lying down and nodded back. "Same to you."
Erin hurried from the room with Apollo close behind.
Lupinithus smiled again.