Chrysalis

Grey tried to suppress his growl of frustration, holding his wolf-like features in an expression of quiet contemplation. Despite his best efforts, his hands twisted as if wringing the neck of his guest.

“That seems quite unfortunate,” he said.

Sitting opposite, across a low table that held two cups of steaming tea, a fellow member of the Folk sat, a wolf, same as Grey. Red shrugged, causing the blade, still in its sheath, on his lap to clink as it shifted.

“Discussions on a matter this serious are always deliberate and careful. They can’t be rushed. If the wrong conclusion were reached, it would be a disaster for us all.”

Such an obvious statement. It was so blindingly obvious a newborn mole-folk, who hadn’t even opened its blind eyes, had seen and understood it.

Peace, like a lily on the pond. Float above, as the anger sinks below.

“Discussions on this very serious matter have been ongoing for…” he pretended to think, “why, several months now. Were they to move any slower, we may be accused of being incapable of making decisions for ourselves. I would hate for our leaders to be accused of being doddering simpletons, lacking in wisdom, or the capacity for speech.”

Nice job keeping your calm, Grey.

Despite remonstrating himself for his less than diplomatic choice of words, the old wolf didn’t regret them. Discussion between the various Enclave leaders had dragged on, with none willing to make definitive steps for or against any proposal.

Regardless how they attempted to dress it up, they were being indecisive, which did impact on their reputation. The more the Folk appeared to bicker back and forth among themselves, the less unified the front they presented to the outside world. It was that front that had protected and preserved them through the dark days.

Red did not appear perturbed by the harsh words, though a slight edge in his tone gave away his irritation.

“The opinion of outsiders is of no concern to me, or to any of the Folk. We walk our own trail, as we always have.”

Complete and utter nonsense.

others in the past year then?” Grey observed. “An interesting

sure you are aware that they have,” Red

our prowess? That would be as if our perceived competence and strength were direct contributors to our wellbeing and safety. Which cannot be the

he could bow at the waist, smirking as he did so. Silence reigned between the two as the tension thickened in the air to the point it could be

upright posture and slouched

you for the seat,” he sniped, “you lack patience.

once more. “Expecting you to move faster than a titan-stone caterpillar is lacking patience? This is why father didn’t entrust the sword-school to

dare you?!” Red snarled

growling and glaring

behind the screen that led to the next

“What is it, White?”

intervene if you and your

continued to stare with anger-filled eyes at

is a diplomatic exchange

“Master….”

Silence… then.

as did Red, allowing the anger

reveal White kneeling patiently, a placid

like more tea?” she

you,”

are fine, thank

his apprentice, bowing before she slid the panel shut once