The One

SEVENTEEN

Teddy was laying in the pond Agnus had brought them to,
they had some time off for a few days.
First time since they had been packed into a cart and plunged into this.

They had eaten something there,
Agnus was politely waiting for them to finish before leaving to find his wolf.
Morten hadn't even realized that's where he went at times.

Kur had been looking deeply thoughtful, touching the golden band on his arm.

"So," started Morten, pointing at his arm, "Is that something slaves get when they are set free?"

Kur gave him a crooked smile,
"Yes, well. It is something traditionally given to a slave that is freed.
A symbol, it covers the mark of a slave and its value should start a slave off in a free world. "
He said, rubbing the armband.

"Talking about wedding gifts... " Agnus mumbled

Kur nodded,
"They are an old tradition. Recently, before the slave ban, they were only truly seen at weddings, if one wed a slave. But that's also because people simply didn't let their slaves go anymore."

Morten nodded.

" What I can't figure out? Is how they knew I wasn't ever freed.
That I used to be a slave?
naturally, if they spy on us all the time they would have seen the tattoo... "

Agnus interjected, " Your brother is in town. "

Kur gaped at him.
" How do you know? "

Morten rolled his eyes, " He has one of the five that actually talks to him? "
He suggested it with an exaggerated gesture.

Kur did a little cough laugh, " what? A woman that actually tells a man secrets and shares information? They will never be allowed to marry, they'd destroy the council with such a good relationship. "

Teddy actually responded to this, " Yes, that's so unlikely.
I still believe he can talk to wolves and speaks with that pup. "

This made Kur giggle in such a manly way Morten started taking notes again on how to behave like a damn man.
Giggling.. was okay.

Agnus stood up from his log.
" Speaking of wolves, I'm going to pet mine. " He said, somewhat grunting from getting off such a low object.

" That could be a disturbing metaphor for something! " Called Teddy after him.

~

Teddy stood there, looking pale.
They had all been lifted out of their beds early to the man's bewilderment,
while being promised a few rest days.

The five, who had also been there, seemed to be as unsure of this early as hell morning event too, which caused even more confusion.

Agnus whispered behind Morten, " This is an unplanned thing. "

Morten looked around and Morten," how do you know? "

Agnus shook his head looking annoyed,
Morten decided not to ask again as he didn't want to lose access to the info.

His concern turned to Teddy, who was standing away from the other men, with councilor Libby.
She spoke, in that old ladies voice that reminded Morten of clan firepit stories.

" We have been in council for the last few hours," she said,
looking at her with this information he understood her wakefulness.

" Because we have sad news." She put a hand on Teddy's shoulder,
" Teddy's brother has had to withdraw from the courting.
His injuries too serious, he has gone home to be in the care of his family. "