Aeternum

Ashiel braced against the wind as the storm grew in intensity. It bit through his fur, right into his flesh and he began to grow concerned as he tried to search for shelter.  Carefully he slid down an embankment, keeping an eye on the boys. His attention was torn between looking for shelter and making sure Malleus' pups were alright. He'd never live it down if something happened to them while out on this venture. He heard Pyrrhic call out that he saw a cave.

"Good work, Pyrrhi- Hey! Be careful!" Both boys dashed off toward the cave entrance. It seemed to small for a bear but it was hard to know if something else could be hibernating or seeing shelter from the storm. While the boys were growing well they were not yet yearlings. Ashiel quickly caught up with the twins, Griff clinging to his back. As soon as they reached the mouth of the cave Griff flew in and Ashiel swiftly followed. He had to squeeze in, nearly getting stuck at one point but he exhaled and soon had enough room to slip inside. Once in he shook out his coat and settled down, waiting to make sure the boys had enough bedding for making a place to settle in himself.

"Don't suppose you know any good stories, hm?"

Hmmm… Ashiel pondered. "I know a great deal of stories." The question would be if any of them were of interest to the rowdy pups.  There were many possibilities from legends to history to their family. "I suppose I can tell you the story of the two princes. I'm sure you've heard the story of the Fallen god from Malleus. Did you know that he had a name? Lord Abraxas. We take his name to honor him and as a testament to the world of our lineage. This Mighty Lord for whom we're named fell to the mortal world with a number of lesser gods who had chosen to follow him. Of these was a trusted general, a woman of fierce skill and incomprehensible beauty. They soon married and bore a litter of pups. Of these many pups were two dark-pelted princes. One born right after the other." Ashiel picked his words carefully. There was so much to tell in the legend, so many lessons but he didn't want to lose their attention by telling the reasons why they had decided to have children, when they first learned they were cursed with mortality.

"The princes grew strong and handsome. They were clever and their skill in battle was truly impressive. One day, when they both turned two years old, Lord Abraxas decreed that they were to go and explore the mortal world. He blessed them and sent them on their way. The princes travelled, each with a small group of trusted warriors until they reached a fork in the road that they'd been taking. Deciding it was time to split up they bid each other farewell." Outside the wind was still howling but Ashiel continued on with his tale, hoping that everything would be calm by morning. Even if the storm let up in the next hour he didn't see a point to traveling when it was this late.

"The oldest prince arrived at the border of a strange, mortal pack. Black feathers littered the border and black pelts covered the entrances to dens. Sounds of wailing and mourning could be heard from within the border. Curious, the prince called for the leader of the mortal pack to meet with him. An old, scarred wolf appeared at the border, clearly weighed down by his burdens. When the prince asked why everyone in the pack was mourning the king replied. 'A foreign warrior arrived out of nowhere. He is terribly strong. He demanded that I give him my pack and my only daughter unless someone can defeat him in battle by the time the waxing crescent moves across the moon. I am old and so I sent my finest warriors but all of them were defeated, including both my sons.'

"Sensing opportunity the young prince promised to challenge the foreign warrior. When they met in battle it was clear that the foreign warrior was outmatched." How could he be anything thus when facing a god? "The eldest prince was so quick and clever that he killed the foreign knight in an instant. Their enemy slain the pack rejoiced and the King gave his pack and his daughter to the eldest prince. The eldest prince lived happily, awash in all the comforts and pleasures he could find. In time he forgot about his family. What need did he have for them when he was a King with everything he could ever want? Besides, he didn't really want to share his newfound wealth with anyone, not even them.

"One day the prince was hunting in the forest late at night when he heard a voice calling to him from the trees above. He looked up to see a great owl. 'Aren't you the child of the Mighty Lord Abraxas? What are you doing all the way out here, should you not be aiding your family? They are going to war and need every skilled warrior. Follow me and I will lead you to the battle field.'

"The prince scoffed at this news. You see, the prince knew that they were trapped in mortal flesh and he did not want to risk death or the chance of losing his wealth into the paws of another. 'Maybe I am and maybe I'm not. I am a King of my own pack and I will not risk it on some foolish war. Be gone with you and don't trouble me again!'

"Little did the prince know that the owl was his father in disguise. Disgusted at the selfishness and weakness of his once beloved son, the Fallen god turned the eldest prince into stone."

Outside the sounds of the storm began to lesson, the flakes now gently twirling and falling. A quiet begin to fall over them but Ashiel continued his story.

"The younger prince, also seeking to recruit his brother but unaware of his father's test decided to seek the eldest brother out. He travelled far and soon came across a strange pack. The borders were covered in black feathers and black pelts adorned the terrain. Sounds of mourning and wailing could be heard throughout the land. He howled for the pack leader to meet him and he was greeted by the old, decrepit form of the former ruler. He asked why everyone was mourning. 'My son-in-law went into the forest to hunt but no one has seen him since. We fear that he is dead.'

"The king described the son-in-law and the younger prince immediately knew it was his brother. He went into the forest and searched high and low for his brother but he could not find him. Night fell and the prince settled down to sleep. Just as he was about to fall asleep he heard a voice and looked up to see a great owl in the trees. 'Aren't you the child of the Mighty Lord Abraxas? What are you doing all the way out here, should you not be aiding your family? They are going to war and need every skilled warrior. Follow me and I will lead you to the battle field.'

"The prince turned to the owl and said, 'Surely I will go but first I must find my brother. He has disappeared into this forest.'

"The bird eyed him careful and cooly stated, 'So selfish are you that you would put finding your brother before the well-being of your entire family? The battle begins now. Will you leave them waiting? Are you fearful?'

"The younger prince hesitated then said, 'I am not fearful, I assure you. You are a wise bird and I see the wisdom in your words. I cannot forsake the whole of my family for the sake of one relation.'

"The owl swooped down from the tree and transformed into Lord Abraxas, his father, who congratulated the boy on passing his test. He explained the fate of the eldest brother and why he'd been turned to stone. Though the younger prince was saddened he knew his father, wise beyond all comprehension, was correct and he was angry that the eldest prince would so easily cast them aside. He vowed to live up to his father's great name and together they went to the great battle field to render their enemies into carrion."

Ashiel let a moment of silence fall as he finished his story then carefully he laid down. "I think now it's time we get some sleep. We'll begin to travel again bright and early, weather permitting."

"Talk"