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Arc 8-129
🕑 Added 2026-01-01 07:30:21 +0000 UTC“You look good.”
Stampede That Shakes the Mountain, or Shake to those who don’t want to refer to the woman with an entire sentence, brushes her large hands down the forest-green jacket pulled tight over her broad shoulders. Combined with the brown pants and her dark coloring, she can easily disappear into a copse of trees. Impractical city clothing in most cases, but New Quest will be far from an ordinary city. Besides, it’s important my new guard likes their uniforms. I want them to take pride in their positions, to guard its values as zealously as they guard their strange way of life.
Still, I couldn’t resist adding a bit of myself to the uniform. A tasteful open book over the breast, done in gold, for Shake’s uniform—a mark of her status as a captain. For the ordinary guards, it’ll be white. A reminder that they’re not just eccentric nature lovers, but agents of my will.
The large woman eyes her reflection in the tall mirror held up by Bell and nods, grinning. “Good.”
“That’s it? No long and vague metaphor?”
“The bird does not sing about its feathers.”
“Er… does that mean you don’t like to brag?”
She chuckles, turning to face me. “It means beauty is evident.”
“Can’t argue with that.” I definitely wouldn’t mind her coming to break up trouble. Saints, before I met my wife, I would start the trouble if there was even the slightest chance of her showing up. Hmm. That might be a real concern. Given their active lifestyles, the Templetees are generally attractive—at least their bodies. Combined with the appeal of a stable job and a modicum of authority, my new guards might prove irresistible temptations.
Ah, well. I’ll just consider it another perk of the job.
“I’m surprised that you’re taking the job yourself.”
“Only the alpha can lead a wary pack across ice,” she mutters, straightening her sleeves. “I lead the younger generation. Many clans are still wary of the kingdom. I will show them there is nothing to fear and much to gain.”
“I see.” I step forward, splaying my hand across her stomach. The jacket does a good job of understating her powerful form, but I can feel her tight abs beneath it without problem. “So I have to get into your good graces?”
Her arm goes around my back, pulling me closer. Then she mashes our lips together, dashing my expectation of banter. I should have known better. The Temple girls aren’t known for subtlety—or anything else besides primal directness.
“Eh-hem.”
I break our lip-lock to see Alana leaning in the doorway, sweaty shirt clinging to her and a towel around her neck. Blonde brows rise, but her lips quirk in a small smile as Shake releases me. “The others are ready.”
“Best not keep them waiting,” I say, tapping Shake’s shoulder. “Did you write a speech?”
“Did you?”
Fair.
The three of us move toward the front door, where Geneva and Talia are waiting. My loyal pet is only here to shadow me, having a vested interest in keeping close, but our flower eyes her work on the uniform she designed critically. She doesn’t smile so much as the skin around her eyes relaxes, but I’m familiar enough with her to understand its approval.
“It suits you,” she adds, pasting on one of her practiced smiles, the slight flash of teeth looking that much more natural.
“Thank you, little creek.”
“What?” When does Talia find the time to get close to so many people?
“A creek is clear, a little cold, and refreshing.” Shake waves toward Talia. “Does it not suit her?”
“Sure.” Only from a Templetee. “Let’s do it.”
With a final tug at her sleeves, Shake steps out of the estate into the bright sun, with me on her heels. Standing in front of the door is a motley group of young Templetees, holding quiet conversations with their bodies. They come to attention without prompting at the sight of their generational leader, straightening their backs and naturally falling into orderly, if not perfectly straight, lines.
Shake takes a deep breath before letting out a bellow that is something between a mighty roar and a disinterested grunt of livestock. As the echoes fade, she speaks.
“To the land that holds us, we owe a debt. A creature cannot own the land, but through strength, they claim dominion. Dominion is not to rule, but to shelter. Today, like our ancestors, we share in the dominion of a land, and for it, we must offer shelter. Like the brethren that gave aid to our clumsy ancestors, we will watch over the people of this land. We will guide them and teach them. And in doing so, we will teach ourselves.”
I wait, unsure if the drab ending is all she has to say. Then I wait another breath to see if her audience will applaud… or react in any way. Both parties simply stare at one another in a flexible silence that seems like it will stretch on forever if I let it. Sighing, I step forward, pasting on a charming smile.
“Once again, I want to thank all of you for your service to our city. And I do mean it when I say our. As your new captain said, I have the power to assert dominion over this land. But without the people, without you, I can’t build anything. I intend to build something amazing, and I’m counting on you to preserve it for generations to come.” Or however long they manage; I won’t hold it against them. “New Quest will be a beacon for the kingdom, an example of what it means when the ways of men exist in harmony with the teachings of the Temple. Show them the way.”
The new guards of the city let out a synchronized… sound is the only way to describe it, too many pitches and tones blending into a bloom of noise.
“For you, honored sister.”
I turn to Shake to find her holding out something—a necklace, with a braided string and a white charm. I grin as I take it, my finger tracing the open book. “What’s this?”
“A token, from us. For the noble who will correct history and pave a new path for the Temple.” I’m not sure if I deserve the respect and other emotions I see in her eyes as she looks down at me. “You are one of the few who does not look down on us, and the only one who has ever thought to aid us.”
“This is an exchange,” I offer. “I’m not giving you anything.”
A large hand ruffles my hair, stirring mixed feelings. “Bare your fangs; we do not fear them. The beast is danger to its enemies, but warmth to its kin.”
“Crazy woman,” I mutter.
But I don’t slap away her hand.
