Byrn

The night air seems colder than usual. The people who wander the streets smell like humans usually do. Some smell more Wyrm than Weaver or Wild. Hell, that's to be expected; most major cities are like that now. In certain places it seems there's more Wyrm then Gaia somedays. Today just happens to be one of those days. Get over it.

The name's Byrn. Or at least that's what they called me before that whelp of a Don Web Ferret revoked my status as a GDub and declared me Ronin. Seems he wasn't too happy with me, like I give Rat's Ass what he thinks. As far as I'm concerned, supplying both sides in a war of mutual extinction with ammunition and weapons is a great way to get rid of people you don't like. Web Ferret didn't agree with me. Apparently, I was making the GDubs look bad in front of the others. Whatever. Most of the others just saw that the Wyrm was fighting itself, hell they didn't care who was supplying arms and the money was damn good. Yah, yah…the money was tainted. So what else is new? Why do you think that one of the first Rites we learn is the Rite of Cleansing? Wipe that look off of your face pup, the money's nowhere near as important as the mother is. It's just a way to keep count in the game that's all. Most don't understand that, most never will. I doubt that the honorable Don of Noctropolis has even thought of that yet.

What are you looking at? Yes I know that we're being watched. I've been watching them since you sat down so it's only fair that they watch us in return. You get used to it. The Licks want to know everything that's going on; it's good business sense. The trick is to make them think that something is up when there's really nothing going on, after a while they stop looking as carefully. That's when you're free to do the more interesting stuff. I haven't been around as long as you might think. I just had a really good teacher, one of the best. He was a crotchety old bastard named Cipher, probably the best Galliard I've ever known. Even at Sixty he could woo the ladies and his business sense left nothing to be desired. I'm nowhere near as good as the old fart was. He taught me everything I know, including some things I might not have wished to learn. He's gone now, fell to a Black Spiral while defending his grandchildren.

What do you mean what's a Ronin? Damn things must have been slack for them not to tell you about this. Listen up and listen well. I'm not going to repeat myself. The Ronin are outcasts. Don't interrupt me again pup or I'll leave you the way you are. Ignorant. Now, as I was saying. The Ronin are outcasts in a society of wolves. They have no honor, no renown. Stripped of Tribe, pack everything they're set adrift in this world mainly to teach them a lesson. The rules of the Nation and those of the Tribes may not be set in stone but they might as well be. Ronin are created in many different ways, some are the product of their own personalities. That's hardly tragic in my eyes. Some, however, are the product of the Elders of a Tribe. Weither it's because of complacency of the order of things or fear of a young one's abilities. Very few Ronin want to be Ronin. Most are very lonely, sad individuals. Others are pinpricks of light in an otherwise bleak world. Naturally, the hunger to return to the Nation and their fellows is very strong in the Ronin. After all, they are as much Garou as the next. Very few live very long as you can imagine. The Wyrm takes as much pity on the Ronin as the rest of the Nation does. It'll except them into the fold with quickly enough. Don't look at me like that. I've long gotten over feeling sorry for myself. Hell, I'm even managing to do fairly well for myself. Cockroach still talks to me and I haven't fallen to the Wyrm yet. I thank Gaia for that every time my claws rip through some poor bastard.

The point is that I'm here for the same reasons you are. To kick the Wyrm's ass and to try and clean up this City. I may not be GDub anymore. At least according to Web Ferret, but the city is still my responsibility same as yours. My methods may be different then yours and to be honest you don't have to like them. There really isn't all that much you can do to stop me. After all, I doubt that you'd try to take me out right here; at least not with the Licks watching. You can't risk letting them know that the werewolves are here; not in any numbers.

You may not like this, pup, but as long as I live and fight I'm not going to let anything happen to any of you. Not if I can help it. That surprises you? It shouldn't. I'm still Garou, kid. I was born to be this; it's as they say in the blood. I don't have a pack and I don't have a Tribe, hell most of the time I don't even have home cooked meals. Yes I get tired of being alone. Yes I get tired of being spit on by Bone Gnawers. No matter what the others think, Ronin still have honor kid. We even have self respect. We even have rage.

But like I said earlier, relax. Enjoy the evening, the sights and the sounds. If you start acting like a stereotypical guerilla someone's going to notice and that's gonna bring down fire and brimstone on your head. I know some people, almost free of Wyrm taint if you're interested in professional relaxation. If not, well you and I could go pick a fight with some Wyrm flunkies. Maybe those licks over there would like to play. I never was one for stiff white collars and board meetings. Besides, being spied on bores me. You take the one on the left kid.

The dream slowly fades from my eyes. Damn I hate it when that happens. I think that the problem I have is that while my dreams are prophetic they usually are only for myself and usually spell disaster for me. At 22 I already feel like an old man. I was lucky, most Glasswalkers change later in life. 17 or 18 and have no idea what's going on. I changed when I was born. Or at least that's what mom says. I learned my trade at her feet; exaggeration is the basis of a good story. Mom was a very active kinfolk so I was raised as a member of the "family". I knew what a Garou was long before I was a teenager and was training to become part of the Garou Nation for most of my life. Then my mother went off to battle…. "come home to me with your shield or on it" as the Fianna put it. I cried for a very long time….. then the Nation came to me with the story of her death. In grief I changed into a Garou in front of my mother's Sept. My cry of pain and rage echoed throughout the city. While tears rained down my changed face and rage burned behind my eyes I told the story of her life as only a Talesinger could. By the end of the tale my mother's pack was in Crinos sharing in my pain. Many great deeds were done that night in the name of Laughing Light.

I was named Byrn by my Mother's Sept. The frenzies and rage I was able to whip up was like a whirlwind of flame. Any touched by it was swept along. The old Fianna Galliard watched me with interest. Heh heh, he thought that I was a re-incarnation of one the Satirists of Old. He was a good man, and a greater Garou.

Not long after Mother's death I had my first dream. I saw myself wandering the country; I would have many adventures and learn many stories as I traveled. The dream came once more while I was in the arms of a beautiful Fianna kinfolk in Boston. I awoke in a cold sweat, the wanderlust had caught hold but this time I was haunted by the vision of a Dark City in a Valley. I kissed that beautiful woman goodbye, gathered my stuff and left. I traveled until I came here…to Noctropolis. The wanderlust left me.

I quickly made myself known to the Don of the Glasswalkers here. I rented a one bedroom flat in the city and well, set up shop. Within a month I was fighting the Wyrm and living up to my name. I began to fight the Leeches in the city. I made contacts, told lies, and bribed officials. I was doing my job as a Glasswalker. Among the Septs of Noctropolis I listened to their stories, began to gage the skills of their Galliards. Life continued on as expected.

A few months ago I ran into a young wolf. She was kin, that much I know. She stood under the light of the moon. Her fur was red and grey, but in the moonlight it looked like a stormy sunrise. She barred her teeth at me and wandered back and forth nervously. When she turned I saw the wound on her side. It looked like a bite mark from a large dog. I wasn't a wolf I was sure, no self-respecting wolf would try to bite another Canine on the flank. She didn't trust me at first. Not that I blame her. The wound was bad enough that I was truly concerned. When I approached she snarled at me and while the street was empty I wasn't sure that I wasn't being watched. Shifting into lupus would be dangerous out in the open, besides I have other options open to me. I concentrated my thoughts on her. I heard her thoughts clearly in my mind.

"G'way...."she snarled and curled the wounded part of her body away, ducking her front paws a little, half-preparing to defend herself yet again. I sent my thoughts out to her again, gently.

"I mean you no harm little sister. You are wounded, let me help I will not harm you. I am kin in the shape of a man." I knelt down so that I was not so tall or threatening. She snarled again and shrank back, pushing herself back on her paws with quiet yipe. I did something then that I rarely do. With the confidence and stature of an alpha I barked at her. "Stop being silly young one. I am here to help." When next I spoke it was softer. "You'll have to trust sometime." She whined a little but didn't move any closer.

"Hurts.... Want mother..." Not knowing what to do I shifted into lupus. She snarled again and skittered backwards, trying to turn and run into a nearby alley. I turned to block her escape and looked her in the eye.

"I am kin." I said in lupus. "I will not hurt you. I want to help. In this place of steel and rock you will not survive. Let me help you."

"Want mother." She cowered back a little still, not gaining any confidence now that I had shifted to lupus. "You not mother."

I nodded. "You're right little one, I'm not. None the less I am family. You have to trust family."

She whined a little and turned her head to one side "Why family? You two-legger."

I smiled. "I am family in that we are both wolves. I was born a man but I am still a wolf. That makes us family, related." She seemed interested for a moment, and then she seemed to remember herself and shrank back again with a tiny yipe for the wound. I sighed. "Come with me young one…I will fix your wound. After that if you want to leave you may. I will not stop you."

She stayed silent, lifting amber-brown eyes shyly. "Promise?" She uncurled slightly, partly to relieve the pain I would imagine.

I nodded. "Yes, little sister, I promise. But you will stay with me until the wound is healed properly. After that if you wish to go you may." I hate to admit it but I was starting to like the little one.

Her eyes grew a little less worried and she begins to droop a little. "Help me?"

"Yes little sister, I will help you. But I must shift into man form again so that I may carry you…your strength is fading."

"Man? Two-legger?" Her exhaustion was clearly evident as she looked up at me. "Yes little one." As I answered I shifted into Galabro and gently picked her up.

She whimpered quietly and closed her eyes, moving slightly closer, trembling. She huddled in my arms as I took her back to the apartment. There I cleaned her wounds and took care of it as best as I could. I would like to think that in time she grew to trust and like me….although it could have been my cooking. Who knows? I named her Bathed in Light to remember that night. She stayed with me and like my mother before me I began to teach her of the Garou and the fight to save Gaia.

I had finished making breakfast for the young wolf and myself. She, as usual, had eaten her fill and finished by licking her chops and thanking me in the wolfish way. I smiled at my youngest packmate as my thoughts turned to my other packmate.

It was a cold, damp night on the Orkney Islands. On the mainland, on the West Side of the island. There was nothing but bare ground and a few trees. Few roads guide the path. A few houses dot the way. Not far from the western coast, there is a small house with a sign indicating it is a B and B. Looking around, you see there are no other houses around and it is damp and cold and you have been travelling for hours. I shrugged and walked towards the Bed and Breakfast. After walking to the door I opened it and entered the building. The house seemed quiet, and then there was a rustling noise behind me. I turned around carefully and slowly to see a short, but well built woman of about 20, poised and ready to hit me over the head with a frying pan.

I stopped and smiled at her after glancing at the pan. "I doubt you'll be needing that. I'm just hear for a place to stay the night or so."

"You's scared me.... I's thought you's were an intruder, comin' in at this hoor." She motions to the clock. It was nearly 1 am.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you my dear. I really didn't realise what time it was." I said calmly.

She put down the frying pan. "Next time, laddie, knock an' wait far the door ta be answered. 'Tis common courtesy in these parts, no sure aboot where you's from."

I smiled and nodded "Of course. I don't know where my head was. My sincerest apologies Ms. t'won't happen again."

I think it was my imagination but I think she smiled at me. "You's can call me Caitlin. Caitlin O'Shannessy."

"You can call me Sean. Though most call me Byrn." I grinned at her. I was fairly sure that for some reason I was going to be in a little trouble come morning.

She frowned and I almost laughed "Byrn, that's an odd name. Ah suppose if you's wanted ta be called a stream of water...." She shrugged and turned "Follow me. Ah'll be showin' ya ta your room. Oh, the room will cost twenty quid a night."

"I am what I'm named." I reached into my pocket and pulled out some cash. "What time is breakfast?"

She starred at the money in amazement. "Ya some kinda rich man or somethin'?"

"Or something." I smiled. "What time is breakfast?"

"Whenever you's be wantin' it, laddie. Ah will be up aboot 6 ta do the chores. Have as long a lie as you's wish."

"Thank you I will." I handed over two 20's . "I'll see you at 7 then...to give you time to get some chores done." I smiled again and I remembered thinking that she was fairly cute. " Wouldn't want to keep you away from them."

She looked shocked for a minute, then looks up at me. "Aye, 'tis true. 7 it is. Night, Mr. Byrn." She began to walk away chuckling to herself.

I watched for a moment then thought of something rather important. "Just on more thing Ms. O'Shannessy." I said softly and raised an eyebrow. "Could you show me to my room?"

"'Tis right in front of you's, laddie." She said as she motioned to the door just down a small corridor.

I chuckled slightly and clicked my tongue softly. "My thanks....sleep well."

I watched her go and sighs softly as she walked away. I entered the room, closed the door, dropped my bag on the floor with a heavy thump and passed out on the bed. The next morning, I awoke to a wonderful smell floating into my room. I stretched and after a little while got out of bed. After having a shower I put on blue jeans and a green sweater then went to the common room. There was sound of a pot banging in the kitchen. The table was set quite neatly.

I knocked on the kitchen door. "Is there anything I can help with?" I asked quietly.

From somewhere in the kitchen a voice answered. "Nut, Ah'll be there in a second with breakfast." I smiled at the response and sat down at the table. Ms. O'Shannessy walks in with arms full of food, probably enough to feed the whole English Army.

"I hope you's had a long enough lie so as you're no knackered."

I smiled and stood. "Here let me help with that." I said as I reached for some of the food.

"Nut, go and sit. AhI can do it."

I frowned slightly "Are you sure? I don't mind helping." She nodded and she placed a plate with mounds of food infront of me and the other plate around the table. I guess I shrugged. "I take it there are a great many more guests here today?"

I asked trying to make conversation. She looks at me and laughed. I still can't believe she laughed it was an honest enough question. "Nut, naebody aroond for miles. Just you, laddie."

I looked up at her for a moment and looked down at the food. "You shouldn't have gone to all the trouble Ms. Shannessy. 'Especially for just me."

"Ah, 'tis common courtesy in these parts. And, call me Caitlin. You's make me soond like my mum."

I flashed her a grin that spoke volumes. "Of course Caitlin."Eyed her for a moment then, trying to decide to wait for her then shrugged.

She headed back to the kitchen. "Ah'll just be in the kitchen if you's be wantin' somethin'."

"You won't be eating with me?" I asked.

She stopped. "Don't usually. Just eats ma food in the kitchen."

"Well then you can either sit and eat with me or I'll just have to pick up my food and go eat with you in the kitchen." I grinned wolfishly, then noticed how I was grinning and stopped.

She shrugged. "Fine, Ah's be back..." She walked to the kitchen and emerged with another plate.

"A very interesting place you have here." I said while waiting for her to sit down.

"Why, thanks. Used ta belong ta ma mum........." Her voice trailed off. I looked at her but didn't say anything. After a while she shook her head. "Sorry, wha' were you's sayin'?"

"Ummm..." I stammered. "That it's a very nice home." I looked at her cautiously. "How long have you been alone here?"

"Since my mum." She trailed off again. "Long been 4 years ah think's."

"That's a long time to be alone." I said. "Have you no other family?"

She nods. "Yes, ma sisters. Ah had ta look after mum's hoose. They are off somewhere." For some reason she seemed lost.

What else could I do but nod. Having been around the world you find that this sort of thing happens often. "You have many sisters? Where are they?"

"Aroond.." Now that was informative.

I shrugged trying to keep the conversation going. So sue me, I'm nosey. "Came from a small family myself. As I got older I found that my family was much larger." I paused for a more dramatic effect. "Much larger."

She looked at me, and sniffed the air. "Haven't smelled you's kind fo' a long time."

My face went stone cold and I reached my hand under the table and preyed that the slight popping sound of my Growler coming into my hand wasn't noticeable.

She looked around. Damn. "Wha' was that?" She asked.

I shrugged non-chalontly "What did you mean by that? Smelled my kind?"

"You's Garou?" She asked. My heart almost stopped.

My face got a little colder looking. "What are you?"

"Ah's Garou."

I frowned "You'll forgive me if I don't act like I'm happy. What's your tribe?"

"Ah's Black Fury."

"Fuck me." I said in a low muttering voice, then in a voice. "There were no markings."

"Nae markin' of wha'?" She asked.

"Territory. The territory wasn't marked by Garou."

She frowned slightly. "Nut, nae need. Naebody's been here in long been aboot 3 years."

"I'm here. What if I were a Black Spiral huh?" I growled.

"Then, Ah'd 'ave killed you's already." True enough.

I pulled the long Growler from under the table its razor sharp and sawlike edge flashed. "You'd be dead by now."

"Nut, nae chance." I laughed at her.

"Is there a Sept near here."

"No far. Near the West Coast." I shook my head and said nothing. "Wha'?" She asked.

"How long have you been Garou Black Fury?"

She sighed. "Oh, 's been a long time. Near noo aboot 15 years?"

"I take it you're Lupus." I carefully put the Growler away.

"Nut, ah was an early learner." She grinned at me and I in turn stared at her.

With a long sigh she looked at me. "Have'no been back since.........since....." She took a deep breath.

"Since your mother was killed." I finished for her.

She nodded. "Aye."

"So what's keeping you here? Join your people."

She shook her head as she responded. "Ah's been livin' here fo the years. Ah coold'nae handle livin' there."

I thought for a moment then made her an offer. "Well you're free to come with me then." I said. "I'm somewhat of a vagabond right now but not for long."

She seemed shocked. "Wha'? An leave ma mum's place?"

"You're Garou. Meant to fight for Gaia. You can't do that out here. 'Specially when you're not with your Sept."

"Aye, ah ken the Litany. Nea need ta farce it ta me!" She responded with heat.

I glared at her " Apparently not when you've forgotten to combat the Wyrm wherever it breeds and dwells." Ok so I was young and at the time a hell of a lot more full of myself.

"Ah mind tha'." She sighed. "Ah just can'nae face them after wha's happened ta ma mum." Ahh the pain in her voice. I had to do something.

"Then lie down and die you worthless woman. People die, either get up and continue or lie down and join your mother in the grave." I don't like being that cruel.

"YOU WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!" She roared, the accent completely gone.

"Why not?" I asked. "It is how one speaks to cowards." I remembered what I was like after my mother's death. If it wasn't for that Fianna Galliard doing the same thing to me I would have fallen to Harano and died.

She took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions so I pressed the point.

"Some tribute you are to your Mother and tribe, a coward hiding in her house while the Wyrm stalks around. Useless woman..the only thing you're fit for is breeding stock."

She landed a very good punch on my jaw. I shook the hit off as well as I could. "What you'll fight me but not the Wyrm?" I spit blood onto the floor.

She nodded. "Sometams we's all need a wee push. Give me a day an' ah's be goin' with ya."

I nodded. "I payed for two days I had better get it." At that I took the hand that punched me on the jaw and kissed the back of it. "Sean Kirkpatrick also known as Byrn. Glasswalker Galliard."

"Caitlin also known as Fights for Justice. Black Fury Philodox."

And that is how I met my other packmate. We travelled for a while, all over actually. Got into more scrapes then I can remember. We're a pretty tight knit group. But I have to go. Web Ferret's called a meeting and if I'm not there it's my hide.

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Created by: Amanda Gaudet
Last Modified: April 6, 2003