THE ORDER

The night passed without incident. Philip said that Kai needed time to process, and Kai agreed. Too tired to move back to the inn, he accepted his uncle's offer to sleep in his old room. As he reached the door, he jimmied the knob upwards to turn it, muscle memory.

The room was as he had left it. Although all his belongings were back at the little room he rented at the inn, Kai kept a few books here that wouldn't fit on his shelf. He was pretty sure no-one had been using the room, but it was clean, the bed made. There were also some of his clothes in the small wardrobe. It was a minor house-keeping charm, but it warmed Kai's heart that his uncle had kept the invitation open.

It was after he had sunk under the covers that he allowed the weight of everything that had happened that day to bear down on him. His mind was a mess. He did not think his guardian had any reason to lie to him, and the mark on his hand was testament to that - but there were things that still did not add up. Kai had been five years old when he'd been marked, but he only had seven years' worth of memory. There was something that had caused him to forget most of it.

The thought muddied up his mind further. He closed his eyes, trying to calm down. Exhaustion forced him into a restless sleep, and he awoke with echoes of screams. Sighing, he got out of bed. It was almost sunrise; the sky was dark. Understanding that he could not go back to sleep, he went to wash his face.

As he left the bedroom, and made his way to the entrance, he saw that the door to Philip's study was still open, and the fire still alight in the grate. Switching directions, he peered in and saw his uncle deep in thought.

"Have you not slept, Uncle? he asked.

Philip turned his gaze to him. He didn't need to reply. Kai sighed and, walking over to the desk, took the seat in front of him. There was a long silence where his uncle watched Kai stare at his desk. When he spoke, he surprised Kai with what he said.

"You are not the cause of your parents' death, Kai. That guilt is misplaced."

Kai stared at him. "They gave up their lives for me."

"Perhaps, I truly do not know - but not that night." Philip answered

"I don't understand."

"The Elder demon did not take their lives that night, Kai. I returned with you in my arms, thinking that I'll find them dead, but Elazar and Azera survived. And they dared not question it. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?"

For the second time in as many days, Kai felt utterly confused. All night, he had thought his parents had died as soon as they'd returned.

"Then, what happened to my memories? How did my parents really die?"

Philip sighed. "I do not know, Kai. I found you after the damage had been done. I've searched for answers all my life, but I cannot see the truth of the matter. I simply cannot... see..."

He trailed off; eyes narrowed. Kai felt a sharp stab of frustration. His uncle had never been this way around him. There was nothing he was not truly aware of. But he felt a strange form of hope and relief - he had not killed his parents. They had not died because he had to live.

"They were part of the order, weren't they?" Kai said, "Is it possible they died for it?"

Philip turned his faraway gaze to him and spoke, "For.... the White Wolf.... yes. They did."

Kai realized he'd only get more answers if he scoured for them himself. It was time he faced what his parents had left for him. Before he could say anything else, although Philip rose.

"I have to do my morning duties," he said, "Want to come along?"

Kai frowned at him. "You have duties at the inn?"

His uncle chuckled and motioned for Kai to follow him.

They did not stop at the inn but moved further out to the edge of the main boundary for Aube. Nothing much to see there, except for the thick pine forest at the horizon. And everywhere - everywhere - there was the thick layer of pure white snow. Kai watched as his uncle raised his arms and started a chant. Although he could not understand the language or the words, Kai understood it was a protection enchantment.

Again, he was struck by how much he did not know about his guardian. He was angry at himself for never looking, for taking everything at face value.

Not anymore, he vowed to himself.

His uncle turned to give him a small, sad smile. He felt like he wanted to say something, but he just shook his head with a sigh.

The sky had gotten lighter when they returned to the inn, and Kai realized that although his world had suddenly changed overnight, he still needed to complete his chores. So, he left his uncle and went to meet Old Miriam so she could get him started. It felt like something solid to hold on to, in all the madness that had shoved itself at him.

It was nightfall by the time he was done for the day. Steeling himself, he made his way to his uncle's study once more. Azul was already there. It was really just another night, he thought as he took his usual seat in front of his uncle's desk.

Philip waited for him to settle, and then he began.

"The Order of the White Wolf is an ancient organization, immensely powerful and spread over Illis. It was founded in the Great War."

Kai raised his eyebrows, "The White Wolf is the reason the war ended?"

Philip smiled. "It was more of a result of it, actually. The pure blood who ascended the throne despised the war, loathed the futility of such endless violence. So, he brought together his best warriors and strategists, and created the White Wolf. Its primary purpose is to prevent another war, soothing conflict and contention."

Azul continued when Philip nodded at him, "We help maintain peace throughout the region of Illis that is under our supervision. We attempt to handle any situation diplomatically, but, if necessary, we can also use force." He gave Kai a smile, "It's an honor to be a part of the Order. We have stopped countless wars; we have removed many despicable tyrants. Never has the Order wavered in its duty to keep the peace. The Order strives to ensure that its vision of ridding Illis of all its impurities comes true."

"Impurities?" Kai frowned.

"It simply means that we remove the seeds of oppression, keep Illis clean as much as possible."

Kai looked between his uncle and Azul as he spoke. "But there's really no end to it then, is there? There will always be evil, somewhere, in some form. It's not possible for the White Wolf to fade away then."

Philip nodded. "We are the keepers of the peace. That is why its members have increased exponentially over the years, becoming more of a force. At the beginning of its existence, it was a mere group of people looking to prevent violence. Now, it has expanded and evolved.

"At present the White Wolf has a simple structure. At the very top, there are five Grand Masters, in charge of some part of Illis with several masters that serve them, Each Master has up to ten Captains under their command. It depends on the way they divide their territory, and the capability of the captains. But there is no limit to the amount of people under the captain's command. For example, I only have six Captains, and Azul here is one of them, in charge of this district."

Kai turned to Azul in surprise, and he smiled at him. "How many people do you have under you?"

"My force is about fifteen thousand strong," Azul said, amused by the way Kai's eyes widened.

"That's a small army!"

"Yes, I basically have this district, the three outer cities and surrounding five villages in my jurisdiction. You live in White Wolf territory, kiddo," Azul's eyes twinkled, "Someone has to keep an eye on you."

"Me?" Kai asked, and then remembered.

Demon child.

His throat tightened, but he didn't let it cross his face. It didn't matter because his uncle caught the look anyway.

"You're a double Pure, Kai," Philip spoke gently, "If that didn't make you powerful enough, you are also part demon. That, in all accounts, makes you one of - if not the - most powerful being in Illis. We can't let you fall in the wrong hands."

Kai heard what his uncle wasn't saying, though. He was a weapon, a liability.

"I get that I was marked by an elder demon," he muttered, "but it doesn't make me a demon."

Philip sighed. "Your father, Elazar, one of the strongest men I knew, was half-demon, Kai. That makes you part demon."

Kai could just stare. All his life, he had been avoided and called a demon child. Turns out they were right.

"What's the matter, Kai?" Azul asked.

Kai couldn't look at either of them. "Am I... evil, then?"

Philip actually laughed, causing Kai's head to snap to him in surprise. Even Azul had a slight smile on his face.

"Kai," his uncle said, his voice still holding the sound of his laugh, "do you remember when you stole bread from the kitchen when you were twelve?"

Kai flushed at the memory. He got what his uncle was trying to say.

"You were so distraught that we didn't celebrate Azul's birthday-"

"I get it, uncle-" Kai mumbled.

"-that you gave it to him as his birthday cake," his uncle chuckled.

"Also, when that bird died on his windowsill," Azul added.

"Oh, he cried for days," Philip responded, enthusiastically.

"Also, when he fell out of the tree-"

"And when he tried to tie Miriam's daughter's shoelaces-"

"All right, I get the point!" Kai snapped, ears burning, "Too much of a pansy to be evil."

Philip just smiled at him in true affection. "No, my boy. Elazar was one of the kindest men that ever lived on the planet, and Azera's empathy is legendary. You're their son, Kai. And they were not evil."

Kai nodded, wanting to change the subject. So, he asked the first thing that came into his head.

"Is Azmia also one of your Captains?"

This was met by a short silence and Kai closed his eyes, slowly, wanting to crawl somewhere and hide. He opened his eyes to his uncle regarding him, steely-eyed.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Kai defended himself, "I just caught the conversation."

Philip's eyes lost some of their steel. Then he shook his head and said, "Well, you'll be meeting her anyway. She's my second in command. First Captain. She'll take over your training, along with the rest of them."

Suddenly, his uncle's face broke into a mischievous grin. It made Kai shudder.

"Come to think of it, I can't wait for her to start training you." Azul snorted, sporting the same kind of mischief in his eyes.

Kai looked between them.

"Is she super-hot, or something?" he asked, and cursed his traitor mouth again.

"I suppose you'll find out soon enough," Azul said, clapping him on the shoulder, still grinning.

Kai couldn't help but grin back.

"Can't wait."