The Call of the Road: Hungry Heart #1

By Laura S. Fox

For years, Toru has drifted in search of his lost tribe until he reaches the white lands in the north. A scent carried by the wind brought him here, and nothing will stop him from finding his kin. Not the cold nights, not the morose people that never smile, not the food that’s never plenty. He has to find them, or he would live in vain. Little he knows that what he will find might not be what he imagines, but everything his hungry heart desires.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura S. Fox
• Release date: Jul 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005502348

Book preview

The Call of the Road

Hungry Heart

Book #1

By

Laura S. Fox

To Dave Kemp,

For making this amazing adventure possible

And encouraging me to push

The limits of my skills as a writer,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Laura S. Fox

To Laura,

Thank you for creating these wonderful characters

And the deep love they bring to one another

And the magical world they live in

And the epic quest they are on,

Dave Kemp

Copyright © 2021 Laura S. Fox

All Rights Reserved

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this published work may be reproduced, stored, in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without the prior permission of the copyright owner and the publisher.

The Call of the Road – Hungry Heart is a work of fiction. Any names, places, events, characters and everything else mentioned in the book are the result of the author’s imagination and are purely used for fictitious purposes. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places, events and everything else is a pure coincidence.

M/M Romance

Intended for Mature Audiences Only

This book contains graphic depictions of sexual intercourse and it is not meant for readers who are less than 18 years of age.

Chapter One – Drifting

Toru moved slowly, wincing as a floorboard creaked under his naked feet. His perked ears caught movement from the bed. Damn, and he thought he would get to make himself disappear without goodbyes.

It’s not yet breaking dawn, a sleepy voice said.

Toru turned his head and looked at the innkeeper’s son, the young man he had spent the night with. He didn’t care for things like money, but he had plenty of other things he could offer for room and board when needed. He was a good hunter.

And a good lover, too.

It’s cold outside. Are you sure you don’t want to come back to bed?

It wasn’t like he didn’t want to. But the scent he had caught was capricious; one moment it was there, only to vanish the next. His keen sense of smell had awakened him, and he couldn’t waste another precious moment.

A moment that would keep him away from those he belonged to. Truly belonged. As beautiful as the young man calling for him was, he was just a human, someone who could never understand him truly.

I must be on my way, he replied, hoping that his voice wasn’t harsh or ungrateful.

All right. Just wait a little. The young man climbed out of bed and went out the door, only to come back a few minutes later with a sack that seemed pretty heavy. Here. For you, to have on the way.

Toru moved from one foot to another. He could see in the dark as if it was broad daylight, but the other couldn’t and was handing him the sack somewhat obliquely, not clearly making out where Toru stood.

I shouldn’t. I took enough from you.

A small laugh followed. You loved me plenty last night, Toru. I can’t recall the last time I struck such a good deal for half a bed and a steak.

Toru licked his lips. The bed had been warm and the steak delicious. The one he had shared the bed with hadn’t been half bad, either.

Take it, the innkeeper’s son insisted. You look like there’s a long road ahead of you.

I don’t really know where I’m going. It was the truth.

All the more reason for you to take this. You never know when you’ll find food again. At least this should last you for a while.

Toru took the sack with hesitant hands. It looked like the other didn’t have to see that well in the dark. He marched right into him and embraced him, rubbing his head against Toru’s chest.

If you ever visit these parts again, don’t be a stranger.

Toru felt a small lump in his throat. I won’t.

Now go. I still need to catch a few hours of sleep before my father makes me slave my life away for yet another day.

Toru returned the embrace. He was quick out the door. While he loved being around humans, he didn’t know what to do with them. He could never show them his true nature without scaring them. He was sure the innkeeper’s son would not hurry into his embrace like that if he knew that Toru was, beneath his human appearance, a beast with fur, fangs, and claws.

***

A white mist rose from the trees. Perched on his vantage point, Toru looked down and clicked his tongue. Nothing but a dark green expanse from here to eternity. But that wasn’t enough to keep him from tracking the scent. It was familiar and made him think of home, although he had never known where or what that was.

He needed to find out. It was easy for him to get down from the tree and leap to the frozen ground. Spring was around the corner, but it was still not there, and in the white lands in the north, it had to be like nothing Toru knew.

The sack with food the innkeeper’s son had given him was long gone, and Toru felt the pangs of hunger stabbing his insides. He could go without food for days; but he couldn’t lie in wait for prey to walk in front of him as he was used to. These lands were harsh and if you wanted food, you had to go looking for it.

The innkeeper’s son had wondered at his lack of shoes, but Toru didn’t need any. The young man had wondered at his lack of warm clothes, too, but, again, Toru needed nothing except the thick coat on his back that protected him from cold and heat alike. It had grown thicker since he had traveled to these parts, and the frozen air didn’t bother him. He preferred to travel in his beast form, too, since it was easier and faster.

His nose caught something, and he stopped. Prey was nearby; he was sure of it. What he didn’t like was that there were other smells mixed with those of sweet prey.

Others were after the same thing. His belly growled, and Toru wanted to growl with it. Others weren’t as fast or agile as him. Or hungry. He followed the scent, his paws leaving tracks in the thin snow, but not making a sound.

From the edge of a cliff, he looked down. A deer lay on one side, its neck torn, and a pack of wolves was pulling at its body from all sides. Toru didn’t hesitate as he dropped behind them without a sound. One of them, a big male with a thick strip of silver hair on his head and back running down to his tail, stopped and sniffed the air.

They must have been too hungry and overwhelmed by the scent of the deer to sense him. Toru counted on surprise to drive them away, but he was not one to back down from a fight if need be. He growled, a deep, cavernous rumble rising from his chest. The wolves perked up and turned toward him.

I thought I smelled trouble, the silverback wolf said with a snarl, showing his teeth.

Shifters. Toru couldn’t say he was surprised. It was their land, after all.

And I smell dinner, Toru replied.

What is this beast? one of the younger wolves squeaked. Never seen one like it.

All except the big wolf kept their distance.

Toru showed his long fangs. This litter of puppies had nothing on him. The young wolves took a step back, and one couldn’t keep in a small whine. That was exactly what Toru wanted.

Aren’t you a bit too far from home, kitty? The silverback wolf walked toward him, showing no signs of fear.

Kitty? Like a house cat? Varg, that’s nothing like --

Silence! The wolf named Varg barked. His dark, merciless eyes turned toward Toru once more. What’s a tigershifter doing in these parts?

A tigershifter? What’s that, a tiger? the young wolf asked, but in a much more quiet voice.

So you know what I am. Good for you, Toru said, standing on all paws and dropping his nose to the ground while his eyes never left Varg. Now step aside. Or I’ll go through you.

Varg’s eyes shone dangerously. Just try it, kitty.

Toru could feel his whiskers twitching. If they all tried to gang up on him, they could be a real problem. But he was too hungry to care. And there were things kitties could do that puppies couldn’t. He tensed and jumped over Varg. What the big wolf didn’t know was that he was no ordinary tiger.

In one swift move he grabbed the deer by its torn neck. The wolves began to snarl on different voices. Toru started swinging the dead animal and its hard hooves moving haphazardly managed to make enough room. That was all he needed; Toru tensed and using momentum, he threw the deer through the air, far from the pack, while all the wolves froze, surprised by that move.

There was no time to lose. Toru leaped over the wolves, breaking the enclosure, and, too late, they started running after him.

Don’t chase him, the alpha male shouted, but the youngsters were trampling each other in a hurry, by what Toru could make out from all the noise they made.

The deer had caught in a long branch leaning over a smooth stone cliff. Toru stopped short of falling over and grabbed it, praying inwardly that it wouldn’t slide into the dark abyss. Turning with the prey in his teeth, he began swinging it again.

The wolves tried to get closer this time, growling, and showing shiny teeth. But they stepped back when Toru hit them with the hooves of the animal over their muzzles.

If he hadn’t been so hungry, playing with those puppies would have been fun. As things stood, Toru needed to make sure that they would soon tire of playing with him.

The deer swirled through the air, away from the pack. The wolves broke into a sprint before Toru this time. The tigershifter leaped over them, leaving them behind in no time.

Stop chasing him, you fools, Varg called from a distance. That’s just what he wants!

That one had his head screwed on straight, but it wasn’t like he could do anything. The strength of wolves was the pack. A tiger’s strength was his own; Toru didn’t need anyone to face a pack of hungry puppies.

He reached the deer first and, grabbing it, he made for the river. The forest was dangerous, and the wolves would be more at home there than him, which was why Toru preferred to keep away from it.

The pack of wolves was still on his tail and, for now at least, it looked like hunger and wounded pride were stronger than anything. He knew wolves were excellent swimmers, but that was one of many differences between them.

Toru didn’t plan to swim.

He’s heading straight for the river! one of the wolves cried victoriously.

Toru would have laughed if his mouth hadn’t been busy. They were just a bunch of mutts. Before reaching the riverside, Toru began rotating fast and this time, when he threw the deer, his dinner landed safely on the other side, at a precise point. Then, he began running faster and faster.

After him! We’ll catch him in the river!

Toru leaped. Angry snarls followed. He flew through the air, and then landed on his paws by the deer on the other side. Later, idiots!

Some of the wolves jumped into the water, but the river was rash and strong at that point, and no matter what great swimmers they were, they wouldn’t reach him soon. Toru walked away without one look back. There would be distance between him and the pack, and he needed to make it bigger, no matter how loud his belly growled, and how sweet the promise of tender meat.

He broke into a fast stride, conscious of having to preserve some of his energy if he wanted to get somewhere fast and enjoy his meal.

A glade appeared in front of him, and Toru stopped, his muscles trembling with effort. It was all worth it; he sank his fangs into the prey, tearing chunks of meat and swallowing them without wasting time by chewing too much. He couldn’t recall ever being so hungry, but that was probably what he thought each time he went without food for days, which happened quite often since he had decided to follow that maddening scent.

Didn’t your mommy teach you not to play with your food?

Toru stiffened. He wasn’t even half satisfied. The merciless eyes he had seen before shone in the darkness of the trees rising tall around the glade. Stay away, mutt. My food now. He continued to eat, convinced that the big wolf wasn’t far enough out of his mind to attack him without his pack. There was only one distinct smell he sensed, which meant that Varg was alone.

The wolf stepped into the clearing. Stealing food is not nice. Have you no manners?

Toru decided to ignore him. He had no time to lose. Eventually, the pack would cross the river and follow him again. By the time they would be there, Toru planned to leave nothing but bones to welcome them.

The wolf circled him slowly. Toru could feel his coat rising on his back, and his heart began to pound, aware of danger.

Leave now, kitty, and I’ll forget about this, Varg warned.

Toru let go of his dinner reluctantly. And if I don’t?

When the wolf pounced on his back, Toru barely had the time to push against the ground with all his paws. But Varg sank his teeth into Toru’s back, and sudden sharp pain made him growl. He began swinging his body, trying to get rid of the beast on his back, but those long blades tearing his skin just went deeper.

The situation was getting a bit too hairy for his taste. Toru used all his strength while trying to shake off the wolf, but he was a redoubtable adversary and it wasn’t easy to defeat him. Toru tensed his back and then drove himself backwards into a tree trunk, making it shake with the force of the impact.

The wolf growled, in distress now, and Toru used all of his muscles to smash him against the tree again. The grip on his back lessened and Toru finally shook off the other beast who then fell to the ground with a thump. The wound on his back began to pulse and Toru knew that he needed to be gone and fast.

Pray that we don’t meet again, tiger, the wolf spat at his back as Toru rushed out of the clearing.

Those were big words coming from the one who had lost. But Toru wasn’t sure the wolf hadn’t just played him, just to push him away from the prey and feast on it himself. Varg had seemed quite a smart wolf, not like the rest of the pack. His eyes shone with danger and intelligence, and Toru felt a small shiver coursing up his spine. The smell of his own blood made him hurry. As strong as he was, losing too much of it meant that he would be put in serious danger. It took all his effort to keep his tiger form.

Varg was right about one thing. Toru didn’t want to meet him again, either.

***

Varg shook off the crystals of snow caught in his coat. He howled, throwing his head back, to call his pack. The tiger had left enough for them to stave off their hunger for the night. It wasn’t like he couldn’t have enough human food if he wanted, but he had heard the distressed calls of his pack and, as always, he had answered.

It wasn’t easy being a shifter, even if they could walk among humans. Sometimes, humans needed shifters, as had happened during the war. But the benevolence which extended to Varg, a veteran who had done plenty for the kingdom of those with soft flesh and soft hearts, ran dry when it came to others of his people.

That was why his pack had to hunt in those parts and depend on scarce prey. Spring would come. Then, the food would be more plentiful and the pack wouldn’t starve.

Varg sniffed the dead deer. He wouldn’t eat until the pack was there, and even then, he would just pretend to eat. The youngsters needed the strength, and Varg had a lot of friends in town who would offer him a roof over his head, food, and everything else he could wish for.

He also had to teach the others a few things, like how they needed to be smarter than a cat, no matter how big and crafty. His snarl was a hidden smile. The tigershifter had made him feel something he hadn’t in a while; a challenge.

Varg licked his fangs, the taste of blood still fresh. Maybe he had bitten a bit too deeply.

The young tiger must have been hungry, too. That had been why Varg had allowed him to eat for a while before facing him. Youngsters needed a chance in the world. Or otherwise, there would never be a future.

***

There was smoke rising from the roofs in the distance. Toru had run all night, away from the pack of wolves and especially the silverback Varg. He didn’t like getting into fights, but he always did what he must to protect himself. There was no one to have his back, no pack to rely on, and that Toru knew well.

He shifted into his human shape, exhausted from the run he had been on for the entire night, no longer capable of keeping his tiger form. Smoke and roofs meant houses, and houses meant humans. As much as he couldn’t rely on them completely, Toru had known them since forever, and some of them had been kind to him. With his last drops of energy, he pulled himself up and stumbled toward the human settlement.

***

An old man pushing a cart threw him a curious look. Toru shivered; with the loss of blood came the cold, too, and he couldn’t keep his teeth from clattering. He went straight to the man. Healer, he whispered through his clenched teeth.

The man steered clear of him and hurried, his cart stumbling on a rock on the road. Even so, he began moving faster and away from Toru.

That was something he didn’t like about the humans he had met so far in these parts. They looked down at the ground, as if the skies above weighed heavy on their shoulders. They didn’t smile much, and people like the innkeeper’s son were few and far between.

His wound throbbed. That damned wolf had gotten him good. Toru was sure he wouldn’t die from that but being wounded meant he couldn’t hunt or do anything else that could help him eat or find a place to stay.

Is there a healer here? he shouted.

A few people had started to move about, on their way to whatever they needed to do, like the man with the cart. They stared at him curiously, but none said a word.

Toru moved with difficulty. He was just so tired. He would find a place where he could rest his head. If he slept enough, his natural self-healing would kick in. A look around convinced him that there were quite a few homes that looked pretty much worse for wear.

Healer, there, one young woman said in a loud voice, and pointed at a modest house out of the way, with its roof slanted in front as if it was moments from collapsing.

Another woman grabbed her arm and said something in a low, coarse voice. Toru didn’t spare them another glance and hurried toward the dilapidated dwelling. He knocked on the door, his impatience growing. There was so little strength left in him now.

Healer! he called out.

The door opened, and Toru fell forward, his legs no longer capable of holding him up. His eyes saw something like a pair of small tusks and a giant’s body as he fell to the ground. Was that the healer?

***

Duril stared at the young man collapsed at his feet. He looked outside for a moment, and the curious eyes of a few townsfolk looked back at him. With a shake of the head, he hurried to lift his guest. The young man had asked for a healer, and while Duril knew he would be the last in town to be recommended, he was happy to treat the wounded, no matter who they were.

The young man seemed to be gone from the world, but he was breathing. Duril noticed right away the gash on the upper part of his back and it looked like there had been some loss of blood. His patient appeared to be strong, tall and muscular, and a wound like that shouldn’t have been able to bring him down so easily. There had to be something else.

Duril sighed. Using his good arm, he circled the patient’s waist and helped him lean against him. It looked like it was futile to depend on him whatsoever, so Duril just dragged him to the bed. There, he placed the patient on one side so that he could inspect the wound and examine his body for other signs of injury.

The shirt on the patient’s back was soaked through but it didn’t look like it had been damaged by whatever had caused the gash. It could be that the patient had worn it lower on his back to protect it from getting stained, but that hadn’t worked so well.

It was hard to take the patient out of his shirt, but Duril struggled on and seeing how much experience he had doing things with one hand, it took him reasonably little time to remove the garment.

And this goes straight to washing. That would have to come later, though, as there was a patient that needed his undivided attention.

Duril lit another candle and brought it closer so that he could inspect the wound properly. Then he noticed the patient’s back. The skin that stretched over the beautiful muscles was adorned with black and golden stripes. His entire skin was tanned and had a nice golden shine, but the stripes were of a brighter tone.

Tattoos? His fingers touched the skin. It was too warm. Duril got to work. First, he washed the wound and applied a poultice that had worked many wonders in the past. But the fever was worrying him more. The patient was asleep, and he was in no state to drink one of Duril’s bitter remedies.

Duril felt the patient’s forehead, his large hand brushing against long golden strands soft like spun silk. He hadn’t gotten a good look at the young man, but he appeared attractive. Duril let his hand linger a little more on the high forehead and then he withdrew it. What was he thinking?

It had been so long since he had had someone under his roof. At least, some of the townspeople didn’t shy away from buying his potions. They were cheap, and that helped some with winning over customers. But there were other healers in town, and they had two hands, and that seemed to make a world of difference for those who thought of Duril’s missing forearm as a deformity. Healers who lost limbs in battle didn’t receive the same appreciation as active combatants. They weren’t veterans; they just hadn’t been careful enough.

Duril touched his incomplete arm and his mind wandered for a moment. Now wasn’t the time to feel sorry for himself. He had been just one of many who had suffered because of the long war. Others hadn’t come back at all. So, he was lucky.

It didn’t hurt most of the time, but Duril woke up sometimes with a pain as shrill as it had been when he had lost it. There were remedies for many things, but not for that. It was something he lived with, and he didn’t complain.

He put a blanket over the patient and went to prepare a cold compress. For now, he would wait, and, in the meantime, he would wash the stained shirt. It appeared that his patient wore inadequate clothes for the cold outside. That shirt was one of the few things that stood between his skin and the biting frost. He would surely be unhappy if he lost it.

It didn’t matter that the patient looked like he didn’t have coins or anything of value on him. Duril wanted to make him well anyway. With his hand covered in suds, he stole glances in the patient’s direction.

He had broad shoulders and he was taller than most people Duril knew. The patient looked like he wasn’t from those parts. What could he be doing so far from his own home?

Duril moved carefully around, making sure to remain silent, to allow the patient to sleep and regain his strength. He went outside to stretch the washed shirt close to the fire he had started at the break of dawn for mixing his potions.

***

Toru groaned as he fought to open his eyes. What had happened? The slight pain in his upper back had him remembering everything - the silverback, the deer, the run through the forest. His eyes moved about the room as he lay there unmoving. Ah, he was at the healer’s house.

Was that giant with tusks the healer? Toru moved one hand carefully to feel his wound, and it came back sticky. He sniffed. That was the healer; his hand smelled of herbs, and the bite on his back no longer hurt that badly.

When he moved, Toru felt something fall from his forehead. A compress. He took it and placed it next to him as he sat on the edge of the hard, narrow bed. Whatever the healer had done, he had done well, because Toru felt much better, although thirsty and a bit hungry.

A door opened and through it came the giant from before.

You’re awake.

Toru examined his host. He was a big guy, but not human. Not entirely human, Toru decided as his eyes traveled over the giant, up and down. His tusks were reminiscent of an orc, but otherwise his face was human and a pair of kind eyes the color of chocolate looked at him from beneath furrowed brows.

He wore coarse clothes, but his entire appearance was clean and not like that of an orc at all. His skin didn’t have that greenish tint, either, and the mop of brown hair on his head looked clean and cared for, too.

Still, his eyes were drawn to the pair of tusks rising only a little above the bottom lip.

The not-orc touched the tusks in a self-conscious gesture. I’m sorry about these. You have no reason to fear me.

Toru snorted. As if.

The healer laughed, a pleasant, subdued laugh that made Toru smile, too. I’m glad to see you in such high spirits. Are you thirsty?

Toru nodded, and only then noticed that the healer lacked one forearm, the sleeve of his shirt folded in half, and moving a cup to fill it with water from a bucket seemed like a difficult task. What could have happened? Toru shivered. As much a brawler as he was, he wasn’t fond of physical pain. That must have hurt a lot.

Here you go, the healer said, and offered him the full cup.

Toru took it and gulped it in one go. More. He handed back the cup and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

The healer offered him another smile and went back to fill the cup again. Toru examined him with growing interest.

Can I see if you’re still running a fever? the healer asked after he returned with the water.

Toru nodded. The healer felt his forehead with one large hand. You’re very lucky, young man. And very healthy.

What’s your name? Toru asked.

I’m Duril, the healer replied.

Are you this town’s healer? Toru just wanted to make sure.

A sigh was the answer. I’m a healer of many. There are better ones. Much better.

Toru moved his shoulders and neck. You’re good. It almost doesn’t hurt at all.

That’s because you have a fantastic healing rate. I thought I would have to tend to you for at least a few days. Can you show me your back?

Toru turned. I’m Toru.

Toru. That’s a beautiful name. Not common around here.

Duril touched his back, and it was so gentle that Toru barely kept in a purr. Some humans had that gift, to make each touch a caress. No wonder Duril was a healer; his touch was featherlike and warm. Only he was no human.

What are you? he asked.

Duril stopped for a moment. What do you mean?

You’re not a human. Not completely.

Duril sighed. My mother was. But being, as she was, a practitioner of the oldest profession in the world, a mistake was bound to happen.

Toru could sense longing and regret in Duril’s words. He turned his head backward and stared at Duril from below. You’re not a mistake.

Duril blinked a few times, as if there was suddenly something in his eyes. I washed your shirt. I’m not sure it’s completely dry, but I managed to take the stains out.

Thank you, Toru said. I don’t have another shirt.

I figured. You’re not from around here, Toru, are you? Your clothes are so thin.

No. I’ve been traveling for months. Toru wasn’t sure how much of himself he should reveal. Duril was a kind person, even if he wasn’t a human, and he didn’t want to scare him. As big as he was, he was as gentle as a lamb, and the last thing Toru wanted was to make him shake in fear.

Ah, of course, Duril was within his rights to ask him questions. He must be interested in finding out how Toru would pay for the treatment and everything.

I don’t have any coin, he admitted.

Duril patted his shoulder and moved away. You don’t worry about that now. First, you need to get well. Are you hungry?

Toru turned and looked Duril up and down again, making the healer look down as if he was embarrassed. I said I don’t have any coin, not that I won’t pay.

Duril raised his eyes and looked at him. It’s all right. You don’t have to.

Toru stood up and smirked. Gentle guys like Duril were his favorites. He moved slowly, and Duril clearly became aware of him even more. He stopped near him, and as tall as Duril was, Toru matched him. He sniffed his ear and brushed it with his nose.

What are you doing? Duril moved away, looking frightened.

Toru stopped. Could it be that Duril wasn’t interested? Ah, maybe he needed to ask first. Which one are you? This? He put two fingers together and pointed up. Or this? He made a circle with his thumb and index finger.

The look on Duril’s face was priceless.

Chapter Two – You’re A Stranger

Duril could swear his heart must have stopped for a moment or two. When was the last time he had been propositioned like that? He couldn’t even recall the last lover he had taken to bed, and, without a doubt, no one as attractive as Toru had ever been interested in him. Not that such things mattered, but Duril still felt intimidated, flustered and embarrassed, all at the same time.

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather his wits about him. Could it be that Toru was joking? Duril had grown accustomed to other people’s cruelty for as long as he could remember. He was nothing but a half, someone who belonged neither here nor there, so everyone hated him equally. It had taken him all his life to prove that he wasn’t a danger, that there was no strange bloodthirsty beast lurking within him, and that he only wanted to help.

Toru’s golden eyes were close, and Duril risked one longer look. Um, I think I’m fine. We’re fine. We’re good. You don’t have to pay anything. I have potions to make, he added abruptly and moved past Toru and into the backyard, his heart beating wildly now that it finally decided to resume its function.

He stopped in front of the boiling pot, not knowing what to do. It had been awfully rude of him to abandon his guest and patient, but when that person was a handsome young man that could make Duril’s weary heart leap and sing again, there was no other choice. He hoped Toru would take the offer of not having to pay anything and leave.

Money was so tight now after the long winter. But there were few things Duril needed to buy since he managed to make most of what he needed by himself. Cutting down wood was almost impossible, though, and he had had to pay others to do it for him. But with the weather changing, he would only need it for his potions, so much less.

Still, with all the problems he had, Duril would never turn down someone in need. He was happy he could help Toru, even if he didn’t have any money to pay him.

***

Toru stood there, dumbstruck. Had he just been rejected? Well, maybe Duril liked girls with soft bodies and beautiful smiles. By what he had seen of the townsmen so far, he doubted the healer had a lot to choose from.

There was a small prickle of annoyance bothering him. Toru was not used to getting pushed away. Could it be that he smelled badly? He tried to sniff himself, but that didn’t tell him anything.

Another matter had to be settled, too. It wasn’t his habit to freeload and take advantage of nice people. Biting back his disappointment, he picked up the shirt Duril had washed and dried. He had a feeling Duril would be nice and generous in bed, and he had already seen himself making love to the gentle giant. Now, he had a debt to pay and needed to figure out a way to do that without running the risk of insulting his generous host.

Especially since there were other pressing needs he had to attend to, now that he had lost a lot of blood. Without some food in his belly, he wasn’t sure he could shift. His human shape had its needs, too, and if he couldn’t shift, that meant that he couldn’t hunt. Once more, he needed to take advantage of the generous healer and make him understand that Toru would pay for everything once he was strong enough to hunt.

***

Duril.

Duril turned on his heels, surprised to find Toru behind him. Had he been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t heard Toru walking into the backyard? He needed to keep his wandering mind and heart in check. Just to survive another day he needed to keep his eyes open, his hearing sharp and his health perfect. There was no room for daydreaming about handsome men in the kind of life he had to live.

I thought you would be gone.

He didn’t mean to sound harsh, but Toru’s simple presence made him tense. Toru had dressed, but he had left his shirt opened in front, and Duril’s eyes were drawn to the perfect muscles underneath. He had touched Toru in his role as a healer and the other his patient, but now he felt awful and guilty. Healers weren’t supposed to lust after the people they cared for, and he had just committed, although in thought alone, a crime.

I’m hungry, Toru said simply. And don’t worry, I’ll pay for everything. Once I can hunt.

Duril examined Toru with questioning eyes now. Hunt? You don’t carry any weapons.

I have my methods, Toru said with a small shrug.

Duril sighed. I told you. You don’t have to pay me.

Especially not with your handsome body. Duril shook his head, horrified by where his mind was taking him.

It’s okay that you don’t like me, Toru said.

Duril stared at him for a moment, puzzled. Wait, was Toru thinking that Duril had run away because of that? He didn’t know the young man, but he seemed genuine in his words and actions. Duril just didn’t want to get hurt, and now felt torn about causing Toru any distress.

It’s not that, um, I don’t like you. Duril sensed his cheeks catching fire. He turned brusquely toward his potion pot. Inside, you will find some bread and cheese. The pantry is on the left.

Thank you.

Duril prayed that Toru would walk away now, but he didn’t hear any footsteps departing.

What’s there to do around here? Do people want hunters? Warriors?

Toru was surely built like one, but he had no armor, no weapons. Duril worried about him. There is a guild where you can ask if help is needed. It’s located in the center of the town, so you can’t miss it. But Toru, how are going to hunt? Or fight? You only have the clothes on your back. Great, now he sounded like someone who stuck his nose in other people’s business. Do you even have a place to sleep?

Toru walked over to him, much to Duril’s surprise. A warm hand rested on his shoulder. Can I sleep here, with you?

Oh. And that had been a small trap he had set for himself quite beautifully. Clearly, his mouth had a knack for making him sound like a fool. Was it that badly that he wanted the beautiful young man around him?

Duril moved his shoulder a bit, but Toru didn’t seem to take the hint. He didn’t look at the man behind him for fear that his red face would give him away. Not with me. I mean, there’s the bed on which I treat patients --

I can sleep on the floor. And don’t worry about that other thing. I get it that you like girls.

Duril’s mouth opened and closed a few times. Good thing Toru couldn’t see him from the front or he would be able to read what and who Duril really liked. And then, he didn’t think he had it in him to run away again. What was he thinking? He shook his head again. He needed to get it out of his mind that someone as beautiful as that could be interested in him.

A pang shot through his chest when he realized what Toru had tried to do; probably he was used to selling his body since he was so poor. Duril cursed at himself; all his childhood, he had seen his mother making ends meet through that alone. He had hated those men taking advantage of her condition, and now he had been thinking of behaving like one of them? He had every right to feel disgusted with himself. From now on, he needed to keep his distance from Toru. At least, as much as that was possible with him living under the same roof –

Will you be here long?

I’m searching for someone.

Who is it? Maybe I can help.

I doubt it, Toru replied. I don’t know their names.

Duril didn’t miss the way Toru had said that, his voice dipped in longing.

I’ll figure it all out by myself, Toru added. Thank you, Duril. He suddenly pressed his head against Duril’s upper back. I’m a stranger, and yet you do all of this for me.

Duril was of a mind to offer some words of comfort to that, but the warmth spreading from where Toru touched him left him speechless. Just as fast, Toru moved away. I’ll let you work now. I’ll just eat something and head over to that guild.

He was no longer within earshot to hear Duril murmuring, You’re a stranger, and I’m completely crazy.

***

Toru nibbled on the bread and cheese he found in the pantry, but left enough for the other, since there seemed to be little other food around. He scrunched his nose at the cabbage stored neatly in a basket. The day he would eat vegetables willingly would be a cold one in hell.

The healer seemed to be poor as dirt, but, of course, not as poor as Toru who had never cared about owning anything. Even this strange desire, to follow that scent, was something new and unlike him. Toru didn’t grow attached to people and places. He was free and took from life all that he could.

He would make sure that Duril had some meat for tonight’s dinner, Toru decided. Shaking off the irksome feeling of having been rejected earlier, he stood up, ready to go. If Duril hadn’t been so nice, he would have just let it rest. But Toru liked affection, soft caresses, and a warm body wrapped around him; Duril looked like he had plenty of that, but he was so unwilling to share, the miser. What silly girls enjoyed his attention?

Toru threw the last bit of cheese he had allowed himself into his mouth and was out the door. There was a latch on it, but it probably remained unused during the day since it didn’t look like thieves would find anything worth stealing here.

***

The building housing the guild also served as an inn by the looks of it. The place was packed with people, smoke, and the smell of food when Toru walked in. Curious eyes turned toward him, but no one said a thing to him as he looked the place over.

The guild? he asked gruffly, staring down a patron who appeared impressed by his size. Since people around here weren’t talkative, he would spare only a few words, too.

He was pointed toward the back of the large room, at a door that seemed to separate the space. Toru patted the man who had offered him the answer on the shoulder, amused at how quickly he flinched. As a general rule, he wasn’t vicious, but he knew well that, as a stranger, he needed to inspire respect and fast.

As he approached, he noticed two heavily armed guards standing by the door to the guild. Two glaives crossed in front of him.

Who are you? one of the guards asked, his small mean eyes inspecting him from behind a metal helm.

Someone looking for honest work, Toru replied.

The guard looked him up and down. There’s none for the likes of you. Beat it.

Toru towered over the guard. Are you the leader? You don’t look like one, little man.

The guard clearly felt protected by the armor he wore, his glaive, and his companion. He moved his weapon to rest its sharp tip against Toru’s chin. Won’t look so little when I skewer you with this, scoundrel.

Toru smiled; his ears twitched. If that’s what had to be done to get noticed, so be it. He grabbed the guard’s glaive so fast that the air swished as the blade cut through it. In the blink of an eye, he broke the wooden pole over his knee and threw the pieces at the guard’s feet. What was it that you wanted to skewer me with, knave?

The guard’s companion didn’t hesitate for a moment to attack him, but Toru was prepared. He disarmed him with the same ease and pushed the wooden pole flat against the man’s chest, making him smack against the wall and bounce back like a child’s toy ball. Toru caught his assailant and pushed him back again, having fun, toying with him like that.

The first guard came to his senses and rushed to his partner’s aid. Toru only had to step nimbly out of the way, and then chaos erupted. It looked like the place had only needed a spark. The guard smashed into a table, making utensils and food plates crash to the floor. The men at the table jumped on him, probably unhappy with seeing their meal lost like that.

From there, Toru couldn’t say what reasons the others had to join the fracas. He grabbed the guard he had been playing with, raised him above his head and threw him into the maelstrom of fighting bodies while laughing. Good, now that he had gotten rid of those dumb guards, he could walk inside and talk to the guild leader.

What is going on here? A sonorous voice cut through the fight sounds, but everyone was too hotheaded to stop.

Toru turned to see who was talking. In the door to the guild stood an imposing man who seemed past his first youth and had the scars to prove that he hadn’t lived in vain. He was taller and bigger than Toru, which was enough to command both attention and admiration. His body was strapped in leather and metal, but it wasn’t the armor of a rich merchant trying to impress. Toru could read a history of fighting and winning in the worn leather and in the scratches left in the metal.

The man wore his dark hair shoulder-length and there was a single streak of silver-grey parting it equally. Furrowed brows guarded intelligent eyes, now filled with surprise and anger as they scanned the room. Toru stared at him shamelessly, and finally, his eyes were met by the other.

His heart stopped. He knew those eyes. Silverback, he whispered.

The dark eyes examined him curiously. There was a glint of recognition, but it faded quickly, leaving