Several weeks passed. Then the disaster - or at least the 14 years old girl viewed it as a disaster - struck. Her father had chosen a husband for her. Some guy several years older than her, someone she hadn't even met. She argued and cried, which only led to him hitting her. The harder she tried to defend her stance, explain that there was someone else she loved, the more he hit her. In the end her mother pleaded with her husband to let her talk some sense to their daughter.

Tessa just sat still and pretended to listen as she told her how she had been married to a man of her father's choosing too and that the love had grown gradually. How her husband-to-be was from a good family, strong and dependable. Once her parents were both asleep, she sneaked out and into the woods where Nightshade had set up his camp.

The bard was awake as she reached him, stoking the embers of his campfire to life. He studied her face for a moment before standing up. "Let me guess. Your father? What did that brute do this time?"

Tessa looked away. "I couldn't accept that he just chose my husband for me."

Nightshade gently stroked her hair. "That's not an excuse to hit you."

"He never did when I was a child. And he doesn't hit mother. He's...not really a bad man."

"And will you forgive him and accept the marriage because of that?"

"I don't..." She shook her head, then looked Nightshade straight to the eyes. "Please take me out of here. This is not the life I want."

"Then what is the life you want? Just moving to a different place won't change anything, unless -you- change first."

Tessa blinked back the tears. "I thought you of all people would understand..."

Nightshade ran his hands through her hair again. "I do understand. I admire how strong your spirit is. That's why I don't want you to be dependent of any man, not here, not anywhere. In the end, it all comes down to power after all."

Tessa swallowed and nodded. He was right, of course. If she didn't want to marry a protector and a provider to take care of her, she'd have to be able to take care of herself. And...of those she loved too. "How do I get that kind of power?"

"Do you know of Viscount of Shadows?"

"No."

"This realm is divided between many lords, with powers beyond mere mortals. The 'Shepherds' you serve are considered one, but not the only one." Most lords were originally humans - or elves - who had acquired some dark power one way or another. The rest were leaders of organized enough groups of sentient monsters to claim their own piece of land permanently. "Unlike the others, Viscount doesn't govern any particular area. His followers are wanderers."

"How does he protect them?"

"By granting them power to protect themselves. In return they serve as his eyes and ears, or sometimes his hands. The rest of the time...free to do whatever they wish."

"Like you?"

Nightshade chuckled. "Smart girl. Yes, like me." He paused. "The power to live your life as you see fit. What do you say?"

She was already serving one lord. Compared to what was demanded of her now, Nightshade's offer sounded temptingly good. And...she could leave this place with him.

"Think it over. I will wait for you tomorrow night. If you don't come, I'll know this was not your wish and you'll never have to see me again."

"Can't you stay even...if I don't want that power?"

"You will marry. Have a family. I'd only be an obstacle. Besides, I have obligations of my own too. I can't just camp in the wilds forever." He kissed her hand. "Although I'll admit, I'd be tempted to."

Tessa thought about it the entire night and the following day. She'd miss her friends and family, but in the end her heart had decided a long time ago. Almost as soon as it got dark and she could only hear the snoring of her father in the house, she left a small note to her parents and slipped into the night.

Nightshade waited with a large gray fox by his side. "So you've decided."

Tessa nodded. "Yes."

"First, I want to make sure you understand what you're agreeing to. That the decision comes from your heart. You will not withhold any information from the Viscount, and should he give you a task, you will complete it without hesitation."

"I understand."

He stroked the back of the fox next to him. "This girl is a werefox. One bite and you will become one too. Untouched by normal weapons and by average spell-casters. Strong, agile, natural survivor. Able to alter your shape between a human and a fox. I'd recommend a career as a hunter, since no prey will be able to escape. I'll also teach you how to fight with weapons, should you need that skill."

"That sounds good." A little strange, but if Nightshade thought it was okay, she was fine with it too.

"I'm not finished. I can't give you love and happiness. If you choose this path, you will walk it alone. You will never bear children, nor can you settle down with anyone."

"Alone? What about you?"

"Our paths will cross occasionally. In that sense I will be your companion. But my loyalty belongs to only one person. As will yours, if you accept."

Tessa hesitated. She had thought she could run away with Nightshade, not alone.

"What is it that you desire the most, Tessa?" Nightshade whispered, leaning closer. "It's not as simple as my love, is it?"

If she returned home now, she'd be stuck in this little world forever. Obey your husband. Give birth to sons. What she desired most...

"Freedom," she stated. "I want freedom. If this Viscount can give that, I'll do anything he asks!"

Nightshade gave her a gentle kiss. "As agreed. Hold out your hand."

The fox bite stung a little, but otherwise she didn't feel any different.

"The transformation takes three days." Nightshade placed a golden bracelet with strange engravings on her wrist. "Wear this all that time and you will have complete control over your new powers. No sudden blackouts or memory loss when you transform."

Sometimes those infected with lycanthropy had strong enough will to maintain full control in any case, but many transformed under special circumstances - werewolves most commonly during full moon - or when feeling threatened. When the change was unasked for, they lost control and became mere beasts. And the Viscount had no use for a mere beast. Better safe than sorry.

Then he took her hand and kissed the wound. "In three days we have left this area. You will have the entire world, with all the possibilities it can offer. I hope you enjoy it, my beautiful silver vixen."

He'd stay with her for a while, until she had learned to survive on her own. Then he'd continue looking for more people willing to trade their lives for something the Viscount of Shadows could give.

~*~*~

Good tools, both of them. And then there was the elf. Raviel. Not indebted to him...yet, but he did still have an ace in his hand. All in all, the pieces were falling into place nicely.

In the morning he'd send Noel and Nea to their errands and once those were completed, there would be only one more step left. Only one more step and his own fondest wish would be granted.