Part two.

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Before a full week had passed, Codex and Aspen were on their way to London. Bags were packed in haste, students were given weeks-long projects to keep them busy while their professors were away, and the two women were put in a carriage on their way to the city. The chill in the air clung to them as the fog to the road in the early morning mist causing them to cuddle together in the jostling vehicle.

“Thank you for coming with me. I know you’re not terribly excited to meet my family.” Aspen’s voice was low, barely made out against Codex’s shoulder. Her horns were freezing against the other’s neck, but neither commented for fear of losing the warmth of the other.

“Having met your brother before, I’m interested to meet your father. I’m told your grandmother will greatly dislike me.” A soft chuckle rumbled in her chest before another shiver ran down her spine to the end of her tail causing it to fluff up in the small space around them. A pause followed the comment, Aspen’s steady breathing leading the young wolf to believe her to have fallen asleep. Not surprising as both of them were up late again grading essays and reviewing tests. “Sleep well, my friend.” She whispered, gently brushing a strand of hair away from the older goat’s face.


It was near midday when they arrived at the edge of London, both women shuddering awake from the sudden jolt of cobblestone rather than mud and grass. They sat up, adjusting their respective garments that surrounded them, and watched as the people bustled around past them. It was strange to watch how each section of the city changed from the drab colourlessness of the outer limits to the rich, vibrant colours of the upper classes. The buildings shifted from nearly toppling hovels to beautifully decorated manors and wrought iron everywhere.

Codex, though not a country bumpkin, had never been to London. At least, not in memory. Everything seemed so grand, so unnecessarily ornate, each minute detail taken up with the utmost care. Every winding twist of the bars that made the gate they passed through seemed to scream out at them, beautiful but dangerous. Almost a thorned vine, weaving in and out of the bushes that lined the fence-topped-walls. Like adders swirling over each other in their lair, dangerous though beautiful.

The haunting building before them was a testament to engineering, each window reflected the sky fully so the clouds seemed to float in them, the high peaked roofs clawing towards the heavens, raking to bring them down to earth, the large front door seemed bolted in place until it opened widely to reveal two tall men who rivalled the brilliance of their home. Tall, strong looking, over all intimidating.

“Welcome to our home, miss Browne.” The shorter of the two men proclaimed as a lithe feline helped the two ladies from the carriage. “I trust your journey was uneventful?”

“Sir, it was immemorable compared to the home that stands before me. Your stature precedes you as well.” Codex bowed deeply before the ram, his three sets of horns set Aspen’s to shame. As she stood upright again, she adopted the stance of a gentleman assisting his lady down the street, arm propped that her friend might loop her hands about the strapping bicep before following the two men into the mansion.

“I am told you take good care of my daughter while she concocts her brews in that madhouse of a school.” The heavy northern accent was not lost on the wolf’s ears, the strain of certain words causing her ears to twitch. “Though, I am also told you lecture about bugs in your own time, is this correct?”

Before Codex could respond, Aspen mentioned how the journey had been a bit tiresome and that they might wish to change before meeting her family in the gardens for a proper conversation. Her father agreed, explaining their belongings had been taken up to her old room, if she could remember the way after being away for so long.


With a heated sigh of exasperation, Aspen closed the door behind them, apologising for her father’s rudeness. Their trunks had been brought up and set at the foot of the large bed, larger than any Codex had seen before. It looked so plush...

“My dear friend, I do hope he hasn’t offended you.” Aspen gently grasped at the wolf, the strong arms hidden under her usual well-tailored suit. “He means well, he just doesn’t know you yet.”

Codex smiled, reassuring that she was neither offended, nor did she care that he had tried.

“None of that now. Let us get changed before your father sends your brother for us. As frightening as he is, Nex is far more frightening than I believe Lord Tyrsblut could be.” The younger stated before an ominous feeling of foreboding leapt from her stomach. She wasn’t quite sure where it had sprung from, but her belly writhed as they changed from their riding clothes.