Target

<sub>He could still feel Wolfe's warmth against his flank, like stepping away after standing too close to a fire, making the surrounding air feel that much colder. Wolfe's parting words, uttered with more softness than Ari had thought was possible for him, echoed out behind him like a long tail.

"Be safe. Come back home."

He was not going to off to die. Wolfe was making it a bigger deal than it had to be.

Sepia had filled him in, her words clipped and to the point, belying her anxiety. The basics he had gotten when she'd gathered the pure warriors at the Fort and informed them of the attack on the king and queen, following up with instructions for increased security. And then Sepia had asked for a volunteer to go to Hyele.

If he was being honest, Ari wasn't sure what had made him step forward. Perhaps it had been his lingering desire to see other villages, or a sense of wanting to be of help. He hadn't expected to actually be chosen. But now here he was, heading east out of Artemis towards... What?

Sepia had only sent him with instructions to protect Harmony and Sparrow, as they were in line for the throne, and therefore suspected to be in danger, but if what Sepia had said about the Cheos council being attacked as well was true, (and gods, but that gave him anxious chills to think about,) then it was possible Hyele, with an already ill alpha, might be next.

Ari was not stupid. He knew that this was a more dangerous assignment than Sepia had made it sound. And he knew that as long as he did his job, and Harmony and Sparrow remained safe, then whatever happened to him was inconsequential. He was the barrier, the target and shield for whatever harm came their way. And he would do his job, for honor, for purpose, and for their safety.

He knew it was a dangerous assignment, but he had no way of knowing just how bad things were in Hyele.</sub>


Only ~350 words so idt the writing is worth silver, but... shoot lemme do my math here. Colored pic is 5, headshot halves it so 2.5, 3 for shading, and x3 because it's... event related? I hope this counts. 
2.5+3x3=16.5 silver (I think)