Emotions were running high again. A week after her talk with Standig, Lolo had mostly returned to the person everyone knew and loved. She was finally healing and able to forgive Standig, but she was still grieving. The more tears she shed, the more Standig hated himself. He had done this to her. His betrayal of her trust just compounded her grief. The pendulum of their relationship swung wildly to the other side. As Lolo sought to reconcile with Standig, Standig retreated into himself and became prone to angry outbursts.

The rest of the team didn’t have a clue how to deal with Standig. Only Huo Lohse was able to handle him, and, somehow, despite his volatility, Standig had more self-control when it came to Lolo. As such, Lolo was now the buffer between him and everyone else.

“It’s like we traded in Standig to get Lolo back,” Ulana commented in a whisper to Jadu one afternoon. “I’m not sure which one is worse.”

Jadu just shook his head.

***

Taking walks with Philige in the evenings helped relieve the tension Lolo built up every day dealing with an increasingly surly Standig. It was getting to the point where she relied on those walks to unwind. It helped that she really did enjoy Philige’s company. He was easy to talk to and naturally optimistic while still being incredibly relatable and pragmatic.

Philige looked forward to their regular walks too. He hadn’t realized it as it had happened gradually, but the burden of being the Bear Tribe leader had been weighing heavily on him. Having someone to share that burden with was an incredible relief, and sharing that burden with Lolo specifically was a dream.

In addition to being good company, Lolo was also a fun person to garden with. The apple orchard started budding as mid-April approached, and Lolo taught Philige how to make bone meal to fertilize the apple trees. After dropping off Philige’s dinner baskets every evening, Lolo would ask the cooks for any bones they planned to throw out. In the orchard, Lolo laid the bones out to sun bake. When the bones dried out, she and Philige enjoyed hammering them into a dust to mix into the soil at the base of each tree. Mucking about in the dirt brought them both a lot of satisfaction.

“It’s been so long since I’ve had time and a place to garden,” Lolo laughed, her face streaked with the dirt from her hands where she’d wiped sweat off her temple and jaw.

Philige was no less messy. He’d somehow managed to get dirt up past his elbows and on the bridge of his nose. “I’m glad to have your expertise,” he commented. "I don’t think I’ve ever thought to fertilize these trees before.”

“Probably around June we’ll need to thin the crop a little.”

“Thin it?”

“Yeah. Apple trees tend to overproduce, so in order to get good apples, you have to thin out the fruits so the ones that are left grow bigger and juicier.”

“So that’s why these trees grow such pathetic little apples! I was wondering about that.”

“I always feel a little bad about thinning out fruit trees, though.”

“And why’s that?”

“Well, if I were a fruit tree, growing this wonderful abundance of goodness, I’d be a little put out if some came and snipped off the fruits I was working so hard on before they were ready to be eaten.”

Philige’s warm laughter was gratifying. “So, Lolo, I got a letter from your dad today.”

“Yeah? What did he say?”

“First, he says hi and that he hopes you’re staying out of trouble and doing alright.”

Lolo rolled her eyes. “If you write back, tell him hi for me too, please, and let him know that, while I can’t promise to stay out of trouble, I am doing alright.”

He grinned. “I can do that.”

“What else did he say?”

“It was mostly a thank you letter for honoring our alliance and for the use of some of our soldiers to help rebuild the villages that the dragons burned through. He also mentioned that he is working to officially declare Zhongyan as the young Alpha, and he’s planning to start transitioning him into the Alpha role. He’s invited everyone to attend the official coronation ceremony tentatively planned for June first, but there will be a set date on the invitation that comes with the official announcement.”

Lolo stopped digging to look Philige in the face. "He said that?"

"Yeah."

“He’s stepping down already?”

“Apparently,” Philige shrugged. The look of distress on Lolo’s face gave him pause. “Is something wrong?”

“Zhongyan is only twenty! My dad is only in his fifties!”

“I was twenty when I became the Bear Leader,” Philige reminded her.

“But that was different. There were extenuating circumstances in your case. Your uncle wasn’t fit to continue as the tribe leader, whereas my dad…. It’s too early!”

“Your dad seems to think that Zhongyan is ready. His comment was that Zhongyan proved himself to be a worthy leader on the battlefield, and that, surrounded by his brothers, he is well supported to succeed.”

“I’m less concerned about whether or not Zhongyan is ready to be a leader and more concerned about my dad stepping down prematurely.”

“Lolo, your dad recently lost his wife,” Philige said gently. “She was his support. Maybe he’s tired, and maybe he needs time to grieve too.”

“That’s why I’m worried. I’m also worried because, when a new Alpha rises, they are expected to produce heirs almost immediately. Usually, the young Alpha is officially declared when they are a little older, like, mid-twenties, and they only become the tribe leader after they’ve gotten married. Zhongyan may be ready as a leader, but he’s not ready to start a family.”

“That’s so much pressure!” Philige cringed a little.

“It can be. In Zhongyan’s case, it definitely will be. For my dad to step down before Zhongyan has really even dated, that makes me anxious for both of them.”

Philige sighed. “Do you need a hug? A very sweaty, dirty hug?”

Lolo couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, please.”

***

“We are so close, I can almost taste it,” Fortus agonized to the rest of the team.

“Doesn’t it feel like we are missing something?” Ulana said. “We’ve been feeling like we are close to discovering our ultimates for a while now. It’s almost like we need some sort of catalyst to push us the last little bit.”

“Guys, I’ve been thinking,” Lolo started carefully, “is there some significance to meditating in a circle?”

“I just assumed that it was a convenient shape,” Fortus shrugged.

Something flickered across Jadu’s face, and he pulled out his book, flipping rapidly through the pages.

“Got some historical mumbo jumbo to reference?” Fortus was hopeful.

Jadu raised his finger to request time to concentrate.

“While Jadu’s reading, hear me out,” Lolo said. “I’ve been thinking about partner meditations. Standig and I have only done a few of them since we started our primordial training because the merges became disjointed and random, but they’ve been showing us scenes from our primordial spirits’ lives back when they were animals. I had a crazy thought. What if, in order for the merges to be cohesive, we need everyone’s mind in the merge? Like, each of us have a piece of the story?”

“So something like a group meditation?” Ulana balked.

“I guess, yeah,” Lolo shrugged. “Jadu, your book doesn’t say anything about group meditations, does it?”

Jadu ignored her, feverishly searching for something.

“I’ve been wondering if the visions we were supposed to get during the awakening had some critical clue in them,” Fortus said. “Actually, Lolo, a group meditation, assuming that’s even possible, might make a lot of sense. All we really know about our visions is that they felt like memories and they were supposed to explain what being a primordial means. Putting our heads together, literally, might help us string some clues together.”

Jadu finally looked up from his book. “Guys, I read this months ago and didn’t think much of it. 'The circle gives our hosts collective focus and harmonizes our visions, feeding our spirits and ultimately renewing the power bestowed by our king',” he read.

“Which mission was that from?” Fortus asked.

“The first one.”

“I heard ‘circle’, ‘visions’, and ‘renewing power’ in that statement,” Fortus grinned. “That’s almost scarily on point.”

“What are you saying, Fortus?” Ulana looked a little disconcerted. “You want all of us to try this group meditation thingy?”

“I don’t have any better ideas,” Fortus said. “You were thinking that we might need a catalyst. Maybe, if nothing else, a group meditation would give us some ideas.”

“Standig, what do you think?” Lolo turned to the taciturn bear who was scowling off to the side.

“About what?”

“About attempting a group meditation.”

He shrugged.

“Would you be willing to try it?” Lolo prodded carefully.

“Whatever you decide,” Standig dismissed her.

“Well, if I’m left to decide, then I’d say it’s worth a shot,” Lolo said.

Standig shrugged.

“What do the rest of you guys think?” Lolo directed her question mostly to Ulana.

Ulana was scowling. “I’ve never even done a partner meditation before, I don’t really like the idea of sharing my mind with other people.”

“If you’re not comfortable with the idea, I can’t blame you. Partner meditations can be a little unsettling sometimes, and I have no way of telling you what a group meditation would be like,” Lolo said. “Personally, I’m of the opinion that, unless you really feel ok to try it, you probably shouldn’t.”

Ulana was relieved to hear that. “Thank you, Lolo.”

“Just an offer, Ulana,” Lolo continued, “I don’t know if you would feel comfortable trying this or not, and there’s no pressure if you don’t want to, but I would be willing to attempt a partner meditation with you to give you some idea of what to expect. Partner meditations can be quite intimate, though not always, and there is a wide variety of outcomes. I’ve experienced an exchange of emotions, memories, ideas, and also memories from my primordial spirit. I’ve also learned how to control the merge a little to show you something specific, but it means that you won’t show me anything. Maybe you’d even like that better?”

“You can do that?!”

“Control the merge? Yeah!”

“And you wouldn’t be reading my mind or anything?”

“I would have to focus entirely on what I’m trying to show you. I wouldn’t be able to receive anything back from you.”

“Can I think about it?”

“Definitely. Let me know what you decide,” Lolo smiled. “In fact,” Lolo said, turning to the boys, “that offer is on the table for the rest of you too. Just let me know if you want to try it or not.”

Jadu nodded his appreciation.

“I didn’t realize that you could control the merges, Lolo,” Fortus said.

“Oh. Yeah. I figured it out during the Lion Tribe exchange. That’s actually the reason why Standig didn’t kill you after stumbling into our play acting.”

Fortus chuckled. “I’d wondered how you managed to tell him everything without tipping off a spy. Good times.”

“Speak for yourself!” Lolo laughed. “I was so stressed out!”

***

To Wolf Tribe Leader Ming Lang, Wolf Tribe, Pack Hall

From Huo Lohse Lang, Bear Tribe, Guest Quarters

April 14

Dad,

Philige told me a couple days ago that you plan to abdicate?! Are you sure? Is everything ok? Do I need to come home? What does Zhongyan think about all of this? I don’t doubt that Zhongyan is a capable leader, but as the Alpha, it’s his duty to get married and have kids. He hasn’t even had time to date with all of his military training and duties! I’m worried about you and Zhongyan.

I love you,

Lolo

***

To Huo Lohse Lang, Bear Tribe, Guest Quarters

From Wolf Tribe Leader Ming Lang, Wolf Tribe, Pack Hall

April 16

Hello, my princess,

Yes. I plan to turn over the Alpha role to your brother. Nothing is wrong. I’m working with my council of advisors to give Zhongyan leniency on the marriage/heirs rule. However, based on what he’s told me, your brother actually has a young woman in mind that he’s interested in. I’ve encouraged him to pursue it, so maybe we will have a wedding in the near future to celebrate. Either way, it will all work out, so you don’t need to come home, at least not until the coronation.

I know you are training hard, and, based on the unbelievable reports I’ve heard about your feats during the battle, your training has been well worth it. I’ve been told that you held the front gate all by yourself for several hours, but that seems impossible. Your brothers have told me some other things about that night that, forgive me, are also hard to believe. You said last summer that the Great Owl believes you to be host to the primordial Silver Wolf spirit. Have you figured out what that means yet? Forgive me for doubting you. Maybe when you come home for the coronation you can explain everything to me.

Try not to worry. I love you, princess.

Dad

***

To Wolf Tribe Leader Ming Lang, Wolf Tribe, Pack Hall

From Huo Lohse Lang, Bear Tribe, Guest Quarters

April 18

Dad,

I’m glad to hear that Zhongyan will be given some leniency. I’m guessing that this young woman he’s interested in is a sphinx? I will try not to worry more than my usual amount. I would, however, like to know how you came to this decision and why you are choosing to step down now and not in another five to ten years.

Training is going well, and, yes, I have figured out what the Great Owl meant. I’m not sure what exactly you were told about the battle, but if you really want the details, I will tell you when I come home for the coronation. It is hard to believe, so I think I should probably tell you everything in person.

I love you and miss you.

Lolo

***

To Huo Lohse Lang, Bear Tribe, Guest Quarters

From Wolf Tribe Leader Ming Lang, Wolf Tribe, Pack Hall

April 21

Princess,

As a matter of fact, yes. The young woman your brother likes is a sphinx named Et’zana Dhaka’n. You will remember her from the exchange.

Why I am choosing to step down is not a simple answer, but I will summarize. There is a reason why the Alpha is supposed to be married before they accept the throne, and producing heirs is only a part of that reason. As you know, wolves were never intended to exist alone. The role of the Wolf Tribe leader is really more of a partnership between the Alpha and the Beta instead of a one-man job. (Frankly, I don’t know how the Bear Tribe leader does it on his own.) My Beta is gone, so it is time for the next generation to step up. Your brother is going to have Haowan serve as his Beta until he gets married. It is perhaps fortunate that he has a twin who is willing and able to fill that role for a while.

I know that by telling you this you are going to worry about me. Lolo, I promise that I’m alright. Yes, I am grieving the loss of your mother, we all are, but I am going to be ok. This change of power has been carefully discussed and planned. Zhongyan plans to make me one of his advisors after he assumes the throne, so I will still be involved in the Wolf Tribe affairs and will be close by should Zhongyan need anything.

I look forward to talking to you about everything soon. I miss you too.

Dad