AN EVENING OF SURPRISES

"Well, I don't know how to put this, but let's just say Wolfgang has special privileges and doesn't have to follow the usual rules with regards to Moon Bell." River explained, but it was such a poor explanation that Dan could not feel confident about planning any move based on it.

River was as equally hesitant as he was determined to introduce Dan to the Fire Pillar.

"Alright, here goes nothing." River said when their reached a polished door of the second floor, "He's in here. I'm just going to greet him and introduce you. How it goes after that is up to you."

Which was probably for the better since River wasn't exactly the most tactful communicator. This entire mission to Moon Bell had to be handled with sensitivity, and from all that River had said thus far, Dan felt quite sure that Lord Wolfgang's special privileges at Moon Bell might probably be just as sensitive.

It would probably be best to play it safe and just exchange name cards. Hopefully, he would be able to bump into the Fire Wolf again after gathering more information - discretely of course.

A guard opened the door for them, "The Grand King River is here."

It was weird because the guard's uniform was not that of a Snow Moon warrior. It was the same design, but in navy blue. An antonymous army? Intriguing.

"Wolfgang!" River rushed forward with all the grace of an overexcited bumbling pup, "Why are you here?"

Dan winced. He was very sure that was not how one would greet a traditional elder wolf, but then again, this was King River. He seemed exempt of most lycan etiquette.

The fire wolf stood up from the fireplace. He was an elder warrior wolf - one that had already reached an agelessness that made it hard to guess his actual age, but so strikingly handsome in bearing and looks that Dan immediate thought was that he must be an angel.

He blinked to clear his head. He was being overimaginative.

"Why can't I be here?" Lord Wolfgang asked. He granted Dan a quick once over, "What do you want, human?"

Dan felt surprised at the way the Fire Pillar's directness. Snow Moon was a very traditional pack, and no matter how eccentric River was, everyone had treated him with great respect and admiration in front of Dan… until now.

"What do you mean?" River rubbed the tip of his nose, "What makes you think I want anything?"

"Normally, you would avoid me." Lord Wolfgang pointed out.

"Why would I avoid my childhood teacher and personal advisor?" River asked sheepishly.

Dan was beginning to feel this entire introduction was a mistake - the Great King's childhood teacher and personal advisor himself? This Lord Wolfgang had a far deeper background than he had been led to believe. He should have read up before coming here, oh right, he didn't exactly have the luxury of time to make adequate preparations for this trip.

"Anyway, this is Dan." River decided to force Lord Wolfgang's visible annoyance to Dan, "He's a human diplomat from the Three Kingdoms… and my friend."

"You know how the Three Kingdoms had always been pretty mean to the lycans right?" River artlessly continued, "Well, Dan here has been working hard to help every make friends."

"Dan Lion, the former Three Kingdoms Prime Minister?" Lord Wolfgang seemed to recognize the name, but based solely on his cold regard, Dan was quickly realizing that his chances of making a good first impression were over. Ironically, no thanks to his enthusiastic friend, King River.

With an introduction like that, River might as well have shot him in the face. Dan bowed stiffly, "It is an honor to meet your lordship."

Never mind the name card exchange. Dan would be grateful to leave with his dignity intact.

"Hm, interesting." The fire wolf touched his chin. He looked like a poster advertisement of something very expensive that many women would buy. Dan couldn't explain why he thought that. It's not the first time Dan had met a good looking lycan. Most lycans looked like movie stars anyway. Dan himself was a good looker. He often pretended not to care, but he was not unaware. He wondered if Lord Wolfgang pretended not to care too. There was no way he was unaware… By the time Dan realized it, he was too late - he had been openly staring at the other wolf for too long.

Dan had never made such a mistake before. Maybe the stress was just getting to him.

"My apologies." Dan racked his brain for a suitable excuse, "Lord Wolfgang looked familiar…"

He should've asked Beta Glenn to make the introductions. It would definitely be less stressful than the way King River was conducting it.

To his surprise, Lord Wolfgang extended a hand, "Chimay. My academic name is W.A. Chimay."

"Oh." Dan did recognize the name. Professor W.A. Chimay was one of the most renowned lycan minds in the academic world, "It's truly an honor."

They shook hands, which surprised Dan since wolves seldom shook hands as easily as humans.

"What can I do for you?" Lord Wolfgang asked.

Now, Dan was so surprised that he nearly blurted out exactly what he needed - but he stopped himself when he realized it could not be so simple, very few things were.

"I heard your arrival." He answered instead, "And wanted to make your acquaintance."

He took out his card, and offered it with a polite bow.

One should always patiently build trust and a comfortable communicative relationship first. This was the first rule of long term diplomatic ties.

Wolfgang accepted it and handed Dan a navy blue calling card. That was all in all, despite the clumsy introduction, a good start. Dan bowed his thanks. He should leave quickly now so as not to disturb the other man. Seeing that Lord Wolfgang had come to the club, only to settle alone in one of the small libraries would either mean that he had a private meeting to attend to, or preferred the quiet.

"Dan has been given a mission to build some kind of diplomatic relationship with Moon Bell." River announced, "Do you think you can introduce him to Henri, or at least Sam?"

And just in case Dan was an idiot and did not know, River turned to inform him, "Sam is Henri's mother."

Dan was unable to keep the smile on his face any longer. He knew if he forced it, it would only look strained, "King River, I am well aware that I will not be welcomed into Moon Bell's territories. I thank your majesty for the enthusiastic help, but I'm afraid this mission was an impossible one from the start."

And then Wolfgang spoke, "It's not impossible."

Dan felt his head whip over to the blond wolf.

"If you can give me a good reason to help you, it's not impossible." Wolfgang qualified.

Dan's heart started hammering hard, but experience helped him realize almost immediately that he shouldn't lose his head so quickly. There was NO WAY the wolves would so willingly lead him into Moon Bell. There had to be a catch.

"It's not that I doubt your abilities, Lord Wolfgang, so do not take offense at my hesitation." Dan kept his tone reasonable and calm, but inside he was quite the opposite, "But why would you offer such an opportunity to a stranger? It was good enough to have met you, I cannot accept such a huge favor. To be honest, I do not have the confidence that I will have the means to repay the debt."

Because Dan was a diplomat. He had been doing this for many years. He understood how a relationship worked.

"You are not a stranger. I have studied your policies and reforms in the Three Kingdoms for many years. And despite what you may think, it will cost me very little to bring you in, almost nothing at all." Wolfgang shrugged, "All I want in return is a good reason. What do you intend to do once inside of Moon Bell?"

Nothing of how this meeting was unfolding was expected. Dan had estimated six months to find a possibly dangerous inroad, but within a month the door had been opened for him.

"Moon Bell is like my second home." Wolfgang continued. Dan was not sure if he were more surprised by the fact, or by Wolfgang sharing this fact with him, "All of the current generation of alpha wolves there had at one time or another received my tutelage."

Was that why he had access to the pack? But Dan felt it could not be the whole truth. Politics was seldom obvious like that.

"I wish to build diplomatic relationships." Dan could only answer as honestly as possible, "Perhaps stay for half a year, longer if necessary to win the Alpha's trust. My King would like to open a negotiation table with Alpha Henri, but there is no need to rush to any agreement. This will only be an exploratory visit on my part."

Dan would have to explore a way to escape death while there too.

"Also, I cannot go immediately." Mostly because Dan refused to unduly shorten his lifespan, "I will be travelling through Silver Mountain and Black Forest and some of the smaller packs. This is my last official diplomatic trip for the Three Kingdoms and I wish to personally thank and inform all my lycan contacts."

"It would take me up to another five months to complete my scheduled itinerary." Dan explained it as professionally as possible.

Wolfgang nodded, "That sounds reasonable."

Really? Dan barely dared to hope.

"At the end of winter, we often send a delegation of young snow wolf warriors to participate in the annual friendship tournament held at Moon Bell. If you are ready to go by then, I can take you with the delegation. Or else we can arrange a separate trip." Lord Wolfgang shrugged.

"You will take me directly into Moon Bell?" Dan hoped he didn't sound as shocked as he felt, "What formalities should I prepare for? Would I need to meet the elders, or perhaps Moon Bell reps for an introductory meeting at Gate City first?"

Lord Wolfgang shrugged again, "There is no need for formalities. You may consider this your introductory meeting."

Dan took a full second to understand, "Yes, thank you, your lordship!"

This was an unbelievable free pass.

Lord Wolfgang wasn't as moved, "Don't thank me. Mr Lion, the Moon Bell Pack… if you can get them out of their recent shell, they will surely change the world. But if your Three Kingdoms dares to play any petty tricks, I doubt you humans would survive the backlash."

Therein, Dan realized, must be the true motive for Lord Wolfgang's participation, "What… I mean is this why your lordship is helping me?"

"Who knows?" Lord Wolfgang shrugged, "You are a man who knows how to value a chance. I've given one to you. Do not disappoint me."

"What?" River looked from Wolfgang to Dan.

And then they were waved away, "Go. I wish to be alone."

River immediately grabbed Dan and pulled him towards the exit quickly, "I don't really get it, but yes! Thank you! We're going!"

Dan would've left without River's wrangling. He knew better than to overstay his welcome - especially with a powerful elder wolf he could not see the depths off.

"Great!" River seemed pleased, "I'm glad you got your ticket in!"

"I can scarcely believe it." Dan said, more to himself than River.

"Don't worry. Wolfgang is a man of his word." River slapped Dan on his back, "You can count on him."

Yes, the only problem now was really his Three Kingdoms. His King was definitely going to pull a series of what the wolves would call "petty tricks" and Dan would be blindsided in the thick of it.

"We should keep the invitation from Lord Wolfgang a secret." Dan told River, "Do not tell a soul - especially not to those traveling with me. There may be spies, because I certainly have enemies."

River frowned, "Well, you better leave those outside Moon Bell. Those wolves can get pretty scary when provoked."

Wilhelm returned to River's side. He passed Dan a wad of cash. It turned out that Wilhelm was quite good at cards.

It had been an evening of meeting of many surprises.