The messenger found The Red Wolf in the common area of the Den. He was having a drink and chatting with Heinin and Wag.
The large and muscled Wag had turned down the role of Dirus recently, saying he preferred his job of keeping rabble rousers in line in the bar. He had a fondness for knocking heads, and preferred not to carry more weapons than his wooden cudgel and leather sap.
Heinin had been the Coyote at one point, but with all the connections he made, he decided to step down into the easier position of the lead fence. He was the best at moving goods, and he was happy not to have any real responsibility.
These were the two wolves that Canis Rufus spent most of his time socializing with. This was of course because they were both secretly Shadow Wolves. Wag garnered information from the loose lips of drunk Wolves. Heinin picked up useful information from all the deals he was making. They were on a very short list of Wolves that Rufus didn't question the reliability of their reports. They had never failed him, and he was glad to have them. The two of them often worked together, filling in the holes in each others information to paint a much clearer picture for Rufus. Tonight, though they laughed and joked as they drank, they actually were talking in complicated code. They were relaying a tale of deeds that were making Rufus angrier by the moment. It seemed this Torak Val Korra, had tortured and killed loyal Wolves. Nobody dared to make such moves against the Wolves. They were well established, respected, and feared. Sure they only had stepped into the light, and become public knowledge since the man, whose secret name was Theodore Wrenthis, had brought them such great success and filled their ranks to bursting, but those that dwelt in the dark underworld of crime should know better than to cross them. What was more, Black-skull apparently wanted to join. If that was the case, the fool had gone about it all wrong. You don't kill Wolves and then ask for admittance.
The real problem was that one with skills such as his would be useful. Very useful. If he could be kept in line, abilities like his would be excellent for work as a spy amongst the Shadow Wolves, and he would make an excellent Night Wolf. Wild animals were often hard to control though. They were all Wolves here, all predators, but they followed the rules of the pack. If wolves over fed on their prey they would soon starve and the weak would be culled. The same was true for Soot Wolves, they had to balance themselves with the ecosystem of Arca's society and economy. Could this wild animal be tamed? Or at least controlled well enough that he could be a useful tool?
He saw the Blood Wolf messenger approaching and raised a hand to silence his drinking companions. "I take it you were sent to bring me news from Canis Simensis about the 'Tin-Man'? Well the Wolves in the Shadows have already brought me this news. I am happy he was not killed on the spot. Everyone involved in his capture drinks on me tonight. Now fetch Chora and take her to the holding room that was prepared for Torak. I will be there waiting for her with Zahi."
"Right away sir," the messenger said as he rushed off to take the orders to the healer.
"Well gents, keep up the good work. We'll have drinks at our usual time again tomorrow."
"Of course sir," the two said in unison before going back to their duties.
Canis Rufus finished the last of his ale in one long take, let out a deep sigh, and stood from his stool at the bar. "I've never been fond of assassins Alko. I put up with Jarrett, and now it seems I'll be bringing this Night-shadow into the fold. Why must I deal with these blood dealers?"
"You have never wasted a tool that you could put to good use Theo."
Canis Rufus growled at the use of his given name. "You know I don't want you using that name Alko. You are the only one to know that name that I have spared, don't make me kill you old friend. Just because you saved me a number of times when we were boys does not mean I won't remove you if I feel you're a threat." He turned without awaiting a response from the bar tender, and headed to a meeting he would not enjoy.