“Can we focus on the task at hoof, please?” Shining Armor was pouring over a rather detailed map. Two Pegasi scouts had arrived a few moments ago, bringing a number of possible locations, all mapped, with directions from the library. Excellent cartography aside, the ponies had completed the task with alarming speed, almost as if Celestia had a number of areas for an occasion such as this.

“The minute you can order me around, I'll do whatever you say, until then, stop acting all high and mighty.” Reman was viewing a separate map, and enjoying what he saw. A flat expanse with a large number of rocks and boulders, a marsh to the south, lake to the west, forest in the east, and a large, steep mountain to the north. All in all, not a bad locale, just needed a place to put the observers and they were good to go.

“Can you two stop with the macho stuff?” Glade was off to the side, chatting with the Elements and Princesses, minus Celestia. The lycan mare had no idea what to look for in a battlefield, so she left the task to those that did. She didn't mind, it gave her time to catch up with two old associates: Cadence and Rainbow Dash. Glade knew the Princess from around the castle, and her rough friendship with Dash was from Flight Camp. “This pissing contest doesn't accomplish anything.”

The two males ignored her, in favor of continuing their individual work. After a few moments, Armor and Reman came to separate conclusions, but both met the same end. Princess Celestia seemed to have her own epiphany regarding their current situation. The three conspirators looked to each other, a silent agreement formed between them. The first to present his findings would be Shining Armor, then Celestia, and finally Reman.

“The clearing south of Dead-End Marsh seems like a prime location, plenty of open space with high maneuverability.” The captain rattled that off like a true tactician. It would appear that the Imperial's earlier impression had held true. The lycan wondered how much hands-on experience Shining Armor actually had.

“I, personally, would suggest Hoofenstein Lake, if things are getting nasty, you and Glade could just dive under the water and distance yourself from Hircine for a few moments.” The Princess raised a valid point, the water was an excellent place to hide. For Reman, anyway, but Glade might have difficult holding her breath for long periods of time. “Now, what do you have for us, Reman?”

“I recommend the Middle Plains.” The Imperial placed his map in the center of the group, showing the location he meant. “It's central to both points you have suggested, but has its own unique benefits.”

“I can certainly see how you reached this conclusion.” If Armor could see that, how did he not reach it first? Perhaps Reman was being too harsh, not that he cared about the stallion's feelings. However, he was Twilight's brother, maybe the Imperial could stand to tone it down some.

“If you need a break from the fight, simply run to one of the other environments.” The Solar Princess seemed impressed by Reman's ingenuity. The lycan never ceased to astound and surprise. If Hircine doesn't send him home after the battle, Celestia had a wonderful job opening for the Imperial.

“So, I take it that we're all in agreement?” The two ponies nodded the affirmative.

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Meanwhile on the other side of the room...
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“Those wings are huge!” Rainbow was correct, Glade's wings were, in fact, much larger than those of an average Pegasus. “I bet they make some serious wingpower.”

“I haven't actually had a chance to test them out yet.” The lycan mare flexed the appendages, even the tiniest amount of movement displayed how much raw power was held within them. She would have spoken more on the subject, but was sadly interrupted by Shining Armor and Reman arguing. “Can you two stop with the macho stuff? This pissing contest doesn't accomplish anything.” When the alpha female was satisfied by their silent compliance, she returned to her conversation.

Glade didn't expect to have so many eyes on her when she faced the others. Her brazen use of coarse language had invoked a number of reactions, all of different levels of intensity. Twilight, Rarity, and Cadence all looked shocked, while Pinkie and Fluttershy sat wide eyed, not expecting it, but not reacting in a negative way. Applejack, Dash, and Princess Luna, however, had trouble holding back their laughter. Sweet Celestia, what had Glade done that warranted this sort of response?

“What are you all looking at?” The lycan mare sounded irritated, and she was, Glade had never enjoyed scrutinizing eyes being on her.

“You and Reman act like an old married couple.” Dash allowed herself to succumb to her laughter, as did AJ and Luna. Glade felt red rush to her cheeks, a sign only the Princess of Night could accurately interpret. Not that it stopped the others from drawing their own conclusions.

“You look so cute together!” Pinkie either didn't know how loud he was, or didn't care. Regardless, even the trio working over the maps had heard her yelling, well, Reman probably would have heard anyway, mega hearing and all that.

“I must say, a werewolf and a guardspony?” Rarity's eyes gleamed in delight, the gossiper must have sensed a new rumor, a bit of juicy information to sink her teeth into. “Forbidden romance, how scandalous!” The seamstress' dossier had been right, she had a flare for the dramatic.

“Rarity, I think you should be careful.” Fluttershy's voice was small as usual, and she was only trying to be helpful, minding the lycan's emotional state carefully. Despite her good intentions, the Element of Kindness' words almost sound condescending.“You might hurt somepony's feelings.”

“I don't have any problem with it.” At least Princess Luna was being level headed about these jokes. If anypony could refrain from poking fun, it was the Night Princess. “After all, I'm certain the foals will be cute.” Or not.

Glade was through with this. Even though the sun was still out, the lycan mare felt like retiring for the night. Besides, she and her alpha had a big day ahead of them tomorrow, it would be best if both of them rested well. That being relative, of course. Glade wasn't even mad about the jokes, in fact, she would have done the same in any of their shoes. The former guardspony was giving Princess Luna flat, blank stare, implying that she had said something stupid and slightly insane.

“Maybe we should stop.” Cadence had little control over other ponies, she could repair broken bonds but not for love and cooperation. While the jokes were in good fun, the pink Alicorn noticed how Glade reacted to them. “We shouldn't be upsetting anypony.”

“I've had enough of this.” The lycan mare stood, eager to get away from the others. While wolves, by definition, are social creatures, Glade was not the sort to enjoy the company of so many, especially not ponies that tried to be nice. Kindness wasn't wrong by itself, but when paired with jokes, it seems sarcastic even if spoken by the most sincere. Jokes, she could take, but she wasn't given to relying on others. “I'm going to bed.”

“So, I take it that we're all in agreement?” Were the others done picking out a location all ready? It seemed that if Reman and Shining Armor put their heads together, work progressed much faster. “So, Middle Plains it is, then?” The other two map readers gave their consent, it was settled, as soon as possible, the group would move to the Middle Plains and perform the ritual.

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By earliest convenience, they meant tomorrow. This may be the final night that either lycans spent amongst the living, and the possibility was unnerving, to say the least. However, in a matter of minutes, after the decision had been made, everypony was off doing something to prepare. In fact, just about all of them had to bring something important for the ritual, which Reman described the necessity of the items being equivalent to the importance of water to a plant. Glade wasn't a Unicorn, she had no idea if any of them objects held any magical value.

However, Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and Cadence knew that the scavenger hunt was an excuse to get everypony to leave the library until the morning. While an explanation was not given, the mares understood Reman's desire for privacy. After all, one of his only friends was nervous about the ritual, and the burden of reassurance fell to the Imperial's shoulders. For a few moments after the door closed, the two lycans sat in silence, they were in Twilight's guest room, and neither wanted to address the mammoth in the room. Unfortunately, one of them had to.

“Well, Glade, I guess things are closing to an end.” Four years. After four, long years, this nightmare was going to end, one way or another. However, Reman's enthusiasm was hardly felt by the pack's alpha female, who appeared to be fighting back tears. What was wrong? Wasn't she overjoyed at the prospect of a cure? Maybe, just maybe, she was worried about the Imperial relocating to Nirn afterwords, if he did so, Glade would likely never see him again. “My friend, what's troubling you?”

Much to the man's surprise, Glade hugged him again, the same way she had in the hospital. But, the was a difference, she wasn't just worried about Reman right now, she was worried about both of them. Nervous, very nervous and possibly scared, but of what? Even the Imperial wouldn't deny his own fear, but courage means that he was the only one that knew he was afraid.

“Reman,” The mare's voice was small, like that of a child quietly calling for help from a monster in the dark. The man thought he knew how to handle low morale and inspire bravery. However, Glade's next statement defeated even Reman's collection of motivation, and brought light to a fear that was both basic and ever present.“I don't want to die.”

“Glade...” There was nothing the Imperial could say that would alleviate the mare's fears. While Reman can accepted his own mortality some time ago, Glade still had her entire life to live. She still wore the Ring around her neck, so it was possible that she could continue her life as usual without the cure, Celestia probably wouldn't mind, so long as Glade never infected another pony. “Listen... you don't have to fight tomorrow.”

“I'm not just worried about me!” The mare snapped at her alpha, this may have been a sensitive subject. There was something else troubling her, but the man decided it was best to leave it be. “Do you know how worried I was when Zenammu stabbed you?” There was a desire for revenge, Oblivion hath no fury like a woman scorned, as they say. “If I had moved faster, of smashed the bastard's skull in before we tried to leave or-”

“You shouldn't blame yourself, I'm fine.” Reman offered a small, sincere smile. It was the best comfort he could give.

“How are you so calm about this?” Glade was whispering again, obviously either angry or on the verge of another outburst. Despite the odds, the mare didn't perform either option, instead, she chose her own. Again, she kissed the Imperial, who reciprocated in earnest, he hadn't been caught entirely off guard by this one. Displays of affection were not a staple in either of the lycans' childhoods, and even the smallest of them was powerful, even something so simple as this. “Would it hurt you to at least act like you're worried?”

“I've been living as a lycan for the past four years.” That didn't really answer the question, and Reman knew it. But, the answer Glade wanted wasn't what she had hoped for, and the Imperial wasn't going to kick while she was down. After a few more moments of silence, Glade wrapped her forelegs around Reman's neck and pulled herself up to his face's level.

“Reman, I've been thinking.” The lycan mare's eyes were half-lidded, which gave a number of clues to her intentions.

“About what?” Glade leaned closer to the Imperial, close enough for him to feel her breath on his skin. The mare hummed a bit, which, to the alpha male, sounded closer to a purr than anything.

“That if we might die tomorrow...” She pressed her entire body against her forebear, and tightened her grip. There was no doubt anymore, about this situation, about Glade, about himself. Reman had made peace with the Divines long ago, it was time that he actually enjoy his existence. “... I want us to be alive tonight.”