Old art redone! Rehashing an old concept and an old story!

====

Vhelos is retired. Has been for a while, but occasionally he is given the order to breed with another younger Warbred. He has good and healthy genes. He's rather annoyed when his cozy retirement is interrupted with a Warbred in heat sent his way for his genetic contribution... but it is what it is. Orders are orders, and he can't complain too much. He lives a fairly comfortable life on the outskirts of Reinvari's capitol city.

And so he does his duty. He's even nice enough to let Neryn use his bathroom to clean up before sending him on his way. As the big Warbred is about leave Vhelos' home, the new scent in the house brings out two little secrets the elder Warbred has been hiding. Little nymphs, Kane and Alvar, very curious and very young, come to investigate this new face. For Vhelos, it's like a cold shock, a moment of nervous anxiety. This is one of the King's soldiers. He is SURE he is going to give away his secret... that he's going to lose the last of his dead mate he has left. For Neryn ... he's just confused. He hasn't seen nymphs that age before.

Warbred nymphs belong to the King. They are taken when they are around 2 weeks old to be placed into the Time Chambers, aged up, and then sent to be trained into new soldiers. Even those from unexpected pairings could end up being useful. Vhelos is very much not supposed to have them. And he knows that.

Even more surprising is when Vhelos' stoic nature falls away, his head low and antennae tucked against his horns. His face and posture show real emotion. He's struggling to hold back tears. Perhaps even fear? The fear of losing his children. The fear of the punishment that will come to him for keeping this secret. The elder begs Neryn not to report them, because they are the only thing he has left from his dead mate. That he hadn't even known they were on the way until Artaxus, the legendary Battle Trainer, was already reported as dead to a Rebellion skirmish. Vhelos had his doubts; such a legendary warrior couldn't have gone down to lowly Rebellion fighters.. could he? But the fact remained; His mate was gone. The sire to the two nymphs was gone. He knows they should be sent away to be trained, but he knows he'd likely not see them again, would not be able to watch them grow up... Wouldn't be able to be their parent. And he doesn't want to lose them. The thought of losing them breaks his heart.

Neryn has a moment of conflict. Between his own morals, and his loyalty to the King. But seeing the innocent nymphs staring up at him and seeing the look on Vhelos' face finishes making the decision... and he promises to keep the elder's secret. Vhelos is surprised and thankful, and even invites Neryn to come back and visit sometimes, and lets him interact with the little nymphs whenever he wants. Neryn ends up like family to Kane and Alvar, and even brings extra rations to the Elder so he can better care for them. It seems like the elder, who is cold and snarly towards everybody else, has grown a soft spot for this younger soldier, and is very grateful to him for not revealing what he is hiding.

Warbred and Enterra belong to me. You can not make any.