by Tora Moon
The sound of quiet murmuring and the clunk of someone rising from a wash stool brought her back to her senses. They weren’t alone. Regretfully, she pushed his hands away and grabbed the rag from his hand to wash her own front. He sighed and sat on the stool next to her. With a grin, she swept behind him and soaped his back, being careful of his nearly healed wounds. Hand in hand they went to the shower to sluice the soap from their bodies and wash their hair.
Picking up his long dreadlocks, she rubbed hair soap into them. When she had first seen him, he had looked wild and strange. Now he was quickly becoming more than just her lover. She slipped into his arms and tenderly traced the scar on his face. Yes, she was falling in love with this strange, wild, solitary man. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him deeply.
“I’m glad you returned to the Sanctuary when you did,” she whispered.
“And I’m happy you were here. Especially in this dangerous time, it’s nice to have someone to care about you.” His thumb traced the line of her jaw. “And I care very much for you.”
As he kissed her again, she wondered if it were possible for them to become bond-mates. No one had ever touched her heart like he did, Kaieli had come close, and Rizelya dearly loved her heart-sister, but their relationship had never deepened into becoming bond-mates. She’d just wait and see what developed.
Now clean of dirt and suds, Rizelya took Blazel’s hand and led him to the deep tub of steaming water where the others were soaking. It amazed her how comfortable Blazel had become. She remembered the first time he’d joined them in a bath and how shy and embarrassed he had been. Well, he wasn’t now. He was joking with Aistrun as they settled into the water. Smiling, Rizelya leaned her head back on the tub’s rim and closed her eyes. Soon the others quit talking and silence ruled the bathing room.
A strident voice broke through Rizelya’s reverie. “Blazel, Chariel, the Supreme wants to see all of you.”
Rizelya groaned and pushed back until she was sitting straight. “Work calls. I’m surprised the Supreme let us have this much time before demanding to see us.”
“The runner must have told her how filthy we were,” Wisah said as she too sat up. “She believes in cleanliness. But if we don’t hurry, she won’t be happy with us.”
“Moraak!” Blazel exclaimed shooting to his feet; water sloshed over the sides. “He’ll be here soon and the Supreme doesn’t know he’s coming. Hurry up! We don’t want this tentative alliance to fail because we were bathing.”
His words galvanized the group, and they quickly climbed from the soaking tub. Rizelya dug through her bags until she found her formal clothes. As she slipped on her top, she noticed the others were putting on their finery as well. Blazel was handsome in his yellow shirt and light brown trousers. Then she frowned. Those were Haasneh colors. Once they rode back to Strunlair Keep she’d find him something in Strunland colors. He was part of her pack and needed to be wearing her colors. Come to think of it, Jaehaas needed new colors too.
Dressed and with her hair neatly braided, Rizelya was ready to report to the Supreme. Chariel and Wisah had arranged their hair in the traditional style for priestesses. Aistrun was the last to stamp his feet into his boots. Without a word, they filed from the bathing room.
Rizelya gave Blazel a small smile as he strode beside her, the traditional spot for her co-alpha. She glanced over her shoulder to see Aistrun happily escorting Chariel. When he’d relinquished his position to Blazel in the mountains, Aistrun had neither asked nor wanted to resume the leadership role. She doubted Histrun and Naila would allow him to continue shirking his role as an alpha. She had fully accepted being one when she brought the women with other Talents besides Red into her squad-pack. And now, she realized, she was quite content being the leader. And she liked having Blazel as her co-alpha.
Outside, the sun was dropping low but hadn’t set. They still had time to warn the Supreme, if they hurried. She increased her pace. The clip-clop of Jaehaas's hooves kept up. The hot water had done all of them good. When she paused just inside the temple, again in awe of the beautiful murals, Blazel took her elbow and moved her quickly through the room. Blazel continued to unobtrusively guide her to the audience chamber. They stopped at the huge black ironwood double doors and waited for the guard to open them.
As she approached the dais where the Supreme was sitting on her crystal throne, Rizelya looked around the white room. She glanced back at the door. With both doors open they would be wide enough for even a Thunder Wing to pass through them. The high ceiling wouldn’t make the Phengriffs feel crowded, and the large room would allow all of Moraak’s entourage to sit comfortably. Rizelya suddenly wondered if the room had been built to accommodate Phengriffs. She thought back to the corridor leading to the audience chamber and realized it too was wide enough for a Phengriff to walk down it and not scrape his wings.
The Supreme tapped her fingers on the arms of her throne. Her nails clicked on the crystal, creating a soft chime. The ten rings on her fingers flashed, casting light all around her. She was dressed in a dazzling, long, white silk gown, and a white veil covered her white hair.
This time when Rizelya stopped the required ten paces in front of the Supreme, she wasn’t frightened or in awe of the old woman. She dropped to her knees, her companions a heartbeat behind her, and together they made the gesture of obeisance and honor to the Goddess’s representative.
The soft chimes of the Supreme’s tapping fingers stilled. “You may rise and come closer. So. Don’t keep an old woman waiting, did you find the Phengriffs? Are they willing to renew our alliance? Well, speak up.”
Rizelya bowed her head, hiding her smile. “Yes, Your Grace, we did find the Phengriffs. King Zorlaak is not ready for a formal alliance just yet. But, he did send his son, Prince Moraak, to help us.”
“What good is one Phengriff?” the Supreme groused.
“Not one. Nearly three hundred,” Blazel said.
The Supreme sat back in her throne stunned.
“Did you hear the boom and see the comet ten days ago?” Rizelya asked. At the Supreme’s nod, she continued. “It wasn’t a comet, but a metal flying machine. It landed at Shandir’s Crater and disgorged people. We have been invaded.”
“How do you know this?”
“Phengriff scouts followed the machine and saw it land. We have nearly killed our horses getting back to you.”
The Supreme considered for a moment. “And when will I meet this Moraak?”
“He will be here at sundown.”
The sun’s last rays hit a window high in the wall, and bright colors sparkled and dappled across the dais. A crack of thunder rolled over the Sanctuary. The Supreme’s eyes widened, and then a slow smiled crossed her face.
“It’s Moraak,” Blazel explained.
“I never thought to hear the sound of Phengriffs landing in my courtyard,” the Supreme said. “It has been too long since we allowed our friends to retreat into the Deep Mountains.”
Rizelya felt the tickle of mind-speech being used nearby, but not directed at her. A few milcrons later, a phalanx of red-robed, veiled female warriors carrying helbraughts trooped through the doors, followed by numerous white-robed priestesses. The guards moved to ring the room, and two hurried to stand at attention on either side of the Supreme’s throne.
The sound of claws and talons clicking on the corridor’s marble floors crept into the room, and the Supreme leaned forward. Light globes spaced around the chamber began to glow as the room darkened with the setting sun.
Both doors were flung open as a guard entered and announced, “Prince Moraak to seek an audience of Her Grace, the Supreme of all Posairs, the Goddess made flesh.”
Moraak towered over the woman as she stepped aside to let him enter. Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd as they glimpsed his massive form. As he stepped through the doors, the gold in his feathers gleamed in the brilliant light. He wore a gold collar; the filigree shapes worked in gold, silver, and copper were studded with
gems. On his head was a gold circlet. Leather bands dyed gold covered his fore talons, and gems winked as he moved.
Moraak led his entourage into the audience chamber with slow, ponderous steps. Graak paced in behind him, resplendent in his deep indigo-blue leather collar. His feathers and fur shone. The Silver Beak, Sheekeek, came in next. His collar was beaten silver with large moonstones worked into it. Two Thunder Wings, both dark black and wearing unadorned black leather collars, formed the rear guard.
Rizelya and her group had stepped back from the dais when the Phengriffs were revealed. Now Moraak stopped one of his paces from the dais and, with great dignity, bowed to the Supreme.
“Oh, you are magnificent,” the Supreme breathed. “Welcome to the Sanctuary. We have long awaited the return of your people to our lands.”
Moraak placed a talon across his chest and bowed his head. *It is my honor to be the first Phengriff in generations to return south of the Deep Mountains.*
“It saddens us you have come when our world is in danger. Rizelya informed us of what your scouts have reported. Have you come to renew our ancient alliance?”
*My father, King Zorlaak, has sent me as an envoy to discover if it would be beneficial to us for to ally with the Posairs once again. The threat these strangers present to all of us is the only reason he agreed to even speak with you again.* Moraak turned his head to nod at Rizelya. *Rizelya’s visions of our hated enemy, the Malvers, also sent us here. If they indeed are not dead and are becoming stronger, an alliance may be what saves us all from their evil.*
The Supreme’s fingers began to idly drum on the arms of her throne. She looked thoughtfully at Chariel. “Are these invaders part of your visions of madness?”
Chariel nodded. “They are the madness.”
*They rape the land,* Sheekeek cried. *Keeps slaughtered, survivors enslaved. Madness is here …* He wailed and dropped to the ground, his head tucked to his belly. Chariel hurried over to him and gently stroked his head feathers.
“Is this true?” the Supreme demanded.
Moraak dipped his head in assent. *Sheekeek is a mystic and has true visions, just like your Chariel. I will send scouts to the crater to determine what the invaders are doing.*
“We would much appreciate such tidings. Blazel mentioned you have a large force with you. We have facilities to house two flights of one hundred each. The remaining flight will have to quarter outside in a field.”
*You are most gracious, Supreme. I and my retinue will stay here tonight. I will send word for the rest to join us tomorrow.*
“Wisah,” the Supreme said, motioning her forward, “guide our new friends to the aviary. It should be cleaned and ready for our guests by the time you reach it. That is, if you go slowly. Moraak, when will you send your scouts?”
*I have scouts with me. We can leave at first light.*
“Very good. We can do nothing until we know more about these invaders. Report to me when you have news.”
Moraak bowed and turned to the door and Wisah hurried to his side. At a slight nod from the Supreme, Rizelya made a quick bow and followed the Phengriff delegation from the audience chamber, her pack at her heels.
* * *
Once they were outside the audience chamber, a red guard motioned for them to follow her and led them to a panel in the wall. The mural depicted Phengriffs in flight, a contingent swooping down on a beast that put to shame the monsters the Posairs fought. One Phengriff near the top corner was gold and had a nimbus of flame surrounding him. The monster directly below him burned.
The guard reached up and touched the gold Phengriff’s beak and the panel disappeared, revealing the courtyard beyond. In all his years in the Sanctuary, Blazel hadn’t seen anything like it. He glanced at Wisah and Chariel, and his surprise was echoed in their faces. He shook his head to clear it. Thirty Phengriffs were stuffed in the inner courtyard. At the sight of Moraak, they stilled. Blazel hadn’t expected so many to accompany the prince.
*Show us to this aviary,* Moraak said to Wisah.
She nodded. “I always wondered what those huge buildings were and what type of bird they were supposed to house. Now I know.” She pointed to a door in the east wall, then frowned. She looked at Moraak and the two Thunder Wings behind him and at the door again. “Oh, you’re never going to fit through there.”
Moraak chuckled. *Do not worry so, Wisah. It is but a short hop for us to go over the wall. We will see you on the other side.*
Wisah blushed. Blazel and the others followed her as she made her way through the door. Hearing a flapping, Blazel looked up to see Moraak, and then his entourage land on the other side of the courtyard wall.
Wisah led them past the guest houses, a good distance away from the practice arenas, and then beyond the small wooded area. A wide field stood beyond the two huge buildings. The door was tall and wide, big enough for a Phengriff as large as the Thunder Wings to enter. Carved Phengriffs decorated the door and the lintel.
Wisah gazed at the carvings and then at Moraak. “I never noticed those before when I came here exploring.”
“Neither did I,” Chariel said. “It’s obvious now because we’ve seen Phengriffs. This building was built to house them, which explains why the furniture is so strange. Welcome to your guest quarters.” Chariel pushed on the door, which swung silently open.
Beyond it was a huge communal space with many of the low couches the Phengriffs favored scattered around the room. Low tables for eating filled one corner. Blazel wondered how the furniture hadn’t fallen to dust long ago. He knew Phengriffs hadn’t been housed here since the Great War. Then he remembered the room he’d found under the library where artifacts from that time period had been stored. Magic had kept them in pristine condition.
The far wall was open, allowing the Phengriffs to fly into and out of the building, and led to a plaza with a grassy open space in the middle. A large fountain, gurgling as water began to flow through it, was located in the center. Individual rooms lined three walls of the building. The top-floor balconies overhung the bottom floor, and wide railings provided landing grips for incoming Phengriffs housed on the second floor. A quick count revealed fifty rooms were on each floor, enough space for a full flight of one hundred.
Moraak peered into the first room, nodded in satisfaction, and continued inspecting the building. Blazel peeked in to see a thick, fluffy bed large enough for even the massive Thunder Wings. The only other furnishing in the room was a wooden chest to hold personal items.
By the time they returned to the communal room, plates of bloody meat, pitchers of chilled wine and juice, bowls of nuts and berries, and a steaming pot of taevo were laid out on a table. Also on it was Blazel’s favorite spiced lamb dish and creamy roasted tubers. Blazel’s mouth watered at the smell of the fresh baked bread. He grabbed a loaf and broke it open, inhaling as he pulled the bread apart and stuffed it in his mouth.
“Pan bread just isn’t the same as hot, crusty yeast bread,” Rizelya said, taking the other half of the loaf out of his hand.
They all piled their plates with food and found places at the eating tables. Once their initial hunger was satisfied talk resumed.
*Graak, I want you and a talon of your flight to go to the crater,* Moraak said. He put down his goblet of wine. *If what Sheekeek saw in his visions has already occurred, I want more than scouts. The warriors in your flight are capable and can fight if needed. Assess the invaders’ strength, see if they have any weakness. If you can, find out why they are here.*
Graak sat up straighter at the praise. *We shall do as you ask.*
*But don’t take any unnecessary risks.*
“I want to go with you,” Blazel said. “You’ll need someone who knows the area. The Barrens are not a place to take lightly. Besides, I want to make sure my friends guarding the crater are safe. With the invaders landing there, I’m worried about them.”
“Maheli is a good friend of mine,” Rizelya said. “There is more than just our Strunland guard-pac
k at the crater. We need to make sure all four guard-packs aren’t in trouble. I want to go too.”
“Have you been to the crater?” Blazel asked.
“Well, no. But you will need me. You said the monsters were even more active near the crater when you were there. I can protect us from them.” She turned to Graak and asked, “If the guard-packs are in trouble, is there any way we can get them out?”
Graak shook his head. *There won’t be enough of us. We aren’t taking any of the big guys with us.* At Rizelya’s crestfallen face, he added, *If we can help, we will.*
“What about the rest of the pack?” Aistrun asked. “Shouldn’t we stick together?”
Rizelya frowned, then shook her head. “We aren’t going to be fighting, just taking a look. I doubt this is what the prophecy referred to.”
*We are only taking a small party for this reconnaissance mission,* Graak added. *We can’t take all of you.*
“We’ll need to take food and water with us,” Blazel warned. “There isn’t any in the Barrens. The only things in the Barrens are black sand-glass, petrified wood, and the crater.” A shiver ran through him as he remembered his trek through them. It seemed a life-time ago, but had only been a lunadar.
A while later, they finalized their plans, and everyone left to find their beds.
Blazel sank into his with Rizelya, groaning with pleasure. They had the room all to themselves. He stroked her face and kissed her lightly. His exhaustion weighed his eyes closed, and the next thing he knew, it was early the next morning and she was shaking him awake.