by M. K. Eidem
"So the jewels they left behind in Krapis turned opaque?" Autumn looked at Kirall for confirmation. "Just like most of the jewels in Kruba's Hoard were when we arrived?"
Kirall understood what his mate was thinking. "Yes."
"So another Keeper could re-empower them." She found she liked the thought of that.
"Another Keeper?" Kiran frowned at her. "You mean you would allow someone else to reside in Krapis? That close to Kruba?"
"Possibly," Autumn told him but said no more.
"But Krapis has been in Tove's family for generations," Kiran couldn't keep the shock out of his voice.
"Then he should have empowered it better," Autumn fired back.
Kiran opened his mouth then snapped it shut, unable to argue with that.
"Was that what all the calls were about?" Kirall asked.
"No," Kiran should have known his son would ask that. "One was from the Commander of the Council Guard."
"Cai? Why was he calling you?" Kirall demanded.
"He was informing all the Elders that Tove's crystal has been receiving transmissions," Kiran told him. "He attempted to answer but of course couldn't."
"He didn't inform me," Kirall growled.
"The Commander wasn't sure if I had been able to give you his encoded jewel yet so he asked that I relay this information to you and Autumn. I informed him that I had delivered the jewel but would inform you myself."
Kirall calmed down slightly at that, but not by much.
"So someone who doesn't know Tove's been taken into custody is trying to contact him," Autumn said quietly.
"So it would seem," Kiran agreed.
"How is that possible when all of Mondu is talking about Tove's arrest?" Nixie demanded.
"Maybe because they aren't on Mondu." Autumn looked to Kirall. "Maybe they’re in orbit."
"What?" Nixie questioned, frowning at Autumn.
"And with the seasonal storms going on, they haven't heard of Tove's arrest," Autumn continued.
"You truly believe Tove's been in contact with the Varana?" Kiran found that hard to believe.
"I hope not," Autumn told her father-in-law, "but if he has been what happens to him?"
"Well if it's proven true," Kiran began, "then Tove will be imprisoned instead of killed."
"Because he’s mated," Autumn stated quietly.
"Yes," Kiran agreed, "and with Krapis no longer his, Macawi and Maaike will have to find someone to take them in permanently, which won't be easy."
"Torn will most likely take them in," Niccele added her opinion. "Although I doubt Qi would be happy about it."
"Qi?" Autumn asked.
"Torn's mate," Nixie told Autumn. "They've been mated just over one hundred years and currently have one male offspring who has yet to have his first shift."
Nodding her understanding, Autumn looked to Niccele. "Qi and Macawi don't get along?"
"They do," Niccele said carefully, "but it's mostly for Torn's sake since Macawi tends to forget that Torn and Qi's Lair is not her own."
"Is Torn's Hoard powerful enough to protect his family along with his mother and sister?" Autumn asked, looking to Kiran.
Kiran's respect for his daughter-in-law grew. Few would worry about such a thing. "It will be a strain, but in time, Torn will be able to overcome it as long as Valval isn't attacked."
"Who would be powerful enough to do that?" Autumn quizzed.
"You mean besides Kruba?" Kiran questioned quietly.
"Yes, besides Kruba." Autumn looked at him as if that were obvious.
"There would be no one Gold powerful enough to individually bring down Valval. Torn is nearly as powerful as Tove, but if they banded together and continually attacked Valval… that could force him to reduce the size of his territory to better protect his Lair."
"And in the Blacks?" Autumn asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"There would be several powerful enough to defeat him alone," Kiran admitted.
"Including you?" Her quiet question had everyone in the room looking to Kiran.
"Including me," Kiran agreed. "But I have no reason to attack Valval. Torn has never done anything to incite my wrath."
"Torn doesn't share his father's beliefs about pure bloodlines?" Autumn asked.
"Torn's never spoken out against his father publicly," Niccele told her, "but I know they've argued privately."
"Why not? If he truly is as powerful as his father?" Autumn demanded.
"Torn is that powerful," Kiran told her quietly, "and he doesn't speak out because to do so would destroy his family."
"How, when he's just voicing his opinion?" Autumn didn't understand that.
"Because Tove wouldn't see it that way. He'd see it as another powerful Gold challenging his authority as an Elder, and Tove would never allow that, son or not. He would challenge Torn."
"Challenge?" Autumn looked to Kirall. "As in the “to the death” challenge you told me about before?"
"Yes."
"Tove would really do that to his own son?" Autumn found that hard to believe.
"If it meant remaining an Elder then yes," Kiran told her.
"But that would mean Torn's mate, Tove's daughter-in-law, the mother of his grandson would die!"
"Or his mother would," Niccele said quietly, her eyes sad. "Which is why I believe Torn has never spoken out against his father."
Autumn rose and walked over to look out one of the windows. God, a family shouldn't be like that. They should be able to argue, to disagree, and still be a family. "So besides taking in his mother and sister, how else will it affect their family?"
"They'll be shunned, as will Macawi’s and Qi's family," Kirall told her quietly. "They'll never be trusted again."
"All because of what Tove has done." She watched as several clouds drifted by.
"If he's found guilty, yes."
Autumn turned back and let her gaze travel over all the faces looking at her. There was concern, worry, and regret, but most of all, there was love and support. That's what family was and did. "So, what happens now?" Autumn asked Kiran.
"Nothing. We wait until the Council reconvenes and find out where Tove got that crystal. We then proceed from there," Kiran told them.
"Let's hope that's all we have to deal with," Autumn murmured.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Dacke dropped down over the ridge and began flying up the valley that would lead him to the new boundary of Kruba. He hadn't been surprised when Kirall had contacted him earlier in the day. After all, Dacke had betrayed his best friend. The whys and hows of it didn't matter. He'd done it, and now it was time to pay for that betrayal.
Dacke had left a note in his Lair for his parents on the off chance Kirall ended him instead of just beating him to a bloody pulp for putting Autumn at risk. He'd instructed them to distribute his Hoard amongst his siblings. His Hoard wasn't large, but he'd purposely done that because White Minors with large Hoards attracted the attention of Lando. Instead, Dacke had concentrated on making sure every jewel in his Hoard was empowered to its fullest, so when he was ready to challenge the Elder, he would be powerful enough to do so. Obviously, that wasn't yet.
A pulse of power traveled over his scales, warning him that he was approaching the boundary of a more powerful Lair. It surprised him. While he'd heard Kruba's boundary was expanding, he hadn't realized it had come this far. The power Kruba had must be enormous.
The power continued to grow, forcing him lower and lower to the ground until Dacke thought Kirall planned on making him shift and walk to Kruba. Then it dissipated and allowed him through the barrier.
He flew up the valley for several more hours, then pulled up short when Kruba finally came into view. It was a glowing white beacon as Mondu's sun started to descend behind it. He would have slowly circled it, taking in the Lair that had been a thing of legends, and only been seen in ancient paintings until Autumn returned, but he didn't. He wasn't here as a welcomed guest. He was here as a betrayer who must account for his actions.
Flying through the central arch of Kruba, he found a group waiting for him. A group of people he knew and respected. Kirall, Autumn, and Kirall's family, including Elder Kiran. Kur, this was going to be so much harder than he'd ever expected.
His dragon cuffed out, requesting permission to land. With Kirall's nod, Dacke gracefully touched down. He quickly shifted into his Other form, and still, he was blindsided when a red blur slammed into him, causing him to stumble back.
"Oh, Dacke, I'm so sorry!"
Dacke's eyes widened when he realized it was Autumn who'd slammed into him. That she was apologizing to him.
"I don't understand," Dacke replied gruffly when Autumn finally stopped hugging him. "For what?"
"For what Lando did to you. All because of me," she said.
"You should be furious with me." He looked up as Kirall approached.
"That wasn't your fault, my friend," Kirall told him, and Dacke instinctively clasped the forearm Kirall extended.
"But I thought…" Dacke trailed off.
"Thought what?" Kirall frowned for a moment, then his eyes widened when he realized what Dacke had been thinking. "Kur, Dacke! No!"
"Kirall?" Autumn looked to her mate in confusion.
"Dacke thought we'd asked him here to be punished," he told his mate.
"Punished? How?" Autumn asked.
"The way Lando did." Kirall glared at his friend as he told her. "It's the way an Elder punishes one weaker than him."
"Lando can go to hell!" Autumn growled. "Kur, I want him removed as an Elder."
"Unfortunately, only another White Minor can do that," Kirall reminded her.
"I know, but still…"
"Hopefully, one day I will be able to remove him," Dacke told Autumn.
"Or assist another White Minor to," Autumn suggested.
"Someone else?" It was Dacke's turn to frown.
"There's a great deal that needs to be discussed and decided. Let's do it inside." Kirall gestured for Dacke to precede him.
"Dacke." Kiran reached out, and they clasped forearms.
"Oh, Dacke," Niccele brushed her husband aside and wrapped her arms around Dacke. "I'm so relieved to see you've recovered."
"Thank you, Lady Niccele," Dacke murmured, returning her hug before quickly releasing her. It was never a good idea to touch a mated female overly long. After greeting the rest of the family, he found himself entering Kruba for the first time.
"Isn't it amazing?" Autumn murmured quietly.
"It truly is," Dacke replied realizing he'd stopped just inside the door.
Autumn linked her arm through his. "Come on, let's go into the front room. You have to be thirsty after that long flight."
"I could use a drink," Dacke told her gently trying to extract his arm, but Autumn refused to let go. Looking to Kirall, Dacke saw the trust in his friend’s eyes and couldn't believe it. Kirall trusted him with his mate.
Entering the room Autumn had led him to, Dacke let his gaze travel around it, taking in all the opulence he expected to find in Kruba and yet it was comfortable and reminded him of Kirall's Lair. How was that possible?
Autumn guided him to a chair then turned and picked up a glass that Dacke was pretty sure hadn't been there a moment before. Taking a sip, his eyes widened in surprise when he realized it was Mondu Fire Water, the drink he favored.
"Kruba anticipates your preferences." Autumn gave him an understanding smile. "I've been told that's highly unusual for a Lair."
"It is," Dacke replied.
"I wonder if it's just something a Supreme’s Lair does," she pondered out loud as she took a seat on the couch and picked up a glass of her own.
"That is a possibility," Kirall agreed, moving to sit beside her.
"Which we'll have no way of knowing until there is another Supreme," Nixie chimed in taking the chair next to Dacke.
"True," Autumn agreed.
"Which is one of the things we need to discuss." Kirall let his gaze travel over his family. What he was about to tell them was going to change all their lives forever. His gaze rested on Nixie for a moment, some lives more than others.
"What's going on, son?" Kiran knew his firstborn, knowing by his demeanor that whatever Kirall wanted to discuss was going to be important.
"It has to do with the creation of other Supremes." Kirall quickly looked to his mother. "And no, Autumn is not with offspring."
"I didn't say a word," Niccele countered, but her lips twitched, and while the rest of his family chuckled, Kiran remained serious and asked.
"Then, how?"
Chapter Four
Kirall looked to Autumn, and when she nodded, he told his family what he knew would change their world.
"First, what I'm about to tell you must stay amongst us. You are our family and closest friend," Kirall looked to Dacke. "We are trusting you."
All the ease and teasing left the room as everyone stiffened and straightened in their seats.
"We would never betray you, Kirall," Zeb spoke for his siblings, his gaze moving from his brother to his brother’s mate. "Or you, Autumn. No matter how much we like to kid around. Whatever you need, we will do."
"Thank you, Zeb. Thank all of you." Autumn's gaze traveled over her new family and knew her parents and brother would approve. Her gaze returned to her mate. While they hadn't discussed precisely how they would explain this to his family, she trusted Kirall would know the best way without revealing too much.
"I believe we are all aware that the power of Mondu, of the Dragoon, has been fading. Fewer Dragoons are finding their mates even among the Others, and those that do are having fewer and fewer offspring."
"I wasn't aware you'd realized that," Kiran said quietly.
"No one speaks of it, Father," Kirall let his gaze travel around the room and saw the agreement in his siblings' eyes, "but we all know it. We had hoped the Council would know what to do, but it seems that Elders like Lando and Tove are part of the problem."
"So what are you suggesting?" Kiran asked.
"That we restore the balance of power on Mondu, and the only way that can happen is for the Supremes to return. All of them," Kirall told the room.
"What?" Nixie questioned, her eyes widening. "Are you saying more will be returning?"
"Unfortunately, no," Autumn answered her. "But we have learned that there is a way to create Supremes from existing Dragoons. One for each color."
Stunned silence greeted Autumn's revelation.
"It will be a heavy responsibility for those chosen," Autumn continued. "For not only must the new Supreme establish and empower their own Lair, but they will have to deal with all the envy and jealousy that comes with being a Supreme. It's what drove the previous Supremes away. Then there is the fact that they will also be responsible for helping protect those weaker than them, no matter their status or color, strengthening the bonds between all Dragoons and Others in a way never done before. Only once all that is done will Mondu be what it once was."
"Kur," Zeb whispered.
"That is why Autumn must choose carefully," Kirall told them. "For there is no way to unmake a Supreme, and if one like Tove were chosen…"
"It would be disastrous," Kiran finished for his son.
"Wait, Autumn is the one choosing?" Jariath, the quietest of the siblings questioned.
"Of course," Kirall told him. "Autumn's the only real Supreme here."
"But…"
"But what, Jariath?" Kirall growled.
"She's female." That had growls from all the females in the room joining Kirall's, while the males looked at Jariath in shock.
"You have a problem with a female being in a position of power, Jariath?" Autumn asked quietly.
"Of course not," he instantly denied.
"Then your problem is with me, personally," Autumn said quietly unable to believe how much that hurt. She thought Jariath had accepted her, considered her family.
"Not in the way you think," Jariath told her.
; "Then how," Autumn murmured.
"I have no doubt that you are a powerful Supreme, Autumn. You more than proved that before the Council. But you are still only twenty-two and new to our ways, and as Father has said, if you choose incorrectly, it would be disastrous."
"I see." Some of the pain eased from Autumn's heart. "So it’s not my gender that has you concerned, but my maturity."
"I. Well, yes," Jariath admitted.
Kirall surged out of his chair, shifting into his Battle Beast and growling at his brother. "You dare!"
"Kirall! No!" Autumn was instantly on her feet and put a gentle but restraining hand on his arm.
"He insults you!" Kirall's Beast growled.
"No, he doesn't. He's voicing an honest concern. One we both know others will also have. Now shift back so we can discuss this like adults." It took several moments, but finally, Kirall calmed down and shifted back into his Other form. Once he did, everyone who had scattered when he shifted slowly resumed their seats.
"I'm sorry," Kirall's gaze traveled over his family. "I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. You need to know that even though I am now a Supreme, I would never harm any of you."
"We know, son," Kiran reassured.
"Not even if we refused to ever leave Kruba?" Zeb quipped.
"Well, maybe then," Kirall growled at his brother, and the tension in the room disappeared.
Autumn smiled at Zeb and then looked to Jariath. "To address your concern, Jariath, while yes, the final decision is mine on who will become a Supreme, your brother and I will thoroughly discuss it before that happens. Because you are right. I'm new to Mondu and do not yet understand the intricate relationships as the rest of you do. That's why I plan to rely on my mate's advice." Autumn's eyes narrowed as her gaze turned to him. "Who is a Supreme, no matter what he says."
Kirall lifted his mate's hand and kissed it. "Thank you, my love, but you are the one that carries Razeth's blood."
"That doesn't mean…"
"It does," Kirall cut her off. "Just as my words will carry more weight to some because I'm from Mondu. Yours will because you are one of Razeth's. Neither diminishes the power or status of the other. Now should we reveal who we have decided on?"
"You've already decided on someone?" Kiran couldn't hide his shock.