by Jewel Adams
She pulled to a halt before a great hall. The giant doors were open and streamers of color filled the ramparts. On the steps came the Nemow Council, at its center stood the most striking elamie of all…
Shemon walked forward to greet her daughter. “Melane!”
Wylan stayed back with his men, giving them time to greet each other. It wasn’t long before Melane brought the woman to meet him.
“Shemon, this is Wylan, King of Moondock and my lifemate.”
The announcement took the woman back a second but she recovered quicker than he expected and came forward.
“Wylan, I am Melane’s mother and high priestess of the Nemows. Welcome to Cibrac.”
Wylan bowed before her, as did his men, he kissed the back of her hand before rising. “I am honored to meet the elamie I have heard so much about.”
“Elamie?”
He saw Melane whisper to her.
“Oh, of course, the old word slipped my mind. We call ourselves Nemows now Selam Wylan.”
He nodded and smiled at Melane. “We have much to discuss and learn from each other.”
“Yes we do Wylan, but first Melane has insisted she needs to speak to the council of sects. She is the only one of our questors to return and we are anxious to hear all her news.”
Wylan went to Melane when she held out her hand for him and they both watched as Boller moved forward and offered Shemon his arm. At first hesitant, she slowly placed her hand on his arm, their eyes never lost contact with each other and he covered her hand with his own.
Melane’s sharp elbow shook Wylan out of his stunned trance. Together they walked into the great hall. Trumpets sounded and elamies of all sizes, ages and grace gathered in the hall to hear the news. He had a feeling that the entire city stood in attendance.
“The Grand Lamar Captain Melane will address the Nemows of Cibrac!”
His wife looked grand as she walked up to the stand. She stood there regal and beautiful before her people and Wylan knew he never felt prouder than at that moment.
“People of Cibrac, Nemows, I have been on a great journey to find our ancestors, the Selams. As you know, the council picked one of us from each sect to go out across the land to search for the Selams that were once a part of our race, for we desperately need their help to destroy the invading Kibra beasts!”
The cheers went up across the masses in response to Melane. She raised her hands to quiet them and continue.
“I, like all of you, had never seen a Selam, did not know what they were like, in fact, I expected them to be beasts just like the ones I fought and killed every day!”
A hush captured them as they listened to her. Wylan could see the little elamies eyes grow large and frightened as they listened and he hoped Melane would hurry.
“For many days I searched the forest. Then I asked myself, would such great Selams live close to the beastly Kibras and not kill them?”
Many of the young elamies rose their arms and cheered for the Kibras death.
“No, these Selams would not tolerate such low life in their midst. So I headed north, for the great mountains to find our ancestors the Selams.”
He began to wonder if she should not have been cast as a Weaver the way she held the crowd.
“To my astonishment the great Selam found me!”
The ohhhs and ahhs spread through the elamies and Wylan smiled wondering what she would tell them next.
“This Selam that found me was no ordinary Selam, but a king! The King of Moondock and the Selams!”
Melane looked at Wylan and motioned for him to join her.
He’d faced a thousand warriors and never flinched, but a hall full of Nemows scared him silly.
Her arm came through his as she smiled up at him before continuing. “This is Wylan, the Selam that found me in those mountains and he is King Wylan of Moondock and the great Selams!”
The hall filled with noise as they clapped and stomped their feet, it took Melane many minutes to calm them down enough to talk again.
“He is the bravest of all Selams and there are many more warriors that are just as brave that have come to help us.” She held up her hands to stop their cheers. “I want you all to know, that the armies of Wylan and Gallen, another brave and courageous Selam from Windland are coming here, this morning, to Cibrac. They should be arriving very soon. This army, with the Lamar Guards, will destroy the Kibras!”
Shemon took over for Melane and with her orders for everyone to go and ready the city for the army, the hall began to clear out. The bravest of the Nemows came up to meet Wylan and his warriors. Melane and Shemon stood by them to show their support and answer the questions.
One little elamie tugged on Wylan’s tunic, he bent down to hear what the child wanted to say. “Yes, my pretty elamie, what do you wish to ask?”
She leaned closer to him and cupped her little hand to whisper in his ear. Melane watched in fascination as Wylan listened, looking up at her and smiling. He proceeded to whisper back to the little girl child. Before she left she reached up, hugging Wylan, kissing his cheek, and then ran off to join her friends. Melane looked and saw that the girl stood with Amelia the Weaver, and Melane smiled at her and nodded.
“You seem to have won over the little one’s heart.”
Wylan pulled her to his side as they followed Shemon to the council room. “She asked me quite nicely if I loved you.”
“Really? And what did you tell her?”
“I told her I most certainly did and that I hoped someday soon to have a beautiful little elamie just like her.”
Before Melane could say anything Shemon called the council to order. “Council, our quest has been answered and Melane has brought the ancient Selams to Cibrac.” She introduced Wylan to them. “She also has other news that comes with the army, news that we have all waited to hear.”
Melane looked at the council and wondered how they would take her announcement, did they even understand what she would tell them. She did look at the empty chair that Narmar usually occupied, glancing at Shemon for answers, receiving only a shake of her mother’s head.
“I come before the great council to tell you more than just the wonderful news that we do have an army of Selams that are willing to fight with us to rid this city of the Kibras.”
The council members stared back at her.
“But with the army, I will also tell you that I have made agreements with the main council of Selams concerning their help. I have agreed for the Nemows that we will accept the Selams back into our lives, our society and on mutual agreement any Nemow and Selam may become Lifemates.”
As she expected, pandemonium erupted following her announcement. Wylan stood beside her in support and Boller smiled in understanding.
“This promise will stand. As a civilization, the Nemows are weak from the constant killing and kidnapping of our citizens by the Kibras. Without the Selams we will perish, with their support, we will become a new society. Yes, a strong society. Our children will be protected as will their mothers.”
Their shock was calming but she could see that a few, especially the Begonés and Lamars were not accepting the terms and Melane needed them more the any of the other sects.
“We will stand by these terms and we will change with the influx of Selams. I myself am now Wylan’s lifemate.” She waited for her announcement to run through them before she silenced them once again. “I am a Lamar, but I am also a wife and soon to be mother of his children!”
Wylan helped her remove the cloak that kept Melane’s secret even from Shemon. Melane walked out in front of the council. “I am pregnant with twins and I came back to Cibrac, not only save my people, but to have my children in my home. I want my children to know Cibrac, not the ruins of a society that fell before the Kibra beasts!”
She sensed the darkness that entered the room before she saw the woman. Her head turned sharply to the right and looked at “Narmar!”
Wylan’s hand closed over his sword and Boller and
Ponter came forward to stand behind Melane and Wylan. He saw the old woman half bent over with age staring at Melane.
“Whore! Spawn of your mother! I should have killed you with them for the abomination that you are!” Narmar turned, but a flower stand toppled blocking her way, she moved back the other way and doors slammed shut in front of her. Slowly she turned back to face who she knew did the acts. “Melane!”
“I no longer fear you, witch! I have learned how to use my mother’s powers in more ways than she ever thought possible! My children will have my powers as well, even now I can feel their young powers in my womb. Wylan and I will have a son and a daughter! You, no dark evil, will ever harm them. Neither their father nor I will allow it. Do you hear me Narmar?”
“You can’t stop me! Not even a Lamar Guard can stop me.”
The old woman’s laughter sent a chill over Wylan, but it seemed to empower Melane, he knew she was protecting her children and these elamies were going to see how strong Melane could be when it came to those she loved.
“I will not stop you Narmar, I will kill you.”
The woman’s crazy laughter rolled off the walls as she advanced on Melane.
“I will finish what I started and take your babes with you!”
Suddenly a lightning bolt came at them. Melane stood there and raised her hand, stopping the bolt in midair then making it crumble into a thousand shards of stardust.
“Your magic is as old as you are, Narmar. Quit now and I will let the council deal with your treachery and murder. If you continue, I will kill you.”
Melane stepped towards the old woman that began to fidget and look around for an exit. Every direction she moved, Melane moved or threw something in her path. “Will you stop now, Narmar?”
“Never!” Without another word the old woman mumbled something and snakes began to appear around them. Wylan and the men chopped off the heads of the serpents, but Melane gathered them up with the swish of her arm and threw them all back at the old witch’s feet.
One after another of the snakes struck the old witch and after delivering their venom they vanished, completing the cycle of her wicked spell on herself. They all watched as the convulsions wracked her body. No one moved to her aid and the woman died an agonizing death before them.
Melane ordered two of her Lamar guards to take the body of Narmar away, before she returned her attention to the council.
One of the Syron’s was the first to stand and speak. “Melane, we have seen your powers. We can understand that these must have come from Sabrina. But how did you become capable of getting pregnant?”
It was the one question that Melane knew would come and that would destroy all the others. She looked at Shemon and with the woman’s nod of approval, Melane went forward. She walked before the Syron, reached for her hand and placed it on her stomach.
Wylan watch as the woman felt his wife’s womb and then more of them came down to touch Melane, seeing that what she said was real. He didn’t understand this part and would ask her later.
“You can see I am pregnant and I was not cast as a Syron, but I can still bear children. Just as any of you can, Weavers, Begonés, Lamar and Syron, we can all bear children. We can become lifemates, partners with the Selams and create life together. Raise your children in your homes as a family as they do in Windland.”
“What of Moondock?”
One of elamies called out and pointed to Wylan.
“We too have families with lifemates as I will with Melane. But we also have other customs in our society concerning elamies, or Nemows. There are nearly five Selams for every Nemow in Moondock and Windland. We would welcome the Nemows in our land…” He looked at Melane and smiled. “…as lifemates.”
Together they answered questions from all the sect council members. When their curiosity was satisfied Shemon sent them to speak to their sects and promised that the Selams would come and speak with them. She offered Boller and Ponter to start, by sending them with the Begonés. Wylan and Melane went to speak with the Lamars about the pact and the war against the Kibra.
By the time the army appeared, Cibrac was a flurry of excitement and ready for the Selams. Though there were still questions to be asked and answered, curiosity ruled and Melane felt extremely proud of how the Selams, even the ones from Moondock handled the Nemows.
“You didn’t really think I would not speak to them about the difference of these elamies, Melane?”
She looked up at him in wonderment. “I didn’t expect you to.”
“Ahh, but I have first knowledge of what my Selams will face here and with so many unclaimed elamies, well, I did promise them first try at finding their lifemates.”
Melane’s laughter was silenced by his kiss. They both heard Gallen coming towards them.
“Can’t the two of you find a room? You know, we still have a war to fight.” Gallen looked around at all the elamies on each arm of every Selam in the plaza and wondered how they would get them to fight anything.
“Let them enjoy the day, Gallen.” Wylan slapped his uncle on the back. “This is what you have always wanted, lifemates for all Selams.” Wylan’s arm waved before them. “And, dear uncle, it is happening right before your eyes.”
“So it is…so it is.” Before they could leave, Gallen asked. “But what about the beasts, Wylan?”
“We are going to meet with the commanders and the Lamar guard right now, would you like to join us?”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
Melane’s laughter over the older man running to catch up with them warmed Wylan’s heart. She looked much better and now that Narmar was gone, maybe she could relax and enjoy her pregnancy.
Chapter 16
The Beasts!
“Boller, take control of that group and follow Shemon! Ponter, you and those twenty go with Jenna!” He issued orders to all the commanders to follow each Lamar Captain assigned to them. The Lamar were great in battle and they knew the terrain and hiding places of the Kibra, but none of them had the skills he admired in Melane.
Wylan searched until he found her with Gallen, digging in his heels of his own Kaymog, he was beside her in a flash.
“You will wear him out, Wylan.”
“Nay, she loves me and the work out.” Wylan reached over and shut his little warrior’s open mouth. “Yes, my Kaymog is of the elamie gender. I remembered what you said about the bonding…and it makes sense that an elamie Kaymog would like a Selam master much better than a male Kaymog would.”
How could she argue with him? The way they moved together, anyone would think they had been a team for many years. Of course, Wylan did have Rolley before his new Kaymog. “What did you name her?”
“What?”
“A name Wylan, you need a name for her and you should know that you can talk to her like you and I speak sometimes.” It was Melane’s turn to shut his mouth.
She was glad he had his Kaymog, now they could move together through the lines. She wondered if Wylan’s Kaymog would fight for him as Rolley did her. She leaned forward and spoke to Rolley. “Teach her for me Rolley, I want him around a long time.” His great snort earned her smile and she ruffled the fur over his large eyes.
The special saddle that Wylan asked one of the Begonés to make for her was confining, but she could still move within the high side wall of steel that covered her legs and her precious cargo. Wylan actually had to help her up on Rolley this morning. The twins were getting very large and she knew he worried about her. She didn’t tell him, but she decided that today would be her last day out here. It was time she rested for the birthing. Even promising not to engage in any battles and help only with the strategy and command end of the war against the Kibras was taking its toll on her.
They’d been fighting for over two months now with very little casualties and no deaths of Selams or Lamars. The Kibras took to the hills. They went into hiding after facing the Selams in battle and finding that brute force didn’t work any longer. At the last meeting, all
the Selam and Lamar commanders felt they should be able to finish off the Kibras within another month. They all realized they couldn’t annihilate them all, but they could destroy the numbers and it should make the beasts think twice about attacking the farms and outlaying homesteads.
Gallen and Wylan both agreed that half of each force should remain and help the Lamar guards for the next couple of months, be sure the threat is over and will stay gone.
Ponter already volunteered to stay with Jenna. Melane noticed how they often stayed together and she hoped her commander found her lifemate with her friend. Even Shemon seemed taken by Boller, and thoughts of their union pleased her so much. Regardless, Boller was part of Melane’s family now. She refused to let Wylan interfere with the budding romance and she promised to stay out of it as well. If they found love, they would need to work it out for themselves. But, for Shemon, Boller was the only Selam, Melane felt could accept the Commander of the Lamars as an equal.
Her thoughts went back to Shemon and their talk after things calmed down a bit. Her mother was thrilled over the news of the babies and promised to be at the birthing. Melane told her of the dreams and even though Narmar was dead there was still Dragon. Even here, in Cibrac that evil could reach her. Melane didn’t argue when Shemon added extra guards about the halls and her and Wylan’s quarters.
A rider came racing towards them. “There are about twenty Kibra attacking Jenna’s group!”
Wylan sent out twenty more warriors to join the other force. He wasn’t taking any chances. Melane knew he didn’t need her here any longer. Wylan was a born leader and everyone looked to him as the chief commander.
She waved to Gallen as he approached. “It seems the beasts are active today.”
“Two battles in progress and another just started. They must be planning to group attack.”