Another wall!
The light and Callyn-Rhe were behind that wall, he was certain of it!
This was the end of the journey.
Gently lowering Airron and Bajan to the ground and casting aside his harnesses, he reached out with his magic to the stone wall in front of him. There was no beginning and no end—it just was. There was not even the smallest of cracks in the smooth earthen surface. He pounded the wall with both fists in frustration. After traveling all this way and suffering tremendous losses, it could not end this way.
The shifters of Pyraan deserved more.
The legacy of their sacrifice deserved meaning.
Taking several steps back, he bellowed in rage and threw every ounce of strength of will he had into his magic and struck out at the wall. Hands lifted in the air, he pushed and raked and slammed at the mountain of earth before him. The air crackled with the amount of magic he summoned, more than he had ever called before in his life. The wind swirled loudly through the forest, but he was oblivious as he continued his assault. Spinning violently now, the air whipped his hair and clothes around his body. Rain fell in torrents as lightning streaked through the dark above.
Then, a sinister rumble sounded throughout the rainforest and the earth shuddered and quaked at his feet. The potency of the reverberation continued to build and build until the energy was released in a discharge so thunderous that the mountain in front of him exploded in a hail of rock and dirt.
Beck dove away from the wall and covered his friends with his body, and the echo and pain of falling debris was relentless.
Then there was silence.
He lifted his head. Light poured through a gap in the wall as large as his house back in Parsis, and he had to hold a hand over his sensitive eyes to shade his view. Lurching to his feet, he scrambled over the stones from the broken wall and stepped through heedlessly.
Unable to contain his emotions, a strange keening sound burst from his throat as his eyes feasted on blue skies for the first time in more than a week. Endless leagues of grasslands, the like of which he did not know existed on the Island of Massa, spread out before him. And it was filled with…
Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. A ferocious roar erupted to the left and from the corner of his eye, he glimpsed open jaws filled with pointed teeth reaching for his neck.
Sovereign! No! Bajan screamed out, watching in dread as the leader of the Draca Cats took Beck to the ground and stood over him, his large white paws pressing into the earthshifter’s chest and pinning him to the ground.
The Sovereign swung his yellow eyes sharply to Bajan. Who DARES attack the land of the Draca Cats!!
Bajan wrenched his body to his feet and stretched one of his forelegs out in front of him in a shaky bow. My apologies for the wall, Sovereign. It is I, Bajan.
Bajan! I have not scented you in a very long time, but it is you! Moombai moved away from Beck to greet him affectionately by nuzzling his neck. Thankfully, Beck remained where he was on the ground and did not move.
Yes, he confirmed weakly.
Moombai sniffed at him questioningly. What is wrong with you?
He swayed on his feet. I was injured by a Moshie.
A Moshie! Those worthless baboons! There is very bad blood between the Moshies and the Draca Cats.
So, I have discovered.
Hold still. Moombai bent and lined up their heads muzzle to muzzle and then gently breathed air into his mouth. A silky, twisting vapor swirled around their connected heads, and Bajan shivered as a cold chill traveled down his body from head to paws. Moombai pulled back and Bajan’s eyes widened in surprise. All of his aches and pains and even his tiredness had disappeared and he was left feeling revived and fresh. “Moombai, what….”
The Sovereign had already turned away and was frowning down at his friends on the ground. You should not have brought humans here, Bajan.
It is they who led, Sovereign, but they did not have a choice. They are the Savitars.
The Draca leader made a sharp hissing sound. Galen Starr?
Dead.
Has the Island of Massa been invaded?
Yes. A Mage from the north leads a mutant army and…others. Evil spirits.
I thought as much. The signs have been clear enough that even a blind cat could have seen them, Bajan heard him mumble. That is why I sent Felice to you.
The Draca Cat began to pace back and forth in thought.
Bajan looked out over the oasis that was Callyn-Rhe for the first time. The sun was a fiery red ball in the blue sky and everywhere he looked north, east, and south, he saw Draca Cats lounging languorously in the high grass or atop boulders. Most were lying at ease licking their fur or idly watching the newcomers. Some, Bajan could tell by the red stains on their mouths, were feeding. There were no buildings in Callyn-Rhe, like the humans built, just the miracle of nature in all of its glory with plains and trees and rivers sparkling in the sunlight.
Moombai walked over to the three humans and scented all carefully, stopping in front of Kiernan. His head snapped up. Is this my bondmate’s daughter?
This is Princess Kiernan Everard.
What has happened to her?
She was suffocated by a forest snake.
Why have you not healed her?
Bajan tilted his head in question. Healed her?
Young fool cub! Did you not know that the breath of a Draca heals almost all wounds and injuries?
No…I did not know that.
Moombai sniffed. If you had come back for instruction as is required, you would have known.
Bajan looked the Sovereign in the eyes. I did not know the way.
Moombai stopped with raised hackles and was still for a moment before bending to Kiernan and sending air into her lungs. She immediately began to stir.
Bajan sighed in equal parts relief and grief. I have failed you, Sovereign, and I have failed my bondmate.
The Sovereign shook his enormous snowy head. No, Bajan, I have failed you by leaving you alone for too long. I should have come to you. I should have shown you the way home. He hung his head in remorse and then padded to Rogan and Airron. Tell me, Bajan, he asked as he worked, have you had any visions?
Yes, I have. Of Grace Everard.
The Sovereign’s lip lifted slightly in a sad smile before he bent to the humans again.
Bajan watched Beck crawl to Kiernan’s side. She sat up hesitantly and looked around in awe at her surroundings. He was relieved to note that she looked as healthy as ever. Her green eyes turned to him. We made it, she said to him incredulously.
Thanks to Beck, he said and watched as she reached out a hand to cup Beck’s face. She stood then and shook out her arm. She was healed not only of the snake’s brutal compressions, but of her broken arm as well.
How am I healed?
Moombai. The breath of the Draca Cat has curative properties.
Kiernan walked over to Moombai and bowed deeply at the waist. Bajan listened in on their conversation.
Greetings, Sovereign.
Greetings, Princess. Do you know that your mother was my bondmate?
I do know that.
The Draca tilted his head. How do you know this?
Gemini Starr.
Ah, yes, the sorceress.
Yes. Please accept my gratitude for the healing. Moombai. I owe you a great debt as does all of Massa.
Nonsense. I live on this island as well. It is my home and I will not see it destroyed.
Kiernan nodded. As you say.
Now, please ask your large friend if I may heal him, and he pointed with his head toward Beck.
“Beck, the Sovereign wants to heal you. Is that all right with you?”
Beck shook his head. “I am not hurt. Exhausted, yes, hurt, no.”
Kiernan laughed. “Beck! You have two black eyes, a bloody gash on your forehead, and wounds up and down your arms. And, that is just what I can see! You also have at least one broken rib in case you have forgotten.
”
Beck put a hand to his face in surprise. “I…I didn’t realize.”
Moombai snorted in what Bajan recognized as a Draca Cat laugh. Tell him to trust me and bend down.
Kiernan did and Beck bent his head before the Sovereign. After the cat emitted his magical vapor, Beck looked up and his face was completely healed. “I thank you, Sovereign.”
Rogan and Airron were standing up as well and the four friends greeted each other warmly for several long moments. Finally, Kiernan broke away. Moombai, you must know why we are here. We have to find a weapon to defeat Adrian Ravener.
It is here. Follow me.
He let out an enormous roar and all of the Draca Cats, who made such a casual show of disinterest in the events playing out, rose as one.
Kiernan and the Savitars followed Moombai and the Draca Cats to a large outcropping of red granite rock, the surfaces pitted and furrowed by time and weather. Beneath a natural overhang and among a pile of rock that must have broken from the ledge at one time, stood a stone altar. Kiernan peered at it closely and noticed an inscription in a language she was not familiar with below the upper slab portion of the altar. Underneath that was a hieroglyphic depicting the rough silhouette of a Draca Cat surrounded by a glowing orb.
Do you know what it means, Bajan?
He nodded thoughtfully. I think I do.
She did not have time to question him further as Moombai bounded onto the altar and faced the gathering.
Draca Cats! Brothers and sisters! Listen carefully! Since the Mage War ended over three hundred years ago, a formidable and ancient power has been locked away in our homeland of Callyn-Rhe. I make known to you now what that power is. It is us! It is the Draca Cats!
Kiernan was startled when the cats began to pace and mew anxiously. She translated to the other Savitars as fast as she could.
Savitars! I must forewarn you of what you seek. Galen Starr cast a Spell of Forbidden Use over an ancient form of shifting called spiritshifting. He knew that war with his brethren was imminent and wished to protect Massa from annihilation by a spirit army that could be called forth by a Mage skilled in spiritshifting. Due to Galen Starr’s unfortunate demise, the spell he cast hundreds of years ago has been obliterated. The ability to spiritshift has been resurrected!
Kiernan finished her translation, and the Savitars looked at each other in disbelief.
Bajan informs me that Galen Starr’s fears have been realized, and our island has been invaded by a Mage spiritshifter. Because he is evil, he chooses to summon evil to help him dominate in his battle with the armies of Massa.
The Sovereign paused.
What the Mage cannot know is that the Draca Cats are also innate spiritshifters.
The Draca Cats’ mewing turned into howls.
Moombai looked down at Bajan. That is why you have had visions of late. Until you know how to recognize and control the shifting, you have inadvertently beckoned a spirit to your side.
The Draca leader lifted his head again to the gathering. Naturally, we would only call upon the angels of the Highworld while the dark Mage calls upon the demons of the Netherworld. In order for any spirit to gain entry into the mortal world, a portal is required. The demons demand their portal be a human sacrifice whereas the angels only require an object of magic through which to pass. They are also resolute in one other condition. That they only be called in times of very great need. At this moment, we have a very great need!
Kiernan had to cover her ears when the Draca Cats, including the Sovereign, lifted their heads and yowled out a battle call with all of the ferociousness for which they were once notorious.
Savitars! Who has the portal?
Kiernan repeated Moombai’s question, and her friends were at as much of a loss as she was by the question. “A portal? The only thing we have with magical properties is the compass.”
“Wait!” said Beck, and he hurried back to the fallen wall before the Puu Rainforest where they arrived at Callyn-Rhe. Grabbing his backpack, he returned at a sprint and pulled out The Protetor. “Will this work?” he asked Kiernan.
Kiernan held out the black book to Moombai and translated Beck’s question
The Sovereign nodded. It is a device of great magic. It will be sufficient. Please place it on the altar.
As she did, Moombai said regrettably. I wish I could give you more time to adjust to the significance of what I have just told you, but we are simply out of time. Dracas!
The Draca Cats edged in closer to their Sovereign, and Kiernan noticed a female Draca sidle up next to Bajan and purr quietly.
Felice?
Yes.
The Sovereign walked to the back of the altar. Every young cub in Callyn-Rhe is required to learn the Dracan Chant. Let us sing it now in our hour of need!
Hundreds of Draca Cats bowed down with a bent foreleg out in front. A telepathic, voiceless chant droned through Kiernan’s mind, softly at first and then with more fervor. The Protetor lying open on the stone altar began to glow and tremble as the air ignited with magic. The intensity of the power emanating from the portal riddled Kiernan’s body with goose pimples and her hair stood on end.
A small whimper escaped her throat, and she instinctively stepped back along with the other Savitars when long white fingers clawed their way from the open spine of the book.
Chapter 34
A CALL TO ARMS
The fingers lengthened and a head, arms, and then the body of a man stepped from the book. The silvery apparition, at least ten feet tall, whipped a head of white hair around purposefully and scanned the area, a luminous white sword gleaming from his fist.
She gasped. It was Galen Starr! Only, not the Galen Starr as he appeared on his deathbed, but more like the Galen Starr she first met, full of vitality and drive, and something new—menace. The mischievous twinkle was nowhere to be found. This Galen Starr looked ready for battle.
Beck reached over to grab her hand tightly in his. She glanced to the side. Rogan’s face was deathly pale, and Airron looked like he was preparing to flee.
“MOOMBAI!” the Mage thundered, the resonance of his voice deep and terrifying.
I am here, Mage.
“Is it you who has summoned me?”
It is.
“The battle has begun.” It was a statement.
Yes, Mage.
“The Savitars?”
They are here, all of them.
The white wraith swooped to hover in the air directly before Kiernan and the Savitars. “I am pleased to see that I made the right choice. It was with the utmost remorse that I set you on the path to Callyn-Rhe, but you have proven yourselves more than worthy.” Galen bowed down to them. “My eternal gratitude, Savitars.”
Beck spoke up. “Thank you…Grandfather.”
For a fleeting second, the sparkle was back in the blue eyes, and then it was gone.
“ANGELS!”
Bajan leaned into her when more ghostly forms emerged from The Protetor one after the other. The glowing wraiths launched high into the air and then settled down onto the ground, taking shape into a more solid human form. Although not quite as large as Galen, they were just as formidable. All of the angels had a look of supreme strength and power.
Kiernan cried out as her mother, Grace Kenley Everard, stepped before her. “Maman!” she cried and fell to her knees. “I was right… it was not a dream.”
“No, Keke. Bajan summoned me to your side. He was so worried for you that his spiritshifting responded to your distress. Luckily, your young man had The Protetor in his backpack, and I was able to cross into this world and go to you.” Her mother reached out to touch her hair and it felt like the tickle of a light breeze on a summer day.
More shapes stepped up from behind the Queen, and the reunions played out simultaneously.
Jaimes and Constance Atlan glided over to Beck. “Father! Mother!” Both of the Atlans stood with hands on hips, swords of light glowing from the scabbards at their sides.
&nb
sp; Constance Atlan smiled gently down on Beck from her immense new height, head and shoulders above him. “We are so proud of you.”
“Why?” he demanded guiltily. “I could not save you. I tried, but I could not break the shield!”
Jaimes Atlan reached out to put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “It was meant to be, Beck. Do not weep for us. We walk in the light now. Find peace in that knowledge until we are together again.”
Two Dwarfs dressed in battle gear approached Rogan. The man said, “You may not remember me, but I am your father.”
Rogan trembled. “I do remember you, father. After all of these years, I finally remembered.” He reached a hand out toward the woman. “Mother…”
“I am here, my son,” she said.
Rogan soaked in the sight of the parents he now knew gave their very lives for him. “You never left me,” he stated in wonder.
“Never!” replied his mother adamantly. “Do not for one moment ever believe that to be so. You were my life, Rogan Radek, and you must never forget that!”
Jeni and Joshe Falewir looked down at their son, Airron, who was wearing a wide grin on his face. “I never thought I would see you again.”
His father’s face donned a grin to match his. “Asha, my beloved son.”
“Asha, father.” Suddenly, Airron frowned. “If I had not been sent away during the battle in Pyraan, maybe I could have…”
His mother interrupted him. “Done what, my son? We are all where we should be for a reason. Yours is to protect this island.”
Airron nodded. “Because of the blood oath?”
“Yes,” said his father. “But more importantly, because you are a shifter.”
A young Dwarven soldier in the blue and maroon of Deepstone stepped out front to greet Rogan.
“Dillon!” exclaimed Rogan. “Why? Just when we were getting to know each other!”
Dillon shook his head. “Do not question fate, my friend. Are you watching over Janin?”
Bret Schwan, the Scarlet Saber, who accompanied the Savitars to Iserport, traded grasps with Beck and Airron.
Island Shifters: Book 01 - An Oath of the Blood Page 38