‘Out of my way,’ he shouted, ‘and be in the hall in five minutes.’
He turned his back on her and quickly entered his own room, pulling out a large key he kept on a chain around his bull-like neck. He pulled back the carpet to reveal a lock cut into the floor. The lock was well oiled and easily released, from frequent use when Duma felt the need to view the crystal. He retrieved the golden box and placed it in a pocket inside his long flowing cloak.
He strode into the town hall, finding everyone there, waiting for him. Expectation and trepidation was palpable in the crowd. They made way for him to enter the centre of the room, all eyes on him. When he spoke, his voice was strong and confident from a belief in his own power.
‘We have been betrayed. The Southerners have deserted us,’ he said. There was an audible intake of breath from the crowded townspeople.
‘The passes are unguarded, we can expect the bears to invade us at any time. We’ll be ready for them. They’ll not take our land from us. This is where we stand and this is where we’ll stay,’ he shouted.
The expected cheer didn’t happened. Instead, a rush of whispers broke out between the people. Duma, lost in a world of greed and possession, stared at the assembled crowd.
‘It’s for you that I make this stand, and for your children that we risk our lives. We’ll not surrender our land to creatures afraid to face us as men. We’ll push them back through the mountains, and through the desert, back to their own forsaken land, once and for all. Not one will survive our anger. Now, prepare for battle,’ he shouted.
His words were answered with silence. ‘Guards, we make our stand here, send out patrols. I want to know the moment bears are seen in the passes.’
‘The passes are closed already,’ someone shouted.
Duma spun on the crowd, trying to find who had called out.
From a different part of the room, someone shouted, ‘No one will survive up there.’
Duma turned again, still unable to spot who had answered him. ‘We’re talking about the survival of the town here,’ he screamed.
‘We are talking about the survival of you,’ someone else shouted.
Regaining his self-control, Duma said finally, ‘Make your preparations. Guards, follow me.’ He strode out of the room.
Dray matched his strides as he followed Duma out of the Hall. ‘You ask too much,’ he said. ‘They can see through it.’’
Duma whirled on him. ‘I’m giving my life for these people,’ he said through gritted teeth.
Dray answered with loathing in his voice. ‘You’re asking them to give their lives to save you and your stolen treasure.’
‘I’m their leader. They will follow me,’ Duma said
‘Follow you where, to destruction? It’s not too late, even now. You can still give it back.’
Duma stopped mid-stride, and finally turned and looked at Dray. ‘Guard,’ he called over his shoulder. ‘Go with him to the Central Pass, and send word when the bears enter the mountains.’
‘You didn’t need guards before you stole that box, you’re going to destroy us...’
‘I want you in the pass, now!’ Duma shouted.
He strode on, leaving Dray to face his peril.
Vin travelled all night, no longer afraid of meeting cats on his return to camp. He had a mission, and he was taking it very seriously. This was no time for stealth, this was important business.
He remembered the route to the ice caves. He’d helped hollow them out when he’d first arrived, and was pleased to see them well stocked with supplies when he got back. They’d sent a team here when it was first discovered that the crystal had been stolen. They’d watched the cat people from this hidden position in the High Peaks, trying to find out where the crystal had been taken. They’d come to the conclusion it must be in Duma’s house and that the rest of the town was probably unaware he’d stolen it. Otherwise, they’d likely have been queueing up to see it.
Vin found the boss in conversation with one of his guards, who turned as he saw him approach.
‘Hello, Vin, what’re you doing here?’
‘Message from the boss for you, Boss,’ said Vin.
‘You on your own, Vin?’ the Boss asked, surprised.
‘Yes, Boss, the boss sent me here with important information for you. Guess what happened?’
‘What happened, Vin?’
‘Go on, Boss, have a guess.’
‘Not now, Vin, just give me the message.’
‘Okay.’ Vin held himself up to his full height and took a deep breath. ‘All the passes are open,’ he said with great aplomb.
‘What! You better tell me the full story, Vin,’ said the Boss.
‘The full story?’ Vin was now a little concerned.
‘Well, the important parts.’
Vin was much relieved. ‘It’s like this, Boss, these hound dogs are not really mercenaries, they’re children from the south who were kidnapped by those cats. They were lied to and made to protect the passes because they were told they were protecting their own land, from us.’
‘How d’you know that?’
‘Y’see, Naz and me was standing guard at the plateau, well, not standing really, we were undercover. But when we saw someone coming, we stood up, mean and decisive we were. So anyway, a Southerner comes across the plateau with one of those dogs and a cat. Well, Naz has a word with him, Sam’s his name, and we find out the hound is his daughter, who was guarding the pass! And he’s taking her home.
‘Also, he says another girl, a really mean one, has gone to get the other two kids out of the passes and then she’ll take them home. They should all be heading south by now. So, it’s like these cats have been lying to everyone. You can’t trust ‘um, Boss.’
‘So how come they had a cat with them, Vin?’
‘Ahh, well, his name is Sonny and he’s the son of that robbing Duma. He was helping them find their way back to their gateway. He tried to tell us he wasn’t a cat! Anyway, the boss and Naz have gone after him and plan to bring him back here.’
‘Blimey,’ said the Boss. ‘You’ve had an exciting time!’
‘Just following orders, Boss.’
‘Okay, go get yourself something to eat.’
‘The boss said if you got nothing for me I should go home. Have you anything, Boss?’
‘How long you been here now, Vin?’
‘Over a week.’
‘Get yourself something to eat, but make it quick. Then head home and tell The Big Boss, the passes are clear and to send the guards in quick.’
‘‘Passes are clear, send the guards in quick.’ Will do, Boss.’
‘Good job, Vin.’
‘Thanks, Boss. I’ll be going then.’
As he turned to leave the ice cave, the Boss called out, ‘Hey Vin, how’d you get that bump on your head?’
‘Fell over, Boss.’
Vin happily made his way through the High Pass and home.
‘Hello, Naz,’ said The Boss, ‘you just missed Vin. You have the son of that scheming Duma with you?’’
‘No, Boss, but I’ve got really bad news.’
‘He got away?’
‘Worse, Boss. The forest’s on fire.’
‘What! What happened?’
‘Well, after the boss sent Vin back, he and I went in search of that thieving Dumas’ son...’
‘Sonny, right?’
‘Yes, that’s his name. Vin tell you about him?’
‘Yes, he told me he was a liar as well.’
‘That’s right. Anyway, as we were going down the track in search of the cat, we find a Southerner going north. He was looking for the children. Vin tell you about them?’
‘Yes, the kids that lying Duma kidnapped and sent to the passes.’
‘Yes, that’s the ones. So off in the distance, that’s when we see the whole grasslands aflame and the forest has caught alight. Well, the Southerner, Casey’s his name, he knew Sonny. And the boss figured they could only be in one plac
e. So we made a deal with him. If he helped us catch Sonny, then we’d guide him back to the gateway. So we caught that rotten Duma’s son and Casey found the girl he was looking for.’
‘She was supposed to be looking for the other children?’
‘More bad news, Boss. One died and the other one got separated. But the passes are definitely unguarded.’
‘And you’re sure the forest is alight, Naz?’
‘Sure am, Boss.’
‘That’s bad news, really bad news.’
‘What d’you wanna do?’
‘I sent Vin with a message to The Big Boss to send over the guards. The minute they get here and we get our hands on Sonny, we go for the town. We try to bargain him for the box. Once they know the forest’s alight, they’d be stupid not to give it up.’
‘Yes, the boss reckoned you’d do that. One other interesting piece of news. The man who came through from the plateau...’
‘Who, Sam?’
‘That’s him. You’ll never guess who he is.’
‘Who?’
‘He’s the king of the South Lands, and he invited me to come and visit them when this is all over!’
‘Blimey, Naz, you’ve seen some action! We’ve been sitting here watching the snow rise. Wish I’d have gone with you.’
‘Mind if I get something to eat, Boss?’
‘Sure, Naz, the guards should be here soon. Fill them in on what’s happening, will you? And be ready as soon as Jojo gets back.’
On the other side of the pass, Vin returned to camp, to report to The Big Boss.
‘Hello Vin, what’re you doing here?’
‘You’ll never guess what happened, Boss.’
‘The passes are open.’
‘But how d’you know that?’
‘You wouldn’t be here if they weren’t.’
‘The Boss sends a message. The passes are open, and send the guards quick.’
‘Well done, Vin. It looks like you’ve seen some action, was it rough over there?’
‘They were mean, Boss.’
‘That how you got that bump on your head?’
‘Just following orders, Boss.’
‘You okay now?’
‘I’ll be fine once I get a couple of pies in me.’
‘You’ve done a great job getting those passes open. I’m promoting you!’
‘You’re what, Boss?’
‘That’s right, Vin, I’m promoting you. I need you to take the guards through the pass. You know the terrain and you know what’s waiting over there. Get them through quick.’
‘The Boss said I should go...’
‘Change of plan, Vin. You’re the only experienced combatant here. Get yourself something to eat and be ready in ten minutes. I’ll get the guards ready.’
Everyone was there when Casey arrived, sweating and trying to catch his breath. Someone handed him a cup of water, which he took gratefully with a nod, but unable yet to say thanks. The families had come together in the centre circle, a large arena cleared of brush and with well-trodden grass. Most of their happy occasions had gone on here, but this wasn’t one of them.
Sam sat with his family, their backs to Casey as he arrived, so he did not immediately understand the sudden hush that came over everyone. Sam realised someone was behind him and turned to see. A smile came over his face as Casey approached, but soon disappeared when Sam sensed the worry in Casey’s manner. Casey couldn’t believe the change in Sam. He was looking very old and very worn down, but he noticed Sam straighten his shoulders as he extended his hand in greeting.’
‘Casey, you’re back! Is Kerri with you?’
‘No, Sam, she’s not. With your permission, I’d like to tell of my journey. I’ve important news.’
Sam nodded his assent.
He came close to Sam and spoke very quietly to him, ‘Sam, will you ask Salli to stand close to the Boatmans?’
Sam closed his eyes as he understood why,‘Oh no…’ he groaned.
Casey walked into the centre of the circle, recovered now from his sprint to the Meeting Place. He cleared his throat and took another drink, giving himself time to put his thoughts together.
‘I’ve news that everyone here needs to know, and everyone needs to prepare for. We’ve lived our lives in peace in this land for countless generations. We never knew that cats,’ he said scornfully, ‘nor bears existed. But now you need to know there’s another creature over there,’ Casey said, pointing to the north. ‘A creature that is pure evil, whose only intention in life is to bring death, chaos, and destruction to anyone within their sight. And now, they’ve seen us.’
Casey told them the story as Jojo had recounted it: of Duma’s theft of the crystal and of him using their children to protect himself. He told of the evil creatures that had followed Kerri and Carter, and then he told them of the forest being on fire, which even now could be seen from the Northern Plains.
When he finished, someone asked the question he’d been dreading to hear. ‘What about the children, Casey?’
He’d looked around the circle earlier and noticed where Harri Boatman was sitting with his wife. Now he saw Salli had moved around the circle and was standing near them.
He approached Harri and his wife and placed one hand on each of their shoulders. Casey heard Harri’s wife gasp; she was already whispering, ‘No... no...’ to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. Harri dropped his head, as if all life had fallen from him, unable to look Casey in the eye.
‘Something’s happened to Holly,’ Casey said, having difficulty finding the words. ‘I’m sorry, Harri... she won’t be coming back,’ was all he could say. Sam’s wife wrapped her arms around them, and with their neighbours, took them home.
Sam stood with Casey at the Meeting Place, both staring off to the north where a cloud of smoke could be seen rising. Both were deep in thought.
Casey was the first to break the silence. ‘We could create a fire break, cut a path through the trees wide enough that the fire won’t jump across, and then deal with it at ground level. Do it as close to the border as we can,’ he offered.
‘Are you sure that won’t do the same job as the fire when it comes? Giving these ‘creatures’ a doorway in?’
‘No, I’m not sure of anything anymore, Sam. This world of ours has changed so much... I’m standing in the same place but I don’t recognise any of it. Cats, bears, and now those creatures. They’ve been here all this time and we knew nothing about them.’
‘I’m with you on that. And now, all of a sudden, I’m supposed to lead the clan against an assault by evil, possessed apes that’ll burn the forest down to get at us, simply because we’re here. What happened, Casey?’
‘I wish I knew, Sam,’ said Casey,
‘We need to organise ourselves quick. Did he say how many of these creatures there were?’
‘He didn’t. But he did say that they’re all affected. Even the women and children, so every one of them is a potential threat. I don’t like the thought of having to fight with a child if it comes at me.’
‘From what Jojo says, I don’t think we’ll recognise one from another,’ said Sam. ‘For now, let’s deal with the priorities.’
‘The children?’ said Casey.
‘Yes. I have to make the assumption that if these creatures have spent their lives locked in a forest, losing their faculties, they’re unlikely to know how to swim. Send word to bring all the boats to the landing stage. We get the women, children, and as many supplies as we can bring in, and ferry them all out to the island. Set up a rope line to speed that up.’
‘Sam, you know our children may be our greatest weapon against them. I saw Kerri when she ‘changed’ to that hound and...’
‘I know, Casey, but I don’t want to think that we may get to the stage where we need them to help us,’ said Sam.
Casey was quiet for a moment, trying to organise his own thoughts.
‘In the worst case, we evacuate to the island. If that doesn’t hold the
m back, we take to the boats and let the current deal with them,’ said Sam.
‘Okay, I’ll get things moving. What’re you going to do about the ceremony?’ asked Casey.
‘I’m not going to accept it. If I’m made King now, people will be looking to protect the wrong one. We’re all in this together. We can deal with the succession when this is all over.’
‘I understand. How’re you doing, Sam? Have you recovered from your experience over there?’ Casey asked, looking to the north and feeling a pang of guilt at having left Kerri there. But he knew she was right. Protecting the clan was the most important priority.
‘Me? I’m so tired, Casey, I feel I’m a hundred years old. I don’t know where I’m going to get the strength to deal with this,’ Sam admitted.
‘I’ve got your back,’ Casey said, smiling.
Sam slapped him on the shoulder and said with a smile, ‘I wouldn’t want anyone else.’
‘I’ll send out runners to the Northern Plains to report back anything unusual, and to give us warning on the fire’s progress.’
They turned to find Lulu watching them.
‘I didn’t want to interrupt,’ she said. She saw them both staring at her, as if seeing her for the first time. She knew they were both thinking how much older she looked.
‘Travelling through those gateways does funny things to you,’ she said, hoping to break the mood.
‘I was just thinking how much you’ve grown up,’ Sam said.
‘Me too,’ said Casey.
‘I know. I saw it on your faces,’ she said. ‘I want to help, Dad.’
‘Okay. Can you help get the children and supplies to the island?’ said Sam
‘I was thinking something ‘proactive’ may be helpful.’ She took a deep breath and decided the best way to tackle this would be to dive in.
‘I’ve been thinking, I could teach those of us who are not yet eighteen how to use the hounds inside us, in an emergency,’ she said.
Now it was Sam’s turn to take a deep breath.
‘I know what you’re trying to do, Lu, but I’m sure that we can deal with this without asking you to use your new ‘talents.’ When this is all over, I want us to get back to how things used to be.’
Shifters Alliance Page 17