The Havenshire Resistance (Heirs to the Throne Book 2)

by Diane Rapp

  Mandrake looked ready to object but Trenton said, “This planet was the wolves’ world before humans arrived. Donovan planned to make formal contact with their Council of Elders, but Jarrack interrupted his plan. It will be great fun to speak with wolves like Donovan and Krystal. Take word to Krystal if we don’t…”

  “You’ll be back in three days!” Mandrake growled. “We’ll camp right here, so don’t be late!”

  Trenton dismounted and patted Sparks’ neck. “Take care of her, Andrew. She’s been a good friend.”

  Andrew dismounted and accepted the reins. “She’ll be waiting for you.” He blushed when Lauryn smiled and handed him the reins to her horse. He pretended to adjust Tempest’s bridle to avoid her gaze.

  Frowning, Mandrake watched them trudge downhill to the Bloody Lake. Angela said, “I wish I were telepathic, I’d love to see inside that castle.

  *****

  A breeze sent ripples across the lake’s red surface and sunlight altered the color, reflecting purple, gold, and silver. The blood-red rocks of the castle walls jutted from the lake’s center, casting shadows across the water that resembled gnarled fingers trying to touch the shore. A narrow causeway ran from the shore to the castle with wolves crossing in an orderly line.

  Amber? Lauryn touched Amber’s mind, tentatively.

  Yes. The mental voice sounded clear.

  Is Tessa there? Lauryn longed to reassure herself that Tessa was all right.

  She is here. We must practice controlling the host body so she cannot speak with you at this time. When control is not important, she will communicate. Do not be concerned, she is happy and well.

  You refer to yourself as “we.” What do you mean?

  Many ancestor minds were inside the host, called the Amber line. The living host shares our knowledge and the experience of many lifetimes. This is the way we keep our memories alive and pass history and knowledge. The host controls the body and makes decisions after hearing our advice.

  Why must Tessa relinquish control of her body?

  As a human she does not know proper etiquette and behavior before the council. One mistake might jeopardize the plan. We explained the problem, and Tessa allowed us to act on her behalf.

  Lauryn asked no more questions. She remembered the dream where Jarrack told Krystal he planned to use his son as a new body. Could Krystal take control of Lauryn’s mind like the wolves controlled Tessa? Lauryn fought the panic she felt rising in her chest.

  *****

  Trenton met intelligent species during his career in space, but he felt uncomfortable walking into a castle filled with sentient wolves. Did he suddenly feel xenophobia, an irrational fear of aliens?

  No! He felt at ease with Kriegen and Amber. The Elders ruled a society based on wolf culture and could soon be enemies or beneficial allies. He must be careful. If the wolves turned against them, could he count on Amber’s help or should he make contingency plans of his own?

  Donovan trusted Kriegen, and Amber once saved Tessa’s life. Trenton hoped the she-wolf had a foolproof plan, but wished he had a computer to analyze the facts and offer solutions. Strange, he hadn’t needed a computer in years, but alien contact made him long for technology.

  As they entered the Council chamber, Trenton felt shocked to see the outlines of an old spaceship in the wall behind the wolves. His mind spun, trying to digest the many possible reasons for an Earth-type spaceship resting here. Did the wolves come on that ship, or did an ancient ship land with humans onboard? He filed the information to discuss with Donovan at a later date.

  *****

  Kriegen stopped walking. His eyes glazed as he stared into the distance, and Felesia watched him with interest. She tried to touch his thoughts but heard nothing.

  “Jordan, do I look distant when I communicate with Arrow and Marra?” she whispered.

  “Yes.” Jordan said looking at the wolf, “He’s talking with someone but we can’t hear them.”

  She smiled. “Do you read my thoughts without my knowledge?”

  “No. I just wondered what’s happening. We’re heading toward the Crags not Havenshire. If we’re joining the battle to rescue Donovan, Havenshire should be our destination.”

  “He didn’t tell us where we were going.” Felesia’s eyes widened with wonder. “He’s the sworn friend of Donovan and Krystal. Can he lie if we can read his thoughts?

  “I don’t find it easy to trust anyone,” Jordan said. “It’s a hard habit to break. We should ask him.” When Jordan looked at the wolf, Kriegen’s gaze was fixed on him.

  You need not ask. Kriegen’s mental voice sounded irritated. Your minds shout your thoughts like impolite pups. You should learn the etiquette we teach our cubs before they are weaned. Keep your thoughts private unless invited to speak.

  Our apologies Kriegen, but is it well-mannered to conceal facts from your companions? Felesia asked.

  His voice sounded weary. We judged it best to keep the burden of concern from you until the question was decided. At a human’s pace we are several hours march from the Council of Elders, but it is important we arrive right away. Amber and your sisters need our support before the council. We must leave you.

  Jordan bristled. We’re supposed to join Krystal in the battle against Jarrack.

  Kriegen’s stare turned steely. Our journey leads to that end, but we must petition the Elders to join the battle. It is a risk. We must prove that humans are intelligent before they agree to fight alongside Krystal’s army. Tessa volunteered to host the ancestor minds of Amber before the line died. If we present a human host to the Council as proof of human intelligence, they might believe humans are capable of civilized behavior.

  Felesia frowned. What if they don’t believe humans are intelligent?

  Kriegen shifted nervously. There is danger in forcing a decision. We must prove the value of a human alliance against Jarrack’s evil. Many wolves feel prejudiced against humans. They declare the entire human race a pest that should be wiped from this world. We cannot delay here. Stay on this trail heading toward the Crags and meet us at the Bloody Lake. Kriegen bolted down the trail.

  Marra growled, swishing her tail in anger. Felesia nodded. We must remain true to our word. Let’s run as fast as we can.

  “Can the Council of Elders help Krystal fight my father?” Jordan trotted at Felesia’s side.

  “The wolves’ support must be crucial for Kriegen to risk pressing a decision. We should get there quickly. Too bad we can’t ride Flash.”

  Jordan teased. “If she grows much bigger, she could carry us through the sky. Wouldn’t it be fun to fly? I forget you do it with Arrow.”

  “I join Arrow’s mind, but I’d love to share the sensation with you.”

  “What if we fashioned a basket that Flash could carry?”

  Flash keened overhead flashing the color of her name in her wings.

  “She agrees with the idea. Let’s try it,” Felesia said.

  *****

  Three humans stood at the entrance to the Council Chamber.

  How dare you bring these creatures into the sacred chambers! The Gray stood in battle stance, a jeweled dagger gripped in his forepaw, flashing his white fangs. Take them to the pens before we carve your pelt for a floor covering. The guard cowered under the mental harangue.

  Spare me lord, it was not my doing. This two-leg claims the Right of Hosts, sire. The guard tucked his tail and flattened himself against the floor while he waited for another blast of anger.

  What! The Gray growled and sliced the air with his knife.

  Amber curled her human lips to display square teeth. Do you deny Host recognition? Her mental voice surprised him.

  He dropped to all four feet and listened.

  We are Amber from the pack of Forest Guardians. The human who hosts our minds is called Tessa. She willingly volunteered as host, and we demand formal recognition from the Council of Elders.

  Two-legs are incapable of hosting. It’s blasphemy to promote such a claim!
What kind of mind-trick do you play?

  A White stood and gestured at the guards. Guards kill them!

  The guards moved forward with knives drawn, but Amber stood her ground. Trenton assumed a posture of defense at her back, while Lauryn grabbed Amber’s ring hand and clasped her own locket.

  The two crystals vibrated with energy. With a nod of understanding from Amber, the two girls concentrated. The pelt draped over the White’s shoulder suddenly burst into flame.

  Amber’s mind shouted. Halt or our ancestors’ wrath will rain fire upon your heads!

  Throwing down the burning cape, the White leaped down from the dais. The Gray sat glowering at the girls, his hackles bristling and ears erect. Speak! Tell us how this hosting is possible.

  Humans look unattractive and act uncivilized. They communicate by vocal sounds and build great stone caves, but humans are an intelligent species. These humans learned mindspeech and this girl hosts ancestor minds. Hosting is proof of intelligence, and Tessa should be granted formal recognition.

  You spout lies, the Gray interrupted. Two-legs are animals, pets kept by the lower caverns to do meaningless labor. How can we believe they are intelligent?

  You trick us by claiming to host the line of Amber, a deception that makes the Council appear foolish! A large Black chimed in. We don’t know the line of Amber.

  Amber felt upset. She impetuously led her friends into danger by approaching the Council without waiting for Kriegen’s help.

  Lauryn stepped forward and said, We come to seek help from the Council of Elders to defeat the Evil One. Why would we come alone, unless we were sincere? We seek your support in the war against Jarrack.

  The Gray cocked his head. We know of the Evil One, but a pack leader must seek legal petition from the Council. Where is your pack leader?

  We are Kriegen, pack leader of the Forest Guardians. We seek the petition! Kriegen’s voice boomed through every mind in the chamber. Hear us Elders and recognize our minds. We’ve met the Council many times.

  The Gray stiffened as Kriegen’s imposing figure glided forward. We recognize your ancestor minds. You may speak.

  Breathing hard from his run, Kriegen sat before the dais. The Evil One darkens the world with heresy. He plans to commit host murder if the Council does not act.

  Host murder! That is strictly forbidden by the law. How does this Evil One dare to flaunt the law? The Gray growled.

  The Evil One possesses exceptional power to control human minds and seized leadership of the human Council by capturing their true king. He steals females from other packs and holds them prisoner in his stone cavern. We witnessed these crimes.

  These are pack matters, not under the jurisdiction of the Council of Elders. Pack leaders must protect their own territory. We should not interfere.

  Kriegen relaxed, reassured that the Council spoke of human matters in normal pack-terms. There is truth behind your thoughts, but the Evil One plans a heinous crime; he plans to commit the host murder of one of his sons. Kriegen announced calmly. Growls rumbled through the chamber. This crime must be prevented! Join the human pack in battle against the Evil One!

  The Gray scratched his ear. You are cunning, Kriegen. First we must decide if humans are intelligent and subject to the law. Do not rush us to conclusions before we consider the facts.

  We come prepared to present our case. Kriegen settled comfortably onto his haunches, knowing the Elders were slow to move.

  We summon the judges to hear your petition. The Gray said and other wolves approached the dais in a solemn procession. The judges are gathered, proceed.

  Kriegen was in control. We call on our ancestor, the one who first witnessed the landing of the humans. Kriegen paused, shifted his weight, and stared at the Gray with an altered expression.

  We welcome your ancestor, the Gray spoke reverently to the aged mind controlling Kriegen’s body.

  Kriegen’s mental voice assumed a different resonance. The Forest Guardians were the first to greet the two-legs when they fell from the sky in a flaming rock. We expected to find leaders among them but none emerged. One two-leg became aggressive and fired a killing beam of light into our brother. He died so quickly his host could not take the ancestor minds in time. We mourned their loss in song for seven nights.

  Kriegen paused for the ritual howling and Amber stepped forward. One of the ancestors we host wishes to speak to the Council.

  Kriegen turned in surprise but stepped back to hear the words of the ancestor.

  Tessa’s mental voice sounded strange, more human. My name is Sandra and I am human. I usually watch without interfering in pack matters, but it’s important for me to dispel a falsehood. You believe that humans can’t host minds, but I hosted the original ancestor of the Amber line, because she was a friend.

  Wolves on the dais shifted uncomfortably and stared until the ancestor continued. My husband and I were scientists on Earth. We built a spaceship to help sentient wolves escape from the military, and we both came on the journey to help your species survive. She pointed at two Council members.

  Consult your oldest ancestors to confirm my story. When I died, Amber and I joined with a new host. I’ve watched wolf society develop for centuries and helped write the laws governing proper conduct. When humans arrived on this world, I hoped they would act civilized. If Jarrack commits host murder all my work was worthless.

  Amber stepped aside, and Kriegen took the floor again. He paused, eyeing the faces of each judge. Sandra proves that humans are intelligent. They guided ships through the sky and built great stone caves. Most of them speak with sounds, like the way we howl or voice anger. When we met Donovan, we found a wise leader who could hear mindspeech. Jarrack used a trick to capture Donovan, so Krystal and her offspring will fight to free him. We must help the Human Pack prevent the Evil One from committing host murder.

  The Gray turned to the other humans. Do you hear mindspeech and understand?

  Trenton nodded, grinning. You sound like a commander, using confident tones that distinguish a great leader.

  Lauryn nodded. We heard everything. Because wolves didn’t speak aloud, humans believed wolves were dumb animals like our pet dogs. We were wrong. We hope you can change your opinion of our species.

  The Gray turned to Tessa. Let the human host tell us why she agreed to host Amber.

  Tessa’s mental voice sounded nervous. I couldn’t bear to see Amber die. She explained how wolves host minds, so I offered to become her host. Tears trickled down Tessa’s cheeks. It’s strange to live with voices inside my head, but I’m glad I saved them.

  The Gray asked Kriegen, Do you recognize the ancestor minds of the Amber line and testify that this human hosts those minds?

  Kriegen licked Tessa’s face. The line of Amber is valuable to our pack. We recognize her ancestor minds and feel grateful Tessa saved them.

  The Gray gazed at Tessa. You display the compassion of a true host. We will discuss the matter. Wait in the antechamber.

  Guards led the humans through a honeycomb of tunnels to a large well-lit room. Kriegen accompanied his charges and paced, swishing his bushy tail. Lauryn sat with Tessa near a window.

  “I can’t hear the council minds now that we left the main chamber,” Lauryn said.

  “The ancestor voices say that the red clay blocks mental contact.” Tessa touched the red wall. “It’s an unusual building material.”

  “Am I speaking with Amber or Tessa?”

  Tessa combed fingers through her short hair. “It’s Tessa. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Amber. I worried you’d think it was creepy, my having wolf minds floating inside my head. I’m still getting used to hearing their voices.”

  “I’m glad you helped Amber. We might not get the wolves help if you hadn’t been so brave.”

  Kriegen peered into Tessa’s face. May we speak with Sandra?

  Yes. Tessa’s eyes looked vacant for a moment and then she blinked. This is Sandra. I’m sorry I kept the knowledge of my or
igins secret from you, Kriegen.

  His tail swished and he paced the room. It could have made the task easier to know the whole story about humans. My ancestors don’t keep important secrets.

  Sandra smiled. Oh, they keep secrets from you. Revealing facts does not always improve a culture, so we keep quiet until the knowledge is needed. In the early days wolves struggled to develop their own society separate from humans. When humans first landed on Drako, we waited to find telepathic minds. Now humans and wolves must work together to defeat this new evil, so the truth needed to be revealed.

  Do you have more to tell? Should we wait around wondering what other secrets you know?

  Tessa blinked and then shrugged her shoulders. Sandra’s gone. It sounded like she believes we’re doing the right things. She’ll give us more help when we need it.

  Kriegen growled and sat thinking.

  They heard a loud commotion and looked outside through the window. Two humans walked down the causeway followed by a large black panther with a hawk and dragon flying overhead.

  “Felesia!” Tessa shouted out the window.

  Felesia waved and ran down the causeway toward the castle. Guards snarled but maintained a safe distance from the dangerous creatures accompanying the humans.

  This will surprise the Council! Kriegen sounded pleased. Good or bad, it will be exciting to watch their reaction to Felesia’s friends.

  Within minutes the Council summoned Kriegen, but he refused to leave without the humans. The surly guard agreed with a low growl and led them back to the Council chamber.

  The Gray stood in battle stance, his eyes staring at Flash who waddled complacently into the chamber behind her friends. Jordan held Felesia’s hand as they walked into the hall. Marra hugged Felesia’s other side, hissing when a wolf got too close. Arrow sat on the girl’s shoulder and Killer’s beady eyes peered out of her pack.