by KM Fortune
Gabriel drummed his fingers on the table and hesitated. Locking Hannah up was the last thing he ever intended to do. He had assigned a soldier to keep an eye on the man with her, but Hannah still had free run of the colony. "I did not have her confined if that is what you mean," Gabriel said quietly. "There is no need for it. She's a little girl."
"No need for it?" Samuel asked. His agitation over the entire topic of the girl was bothering Gabriel more by the second. First, the man was constantly fuming about the escaped female, and now he was acting crazy about the child. What is going on here exactly? Gabriel thought and leaned forward to put his hands on his desk.
“Right. I determined there was no risk and she maintains her access throughout Eden. As the head of security and our soldiers here, I make the call on these things. Now, I’ll ask you again, is there anything else? I have work to do,” Gabriel said.
Samuel narrowed his eyes. “Don’t feel so confident about your position, Gabriel. Things are changing,” Samuel hissed.
Bristling at the threat, Gabriel stood up and stepped around the desk. He held open the door, making it obvious it was time for Samuel to exit. "So be it, but until then, let me be clear," Gabriel said. "If anyone brings harm to Hannah, they will have to answer to me, and it won't go well for them." Samuel only smirked at the statement before he turned on his heel and strode from the office. Gabriel watched him go and knew real trouble was coming.
CHAPTER 9
Kit stayed as motionless as possible inside the net hanging from the ceiling of the train tunnel. She had spotted the faintest glimmer of what had to be torches coming along the tracks and knew whoever tricked her was now on the way to check the trap. With knives in hand, she was ready. If they were predicting an easy time with their prey, Kit intended to prove them wrong. It was not long until she heard voices echoing from the direction of the light. “You need to lay down the law with that tigress before things get out of hand, Al,” said one voice.
"Yeah, yeah. I know it, but her temper ..." a different voice, which Kit guessed was the man named Al, answered. Slowly the men came into view and Kit realized from their long hair and misshapen features they were mutants. Cat mutants. This will be trouble, she thought knowing from her experience with Hector the beasts were quick and strong. “Well, what have we here?” Al said as he lifted his torch to examine the net. “A little something.” Kit held herself steady and was thankful to see there were only two of them. The second cat mutant tilted his head as he looked at her.
"I think it's a kid," he said and stepped up. "Hey you, where did you think you were going?" Kit pressed her lips together. Knowing how to speak would have been helpful at the moment, but as always, she kept silent. It did not sit well with the cat mutant. "Seriously, help yourself out. Why are you in the King's Tunnel?" Kit shook her head. Al walked up to stand with his companion.
"What's the problem?" he called up to Kit. "Cat got your tongue?" The two beasts roared with laughter at the bad joke. To Kit, their juvenile antics were reassuring. Even though both had torches, carried spears, and were dressed in leather armor, she was beginning to realize they were not particularly bright. Again she wished she could talk, but instead only stared back at them. Finally, the laughing subsided.
"Okay, seriously," Al said. "Toss down any weapons you're carrying. We don't have all day." Kit did not move. Al frowned. "What are you deaf and dumb? Throw down your weapons, or I'm going to shove this torch up your ass," he threatened. Kit shook her head. If he wants these knives, he will have to come and get them, she thought and waited.
“Seems she doesn’t believe you,” the second cat mutant said. “Now what?”
“Time for a little game of hot feet,” Al growled and stepped up to the net with his torch outstretched. He waved it at Kit’s closest foot, but she easily avoided it by climbing higher on the ropes. The second cat mutant laughed.
“Well that worked like a charm,” he said.
"Shut up," Al snapped back at him. "Why do I always get the difficult ones?" Pulling back the torch, he walked over to the wall and Kit saw the hook where the net's rope was tethered. "Here's the new plan. I'm going to drop her, and when I do, you step in and pin her down with your spear. Got it?" The second cat mutant lowered the head of his spear. It gleamed as it reflected back the torchlight.
“Works for me, but if I stick her like a pig, you are the one who will be explaining it to the captain,” he said and made ready for action.
"Okay. On my count. One—" he said. Kit braced herself. The drop was at least ten feet, and she had no idea how tangled she might get in the netting. Now was the time to be quicker than she had ever been and she knew it.
“Two—” Al counted. Kit took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was ready.
“Thr—” started Al
“Hold it right there,” commanded another voice. The two cat mutants and Kit all froze in place before slowly turning to look at the figure standing in the exit doorway of the passenger train car. The man was large and held a torch high. Kit smiled a little. It was Hector and Kit never imagined she would be so happy to see him.
Hector stepped out of the train car and walked down the steps to stand near the net. He had overheard the entire exchange between the two cat mutants and had not been entirely sure how to proceed. Unfortunately for him, Raven had peeked past and recognized Kit was in the net. “You have to do something,” she had whispered. Like what? he had thought but then decided boldness would be his best route. At least he hoped so. Considering he was now standing face-to-face with two armed guards, he was about to find out.
“How about you point that thing somewhere else?” Hector suggested as he motioned with the torch at the spear the second cat mutant was holding. “I think we can talk this out.”
“And who the heck are you?” Al said from beside the hook on the wall.
Hector moved the torch to make his features more clear. “What? You don’t recognize me?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm.
“Uh, should we?” asked the second cat mutant, still holding his spear but now pointing the tip toward the ceiling.
Hector sighed. “It figures,” he said. “Although considering you look like members of the royal guard, I thought you might know a prince when you saw one.” Al stepped away from the wall and peered at Hector.
"Well I'll be a rat's uncle," he said. "You're Prince Hector! Man is your brother going to be unhappy to see you back." Hector gritted his teeth at the comment. He was not looking forward to the reunion either.
“Yeah, well, let me worry about that,” Hector said and waved toward the net. “How about you let my friend here down? She got a little ahead of us, but she means you no harm.” Or at least I hope she doesn't, he thought. He was really not in the mood to get into a fight with two spears against his one torch.
Al shrugged and went back to the wall where he reached for the rope’s hook again. “Whoa, hold on a second,” the second cat mutant said. “I want her to throw down her weapons first. I’m not so sure you or your friend will be welcome. The king isn’t doing so good and your brother, Prince Edward, is running the show for the most part. If we let you come wandering in, he’s liable to throw all of us in a cell in his dungeon.”
“Yeah,” Al agreed. “He’s real quick to do that. How do we know this isn’t some sort of trick?” Hector did not like where the conversation was headed. He knew he needed to come up with something quick or the two guards were liable to tie him up and drag him into the kingdom as their prisoner. Scratching his chin, he paused before answering.
“This is no trick,” he said. “In fact, I’m bringing a special guest for the king with me.”
“Oh really? Who’s that?” Al asked sounding unconvinced. Hector turned to the doorway of the train car.
“Raven, come out and tell them who you are,” Hector said.
Raven froze. She had no idea what Hector was expecting and zero clue what to say. But I better think quick, or we are all in a jam, she thou
ght and took a step forward to stand in the doorway. She cleared her throat and lifted her chin. An idea popped into her head. It was crazy, but it was all she could come up with on the spot. Well here goes nothing. “I am Lady Raven Winter, Preceptor from the City of Angels, and a disciple of Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom,” she said trying to sound regal. She saw Hector blink at her, clearly dumbfounded by her explanation. Raven smiled and hoped he would say something. Now.
Hector opened his mouth and then closed it. Paused for a second and then opened it again to speak. “Uh, right,” he started and then turned to look at the two guards. “See! I have to escort the lady to see my father. She’s a, um, ...” Hector looked back to Raven again. It was all she could do to not roll her eyes. Hector might be a prince, but he was no actor.
“A preceptor,” she said. “I am bringing my knowledge to the king. A gift of ancient teachings.”
She saw the cat mutant named Al shake his head, apparently not sure what to think. "You mean like a fancy teacher?" he asked at last.
“Yes!” Raven replied trying to keep from becoming frustrated. So much for my stretch for the dramatic, she thought. "And if you don't mind, please release the woman in the net. She is my escort." The two guards looked at each other and then the second cat mutant shrugged.
“Let her down, Al,” he said. “Gently.” Raven breathed a sigh of relief. Hector came closer while the two cat mutants lowered Kit.
“What in the heck was all of that?” he said under his breath. “Preceptor? Disciple of some goddess? Are you nuts?” Raven glanced at him.
“I was just trying to save our skins,” she whispered. “What was I supposed to say? Besides, I really was a teacher.”
Hector leaned back and nodded. "Good then. This just might work. Excellent thinking, my lady," he said with a chuckle.
CHAPTER 10
Willow reclined on a pile of furs near the lodge's great fire pit. Near her was Matthew and Emilia, plus the man always at the clan chief's elbow, who Willow had learned was named Jonas. Food was being prepared, and a wineskin had appeared and was being passed about as the day slipped into evening. A group of fishermen were back from a successful trip to the lake, and their catch was to be the day's feast. Willow was especially thankful the outing was uneventful, and there was no sighting of the Patrols. An incident with the soldiers in black and gray was the last thing she needed as she glanced over at Matthew's bruised face. The clan had reluctantly accepted his presence after what he had done saving the mother and her son, but any reminder of where he came from would surely ignite another call for his head.
As the wineskin made its way to Willow, she smiled at the man who provided it. He was markedly handsome with hair so blonde it looked almost white, and he had playful blue eyes. "I hope you like it," he said with a grin. "I made it myself. Probably did not let it ferment long enough, but it's hard to be patient."
“Well, let’s see,” Willow said, enjoying the easing of tension in the room. Taking a sip, it was all she could do not to grimace. There was no way to tell what winter fruit or weed it was made from, but the hint of fish was not to her taste. From her left, she heard a burst of laughter and, swallowing to be polite, looked over to see a second man. He was also fair-haired and the spitting image of the man who offered the wine.
"I told you it tasted like crap," the other said with merriment in voice. The twin looked at Willow. "Sorry, ma'am. You'll have to forgive my brother’s overzealousness." The first brother's cheeks colored with embarrassment and Willow worried there was about to be a problem just when things were starting to smooth over, but then he grinned and laughed too.
“Like you could do better, Toby. If I recall, your last batch ended up being used to wash down the latrine,” he said. A few other members of the clan near where Willow sat joined in with the amusement and chided the brothers. Even Emilia laughed and patted Willow on the shoulder.
“You’ll have to forgive Toby and Brody,” she said. “They are our court jesters to be sure. But better men you will never find.” At that statement, the brothers stopped their banter and bowed in unison.
“Always at your service, m’ lady,” they said together. The group nearby loved it and applauded. Willow could not help but laugh with them. It felt good to be somewhere safe, with ample food and warmth, and camaraderie. If only we could stay forever, she thought, but then grew solemn as an image of little Mouse and the stranger, Raven, rose in her mind. The time was quickly approaching for Willow to ask Emilia for more help. But not tonight. Tonight she resolved to enjoy where she was, knowing it was likely to be a long time until she would laugh again.
Once the twins returned to their seats on the ground around the fire pit, Jonas leaned forward from where he sat on the other side of Emilia. “Let’s have a story!” he said. “Willow, tell us how you and Emilia met. We all are very curious.” Willow looked at Emilia, who held her gaze in return. The story was dark in places and perhaps was best untold. After a pause, Emilia nodded and turned toward the people around them.
"A story is a fine idea," she said with a broad smile. "Willow did our people and me a great favor, and her heroics should be celebrated. Toby, bring me more of your questionable wine. This might take a while in the telling." Toby jumped to his feet and delivered the skin.
“Keep it, I have more,” he said.
“Unfortunately,” his brother Brody chimed in. There was another laugh from everyone, but it diminished quickly as all eyes went back to Willow. She saw eagerness for the tale of adventure on their faces. Clearing her throat, she nodded and let her mind go back to years ago, when she was young and full of bitterness.
"It all started with a losing hand of poker," she began, and there was a murmur of pleasure from the crowd. The story was already intriguing.
Blaze listened intently. He had heard snippets of Willow's past adventures over the years, but not much around her journey with the little girl, Emilia. It took place at a time when he was lost and grieving too. Less than six months after his older brother, his hero, was murdered by the Patrols, Willow's sudden absence from the clan had hit him hard. He was angry at her for leaving and risking her life for someone he did not even know. When she returned, still healing from a vicious wound across her face, things were never the same between them.
As the story unfolded and the tension grew, the wineskin circled around to Blaze, and he drank deeply. It truly was a horrible concoction, but potent, and he enjoyed the slow feeling of warmth it spread through him. Nothing like wine on an empty stomach, he thought and glanced around to see the status of the fish cooking nearby. The aroma, although taking some time to get used to, now smelled fantastic. It looked almost ready, and he smiled as he turned back to hear Emilia interject a detail into Willow's telling. As his eyes traveled the group, suddenly he noticed a pretty young woman smiling at him. Caught off guard, Blaze raised his eyebrows. The girl covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle. Is she looking at me? he thought, now not sure if she was even focused on him, or instead someone around him. Blaze turned his head to see if anyone else was laughing. There was no one paying him any attention. By now the entire clan had gathered to hear Willow's story. Returning his gaze back in the direction of the smiling woman, he noticed she had stood up and was quietly making her way toward him. Well, this is interesting. Blaze watched as the girl, brown-haired, with olive skin and warm hazel eyes, sat down beside him.
"Hi," she whispered. "Is it okay if I sit here?" Blaze nodded. His experience with women was zero being his clan was always small, and there was no one really near his age, other than Kit. In his mind, Kit did not count as she would forever be like a sister to him. To stall, while he puzzled on what to say back to the brown-haired stranger, he held out the wineskin for her. "Thank you," she mouthed and took a small sip before turning her attention back to Willow's story. It was the part he did know, with the wolves attacking, and so nearing the end by Blaze's recollection. The woman beside him scooted a little closer. Blaze's
face flushed red, and suddenly he was completely conflicted. This girl was cute and apparently interested in him, yet Blaze almost felt guilty sitting so close to her. In his heart, he realized he was thinking of Raven. Her face flashed into his memory, and he saw her brilliant green eyes and beautiful smile.
FROM ONLY A DOZEN FEET away, Matthew sat watching Blaze out of the corner of his eye. Willow's story was wrapping up as she explained about her welcome into Emilia's clan after her courageous return of the little girl safely. It was evident to Matthew the woman who had approached Blaze and sat down was more than a little interested in his red-haired companion. Trying to go unnoticed, Matthew continued to study the human courtship behavior. The idea was completely foreign to him yet if he had thought about it, the ritual was certainly necessary as part of the mating process. Suddenly there was applause all around him, and he realized Willow and Emilia's story was over. He clapped too. It had been very entertaining and provided him a little insight into the woman he respected greatly. As well as owe my life too, he thought. He doubted there were few people who were braver than Willow.
Now that the tale was told, people began to drift away again, and the food was starting to be distributed. While he waited to get some for himself, he returned his attention to Blaze and the woman. They were talking quietly, but it was just loud enough for Matthew to make out their words.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t,” Blaze was explaining. “There is someone else.” The girl did not look happy with his statement.
“Who is this ‘someone else’?” she asked. “Willow?” Blaze made the mistake of chuckling and Matthew saw the brown-haired woman bristle. Matthew did not know much about courtship, it was true, but he was able to see clear signs that Blaze was quickly getting into hot water. He was surprised Blaze did not realize it himself.