"Your father is still heart sick over the death of your brother. I don't think there is room in his heart for anyone with so much grief filling it," her mother said.
"Except Tobias," Tamsin corrected.
"Not even Tobias. He teaches the boy all he must know as an alpha but there is part of his heart that he shields from the boy that he never kept from Thomas," her mother said.
"I still miss him," Tamsin whispered.
"I miss him too. Your brother was a good boy. I see a lot of his nature in that Jonathan boy. It is quite a duty to be the mother of an alpha," her mother said.
"You made sure I was taught all I would need to fill that role," Tamsin said and she hoped it was the truth.
"Have you been writing everything down in that journal I gave you?' her mother asked.
"My adventures at Hampton Court?" Tamsin asked.
"Everything. There may come a day when your words will mean something to someone. You cannot be the only child born to werewolf parents who did not go through the change. There must be others in the world. Perhaps knowing all you have been through will help them see that their destiny is not as grim as it might appear," her mother said. Tamsin did not find her destiny at all grim. She was married to a wonderful man and raising seven beautiful children. She could barely feel the loss of the werewolf gift when she thought of the life she had.
"I am writing it all down," Tamsin promised.
"Good. Now off to bed with you. Your new husband is waiting," her mother said. Tamsin smiled. She wouldn't tell her mother that she and Walter had been unable to refrain from sharing a bed since they arrived though he had taken every precaution to be sure not to put a pup in her.
Tamsin made her way down the hall and opened the door.
Walter was lying in their bed waiting for her. His chest was bare and she felt the heat of his body as she slid into bed next to him.
"I love you Tamsin Crake," Walter said.
"And I love you," she whispered back.
Chapter 25
Walter looked up from the cart he was packing as a werewolf he didn't know approached. They were preparing to leave for their moon sanctuary and so Walter knew that the visitor was not calling socially.
"I need the alpha," he called.
Edward stepped forward and the wolf placed a letter into his hand. It was sealed and Walter thought he recognized it as the Rees emblem.
Edward read over the letter and then let out a growl. He motioned for the pack to gather around him. Tamsin and her mother were talking nearby as Lady Wolstenholme cuddled Bess. She and the Wolstenholme wolves moved closer to hear what Edward had to say.
"Our brother wolves believe they have found the place where a herd of marceffynol will rise with the moon. They believe that the herd are preparing to cross the border into England under the full moon's light."
"Have they requested our assistance?" Jonathan asked.
"They have. They wish to track down the marceffynol and put an end to them but the monsters expected numbers are triple that of their pack. They ask that we send what help we can," Edward said.
"Do you think they will attack King Henry?" Jonathan asked.
"Marceffynol are fast. We have to believe that is a possibility," Edward said.
"Then, we must do our duty," Jonathan said.
"We will divide the pack. The capable men will join me. Everyone else will follow Margaret to the moon sanctuary," Edward said.
Walter tried to push down the feeling of panic rising in his belly. He had known that the Crake pack would need to deal with whatever Marcher was commanding the marceffynol but he had not thought it would be so soon. Going after marceffynol as wolves was a dangerous undertaking.
Tamsin slid beside him and put an arm around his waist.
"Keep the children safe," he whispered. It was unlikely that the marceffynol would be any threat to those on Crake estate but that knowledge did little to relieve his fears.
"Keep yourself safe too," she said leaning in to kiss his cheek.
"Will Aaron join in the fight?" Tamsin asked. He could feel her trembling against him.
"No. He will join the women. He is too young to fight," Walter said.
"And Jonathan?" Tamsin asked.
"He is the next alpha. He will need to learn how to lead his wolves," Walter said. He could see she hated the idea of Jonathan joining in the fight as much as he did. He would see to Jonathan's safety.
He had no intention of losing his son to save King Henry. He had been willing to risk his own life to guard the king but his son was another matter entirely.
"What is happening?" Lady Wolstenholme asked softly coming towards them. She still had Bess in her arms.
"Margaret will tell you everything," Tamsin said. She reached for Bess and her mother reluctantly gave her up.
Walter watched his wife cling to his youngest child and her fear was palpable though he doubted that fear was of the marceffynol. Tamsin had already had a great loss in her life. He couldn't allow her to face any more.
***
Tamsin watched as the Crake carts left in two lines. They were well out of sight before she led Miriam, Joseph, Naomi, and Bess back to the house. She locked the door behind her trying to ignore the emptiness of the Crake estate with so many people missing. There was only her, the children, Grace, and another female servant remaining.
There were hours left before dusk but Tamsin hoped the hours would rush by. She knew that the next three days would not be ones of rest.
She would not rest with ease until Walter and Jonathan returned to her unharmed.
Chapter 26
The tension in the air was palpable as the Crake pack approached the Rees pack. Dylan had ten wolves with him. They all looked strong and capable but their small number worried Walter and he sensed the same concerns from his brother and his son.
Walter stayed by his son's side as Jonathan and Edward approached Dylan who looked at them with tired eyes. Walter couldn't help feeling sorry for the man. This was the last thing the Rees pack needed and yet they had a duty.
"Have you located the source of the marceffynol?" Edward asked. Adney had not shared the information but perhaps Dylan's scouts had more fortune with their findings.
"We suspect someone but we cannot be sure. Sawel is the third son of Marcher Lord Roberts. He was sent to a monastery at as young an age as he could be taken. Five years ago he was returned home after his brothers died of fever leaving him the heir," Dylan said.
"Do the Roberts have a magical history?" Edward asked. Walter leaned in closer. If the Roberts were a long line of witches or others who could harness magic then they could be nearly sure he was the culprit.
"The Roberts have never shown any signs of magic but Sawel's mother's line is less clear. He was the only living child of his father's second wife. Her family was old and in most of the oldest families there is some witch's blood though much of it has been bred out since they were conquered by the Normans. His mother is still alive and on the estate. If she has magic in her blood she could have taught him," Dylan said.
"Have you sent no scouts to spy on Sawel?" Jonathan asked. His tone held rebuke and Edward laid a hand on his shoulder. It was a gentle sign of correction. Fortunately, Dylan did not seem to take offense.
"We do not have the numbers to do so. The threat tonight was our largest concern. If tonight is indeed the night that Sawel, or whoever is responsible, unleashes a marceffynol army then we must worry about destroying the monsters before we decide to stop their creator," Dylan said.
"Of course, you are right," Jonathan said bowing his head. Walter wanted to comfort his son and reassure him but he refrained. He was almost grateful that Dylan stepped forward and put a hand on Jonathan's shoulder instead.
"It was not wrong of you to ask me. You are learning how to lead and mistakes will be made," Dylan said.
"Once the current threat is subdued I will send scouts to determine if Sawel is truly the villain you suspect. My
scouts will deal with him if he is," Edward promised. He reached out and took Dylan's hand. He shook it to seal his word.
"I do not wish to speak out of turn but this mission is dangerous. Marceffynol are merciless creatures who feel little pain. It is possible there will be losses tonight," Dylan said.
"We brought a physician and his apprentice with us. I will have them at the back of our ranks for as long as possible and charge them with caring for the wounded," Edward said.
"Will you keep your heir in the back of the ranks as well?" Dylan asked.
"I want to fight," Jonathan protested though Walter's paternal instincts followed the line of Dylan's thought.
"Jonathan, I do not take your life lightly," Edward began and Walter cringed. Edward knew his mind and for the sake of the pack Walter knew he was right though his father's heart hated it. "You are my heir and should be by my side. The pack needs to see you as a leader and you cannot lead a wolf pack if you have never seen battle. I will do all in my power to protect you and preserve your life as I am sure your father will as well."
Walter knew that Edward had the right of it. He would be next to his son and his brother. He would do whatever it took to keep them both safe.
***
Tamsin rolled over at the sound of soft feet on the floor. Sleep had not come to her so it was no real imposition. Bess and Naomi stood in her doorway hand in hand.
"May we sleep here with you?" Naomi asked.
"Of course," Tamsin said. The children might be too small to understand what was happening but she was sure they sensed the tension that had remained ever since the pack had split in two so that the males could deal with the nearby threat.
She pulled back the blankets and Naomi climbed in beside her on one side and Bess on the other. Both children snuggled against her and she was reminded again that both had been deprived the love of a mother for too long. Walter might have thought her indulgent if he was there but he wasn't and she found the warmth from their small bodies a comfort.
"What was that?” Naomi asked sitting up startled.
"Just the owls. They live in that tree outside the window," Tamsin yawned. She had almost grown accustomed to their hooting and noise through the night.
Bess let out a whimper.
"Could you sing to us, mother? Just until we fall asleep?" Naomi asked.
"Of course," Tamsin said. Rachel had taught her a few Crake lullabies and she would start with those but then she would add a few Wolstenholme ones as well. If Bess would grow to be a Wolstenholme then she should know their songs and stories. Someday, she might sing those same songs to Tobias's children.
Chapter 27
Walter stood beside Jonathan who was at Edwards’s side. He could feel the chill of the air even through his thick pelt. Everyone was in wolf form and though he could not think as clearly as his man mind could his instincts told him that the night was full of danger.
Edward sniffed the ground while Dylan kept his nose to the air. The rest of the wolves stood and waited.
Dylan howled to indicate that he had caught the scent and he took off in the proper direction. The packs both followed behind him at as fast a run as was possible without losing the weakest wolves.
They found two marceffynol together who were galloping at great speeds. Dylan and Edward took the lead running to block their path. Once they had slowed the marceffynols forward movement the pack surrounded the marceffynols. The first marceffynol swung his fist at Edward and missed. The second managed to grab Dylan in a crushing hold.
The pack of wolves rushed forward and marceffynol flesh flew through the air as the wolf teeth ripped at the enemy.
Caldwell and Kolby sniffed at Dylan but seemed satisfied that the crushing grip of the marceffynol had done no real damage.
Dylan and Edward began sniffing again and a moment later the wolves were running after them. Walter felt relief that his son had not so much as flinched at the sight of the monsters. His future pack would remember his courage.
***
Tamsin finished her song and looked down at the girls beside her. Both children had finally stilled in slumber. She rolled to face Bess and closed her eyes. The songs had been as much a comfort to her as to them. She yawned and was feeling the heaviness of approaching sleep when a familiar and rank scent hit her nose. Her eyes shot open.
Careful not to disturb the children she climbed out of bed and looked through the crack of the shutters. The tree blocked some of her view but the moon light was strong enough that she could make out three figures. Two of the marceffynol were muscled and the other was lean. The lean one cocked his head to the side and she wondered what he was searching for. They made some indistinct grunting noises and the two muscled monsters moved out of her sight. It appeared as if they were going around the house.
Tamsin took in a deep breath. She refused to let herself panic.
"Get up," she said as softly as she could. She shook Naomi gently.
"Mama, why are you waking me up?" Naomi asked in the grumpy voice that could only belong to an exhausted child.
"I need you out of the bed. Come stand by me at the window," Tamsin said.
Naomi rubbed her eyes but obeyed.
"I need to run and get your nurse. If you hear me scream you must climb out of the window and up the tree as high as you can. Take Bess with you," Tamsin said. She hadn't awoken the youngest for fear that Bess would cry out and alert the monsters.
The tree beyond the window would hold the children out of the way of the marceffynols. Tamsin doubted that their monstrous form and weight would allow them to climb the tree.
She rushed across the hall to where Grace was snoring softly and Tamsin woke her up.
"Does Edward have any guns or knives in the house? Anything we can use as a weapon?" Tamsin whispered to her.
"Is there a robber?" Grace asked sitting up. Tamsin admired how quickly the other woman prepared for action.
"I only wish there were. I have Naomi and Bess in my room. Wake the others and come with me. Quickly," Tamsin said. Grace did not hesitate and in a moment everyone in the Crake household was in Tamsin's room. Miriam and Joseph rubbed their eyes. Bess had been awoken by the noise but Grace had picked her up and she was not fussing. Tamsin was glad. She needed the stillness of the room to think.
The first sound of hoof on wood banged through the house.
"What is that?" asked Grace.
"Monster," Naomi said wide eyed. Tamsin knelt down before her and cupped her face.
"I need you to be very brave for me," she whispered.
One marceffynol was still outside the window but Tamsin made a decision.
"I am going to try to lure them away. If I fail, get the children up the tree as high as they can go," she said to Grace who nodded.
Tamsin grabbed a branch of the tree and climbed from the window as quietly as she could. She would never have been able to move with speed if she was weighed down in a gown but the smock that made up my bedclothes was light and gave her freedom to move though little protection against either the chill of the night air or the monsters she was about to lure away from the house.
Tamsin knew there was no way to outrun the marceffynols but she might be able to otherwise outmaneuver them.
As silently as she could Tamsin dropped from the tree and rushed towards the river where her husband's mother had drowned.
She stepped into the water and began to sing as she rushed into the deeper and deeper center of the river. Her feet came off the ground and the water around her was so cold that her arms began to ache but she sang and swam. She was both relieved and terrified when she heard hoof beats behind her. Then, she heard the splash of animals in water. She swam harder. Suddenly, she was across the bank.
She grabbed a low hanging tree branch and swung up into it. She climbed higher and higher singing to keep their attention.
The marceffynol were slower in the water than they had been on land but they made it across the river. Suddenly, the tr
ee Tamsin was clinging to was surrounded.
She stopped singing. All three marceffynol were at the base of the tree and she was sure that all of their attentions were on her.
The three exchanged glances as they circled the base of the tree. Then, one turned his back to the tree and brought a hoof up to kick the base. The force of it shook the tree and Tamsin wrapped herself tighter around the branch she was clinging to with all her might.
***
Walter could see the change in Edward's stance. There had been calm for the last hour but he knew that was at an end. They had eliminated several small clusters of marceffynol which told him that Sawel, or whoever their master was, did not hold complete control over them. If he did, they would not have strayed away from the main group and gone wandering to wherever they willed.
In the distance was a cluster of perhaps fifty marceffynol. It appeared they had stumbled on the main herd.
The formation of marceffynols moved as a group on a mission. They were moving forward in a distinct formation and Walter had no doubt that these were the most dangerous enemies he had ever encountered.
Dylan and Edward rushed forward. Walter guessed they were trying to cut the last animals in the ranks away from the herd. Doing so would allow the packs to destroy a few creatures at a time. Neither had apparently planned on the lagging marceffynol's battle cry nor the resulting herd turning directions and rushing at the wolves.
There was no way for the wolves to remain clustered together with the marceffynols stampeding forward. Walter made a decision. The wolf in him warned that he should protect his alpha but the father in him was stronger and he rushed to Jonathan's side. The marceffynol near him made a grab at him. He was fast but Walter was faster. He took off the beasts hand in one chomp of his teeth which was only possible because that marceffynol was further in the process of decay than some of his companions so there was less flesh and more brittle bone to fight. He must have been one of the first monsters made.
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