‘Hi Cassy. It’s Natalya. Sorry to wake you so early,’ she called mentally.
‘Natalya? I’m so glad to hear from you. Are you both ok?’
‘Yes, we’re both fine.’
‘What happened? We’ve been so worried that neither of you came home last night. Jim was talking about going in search of you this morning.’
‘Was he? I suppose I’d better speak to him then,’ Natalya said reluctantly. ‘The reason for our delay is that we’ve rescued a man from the inquisitors. He’s leopard and strong, well he will be when he’s recovered from being starved. We’ve been trotting since midnight and he kept up with us. We’re only about five miles from home now, over by the quarry. Can you ask Drako to send the hunters to us with a hearty snack?’
‘No problem,’ Drako spoke to her directly on Cassy’s link. ‘What’s he like?’
‘Look,’ Natalya invited and guided Drako to see the sleeping leopard through her eyes. ‘His name’s Jack. He was caught trying to escape with his pregnant wife and young daughters. They were separated but he heard where they were to be taken,’ she added excitedly.
‘He told you the location?’ Drako asked, immediately grasping the inference that this might be a clue to where other animus were being held.
‘Not yet. He wants to be sure he’s in on whatever action you plan.’
‘I see. I’ll send the wolves to you. I imagine they’ll be getting up about now anyway. It’s almost dawn isn’t it?’ he asked, although he could tell it was from the view through her eyes. He however lay in darkness, with the shutters still closed, not having planned to be awake just yet. Natalya’s news completely excused the abrupt awakening though.
‘Thank you.’
‘Well done. Anything I should know about?’
‘No, he’s leopard. I’m sure you know what to expect of his character. He’s physically weak at the moment but he was willing to trust me. We haven’t had much of a chance to talk so I don’t know a lot about him yet, although I can tell he has a keen mind and does seem honourable.’
‘You’d better tell Jim you’re alive; he was worried,’ Drako advised aware she was never keen on speaking with the lion headmaster despite the fact he was her brother in law. Or he would be if either sister actually officially married. ‘Get some rest Natalya. I’ll see you soon,’ Drako added kindly then her presence was gone.
‘The pack is coming with food,’ Natalya told Freddie. ‘I suppose I’d better contact Jim,’ she added.
‘Why? The pack will probably tell him they’re coming to meet us.’ Freddie knew she disliked sharing the wizard’s mind and he didn’t like her doing so either. His wolf was too possessive to feel comfortable with his mate sharing anything with another man, especially when that man was an exceedingly powerful wizard and an animus lion.
‘Drako said I should, and I’m not a coward,’ she grumbled at Freddie, well aware of his not so private reservations. It didn’t help that the two men had fought because of her. A lone wolf could not hope to overcome a lion physically, but Freddie had been angry enough to try. The knowledge he’d been beaten didn’t sit well with Freddie either, although he covered it well. She also couldn’t help a small lingering resentment that Jim had toyed with Freddie, using his feelings against him. Despite the fact that lions instinctively toyed with prey, she disliked the fact he’d done it to her wolf. Whilst she knew that Jim had merely been testing them and hadn’t had malicious intentions, he had certainly succeeded in wounding Freddie. That incident had left the wolves wary and that in turn made her protective instincts kick in on their behalf. Jim was simply too strong for most to handle; he had to remain in control for everyone’s safety.
‘Jim, can you hear me? It’s Natalya,’ she called mentally.
‘Natalya?’ Jim’s response was sleepy initially then his contact buzzed strongly as he woke.
‘Drako said I should let you know that we’re fine and will be back soon. We’ve rescued a leopard. I’ve told Drako and the wolves will be coming out to meet us shortly.’ She cut the connection immediately not wishing to prolong the contact. She gained insight into Jim’s thinking processes every time they connected like this; he was doubtless picking up something from her too. She felt a force with Jim’s signature try to connect, but only on his third and finally respectfully executed “knock”, did she allow him access through her shield. She hoped he couldn’t feel her smile; she enjoyed needling him. It did him good to be reminded that he couldn’t push her around and that she expected courtesy.
‘Natalya, that wasn’t very nice,’ Jim chided aware she had locked him out purposely and made him wait. She was one of the few who could do so despite his strength. ‘Who is this leopard?’ He felt her channel his presence to her eyes and he viewed a particularly large and muscular adult male leopard. Even in his sleep he looked exhausted and very thin though. She glanced to one side and Freddie was now in sight. The big wolf seemed almost weedy next to this stranger.
‘Freddie is not remotely weedy,’ Natalya grumbled and Jim tried to hide his amusement. She was so defensive of her man. As if that capable wolf needed defending.
‘Have you seen enough? We’re only about five miles out. We’ll be home soon. Or as soon as he wakes and is recovered enough to move on,’ she amended objectively.
‘Ok. Thank you for letting me know you’re safe. Ah, your wolves have just left the grounds. See you shortly,’ Jim said and disconnected from her.
Jack awoke to voices talking softly. Three large wolves had joined them and sat with quiet alertness. It was clear they were known to Freddie and Natalya and they acted with the peaceful familiarity of an established pack. Natalya was surrounded by the wolves, two between her and Jack. She lay relaxed and even contentedly amongst them and that relieved his initial anxiety.
‘How are you doing Jack?’ she asked meeting his gaze. He hadn’t moved except to open his eyes and she suspected he’d hoped to observe them unnoticed a little longer.
Five wolves were now looking at him in the direct manner of their kind. He shifted up enough to flick a branch out from under him and ruefully knew it was a fair indication of the extent of his exhaustion to have slept with that poking into his ribs so uncomfortably. He noticed his movement had prompted the new wolves to sit up more attentively. They were definitely wary and defensive, which was only natural. A leopard could easily take on a wolf, or even a couple of wolves, if he felt so inclined. He couldn’t best a kitten right now though, not that he’d admit it. He certainly had no intention of making his new friends uneasy, especially when he needed their help. ‘I’m ok. Thank you for asking,’ he said simply.
Natalya eyed him suspecting his pride would make him say that even if it wasn’t the truth. ‘Rupert, the snacks?’
The black wolf got up and brought a small pack over to Jack and dropped it. Jack noticed a second similar pack lay open beside Natalya. Doubtless they had already seen to her wellbeing. He was relieved to see that and their protective attitudes towards her, a pregnant woman. But then wolves always took care of their pack.
‘Thank you Rupert,’ Jack said politely and tipped out the contents of the pack. His claws sliced the string binding a cloth wrapped package and four large meat filled sandwiches were revealed. He sniffed but could not detect anything untoward. He was being offered fresh food just when he badly needed it. No-one said anything to him or attempted to distract him from his meal. It was fresh, tasty and he ate quickly and with relish. Rupert waited until he was done before approaching once more to take the empty pack back. Jack wondered if he was coming across as defensive of his food or whether the wolf was simply taking no risks with his mood. He’d been starved and remained hungry. Whilst that snack had barely touched the sides, he felt warmth and a little strength infusing his limbs. He knew those sandwiches would at least enable him to travel on.
He was more unnerved than he liked to admit that three wolves had been able to get within touching distance without him even being aware of a possible threat. H
ow had they found them? Had they been summoned or had they spotted them whilst on a patrol? Either way he hoped their presence meant they were close to their destination. All four males looked very capable. They bore out Freddie’s claim he was part of Clan Green Bear and that they were nearby. He was nervous, with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, at the prospect of being taken before Clan Green Bear’s leaders. The Clan were known to be a tightknit group; would they be angry he was keeping his knowledge to himself, demanding a personal audience with one of their leaders? Would they kill him afterwards to have seen the location of where their lair now was?
He inspected his aching paws; none were actually damaged that he could see, but he was sure they were bruised. He rose stiffly and found all five wolves rise with him, packs already on their backs. He nodded to Freddie and the red wolf turned and trotted slowly away. Natalya followed and then Rupert before Jack was given a space. It was only then that he noticed one of the wolves had quite a patchy coat in places. This wolf had obviously been badly injured recently. However, the wolf was very alert and nodded Jack on ahead with composure. He and the remaining wolf followed. Jack glanced back but the injured one wasn’t limping and returned his gaze steadily.
Jack returned his attention to trotting, trying to emulate the wolves’ effortless, light steps. Unfortunately his body wasn’t built that way. He also wasn’t very strong at present and despite the additional food, he found his fatigue quickly came back and he simply struggled to keep his legs moving.
‘Nearly there Jack,’ Natalya called some time later. He noticed she didn’t look round. Had she realised he was seriously flagging again? He looked around him with more interest but the trees pressing closely on all sides gave little away. They followed a faint animal track in single file. There was no road or other marker to indicate they were approaching anything yet suddenly there was a break in the trees, opening onto a cleared area flanked by a tall white wall. The wall seemed to transfix him, which was most peculiar and he almost didn’t follow the wolves as they turned to trot parallel to the wall just at the tree line. It was only as he veered back onto the narrow path that he noticed there was a river, or was it a moat, between them and the wall.
Not far ahead he spotted a slender gracefully arched bridge spanning the water and leading up to a narrow gate. The gate was flanked with a pair of slim towers just big enough to serve as a lookout post. The glossy white towers were topped with crenulated battlements and were linked over the top of the gateway. The gate itself was set inside the arch and was therefore cast into deep shadow. The arrow-slits in both towers and above the archway indicated there was space up there for a few bowmen to take position inside if necessary too. It was like a scaled down garrison gateway.
They had to walk in single file over the footbridge. The bridge and gateway too were designed to be just big enough for a horseman to pass through one at a time. In this simple way additional defence had been cleverly designed in.
‘Don’t touch the walls Jack; they bite,’ Freddie warned as they approached the gate. Freddie placed his paw against the wood of the gate and waited. ‘Hi Jim. Yes, we’re back,’ he said.
Jack looked up but didn’t see or scent anyone nearby. Who was Freddie talking to?
The gate clanked unlocked and Freddie pushed it open and went through.
Jack felt a strange ticklish sensation, like walking into a cobweb, as he passed through the gate. Had something brushed his mind? He glanced back at the wolves following and noticed one shake his head sharply before he turned to bar the gate behind them. So they’d felt something too. He hadn’t imagined it. No clues forthcoming, he turned his attention to where they’d entered. He stared; amazed by the beauty and tranquillity of the landscape he was entering.
Before him were acres of open parkland dotted with mature trees. Ahead, about half a mile away to his right, a huge country house dominated the landscape, built in a pale creamy white stone. The small path they were following divided and they took the left hand fork, which led away from the house across the grass. Their path joined up to a broad, tree lined driveway, which was presumably the main access road to the big house. They turned their backs on the house however and Jack wondered what was down in this direction, aside from what appeared to be the main gates.
He followed, glad they walked now rather than trotted, so he had a chance to look around and still keep up. Near what must be the main gates, on a small rise to his right, he noticed a beautiful stone villa with tan roof tiles, set amongst trees. It was sufficient of a distance from this driveway, together with obscuring foliage, to be very private. It probably had fantastic views, which appealed to his leopard. The thick thorny hedge edging the drive gave it additional privacy. He absently wondered who lived there.
They turned right off the main drive, onto a small lane. Passing through a simple gateway set in the hedge, he realised he had been so busy staring at the unusual house that he’d missed the sounds of life far closer. The lane took them down a gentle slope into a bustling, prosperous and cleanly kept village.
Jack walked slowly; too busy looking around to go any faster. He was a little shocked none of the wolves changed back into human form. Then someone waved and called a greeting, which Freddie answered, and it struck Jack that everyone he could see looked animus. Was this then the heart of Clan Green Bear? Had they settled here? He couldn’t think of a more secure place than to be out of sight inside such a sturdy wall.
This village was no rough wattle and daub quickly built temporary place though, nor did it look poor. Instead of bare muddy earth, the road was neatly paved in stone and the widely spaced buildings were sturdily made from stone or brick. He could hear the rhythmic clang of a busy blacksmith’s shop, the rasp of a sawmill and sounds of hammering. Then the delicious aromas of fresh bread reached his nose, poignantly reminding him of his wife baking and his children watching her. He swallowed the lump in his throat as memories assailed him and focused on everything going on around him.
People bustled about their daily lives and he could hear children laughing. He sensed contentment and purpose in the atmosphere. There were no belligerent, idly loitering soldiers bullying people, nor malignant whispering or spying on of neighbours as he’d become used to. This village seemed honest and wholesome somehow and looked a very inviting and comfortable place to live.
He wished his wife could see this and with that thought he was blindsided once more, but this time with anger and fear for her safety. He gritted his teeth against his pain, remembering Freddie admitting that many of these people had also had their loved ones snatched. There would be kindred spirits here.
Jack was aware of people staring at him, but only at him and it could not be because he was animus. There was wariness and he realised it was probably from seeing a stranger entering their sanctuary. They turned right up a side street in the middle of the village and Jack saw the pretty villa he’d noticed earlier up the small hill ahead of them. They all heard Natalya sigh in annoyance.
‘What is it? Freddie asked immediately.
‘Jim’s here. I knew I shouldn’t have woken him,’ Natalya groused.
‘He needs to be here, you know he does,’ Freddie told her.
They didn’t look his way but Jack knew this person was here because of him. On the approach to the villa he noticed two men and a woman sitting on the veranda watching their approach. A large black haired man sat in a swing seat beside a small blond woman, while a blond man sat in a separate chair alongside. Barely touched steaming mugs of tea lay before them on a small table, mutely indicating they hadn’t been there long.
The early morning sunshine was peeking through the clouds, casting a warm glow on everything. The village had been calm and serene and the people awaiting him superficially looked to be as well. After a week of being treated like something everyone would rather scrape off their shoe, Jack felt distinctly unsettled by the civilised genteel setting of those awaiting him. He wasn’t fooled however; they were watchin
g him intently and warily. Both men were tall, powerfully built and exuded strength of personality. Both boldly assessed him as though long accustomed to leadership. Jack was surprised to note that both were very young, the fair haired one especially, to have assumed command.
‘Clothes would be nice for our chat,’ Jim suggested.
Jack observed the wolves glanced at the silent black haired man who nodded. Only then did the wolves trot away. Jack watched the wolves separate and disappear into the cottages close by on this lane. That then must be where they lived.
‘Come on Jack,’ Natalya said gently. ‘Let’s get you sorted.’
Jack gratefully turned to follow her and noticed she silently nudged Freddie. He suspected they were talking, she overruling him, judging by their body language. Wolves were territorial and disliked sharing their den with other males once they had a mate. He followed the pair up the steps and on to the very pleasant timber decked veranda of the closest cottage. There he stopped. He watched them go inside and noticed Freddie’s backward glance of surprise that he wasn’t following them in. Instead, Jack sat down in a patch of sun, his back to the wall, keeping watch. He was glad to have a few minutes to sit quietly, rest and take everything in. The wolf men, now changed and dressed came and sat in the grass at the foot of the steps patiently waiting. Surreptitiously watching the three up at the top house, he knew the black haired man and blond woman lived there and the wolves reported to him. Was he then the Clan Green Bear leader? He was young for that. Jack thought he’d heard the clan was led by their old lord. Where was he? And who was the blond man with the disturbingly intent eyes?
‘Freddie! Stop stuffing your face and get your furry little backside up here.’
Jack peered through the open doorway and watched Freddie trot obediently for the stairs. Jack snorted in amusement and Freddie glanced at him as though daring him to comment, before heading up. Jack noticed the wolf men all wore broad grins; they’d all clearly heard Natalya’s imperious summons too. She might be a wizard and their wolf alpha female, but she was also a very tired pregnant lady. Shortly they both came back down, now in human form and dressed.
Forging Alliances: Wizards of White Haven Page 4