by HC MacDonald
Sanna gasped at the site of the necklace. She stepped to me and put a hand on my shoulder. “You should keep that. Ethan and I will go with you up the Rosa pass. We can drop Sasha off at Ethel’s then we can talk about what we know of Raina. If she stayed on the path, you should be to her just after sunset.” Sanna paused then. “She has had a hard life. You need to be certain that she is your mate. That this is what you want. I don’t want to see her hurt anymore.”
“I won’t hurt her.” Was my reply. Sanna was right, maybe I did love her. Maybe we were fated. I waited for Sanna to get ready. Then we took off running out the door and up the path. Once Sasha was dropped off, Sanna began telling me all about Raina as we ran.
Chapter 18
Goodbye
Raina
The kids were doing great. The presents Sanna had given them were making the time fly for the children. I had also made good time. Running with the cart when the children were sleeping, and keeping them moving when they were awake. We only stopped to relieve ourselves. That was minimal at most.
I pulled out some dried meat for us to eat for dinner. Dinner, like lunch and breakfast, was eaten as we walked. The quicker we got to our destination, the safer I would feel. I was fishing around the basket of meat, when my fingers brushed a box. I didn’t recall putting any boxes in this basket. I wrapped my fingers around it, and pulled it out. It was a plain brown box the size of my fist. I opened it. Inside was a folded note.
‘If you find yourself in need of help, give a whistle - S.’
A smile lit my face. Sanna was still looking out for us. I tucked the whistle into my waistband pocket, then fished out some dried meat and we continued walking as we ate.
Nightfall had come. The children had settled into the cart some time earlier. They were now fast asleep. The path I was on, was smooth and had been well traveled. There was no one in site. Hadn’t been for a few hours now. The moon was high in the sky, casting much light onto the path. My plan was to walk well into the night, rest for a few hours, then begin again before the children awoke.
The trees were clustered together in lumps no longer packed like the woods of Ladow. The path we were on was lined with high tangled bushes, creating a tunnel with there branches. Behind the bushes, clear landscape with small huddles of thick trees spread about. I walked along in silence.
A slow creeping chill started rising up my spine. I was getting the feeling we were being followed. I looked behind us, nothing. After a good hour, I still couldn’t shake the feeling. I veered off the path, through the bushes out of sight. I continued to walk. I could still feel the uneasiness that we were not alone.
Ahead was a grove of tightly grown trees. A good hiding spot. I maneuvered the wagon into the trees. It was well hidden. I gathered some broken bushes laying on the ground and moved them into the grove, adding to the coverage of the cart. When I stepped back, it was completely hidden. I ventured back to the path and stood in the bushes waiting, listening.
I heard the padding of feet coming down the path. Quietly I waited. Round the bend some distance off, a large copper wolf. He slowed down his trot and was walking slowly. He transformed into a large unkept, brut of a man. He had a torn shirt, with scratches and scars across his chest. He stopped. Looking behind him he whistled. A light tan scraggly wolf came out of the brush to his right.
“Do you smell them?” The larger one asked the scrappy wolf.
“No, they must have turned off somewhere.” The wolf answered in reply.
“We can backtrack.” He cackled.
I was unnerved by the sight. I patted the necklace I wore around my neck. I was grateful to understand this new threat. These men where up to no good. I needed to draw them away from the children. I planned my strategy. I could take them one at a time. The little scrappy one would be easy. The bigger one, would be tough. If I got some good swings in, I might be able to discourage him from following.
“Did you see ‘em?” An additional black wolf came around the corner. “They can’t be far, be a shame to give up such easy prey.” The black wolf almost laughed as he said it.
“Enough, spread out and search, go back down the path and check for camps. We’ll get them.” The large one ordered.
I knew I needed to act. If I didn’t, chances of them finding us all was inevitable. It would be horrific for the kids. I knew I couldn’t take on all three at once. Now, chances of getting them one by one, was little to none. My only option, get them to follow me, lead them away, try to outwit them, circle back for the children. I knew I needed help. I ran toward the kids blowing the soundless whistle Sanna given me. I snuck into the grove. Gave one more blow then placed it into Keiko’s tiny sleeping hand. As quietly as I could I took off toward the path, ran across it unseen, and headed in a large loop toward the back of the pack.
I was a good mile away from where I had left the children when I circled in toward the path. As I came close, I could hear them searching. I stood, waiting for a sign of the first to come. The black wolf came around the bend first. I whistled, catching his attention, then took off running through the groves of trees away from the path. Away from the children.
I looked backed once, he was so close. The other two now running to catch us. I ran down a hill, the landscape giving way to boulders, hills and ravines. I swerved between boulders, moving and jumping. I cornered a large boulder well above my height. Here I stopped. I held my daggers in hand, crouched low to the ground. When the black wolf turned to make the bend, I reached out for his throat slicing him from chin to belly. He collapsed immediately from the shock, but quickly regained himself and tried to roll away.
I jabbed my other dagger into his throat and turned the blade. His body convulsed then stopped. I pushed off the ground and ran. I could hear them. I heard a howl echo off the rock as they passed their dead comrade.
“Get her!”
All I could hear was them yelling for me. I ran up a hill. I hit a dead end, a cliff met my eyes. I skidded to a stop. Turning, I had a giant boulder to my right, to my left, an open valley. They would catch me in the valley. I couldn’t out run them all. I scrambled to get to the top of the boulder. I might have a chance up there. I would wait them out if needed. So I scrambled up the boulder and posed, ready to defend my rock.
Chapter 19
Plan
Leon
It had been hours since I left Sanna and Ethan at the border. Thibault was on watch at this end of the valley. He was loyal to my father before me. A good man. When he saw us approach, he simply turned a blind eye to me as I walked over the creek that signaled our border. He could be trusted not to give away my plans. The sun would set soon, and still no sign of the group. I had hoped they would stop and rest along the way. Give me an opportunity to catch them. As I thought it, I knew Raina would push through. She wasn’t one to waste time.
Night was here, the moon lighting the way. My worries growing with every hour. Then I heard the musical whistle. I knew this sound. It was Sanna’s. Our father gave her this whistle when she was young. Our village was battling the southern pack. Sanna was scared that she would be taken and sold to the fortress.
Our father had this whistle made by our elders. Only our family could hear it. It played a soothing tone that would calm Sanna, and warn us of danger. She only used it once. She was walking back to our home with food from the market, when an Asbjorn crossed her path. She blew the whistle. My father was with me at the council chambers when we heard it. He immediately ran to her. He saved her from an awful state. She carried it with her for years, until the battles were won and over. I didn’t see it again until his death. Now, I recognized the tone. She must have given it to Raina. Raina was in trouble. Why else would she activate the whistle.
I took off running as fast as I could. The tone, leading me to the place it was blown. As I turned a bend in the path, I saw Hagar running to the East, followed by his lackeys. They were in the thick of a chase. I watched waiting for their prey to appear. I saw Raina
jump over a boulder leading them. My feet wouldn’t move, the shock hitting me at once. I transformed and took off in chase. Following the trail of stench left behind by the pack.
I rounded a boulder and was met with a blood stained Yule. He was pushing his lifeless twin around. His snout covered in his brothers blood. He snarled at me.
“You did this!” He accused me. “You killed my brother!”
I knew it wouldn’t matter trying to explain that I did not. Fact was it was probably Raina. I was glad she did. They were cruel, spineless, deflectors of our village. Out to seek power and glory. Now they gathered travelers to bargain with the Raiders. I had heard they were south of here. They shouldn’t be this far north.
Yule and I were circling each other. I was waiting for him to pounce. I knew he would. He was no match for me, but he was wasting my time. I egged him on, wanting it to be over so I could help Raina.
It only took one insult about his brother to get him to pounce. The fight was on. I caught him under the throat. Bitting as hard as I could. He managed to get away. He came back. His skills improved from the last time we had fought. He got me under the front leg. Snapped it. I was hurt but not out. I grabbed his hind leg in my jaw and swung him around, hitting his head into the boulder behind me. He lay inches from his dead brother now. He moved to get up. I gave one last lung and tore his throat from his body. He was dead and no longer a threat.
I took off running best I could in the direction of Hagar. I could smell the trail. They were no longer moving. I made myself move faster. Raina, she needed to be alive. I came to a downward sloping hill. At the bottom, Raina stood on a boulder, arms swinging as Hagar, Mutt, and two others I did not recognize tried to climb the boulder. She was quick. Slicing snouts, or paws that made it up the rock. I crept close to the pack. No coverage to hide in. I was watching her. Then, she saw me. She looked, her head shaking, as if telling me to go back. I couldn’t leave her. I crept closer. She hardened her face.
In that moment I knew what she was going to do. My heart broke in two, my fear coming out, I howled as she let her foot slide down the boulder in reach of Hagar. He snatched her down in one movement. Pinned her to the ground. The others circled towards me. I heard her yell, “Kieko, Help them!” Then I saw as Hagar slammed his fist into her face. She no longer moved. Her eyes were closed. I growled ready to fight them all. Then the sound of the whistle hit my ears. Keiko was in trouble. I knew I needed to protect them, so I turned and ran to Keiko, Juji, and Wyatt.
“Coward, come back and fight.” Hagar called after me. I heard him instruct the others. “Leave him. He is of no worth, we have a prize for the Raiders.”
They did not follow me. I ran as fast as I could letting my instincts follow the whistle. The tone drifting in front of me like a trail of golden yellow smoke. I was close. I could feel them. Feel the magic of the whistle. It was close. All I could see was a small grove of trees. The ground fairly flat, with boulders in the distance. The grove ahead of me seemed to small for them. As I walked closer, I heard the soft cry of a child. I transformed myself back to a man. My arm, broken, I moved the brush out of the way. There Keiko was with a blade in hand ready to protect the children huddled behind her. She dropped the blade as our eyes met. The three scrambled into my arms. I grabbed them all and took off running back to the village. I had ran for close to a mile when I was met by Elder Gregory, Ethan, Sanna, and Thibault.
Sanna’s eyes were wild. “Where’s Raina?” she pleaded. I could only hang my head. Guilt filled me for letting her down. “Hagar” was all I could say without emotion taking hold. They took the children, we transformed and ran back to the village. I needed to make sure they were safe before hunting down Hagar. He would keep her alive, she was worth more to him alive than dead. That I was sure of.
It was sunrise when we stumbled into Sanna’s home. I went for the lotion. Smeared it over my arm and headed for the front door. The children were safe, now I needed to get Raina.
I was stopped by Gregory. He had both hands on my shoulders pushing me down.
“What are you doing?” I questioned him. Ready to strike if needed.
“You are not being rational. You need a plan.” Gregory responded.
“It’s true,” Ethan said. “What are you going to do, take Hagar and his pack down on your own? Besides, by the time you reach him, she will have been sold to the Raiders. You need a plan.”
I threw my hands into the air, “What do you suggest, I sit here quietly waiting for her to just stroll through the village.”
“No!” Sanna whispered, she was quiet and drawn in. The last time she was like this, our father had just died, and our mother had left. I began to worry for my sister.
Sanna continued, “I’m worried to. You need a plan that will bring you both home safely.” She was sitting, staring into the unlit fire. Holding Wyatt as he slept. Ethel came out of the bedroom, took Wyatt and put him in bed with his sisters, and Sasha. Sanna stood and went to her room.
I looked at the others. Gregory was the first to speak. “I might have a plan. It’s risky, but may work.”
“Well, what is it.” I screamed back. Then lowered my voice remember the children sleeping. They didn’t need to be awaken. They had been through enough. I stared at him. “Well?”
“I know of some vendors who dabble from time to time with the Raiders. If I speak to them, maybe we could stage a capture. This would hide your true nature from the council. With luck your sell to the Raiders should put you both together. Then its up to you to escape with her in hand. The council cannot replace you as chief at least for five years according to our laws. Chances are, the Raiders wouldn’t kill you on sight. If you both survive, it could work.”
We all looked at him stunned. It was a horrible plan. It was the only one we had. It might work. If they were taking prisoners, then maybe she would be at the Raiders camp, not moved to the fortress yet. Easier to escape from there. I felt a bit of hope. Looking him in the eye, “Make it happen. I will wait here for you to return.” At that Gregory left. Thibault, Ethan and I looked at each other.
“You crazy man.” Thibault started. “Chances are she’ll be dead before you reach her...”
I punched him in the jaw. I couldn’t think that was a possibility.
Ethan stepped between us. “You know he is only looking out for you. This is a bad plan. At best you make it back alive. But when? Raoul was captured and sent to the fortress for three years before he escaped. He had help from the inside. Who do you have on the inside helping you.”
I was pacing the room.
“Is she worth losing your life?” Ethan asked.
“Yes, I can’t leave her there. I can’t not try. What if it was Sanna?” I questioned back.
“If it was Sanna, I would take the chance.” Ethan walked toward his room. Before entering he turned to me, “Get a good meal and some sleep Leon, it may be a while before you have that again. Good Luck.”
Into the bedroom he went. I could hear a soft muted cry coming from Sanna.
“Ethan’s right, eat and sleep. I will wake you when Gregory returns. We will keep an eye on things here for as long as you are gone.” Thibault put his hand on my shoulder. He walked to the cooler grabbed some grub and shoved it my way. I ate till I was full, then sat in a chair. Thibault lit the fire. He chanted a few words, and I was soon asleep.
Sneak Peak
Book 2
The Guardian
Chapter 1
Fortress
Leon
The capture and brawl had gone off without a hitch. Ethan walked away with a black eye and light scratches. Gregory a broken arm. Thibault a split lip and cut leg. Nobody would suspect we weren’t really attacked. I was taken as their prisoner. Our plan was working.
Gregory’s acquaintances held up their end of the bargain and promptly sold me to the Raiders. I stayed in a partial transformation. I felt this would hide my identity, and allow me to be prized enough to be taken to the fortress in
stead of being killed on site. It worked. The Raiders liked the idea of me being there entertainment. Raina was not at the camp. Instead others like me were chained in cages, ready to be sent off.
I arrived days later. I was sore from all the bumps and dips the wagon took along the way. The fortress was large. A thick wooden gate with iron bars awaited our entrance. We were checked by the Raiders at the gate. Each adding their own insult my direction. Inside the courtyard I was re-shackled and dragged into the stone fortress building. As we walked, I tried to pick up on every detail. There were four guards at the gate. Two more on the walkway above the courtyard. Six more in the courtyard. We walked up one set of stairs, then down a long hall to another thick wooden door. There were to many guards to make an escape the way I had come. I would have to find another way.
The Raider at my front opened the heavy door. We were greeted with the smell of waste. I vomited in my mouth. A set of iron bars greeted us. He unlocked the second gate and thru me into a cell. I sat there alone in solitude for six months. My only visitor, Raiders, and that was just to bring me a meal from time to time.
One day they finally came to move me. He shackled my arms and legs, then waited for his companion to secure the area. They then took me to another stairwell. Out thru a large wooden door like before and an iron gate. We walked down a long hall. Either side of us were more cells. Each filled with a body. I didn’t know if they were dead or alive. None looked our way.
“Put him in here.” The raider in front of me chuckled.
“Ah, yes, she will make a tasty snack for him.” The one behind me said as he unlocked the cell door.
I snarled at them both, playing my part. Then in an attempt to irritate them lashed out. I was immediately thumped across the chest. It knocked my breath out of me for a moment. I stumbled into the cell. My hope, that Raina was in this part of the fortress. The door closed and locked behind me. The Raiders laughed as they strolled down the hall and out the doors.