Howl of the Wolf (Heirs to the Throne Book 1)

by Diane Rapp

  Her lips curled into a shy smile. “Well…I have something to discuss with you.” Krystal cast a sidelong glance toward Donovan. “Can I schedule an appointment, doctor?”

  Dr. Alexander felt apprehensive; the moment he feared was at hand. “Certainly, come by the lab in an hour. We’ll have privacy there.” He read her attitude accurately, privacy was important.

  “An hour it is,” she said, hurrying back to the packing.

  Dr. Alexander took his time returning to the lab. He took the congested public route to the king’s tower, skirting around boxes and people, scrutinizing faces. He observed no signs of mourning over the deaths of Halder or Forshell.

  Court messengers rushed past with expressions of excitement. Cheerless ladies fluttered fans vigorously as they babbled in hushed tones. Wild-eyed Lords swept through the halls, while servants dawdled, sluggish and depressed. This might prove an interesting drama. No one in the court actually believed Donovan could become king; therefore no one knew which alliance provoked political disaster, or offered a boon.

  As he entered the hall outside the king’s tower, several petitioners jumped to their feet, anxiously awaiting Donovan. When they recognized the doctor, they sank into their chairs disgruntled. Dr. Alexander felt grateful he wouldn’t need to wait outside and knocked on the door.

  A stern guard promptly barred his entrance. Alex felt astounded. “I’m the king’s physician. Don’t you recognize me?”

  “I’ll fetch Sir Bryant.” The guard’s expression betrayed nothing. He shut the door in the doctor’s face and Alex bristled at the snickers of the other petitioners. Disgusted, he pounded on the heavy door.

  Bryant’s congenial face appeared. “Sorry, doctor we must exercise caution. I’ve amended orders to allow your admittance at any hour.” He swung the door wide. The doctor glanced meaningfully at envious faces behind him and entered.

  “You haven’t lost much time taking over.” Immediately Alex regretted his tone as Bryant’s face paled.

  “It’s my duty to protect the king.” The soft words betrayed anguish.

  Alex nodded. “I didn’t mean…” Bryant abruptly left.

  The doctor realized that King Halder assigned Bryant to serve Donovan as a way to give the loyal man a means of coping with his impending death. Work and responsibility proved a great outlet for grief. Dr. Alexander meandered through the chaos. Servants frantically cleaned and packed Halder’s possessions, getting ready for Donovan’s occupancy.

  Justin stood near the door, gazing on the scene like a lost puppy. The doctor smiled at the grieving boy, who spent his young life serving a dying king. Dr. Alexander’s heart throbbed, wishing he could comfort the lad. Justin held his body rigid, holding back tears. It appeared that Bryant and Justin were the only mourners in this castle.

  “Justin.” The boy turned, ready to lash out at the intruder. Dr. Alexander understood. “Can you assist me in my laboratory?”

  The boy’s stiff shoulders relaxed. “Yes, sire.”

  “To prepare a potion properly, I need the trusted hands of a bright assistant.” Dr. Alexander’s steady voice sounded soothing. “I thought I’d draft you into my service, unless you have other work.” He detected hope in Justin’s drooping eyes.

  “Be happy to help, sire.”

  “Call me doctor. We’ve got too many sires wandering around here for my taste.” A smile tugged at the boy’s mouth.

  Justin proved eager to learn and had a quick mind. Dr. Alexander felt gratified to find an impulse rewarded with an industrious assistant. The boy cleaned the entire lab carefully, his own days of gloom forgotten as he grouped beakers and vials in order of scientific compounds.

  “You’ve acquired a new helper, I see.” Krystal stood in the doorway looking nervous.

  “Come in, come in. I’m ready for your appointment. Justin, why don’t you give us a bit of privacy? I’ll meet you in the library.” He nodded shyly and dashed from the room, his short legs churning. “What’s on your mind, my dear?”

  Watching the boy’s dark head bobbing down the hallway, she said, “Children.”

  “What about them?” Dr. Alexander’s chest tightened, dreading this conversation.

  “It’s Donovan’s greatest dream to have a son, and the Lords expect me to provide him with an heir.” She looked wistful. “I want to be a mother but it’s been months since I stopped taking contraceptives. I thought I’d become pregnant by now.”

  Alex eyes avoided her questioning gaze. “Sit down, my dear.”

  “Something’s wrong! Don’t worry, I can read it in your face without breaching your thoughts.”

  He frowned, staring at his shoes, his throat dry and stomach queasy. “Overpopulation, duty, the war, they all influenced our decision. We did it to insure against failure of judgment.”

  “What decision? What failure of judgment?”

  His chest ached. This was more difficult than he thought. “For some time now the Institute substituted vitamins for the contraceptive formula. We forgot about revising the policy after the war. How could we know? Events became distorted and we always had the option of cloning a new body which functioned normally…”

  “Our bodies don’t function normally? Are you telling me I can’t produce children?”

  He sat down with a sigh. “We manipulated clones in the early growth stages.” He averted his gaze from her accusing eyes to continue, “None of the female clones are capable of pregnancy due to blocked fallopian tubes. Women like Maggie, who were predisposed to cancer, have no uterus.”

  “Donovan is able to father children?”

  Alex nodded, his eyes pleading for understanding. “Since females were barren, we felt no need to tamper with male reproductive systems.”

  “Barren.” The half-whispered word sounded like a death-sentence.

  “How could we know? We could process your next clone with a working reproductive system. We didn’t think…”

  “You didn’t think, and worse, you didn’t ask or advise! Why not give your patients a choice? You lied by omission.”

  “The Institute instigated the policy during the war to prevent inconvenient births…” He accepted the barrage of anger emanating from her mind.

  “You manipulated our bodies, controlled our future without our knowledge or approval. I hate all of you!” Krystal slumped into a chair, head drooping as she sobbed.

  Feeling dreadful, he wanted to comfort her but stood frozen. “What can I say?”

  “You heard those Lords demand an heir! You heard Donovan’s promise to give up the throne in ten years. When did you plan to tell us? From the moment we landed, you let us believe we could live a normal life!”

  “I’ve been working on a solution.” Dr. Alexander fingered the control of an ancient computer sitting in the lab for hundreds of years. “Records describe methods of developing a fetus outside a woman’s body for implantation. Give me time and I can help you bear children.”

  “Time! How long before the Lords demand an heir? How long before Donovan becomes unhappy without a son?”

  “Donovan said ten years.”

  “You think the Lords will wait ten years? I’ve heard whispers, gossip about my fertility from Ladies doing needlework. Men joke about Donovan’s virility. Do you suppose we can wait around while you experiment?”

  “It will work!”

  Combing trembling fingers through her hair, Krystal asked, “Will Donovan accept a baby created in a laboratory? It’s an abnormal birth.”

  The doctor paced the room. “Donovan understands scientific miracles, unlike the superstitious people on this planet. He loves you!”

  “If I’m unable to give him what any woman on this planet could easily provide, will he grow tired of me? Will our love be destroyed by my failure?”

  “He’s a better man than that!” Alex bristled.

  “I know. It’s just that…I hope you can develop an answer before I must yield him to another woman.” Krystal wiped tears from her cheeks a
nd ran from the laboratory.

  He felt battered. When they ran from the Institute, he never thought the Transfer equipment might be destroyed. Transfer saved lives and corrected mistakes. If only he could use the ship’s computers to assimilate data…If only he’d thought ahead…if only…if only…He must stop reaching for excuses and solve the problem with the resources available on Drako. Test tube babies! Medical science accomplished the miracle by using antiquated equipment. He could reconstruct the method since he knew more than they did.

  “What man discovered once, I can rediscover,” he muttered, determined to solve the problem.

  ******

  The Sacred Island rose from the misty depths of a volcanic lake. Kriegen recognized the holy place from mental images supplied by his ancestor minds. Rising from the center of the island and coated with thousands of layers of sacred mud, a narrow bridge accessed the holy cavern from shore. The mud created telepathic dampers to obstruct outside interference, keeping the secrets of the Elders safe from eavesdroppers.

  Kriegen left his designated host on the shoreline—hosts were not permitted to cross. While guards gently probed his mind, Kriegen remained calm, voluntarily opening his shields to allow the mental touch. Later, walking on the causeway, he observed waters filled with lake-guardians. Kriegen clutched his knife, visualizing an ancestor’s memory of hunting a lake-guardian to secure the useful blade.

  Floating on a wobbly craft, his ancestor roped the creature, snaring its head just behind the long narrow snout. The guardian fought vigorously, thrashing, jerking, and hitting the floater with its knobby tail and stubby legs. The ancestor speared through leathery hide. Feeling its life slip away, the lake-guardian opened gaping jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth and hissed. Guardian teeth provided the pack with knife blades and cutting tools.

  Inside the Sacred Cavern, flickering lights lined the walls much like the lights that illuminated human caverns. A majestic structure rose from the red floor. Taller than most trees, the object towered above the Council of Elders. Four wolves sat in front of the massive object. The ancestors had not prepared Kriegen for this awesome sight.

  The Elders stirred. Report, Kriegen of the Forest Guardians. A massive white wolf shifted on his haunches, his ghostly eyes riveted on Kriegen.

  Kriegen fought the desire to cower and held his ears erect. We followed the humans to the great stone caverns on the plains. The evil one set a trap for Donovan, the human pack leader, but we helped him avoid capture. Later we watched as Donovan fought his rival for the crown. A shocking event occurred. The dying king forced his mind upon Donovan and killed his enemy using Donovan’s body.

  Kriegen projected memories of the events, immersing the Elders in the savagery of the experience. They felt the power of King Halder’s mind as it dominated Donovan’s body and sought revenge. Afterwards the council sat in silence, their postures rigid, their expressions shocked.

  Kriegen continued, Powerful minds exist in a few humans. The evil one thrusts his will upon weaker humans but Donovan is a good creature. He intends to rule as king until he teaches humans to govern themselves.

  A large gray wolf stepped close. Kriegen flinched, feeling the powerful presence of the old minds that touched him. The law is clear. It forbids forcing a host to accept minds. Hosting must be voluntary! Hundreds of ancestors repeated the law inside Kriegen’s mind like an echo. He cringed under the force of their combined energy.

  The tan wolf snarled. We must punish lawbreakers. Humans are dangerous! Our ancestors remember how evil humans captured entire packs and forced evil on the minds of gentle wolves.

  Silence! The black wolf commanded. We remember our history! Human scientists gave us longer lives and taught us to pilot this ship. We escaped Earth with their help and we must protect weak humans from the evil within their species. Ask your ancestor minds. We once guarded humans on Earth. They sent us on a great journey to this world and saved our packs. Now we must serve humans again. We will help Donovan’s pack survive. The black wolf tilted his head back and broke into a loud howl. Other Elders joined his voice and soon a hundred voices filled the chamber.

  The Forest Guardians must guard Donovan and his pack. Keep him safe from the evil one. The black wolf stared into Kriegen’s eyes—the golden color was a mark of their kinship. This is a most important task. Other packs will join your vigil, watching the camps where the evil one dwells. Be cautious.

  The white wolf joined the black. Evil is quick to spread and humans are weak creatures, easily corrupted.

  The tan wolf’s hackles bristled. Report violations of the law. The Council of Elders cannot remain patient with those who spread evil. We will obey the law and enforce its rule.

  Kriegen felt overwhelmed by the onslaught of information. He said, The Forest Guardians accept your assignment. We will guard Donovan’s pack and keep the council informed.

  During the journey back to his cave, the oldest ancestor mind told him stories about ancient wolves. Kriegen welcomed the knowledge, feeling eager to reach the pack and share the story with Tendra. Reaching the summer cavern, his spirit lifted. He enjoyed his cubs’ exuberant greeting.

  Tendra finally shooed them away. Food waits. Youngsters, leave your father in peace while he eats. The cubs ceased their discord and tried to walk away calmly, but they suddenly galloped out of the cave. Kriegen settled by Tendra and gnawed on a thick slab of meat.

  Tendra’s eyes sparkled in the firelight, tail twitching, and ears flicking. Kriegen knew her humor would dissolve if he waited too long to convey the news. The council assigned the Forest Guardians to protect Donovan and his pack. Tendra stared as he shared his knowledge about good humans helping wolves escape Earth. Mind-tampering is forbidden by the law. We must protect Donovan’s pack from the evil one.

  Kriegen scratched his ear, waiting for Tendra’s reply. She rose silently and walked to the cave entrance to watch their cubs play. Our ancestors tell us that humans hold the key to our past and the future of our cubs. She turned golden eyes upon him with a solemn expression.

  The hair along Kriegen’s back prickled as she mentally shared a vision of their future. They saw tongues of fire descend from silver sky-creatures, dragons with humans riding their backs, and Donovan shouting a battle cry. In the visions, Donovan and his family played a significant role in a drama still to come but wolves were the key to his success.

  16 ~ Two Years After Coronation

  The spaceport resembled a ghost town. Bryant watched as Dr. Alexander wandered through mangled spaceship ruins, searching for mendilium crystals. The doctor, intent on his search, didn’t look at the riders gathering along the ridge above them. Bryant warned, “Doctor, we’ve got visitors.”

  Alex nodded. “I know. They won’t bother us.” He kept searching through the rubble, apparently unconcerned.

  “How can you be sure?” Bryant’s experience with desert riders justified anxiety.

  Dr. Alexander examined a rock carefully, finally slipping it into his pocket. “I hear their thoughts. Jarrack assigned them to watch us, but they won’t disturb our activity inside the spaceport. The men are nervous—fearing their gods might strike them down for allowing us free reign on a sacred site—but their fear of Jarrack is stronger. His revenge is certain while the gods might be more sympathetic.”

  Bryant glanced at riders sitting in plain sight on the ridge. Their curved swords glinted ominously in the sun. “All the same, we’d better quit this place soon.”

  Dr. Alexander’s pale eyes scanned the wreckage. “Two years ago we destroyed the Zebulon and my life’s work. I could accomplish a lot of good on Drako using modern medical equipment!”

  “People won’t accept your technology. The thought is so abhorrent they’d choose death, specifically your death.”

  Alex sighed and rubbed his stiff back. “It’s frustrating. I should quit sniveling about lost chances and get on with my research. Let’s join Trenton in the storage cavern.”

  Bryant felt relieved.
He didn’t relish tempting arrows, regardless of the doctor’s mind-reading ability. During the last two years, he accepted mental communication between Donovan and his friends but hated relying on non-verifiable information in security matters. As the leader of the combined desert tribes, Jarrack was swiftly becoming a formidable foe. Was Jarrack cunning enough to use false thoughts to fool the doctor?

  Trenton emerged from the cave. “Wish we could take more. We’ve got so many useful items stored away.”

  Bryant cringed as he glanced into the cavern filled with offworld machinery, not immune to the superstition of his world. The doctor eyed him thoughtfully and Bryant flinched. Was the doctor reading his mind?

  Alex rocked back on his heels, looking serious. “Don’t tempt fate, Trenton. Donovan authorized us to secure medicine and data. I advise you to replace any items you’ve secreted away.”

  Shocked at the doctor’s accusation, delivered in his usual blunt manner, Bryant started to object. Trenton laughed. “I could never pull one over on you, Doc. No harm meant. I was just taking a few souvenirs.”

  “We don’t have time for games.” The doctor frowned, and a deep crease formed between his eyebrows. “Acquaint yourself with the visitors along the ridge. They’ve got orders to confiscate any offworld weapons and deliver them to Jarrack. I doubt you’d willingly supply an enemy with an unfair advantage.”

  Trenton examined the increasing number of riders.

  Bryant said, “The doctor says they’re under orders not to harm us but…”

  The doctor hefted an ordinary-looking doctor’s satchel. “They plan to search us thoroughly as we leave the spaceport. I’m sure they’ll confiscate weapons using any means necessary.”

  Trenton frowned. “I can’t take my charts?”

  “Charts? What good are charts if we can’t take a space voyage?” Dr. Alexander asked.

  “Not space charts. These are maps of the topography of Drako, very useful to Donovan.” Bryant felt impressed by Trenton’s sincere demeanor as he made his case. “Maps are as useful as books on medicine.” Trenton stood his ground, hands on hips and chin jutting out.