She snuggled her head closer to his neck. Lion would keep her safe. “All I could think of was you and Nord. I hoped the bond between us was working, but I was too frightened to concentrate for long. I fought him but he was determined to get enough gold from selling me so he could leave the isle and make a new life elsewhere.”
They made their way back to the main body of Tremble’s forces.
Rane wanted to laugh when she saw Mouse terrorizing the few prisoners that had been rounded up and tied together in a line. His bottom heavy body was standing upright as he walked back and forth in front of the men. She felt sympathy for the mercenaries, but not enough to plead for mercy on their behalf. When she really got a good look at the men lined up, she noticed that six of them were in much better health than the remaining four. When she asked Lion about the men, he told her they were from forces sent by Loris, Lord of Gorgile Hall.
“It is a fact, Lord Loris sent half of these men to aid the mercenary forces. The traitorous prick believes he will get away with this stupidity. He will pay for this waste of men and resources. We will continue to Gorgile Hall at first light. He will surrender or he will die. The Halls of Care were set up to protect the people and maintain order and discipline.
“They were not intended for ego-driven despots to set themselves up as earthly Gods. The temptation to abuse the privilege of being named Lord at a Hall of Care seems to have become the norm with half of the various halls. I will dismantle the power structure of each of these halls and replace the current lords with men of my choosing.
“This is a large country with much to offer and plenty to go around for all. Droildorf was the first of the halls to be restructured. Gorgile will be the second. Then we will begin touring every Hall of Care until I am satisfied we have reinstituted the original plans for each of the halls.
“Now be still while I make arrangements for the prisoners to be sent to the dungeons at Tremble Castle. Stay close by me, but please do not interrupt. You may take exception with something I say, and you should feel free to voice your concerns. I would appreciate it if you would wait until we are alone to give me your conflicting ideas.”
Chapter Thirteen
The prisoners were sent under guard back to Tremble Castle. The remaining forces from Tremble continued the journey to Gorgile Hall.
At sunset, they stopped for the night to rest before the coming confrontation with Lord Loris. The hawks provided small game animals for their dinner and Rane slept safe and warm between the giant white bear and the beautifully colored striped cat. She wanted to sleep in their arms, and asked why they insisted on sleeping in their furry bodies. She was told they always slept as beasts due to the heightened hearing and senses their animals possessed. She had to agree with the logic, after all, it was not easy to sneak up on a cat. Nord explained that bears had the ability to smell scents better than a hound dog. The thick fur surrounding her kept the dew from forming over her body, and the chilly night air at bay.
The early morning came much too early for Rane. She buried her face and hands in the long shaggy fur keeping her warm. She was so comfortable and felt so secure that she never wanted to move. The wet cat’s tongue licking from her neck to her cheek made her giggle and squeal. She got up when that tongue made a second swipe, bathing her chin, lips, and nose. She sat there laughing, and wiping the cat saliva from her face.
When she stood the big cat bumped her with his head in the chest and she lost her balance falling backwards onto the huge white bear who was still lying on the ground from where she just rose. The oomph sound coming from the bear made her laugh harder.
The sound of her happy laughter made many of the people and animals in the camp smile. Even the most sober of the soldiers had to smile at the sound of her genuine happiness. It seemed to set the tone for the morning’s trek.
By early afternoon the scouting hawks came back with reports of Loris surrounding the hall at Gorgile with soldiers. There were villagers being used as human shields in front of each soldier as ordered by Lord Loris. As Hawk reported to Lion and Nord what he had seen, they could see that he was upset. The petty Loris must be practicing more than cowardice by protecting himself behind several bodies deep.
Finally Hawk could contain his anger no longer and spoke his thoughts. “Lord Loris has surrounded himself with four pregnant women. He has stripped the clothing from them, and they are forced to stand before him with spears resting on their bellies. He plans to shove them on the spears if we come too close to him. One woman is in the beginning of labor. I got the information from one of the soldiers that were running through the trees to get away from the hall. He was crying because one of the women is his sister. He could not stand and watch her being murdered, helpless to save her. If he was to attempt to save her, his mother and sister’s other children would be put to death. He says that he was attempting to join up with Tremble’s forces.
“He and ten others are waiting in the forest and are willing to swear to our cause. Four are wolf shifters, one is a hawk, and the rest are humans. I believe him. When I changed to human, he could have attacked me at that time. He never raised a hand or weapon. He was actually thankful that we are heading toward the hall. If the man is dishonest, then he is a very good actor. We must come up with another plan. The man Loris has no honor. He has small children bound with ropes around their necks. The man is more animal than any here.”
Nord clapped Hawk on the shoulder and ordered him to rest for an hour before resuming his duties. Then he and Lion took Rane aside to the river.
The sat on the rocks near the rushing water talking about the situation until they came up with a plan. Rane agreed with the final decision.
“Now, lovie, we have the problem of what to do with our disobedient mate. Can we trust you to stay where you are put regardless of what you see or hear until one of us come for you? Or will we have to tie you high in a tree so you cannot come down and get in trouble this time? Nord and I owe you a spanking already, so do not think we will forget about your transgression. The question is, will we come to get you and find you gone again?” Lion had her trapped close to his body as he talked.
Rane felt his hot breath on her neck and the thought of the promised spanking left her mind. She felt goosebumps sliding down her back as she absorbed his body heat, teasing her exposed skin. She gave into the overwhelming urge to bite the skin on his exposed shoulder. She licked his skin then opened her mouth and was surprised to feel two spikes break through the skin between her top canines. They penetrated the skin that she just licked. Almost immediately she tasted his rich blood being pulled into her body. She moaned loudly and grabbed his thick arms to stay in place.
She felt a set of spikes sink into her neck on her exposed shoulder under his mouth. A second set of spikes slid into her opposite shoulder from behind. The exquisite sensations flowing through her body just as Lion’s blood flooded her energy level was pushing her to the most pleasure she ever had. Her spikes retracted as she raised her head in a low scream. She did not notice when the two sets of spikes left her skin immediately after her body began to orgasm without any manual stimulation of her sex organs. The power of her climax was unbelievable. She could not stop the clenching and shaking of her muscles until the pleasure had its way with her body.
She came back to her senses as Nord carried her along the path toward Gorgile Hall. When she insisted on walking, Nord allowed it for a short while. She wanted to talk about what they had experienced together back at the river’s edge. She wanted to ask if the development of spikes in her mouth meant that she would also receive an animal form too. Unfortunately, this was not the time to get into a discussion like that. She knew his thoughts were on the coming battle with the forces of Gorgile Hall. She promised herself to get the answers she wanted once they returned to Tremble Castle. For now she would bide her time and wait.
Again, she found herself perched in a tall tree. Lion threatened her with not only the spanking that she had already ear
ned, but with being left behind at the castle on their next takeover of a Hall of Care.
“I care too much to allow you to endanger yourself. I am asking you to behave, and trust Nord and me to stay safe and carry the day. If we are forced to worry about you while we are fighting, then we may not be using all of the senses that could save us from harm.” He kissed her thoroughly and climbed down the tree. She watched him flinch when the purple fruit she snapped from the branch over head and threw at him, smacked him on the back. The look tossed over his shoulder to her, promised retribution.
She watched as their men advanced onto the hall where the sea of villagers stood protecting their soldiers without enthusiasm. Once the common people spied the Tremble forces, they scattered. A few soldiers held position but the majority of the men tossed down their weapons and went to their knees. The few who chose to fight were quickly killed. The other’s were rounded up fifty paces from the doors of the hall, and sat in the dirt waiting to hear their fate. Five wolves patrolled the perimeter of the group, but no one tried to escape.
When Nord opened the doors of the hall, no one saw the small rodent that scuttled over the threshold and began to make its way toward the naked women standing in the middle of the room on a raised platform. Nord could see that one woman’s birthing water had broken, by the puddle of pinkish liquid at her feet. There were indeed sharp spears resting on each woman’s belly.
The woman in labor gave a strangled gasp, and clutched at the underside of her belly to try to stop the babe from doubling her over in agony. Lion, Nord, and Max stood just inside the doorway. They heard a shout and a man’s scream of pain before they advanced to the circle of pregnant women to take the resting spears from their bellies. They helped the women down and sent them to their loved ones.
Standing in the middle of the circle was Lord Loris. He was frozen in place. His facial expression showed the horror he felt when he realized the man-sized rat had bitten him.
When Mouse first slipped between the women, he was hoping they were more afraid of Lord Loris than they were of a small mouse. He located his target and knew he could morph fast, if he could get between the women without someone screaming at the sight of a mouse. Luck was with him. He got to Loris’s feet and morphed into the giant rat. The cowardly fool stood looking eye-to-eye with the rat’s large red eyes and screamed. The bite on his neck paralyzed Loris. All he could do was scream silently because his jaws no longer moved. The man could barely breathe.
****
This time when Lion and Nord came for her, Rane was setting on the same branch they left her. Her limbs were stiff from inactivity for the two hours she had been there. Lion handed her down to Nord, and he sat her down on a nearby log while both men rubbed her legs and arms to get the circulation flowing through her body again.
Nord told her about the easy takeover of the hall. The baby that was born as soon as the mother was allowed to lie down was a boy.
“Even his soldiers were sickened by his acts of cowardice. Only a handful resisted us and they have paid dearly for the action. There are thirty soldiers still at the hall waiting for the pronouncement of death or mercy. We are questioning the villagers to find out which soldiers are minions of Loris. Those that are liked or at least respected, if any, will be spared.”
Lion was silent all the way back to the hall. The closer they got to the village the more stoic his expression became. His lack of expression worried Rane. She hurried to catch up with him and tugged at his hand to slow him down. He stopped and looked down at her, swept her into his arms for a soul-stealing kiss, then put her on her feet and kept walking.
She dropped back and waited for Nord to walk with her. The kiss told her why Lion had gone quiet. He was about to pass judgement on the prisoners. This was not something that he took lightly. Taking the life from another was never easy. Even for those that had followed the directions of a despot such as Loris. Those that enjoyed the tasks would be put to death. Those that were afraid, or forced with threats toward a relative or friend, might escape death.
Now he had another decision to think about. Which of his most loyal men should he choose to become the new Lord of this hall? The decision had to be made immediately so the village people and people from the hall could attempt to begin a more normal existence.
He looked around the area for a sign, some form of inspiration. Then he remembered the outrage and passionate emotions when Hawk re-counted his findings. He smiled for the first time in hours. He looked around for Hawk, but his search was interrupted by the sound of birds of prey locked in a vicious battle. The screeching and screams carried over the breeze was ear piercing to those watching from the ground. Feathers flew each time the huge birds clashed together, tearing at each other’s bodies with talons and sharp beaks. The birds seemed to be evenly matched in size and intent. Neither one would give an inch in the battle between the two. One of the birds flew straight up, then came sailing down so fast the other could not dodge from the impact when he was plowed into from above. Both birds hit the ground hard. Only one of them stood up and shook his feathers before launching himself in the air to perch high and preen his ruffled feathers.
Whispered words of surprise and the name Comwif floated around through the assemblage. He was almost as evil as Loris had been, and no one was unhappy to see his lifeless eyes staring into the sky. The villagers actually cheered to see the bird lying lifeless on the ground
Lion grinned. He knew his decision was the correct choice. He raised his arm over head and let a shrill whistle pierce the air. The huge bird of prey dove from the spire of the hall to stand next to him. The bird became the man in an effortless shift. Some of the villagers stood open mouthed, staring at the tall, broad-shouldered man rising from a crouch at Lion’s feet. The fact that he was naked and unflinching caused many of the shocked people to admire the young man’s confidence.
A soldier handed Hawk a tunic and a pair of pants. While another handed over a pair of scuffed boots. When he was clothed, Lion took his hand and raised it into the air with his own.
“The people of Gorgile have been hard used by the man Loris. I give this place a new name and a new Lord today. From today forward, this place will no longer bear the name of Gorgile Hall. This place is now the Hall of the Hawk’s Nest. This is your new Lord, Hawk. He will rule the hall with fairness and honesty. He has my ear and my confidence. Together you can make Hawk’s Nest thrive.”
Hawk was staring at Lion in surprise. Lion embraced his trusted friend and told him, “You have earned your reward, my friend. Someday you might curse my name for saddling you with this place. For now, bask in your fortune. There is much work to be done to set this place to rights.”
Chapter Fourteen
They stayed at the hall for another three days while Rane tended to the hurts and pains of the forces from Tremble, and the people of Hawk’s Nest. Another of the pregnant women gave birth the night before they left for Tremble. Rane felt good to be using her talent as a healer again. The babe was a tiny girl, born to its human mother and wolf shifter father. She was welcomed by her parents with love and tears, and Rane cried with them. She was exhausted by the time she found her spot between her men for the night.
The happy party of conquerors made their way back toward Tremble Castle. Everyone was in a festive mood and anxious to get back to their loved ones. Rane was again riding on the large cat for most of the journey. Nord’s bear was too hot to walk for miles in the heat. He remained in his human form, and insisted on carrying her for a time anyway.
When she attempted to assert her independence, and stated her wish to walk, she was told that her stride slowed them down too much. After the third time she asked to be allowed to walk, and was immediately refused, she gave up. It was no great hardship to ride upon the soft fur covering fluid muscles. Each time she dug her fists into his fur to balance herself, the big cat would purr. When she scratched that spot behind his ears, she felt the vibrations of his purring throughout her legs an
d bottom. He finally stopped and looked back at her, causing her to blush.
When they came to the river, they decided to camp for the night. While the dual sided animals could have made the journey through the dark with no problem, the humans with them would have a great deal of difficulty to navigate through the forest after dark.
Rather than stop with the rest of the group, Lion continued to the water’s edge and followed the riverbank a ways down away from the rest. Rane wondered where they were going when her mount plunged into the river with no warning. She fell from his back, and came up spitting water, and gasping for breath. She waded to the shore and looked around for Lion.
He rose from the water naked, his muscular frame sluicing water as he stood to his full height. He crooked his finger at her and Rane pulled her sodden clothing from her body, and then jumped back into the river to join him.
The cool water sliding over her warm skin caused her nipples to harden and stand erect. When she waded to him, his hands cupped her face to hold her for a deep open-mouthed kiss. While his lips seduced her mouth, his hands traveled to the white globes of her breasts. His long fingers manipulated her nipples, pulling and twisting them while she moaned, and leaned into his hands.
Each tug and twist of her nipples made her body hum with need for more. She could not stop rubbing her crotch over his thick erection and tried to crawl up his body to impale herself on his hard cock. He pulled his fingers from her breasts and picked her up at the waist, carrying her to the soft mossy edge of the riverbank.
He stood her on her feet and lay down on the soft flat bed of moss. His hands were folded under his head. His wide chest looked even wider, and his stomach muscles contracted as her cold hands rubbed over the flesh of his body. Her hands ran the length of him as she described what she felt.
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