by Candy Crum
Terrified and knowing better than to move his body, Christopher swiveled his eyes to see into the woods across the river where he’d heard the sound echo from. A low growl rumbled, and he heard it even over the sound of the rushing water.
Shit.
He knew that sound. That was no bear or wolf.
Lycanthrope.
The hairs on his neck stood as another growl came from his left. Chills raced through him. Carefully, he stayed as still as possible while moving his eyes to see the creature. A tall black and gray lycanthrope stood on thick, powerful legs, its clawed feet gripping the ground, signaling its readiness to pounce.
Its lips were pulled back in a snarl, and drool dripped from jagged teeth that glistened in the sunlight. The beast’s arms were at least as thick as Christopher’s now-muscular thighs, and its hands were big enough to grip his head like a human holding a melon.
A loud roar sounded from across the river as a tall brown lycanthrope stepped out of the woods and stalked to the edge of the water. Christopher slowly rose, careful not to make any jerky movements. Every breath was calm and even though his heart raced.
Today is not the day you die. You’ve survived worse.
Instinctively, Christopher’s hands went to his sides, but he’d left his weapons in the village. He mentally kicked himself but accepted his fate. This fight would challenge him, and a deep and curious part of him welcomed it.
If he couldn’t defend himself against two beasts, how could he possibly help protect an entire forest full of druids when the time came? How could he protect Arryn? She’d taken on the Weres, even back when she was weaker than he was right at that moment.
For her…
The black and gray lycanthrope on Christopher's left roared as it charged him. In a move that surprised even him, he charged right back.
Christopher rushed forward, studying the beast’s every movement. He saw the lycanthrope's arm flex and knew what it planned to do. As it prepared to slash with its claws, his eyes went black.
His hand flexed as his telekinetic energy gripped the lycanthrope’s claws, holding them in place. It roared in anger as Christopher used the creature’s bent knee as a step. He jumped and flipped backward, his right foot connecting hard with the beast’s chin.
Although he landed unevenly, he recovered by executing a graceful somersault that ended with him in a crouch. Movement to his right caught his attention as he saw the brown lycanthrope leap straight for him from the opposite edge of the river.
The black and gray creature had recovered and was on the run again. Christopher had no idea how much power he had. His body had grown physically, but he hadn’t tested his magic. If he used too much without having practiced, he might tire too quickly.
But he couldn’t deny the desire he felt to test himself.
The brown lycanthrope jumped onto a rock but slipped into the water, getting wet. It pulled itself onto the shore, its rage evident in the snarl on its face, and roared at Christopher in an attempt to reclaim its dominance.
He smiled at the wet beast until he caught movement in his peripheral vision. Christopher’s arms arced over his chest, then he thrust them outward. The brown lycanthrope was thrown back into the river as he turned to narrowly avoid a swipe from the black and gray one.
He tumbled out of the way, came to a stop several feet behind the beast, and got to his feet, then ran forward, planting his foot on a large rock that allowed him to jump high into the air. His hands landed flat on the lycanthrope’s shoulders, and he pushed himself upward. His vertical momentum, paired with his strength, lifted him high enough to wrap his thick legs around the beast’s neck.
Inertia propelled him forward to throw it off-balance. The lycanthrope grabbed Christopher’s thighs as it fell, and its claws pierced deep as he tucked his upper body to hit the ground on his shoulders and upper back. With the built-up momentum as the rest of his body followed, he used his legs to pull the lycanthrope the rest of the way over.
The beast landed hard on its back, its claws still buried in Christopher's leg. The would-be druid’s eyes changed again as he whipped his hand to the side, using telekinetic energy to throw the lycanthrope several feet away. Blood rushed out as the beast's claws were torn from his thighs and pain radiated through his body, but he wasn’t going to give up.
Grabbing a rock a little larger than his hand, Christopher channeled power through it as he squeezed in a much smaller version of something he’d once seen the twins do. Chunks broke away to form a razor-sharp arrowhead-like tip.
As the lycanthrope roared in rage and charged, Christopher looked the beast in the eyes and lifted his right hand, the rock lying flat in his palm. With a flick of his left wrist, the rock shot forward, piercing the creature directly between the eyes to come out the back of its skull.
A loud roar from the edge of the river caught his attention. The brown lycanthrope had triumphed over the current and was about to climb out.
“Not today,” Christopher said.
He cried out as he thrust his hands forward, another blast of energy sending it deeper into the water as he forced himself to remain on his feet.
The lycanthrope struggled to sink its claws into the riverbed for traction as Christopher limped toward the water. He wasn’t finished yet, but he couldn't stand for much longer. The only chance he had was to fight in the water.
As the beast struggled, Christopher placed a cautious foot on the surface, and the rushing water froze as he focused his energy. Whips of water reached out, wrapping around his legs and waist before freezing to hold him steady.
He risked a step and then another. The ice bent and moved with him under his control, acting as braces as they carried him across the surface. He was no more than ten feet away from his target when it finally found its footing.
“Today is not the day I die.” Christopher repeated his thought from earlier as the lycanthrope prepared to leap.
His hands rose at his sides, and whips of water and shards of ice lifted from the river. The creature gave an ear-piercing, angry roar, its arms outstretched and mouth wide as it prepared to take down its prey.
But Christopher wasn’t to be messed with, something he learned better every day.
His opponent finally leapt, but Christopher was ready. As he flexed his right hand, the whips struck out and held the beast in the air when they froze. It began to snap at its bonds, struggling to free itself and howling in pain as they tightened.
Without hesitation, Christopher flexed his other hand, and ice crystals whistled through the air before tearing through the creature and ending its life. The moment it was over, Christopher exhaled heavily. The triumph hit him hard. Though he hadn’t planned to die and had been determined to do quite the opposite, it hadn’t been a guarantee. Because he hadn't tested himself magically in so long, he hadn’t been certain he would make it through.
Weakened by blood loss and magic use, Christopher slowly turned on the surface of the water and made his way back to land. As the ice bracing him melted and fell to the rocky shore as water, he took a single step, stumbled, and dropped to his hands and knees.
Though pain radiated through him, he began to laugh as he lay on his side and rolled to his back. His survival and exhaustion left him slightly delirious. He couldn’t believe how well he’d done, and he truly believed he had Arryn to thank for it. Had it not been for her, he would not have trained so hard.
Another loud shift in the rocks halted his laughter as his senses went on the alert again. Rock crunched around him as an angry black lycanthrope charged on a trajectory that ended with Christopher.
The older man's eyes flashed black once again, and he flexed his entire body. A shield exploded around him as a storm cloud grew out of nothingness overhead. A bright flash blinded Christopher a second before a loud shriek ripped through the sky.
Thunder cracked overhead loudly enough to shake the ground and force Christopher to cover his ears. He opened his eyes to see a limp, life
less lycanthrope suspended in the air with vines. Smoke rolled off its bare skin, all the fur having burned away.
The vines casually flicked the beast away, and Christopher rolled over to look behind him, his ears ringing. The darkness of the clouds began to fade as he laid eyes on the Chieftain standing at the edge of the forest.
“Meditation peaceful today?” the druid asked.
Christopher smiled. “Very. Care to have a go?”
The Chieftain stepped onto the rocky shore and walked over to the black and gray lycanthrope Christopher had killed with the jagged shard to poke it with his staff. “It looks like you had enough meditation for both of us.”
Christopher snorted before flopping back down. “Before I get too comfy lying here and bleeding to death, are there any more around? That last one was a surprise.”
There was a pause as he heard the older man walk across the rocks toward him. “No, no more. Just the three. You’d know that if you trained more in nature magic.”
“Yeah, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that,” Christopher said as the Chieftain sat next to him.
“And I’d love to discuss it, but first, you need to be healed. I can sense the infection growing in you already. Their claws are vicious in both the initial attack and afterward. They are filthy creatures, and infections take root quickly. Also, I believe your femoral artery was nicked. I sense a lot of blood loss in that right leg.”
Christopher nodded and grinned, though it was interrupted by his face scrunching as he fought the pain. “By all means. Let’s sit and talk about it for a while.”
The Chieftain laughed at the sarcasm. “That apple of yours certainly didn’t fall far from that tree. Your expressions are nearly the same when you give me a hard time.”
He placed his hand on Christopher’s shoulder, and the old man’s jade-colored eyes lit up neon green. Heat rushed through Christopher, and he could feel his energy return as the wounds closed.
“I miss her,” he said. “I feel like I just got her back, and now she’s gone again. Well, she’s been gone for a while now, but you know what I mean.”
Alexander nodded. “I do as well. Life isn’t the same without her sarcasm. Plus, I rather enjoy how rough she is on Cathillian. He needs it. He’s too much like me.”
Christopher laughed. “I agree wholeheartedly. Seems to skip a generation. Elysia is beautiful and funny, but she’s not the childish smartasses you and your grandson seem to be. No offense.”
The older man shrugged. “I take that as a compliment. Now, about this nature magic. While I was watching…”
“I’m sorry, what? Watching?” Christopher asked, shock crossing his face. “Did you say you were watching?”
A large smile graced the Chieftain’s face as he lifted his hand, the tips of his thumb and forefinger only a half-inch apart. “Just a little.”
Christopher’s eyes closed, and he sighed as his head fell back.
“Hey, you’d know that too if you trained more in nature magic. You’d be aware of all living things around you. Well, aside from the Mad. Those beasts aren’t animal or man.”
“I can't say I didn't want to test myself. I was curious to see what I could do, and it wasn't like running was an option. What if I'd died? Anyone ever tell you that you’re kind of a dick when you're being sneaky?”
The Chieftain winked. “I have been told that a time or two, now that you mention it. Must be true!” He laughed, and Christopher rolled his eyes and smiled. “If I’m honest, I wanted to test you, too. I came to find you after talking to Elysia. I sensed the beasts approaching, and I hurried here with Zobig. When I found you…”
The Chieftain stared deep into Christopher’s eyes, studying him.
“What?” Christopher asked.
“I’m no mystic, but I sensed something in you—strength. I was curious. You clearly saw two of them. I could sense the adrenaline coursing through you, yet you stayed still. Not out of fear, since your breathing was surprisingly steady. You seemed very much like a calculating warrior. I was very curious to see what you would do. Had I believed you to be in danger, I would have stepped in.”
“I guess I was dead meat on the last one then, huh?”
“Not hardly. I think you could have taken that one, too, but I didn’t see a point in forcing you to do so. You were damaged and had proven what you were capable of. I had my answer,” the Chieftain said.
“What was that?”
“Elysia said you’ve been asking a lot of questions. She said you’ve been asking about advanced training and the qualifications required of a warrior of the Dark Forest. She said she got the impression you wanted more than to just be a guest here. Was she correct?”
Christopher sighed in relief. He hadn’t realized he’d been so obvious about it, but he’d wanted it badly. Apparently he’d acted like a child, hinting at something he wanted to do but was afraid to ask for.
He nodded. “I wasn’t sure how to ask. I was afraid you wouldn’t think I was ready. But yes, I want to learn nature magic, and I want to train to be a warrior.”
“Done. You start first thing in the morning. You’ll come with me and observe the children. After lunch, you and I will train alone in the forest. Oh, and if you thought Nika and Elysia were hard on you…” Alexander laughed.
Christopher snorted. “Well, I’m not surprised. They're the best.”
“They will teach you to be no less than your best as well. Welcome home. Let’s get you back before everyone thinks I was drunk and got lost in the woods.”
“Has that ever happened?”
The old man rolled his eyes. “Ya have too much sweet wine and wander off one time, and no one ever lets you hear the end of it.”
Christopher stood as he shook his head. “Yeah, you and Cathillian were definitely cut from the same cloth.”
Chapter Five
Arryn stepped away from the injured to check on Mariana as she guided the ship toward land. Arryn could sense the shore approaching fast, and she was excited to see it. What would it look like? Would it all be desert? The twins had told her what a desert was, but it still boggled her mind. Would there be a town? Surely, there would be some form of civilization.
She had so many questions!
Her belly growled as she thought of going to an inn or bar to get something filling to eat. She had no idea what hunting in the desert would be like, but she knew what hunting on a desolate mountain was like, which was horrible.
"So, uh, I see land," Arryn said, another growl ripping through her belly.
Mariana nodded and chuckled. "Yep. That's what that big green and brown chunk of dirt over there is."
"Is there food where you're taking us? I'm starving, and I don't want fish."
She nodded. "Oh, yes. This port has excellent food. We had to stop there a while back on one of our many trips through these waters, searching for Raider ships."
That brought a smile to Arryn's face. "Good. I was afraid I might have to resort to eating Cathillian."
Mariana laughed, and Arryn turned at a very distinct clearing of a throat.
Cathillian stood there, hands on hips. "Excuse me? There are plenty of fish in the sea—"
"I'd still choose you," Arryn said in a mock-innocent tone, rubbing her belly as she fluttered her eyelashes. Within seconds, she burst into laughter. "Relax. She said there's food, so you're safe…for now." She winked.
"Did someone say food?" Bast asked. Cleo was not far behind her.
Arryn nodded. "Seems we might be able to treat ourselves when we get to shore." She looked at Mariana. "Still, this feels wrong. I wish we could go with you. I want to help you track those ships down—especially this one." Her eyes drifted to the wounded. "This seems…unfinished. Unsettled. I don't like it."
The Storm Caller turned toward Arryn and placed a hand on her shoulder. "On the beach during that fight, I told you if that ship came along, I had to go. I told you I couldn't let them go. My fight was with them, but I wanted to help
you until I couldn't any longer."
Arryn nodded again. "Still feels wrong, even if I know there's a job to do."
"You're in the same position now that I was then. You helped get all these people out of the water and weakened yourself to heal them. While some still suffer, they won't die, and that's all because of you and your friends. You have a job of your own to do, and you need to go. Most important, you need to not feel bad about it. If you finish in Kemet, and you want to come along, you're always welcome on my ship."
"I might just take you up on that," Arryn said, smiling. "Unless someone else needs us along the way."
Cleo came closer. "Hey! Now that we're closer, I can see the outline of the town. That's the same place we came through. It's not a direct shot from the great city, but it's usually pretty busy. We knew there would be a better chance of hitching a ride."
"How many ports are around here?" Arryn asked.
Cleo looked at her incredulously. "I'm a desert dweller, you're a forest dweller, and she more or less lives on the water. Who here do you think is the expert?"
Arryn snorted and laughed. "Fair point. I just assumed you knew the area since you came through before. Oh, and because you live here. But I suppose there were several places you could have gotten a ride across."
"Also a fair point. That being said, steak." Cleo audibly sighed. "They have amazing steak at one of the inns. Kind of like some of those places in the Valley, but a lot bigger. There are also half-naked ladies, so not all bad."
"Uh, what?" Cathillian and Samuel both said. "Half-naked what?" Cathillian followed up.
Arryn laughed and rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."
After eating seafood for nearly two weeks, Arryn and the others were ready to have red meat again. They often ate fresh fish from the river in the Dark Forest, but never more than once or twice a week, and never twice in a row.
Arryn hoped they could find somewhere other than a tavern with scantily clad women, though. Not that she gave a damn, but taking Corrine in there was a different story.