Wolf’s Cub

Chapter 12

Melli could not remember a time when she did not “see visions, dream dreams.”  It was more a matter of remembering when she learned that the twins did not have such experiences, that she was different. As she grew older, she suspected that Dominic had a touch of the gift.  He never spoke of it to her, but she felt sure that he had it. There were times he revealed an instinct that was eerily accurate.  She never pressed the point because she had not wanted Rafael to feel left out, which she sensed he would if she and Nic shared something that he could not also share.  Not that there weren’t many things Rafael shared with her that they did not share with Nic, and far more that the twins shared with each other to the exclusion of anyone else, including her, but she and Nic both knew this about Rafe and accepted it without question – or discussion. They loved him, after all, and if Rafe needed to have a certain exclusiveness with both of them, well, that was just part of his being Rafe. Their love for him had no reservations.

Still, it would have been nice, Melli sometimes thought, to have another young person to discuss the visions with. Colin was wonderful but he was so much older.  Colin was so wise and brave; she naturally wanted him to think that she was wise and brave too.  But some visions made her want to hide under her bed and never come out. Colin had taught her that not every vision was a portent of the future, some only revealed possible futures, some showed visions of things that might never come true... and some dreams were merely the result of an over-active imagination. But all of it was enough to terrify a young girl.

One of the most important lessons was learning to tell a true vision from a bad dream, or worse, a planted image.  Colin told her after she related having a terrifying vision of a battle that ended with Michael kneeling by a bleeding man on a step, that she might be seeing visions of events that had occurred in the past rather than something that was likely to lie in their future. He’d soothed her further, saying that it was likely that her “visions” were just vivid nightmares caused by overhearing her guardians talking.  He had apologized for their carelessness and promised they would be more careful.

Melli had been about seven or eight then and Colin had started reading her lovely stories of princesses and princes at bedtime, after a snack of fruit juice and cakes. The twins, a year older, had complained loudly of special treatment and asked Michael why their bedtime routine was bread and water, accompanied by a stern warning not to misbehave.

“Because,” was the only answer the mischievous pair got before being tossed, giggling, into bed.

Melli was not satisfied with that answer. She should not have spied on Michael and Colin. She knew that, but she had to know the truth. So, one night, she waited until Colin was distracted by the boys and as soon as he walked to the doorway of her room, she tossed her juice into the plant by her bedside. Smiling sweetly when he came back to her, she waited a moment, then yawned.

“Sleepy, sweet one?”  Colin picked up her glass and looked at it curiously. “You finished your juice quickly tonight.”

“I was thirsty. But I am sleepy now.  I think I’m too tired for a story tonight, Colin.” Melli smiled apologetically at her foster father. She closed her eyes, though she really wished to look into his eyes and see if he looked guilty. Michael often said that Mellisande had been an eighty year old Seeress in a child’s body, and indeed, her powers of discernment were advanced even back then. But she did not look, perhaps she really did not want to see.  

She rested quietly in her bed until the twins fell asleep and the men adjourned to Michael’s study, where they customarily discussed their day over a bottle of wine.  Sometimes they went to the front porch; she was glad it was not one of those nights as she was wearing just her nightgown and the floor was cold enough on her bare feet.  She shuddered just thinking about the island breezes at night.

At least, that’s what she told herself caused her shudders.  It had nothing to do with worry over what Michael would do if he caught her spying on them.  To be on the safe side, she cast a disillusion spell – the very one Michael had taught the three children early in their spell casting days.  She walked quickly and silently to a spot outside of the study door. Michael had left it cracked, no doubt to keep an ear out for the twins.

He must not be worried about being overheard, Melli had thought, and was reassured. But then, the twins always slept so soundly.  As did she...or as she seemed to lately.  She eavesdropped.

“The boys are beginning to question, Michael, which means that Melli will also, if she hasn’t already. I thought she was looking at her juice in a most suspicious way tonight, although she drank it quickly enough. Perhaps....”

“Perhaps we should stop giving her the sleeping draught?”  Fortunately, Michael had gotten up and started pacing by that point, the sound of his feet masking the small gasp she could not keep in. She bit her hand...hard.  Michael’s tone was difficult to read. But then, even for an advanced child, it had to be conceded that Melli was still a little girl and Michael was a very complex man, difficult to understand at the best of times.  His next words surprised her, however, almost more than the initial revelation.

“I was never in agreement with drugging her to keep her visions away, Colin, you know that. It was your idea.  We’re developing all their other skills, why wouldn’t we develop her skills as a seer?”

“We’ve been over this time and time again, Michael! Because she’s only a child and the visions are too much for her!” Colin’s voice was loud for him, much louder than he ever spoke, and far louder than he would ever speak to Michael.  Melli could feel his agitation – but she also felt the calming energy Michael was projecting toward him. She inhaled, allowing the calm to soothe her agitated heart as well.

“Some seeresses have gone insane,” Michael conceded, and his cool matter-of-fact tone chilled Melli’s heart more than the floor did her feet. 

“We are delaying the inevitable by drugging Mellisande to give her dreamless sleep instead of dealing with her visions as they happen.  How do you know you won’t forever stunt her skills? What if she sleeps through a vision like the one that saved the twins when they were small? Or the one that saved you when you were ill? How can you justify....?”

“Because she is a child!” Colin’s interruption was almost shouted. “We should be the ones keeping them safe, not the other way around!”

“None of them have been children since the day their families were slaughtered around them,” Michael answered, his words more powerful for being spoken in his quiet, intense way.  “Melli has had it happen to her more than once, Colin. I think it is wrong to bury the visions with the nightmares when what we should be doing is lancing the nightmares, draining the poison...and training her so that she never has to live through that again, so that she can use everything in her power to ensure that it never happens to the people she loves.”

“I don’t know, Michael, I just don’t know,” Colin whispered, his anger gone and only his fear remaining.

“Why don’t we ask her then?”

An arm reached around the door frame and firmly grasped Melli, pulling her into the room. Colin looked shocked but Michael was expressionless.  All he said after leading Melli to a chair close to the fire was, “I think some hot chocolate may be in order – and a warming spell, my friend. Those feet look blue.”

Melli was never given a sleeping draught again.  The nightmares were terrifying... at times.  But she learned to cope. Colin told her stories and the boys told her jokes to help her get over them.   Michael...he waited. 

Eventually, Melli learned better control over her visions, and with age and control they lessened. But there were times when she still woke with nightmares. At those times, she usually would go to Colin in his tower room to sit and talk until the terror of the visions passed. But finally the time came when she went to Michael’s study to talk to him about what she had seen.  He listened closely as she described scenes of incredible bloodshed and butchery and then he helped her sort out what had already happened...and what might lie in the future.

She found the courage to go to Michael because she had found it very difficult to discern, in visions, the differences between the bloody, desperately fighting Emory men of one generation from those in the next. Michael had little trouble making the distinctions as the events of his last battle with Adam were forever as clear as if they had happened only a day ago. Melli’s visions told him that what he feared was likely to lie ahead unless he could change the future – another bloody battle lay in wait for his sons He wanted as much information as he could get in order to prepare them.  He was determined – this time, both brothers would survive. 

*********************

Rafael stepped forward so that Melli was behind him. He kept his hand on his sword hilt, but he did not assume a battle stance. Melli’s thoughts, tightly guarded to prevent Benra from “overhearing” them, had been clear on that point.

Rafe, do not be the aggressor...no matter what. I cannot explain now but do not let him provoke you into attacking.

Rafe tightened his grip on his sword, but did as Melli advised. He was trained to lead in battle – but not to fight old men in spelled rooms. That was her specialty and he knew when to defer to an expert. That, too, was something Michael had taught his sons – when to follow. This strange druid room did something to his magic, he could tell that much, but what exactly, he was at a loss to determine. He relied on Melli to figure out the best way to proceed just as he knew she would count on his strength when the time came to fight.

“Are you not going to defend yourself, boy? Didn’t your braggart father teach you anything? Or is that shiny sword just for show?” Benra’s tone was mocking but his eyes were wary.  Seeing them, Rafe felt more confident that Melli had judged correctly.

“Are you going to kill me, sir?”

Rafe stood at ease, although ready to act at a moment’s notice.

Defend only.  Melli’s warning was unnecessary; Rafe’s observations told him that his unexpected passivity was perturbing the elder druid. It was also distracting Benra from Melli. She was standing still, but Rafe could feel her power gathering force behind him. He forced his attention away from her, not wanting to ruin whatever it was she was doing by calling Benra’s attention back to her.

“I will not strike you...sir,” Rafe told Benra, to make his position perfectly clear.

“You heard my order...the request...I mean....”  Benra was almost stuttering. He raised his hand as though to cast but after several minutes, during which neither of the young royals moved to attack him, he lowered it again. He turned with a whirl of robes and left, muttering, “I must think...talk to his Lordship. Royals. Two of them.... I’ll...be back”

“Food would be nice,” Rafe could not help suggesting as the old man disappeared through the vanishing door. He turned to face his beloved Melli, his smiling face reflecting none of the worry he felt. He waited to see what she wanted, whether a hug, or a psychic blast at the thick walls, or maybe for him to try levitating her out the top of their prison, which he had just noticed had small windows cut close to the ceiling. He hadn’t noticed them at first, but they were so small, not even a child could pass through. Not that it would do any good, he reflected bitterly, unless that child could sprout wings and fly. He couldn’t tell much about their prison but he was fairly sure they were high off the ground.

“I have examined this room. It is not a prison to hold druids,” Melli told him telepathically, walking around the room in wonder, “so much as a prison created by druids, I am sure of it. These walls are imbued with strong magic. Our magic is sapped so long as we try to use it in what is deemed an aggressive way against a druid.  I suspect that only a druid can use violence here, and even then, only to defend. If you had attacked Benra, he would have been able to slay you, as you would have been prevented from attacking him and you would have been weakened.”  

They examined the room for hours, trying to discover if there was any way to escape. They stopped worrying about communicating telepathically after awhile, Melli deciding that it was an unnecessary use of mana.  It could possibly be easier for Benra to eavesdrop upon their thoughts than their quiet conversation through the thick walls, Melli pointed out.

Rafe sat down and leaned against the wall. He held out his arms to Melli, encouraging her to sit on his lap rather than on the cold stone floor. She did, resting her head against his chest tiredly. The teleport, followed by the encounter with the strange hooded man and then the long, draining day without food or water, had taken its toll on both of them. Neither had yet spoken of their fear for Michael and Colin – what had happened that enabled Benra to escape with them? Or, and this worry filled Rafe’s mind particularly, had they been too quick to believe the old man? Maybe if they had only delayed for a minute or two, Michael and Colin would have burst into the room and Benra’s deception would have been revealed. Had there been an intruder on the island or not? It was difficult to believe that Benra could have somehow disabled Michael and Colin, yet it was too painful to believe that the other possibility was true – that their father and surrogate father were both gone.

“This is all my fault,” Melli whispered. “You wouldn’t have let Benra take you if you hadn’t been worried about me going with him.”

“We cannot waste our time second guessing ourselves,” Rafe told her. “I’ve not been able to sense Michael or Nic, but I haven’t been concentrating sufficiently. I think that we need to focus on that for now. And if possible, determine where we are, as I have no idea where to tell them to come for us even if I could get a message through. Assuming that they are not in need of rescue by us. Have you been able to reach Colin?”

She shook her head. He hadn’t expected any different answer really – telepathy was the forte of the Emory family, and he and Dominic had the strongest link, although Michael’s power gave him almost as strong a connection to both of them. Rafe did not want to worry her, but his own concern over the void he felt when he reached out for his brother and father was terrifying.

Admittedly, there were wards built into the room that were hampering him, and he was being careful, because he sensed the presence of other telepaths, but he’d been taught by Michael to narrow his concentration so that only the three of them would be open to his calls and with those precautions in place, he had tried to contact his twin and his father.

So far, he’d received no answers. Still, he could not be sure if the room was allowing him to broadcast very far, if at all, past its thick walls. He thought the fact that he could sense others’ thoughts, even if he couldn’t read them, was a positive sign, indicating that it was possible to get past the room’s wards. But with the continued lack of food and water, his mana was low.

Still, Rafe put a brave front on for Melli. He rubbed her back comfortingly as she looked up at the small windows.

“I have not been able to sense anything from Colin...or Michael, whose thoughts travel long distances better, as you know better than I do.  I have been searching my memory, as I can remember Colin describing holding rooms like this. They were built during the age when druids were much more powerful than they are now, before the Three Kingdoms. Like the Circles, only a few made it to the Age of the Kingdoms , and fewer still were restored during that time. There were some in the Third Kingdom, of course, but I don’t think we traveled that far.” She was silent for a while.

Rafe thought about what she said. “Benra is far stronger than we thought, but not so strong as to teleport three of us without the aid of Circles to the Third Kingdom,” he said. “I’m sure we are in the First Kingdom still. Which means we must be in Candone.” 

Melli twisted around in his lap, her eyes wide. “Yes, that’s it! I remember now. Colin told me that there had been a Druid Chamber in the Royal Palace. Not the one your Uncle Adam favored but the one your grandfather’s court was in. His father, and the Emory kings before him each had a Council of druids, such as the Third Kingdom Royals had. This room no doubt dates back to that time and before. It is probably where the name of the Council comes from, though it is not druid run, I am sure.”

Rafe felt some relief. Candone was some distance from Breslin but not impossibly far from their home.  He and Nic had been to that large city before, during rescues and reconnaissance, and there were druid circles in the region. He hugged Melli.

“We’ll be out of here in no time. But I can’t make any promises for your ability to keep Michael from attacking Benra if he gets here first. He must be furious.”

He spoke lightly but both of them knew that Michael would be a fearsome foe to their captors – if he had  not already been killed. Nothing but death would keep him from finding them. The fear of one of them falling into his enemies’ hands was what had driven him for sixteen years – for two of them to now be held captive by an unknown enemy, while Dominic was far away on a dangerous quest – Michael would be insane with grief, literally, if they were not soon returned to him. The two clung to each other and by silent accord, prayed to the goddess to take care of Michael and Colin.

“Guide them, keep them safe,” Melli whispered, “and Nic too.”

Silently, Rafe added his own prayer, “Goddess, help me bring Melli safely out of this.”

He held her close as evening turned to night, keeping watch over her sleep, staying alert in case one of their captors should come back. It was the longest night of his young life.

*********************

Lycan found Dominic standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out over a valley. They’d been traveling for half a day and his mate had been unusually quiet since daybreak. Lycan stood back for a while and just kept watch over his Nic, intrigued by this new aspect of his mate. Dominic was standing tall, his hands raised to the noonday sun, which touched his features with its brilliant rays, giving him an unearthly beauty. A breeze lifted his curls back from his shoulders. He was the very image of a young god, Lycan thought, bemused.

But it wasn’t the beauty of his features, great as it was, that moved Lycan so. It was the determination revealed by the set of his jaw, the light that filled his amethyst eyes, the set of his broad shoulders – those things that spoke of the type of man Dominic was inside, his indomitable spirit, his strong courage, his fierce will. Yet for all that, there was reverence too, as Dominic petitioned the goddess.  From his vantage point, Lycan could see Dominic’s lips move in whatever supplication he was making to the goddess, and he waited until he was sure that his mate had finished before moving closer. But once the muscular arms lowered and the dark head bowed, in seeming defeat, Lycan strode forward and wrapped his arms around Nic from behind, resting his head on the dark curls.  

“How can I help?”

Nic shuddered, then leaned back against the strong chest. “I can’t reach them. I thought it was just that Rafe and Michael were being silent because they wanted me to focus on my quest and our new life and did not want to distract me. But...it isn’t. I have tried to contact them for hours. In every spare moment, I tried to reach out to one or the other of them. To both. Now, at the sun’s apex, a magically strong time, I tried with everything I could, Wolf, but there was nothing. All I find is a void where my family once was.”

Lycan tightened his arms around Nic. Pack is family too.  He sent the thought to Nic in his “mindspeak”, thinking in some small way to fill the emptiness that so distressed his Cub.  Nic appreciated the gesture, but it only highlighted the absence of such messages, which had been the norm his entire life – until this venture.  He sighed and tried to think of the right words to convey his worry to his bondmate in a way that would not make him seem merely homesick. He turned to face his Wolf.

“I know the Pack is my family now, and don’t think I don’t value the Pack. I do. But Rafael is more than a brother, he has been a part of me my whole life. Just as your bonding with me hasn’t lessened your connection with the Pack, or your need for it, my bonding with you hasn’t lessened my need for my other family, and especially for my brother. But I feel like I’ve lost my connection to them, to him. And I don’t want that to happen.”

Lycan moved his hands to Nic’s shoulders and shook him lightly. “You do not need to convince me. I understand. Tell me what you want to do. It is your decision. You have a task before you, but you may be needed back on the island. I mistrusted that Benra from the start, but his treachery must have been foul indeed if he could have overcome both your father and your brother, as well as the druid Colin. They are three powerful Telepaths. Are you sure it is not the distance that keeps you from hearing their voices in your mind?”

Nic drew his brows together. “There is a difference between how it feels when there is distance and now. When it is just distance, you know the voice is there but you cannot hear what it is saying. It is a murmur in the background. A whisper too faint to hear. Now there is ... nothing. The night sky with no stars or moon to light it, only darkness. I feel so alone without the...hum...of their thoughts. I’ve never gone so long without touching minds with them. I knew that Rafe and I would be living more separately, but I expected Michael to be checking in, and I still thought Rafe and I would be touching minds with each other, comparing notes on our days. He always has to make sure I remember to eat breakfast, clean my teeth.... you know.”

Nic smiled ruefully. “I know I have a task before me, one that I cannot turn away from, so there is no real choice to be made.  I must stay the course. But the wish to run home and make sure they are safe is overpowering. Which almost makes me think this is a test Michael has set, to see if I am mature enough not to falter.”

Lycan frowned. He could not believe that Michael would test his son in such a cruel fashion. Michael had to have been sure of his son in his own mind or he would not have dared send him to face others’ doubts. He lifted Nic’s chin. “I ask again, how can I help? Your father would not test you – if the silence is not distance, then something is wrong. Let me lend my strength to you. You have been worn out each day since we left. Healing me last night....you have been exhausted. Let me do something now to help you.”

“I can’t draw on your strength each time mine falls short, Wolf, much as I want to. I will only learn to be weak that way, not stronger.”

“Does it make me weaker to let you heal me?” The question startled Nic.

“Of course it doesn’t.”

“Then my help cannot weaken you. If your brother or father are in danger, we need to know, because it means that the enemy has made the first strike after all.”

Nic felt a chill go through him. “Perhaps we should wait until we rejoin the Pack. Didn’t you say we are very close?”

“The Pack is here, Cub! It has grown tired of waiting and has joined you. Greetings to both of you!” a familiar cheerful voice called out to Nic and Lycan – Bran stood a stone’s throw away. Lycan shouted with joy and beckoned to his Beta who hurried to his side to be greeted with a bone-crushing hug that lifted him from the ground. Bran was big, but there was none so tall and strong as his Wolf, Nic thought, admiring his mate’s body as the two friends engaged in some friendly wrestling before Bran was duly shown his place – though in a completely friendly way. It reminded Nic of the way he and Rafe constantly sparred, and that caused another pang of worry for his brother.

Bran turned toward Nic just then, when Nic was about to slip away and let Bran give his report to Lycan in private.

“You should hear this too, Nic. Things are happening. The Packs are all gathered, just an hour away. There are quite a few other Metamorphs there as well; Master Ran has done his work well. But so has the Authority. It has issued a Decree – all Mindtwisters are to be killed on sight now – as well as all Metamorphs seen in city limits. Trading can only take place outside the cities. They’ve told the Metamorph groups that any who are suspected of aligning themselves with, how is it put in the tracts, ‘terrorist mind twisters’ will be barred from trading and a bounty issued for their skins. Nice times we live in.”

Nic had paled. “That’s terrible. So it is no wonder if these actions have caused Metamorphs to back away – I can understand not wanting to risk having their kin hunted....what?”

Nic looked at the laughing men, who were leaning on each other, their humor overtaking them. Lycan recovered first, though the annoyance in Nic’s violet eyes almost set him off again.

“You almost insult us as much those Authority Council men do, my Cub, though I know you do not mean to. Metamorphs do not bow before threats. The Council has discovered the quickest way to get the doubtful groups to go over to your side. The other Metamorphs may not have been sure it was in their best interests before, but seeing how much the Authority doesn’t want them to aid you – that is enough to convince the most guileless of us that our best hope for survival is with the ‘terrorist mind twisters.’” He turned back to Bran. “How big a crowd do you have?”

“I would say about two thousand, but keep in mind, many of them are there just as representatives of their people.  By my best estimate, Nic will be commanding a force of male and female Metamorphs of fighting age numbering five times that by the end of this moon’s cycle.”

Nic’s eyes widened. “That is in five days!”

Lycan nodded. “Yes. We need to move quickly. The winter is fast approaching. If we are to fight, we must fight – and win – quickly. We cannot sustain a long war. The trouble with a large army is that it must be fed and sheltered.”

Nic nodded. “We must take the largest city – and provide for the Metamorphs from the Authority’s stores – that which was stolen from the Royal family alone will provide more than enough, not to mention all that has been stolen from the people over the years.  My father and Colin have planned for this. Let us talk as we walk. Can we reach Master Ran, and some of the other leaders before we speak to the group as a whole?”

Heads close as they walked in the direction of the camp where the others awaited them, Nic continued to share the plans that Michael and Colin had carefully devised. But in one part of his mind, he continued to listen for the whispers that had never before been silent.

*********************

Michael was at the bow of the yacht, looking out over the water when Colin found him. It was almost sunset. He stood silently by his side, watching the setting sun touch the water’s surface with its rays – the sight was beautiful. Somehow he didn’t think Michael even saw it.

“Have you reached out to Dominic?” He finally asked, needing to break the silence.

“No.”

“Nic must be worried, if he is not able to reach Rafael. I assume you still have not been able to reach him – I have not felt anything from Melli since they were....”

“No, Colin, nothing from Rafe or Melli, and therefore I have kept my thoughts blocked from Dominic as I do not want to disrupt his quest with the news that his brother and the girl he thinks of as a sister are both gone. Would you have me do differently?”

The face Michael turned toward Colin was a mask of pain. Colin took Michael by both hands.

Yes, love, I would.  He pulled Michael close, ignoring the slight resistance he gave him at first. It wasn’t like Colin to be this bold but something about being on the water, the wind blowing around them made Colin feel reckless. This was his element, surrounded by wind and water.

After a few minutes of being held, Michael said, his voice much calmer, “I really needed that, thanks, but would you take it amiss if I ask, who is steering this boat?”

Colin laughed. “This is a yacht. And Fen is. Now, my question. Why haven’t you ‘spoken’ to Nic?  We need to confer with him, Michael. Obviously, this affects our plans.”

Michael’s sigh was so heavy, Colin thought it could fill the sails. But at least he was ready to talk instead of the brooding he had been doing since they had left the island.

“I know I am being unreasonable. I feel like I need to fix this on my own. I brought the rest of you with me but in all honesty, I have been trying to figure out a way I can rescue Rafe and Melli on my own – once you help by determining where they are, of course. I do not want to have to admit to Nic that before he was gone more than twenty-four hours Benra had tricked me and made off with both Rafe and Melli.”

“He tricked both of us,” Colin pointed out mildly.  It was not often that he and Michael disagreed on how to treat the children but he disagreed now, and part of the reason was, their beloved trio were no longer children. Colin braced himself on the railing and looked out over the sun kissed water – no sign of land yet, but there soon would be. The time to reach out to Dominic was now, before they landed. He felt that most strongly. Before he could speak again, Michael jumped up onto the railing. Open-mouthed in astonishment, Colin watched as Michael walked easily along the narrow surface in his bare feet until he was a few feet away; he then did a series of backflips and mid-air somersaults and spins, each time landing perfectly.

Hearing excited applause and cheering, Colin turned and saw that they had an audience – more than Fen, that was, who was manning the helm. The other five young Telepaths were gathered, watching wide-eyed.

Michael waved at the children cheerfully as he bowed with a flourish. He then called over, “See, there is nothing at all to worry about, so go below and prepare the evening meal. Colin and I will keep an eye out for trouble and let you know at the first sign. Or if Fen looks likely to run us aground.”

Giggling and laughing, the five young Telepaths made their way down the hatch to the comfortable quarters below deck.

Michael looked after them while Colin looked at Michael. Fen, that imperturbable soul went back to watching the horizon.

“Do you mind telling me what that display was about – not that it was not incredible, amazing, fantastic – since we are on a serious mission and I am trying to have a most serious discussion with you and....”

Michael kissed him. Whether it was in the nature of more entertainment or to stop his litany of complaints, Colin didn’t really care. The kiss was every bit as good as the display of acrobatics had been.

I was picking up on fear from the girls and Donal – I decided to distract them.

From what? Fear of where we are going, what we will find?

Nothing so serious. Michael’s thoughts had his familiar undercurrent of humor and Colin felt as though he could defeat armies just for the warmth of that laughter filling him. And the warmth that those skilled hands brought him was pretty wonderful too. He pressed closer as he asked, So what were they fearing so much that you stopped our discussion to reassure them?

That the ship was pitching so much with Fen at the helm that he would send us all to a briny death long before we could ever reach any enemies on the mainland.

Colin laughed.  So you thought that you’d prove their fears groundless by dancing on the wind?

Michael smiled sheepishly. Well, part of it was for fun. And part of it was to distract you.

And this, Colin asked, tracing Michael’s lips with his tongue.

Now we’re distracting me from my fears.

The two kissed for a while longer, enjoying the still new feeling of being able to touch and hold each other; they knew that Fen would discreetly look away. He was probably unique among their charges in that respect, and that included their three. Which thought necessarily brought them back to the disagreement that had caused Colin to seek Michael out.  Colin lifted his head eventually and bit his lip, causing Michael to sigh.

“I know what you think...and I know you are right. It is just...so damned hard, Colin. I will have to do it tonight as I dare not wait any longer to drain my mana this much. And I don’t know whether I am hoping I make contact or not. I have been consciously blocking Nic while trying to remain open to Rafe....I just cannot bear the thought of telling him that his brother is missing. Maybe already dead.”

“Rafe is not dead,” Colin said with certainty.

“How can you know that?”

“Because I do.”

“You’ve seen something? Something new?” Michael’s voice was so hopeful, Colin was tempted to lie and say t hat he had. But they had never lied to each other and he did not want this new stage of their life together to be marred by deception, even if spoken from the kindest of intentions. It could offend the goddess and bring ill fortune to them. Still, it pained him to see the light fade from those beautiful green eyes as he shook his head.

“No. But I will try to assist you and perhaps in connecting with Nic a vision will be triggered. Let us join hands now.”

“Let me suggest something different. Stand behind me, my back to your chest, your hands on my shoulders, and I will lead in seeking the connection, in calling to Dominic. I ask that you lend me your strength, and keep your mind open to anyone else, friend or foe, who may be attempting to break in.”

Colin nodded and took the position Michael requested while the Assassin slipped off his tunic and tossed it away from the edge. His gleaming torso shone in the final lights from the setting sun. Colin trembled as he touched the deeply tanned shoulders, remembering the magic they had made together only the night before. Would they make love again that night or would Michael stay up to keep watch?

Whenever you are ready love – on both counts – but at this moment I suggest we finish the task at hand and then we can move on to more pleasurable activities.

Michael’s teasing was tinged with an edge of stress under the humor and Colin quickly gathered his thoughts, chastising himself for letting them wander when there were more important matters than sex to think about.

There are rarely more important matters than sex to think about, dear Advisor, but at this particular moment, you have convinced me we should talk to Nic. Had I known you wanted sex....

Michael infused his thought with a light note of complaint. Colin squeezed his shoulders.

I’m ready.

I was afraid you would say that..... Deep breath.

Dominic...Dominic Emory...heed my call....

*********************

The afternoon had been a full one for Nic. He had spent it meeting so many different Metamorphs, from so many different parts of the First Kingdom, and even many from the Second Kingdom, that his head was swimming. Some preferred meeting him first as men, others sized him up while in their animal form and only after finding him acceptable made their transformation, still others stayed on the fringes, preferring to watch. Bran and Beren assured him that those Metamorphs meant no harm, they were merely more skittish around humans than most, and they had good reason.

“That elk over there?” Beran pointed out a majestic looking creature who stood on the outskirts of the group of leaders who were meeting by the largest camp fire.  “He’s Elkind, leader of the Elk and Deer Metamorphs. His people have practically been wiped out by the Authority’s guards over the past couple of years, and it’s gotten so bad that they are having trouble protecting themselves even from the regular folks in the villages. The villagers go hunting for Elk Metamorphs, claim the meat gives them added strength and resistance to illness.” Beren shook his head sadly.

Ran spit, then asked, “Does it?”

“Not as much as Raven meat, you....”

“I would like to be taken to him,” Nic said, interrupting the incipient quarrel.

Beren looked to Ran and surprised Nic by suggesting that the Raven Master make the introduction. “You’d better take him, Ran. Lyc or me, we’d just make him nervous.”

Ran nodded, accepting that he was accorded a certain deference by all. Nic made note of this.

Leaving Bran with Beren, Nic went with Ran to meet the Elk Leader. At least, that is what Nic thought they were doing. When they were still a couple yards away, Ran placed his hand on Nic’s arm. 

“Follow me,” he said, then morphed into his raven form and took flight over the head of Elkind. He circled once and then flew into the forest. The tall Elk Metamorph paused only a second before turning and following. Nic shrugged and then took off, forcing his tired legs to a brisk run.

Are you ... hurting, Cub?  Lycan’s concerned thought in his mind comforted Nic, even as he made light of his pain.

I am fine, Wolf, Master Ran is taking me for an evening stroll it seems.

You are not supposed to tell me you are well if you are not, Lycan reminded him.

Nic saw with relief that Ran and a tall man were standing in a clearing just ahead.

All is well, Wolf. But come to me at sundown. I will need you then.

Nic sensed Lycan’s acquiescence more than heard it as a formed thought – it was enough. He knew his Wolf would be where he needed him, when he needed him. He slowed to a walk and approached the two men, his arms by his sides, palms open. His sword had been left with Bran earlier for safe-keeping. It was tradition to carry it but he didn’t need it to protect himself.

Ran made the introductions. “Lord Dominic, this is Elkind, Leader of all of Elk and Deer Metamorphs. Elkind, this is Lord Dominic, son of Michael, heir to King Adam, of the House of Emory. He asked especially to meet you.”

“Greetings, Lord Dominic, it is an honor to meet you,” the tall brown haired Metamorph said.  

“The honor is mine,” Nic answered, extending his palms. Flushing slightly with pleasure, Elkind clasped forearms with him. As the higher born, it was Nic’s choice to offer one or two hands – he treated Elkind as an equal by his gesture.  Thus far, he had only treated the major Leaders, those who led more than one group in such a manner. Beren, Ran...they were such Leaders. As was Perien. And this Metamorph, for all his shyness, was a true leader, Nic sensed. And he was worried, Nic could tell. Rather than start with his usual pitch, he found himself taking a different road.

“Your peoples – what do they need to make it through the winter?” 

The tall man, who reminded Nic a little of Colin, relaxed slightly, and smiled at Nic. “I expected you to tell me what you needed my people to do for you, and I was prepared to explain why we could not do anything.  We are already so decimated by the attacks of this past season, we will barely survive the winter.”

Nic nodded. “It is not my wish for any of the peoples of the First or Second Kingdoms to perish. Some have suffered more than others during this reign of terror that the Authority has pursued for the past sixteen years. We have access to stores of food – and medicine. We will make sure that they are brought to your winter grounds before the fighting if possible, but if not, I will make sure, Elkind, my word as an Emory, that arrangements will be made to get food and medicine to you to take to them. You...you have a sick child?”

Elkind nodded while Ran looked at Nic in amazement. “My oldest daughter. Leife. She was attacked. She ran, but was caught. My brother Everun got there in time to prevent, to prevent....” He could not continue, his voice was too choked up.

Nic’s voice was harsh as he finished the sentence for him. “Your brother prevented butchery, thank the goddess. But your daughter needs care, and medicine. I understand and am grateful that you came to listen to what I have to say. I will not take you from your herds in desperate times, I ask only from each that which he or she can give...freely. From the Elk and Deer Metamorphs, may I look for allegiance?”

“You will have that and more,” Elkind told him, drawing himself up to his full height. “I do not take without giving in return. We will come to fight at your side. Knowing that there will be food and medicine for our aged and sick, and provision made for our women and children to see them through to a new season, enables me to allow more of the men to fight. But fight – that we are eager to do, to win vengeance for our lost families – and for your lost family also. My father told me of what happened to your mother and to the King. Were you ever told what was done to your....?”

“No need to get into that,” Ran said, interrupting him. Nic allowed it, seeing that Elkind looked embarrassed to have ventured into an area that was perhaps in poor taste. They talked some more and then Ran suggested they head back to the others.

Nic smiled. “I am going to join Lycan for a walk,” he confessed.

They both laughed and Elkind asked Ran if he even remembered what it was like to be young and newly mated.

“Of course I do,” Ran assured him as they strolled away, “every spring I revisit the feeling.”

Nic headed toward the edge of the forest, which petered out by an incline that led up to a different portion along the same ridge of cliffs that he had been standing at earlier. His heart lifted to see Lycan already there, waiting for him. He picked up his pace until he was almost running by the time he reached his mate’s arms, which opened into a wide embrace.

“You look much less tired than when I saw you earlier,” Lycan commented after kissing Nic breathless.

“Hmm,” was all the answer he received.

“I am tired. But being with you always energizes me. Lycan, did something happen after my father escaped with us? I mean, did you ever hear any tales of something happening that would be upsetting to me?”

Lycan looked at his beautiful Cub. Should he lie and say no, or tell him the truth and destroy any memory Michael might have fostered of a peaceful resting place for the young Queen?

He could not lie to his mate.

“I have heard of the tale. It is told in the taverns in the trading cities, Breslin, Attinway, Candone, even. But you would be better off not hearing it.”

“No, if it is told, I would rather not be surprised by it at the wrong time. I must know. Especially if it is an ugly story. You must tell me, then comfort me afterward if I am upset, but I think I am more likely to be angry. Tell me quickly, and then you will help me try to reach Rafe and Michael,” Nic said prosaically.

Lycan gave him a quick hug, then settled both of them down against the sheltering rocks, hidden from view of any other wanderers. The sun was close to setting and he knew that Nic would want to make his attempt exactly at sunset, so he spoke quickly and as plainly as Nic had.

“They say that the Queen and King were left where they had fallen, their bloody bodies on the steps of the palace for the animals to eat – except that, well, their heads were posted as a warning to others not to cross the Assassin.”

Nic was silent for a moment. “That is not true. My father dug the graves himself. Colin held us back because we wanted to jump in the dirt. I believe that may be my earliest memory – how dirty we got Colin’s robes – and the lack of any laughter at all. No, I take that back, my very earliest memory is of my mother. I can picture her still if I think hard enough, but sometimes I wonder if Michael has aided those memories. I see her sitting in sunlight, her eyes like Rafe’s and mine, her hair like gold, like Melli’s in a way, only brighter, and she is happy, watching Michael dance. And there is a tall man there too, my Uncle Adam I think. He is laughing also. But he wasn’t there the day the graves were dug – at least, not in any way that I was aware of. I was two. But there was a grave, one large one for the two of them. I know that there was.”

Lycan held him close. He didn’t bother stating the obvious, that someone came along after and removed the bodies from the grave that Michael had labored to dig, delaying their escape to honor his dead with a proper burial. Nic pressed his forehead against Lycan’s chest. “I hope Michael doesn’t know this story,” he murmured, before lifting his head up and giving himself a shake.

“I must clear my head of all such thoughts or he’ll know it soon enough. Quick, let’s think of sex, that always works to make my father appear in my head.”

Nic was joking, but to his joy, he had no sooner said the words and turned to face the sunset than he “heard” the beloved familiar voice in his head:

Dominic...Dominic Emory...heed my call...wait, are you thinking about sex at sundown? This must be Nic, Colin. Instead of praying to the goddess to bless his quest he is thinking of his mate’s....

I would surmise that means she has already blessed his quest, was Colin’s dry comment, fainter, but still very definitely Colin. Nic felt torn between laughing and crying.

Don’t ever do that to me again, you two! All these days of silence! I am on a quest, not gone to a druid monastery! Now, where is that twin of mine? I need to explain a few things about how a good brother does not completely abandon his brother.....

Nic...I need to tell you bad news.

Dominic felt as though his chest had been pierced. The pain was sharp and made it difficult to breathe. Lycan tried to will his strength into him as Nic sent the one word through the air to his father that was most necessary: Alive?

Colin was practically holding Michael up just as Lycan was doing for Nic.

I think so...I believe so. Benra took him and Melli the day after you left.

Melli too?  There was anguish in the thought; Michael felt the pain as his own, as did Colin and Lycan.

But then, after only a moment of reeling from the news, Nic told Michael, They are not dead, I would know if Rafe were dead, or in such pain as the loss of Melli would cause him. No, let me correct that, Melli could only be killed if Rafe had been killed first. Something must be blocking him from us. As in that cavern that Lycan stayed at – there was something there, Michael, that blocked my thoughts from reaching you. I had to leave it to send a message to you. I meant to discuss it with you, Colin. But it was only a dampener. If we join our efforts, we might be able to overcome something like that.

Michael put his hands on top of Colin’s, where they rested on his shoulders. With this contact with Nic, he felt as though part of a huge weight was lifted from him.

I agree, son, but first...how goes your quest?

Nic unconsciously mimicked his father’s movement, and clasped his partner’s hands, which rested on his shoulders. He bent his head and kissed them, one, and then the other.

It goes very well, better than we could have dreamed. I can march on Candone tomorrow. Especially if my brother is held there. But....

But.... Michael waited.

The Authority is forewarned. It has acted first.  Quickly, Nic told Michael and Colin the news he had learned from the Metamorphs. I have to think this was triggered by my going to meet with the Metamorphs.

Which was known or guessed by Benra! I will kill that treacherous bastard six times over, Michael vowed.

You must be careful to dock in a hidden area, Nic warned.  They may be waiting for you, just because they may realize by now that you have not teleported, and they may remember that you used a ship last time, when you escaped.

Colin smiled faintly. I will be ready for any who try to approach us, but I appreciate the warning. It is a point well made, and we will avoid all of the usual ports.

We will discuss a meeting place – after we try locating your brother. Are you ready?  Michael was impatient to try now that he had reason to hope – and to fear. The Authority would only keep Rafe and Melli alive for as long as they thought they would prove useful bargaining chips. Or bait.

Uniting their power, with Michael and Colin joined, and Nic drawing on Lycan for strength, their mana level was immense, and their focus was tremendous, thanks to the control wielded by Michael. By mutual agreement, based in large part on Nic’s instinct as Rafe’s twin and Colin’s instinct as a seer, they targeted Candone.

Rafael Emory, son, brother, answer our call. We will come to you. Where are you?

They kept at it as the sun sank below the horizon, without pause, without weakening their call. Just when Colin was ready to tell them to give up –  it happened. The very faintest of replies, weak, but definitely an answer, came to them.

Nic, Father...thank the goddess. Druid Tower...Candone. Hurry. Melli in danger. Not much time.

It was Rafe. He was alive and with Melli. And they needed them.

Time for the war to start, was Michael’s grim thought, once Rafe’s mind faded away from them.

Well then, time for more good news, Nic’s thought sailed to them; he was cheerful now that he’d heard from his twin. Yes, Rafe sounded like he was in dire straits, but, he was alive. Anything after that could be dealt with – alive was so much better than what had been feared that Nic felt irrepressibly happy.

If we’ve got to go to war, good thing I’ve got an army, Nic told his father and advisor.

So do we...after a fashion, Michael replied, looking at Colin and winking.

Rafe and Melli were alive. Now to plan a rescue. 

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