Wolf’s Cub

Chapter 18

“Michael!” Nic cried out as both boys ran forward, all thoughts of staying hidden forgotten in their concern for their father. 

Michael looked up and surprised anger quickly gave way to relief as he realized he had depleted his strength and was seconds away from unconsciousness. 

“Boys...summon Colin...too weak ...this is your new brother...Fen...take care of him.....”

With that, Michael handed his bundle to Rafe and then slumped against Nic.  Both of them sent frantic telepathic messages to Colin, who appeared almost instantly.  He quickly assessed the situation, examining both Michael and the young boy Rafe held.  Colin acted with his usual calm competence that made Rafe envious, though he saw that their tutor’s hands shook as he exposed the long gash in Michael’s side.

“I must get Michael to my Tower, he needs this stitched. The young one is not as badly hurt, mainly bruised, though that arm may be broken. Be careful with it, Nic.  I could come back to teleport him, but I really want to treat Michael as soon as possible. Do you think the two of you could manage to carry him carefully as far as my Tower if you take turns?”

“We will bring him,” Nic told Colin, his voice strong. “Do what you need to for Father.”

Colin nodded, relieved that he could leave at once with Michael, whose condition worried him.  He feared that Michael had lost a great deal of blood.  With a final nod to the twins, he teleported away, the unconscious Michael in his arms.

Rafe and Nic looked at the boy Michael had brought back from the Mainland. Smaller than them, he was very thin, his bones showing through his skin in those places where his skin appeared through threadbare clothes. This Fen was very different looking than them – as far as they could tell in the moonlight. He did not have their deeply tanned skin; his was pale, covered with light brown freckles. And he had bright red hair! They’d never seen anyone with such coloring.

“We must get him back right away,” Rafe said to Nic, bending to pick him up.  The boy cried out as Rafe slid his arms under him and brown eyes opened immediately, looking around at the strange surroundings fearfully.

“Where ...?” The boy tried pushing his body away from Rafe but the movement, pressing as he did on the injured arm, made him flinch and what little color there had been in his face left it, so that the freckles stood out like a sprinkling of cinnamon on cream.  He fell back and looked up at the twins, his expression stoic.

“What did you do with M’Lord?” the boy named Fen asked, his jaw jutting out bravely.

Nic and Rafe were won over in that moment. Alone, hurt and frightened as he was, this new “brother” was concerned first for their father.  Rafe let Nic take the lead in calming Fen’s fears, it was a gift that he had.  Nic smiled warmly and clasped Fen’s uninjured arm as he leaned closer.

“Look at our faces, Fen.  See how closely we resemble Lord Michael who rescued you? He is our father and he bade us greet you as our brother, which we gladly do. I am Dominic and this is Rafael, but you must call us Nic and Rafe.  Michael was taken by our Advisor and Tutor, Colin, a Druid, to be healed, and we will now bring you to them so you can be healed and fed also. Do you feel strong enough for us to carry you a short distance?”

Fen nodded stoically. Rafe got the impression that stoic was something their new family member did well. He tried once more to lift him but could feel the jagged edge of another broken bone against his hand when he slid it under Fen’s legs. He looked at Nic with dismay.

“His leg, the bone is....”

“A bit out of place,” Nic agreed cheerfully.  Keeping his focus on Fen, attempting to send calming thoughts to him as Michael always did to them when they were hurt, he said, “I think that a walk would be asking a bit much of you, Fen. Will you trust us to transport you the way Michael did, using telepathic powers?”

Rafe did not show a visible reaction as the boy Fen nodded gratefully, no doubt relieved to be spared the painful trip over land. What Fen did not know was that Nic and Rafe had only recently learned to teleport – and even more recently learned to teleport with another person.  They quickly debated the issue telepathically, Nic convincing Rafe that it was the only way they could transport Fen. With the broken leg, carrying him would be cruelly painful. One of them could go get Colin, but they were united in feeling strongly that it was their duty to take care of this new brother – Michael had entrusted him to their care. 

While teleporting was a new skill, they had both proved adept at it. Working together, using the Stones, they felt sure they could do it, saving their new “brother” a long, painful trip from the Stones to the Tower, which was not such a long distance to teleport, though it was far to carry someone who was so seriously injured.

The decision made, they knelt on the ground next to Fen, Rafe on his right and Nic on his left, their hands clasped together around him. Nic nodded to Rafe and “spoke” to him telepathically, deeming it best that Fen not know exactly when they were starting. He need not have worried. Fen passed out when they pressed their arms around him, which was undoubtedly a blessing.

[Together, on three, you lead the casting]

[Be careful to keep a good grip on him, Nic, we don’t want to drop him when we get to the Tower Room]

Nic’s response to Rafe’s warning was lost in the ether as Rafe cast the spell to send them teleporting through space with their precious burden.  They appeared in the center of the room, startling Melli, who dropped the bowl of hot water she had been bringing to Colin so he could bathe Michael’s wounds.  Colin looked up impatiently, then stared in amazement at the twins. Rafe was moving swiftly with Fen to place him in the empty cot that stood against the wall. Nic answered the unspoken question in Colin’s eyes.

“Our new brother could not have withstood the rough journey, so we brought him this way. His leg is also broken, Colin. Perhaps Melli could give him something for pain until you are ready to attend to him?”

Colin nodded, feeling a bit lost as the three...children, for they really were no more than that...went about caring for the young Telepath whom Michael had rescued from certain death that night.  To see three young Royals tending to the personal needs of a boy who looked to be from no higher than the servant class in the First Kingdom...to hear them call him brother...he was both touched and troubled.  He waited until the next day to bring the matter up with the quickly recovering Michael.  Fen, his bones set and his other needs met as best as possible in the short time they’d had with him so far, had been moved by Colin to a smaller side room in the Tower where he would stay until fully healed.  Then he would be moved...where?

Colin handed Michael a bowl of soup, laced with healing herbs, and thought about how to raise the question. He should have known his friend would have guessed that he was troubled and raise the issue first.

“You wonder at my treatment of Fen? Why I bade the boys to call him brother,” Michael said lightly, swallowing a spoonful of the savory soup with a sigh. “You are such a good cook – it almost makes a man want to get hurt, just to have an excuse to be pampered by you, Colin.”

“Foolish Michael. I would cook for you anytime, you do not need to lose half your blood first,” Colin told him, bending to pick a piece of lint from his robe in order to hide the red that suffused his cheeks at the compliment.  He tried to return to the topic he wished to discuss, though it was difficult when Michael sat there with his shirtless torso exposed, and smiled at him like that. He wished only to agree with anything Michael wished to do.  But...his duty to Mellisande made him persist.

“We relax the rules of our kind, raising the children as we do here, but is it right to completely ignore the distinctions owed to royalty? I acknowledge that I was the one who sent you to rescue the young Telepath, and indeed, I foresee that there will be others, but not every Telepath is a Royal, and not everyone should be on terms of intimacy with them. What if Mellisande should....”

Michael’s burst of laughter made Colin retreat into hurt silence.  Michael sat up and reached for the Druid’s hand before Colin could stand up to leave.

“No, do not be angry at me, or worse, hurt. I am not laughing at you, Colin, truly. I am laughing at the idea of our proud young princess falling in love beneath her station. Even if I did not believe she has already entwined her destiny with my younger son, I am quite certain that she would not be likely to fall in love unwisely. That said, if you had seen where this young man... and yes, I call this boy of eleven a man... if you had seen the way he fought against his attackers, and how he tried to help me! Me, the mighty Assassin! I tell you a noble heart beats in that unprepossessing facade. I am not the Seer of the two of us but I see two truths most clearly. The children I bring to this island will need to feel that they belong.  While they may not be the same to them as our three are to each other, our three must accept them as foster brothers and sisters. They must take on the duty to protect these young people even as you and I do, and to share you and me with them.”

Colin loved Michael even more for the kindness that made him insist on such a point and he quickly agreed to its wisdom.  Then he asked, “And what is your second point, wise seer?”

Michael smiled his rare smile. “That young redhead has the courage of six lions, Colin.  I would not have returned last night but for that boy’s courage. And yet I do not think it was the events of last night which I sense as his great act of courage for us. Fen will be there for us throughout the years, a calm second in command for both our sometimes overly spirited lads, and a trusted aide to our girl. I have this sense that we will live to be forever grateful for him, I suspect, and for every kindness shown to him, he will return it sevenfold. And that is the end of my prophecy.”

Colin was satisfied, and for love of Michael, he resolved to treat the commoner as another child. Indeed, before the week was out, his own scrying showed him the truth of Michael’s instincts – Fen would be a valuable asset to their group. But it was Fen’s quiet courage as he suffered through his slow healing without complaint and with the patience of a druid that earned Colin’s love. 

**********

Michael was exhausted. No, he amended the thought. He was too tired to be exhausted. He would need to sleep for at least a day before he could work up the energy to be exhausted.  He would have gotten a start on that rest but there was no one to take over for him; Colin, Nic, Rafe, Melli – each of them was struggling to care for the innumerable wounded. For Nic, this included Lycan, whose battle against the massive Hell Hound, in defense of his mate and King, had almost killed him. The mighty Wolf Metamorph had amazing recuperative powers, but like Rafe, he had taken his reserves far too low. Michael, Nic and Colin had been able to restore Rafe’s mana reserves, especially since Lycan had brought him back from the brink of death by giving of his own strength, but they were unable to perform the same service for Lycan, at least with respect to his strength.

Lycan had seen Nic safely back to the medical area and even held him through the first night. He’d made the rounds of the medical area, taking stock of the rest of his pack, visiting Bran and Beren, as well as the other injured, and helping with the recovery of the injured until ordered by Michael to rest. By morning, he was barely responsive from a combination of the black poison and other wounds from his battle with the Hell Hound, which he’d kept hidden from Nic.

“Why can’t I give him my strength?” Nic voiced his frustration to his father when Michael stopped by to see how his son’s mate fared. Michael crouched by the pallet where the large man rested. Lycan’s long golden hair, dark with sweat, clung to his neck.

“He has a fever. I will get one of Melli’s herbal teas to bring it down – will you be able to get him to drink it?” Michael looked at Nic closely. He had been able to restore Nic with the energy taken from the Hell Hound but the days and nights of worry had taken their toll; this most light-hearted son of his had grown up over the past week. The gravity sat well on his shoulders but Michael mourned the loss of innocence and youth. On a whim, he placed both hands on Lycan’s forehead and called to him.

Your Cub needs you, Wolf Leader, and your Pack is in pain. End your rest soon

Thank the goddess for Fen, Michael thought. The young Telepath had taken charge of other tasks that needed doing, making sure the food reserves of the Council were found and reliable representatives from each kind of Metamorph were chosen to handle the distribution.

Fen also made a beginning on the immense job of preparing their dead for a proper burial, in accordance with the practices of each of their kind. The humans especially needed help in retrieving the bodies of their dead because they suffered the most losses and had the fewest men left. Fen found Metamorphs who were kind-hearted enough to help the families of men who had fought against them retrieve the bodies of their dead. The Metamorphs, true to the word given to Dominic by their Leaders, had not fought to kill the humans, but simply to stop them from killing them.

The hell hounds, of course, had no such scruples. They cut through the human guards like scythes through weeds. The carnage was devastating, beyond even Michael’s dance magic to repair. Only hard work would do it. So Fen set workers to the task, sad and dispiriting as it was.

As he walked toward the area where he’d last seen Colin, Michael was conscious on some level  of all that Fen was handling, but he was so used to the boy working quietly in the background without complaint, anticipating their needs, that he took it, if not for granted, as part of the natural order of things.

Until he found him crumpled on the ground, his face hidden by his hands, his arms curled around his head. Michael dashed forward, his exhaustion forgotten.

“Fen! Who attacked you? Where are you hurt?” Michael kneeled by Fen’s side. Seeing no obvious wounds he gathered the boy into his arms and gently touched his mind to Fen’s to ask, what is wrong? Tell me so I can help you, son.

Fen buried his face against Michael’s chest. The shaking of his broad shoulders told their own tale, as much as the dampness that was seeping through the coarse linen of Michael’s tunic. Fen, their stoic one, the one who handled the tasks that others were too squeamish for, whose strength never failed and who never let them down – he too had reached his limit.

It was easy to forget that Fen was barely more than a boy himself, he was always so capable. 

But then the blast of pain hit Michael, almost sending him to the ground. He barely managed to get a shield up in time, sending a call out for Colin, as well as Nic and Rafe, if they were strong enough, to come to him.  Given the nature of what he suspected, he did not call Melli, knowing it would only make Fen, a very private person, worse.

Fen has been violated, and empathic powers tapped. He is overwhelmed with them. He needs us now.

As he waited for the others, Michael held Fen close, rocking him gently. The young man keened quietly in his arms. Michael feared for his sanity. He hoped his message got through to the others; they needed to help Fen as quickly as possible and Michael was too tired to do it on his own. He sensed strong empathic power emanated from Fen – far stronger than any of his other gifts. Given the high emotions he’d been surrounded by over the past two days, it was perhaps not surprising, Michael thought grimly, but it was the worse possible time for this to happen to him.

It was a sign of how low their mana was that Nic and Rafe ran up to Michael rather than teleporting. Nic spoke, slightly breathless.

“Colin is in the middle of a difficult healing, Melli is assisting and he could not leave it to her to do alone.  What happened to Fen...oh dear Goddess.” Drawing near, Nic staggered from the psychic wave of empathic pain emanating from Fen; he constructed shields for Rafe and himself, then knelt by his father and foster brother. Rafe took his position behind Fen. Both of them were careful not to touch him, waiting for guidance from their father. Rafe was pale and Nic held out a steadying hand to his twin.

“This is from sex? From losing his virginity alone or was it from....?” Rafe flushed and could not finish.

Michael glanced at his younger son, his keen eyes not missing anything despite his primary focus being on Fen. He suspected that Rafe had considered sex with Melli during their captivity as a way to increase their power – which would have been a risky proposition under the circumstances. A power increase was often not the only result, as poor Fen was demonstrating. Michael spoke quietly in giving his answer, not wanting to disturb Fen, who was calming under the efforts of Nic and his soothing spells.

“I can not be sure until I can delve into Fen’s consciousness, which is in too much pain at the moment from the emotions he is receiving from the humans around us, which he does not know how to block, but I suspect very strongly that this telepathic power of his was just awakened, and since I happen to know that Fen was active in a heterosexual manner, that tells me that somehow he was active sexually with a male very recently.”

“It would not be like Fen to dally when there is still a stick of work to be done,” Nic said reflectively. “Is that why you think he was raped?” Despite the blunt question, Nic maintained the calm, soothing tone Michael used.

“Yes.”

The Emorys bent their minds and mana to the task of soothing Fen, knowing that his sanity could very well hang in the balance. It was fortunate that Michael had come upon him when he did. Telepaths were most fragile when a new skill was unlocked. It was why great care was taken to match royals, the most powerful Telepaths, with compatible mates, and to ensure that their protectors were near when they mated. Michael and Suzanne had six druids right outside the room, and it was only by virtue of Adam’s intercession on their behalf that they had that much privacy.

Looking around, Nic saw evidence that however the tryst ended, Fen had begun it willingly. Two people had consumed a meal – with wine, as an empty flask attested, as did the many crumbs and neatly folded cloths that bespoke Fen’s neatness.  A blanket was partially tucked behind a nearby bush, enough of it showing to tell its own tale. This was not an attack, Nic suspected, but a seduction. The bright whistling that could be heard approaching confirmed his suspicion...and sparked his anger.

When Sturn came strutting into view, his appearance was that of a satisfied male. His long tunic, which was all he wore, was open, displaying how his manhood bounced against his thigh as he walked toward them. His preening smirk changed to concern as he saw that they were gathered around a fallen Fen. He rushed forward but stopped when Rafe stood to block him. There was no mistaking his menacing expression.

“Did you lie with Fen?”  Rafe’s hand was on his sword hilt.

Glancing nervously from the cold-eyed King’s Assassin who questioned him, to the even more deadly looking one who now held his broken looking lover of a mere half hour earlier, Sturn thought to try appealing to King Dominic – and was so shocked by the anger blazing in those violet eyes that first he backed away, then, without thinking it through, he slid out of his tunic and morphed to his bird form, intending to flee. Telepathic power held him motionless in the air, just to show him that it could perhaps. His heart pounded until he thought it would burst. All concern for Fen was forgotten in his fear for his own life in the face of these powerful Telepaths whom he had unwittingly angered. Yet he had been so sure that none of them were involved with the solemn redhead!

As suddenly as his flight had been stayed, Sturn was released. Relieved, but still unthinking, he flew away as fast as he could, thinking to seek shelter with his powerful kinsman, Ran. Little did he know that he had been released merely as an opportunity to show his good intent, to return of his own free will and explain. Not understanding, he lost his chance.

Nic spoke coldly to Rafe. “Inform Ran that I have issued a summons for Sturn. I want him brought to me for a hearing on the charge of grievous injury to a Telepath. Failure to produce him will be viewed most unfavorably as an act by all of the Bird Metamorphs.”

Rafe nodded. He asked Michael, “Is it safe to move Fen to the medical area?”

Michael shook his head. “It is too filled with suffering there. I will have to find a quiet place to care for him. Perhaps one of the Wolf Metamorphs will assist in locating such a place?”

Nic said, “I will find Jax. With Bran injured, he is the one to ask. I will send him to you. I believe the worst has been averted but you are right, he must be kept quiet. And then he must be tutored in shields, a different order of shields. Do you want me to do that?”

Michael shook his head. “Your duties will not permit you that time, though I am glad that you both are here for Fen – he has been laboring non-stop for our goals. I fear that we neglected him and left him prey to someone like Sturn, who neither knew, nor cared, about the damage he could do by lying casually with a Telepath. The old laws of the Kingdoms made such acts a crime for a good reason, though they rarely needed to be enforced, and usually it was the human who suffered for it. A Metamorph....” Michael just shook his head.

Rafe wondered anew at his father’s allowing Nic to mate with Lycan when there were such risks involved – but then, Michael had done so knowing that he and Colin would be close by to assist with any complications. He also suspected that Michael had cast protective spells over Nic to provide as many safeguards as he could to the mating. Thank the goddess, Melli and he would not have such worries. In all honesty, he also was relieved that he had not given in to her increasingly frequent suggestions that they mate without the blessing and knowledge of Michael and Colin. He would never have been able to forgive himself if his action caused Melli such harm as Fen now suffered!

Michael and Rafe arranged to meet Nic at the edge of the village that led to the city; no one ventured outside their small homes in that area after the hell hounds went through. It was a safer area than closer to the medical area or inside the city, both of which were filled with pained and grieving people, many of whom Fen had been laboring to help. The poorest of the Candone residents had possessed stronger survival instincts, and had either stayed in their mean huts, or fled into the woods at the first signs of evil spirits. Except for the superstitious exceptions, most of them had never had anything against the Metamorphs and had refused to join in the Government’s vendetta against them. They’d also felt no need to answer the call to fight against the returning King – the Royals they’d worshiped and had longed for their return. Yet, time had taught them to be cautious, so in the aftermath of the bloody battle, they hid and waited to see what would happen next.

Nic had empathic powers and could sense the presence of the waiting humans but was not sure he wanted to deal with them yet. There were other worries – and at the moment, Fen was paramount, along with Lycan and his father. It had not escaped him that Michael was exhausted, which was why he instructed Rafe to stay behind and carry Fen. They were not using any magic around him except what they needed to block his empathic power from harming him until he learned to shield, but Michael did not have the physical strength to carry the stocky Fen the distance needed.

They all needed rest, Nic realized, considering all that they’d been through over the past several days. But...they were not going to get it so they would have to make do with sharing the tasks as best they could between them.

Wolf, I miss your strong arms, Nic thought wistfully. He wasn’t consciously sending the thought to Lycan, but his mate received it nonetheless. To Melli’s surprise, as she walked into the tent where Lycan was resting, in order to change his dressings and bring him food, the big man was sitting up and shaking his hair vigorously, reminding her of a maned animal.

“You shouldn’t be getting up!” She moved forward to set down the tray she held, determined to press him back down onto the blankets.

Lycan chuckled. “Food looks good. Thank you little sister. But I will take it without the nagging. My Cub needs me so I get up.”

“You are still hurt,” she protested.

Lycan raised an eyebrow. “And so is Dominic, and your Rafael. Lord Michael is beyond hurt. Save the beds for those who need them. I no longer do, as you can see. Your healing arts are skilled, and I thank you for that also – as well as the goddess. I must go now.”

After pulling a tunic over his head that he was glad to find nearby – though not as glad as Melli had been that he’d already donned the clean breeches she’d also left for him the night before – Lycan grabbed the bread and dried meat she’d brought him and strode briskly from the tent. She considered summoning Colin to keep him – he was still very far from healed – but then smiled. Nic’s mate would always find the strength to go to him when he was needed, just as Rafe would go to her. It was just typical that Nic would choose such a...flamboyant....partner to share his life. But he did have a way of growing on you, she decided. As well as a way of showing up when he was most needed.

Lycan paused briefly to check on Bran and Beren, and was pleased to see that they were both healing, though still in a good deal of pain. Colin was with them and while he looked surprised to see Lycan up and about, he did not question it. Lycan appreciated that. He knew he was doing better but he disliked having to make an effort to pretend to be better than he was just to allay foolish worry.

Would Nic worry, he wondered.

The number of injured was staggering. Lycan was glad to get away from the smell, though Colin’s skill with herbs was doing much to keep the stench bearable. He walked more quickly as he sensed Nic’s nearness once he cleared the medical area, breaking into a light run once he saw him talking earnestly to Jax by the edge of a clearing.

The joy on his mate’s face when he saw him approaching was worth any amount of pain. For a moment though, he was afraid Nic would jump into his arms in his excitement at seeing him. And while that would be painful in his current state, that wasn’t the reason he feared such exuberance – he knew that Jax would never let him hear the end of it if he were to be greeted by his mate in such a fashion! Jax was not Bran, and if the younger male were to see the Leader in such a...touching…scene, the whole pack would soon know of it. But Dominic had been trained by Colin well. He contented himself with making Lycan think he was going to humiliate him in front of his lieutenant, as his impish look revealed, while he continued briefing Jax.

It was Jax who lost his composure at seeing his Leader standing tall and looking well after his grievous injuries from battling the huge Hell Hound. He fell to his knees and lowered his head submissively.  Nic was moved to see the usually boisterous, irreverent, and most of all, very proud Metamorph, so humble himself before his leader. Lycan touched his head briefly, then growled softly before giving him a rougher touch on the shoulder.

“Get up, Jax.  You did well in the battle, as did the others. Tell them I am pleased. But the work continues so no time for marveling over how strong your Leader is.”  Lycan grinned at the younger Metamoph, who looked back at him sheepishly, though Nic could still see the hero worship in his eyes. He was glad to see that Lycan’s actions during the battle had solidified his position as Leader, which his questionable taste in mate may have weakened. 

Nic waited until Jax left to accomplish the task he’d given him to assist Michael in finding a quiet place for Fen, and then he moved close to Lycan, reaching up to place his hands on his face, where a beard had started.

“You look more like a lion than a wolf with your golden mane growing longer. Are you well enough to come to me now? I have a task ahead of me that I did not wish to do alone, but Michael and Rafe are busy with important duties of their own right now so you are most welcome if you will not do further injury to yourself.” Nic’s expression was unwontedly grave. Lycan’s response was to pull him against his chest roughly and seek his mouth in a forceful kiss.

Nic was willing, but unusually passive in his arms, and it was not long before Lycan raised his head, a questioning look in his eyes.

“This is my Cub, is it not?” he asked, a teasing note in his voice, though his eyes were serious. Nic sighed and rested his head against the broad chest, wrapping his arms around his mate’s neck. He chose to answer telepathically.

Fen was harmed...badly...by a Metamorph. I am troubled by what it may mean to our Alliance.

Lycan stiffened. He gripped Nic’s arms and set him away slightly. Nic looked up, hurt, but the anger and hurt in Lycan’s eyes made him bank his own reaction.

“What is it, Lyc? This is not a time for us to fight. I’ve upset you, I can see, but please understand that I am very upset myself and if I used the wrong words, no, make that, I did use the wrong words, because my mind is torn apart right now from the strain of what is going on with my father and foster brother, please forgive me. I guess I am not up to the challenge of keeping our peoples together. Help your Cub to do better – I’ve not been a Leader as long as you have. I’ve only known my family and right now, a member of it has been badly hurt, other members of it have been lost following my cause and I am soul sick. And that was before I gave you cause to push me away.”

Lycan’s anger died as quickly as it had flared when he saw how genuinely miserable Nic was. He hugged him close again.

“I am sorry, Cub, for losing my temper over misspoken words. I should trust you more. Tell me what happened and I will try not to lose my temper again. How is Fen – he is as strong as a bear – surely he is not mortally wounded? Who attacked him, and how?”

“We must go into the city while we talk,” Nic said, a bit awkward about beginning the tale again, at least while he still didn’t know how he had angered Lycan. He had been blocking his usual empathic skills in order to avoid being affected by Fen, but running his words over in his head, he was appalled by how he had spoken. Sturn’s treatment of Fen – which they still did not know the details of – had been wrong, but it was the act of one individual, not an act to be held against all Metamorphs! He’d sounded like the worse of racists in his speech, and it was no wonder his mate had reacted as he had. It must have appeared that he was now showing his true beliefs now that the Metamorphs had helped him achieve victory over the Authority.

Though what a bitter victory it was proving, Nic thought, as he looked over the bloody ground, still littered with bodies that Fen’s workers had not yet had time to remove.

Which brought his thoughts back to Fen. He was sure the Fen he’d known since they both were children, the diligent, conscientious Fen, the one who had long admired Melli and Magda, but preferred the uncomplicated attentions of the Kenway women when his physical needs pressed too strongly – that Fen would never have dallied in the bushes with Sturn.  Nic turned toward Lycan, who was waiting patiently for him to tell him what had happened, when Colin made a sudden appearance in the clearing ahead of them. Before realizing who it was, Lycan growled and pushed Nic behind him. Nic recognized the feel of Colin’s magic but he understood Lycan’s concern – the arrival of an unexpected teleport could be disconcerting.

Colin reached the same conclusion, seeing Lycan’s expression, and was quick to apologize.

“Please forgive me, Lycan. I was so eager to reach Dominic and you, I did not think to give advance warning of my joining you.”

Lycan nodded his acceptance of the apology but did not speak. He was still waiting to find out what was going on. He wished he’d had the chance to speak with his mate alone – though had their disagreement not happened, he supposed, Colin’s interruption may well have proved more untimely as Lycan had hoped to become reacquainted with Nic’s fine body. He saw no need to share that fact with Colin. He was perplexed as to why the druid had decided to follow so soon after he had left him behind at the medical tent. That was soon explained.

“What is it, Colin? Fen is not worse, is he? You were unable to leave earlier, but now?” Nic’s worry made his voice unusually sharp. Lycan moved closer to him, seeking to lend comfort as well as strength. Colin was surprised by Nic’s tone but did not take offense. He too felt out of sorts; the lack of Michael’s calming touch on all of their minds, he suspected. Michael had withdrawn his magic to focus completely on the injured Fen.

“I do not have reason to believe Fen is worse and I am sorry for leading you to believe that. Michael has him stabilized – with the help that you and Rafe gave him initially. Now it is a matter of keeping him calm and teaching him how to build his own mental defenses, which will be slow work with the power already triggered at such a high level, I am afraid. But if anyone is up to the task, it is Michael. I am concerned only because he is so weary. In Fen’s case, his weariness is to our advantage as it will help him rest. If Lycan permits, Jax has offered his strength to Michael, if he is able to tap into it as Lycan has been able to loan his to us. I do not believe he will be able to lend it to the same degree, but there is a magical core to all Metamorphs, I believe, and Jax has come through the battles relatively unscathed so is strong enough to lend Michael power enough even if it is but a small portion of his own. Is that acceptable to you, Lycan?”

“Of course,” Lycan said, surprised that Colin would think he had to ask. A pack member would always help another of the pack, especially an elder, which Michael would be considered, despite his youthful appearance. He was Nic’s sire, and that was enough for all to accord him the greatest respect, even if he had not earned it on his own merits.

Nic was leaning back against Lycan’s chest, a patient expression on his face now that he knew that Fen was safe with Michael, but wishing he could teleport away with Lycan for a week alone somewhere. No death, no duties, just the two of them and a soft bed of pine in a quiet wood.

Colin’s voice interrupted his contemplation of such a scene.

“I had a strong vision after Lycan left – and I realized what has wrong with our victory, why no one has been celebrating,” he began. Nic interrupted him with an incredulous laugh.

“You just realized – from a strong vision -- what is wrong?” Nic repeated. “There are dozens lying in that makeshift sickbay in the woods, many of them near death despite your skill and all our combined magic, the fields around us are littered with bodies of both our foes and the innocent citizens of this city, while the unburied bodies of our allies await proper attention.”

Nic’s voice cracked with emotion. Colin reached out his hand and placed it on the younger man’s arm.

“Dominic...please...I wish I had Michael’s power to soothe with a thought. But I do not. I can tell you, though, that you do, and the fact that you are not using it, is a sign that you are not yourself. Michael’s running off, wanting to find a cave at first, I understand – while he is right to get Fen away from a crowd – he is wrong to isolate himself from the rest of us.”

Nic refrained from reacting hotly – but it was difficult. Colin was glad to see that he controlled himself, but he saw the difficulty and was concerned by how close to the surface Nic’s emotions were. While Nic was the more volatile twin, he was also the cheerier one, and always quick to pick up on the emotions of others. Right now, Colin was exhausted and barely holding together himself – it was not like Nic to be so uncaring about him, he thought, before pushing aside the thought as unworthy. They were all exhausted and pushed to the limits of their endurance, and beyond. Nic was King, and with that position came the greatest responsibility, which he could not help but feel weighing heavily on him. It was their duty to help him in every way they could and not look to him for support.

Even as he reached that point in his thoughts and was ready to proceed, Nic was moving against him and wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug. He sent his telepathic thoughts to Colin and Lycan.

Forgive me, Advisor, Wolf, please forgive me. I feel...shattered...by all that has happened over the past two days, following as it has the worry over Rafe and Melli. Seeing Lycan fight that beast, and then Michael battle it, all the death, the loss of Keir, the injuries to Bran and Beren and Donal, and now Fen...I feel as though I cannot take any more and yet I know I must. I know that you and Father lost so much more, endured so much more when you were my age and you did not have all the help that I have, but I feel so unready. Help me be the King these brave people deserve.

Lycan’s strong arms came around both Nic and Colin, giving them his strength and warmth. The three of them stood together for several long moments, each restoring the others in his own way until they felt their balance was regained.

First to step back, Nic bestowing a warm squeeze on Colin’s arms and remaining close to Lycan, Nic spoke cheerily, a trace of his dimples appearing as he said, “Well, I confess, that was a big help.  Michael did say when he vanquished the Hell Hound that we would take time to grieve before celebrating...and answering questions...but I did not expect my questions to go unanswered this long. We hardly have had time to see each other, much less discuss what happened or what to expect next. Nor did I quite realize then how badly the day had gone, I was so caught up in the euphoria of having Rafe with me and of knowing the he and I, as well as my bondmate had survived that final battle. Michael warned me that we were far from done but I, in my well known foolishness, did not really believe him. Give me the advice that you have come to give me, Advisor, and if you can lend me some of your wisdom while you are at it, it would be gratefully received.”

“Let us sit for a moment and I will give you the advice I can...and may the goddess grant that it is wise. I brought you both food also. Lycan left with only a few quick bites, he was so eager to get to your side, and I know you need to replenish your strength.”

Colin removed bread and wine from his pack. Lycan was pleased to see that there was also a portion of meat for him. After Colin asked for the goddess’ blessing and gave thanks, he handed out the food. They ate quietly for a few moments, but finally Colin was ready to speak. The druid was fond of his rituals, Lycan had learned, but he’d also noticed that they served to calm his Cub. Much like the various wrestling and games that the pack engaged in after a hunt settled its members down, he surmised, these Royals needed their rituals around daily activities like greeting each other and eating to settle their powerful minds. It was good to know.

“Your words show that you have already reached the same conclusion that my advice was to give you, Nic, so you are far too hard on yourself. You are far readier than you give yourself credit for being and, if Michael and I have not taken the time to tell you how very proud we are of you, that is our failing and we must ask for your forgiveness. You achieved everything we asked of you and more – but we now must ask even more. Paramount of which will be...to continue on as you have begun. You must now assume your throne. Our Allies, and indeed, those whom we hope to lead, the citizens of the city, as well as we also, need to take the time to celebrate what has been so dearly won, with blood and sacrifice. We will mourn our dead, but we will do so in honor, from the Court of the King, that building that has been known as the Council Building. It must be scrubbed clean of the taint of demon and dark magic. The abused bodies of our allies’ kin must be retrieved if they can and we must make a careful search for more prisoners such as Ran’s son. This must be done in haste and if possible, in secret, so that....”

“So that I can make a triumphant entry to my Court in full view of everyone on my beautiful Ice, with my Bondmate on my right side, and my Heir and his Queen on my left on his Fire. Is that how you saw it in your vision?”

Nic’s amethyst eyes were the color of the sky at dusk, Lycan thought, seeing the light in them as his mate painted an image for him of their entry into Candone. But first they had a task to complete.

“I will go to the Council House,” Lycan declared. “But perhaps Nic should stay behind, rest.”

The look Nic gave him told him exactly what he thought of that idea and there was no need for the words to appear in his mind – those eyes could speak quite well on their own, Lycan thought, grinning to himself.

Colin ignored the byplay between the two newly bonded men and continued.

“You both should go. It will be a difficult task but the time together will make it easier. And I believe, though I cannot be sure, that you may find some help before you are done.”

Despite Nic’s best efforts to get more information out of him, Colin would not give more to him about the help he might get, but he did give him guidance on how to go about slipping into the center of the city unseen. Colin promised to check on Michael and Fen later, and to relay the message to Jax that he was to do whatever Michael needed.

“Come back by early morning, Nic, Lycan,” Colin instructed them as they readied to leave. Nic raised a questioning brow.

“I did not plan to stay away long, Colin, but is there a special reason you wish us back with the dawn?”

Colin hesitated, then looked innocently at Nic. “No. I just hope to proceed with the next part of our plan, your entry into the City as triumphant King, as soon as possible. The dawn of a new day is auspicious, do you not agree?”

Nic knew that Colin was not speaking the whole truth but decided to let it go. With a final blessing, Colin left them. Nic hoped he would check on Michael soon. He knew that is where he wished to go, but as usual, duty called. With a sigh, he looked toward the city.

“Shall we head toward the Council House?” he asked Lycan, indicating the path with a nod of his head.

Lycan smiled and glanced toward a cluster of bushes. “How long do you think it would take us to walk there?”

Nic shrugged. “At a normal pace and not one of your killing jogs? An hour, maybe a little less.”

“And how long would it take us if you did your magic travel?” Lycan moved closer, close enough to lick along the back of Nic’s neck, causing him to shiver in a completely delicious way. He’d forgotten how wonderful Lycan’s touch was. How could he ever have forgotten something so important?

He tried to remember what the question was that he’d been asked but he was having trouble forming thoughts, especially since his mate’s large, warm hands were moving down his body, unfastening his shirt and breeches very slowly but efficiently, caressing the skin beneath as he did so.

“Hmm?” Lycan murmured, his breath warm in Nic’s ear.

“Your question again?” Nic asked softly, allowing his weight to be borne completely by Lycan, who carried him to the privacy afforded by the bushes.

“Never mind, you’ve answered it well enough, Cub.”

Nic gave himself over to the pleasure of his Bondmate’s skill, shutting out all thoughts but how they felt together, skin and tongues, hands and mouths, and then blessed member driving deep inside him, filling him to the point of pain-almost – but then ecstasy crashing over him, Lycan’s big body covering him like a pleasure blanket. He grinned at the fanciful image.

Lycan grunted and lifted himself up on his elbows. “If I am a blanket, you must be a pillow,” he told him teasingly.   Nic laughed joyously, the sound a welcome one to his Wolf after the days of solemnity. He tugged on a dark curl and Nic’s dimples deepened.

“I cannot believe you ‘heard’ that thought. You are becoming as attuned to my thoughts as my brother...more so! I must learn to guard them more closely.”

Lycan raised an eyebrow. “Why would you do that?”

Nic drew his own brows together and then nodded. “You are right. We should be even closer than twins, though I would have said that there was nothing closer. But we are as one. It is odd to me still, as unlike most bonded persons, I’ve already had a bond that was very deep and close. Colin used to warn Rafe and me that we would have to be careful not to let our twin bond get in the way of our bondmate connection, but I think it has made me more prepared to be a bondmate. I hope to be a good mate to you, Lycan, as you are a perfect mate to me.”

It was Lycan’s turn to laugh loudly, and when Nic’s expression was hurt, he rolled onto his back and hugged his Cub close. “So your ‘perfect’ mate shows his imperfection already by hurting your feelings by laughing at your sweet compliment!  I did not laugh at your wish to be a good mate, Cub, but at the idea that you need to do anything more to please me. You already please me greatly, and you should know that. As I know that I please you, even though I am far from perfect. If I were perfect, I believe I would be tedious to you, as tedious as the perfect Lady Mellisande and Lord Rafael, who are quite well-suited to each other.”

Nic started to protest in defense of his twin, if not of Melli, who could be a bit annoying in her perfectionist ways, but the wickedly amused look in Lycan’s golden eyes made him pause. Instead, he pretended to consider Lycan’s words carefully before saying.

“There is much to what you say. If they are the perfect pair, then we must be perfectly matched in our imperfection, though you assure me that we are both of us a mess. Which I think we are at the moment, though I’m glad it is you who is on the bottom now and have the twigs and dirt pressing into your back. Would you mind brushing my back off for me with those large paws of yours...?”

Before Nic could finish, Lycan was vigorously scrubbing at his back with his “paws” – so vigorously that Nic yelped and soon begged him laughingly to stop. Suddenly, Lycan grew still, silencing Nic with a look. It was unnecessary. Nic’s own senses had alerted him to the approach of strangers. Rather than worry about being discovered, Nic reached out an arm for their clothes, and, clutching them close, teleported the two of them away to the area between the Council House and the Druid Tower, trusting that a site so close to the Hell Hound’s demise would be deserted.

Reappearing, naked, on the small hillside where he had reunited with his brother, Nic dropped the clothes as he felt again the emotions of that moment. Could it only have been two days ago?  He felt his shirt being dropped over his head, and then Lycan handed him his breeches.

“Come, Cub, dress. It would be unseemly for the King’s backside to be seen by his subjects – as comely as that backside may be.”

Nic shook off the shadows and stepped into his breeches quickly. “My family always relies on me to lighten the mood when it darkens; I cannot tell you how much I appreciate having someone else do the same for me, Wolf!” He flashed his warm smile at Lycan.

Lycan grinned back. He didn’t need to be told, he didn’t miss much and in the little that he’d seen of Nic’s interactions with his birth family, he’d seen how effortless he made it seem to be the light-hearted one, yet he also knew that his Cub was deeper and more sensitive than he pretended to be. Not that he was not naturally cheerful, he was, his aura revealed that, but Nic also took it upon himself to carry the emotions of his family on his shoulders. His sire had the ability to comfort and strengthen, but it was Dominic who lightened their hearts and brought joy to the more serious members of his family.

Michael had the dance to restore himself – Lycan vowed that Nic would always have him to bring his spirits back in balance, no matter what it took.

Mating was a very satisfying way to bring both their spirits into alignment with nature, Lycan thought, grinning as he laced his own breeches loosely. But he vowed to be there in the more sensitive ways that Nic seemed to need, the talking, whether aloud or in their minds. Nic could talk a lot. He seemed to need it like Lycan needed physical activity.

They truly were blessed by the goddess when the guards chased Nic and his brother into the tavern that Lycan and his men had chosen for their end of trading party that night. Wise are the ways of the goddess, Lycan marveled as he considered what that seemingly random act had led to.

Come Wolf, are you with me?

Always, Cub, always.

**********

Michael sat cross-legged on the floor before the fire that Jax had built up high. If it were not for his deep concern over Fen, he could find it possible to relax and get some much-needed rest, he thought ruefully. The abandoned cottage Jax had found was pleasantly snug, and the resourceful Metamorph had found bread and fresh water for them. It was simple fare but welcome.

“I will bring wine and cheese back for you later, Lord Michael, if Lord Colin cannot come to you himself,” Jax promised before leaving. “Tell the Little Bear that I will pray to the goddess for his recovery. He is a good one – if I catch the one who harmed him....”

The big Metamorph did not need to finish his vow – Michael understood him perfectly. He nodded his thanks. For the sake of the Alliance between Metamorphs and Telepaths, Michael knew that he should discourage any retaliation; even more, he wanted any punishment that was meted out to be done by him or his sons. But he appreciated that Lycan’s pack saw Fen as one of their own.

Thinking over the allegiances that Nic had won from the very disparate Metamorph groups, Michael had to admit that he felt much more comfortable with some of them than with others. He sensed that Nic did as well, although, as with so many important issues, they’d not yet had a chance to discuss it. Nor had he had a chance to talk to Rafe about what he’d gone through in his captivity. He knew it had been harsh, although thankfully not as bad as it might have been. Neither he nor Melli had been violated or badly beaten, and for that it seemed Michael owed a debt to the misguided Benra. Rafe did tell Colin and him how the old druid had sacrificed himself to save Melli. Nic had thought it was the least he could do, given how he had tricked them all, but Michael tended to feel it was an honorable act on the part of a man facing the horror of his own wrong choice. Having feared that he might have made a disastrously wrong decision in entrusting Lycan with his beloved son, Michael felt sympathy for Benra in the end.

But not for Sturn. It had taken all of his skill at soothing to ease Fen into sleep; he’d practically had to render him comatose and he’d feared for the young man’s sanity if he had not been able, with Nic and Rafe’s help, to block his newly awakened empathic power. If the levels remained anywhere near what they were when they found him, and they had not permanently damaged them by what hey had needed to do to save his mind – Fen would be a powerful Empath indeed. Michael wondered if Sturn’s obvious glamour as a Metamorph, which bore a resemblance to the Telepathic ability of allure, was more evidence that their peoples were more closely related than either had realized?  Or could it be that Sturn was part Telepath or that Fen was part Metamorph?  With Fen’s parentage being unknown, anything was possible, Michael decided, though he resolved to find out more about the Starling if he did not kill him first.

Michael took advantage of the quiet to meditate, his first chance in days. He went into only a light meditative state since he wanted to be aware if Fen stirred, but found it was dark and the fire reduced to embers before he stretched and opened his eyes. Colin’s magic as he teleported into the room had brought him to awareness.

“I am sorry, I did not wish to disturb you,” Colin said. He continued, talking quickly, almost chattering. “I’d hoped to start a new fire and have a meal prepared to break your fast before you finished. I hope you are refreshed. Fen is sleeping quietly, it seems. He looks better than Rafe described his earlier state. This was a good choice, to bring him here. The medical area is too crowded. I almost envy you this peace. I let Melli and Rafe convince me that it would be acceptable for me to come away for an hour or so to join you for a meal and check on Fen myself.” 

Colin was emptying his pack as he talked, his movements quick and jerky, not at all like his usual graceful way of moving. Michael opened his arms in silent invitation and Colin with a soft sigh, moved into them with only a moment’s hesitation.

After a long moment in which the two men just held each other, Michael spoke.

“Talk to me, Colin, but in your usual way. Take your time. We will have time to eat. And I will make love to you with our bodies and you will show your love for me as well. Because we both need that also. We must feed bodies and souls or the evil that has surrounded us will envelop us as it almost enveloped young Fen today. I realized that it becomes impossible to bring someone into the light when you are living in the shadows yourself. Nic and Lycan are careful to pull each other out of the darkness when they see the other in danger – we must do the same for each other now that we are lovers as we have done for so many years as friends and parents. Only then can we continue to be strong for our children and for ourselves and each other.”

“I am supposed to be the advisor, but this is the second time today that I find myself receiving the better advice,” Colin pretended to complain. He relished the feeling of Michael’s arms around him. Michael kissed him gently.

“Let us eat.”

The men ate and talked and let the evening progress as it would. Colin felt himself letting go of tensions that had kept him tied in knots for days, ever since Nic and Rafe’s fateful trip to the mainland to rescue Keir. The thought of the brave boy who’d had so little time with them and yet who’d wanted a family so badly – and appreciated the chance to have one with them so much that he lay down his life for them – brought his sorrow back to him.

Michael tugged on his shoulders so that they were reclining on the blanket he’d placed before the fire. Fen was sleeping peacefully now, the relaxed mood of his two foster fathers seeping into his consciousness and giving him comfort. Michael glanced over to satisfy himself that the young man was still resting well before turning his full attention to his partner. He stroked the smooth face, running his fingers lightly over the high cheekbones.

“Do not grieve now, Colin. Let us think of the good moments. Keir was too young to die, but he died well and he went to meet the goddess as happy as anyone could hope to be at their final moment on Terrafyn. I was able to read his thoughts at the end and he was remembering his days on the island, his time with the girls and us as golden times, the brightest times in an otherwise dark life.”

Colin thought that Michael’s presence, in Keir’s mind in that final moment, helped lead the brave child to the light in the midst of the utter darkness of that battlefield. Colin held his broken body, but it was Michael who lifted his spirit upward to the goddess.

“I love you, Colin,” Michael said quietly, shifting so that he was beneath Colin. He looked up at his bondmate, his eyes the deep green of the island forest, and there was no need for further words between them. Colin moved over the smooth, muscular body of his beautiful partner in the rhythms of the intimate dance he was taught in the cave overlooking the sea. Their magic blended and swirled about them as their bodies merged, and Colin could hardly believe it but it was even better than before as he was transported to another dimension.

Literally.

The cottage, with its fire and rough dirt floor beneath the coarse blanket disappeared and Colin saw only Michael and what appeared to be clouds and stars in a night sky.  It was beyond incredible, to have no other anchor to their usual realm of existence than Michael’s body wrapped around him and their own magical cores. 

But even with the greatest lover in the Three Kingdoms, and Colin was willing to vow that Michael was without peer in that category, at some point, one must return to Terrafyn.

Stoking the fire while Colin checked Fen, Michael asked, his voice casual, “Do you think you now are ready to tell me what you saw in your scrying?”

Colin started in surprise. He shook his head ruefully. “Is it possible to keep a secret from you?”

Michael gave the rhetorical question serious consideration. “Not as much as before, not for you, dear druid. Not that I will be able to keep anything from you very easily either, although I suspect I will find it less difficult than you, simply because I was raised to keep secrets.”

Thinking of life in his father’s court, and then later among the brothers, Colin doubted that, but did not comment. Benra’s deviousness was learned, not natural but now was not the time to have that discussion. Michael was waiting for an explanation and Colin rather liked that their bonding made them close enough to make communication so easy – lack of communication had been a problem for them in the past. It was one of the reasons he felt compelled to tell Michael of his vision as soon as possible despite his decree that he be left alone to heal Fen.

“I saw trouble coming – for Nic’s chances of taking the throne. Elkind’s daughter is coming, along with many of his people whom he’d left behind, and she is not coming as an ally. Also, this ...trouble with Fen has the potential to escalate and cause problems with the Bird Metamorphs. Ran is Nic’s firm ally but his son has come back a changed man. There is conflict coming over the humans, who will need a great deal of help and Nic needs to be established as King as soon as possible. If his first act as King is to mete out punishment to one of the ‘heroes’ of the Metamophs, and if he does not handle well the daughter of one of the slain Metamorph leaders – the only slain Metamorph leader, when she lodges a kin debt – the Alliance could still fall apart. He needs us by his side.”

“And we will be. But we need to let him be King,” Michael said firmly. “The news about Elkind’s daughter is useful to have advance notice of – we’ll need Nic back from the task you have set him – and yes, I have picked up on it. He’s been keeping me close to his thoughts, almost too close given his activities with Lycan,” Michael grinned. “And he’s had some good fortune there. But I’ll let him tell you. You were wise to let him handle that part of this mission. You knew I was dreading it?”

Colin nodded. The Candone Council House had been Michael’s father’s Court – not a place he ever spent much time in – his father had such a short reign – but Adam had sent him there from time to time. The layout was similar enough to evoke memories of Adam’s Court, especially the stairs, which were a repeated architectural feature inside and out. Lovely...but never again to Michael’s eyes. Colin would suggest to Nic that they be redesigned as soon as the chance arose.

Michael was looking at Fen. “I will give him a full night’s rest before waking him. We all need it but I know you will not stay that long. Can I convince you to stay with me a few hours longer before you return to the medical area? If you can send Rafe and Melli here two hours before dawn, I will go to Nic and Lycan and bring them back so that we can all make an entry into the city together. Then we will move the injured to safer quarters within the Court and its out buildings, and we can continue with the distribution of food and medical supplies to the townspeople from within the city, instead of like beggars camping on the hillside.  That is your plan, is it not?”

Colin nodded, relieved that Michael understood and was not going to argue the need to use the Council House – to restore it to its former purpose, that of King’s Court.

Michael shook his head. “Actually, Colin, I do not want to use that building. I hope to get Nic to ask Lycan’s men to build a new Court as soon as possible, with the aid of our Second Kingdom skills – you’d be amazed at how quickly a beautiful new Court can be constructed once the proper materials are located. And those wolves are amazing at finding what one needs. If you will design it, that is. I know what I want but I am useless at designing it so that it can be built. Rafe will be able to implement your plans.”

Colin stared in amazement. Michael just smiled his charming smile at him.

“But...what would you have Nic do with the Council House then?” Colin felt he should raise some objection.

“Make it a memorial to those who fell in the battle...and during the long years of persecution,” Michael answered promptly. “We will use it for now to treat the wounded and to honor the dead properly. Then we will make sure it serves as a memorial so the ages that follow do not forget what happened in Candone. I do not want there to be any doubt later, as there is about what happened to Adam and Suzanne. Let those who bore witness tell the tale and we will write their stories down in stone and metal, and cast spells to protect the words and images.”.

Michael’s eyes looked into the fire but he was seeing something else as he said, “We must do all we can to make sure that when we finally defeat this evil, it is never allowed to take root and grow in Terrafyn again.”

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