by Tora Moon
“But none of us saw anything during our watch.”
“They can be quite stealthy and are intelligent. See.” He pointed to the print by his foot. “This is as close as they approached the cave. Nobody would have seen them.”
Jaehaas looked at the print and then back at the cave, measuring the distance with his eyes. “At this distance, no one would see them. I certainly didn’t.”
“Hey, what are you looking at?” Aistrun loped toward them. He looked down and said, “Oh, those don’t look good. Are we going to have problems with them today?”
“We could,” Blazel answered. “If we seem weak or have stragglers, they’ll attack. So we need to make sure to stay together, no spreading out like we have been doing. Stick close to your lady today; don’t let her out of your sight.”
Aistrun snorted. “That will work with Chariel and Wisah, but Rizelya? Not a chance, unless you want her angry at you.”
“Better angry and safe,” Blazel said.
“This is a Red we’re talking about, and not just any fighter, but an alpha,” Aistrun said. “And she could fight circles around you.”
“Ahem.”
Blazel whirled around to see Rizelya, her eyes narrowed and her mouth in a tight line.
“So what is it you’re not going to tell me,” Rizelya spat out, “and guard me like I was a fluff with no brain and incapable of taking care of myself?”
Blazel shuffled his feet under her glare. The movement of his feet drew her attention to the paw print.
“Oh, a sabertiger’s, right?” She scanned the area. “Looks like there were a few here last night, just out of our sight. Crafty beasts.”
Rizelya took a step closer to Blazel and grabbed the neck of his shirt and twisted. She was a full foot shorter than he was, so she had to stand on her toes to reach, but it didn’t stop her from slowly cutting off his air. By the Warrior, she’s strong.
“Let me remind you, cur,” she ground out as she twisted, “who is the alpha and leader of this little expedition. I am. Not you. You will tell me everything so I can keep all of us safe. Do you understand?”
Blazel nodded. She let him go and he bent over, gasping for breath.
“I told you, man,” Aistrun said to Blazel in a low voice, “you don’t want to make her angry at you. You’re lucky she didn’t use her helbraught on you.”
Blazel stopped gasping and stood up, rubbing his neck. He realized she hadn’t hurt him, just showed him who was in charge.
“Is it safe for us to leave?” Rizelya asked him. The anger had fled from her face.
“We should be, if we stay close together and show we’re not afraid, and therefore not prey.” He looked again at the multiple tracks and their relation to the cave. “I think they were just curious about who had invaded their territory. At least I hope that’s all they were doing.”
“Jaehaas, keep your bow handy today,” Rizelya said. “Aistrun and Blazel take turns running in your wolf forms where your senses are more acute.”
“What about going in our warrior form?” Aistrun asked.
Rizelya looked the two of them over. “I suspect Blazel can shift quickly between forms, but what about you Aistrun? How fast can you shift into your warrior?”
Fur boiled over his arms and bones moved under his skin. A moment later Aistrun stood in his warrior form. He reversed the process just as quickly and stood as a man, panting and with sweat sheening his face. “I’ve been practicing.”
“Then run as warriors. It should be pretty obvious to the sabertigers you are the greater predator.” Rizelya looked back over her shoulder to the cave. “Keep a close watch on the girls. Keep them safe.” She turned and glared at Blazel. “I’ll take care of myself.” She stalked back to the cave.
“I’ll take first shift,” Blazel said when she was out of hearing range.
“Good choice,” Aistrun said. “It’ll give her some time to cool off.”
“It looks like the ladies be ready to go,” Jaehaas said. With a flick of his tail, he trotted off to help Wisah secure the packs on the multas.
The sabertigers continued to track them as they rode ever northward. The trees thinned and the ground grew rockier. The felines leaped from rock to rock above the trail the group followed. Jaehaas had fired a warning shot at them earlier and now they always stayed out of his range. So far they hadn’t done anything more than keep pace.
The path began to switchback up the mountain. Aistrun shifted into his warrior form as well, and Rizelya kept her helbraught in her hands, guiding her horse with her knees. The path remained wide enough for two horses. When they topped the ridge and dropped back down, Blazel breathed in relief that they hadn’t been attacked. They were now in Phengriff territory. The pride should stay on the other side.
He and Aistrun remained in their warrior form as they walked away from the pass. Blazel’s shoulder blades twitched as if someone were watching him, and he kept an eye on the surrounding trees but didn’t see or smell any sabertigers. They should start seeing the Phengriffs floating high in the air. The shadows stretched as the sun sank lower on the horizon. Blazel watched for the cave he knew was in the area.
Rizelya rode her horse toward him until she was pacing next to him. “Blazel, is there a safe place to stop for the night? It’s getting late.”
“I know, looking for cave … there!” He pointed with a claw at a black hole not far up the mountain, then clambered up the slope, rocks skittering down the side. The cave was empty of critters; none had claimed it since he’d been here last. Standing at the edge, he waved for the others to follow him up.
The horses scrambled up the slope, rocks slipping and sliding underneath them. The multas also scampered up, their large platter-like feet easily gripping the rocks.
Aistrun puffed up last and sank to the ground in front of the cave. “Whew,” he said. Shivers ran through his body, and after a few moments his human form sprawled across the ledge. He looked up at Blazel with a sad face. “I haven’t ever stayed this long in warrior form. Please tell me this cave has hot pools in it.”
Not seeing any danger, Blazel let his warrior form flow away from him. His change was painless and effortless, like it should be. He stretched, relieving the tingles of the change, and reacquainting himself with his natural form.
“Sorry, this cave only has a fresh-water spring for drinking,” he said.
The horses taken care of, the women exited the cave and went off in search of firewood. Blazel started to go after them, then stopped when Rizelya glared at him and held up her helbraught. He wondered if he’d made an irrevocable error that morning. She hadn’t spoken to him, except as necessary, all day.
The next day, they crossed over the rocky mountain cap and dropped into the tree-line. They were now in Phengriff territory and Blazel keep watch on the air above them, hoping to catch sight of one. It wasn’t until mid-morning that he spotted a large shape high overhead.
“Look!” Blazel yelled. “A Phengriff.”
Rizelya put a hand up to shade her eyes. “Really? All I see is a dark splotch.”
Another blot joined the first, and then another and another, until six large forms circled above them. Blazel waved his arms to catch their attention.
“They didn’t see us,” Rizelya said as the Phengriffs disappeared from sight.
“No, we must have been too far away. A scout flight will see us eventually,” Blazel assured her. “We’re in their territory now. They won’t let us wander for long without stopping us.”
The trail they followed took them through a deep, narrow canyon. Thick bushes hung on the canyon walls. The floor was a soft sand the horses sank into with every step. High above in the cliff, dark cave openings loomed. As they passed beneath them, something darted from one of the caves and dived at Blazel. The creature had a flat face with a pug nose, pointy ears, small eyes and sharp tusks sticking out of its mouth. The sparsely furred body was about four feet long. Leathery wings flapped nearly soundlessly. Sha
rp talons sped toward him.
“Baethor!” he shouted. He ducked and felt the rush of the hideous creature’s wings just above his head. Another one streaked toward him. He pulled his helstrablade from its sheath and stabbed at its belly. Dark green ichor sizzled on his face, burning him.
“’Ware their ichor,” he yelled. “It’s acid.”
Suddenly a fire shield shimmered above him. He whirled around to find it surrounding the whole group. When the baethor hit it, flames flared, driving them away. Dozens of creatures flapped above and around them, just outside the shield.
“I don’t think they’re going to leave us alone,” Rizelya cried out as a beast slammed into the shield.
“No, they won’t,” Blazel said, cringing as another creature hit the shield. “They’re single-minded. They won’t leave until either they or we are dead.”
“You need to shift. I’ll put a shield around the girls and horses. And then we fight.”
Blazel and Aistrun slid off their horses, throwing the reins to Chariel and Wisah. In moments, two warriors towered above the women. Blazel snarled. Aistrun howled. The creatures flew back and bumped together in confusion. Blazel dropped his jaw open in a grin. Sound affects them.
He howled again, but this time heard a high-pitched tone weave through it. He let his howl go and turned to see Chariel making the sound. She wasn’t precisely singing—the sound she made wasn’t pretty. The baethor flapped in agitation, many crashing into each other or the canyon walls. Wisah joined Chariel in making the eerie tones. Rizelya grinned like a mad-woman and dropped the shield in front of the men.
The beasts who were not disoriented saw the men, and with screeches of anger dove to attack them. One dove straight at him, and he swiped his claws at it, tearing a long gash into its belly. Another one flapped into him. He snarled and sank his powerful jaws into its neck. Gagh! They taste awful. He shook his head, flinging the foul thing away from him. He glanced up to see Rizelya’s helbraught glowing, orange and red flames dancing on the blade, dead baethor piling up around her feet. Creatures were bursting into flame from Jaehaas’s flaming arrows.
No matter how many baethor they killed, more seemed to come at them. There were a lot more bodies littering the canyon floor than the original swarm. Blazel’s fur was covered in ichor, and he was getting sluggish with fatigue. Aistrun looked to be the same. Rizelya had kicked bodies to the side so she could move. Chariel and Wisah had quit toning and sagged over the necks of their horses. Somehow, Rizelya kept the fire shield over them even as she fought. Jaehaas looked grim as he nocked one of his few remaining fire arrows. They couldn’t keep this up much longer.
* * *
Rizelya kicked another body out of her way. The baethor seemed to be a never-ending swarm. They had killed hundreds and still were being attacked. Fighting these relatively small creatures was different than fighting the Malvers monsters, although their ichor was just as acidic. After suffering the first burn, she’d wrapped a fire shield around herself. She wished Dehali were with them; they could use her air Talent. As she stabbed her helbraught blade into another creature, she vowed she’d never allow someone to break up her squad-pack again. She needed all of her people.
The fire shield around Chariel and Wisah was weakening. Rizelya couldn’t hold it much longer. She looked over to where Blazel and Aistrun continued to valiantly swipe creatures from the air, even though they seemed to be moving through thick mud. Jaehaas pulled his bow back and loosed another arrow. There were few left in his quiver. They needed to end this fight now or risk losing. She gritted her teeth and swung determinedly again at a swooping creature. I’m not ready to die!
A deafening screech echoed off the canyon walls. A huge shadow blocked the sun. Sweet Mother, what now?
Rizelya glanced up to see a huge Phengriff soaring above the canyon. His tawny feline body was fourteen feet long, excluding his tail, his head and wings were those of an eagle, and he glowed. The light in the canyon dimmed from his humongous wings; he had to have a nearly forty-foot wingspan. He snapped them back to dive, and the thunderous blast made Rizelya cringe. The shock made her lose her tenuous hold on the shield over the girls, who threw their hands over their heads as they realized they were now exposed.
“Are they here to help us?” she yelled at Blazel, who had a huge grin on his face.
He nodded.
The baethor immediately broke off from attacking Rizelya and the others to face the menace above them. A smaller shape streaked past the behemoth, this one a hawk-like Phengriff. As he neared the creatures, the nimbus of light surrounding him exploded into flames. Fire shot from the Phengriff, igniting the baethor, which fell from the sky, turning into ash before it hit the ground. Several more Phengriffs entered the fight with claws and fire.
Rizelya and the men ran to regroup with Chariel and Wisah. The horses pranced, their eyes white with fear. Rizelya grabbed Kymaya’s, Jezhan’s, and Lighzel’s reins and held them tight. The poor horses could be around Malvers monsters without batting an eye, but the strange Phengriffs, who were big enough to eat them, terrified them. Jaehaas finally looked each horse and multa in the eye for several long moments, after which they settled down, although Tejen—the only stallion—still pawed the ground and gave the Phengriffs a wary eye.
Rizelya turned her attention back to the sky. She and the others gaped at the magnificent sight of Phengriffs soaring and flaming. After the first smoking baethor crashed inches from her feet, Rizelya tried to reestablish the fire shield around them. She was so tired it took several long milcrons for her to manage the magic.
Soon, all the baethor were destroyed, and Rizelya was able to drop the fire shield. She sagged against Kymaya’s side. The horse snorted at the unusual stench wafting off Rizelya.
A hawk-like Phengriff floated to the ground and settled his brown and white wings over his back. He had sandy-brown feathers along the back of his head, and his chest was creamy white flecked with light brown and black feathers. An orange band covered the upper part of his beak and continued across his cheeks. His feline body was dark brown.
“My friend Graak.” Blazel grinned, then stepped forward several paces.
The Phengriff padded over to Blazel, his wings bobbing a bit as he walked. When he stood in front of Blazel, tilting his head in the peculiar way birds did, they were nearly the same height.
Blazel folded his arms across his chest and let the Phengriff examine him. After several long moments, Blazel smiled and dropped his arms to his side.
“Graak!” Blazel said. The Phengriff cocked his head. “Old friend!”
The Phengriff eyed Rizelya and the others for a long moment. He looked up and Rizelya blanched in fear. Another Phengriff—the same type as Graak—was diving toward them, talons outstretched. Graak opened his beak and let out a shrill cry. The other Phengriff back winged furiously as it pulled up from its dive, before it turned and flew in a different direction.
Rizelya kept an eye on the other Phengriffs, who were checking the baethor bodies, ensuring they were dead. The behemoth continued to circle above the canyon. It was too narrow for him to land, especially with everyone milling around.
*Blazel?*
Rizelya was startled by the unknown voice in her mind. She decided the rich baritone was Graak. From the look on the others’ faces, they had heard him too. The Posairs used mind-speech on rare occasions, such as in the middle of a battle, it appeared the Phengriffs used it all the time.
*It’s been a long time, my friend,* Graak said. *Not that it isn’t good to see you, but what in Crone’s fires are you doing here? It’s a good thing our scouts saw you. You were almost baethor dinner.*
“Hmf, we do okay,” Blazel said, looking at the bodies strewn around them. He motioned for Rizelya to join him. “Alpha Rizelya.”
Rizelya gazed into the Phengriff’s face. The sharp beak was slightly open in what—she hoped—was a grin. Not knowing how else to greet him, she bowed, keeping her eyes on him. He dipped his he
ad in return.
“We’re grateful you showed up,” Rizelya said, aloud, not comfortable with using so much mind-speech. “My companions and I have been looking for you.”
*I like her,* Graak said. *She shows proper respect, unlike you, friend Blazel.* He turned his head toward the rest. *And you’ve brought a centaur and two priestesses. How odd. I seem to recall a warning from our Silver Beaks that when a White Priestess shows up in our aerie, trouble is near. What is amiss, my friend?*
“Chariel, friend, argh—” Blazel snapped his jaws closed and made a frantic movement toward Rizelya.
“This is Chariel, Blazel’s friend,” Rizelya said taking over introductions for Blazel. “She had a prophecy about you—well, all of us—in one of her visions, so the Supreme sent us here. We need your help.”
*My help? Or the Phengriffs’ help?*
“Both.”
Graak glanced up at the behemoth guarding the canyon opening. *This isn’t a safe place to talk. This place will be swarming soon with other baethor coming to eat their dead. Follow me.*
He bent his powerful hind legs and leaped into the air, pushing strongly down with his wings. Rizelya felt a jolt of magic and the Phengriff was aloft.
“Found Phengriffs,” Blazel announced needlessly.
“Or they found us,” Rizelya said. “They are everything, and more, that I expected from living myths. Will they help us?”
“Graak, yes. Others?” Blazel shrugged. “Don’t know.”
Rizelya put a foot into Kymaya’s stirrup and bounced to hop into the saddle—and didn’t go anywhere. She hung with her foot in the stirrup, panting with exhaustion and embarrassment. Blazel didn’t say a word as he stepped behind her and lifted her easily into the saddle. He handed her Lighzel’s reins and she tied them to her saddle. Chariel had already tied Aistrun’s horse to her saddle. Wisah had the multas’ leads, and they followed placidly behind Tejen.
The group exited the canyon, following the Phengriffs flying above them. Rizelya sat slumped in her saddle. Chariel and Wisah had recovered enough that they were no longer draped across their horses’ necks, but they weren’t in much better shape than she was. Blazel and Aistrun, still in their warrior forms, walked to the side of her, their feet dragging in the dirt. They were both too covered in gore to shift back to human without washing first. She glanced up to where Graak and the other Phengriffs floated in the sky. I hope where they’re taking us is close. None of us can travel far.
