The chamber was easily a hundred feet across and probably half that width wide. It was lavishly decorated with a blood red carpet which covered the entire stone floor. A huge fireplace burned on one wall, warming the entire room. Above it hung a huge axe of true-silver that was probably five feet long and sparkled in the firelight. On one wall was a huge desk of red ironwood that was covered in papers, scrolls, a crystal ball and a small silver brazier that still burned, filling the chamber with the pleasant aroma of myrrh. Directly across from the desk was a huge pillared bed. Made of the same light-absorbing black stone that the fortress was made from it had four pillars, each depicting dwarves battling some ancient evil. Draks could see two other doors exiting the chamber, where they lead to he didn’t know or care.
Slowly entering the chamber, movement in the bed caught his attention. Turning that way, Draks saw Blackfang climb out. The Wolflord was a huge man, standing over six feet tall with a broad chest and a nasty reputation. Although completely naked, Blackfang still looked the imposing figure Draks had always taken him to be. Dropping to one knee, Draks lowered his head and waited.
Pausing for a moment to stretch, Blackfang commanded. “Speak! And it better be important!”
Raising his head slightly, Draks struggled to deliver his message. “Excuse the intrusion Wolflord but there is a black wolf approaching from the north. Judging by his speed and ragged appearance, I would guess it is extremely important.”
“Bring him to me without any delays. Dismissed!”
Bowing quickly, Draks sprinted from the room to fetch the werewolf. As soon as he was gone, a melodious voice came from one of the other rooms. “Who was that?”
Turning toward the beautiful and naked woman who was just entering the room, Blackfang was again stunned by her beauty. She was tall, almost as tall as he was, with a shapely and athletic figure. Her skin was coal black with waist long silver hair. As she glided across the room with the grace of a cat, her firm breasts jiggled slightly. “Just one of the gnomes.”
Walking up to her, Blackfang reached out and pulled her close. Leaning down, he gently bit one of her nipples.
Lalith, known to the warriors of the Dark Alliance as the Dark Queen, briefly closed her eyes as she enjoyed the sensation of his teeth on her nipple. Shaking her head, she playfully slapped him on the side of the head to get his attention. “What did the little digger want?”
Releasing his hold on her he replied. “One of my spies has returned from the north with news.”
The smile fled from her face, even her voice changed slightly, taking on a more deadly edge. “Do you think Hawkeye and Tatianna are dead? You realize only their death will assure our victory.”
Turning serious, Blackfang moved toward the bed. “I don’t think either is dead. Hawkeye is too skillful of a warrior to be killed by a few cyclops or gnomes. My guess is that he and his friends have killed or captured the whole ambush team.”
A knock sounded on the door ended any further discussion.
Blackfang’s voice became cold. “That would be them. Enter!”
Pulling on his black wolf furs, he turned to face the door. Crawling back into bed, Lalith fixed the entering pair with a deadly glare.
Draks entered with a ragged looking solid black wolf in tow. Dropping to one knee as soon as he crossed the threshold, Draks said, “It is as you commanded Wolflord.”
Fixing the Battlechief with the same deadly glare Lalith was using, Blackfang barked at the kneeling gnome. “It took you long enough. Now leave us and remember never make me wait!”
Bowing his head over and over, Draks backed out of the room. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
The door slammed shut in his face as soon as he was clear of the door. Draks wiped his bald pate which was covered in sweat and muttered himself and not for the first time, “You should’ve stayed in your burrow. You should’ve stayed in your burrow.”
* * * * *
Blackfang stared at the black wolf for a moment, waiting for him to change. When he didn’t shape shift, Blackfang barked. “Well, I’m waiting!”
The black wolf looked at Lalith, then back at Blackfang. The question was obvious, ‘What about her?’
Walking over to the bed, Blackfang sat down next to Lalith. His hand absentmindedly stroking her ebony shoulders, “Don’t worry about her. She knows all; there are no secrets between us.”
Nodding his head the black wolf closed his eyes and let the change come over him. A shiver ran up and down his spine, as his fur began to shrink and his bones began to elongate. A moment later, a tall dark haired highlander knelt before Blackfang and Lalith.
Shooting to his feet, Blackfang roared. “You! What are you doing here?! You are supposed to pass on information to the messengers! That’s all! You aren’t supposed to risk your position by coming here!”
Keeping his head bowed and his face in the shadows the spy replied, “I’m sorry my Warlord but all the messengers and scouts you have sent north are dead and the news I bear could not wait until you send more.”
Grinding his teeth, Blackfang forced himself to calm down. He knew that emotions, especially anger, have a time and place but this was not one of them. Lalith placed her hand on Blackfang’s thigh trying to calm him. A moment passed. Then without any emotions, Blackfang motioned for the messenger to continue.
Keeping his head bowed and his eyes averted, the dark haired messenger gave his report. “Hawkeye has challenged the Great Council with the Tsanahwit.”
A quick intake of breath betrayed Blackfang’s ice hard demeanor but it was enough to tell Lalith that the Tsanahwit was something very special and not something that he had counted on. The messenger was about to say something more when she interrupted him. “What is the Tsanahwit?”
Blackfang’s voice was flat and void of all emotions as he answered. “The Trial of Death. It is a challenge to become the warlord of all Highlanders. Once attained, it is a lifetime position. It has only happened twice in recorded history of the Highland Nation.”
“Three times,” the messenger interjected. “Hawkeye was successful. Your ambush party tried to take advantage of the ritual but they were decimated. I watched as you commanded but could not intervene without giving away my position. He is now in complete charge of the Highland Nation. Also, Hawkeye and Tatianna plan on exchanging vows during the Yuletide festival.” Bowing his head, “I’m sorry my Warlord. I have failed you.”
Blackfang thought, ‘Good! As long as he thinks that he has failed me then he will be more careful in the future.’
He paced back and forth for several minutes before stopping directly in front of the kneeling messenger. Looking down at his servant, he suddenly lashed out with his foot. The strike was so quick that the messenger never had a chance to dodge, block or even scream. Blackfang’s heel connected on the messenger’s nose, breaking it with a resounding pop and catapulting him backwards. Blood poured out of his broken nose, as he struggled to retain consciousness.
Turning away, Blackfang walked over to the desk where Lalith now sat, starring into a crystal ball. “What do you see my dear?”
She was silent for a few minutes, before her melodious voice broke the silence. It wasn’t her normal voice; it seemed detached and far away. “I still cannot spy on Tatianna or Hawkeye directly but the village is preparing for a celebration. The old chieftain called Red Crow is carrying some sort of mantle and headdress. It seems to be made of silver furs and decorated with red eagle feathers. All of the warriors are bowing as it passes. Behind the old chieftain walks another old man, he is dressed in white wolf furs and leans heavily on an ornate staff.”
The messenger interjected. “That would be Anasazi.”
Blackfang shot him a quick glance that was as sharp as an arrow and the messenger fell silent. Quietly, Blackfang prodded. “Yes, go on. What are they doing?”
“They are heading toward a large cave on the ravine wall. Wait! Anasazi has stopped. He is sniffing the air and looking
around, like he’s searching for something. The whole gathering is glancing around now. Warriors are drawing their weapons and searching the sky as if they are under attack.”
Grabbing the desk with both hands, Blackfang leaned forward eagerly. “Do you see any enemies? Are they under attack?”
Suddenly, Lalith screamed. “Wait! It’s me that Anasazi senses. He’s looking directly at me!” Grabbing the sides of her head with both hands, she leaped back.
“He’s…He’s coming through!”
The room was suddenly full of a breeze that swirled around, extinguishing all the torches and braziers in the room. The messenger dove for cover behind the pillared bed while Lalith fell limp. Blackfang just stood his ground and waited.
A moment later, the only light in the room came from three sources, the fireplace, the crystal ball and the ghost-like figure of Anasazi.
Blackfang studied the figure for a moment. Anasazi looked older than the last time they had seen each other.
‘When was that?’ Blackfang wondered. ‘Two, no three years ago. These last few years have not been good to him.’
Looking past the old shaman, Blackfang noticed Red Crow and several other warriors looking over Anasazi’s shoulder at him. Blackfang smiled and nodded his head slightly, “Greetings uncle, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
Taking the room in with a glance, Anasazi focused his attention on Blackfang. When Anasazi spoke his voice sounded hollow and distant. “Greetings my nephew, I see you know the truth.”
“I know that my father was your brother but that is the end of our relationship. You lost all rights to me when you let someone else raise me. Now, what is it that you want?”
Anasazi’s face paled at Blackfang’s rebuttal. “No, the better question is what do you want?”
“Why the death of the child of the prophecy and its mother, of course; give them to me and I’ll spare your village and the rest of the Highland Nation.”
Anasazi shook his head. “I’m sorry nephew, I cannot do that. It is against the will of Luna.”
“Ha! The great and powerful Luna! You mean the goddess who was so stupid that she allowed herself to be trapped? She is not my goddess. She is helpless. I serve the new goddess of Terreth and she demands the death of the child and the elf bitch Tatianna.”
“The god you follow just wants the destruction of Terreth,” Anasazi said. “There is no honor in death but it’s not too late to come back to us. We could use your strength in the coming war. Come; join us in our darkest hour.”
“Come back to you? Ha! Never!”
Spitting at the figure of Anasazi, Blackfang was shocked to see the old shaman flinch as the spit seemed to hit his white furs. His tone turned bitter. “I will never again serve Luna or any of the other false gods! I only serve Clotho the Spinner and through her strength we will be victorious!”
“Then I will do all that is in my power to stop you. I regret this. I had always hoped that you would come back to us.”
“Goodbye ancient one. The next time we meet, we will be enemies.”
Beginning to turn his back on the old shaman, Blackfang quickly turned back. “By the way, I have a message for my brother.” Slowly as not to draw attention to his actions, Blackfang drew out his hunting knife. “Let him know that the next time we meet, it will be our last time. One of us will not walk away from that battle.”
Anasazi nodded his head slowly in the sad realization that Blackfang was indeed lost to them. “Goodbye, Dakota Blackfang. I will pray for your soul. Tell that witch of yours that she should be more careful on who she tries to spy. The next time she tries to spy on me will be her last.”
“Uncle!” Blackfang yelled. He could see the old shaman pause for a split second, as the ghost-like figure started to regain strength. “Give this to my brother!”
Hurling the knife with all his strength, Blackfang watched as it turned end over end, flying straight and true at Anasazi’s breast. Once more there was a quick rushing of wind, Anasazi and the knife faded from view. Smiling, Blackfang moved over to Lalith who was just beginning to move slowly.
Looking around with a confused look on her face, she stuttered. “What…what happened?”
Blackfang shrugged his shoulders. “My uncle wanted to have a word with me.”
“Your uncle?” came the messenger’s voice from across the room. “That . . .that would mean you and Hawkeye are brothers.”
“That is right. We were raised by different packs after Anasazi chose the shamanic order over us.” Turning back to Lalith he asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, just drained. That isn’t the easiest spell at the best of times but for him to turn it back on me was draining.” Taking a deep breath, Lalith rubbed at her temples. “I didn’t expect his magic to be so strong.”
Yes, Anasazi is the most gifted shaman of my people.” Blackfang turned back to the messenger. “Is there anything else you haven’t told me? Anything at all?”
“Only two things stand out. First, the chieftain and warlord of the Red Fox pack, a wiry little man named Red Ferret will be exiled from the Highland Nation for dereliction of duties. He is overbearing, cocky and rude but he is also one of the sneakiest men I have ever met and he hates Hawkeye with a passion.”
Blackfang smiled. “Good. Send him to me. Guarantee him a chance to get back at Hawkeye, if his hatred is truly that great, then he could be useful. And the second…”
“Hawkeye suspects you to strike during the Yuletide festival.”
Throwing back his head, Blackfang roared with laughter. “He does now, does he? Damn! My brother is getting smart in his old age!”
“So, you’re going to attack during Yuletide?”
“Yes that is exactly what I was planning to do. Especially now. I don’t want to disappoint my brother.”
Walking over to the messenger, Blackfang placed his hand gently on the messenger’s shoulder. “Now, you need to get back to Itasca as quickly as possible. Take several gnomes with you. Kill them when you are close to the village. Tell Hawkeye you were out scouting when you were attacked and knocked unconscious. He’s gullible, he’ll believe you.”
The messenger bowed his head. “Yes, my Warlord. All will be ready when you attack.”
He was heading for the door when Lalith’s voice stopped him. “Messenger!”
Pausing in mid-stride, he turned back. “Yes Dark Queen, how can I be of service?”
“Have you seen an ancient scroll tube or a true-silver axe? Tatianna was carrying them when she escaped. Has she said anything about them?”
Shaking his head, “No my queen, she hasn’t. Are they important?”
“No, not really. They are just a few trinkets that we would like returned. Keep your eyes and ears open.”
Walking up to him, Lalith handed him a silver and black ring. “If you find out anything about them or anything else we should know, rub this ring and tell the messenger what you have found. He will do the rest.”
Placing the ring on his left hand, the messenger bowed low. “Thank you. It will be as you ordered.”
As soon as he left, Lalith crawled back into bed and flashed Blackfang an inviting smile. “It’s awfully cold in this bed, why don’t you come over here and keep me warm? There is nothing more you can do at least not for a few more hours.”
Smiling, Blackfang threw off his furs and crawled back into bed.
Chapter 22
When the cry of alarm went up most of the Great Council, Hawkeye and Tatianna were already in Luna’s Cave waiting for Anasazi and Red Crow for the ceremony. Looking across the lake, they could see confusion in the gathered highlanders. Warriors were running in all different directions, while children were diving for cover under anything they could find.
To Hawkeye, it was his worst nightmare come to life; his people were panicking at the first sign of trouble. There was only a small group of warriors that looked at all organized and they were the ones rushing Red Crow to the safety of the cave
.
Turning to his love, Hawkeye said. “Wait here. Talk to Red Crow and find out what’s going on. I’m going to find my uncle.”
Tatianna started to object but seeing the determined look on her lover’s face, she nodded. “Please, be careful. I don’t want to become a widow before I’m married.”
With a wink, Hawkeye bolted out of the cave with Odovacar, Nilrem and Chewda right behind him. As soon as they reached the valley floor, Hawkeye began giving orders.
“Nilrem, check the eastern perimeter! Chewda, the west!”
Hawkeye pointed at the warriors milling about. “Odovacar get them organized and re-enforce the main gate! If we are under attack, we need to function as one people!”
All three warlords grunted their acknowledgments and sprinted off to do their assigned tasks. Hawkeye rushed toward the great bonfire where the greatest concentration of women, children and shamans were gathered. Pushing his way through the crowd, Hawkeye was shocked to find his uncle sitting on a log looking pale, extremely pale.
Kneeling down, Hawkeye gently touched his shoulder. “Anasazi are you okay?”
Anasazi flashed him a weary smile. “Yes, just extremely tired.”
“What happened? All I know is that the alarm was sounded. We are checking the perimeter but as of yet, there is no sign of enemies.”
Leaning back against the pile of firewood, Anasazi took a small sip of water from a flask he carried. “Your brother’s witch was spying on us. I caught her off guard and reversed her spell but it was very draining.”
Hawkeye probed. “What did you find out?”
“I spoke with Blackfang. He also knows the truth about your heritage but he has let that knowledge poison him and turn him to evil. I tried to convince him of giving up his dreams of power and returning home but to no avail. His soul has embraced evil and he has vowed to destroy Tatianna and her unborn son.”
Anasazi paused to study Hawkeye’s reactions. He could tell from his nephew’s eyes that his feelings were mixed. His gray eyes were dark and clouded with emotions, while his brow was slightly furrowed with concern. Dark rings lined his eyes from the lack of sleep and endless stress of the last several days.
Tales of the Wolf: Book 01 - The Coming of the Wolf Page 26
