Shifters Alliance

by Shaun L Griffiths

  ‘Things will never be the same again, Dad. There’s no going back now. We can’t pretend these other lands, those people, or our new ‘talents’ don’t exist. Everything has changed.’

  ‘I know,’ Sam said with resignation. ‘I was just hoping to hold on to my little girl a while longer,’ he said. ‘Let me think it through before you start showing those youngsters how to do that thing you do. Some of them aren’t house trained yet.’

  Lulu smiled with him. Holding his arm, they walked back to the river to organise their defence.

  It seemed to Kerri that she’d had only be gone for moments in the tunnel, but already the valley was empty. There was no sign of Sonny or the boss. But that was okay. She was used to working alone. She’d picked up the scent of Carter earlier, but decided to say nothing. She’d wanted Casey to return home before he started to age too badly.

  Now it was time to find him. She tried retracing her steps until at last, she found what she was hoping for. Carter had definitely passed this way.

  After spending so much time with him, she remembered his scent vividly. She was trying to place it. There was the smell of his sweat after running most of the day and night, sharp and uniquely his, but also some undercurrent. It was the smell of the river! Now she remembered, and a picture came to her mind of him holding his prize after winning the swimming race to the island. Probably because he spent so much time in the water, it must be in his hair or between his toes.

  But what is it that makes me sure it’s him? Citrus, she decided. There is a definitely a scent of lemons about him. She remembered how she’d comforted him in the snow after finding Holly. When they laid in the grass dreaming of roasted fish and pancakes. Even when she kissed his cheek after he won the race. That boy definitely smells of lemons, she told herself.

  Kerri ran on, feeling happy for the first time since… when? Since she’d rested in the grass laughing with Carter, she realised.

  She was learning to use her newly found senses quickly.

  She knew now that through the overpowering smell of burnt grass and still smoldering pine wood, she had to look out for the smell of lemons. Kerri saw the scent was leading her west. Carter must have run straight past the gateway looking for her. But then, he didn’t know what to look for. She started to run, confident now she was on the right path.

  Kerri ran on, with the scent of Carter getting stronger. He’s going too far west, she thought, but he can’t be that far ahead.

  She could pick out each individual step he’d made and was amazed at her own ability to track him. As she ran, she became aware of a shift in the scents she could distinguish. The smell of burning and smoldering wood was overpowering, and she’d quickly learnt to tune this out. Carter’s scent was like footprints in the snow, so easy for her to follow. But she became aware the wind had changed direction, bringing with it something unknown, and also something she did not like. The scent had a sickly, rotten stench that was easy to pick out but difficult to know exactly what it was. She put it to the back of her mind for the moment and concentrated on Carter.

  Carter seemed to be running in circles. He’d picked up the scent left by Lulu and Sam, but that had disappeared, as if he’d hit a wall and couldn’t pick up the scent anywhere.

  That must be where the gateway had closed, he thought.

  But he couldn’t find any trace of Kerri.

  She must have gotten away, he thought. Anyone who knew Kerri would know that a gang of mangy cats wouldn’t stop her.

  He could feel himself getting angry, thinking about what the cats had done to Holly, leaving her alone all night to face her fears in the dark, to face the storm, and to face whatever would come out of the passes. And he started to feel anger for what they’d done to him. Being taken from his family and his friends, taken away from the river he loved. And angry at all the lies they’d told them. And now they were trying to catch Kerri. He could feel himself starting to hate Duma.

  He ran on, not knowing what he was looking for, only knowing that running faster helped him push the anger, and now the smoldering hatred, away for a moment.

  The changing wind brought Carter to a stop. He turned his face into it, pointing to where he’d just come from. It brought with it the one thing he’d been looking for. Kerri. He could almost taste her scent on the breeze. She was definitely behind him. He started back the way he’d come, the excitement growing in him so much he wanted to howl with joy, but kept himself in check. As he ran, he too became aware of the same sickly smell drifting towards him, and he too was confused.

  He could sense Kerri getting closer, but he also started to worry that there might be something following her. He could feel the adrenalin rush through him with the nearness of her, but more so the feeling of impending danger. He crouched down in the grass, waiting to see if he could spot the source of his unease. He heard the breaking of dried stalks from a distance, and suddenly Kerri came crashing through the grass at full pace. He could see her approaching rapidly. He wanted to jump out and stop her, to hug her, just to hear her voice, but there was a voice inside him telling him, Wait, there’s danger for her.

  He crouched lower, not moving a muscle. Only his eyes moved to watch her rushing past. Carter held his breath. There it was; without the scent of Kerri drifting downwind to confuse him, the smell hit him like a blow to the head, a sickly smell that made him recoil. It was getting stronger. He again heard the snapping of dried stalks as the thing came crashing through the grass pursuing Kerri, and she still didn’t know it.

  He saw it over the tops of the grass, three strides away, bounding after her, running sometimes on all fours, sometimes on two legs, in exaggerated leaps. Its body was strongly built, covered in short fur, with bare patches around the face and chest. It took long, reaching leaps forward.

  Two strides away. Carter could see the strong muscular legs and long arms, all coming towards him as if in slow motion. Carter took in the long fangs overhanging the evil-looking snarling and drooling mouth. But the eyes shocked him. He was taken aback by the sight of the blazing eyes, glowing red in the darkness, and for just a moment hesitated in his decision. The beast took another reaching step.

  One stride away. Carter lay with every muscle tensed, and then exploded into an uncoiled charge, knocking the beast in the ribs as it was in midair. He heard the air expelled from its lungs and the dreadful cracking sound of ribs breaking. The beast was knocked flying through the air, rolling and tumbling over the ground.

  I have to be first up, Carter thought.

  He was on his feet turning to face it, but there was no movement in the grass. There was no sign of it.

  He spun again, desperately trying to locate it, turning left and right. Then he felt an enormous weight land on his back. The beast had its strong arms wrapped around his neck, trying to choke him. A searing pain shot through his neck as the beast twisted his grip. He tried shaking it off, but it was ripping at his fur. Carter fell on his back, hoping to dislodge it, but it held firm to him. He could feel the pain in his neck becoming unbearable where the ape tried pulling his head back further. Carter felt himself starting to black out through the lack of oxygen, the pain and shock.

  I must warn her, he thought, but he was slipping into unconsciousness. As his front legs collapsed, he tried desperately to fill his lungs one last time, to warn Kerri.

  She knew Carter was very close. She ran faster, expecting him to appear in the grass in front of her at any moment. A few strides later, she realised something was wrong. There was another, stronger scent running the opposite way, as if Carter had run in circles. She stopped, trying to understand what had happened, and then she heard it. A thump and a grunt, then the crashing of grass stalks. She turned and ran back the way she’d come and saw Carter desperately trying to shake off a hideous-looking creature that clung to his back. It looked half man and half ape, and immensely strong.

  She saw Carter fall to the ground, and at that moment she charged. She locked her jaws on the back
of the beast’s neck and shook it with all of her strength. There was a snapping sound and the beast dropped limp against her with its neck broken. Kerri dropped it in disgust, the vile taste in her mouth making her feel sick. Gasping for air, she looked at Carter, who was trying to raise himself off the ground.

  When she’d caught her breath, Kerri said, ‘Why do you keep doing such stupid things?’

  ‘They don’t seem stupid to me at the time,’ Carter replied, ‘I know you’d do the same for me.’

  Kerri started to shake. She felt nauseous from the taste of the beast in her mouth and from what she’d had to do.

  Carter was at her side. ‘Come on, Kerri,’ he said. ‘Let’s get away from here. Let’s go home now.’

  She could only nod and follow him, heading back the way they’d come, back to the border.

  After some time she called to him, ‘Carter, I need to stop for a moment, I can’t stop my legs shaking.’

  ‘It’s okay, I’ll keep watch. You lay there until it passes.’

  She collapsed to the floor, feeling as though the ground beneath her was spinning. She tried to control her breathing, but felt herself gasping for air. Finally, she gave in and closed her eyes, waiting for all the adrenalin to wash over her. Carter stood beside her, sniffing the air around them, but he couldn’t distinguish anything other than the burnt grass and the forest fire in the far distance.

  ‘I’m glad you came back, Kerri,’ he said.

  After some time, she managed to get to her feet, though still feeling a sickness in her stomach.

  ‘What was that thing?’ he asked.

  ‘That’s one of the creatures you saw following us as we passed the forest.’

  ‘It was much stronger than I thought it would be.’

  ‘It’s a thing possessed,’ she said. ‘Come on, I’ll tell you all about it on the way back. But let’s take it slow. If there was one of those things around, there could well be more.’

  They made a slow trek east, to the gateway and home.

  Chapter 11

  ‘Hello, Vin, I didn’t expect to see you here,’ said Naz.

  ‘I was promoted,’ he said dejectedly.

  ‘Congratulations, we’ll make a guard out of you yet,’ said Naz. ‘What did you do to get that?’

  ‘Dunno, but The Big Boss thought I was the best one suited to bring the guards over.’

  ‘We’ll be going for the town as soon as the boss gets here with that rotten liar Duma’s son. Are you coming?’

  ‘May as well, I’m here now,’ said Vin.

  As they talked, Naz caught sight of Jojo and Sonny running up the track. It made a strange sight, seeing a bear and a large cat running side by side.

  ‘At least that cat kept his word,’ Naz said to Vin.

  ‘Hello, boss, you made good time,’ Naz said. ‘The Boss is waiting to talk to you inside, once you’ve caught your breath.’

  Jojo made his way to the ice cave, with Sonny following. Ducking through the entranceway, he called out. ‘Hey, Boss, this here’s Sonny, he’s the son of that... the son of Duma.’

  The Boss turned to look at them, concern showing on his face. ‘How’s the forest looking, the last time you saw it, Jojo?’

  ‘The fire was spreading rapidly, I’m not sure how much time we have.’

  ‘You understand what’ll happen when that forest burns through?’ he said to Sonny, who nodded.

  ‘And you also understand that it’s the crystal your father stole, that those creatures are after?’

  Sonny nodded again.

  ‘Before the forest caught fire, we could’ve taken the crystal to our own land and hidden it from them. Your people would’ve been safe. Those creatures would simply have followed us north. But now, they’ll soon have an open door through the burnt out forest. They will invade here, and I don’t believe your people are strong enough to stop them.’

  ‘Our guards are mighty warriors, they’ve trained for years. They’ll protect our people,’ said Sonny with pride.

  ‘Your guards were no match for us, and they’ll be no match for those beasts once they arrive. They’re possessed, they’ve only one aim in life, and that’s to get their hands on the crystal. They’ll destroy anyone that gets in their way, and once they have it, they’ll destroy everyone anyway. And if they do get it, our lands and those to the south will be invaded because they’ll have a border key, to come and go as they wish.’

  ‘I can’t explain the actions of my father, nor can I apologize for them,’ said Sonny

  ‘The time for explanations and apologies is long gone. This is the last chance we have to do something about it,’ said the Boss.

  ‘What do you expect me to do? My father...’

  The Boss angrily interrupted Sonny, ‘Expect? I expect you to do everything possible to save your people. I expect you to tell them we will take the crystal north and close the border. You need to explain to them we will take it. Either with violence, or they can choose to return it and we can help them. Whatever they decide, they need to understand that this is a lost land. You’ll no longer be safe here.’

  ‘You can’t expect us to just give up our land, to turn our backs on everything we’ve lived and worked for, to just walk off into exile,’ said Sonny.

  The Boss spoke in a calmer voice, ‘No, I don’t think I can expect that. You must explain to your people that if they help us, we’ll help the survivors to evacuate from here.’

  ‘Survivors? You really think my people will be overrun?’

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t just think it, I know it for certain.’ Sonny looked lost in confusion.

  ‘Do you understand what I’m asking you?’ said the Boss.

  ‘I’ll not betray my father,’ Sonny said.

  ‘You need to stop thinking of him as your father. You lost your father the moment he looked upon the crystal. He’s now a man possessed of greed and covetousness. In time he’ll become indistinguishable from those beasts about to attack you. Except they’re apes and he’ll be a cat.’

  ‘We are not cats, we are...’

  ‘You’re what?’

  ‘It doesn’t matter anymore,’ said Sonny with resignation.

  ‘Our guards are here now. You go with them and speak to your people. Tell them to hand the crystal back within the hour, or there’ll be unnecessary casualties. We’re taking the crystal back, today. There’s no more time.’

  ‘Come, we’re leaving now,’ said Jojo.

  Outside, the guards were prepared, ready to leave. They stood kicking their heels in the snow, impatient to start. Naz had given them details of what was to happen, and each guard stood tall and eager. Their white fur sparkled clean in the sunlight, making Naz and Vin look dejected and weather worn with their own fur still smeared in dirty grey dust from their attempts at camouflage.

  ‘Guards, with me,’ Jojo called, ‘Naz, you make sure Sonny stays with us. You coming, Vin?’

  ‘I got the pies, boss,’ said Vin.

  ‘Good man. I hope we won’t need them.’ He led them off down the track.

  The ground was littered with boulders fallen from the higher levels, with rough scree between them. A zigzag trail had been picked out between the rocks over years of searching for the easiest route. They approached a particularly large boulder when the boss shot his arm into the air as a sign to stop. There was great expectation amongst the guards, who’d been talking of the coming action for hours already.

  ‘There are two cats coming up the track,’ whispered Jojo to the nearest bear. ‘You take two guards and circle round this boulder. As soon as you hear me call, you come out behind them.’

  Unaware of the bears, Dray and his companion made their way up the track, heading towards the pass they’d been ordered to guard.

  ‘This is a suicide mission,’ Dray was saying. ‘And it’s because I know what started all this that he wants me out of the way.’

  ‘What did start all this, and what’s it got to do with me?’

  �
��You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time,’ Dray said as they rounded a particularly large boulder.

  ‘I could say the same thing about two cats heading the wrong way up the mountain,’ Jojo said, as he stepped onto the track. ‘Come out, guards,’ he called.

  The alarm on the cats’ faces was clear to see; they eyed the surrounding slopes for a way of escape.

  ‘Don’t even think about running. We’ve someone here you may be interested to see. Naz, bring him out.’

  Naz brought Sonny out from around the rock to confront Dray.

  ‘We thought you’d perished in the fire,’ Dray said.

  ‘I made it to high ground.’

  ‘Why did you betray your father and your family? Are you working for them now?’ asked Dray.

  ‘I haven’t betrayed anyone. I’m working to put things right.’

  ‘You can’t put this right. It’s gone too far.’

  ‘I know you,’ said the boss in surprise. ‘You were the one with that thieving Duma, in our land.’

  ‘Yes, I was there.’

  ‘You entered the library with that scheming Duma. You were there when he stole it.’

  ‘Yes, I was there, I...’

  ‘You accepted our help, our hospitality, and then you stole our crystal.’ The anger in Jojo’s voice was getting the other guards excited, the mumbles of displeasure rising.

  ‘The theft was nothing to do with me. I knew nothing of it until we reached our border. I thought he’d only look. You said it was the key to the future and we wanted to unlock our own future, we…’

  ‘You miserable good-for-nothing. Even now, you betray your chief with lies. It’s true, you can never trust a cat,’ said Jojo, to vociferous agreement from all the other bears, who were by now crowding around closer to hear the exchanges.

  The cats were becoming very intimidated by the level of animosity.

  ‘He’s not my chief, I don’t recognise him. He’s not the same person that I journeyed with to your land. He changed beyond recognition.’