Vera's Song (Creatures of the Lands Book 2)

by Natalie Erin

  “Absolutely not. Take those rats out and slaughter them quickly, so we can leave, and make sure you get rid of the bodies. I can’t believe you’re doing this now, of all times!” he yelled. The pups cowered in the background, shaking against one another.

  “You kill them you don’t get a ride back to the Ice Borns. You’ll walk all the way there, and without the Changer either,” Vera growled.

  The Accompany stepped forward, fists clenched, and the pups cowered even lower to the ground. “Are you threatening me?”

  “You need me,” Vera said, and her voice shook as she said the words. “You know you can’t do this without my help. For over ten years I’ve asked for nothing but your love, and you can’t even give that to me.”

  “If you were a creature worth loving, I’d think about it,” he snarled.

  “So at least permit me this,” she said, locking her eyes with his.

  Wyntier made an angry noise, throwing his hands into the air. “Fine! But they’re coming with us, so there’s no loose ends. As long as you keep track of them and they don’t go near me, I don’t care. Help me pack up this tent! We leave immediately.”

  The pups cried softly, and the Accompany left the tent. Vera turned to the small wolves and said, “I am so, so sorry for bringing you into this little ones. If I had known, I would’ve taken you back to your pack first.”

  “Please let us go,” Caini pleaded. “Please.”

  She sighed. “I cannot. Otherwise, my Accompany will hurt you.”

  “Where are we going?” Snapfoot asked.

  Vera looked down. “To a place where not even I want to go.”

  Outside the tent, Vera shook her head. She hadn’t been able to stand inside with the pups glaring at her, their angry stares accusing her of betrayal, so she stood guard outside. Why hadn’t she just delivered the pups herself? It would have taken too much time, and she hadn’t wanted to leave the young prince and his Changer alone with Wyntier for so long, but it was the right thing to do. If she had been busy finding the pack, perhaps Wyntier would’ve been caught.

  But that’s not what she wanted. Despite his cruelty, she still wanted to make him happy.

  “I feel myself growing farther from him, yet still I stay,” Vera whispered, hanging her head. She didn’t know why it was so hard to stand up to Wyntier, nor why she had such a hard time leaving him, especially after all the horrible things he made her do. Thievery, conspiracy...even murder. Now kidnapping was on the list. Vera spread her wings wide and prepared to sail to the Ice Borns, wondering what emotion made her do these terrible things. Was it love? Or fear?

  A shining gold shape loomed in the sky. It began its descent slowly, landing gracefully upon the Verinian Forest. The dragon was even larger than Ionan and was a rich gold in color, shimmering like the sun. He had spiraling horns and sharp claws, and his legs were heavily muscled from hours of training. A smaller figure swung off of his back and walked up to his head, patting the dragon on the head slowly

  She looked to be in her late twenties. Her night black locks were streaked with a bright shade of pink, while her eyes sparkled the same color as the dragon’s hide. Her skin was tan and she was taller than most. She brushed dirt off the front of her uniform as she spoke, hoping she appeared formidable instead of a filthy traveler, which was probably the case. It was simple and quite ugly, but she was required to wear it. The Council made her. It was made up of dark blue slacks and a button up shirt that was the same color. A small pin on the collar declared that she was Chief of Security of Nesting’s Haven. A title many would have killed for. And I will be killed for it, if I don’t start doing my job, she thought glumly. She turned toward the dragon. “You know the drill, Maekrel.”

  The dragon looked at her and then transformed into a small, golden eyed hawk. He fluttered into the air and landed gently on her shoulder. “You know I prefer my dragon form, Ana,” he told her.

  “But you stick out like a sore thumb,” she giggled. “I can’t have that.”

  “I know,” Maekrel sighed. “So who are we going to look for first?”

  “Hm, let’s think. We can look for the bad guy or we can find the one who will show us the most hospitality in the world. I think I’ll go for the hospitality,” she told him with a smile on her face.

  The hawk winked at her. “Alright, let’s get going Ana. We’re on a tight schedule.”

  After around an hour of poking around in the woods, Ana and Maekrel came upon a small hut where two figures clung tightly to each other. “I think I see him over there!” Ana called to her Changer. “Hey Keota!” Ana called, running towards the couple.

  “Who said my name?” Keota whipped around to just in time to see the woman running towards him. “Ana!” he spread his arms out and swept her into a tight hug.

  “Oh, Keota, I haven’t seen you in ages. I’ve missed you so much!” Ana hugged him as tight as she could, cracking his back in places.

  “I missed you too, Ana.” Keota pulled away and looked her up and down. “You look great.”

  “So do you,” Ana smiled at him.

  “Keota, who the hell is she? I’ve had enough of visitors for today.” Kia came up and stared at the woman, tears still staining her cheeks.

  “Ana, this is my wife, Kiatana. Kia, this is Ana, my big sister.” Keota smiled at his wife and she walked up to stand by her husband.

  “Your sister?” Kia forced a grin upon her face. “It’s nice to meet you, Ana.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too Kia,” Ana beamed. “Maekrel, come on over here and say hello.”

  A small black dog trotted over and sat by Ana’s side. “This is Maekrel, my Changer,” Ana introduced him.

  “It’s great to see you again, Maekrel.” Keota said, looking down at the dog.

  “Same to you. Where is my brother?” he asked.

  “I’m right here.” Ionan walked slowly into the clearing and looked at his older brother, ruffling his dragon wings as he bent his head down to greet the Changer. “I’ve missed you, Maekrel.”

  “Ionan!” the dog barked and rose up on his hind legs, touching his nose to the dragon. “It’s wonderful to see you again, little brother.”

  “I’m just as glad to see you.” Ionan said. “Though I wish it were on happier terms.”

  “Why? What has happened?” Maekrel asked.

  “My Accompany’s son and his Changer are missing,” Ionan told them.“I’m sorry that we can’t visit. The whole forest is looking for them, and so are we. If you will excuse me.”

  Ionan took off hurriedly into the sky. Maekrel and Ana watched him go, stunned.

  Keota looked at his sister, grabbing her hand. “Please come and go as you wish, and make yourself at home,” he said anxiously. “But I must go and look for my son.” He then turned to Kia. “Don’t worry. They’re five years old. They couldn’t have gotten far.” He hugged her tightly, then raced off into the woods. Kiatana watched him go, then rushed over to a white Pegasus grazing nearby.

  “Snow Drop,” she said. “I need you to...”

  The Pegasus shook her head. “I know what to do Kia,” she said. “It won’t take me long to alert Casiff and Vixen without a rider. I’ll be back soon.” As soon as Snow Drop left Kia also charged into the woods, calling out Kennu and Allie’s names.

  “I think,” Ana said softly, “That I know who the culprit is.”

  “Do you think we have found him, after all these years?” Maekrel asked.

  “Where else could we look?” Ana questioned. “Now all we have to do is find where he is hiding.”

  “Should we tell Keota and Ionan?”

  Ana shook her head. “It would be foolish to get their hopes up if we are wrong. Besides, Keota and Ionan don’t need to know what he has done to Nesting’s Haven. If they find out...”

  “They would surely panic for fear of what could happen to the children,” Maekrel bobbed his head in agreement.

  “Then it’s settled,” Ana muttered. “Come, Maek
rel. We don’t have much time. They may have already escaped.

  Chapter Four

  Prophecy Of Fear

  A heavily pregnant black haired fairy fluttered anxiously from unicorn to unicorn, her mouth in a straight line. This just doesn’t happen, she thought. Vixen hasn’t lost a unicorn in...well, she’s never lost a unicorn. Maybe she’s getting old.

  Vixen shook her head. She couldn’t remember the last time she was worried, or if she had ever been worried. She’d always known everything that would happen, exactly when it would happen. It came with the territory of being the Great One. But this was something she did not expect, and in her world that was a big problem. A gray mare trotted by her side, a small unicorn following behind. They looked very upset.

  “When was the last time you saw him, Meadowshine?” Vixen asked, her black hair swishing in front of her eyes.

  “He was bored,” said the mare, near to a breakdown. “So I told him to go play with the other unicorns. I didn’t see him after that.”

  “Prancy, did you notice anything suspicious?” she questioned the tiny colt.

  Prancy shook, his hooves quaking, until he finally burst out, “Crookedhoof wanted to go into the mountains! Butterstomp was with him, but she came back alone because she got scared. We haven’t seen him since.”

  Vixen took a deep breath and sighed. Crookedhoof had always been a little too curious, and now it had gotten him into serious trouble. Fearing the worst, Vixen turned away from the two steeds. “Dragonstar!” she called. Within minutes, her large unicorn came rushing in from the farthest fields.

  “What worries you, my lady?” he asked.

  Vixen climbed on his back somewhat awkwardly, maneuvering around her large stomach. “There is a unicorn missing from the herd,” she told him quickly. “Vixen and Dragonstar must hurry to find him. Vixen fears something terrible has happened to him.”

  Without another word Dragonstar and Vixen raced off together, leaving the unicorns to worry and hope of a safe return.

  On the other side of the valley Casiff sat in the tall grass, stroking Lottie’s perfect silver fur as they kept watch over the herd. Lottie licked his hand and he smiled nervously at her. She could tell Casiff was on edge with Vixen gone and a unicorn missing. She thought about the pink feather she had found a few days ago and sighed. Casiff had found nothing suspicious about it, but her nose didn’t lie to her. There was a strange Changer in the area, and for what reason she didn’t know. With all the ruckus running amok, Lottie had to wonder if the events were connected.

  From seemingly out of thin air a white Pegasus landed gracefully on the ground in front of them, breathing heavily. “Snow Drop!” cried Casiff, and he jumped to his feet. “What news?”

  Snow Drop took a deep breath. “Kennu and Allie are missing,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve been flying nonstop for days to tell you. We can’t find them anywhere. We think someone took them.”

  “What!” Lottie cried and she rose to her feet as well. “Who?”

  “Kennu is the son of the fairy queen, who wouldn’t want to take him? And you know that wherever Kennu goes, Allie follows,” Snow Drop breathed. “It’s a good thing you live in the valley, and not the deep mountains. It would have taken me weeks to get over those slopes, especially this time of year.”

  Snow Drop spoke of the ending of fall and the nearing of winter, when the Ice Borns were the most dangerous. Casiff looked worriedly at the mountains behind him. Winter would be coming soon.

  “Do you know where they went? Could they have just wandered off?” Lottie asked.

  Snow Drop shook her head. “Two five year olds couldn’t have wandered that far. But we need to hurry back. The whole forest has gone insane.”

  Casiff nodded. “Does Vixen know? She’s out looking for a missing unicorn.”

  Snow Drop shook her head. “No. I don’t think I can get to her in time though, not with those beastly mountains in the way.”

  Casiff took out a piece of paper and some lead from his pocket, scribbling a note quickly. “Follow me,” he cried and the two animals ran after Casiff. He hurried to the side of a mountain. “Berg!” he cried. “Are you there?”

  The mountain was still, until out of the rocks came a small mountain goat, clopping down the rocks to Casiff’s side.

  “You called?” Berg asked lazily.

  “I have a message to deliver to Vixen,” he called. “I have to go somewhere so I can’t give it to her myself. Can you get this to her for me?”

  Berg brought up his head. “Well, the mountains are really dangerous, it’s that time of year again you know,” he drawled. “Plus the predators are starting to get hungry…really dangerous indeed for a mountain goat. How urgent is it?” he asked, peering at Casiff with one eye.

  “Very,” Casiff said. “So important, lives are at stake.”

  “Lives eh?” said the mountain goat, pondering this. “Well…I guess I could give it a shot.”

  “Excellent.” Casiff smiled, fastening the note to his horn. “Try not to get it caught on anything.”

  “Not to worry,” Berg said. “I’ve been up and down these mountains more than anyone living here. I know the way.” Berg was gone over the slopes quicker than he had came, and the Pegasus and wolf looked at the fairy expectantly.

  “Right,” Casiff murmured. “We have to get back to the forest as soon as possible.”

  “But Casiff, how are we going to do that? I’m too big for Snow Drop to carry me anymore,” Lottie said.

  “I’ll be able to carry you, Lottie, but it’ll be slow going and you’ll have to be very still,” Snow Drop said. “It’ll take three days to get there, if we stop for short periods.”

  “Are you sure Snow Drop? The weight may be too much,” Casiff said.

  “I don’t have a choice, do I?” she said. The Pegasus turned her back to the two of them. “Get on. A storm is brewing between the corners of the Ice Borns and the Blue Sky Peaks. If we hurry, we might be able to avoid it.”

  Vera watched the seven children rest on the floor of the cave in the Ice Borns, curled up together in a tiny pile. The cave was dark and dank, with only three rooms inside: one for Wyntier’s bathing room and bedroom, one for his lab and yet another for his study and the collection of books and maps that he had stolen over the years. A few torches here and there lit the area, but besides that everything was cold and damp...lifeless. Vera lit a small fire just outside of the cave, to try and warm the children and herself. Wyntier made sure they all stayed in the entrance near the open air far away from him, where the little ones would all freeze to death if it weren’t for Vera lying several pelts on the cave floor, and using herself as a shield to block the wind. Vera tightened her jaw, gnashing her fangs together. Wyntier would kill the Changer and his fairy by accident before he even had a chance to use them.

  She felt very protective of them all, Kennu sleeping against Allie, the pups gathered around the prince’s sleeping body. It was in a Changer’s very nature to be protective, for they needed it to guard their Accompanies. It was a strange feeling to recall, as Vera hadn’t felt protective of Wyntier in a long time. I’ve always wanted to be a mother, she thought. Vera had believed since her finding ceremony that Wyntier would never allow her to have children, as it would distract her from their mission. Maybe this is the Creator’s way of granting my wish.

  A dead unicorn laid in the snow outside the cave. The mutation had proved a failure, and ended up killing the poor creature. Wyntier was still yelling about it, smashing things in his lab and brewing up yet another batch of the concoction that hadn’t worked. And perhaps it never will, Vera thought, permitting herself a bit of hope. Perhaps he would give up.

  “Why was that man so angry?” Shadowin asked. “When can we go home?”

  Vera looked at them, knowing she didn’t have any answers, only lies. “Your parents will probably come soon,” she whispered, knowing they never could reach the treacherous mountain, whoever they were. “But I can’t
let you go until then. I want to keep you safe.”

  The pups settled down and Vera sighed with relief. But she knew it couldn’t last for long. How long was it going to be before the children discovered that Wyntier was holding all of them prisoner?

  A week of searching with no avail found Kiatana, Keota, Ionan, Casiff, Lottie and Lilja all in a circle, questioning what was to be done.

  “What I don’t understand,” Lottie wondered at her brother’s side, “is why anyone would want Kennu and Allie in the first place?”

  Kia was wrapped in Keota’s strong arms, and they both looked red-eyed and haggard. Neither had taken a spare moment’s rest since Kennu had vanished.

  “It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Ionan rumbled, and they all looked up.

  “Kennu and Allie have the gift of prophecy,” he whispered.

  “Prophecy?” Lottie asked, and she and Lilja turned their heads simultaneously to face each other. Keota’s mouth dropped open and Kia’s eyes widened. Casiff looked at him, his face full of doubt. “That’s impossible!” he cried. “Kennu and Allie are only five years old!”

  “We saw them prophecy before they went missing,” Ionan said, baring his fangs. “Everyone has forgotten amongst all the chaos.” He lifted up his head and called in a powerful voice, “The first prophecy of Allie and Kennu;

  “The peace that has come for many a day,

  will soon be lost to shadow and gray.

  A man with brown eyes, with his slave by his side,

  Will soon the family himself divide.

  One an Accompany, another a Changer,

  One a strong fairy, whose heart fears one danger,

  One a soft mare, whose coat exquisiteness bursts,

  None of these know that they’ve all been cursed

  Four strong wolves, a brave night-pelted male,

  A brown scarred she-wolf with a broken tail

  The wandering loner, his howl that will echo,