by Natalie Erin
Kennu ran forward and they both fell, wrestling in the dirt playfully. Allie nipped Kennu in the chest gently and he yelled, pretending to die slowly. “Vixen has defeated me! Goodbye, world!”
He closed his eyes and laid so still Allie wondered if she really had killed him. “Kennu,” she whispered softly, nudging him with her head. “Kennu,” she whispered once more. When her head was as close to his face as it could get, Kennu jumped up and yelled, “BOO!” Allie jumped back, screaming loudly, and she chased after him in a rousing game of tag.
When the children had finished playing, they decided the next best thing to do would be to look for berries for lunch. But as they were walking through the forest, something seemed to change.
“Hey guys,” Shadowin said, and he looked around fearfully, “Do you think that somebody may be...I don’t know, searching for us?”
At that moment, Kennu pushed Allie into the bushes. She got tangled up in the thorns and Caini rushed in to help her, asking, “Kennu, what did you do that for?”
“Allie, don’t move! Don’t speak! You’ve gotta stay!” Kennu commanded.
At that very moment Wyntier snatched up Kennu, while Vera nabbed his backpack. Jade squealed, “Find Dad!” just before Vera grabbed her. The dragoness looked around and Wyntier screamed, “There are some of them missing! Where’s the prophetess?”
Voices sounded from nearby and Vera whispered, “Wyntier, there’s no time! We can look for the others later! Someone is coming!”
Wyntier’s eyes widened and he launched himself and Kennu onto Vera. The boy was crying hysterically, but Allie found that she could not move.
“Kennu!” she cried wildly but the scream died in her throat, unheard. She tried struggling, but it only made her weaker and weaker to disobey Kennu’s orders. As Allie sank lower and lower into the bushes, Caini held back tears as she saw her brothers and sisters fly away, in danger once more.
Crackling branches and soft voices made Caini sink down lower. “Allie, stop moving!” she whispered frantically, but the baby griffin cried, “No!”
She’s never been this far apart from Kennu before. It’s killing her! Caini thought. She tried calming Allie down by cleaning her feathers with her tongue, but it didn’t seem to help much. The voices grew nearer and a twig snapped right under a foot by her face. She gasped and her eyes, one blue and the other brown, looked up.
A blonde haired fairy in a blue shirt was standing above her, and although she thought he wasn’t scary to anyone else, he looked terrifying to her! She whimpered and the fairy looked down, his eyes widened. “Lottie?” he asked, peering at her nearly white coat and mismatched eyes.
She tilted her head. “How do you know my aunt?” she asked.
“Oh my gosh, Caini!” Caini’s head turned and her tail shook happily as she saw her mother bounding over to her. “Mommy!” she cried, wagging her entire body.
“Thank the Creator you are safe!” Cornia sobbed, snuggling her with her muzzle. “Where are your brothers and sisters? They’re not…”
Her voice wavered and Caini laughed a little sadly. “Mom, you always expect the worst. We escaped from the cave, but the others got re-kidnapped. I had to hide so Wyntier wouldn’t get me too.”
“Well I’m glad you are safe, Caini, daughter of Cornia,” a booming, powerful voice proclaimed. Caini screamed, “Wow!” as the greenest and largest dragon she had ever seen came out of the trees.
The dragon looked at her. “Ah, how beautiful you are. You look so much like your aunt. I’ve been waiting to meet you for too long. I’m Ionan.”
The dragon put his head down and she greeted it, standing next to the large mouth. “Your fangs are almost as big as me!” she exclaimed, putting a paw on a large tooth, and he chuckled.
At her words large white puffy things began falling softly from the skies like rain, covering the grass and leaving it soft. “Mom,” Caini asked as she batted it with her foot, “What’s this?”
“Snow,”Ionan answered and he looked up. “Autumn is over. Winter has come.”
“I’m tired of walking through trees, and now I’m going to have to hike through snow!” Casiff complained. “When are we going to find the others, get the kids and go home?”
“That’s likely!” Cornia snorted. “Let’s just go and round up everybody else, find the hideout, steal back the kids and fight Wyntier off, all in less than four days! Why don’t I just make griffins come back from extinction while I’m at it?”
There was a groaning from the bushes and the group startled. Ionan pushed the brush out of the way, staring down in shock.
The golden baby griffin was lying on the ground, her head on one leg. “Io,” she whispered softly as she looked up at Ionan, her eyes closing slowly as she sighed, “Kennu.”
Vera paced nervously at the entrance of the cave. Wyntier was going to be furious with her. Not only had they managed to lose Allie, the whole point in this mission that had taken them five years to conceive, but her Accompany had noticed the white band around her ankle. This couldn’t get much worse.
All the children were asleep in their pen once more. She stepped by them slowly as she came to stand in front of her Accompany, who was looking at her with a face devoid of all emotion.
“Wyntier,” she said.“I can explain.”
She expected him to hit her, or to tell her that she had betrayed him, but he only stared. “Explain then.”
She shifted uncomfortably. “I...I believed if I married Ionan he would trust me. That we would be able to trick him when he came to rescue the children.”
Vera didn’t expect him to believe the lie, but to her surprise he nodded. “Good work, Vera. That was a smart idea.” He laid a hand on her head softly and she pushed into it, enjoying his touch. When had he praised her last? Not since he had realized that she hadn’t agreed with his evil schemes.
“Come with me,” he said. “I have to show you something important.” Wyntier headed towards his small bedroom and Vera changed into a dog, following him eagerly.
“What is it, master?” she asked as they entered. Wyntier said nothing, only smiled at her with a mysterious look in his eyes. Vera went to move closer but she was sent flying onto the floor as strands of black magic wound around her ankles, tying her to the spot. She got to her feet and struggled to release the bonds, but no matter how hard she pulled the restraints only pulled tighter.
“I told you this would happen eventually, darling. She simply can’t be trusted,” a silky voice said behind her. Vera turned to bare her teeth at the fairy behind her, her blue eyes locking with the cold black ones. The fairy shook her head and her long, blood red hair fell around her shoulders in perfect waves.
“You’re the one who can’t be trusted,” Vera growled. “Wyntier, what are you doing? Have her untie me!”
“Did you honestly think that I would believe your little lie?” Wyntier asked coldly. “You’ve been endlessly in love with Ionan for years.”
“I knew she would betray you eventually, dear,” the fairy at his side said with a light little laugh.
“That witch will be your undoing, Wyntier!” Vera shouted. “And if you think you can keep me locked up in here forever, you’re wrong! Ionan and the others are coming for their children, and I’ve told him where we are! They’re going to stop you, and I’m going to help!”
“Kia is coming here? I thought you said we didn’t have to worry about them!” the witch said, turning towards Wyntier with a snarl.
“I gave her the mutation in the syringe. That should slow them down,” he told her.
“We don’t know that for sure!” she hissed.
“You don’t understand. I want them to find us,” Wyntier said. “It’s why we’ve been here for so long.”
The Changer froze in place.“It’s what you wanted all along, isn’t it?” Vera said slowly, with realization. “We could’ve left for Nesting’s Haven a long time ago with Allie and they never would’ve found us. But you’ve waited f
or them so you could kill them all once they got here. Then they’d be out of the way for good.”
“You’re right. Nothing is more relentless than a worried parent. They never would’ve stopped searching for her if you’d have kept them alive, my dear. It’s better to kill them now,” the witch said softly, giving Wyntier a kiss. “But what do we do with her?” The Accompany and fairy glanced at Vera, who glared back.
“We have to keep her around,” Wyntier said. “She may still prove useful. Anything to say for now, Vera?”
“I only regret not being able to make you love me,” Vera said simply, gazing into the eyes of her Accompany. The witch waved her hand and a small wisp of black magic cupped around Vera’s mouth, silencing her.
“Who could love someone as pathetic as you?” Wyntier replied cruelly before turning to his wife. “Go back to the house. I have a plan that’ll lure the queen and her friends right into our hands,” Wyntier said.
The witch vanished in a whirl of black smoke and Wyntier walked calmly out of his bedroom as if nothing was wrong. As he closed the door the children slowly began to wake. Kennu lifted his head up, looked around once or twice, and then asked, “Where’s Vera?”
Wyntier turned on his heels, heading into the lab. “I’m not sure. Perhaps she abandoned you.”
“Vera would never abandon us,” Kennu argued.
“Are you sure? Because it looks like that’s exactly what your Changer has done to you,” Wyntier said before slamming his door shut.
Chapter Twelve
Attack, Death, and Memories That Flood
“That was awful,” Lilja coughed as water flew from his lungs, crawling out of the water and onto the shore.
Snow Drop shook her wet coat and crawled over to the nearest clearing, collapsing onto the ground. “There are no amount of apples in the world that’ll make this trip worthwhile,” she grunted. “None at all.”
“What about sugar cubes?” Lottie asked, sopping wet.
Snow Drop thought about it for a second before letting out a sharp neigh. “No.”
As Keota got to his feet a shrill cry sounded behind him. He turned around slowly to catch Kia’s wrists in mid attack as she tried to smash his head in with a rock.
“Would you stop trying to kill me?” Keota said desperately, and he shook her as he said the words. “I’m not trying to hurt you, I did not kidnap you, and I certainly don’t want you dead!”
Kia glared at him. “Then why are you keeping me prisoner?”
“I’m not keeping you prisoner,” Keota said. “I just...can’t let you leave.”
“That makes a lot of sense,” Kia snorted. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you?”
“There she is!” Lilja said in excitement, and Keota’s face actually brightened with hope at the insult.
“Maybe she’s coming back?” Snow Drop said.
“I hate all of you!” Kia screamed. “And I’m going to make your lives miserable for not doing what I say!”
“Yeah, well, what else is new?” Keota said, letting go of her shoulders to turn away and sit on a stump. His eyes welled up with tears. Before anyone knew what was happening Keota’s head was in his arms, and he was crying harder than any of them had seen before.
Kia’s hardened glare fell from her face. She walked in front of him, kneeling in the dirt. “I don’t know if this is a trick, but if it’s not, I’m sorry,” she said softly. “But I just don’t know who any of you are. And I don’t think that I could be married to you.”
“But you are!” he gasped. “Just look at the ring on your finger!” He pointed to the lovely emerald he had given her five years earlier.
“I’m pretty sure I got that from my mom or something,” Kia told him. “I know you say you love me, but I just don’t feel it. And if I can’t remember that I loved you, you must be lying to me.”
“You must remember Kia. You love him.” Lottie came up and sat at Keota’s side. “You have always loved him.”
“And if you can’t remember, what will happen to Kennu?” Lilja asked from behind the fairy.
“Here we go with the whole son being lost thing,” Kia groaned. “I am not married, I don’t have any kids, and I have no idea why you keep trying to tell me that.”
“I don’t know why you keep telling me we’re going to kill you, either!” Keota protested back.
Kia held her breath. “Well...I don’t know that, but I’m sure there’s a good reason!”
“Oh yeah? Like what?” Keota asked.
“Nothing!”
“When you say nothing, it always means something!” Keota shouted.
“No it doesn’t, you don’t know anything about me!” Kia yelled.
“Yes it does, because that’s what you say everytime!”
“You’d have thought she’d never lost her memory at all, the way this fight is going,” Snow Drop mumbled to the wolves.
“I don’t know who I am, but whoever I am doesn’t belong here with you!” Kia said, pointing at Keota. “There is nothing in this world that’ll convince me that I love you!”
Kia turned and stormed off. Keota got up to follow but Snow Drop held him back.
“Let Lottie go. I’m sure she can bring Kia to her senses.” As the Pegasus said this Lottie rose to her feet and followed the distressed fairy.
“I just can’t handle any of this,” Keota cried into his hands. “I love her, and I know she loves me but this is like having her taken away from me! I just can’t do this for much longer!” The Accompany continued to cry while Lilja and Snow Drop struggled to comfort him.
Ionan turned to look at the small griffin perched on his shoulders. “Do you sense him yet, Allie?” he asked her.
“No. I can’t find Kennu.” She placed her head on Ionan’s back and sighed.
“We’ll find him soon Allie, don’t you worry,” Casiff assured.
“How can you be so sure?” Cornia snapped, Caini following close at her heels.
“Because I look on the bright side of things,” Casiff snarled at the she-wolf. “And to be honest, we don’t really have another choice but to find them, unless you’d like to be mummified in snow.”
She huffed her version of a sigh. “I’m sorry I’m so negative, but I’ve lost my children and my mate. This seems impossible.”
“It’s okay Mother,” Caini said softly. “We came from the Ice Borns, in a little cave. I know we’re headed in the right direction.”
“Yes, in a little cave with no room to run,” Allie added.
“We will find all the children and the others soon.” Ionan told them. “It’ll just take a little bit of time and teamwork.”
The night shone brightly as Ionan and his companions trekked up the mountain side, ready to join up with the others and defeat Wyntier. If the others are coming, Ionan thought sadly in his lion form as he trumped through the snow. They had no word from any creature great or small about their friends. Ionan prayed they were alright.
Ionan was a Changer, so he could stave off resting for a few days, but Casiff and Cornia were exhausted. Caini and Allie were even more tired than the adults were, and rested on Ionan’s back, Allie a small lynx again.
Allie groaned, “Kennu,” and began twisting on his back, changing into a fawn and kicking Caini in the stomach with her head. Caini growled, and Allie moved away, still calling for Kennu. Ionan reached around and took Allie down with his mouth, carrying her that way.
“Let me take her,” Casiff said. Ionan handed Allie over to Casiff and the Changer quieted as she listened to the steady sound of his breathing and heartbeat.
“She’s changed,” Casiff murmured as he stroked her long fur.
“How so?” Ionan asked.
“Everything. She’s found her main form, and her baby voice is gone. Something about her is less playful, and more dangerous.”
“My little Allie is growing up.” Ionan looked at her lovingly and Casiff stroked her fur again. The fairy looked up at the stars and said, “I ho
pe Vixen is alright.”
“She’s the Great One. I can’t imagine anything, or anyone, could harm her,” Ionan mumbled as he looked at the fairy.
“Yeah, yeah. I just wish I could be there with her. I want to get back in time so I can see our baby’s birth,” he said, looking at his gold wedding band hopefully. Then he turned back to stroking Allie and mumbled, “I wish Lottie were here.”
They continued onward until the night was just beginning to fade, settling in a clearing surrounded by the harsh mountainside. Allie and Caini woke up and asked to walk. The other adults settled down to rest while Ionan watched over the youngsters. Caini soon fell asleep once again by Cornia’s side, but Allie stayed up, looking up at the stars. She changed into a fawn and laid down, flicking her tail idly.
“Where’s my Kennu? When will we find him again?” she asked Ionan.
The lion sat next to her. He cast around for a subject that would take Allie’s mind off her friend.
“You know Allie, Christmas is coming up. What would you like for Christmas?” he asked with a smile.
“Kennu,” she said simply.
“We’ll get Kennu back,” he promised. “But what else?”
The little fawn thought. Then her brown eyes brightened and she said, “I want Vera to come back and be my mommy.”
Ionan’s eyes widened. “Is that really what you want for Christmas?”
“Yes!” she cried, excited. “I want to go home with Vera as my mommy and you can be the daddy. That would be the best Christmas gift ever,” she sighed, changing into a griffin and fluttering her wings.
“Maybe you’ll get your wish,” Ionan said. He tickled her ears and she laughed. They rolled in the snow, Allie snickering wildly as Ionan let out deep, low chuckles.
There was a soft glow in the corner of the rocks that caught Allie’s eye. She glided away from Ionan’s side, and went after the light as if enchanted by a spell.
Ionan spotted her walking away and called out, “Allie, don’t wander off.”
