Warlords, Witches and Wolves: A Fantasy Realms Anthology

by Michelle Diener

Shuree gasped as blood flew into the air and Gan’s body crumpled to the ground. She clenched her teeth to keep the bile at bay and stepped aside, a little dizzy, as Ogodai and his men rode past.

  Justice was swift.

  She took a moment to study Gan’s body. He’d had his chances and wasted them all. She was only sad for his mother.

  Moving back to the pavilion, she called to Ghalin. The last two tribes have arrived, if you wish to get their agreements.

  No answer, however it was still early.

  The two khans dismounted at the pavilion and handed their horses to their warriors, directing them to set up camp nearby. As Shuree caught up, Dagar was explaining who Gan was and making introductions. “Let’s gather around the fire to eat,” he suggested.

  As they walked to the fire, Shuree pulled Kublai aside. “What happened last night?”

  “The dragon lied. Ogodai didn’t have any extra men with him. Our scouts checked the whole area but found nothing.”

  She frowned. “Why would he do that?”

  A heavy flapping behind her made her turn as Ghalin came in to land. Shuree smiled, though was unable to keep her concern from her thoughts. “Good morning.”

  His posture was stiff. You broke your promise, you must leave.

  The other khans turned back and Ogodai gasped. “Dragon.”

  Shuree shook her head. “What promise?”

  You promised not to leave the meadow while you were here.

  Her eyes widened. “But you said Ogodai had brought extra men. We needed to find out what he planned to do with them.” Except he hadn’t brought extra men. Her shoulders slumped. “You lied to me.”

  It was a test you all failed. You speak of trust and yet at the first sign, you did not.

  She couldn’t believe what he was saying. “I trusted you.”

  You know nothing of our kind. You trusted me over your own people.

  Anger simmered. He was right, but it was only part of the story. “We could have left last night, disbanded because of your lies, but we didn’t. We worked together to seek the truth.”

  You must leave.

  “You manipulative creature,” Kublai growled, unsheathing his sabre.

  Violence is your first reaction to everything. Ghalin’s disdain was clear as he glanced back to Gan’s body. In the sky above, several dozen dragons flew in formation towards them. Shuree’s heart raced.

  She stepped forward. “No, it’s not. Yes, we left the meadow, but we did not think of breaking our promise. We only went in the direction we had come.”

  “They’re going to attack,” someone yelled behind her. “Get your weapons!”

  Peace was unravelling before her. Ghalin flapped his wings ready to take flight, and next to her, Kublai shifted to attack. She couldn’t let this happen.

  “No!” She leapt in front of Ghalin as Kublai thrust his sword. The sharp blade pierced her stomach, slicing with red hot pain. She gagged, clutching the blade as absolute horror crossed Kublai’s face and he let go of the hilt. Sweat prickled her skin and it was impossible to breathe.

  “Shuree!” Dagar yelled.

  She stumbled back, almost crashing into the dragon. Her knees buckled and she fell to the ground, tears streaming down her face. The sabre shifted, widening the wound. The morning dew soaked her pants adding some coolness to the fire shooting through her arms, stomach, legs.

  Around her people yelled, but nothing made sense. All she knew was she couldn’t let them kill the dragons. Gasping, she whispered, “Don’t fight.” She swallowed and raised her voice as loud as she could. “Don’t fight each other, don’t fight the dragons.”

  Why did you do that? Ghalin asked, his confusion clear. I can protect myself.

  “Too. Much. Death.”

  Dagar dropped to his knees beside her, devastation on his face. “Shuree.”

  She blinked at him, her brain working slower now. Warm blood flowed over her hands and together Kublai and Dagar helped her to lay down. She was dying. She’d seen similar injuries before and knew there was no recovery. Still she couldn’t see all that she’d worked so hard for be ruined. She gripped Dagar’s hand. “Peace.” Every word was torture.

  “Hold on, Shuree.” He looked around and yelled, “Don’t we have a healer?”

  She doubted any of the khans had used one of their precious warrior places on a healer.

  “You can’t die, Shuree. I won’t let you.” The fierce determination on his face made her ache.

  “I’ll find you on the endless steppes,” she whispered, her eyes fluttering closed.

  “No!”

  I can help, Ghalin said. We have a healer.

  “Haven’t you done enough?” Dagar growled.

  Shuree forced her eyes open. “Trust.”

  A green dragon entered her field of vision. This will hurt, the female voice said. Take out the sabre.

  Dagar and Kublai both hesitated. She was dying anyway. “Trust,” she repeated.

  Dagar nodded and Kublai withdrew the blade. Sharp, slicing pain. Darkness claimed her.

  Chapter 10

  Silence surrounded Shuree. Her body was heavy, her mind thick and she struggled to make sense of where she was, and what was happening. She tried opening her eyes, but even her lids were as heavy as a new-born foal.

  “Shuree?” Dagar squeezed her hand.

  Why was he holding it? What would the others think?

  Shuree, open your eyes. You need to drink. The gentle feminine voice in her mind was insistent.

  She tried again and this time light seeped through the gap in her eyelids, forcing her to blink.

  “You’re alive.” The relief in Dagar’s voice was evident.

  Why wouldn’t she be alive? What was going on? She turned her head and found she was in a tent and a green dragon was by her bed. “What—” Her lips cracked and her voice broke. It was too difficult to speak.

  Dagar helped her to sit and held a cup of water to her mouth for her to sip. “You got in the way of Kublai’s sword.”

  You saved Ghalin.

  Memories flashed back to her and she touched her stomach. No pain, no injury at all. “I was dying.”

  The anguish on Dagar’s face was heartbreaking. “Lelin saved you.” He indicated the green dragon with icy blue eyes, who was smaller than Ghalin.

  “How?”

  I can heal your tissue, knit it back together, but you have lost a lot of blood. You will be weak for a few days.

  There was so much they didn’t know about the dragons. “Thank you.” She lifted her tunic, but the skin on her stomach was smooth, unmarked. Incredible.

  Thank you for saving Ghalin. After what he did, we are surprised you acted that way.

  “I didn’t want him hurt.” Her head spun as she shifted away from Dagar. “Where are the others?”

  “They’re meeting together,” Dagar said.

  “Without me?” She stood and stumbled, falling into Dagar’s arms.

  “Easy,” he said, one firm arm around her, supporting her weight. “When they realised you would survive, they started the discussions. They thought it would be nice if they could get most of the arguing done before you arrived, show you they could negotiate without you there.”

  She let him lower her to the bed. “They’re not trying to keep me out because I’m a woman?”

  “After what you’ve achieved, they wouldn’t dare,” Dagar said. “You’ve impressed them all. Kublai feels particularly indebted to you.”

  She would have to talk to him later. “I’d like to go out.”

  “You should rest.”

  “I can rest under the pavilion as easily as I can rest here,” she said. “And there might be food out there.”

  He scowled and looked at Lelin.

  She will be fine.

  Dagar wasn’t pleased. “I will take you, but you’re not walking. I’ll carry you.”

  She shook her head. “That will make me seem weak.”

  “Didn’t you say peop
le thought you talking to my tribe was weak, and yet you did it anyway, and here we are.”

  He was right. “All right.” As long as she was part of the discussions, it didn’t matter how she got there.

  He lifted her easily and carried her out of the tent. It was close to midday and warriors were spread through the camp. Someone had set up targets across the meadow and it appeared an archery tournament was underway. Nearby one of the Horkham warriors was wrestling with an Adhan man and others stood around cheering them on. Over by the horses, an Erseg man stood proudly beside his horse, chatting to two other men who were admiring the beasts. It was a community, much like any tribe.

  “Where’s Gan?” she asked.

  “We buried him,” Dagar replied.

  She would have to tell his mother and Amar when she returned. Dagar carried her to the pavilion and set her down next to Erhi and Vachir.

  “Shuree, we are glad to see you up,” Kublai said.

  “We weren’t sure how long you’d be, so we started,” Ogodai said.

  She smiled. “I am glad. I didn’t hear any arguing from the tent, so does that mean you’ve moved past that stage?”

  The men laughed. “We have,” Bat said. “Let me fill you in.”

  Someone tapped her on the shoulder and Dagar handed her a bowl of soup. “Thank you.”

  She sipped the meaty broth as the khans each told her the items they were willing to trade and how they had agreed with her idea of an annual gathering to foster communication and understanding between the tribes.

  “They ask we split our harvest with them,” Vachir said, “And I thought we could maybe increase the land we sow.”

  An interesting idea. Some people preferred staying in one place. “We can definitely investigate it.” The broth helped her energy but it was still difficult to hold herself upright. Her limbs were weak and her head a little light. Perhaps she’d been too quick to come out here. She swayed a little and Dagar sat next to her.

  “Lean against me,” he murmured.

  She was too tired to care what anyone thought. Dagar’s body was a warm, solid wall and she liked the feel of his arm around her. The khans discussed options, argued about details and she added her opinion when it was needed. By the time it grew dark and Erhi called an end of the day’s discussion, Shuree was having difficulty keeping her eyes open.

  “Have something more to eat, and then go to sleep,” Vachir said. “I’ll keep an eye on things here.” He gestured to the khans.

  “I don’t think you have to,” she said. “They seem to be getting along just fine.”

  “Thanks to you,” Dagar whispered.

  His breath tickled the back of her neck. He helped her to her feet and swept her into his arms again. She didn’t protest. She was too tired to walk.

  As they made their way back to her tent, Kublai joined them. “I am so sorry, Shuree.”

  She placed a hand on his arm. “It was an accident. I don’t blame you.”

  “I’m relieved the dragon could save you.”

  “What happened to Ghalin?”

  “He flew away with the other dragons after Lelin healed you,” Dagar said.

  She would like to speak with him again before they left.

  “Speak of the devil.” Kublai pointed to where both Ghalin and Lelin were coming in to land, the power in their muscles and their massive wing span still awe-inspiring.

  “Put me down, Dagar.” She shifted and he set her on her feet, keeping an arm around her waist. Nerves tickled her belly.

  We have come to see how you are, Lelin said.

  And to apologise. Ghalin lowered his head.

  “Then please, come to my tent,” Shuree invited.

  Before she could ask, Dagar picked her up again. She could get used to being carried by him.

  Inside her tent, he placed her on the bed and the dragons entered, Ghalin slinking in looking distinctly uncomfortable at the walls surrounding them.

  Lelin approached Shuree. May I touch you to see how you are healing?

  “Yes.”

  Lelin placed her paw on Shuree’s arm and a soft, probing sensation filled her body. Still some ways to go. Dagar, could you get her more food?

  “Can he be trusted?” Dagar glanced at Ghalin.

  I was under orders. I am sorry. Ghalin sounded genuinely bereaved.

  But he’d admonished her for trusting him over her own people… She sighed. Trust had to start somewhere. “I’ll be fine. I am hungry and thirsty.”

  Dagar studied her and then turned to Ghalin. “If you harm her, you won’t leave this camp alive.” He walked out.

  Ghalin moved a little closer but stopped about a yard from the bed. I did not want to lie to you, but my elders asked it of me. Interactions with humans are rare and it was us who didn’t trust.

  She frowned. “Why try to sabotage our attempts at peace?”

  If you are busy fighting each other, you have no time to come into our mountains. We have seen how quickly humans can spread.

  “You were trying to protect your home.” It was something she could understand.

  The elders send their apologies. They thank you for saving me.

  “And I thank Lelin for healing me.” She pursed her lips. “If I could ask one thing of you?”

  Go ahead, Ghalin said.

  “I ask that your kind do not lie to us in future. You have the advantage of hearing our thoughts, and knowing if we lie, but we do not have the same advantage. I would like to be able to trust you going forward.”

  Ghalin was silent and Lelin said, He is asking the elders.

  Finally Ghalin spoke. The elders agree. We will not lie to humans again.

  “Thank you.”

  Lelin shifted. As payment for our actions, we have given you a gift.

  Shuree frowned. “That is not necessary. Your promise not to lie is enough.”

  It is necessary. Your goal here was pure and we corrupted it, Ghalin said.

  She could feel his insistence. “Very well. What is the gift?”

  It is nothing you can see, Lelin said. It is inside you.

  She pressed a hand against her stomach, unease making it swirl. “I don’t understand.” What had they put inside her when she was unconscious?

  It will be passed on to your children, and if they are worthy, it will be passed onto theirs through the female line.

  What were they talking about?

  Your strength has always been compassion, Ghalin said. This will be enhanced so when you leave this place you will spread it through the tribes, and achieve the peace you hope to attain.

  Lelin nodded. Your children may have need of a different gift—that of healing, or helping plants grow, she explained. When they reach the age of eleven, you will need to decide what their gifts should be.

  They spoke of magic. “And if they don’t want it?” Shuree asked.

  Ghalin answered. They can choose not to use it at all.

  We will watch you, Lelin said. When the time comes, you can come to us for help or answers.

  It was hard to comprehend, but if no harm would come to her or her children, she would accept it. “Thank you.” Later, when she wasn’t so tired, and peace had been negotiated, she would ask for more details.

  We have one more thing to ask of you, Ghalin said. We would like to listen to your discussions, learn about you.

  “I am happy for you to, but the other khans must agree.”

  Dagar returned with a bowl of dumpling soup. “Is everything all right?”

  “It is.” She took the soup from him. “Ghalin would like to sit in on our discussions tomorrow. Could you ask the khans whether they agree to it?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Is that wise?”

  “A lack of understanding brought us here. Let’s not repeat the same mistakes as we made with our own people.”

  He shook his head. “You are too lovely to be real.” He caressed her cheek and walked out.

  Her heart beat a little faster. When t
his was over, she would have to do something about her feelings for Dagar.

  He would make a strong father for your children, Lelin said.

  Shuree gaped at her.

  Something to think about. Lelin exposed her teeth in a smile.

  Shuree didn’t reply, though Lelin could probably see her thoughts.

  Peace had to be achieved first.

  It took another five days to negotiate the terms of the peace treaty. Arguments broke out regularly after the first day; perhaps with Shuree’s health improving, the men no longer felt like they needed to hold back their emotions. A few times they had to break up the meeting to give people time to cool off and each time Shuree went to speak with those involved to help them see the situation from the other’s point of view. On one such time she wandered over to where Turgen was shooting arrows at the targets, his movements fast and his whole body tense.

  “Are you pretending it’s Ogodai you’re shooting?” Shuree asked as she stood next to him.

  Turgen swore. “That imbecile!”

  Shuree waited until he’d used all the arrows in his quiver and then walked over to the target with him to withdraw them. “I can’t say I agree with his phrasing,” she said. “Our women should not be traded, and there should be no minimum number who move tribes, but arranging suitable love matches between the tribes would be good for everyone.”

  “He wants my daughter for his wife. He’s older than I am!”

  “Then perhaps we need to add a clause that no one may be forced into a marriage they do not want. Then your daughter can choose whether she wants to marry Ogodai.”

  “She won’t want to.”

  “Then you have nothing to worry about.” She slid the arrows into his quiver.

  The simmering tension in him deflated and he rubbed the back of his neck, sighing. “You’re right. My anger made me lose focus.”

  She smiled. “It’s been a long few days. Why don’t you shoot another quiver of arrows and I’ll chat to Ogodai? Then we can arrange for more food and continue the discussions.”

  “All right.”

  As she approached Ogodai in his camp, the khan held up his hand. “Don’t speak. Dagar has already explained how my words were misconstrued and I know your feelings about women being commodities.”