“Are you sure?”
Corky nodded. “I’ll have you back before the morning.” She motioned Keira to follow. The woman walked into the darkness and the shadows of the towering pine trees. “Come on, let me show you. You won’t regret this, I promise.”
* * *
Keira was a bit leery and weary from the conversation. The longer they walked, the more she wanted to go back to bed. As Corky moved with a stealthy, quiet, and fast step; it took some effort to keep up with the shepherd. While she wanted to experience and see what Corky had planned, Riley’s berating of her back in the kitchen played out repeatedly in her head.
The teen couldn’t figure out why after her long conversation with Corky, that Riley’s tongue lashing was the only thing on her mind.
“He really is a piece of work,” she said under her breath.
“I didn’t bring you out here so you could keep thinking about that future wall mount. He cannot and will not define you Keira.”
“That’s not why I keep thinking about him.”
“You need to stop. He shouldn’t and you won’t let him change who you are.”
“That sounds easy enough Corky, but maybe he’s right.”
They had walked for close to twenty minutes by the time Corky brought Keira to halt. Still nestled in the woods, they stood at the foreground of a small clearing surrounded by an audience of trees.
“He’s not like you Princess. He will never be. Even the way he thinks is constrained to who he is and onto how he thinks he can protect Luza.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I should just go back to bed.”
“Come here. We didn’t walk all this way for nothing. I’m certainly not going to let some boy mess up your head.”
“But,” Keira lamented.
“Go stand over there.” Corky pointed to the center of the open grove.
“Fine, let’s get this over with.” Keira reluctantly walked away from the woman. The teen was physically there, but mentally on her way back to bed.
“Show me what you can do Princess.”
Keira lifted up her hands. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t be shy. Let’s see what you got.”
“The last time I did that today, I killed someone. I’m not shifting now just because you want me too.”
Corky shouted from the tree line. “You didn’t kill Bobby Hinderstein. You hurt him real good, but you weren’t the killer. Put that out of your head.”
“What?”
Before Keira could say anything else, two pairs of eyes appeared in the foreground.
“You better do something.”
“What did you do?” Keira watched the glowing yellowish-green eyes approach. There was no displacing the distinct facial patterns of the approaching pair of coyotes.
From the tall pointed ears and the narrow snouts, Keira had heard enough from Lane about these primarily nocturnal creatures. With a clear sky now overhead and the help of the crescent moon, the two animals were easier to see.
They both moved ready to strike their prey. Despite being only two feet off the ground, a combined attacked would be difficult to fend off, even for Keira.
“Make them stop Corky!” Keira put her hands out towards the two coyotes.
“I will do nothing of the sort. Shift!”
“I don’t want to hurt them,” Keira cried out.
“They don’t know who you are. Make them understand you are not to be trifled with.”
Two more coyotes appeared from the shadows, making the total now four, all within striking range of Keira.
The teen took a step back. Hesitating she knew inside there was no way to fend them off in her current form. There was no choice.
“Riley was right,” she admitted.
“Stop focusing on the boy. He can’t help you now. No one can.” Corky yelled at the teen from across the grove.
The two forward coyotes rushed towards Keira. She raised her left hand up to cover her face. As the first coyote leapt into the air, heading directly for Keira’s neck, the teen finally acted.
She transformed before the coyote made impact. Her powerful fawn colored paw struck the coyote in the nose, pushing the animal back.
Then as the other sprung forward, Keira darted to the side and clawed the animal in the side. Cowering backwards, both coyotes fell in line with the other two.
“That’s better Princess. Your mother’s favorite was the mountain lion.”
“Are you going to help me or not?”
“You don’t need any help,” Corky rested her hands on her hips and watched.
“I don’t want to kill them.”
The coyotes howled in unison.
“Then make them understand.”
“How?”
“Find a way.”
Keira wasn’t amused by this experiment.
How would mother handle four coyotes?
Not giving her time to respond, the four rushed Keira. She stood her ground and waited for the attack.
As one bit into her side, she swatted another throwing the animal a good twenty feet away. Kicking the one tearing at her ribs, she struck the coyote in the throat and it fell to the ground. The other two coordinated a joint attack, with one attack from behind, lashing at her back. The other went for her neck.
Whether it was luck or just sheer speed, Keira turned her body and slashed at the coyote to her front. He bounded off of her razor sharp nails and struck the coyote that had latched onto her back.
Temporarily free, Keira bolted for the middle of the grove as the four coyotes licked their wounds.
“They won’t stop until you’re dead.”
“So this is what a shepherd does?”
“Don’t focus on me. Remember who you are.”
“Remember who I am? That’s real helpful.” Keira ran away from the pack of coyotes. “What would mother do? Why did she say preferred,” she repeated out loud.
Suddenly, Keira stopped in her tracks. She looked at the four coyotes. Despite their earlier attacks, she saw for the first time that night, not fear in the depths of their eyes, but that like her, they belonged to the Great Mother.
It struck her as odd, so much so that she looked at her large paws and even wiggled the whiskers on her face, to know that something was different.
“You’re not here to fight me. I know that now.”
Keira ignored the fresh claw and bite marks. She unconsciously stepped away from the mountain lion form she was in, and marveled at the beauty and the bond the coyotes shared. She watched the four animals check on one another, then wait until they were ready as a group to approach.
As though she had always known, Keira’s form changed. Gone was her two-foot long tail with a black tip, the fawn matted fur, and her black nose. She was one of them now.
Chapter 9
Despite the frost and ice formed crystals, the rays of the sun trickled in through the window and into Keira’s room. Sound asleep, the princess had earlier covered her tired face with her pillow and several blankets; hopeful there would be ample time to rest. The alarm clock across the room was ceremoniously unplugged and hanging over the edge of the table.
She might have slept all day, but a familiar face, renewed from a solid night’s rest had already crept into the room and had taken a seat on the edge of the bed.
Luza changed her clothes from the previous day. Gone was the lone shirt posing as a dress or the letter jacket that went down to her knees. Replaced by a pair of blue jeans that actually fit her legs properly, the teen would finally blend in with others of similar age. She wore a light pink long sleeve shirt with the white inscription “Foxy” clear for all to read. Her outfit was brought together by a red knitted scarf that she wrapped around her neck, more for show than warmth. Unable to return to her Arctic fox form, she still maintained the body warmth, eye sight, and hearing of her previous state.
Dangling from the edge of the twin bed, Luza looked curiously at her off white, high
top Converse shoes with the bright blue star.
“I miss my paws,” she said, “But I guess these will do.”
Keira didn’t move.
“What do you think? Are these better than the hack job we did yesterday?”
Luza gently prodded Keira by poking her in the leg.
“How would I know, I’m sleeping,” Keira whined.
“Now you’re not. Come on, look at my shoes. Are they better than yours?”
Keira flung the pillow off her head and threw it at Luza.
“What are you doing?” Luza cried.
“That’s my question for you. Let me sleep. I’m tired.”
“Maybe if you had stayed in bed then you wouldn’t be tired.”
Keira found herself more alert. Suspicious she opened her eyes and tried to sit up. It hurt to move. Clutching onto her ribs, she knew they were still healing from her late night activities.
“I did stay in bed,” Keira lied.
“Which is why I woke up to a delicious treat waiting for me in the kitchen. Don’t worry I’m not complaining. I still don’t know how to make it from scratch though.”
“Oh Luza, you didn’t?” Slowly the teen sat up. She made sure to remain covered by the afghan.
“What there were only three on the plate?”
“That’s fine, I suppose. Did you leave the pepperoni in the fridge then?”
Luza laughed. Looking away from the teen, she jumped onto the floor and walked over to the window.
“I’m not sure what happened to that. There’s still food though, plenty of it. You should probably get something before we leave.”
“Already?”
She nodded. “Riley and Birchard are out front. Both were ready to barge in when Corky told them otherwise. She sent me instead.”
“Why do I think you’re leaving out something little one?”
“First of all I’m not little. I’m petite. In fact, I feel taller today. What do you think?”
Keira squinted and then gave the teen a once over. “You do look taller. It must be your shoes. But what’s going on with your hair?”
“Who knows? Racing stripes I guess. I think they are kind of cool.”’
Keira looked curiously at Luza’s long black strands, now on both sides of the girl’s head, intertwined with the rest of her white hair.
Luza rested her hands on her hips and then bobbed her head to the left. “I don’t need any awkwardness today. So whatever happened between you and Bucky last night, leave me out of it.”
Placing her legs on the floor, Keira rubbed the top part of her head. Her left shoulder stung with irritation.
“What do you know? You didn’t hear anything, did you?”
The look Luza gave Keira was all she needed. There was a slight nod and then a roll of her eyes. Resting her hands on the edge of the door, Luza shrugged and said, “Just get ready Keira.”
The Arctic princess shut the door behind her. Keira found herself alone and slightly agitated. She dropped the blankets and stood. It was hard to move which she found odd because before she fell back asleep everything seemed and felt fine.
She stood in front of her door-length mirror. Stepping closer, Keira looked at her plaid pajama pants and had to chuckle. Her pants were muddied on the cuffs and thighs. They were torn on the seams as well, just like her t-shirt that looked more appropriate for a heavy metal concert than for everyday wear. There was a large noticeable bruise on her forearm.
“This couldn’t have been all from last night. There’s no way,” Keira said.
Running her fingers through her thick curly hair, Keira untangled her black strands. She noticed several pieces of brown and grey fur. Cupping as many as she could find and placing them in her left hand, Keira open the adjacent door to the en suite.
* * *
To Riley’s displeasure, Keira took as much time as she needed to wash away proof of her late night affair. She changed into a clean pair of corduroys and a dark green turtleneck she found in the dresser. With a pair of loosely tied army boots on her feet, the teen had only to repack her bag. Intending to take her mother’s letter, she thought better of it and instead read Roohi’s words one more time before placing the weathered envelope on the desk.
She shut the door behind her and headed down the hallway towards the living room where the others were waiting.
“Nice of you to sleep the entire day away,” Riley commented from across the room. He was sitting on the edge of one of two leather oversized couches. His arms were crossed and not to anyone’s surprise Riley was still dressed in his torn jeans and in a badly faded black t-shirt. The boy elected to go bare foot.
“Savage,” Keira said under her breath.
Birchard propped his beak back and squawked. “You know what they say Princess about the early bird?”
Before she could respond, Corky stepped forward in a heavy wool robe, with a black sash wrapped tightly around her waist.
“That he must be lonely because all of his friends are asleep,” Corky said loudly. She carried a small plastic container.
Birchard turned to Riley and said, “That’s not how it goes.”
“Be gone ancient loon. She will join you soon enough — you too Prince of Perucica and Princess of the Northern Wood. May the Great Mother look over all of you so that you might do what is necessary.”
She gave an extra long look to Riley, before motioning Keira to follow her.
“We have to go,” Riley said.
“Enough! Out with you! I will send her along when I’m ready.” Corky pointed at the door.
Birchard didn’t wait for another tongue lashing. He flew over to Luza and rested on her forearm.
“Remind me to never get on her bad side Foxy.”
“Remind yourself to never get on mine,” Luza snickered.
She led the loon out the door with an annoyed Riley close behind.
“They’ll wait. Don’t you worry, not that you are.”
Keira looked into the warmth of the woman’s eyes.
“I don’t understand the rush. It’s not like the Great Loon goes anywhere; far from it if I recall. When you meet him child, don’t let him go off on his prophecies for all the good they are, it creates more confusion that frankly none of you need. Just get through the gate and be on to the next task.”
“Gate?”
“What we use to go from here to over there. I’m sure the prince will tell you all about it when he thinks you need to know. In short, that’s how your father got back to Europe.”
“Europe?”
“Yes love. Now take this.” Corky handed the teen the small plastic container. “This is a healing ointment for your scratches and cuts. It’s not a healing pool, but it will patch you up in a jam.”
“Thank you so much,” Keira sniffled. She felt torn with leaving so soon.
“Your mother would be so proud of you, especially after well you know,” Corky raised her eyebrow and smiled. “Now go child. Your room will be waiting when you return.”
With that Corky gave Keira a long, thoughtful hug. After several seconds, she released the teen from her grasp and watched Keira head outside to the others.
Several tears fell on the shepherd’s face as she watched her dearest friend’s daughter venture on to her next challenge.
* * *
“Are you done saying goodbye?” Riley asked with a permanent frown on his face.
“Are you done being an — ”
“That’s enough from both of you. Riley stop being a dick. And Princess be a little nicer,” Luza gave both of them a glare they would remember. The girl’s eyes were more menacing in the current light with her long white and black hair now held back by a hair tie she had found in her room.
Keira was about to retort, but decided to keep her mouth shut as they stood next to the Dodge. Curious, she wondered why no one was getting in the truck.
Finally, she couldn’t bare it anymore and asked, “Is there a reason we are standing here
?”
“Yeah, in case you need anything,” Riley said.
“Aren’t we taking the truck?”
“No you’re following me now,” Birchard squawked.
“Great,” Keira said sarcastically.
The loon took off from Luza’s arm.
“There’s a reason why I wanted to leave early. I hope you like walking.” Riley abruptly turned and headed into the woods.
“Truly? Isn’t there a boat or something? I seem to remember water,” Luza looked back at Keira.
Both teens followed Riley’s brisk pace.
“The first stop is the lake,” Riley shouted.
“How far is that?” Keira wondered.
“A couple hours assuming we don’t crawl.”
Both girls sighed.
“But again no one wants to listen to me,” Riley shared.
* * *
Whether it was just a matter of good timing or divine intervention, Riley came to a screeching halt as they made their way deeper into the woods. He put his hand up in the air and said nothing.
“What is he doing?” Keira said.
Luza put her fingers up to her lips. She poked her head around the closest tree and saw four coyotes salivating at the sight of the young prince.
She pointed in their direction. Keira paid no attention and kept walking.
“What are you doing?” Luza whispered.
“Come on, they won’t bite. I promise.”
Not waiting for Luza, Keira continued to walk.
“I guess this is one of those moments you can’t turn into a buck huh? Four against one? Now what do you do Mr. Always right?” Keira pushed him gently. She would admit to herself later she felt vindictive to the boy.
“Are you crazy,” he mouthed.
“Maybe, I’m not sure. Let me say hi to my friends.”
Keira walked over to the four coyotes. There was no snarling or growls. They wagged their tails if such a thing was known for coyotes to do and greeted the princess with kisses and hugs.
“You can keep walking. I don’t think they’ll hurt you unless you give them a reason.”
Luza marveled at the four legged beasts that caused many a problem on her journey south. She felt hesitant to pet or engage them the way Keira did. No, Luza knew better than to mess with one of her natural enemies.
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