“Choose?”
“To remain as you are—one of the Twelve, respected and honored for that alone. Or to choose to become part of my pack and accept me as your alpha.” Silverblade stroked her hair behind her ear and she felt his lips brush against it as he spoke. “My preference would be to see you become pack, but I will honor any decision you make.”
Now that was a dangerous and yet intriguing choice.
“This human is one of the Twelve?” A voice with feminine tones reached between her and Silverblade, stealing the warmth that had been intensifying between them.
Looking over his shoulder, Beatrice’s eyes locked with those belonging to a giant of a female. The newcomer was equal in height to Silverblade and only marginally narrower through the chest and shoulders.
Silverblade stiffened as he turned to face the female. “Yes, and her name is Beatrice. As you pointed out, she is a member of the Twelve. You will show her the same respect that would be granted me. Beatrice, this is Autumn Shadow, alpha and co-ruler of Highwater’s Pack.”
It wasn’t quite hostility she saw in Autumn Shadow’s gaze, but there was some calculation or perhaps frustration, almost like she looked upon Beatrice as a minor annoyance. Or yet another problem the female would have to deal with in a day already filled with them.
Autumn Shadow came forward and greeted Silverblade as some of the other pack members had, but to Beatrice’s way of thinking it was way too long and intimate. Though Silverblade didn’t shove her aside, so this must be normal.
Breaking away at last, Autumn Shadow looked him over. “Highwater Pack is honored to have one of the Twelve as our alpha male. Come, I will show you where the other members wait.” She started away, heading deeper into the camp.
“The pack should be doubly honored, then.” Silverblade’s raised voice held a cold bite to it. “Beatrice is pack to me.”
“Have you fallen in love?” She asked, sounding both curious and dubious.
A growl escaped him. “If I have, it’s no concern of yours.”
“Ah, but it is. When your pack bonds were severed, we thought you dead and we mourned your loss. Then members of the Twelve arrived with the phoenix prince’s Talisman. The Falcon Staff claimed that your pack bonds had merely been severed, but that you still lived. Your pack bonds must be restored, and quickly. I’ll let your new leaders explain.”
Autumn Shadow started off again, presumably leading them toward Ashayna Stonemantle and Prince Sorntar. Beatrice’s own curiosity was roused by the lupwyn’s words.
“You know something. Tell me what you know!” Silverblade shouted and started after Autumn Shadow’s receding form.
Beatrice knew she couldn’t possibly keep up to them without running, so didn’t even try. Councilor Tav soon took the spot Silverblade had vacated. Although she appreciated having another to walk with in this strange city of tents, Tav wasn’t exactly a reassuring companion.
***
Beatrice and the councilor eventually caught up to Silverblade and Autumn Shadow. The two lupwyns stood outside a pavilion that was four times as large as the others around it. It wasn’t the large tent which made Beatrice slow her steps though. The two lupwyns were waging what sounded like a vigorous argument. She couldn’t be certain of the topic since they were speaking in the lupwyn tongue, but it wasn’t a great stretch of the imagination to assume it had something to do with her.
The tent flap was pulled back and a tall phoenix with indigo plumage stepped out and looked at the two snarling lupwyns. The crown prince’s expression showed mild curiosity, but he seemed to decide it wiser not to get involved and turned in Councilor Tav and Beatrice’s direction. He called a greeting to the councilor and then his eyes landed on Beatrice and merriment lighted his face.
His long-legged strides carried him forward quickly and he clasped both her shoulders. “Welcome to the Twelve, little sister. It is a joyous occasion to greet another of our number.” The honest warmth of his greeting negated any awkwardness she might have felt at having a royal greet her in such a way.
Just behind the phoenix prince the tent flap was tossed back a second time and Ashayna Stonemantle emerged. Her eyes landed on Beatrice and she smiled. “It’s good to see you survived your run in with the—”
The eldest Stonemantle sister was cut off by a loud exclamation from inside the tent.
There was a minor scuffle inside by the sound of it. “Shift over, I can’t squeeze through there.” Another exclamation was followed by, “Ah. Get off my foot!”
The tent flap snapped back a third time and the youngest of the Stonemantle sisters emerged. She looked around, spotted Beatrice, and then ran, limping, over to her side.
Before Beatrice had a chance to brace herself, the taller and stronger woman nearly knocked her to the ground with an exuberant hug.
“I’m so relieved those cursed acolytes didn’t get you or your grandmother and brother.” Sorsha wrapped an arm around her and started to drag her bodily toward the tent. “It’s about time we had some more good news. Ever since we mended the shattered Falcon Staff all she’s spewed is dire news and dark tidings.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” Beatrice said and smiled even though she’d didn’t know what her friend was talking about. Relief washed over her body. There had been times she wasn’t sure if she would ever see her friend again.
Sorsha slung an arm around her shoulder. “Come. There’s much you and the lupwyn need to be told.” The taller girl looked over to where Silverblade and Autumn Shadow had finally stopped arguing to watch the spectacle that was the youngest Stonemantle sister.
Silverblade rejoined Beatrice and she thought he was going to apologize for leaving her behind but Sorsha suddenly leaned back, craned her neck to look around Beatrice to where Silverblade was standing on her other side.
Sorsha laughed, directing her next comment at the lupwyn. “Ah, you’re the trapper that was courting Beatrice. I thought there was something odd about you that one time we met. The Falcon Staff only said that a lupwyn and another human had joined our ranks. It wasn’t until Councilor Tav sent a message on ahead, that we learned the human was Beatrice.”
Silverblade bowed his head. “The Falcon Staff has my thanks. I’d not wish a third encounter with the acolytes.”
“Persistent bastards.” Sorsha agreed. She eyed Silverblade, taking in his altered form. “Looks like you ran afoul of some powerful magic? Don’t worry, you should see what one of the Oracle towers did to Shadowdancer and I.” Sorsha waved one hand, gesturing back toward the tent.
When Beatrice followed where the other woman pointed, it was all she could do not to gasp. She’d seen many strange things in the last days. She’d met lupwyns, phoenix, and santhyrians, but she couldn’t place what species she was looking at now. Santhyrian partly? From the withers down, the male had the horse-like body of a santhyrian, but merging seamlessly with the santhyrian part was a powerfully built human upper body. Her healer’s magic wanted to immediately start a study of him, but Beatrice reined it back, not wanting to insult Shadowdancer.
In truth he looked like one of the creatures spoken of in legends back in her homeland. It took her a moment to dredge up the name. Ah, yes. Centaur. Shadowdancer now looked like a centaur.
“You met Shadowdancer briefly when Prince Sorntar brought Ashayna back to River’s Divide for a visit. This was the price we had to pay for the Oracle’s help. It’s a price I’m now more than happy I paid. The Oracle’s magic allowed us to recover the Falcon Staff before acolytes could find and consume her. It also saved my life and gifted me with the ability to shapeshift.” Sorsha leaned forward and added in a whisper. “He’s a little put out, because he hasn’t recovered enough to shapeshift yet himself and finds it…frustrating.”
“My ears work just fine, though,” Shadowdancer said in a bland voice.
Ashayna stepped forward then. “We have many stories to share, but those will have to wait for later. We have greater concerns that require
our attention. The Falcon Staff has warned that the acolytes’ master has plans for the people of River’s Divide.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Beatrice shifted in her chair restlessly. It wasn’t that the chair was uncomfortable, but if she couldn’t get up and stretch her legs she was going to lose all feeling in them. Candlemarks of sitting tended to do that.
They’d shared a great deal of the history of the Twelve with her. More than she could possibly remember, but to be honest she was more interested in the current dangers than in the origins of the Twelve. The important bit was that the Twelve were reborn in times of trouble to restore balance and destroy evil.
It was clear they’d been reborn this time to deal with the acolytes.
And as each individual member merged their magic with the others, the entire group became far stronger.
Presently Crown Prince Sorntar was using mind speech to relay what they discussed with his parents who were even now mustering an army with the help of the lupwyn rulers. By tomorrow morning, they would arrive by Gate with an army of Elementals at their heels.
While she waited for the phoenix to finish his report to his elders, Beatrice allowed her eyes to wander. Luxurious tapestries formed the inside ‘walls’ of the pavilion. Thick, plush carpets lined the floor and ornate wood furniture that matched the table she sat at gave it the feel of a royal suite. Clearly, even though both santhyrians and lupwyns were nomadic peoples, they liked their creature comforts.
Her eyes wandered to the right where Silverblade had seated himself. On his other side sat Autumn Shadow. Ashayna, Councilor Tav, and Sorsha were seated across from them. With Shadowdancer standing at the one end of the table and Sorntar at the other.
Sorntar stood with his head bowed, unmoving as he communicated with the Council of Elders over a vast distance Beatrice couldn’t really comprehend. While the phoenix might not have moved so much as a feather, the same couldn’t be said of the Falcon Staff he held in one hand.
The talisman was as tall as Prince Sorntar, its shaft made out of a glossy dark wood. Spaced at even hand spans apart were wide gold rings that glowed to her mage sight. Some ancient language she did not know was etched into the bands, likely telling something of importance. But that wasn’t what kept her gaze wandering back to the staff.
It was the staff’s namesake, a life-sized falcon made of gold that had her studying it.
The jeweled eyes caught the light cast by the mage globes where they floated near the pavilion’s high ceiling. Depending on how the falcon moved, a rainbow of colors would reflect across the table’s polished surface.
Made of metal and magic, the falcon was clearly spell work of the highest order. It fit with her idea of what a talisman should be. What came as a surprise was the very real spirit housed within the talisman. Her healer’s magic told her this being was ancient, powerful and wise, but totally foreign at the same time.
As if sensing her regard, the falcon stopped preening her metal feathers and fluffed them once before settling them back in place and turning her sharp gaze upon Beatrice.
Disconcerted, Beatrice looked away.
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Sorntar look up and give his feathered crest a little fluff not unlike the staff had moments ago.
“My mother will continue to gather the army and be ready to move it into place at our order. She’s leaving it up to us to best decide how to get to General Stonemantle and determine if he or his senior officers have been corrupted by the acolytes or not. If he is not tainted, she would like to include him.”
Ashayna nodded. “He is astute and never has trusted the acolytes. If we give him solid evidence that they are slaves to a demon, he will do everything in his power to eradicate the danger that has taken root in River’s Divide.”
Silverblade leaned forward. “We can’t blindly assume he is untouched by the acolytes. More of them have been arriving by ship. Their numbers may now be enough that they grow bold enough to start making slaves of others that are not acolytes.”
The Falcon Staff’s strange, hollow voice echoed softly around the tent. “That is why the Hunter and the Healer will shortly return to the city of River’s Divide in their disguises of herb witch and trapper. Together you stand the best chance to learn if General Stonemantle can still be trusted.”
“I serve the Twelve gladly,” Silverblade said, but his expression turned guarded. “However, I will need time. My Larnkin is recovering thanks to Beatrice’s care, but I am still unable to shapeshift.”
From his other side, Autumn Shadow addressed the table. “Your pack bonds must be restored before such a dangerous undertaking.”
“It would be best, but there is not enough time, not if Beatrice and I are expected to leave on our mission within a few days. Besides, the strength of the pack is not what will be needed during this mission. Stealth, not strength, will serve us better.”
“Truth,” the Falcon Staff agreed and Beatrice felt Silverblade relax beside her.
He’d been tense all day, ever since he’d had that argument with Autumn Shadow.
The female lupwyn looked toward the Falcon Staff. “Did I misunderstand what you asked of me last night, then?”
“You did not.”
“I still don’t understand.”
That made two of them Beatrice decided.
Beside her, Silverblade stiffened again.
The Falcon Staff shifted on her perch and looked between Beatrice and Silverblade. “Autumn Shadow explained this to Silverblade earlier, but he has been remiss in sharing it with you.”
“None of you have given me time,” Silverblade said bitterly. “I would prefer to explain this to Beatrice alone, if you would give us a moment.”
“No,” the Falcon Staff replied. “Circumstance has not dealt you a pleasant task, but you will do what you must. The acolytes’ master has given us no time to worry over bruised feelings.” Jeweled eyes locked upon Beatrice’s then. “For the first time, the Hunter has been separated from his pack. That has never happened before. As his title implies, his greatest power is to find what is lost. In this case we need him to find the other Talismans, but like all lupwyns, his power is tied to his pack. Once his pack ties are restored, his power will flow down the links to each member of his pack. While the Hunter may only be able to be one place at a time, if he orders members of his pack to disperse and use his power to seek the lost Talismans, his reach will greatly increase.”
“I can see how that power will be greatly needed, and I understand why we don’t have much time, but surely if Silverblade and I are allowed to heal his pack bonds…”
“No.” The metal falcon hopped from her perch and walked across the table. “If you and Silverblade mate, he will be bonded to you instead of his pack. I am sorry. I know this will be difficult for you both since the Healer and the Hunter have always been mates in the past. But this lifetime we are all at a disadvantage and are required to make sacrifices. After he has forged new bonds with Autumn Shadow, he will again be alpha of his pack and be free to resume his relationship with you without risk. I am sorry. Long, long, long ago, I was once flesh and blood. I still remember the pain of heartache.”
The Falcon Staff gave a little bob of her head and then flew back to her perch. Sorntar shifted uneasily as if he didn’t know what to say into the silence.
Beatrice couldn’t speak past the lump lodged in her throat, and Silverblade was a silent, angry presence at her side.
Of course he had to forge new pack bonds. It would take every advantage they could get to defeat the acolytes. What the staff had said was purely logical. Why then were tears gathering along her lashes? Oh, yes, because as much as she was this Healer and wielder of some great and horrible power, she was still a woman, with a heart made of flesh and blood, not cold unfeeling rock.
Sorsha stood, slowly looking between Beatrice and Silverblade. “What did the Falcon Staff just say? Tell me I misunderstood that whole speech, because….because….well d
amn it all to the dark! That’s not fair. I think that’s worse than what the Oracle demanded.”
Beatrice wouldn’t look up to meet Sorsha’s gaze, but she caught movement as Ashayna placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder to silence her. “I don’t like it either, but it probably won’t be the last time one of us has to do something we’d rather not.”
Silverblade sat, rigid and silent, but Beatrice could feel the turmoil in his body. If she could do something to make this easier for him, she would. At least they wouldn’t both have to be in emotional distress.
Autumn Shadow pushed back her chair and stood slowly. “It is almost nightfall, I will call together the adults and we will hunt and sing to the night’s beauty. Come join me when you’re ready. But know I take no joy in this either, I’ve come to love Beta in the years you’ve been away scouting.”
With that she left. Silverblade still hadn’t moved or spoken.
After another long, awkward silence, Councilor Tav stood and made his exit. Shadowdancer held out his hand for Sorsha and they started away, clearly intending to give Beatrice and Silverblade some privacy.
Sorntar held his ground, a stubborn look on his face as if he was going to say something.
“Do not.” Silverblade said, locking his gaze with the phoenix prince’s. “It is one night. I’ll survive it.”
Her lupwyn turned to her at last and took her face in his hands. “You live in my heart already. None other can come close to touching that love or besmirching its purity. Come morning, I will be yours alone again, and if you’ll still have me, we can put this night far from our memories.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks and her throat still had a lump in it that made speaking difficult, but she would not let him go without knowing she would not hold this night against him in the least. “Of course I’ll still have you. I love you. This is a duty you’re required to perform for the good of all. It changes nothing between us.”
In Deception's Shadow Box Set: Book 1-3 Page 73
