Champion

by Jon Kiln

  Finally, early the next day they arrived on the border of the Slohal Prairie. It was easy to know when you arrived as the whole terrain changed drastically. They were now surrounded with a flat, featureless land for miles around. Ganry had never been here before, few humans had. The Wolves protected their privacy and uninvited guests were not welcome. There existed a few maps of the area and Ganry looked at one with Riley, determining the direction they needed to go.

  “According to this, Ganry,” Riley said, pointing at the map, “we have to go much further into the prairie before we find the rocky crags where the wolves make their dens.”

  “Then it’s best we start straight away. Give the men an hour, and then we move off.”

  Riley nodded his agreement and returned to the men with the new instructions.

  After a brief rest they mounted up again, moving deeper into the Slohal Plains. Ganry kept a close eye on Riley. He had to know if he was the traitor. It would be disappointing if he was. Ganry had a growing respect for the mercenary. He was brave and fought well, a good ally to have by your side. But, for the General to know their location, someone had to be passing him information. Other than Riley, all the rest of his men he knew personally, and trusted them all.

  They rode throughout the day, only stopping briefly to rest the horses at the occasional water well along the way. At nightfall they crossed a river and Ganry decided it a good place to rest for the night. He would have personally preferred to continue until they reached their destination, but it had been a long hard day, especially after the horrors of the night before. The men needed to rest.

  The soldiers were grateful to be stopping, but they were nervous of the water. No one took the opportunity to bathe as they all watched the river warily. Ganry had increased the night watch duty to six men. They were not going to get caught out again.

  He looked over at Artas who was already wrapped up and sleeping in his bedroll. What was it with him. He had never behaved like this before. He would ask a shaman of the wolves to look at him when they finally met them. The wolf shamans were legendary as healers. There was nothing Ganry could do tonight, so an early night was a good idea. Soon the camp echoed with the snores of sleeping soldiers.

  Riley had been stationed on night duty, and he sat looking up at the clear half silver moon when something rustled in a nearby hedge. He stood up to approach the bush, but two red eyes shone back at him. The deep guttural growling noise that emanated from the bush told him that they had met the wolves, at last. The low growls woke the men, who after the previous day’s experience were all keenly alert. They knew that Ganry was seeking the wolves. Well it seemed that the wolves and found him first.

  Ganry walked over to the edge of camp and called out to the wolves that had come closer and made themselves seen. He was struck by the sheer size of them, much bigger than any he had ever seen before. They were huge, with thick fur coats and teeth that seemed unnaturally large. The eyes of each wolf shone and glimmered in the darkness, reds, golds, silvers, all reflecting from the eyes that watched the men.

  “My name is Ganry de Rosenthorn,” he said loudly so the wolves would hear his words. He knew they understood him, for these were not just any wolves, but men too. “I come on your lands as an emissary for Queen Myriam. I need to speak with the alpha. I am here on a mission of great urgency.”

  As he finished speaking, the wolves could be heard to howl in unison. Then, by a large tree behind the pack, the silhouette of a man could be seen approaching them.

  “I am Blaez, and I bid you welcome to the lands of the wolves, Ganry de Rosenthorn. I am Captain of this unit and we are the border guards. Before I can take you further into our lands, do you have any authentication of who you are?”

  The man was clearly a warrior, with heavy muscles that moved with an easy grace. He was huge in height and easily towered over Ganry. Though Ganry felt no fear of any man, he would not wish to do battle with the Captain of the border guards. The hair on his head was long, thick and wavy, hanging loosely around his broad shoulders. Surprisingly, there were no signs of hair on the Captain’s body. Instead, where his skin was exposed, it was tanned and slick, shining in the moonlight.

  “I have the Queen’s ring, this is proof of my mission,” Ganry said, producing the large ring with the stamp of the Palaran flag, depicting a golden eagle flying over water.

  Blaez nodded his agreement as he recognized the insignia.

  “We are wary of strangers at the moment, more so than usual,” Blaez explained. “There have been reports of strange men on our borders, and they are not Palaran. Do you know of them, Ganry de Rosenthorn?”

  “I do Captain, as we have also been in conflict with them on another border. First, I will need to speak to the territorial alpha. My need is urgent, but also secretive. You must understand my caution.”

  “If these strange events are connected, then the sooner you speak with Raff, our leader, the better, so we can deal with whatever you bring to our lands.”

  Ganry felt a pang of guilt, even though it wasn’t their fault that they had brought the undead here. They would have come eventually.

  “Shall I stir the men ready to leave?” his own army commander asked of him.

  “No, I will go alone for now,” Ganry replied, and followed the large wolf man into the dark.

  22

  The wolves that remained surrounded the soldiers. They were wary of strangers and didn’t want them wandering around freely, not until they were certain they could be trusted.

  “I hope they’re on our side,” one of the soldiers remarked to Riley as he sat watching the beasts, circling their group.

  “They are fascinating, don’t you think?” Riley replied, but more to himself.

  “I might say that, once I’m out of here and I’m recalling the memory to my children,” the soldier, known as Ben, said nervously. “But, right now I would say I am terrified, rather than fascinated.”

  “I think they are not our enemy,” Riley tried to reassure him. “I think if they meant us harm, they would have done so by now.”

  Riley spoke to the man without taking his eyes off the patrolling wolves. He thought them beautiful. To think they had human form, made them a true wonder of nature. As they spoke, a curious wolf approached them, sniffing the air before it.

  “Hey there,” he said, in a calm voice. It seemed the wolf was as curious about him as he was about them.

  The wolf walked slowly around him, constantly smelling at the air, occasionally the ground too. After a full circle, the wolf was back in front of him, staring intently. Riley had a sudden feeling that this was a female. Its features seemed softer than some of the others, and it was smaller too. He reached out his hand to stroke the long fur, but the wolf stepped back, growling low and showing its teeth. He sensed no threat in its eyes, in fact, they seemed almost amused.

  Then a big wolf came close by and growled at her. She turned to leave, but not before squatting down and urinating on the ground close to Riley. She then trotted off, only looking back once, and Riley swore to himself she had a smile on her face. It seemed that she might be a young and rebellious wolf, and the older one had come to reprimand her.

  That set his thoughts to Artas, and he stood up to go and find out where, and what Ganry’s young protégé was up to. He too was worried about him and whether he was fit enough to continue with this quest.

  ***

  Ganry rode on horseback, following a small pack of wolves who took him to a subterranean compound. There was no other way to describe it. This pack lived as humans, and not wolves, for there were large doorways leading to living chambers. He watched on, amazed, as they all reverted to their human form before descending into the den. It happened so quickly that Ganry could not describe the transformation at all. One minute they were wolves, the next they were human.

  They walked passed a huge door and into a chamber that led downwards in a spiral. Arriving at a huge chamber, he noted that in the center was a l
arge hole. This was a well, their water supply, and it also seemed to be a central point for the community.

  “My name is Nuntis. I guard you until Raff, arrives. You are lucky he was close by, your wait will be short,” the man said to Ganry.

  Ganry simply nodded his understanding and seated himself on the dusty ground, crossing his legs for comfort. This helped him relax. Entering into a den of wolves was not an easy task. He had heard many stories of the shape changers, most of them good. They were a secret folk and acts of aggression were rare, unless attacked. Their prowess in battle was legendary, and many Palaran kings of past had used the wolves to good effect, helping to defend the borders against attackers. He was still nervous. This was their land, and humans were not really welcome.

  Nuntis was true to his word and within an hour, Raff, the alpha to this territory, entered the chamber.

  “I see you are followed by troubled creatures,” Raff said as he put out a huge hand to greet Ganry.

  They shook hands, a Palaran tradition of friendship. Ganry noticed that Raff was not a young man. He was someone of experience and knowledge.

  “What are these walking corpses of humans? I have never set eyes on them before,” Raff asked.

  “Neither had I until recently. We must talk,” Ganry requested. “I have much to tell you and a favor to ask of your people.”

  “Come, we will go to my chamber where I can freshen up. I have been out on a hunt of these strange armies on my borders. I will be grateful of information, for they are hard to stop.”

  Raff’s chamber was basic, but comfortable. They were met by the wolf’s partner, Zenisha, who provided refreshment. The sweet liquid was most welcome as it was warm underground and Ganry gratefully drained his cup in one. Zenisha smiled and poured him another. Just at that moment they were joined by other males, all in human form. Raff introduced them all, one by one. These were his trusted seconds in command of the packs in this territory.

  They sat upon a large rug on the ground, made up of many animal skins. It was soft and luxurious and made sitting on the hard stone floor much more comfortable.

  “Have you come from the Queen to tell me that Palara is invaded?” Raff began the meeting.

  “Palara is not invaded, not just yet anyway, Alpha Raff,” Ganry began to explain. “The witches have followed us here with their army of the undead. I don’t know how they’re tracking us, but they seem to be on our tail every way we turn. It likely that their army is made up of Palaran folk that the witches are slaying along the way. Then they raise them from the dead to do their evil deeds.” Ganry paused a moment to allow the men to fully comprehend what he was saying. Even for shape changers, the knowledge that the dead could walk was difficult to comprehend.

  “General Jeon, of Mirnee,” Ganry continued, “is in league with them, but I don’t know the full details yet. I was sent by Emperor Nestor Fontleroy to find his son, before the witches do. Here is Queen Myriam’s ring so you can trust what I say is true. I must find the child before the General does, for I fear he means him harm. Do you know where the albino boy is?”

  “I do, but he remains under our protection,” Raff replied. “We will not give him to you, or anyone else for that matter. None will have access to him.”

  “You cannot keep him safe from the witches,” Ganry argued. “I need to return him to Mirnee. Only when he takes his rightful place on the throne will he be safe and the witches beaten.”

  “Clearly you are not aware of the legends of witches and wolves,” one of the other men spoke to Ganry. “If a human were bitten by a shape changer, it would have no effect, other than it would be painful or even fateful. If we bite any who have magic in their blood, they will Turn. Witches and shape changers are historically arch enemies.”

  “I think you will find that they will throw themselves at you to get this boy. I don’t know what hold he has on them, but they will do everything in their power to take him,” Ganry warned.

  Raff stood, his face a mask of determination.

  “The boy was placed in our care by the Emperor, with instructions that only he could take him. You say you are sent by the Emperor, but you have no proof. The boy stays with my people and that is the end of the matter.”

  “I wish to speak with Ganry, Raff,” a small quiet voice said from the doorway.

  Ganry looked over to see an albino boy with pure white hair, his skin a pale and pallid white too. Even the boy’s eyes were like the rest of him, pupils that glowed like silvery disks. Ganry knew instantly he was the very special boy that he had been seeking.

  “I know my father trusts this man, Raff. He once told me that Ganry is my brother, in all but blood.”

  23

  The boy stepped out of the shadows and went to Ganry, holding out his hand in the traditional greeting. “My name is Cronos Fontleroy, and my father has spoken fondly of you.”

  “And he speaks fondly of you still, young master,” Ganry smiled at him, accepting his handshake. “I am Ganry de Rosenthorn, and I have come to take you home.”

  As he studied the pale skinned boy, he thought he was of a mature nature for his eight years of age. Being born to an Emperor and next in line to rule, probably does that to a child. He has been trained and prepared for leadership from the moment he said his first word.

  “These people have been kind to me. I need to say my goodbyes. Will that be acceptable?” the boy asked Ganry.

  Ganry turned to Raff. “You have to understand that while Cronos is here, both he and your people are in danger.”

  “If Cronos wishes to return to his lands, I will not go against his wishes. He has a wise head for his age,” Raff smiled at Cronos. “However, my mate, Zenisha, would never forgive me if we did not have a proper send off for the boy. She has grown very fond of him. At the very least she will demand a feast in his honor.”

  Ganry felt his own men could do with a rest before the return journey, so although he wanted to set off back as soon as possible, he didn’t object to the delay. Let them say their goodbyes and tomorrow they would leave for Castle Villeroy.

  Ganry said his farewells to Raff and the boy, and was then escorted back to his own camp, along with the wolfman, Blaez, who had brought him here. The men had finished setting up and they were relaxing when he returned. Oddly, there was a cluster of men around Riley.

  Ganry approached the group to check that all was well.

  “Artas is missing,” Riley informed him. “We’re just about to do a search of the perimeter. He can’t have gone far.”

  Ganry nodded his agreement. He would help search for Artas. He was growing quite fond of the young man, and Myriam would never forgive him if anything should happen to her friend.

  Blaez offered his help and spoke to the other wolves present, in their own language, a deep guttural sound with a staccato rhythm. They set off together in the search for the missing nobleman.

  There were clusters of small woodlands close by, and they decided to break up so they could cover more ground. Each group had a wolf to accompany them. Ganry, Riley and a grey haired wolf took the first small woods. They made their way through the dense copse, and soon arrived in a glade. The small grassy meadow was alight with a glow of blue, which seemed to be shining from the center. They approached the light cautiously, swords drawn. The grey shaggy wolf with them was alert and cautious, the hackles on its back raised.

  As they grew closer it wasn’t a witch they saw, but instead they found Artas.

  He was kneeling in the long grass, his head leaning back and a blue light shining from his eyes. Artas was not aware of anything around him. He was speaking to someone, a language Ganry had never heard before, but yet there was no one present.

  The wolf changed into human form and a young woman stood before Ganry and Riley.

  “My name is Grecia, I am the shaman for my pack,” she introduced herself. “This human is under a spell, and under the control of the witches. He is passing information to them.”

  Ga
nry gasped in surprise. Artas was the one betraying them. He never for one moment suspected him.

  Grecia, seeing the shock on Ganry’s face, spoke, “Do not blame him, he is young and vulnerable. If you blame anyone then it is yourselves, for surely you must have seen some changes in his behavior. We must help him.”

  Ganry was stunned to silence. Of course he should have realized. He knew Artas well, and he had not been himself these last few weeks, ever since they had returned from Mirnee. Now he understood how their escape had been so easy. Jeon had wanted them to come here and lead him to the boy.

  Grecia set to work, while Ganry stood and watched, helplessly. She took a hold of both of Artas’s hands and stared into his young face. Her eyes turned a ruby red and shone back at the blue light. They stared at each other, locked like that for what seemed an eternity to Ganry. The woman’s red eyes seemingly challenging the blue light, emanating from Artas’s eyes.

  Suddenly the blue light flickered and began to fade, causing Artas to scream. Both bodies elevated upwards, just a few feet from the ground. Grecia did not let go of Artas’s hands. It was obvious he was in pain as the witch and wolf fought their private battle. The blue light flickered one last time and was gone. Grecia brought them both gently back down to the earth. Her eyes returned to grey and she smiled.

  Artas just stared ahead for a few seconds, his face blank and impassive, a few beads of sweat clinging to his forehead. He blinked and then noticed Ganry and Riley, taking in his surroundings with a puzzled frown to his face.

  “Why are you all staring at me,” he asked, “and why am I here?”

  Ganry smiled, relieved that he would once again be himself.

  “I’m sorry Artas, I never suspected anything.”