"What do we do, Fergus? Fourteen-year-old Lord Brodrig MacLachlan nudged his sturdy horse closer to him.
"Parley."
"What if they won't let us pass?"
Fergus shrugged. We cut their balls off."
"They haven't any. Brodrig giggled nervously.
"They don't need them."
Fergus could not spot a single male in the Sharani ranks, but none of those women stood less than six feet in height, broad-shouldered and muscular. He knew better than to underestimate them, especially those seven paladins to the god of war.
Turning in his saddle, Fergus signaled his cousin, Darcy MacFie, and Father Gileaus to come forward.
Gileaus carried his staff with the base in a lance cup and a white banner furled around it and tied with green tasseled cords.
Darcy had strong features and hair the color of a red fox. She wore her hair in a tight braid, revealing that she had only half her left ear and wore a large gold loop in the right. She wore a breastplate over her shirt of heavy chain and carried a broadsword at her shoulder.
"As I see it, said Fergus. It might take a bitch to talk sense to a bitch. Darcy, you ride out with Father Gileaus and tell these viragoes we wish to parley."
"Consider it done, cousin."
Father Gileaus unfurled his parley flag and rode out with Darcy. Seeing them, two of the Sharani paladins rode forward to meet them.
"You think they'll listen? Brodrig asked, a note of anxiety creeping into his voice.
Fergus eyed Brodrig, the youngest grandson of Lord Duncan, and shrugged. Good chance of it ... assuming Darcy holds her temper."
The talking went on longer than Fergus had been expecting, and Brodrig had begun to fidget by the time that Darcy and Gileaus returned.
"We're in luck, cousin. Darcy laughed. The captain is family sort of."
"What do you mean sort of?"
"I know her. She's the one triaded with Cousin Lucy's husband's brother from Chandler's Rock."
"So what did she say?"
"Make camp and have dinner with her. Give's her time to fetch Tully so's she can have one of our own there."
"He's Red Wolf. Not MacLachlan. Fergus scowled.
Darcy laughed again. You know how it is with foreigners. Can't tell one lycan from another. But it's in our favor."
"Maybe."
* * * *
Captain Artemisia Leonidian had turned the dinner into a family affair, sitting with her wife, Jocasta on her left, and her husband, Tully Abernathy at her right. Fergus thought they made quite a contrast, the two statuesque copper-skinned Sharani and the slender, blond lycan they had triaded with. He could not get his tongue around the proper terms for their relationship and decided not to try, contenting himself with slapping lycan words all over it. Tully did not bother hiding his amusement as he translated whatever his wives failed to understand. He seemed a good-natured sort and Fergus almost liked him.
The food had been good and the liquor proved tolerablebarely. However, the lengthy period of pleasantries made Fergus itch, and he muttered in lycan. Can we get to the point now?"
Tully smiled and translated, getting a laugh and a nod from his wives.
"To be honest, it surprised me to have MacLachlan on my doorstep. The Captain gestured and her aide refilled their glasses. I expected it to be Old Claw instead."
"He got a reason? Fergus asked.
Artemisia leaned forward. Not disrespecting your brother, but more than you."
"Why?"
"Four of his couriers were butchered in Hell's Widow."
"And you done nothing about it? Fergus had never spoken to a Sharani before. Whenever he came to Hell's Widow, he kept to the lycan district and scrupulously avoided them. All he had to go on was what others had told him about them; that they were fiercely territorial and put up with no bullshit; that they kept an iron hand on matters and had a reputation for thoroughness.
"Not much I can do. She made a sweeping gesture. What you see is all there is of the garrison."
"Can't be. His eyes narrowed in suspicion, certain that she had to be lying to him.
"You don't get much news in MacLachlan. You're too insular."
Fergus exchanged a glance with Darcy. What news?"
"We lost at Wolfsbane Field. General Mardreth Dovane has retreated to Skeleton Creek to regroup. They're draining the garrisons to reinforce her. More troops have been requisitioned from Shaurone, but they haven't reached us yet."
"If you can't or won't protect our people, we will, said Fergus.
"Off the record? She ran her gaze across every face. I sent a request to our Saer'Ajan, asking for permission to seek reinforcements from the Clans."
Fergus nodded. What did she say?"
"I haven't heard yet, but I'd be a fool not to strike a bargain with you."
Tully shifted in his seat and glanced at his wives as if for permission to say something. She gave him a nod, and Fergus began to suspect that those three had already made their decision before he got there.
"Secure the lycan ghetto. Then spread out east. Let us worry about the West End."
"You've got a deal."
Artemisia smiled and snapped her fingers. Her aide placed a map case at her elbow. She opened it, laying out a set of detailed maps of Hell's Widow that had been printed using an exquisite woodcut. I have twenty sets of these for you and your officers."
Fergus stared at them in astonishment. You anticipated us?"
"I've known you were coming for two weeks."
"Spies? Father Gileaus gave her a disapproving look.
Tully laughed. Family."
CHAPTER THREE
LOKYNEN
Autumn ruled the last days in the month of Racoga with winds and bluster, slowing their progress. Had Lokynen been alone, he would have persevered despite the weather. Very little could slow him down when he set his mind to something. However, he had to be considerate of his aged traveling companion, Phelan O'Reilly.
Lokynen stalked through Wolffgard village, drawing stares from everyone. He carried a great axe twice as large as the average mon could wield thrust through his wide belt and a huge sword with a glittering hilt at his shoulder. Beside him trotted Phelan O'Reilly, the headmon from Three Stones Village, struggling to keep up.
"Is it much farther, Phelan?"
The headmon shook his head. The manor sits near the bridge, a short walk beyond the village."
Phelan stopped and stared at the two young cubs removing Baroucha's sign from the shop. I wonder what happened to her."
"Who?"
"Baroucha Seaver. She was a vicious, treacherous gossip of the worst order. Baroucha hurt a lot of people."
Lokynen frowned as the new sign went up. A mage shop in Wolffgard?"
"Curious. We don't produce many mages. I've heard there are two in Wolffgard, both old friends of mine."
"Who?"
"Cahira Sinclair, Todd's wife. And Pandeena Moonbow."
"So this is where Todd got off to. Lokynen chuckled.
"You know him?"
"I taught him."
The village dwindled off and ended at a road dusty from the last gasp of summer.
"It's only a little bit further. Phelan said.
When they came within sight of the manor, Lokynen saw three dark-skinned children playing with a half-grown maned-hunting cat beneath a cluster of maple trees near the path leading up to the manor. Teakamon the Shepherd of the Wilds had told him that the child they had been sent to protect in the course of defending the valley was wilderkin, and this definitely suggested wilderkin to him.
Robert Morcar, sitting on a boulder, half blocked from their view by bushes, rose to his feet, assessing Lokynen with a cautious eye.
Lokynen winked at Phelan and paused with the children. Hello? Do you know the way to Claw's house?"
The little boy wore only his pants. There was a wine-stain birthmark on his chest in the form of a bear. Grandpa's house. There!"
Darmyk po
inted at the manor.
Ros limped over and stood behind Darmyk with her hand on his shoulder, staring with open suspicion at the yuwenghau. Lyrri came up and stood on the other side of Darmyk.
Robert Morcar strolled closer, watching the newcomers.
Lokynen grinned. This boy cub was the special child all right and he had found him first. Dynanna would have a fit of jealousy. He crouched and touched the Godmark, for that was what it really was, disguised as a birthmark, and felt the power behind it. Hello Little Bear."
Darmyk laughed. Grandpa calls me that."
"We're not supposed to talk to strangers, Ros said.
Lokynen ignored her statement, although he wondered why the girl limped. Wilderkin?"
Darmyk smiled and his eyes lit up with pleasure and a pure sweet innocence. Yes. He nodded.
"Then you're very special."
At a nudge from Ros, Lyrri ran to the door of the manor and went inside.
"What is your name, Little Bear?"
"Darmyk Redhand."
"That's a very fine name. I'm Lokynen."
"You must be old Claw's grandson, said Phelan.
"Uhm hmn, Darmyk answered with his lips together.
Two adults came out of the house at a run. Something about the way the male moved set off alarms in Lokynen's head. Yet he could not quite put his finger on why. The female wore a loose smock, which swirled around her swollen belly.
"Stay away from my son! Malthus shouted.
Lokynen straightened and frowned at Malthus. Sensible people took a single look at the yuwenghau and backed down. Size alone was enough to put them off.
Phelan looked startled by Malthus reaction, and gestured with his open hands, palms out. We're here to see Claw. We didn't intend any harm."
Darmyk ducked his head. You're not my daddy, he said in a sullen voice.
Malthus lifted him up and he squirmed. Stay away from my son, he repeated.
Kenly snarled at Malthus, who then shoved Darmyk into Merissa's arms, and she settled him on her hip as much as her belly would allow. The cat wrapped itself around Merissa's legs protectively.
Merissa looked worn and uncomfortable. Please, Malthus. Don't start shouting."
"Take the children inside. When she hesitated, he shouted, Now!"
Lokynen rubbed the scar between his eyes. I was just asking directions."
"Well ask them from someone else, Malthus snapped. He gestured furiously at Morcar. You're supposed to be watching them. Then he followed the others inside.
"Never mind Malthus, drawled Morcar. He's been getting uppity lately."
Phelan shook his head at them. At least we know we've arrived."
Lokynen had just started toward the door to the manor, when Merissa came back outside.
"Please don't think badly of my husband. Darmyk isn't his and it makes him insecure. He's very protective."
Lokynen shook his head ruefully. If he had acted that way with his wife, Amberlin, she would have knocked him across a room. We're here to see Claw Redhand."
"He's my father. Don't tell him how Malthus was acting ... please? He's just being over-protective. His niece, Rosyou saw the older girl?well she was attacked by a vampire and left for dead a few months ago. He barely saved her and hasn't stopped worrying since."
Lokynen sighed. I'll think about it."
Phelan shrugged.
* * * *
Ros whispered in Darmyk's ear, Let's go play in the treehouse."
Darmyk looked up at her and fear flashed across his face. He knew what happened in the treehouse. She had not blocked his memories the last time, only his ability to speak of it. Kenly must have smelled his fear, because the big cat pushed between them and hissed at Ros.
"Send Kenly away, Darmyk."
Darmyk swallowed and nodded. Go hunt, Kenly."
The cat did not budge.
Darmyk sucked in a breath and said more forcefully, Go hunt."
The cat slunk off, casting backwards glances, and then finally bounded away into the trees.
Darmyk climbed the ladder first, went to the small straw bed, and laid down. He opened his robe and waited.
Ros entered and straddled him. That's a good boy. You're learning, Darmyk."
Tears ran down Darmyk's cheeks as he watched Ros fangs descend.
She turned his head to the side, brushed his hair back, and chuckled. In they go."
Darmyk shuddered as Ros bit him behind the ear where it would not readily show, and sucked him.
* * * *
The day had started off well with Cahira sneaking from the shop with Kady and deep into the forest before changing to wolves. Today they had worked on backtracking and ways to confuse a scent trail.
Cahira heard a noise in the bushes, sniffed, and caught a familiar scent. Run, Kady! He's here!"
Kady leaped the fence and headed into the bushes.
Kynyr bounded into the clearing with his tongue lolling from the side of his muzzle, his ears pricked forward, and a silly, over eager look in his eyes. He bounced over the fence with a wag of his bushy tail and raced off.
A few minutes later, Cahira heard Kady squall and knew that Kynyr had mounted her. Matters were not going at all well. No matter how hard Cahira worked to educate Kady about the forest, the young bitch remained too easy to catch. What made it worse was that for the past few days, Kynyr seemed to have acquired an uncanny knack for knowing when Cahira and Kady went out for one of their sessions.
The wind changed and then Cahira knew exactly why Kynyr always found them. Cahira retrieved her clothing, wrapped her robe around herself, and stole through the trees as quietly as she could. She squeaked in surprise as a hairy hand slipped around her shoulders, lifting her off her feet and large lips closed over her own in a passionate kiss.
She slugged him in the shoulder and Todd let her go. You're helping him!"
Todd shrugged. You're helping her."
"It's not fair!"
"Well... Todd formed a droll smile. I think a late autumn wedding will be nice."
"At the rate he keeps catching her... Cahira glared.
"It won't take him long. Calling Courtship was the best idea that Kady's had."
"She isn't even nineteen yet."
"So? Remember what it was like when we were their ages?"
" We were never their ages. I was twenty-six and you were thirty-six when you landed Trevor in my belly. And you cheated!"
"You would never have quit mourning for Tarrant otherwise."
A shadow passed over Cahira's face, chasing away all her indignation with a return to the moment. Her shoulders drooped, as mention of Tarrant turned her to thoughts of Branduff. The harder she tried to distract herself from thinking about her losses, the more they came home to her. Let's go home, Todd."
"Cahira? Are you alright?"
"I will be, Todd. Let's just go home."
* * * *
Claw sat in his big chair in his study with a tankard of mead. His guests had been provided with drink also. They had requested privacy for this meeting, and Claw had been grateful to give it to them. He had not wanted Malthus to include himself in the conversation after seeing Merissa follow her husband upstairs with tears in her eyes. He would have Aisha inquire about this latest spat.
Phelan had given his troubling report of the attack upon Three Stones, and how it was turned by the yuwenghau.
"Longbranch was attacked also, said Claw. They murdered Branduff Maguire. He was unarmed ... they cut him down like vermin."
Phelan's lips tightened. Gods. He was a good mon. Poor Cahira. She must be devastated."
"She is. But she's handling it well. Claw worked hard not to stare at Phelan's companion. Lokynen was the largest mon the chieftain had ever seenlarger than Todd Sinclair.
"I've heard that her grandson works for you."
"Kynyr?"
"Yes. How's he taking it? Losing his father."
"Better than I expected. That's probably because of Kady. They're cou
rting."
"That must be a comfort to him."
"Yah. Kynyr's my best guardsmon. You know he killed the outlaw chief, Traygarde, in single combat when he was sixteen. I've always been impressed with him."
"I should have known. Phelan looked at his hands. Kynyr is a common name in the family ... so I did wonder."
Claw's gaze was drawn back to Lokynen. The other newcomer sat as comfortably a possible in the largest chair Claw owned, and it failed to be large enough. Do you have a last name?"
"Yes, Lokynen replied. And you would recognize it. Give me your word of honor chieftain and I will tell you."
Claw took a long draw from his tankard and sat forward, with his elbows on the arms of his chair, a look of intense scrutiny on his face. You have it."
"Willidar."
Claw nearly choked as a gasp exited his throat seconds after a swallow. Yuwenghau. Pandeena said you were in the valley, but I couldn't let myself hope that she was right."
Lokynen grinned at him. A friend of Isranon's has asked us to defend your valley and protect a wilderkin child."
"Darmyk. You mean my grandson. You know that Isranon has repudiated the child?"
Lokynen frowned deeply, making his face a mass of valleys. That changes nothing. The trickster says protect the child and the valley and we will."
Claw settled back, tapping a finger on his chair arm. The increasingly familiar tightness had begun in his chest again at Isranon's name. Promise me you will not mention Isranon again."
"So be it. Now on to business. The rising of a Queen who is trying to drive the Sharani conquerors out of Waejontor will put pressure on your valley. I am certain you do not welcome the return of the sa'necari overlords."
"True. We don't like the Sharani either. But better them than the sa'necari."
"I intend to send a yuwenghau or a battle-mage to you who can shield your home and garden from these creatures, especially the vampires. The Queen has allied with all the undead factions."
"I heard that. This Lord Daemon is supposed to be a vampire."
Lokynen gave a growly laugh. This Lord Daemon is Brandrahoon."
Claw gasped and made a sign against evil. The tightness in his chest had become a sharp pain shooting through him. Once there were three brothers, Brandrahoon the vampire, Dawnhand speaker to spirits, and Waejonan accursed be his name forever."
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