The Exiles

by Sven Grams

  ‘And Fera?’ asked Sharlee, unsure if Trex had seen the older wolf sister before he was knocked out.

  ‘I didn’t see her before she hit me,’ Trex admitted.

  Sharlee nodded, and then moved to check the way Trex had prepared Flint for travel. Trex watched as she adjusted some straps slightly.

  ‘If you like, I can show you a bit of basic wolf combat training when you get back,’ Sharlee offered out of the blue.

  Trex had to do a quick double-take, Sharlee was even more of a pacifist then his uncle, he wasn’t even aware that she knew how to fight.

  ‘You could do that?’ he asked, still surprised.

  ‘Wolves also get basic combat training as part of their schooling, I just chose not to take it any further,’ Sharlee stated. ‘Anyway, it looks like you may have to face another wolf sooner or later, its better that you’re more aware of what you are up against.’

  Trex thought about this for a second, though his own training had a large component consisting of wolf combat ability. It was still invaluable to actually know how they were trained. And to be taught from a wolf, even a seeming novice, was almost unheard of.

  ‘Are you sure?’ asked Trex, the eagerness in his voice apparent.

  ‘Sure. You’re family after all,’ she said, giving the youth a smile.

  Finishing the last of his packing with renewed enthusiasm, Trex was quickly ready to go. He had already said goodbye to his uncle and cousin during their midday meal. Zea had been disappointed not to be able to see Trex off, but the over excited little girl had forgotten to do all of her morning chores and so had to go with her father. Flint was again becoming impatient, somehow knowing it was time to go.

  ‘Well I’d better be off,’ said Trex, unsure of how to continue the conversation in any case.

  ‘Come here then,’ said his aunt, a wry smile on her face.

  Trex knew he wouldn’t get away without a hug from the adult female wolf. And Sharlee knew that he found that kind of contact a little awkward at his age, which meant giving it to him was all the more enjoyable for her. Trex submitted, taking his aunt briefly into his arms. The extra pressure she applied, despite being meant as a sign of affection, reminding Trex just how strong the female wolf in front of him could potentially be. When she finally released him Trex was able to breathe-in again, thankfully.

  ‘Well, take care of yourself.’

  ‘You too,’ replied Trex. Mounting up, the lion youth had to battle a bit with the young horse as it attempted to dictate the pace, eager to go.

  ‘Remember that you have to take charge and be confident. He will follow whatever you want to do, as long as he thinks you know what you are doing,’ advised the adult wolf.

  Trex managed to calm Flint slightly, wondering if taking the troublesome horse was really such a good idea.

  ‘How can I be confident in what I am doing, if he never gives me a chance to do it?’ Trex asked helplessly. Being a lion, Trex was used to gaining confidence through practice.

  ‘You have to have confidence in yourself, not in the actions alone. He can feel it,’ Sharlee stated. She had just managing to sum up in one sentence the major difference between lion and wolf thinking.

  Trex tried to contemplate the words, letting out a crisp ‘heyut!’ Flint surged forward.

  Sharlee watched with a smile as Trex rode off more steadily down the road. Perhaps living with a wolf was starting to rub off.

  Trex arrived at RefugeCross in the late evening. He had taken a longer road so as to familiarize himself more with his horse before riding Flint into a more populated area. Taking the impatient stallion along on his travels appeared to Trex to be more and more of a good idea. He was finally becoming comfortable with the animal. As his aunt had always said, sometimes you just have to jump into things head-first and then sort everything else out once you got there. Even so, Trex had waited to late evening to enter RefugeCross and had taken smaller side roads through the farmland of the lower planes so as to avoid other animals; four legged as well as two legged.

  Stopping at a public notice board just inside the city, Trex saw that the thieves had not been captured yet. Everyone had been asked to report any strangers or suspicious activity, by either wolf, or lion. Trex smiled at this, that one sentence alone probably meant that Captain Felx was overwhelmed by the more neurotic of the lion population. These paranoid individuals were of the opinion that even a sleeping wolf was suspicious most of the time.

  Though RefugeCross was mostly inhabited by tolerant wolfs and lions due to the unusual long history of mixed cultures, there were also small camps of intolerant conservatives on either side. This group of trouble makers was drawn there by the historical importance of the area, an importance that was unfortunately felt by both sides. Captain Felx had his hands full at the best of times keeping the peace and now it would only get worse. It had been a mostly stable twenty-five years or so of official occupation, and now that Trex thought about it more, he was actually astonished that it had remained so.

  Trex’s relationship with the Captain was always a little difficult to understand. Captain Felx had been the best friend of his father before his father’s death. Like Trex’s uncle Karthen, Captain Felx had sworn to do his best to make sure that the young orphaned Trex was taken care of. Though Trex’s uncle had originally taken custody of Trex, Captain Felx had visited often to check up on the boy, and Trex had started to view his father’s old friend as a type of second uncle. When Trex’s real uncle, Karthen, had been striped of his lion citizenship after his marriage to the wolf female Sharlee, Captain Felx had had to step in to become Trex’s guardian. This had allowed the boy to stay with his uncle, though technically Felx was still now his legal guardian until Trex became a full citizen.

  Lost in his thoughts, Trex realized that he had arrived at the inner city gates, he must have been steering Flint without thinking about it. He also noticed that he was also attracting a few looks from the increasing number of lions and wolves. A young lion on a horse was unusual, Captain Felx being the only other lion they normally saw riding one regularly. Trex was a little self conscious and very glad that Flint had grown tired after the long ride. The horse was now unwilling to fight his rider as much as he had done at the beginning.

  ‘Back already, Trex?’ asked a voice up ahead.

  Trex could make out the old sentry guard that normally manned the gate in the afternoon.

  ‘I wasn’t expecting you until next week,’ the elderly lion guard said cheerfully, despite of all the recent commotion.

  ‘I’m going on a bit of a trip,’ replied Trex, indicating the numerous travelling satchels and bags that were loaded on his horse. ‘I was planning to visit Brekiz and stay the night before heading out tomorrow. Is it going to be a problem do you think?’

  The old guard contemplated this for a second, scratching his chin thoughtfully. He had been the regular head guardsman for as long as Trex could remember and was comfortable enough making his own decisions without having to ask his superiors.

  Trex entering the inner city was not actually unusual, the young lion stayed in one of the many guest quarters of the inner city once a week. This was so that Trex could take some more advanced classes that were only done in the city the next morning.

  Coincidently, the day of Trex’s classes was also the day of the weekly council meeting between the council and Captain Felx. Trex was thus occasionally able to make his way easily from his chambers in the inner city to the council hall. However, the activities of a few days before had meant it was impossible for him to return by his normal path, thus the need for him to take a more unusual exit route from the inner city’s, off-limits, administration wing.

  ‘Shouldn’t be an issue, there are not many guests at the moment,’ said the older guard.

  ‘You had better get a signoff on it though, otherwise someone will ask about the horse,’ the guard said, moving over to pat the young animal. Flint enjoyed the extra attention and nuzzled the older guard
.

  ‘What’s his name?’ asked the adult lion. ‘I haven’t seen him before.’

  ‘His name is Flint, and he is a pain in the butt,’ said Trex honestly, the horse flinching slightly, as if understanding the words.

  The guard chuckled.

  ‘I hope you didn’t get into any trouble because of the robbery,’ stated Trex, who often talked to the older guard.

  ‘They climbed the walls,’ replied the guard, referring to the break-in. ‘There is little I can do about that. Anyway, you know Captain Felx is ok.’

  Trex nodded at that.

  ‘You had better go through then,’ said the older guard, stepping back.

  Trex urged Flint onwards. From behind he could hear the guard call out to him again.

  ‘Oh, and you forgot to sign out once yesterday… in the morning.’

  Trex panicked for a second, he had totally forgotten that he had signed in twice, but signed out only once.

  ‘Uhhh… I must have forgotten in all the commotion,’ Trex called back. The pause that followed told Trex that the guard was probably not overly convinced.

  ‘Just make sure it doesn’t happen again. This is no time for my books to be out of order.’

  Trex nodded before steering Flint further on.

  Trex made his way up the steep path, through the thick city wall, into the inner city’s main courtyard. Though the inner city was built in a very royal manner it was still effectively a fortress. Its thick, high walls and towering battlements were designed for deadly purpose, even if they had been built in a way that was visually appealing. The gate and courtyard were on the west, or sea side, of the inner city. Flanking the courtyard were the guest quarters, the stables, armoury and barracks. On the one side of the courtyard, and representing the centre of the inner city, was the main palace. This massive building was the current residence of city officials and those who could afford it, as well as containing function rooms and civic areas. On the other side of the central palace was the administration wing, which was out of bounds for most Anthros. This included the council hall and main library, only on certain occasion was access granted to the public.

  Trex deposited Flint at the stables.

  The number of soldiers Trex could see around the place had returned to normal and Trex had no trouble heading up to his usual quarters in the guest wing, knowing most of the regular staff in any case.

  Dropping his belongings into the same tiny room he usually used each stay, he went off to seek out his friend Brekiz. Crossing the tiled, elegant courtyard with its mosaics and manicured trees, Trex could see that the guards were already lighting the torches.

  The last of the sun’s light began to dim on the ocean’s horizon.

  Trex approached the two guards at the main palace entrance. They were two younger lionesses, and ones that Trex didn’t recognize.

  ‘Can I go up to the Huzzel residence?’ Trex asked the closer of the two, referring to the family name of the head councillor and her husband.

  ‘If you have papers, yes,’ the young female guard replied, not unkindly.

  The young female soldiers were obviously reservists, and it may have been their first time on duty in the palace.

  ‘I actually have to get my papers from them,’ said Trex. He was well used to dealing with new guards, the soldiers rotating often under the Lion Empire’s system of reservists.

  Normally only the higher ranked officers remained constantly on duty. Additionally, it was common for some older citizens to take on minor administration roles, such as the bridge keeper at BridgeHead.

  The young female soldier looked uncertain, unwilling to bother the head councillor just for this unknown boy.

  ‘If you call down Brekiz Huzzel he can take me up,’ offered Trex, knowing that this normally did the trick. ‘He lives in D-15 next to his grandparents,’ he added, just to make it obvious he knew his way around.

  Before the soldier could answer, however, someone spoke out from behind.

  ‘Trex!? What are you doing back here?’ came Brekiz’s gruff voice. The tall gangly lion had been walking through the main entry hall just behind the guards.

  Trex was about to move forward, but was blocked by the staff of the guard, she didn’t want to do anything that wasn’t by the book, particularly after the robbery a few days before. Trex didn’t even flinch.

  ‘It’s ok,’ said Brekiz, somewhat more annoyed. He had to put up with this more often then Trex did, as he lived in the inner city. Pulling out his resident’s identification from his pocket, Brekiz handed it over to one of the females.

  Brekiz was taller then Trex and already almost the same height as the young adult lionesses in front of them. Brekiz’s unusually deep gruff voice was even more unusual given how thin he was. The lion male had sandy blond, curly hair; the mop of curls making the thin youth look like some strange type of ornamental bush when he stood up straight with his arms at his side.

  ‘I’ll take responsibility for him until he gets his papers,’ commented Brekiz casually.

  The lioness looked over the official papers. Obviously satisfied, she stepped aside, making some notes in a logbook near the door.

  ‘Sorry. Had to check,’ she said to Trex with an apologetic smile, guard duty was obviously not her favourite idea for passing the time.

  ‘It’s fine, I’ll have to do this soon enough,’ Trex said with a smile, referring to guard duty.

  Turning, he nodded at the other lioness, receiving another smile. It was not always easy for new reservists in the inner city. Many residents were not as friendly with new soldiers, and often quite impatient.

  ‘Well, what are you doing here?’ asked Brekiz again.

  The guard left the two of them alone to go and talk with her comrade.

  ‘I just needed to get away for a few days, and I thought I’d drop by to see what you were up to before heading off,’ Trex said with a smile.

  ‘That’s a nice surprise. Come on, let’s get out of here. Have you eaten? We can head to the riverfront,’ the curly haired youth suggested eagerly, happy to get out of the claustrophobic palace.

  ‘I should probably get a signoff from Tasch and Katan first,’ said Trex, hesitating. He was referring to Brekiz’s grandmother and grandfather respectively.

  ‘Don’t worry about that, as long as you’re with me you can get it later. They’re busy at the moment anyway,’ the thin youth replied. Brekiz took a few steps into the courtyard in an attempt to get Trex to follow him.

  ‘Ok,’ conceded Trex, an evening out sounding rather appealing in the warm night air.

  At this time of night the only place worth going was down at the riverfront, close to the coast and the docks. The riverfront itself was a paved boulevard that skirted the edge of the river Thitchel. It was built two meters higher then the river, which flowed by the stone base of the boulevard. It was made so high to withstand the seasonal floods. Along this picturesque stretch of riverfront, with its large old trees and open areas, some wolf style bars and lion style cafes stayed open late. The tables and chairs of the establishments were set up in the open air in front of the businesses between the large trees and flower arrangements. Occasionaly, music filtered out from one of the larger bars, completing the mellow and relaxed atmosphere.

  Trex enjoyed Brekiz’s company; the two had only become friends a year or so ago, when Trex had started to come to RefugeCross once a week for his more advanced classes. Brekiz was an unusual youth, his parents had sent him from the war-torn eastern side of the continent to his grandparents to finish his education, the situation back home becoming ever more dangerous in the last few years.

  Despite being one year younger then Brekiz, Trex felt for the first time that he had a closer friend of his own. This was not to say that Trex was on bad terms with some of the Anthros back in his mixed school closer to home, but he had little contact with them outside of the few hours he spent there weekly during term. Because of distance, a lot of Trex’s schooling was done f
rom home.

  It was not surprising that during a lot of his childhood, Trex had felt rather isolated. This sense of being an outsider had not been helped by the fact that his uncle and aunt were well known as “the mixed couple”, and little understood by either wolves or lions.

  Keeping to himself, Trex hadn’t really minded not being able to get closer to the other farmer’s kids. The young lion had always dreamt of adventure and travel, concentrating on his training and adventure books that he so loved to read. Trex found he had little in common with the farmer’s children he went to school with, they were normally caught up in more immediate things.

  When Trex’s class out in the foothills had been offered the chance to take more advanced classes in: transmorphology & meditation only Trex had jumped at the chance. The advanced classes were held once a week in RefugeCross and unlike normal classes, they continued through harvest break and other school holidays. The distance was simply too far and the interest for the rest of Trex’s class too low, for something they saw little use for in their daily lives. Nevertheless, Trex cherished his weekly trips to the city. Here in RefugeCross he wasn’t known as the lion boy who lived with the mixed couple. Instead he was known as the lion from the hills, something he could at least work with. In RefugeCross he found Anthros with bigger plans then just taking over their parent’s farms, Anthros with dreams and big ideas, Anthros like Brekiz.

  Brekiz’s dark voice could be heard easily as he laughed out aloud at a comment Trex had just made.

  ‘And they really believe that?’ Brekiz asked.

  ‘Sure they do, that myth is as old as the hills around BridgeHead,’ said Trex.

  ‘I suppose it’s lucky that these farmer’s kids are able to read and write at all.’

  ‘Hey,’ Trex said defensively.

  ‘Present company excluded of course,’ added Brekiz quickly, putting on a smooth voice.