“What’s this?” Kel’Ratan asked sharply.
He kicked his bay up to gallop next to her. His fierce blue eyes stared down, hard, his red mustache bristling. If he willed her to meet his hot eyes, she ignored that particular command.
Caught in the middle, Ly’Tana tried to shrug. “I just thought it interesting, that’s all. It’s no big thing.”
“Tell us, girl,” Kel’Ratan demanded.
“No need to be so nasty, Red,” I murmured, rubbing her knuckles with my thumb. “Just tell us what happened, dear heart.”
“Oh, well, all right,” she sniffed, tossing her thick red-gold hair over her shoulders. “If you bloody well have to know. Some buildings came down in the storm and stretched across the street where the Whoring Whale is. Remember it? It’s where we had dinner while we waited for Rygel to return.”
“We know, dammit.” Kel’Ratan’s tone hadn’t lessened in the slightest.
A new chill took up residence in my spine. The Whoring Whale with its obscene sign of two whales mating. Where Ly’Tana blessed the innkeeper, and we all choked to rein in our laughter and Rygel came in with Tor—
I managed enough spit for three syllables. “Ly’Tana?”
“It’s all so stupid, I told you, but it’s the only building that survived the entire district and people have a place to go for some real food and maybe a roof over their heads and, you know, the innkeeper is probably doing quite well actually so there’s no reason for worry because—”
“Because you blessed that man.”
Kel’Ratan’s frozen tone informed me my chill had birthed a twin who set up housekeeping in his gut.
Ly’Tana rounded on him. “Oh, you’re so bloody superstitious. You know I have no power to bless or curse someone, I am not a priestess and anyway, I, we, belong to Nephrotiti—”
“Then why are you frightened?”
My soft, kindly spoken question stilled her as quickly and as efficiently as my knife in her throat. I might have stabbed her with one, for all the choked noises that now emerged from her mouth. The unshed tears in her eyes overflowed to drip slowly down her pale cheeks. She swallowed hard to dislodge the obstruction and faked another false smile.
“Because I blessed that man while wearing Osimi’s white dress and now he’s the only one for miles around who can still earn a living.”
Kel’Ratan’s invectives blistered the air, rivaling Rygel at his best. A glance over my shoulder informed me those down the galloping line who had not heard the exchange were told by those who did.
At the far end, Arianne offered a quick ‘I-can-help’ gesture and a plea from her glorious grey-blue eyes. I shook my head and offered a wry shrug, and a she’ll-be-all-right smile. Arianne subsided.
“Oh, shut up, Red,” I snapped. “Be grateful she didn’t curse you as she threatened that night.”
That silenced Kel’Ratan and brought a wan smile from Ly’Tana.
“Rygel said it might all be a coincidence,” she said. “It’s all, you know, rather creepy, if you think about it too hard.”
“We should experiment,” Kel’Ratan said. “Bless me with all the gold in Brutal’s treasure chamber.”
“Bless me with a beautiful woman,” Witraz chimed in.
Rannon cuffed him alongside his head. “Your Highness,” Witraz amended, scowling at Rannon while he rubbed the sore spot from Rannon’s knuckles.
Ly’Tana shot him a look over her shoulder. “You have a beautiful woman,” she snapped. “If you go wandering again, I’ll take your other eye.”
Her scowl included her cousin. “I think I have to be wearing the priestess dress, dolt. Nothing will happen.”
“You don’t know if you don’t try.”
“If I didn’t have to be wearing it, you’d have long since lost your foolish tongue as I’ve already cursed it more than a hundred times.”
Kel’Ratan looked affronted. I laughed.
“Experimenting will have to wait,” I said, chuckling. “We’ve a long ride ahead of us.”
“Once we hit the grasslands, we should keep riding north,” Kel’Ratan suggested, smothering his irritation. “If Brutal is trying to predict us, he will think we continued west.”
“This many horses will leave a trail a blind man could follow,” Ly’Tana argued, sniffing back her tears. “We should stay to the woods.”
“Girl, you’re forgetting you’re geography of this area,” Kel’Ratan said. “Even due west, we will run out of forest to hide in. We’ll be striking the haunted Plains of Navak. No matter where we go, we’re going to be out in the open for most of the way to the mountains.”
“Haunted?” Witraz asked. “Haunted by what, whom?”
“Ghosts, the legend I heard says.”
“Piffle,” Ly’Tana snapped.
Kel’Ratan turned an injured expression toward her. “Aren’t you worried about the ghosts?”
“I’m worried about what Rygel said,” Ly’Tana replied with an eye roll. “Remember? He mentioned other eyes spying on us.”
“Maybe the ghosts are his spies,” Rannon offered helpfully.
“Anything we do is a risk,” I said, gently squeezing her hand before letting it drop. “We have speed on our side right now. With Rygel’s magic, perhaps we can hide our trail.”
“Nor can devil-boy find us with his,” Kel’Ratan added.
“Remember?” I added with a smile. “We have him beat.”
Her smile rivaled the sun. “We surely do.”
* * *
As Rygel predicted, we reached the grasslands, the edges of the endless Plains of Navak, just as the sun sank towards the western sky. We cantered over rolling hills dotted with scrub bushes and small clusters of pine and fir trees. Raising my fist, I slowed our column to a walk. As far as I could see, the horizon stretched under the dark blue sky, many leagues of open country to ride across.
I reined Rufus around to Ly’Tana and Kel’Ratan. The warriors halted in a loose circle about us. I motioned Corwyn to come in close, to bring forward not only his advice but also my sister.
“We should make camp back in the woods a short ways,” I said. “Where we crossed that small stream. Rest the horses and have them fresh for a hard ride tomorrow.”
Kel’Ratan nodded. “Fires won’t be seen as easily there.”
“Where’s Rygel?” Arianne asked, biting her lip anxiously. “Why hasn’t he come back?”
Rygel’s dragon flew high and disappeared when the desolate forest ended and healthy trees still grew, more than four hours past. I tried not to worry, but worried anyway. I suspected I wasn’t the only one. I recognized concern in Ly’Tana’s angular green eyes and the way Kel’Ratan and several of the warriors watched the sky beyond the trees above us.
“He’s scouting for us, little cat,” I answered.
Bar swooped in and dropped lightly to the earth with a series of mellow chirps. He ambled over to Ly’Tana and sat beside her stallion, his lion tail coiling trimly about him. Its black tip flipped back and forth, lazily. I guessed that indicated he discovered nothing threatening riding hard on our heels.
“There’s no one in sight for miles and miles,” she translated, rubbing his ears with affection.
“Did you see Rygel?” I asked.
He clicked his huge beak before turning his head to preen his right wing.
“No,” Ly’Tana said. “But he’ll be here.”
As my bond with Rygel informed me he still lived and was not too far away, I smiled to reassure Arianne. “See? Even Bar knows. He’ll be back before you know it.”
No sooner had the words left my mouth when a red-brown hawk streaked past overhead. Uttering a shrill screech, Rygel banked sharply around with the dip of a feather. He circled overhead, peering down at us from between his wings.
“Bloody showoff,” I muttered.
Ly’Tana giggled, watching Rygel with avid eyes.
He squawked in indignation. Back winging, he flew toward his black gelding, th
e horse’s reins in Kel’Ratan’s fist. Hovering for a moment, he landed neatly on the saddle. The black gelding was clearly used to Rygel’s magically appearing out of nowhere. When Rygel’s sudden very human weight settled on his back, he blinked and sighed down his nose.
“We’re not entirely out of danger,” he reported, cocking his leg elegantly over the pommel. “Troops are still massing near the river, and more arriving by the day.”
“What of Brutal?” I asked.
Rygel smiled grimly. “He’s restored order, but he crucified dozens of men who panicked at the dragon fight.”
“That inhuman bastard,” Kel’Ratan spat, his fierce eyes flashing in fury.
“He sends a message to the others,” Corwyn said quietly. “He will tolerate no disobedience, zero cowardice.”
“Why so many troops?” Ly’Tana asked. “What, does he plan on invading his own country?”
“He’s a determined bugger.”
“What about the Tongu?” Witraz asked.
“I haven’t a clue,” Rygel answered, biting his thumb. “I didn’t see anything of them.”
“They can’t track us over that flood,” Kel’Ratan snapped. “Can they?”
His question went unanswered, for none of us knew, not even the know-it-all Rygel. He shook his head, but couldn’t look anyone in the eye.
“And Ja’Teel?” I asked.
“I saw him, my prince, but from a very discreet distance,” Rygel replied. “He’s there, but appeared dead on his feet. I think the fight and his translocation took a great deal from him.”
“How long before he recovers?” Ly’Tana asked, still scratching Bar’s ears. Bar sighed in deep contentment, his raptor’s eyes half-shut.
Rygel offered a yea-nay gesture. “If Brutal demands more from him as well as a hard ride on a horse, he may be exhausted for a long while.”
Kel’Ratan scowled. “I still don’t understand how you claim to be the strongest magician there is, yet when you heal you’re out cold for days. Yet, you also fought the battle, flamed away miles of dead trees and here you sit as fresh as a bloody daisy.”
Rygel sighed. “I thought you understood. Only healing magic drains me. It draws far more energy from my body than ordinary magic. What I did today.” He gestured about him with a slender hand. “Is the equivalent of Raine fighting three gladiators in a row. Or you Kel’Hallans riding hard all day. I’m a little tired, but hardly exhausted.”
“And Ja’Teel doesn’t have your strength?” Ly’Tana asked.
“He’s not even in my class.” Rygel grinned. “Nor did he study as I have. My higher skill level allows me more finesse, as you will, with far less exertion. When not studying and working my healing, I studied shape-shifting. That was one of my favorite topics.”
“Turning yourself into something else, you mean,” Ly’Tana said.
“Exactly, my queen.”
I felt little surprise when Rygel cocked an amber eye at me. “A subject I reckon I must be instructing you in, I expect.”
“Turn yourself into a rock,” I snapped. “They are nicely quiet.”
Ly’Tana and Kel’Ratan exchanged puzzled glances. “What are you talking about, Rygel?” Ly’Tana asked.
“His Royal Wolfishness here needs to acquaint himself with what he is,” Rygel said. “Sadly, Princess, he’s in denial.”
“Rygel, braud,” I growled. “I’m warning you.”
“Turn yourself into a wolf.”
“I’ll turn you inside out.”
“Why should Raine turn himself into a wolf?” Ly’Tana asked.
My irritation rose when Arianne, of all people, kicked the grey mare with her heels and pushed her way into the mix. “He’s right, my brother,” she said, her glorious eyes oddly shining. “It’s time.”
I pointed my finger at her. “I’m not above turning you over my knee, little cat. Stay out of it.”
“Stay out of what?” Ly’Tana nearly screamed.
“I won’t, Raine,” Arianne snapped. She flung back her hair in defiance, her face, though pale, glowered with a temper that equaled mine. “Rygel is only trying to help.”
The Kel’Hallan crowd, baffled, confused, watched the anger between us flare. Witraz and Alun exchanged a baffled glance, while Rannon’s brows rose. Left and Right stared as impassive as ever, though Yuri and Yuras smirked in embarrassed confusion. Only Corwyn regarded me with the same impassiveness he always showed.
“Anyone taking bets on who draws steel first?” Kel’Ratan asked the air in general.
“I’m thinking the spitting kitty, myself,” Witraz answered, with a wry grin, half-bowing toward Arianne.
I scowled at them, their humor hardly amusing. Yet, my anger had no effect at all. Not even Tor tried to hide, but stared openly at me. Even Bar eyed me sidelong, eyes gleaming with amusement. His lion tail flicked lazily back and forth.
Ly’Tana’s frustration mounted. Her brow puckered, her usually smiling lips turned down in a pretty scowl. Pointedly turning her face from me, she slowly faced Rygel. Lifting her hand gracefully, she snapped her fingers, garnering his instant attention.
“Rygel,” she said, her tone frosty. “You will tell me, this instant, what’s bloody going on.”
Of course, that fool grinned. His hand to his chest, he bowed low, an elegant move while still sitting in his saddle with his leg cocked over the pommel. Only Rygel could manage such a feat and make it look easy.
“As my queen commands,” he murmured.
“Gods above and below,” I muttered, cross.
“Be silent,” Ly’Tana retorted. “You’ll get your turn to speak. Rygel.”
“My prince is gai’tan,” Rygel said, with a lofty wave in my direction. “He’s refusing to admit it, however.”
“You said that word before,” she said. “Pray explain.”
“Without going into the old legends,” he went on. “Some men are born with the soul of a wolf. They can turn themselves into wolves at will. They are gai’tan.”
“The werewolf,” Arianne added.
“There are no such things as werewolves,” Kel’Ratan snorted.
“Thank you.” I bowed toward him.
“Ah, but you’re wrong,” Rygel said. “Gai’tan do indeed exist and the wolves at the monastery proved it.”
Now Ly’Tana turned to gawk at me, her jaw loose. Kel’Ratan and the other warriors gaped like fools. Arianne smiled in triumph. I rolled my eyes.
“A pack of wolves frightened silly by the storm,” I grated through clenched teeth. “It means nothing.”
“They recognized you,” Arianne replied, her tone lofty. “They paid homage, to you. They spoke to you, and you them.”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“They did behave rather oddly,” Kel’Ratan mused, stroking his red mustache.
“If anyone is interested in camping for the night and eating dinner,” I said, reining Rufus around, “they may join me. The rest of you can talk werewolves to your hearts’ content. Here, and out of my sight.”
“Denial is a nice enough place to visit,” Rygel called to my departing back. “I don’t recommend taking up residence.”
“You’ll have to face it one day, Raine,” Arianne said. “You should face it now, before it’s too late.”
Without looking back, I flashed an obscene gesture past my shoulder. Over Rygel’s laughter, I heard Arianne’s gasp of outrage and Ly’Tana’s question. “What makes you so sure he’s gai’tan?”
I ignored Rygel’s explanation, and walked Rufus back into the woods. I listened for hoof beats and horses pushing their way through the brush and scrub oak. Yet, the others remained behind for their voices continued to ask the questions only Rygel could answer.
Soon, the sounds receded into the dim distance. A mile along our back-trail, I found the small stream we crossed earlier. As the trees opened up here in a wide area, allowing plenty of space for grazing, tents and a fire, it made an excellent camping spot. Room and forage fo
r the horses, thick trees all around to protect us from prying eyes.
What eyes? Surely not Brutal’s, for I knew he was far too busy regaining control over his recalcitrant army even now. The Tongu had no trail to follow. No one else hunted us. No one else knew we were here, except—
The wolves know.
Don’t even go there, I told myself sourly.
The fear I concealed from the others under my anger, even from myself, crept out of hiding. My gut clenched. The spit in my mouth dried to dust. My heart beat in hard, thick strokes. Gai’tan. The word I recognized. The name my soul reached for.
Gai’tan.
The werewolf.
Gai’tan.
The Chosen.
I flinched, my mind recoiling. The wolf called me that. What Chosen? Chosen what? My hands shaking, I dismounted and unbuckled Rufus’ girth. He turned one liquid brown eye my way, and nuzzled my shoulder. I am not gai’tan, I told myself. There were no such things as werewolves. Everyone knew that. Even that idiot Kel’Ratan knew that.
In the distance, off to the north, a wolf howled.
Of their own accord, my hands jerked. Loose, the saddle slid off Rufus’s back to land with a thud in the grass. Rufus eyed it dubiously, then yawned, revealing a long pinkly muscled tongue lined with white teeth under the simple steel bit in his mouth. I scented the sweet grassy odor of his breath.
I didn’t hear that, I said silently, my fists clenched. A slender runnel of sweat oozed down my cheek. I didn’t just hear words in that bugger’s yowling. I didn’t. Gods above and below, I didn’t. My hands still shaking, I bent to pick the saddle up.
The wolf howled again. “Chosen One.”
Rather than seize it, I dropped to my knees beside it. Covering my ears with my hands didn’t prevent the wolf’s voice from entering both in my ears and within my mind. “Chosen One. Heed us. We need you.”
Gods, make them stop. Make them stop!
Wolf song drifted on the light breeze. “We call to you. Hear us.”
I clutched my arms about myself, hugging my chest tight, tiny whimpers of panic escaping my clenched teeth. Cease, damn you! I rocked back and forth, my fingernails digging painfully into my fists, but I could not seem to stop. Cease!
Catch a Wolf Page 20
