by Lynn Daniels
Once the warrior was out of sight, he instructed another one to wait and advise the next group where to go, then they made their way to the cave along the path that led into the mountain.
Chapter 19
Ki’shien’s Lair
Ki’zander took his mighty talon and pulled the bars of the cage apart, freeing his mother at long last.
Having already been freed by Ki’zander’s long sharp talons, Jo’siah pulled both women into a corner away from the large Mach that emerged from the cage.
With a loud roar, she transformed into the most spectacular Mach, Jasmine had ever seen, not that she had seen many. She was just shocked at the variety of colors. Kat’arina’s beast’s scales shimmered from the lightest hues of blues through midnight shades. As she moved about, they seemed to glitter with their iridescent shades of varying blues. Her tail swished against the cavern walls, while she moaned with each contraction.
“Kat’arina, are you able to travel, it’s imperative we leave this place before Ki’shien returns.” Jo’siah stopped by the laboring mother and laid a comforting hand on her long sleek neck.
The Mach shimmered for a moment, then a beautiful woman stood in its place, “I will do my best; I can’t promise anything. When the time draws near, I will have to stop. I will not hold you up, you must go on without me. Please, save my son, regardless of what happens to me.”
He walked to the wall next to the door and listened. After a moment, he ducked his head out to see if it was safe. When he didn’t see any Mach nearby, he led the group out of the small cell toward a slight shaft of light in the distance.
Ki’zander and Kat’arina had taken their human form again and stayed close as they made their way down the wide hall. When they finally came to the exit, Jo’siah cursed, then turned back to the others.
“There’s no way down. Ki’zander, do you think you would be able to carry the two females? And, Kat’arina, I know it’s asking a lot right now, but would you be able to carry me? If not, we’ll have to find another way.”
She shimmered before transforming into Mach, gripped Jo’siah, and leapt off the ledge toward the distant ground. She was closely followed by Ki’zander, who carried the two females.
Ki’zander released the females just before his feet touched down, and he rolled across the rough terrain.
Kat’arina gently set Jo’siah down and morphed to her human form as she ran to her baby boy. “Ki’zander! Are you alright?”
She knelt next to the scraped-up baby boy. He sniffled a little but was trying to look tough. “I’m okay, momma. I’m a big boy, you know. I’m not a baby anymore.”
She smiled at the toddler she held in her arms, “Yes, you are, indeed, a big boy! And I’m very proud of you!”
“Okay, I hate to break up this tender moment, but just because we’re out of the lair, doesn’t mean we’re safe. We’re going to have to go into the cave. I’m sorry, Ki’zander, I know you’re afraid, but there’s no choice. We can’t stay out in the open any longer. You’ll just have to concentrate on maintaining form until we get to a place where it’s safe.”
As the sun was setting, Jo’siah and his small group stood in front of the cave that Ki’zander had refused to go into before. He feared he might transform into his Mach before he was safe in an area that would hold his beast.
“Okay, Ki’zander, I know you’re afraid, but I need to be sure that you can do this. You need to be very brave, braver than you’ve ever been before, can you do that?” He waited as the small boy looked up at his mother, then back at him and nodded.
“First, we’ll have to follow a narrow path, and it will lead into a large cave. It’s only for a short time, then we’ll be out of the tiny room and in a huge cavern. Are you ready?”
The young boy looked at his mother that had been held captive for nearly an ionun, and she had been unable to shift to Mach. The Mach, like the Doshna, were more beast then man. Their instincts were too near the surface, to have been denied that, must have been more torture than being confined to the small cage all that time.
With a determined nod, he leapt through the small opening, and stood on the other side waiting for the others.
Kat’arina stepped closer to Jo’siah, “Tell me the truth, is it safe once we have passed the narrow corridor?”
Jo’siah looked through the dark entrance at the boy who stood just inside. He could smell his fear, but he was acting very brave. He reached out and took Kat’arina’s arm and pulled her further away.
“Once we leave the corridor, the path that we must follow is very narrow, one side rises, while the other drops. The last time we came through there, I looked, but couldn’t see the bottom. It would take a great amount of skill for a Mach to be able to land as they shift, and not fall.”
“But when you reach the end, is it large enough to fly out of, should he —”
Jo’siah was shaking his head.
“Then we must make haste, my time draws near, and I cannot birth my young in human form.”
Chapter 20
Jos’eph led the five Doshna into the entrance to the cave that would take them into the heart of Mach’Stalage. There would be great danger, but it was the only way to find his son and bring him home. Even if he must accept a Mach as a second son, he would do whatever it took.
The next group was due in just a few micons. They would wait there until all the Doshna arrived. Then they would travel as a group once again.
Jos’eph sat on the cave floor and stretched his legs out in front of him, and waited until his son sat next to him, “Tell me about this boy, this Mach that you have promised a home.”
J’amar knew his father was still angry about them promising the baby boy a home with them. He knew, however, were they to leave him in the swamp where they found him, he would either be found by Ki’shien, or he would perish from lack of care. No matter the danger to the boy, his mother never should have left him there on his own.
“Father, he is just a typical young boy, but more baby than boy. He was alone for far too long; he would never be able to survive without help.”
“One less Mach to hunt our people.” He hadn’t forgotten the wars of old when the Mach flew into the villages and burned them to the ground. Young and old, it mattered not, all perished.
“Father, he feels unloved, unwanted. If you had seen how he wept—”
Jos’eph turned away, letting out a small curse under his breath, “Corazón. You expect him to just fit in with J’amal? Tell me that you have no fear of what he could do to J’osh. Children that age have tempers, all it would take is just one bout of anger, and your baby brother would be no more.”
“He saved us. We were attacked by Ki’shien’s warriors, we were charging toward them, even knowing we wouldn’t last a demicon against them. We were desperate to save Felisha. He swooped in and flew us to safety. I didn’t go willingly, I fought it. Even though I attacked him over and over, he never let me fall. Then without regard to his own life, he flew me to the window of his brother’s chambers. I tell you, Father, he is worthy.”
~
“Jo’siah, I’m afraid,” Ki’zander’s voice wobbled. He had been very brave, but this would be daunting to even a grown Mach.
They weren’t making very good time. Jo’siah could only carry one person on his back, so they had to walk through the dark cavern. He had changed to his Doshna form, since that was when his vision was the best. Jasmine was holding his tail, with Ki’zander holding her hand, then Felisha, and bringing up the rear was Kat’arina.
“Jo’siah, can we stop a moment?” Jasmine pulled on his tail for emphasis.
He morphed into a man, and she found her hand firmly gripping his bare ass. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, yanking on my tail will not communicate to me any more than your words have.”
She bent down and lifted Ki’zander into her arms, “Felisha just put your hand on my shoulder. Proceed your royal hinny.” She turned back to Jo’siah,
and gave him a small bow, then waved her arm in the air.
“I don’t know what this hinny is, but I’m starting to think it’s an insult. You and Felisha must have been cut from the same fabric.” He glared back at her, then ducked his head to the side to look at Felisha, even though he knew neither one could see him. “Corazón, you see, two can play that game.” He shifted back into his cat, snaked his tail into her hand and continued walking.
Jasmine was confused, she basically called him a jack ass, and he called her his sweetheart, but he said it like it was a bad thing. She could hear Felisha giggling behind her and knew there must be a story behind it.
Chapter 21
Jos’eph and J’amar started down the narrow path as the next group came into the small cavern. They decided each group would wait fifteen micons for the next, then follow. Eventually they would all meet up just outside the cave near Ki’shien’s lair.
Jos’eph’s large paws dug into the hard-packed dirt of the path, kicking up small pebbles which pinged off the walls and echoed as they fell down the drop-off on the other side. After a few micons he could hear voices coming from deep inside the cavern. On silent feet, he eased his gate and continued his approach cautiously.
J’amar stared into the darkness, watching for any movement ahead. The Mach generally avoided small places that wouldn’t accommodate their huge beasts, but at this point anything was possible.
Jos’eph halted and shifted into his human form, then turned and waited until the others had followed suit. Keeping his voice low, “I smell Mach ahead, they could fly at us from any direction, be prepared.”
~
Jo’siah stopped suddenly, then shifted. “I smell Doshna ahead. It must be my people, come to rescue us. Stay back and be careful, they may be on alert for Mach, and we don’t want to take any chances with the narrow path. Humans do not have the abilities, or the senses we have.”
He looked back at Kat’arina and watched as she shifted into the large Mach and back to human again. “Are you going to be alright? Do you think you could maintain form for just a little longer? As the Mach, my people will be able to scent you easier, and may attack before we can prevent it.”
“My time grows closer, I fear that if we don’t make it out of the cave soon, I may not make it. I can fly closer to the entrance, but I can’t give birth on this narrow path, and I’m afraid my Mach won’t fit through the narrow opening at the end.”
“Jasmine, will you be able to continue if I run ahead and get help? Perhaps some of my people can come back and carry the rest to safety faster than if we continue as we are.”
“I guess if I hug the wall, I can do it.” She wasn’t certain but was willing to give it a try.
Jo’siah was confused, what an odd thing to say, much less do, and how would that help her. Was it perhaps a strange human custom? “Why would you hug the wall? And how would that help you try?” He knew he had to get going, but he really didn’t understand, “Is this some sort of human custom?”
Felisha didn’t have time for this, “Just go Jo’siah! We’ll manage.”
She turned back to Ki’zander’s mother, “Try breathing, it might help through the contractions.”
She glared at the human who had suggested such an absurd thing. “You humans are very strange creatures. I have not stopped breathing.”
Felisha slapped herself on her forehead, making Jasmine laugh.
She looked back at where she thought the woman might be, “Like this,” she demonstrated some deep breathing. “In through your nose, out through your mouth, every time you feel a contraction coming on, and continue until it’s over, it might help.”
Kat’arina looked over at the small human, “I’ll give it a try with the next one. We must hurry, though. I don’t know how much longer I have before this baby makes his appearance.”
Jasmine turned to where she thought Jo’siah was, “Go! What are you waiting for?”
Kat’arina stared at the empty ledge, where Jasmine was looking, “Who are you talking to?”
“Um, Jo’siah?”
“He left as soon as you told him to go. Did you not hear him go? Surely you can smell him. The Doshna have a very strong odor, kind of musty and wet.”
Felisha was starting to get impatient; she couldn’t believe that she thought they were like them. The differences were obvious, how could she not see it? She just shook her head; how did she end up with so many morons?
Jasmine placed her hand over Felisha’s mouth and leaned in closer. But since she was basically blind, she ended up slamming her head into the other woman’s. Both jumped back, rubbing their foreheads.
“Ouch! What the hell, Jaz!”
“Sorry,” she lowered her voice, “I don’t know if you realized that you were speaking out loud, I think you just insulted the dragon lady.”
Kat’arina spoke through gritted teeth, “The dragon lady also has excellent hearing. So, if you two humans are through insulting me, I would like to get out of this cave before my baby comes. Mach don’t fly when they are born. If he were to come now, he may not survive, and I don’t plan on losing my baby.”
The women stared at where they thought she was standing; Felisha couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “Completely blind here, Kat’arina. Please have a little patience.” She shook her head, what ass holes. Immediately she realized her mistake when she got an elbow to her gut, then a loud roar behind her. “Time to start biting my lip again.”
Chapter 22
Jo’siah could hear the women speaking to the Mach behind him, he could also hear the anger in Kat’arina’s voice. He knew that if she were anything like him, she could shift small parts of her body when need be. It wasn’t an easy feat, but he had done it a few times. Sometimes just to show off. Like when his brother tried to be an ass about something, he could swat him with the extended claws of his Doshna. Because of that, he knew it wouldn’t be difficult for her to breathe out a stream of flames and leave the women nothing but a small pile of ash.
He could smell the apprehension his father felt, and the Doshna ahead of him. He could also smell the fear from his brother. That could only mean the warriors were ready to battle.
Just as he reached them, he shifted to his human form, “Father! Hold, please. I must speak with you.”
Jos’eph was overjoyed to see that his son was safe. He could scent him ahead, but he didn’t believe the Mach would cooperate with Doshna, and he certainly didn’t believe they would help each other.
“What news do you bring of your sister? Is she safe? J’amar said he saw Ki’shien take her. And what of the babe he spoke of?”
“Father, clear the path, I must get to my mate!” J’amar wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait to join his female, he could scent that she was near, but her scent was off, and he worried that she might be injured.
“Have patience, J’amar! I will speak with your brother before we proceed. I’ll not endanger any more of my sons, nor will I lead my warriors into a trap.”
J’amar shifted into his beast, then leapt over his father and brother and continued down the path toward his mate. He had already been separated from her too long, he wasn’t about to wait another micon for his father to overcome years of prejudice and mistrust.
“Father, it is all well, there’s nothing to be concerned about. We must hurry. The Mach, Ki’zander’s mother is with child, and her time is upon her. Like us, they must be in their beast form to birth the babe, and there isn’t room here for her to do that.
“I will need some of the warriors to help carry them to safety. The rest can go back.”
Jos’eph roared with the rage he felt at his son’s request. “You expect Doshna to carry Mach?”
“Surely you aren’t afraid of a small babe and a pregnant female?” He gave his father an incredulous look, he knew he was baiting him, but he just wanted to get them out of there and back to Doshna’Asher, where they would be safe.
“I do not fear any Mach!” Jos�
��eph shouted. “How am I to know they really mean us no harm? How can I know it isn’t a trap, and once we leave the safety of the cavern, we won’t be set upon by their warriors?”
Jo’siah stepped into his father, chest to chest. His eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed, “Do you question my ability to keep our people safe? Do you not trust your heir, your son?”
Jos’eph stepped back, bowed his head, “I’m sorry, son. I didn’t mean to insult you. I just know that I must protect those who depend on us.”
Jo’siah placed his hand on his father’s shoulder, “It’s okay, I understand your long-standing mistrust of the Mach. Kat’arina has been caged for many dexionuns simply because she is with babe.”
“Kat’arina?! The queen? You expect me to save the queen? Do you know how many Doshna have died at the hand of her mate? How many he has ordered to be reduced to piles of ash? He cared not whether they were grown Doshna, or small cubs. He murdered them all!”
“It is the queen; I don’t know where the king is. I fear Ki’shien may have killed him, as he had planned to do with his mother and the baby boy we have rescued.
“Father, there have been others.”
“Others? What do you mean others—” Jos’eph paled, falling back, he placed his hand on the cavern wall to keep from collapsing. “No. How —”
“There is no time. Just trust that she has no reason to defend the heir.”
“How many do we need?”
“J’amar will carry his mate, I will carry mine. We need one for Kat’arina, and one for Ki’zander.”
“Your mate? You have found a mate as well?” Jos’eph was overjoyed, both of his sons had found their lifemates. He need not fear Ishala’tana, for now they were safe.
“Yes, she is human, like Felisha—”
The groans sounding from the other warriors, mingled with the snickers, stopped him from continuing. “No, not like Felisha, in the same impulsive way. She is simply a human as well. They are as far from each other as night and day. You shall see. For now, just know that I have found my lifemate, and we must ensure her safety.”
