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I peek under the tarpaulin, squinting against the resumption of daylight, until no feet, claws or scales loiter nearby. Scooting under the leather, I sprint through the undergrowth and land in Wings’ waiting feathery embrace with a wallop, panting, “Let’s go, now.”
Bless him, he doesn’t wait for an explanation, ushering me further into the forest. The moment we’re out of sight of the camp, he scoops me up in a claw, hops a couple of steps and takes off with a hefty flap, weaving through the trees until we rise higher and higher, passing into the clouds.
“I was right,” I yell up at him.
Wings peers down at me and squawks.
Soaring over the mountain top and past that miserable castle, I’ve time to figure out how screwed I am. Not only will I be facing off with one very angry wolf mate, I now have to convince the pack that going back to the serpent camp to free a mad mage cat is the sensible course of action. That’s if we can find the pack and they’re still willing to listen to me.
An eagle bursts from the trees ahead of us and I’m about to brace for impact when I realise it’s Broken Beak, waggling both wings in greeting. I wave my arms above my head in triumph, receiving a scrunched up scowl in response. That’s a tremendous start.
Escorted by our glum wingman, we sweep down the mountainside and into the valley. I’m prepared for the sight of our ruined town, with its burnt chalets and partially collapsed mansion, but it still wounds my heart. A mass of bears, wolves and snakes in human form already tramp along the valley floor, led by Big Wolf, heading for temporary cover in the caves, but a small gathering of people still wait in the town. Their body language is far from encouraging, since they’re all staring up at us with arms crossed. And I do mean all of them.
A chirp sounds from Wings and I peer up at him. “I know,” I tell the frowning eagle. “We’re so for it. Sorry.”
Wings slowly circles around the group twice, before Curt hollers, “Get down here, NOW.”
The eagle gently drops me and I jog the last few steps as he comes into land beside me. Gulid glides in behind the livid crew and duly folds his wings. I almost let loose a nervous laugh, but I value my life. I scan the faces of my family, Alpha, Dulcis, Adamo, Ursid, Anguis and Serpen, even Yelena and Primus, without finding a single ally. I don’t dare look at my seething mate.
“Alright, I know you’re angry,” I begin, “but you have to let me...”
And that’s when Curt blows my head off with his medieval werewolf voice and I will be lying if I say it isn’t frightening, especially since he’s never used it on me before. I feel my bottom lip quivering and an intense need to pee.
“How could you be so stupid? You should be dead. You stupid, stupid human. You know nothing about this world, nothing. Yet you dump yourself on the enemy and hope he doesn’t kill you? I’m your mate. Do you know what that means? No, of course you don’t because you’re not a wolf. I should never have listened to you. She was right.” He glares at Yelena.
“Keep me out of this,” Yellfire says.
“Curt,” I mutter, in a pathetic little girl voice.
“Don’t Curt me,” he screams, ending in a rasping howl. I’m not sure if he’s wolf or man right now. “You left me. You left me HERE. I’m your MATE. We’re leaving.”
He grabs hold of my wrist and hauls me a few steps before I sit my fat backside on the ground to slow him down. He’s still dragging me through the mud when Wings changes and lays a hand on Curt’s crushing grip.
“You need to listen to what she...” the naked birdman begins, but Curt rounds on him.
“As for you, I thought I could trust you. You’ve been with me my whole life and you betrayed me. ME. You listened to her over me and betrayed me.”
You know what? Now I’m mad. Stand by for blast back.
“He did nothing of the sort,” I growl, finding my feet and getting right in Curt’s face. “Don’t you dare speak to him like that. All he did was help me because he knows I’m right.”
“Right?” Curt booms, spitting the word in my face.
“Right,” I bellow back. “I’m sorry we scared you, because we both love you, but I am right. So stop hollering at me, put your teeth away and let me save this frulking pack and your mangy arse.”
Alpha opens his mouth to comment and I almost stick my pointed finger down his throat.
“Shut up and listen. You can open your big wolf mouth after I’ve finished. Understand?”
That stuns him into wide-eyed submission. Yelena snorts and bows her head to me, sweeping a hand as if to say ‘go ahead.’ Adamo uncrosses his arms and drapes one around Dulcis’ shoulders, drawing her into his side. I work hard at avoiding her sorrowful gaze.
“Edi, even if you found it, the cat could have killed you,” Dulcis says, her voice barely above a whisper. “Everything there could have killed you.”
“Or turned you into a worm,” adds Adamo.
“Look, I understand you think going to their camp was reckless and you’re right,” I begin, “but I knew what needed to be done. I couldn’t explain it to you because you wouldn’t have understood and would have stopped me going.”
“Too right,” Curt growls.
“King Armpit, or whatever his name is, called me the Realm Storyteller, and he’s right. Some things I just know and this is one of them. First, Alpha, you were right to send everyone away. Their camp is huge with too many serpents to count. We can’t fight them.”
“I could have told you that,” Curt pipes up.
“Do be quiet, nephew,” says Yelena, “and let go of her wrist. Now.” Curt drops my appendage like a hot coal. She nods at me. “Continue.”
“I found the mage cat.”
Dulcis sucks in an excited breath and leans towards me, face aglow. I knew my girl would like this sort of thing.
“UrRahUm.”
“Ur what?” asks Alpha.
“UrRahUm. That’s his name.”
“How do you know?”
“He told me.”
“He changed into a man?”
Alpha is all questions and I don’t have time for them.
“No, he spoke to me as a cat.” I hold up a palm to make him hush while I continue. “He’s held prisoner in a covered cage. Armpit uses an amulet to syphon off dark magic and that’s how he grows so large and spews fire. When it drains, he goes back to a man via that slug thing. If we can break the cat out and smash the amulet, he promises he’ll help us defeat the serpents and we can all go home.”
“Of course he does,” Curt sneers.
“Don’t give me that face,” I tell my recalcitrant mate. “I got here with a magic book, remember. I don’t want to hide for the rest of my life in freezing cold trees or caves, pooping in the mud. Even if it’s with you. I want our lodge back. I want you to build me a nice warm lodge with a spiral staircase, indoor plumbing and a rocking chair. Understand?”
“I’m not making you anything,” he mutters. “You left me. Again.”
“Look on the bright side,” I reply. “I didn’t go with Anguis.”
The eponymous snake tuts and tosses long blond hair over his shoulder. “I’m angry with you too.”
“Who cares?” Curt snarls.
Yelena scowls at her nephew. “Stop speaking; you’re annoying me.” She turns to me. “So, if I’m understanding correctly, in return for the cat unleashing magic on the serpents, he requires us to break him out of his prison and destroy the, what was it, amulet?”
“Yes,” I agree. “And let him roam free.”
“Of course. Why not?” says Curt, ladling on the sarcasm.
“What if he’s dangerous?” Anguis asks. “There’s no reason to believe he’s telling the truth. We could release him and he runs away, or turns on us.”
“All true,” I agree. “But he’s our only chance to beat the serpents. He may be bonkers, but I believe he’ll help us. He’s a captive, so he’s got no love for the serpents and besides, it’s better than slavery or running forever. All we have to do is kidnap the cat. Very, very quietly. Oh and there’s one more thing.”
“There always is,” Curt growls and his auntie scowls him into submission.
“The amulet’s on a cursed chain which can only be broken by another serpent.”
“Me,” says Anguis, jumping in before I finish the last syllable. “I’ll do it.”
“She said serpent, my friend.” All eyes swivel to King Serpen. “And that means me. Well, it was time I made myself useful. I’m with you.”
“Serpen...” his ambassador begins.
“I left that castle for a reason, Anguis. Your job is to take care of our people and my Sospa.”
“No-one has decided anything yet,” states Alpha.
“One more thing, part two,” I offer, ignoring Curt rolling his eyes. “Whilst our serpent breaks his chain, I have to tell a story.”
Adamo guffaws.
“I’m trying very hard to go with you on this,” says Yelena, “but there are limits.”
“That’s the magic. I’m not making this up.” The thought flashes through my mind that ‘making it up’ is precisely what I’m doing, if I’m the Realm Storyteller, but I keep that to myself. “It’s what the cat told me.”
“So it must be true,” Curt mutters.
His sarcasm is getting on my nerves.
“Hmmm,” rumbles Ursid, staring me down. I look away from his accusing gaze. “I have no idea why, since it’s ridiculous, but I believe you.” My eyes shoot back to his with gratitude. “Doesn’t mean I’m happy with you,” he says, frowning. “Wings, what do you think?”
“There were hundreds, if not a thousand serpents down there,” the birdman replies. “Edi’s as mad as a pack of dancing wolves in slippers, but I believe her about the cat. Which makes me a very sad old bird.”
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing,” says Ursid. “About the cat, not you being sad.”
“I vote yes,” chirps Dulcis, sticking up a hand.
“Me too,” agrees Adamo.
“Nobody’s voting on anything,” growls Alpha.
“I thought we agreed on a council?” says Primus, interjecting for the first time.
“With the final decision resting with me,” Alpha insists. “I’m not risking our entire pack on this madness.”
“No, you’re not,” I agree. That shocks him. “You should all move south and hide, as decided. Only me, Serpen and Wings have to do this. Sorry guys.” I nod at the former king and the eagle.
“Are you trying to make me howl at you?” Curt pretty much howls.
“I love you, Mange, but you can’t help me on this one. And we don’t have time to argue. That amulet will soon be ready for their king and they’ll all be coming with him.”
“I can fly you and Serpen there,” says Wings, “but how are we getting the cat and the both of you back here? I can’t carry three of you.”
Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.
“From the look on your face, I guess you need another eagle,” says Wings.
Gulid’s feathers slump on the spot.
“It has to be your choice, Gulid,” I tell him. “It’s dangerous.”
He squawks, slaps himself in the beak with a wing, sighs, then nods his head.
“Exactly how big is this cat?” Anguis asks.
Another good question.
“He’s a sabre tooth tiger, lion,” I state, remembering the mane. “ Or both. A big one.”
“Well, I’ve no idea what a tigerlion is,” says Yelena. “Anyone else?”
Blank faces give her the answer.
“He’s very, very big,” I offer. “Maybe the size of three Ursids.”
“That’s not too...” Wings begins.
“As a bear,” I finish.
Gulid slumps even further, dragging his wings in the mud.
“Can’t he change to human?” Anguis asks, ever the purveyor of sensible questions.
“No, he can’t. He spoke to me as a cat. Told me he can’t change.”
“But if he’s a cat, can’t he run out on his own?” the ambassador adds, still reaching for a solution.
“No again,” I reply, sadly. “The amulet’s hurt him and he hasn’t run for a long time.”
“Then I won’t be able to fly him out alone,” says Wings. “If he’s that heavy, it’ll take both myself and Gulid to carry him.”
“Wonderful,” mutters Serpen, glancing at me. “We seem to be walking back.”
“I still haven’t made a decision,” states Alpha, but no-one’s listening to him.
“This is where we come in,” warbles Adamo, bobbing up and down on his heels. “The Bear Prince and his general to the rescue.”
“Pardon?” Ursid chokes.
“Wings carries Serpen and Edi,” Adamo qualifies, slapping his general on the back. “Gulid takes you and me. They rescue the cat. The eagles fly the cat out. Serpen and Edi ride you and me as bears until the birds come back for us.”
“You’re not as stupid as you look,” states Yelena.
“Thank you, Granny,” the ginger prince replies.
“That’s dangerous,” Dulcis points out, poking his broad chest.
“No worse than fighting that fire monster thingy,” he replies. “And I’m not doing the magic bit, just the scarper as fast as you can with a rider part. Even I can do that without tripping over. What do you say, Ursid?”
“When do I ever get any peace?” rumbles the general.
Lord, how I love this family.
“If she’s riding anyone, it’s me,” growls Curt. I try to cuddle him, but he steps out of my arms with a growl of disapproval.
“I’m sorry, my mate, but I’m too heavy for you to carry any distance,” I point out. “The bears can get me away further and faster. I want to come back to you.”
“I still haven’t agreed to this,” Alpha repeats, raising his voice to howl level.
“No one cares,” Yelena states, illustrating from whence Curt inherited his attitude. “I feel for both my nephews, in so far as I’m capable of feeling, but the human is right. She has to try. If this cat can defeat them, it’s our only chance. A slim one, but it’s a chance. And if she fails, we lose nothing.”
“Except her life,” Curt growls.
“And mine,” mutters Wings.
Gulid squawks and points a wing tip at himself.
“I’m sorry,” I tell them, “but we have to go now. Right now, before the serpents come at us. Everyone else go with the pack. We’ll find you at the caves.”
“No,” growls Curt, eyes filled with betrayal. “Do you not get what being a mate is?”
“Yes,” I tell him. “Please trust me, Mange. I know I’ve not given you reason to, but I’m begging you. I know this is right. Anything for the pack, remember?”
He backs away from me, but I spring forwards, catching him off guard and hugging him fiercely. “I love you,” I whisper in his ear and let him go.
Primus thrusts a large backpack into my arms. “For their clothes. Blessings be with you all.”
I want to cry and hug everyone, but there’s no time for such indulgence, except for one piece of information I owe my young friend. “Primus, Yelena, I’m sorry to tell you this, but Fidus and Decipa are with the serpents. I thought you should know.”
Primus grasps his grandmother’s hand and lifts his chin. “Then we need to beat them all the more. Go.”
Let’s fly,” I tell Wings, but it’s Gulid who grabs me in his right claw and takes to the air. He circles once and snatches up Serpen.
“I didn’t agree to this,” I hear Alpha yell.
Yet again, my mate stares up at me as I fly away from his embrace, his man howl of disbelief ringing across the ruined town.
