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Leotie fought against the pain to keep going, and walked into a crevice where she collapsed. Pain burned in her abdomen and made it difficult to think. Why didn’t Enola listen to me?
A healer was needed, but no, she got herself captured.
Leotie panted heavily and tried to look at the wound. The metal dug in, causing grinding pain with any movement. If she died, who would stop them? She struggled to stay awake. The dread of failing tried to overwhelm her. She tried to get up, but the pain sent her reeling to the ground and longing for the company of Izrah and Tala.
Nothing she had done had been right from the moment she’d attacked the soldiers. Regrets mounted upon regrets, and none could be made right if she died. She should’ve realized Markus would use her loved ones against to her – anything to make her go with him. Even worse, she’d allowed herself to be fooled into thinking Keme had betrayed her. Leotie tried to get up, causing a shock wave of pain. She squealed and flinched. Fatigue crept up on her. The ability to change form seemed good now that it was about to be taken away from her. Yes, being turned into a shifter had been better than dying after all. Blood oozed out of the wound. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and she fell into a sea of pain that turned to numbness.
Through blurry vision, the ring on her paw came into focus. All she had to do was break the ring and Markus would help. She hesitated. He’d want everything from her. The hope of having a normal life with the man she loved would be over the moment she touched the ring. Sure, the others didn’t believe it, but if she could somehow survive, a normal life might still be possible since she was close to achieving her true form – all without Markus.
A sharp jab of pain reminded her she was in serious trouble. It’s going to be over soon if I don’t do something.
Anger welled up at herself for not being more aggressive. She should’ve fought them in skin walker form, but no she didn’t like that form – didn’t think it was necessary. That form alone would’ve scared several of them off, but no, it made her feel like a monster. Keme would’ve seen her and been horrified.
An idea came to mind. Would the pain be less in human form? She strained to start the process and concentrated, one part at a time. A glow spread around her, much slower than before. She forced every last ounce of energy, imagining her limbs growing longer and fur shrinking back all over her body. She forced every part of her to change until she appeared human. Leotie lay there exhausted, but the wound was gone, along with the pain. She pounded her fist on the ground. Shifting healed the wound.
Leotie thought about how she could understand English. Perhaps it was the same reason she could read the minds of her friends. She got up and went to where Enola had been supposed to stay hidden. She’d forgotten her canteen. Leotie grabbed it and drank every drop, then hurried toward the river. Ahead the body of soldier lay on the trail. She slowed down near it. He had a bloody wound in his neck. His eyes were open and face twisted in horror. She’d killed him, along with several others. At the time, her mind had been filled with rage. Now, standing over the body in her human form, it was awful. At seeing Keme captured and knowing their plans, she’d panicked. Next time she would plan better.
The soldier had a long knife. She picked it up and tucked it in her belt. She searched his pockets for anything useful and found a shiny, flat object. She picked it up and flinched at the sight of her own face reflecting back at her clearly for the first time in her life – a face that lacked detail even more drastically compared to when she saw herself in a creek.
An idea came to her. Leotie looked in the mirror and winced at the doll-like face staring back at her. She stared at her image and made small changes to her face. The top of her head glowed a little until she had a face that looked normal; although not necessarily what she’d looked like before. Still, she was beautiful again. I could get my life back with Keme if I can save him.
She put the shiny thing in her pocket and ran all the way to the river. The ship had moved to the north, barely visible. Leotie shifted into wolf form and ran after it.
By sunset she reached the camp, panting with her big tongue hanging out. They’d burned down their homes and the surrounding forest. Larger trees had been cut down and used to make homes for soldiers, who were everywhere. She hadn’t been able to handle the smaller group at the cabin, let alone an army.
She stayed in the brush at a distance and used her enhanced vision to spy, determined not to act rashly. The women were working in the field. She recognized many of them, including Keme’s mother, but Enola wasn't among them. Several of the men were working on making more log houses. At times, one of her people would refuse, only to be beaten or whipped into submission. Leotie cried on the inside. It was all she could do not to rush out and stop them. The impossible task made her feel alone. Her thoughts drifted back to the last time she’d seen her friends and the look on Izrah’s face as they argued.
As she observed, she spotted two men in the middle of an open field being held in some sort of trap around their necks and wrists. Leotie couldn’t get close enough to see for sure, but she sensed they were Keme and Chapa. Too many soldiers walked about for her to attempt to reach them. Nothing was coming to her that would work against an army. The memory of the pain from being shot was fresh in her mind too. It could happen again. Perhaps more than once and in a vital area.
One person of interest came into view. He wore a fancy jacket and a big pointy hat. White hair puffed out from under it. He was an older man who she guessed had seen many battles. Younger men took his orders and others waited on him. He was a chief of some sort. She considered imitating him, but continued to feel overwhelmed. This involved a lot of detail, including speaking English. The words were in her, somehow, but she had no experience with impersonating anyone – especially an outlander.
Leotie plopped under a bush and strained to think of something. At the very least, perhaps, she should settle for getting Keme out of that trap and sneaking him away in the night. They would go back to her mother and the others, tell them what had happened, and move to the south before the soldiers had a chance to find them.
She didn’t like that plan. Enola and the rest of her people would be slaves. Leotie glanced at the ring. Markus could burn down their buildings. She pictured the smug look on Markus’ face if she summoned him. With his usual arrogance, he had said she would use it. Still, he did have the power to free her people. Once free, she could get them to Athen’s Hill. Nobody would come after them in such a faraway, remote place. She had the power to change things for the better right on her finger. Keme would agree the freedom of their people came before their own desires. She lifted her hand and paused, staring at the ring.
A sniffing sound broke her attention. A set of red eyes glowed to her left.
“Why Leotie, is that you?” Izrah thought. “I’m sure I recognize the scent.”
“Izrah! Yes, it’s me.”
“Our people are in serious trouble. Come here, we must talk.”
Several sets of eyes emerged from the woods. It was the clan. She slunk over to them, and together they went back in the woods to talk. All her friends were there. They jumped about, excited to be together again, touching noses and sending thoughts of happiness and relief.
“So glad to see you’re alright,” Jolan said.
“I knew we’d find you eventually, stubborn girl.” Wayna poked her in ribs playfully.
She swatted him in the face with her tail and chuckled while Izrah waited.
Leotie turned to her. “I’m so sorry for being so harsh. I mean, you did what you had to do.”
“Oh don’t be sorry,” Izrah thought. “I was harsh as well. It’s your right to try and have a life with Keme again.”
The others nodded.
“We all should have our lives back,” Leotie said.
“Yes, I agree you young people deserve your lives back, but in the end I will keep my word to Markus. But for now we need to help our people.”
Wayna stepped forward. “I was so filled with the need for revenge I easily gave in to Markus. I miss my life, but cannot go back on my word. However, we attacked the soldier’s fort with him, so what would he care if we attack the outlanders again?”
Leotie realized she had to settle for them helping her and not question their decision to go with Markus. Her hopes of getting her life back rose up. “I’m so glad you found me, but how did you do it?”
“It wasn’t easy, but all the different scents led us here and we got lucky,” Anti thought. “We’ve also been observing and know what the outlanders have done.”
The others nodded in agreement. By this, Leotie knew they still considered themselves Mahasi.
“Then you know we must free our people. I’ve been trying to come up with a plan. Keme and Chapa are probably in those wooden traps, but I don’t know where Enola is and there are more soldiers than ever.”
“She can’t be far from here,” Tala said. “We can do this.”
Wayna’s wolf lips curled into a smile. “I can’t wait.”
She looked at the ring. “Don’t be over confident. Even though we’re strong, we’re far outnumbered.”
“What is that ring, dear?” Izrah asked.
Leotie explained it. “If I use it, I’ll belong to Markus just like the rest of you.”
“That ring makes it clear Markus wants you for himself,” Izrah said. “You certainly must never break it.”
“I’ll pretend it isn’t there.”
The clan gathered in tight circle to make their plan.
