Under Alune

Wolfhelm

Keysean paused for a moment when he reached the curving road that would take him toward the north-face of the High-hill. He felt as if he were being watched, but chided himself. Of course he was being watched, the village was well guarded against intrusion.

Still, his mind fumbled over the possibility of deceit. He wasn't sure whether he could trust the girl, but he assumed he could trust her father to be ruthless. Keysean had his doubts as to whether she could convince a Druid lord, her father or not, to change his mind about shifters.

Keysean sighed. He was sure now that he would sound like a fool in front of the elders, talking of druids and orks with no proof besides some odd flower he'd picked up. Even if they did believe him, it was doubtful that they would allow him to play the role of diplomat. Either way, there would be no point in delaying the inevitable.

A bird call announced him safe to enter the gates. Keysean nodded to the sky. A distant bird winged off toward the very peak of the High-hill to give word to the elders.

Aeisha was beside him the second he entered Wolfhelm's gloom. Villagers gathered in the streets, chatting buzzedly about the new news. So orks had come to Theyeark; Who had brought them and supplied them with weapons? How many of them were there?

Such were the questions, and many more whispered and murmured through the crowd. But Keysean paid them no attention, and they asked nothing directly of him. Those who gathered around only cast him glances or shouted victory as they saw him parting through their midst.

Aeisha went with her head laying comfortable on Keysean's shoulder. There was no rush now. They were safe again within the walls of Wolfhelm and perhaps the business of the orks would not again bother them. Aeisha sighed and looked up at her husband who nearly tripped trying to catch her gaze. She matched his easy smile but it only served to feed her already growing doubts.

"What took you so long?" she said as they passed through the crowd. She sniffed noisily as the scent of lily overcame that of the shifters now behind them. "Are you ok?"

"Aside from the foul flavor of gobold carrion, I'm fine. Glad to see Alune light upon thy face again." Keysean kissed her temple. " And... now that I have the queen of beauty on my arm; I proclaim this a proper a home coming for a hero."

Aeisha shoved her weight against him playfully and smiled. She suddenly remembered his wound for a moment thought she had harmed him. "Oh! I'm sorry! Your shoulder.."

"Other one," Keysean shrugged. "It's not so bad."

They strode through the clustered and sloping streets of Wolfhelm, and went for a long time without speaking. The crowd followed at a far pace, allowing the couple their privacy. Keysean felt stiff with ork blood, but tried to ignore it. Tudor homes alongside the road faded into a few odd placed gabled dwellings, which in turn became thin trees and marsh.

A thin path of dry soil bordered with brownish stones lead them quickly though the mire. The way lead them past several stilt-legged shacks lit with spectral, yellow-green light. Beyond was a short lawn and a circle of concrete battlements gaurding a squat building, referred to as Hollow-tree Hall.

There were shifters standing about the entry to the stockade of Hollow-tree hall. They gave stern nods to Keysean as he lead Aeisha beneath the portcullis. Most of Wolfhelm was gathered in the stockade, some five-hundred shifters and two human ambassadors in loose knots around the main path. Keysean held his head high and greeted the elders seated on the low roofed porch of Hollow-tree Hall. Then, smiling thin, he gave a nod to his father Krixtyle standing only slightly apart from the elders.

"Uloel-trads Una, terel," said Keysean in formal greeting to his father- a tall muscular man of dark brown skin and long dreadlocked hair.

"And Alune's light fall gracefully upon you too, ay'son," Krixtyle beamed. "The elders await your word and witness."

Krixtyle stepped forward as Keysean neared. He beamed the more upon Aeisha and laid a hand on her shoulder. "And yours as well, Aeisha, who's eyes would shame my son's. No doubt he was too consumed in the heat of battle to gather great detail."

The elders let loose low sounds to their ability. Krixtyle cast eyes to them and ushered the young shifters forward to join the elder's circle.

Detrazu, who was stocky with muscle even in human guise, raised first his voice, "What know you, Keysean, of orks?"

"They are men-things lost completely and beaten by the wilderness. Controllable by one of great strength in the natural magics called Gaia." Keysean plucked the truolua flower from his shoulder dressings. "A druid has caused these things."

Vedyrij frowned at the flower; the expression sent a flush across his high forehead and long neck. "So the Split-way has brought forth one with the voice of its flora."

"I know not the name of the voice proper, only one of his seed." Keysean lifted the flower higher so that all concerned could see. Shifters murmured around him then became silent. "The Truolua of a dryumaid, Darlaune."

The elders conversed amongst themselves quietly and bade Keysean show them the flower. Each took a good look at it then left it to the care of Retesrae, a white-haired woman seated beside Detrazu.

"Pah," said Nyelereid, squinting his hard eyes at the flower. "They speak peace after direct confrontation?"

Retesrae silenced Keysean's response and flicked a long trimmed curl of hair from her eyes. She slipped it behind her ear. "We should hear the tale first in its entirety before gathering assumptions."

Keysean looked to Aeisha who nodded and began the story. Her eyes darted to Keysean when she spoke of the orks who tried first to trick them. By the time she had finished at her own flight, the council were all staring at him as well, their faces locked in constrained opinion.

"And you, Keysean, where did Alune lead you once your mate had made safety?" asked Fillailu, who's eyes were fiercely intent.

Keysean gave brief tale of the gobold-kin and his battle with them. Aiesha nodded along, her face passing from worry to comfort as he told of his own escape; But when he spoke of Darlaune she couldn't conceal a sleight frown.

Retesrae frowned as well and murmured with the elders. She then turned to Keysean. "Darlaune is her name you say? And she gave to you this flower and apologies alone and of her own will?"

Chedrex, who was the youngest of the elders and dense with golden-brown hair about the head and chin and forearms spoke after her. "This flower, the truolua is symbolic of personal amnesty. This Darlaune may have forgiven you, but the Druidyer cannot be trusted to gift to us his apology."

Retesrae nodded in agreement with her brother, and found the other elders agreed in their own subtle ways. "It is a sign of favor, Keysean; and now, without the troll's head for proof, we have little to back our vengeance."

"Who cares?" came a voice from the crowd. "We have our word and truth seen by Aeisha's eyes."

"Latyurik you speak out of turn," Detrazu answered, tiredly. This was not the first time he'd had to deal with the young shifter's impertinence.

Latyurik snorted once but besides that was silent.

"The druid-lord sends neither peace nor apology, as we were saying," continued Restesrae.

"Darlaune is to seek his word. She bade me meet her again upon the Splitway." Aeisha's frown deepened as Keysean continued. "Alone under Alune tomorrow."

"Alone, you?" Nyelereid's grimace, which had held the while, now broke into an almost feral sneer. "The stink of this is appalling."

"We must have eyes to see you," said Fillailu. "We are left without assurance. If the Druidyer in fact wishes us harm then we must begin reconnaissance."

"We have little choice but to send Keysean to speak with this Darlaune tomorrow." said Retesrae. "We must remain at all times on the side of honor."

"Keysean," asked Detrazu, "can we trust your tongue and will?"

"You must, but to be honest, there are many here better suited for diplomacy," he replied.

Krixtyle shook his head and said, "My son has had trouble with control, but that is many years past."

"And surely we have had no recent trouble from him," added Fillailu peering at Keysean a moment then shifting his eyes to the myriad faces around him.

"And yet," said Chedrex his eye also upon Keysean, "all this began with the younger's foolish actions. Did he not strike first?"

Keysean pulled a stern expression. "That I did, but-"

"But? Do you truly have anything to add, Keysean son of Krixtyle? Have you forgotten why you were thrust from our number some eighteen years ago?" Chedrex asked.

"None of us have forgotten," said a voice coming from the doorway of Hollow-tree Hall. Daijaru's withering silhouette filled the space, not half a shade darker than his skin. Everyone present, elders and crowd and all locked eyes onto Daijaru, hardly willing to breathe for fear that it might disturb his speech. "He disgraced our hamlet and brought upon us a heavier scrutiny from our peers."

"And you would let him parley in our steads?" asked Chedrex.

"This is not a light situation. Static judgments must be loosened to accommodate dynamic events." said Daijaru slowly, tiredly. "A shifter must not act rash-" at this he glared at Keysean "-but in the presence of Orks, who else here could hold themselves calm?"

"Keysean, you will go tomorrow," said Detrazu decisively after many moments of silence.

Keysean nodded.

"But before you go, you will humble yourself among the youth. Tell them a tale of your anger to remind you of its consequences.

Keysean nodded and tried to make his face stern and serious. A smile contested though. He did his best to hide his pride.

"You are free then. Our thanks for your calm and precision."

"And thanks to God who brought you back to our holt." Retesrae smiled. "Alune lights upon you on the warriors moon. May it come again with you a victor."

The elders nodded once to the people then stood together and went into Hollow-tree Hall.

Krixtyle, who served as the voice of the elders, stepped off of the porch and proclaimed the word of the council. Keysean clapped him heartily about the shoulder. His father nodded with a grin and waved him away.

"Your vacation is over, but you still have paradise on your arm," he whispered. His eye darted to Aeisha then quickly back to his son. "Better take advantage, boy."

Keysean laughed aloud and passed through the crowd. Latyurik came beside him and feinted a slow blow to his ribs. Keysean grabbed his hand above the wrist and pushed it away.

"Watch yourself, 'Rik, " Keysean leered at him. "I'm still in attack mode."

"Sounds like you spent more time running, Key." Latyurik chuckled.

"Well, I didn't want you to worry."

"Ha, yea, maybe; Only about our upcoming Rook match. We're gonna beat the hell out of your Conquistadors."

Once past the marsh belt, the three wandered off of the path and into a thin wood. This shortcut made its way behind homes and ended at a section cut into a steeper part of the High-hill. Quiet peaked and gabled roofs flooded down before them, house lights low in each cozy dwelling.

"If we ever get to play it man," said Keysean in almost a mutter

"Huh?" said Latyurik

"The Rook match."

"Oh yea, right. I'm sure I will. You on the other hand..."

"Eh, whatever. Orks and Gobolds aren't too bad, and Trolls just need to be tended to a little."

"Oh yea? and Ogres, Wyverns, Wyrms, Terraruli.. shit..." Latyurik shook his head, "the list goes on and on."

Keysean shrugged. "Remember where we used to play when we were kids? That plateau with the well-spring?"

"Yea, it fell apart when you went off to..." unable to find a soft word for exile, Latyurik simply grunted, stepped off of an embankment into a back-yard, and continued on.

"Yea?" Keysean paused a moment. "Well, anyway that's where I'm going to meet her."

"You seem excited," said Aeisha casually.

"Only to for a chance to-"

"What are you going to do about your cabin Key?" Latyurik slowed to allow the others to catch up. "Gobold-taint 's all over it now. When you go back s'gonna be nothing but rot-swamp."

"That can be fixed," said Aeisha. "But the elders.."

"Rules have to be followed, judgments are absolute," sighed Keysean. He surveyed the downslope as they crossed a road and felt tears threatening his vision. He clamped his eyes shut. He'd known before, when the elders had allowed him to return, that it would not be permanent. Still, he was not ready to let go.

"I don't know why you're even complaining." Latyurik scoffed. "You have way more in one hand than any of these mongrels will ever hold with all their strength."

Keysean smirked at Aeisha. "I sure do"

Latyurik pretended to gag then suddenly his gaze shot to the sky.

"Hey Hunt!" He called out. He extended a forearm to allow a large, black-pinioned eagle to take roost. Latyurik winced as it landed. "s**t, man! Watch the talons."

"Sup Hunt?"

"Hey Hunt," said Keysean and Aeisha in turn.

The eagle spread its wings wide and narrowed its eyes signaling trouble in animal pantomime. It went on- "trouble eh? Of course Key found it first."

"It found Key," Aeisha clarified.

The eagle, Hunter, bowed his head nearly to his breast, but his eyes remained focused. "Either way, it's his problem now."

"It's all of ours, Hunt," said Latyurik. "Damn Elders are too leery to let us go over there and shred some skin."

"Nah man, we shouldn't do anything hasty. We have a chance to reconcile."

"Listen to you, Key. Damn. I remember there was a time when you had claws out at first word."

"Yea and got busted out by the elders every time. Guy's gotta change, right?"

Latyurik looked to Keysean then back to Aeisha. He harrumphed once then stopped. They were in front of a white-paneled home of three floors. In the yard there were a myriad of young cubs and kits and colts and chicks wrestling and playing. More lay comfortably asleep on the stoop. Hunter gave a pantomimed "farewell" then took wing.

When Keysean and Aeisha came to the yard, a coyote stood and trotted off of the stoop It transformed into a plump woman in a washed-jean skirt and knitted black sweater as it approched. She smiled warmly at the three of them.

"Keysean! Am I glad to see you safe and sound.." she said wrenching him soundly into her embrace. "You weren't hurt, were you?"

"Farha'una, Taleese," said Keysean a bit breathlessly. "Only my shoulder."

Taleese tisked and hummed as she inspected the wound. "Silver. You better get this taken care of soon."

"I'll be ok until morning at least. Then I'll go see the Apothecaries."

"So you say."

"I promise, Taleese."

Taleese looked directly into Keysean's eyes then nodded once. "Your word is bond, Key."

"How are you Taleese?" asked Aeisha to break the protective tension.

"Day in a day out with the cubs; so, worn down. Aeryka and Kyresh are around here somewhere..." She trailed off as a kitten and a fox-cub broke from their game on the low-lawn and scampered toward her. They rubbed themselves against her ankles then pounced upon Keysean's shins.

He stooped, chuckling, and the cubs pressed their noses into his hands then ran their faces and heads beneath his palms. He scooped them into his arms where they squirmed and mewled gently while trying to lick his face. Aeisha bent over Keysean's shoulder and scratched the kitten, Aeryka, between the ears.

"Rik," asked Taleese, "When're you gonna bring me some cubs to chase?"

"When Alune is silver while the sun shines and shifters are chaemera," laughed Latyurik.

"Never, huh? Nothin' like a youngin' to settle you good."

"Settle..." Latyurik shuddered and looked away. His eyes strayed to Aeisha. "Nah none of that for me."

He shrugged and waved. "Catch you later Key. Pro'lly tomorrow."

"Later Rik."

"Later." said Aeisha and Keysean in turn to Latyurik's rapidly receding back. he was soon gone behind a line of homes.

"That one needs to calm down a mite," said Taleese. "Maybe then he could learn to enjoy the peaceful moments in life."

"Ahh.. Rik's just young. We're all fidgety before the world clamps us down," Keysean replied, standing.

"A girl'd clamp him but quick," said Taleese heading back towards her stoop. "Be safe my lovelies. And make sure your parents get some sleep tonight." She chuckled and was soon again a coyote spread across a stair.

Aeisha took the fox-cub, Kyresh from Keysean and they set off towards their temporary home. Through a thinning of the marsh trees they could see Hollow-tree Hall was still lit bright upon the pinnacle of the High-hill.