Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 89
They traveled, guided by the Lycanthrope, hiking steadily for many days to the center of Norst`Kin Forest; this was a great bowl in the land, dense with a grand and eerie forest, the likes of which few had ever seen. About the floor of the great forest, were strewn a large number of boulders, both great and small, most half-buried in the earth. Great mists of flowing fog ever coursed across the land, like a host of phantoms forever on the move. At times, the sun was allowed to shine through for short periods during their march. The large and sturdy trees of the forest, within the mists, appeared to be ghostly apparitions, their branches stretching and reaching out as if grasping at the sky, begging for the light of the sun.
At times Grisham would leap up onto a massive boulder and howl. Most of the time there was silence, yet once in a while Grisham’s howls were answered by like cries somewhere off in the mists; at times, alarmingly close. Sekali’s eyes could not penetrate the thickness of the trees they would pass close to, but he knew they were being watched closely.
One day, as they passed through the heart of the forest, they happened upon forty spears set in the ground. Atop every spear were piked the ghastly sight of forty Veleighen heads, their bodies lying forever frozen below. Sekali was compelled to stop and stare, a sense of foreboding doom filling his mind and heart as he gazed upon the scene, so silent, so final. Behind the spears lay the mauled and torn bodies of their powerful feline steeds. Sekali’s eyes fell upon one of the cats with its head thrown back in an eternal, silent scream.
Grisham drew close to Sekali. “They came not one moon prior to your entrance into my land. I believe they sought what you seek.”
Sekali stared at the bodies for a time, as if he did not hear Grisham’s voice, nor the heat of the great Lycanthrope’s breath invading upon Sekali again and again and again.
“Grisham, was there ever a time when the Veleighen were in harmony with the other races?”
Grisham lowered its head and sneezed, almost violently. Growling, the Lycanthrope slowly looked up at him, baring its teeth.
“There is one other race we know of that runs with the Veleighen. They are known as the Zendahr; much like the Veleighen in their lust for conquest over all other races.” Grisham pricked its ears forward and snarled halfheartedly.
“The Zendahr are pups as to the physical prowess of the Veleighen. But they are more brilliant; creating havoc among other packs prior to Veleighen conquest. We always let one in each pack escape, and more always come . . . the fools.” Again Grisham sneezed and pawed at the frozen surface of the ground idly as Sekali listened.
“So, you bait them.”
Grisham ripped a large rock up out of the ground and began playing with it as if it were the weight of a mere unfilled backpack.
“No, it is our way; a challenge offered. These are our lands but we do not track other races and hunt them down, unless they are a threat. If that be the case, as is our relationship with the Veleighen and the Zendahr, then we find our sport. Many moons ago they came in a great pack and tried to drive us from our land. It was a grand hunt, and a glorious battle!” Grisham looked over at Finyat, who appeared terrified, and growled softly.
“Again, we let one go, though he thought he escaped us.”
Finyat shuddered and smiled nervously, taking an involuntary step back from Grisham. But quickly Grisham advanced and placed a great paw upon Finyat’s shoulder, stopping him. Finyat trembled as the Lycanthrope’s great muzzle neared his face, breathing hot air upon him steadily and baring its teeth. Aria turned away, smiling secretly as Grisham backed Finyat into one of the spears, causing him to stumble over the body of a frozen, decapitated, Veleighen warrior, thus stopping Finyat’s retreat.
“Finyat of the Shallant pack, you are no threat.”
Grisham released Finyat and turned to Uther. “Fear, we leave within the hearts of our enemy, it makes them easy to track when and if they return, Uther of the Kithrin Pack.”
Uther nodded and growled, looking as though he suddenly saw the Veleighen from afar, and wanted to do battle.
Continuing their journey through the forest of mists, Grisham led them for many more days through paths familiar only to the Norst`Kin. Snow and sleet fell in heavy downpours at times, obscuring their vision. But Grisham knew the lands well and guided them flawlessly to the far northeastern edge of the Norst`Kin Forest without mishap.
One day Grisham stopped and raised up high and pointed north.
“I will say my farewells now. Aria, come this way on your return journey, and we will hunt the Veleighen together. Aria smiled brightly.
“It will be a good hunt on that day, Grisham. Thank you.” She embraced the Lycanthrope as she was gently lifted up into powerful arms and held close. Grisham placed its nose into her neck and inhaled long and deep.
“I have your scent Aria; I will always find you.”
“I missed you.” Aria whispered, and Grisham growled, holding her tightly as she kissed the side of its head, nuzzling him sentimentally. She closed her eyes tightly for some moments before letting go.
“And I, you. Good hunting, until we meet again.” Aria was lowered to the ground.
Grisham turned to Sekali and his companions. Bowing, the great Lycanthrope pawed the ground with a right paw.
“May your hunt track a successful ending. If you should return this way, I will find you . . .”
Uther interjected quickly, growling, as if he could not stay his tongue. “And Veleighen blood will flow!” Grisham’s eyes narrowed at Uther, and there was heard an inner rumble.
“That, Uther of the Kithrin Pack, is written in the moon.” Uther bowed.
Grisham turned to Finyat and placed a paw upon his shoulder, at which Finyat wrapped his small arm about Grisham’s wrist.
“Finyat of the Shallant pack, tales have reached my pack that you have slain the Hunter Dragon. Well met, Finyat! One so small should never be underestimated. It would be an honor to run with you.” Finyat beamed a nervous smile up at the lycanthrope.
“I would find it a pleasure to be at your side, hunting. Farewell.” Grisham sneezed and turned upon Sekali.
“The tale of your battle within the mountain rides upon the mists, Sekali. There is honor mantled upon you for this deed. I hope you weather it.” Sekali wasn’t sure what Grisham meant by that, but bowed and then saluted in the manner of his custom.
“May your Pack never fail.” Grisham sneezed again and pawed the ground with its great paw and lowered its head to Sekali.
“I wish to have seen that battle. But we may yet hunt together one day.” Sekali nodded and looked at his companions and then to the northeast where lay their destination.
Grisham spoke one last time.
“You head now up onto the great plateau of the Kedg`Noth Plains, where my pack hunts for sport. Follow it warily northeast. You will come to the other side of these plains in due time; descend the plains and your journey will take you to the great waters of the Northern Sea. When you reach the shoreline, follow it north where the great waters from a lesser sea create another sea inland. There will be a small cave at the western edge of the lesser sea. That is the entrance. Beware that cave, for it has a shaft at the rear that will drop you to your death if you are careless with your footing. May the hair of your heads never fall!” Grisham howled long up at the sky above, then bolted, speeding back the way they had come. As Grisham passed by Aria, she held out a hand, brushing the Lycanthrope from head to tail.
Aria turned as Grisham sped into the mists, watching in silence as the Lykkinnin vanished. When the Norst`Kin Lycanthrope had gone, Aria turned and looked at them. A sudden smile brightly flashed across her face. Finyat fidgeted and held his stomach.
“Let’s eat!”