Destiny (32 page)

Enelya felt a cold sinking feeling begin to form in the pit of her stomach as the full implications of what Tathar said sank in. It made no sense for Dínendal Telrúnya to be leading the Scouts in any capacity. She readily understood the unspoken warning he was passing along. Her disapproval of Dínendal was well known throughout the Clan.

The problem was that once combat ensued Wild Elves did not question those that led until the threat was over, until then warriors followed their designated leaders single-mindedly. Although this was confusing to outsiders, it was the only way her people were able to deal with the competing aspect of their predatorial nature during warfare. Theoretically, only a higher ranking Clan Leader could challenge a Scout Leaders decision but rarely had such conflicts occurred throughout the history of her people. Her status as a Shaman made her exempt from many of these rules, but being exempt didn’t mean she had any direct authority to act either.

Looking at the circling Wenci, Enelya thoughts raced. The current crisis facing her people was too important for Dínendal’s petty differences to play a role in what needed to be done. She would do whatever was necessary to warn the Clan.

“How many shamans are with you?”

Understanding the meaning of Enelya’s question Tathar pitched his voice low as his gaze nervously swept the glade. “Lranel and I were the only Shamans in the range of Argus’ call. We picked up Terus’ small hunting group along the way.”

Watching the Elven warriors surround her companion, Enelya thoughts raced. No matter what happened she had to keep the Klavikian safe, but there was no doubt in her mind that eight Wencis and three shamans wouldn’t be enough if things went bad. “Let’s us hope they are enough of a deterrent for Dínendal’s blundering stupidity.” Grasping the young shaman’s shoulders in thanks, Enelya heading for Lúthien when Dínendal’s voice boomed out across the glade.

“Lay down your arms or be destroyed!”

Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Enelya came to a stop before her companions raising her voice.

“Dínendal, I thank you for your timely assistance, but these beings are under my protection. I’m taking them to–“

“So, you readily admit to the crime of bringing the enemies of our people into our lands.” The outrage in his voice stirred the warriors around the circle as they looked at each other in confusion. Ignoring the Scouts questioning looks Dínendal continued blithely. “Surrender or be slaughtered where you stand.”

“Dínendal, there is no time for your ineptitude! I already told you these beings are here at my request. We were on our way to the Spirit Mother when Dorthonion acco-“

“Shut your mouth traitor!” Enelya’s head snapped back as if she had been physically slapped. Never in her life had a fellow Wild Elf spoken to her with such blatant disrespect! Behind her, she felt the Wenci hunters shifting closer behind her in consternation as they smelt Argus’ anger.

Unconcerned, Dínendal continued spouting his hate. “You shamans always walk around acting as if the rest of us are less than nothing.” With a wave of his hand towards Enelya, Dínendal gave his orders. “Chain the traitor and her cohorts. If they resist, kill them all.”

This was insanity! For a long moment, Enelya could only look incredulously at the Scouts stiffly shuffling towards her in shocked silence. By the look on their faces, they obviously didn’t agree with the orders they’d been given but were unable to fight the compulsion of their assigned leader. Raising her voice, she addressed the Elves around her.

“Dínendal has no authority here. As a shaman of the Clan, I order you to stop your advance. Seize Dínendal and bring him before the Spirit Mother for her judgment in this matter.” Unbelievably the Scouts continued their advance ignoring her words. Seeing her good friend Aliya in the lead, Enelya hissed sharply. “Can’t you stop this?”

With a sharp shake of her head, Aliya spoke haltingly. “I’m sorry Enelya.” Apologetically she raised her spear towards Enelya. “You need to drop your weapons, or I will be forced to kill you.” Backing up with her hands raised, Enelya focused her thoughts.

She felt her soulmate’s barely controlled rage fill her mind as he answered one step ahead of her.

Effortlessly leaping over the advancing Wild Elves, the two eldest Wenci sprang for Dínendal growling deep in their chests as the rest of the hunting group stepped in front of Enelya, placing themselves between her and the advancing Scouts. Clearly the Hunt Leader’s thoughts broadcasted around the glade.

Around the glade the Scouts froze where they stood. A disagreement of Benda Heimild between classes was one thing, but the right of challenge between Wenci and Wild Elf was another matter altogether. Disputes of that nature fell only within the domain of the Clan’s Shamans.

There was only eight Wencis present compared to the twenty Scouts under Dínendal’s command, but that wasn’t the issue. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, he knew no Wild Elf would go against the Sáttmála. To challenge the accord would remove any chance he had for satisfaction, that knowledge alone gave pause to the insanity overwhelming Dínendal’s conscious thoughts. Still noxious thoughts clouding his mind drove him to try.

“This traitor is my prisoner!”

Dínendal’s face contorted in rage as Terus’ mind-speak broadcasted around the glade. Standing stock still ready to spring the Wenci Hunters watched the Scout Leader with slitted eyes as a palatable tension of impending violence suddenly filled the air, while the Elven Scouts shifted where they stood nervously eying their Wenci Brothers. The situation was diffused a moment later as Dínendal forced his mask of sanity back into place while his thoughts raced. Maybe there was a way to salvage this yet.

“What of these trespassers?”

“No!” Every eye turned to Enelya as she met the Wenci Hunter’s almond shaped eyes. “Terus, I charge you with my companions’ safety. You will wait here for my return with the Spirit Mother.”

For a long moment, the large Wenci’s only reaction was the whip-like flick of his long tail. Coming to a decision Terus unfroze bowing his elongated head.

Raising his voice, Dínendal played his trump card. “I demand that these enemies of our people be chained until the Spirit Mother can determine their fate.”

In her peripheral, Enelya saw her companions flinch in understanding as around the glade Dínendal’s words caused a stir amongst her people. His grin said it all. Both Minotaurs and Centaurs were known for their extreme hatred of any confinement. To be chained like an animal was the gravest insult to both species. Enelya’s entire argument against Dínendal was based on the principles of Clan Law. Looking into Terus’ eyes, she already knew what his answer would be.

Enelya’s body visibly sagged as Dínendal glared back and forth between her and the Wenci Hunters. Stabbing his spear towards her companions menacingly Dínendal addressed the Elven Scouts under his command. “Chain them! If they resist, kill them!”

Moving ahead of the Scouts, Enelya ran to Tiberius’ side. Gripping the Minotaur’s gauntleted wrist she met his dark brown eyes recognizing the seething rage that was barely contained within them. Tearing her gaze away from the large male, Enelya looked towards Nessa seeing the same fury reflected in her eyes. At their feet Lúthien lay unconscious of her surroundings with the Paladin moaning beside her, both of them burning with fever. For a moment, Enelya didn’t know what to say. They all knew what was at stake. Looking into the deadly Prince’s regal face, she could only pray to Meliki that her cousin was right about this unusual bull. Urgently she tried to soothe their anger.

“If we are going to have any chance of saving our people from the Tuonellians, you must lay down your weapons and wait for my return.” Seeing the distrust reflected in her companions’ faces as their eyes flicked towards Dínendal, Enelya dropped her voice low enough so that only they could hear her speak. “I know Dínendal has no honor, but in this, you must trust me. The Wenci will ensure your safety as long as Clan Law is obeyed. You must not resist!”

The internal struggle going on in Tiberius’ mind was self-evident as his great horned head swung aggressively from side to side at the Scouts approaching from every direction. Around the defensive circle, the legionnaires raised their shields preparing to fight. If they didn’t listen to her now, it would be a bloodbath. Almost pleading Enelya tried one last time. “You said you wanted to speak with my Spirit Mother about saving our peoples. Only in this way will your wish come to pass.”

Warily the Minotaur’s head slowly came to a stop as the Prince looked deeply into her eyes. The weight of his gaze felt as if he were weighing her soul. “Do I have your word Wild Elf?”

Standing up straight, Enelya met that intense stare with one of her own. “You have the word of Enelya Tasartir, Shaman of the Wild Elf Clan and daughter of Arien Tasartir.”

Hearing the name of her Mother, Enelya saw the Minotaur’s eyes widened in surprise, suddenly understanding who stood before him. As Tiberius looked over his shoulder, Enelya watched the Minotaur’s gaze sweep the glade for one long second before turning to face her once again. Raising his voice in command, Tiberius snapped a sharp order to his legionnaires.

“Arma ponere!” (Lay down your weapons!)

The resounding clanking sounds of metal were the only response as the Minotaurs’ Wolf Gauntlets began folding in on themselves. Immediately the bulls began dropping their gauntlets to the ground as Enelya spun around. Raising her voice, she addressed the Wenci Hunt Leader as Argus came swiftly to her side.

“Terus, I place my honor in your claws.”

Springing to Argus’ back, Enelya gave Dínendal one last look of warning before racing off into the forest.

***

Location Irlendria / Nessa Manitou:

Nessa’s chest felt like it was going to explode from the conflicting emotions running through her as she watched Enelya disappear into the forest astride the sleek Wenci’s back. Turning her gaze once again towards the approaching Wild Elves with their ironidium chains, she fought against the burning rage building up inside of her.

To be bound like a beast was beyond intolerable. Nessa’s people never surrendered! Not even during the onset of the Great War when the Hordes had slaughtered tens of thousands before the Klavikians had shown them how to fight the invaders. Unlike the Minotaur cities whose populations had been enslaved and butchered as food for the invading armies, the Tuonellians had been forced to kill her people to the last warrior in every engagement they’d won.

Nessa’s entire body shook as she unconsciously recited from the codex of the warrior. “Only when fighting to the death could defeat have honor.” Clinching the Staff of Yatri in both hands, Nessa forced the thoughts of dishonor away looking into the Scout Leader’s hate-filled face. Using the power of her spirit, she focused her perceptions like Uzila Moonsong had taught her so many years ago.

Immediately Nessa froze as her stomach twisted at the wrongness inside the Elven male. There was a black corruption wrapped around his soul like a tentacle that faded off somewhere into the distance. Inside she could see the Elf’s soul was screaming in agony. The vision was enough to stop Nessa in her tracks. Even though this evil was different then the Hulks that had worn the skin of her people, she could still see that it was destroying the Elf from within. Somehow she knew this was an important part of the Tuonellians’ plans.

Nostrils flaring, Nessa looked over the Minotaurs standing around her. Although they were in the process of dropping their weapons to the ground, she could see they were just as enraged as she. There was no love lost between their people. The Citadel that blocked the passage from the Plains of Nurothtorn to the rolling hills of the Imperium was a testament to the bloody history of warfare between their two peoples, but during the Great War the Boneheads had grudgingly earned her people’s respect as warriors. Looking at the massive horns heads, she snorted in derision. Whoever had come up with the phrase had the right of it, Boneheads was an apt description of the Minotaur’s thick skulls.

Nessa’s head suddenly whipped around as the bull Enelya had called Prince Tiberius gave a sharp hand signal to the males around them, within seconds the legionnaires had her completely surrounded. Wounded as they were there were too many of them for her to fight at once even with her superior strength. Still she might have a chance to defeat them if she struck first, but something in the Prince’s dark brown eyes made her hold back her attack and listen.

“Just so there is no misunderstanding, Centaur. I don’t know who or what you are.” Nessa saw the Prince’s eyes taking in her white skin as he spoke, “but I will do whatever it takes to stop the Tuonellians from destroying my people. And that means rebuilding the Alliance of Aurenko.” Looking pointedly at the staff gripped tightly in her hands, he continued speaking. “Make no mistake about this, I will not allow your pride or hate for my people to destroy the only chance I have to accomplish this objective. There is simply too much at stake.”