Chapter 14
Wearily, Kira regained consciousness. Ash was splayed out beside her and together they had flattened a patch on the wheat field. Ash muttered in his sleep and thrashed around on the floor; Kira presumed he was having a nightmare. She tried to sooth him, flattening his hair out and crooning to him like a mother does to a child and he seemed to quieten. She looked about her but could only see a few more fields to one side, a dip on the other and a scraggly bunch of trees. Then she saw the barn; then the house, and suddenly out of the blue a small village was there right in front of her. Ash muttered again and jerked, before suddenly his eyes opened and he sat up panting.
Kira looked quizzically at him but Ash blushed and turned away. A neigh, followed by a whiney sounded from the village and Kira turned to their next priority.
“We need horses,” she stated. Ash nodded his agreement and passed her a chunk of cheese and some bread – breakfast. She stuffed it down.
Kira flattened herself against the wood of the barn and poked her head around the corner.
“All clear,” she whispered, and Ash darted forwards and opened the doors of the barn. A nervous neigh sounded from one of the sable blocks and Kira slunk into the gloom after him. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light and she made out a wall that Ash was taking a saddle and bridle from. He passed them to Kira and took another pair. Ash escaped to the side and began to look over a black stallion that Kira could hardly see in the gloom.
Kira slung the bridle over a free shoulder and shifted the saddle more comfortably in her arms. She made towards a brown mare but changed her mind when a creamy golden filly nickered at her. Kira smiled and put the saddle down on a box of hay. She blew into the filly’s nostrils and got the same in return. Kira opened the door to the stall and looked the filly over. What is her name? She thought. Kira turned to the door of the stall and saw on the outside ‘Sahara’ engraved into the wood.
“Sahara,” Kira whispered. She put the bridle on the horse and then strapped on the saddle. Grabbing a bucket, Kira stood on it and slung her leg over Sahara’s saddle. She sat up and held Sahara’s reins tight.
“Kira, are you ready?” hissed Ash from his seat up top of the black stallion.
“Yeah!” The door to the outside of the barn was open and Kira motioned; Sahara trotted out into the blue. Ash kicked his stallion into a brisk canter and Sahara followed naturally.
They raced out of the small village with their new steeds; they could go much further with the horses help. Ash had remembered to clip saddlebags on so when he halted the canter at their makeshift camp Ash leapt off the stallion and chucked Kira her bags and gently passed the bow and quiver. Kira stuffed her belongings into the saddlebags and slung the bow over her shoulder. Ash jumped back on the stallion and turned to face it with Sahara.
“What’s the stallion’s name?” asked Kira, bending to stroke Sahara’s neck.
“Coalic. What’s the mares’?”
“Sahara.”
Kira, somehow, knew where to go. She thought that perhaps it was Agwang, or the medallion, was giving her a nudge in the right direction – until, one afternoon when Kira and Ash had let the horses graze, found it was the earth itself. First, it came as a whispering…
‘East…then south…’
Kira looked around, and asked, “Ash, can you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“There’s something saying…east, then south.” Ash listened, and shook his head.
“There’s no one saying that!”
‘East, east, and then south… Kira!’
Puzzled and on alert, Kira went up into an old oak, and pressed her hand against it.
‘Kiraaaa!’ it said, ‘Oh Kiraaa, we are tooo help youuu! The darknessss prevailsss Kira…run east…east and then southhh!’
Kira listened to the trees, and went east. Ash didn’t understand her reason to go, but listened. Before long, they came to another town…and some old…friends.
*
Corcky was smirking and watching as two of his boys tussled. The others were laughing and jeering, and there was a sudden cheer as one of the fighting two managed to trip the other, who landed in the mud.
“Alrigh’ boys – that’s enough!” Corcky announced, jumping down from the wall. There seemed to be no one else down this street, but Corcky knew it was because they were all at the market. Corcky’s right hand man, Billy, looked up at some horse clip-clopping. Every one seemed to fall silent, and Corcky frowned… and then he heard a voice he thought he had gotten rid of. It swore. Corcky turned around and grinned.
“Well, well, well. Who do we have here?” he said, unsheathing a dagger and advancing towards the two horses.
Kira felt ice shoot down her spine. She glanced at Ash, but his gaze had hardened, and he was glaring at Corcky. Ash steadied Coalic, who was getting skittish with the feelings of anger and fear coming off his rider.
“What to you want?” Ash snarled.
“Ooo, touchy much?” sneered Corcky, making some of the boys cackle. Ash closed his eyes, and then heard Kira’s voice echo what he had said.
“Stop messing around, Corcky – tell us what you want, or move!” Corcky snorted.
“Or what?” he asked, still advancing on the horses. What he didn’t notice – none of the boys did – was that both Kira’s and Ash’s bows were now strung with arrows. Kira looked uncertainly at Ash, who had finger and arm guards – while Kira had none.
Corcky sauntered up the side of Sahara, much to the horse’s displeasure. He felt completely confident, until he looked up and saw an arrow pointing at him.
“Now Kira,” he said, raising his voice, “is that really necessary?” Kira laughed harshly.
“Yes, it will be – unless you get out of the way.”
“Kira!” hissed Ash, suddenly realising that Corcky had been the distraction, and that the rest of the boys had circled them. Corcky frowned, and opened his mouth to reply, but some one beat him to it.
“We have un-finished business, Kira.”
A deep pit erupted in Kira’s stomach, and her face paled. She let out a small gasp, and suddenly the bow and arrows didn’t seem so helpful any more. Ash seemed to choke.
“Kira has no business with you, so leave her be,” he managed to say, though he too was practically quaking. Something about Scorpio radiated fear. Kira gave Ash a grateful smile.
Scorpio snarled.
“What place do you have in this affair, Ash? The lover, perhaps?” he smirked as Ash’s face reddened, and there were jeers from the crowd.
“Enough!” demanded Kira, and let the arrow fly. It melted inches from Scorpio, and he fixed his green eyes on Kira’s shocked greenish-amber ones. Ash was thinking hard; quickly he shot three arrows at Scorpio, all of which he melted – but the plan was already in action. While Scorpio was preoccupied, Ash kicked Coalic hard, and he bolted, finally losing control after sensing the dark character.
Kira looked wildly at Ash, and saw what he was doing. She urged Sahara forwards, and let the horse lead the way away from the boys that wished to cause her and Ash harm. As much as she hated doing it, the only way Kira could see as to a way out of this horrible mess, was to run. But she knew, sooner or later, the time would come when she couldn’t run anymore, and would have to face Scorpio. The horses’ hooves sent up clouds of dust, and they pelted away.
Scorpio snarled.
“After them!” he shouted, and watched as Corcky and his gang chased after the horses. Scorpio cursed and spat out the dirt that had gathered in his mouth. He grit his teeth, and promised himself that one day, soon, Kira would be his. Scorpio, seething, walked away.
*
Kira halted Sahara, and Ash did the same with Coalic. They saw figures coming towards them, and knew straight away it was Corcky’s gang.
“Which way Kira?” Ash asked tensely. I know where to go, said Agwang, noticing for the first time Kira was flushed and in a panic. Good, thought Kira to Agwang, so where do I go?
No, I cannot tell, Agwang argued. Kira saw she couldn’t, truthfully.
“Kira!” Ash said, reminding her of the approaching danger. Release Agwang into Sahara, said the medallion, nudging Kira in the right direction. Kira knew she didn’t have any choice, and went up to Sahara. She looked into the mare’s eyes; thinking, Go, Agwang. There was a sudden flash of white light, and Kira knew Agwang was gone, and in her place a very confused horse spirit, that neighed in Kira’s head and made her clutch her temples. She looked up, and saw Sahara’s eyes were now amber. Agwang.
Kira leapt up into Sahara’s saddle, and not a moment to soon.
“Get them!” Ash heard Corcky shout, before watching as Sahara sprung up onto her back legs and sprinted away. Ash kicked Coalic hard, and soon was thundering along beside Kira, who seemed lost inside of herself. He shook his head, and held on. The two horses pelted away into the distance.
Corcky spat on the ground, where Coalic and Sahara had kicked up more dust, and swore. Boss would not be pleased, he knew. Corcky had no idea where Kira and Ash were headed, but he did know a short cut to the next town. Corcky turned away from the open road where the horses were now only specks, and made his way to tell Boss the bad news.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Chapters 12 & 13
Unfortunatly, after these 2 there is only one full chapter... i've got writers block :(
Chapter 12
Kira didn’t think; she just ran as fast as she could. She just wanted to put as much distance in between her and Scorpio. Once she tripped and fell over a root, were she lay breathing heavily. Thoughts came flooding back to her. She still held the dagger in her hand. Kira rolled onto her back and sat up. She took in all its features; a sharp silver blade, and a smart hilt, with a red ruby stuck in at the bottom. She toyed with the ruby. What if it leads him to us? Thought Agwang. Kira had to admit, she could be right. With that thought in mind, Kira stuck the dagger into the ground and started to run again.
She pushed through the undergrowth and stumbled to a halt. Breathing in great gulps of air, Kira realised she was lost. Completely and utterly lost, and she had no weapons, no shelter. She felt in her pockets and found only a box of matches – three matches left in it. She sat there, despairing, and didn’t even realise until the last moment that Agwang had taken over.
Agwang was free! She leapt up and, on four paws, trotted towards a tree. She could feel her pack; they were close now, but still didn’t know where she was. Alpha! Call to us, Alpha! Tell us where you are! It was them, howling to her. Agwang tipped back her head to howl. Wait, Agwang. It is your turn to remember. Agwang cocked her head to one side and thought. Scorpio. What should we do Kira? She asked. Agwang scented the ground and then the air. She couldn’t smell Scorpio or the boys. Climb that tree, the tall one, and see how far away they are. Wolves don’t climb trees! Agwang protested. Humans do, Kira replied. Agwang growled and jumped. She landed in the tree and, using human hands, began to climb.
When she reached the top Agwang looked around. She smelt a bear, a heard of deer and the wolves. Down wind, Agwang was surprised to smell smoke. She looked towards where it was coming from and saw a tower of smoke just below the horizon. By the smell, they were burning hay, wood and straw. The barn? Agwang thought. Climbing back down the tree, she knew Kira had seen everything. Agwang informed Kira that they were way out of the burning’s hearing range. Let’s just hope it’s the barn, Kira replied.
*
Scorpio looked into the trees, but knew he had lost Kira once again. He swore and turned on his heel, to where the boys were having a great time, burning the barn to the ground. Scorpio had wanted it burned – a place of failure is a place better gone. He toyed with the ruby around his neck. He knew Kira had the dagger. She had stopped moving. The dagger had his calling ruby embedded into it, and wherever it went, Scorpio would follow. He smirked.
“Boss?” It was Corcky again. After Kira had fled he had arrived – a moment too late.
“What?” he snarled. Corcky winced away and glanced to his right. Scorpio looked over his shoulder and met eyes with grey ones. Ash glanced at him and looked away.
‘Why isn’t he burning it?” Scorpio asked Corcky. Corcky turned and surveyed Ash. Then he turned back and shrugged.
“He was the one who went after the girl when she jumped the fall. He seemed pretty weird when we caught’er,” he explained.
“Weird how?”
“He was all kinda... sad, I ‘fink, ‘nd angry that we took her. We had to threaten him to co-operate. He did what I wanted him to, though, afterwards. I dunno what’s wrong with him.”
Scorpio grinned meanly. Kira had an ally? Ash was strange... the things coming from him...and he had grey eyes – Scorpio gasped.
“Corcky,” he said, beckoning Corcky closer, “get rid of him.”
“What d’you mean?”
“Shoot him, make him an outcast, banish him – do anything! Just make sure he will never meet Kira again!”
*
Agwang howled like she never had before. She knew the human boys and Scorpio would not hear, and let it all out. She howled to the sun, to the hidden stars and moon, she howled to the trees and the grass and the life... she howled to her pack and the deer and the bears; she howled, and Kira felt it. It was freedom she had never known. The story of the howl was long and she could tell the world what happened. She could rid herself of all the sadness, the grief, the fear and the anger, and finally move on...
*
The wolves were ecstatic when they heard their leader’s howl. It was the sweetest thing they had known in years, and was so full of emotion they couldn’t help to stop and listen. They sat and panted, ears pricked, and listened. So long it took, so long to go, come to me, my pack! Let us hunt in the gardens and sleep under the stars – the world is ours forever more! Watch yourselves dear ones, for danger is afoot! It stopped, and waited for a reply. The wolves sent up a song. Worry not little Alpha! Together we will chase the Aurora in the Great White, and play in the leaves that fall to the ground! Stay where you lie, and we will meet you there – and such a greeting, such a greeting it shall be!
*
Kira woke up in the dark. The wolves had not come to her yet, but there was a feeling inside that told her they were just around the corner. She grinned and shivered. Her clothes were not prepared for winter, and it was also just around the corner. Some trees seemed already bare, but others still had a green coating of leaves. She stretched and an image flashed before her eyes; Scorpio clutching his side, his green eyes glaring hatred she had never seen before. Suddenly the dark forest wasn’t so friendly. Even Lisa didn’t hate her that badly. Or had it just been the fact she had beaten him? Kira took comfort in that thought.
There was rustling in the bushes behind her and Kira turned. She stood up, and then crouched down again, as the first wolf came through the trees and up to her. She looked him in the eyes, but he glanced away. Knowledge came flooding in from Agwang, and Kira silently thanked her. Kira let her eyes slide from his and follow his body down. Then she lifted her neck and allowed him forwards. The other wolf wagged his tail and nuzzled her under her neck. It tickled but Kira stayed still. He backed off, and Kira crawled after him.
The wolves had found their leader.
Chapter 13
The greeting was grand, just as the wolves had promised. They lavished their leader in love and attention before they regained their social standings and stepped back in line. Kira’s – Agwang’s more like – deputy, or Beta, was a striking male wolf; the wolf that had come to her first. His pelt was a deep lush grey but he had a black muzzle and tail tip. No other wolf argued with him, and Kira found herself calling him Conall. All the other wolves did.
Kira stayed with her wolf pack for four days and grew accustomed to them. She understood their – complicated – language, made up of body language and sounds. Thanks to Agwang, who never strayed to fair back into Kira subconscious, Kira picked up even the subtlest gestures and knew what to do for the welfare of her pack. But things began to cloud Kira’s mind that night of the forth day. The ordeal with Scorpio… everything came sweeping down on her and Kira felt a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. She loved the wolf pack and didn’t want to leave, but what happened when winter came about? The nights were already chilly and Kira shivered often. She couldn’t afford to get sick.
That night Kira paced back and forth in the darkness, fighting with Agwang inside her head. I need to go, to find my parents. Your wolf parents are dead Kira – you have none. Maybe my spirit has no parents, Agwang, but my human parents are alive! How do you know Madam Meldina was telling the truth? She helped us didn’t she? I can’t stay with the wolves in winter anyway; I need winter clothes and food, weapons and shelter… all sorts! Agwang didn’t argue. I need humans! Thought Kira as she sat down in the midst of her resting pack. She was longing for company she could speak too; though Kira would never say it out loud, she was lonely.
*
Scorpio toyed with the ruby around his neck, seething. The gash Kira had inflicted on him was bound up and healing. He stood in front of the gang of boys, just staring at the hilt of his dagger, sunk into the ground where Kira had stuck it. The ruby glimmered at him and he bent and snatched it up, wiping away the mud from the blade. Anger welled up inside and split over causing a mature birch to groan and creak before the roots dried up and it tumbled over. Scorpio closed his eyes to regain control over his emotions and turned around to face the boys. They stood cringing in fear.
“She got away again,” stated Corcky.
“No – the chase has merely begun. Hunt her down,” ordered Scorpio. “If it’s the last thing you ever do, find her and bring her to me – alive!”
A strike of lighting lit up the clear sky and several of the boys ducked. Thunder roared a second later, and Scorpio turned away.
*
Kira stepped onto the path. It was a week after the encounter with Scorpio and she had left the pack behind; they did not understand why she felt she must go but they obeyed. I will find you – soon, she had told them. Kira had placed Conall in charge while she was gone. It was only fitting. She sighed and walked on. The town she came to was different to the village Kira had grown in. It was smaller but more compacted and had a labyrinth of winding alleyways. Kira was close to giving in. The only thing that had kept her going while living with the pack was water, and whatever the wolves could scrounge up for her. Fatigue was her main problem, apart from the notion of getting sick.
Kira came to a wooden hut with a bag leaning to the side of it. People were milling around; this was the main road, and on either side of the road were a collection of shops. Kira turned to the sound of clopping hooves as two horses and their riders went passed and disappeared into a barn up the road. A housewife came out of the hut with a baby on her hip, looking bedraggled. She saw Kira with preoccupied eyes and blinked, before setting off down the street with the baby and a basket. Kira heard the woman call out to her friend, but turned back to the bag.
There was a bow, and quiver with a protecting seal for the arrows, with the bag. There was also a rolled up cloak that looked like it was made out of fur… deer. Kira looked around but no one was watching. She needed that stuff, who would notice anyway? Kira treaded cautiously up to the bag and swung the cloak over her shoulders. It was lovely and warm. There was a musky scent on it that was familiar but Kira was to keyed up to notice who’s it was. She picked up the quiver next and then the bow, and finally slung the – heavy – bag over a shoulder.
Kira then noticed an alley that was next to the house. She peered in and from the depths someone shouted, “Hey!” It was the owner of the things Kira had taken! Kira squealed and turned the other way, bolting down the street. The owner came after her, his hood falling as he raced to catch up with the thief. Another bow was in his hand and a quiver slung over one of his shoulders, and as he ran the arrows inside rattled. Kira paced herself and made it out of the town back on to the road she had come from.
Footsteps behind her made Kira go from jog to sprint but it was too late; she dropped the bow and quiver, trying to trip her pursuer, and when that failed she dropped the bag. The footsteps seemed to halt, but then a heavy weight crashed on top of her and Kira was bowled over onto her front. She twisted around… and looked up to a face she’d though she’d never see again.
“Kira?” Ash’s surprised question drew her in and she shut her gapping mouth. He rolled over and off her and stood to the side, uncomfortable.
“Hi, Ash,” she said, avoiding his eye. Kira was full of mixed feelings. She was guilty for taking his stuff, glad she had, upset and angry, confused…
“What are you doing here?” he asked. She told him, truthfully, about finding the wolves and he took it in without flinching or drawing back.
“…But I needed supplies, and found this path.” She concluded. Kira was still wearing Ash’s travelling cloak.
“What are you doing here though?” she said.
“I’ve been… thinking. After you ran I didn’t know why I had let myself go back to the gang… and then,” he choked and continued, “They kicked me out. Drove me away. It was Boss’s orders, I know that much.”
“His name is Scorpio,” Kira said. Ash nodded unconsciously and went back to pick up the items that was been thrown to the ground. Blushing, Kira helped him, and together they stepped into the trees as a cart full of grain moved passed them towards the town.
The two of them felt uncomfortable in each other’s presence; their close past made it so. Kira had forgiven Ash completely, and was just glad of the company. But she was still wary of Ash, and still didn’t know if she could trust him or not. Ash knew what he had done, and was sorry, but he felt that he hadn’t had any choice. In his world, you could trust no one and only took care of yourself. He grimaced and with his tongue felt the bump on his lip that Kira had given him.
Ash shifted the bag and Kira finally noticed the bow she was holding. It was hers – well, the one she had stolen anyway.
“You…?” she spluttered. Ash glanced at her, puzzled. Kira turned to the quiver she was carrying. It was hers as well!
“You kept them,” she said, stating it more than asking it.
“Well, yeah. I didn’t know if I would see you again so I was going to sell them… but now you’re here I guess they belong to you.”
“What about my bag? Or all the food?”
“The gang took the food and shared it. Your bag is here,” Ash answered holding up his bag. “I stuffed it inside mine. Sorry.” He was saying sorry not just for the bag, but also for everything, and she heard it in his voice and his grey eyes.
“It’s ok, Ash,” Kira mumbled.
Neither had noticed the darkening sky and Kira only noticed when Agwang told her to look up. She did, and saw that the sky was now a dark hue of red and orange. Sunset. Ash looked to where Kira was looking and saw the same. He set the heavy bag onto the grassy floor. Kira looked around.
“D’you have the tent?” She asked, grinning. Ash nodded and smiled back. He turned over the bag and let the contents drop out before chucking them out of the way. A green tarpaulin surfaced and Ash handed it to Kira.
“I don’t get why you need that thing,” he told her. “You could just sleep under the stars, with a fire.” Kira shrugged.
“I prefer it, I guess.” She took a side and Ash took the other, and together they strung in up. The walls that Kira had built around herself seemed to slip, and so did those Ash had made. Secret smiles played at both their lips; they were glad they had found each other again even though they did not show it. An ally, Scorpio had thought. Ash was more than that to Kira – he was still not trustworthy, but to Kira, Ash was turning into the first friend she had ever had.
That night they sat by the fire and Ash showed Kira how the gang cooked. They some times used a big flat stone, but they were hard to come by, so mostly they used a spit or a water bag to make soup and heat water. They would never again mention what had happened between them, but that night the two were open with each other, and Ash helped Kira decide what she was going to do.
“What do you think? Should I look for them?” asked Kira, after telling Ash about finding out about the parents she had thought of as dead for the past thirteen years. Ash took another chunk out of some bread and swallowed. Then he nodded.
“Never knew mine, was a street kid all my life,” he confessed. “But yeah, I think if it’s worth it, you should fine them Kira. It’ll keep you out of trouble, at least!” He laughed and Kira smacked him playfully. The firelight sent his eyes a shinning orange.
“And…what will you do?” Kira kept her head down. She wanted Ash to come, but didn’t know what he would think of it.
“Well…I,” he muttered, suddenly uncomfortable. “I guess…well, now that you mention it, I’d thought…maybe – only if you wanted me to…” Kira looked up at him. She could see the same thought she had in his eyes. Kira beamed.
“I’d love you to come, Ash.” Ash sighed with relief and realised that he had been holding his breath.
“Well, it’s settled then.”
Kira rested her head on Ash’s shoulder and stared into the fire. She felt so sleepy and content in this moment. Kira wished it would never end. She turned her head up and met Ash’s eyes… Agwang leapt through the bond that had been made with that gaze and swarmed inside the boy’s head. His own spirit reacted but Agwang snapped at it and it left the body, moving to the closest other body – Kira’s. Agwang growled and looked around, puzzled. Why had she moved herself? It had been the medallion! The medallion’s essence had pushed her out of Kira and into Ash!
Kira felt nausea contain her for a moment and then white flashed before her eyes. Agwang was gone. In place was another soul, a boy’s soul. Ash! Kira searched Ash’s eyes and found a glimmer of amber behind the grey.
“Agwang, come back!” she shouted. Kira felt her heart had been pushed into her throat and her stomach twisted inside out. As a human, she followed her brain, and Agwang played a minor part in her choices. Ash was looking dazed, but he didn’t know what had happened and was staring at Kira, puzzled. He didn’t know what had just happened, that they had switched souls. Kira only knew it because she had become so familiar with Agwang’s presence that the minute it had gone she knew what had happened. There was another flash of white and Kira sat back, blinking. Blame the medallion, not me! Grumbled Agwang. Yes, it was me, said the medallion’s voice – sounding to Kira an awful lot like Madam Meldina’s – but the power will come in useful. Remember, you must learn to use you power and control it, Kira. Dark times are ahead.
*
Kira found out just how useful the new power she had witnessed was over the next few days. As she awoke from a deep untroubled sleep in the tent, with sunlight gleaming through the thin green sheet, for a heart racing second it felt like the morning of her capture; Ash was not in the tent – but she looked through the flap to find him smile and pass her a leaf with breakfast on it.
“What time do you wake?” she yawned.
“Early,” he replied. Kira saw a flash of darkness cross his face, as though Ash were remembering something.
“We start out today,” Kira told him.
“The sooner the better,” Ash agreed.
They packed up the tent and scattered the half-burnt rocks. Ash covered the scorched ground – where the fire had been – with moss and dirt.
“What’re you doing?” Kira snorted.
“Making it look like we were never here. Nature will take care of the rest,” he answered. Ash hitched the bag onto his shoulder and then they set of back down the track to the town. But when they got there, they knew that something had happened.
Masses of people had gathered in the centre of the town and were congregating around – Kira gasped – a gallow. Kira clutched Ash’s arm as she saw who was standing on it with the executer – Madam Meldina!
“Today we witness the hanging of one, Madam; here today for crimes against humanity and practicing religions other than that of Christ,” said the executioner, before chucking the scroll to one side. Madam Meldina’s eyes flashed and she saw Kira.
“We have to save her!” Kira hissed to Ash.
“Leave it to me,” he replied. Ash grabbed an arrow from his quiver and knocked it into his bow. He waited until the executioner was about to sling the loop over Madam Meldina’s neck and let loose. The arrow smacked into the executioners hand and he grunted in pain, then dropped the noose.
The crowd turned to face Kira and Ash, mostly looking angry at their interference. Kira realised she had attracted a huge amount of attention to herself and Ash. Kira could hear muttering from the crowd, and suddenly she knew they had become an – angry, upset – mob. Madam Meldina threw something onto the wooden stage of the gallow and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. Kira turned and Ash lowered his bow.
“Run!”
The mob caterwauled and shouted curses at the two strangers that had stopped the death of the witch. Kira and Ash were chased down the main road and out of the side of the town Kira had not ventured to. More people joined up, with pitchforks and torches, to join the massive group chasing the two outcasts. Kira thought her lungs were going to burst. They sprinted on past the outline of trees to pastures and fields where the towns’ people would have been working crops. When they came to a wide stream Kira had no thoughts, only instinct. She leapt and landed on the opposite bank. Ash hesitated on the other side.
“Come on!” Kira shouted. The mob was almost upon Ash, and he looked and saw them before hurdling over the stream and crashing to the ground besides Kira.
The mob stopped then, for none could be bothered to try the leap over the stream. Instead they turned back. Kira didn’t care what they did; she just tore down another field trying to get away from the pursuers. Finally, over come with fatigue and dehydration she and Ash collapsed in the middle of a wheat field.
Chapter 12
Kira didn’t think; she just ran as fast as she could. She just wanted to put as much distance in between her and Scorpio. Once she tripped and fell over a root, were she lay breathing heavily. Thoughts came flooding back to her. She still held the dagger in her hand. Kira rolled onto her back and sat up. She took in all its features; a sharp silver blade, and a smart hilt, with a red ruby stuck in at the bottom. She toyed with the ruby. What if it leads him to us? Thought Agwang. Kira had to admit, she could be right. With that thought in mind, Kira stuck the dagger into the ground and started to run again.
She pushed through the undergrowth and stumbled to a halt. Breathing in great gulps of air, Kira realised she was lost. Completely and utterly lost, and she had no weapons, no shelter. She felt in her pockets and found only a box of matches – three matches left in it. She sat there, despairing, and didn’t even realise until the last moment that Agwang had taken over.
Agwang was free! She leapt up and, on four paws, trotted towards a tree. She could feel her pack; they were close now, but still didn’t know where she was. Alpha! Call to us, Alpha! Tell us where you are! It was them, howling to her. Agwang tipped back her head to howl. Wait, Agwang. It is your turn to remember. Agwang cocked her head to one side and thought. Scorpio. What should we do Kira? She asked. Agwang scented the ground and then the air. She couldn’t smell Scorpio or the boys. Climb that tree, the tall one, and see how far away they are. Wolves don’t climb trees! Agwang protested. Humans do, Kira replied. Agwang growled and jumped. She landed in the tree and, using human hands, began to climb.
When she reached the top Agwang looked around. She smelt a bear, a heard of deer and the wolves. Down wind, Agwang was surprised to smell smoke. She looked towards where it was coming from and saw a tower of smoke just below the horizon. By the smell, they were burning hay, wood and straw. The barn? Agwang thought. Climbing back down the tree, she knew Kira had seen everything. Agwang informed Kira that they were way out of the burning’s hearing range. Let’s just hope it’s the barn, Kira replied.
*
Scorpio looked into the trees, but knew he had lost Kira once again. He swore and turned on his heel, to where the boys were having a great time, burning the barn to the ground. Scorpio had wanted it burned – a place of failure is a place better gone. He toyed with the ruby around his neck. He knew Kira had the dagger. She had stopped moving. The dagger had his calling ruby embedded into it, and wherever it went, Scorpio would follow. He smirked.
“Boss?” It was Corcky again. After Kira had fled he had arrived – a moment too late.
“What?” he snarled. Corcky winced away and glanced to his right. Scorpio looked over his shoulder and met eyes with grey ones. Ash glanced at him and looked away.
‘Why isn’t he burning it?” Scorpio asked Corcky. Corcky turned and surveyed Ash. Then he turned back and shrugged.
“He was the one who went after the girl when she jumped the fall. He seemed pretty weird when we caught’er,” he explained.
“Weird how?”
“He was all kinda... sad, I ‘fink, ‘nd angry that we took her. We had to threaten him to co-operate. He did what I wanted him to, though, afterwards. I dunno what’s wrong with him.”
Scorpio grinned meanly. Kira had an ally? Ash was strange... the things coming from him...and he had grey eyes – Scorpio gasped.
“Corcky,” he said, beckoning Corcky closer, “get rid of him.”
“What d’you mean?”
“Shoot him, make him an outcast, banish him – do anything! Just make sure he will never meet Kira again!”
*
Agwang howled like she never had before. She knew the human boys and Scorpio would not hear, and let it all out. She howled to the sun, to the hidden stars and moon, she howled to the trees and the grass and the life... she howled to her pack and the deer and the bears; she howled, and Kira felt it. It was freedom she had never known. The story of the howl was long and she could tell the world what happened. She could rid herself of all the sadness, the grief, the fear and the anger, and finally move on...
*
The wolves were ecstatic when they heard their leader’s howl. It was the sweetest thing they had known in years, and was so full of emotion they couldn’t help to stop and listen. They sat and panted, ears pricked, and listened. So long it took, so long to go, come to me, my pack! Let us hunt in the gardens and sleep under the stars – the world is ours forever more! Watch yourselves dear ones, for danger is afoot! It stopped, and waited for a reply. The wolves sent up a song. Worry not little Alpha! Together we will chase the Aurora in the Great White, and play in the leaves that fall to the ground! Stay where you lie, and we will meet you there – and such a greeting, such a greeting it shall be!
*
Kira woke up in the dark. The wolves had not come to her yet, but there was a feeling inside that told her they were just around the corner. She grinned and shivered. Her clothes were not prepared for winter, and it was also just around the corner. Some trees seemed already bare, but others still had a green coating of leaves. She stretched and an image flashed before her eyes; Scorpio clutching his side, his green eyes glaring hatred she had never seen before. Suddenly the dark forest wasn’t so friendly. Even Lisa didn’t hate her that badly. Or had it just been the fact she had beaten him? Kira took comfort in that thought.
There was rustling in the bushes behind her and Kira turned. She stood up, and then crouched down again, as the first wolf came through the trees and up to her. She looked him in the eyes, but he glanced away. Knowledge came flooding in from Agwang, and Kira silently thanked her. Kira let her eyes slide from his and follow his body down. Then she lifted her neck and allowed him forwards. The other wolf wagged his tail and nuzzled her under her neck. It tickled but Kira stayed still. He backed off, and Kira crawled after him.
The wolves had found their leader.
Chapter 13
The greeting was grand, just as the wolves had promised. They lavished their leader in love and attention before they regained their social standings and stepped back in line. Kira’s – Agwang’s more like – deputy, or Beta, was a striking male wolf; the wolf that had come to her first. His pelt was a deep lush grey but he had a black muzzle and tail tip. No other wolf argued with him, and Kira found herself calling him Conall. All the other wolves did.
Kira stayed with her wolf pack for four days and grew accustomed to them. She understood their – complicated – language, made up of body language and sounds. Thanks to Agwang, who never strayed to fair back into Kira subconscious, Kira picked up even the subtlest gestures and knew what to do for the welfare of her pack. But things began to cloud Kira’s mind that night of the forth day. The ordeal with Scorpio… everything came sweeping down on her and Kira felt a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. She loved the wolf pack and didn’t want to leave, but what happened when winter came about? The nights were already chilly and Kira shivered often. She couldn’t afford to get sick.
That night Kira paced back and forth in the darkness, fighting with Agwang inside her head. I need to go, to find my parents. Your wolf parents are dead Kira – you have none. Maybe my spirit has no parents, Agwang, but my human parents are alive! How do you know Madam Meldina was telling the truth? She helped us didn’t she? I can’t stay with the wolves in winter anyway; I need winter clothes and food, weapons and shelter… all sorts! Agwang didn’t argue. I need humans! Thought Kira as she sat down in the midst of her resting pack. She was longing for company she could speak too; though Kira would never say it out loud, she was lonely.
*
Scorpio toyed with the ruby around his neck, seething. The gash Kira had inflicted on him was bound up and healing. He stood in front of the gang of boys, just staring at the hilt of his dagger, sunk into the ground where Kira had stuck it. The ruby glimmered at him and he bent and snatched it up, wiping away the mud from the blade. Anger welled up inside and split over causing a mature birch to groan and creak before the roots dried up and it tumbled over. Scorpio closed his eyes to regain control over his emotions and turned around to face the boys. They stood cringing in fear.
“She got away again,” stated Corcky.
“No – the chase has merely begun. Hunt her down,” ordered Scorpio. “If it’s the last thing you ever do, find her and bring her to me – alive!”
A strike of lighting lit up the clear sky and several of the boys ducked. Thunder roared a second later, and Scorpio turned away.
*
Kira stepped onto the path. It was a week after the encounter with Scorpio and she had left the pack behind; they did not understand why she felt she must go but they obeyed. I will find you – soon, she had told them. Kira had placed Conall in charge while she was gone. It was only fitting. She sighed and walked on. The town she came to was different to the village Kira had grown in. It was smaller but more compacted and had a labyrinth of winding alleyways. Kira was close to giving in. The only thing that had kept her going while living with the pack was water, and whatever the wolves could scrounge up for her. Fatigue was her main problem, apart from the notion of getting sick.
Kira came to a wooden hut with a bag leaning to the side of it. People were milling around; this was the main road, and on either side of the road were a collection of shops. Kira turned to the sound of clopping hooves as two horses and their riders went passed and disappeared into a barn up the road. A housewife came out of the hut with a baby on her hip, looking bedraggled. She saw Kira with preoccupied eyes and blinked, before setting off down the street with the baby and a basket. Kira heard the woman call out to her friend, but turned back to the bag.
There was a bow, and quiver with a protecting seal for the arrows, with the bag. There was also a rolled up cloak that looked like it was made out of fur… deer. Kira looked around but no one was watching. She needed that stuff, who would notice anyway? Kira treaded cautiously up to the bag and swung the cloak over her shoulders. It was lovely and warm. There was a musky scent on it that was familiar but Kira was to keyed up to notice who’s it was. She picked up the quiver next and then the bow, and finally slung the – heavy – bag over a shoulder.
Kira then noticed an alley that was next to the house. She peered in and from the depths someone shouted, “Hey!” It was the owner of the things Kira had taken! Kira squealed and turned the other way, bolting down the street. The owner came after her, his hood falling as he raced to catch up with the thief. Another bow was in his hand and a quiver slung over one of his shoulders, and as he ran the arrows inside rattled. Kira paced herself and made it out of the town back on to the road she had come from.
Footsteps behind her made Kira go from jog to sprint but it was too late; she dropped the bow and quiver, trying to trip her pursuer, and when that failed she dropped the bag. The footsteps seemed to halt, but then a heavy weight crashed on top of her and Kira was bowled over onto her front. She twisted around… and looked up to a face she’d though she’d never see again.
“Kira?” Ash’s surprised question drew her in and she shut her gapping mouth. He rolled over and off her and stood to the side, uncomfortable.
“Hi, Ash,” she said, avoiding his eye. Kira was full of mixed feelings. She was guilty for taking his stuff, glad she had, upset and angry, confused…
“What are you doing here?” he asked. She told him, truthfully, about finding the wolves and he took it in without flinching or drawing back.
“…But I needed supplies, and found this path.” She concluded. Kira was still wearing Ash’s travelling cloak.
“What are you doing here though?” she said.
“I’ve been… thinking. After you ran I didn’t know why I had let myself go back to the gang… and then,” he choked and continued, “They kicked me out. Drove me away. It was Boss’s orders, I know that much.”
“His name is Scorpio,” Kira said. Ash nodded unconsciously and went back to pick up the items that was been thrown to the ground. Blushing, Kira helped him, and together they stepped into the trees as a cart full of grain moved passed them towards the town.
The two of them felt uncomfortable in each other’s presence; their close past made it so. Kira had forgiven Ash completely, and was just glad of the company. But she was still wary of Ash, and still didn’t know if she could trust him or not. Ash knew what he had done, and was sorry, but he felt that he hadn’t had any choice. In his world, you could trust no one and only took care of yourself. He grimaced and with his tongue felt the bump on his lip that Kira had given him.
Ash shifted the bag and Kira finally noticed the bow she was holding. It was hers – well, the one she had stolen anyway.
“You…?” she spluttered. Ash glanced at her, puzzled. Kira turned to the quiver she was carrying. It was hers as well!
“You kept them,” she said, stating it more than asking it.
“Well, yeah. I didn’t know if I would see you again so I was going to sell them… but now you’re here I guess they belong to you.”
“What about my bag? Or all the food?”
“The gang took the food and shared it. Your bag is here,” Ash answered holding up his bag. “I stuffed it inside mine. Sorry.” He was saying sorry not just for the bag, but also for everything, and she heard it in his voice and his grey eyes.
“It’s ok, Ash,” Kira mumbled.
Neither had noticed the darkening sky and Kira only noticed when Agwang told her to look up. She did, and saw that the sky was now a dark hue of red and orange. Sunset. Ash looked to where Kira was looking and saw the same. He set the heavy bag onto the grassy floor. Kira looked around.
“D’you have the tent?” She asked, grinning. Ash nodded and smiled back. He turned over the bag and let the contents drop out before chucking them out of the way. A green tarpaulin surfaced and Ash handed it to Kira.
“I don’t get why you need that thing,” he told her. “You could just sleep under the stars, with a fire.” Kira shrugged.
“I prefer it, I guess.” She took a side and Ash took the other, and together they strung in up. The walls that Kira had built around herself seemed to slip, and so did those Ash had made. Secret smiles played at both their lips; they were glad they had found each other again even though they did not show it. An ally, Scorpio had thought. Ash was more than that to Kira – he was still not trustworthy, but to Kira, Ash was turning into the first friend she had ever had.
That night they sat by the fire and Ash showed Kira how the gang cooked. They some times used a big flat stone, but they were hard to come by, so mostly they used a spit or a water bag to make soup and heat water. They would never again mention what had happened between them, but that night the two were open with each other, and Ash helped Kira decide what she was going to do.
“What do you think? Should I look for them?” asked Kira, after telling Ash about finding out about the parents she had thought of as dead for the past thirteen years. Ash took another chunk out of some bread and swallowed. Then he nodded.
“Never knew mine, was a street kid all my life,” he confessed. “But yeah, I think if it’s worth it, you should fine them Kira. It’ll keep you out of trouble, at least!” He laughed and Kira smacked him playfully. The firelight sent his eyes a shinning orange.
“And…what will you do?” Kira kept her head down. She wanted Ash to come, but didn’t know what he would think of it.
“Well…I,” he muttered, suddenly uncomfortable. “I guess…well, now that you mention it, I’d thought…maybe – only if you wanted me to…” Kira looked up at him. She could see the same thought she had in his eyes. Kira beamed.
“I’d love you to come, Ash.” Ash sighed with relief and realised that he had been holding his breath.
“Well, it’s settled then.”
Kira rested her head on Ash’s shoulder and stared into the fire. She felt so sleepy and content in this moment. Kira wished it would never end. She turned her head up and met Ash’s eyes… Agwang leapt through the bond that had been made with that gaze and swarmed inside the boy’s head. His own spirit reacted but Agwang snapped at it and it left the body, moving to the closest other body – Kira’s. Agwang growled and looked around, puzzled. Why had she moved herself? It had been the medallion! The medallion’s essence had pushed her out of Kira and into Ash!
Kira felt nausea contain her for a moment and then white flashed before her eyes. Agwang was gone. In place was another soul, a boy’s soul. Ash! Kira searched Ash’s eyes and found a glimmer of amber behind the grey.
“Agwang, come back!” she shouted. Kira felt her heart had been pushed into her throat and her stomach twisted inside out. As a human, she followed her brain, and Agwang played a minor part in her choices. Ash was looking dazed, but he didn’t know what had happened and was staring at Kira, puzzled. He didn’t know what had just happened, that they had switched souls. Kira only knew it because she had become so familiar with Agwang’s presence that the minute it had gone she knew what had happened. There was another flash of white and Kira sat back, blinking. Blame the medallion, not me! Grumbled Agwang. Yes, it was me, said the medallion’s voice – sounding to Kira an awful lot like Madam Meldina’s – but the power will come in useful. Remember, you must learn to use you power and control it, Kira. Dark times are ahead.
*
Kira found out just how useful the new power she had witnessed was over the next few days. As she awoke from a deep untroubled sleep in the tent, with sunlight gleaming through the thin green sheet, for a heart racing second it felt like the morning of her capture; Ash was not in the tent – but she looked through the flap to find him smile and pass her a leaf with breakfast on it.
“What time do you wake?” she yawned.
“Early,” he replied. Kira saw a flash of darkness cross his face, as though Ash were remembering something.
“We start out today,” Kira told him.
“The sooner the better,” Ash agreed.
They packed up the tent and scattered the half-burnt rocks. Ash covered the scorched ground – where the fire had been – with moss and dirt.
“What’re you doing?” Kira snorted.
“Making it look like we were never here. Nature will take care of the rest,” he answered. Ash hitched the bag onto his shoulder and then they set of back down the track to the town. But when they got there, they knew that something had happened.
Masses of people had gathered in the centre of the town and were congregating around – Kira gasped – a gallow. Kira clutched Ash’s arm as she saw who was standing on it with the executer – Madam Meldina!
“Today we witness the hanging of one, Madam; here today for crimes against humanity and practicing religions other than that of Christ,” said the executioner, before chucking the scroll to one side. Madam Meldina’s eyes flashed and she saw Kira.
“We have to save her!” Kira hissed to Ash.
“Leave it to me,” he replied. Ash grabbed an arrow from his quiver and knocked it into his bow. He waited until the executioner was about to sling the loop over Madam Meldina’s neck and let loose. The arrow smacked into the executioners hand and he grunted in pain, then dropped the noose.
The crowd turned to face Kira and Ash, mostly looking angry at their interference. Kira realised she had attracted a huge amount of attention to herself and Ash. Kira could hear muttering from the crowd, and suddenly she knew they had become an – angry, upset – mob. Madam Meldina threw something onto the wooden stage of the gallow and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. Kira turned and Ash lowered his bow.
“Run!”
The mob caterwauled and shouted curses at the two strangers that had stopped the death of the witch. Kira and Ash were chased down the main road and out of the side of the town Kira had not ventured to. More people joined up, with pitchforks and torches, to join the massive group chasing the two outcasts. Kira thought her lungs were going to burst. They sprinted on past the outline of trees to pastures and fields where the towns’ people would have been working crops. When they came to a wide stream Kira had no thoughts, only instinct. She leapt and landed on the opposite bank. Ash hesitated on the other side.
“Come on!” Kira shouted. The mob was almost upon Ash, and he looked and saw them before hurdling over the stream and crashing to the ground besides Kira.
The mob stopped then, for none could be bothered to try the leap over the stream. Instead they turned back. Kira didn’t care what they did; she just tore down another field trying to get away from the pursuers. Finally, over come with fatigue and dehydration she and Ash collapsed in the middle of a wheat field.
Chapter 11
Wow - it's definatly my favourate chapter!
Chapter 11
Kira woke up at the crack of dawn. Her throat was parched but she struggled up and around her tree. She looked towards the camp. All the boys were asleep, including her guard. The fires were smouldering and nothing stirred. Kira bent down and strained on her lead. The loop moved along the branch. She moved her bound hands along again to get the same result. Finally the loop was bending the twigs at the end of the branch. She checked under the tent; seeing that her guard – she didn’t know who it was – was fast asleep, she pulled hard, and her lead fell to the ground. She smiled; surprised her escape had been so easy.
Crunching on the ground came towards her. Kira froze. Run, Kira run! The medallion told her – but she didn’t. It was the one person she wished to see the most, and the least, that came through the trees. Ash. He saw her and she bolted. She did not see her lead fly; Ash did, and leapt for it. Kira felt a strong tug and was forced to turn. Ash had her. It was always Ash.
“Let me go,” she pleaded, “please! Please, let me go and you’ll never see me again!”
“I can’t,” whispered Ash. He looked towards the tent and then back at her. “They’ll blame me! They’ll know and I’ll get in to trouble!”
“What’s some trouble?” Kira argued.
“They could kill me!” Ash whispered harshly. “I can’t –” He choked. “I can’t do it again.”
“Do what?” Kira tugged at the lead. She almost had it, but Ash gripped it at the last minute.
“Do WHAT?” More crunching on the dead leaves, and another boy came tottering around the corner rubbing sleep from his eyes. It was Kira’s last chance. She tugged again as Ash turned and saw the other boy. He looked back at her, eyes wide. She couldn’t tell what was in them – fear?
Kira gritted her teeth, “Ash, last chance. I don’t want to be stuck here. Let me go. Let me go – PLEASE!” He shook his head. She glanced at the tent, then the boy. He had noticed them. Now or never, Kira thought. She stepped towards Ash.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Then Kira lunged at him. Startled, Ash cried out. The other boy came running, and there was a muffled grunt from the tent as Kira’s guard was woken with a fright. Kira forgot everything; she only thought of getting away. She tried to lash out at Ash, and he caught her hands as they came down to strike. He rolled her over and she fought back. They rolled on until she was on top once more. Kira tried to get away, she tried to stand, but Ash tripped her and she landed on her front. Before she could scrambled away again, Kira was lifted up and put on her feet. Both Kira and Ash were breathing heavily. Ash had blood at the corner of his mouth, and Kira could feel a bruise on her cheek.
“Well– who’s a feisty one then?” Corcky sauntered up and grinned at Kira. Not a nice grin; one concealing a secret, a pleased grin, like Kira had one something Corcky had wanted her to. Kira spat and looked away. Corcky motioned with his head and Ash wiped his mouth on his sleeve, glared at Kira, and walked towards camp.
“We’ll be stopping today. Boss said he’ll meet us. He really wants to meet you,” Corcky paced in front of Kira, and the boy behind her who held her in place said nothing.
“Who is this Boss of yours?” Kira growled. Corcky turned and saw Ash returning with the rest of the gang, most of who were still half asleep. Corcky looked back to Kira.
“You’ll see,” he whispered.
‘Does he have green eyes?” Kira snarled. Corcky’s eyes widened but he ignored her otherwise, turning to his group.
“Time to move on!” He yelled. Kira stared at the group. Apart from most of the boys groaning, and one or two mutters under their breath, the gang obeyed Corcky and it was no time at all before Kira was pulled along behind Corcky. She was dragged by her lead this time; and Ash stayed well away. Whenever she looked at him he was looking somewhere else. She gave up.
*
The wolves were asleep. The only one awake was the watcher, who stood guard while the others slept. He was irritated. He could feel the Alpha – wolf sense, the ‘sixth sense.’ She was in trouble. A female came up to the watcher, her belly bloated with deer meat. She licked her chops and nuzzled him. She felt it too. The call for the Alpha. The watcher shook the snow off his back and barked. The wolves woke quickly and all felt the sense. The pace was set high and they all began to run. The Alpha needed them.
*
Kira heard the village before the others did, but she had not thought they would go anywhere else. In the end she found that they stopped short of the village and came to a barn. It had been abandoned, Kira presumed, a while ago – but the smell about it was fresh. There were no holes in the roof and when they went in they had to light a lantern, as it was dark. The barn smelt like hay and there was the stale smell of horses.
“Leave the door open!” The hair on the back of Kira’s neck stood up and she felt chilled to the bone.
‘Yes, Boss,” Corcky’s voice was barely a whisper as he shooed the other boys out.
“Go, will you? It only needs to be us two,” the voice said again. Kira was looking around, but even with Agwang’s wolf eyes she couldn’t see anything.
“Yes, Boss – call me if you need anything,” Kira caught Corcky’s eye, and for once there was something there, fear perhaps. They felt the same about ‘Boss’, both could tell. Corcky turned on his heel and – after opening the door again – disappeared into the light. Kira shuddered and looked around again, but only silence echoed back. Kira was nervous and alert. Let me out! Growled Agwang from Kira’s head. No! She thought; I won’t!
Kira tugged at her binds again and realised that someone had untied her. She stretched her arms and rolled her wrists, and looked towards the door. She wanted to leave, but knew ‘Boss’ was still in the barn.
“Kira...” she whipped round and came face to face with green eyes. They held her in their glare but her mind was whirling. She noticed the rest of him, keeping her eyes always on his eyes; she could not see much of him, he was covered with a long cloak, similar to hers. His face was older than hers and handsome in a way she did not understand. He had long hair, hiding his ears and coming to a stop just above his eyes. He looked familiar.
“Who are you?” She growled.
“You want to know?” His voice was soft and chilling, but like his face, strangely alluring.
Kira nodded and swallowed. What was it with him? She was frightened – very, very frightened. He was not what she would have expected. He leaned down, and electricity seemed to spark between them.
“Scorpio,” he whispered in her ear. Kira shuddered inwardly as he leaned back. She straightened up and gathered her strength.
“What do you want from me?” She asked. He smiled harshly and kept silent. He was pacing, around and around her – circling. Wolves circle, Agwang pointed out.
“Answer!” Kira demanded. Again, he was standing in front of her.
“I want to kill you!” He snarled.
Kira stumbled back and Scorpio grabbed her arm. Pain; pain like Kira had never felt sparked and flew through her body. It was so great she couldn’t scream, couldn’t cry out. She fell to her knees and felt numb. She was going to pass out... it couldn’t go on. She wanted to die if only to stop the pain, stop it... It shot through her like a spasm – fire was burning inside her.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the pain stopped. Scorpio had let go. Kira knelt there shaking uncontrollably. Never, ever again.
Scorpio stood away from Kira, a smile playing at his lips. He focused on his hand, observing it.
“Funny what a touch can do isn’t it?” he murmured. Kira stood up, still shaking all over. She was no longer entranced by his voice, just terrified.
“Funny?” she repeated. “I doubt it,” she muttered. Her comment wiped the smile off Scorpio’s face. He glared at her and she shrank away. The smile returned. He was stronger that her – in power as well as in strength. His power was greater than hers – what if she didn’t have any? He laughed and she looked up, confused. She had stopped shaking now.
Scorpio tucked back his cloak and took from his knife belt a dagger. He began to play with it, making sure Kira noticed its pointed end and sharpened side. Kira eyed the dagger, and thought back. A thought struck her.
“Why didn’t it hurt you?’ she said, glancing from his face to the dagger. Scorpio decided against answering that question, and took a step towards Kira. She stood her ground; surprising Scorpio and making him raise his eyebrows.
“Brave,” he remarked. She smirked. Scorpio caught the dagger as it spun in the air and held it tight. With his other hand, Scorpio lifted her chin, revealing her neck.
The pain was less excruciating this time but Kira had to bite her lip and clench her fists as it came. She felt the cold blade of the dagger against her neck and Scorpio’s hand still lightly on her chin. Remember? The pain of before had almost made her pass out. She gave a little gasp and fell. Her head hit the floor and Scorpio looked down. He stuck the dagger in the ground beside her and felt for a pulse. Kira felt a new wave of pain but managed to stay completely still. Her wolf senses told her when Scorpio turned away, muttering to himself.
She opened her eyes and looked up. Scorpio had her back to her, and was looking again at his hand – muttering. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, he was speaking so softly. She turned and pulled the dagger out of the ground and got slowly to her feet. She tried to slip around Scorpio, moving softly, but to her amazement he heard her, and snarled. He lunged for her and she slashed out with the dagger. He swore and clutched his side, where Kira could see blood. Looking up at her, Scorpio caught Kira’s eyes. Fiery hatred glared out of his green eyes.
“Corcky!” He yelled. Kira jumped and saw her chance. As she fled she heard Scorpio shout behind her, “We’ll meet soon Kira! I will get you!”
She ran.
Chapter 11
Kira woke up at the crack of dawn. Her throat was parched but she struggled up and around her tree. She looked towards the camp. All the boys were asleep, including her guard. The fires were smouldering and nothing stirred. Kira bent down and strained on her lead. The loop moved along the branch. She moved her bound hands along again to get the same result. Finally the loop was bending the twigs at the end of the branch. She checked under the tent; seeing that her guard – she didn’t know who it was – was fast asleep, she pulled hard, and her lead fell to the ground. She smiled; surprised her escape had been so easy.
Crunching on the ground came towards her. Kira froze. Run, Kira run! The medallion told her – but she didn’t. It was the one person she wished to see the most, and the least, that came through the trees. Ash. He saw her and she bolted. She did not see her lead fly; Ash did, and leapt for it. Kira felt a strong tug and was forced to turn. Ash had her. It was always Ash.
“Let me go,” she pleaded, “please! Please, let me go and you’ll never see me again!”
“I can’t,” whispered Ash. He looked towards the tent and then back at her. “They’ll blame me! They’ll know and I’ll get in to trouble!”
“What’s some trouble?” Kira argued.
“They could kill me!” Ash whispered harshly. “I can’t –” He choked. “I can’t do it again.”
“Do what?” Kira tugged at the lead. She almost had it, but Ash gripped it at the last minute.
“Do WHAT?” More crunching on the dead leaves, and another boy came tottering around the corner rubbing sleep from his eyes. It was Kira’s last chance. She tugged again as Ash turned and saw the other boy. He looked back at her, eyes wide. She couldn’t tell what was in them – fear?
Kira gritted her teeth, “Ash, last chance. I don’t want to be stuck here. Let me go. Let me go – PLEASE!” He shook his head. She glanced at the tent, then the boy. He had noticed them. Now or never, Kira thought. She stepped towards Ash.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Then Kira lunged at him. Startled, Ash cried out. The other boy came running, and there was a muffled grunt from the tent as Kira’s guard was woken with a fright. Kira forgot everything; she only thought of getting away. She tried to lash out at Ash, and he caught her hands as they came down to strike. He rolled her over and she fought back. They rolled on until she was on top once more. Kira tried to get away, she tried to stand, but Ash tripped her and she landed on her front. Before she could scrambled away again, Kira was lifted up and put on her feet. Both Kira and Ash were breathing heavily. Ash had blood at the corner of his mouth, and Kira could feel a bruise on her cheek.
“Well– who’s a feisty one then?” Corcky sauntered up and grinned at Kira. Not a nice grin; one concealing a secret, a pleased grin, like Kira had one something Corcky had wanted her to. Kira spat and looked away. Corcky motioned with his head and Ash wiped his mouth on his sleeve, glared at Kira, and walked towards camp.
“We’ll be stopping today. Boss said he’ll meet us. He really wants to meet you,” Corcky paced in front of Kira, and the boy behind her who held her in place said nothing.
“Who is this Boss of yours?” Kira growled. Corcky turned and saw Ash returning with the rest of the gang, most of who were still half asleep. Corcky looked back to Kira.
“You’ll see,” he whispered.
‘Does he have green eyes?” Kira snarled. Corcky’s eyes widened but he ignored her otherwise, turning to his group.
“Time to move on!” He yelled. Kira stared at the group. Apart from most of the boys groaning, and one or two mutters under their breath, the gang obeyed Corcky and it was no time at all before Kira was pulled along behind Corcky. She was dragged by her lead this time; and Ash stayed well away. Whenever she looked at him he was looking somewhere else. She gave up.
*
The wolves were asleep. The only one awake was the watcher, who stood guard while the others slept. He was irritated. He could feel the Alpha – wolf sense, the ‘sixth sense.’ She was in trouble. A female came up to the watcher, her belly bloated with deer meat. She licked her chops and nuzzled him. She felt it too. The call for the Alpha. The watcher shook the snow off his back and barked. The wolves woke quickly and all felt the sense. The pace was set high and they all began to run. The Alpha needed them.
*
Kira heard the village before the others did, but she had not thought they would go anywhere else. In the end she found that they stopped short of the village and came to a barn. It had been abandoned, Kira presumed, a while ago – but the smell about it was fresh. There were no holes in the roof and when they went in they had to light a lantern, as it was dark. The barn smelt like hay and there was the stale smell of horses.
“Leave the door open!” The hair on the back of Kira’s neck stood up and she felt chilled to the bone.
‘Yes, Boss,” Corcky’s voice was barely a whisper as he shooed the other boys out.
“Go, will you? It only needs to be us two,” the voice said again. Kira was looking around, but even with Agwang’s wolf eyes she couldn’t see anything.
“Yes, Boss – call me if you need anything,” Kira caught Corcky’s eye, and for once there was something there, fear perhaps. They felt the same about ‘Boss’, both could tell. Corcky turned on his heel and – after opening the door again – disappeared into the light. Kira shuddered and looked around again, but only silence echoed back. Kira was nervous and alert. Let me out! Growled Agwang from Kira’s head. No! She thought; I won’t!
Kira tugged at her binds again and realised that someone had untied her. She stretched her arms and rolled her wrists, and looked towards the door. She wanted to leave, but knew ‘Boss’ was still in the barn.
“Kira...” she whipped round and came face to face with green eyes. They held her in their glare but her mind was whirling. She noticed the rest of him, keeping her eyes always on his eyes; she could not see much of him, he was covered with a long cloak, similar to hers. His face was older than hers and handsome in a way she did not understand. He had long hair, hiding his ears and coming to a stop just above his eyes. He looked familiar.
“Who are you?” She growled.
“You want to know?” His voice was soft and chilling, but like his face, strangely alluring.
Kira nodded and swallowed. What was it with him? She was frightened – very, very frightened. He was not what she would have expected. He leaned down, and electricity seemed to spark between them.
“Scorpio,” he whispered in her ear. Kira shuddered inwardly as he leaned back. She straightened up and gathered her strength.
“What do you want from me?” She asked. He smiled harshly and kept silent. He was pacing, around and around her – circling. Wolves circle, Agwang pointed out.
“Answer!” Kira demanded. Again, he was standing in front of her.
“I want to kill you!” He snarled.
Kira stumbled back and Scorpio grabbed her arm. Pain; pain like Kira had never felt sparked and flew through her body. It was so great she couldn’t scream, couldn’t cry out. She fell to her knees and felt numb. She was going to pass out... it couldn’t go on. She wanted to die if only to stop the pain, stop it... It shot through her like a spasm – fire was burning inside her.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the pain stopped. Scorpio had let go. Kira knelt there shaking uncontrollably. Never, ever again.
Scorpio stood away from Kira, a smile playing at his lips. He focused on his hand, observing it.
“Funny what a touch can do isn’t it?” he murmured. Kira stood up, still shaking all over. She was no longer entranced by his voice, just terrified.
“Funny?” she repeated. “I doubt it,” she muttered. Her comment wiped the smile off Scorpio’s face. He glared at her and she shrank away. The smile returned. He was stronger that her – in power as well as in strength. His power was greater than hers – what if she didn’t have any? He laughed and she looked up, confused. She had stopped shaking now.
Scorpio tucked back his cloak and took from his knife belt a dagger. He began to play with it, making sure Kira noticed its pointed end and sharpened side. Kira eyed the dagger, and thought back. A thought struck her.
“Why didn’t it hurt you?’ she said, glancing from his face to the dagger. Scorpio decided against answering that question, and took a step towards Kira. She stood her ground; surprising Scorpio and making him raise his eyebrows.
“Brave,” he remarked. She smirked. Scorpio caught the dagger as it spun in the air and held it tight. With his other hand, Scorpio lifted her chin, revealing her neck.
The pain was less excruciating this time but Kira had to bite her lip and clench her fists as it came. She felt the cold blade of the dagger against her neck and Scorpio’s hand still lightly on her chin. Remember? The pain of before had almost made her pass out. She gave a little gasp and fell. Her head hit the floor and Scorpio looked down. He stuck the dagger in the ground beside her and felt for a pulse. Kira felt a new wave of pain but managed to stay completely still. Her wolf senses told her when Scorpio turned away, muttering to himself.
She opened her eyes and looked up. Scorpio had her back to her, and was looking again at his hand – muttering. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, he was speaking so softly. She turned and pulled the dagger out of the ground and got slowly to her feet. She tried to slip around Scorpio, moving softly, but to her amazement he heard her, and snarled. He lunged for her and she slashed out with the dagger. He swore and clutched his side, where Kira could see blood. Looking up at her, Scorpio caught Kira’s eyes. Fiery hatred glared out of his green eyes.
“Corcky!” He yelled. Kira jumped and saw her chance. As she fled she heard Scorpio shout behind her, “We’ll meet soon Kira! I will get you!”
She ran.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Kira was still shaking as she turned round. Ash had not moved from beside the fire. Already the calm before the storm was building, a harsh wind whistled through the trees. She crouched next to Ash, her hair swinging across her face, in the way. She brushed it back behind her ear and shook Ash.
“Ash,” she whispered, high and frightened.
“Ash, wake up, wake up…” She shook him again.
“Ash!” Kira whined, her voice strained.
“Ash, wake up!” She shook him hard now, and at last revived him.
“Wassamatter?” he mumbled, blinking sleep from his eyes.
“Come on, get in, get in,” Kira practically dragged Ash to the tent, where he willingly collapsed inside.
“The fire…” he muttered.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it,” Kira whispered. She turned away from the tent and back towards the fire. She would leave it though. Instead, Kira made towards the rocks where the bows were.
“Hide them, keep them dry,” she murmured to herself. Hastily she stuffed them into a tree hollow, already stuffed with the food Kira had bought. Was there something else? Something she needed to do?
“No,” she shook her head and crawled into the tent. Ash was already fast asleep. Kira closed her eyes…that boy could sleep through anything…
*
When Kira finally pulled herself out of a nightmare – involving being gagged and meeting a pair of green eyes – she sat up. It was already morning; the storm had passed. Kira stretched and looked around. Ash had already disappeared. She sat in the tent for a while, listening for any kind of sound. It was unusually quiet. No birds singing, no breeze drifting by. Kira shrugged. She thought she heard an mmm… from in her mind, but ignored it.
“Ash?” She called, peering out of the tent, “Ash?” As she stepped out, Kira saw a flicker of movement behind her. She turned too late. Someone grabbed her from behind, cupping a cloth over her nose and mouth.
Kira screamed. The sound was muffled, but she tried to drag any the hand over the cloth away… she needed air…Kira took a great lung full of the cloth… there was a sickly sweet scent…it was mixed…mixed with the air…in the cloth…the world was spinning… “Night…” rang the words of the…Corcky… Kira groaned…and slumped, unconscious.
Corcky let go of Kira and she fell. He ignored her. He chucked the cloth away and wiped his hands. Whatever Boss has put in it, he thought, is strong stuff. He shuddered. A bickering and shuffling behind him made Corcky turn. Ash crashed into the clearing, held by Billy and Nob. His grey eyes were wide with shock; he was gagged, and his hands were tied behind his back.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the great and noble Ash,” smirked Corcky. Ash refused to look at him; he was staring at Kira, who still lay sprawled on the ground.
“Cute, isn’t she?” he whispered in Ash’s ear. Ash looked at him, his eyes now alarmed and furious.
“Here’re the rules, Ash…” Corcky settled himself down, smirking again…
Kira groaned. She tried to open her eyes. Sleep still lay heavily upon her, and she shook herself and forced her eyes open. They were blurry as they adjusted. It was mid-day. Smirking at her from a metre away was Corcky, who was sitting on a rock playing with a dagger. Kira couldn’t speak; she was gagged. She also had her arms tied behind the tree she had been leaning on. She was utterly stuck, in a very bad situation.
“Good to see you awake – and it’s a good thing you’re alive too, the Boss will be pleased.” Corcky said, standing up.
“And who shall we thank for bringing you in to us? I think it has to be...” He trailed away, as Ash was pushed into the clearing, followed by two other boys.
“…Ash,” Corcky finished. Kira felt ice spread down her body. She had trusted him…trusted him…told him her secret…told him everything…and he had betrayed her. She glared up at him, but his eyes stayed on the floor.
“Ash, why don’t you go the honours?” Ash looked up wildly, saw Corcky’s reaction, and nodded. He stumbled over to Kira, and went behind the tree. Kira felt her bonds loosen, and wrenched her hands free. But Ash was faster; he grabbed her hands as she tried to wriggle free and held them. The two other boys came over and pulled Kira to her feet. Ash let go of her hands – the soft, rough touch disappeared – and then came back as her hands cleared the tree. Her wrists were bound together tightly behind her back.
“I-I-” Ash tried to explain, but Kira turned away. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
Kira was led away from the clearing, and through the trees. More and more boys kept appearing, and Corcky always held his dagger to her back. Oh, my bow, Kira thought. Ash would have picked it up… maybe. But would he give it to her – no. At one point they stopped by a stream, and the boys drank. Kira was still gagged but as the boys filled their water flasks. Kira nudged it away from her mouth with her shoulder. When they started moving again, Kira nudged it once more and it came loose. She breathed in a deep gulp of the fresh air.
“Where are you taking me?” She asked Corcky, turning on him. He was surprised to find her gag around her neck, but quickly got over it.
“To the Boss.”
“Why?” Corcky turned her back around and pressed the dagger into her back.
“Boss won’t be very pleased if you kill me,” she warned him, “Now tell me why you’re taking me to your Boss!” Corcky pushed her on. She stumbled, but kept her balance, and began to walk forwards.
“We’re taking you to Boss because he told us to ‘bring the girl at the waterfall’ who just so happens was you.” Kira felt her mind whirring. Lisa had left her at the waterfall…she must have talked to someone…Boss was the bad force…he had talked to Lisa…he wanted Kira...Kira the Menphur... A flash of memory showed Kira the green eyes she had seen in the Inn. They were the same eyes as the ones in her nightmare…and half of the nightmare had already come true…it just didn’t fit together. But she knew one thing – Boss’s eyes were green. He wanted her – but why?
*
The group traipsed through the woods all day, finally coming to a stop as it neared dark. Kira’s legs felt weak; she had been walking all day. The rest of the troop sat wearily down and began to make camp. Corcky ordered some of the boys to tie Kira up to a tree – Ash being one of them. There was a stream close too were the camp was being prepared, and Kira heard it. Her lips were parched and her throat was dry, and she let the boys drag her a few paces away from the camp before stopping to tie Kira up.
“I’ll do it,” Ash volunteered, and the two others didn’t complain, they were too tired. Ash watched them go and then turned to face Kira. Kira looked to the ground. She didn’t want to speak to Ash, listen to him; didn’t want anything to do with him.
“Kira, I –”
“Don’t want to hear it!”
“No! You have to listen to me!” Ash pulled her towards him so they met eye to eye. She was still not tied to the tree. Kira struggled free and lashed out at Ash, though her hands were still bound. She tried to run there and then but Ash lunged and grabbed her legs tripping her. Hot tears began to well up in Kira’s eyes, but she blinked them away so Ash wouldn’t see. She lay quietly in the leaves. She wouldn’t move, wouldn’t struggle. Ash got up and wiped his hands, scattering dirt. He tied a length of rope to the tree and then to Kira’s binds. Kira realized she was on a lead. Ash then lay down next to her, and Kira closed her eyes to block him out. She could feel his grey eyes on her, feel his warm breath.
“Kira…I didn’t want this. I didn’t know what they were going to do; I didn’t plan it. Someone must have followed me to you. I never –”
“Never what? Expected this?” Kira sat up. “We live in a hard world Ash. Sometimes – sometimes bad things happen and we – we just have to try and get out of them. Unfortunately for me, my whole life is being circled by bad things, and you’re just making it worse!” She pulled on the rope as an example and sat with her back to him.
Ash sighed, and got up off the floor. Bad things did seem to circle Kira; her torn and worn pants showed it, she has holes in her shoes. She hair looked like it hadn’t been washed for days, and her long sleeved shirt was going to be no use with winter coming on. She buried her face in her hands, and heard Ash’s footsteps recede. Kira heard him turn and then say,
“I will never give away your secret,” he whispered. A breeze blew by, and Ash was gone.
That night was a long one. Kira stayed up for most of it, out of cold more than fear. She sat towards the camp, were she could see the fires gleaming. A tent had been set up near her, for her guard. The closest fire was that of the guards; but Kira was on the edge of it. She stood up and moved as close as her lead would let her. The orange glow only just hit her. It was here Kira decided to organise her mind and sort out her confused thoughts. She began with Menphurs:
Menphurs were all that Madam Meldina had told her about. Everything was connected to Kira being a Menphur – but how? She closed her eyes. Suppose, she thought, Agwang is the pack’s Alpha? Meaning I am their Alpha? She pushed that away. Madam Meldina’s note popped up in her mind; she mustn’t forget the pack. She needed to find her parents – and learn her powers. What powers? Menphurs switch souls – and the book had said they do more. Kira shook her head and cleared her mind again. The wolf pup was Agwang… her human soul was gone…was never coming back-
-A pair of hands pushed Kira over and she opened her eyes. All thoughts slid from her head. It was Corcky who was to take Kira’s first watch. Kira growled at him. She was not in the mood.
“What?” She spat.
“Nothing, just checking you still awake,” he snickered. Kira rolled her eyes. Corcky sat near the fire and placed a rock on to it. It was a flat rock and rested between four big rocks around the edge of the fire. Out of his pack Corcky took a carefully wrapped package. Kira watched as he opened the package and the smell of meat wafted over to Kira. Her mouth watered. Corcky spat on to the rock; it gave a satisfying hiss and Corcky spreads the meat over it. Kira sat back. He’s cooking, she thought.
Leaning her head against a tree, Kira tried to block out the smell of the cooking meat. It was difficult, seeing as she hadn’t eaten for a while. Corcky glanced over at her every now and then, to sneer and then prod the meat so the smells wavered off it more… Kira feel into a trance. Agwang wanted to get out. She wanted food… the smell was too much…No! Kira forced herself up. What had happened? Good, Kira. Learning to control your soul is the first step in using your strengths…your powers. It was the voice, in her head. What? Agwang was trying to get out! Exactly. Don’t let her out unless you want her out. Ok, she thought. It will probably prove more difficult said than done, she muttered.
Corcky stood up and stretched. He looked at the moon and then yawned.
“I’m off to my tent,” he exclaimed.
“What?” asked Kira, confused.
“You heard me, my shifts over. I’m going to sleep.” He picked up his pack.
“But – But what about the meat?” Kira asked.
“What about it? It’s not for me, I’ve had some already,” he snorted. A glint was in his eye. Kira’s stomach clenched. She felt rage swell inside.
“You! I – I…” She struggled against her lead, tugging at the rope. Corcky snickered.
“You what?”
He turned and walked away. Kira slumped down, fuming. Corcky had done that on purpose. Kira thought; I could let Agwang out, let her do what she wanted. But what if she howled? I can’t reach it from here… is there a stick I can use? Kira looked around, in the grass, around the bushes and up in the tree. She found a forked stick with two branches coming off to make a slanted ‘Y’ shape. She stripped some bendy bark and then grabbed some long grass and vines and sat weaving them onto the branch.
When it was ready, Kira shuffled forwards towards the fire and held out her hands. This was as far as she could go. She eased the branch out and edged it forwards, until she was only holding the very edge. The branch was in the fire. She hoped it wouldn’t burn before she could get the meat. The meat was scraping onto the branch…it was coming on…Kira could smell it. It was there! She had it! Breathing a silent thank-you, Kira drew the branch in and grabbed the meat. The heat shocked her and she dropped it in the grass. She licked her fingers… the juices came off and made her mouth water…Kira lurched…pain struck… and she scrunched up…
Agwang wanted the meat. She searched around for it – found it – and wolfed it down. She licked her lips and prepared to go and find her pack. She heard them howling; they were too far away for human ears, but she could hear them. But they were too far away. She sat on her haunches and threw back her head to howl to them. No! It was Kira. Kira’s presence was there. You do not want to find the pack? Agwang asked. I do, said Kira, but do not howl for them! Agwang cocked her head, and thought, why? Why should I listen to the human? I have never listened to humans before, why now? I am the Alpha! She lifted her muzzle to the moon…
…Kira forced her way through and took control. She shuddered and sat down with her back to the tree. It was only then she noticed a pair of eyes…grey eyes.
“Ash! Just come out!” she barked. Ash slid from the woods, bow strung.
“Ash?” Kira faltered. She saw the look in his eye… that wild fear of the hunter. She had seen it before, in the eyes of the farmers, when there was news of wolves in the area.
“Ash… Ash please! It’s not what you think!” She stood up and strained on her lead. Ash took a step back and tensed his bow.
“You’re a… a – wolf!” he cried.
“Ash – listen! I told you I was a Menphur…the switching souls thing…my soul is wolf, but I’m still me! You wanted me to listen to you – now listen back!” She took a step forwards and Ash loosed his arrow. It hit the tree behind Kira, missing her by inches.
“You didn’t listen to me, though!” Ash snarled. Kira sighed.
“Have it your way,” she sat down away from the camp, from Ash, from the fire. She sat as far as her lead would let her and went behind a tree, and began to sob.
Kira was still shaking as she turned round. Ash had not moved from beside the fire. Already the calm before the storm was building, a harsh wind whistled through the trees. She crouched next to Ash, her hair swinging across her face, in the way. She brushed it back behind her ear and shook Ash.
“Ash,” she whispered, high and frightened.
“Ash, wake up, wake up…” She shook him again.
“Ash!” Kira whined, her voice strained.
“Ash, wake up!” She shook him hard now, and at last revived him.
“Wassamatter?” he mumbled, blinking sleep from his eyes.
“Come on, get in, get in,” Kira practically dragged Ash to the tent, where he willingly collapsed inside.
“The fire…” he muttered.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it,” Kira whispered. She turned away from the tent and back towards the fire. She would leave it though. Instead, Kira made towards the rocks where the bows were.
“Hide them, keep them dry,” she murmured to herself. Hastily she stuffed them into a tree hollow, already stuffed with the food Kira had bought. Was there something else? Something she needed to do?
“No,” she shook her head and crawled into the tent. Ash was already fast asleep. Kira closed her eyes…that boy could sleep through anything…
*
When Kira finally pulled herself out of a nightmare – involving being gagged and meeting a pair of green eyes – she sat up. It was already morning; the storm had passed. Kira stretched and looked around. Ash had already disappeared. She sat in the tent for a while, listening for any kind of sound. It was unusually quiet. No birds singing, no breeze drifting by. Kira shrugged. She thought she heard an mmm… from in her mind, but ignored it.
“Ash?” She called, peering out of the tent, “Ash?” As she stepped out, Kira saw a flicker of movement behind her. She turned too late. Someone grabbed her from behind, cupping a cloth over her nose and mouth.
Kira screamed. The sound was muffled, but she tried to drag any the hand over the cloth away… she needed air…Kira took a great lung full of the cloth… there was a sickly sweet scent…it was mixed…mixed with the air…in the cloth…the world was spinning… “Night…” rang the words of the…Corcky… Kira groaned…and slumped, unconscious.
Corcky let go of Kira and she fell. He ignored her. He chucked the cloth away and wiped his hands. Whatever Boss has put in it, he thought, is strong stuff. He shuddered. A bickering and shuffling behind him made Corcky turn. Ash crashed into the clearing, held by Billy and Nob. His grey eyes were wide with shock; he was gagged, and his hands were tied behind his back.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the great and noble Ash,” smirked Corcky. Ash refused to look at him; he was staring at Kira, who still lay sprawled on the ground.
“Cute, isn’t she?” he whispered in Ash’s ear. Ash looked at him, his eyes now alarmed and furious.
“Here’re the rules, Ash…” Corcky settled himself down, smirking again…
Kira groaned. She tried to open her eyes. Sleep still lay heavily upon her, and she shook herself and forced her eyes open. They were blurry as they adjusted. It was mid-day. Smirking at her from a metre away was Corcky, who was sitting on a rock playing with a dagger. Kira couldn’t speak; she was gagged. She also had her arms tied behind the tree she had been leaning on. She was utterly stuck, in a very bad situation.
“Good to see you awake – and it’s a good thing you’re alive too, the Boss will be pleased.” Corcky said, standing up.
“And who shall we thank for bringing you in to us? I think it has to be...” He trailed away, as Ash was pushed into the clearing, followed by two other boys.
“…Ash,” Corcky finished. Kira felt ice spread down her body. She had trusted him…trusted him…told him her secret…told him everything…and he had betrayed her. She glared up at him, but his eyes stayed on the floor.
“Ash, why don’t you go the honours?” Ash looked up wildly, saw Corcky’s reaction, and nodded. He stumbled over to Kira, and went behind the tree. Kira felt her bonds loosen, and wrenched her hands free. But Ash was faster; he grabbed her hands as she tried to wriggle free and held them. The two other boys came over and pulled Kira to her feet. Ash let go of her hands – the soft, rough touch disappeared – and then came back as her hands cleared the tree. Her wrists were bound together tightly behind her back.
“I-I-” Ash tried to explain, but Kira turned away. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
Kira was led away from the clearing, and through the trees. More and more boys kept appearing, and Corcky always held his dagger to her back. Oh, my bow, Kira thought. Ash would have picked it up… maybe. But would he give it to her – no. At one point they stopped by a stream, and the boys drank. Kira was still gagged but as the boys filled their water flasks. Kira nudged it away from her mouth with her shoulder. When they started moving again, Kira nudged it once more and it came loose. She breathed in a deep gulp of the fresh air.
“Where are you taking me?” She asked Corcky, turning on him. He was surprised to find her gag around her neck, but quickly got over it.
“To the Boss.”
“Why?” Corcky turned her back around and pressed the dagger into her back.
“Boss won’t be very pleased if you kill me,” she warned him, “Now tell me why you’re taking me to your Boss!” Corcky pushed her on. She stumbled, but kept her balance, and began to walk forwards.
“We’re taking you to Boss because he told us to ‘bring the girl at the waterfall’ who just so happens was you.” Kira felt her mind whirring. Lisa had left her at the waterfall…she must have talked to someone…Boss was the bad force…he had talked to Lisa…he wanted Kira...Kira the Menphur... A flash of memory showed Kira the green eyes she had seen in the Inn. They were the same eyes as the ones in her nightmare…and half of the nightmare had already come true…it just didn’t fit together. But she knew one thing – Boss’s eyes were green. He wanted her – but why?
*
The group traipsed through the woods all day, finally coming to a stop as it neared dark. Kira’s legs felt weak; she had been walking all day. The rest of the troop sat wearily down and began to make camp. Corcky ordered some of the boys to tie Kira up to a tree – Ash being one of them. There was a stream close too were the camp was being prepared, and Kira heard it. Her lips were parched and her throat was dry, and she let the boys drag her a few paces away from the camp before stopping to tie Kira up.
“I’ll do it,” Ash volunteered, and the two others didn’t complain, they were too tired. Ash watched them go and then turned to face Kira. Kira looked to the ground. She didn’t want to speak to Ash, listen to him; didn’t want anything to do with him.
“Kira, I –”
“Don’t want to hear it!”
“No! You have to listen to me!” Ash pulled her towards him so they met eye to eye. She was still not tied to the tree. Kira struggled free and lashed out at Ash, though her hands were still bound. She tried to run there and then but Ash lunged and grabbed her legs tripping her. Hot tears began to well up in Kira’s eyes, but she blinked them away so Ash wouldn’t see. She lay quietly in the leaves. She wouldn’t move, wouldn’t struggle. Ash got up and wiped his hands, scattering dirt. He tied a length of rope to the tree and then to Kira’s binds. Kira realized she was on a lead. Ash then lay down next to her, and Kira closed her eyes to block him out. She could feel his grey eyes on her, feel his warm breath.
“Kira…I didn’t want this. I didn’t know what they were going to do; I didn’t plan it. Someone must have followed me to you. I never –”
“Never what? Expected this?” Kira sat up. “We live in a hard world Ash. Sometimes – sometimes bad things happen and we – we just have to try and get out of them. Unfortunately for me, my whole life is being circled by bad things, and you’re just making it worse!” She pulled on the rope as an example and sat with her back to him.
Ash sighed, and got up off the floor. Bad things did seem to circle Kira; her torn and worn pants showed it, she has holes in her shoes. She hair looked like it hadn’t been washed for days, and her long sleeved shirt was going to be no use with winter coming on. She buried her face in her hands, and heard Ash’s footsteps recede. Kira heard him turn and then say,
“I will never give away your secret,” he whispered. A breeze blew by, and Ash was gone.
That night was a long one. Kira stayed up for most of it, out of cold more than fear. She sat towards the camp, were she could see the fires gleaming. A tent had been set up near her, for her guard. The closest fire was that of the guards; but Kira was on the edge of it. She stood up and moved as close as her lead would let her. The orange glow only just hit her. It was here Kira decided to organise her mind and sort out her confused thoughts. She began with Menphurs:
Menphurs were all that Madam Meldina had told her about. Everything was connected to Kira being a Menphur – but how? She closed her eyes. Suppose, she thought, Agwang is the pack’s Alpha? Meaning I am their Alpha? She pushed that away. Madam Meldina’s note popped up in her mind; she mustn’t forget the pack. She needed to find her parents – and learn her powers. What powers? Menphurs switch souls – and the book had said they do more. Kira shook her head and cleared her mind again. The wolf pup was Agwang… her human soul was gone…was never coming back-
-A pair of hands pushed Kira over and she opened her eyes. All thoughts slid from her head. It was Corcky who was to take Kira’s first watch. Kira growled at him. She was not in the mood.
“What?” She spat.
“Nothing, just checking you still awake,” he snickered. Kira rolled her eyes. Corcky sat near the fire and placed a rock on to it. It was a flat rock and rested between four big rocks around the edge of the fire. Out of his pack Corcky took a carefully wrapped package. Kira watched as he opened the package and the smell of meat wafted over to Kira. Her mouth watered. Corcky spat on to the rock; it gave a satisfying hiss and Corcky spreads the meat over it. Kira sat back. He’s cooking, she thought.
Leaning her head against a tree, Kira tried to block out the smell of the cooking meat. It was difficult, seeing as she hadn’t eaten for a while. Corcky glanced over at her every now and then, to sneer and then prod the meat so the smells wavered off it more… Kira feel into a trance. Agwang wanted to get out. She wanted food… the smell was too much…No! Kira forced herself up. What had happened? Good, Kira. Learning to control your soul is the first step in using your strengths…your powers. It was the voice, in her head. What? Agwang was trying to get out! Exactly. Don’t let her out unless you want her out. Ok, she thought. It will probably prove more difficult said than done, she muttered.
Corcky stood up and stretched. He looked at the moon and then yawned.
“I’m off to my tent,” he exclaimed.
“What?” asked Kira, confused.
“You heard me, my shifts over. I’m going to sleep.” He picked up his pack.
“But – But what about the meat?” Kira asked.
“What about it? It’s not for me, I’ve had some already,” he snorted. A glint was in his eye. Kira’s stomach clenched. She felt rage swell inside.
“You! I – I…” She struggled against her lead, tugging at the rope. Corcky snickered.
“You what?”
He turned and walked away. Kira slumped down, fuming. Corcky had done that on purpose. Kira thought; I could let Agwang out, let her do what she wanted. But what if she howled? I can’t reach it from here… is there a stick I can use? Kira looked around, in the grass, around the bushes and up in the tree. She found a forked stick with two branches coming off to make a slanted ‘Y’ shape. She stripped some bendy bark and then grabbed some long grass and vines and sat weaving them onto the branch.
When it was ready, Kira shuffled forwards towards the fire and held out her hands. This was as far as she could go. She eased the branch out and edged it forwards, until she was only holding the very edge. The branch was in the fire. She hoped it wouldn’t burn before she could get the meat. The meat was scraping onto the branch…it was coming on…Kira could smell it. It was there! She had it! Breathing a silent thank-you, Kira drew the branch in and grabbed the meat. The heat shocked her and she dropped it in the grass. She licked her fingers… the juices came off and made her mouth water…Kira lurched…pain struck… and she scrunched up…
Agwang wanted the meat. She searched around for it – found it – and wolfed it down. She licked her lips and prepared to go and find her pack. She heard them howling; they were too far away for human ears, but she could hear them. But they were too far away. She sat on her haunches and threw back her head to howl to them. No! It was Kira. Kira’s presence was there. You do not want to find the pack? Agwang asked. I do, said Kira, but do not howl for them! Agwang cocked her head, and thought, why? Why should I listen to the human? I have never listened to humans before, why now? I am the Alpha! She lifted her muzzle to the moon…
…Kira forced her way through and took control. She shuddered and sat down with her back to the tree. It was only then she noticed a pair of eyes…grey eyes.
“Ash! Just come out!” she barked. Ash slid from the woods, bow strung.
“Ash?” Kira faltered. She saw the look in his eye… that wild fear of the hunter. She had seen it before, in the eyes of the farmers, when there was news of wolves in the area.
“Ash… Ash please! It’s not what you think!” She stood up and strained on her lead. Ash took a step back and tensed his bow.
“You’re a… a – wolf!” he cried.
“Ash – listen! I told you I was a Menphur…the switching souls thing…my soul is wolf, but I’m still me! You wanted me to listen to you – now listen back!” She took a step forwards and Ash loosed his arrow. It hit the tree behind Kira, missing her by inches.
“You didn’t listen to me, though!” Ash snarled. Kira sighed.
“Have it your way,” she sat down away from the camp, from Ash, from the fire. She sat as far as her lead would let her and went behind a tree, and began to sob.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Chater 9
Chapter 9
Hot breath made Kira wake, but she didn’t open her eyes. Where was she? She squinted. A boy with dark hair, close to black but not quite, was leaning over her. He had dark grey eyes. The boy stood up, and moved away. Kira’s eyes flashed open and she sat up. The boy had vanished. Kira held onto a tree to steady herself as she got up. A small log fire had been placed in the clearing in which Kira now stood. She saw that her tent had been made and her bag and sleeping bag in a heap next to it. But the food she had bought was not to be found and neither was her bow. Kira jumped and ran. Something had startled her. She kept running, aware that there was someone chasing her.
“Stop! Stop running!” wheezed someone behind her. Kira whirled round and hit him in the face.
Ash hit the ground face forward. He rolled onto his back. Although he had a red cheek that burned like fire, he smiled.
“Is that how you greet everyone?” he asked. Kira, confused, said,
“Who are you?” She was staring into those grey eyes. It was the boy that she had first seen leaning over her. She saw now that his hair was black, black as a ravens feather. His grey eyes were dark, but were lit up with a mischievous sparkle.
“The name’s Ash,” he said.
“Kira,” she replied. Ash held up a hand and Kira reached for it. She pulled him up off the ground.
“Sorry,” she murmured, feeling guilty for hitting him.
“S’ok. You get used to it after a while,” Ash grinned.
“Have I seen you before?” Kira asked. He looked familiar.
“I don’t know if you noticed me. I was with Corcky’s gang,” Ash turned to Kira as she stiffened and his eyes darkened.
“But I’m not with them anymore,” they walked on in silence. Kira bubbled with questions; why were they after me? Where did you come from? Where are they? Why do they want me? Why did you leave? But, clearly, Ash didn’t want to be asked. At least, not yet.
When they entered the clearing Kira remembered.
“Oh! Did you take my bow?” Ash looked up from where he sat next to the fire. It wasn’t lit yet.
“Maybe,” he said. Kira gave up, there was no point in fighting and she would just get it later. Plus, she wanted some answers. Kira sat down on the floor and crossed her legs. She said,
“I have some questions for you and you have to answer.” Ash looked up from prodding the logs into place and said,
“Me too.”
“Ok then, you do one and I’ll do one,” so they agreed and Kira started.
“Why does what’s-his-name’s gang want me?”
“Who? You mean Corcky?”
“Yeah, his gang.”
“Uh, that’s difficult. I don’t really know. Well, we – they – have a Boss, and he asked Corcky to get you and bring you to him. Only Corcky knows what he looks like.”
“Oh. Ok,” Kira blinked, thinking about what Ash had said.
“Now my question,” Kira focused her eyes on Ash, waking from her thoughts.
“Why you?” Because I’m a Menphur, Kira thought. Someone listened in when I was talking to Madam Meldina. You could feel them. Said the voice in her head. Yes, she replied, I could feel them, and I could feel them in the water and in my dream. They’re bad forces. Bad ones. I can feel bad forces, a bad force, that’s following me everywhere. Kira swallowed. But where is it now? This ‘Boss’ is the bad force. It is, I know it.
“Uh, Kira? Are you gonna answer or not?” Can I trust him? Kira thought. Oh I think so. Madam Meldina’s voice sounded in her ear, as a breeze drifted by.
“I-I’m a-um- I’m a- a-” Kira struggled to let her secret free.
“I-am-a-Menphur” She said, letting a huge sigh out on the last word.
“One of those make-believe things that can switch souls?” Ash asked.
“Yes,” said Kira, worried what Ash would do. But he just snorted and fell on his back, laughing. Kira was hurt.
“They aren’t make-believe!” She growled and stood up. Ash just laughed harder. Why don’t you show him they aren’t? Asked the voice. Kira took a deep breath, ignoring Ash’s laughter and shut her eyes. She concentrated. I am a wolf, she thought. In her mind a picture formed. Kira loped through the Forest on all fours, her Pack behind her. Her long, pink tongue was hanging out of her mouth as she panted. Kira stopped, the scent of rabbit nearby and followed her nose towards it. She then heard the soft nibbling of a leaf, and knew the rabbit was near. Suddenly, it ran off. Kira looked behind her, but her pack was gone. Instead there was only darkness. A huge pair of red eyes appeared near her and Kira ran. She ran as fast as her wolf legs would let her. But the thing was catching up. It was cold, so cold now and Kira’s throat had tightened.
The picture vanished and Kira looked Ash in the eye. He was frowning.
“What?” she asked.
“Your eyes,” Ash said, pointing.
“What about them?”
“They’ve changed. They aren’t green anymore. They’re amber,” Kira smiled
“Told you I was a Menphur!” Seeing Ash wince, she stopped smiling.
“Ok, I believe you.”
“Good,” Kira didn’t ask another question. Ash was too busy prodding the fire to take any notice. He took out a match and lit it. It was ablaze in minutes.
The fire gave off a calm light and warmth as the night came on. Ash yawned. Kira stared at the fire. A wolf howled, followed by another, and another.
“Wolves,” Ash muttered. Maybe he didn’t realise Kira’s soul was wolf. She suddenly felt a longing to howl back.
“I’m – I’m going out.” She said.
“You sure? The wolves could get you!” Ash said. Kira closed her eyes, struggling not to growl.
“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth.
Kira stood on the rock and looked down into the green-black sea of forest. There was the village, a speck of light in the distance. They were deep in the Forest. Only then would the wolves howl. She could hear them much clearer now. At the camp they had been muffled. Her ears picked up the highest yips and lowest grunts. She could even tell what they were saying:
“Where are you? Where are you, alpha? We need your order to hunt!” Kira blinked. They were talking to her. She was the alpha, the alpha female, and leader of the pack. But the wolves had howled in the snow, showing that they wanted the deer to think them further than they were. An image flashed into her mind: A dead deer on the snowy ground, the other wolves howling and playing – triumph! She, Kira, was the first to eat; it was only polite to let the alpha go first. The rest finished and they were off. Except it never happened.
The wolves howled the message again. Kira wanted to be with them, her soul was literally pulling her to them, but her feet stayed on the rock. She couldn’t go to them; they would have to find her. She raised her head, cupped her hands and howled,
“Yes! Hunt my pack, Hunt!” She wanted to add, then come and find me! But she couldn’t. She knew they already were coming for her – but how long would it take? She sighed. Kiraaaaa, whispered the wind, howlllll it, howlll out all yourrr sorrowwsss.
“I can’t,” she told it.
“It’s too risky!” She turned on her heel, jumped off the rock, and ran back to camp.
Kira stumbled into the clearing, and slumped heavily onto the ground. The fire was dying and Ash was curled next to it, fast asleep. Kira was not tired. She looked for some firewood, her mind on other things. The next thing she knew, she was lying in her tent. How had she gotten there? She shrugged it off and looked outside. The fire was still blazing, and Ash was still next to it – asleep. Didn’t he have a tent or something? She was wide awake. Kira wanted her bow. Crawling out of the shelter, Kira trotted round the campsite, looking between rocks and tree roots for the bow. At long last she found it.
Tucked away between two rocks, and with another bow. Kira presumed it was Ash’s. She left the other there and took one arrow from her quiver. She strung it, and aimed for a tree. She let go. THWACK! Shooting agony travelled up her arm. Kira gasped and dropped the bow. Scrunching up her eyes, she tried to get rid of some of the pain. As it finally began to disappear Kira turned. Her aim had been perfect, so why the pain?
She wrenched the arrow out of the wood and put it and the bow back where she had found them. Kira trotted cross the clearing to her tent. She was nearing it when a tremendous pain over came her and Kira doubled up. Her head began to spin and she fell to the ground. She twitched and squirmed. All at once, Kira became still once more, and she opened her eyes. Amber.
The wolf was in control. She padded around the clearing, watching the sleeping human, sniffing at the flames. The wolf felt a chill in the air. A storm was coming. Somewhere in the back of her mind the wolf called. She called to the human part of her. The wolf called; Kira, come Kira. Obeying, Kira came to the wolf’s side. You called, Agwang? The wolf felt Kira’s presence. Look. Kira looked through Agwang’s eyes. She saw the forest, how different it was. She felt the chill. A storm is coming Kira; watch out.
If anyone had seen Kira at that moment, they would have seen a girl on four feet, crouching stock-still. They would have seen her wriggle as the human part of her took over once again, and seen her get up, blurry eyed, and retreat to her tent. But they would not have felt her shaking all over, at the thought of a storm, of the thought that she had been taken over by her wolf spirit. They would not have known.
Hot breath made Kira wake, but she didn’t open her eyes. Where was she? She squinted. A boy with dark hair, close to black but not quite, was leaning over her. He had dark grey eyes. The boy stood up, and moved away. Kira’s eyes flashed open and she sat up. The boy had vanished. Kira held onto a tree to steady herself as she got up. A small log fire had been placed in the clearing in which Kira now stood. She saw that her tent had been made and her bag and sleeping bag in a heap next to it. But the food she had bought was not to be found and neither was her bow. Kira jumped and ran. Something had startled her. She kept running, aware that there was someone chasing her.
“Stop! Stop running!” wheezed someone behind her. Kira whirled round and hit him in the face.
Ash hit the ground face forward. He rolled onto his back. Although he had a red cheek that burned like fire, he smiled.
“Is that how you greet everyone?” he asked. Kira, confused, said,
“Who are you?” She was staring into those grey eyes. It was the boy that she had first seen leaning over her. She saw now that his hair was black, black as a ravens feather. His grey eyes were dark, but were lit up with a mischievous sparkle.
“The name’s Ash,” he said.
“Kira,” she replied. Ash held up a hand and Kira reached for it. She pulled him up off the ground.
“Sorry,” she murmured, feeling guilty for hitting him.
“S’ok. You get used to it after a while,” Ash grinned.
“Have I seen you before?” Kira asked. He looked familiar.
“I don’t know if you noticed me. I was with Corcky’s gang,” Ash turned to Kira as she stiffened and his eyes darkened.
“But I’m not with them anymore,” they walked on in silence. Kira bubbled with questions; why were they after me? Where did you come from? Where are they? Why do they want me? Why did you leave? But, clearly, Ash didn’t want to be asked. At least, not yet.
When they entered the clearing Kira remembered.
“Oh! Did you take my bow?” Ash looked up from where he sat next to the fire. It wasn’t lit yet.
“Maybe,” he said. Kira gave up, there was no point in fighting and she would just get it later. Plus, she wanted some answers. Kira sat down on the floor and crossed her legs. She said,
“I have some questions for you and you have to answer.” Ash looked up from prodding the logs into place and said,
“Me too.”
“Ok then, you do one and I’ll do one,” so they agreed and Kira started.
“Why does what’s-his-name’s gang want me?”
“Who? You mean Corcky?”
“Yeah, his gang.”
“Uh, that’s difficult. I don’t really know. Well, we – they – have a Boss, and he asked Corcky to get you and bring you to him. Only Corcky knows what he looks like.”
“Oh. Ok,” Kira blinked, thinking about what Ash had said.
“Now my question,” Kira focused her eyes on Ash, waking from her thoughts.
“Why you?” Because I’m a Menphur, Kira thought. Someone listened in when I was talking to Madam Meldina. You could feel them. Said the voice in her head. Yes, she replied, I could feel them, and I could feel them in the water and in my dream. They’re bad forces. Bad ones. I can feel bad forces, a bad force, that’s following me everywhere. Kira swallowed. But where is it now? This ‘Boss’ is the bad force. It is, I know it.
“Uh, Kira? Are you gonna answer or not?” Can I trust him? Kira thought. Oh I think so. Madam Meldina’s voice sounded in her ear, as a breeze drifted by.
“I-I’m a-um- I’m a- a-” Kira struggled to let her secret free.
“I-am-a-Menphur” She said, letting a huge sigh out on the last word.
“One of those make-believe things that can switch souls?” Ash asked.
“Yes,” said Kira, worried what Ash would do. But he just snorted and fell on his back, laughing. Kira was hurt.
“They aren’t make-believe!” She growled and stood up. Ash just laughed harder. Why don’t you show him they aren’t? Asked the voice. Kira took a deep breath, ignoring Ash’s laughter and shut her eyes. She concentrated. I am a wolf, she thought. In her mind a picture formed. Kira loped through the Forest on all fours, her Pack behind her. Her long, pink tongue was hanging out of her mouth as she panted. Kira stopped, the scent of rabbit nearby and followed her nose towards it. She then heard the soft nibbling of a leaf, and knew the rabbit was near. Suddenly, it ran off. Kira looked behind her, but her pack was gone. Instead there was only darkness. A huge pair of red eyes appeared near her and Kira ran. She ran as fast as her wolf legs would let her. But the thing was catching up. It was cold, so cold now and Kira’s throat had tightened.
The picture vanished and Kira looked Ash in the eye. He was frowning.
“What?” she asked.
“Your eyes,” Ash said, pointing.
“What about them?”
“They’ve changed. They aren’t green anymore. They’re amber,” Kira smiled
“Told you I was a Menphur!” Seeing Ash wince, she stopped smiling.
“Ok, I believe you.”
“Good,” Kira didn’t ask another question. Ash was too busy prodding the fire to take any notice. He took out a match and lit it. It was ablaze in minutes.
The fire gave off a calm light and warmth as the night came on. Ash yawned. Kira stared at the fire. A wolf howled, followed by another, and another.
“Wolves,” Ash muttered. Maybe he didn’t realise Kira’s soul was wolf. She suddenly felt a longing to howl back.
“I’m – I’m going out.” She said.
“You sure? The wolves could get you!” Ash said. Kira closed her eyes, struggling not to growl.
“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth.
Kira stood on the rock and looked down into the green-black sea of forest. There was the village, a speck of light in the distance. They were deep in the Forest. Only then would the wolves howl. She could hear them much clearer now. At the camp they had been muffled. Her ears picked up the highest yips and lowest grunts. She could even tell what they were saying:
“Where are you? Where are you, alpha? We need your order to hunt!” Kira blinked. They were talking to her. She was the alpha, the alpha female, and leader of the pack. But the wolves had howled in the snow, showing that they wanted the deer to think them further than they were. An image flashed into her mind: A dead deer on the snowy ground, the other wolves howling and playing – triumph! She, Kira, was the first to eat; it was only polite to let the alpha go first. The rest finished and they were off. Except it never happened.
The wolves howled the message again. Kira wanted to be with them, her soul was literally pulling her to them, but her feet stayed on the rock. She couldn’t go to them; they would have to find her. She raised her head, cupped her hands and howled,
“Yes! Hunt my pack, Hunt!” She wanted to add, then come and find me! But she couldn’t. She knew they already were coming for her – but how long would it take? She sighed. Kiraaaaa, whispered the wind, howlllll it, howlll out all yourrr sorrowwsss.
“I can’t,” she told it.
“It’s too risky!” She turned on her heel, jumped off the rock, and ran back to camp.
Kira stumbled into the clearing, and slumped heavily onto the ground. The fire was dying and Ash was curled next to it, fast asleep. Kira was not tired. She looked for some firewood, her mind on other things. The next thing she knew, she was lying in her tent. How had she gotten there? She shrugged it off and looked outside. The fire was still blazing, and Ash was still next to it – asleep. Didn’t he have a tent or something? She was wide awake. Kira wanted her bow. Crawling out of the shelter, Kira trotted round the campsite, looking between rocks and tree roots for the bow. At long last she found it.
Tucked away between two rocks, and with another bow. Kira presumed it was Ash’s. She left the other there and took one arrow from her quiver. She strung it, and aimed for a tree. She let go. THWACK! Shooting agony travelled up her arm. Kira gasped and dropped the bow. Scrunching up her eyes, she tried to get rid of some of the pain. As it finally began to disappear Kira turned. Her aim had been perfect, so why the pain?
She wrenched the arrow out of the wood and put it and the bow back where she had found them. Kira trotted cross the clearing to her tent. She was nearing it when a tremendous pain over came her and Kira doubled up. Her head began to spin and she fell to the ground. She twitched and squirmed. All at once, Kira became still once more, and she opened her eyes. Amber.
The wolf was in control. She padded around the clearing, watching the sleeping human, sniffing at the flames. The wolf felt a chill in the air. A storm was coming. Somewhere in the back of her mind the wolf called. She called to the human part of her. The wolf called; Kira, come Kira. Obeying, Kira came to the wolf’s side. You called, Agwang? The wolf felt Kira’s presence. Look. Kira looked through Agwang’s eyes. She saw the forest, how different it was. She felt the chill. A storm is coming Kira; watch out.
If anyone had seen Kira at that moment, they would have seen a girl on four feet, crouching stock-still. They would have seen her wriggle as the human part of her took over once again, and seen her get up, blurry eyed, and retreat to her tent. But they would not have felt her shaking all over, at the thought of a storm, of the thought that she had been taken over by her wolf spirit. They would not have known.
Chapters 7 & 8
Whoo... we're getting into the drama! :P
Chapter 7
It took a while for anyone to speak. Lisa glared at Kira, while Kira stared into space. Lisa did not know that Kira was trying to think of an escape plan. How could she? Finally, the battle began.
“What do you want with me?” Kira asked. She was very bored.
“Oh, nothing. Torture is just very pleasurable,” said Lisa, smiling.
“What? Torturing me? How is it pleasurable? What have I ever done to you?” Kira shouted. The bindings on the rope were tight, and it hurt to move her hands.
“You bit me!” Lisa growled.
“I what?” Kira frowned. It had sounded like Lisa had said she had bitten her.
“I said: you bit me!” Snapped Lisa.
“Bite you? When did I do that?” Lisa rolled up her sleeve to reveal two scars. The kind of scar you would get if bitten by a dog – or in this case – a wolf.
“I did that?” Kira asked, dumbstruck. She remembered what she had read in Madam Meldina’s old book: Menphurs are not an evil creature although they, if in form of a human being, can be quite mischievous, as the soul inside the body may be of an animal. She had done that. She had bitten Lisa.
“I did do that, didn’t I?” Kira asked.
“Yeah. You did.” Lisa sat down. Kira averted her eyes. “Sorry” she said.
“ ‘Sorry’ isn’t going to get you anywhere, it’s done now.” Lisa snarled. The sharp words caught Kira. She growled.
“I take it back,” she whispered.
“What?” Lisa asked. She stood again, and looked at Kira. She looked awkward. Normally she would have been up right, it was strange to see Kira so helpless, and where had those amber eyes come from? Kira stared back into those sky blue eyes. Hatred swam through her head, as she stared at those eyes. Those eyes that had watched her suffer, those eyes that had laughed at her. She had finally given payback.
“I am not sorry I bit you. I’m glad. I’m glad I did!” she said.
“It’s pay-back. Pay-back for all the things you’ve done to me!” Kira smiled. Here she was, in Lisa’s clubhouse, watching the girl that had made her life misery cower against the wall. She jumped. The rope bindings had burned her wrists. They were coming away. She had to keep Lisa pre-occupied.
“How do you know I did it?” she asked. Lisa snorted.
“Do you want me to tell your life story?” she asked,
“I only know a bit of it,” Kira brightened. Perfect, it will let me get off the rope.
“Ok,” Lisa made herself comfortable. She would lure Kira into false security, and then give it to her.
“All I can remember is the day you arrived. You were raving mad, like the farmers were trying to kill you or something. When they brought you, I remember, you tried to get on my bed, so I pushed you off,” bringing back old memories about Kira scared Lisa; they also brought fresh waves of hate.
“You lunged and bit me. I went to the healer then,” Lisa finished and shuddered.
“Any other things you remember?” Kira asked through gritted teeth. At last the rope was nearly off, but her wrists had begun to bleed.
“No,” Lisa snapped. She stood and reached for the branch. She was not going to tell Kira about the sleepless nights, the long howls, and the spurts of fury Kira had created. No. Now it was Lisa’s turn to get back at Kira. She held the branch with both hands and walked slowly towards Kira.
Yes! She was free! The rope fell to the ground and Kira stood, stretching her arms. Her bleeding wrists stung, but the blood flow was stopping. Lisa took a step forward, the branch held in both arms.
“I’m leaving,” Kira said, walking towards the door.
“I know who you are,” whispered Lisa. Kira stopped in her tracks and turned.
“What?” she asked, puzzled.
“You’re not one of us. You’re a Menphur,” Lisa growled.
“How – How do you know?” Lisa laughed shrilly.
“Did I not tell you, about the sleepless nights I had, because of your howling?” Lisa shook her head.
“There is no pay-back Kira, except mine. My pay-back, for all the trouble you have caused me!” she shrieked. Lisa swung the branch hard. Kira had no time to duck, or move out of the way. The branch struck the side of her head, and she crumpled to the floor.
The figure followed the tracks to the Orphanage and saw to the right, hidden amongst the trees, a young girl emerge from a wooden hut. She had brown hair and was carrying a strong branch. He strode over to her, and asked,
“What have you done with her?” His anger bubbled to boiling point. If anything happened to the Menphur, which he didn’t do….
“Done what with who?” the girl asked.
“With…Kira,” he said.
“Oh, she’s in the hut. Why do you want her?” Knowing this, the figure pushed the girl aside and entered the hut. On the floor lay an unconscious Kira, her hair covering most of her face, her blood stained wrists neatly beside it. He smiled to the girl, who seemed confused and said,
“Is there anywhere in the Forest you can leave her for me? I have some business with her.” The girl looked him up and down and smiled in return,
“Shall I leave her by the waterfall?”
“Yes. My comrades can pick her up there,” the figure thanked the girl and strode away into the Forest.
Giggling, the girls came out of the trees. One asked Lisa,
“Who was that?” she replied,
“I don’t know, but he sure is cute!” Gemma hurried over and whispered in Lisa’s ear,
“If you ever want to see him again, we better get Kira to the waterfall,” seeing her point, Lisa and the others dragged Kira into the Forest.
Chapter 8
When Kira finally came around, she was in the Forest. A part of the Forest she had never been before. She stood up, only to fall over again. Kira’s vision blurred, before coming back into focus again. Using a tree to stable herself and ignoring the stinging pain of her wrists, Kira finally got her senses back. Although her head was throbbing painfully it was the least of her worries. Kira made her way, slowly, to where the Waterfall came thundering down and was a pool at the bottom. The noise rang like bells in Kira’s ears. Her amber eyes of earlier had disappeared.
“What am I doing here?” she asked herself. Kira knelt down beside the pool and dunk her head into its freezing water. It rushed into her ears, and was strangely relaxing. The water, like the Forest trees in her dream, seemed to whisper again and again,
“Kiraaaaaa, Kkkkkiraaa, be carefulllll Kiraaaaaa,” they whispered,
“There are eyessss, sooo many eyesssss, watchinggg, alwaysss watching you,” Kira couldn’t hold her breath any longer. She pulled her head out of the water, gasping for air. At least her head didn’t hurt any more.
Choking she slid back in the dirt, Kira rested on her elbows. Thinking about what the water had said to her, she then crawled back to the edge. She dipped her hands into the water, and rubbed away the dried blood before asking the water,
“Who are watching me?” I must be out of my mind, Kira thought, water can’t talk to me! The water started to stroke her fingers,
“Oh, but weeeeee can Kiraaa, we can talk to you. You are not like otherssss, you take the time to listennn to ussss…”
“Then why do you only give me clues?” Kira asked the water.
“Why not tell me what I have to do and who is following me?” Suddenly, a more human voice spoke in her head, and it wasn’t her own. Kira, we can only help you. We can’t tell you what you want to know. That, you must figure out yourself.
“Wait a minute, are you my medallion?” She asked the voice out loud. Yes, I am. The voice replied.
“What am I meant to do then?” she asked it, but it was gone.
“Water?” Kira turned to the water, but its voice was gone too. Sighing she got up, and looked at the Waterfall. She went into the Forest and started to climb.
“Shut up boys!” the leader whispered to his talking companions,
“She’s coming!” From the bushes the gang watched as Kira scrambled to get to the top of the Waterfall. The leader turned to his boys,
“Let’s go”. Silent as the wind, the gang followed Kira as she climbed the hill to the top of the Waterfall.
“What are we gonna do to her Corcky?” a boy asked the leader.
“You know as well as I do what the Boss said!” Corcky snapped.
“But, she really is pretty isn’t she?” the boy asked. Corcky sighed and continued to jog,
“Yes Billy, she sure is”.
As Kira finally reached the top of the hill, she looked at the river that progressed to where the Waterfall fell. With sharp eyes, Kira was able to notice stepping-stones, all the way to edge of the Waterfall. She walked to the edge of the water, and, with the wolf inside her in control, sensed. Although she didn’t have any whiskers, the ends of Kira’s ginger-brown hair was able to sense the coming of a storm, and nose smelt the fear of the animals, as they hunted for cover. Why were they afraid? Suddenly, her fingertips tingled, and Kira spun round. There was no one there.
“Then why does it feel like there is?” Kira murmured to herself. There was the voice, it spoke again, trust your instincts Kira! Staring ahead of her, Kira reached down and grasped a stone. She flung it at the bush that was making her senses tingle.
“Oww!!!” Cried the bush.
“Thanks a lot Tom, you ruined it!” Shouted the bush next to it. The boy in the bush stood up, followed by Tom, rubbing his head, in the other bush.
“There are more of you!” Kira shouted. Gradually, more boys from bushes appeared, some jumping down from trees. Kira came out of her trance as she looked towards the boys. Surprised at how many there were she asked,
“Who are you?”
“No one important.” Said the one nearest her.
“Let me introduce myself, I am Corcky, and this is, Billy, Bobby, Nob, Mite, Tom, Ricky…” Corcky trailed off.
“What do you want?” Kira asked.
“Why don’t you come with us and we can show you?” Corcky smiled, and the rest of the boys sniggered, except one at the back that Kira didn’t notice. Instead she turned and jumped onto the first stepping-stone
“Make me!” She cried. Three of the boys followed her on the stepping-stones, with Corcky at the front, as Kira hopped from one, to the other, and the other boys ran along the bank. She was too occupied to notice that she was nearing the end of the stepping-stones. Suddenly, there she was, at the end of them, looking down, to where the waterfall ended. There was no way back.
“There, you see, there was no escaping us!” Corcky shouted over the noise of the waterfall. This was it. There has to be another way, Kira cried in her head. Then she got it.
“Yes there is. You will never, ever get me!” She snarled at Corcky. Confused, he made a grab for her, but, at the same moment, Kira made a spinning leap, and was falling down, down, down, into the water below. This is the end, she thought. Kira closed her eyes, clutched her medallion and breathed deep…
The boys at the top of the waterfall stared down in amazement before the reality hit them and they scrambled back to the Forest to talk about it.
“The girl is gone.”
“Yes, we know.”
“That was amazing!!”
“Why would she do that?”
“She’s dead, she’s dead, no one could live through that!”
“QUIET!!” screamed Corcky.
“Now, the girl is obviously dead and gone so there’s no point in us standing around. Let’s just get out of here!” The boys started to wonder off in pairs and groups, until there were only a few left.
“Coming Ash?” a boy asked as the last couple started to go. The boy named Ash turned from looking at the river and turned to his friend,
“I’ll be there in a sec, catch you up. Just go.” The last boys left, leaving Ash standing alone, before he turned again, looked around and jogged in the opposite direction – down the hill – to the gang of boys.
Kira plunged into the ice cold water, going down, down, down, from her impact. Do not let go of me Kira. Said the voice in her head. Kira’s eyes were tightly shut, but she knew her hands were still clasp safely around the medallion. Kira had to let go. Had to reach the surface. Her lungs were bursting, fighting for air. Don’t let go! Hissed the voice. I have to, thought Kira, reasoning with the voice. She took her hands from the medallion. She began to pull herself up, towards the surface. It was a long journey, as she was quite near the bottom. Kira let out a swipe, pulling upwards. A loud screech came from below, like the one in her dream, and scared her. She pulled up faster, but it grabbed her ankle, with what seemed like hard, slimy hands. She kicked but it held and dragged her down. She struggled, and pulled out blindly, opening her mouth to breath, and shutting it quickly as water rushed in. It will protect you. The words on the note that came with the medallion clung to her as she was dragged to the bottom. Kira took up the medallion in her hands again and thought; must get out. The hand kept hold of Kira’s ankle and screeched. Help…me…she cried; she was losing air – and consciousness with it. Suddenly, she burst to the surface and flew out, landing a few feet from the pool bank. Soaked to the skin, her clothes stuck to Kira as a child does to its mother. Kira tried to stand but was too weak. Falling flat on her front, she coughed up water. Sliding on to her back, Kira lay with her head against a tree, and heard the voice, give in to the darkness Kira. So she did. Breathing heavily, Kira fainted.
Ash crept down the side of the hill, aware that he was breaking gang code. But, he thought, I’m not in the gang, as of now. Using trees as so to not skid down the hill because of dead leaves that covered the Forest floor, at last he came to the ground. Ash edged to the opening that lead to the Water Fall pool, afraid of what he might find. He looked out, and there was nothing there. Ash stepped out into the clearing and stumbled back. There she was.
“She didn’t drown!” He told the trees. Ash stepped over roots towards Kira. He stood over her, watching her chest move up and down, breathing. Her eyes were shut, and she shivered now and again. Camp, thought Ash, but I can’t leave her here! He bent down and grabbed Kira under the arms, struggling against her weight and her heavy wet clothes. He heaved her up right and dragged her into the Forest.
The howl of a wolf sounded and was followed by the rest of the Pack. They had found an old trail of their pack leader, but were scared. The scent mingled with that of a horse, people, and a much darker force. The scents lead to the town, but the wolves could not follow. Why must their leader make it so difficult? How could she go to such a human place? Silently, the Pack turned back to the forest, and started to follow wafted old scents of the pack leader, but going around the town, hidden by trees.
Chapter 7
It took a while for anyone to speak. Lisa glared at Kira, while Kira stared into space. Lisa did not know that Kira was trying to think of an escape plan. How could she? Finally, the battle began.
“What do you want with me?” Kira asked. She was very bored.
“Oh, nothing. Torture is just very pleasurable,” said Lisa, smiling.
“What? Torturing me? How is it pleasurable? What have I ever done to you?” Kira shouted. The bindings on the rope were tight, and it hurt to move her hands.
“You bit me!” Lisa growled.
“I what?” Kira frowned. It had sounded like Lisa had said she had bitten her.
“I said: you bit me!” Snapped Lisa.
“Bite you? When did I do that?” Lisa rolled up her sleeve to reveal two scars. The kind of scar you would get if bitten by a dog – or in this case – a wolf.
“I did that?” Kira asked, dumbstruck. She remembered what she had read in Madam Meldina’s old book: Menphurs are not an evil creature although they, if in form of a human being, can be quite mischievous, as the soul inside the body may be of an animal. She had done that. She had bitten Lisa.
“I did do that, didn’t I?” Kira asked.
“Yeah. You did.” Lisa sat down. Kira averted her eyes. “Sorry” she said.
“ ‘Sorry’ isn’t going to get you anywhere, it’s done now.” Lisa snarled. The sharp words caught Kira. She growled.
“I take it back,” she whispered.
“What?” Lisa asked. She stood again, and looked at Kira. She looked awkward. Normally she would have been up right, it was strange to see Kira so helpless, and where had those amber eyes come from? Kira stared back into those sky blue eyes. Hatred swam through her head, as she stared at those eyes. Those eyes that had watched her suffer, those eyes that had laughed at her. She had finally given payback.
“I am not sorry I bit you. I’m glad. I’m glad I did!” she said.
“It’s pay-back. Pay-back for all the things you’ve done to me!” Kira smiled. Here she was, in Lisa’s clubhouse, watching the girl that had made her life misery cower against the wall. She jumped. The rope bindings had burned her wrists. They were coming away. She had to keep Lisa pre-occupied.
“How do you know I did it?” she asked. Lisa snorted.
“Do you want me to tell your life story?” she asked,
“I only know a bit of it,” Kira brightened. Perfect, it will let me get off the rope.
“Ok,” Lisa made herself comfortable. She would lure Kira into false security, and then give it to her.
“All I can remember is the day you arrived. You were raving mad, like the farmers were trying to kill you or something. When they brought you, I remember, you tried to get on my bed, so I pushed you off,” bringing back old memories about Kira scared Lisa; they also brought fresh waves of hate.
“You lunged and bit me. I went to the healer then,” Lisa finished and shuddered.
“Any other things you remember?” Kira asked through gritted teeth. At last the rope was nearly off, but her wrists had begun to bleed.
“No,” Lisa snapped. She stood and reached for the branch. She was not going to tell Kira about the sleepless nights, the long howls, and the spurts of fury Kira had created. No. Now it was Lisa’s turn to get back at Kira. She held the branch with both hands and walked slowly towards Kira.
Yes! She was free! The rope fell to the ground and Kira stood, stretching her arms. Her bleeding wrists stung, but the blood flow was stopping. Lisa took a step forward, the branch held in both arms.
“I’m leaving,” Kira said, walking towards the door.
“I know who you are,” whispered Lisa. Kira stopped in her tracks and turned.
“What?” she asked, puzzled.
“You’re not one of us. You’re a Menphur,” Lisa growled.
“How – How do you know?” Lisa laughed shrilly.
“Did I not tell you, about the sleepless nights I had, because of your howling?” Lisa shook her head.
“There is no pay-back Kira, except mine. My pay-back, for all the trouble you have caused me!” she shrieked. Lisa swung the branch hard. Kira had no time to duck, or move out of the way. The branch struck the side of her head, and she crumpled to the floor.
The figure followed the tracks to the Orphanage and saw to the right, hidden amongst the trees, a young girl emerge from a wooden hut. She had brown hair and was carrying a strong branch. He strode over to her, and asked,
“What have you done with her?” His anger bubbled to boiling point. If anything happened to the Menphur, which he didn’t do….
“Done what with who?” the girl asked.
“With…Kira,” he said.
“Oh, she’s in the hut. Why do you want her?” Knowing this, the figure pushed the girl aside and entered the hut. On the floor lay an unconscious Kira, her hair covering most of her face, her blood stained wrists neatly beside it. He smiled to the girl, who seemed confused and said,
“Is there anywhere in the Forest you can leave her for me? I have some business with her.” The girl looked him up and down and smiled in return,
“Shall I leave her by the waterfall?”
“Yes. My comrades can pick her up there,” the figure thanked the girl and strode away into the Forest.
Giggling, the girls came out of the trees. One asked Lisa,
“Who was that?” she replied,
“I don’t know, but he sure is cute!” Gemma hurried over and whispered in Lisa’s ear,
“If you ever want to see him again, we better get Kira to the waterfall,” seeing her point, Lisa and the others dragged Kira into the Forest.
Chapter 8
When Kira finally came around, she was in the Forest. A part of the Forest she had never been before. She stood up, only to fall over again. Kira’s vision blurred, before coming back into focus again. Using a tree to stable herself and ignoring the stinging pain of her wrists, Kira finally got her senses back. Although her head was throbbing painfully it was the least of her worries. Kira made her way, slowly, to where the Waterfall came thundering down and was a pool at the bottom. The noise rang like bells in Kira’s ears. Her amber eyes of earlier had disappeared.
“What am I doing here?” she asked herself. Kira knelt down beside the pool and dunk her head into its freezing water. It rushed into her ears, and was strangely relaxing. The water, like the Forest trees in her dream, seemed to whisper again and again,
“Kiraaaaaa, Kkkkkiraaa, be carefulllll Kiraaaaaa,” they whispered,
“There are eyessss, sooo many eyesssss, watchinggg, alwaysss watching you,” Kira couldn’t hold her breath any longer. She pulled her head out of the water, gasping for air. At least her head didn’t hurt any more.
Choking she slid back in the dirt, Kira rested on her elbows. Thinking about what the water had said to her, she then crawled back to the edge. She dipped her hands into the water, and rubbed away the dried blood before asking the water,
“Who are watching me?” I must be out of my mind, Kira thought, water can’t talk to me! The water started to stroke her fingers,
“Oh, but weeeeee can Kiraaa, we can talk to you. You are not like otherssss, you take the time to listennn to ussss…”
“Then why do you only give me clues?” Kira asked the water.
“Why not tell me what I have to do and who is following me?” Suddenly, a more human voice spoke in her head, and it wasn’t her own. Kira, we can only help you. We can’t tell you what you want to know. That, you must figure out yourself.
“Wait a minute, are you my medallion?” She asked the voice out loud. Yes, I am. The voice replied.
“What am I meant to do then?” she asked it, but it was gone.
“Water?” Kira turned to the water, but its voice was gone too. Sighing she got up, and looked at the Waterfall. She went into the Forest and started to climb.
“Shut up boys!” the leader whispered to his talking companions,
“She’s coming!” From the bushes the gang watched as Kira scrambled to get to the top of the Waterfall. The leader turned to his boys,
“Let’s go”. Silent as the wind, the gang followed Kira as she climbed the hill to the top of the Waterfall.
“What are we gonna do to her Corcky?” a boy asked the leader.
“You know as well as I do what the Boss said!” Corcky snapped.
“But, she really is pretty isn’t she?” the boy asked. Corcky sighed and continued to jog,
“Yes Billy, she sure is”.
As Kira finally reached the top of the hill, she looked at the river that progressed to where the Waterfall fell. With sharp eyes, Kira was able to notice stepping-stones, all the way to edge of the Waterfall. She walked to the edge of the water, and, with the wolf inside her in control, sensed. Although she didn’t have any whiskers, the ends of Kira’s ginger-brown hair was able to sense the coming of a storm, and nose smelt the fear of the animals, as they hunted for cover. Why were they afraid? Suddenly, her fingertips tingled, and Kira spun round. There was no one there.
“Then why does it feel like there is?” Kira murmured to herself. There was the voice, it spoke again, trust your instincts Kira! Staring ahead of her, Kira reached down and grasped a stone. She flung it at the bush that was making her senses tingle.
“Oww!!!” Cried the bush.
“Thanks a lot Tom, you ruined it!” Shouted the bush next to it. The boy in the bush stood up, followed by Tom, rubbing his head, in the other bush.
“There are more of you!” Kira shouted. Gradually, more boys from bushes appeared, some jumping down from trees. Kira came out of her trance as she looked towards the boys. Surprised at how many there were she asked,
“Who are you?”
“No one important.” Said the one nearest her.
“Let me introduce myself, I am Corcky, and this is, Billy, Bobby, Nob, Mite, Tom, Ricky…” Corcky trailed off.
“What do you want?” Kira asked.
“Why don’t you come with us and we can show you?” Corcky smiled, and the rest of the boys sniggered, except one at the back that Kira didn’t notice. Instead she turned and jumped onto the first stepping-stone
“Make me!” She cried. Three of the boys followed her on the stepping-stones, with Corcky at the front, as Kira hopped from one, to the other, and the other boys ran along the bank. She was too occupied to notice that she was nearing the end of the stepping-stones. Suddenly, there she was, at the end of them, looking down, to where the waterfall ended. There was no way back.
“There, you see, there was no escaping us!” Corcky shouted over the noise of the waterfall. This was it. There has to be another way, Kira cried in her head. Then she got it.
“Yes there is. You will never, ever get me!” She snarled at Corcky. Confused, he made a grab for her, but, at the same moment, Kira made a spinning leap, and was falling down, down, down, into the water below. This is the end, she thought. Kira closed her eyes, clutched her medallion and breathed deep…
The boys at the top of the waterfall stared down in amazement before the reality hit them and they scrambled back to the Forest to talk about it.
“The girl is gone.”
“Yes, we know.”
“That was amazing!!”
“Why would she do that?”
“She’s dead, she’s dead, no one could live through that!”
“QUIET!!” screamed Corcky.
“Now, the girl is obviously dead and gone so there’s no point in us standing around. Let’s just get out of here!” The boys started to wonder off in pairs and groups, until there were only a few left.
“Coming Ash?” a boy asked as the last couple started to go. The boy named Ash turned from looking at the river and turned to his friend,
“I’ll be there in a sec, catch you up. Just go.” The last boys left, leaving Ash standing alone, before he turned again, looked around and jogged in the opposite direction – down the hill – to the gang of boys.
Kira plunged into the ice cold water, going down, down, down, from her impact. Do not let go of me Kira. Said the voice in her head. Kira’s eyes were tightly shut, but she knew her hands were still clasp safely around the medallion. Kira had to let go. Had to reach the surface. Her lungs were bursting, fighting for air. Don’t let go! Hissed the voice. I have to, thought Kira, reasoning with the voice. She took her hands from the medallion. She began to pull herself up, towards the surface. It was a long journey, as she was quite near the bottom. Kira let out a swipe, pulling upwards. A loud screech came from below, like the one in her dream, and scared her. She pulled up faster, but it grabbed her ankle, with what seemed like hard, slimy hands. She kicked but it held and dragged her down. She struggled, and pulled out blindly, opening her mouth to breath, and shutting it quickly as water rushed in. It will protect you. The words on the note that came with the medallion clung to her as she was dragged to the bottom. Kira took up the medallion in her hands again and thought; must get out. The hand kept hold of Kira’s ankle and screeched. Help…me…she cried; she was losing air – and consciousness with it. Suddenly, she burst to the surface and flew out, landing a few feet from the pool bank. Soaked to the skin, her clothes stuck to Kira as a child does to its mother. Kira tried to stand but was too weak. Falling flat on her front, she coughed up water. Sliding on to her back, Kira lay with her head against a tree, and heard the voice, give in to the darkness Kira. So she did. Breathing heavily, Kira fainted.
Ash crept down the side of the hill, aware that he was breaking gang code. But, he thought, I’m not in the gang, as of now. Using trees as so to not skid down the hill because of dead leaves that covered the Forest floor, at last he came to the ground. Ash edged to the opening that lead to the Water Fall pool, afraid of what he might find. He looked out, and there was nothing there. Ash stepped out into the clearing and stumbled back. There she was.
“She didn’t drown!” He told the trees. Ash stepped over roots towards Kira. He stood over her, watching her chest move up and down, breathing. Her eyes were shut, and she shivered now and again. Camp, thought Ash, but I can’t leave her here! He bent down and grabbed Kira under the arms, struggling against her weight and her heavy wet clothes. He heaved her up right and dragged her into the Forest.
The howl of a wolf sounded and was followed by the rest of the Pack. They had found an old trail of their pack leader, but were scared. The scent mingled with that of a horse, people, and a much darker force. The scents lead to the town, but the wolves could not follow. Why must their leader make it so difficult? How could she go to such a human place? Silently, the Pack turned back to the forest, and started to follow wafted old scents of the pack leader, but going around the town, hidden by trees.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Chapters 5 & 6
Chapter 5
Waking with a jolt, Kira put her hand over her heart and felt it banging against her chest. But…wait! What was this? Around Kira’s neck was a small medallion. She looked at it in the half-dark. It had a wolf on it, with a shimmering moon in the background.
The wolf was howling.
But how had it gotten there? Madam Meldina.
As if by magic, a scrap of paper flew across her face and Kira grabbed it. Scrawled across the paper were these sentences:
It will protect you. Look after it and don’t let anyone take it. The magic only works when you know how to use it. Be careful, there are dark sources at work. Learn your powers, be a wolf, find your human parents, only then will you be safe. But don’t forget your Pack!
Reaching her hands behind her back, Kira noticed a knot. It was tied on and she couldn’t take it off. Find your human parents. The words rang like church bells in Kira’s ears. Did that mean they were still alive? Suddenly, the thought hit her like a slap on the back. She had forgotten to ask Madam Meldina about them! How could I have been so stupid? She thought. Madam Meldina. Kira straitened up and ran back to where the tepee had been. She looked in all directions but couldn’t see it. It was gone. Falling on her knees, Kira cried out. She pounded the dirt with her fists, tears streaming down her cheeks. Then, choking and sobbing, she lay down in the dirt and fell into another dream…
The Wolf Pack was getting desperate. They ran in circles, waiting for the Pack Leader to howl again. Briefly, they had heard a soft moan somewhere Southeast and they followed the one call they had heard. The Pack Leader was puzzling to the wolves. They needed to find her, to get to better hunting ground and because she was their leader, but she was making it so difficult for them to find her. What was more, the Wolf Leader’s call had been one for help and security, but she didn’t howl again so they knew where to go. Confused, the Pack searched on.
Chapter 6
Waking, with a sense of wrongness, Kira was surprised to find she was lying in a bed, with a single white sheet and a side table. She was in a dormitory. She looked around, only to find that the room felt very similar, with the smell of disinfectant hanging in the air. Then she knew. Kira was in her old bed, in the Orphanage. She bolted to the door. It wasn’t locked, so she slipped on her shoes and crept out. Too late, Kira heard the giggles, and was thrown to the floor, a bag over her head, and felt small hands tying her wrists behind her back. She groaned. I’m supposed to have a wolf soul, and I get stuck in a trap as simple as this? She scolded herself. Kira let herself be dragged out of the Orphanage and to Lisa’s clubhouse. It was not the first time she had been there.
No! This could not be! How could the Menphur disappear into thin air? The figure searched for the second time at Kira’s camp, in a rage. Furious, he climbed the beech tree and started to cut off the leaves with his dagger to clear his head. How could the Menphur escape from my grasp? How could I have been so stupid as to sleep and let her get away? I am the master! I will find her! Anger surged through his body and he climbed back down the beech. Kicking a rock, he only got pain in return. Now, somewhat calm, the figure searched for a solution. The town. That was the only place to go. Or what about the tepee? Quickly, he ran to where Kira and curled in the dirt and slept, and watched what happened in his mind: Some time later that night, a horse and carriage had come across the sleeping Kira and tucked her away. Then they had proceeded to the Village. Following the tracks, the figure ran in the direction that was the quiet, sleeping town, as the sun began to rise.
The walking had stopped a while ago and all Kira could see was a dark white. Searching for her wolf instincts, she looked at her surroundings, by smell and touch. She was sitting on a chair, with her hands tied behind her back with some old string, with a pillowcase over her head, in a small room, with girls behind her in case she tried to escape. There was a lighter white to one side, and Kira couldn’t help but turn her head. Lisa had arrived, and Kira could smell it.
“Take it off,” was barked somewhere to the right, and at once, the bag was ripped off and Kira could see. Well, she had it almost correct. She was in a small, dimly lit room made of wood, and she was sitting on a chair with her hands behind her back, but there were no more girls in the room. Only her and Lisa.
Waking with a jolt, Kira put her hand over her heart and felt it banging against her chest. But…wait! What was this? Around Kira’s neck was a small medallion. She looked at it in the half-dark. It had a wolf on it, with a shimmering moon in the background.
The wolf was howling.
But how had it gotten there? Madam Meldina.
As if by magic, a scrap of paper flew across her face and Kira grabbed it. Scrawled across the paper were these sentences:
It will protect you. Look after it and don’t let anyone take it. The magic only works when you know how to use it. Be careful, there are dark sources at work. Learn your powers, be a wolf, find your human parents, only then will you be safe. But don’t forget your Pack!
Reaching her hands behind her back, Kira noticed a knot. It was tied on and she couldn’t take it off. Find your human parents. The words rang like church bells in Kira’s ears. Did that mean they were still alive? Suddenly, the thought hit her like a slap on the back. She had forgotten to ask Madam Meldina about them! How could I have been so stupid? She thought. Madam Meldina. Kira straitened up and ran back to where the tepee had been. She looked in all directions but couldn’t see it. It was gone. Falling on her knees, Kira cried out. She pounded the dirt with her fists, tears streaming down her cheeks. Then, choking and sobbing, she lay down in the dirt and fell into another dream…
The Wolf Pack was getting desperate. They ran in circles, waiting for the Pack Leader to howl again. Briefly, they had heard a soft moan somewhere Southeast and they followed the one call they had heard. The Pack Leader was puzzling to the wolves. They needed to find her, to get to better hunting ground and because she was their leader, but she was making it so difficult for them to find her. What was more, the Wolf Leader’s call had been one for help and security, but she didn’t howl again so they knew where to go. Confused, the Pack searched on.
Chapter 6
Waking, with a sense of wrongness, Kira was surprised to find she was lying in a bed, with a single white sheet and a side table. She was in a dormitory. She looked around, only to find that the room felt very similar, with the smell of disinfectant hanging in the air. Then she knew. Kira was in her old bed, in the Orphanage. She bolted to the door. It wasn’t locked, so she slipped on her shoes and crept out. Too late, Kira heard the giggles, and was thrown to the floor, a bag over her head, and felt small hands tying her wrists behind her back. She groaned. I’m supposed to have a wolf soul, and I get stuck in a trap as simple as this? She scolded herself. Kira let herself be dragged out of the Orphanage and to Lisa’s clubhouse. It was not the first time she had been there.
No! This could not be! How could the Menphur disappear into thin air? The figure searched for the second time at Kira’s camp, in a rage. Furious, he climbed the beech tree and started to cut off the leaves with his dagger to clear his head. How could the Menphur escape from my grasp? How could I have been so stupid as to sleep and let her get away? I am the master! I will find her! Anger surged through his body and he climbed back down the beech. Kicking a rock, he only got pain in return. Now, somewhat calm, the figure searched for a solution. The town. That was the only place to go. Or what about the tepee? Quickly, he ran to where Kira and curled in the dirt and slept, and watched what happened in his mind: Some time later that night, a horse and carriage had come across the sleeping Kira and tucked her away. Then they had proceeded to the Village. Following the tracks, the figure ran in the direction that was the quiet, sleeping town, as the sun began to rise.
The walking had stopped a while ago and all Kira could see was a dark white. Searching for her wolf instincts, she looked at her surroundings, by smell and touch. She was sitting on a chair, with her hands tied behind her back with some old string, with a pillowcase over her head, in a small room, with girls behind her in case she tried to escape. There was a lighter white to one side, and Kira couldn’t help but turn her head. Lisa had arrived, and Kira could smell it.
“Take it off,” was barked somewhere to the right, and at once, the bag was ripped off and Kira could see. Well, she had it almost correct. She was in a small, dimly lit room made of wood, and she was sitting on a chair with her hands behind her back, but there were no more girls in the room. Only her and Lisa.
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