Date: Sat, 30 May 2015 02:00:52 +0400
From: Nell Bas <helledon12@gmail.com>
Subject: the last feres / the feri circle 21

Happy reading!
					The Feri Circle
		  			   Chapter 21

   The next morning after breakfast, Wren and I entered the Yull palace's
library.  The size of a football pitch, the impressive room was crammed
with tall shelves.  They were stacked with mostly parchments and books. One
prominent feature of the place was a small lounge right smack in its
middle. Even more astonishing were the walls. They were left free of
shelves and were covered with elaborate tapestries of eagle shifters and
their allies in battles.

   On one of the tapestries, there was an image of a dragon. A colossal
four legged creature with a massive head, a strong body adorned with a pair
of bat wings and a long muscular spiny tail. The dragon appeared to be
amber-brown but the light play on its scales in the image gave me the
impression that the creature could change color at will like a chameleon.

   'That's Dreg, the alpha dragon shifter,' Wren told me when he noticed me
staring at the image.

   'The alpha dragon shifter,' I repeated absentmindedly. Kan, the previous
Keeper of the barrier between worlds and Helledon's predecessor told me about
dragons. He spoke of them with disgust. As a matter of fact he demonized them.
But seeing the image of a real dragon now, I realized that he had been
exaggerating a bit. I could not see the evil that he saw. I had no idea why Kan
loathed dragons so much. In the end he banished them from this realm.

   'The dragons may not be around anymore but their feats were legendary.
They made good allies. That was if you could get them to trust you. They
mostly kept to themselves, never bothering about the politics of lesser
creatures like us. Some say they had a god complex.'

   'Do you think they're still alive wherever they are?'

   'Probably,' he replied.

   'Over here you guys,' Nick called us from the lounge. He was standing behind
his father who was sitting on a couch facing my uncle. Charlie sat on the armrest
of another couch occupied by Eric. Commander Stryker and Jan were cuddling on
the last couch close to Commander Nicodemus.

   Just as we reached the group, Seth and Dale entered the room followed by
Wren's estranged brother. Kane looked like he normally did; Machiavellian and
aloof.

   'How are you feeling Rye? Eric asked me.

   I looked around before I answered. The two commanders were engaged in a
conversation while Jan was giving them her utmost attention. Nick seemed
engrossed in the discussion as well. Dale was explaining something to Kane while
pointing at Jan and Nico and Stryker. Seth was on the other side of the room
talking with the book keeper, probably asking him for some privacy.

   'I'm fine,' I said simply.

   Wren frowned at me. 'He's not fine. He had another nightmare last night.'

   I pinned him with a stare and scowled. I did not want to drag Charlie and Eric
into this. However, it was true that I have been having nightmares for the past
three days since we arrived here in the eagle shifter palace.

   Charlie had a concerned look but he chose to remain quiet. He knew how
stressful all of this was for me.

   'Have you ever tried holistic healing? It can do wonders with such things as
nightmares. I know someone who practices it in the city. If you like I'll book you
an appointment,' Eric said.

   Having someone pry into my private thoughts and life just to tell me how to
live a more balanced lifestyle was not in my immediate plan. No thank you sir, but
I never got to say that out loud.

   'It's good that you all made it,' Charlie interrupted Eric and addressed the
group. 'Our recent battle has left us with many scars however, no matter how
small, victory was ours. Unfortunately we lost another man last night. His wounds
were too great. At least I'm glad to say the other wounded are faring much better.
They are receiving the best of care.'

   'What about Riven?' I asked. Wren and I didn't get a chance to visit him this
morning.

   'The worst is over, although, he has yet to regain consciousness,' Eric replied
with conviction in his tone.

   There were a few more comments from Jan about the wounded before Charlie
took over again. 'Anyway, except for Riven who can't be moved right now, all our
wounded are being teleported back to the High Guard Camp this afternoon. They
have family waiting to see them.'

   He took a pause to gather his thoughts.

   'Malik arrived in Yull this morning. He is having an audience with her Majesty
Queen Selene. Since we were unsuccessful in convincing the Mageling communities
to join our cause we are taking a different approach on the matter. They are
discussing the possibility of hosting a banquet with a special invitation to all of
them.'

   'They have sticks shoved so far up their asses, I doubt they'll come,' Stryker
said.

   'Oh, they will be obliged to come,' Charlie sounded confident on this. 'The
eagle shifters control the trade of azurite. We all know it's the most precious
commodities for the witches.'

   There were agreements all around.

    'What's azurite?' I asked.

   It was Jan who answered. 'It's azurite powder to be exact. It's used in spell
casting to make it more potent. Like the shielding spells that protect the cities.
Putting one up without azurite can drain your strengths and won't last more than a
day or two.'

   So, azurite is the witches' weakness. And Charlie is using it as a carrot to coerce
them into submission.

   I personally thought it to be a terrible idea. Nothing good can come from
bending someone to your will without the freedom of choice.

   'I don't like it,' I said out loud. Every pair of eyes was on me now. 'If you're
using it to get them in the same room, fine, but don't hold this over their heads. I
want people to follow me for the right reasons. Not because they have no choice.
The witches are keen on their laws as are the other races. There must be a loophole
somewhere in their constitution that we can exploit. I know it won't be any
different from what I'm opposing but I find people respond better when you
follow and respect their institutions.'

   Kane raised a brow while Stryker was giving me an approving nod, which told
me he was impressed.

   'We'll take that into consideration,' Charlie said with a candid smile.

   'What will we do in the meantime?' Nick asked.

   'I want you to join your father. He'll be recruiting more warriors to replenish
our ranks. Stryker and I will be planning the gathering of the Mageling leaders with
Malik and Queen Selene. Jan and Eric will accompany the wounded back to Camp.
They will also see to the running of the Camp.'

   He then looked at me. 'Rye, now that you've found the feri children, your job is
to figure out how to break the Feri from reclusion.'

   'Will do,' I said, 'but Wren and I have a new mission.'

   Wren put his arm around my shoulder as if I needed protection.

   'Wren's powers have been subdued. We need to find the man responsible.'

   Wren and I took turns in explaining about Amegra's actions, about Dorek and
Koff.

   'Koff is a dangerous place, Your Majesty,' Commander Stryker said. 'I do not
recommend you go there. It's the only town in the Sear not under the influence of
the Mageling council and it's a safe haven for marauding cut-throats and thieves.'

   Wren and I exchanged glances. The look in his eyes told me he really wanted
this. And so did I.

   'Your concern is duly noted but nothing will deter us from going. You forget
that all feri children must be in full power if we are to bring this war to an end.'

   'We hear you, Rye,' Charlie said raising a hand at Stryker who was about to
protest some more. 'You are the High King and you have made a decision. We will
abide by it. However, heed our concerns before you walk into the lion's den.'

   I looked at Wren and he nodded.

   'We're listening.'

   Charlie turned to Stryker. 'Tell us what you know about the town?'

   'I had just joined the Warrior Guild when my men and I got our fist paid
assignment. It was a rescue mission. A band of bandits kidnapped the Mayor of
Hering's daughter and he wanted her back in one piece.'

   'Hering is a wealthy City. The Mayor has enough treasures to pay for the
ransom,' Kane said out of the blue.

   Eric frowned at him but Wren was grinning. I hadn't a clue why.

   'It's not about treasure. It's about principles. The Mayor did not pay the
ransom because if he did he might as well stand in the middle of an open field with
a plank over his head written with the words "come and rob me more often.  I am
menially weak",' Commander Nico sarcastically said.

   Everyone laughed. All but Kane who looked flustered.

   'As I was saying, the Mayor's daughter was on her way to her bond
possessor...'

   'Bond possessor?' I interrupted. I have heard of bondmate, bond master for a
slaver but never bond possessor.

   'It's what we call a man who's taking a breeder to his bed. It's like an arranged
marriage if you will,' Eric said.

   'That's barbaric,' I said, appalled. Even though arranged marriages exist in the
world I grew up in, I was against the idea.

   'It may be, Rye, but it's perfectly legal in Targeten,' Jan said.

   I still couldn't wrap my brain around it. How could someone force another
human being through this? 'Are you telling me Eva had a similar arrangement with
Niall?'

   'No. Their arrangement was different. Our family did not send her to Niall.
Niall picked us off the street, clothed us, bestowed us with his name and gave us a
roof over our head with employment. No, my sister wasn't forced into that. She
didn't even feel obligated to do it. Niall was a man with a broken heart. True he
had Xander, but he longed for an heir. So my sister willingly agreed to bear his
children,' Dale said with a disgusted face. I never saw him angry before and I
might say the little guy is as fierce as his tiger.

   'I'm truly sorry Dale,' I said apologetically. 'I didn't mean to offend you.'

   He suddenly went white as a sheet. 'No, Your Majesty. It is I who should
apologize for my brashness.' Dale was my friend but right now he was talking to
his King not his friend.

   'No harm done. It was I who was in the wrong. And I will gladly accept your
apology.'

   Nicodemus nodded approvingly while Wren held my hand.

   'Commander Stryker. You were saying,' I said.

   He smiled. 'As I was saying, the daughter was on her way to her bond
possessor in Ashen when the bandits attacked her caravan. They killed a few of her
bodyguards and chained the others with all her servants. They were then hauled
off to Koff. Three days later a messenger arrived at Hering and another at Ashen
demanding payment for her release. The Mayor of Hering refused to pay, so did
the Mayor of Ashen. However, the Mayor of Hering's bondmate pleaded with him
to at least send someone to rescue her.

   'The Guild leased the contract and we took the job when others refused. It
was a hopeless mission and we knew it. My commander at the time took the
mission because he was desperate to make a name for our unit.

   'We separated our squad into smaller bands and travelled to Koff in the guise
of fellow thieves. What we found there was appalling. The women servants had
been sold off to the King of thieves' men as sex slaves, while the men were
dragged to the arena to be slaughtered for entertainment.

   'It took us two weeks to come up with a workable plan. But in the end we did
deliver the Mayor's daughter to her parents. Regrettably we lost our commanding
officer and eight of our comrades on the night of the great escape. We almost did
not make it if not for Keene.'

   'If I'm not mistaken, Keene is your second in command, right?' Nicodemus
interrupted.

   'Yes. He was born in Koff. He has family there. If you're set on going to Koff,
you should take him with you,' Stryker said.

   'That's it then. Keene is coming with us,' Wren said.

   'You should take Farren and Rhett with you too,' Charlie said.

   'With all due respect Char, Farren is an excellent warrior but he can't
lie to save his own life. And Rhett is too emotionally unstable right now
to commit fully to the cause,' Nick said. 'I volunteer myself.'

   'No,' Stryker said. 'You're a powerful boy but one thing you should know
about Koff is its citizens are outcasts. They are men and women without any
magical abilities and if they did, their magic is menial. Their leader
himself is a hag.  He had magical parents but he didn't inherit any of
their magic. Anyway that's not the point. The point is your abilities won't
work in Koff.'

   'Why's that?' Seth asked.

   'The same reason we almost failed in our mission,' Stryker said.
'There's an inhibitor crystal in the middle of town that is suppressing all
magic within a ten mile radius of Koff. Within this circle, shifters can't
shift, witches are rendered powerless and magical objects won't
function. You'll be going in blind and unprotected.'

   'I would go with Wren and His Majesty,' Kane said. 'We Graylards had
been trained since childhood by the best weapon masters throughout
Targeten. We have gone through a series of trials to test our learned
skills. For our final trial we had to overcome an inhibitor collar. It was
painful but we all made it.'

   I gave Wren a questionable look. 'Is that true?'

   He grimly nodded.

   'Eric,' Charlie said. His voice barely a whisper.

    'Our father valued strong sons. He put us through trials to shape us into
perfect warriors. I loathed him for that, but yes, he did teach us how to overcome
the inhibitor crystal.'

   'You never told me about it.  Why?' Charlie questioned his bondmate.

   'It never came up.'

   Charlie slid into the chair next to Eric and took him in his arms. 'I
want to hear all about it later, okay atsa.'

   'Sure.'

   So, it was agreed. Kane and Keene will join Wren and me on our quest.

   ....................................................

   End of chapter 21