FOREVER KNIGHTS: #15 Insatiable Beasts

Outside WhiteHall, Paladines

TEVERIUS

“What is this place?” Serdephe asked. Walking hand in hand with Teverius as they wove through the thinner tree trunks of the sparse woods she was astounded by the towering trees. “It’s chilly here.”

It always is.

“We’re in the edge of the Paladines now.” He pointed to the left. “See up there. That’s the ridge of the Paladinian Mountains.”

She peered up there and could see the hazy snow-capped tops of the mountains. Dusted by fluffy cloud. “I see them. They’re lovely. But why are we here, My Wolf?”

To show you why I left you.

“This is where I’ve been.”

“Here?” She blinked turquoise eyes at him. “Why?”

To find Raese. To regain my honor.

“There.” He pointed to a lovely peaked roof on a square white mansion. “WhiteHall.”

“It’s beautiful.” She breathed. Unaccustomed to seeing mansions.

She’s only been in the Netherwood and Gilwynn Village. They probably seem very foreign in comparison.

“I was trying to find the man who now lives here. Burka, my Sarabi, led me.”

He found Snowman.

“Raese.” She remembered the name. Turning it over on her tongue as she studied the ground thoughtfully. When she’d heard the knights talking in the Driter’s Den.

“Merlinus.” Tev nodded. “We lost him after a Great Battle and have been unable to find him for thirty years.”

“But how could he be here?” Ser’s head whipped to look at him. “You said if you stay in one place too long the Cimmerii can start to sense your location because your magic embeds in the land?”

That’s true.

“We can’t.” He admitted.

“Then how was he here for thirty years?”

“That’s a bit harder to explain. I think he had help.”

“Help?” Her brow knitted in confusion.

The wakkon.

“Yes.” Tev gestured to the sky. “It’s getting dark, so I expect he’ll be coming soon.”

“What?”

“Let me show you.”

They were watching the mansion and glancing to each side of them. Unaware of the white blur streaking in and out of the trees as it approached them.

But Serdephe drew a whoosh of air. Looking up at Tev. “Do you feel that?”

Before he could answer, she suddenly twisted away from him into a crouch. Catching her hands to frame the cheeks of the white animal which had been moving so fast it nearly vibrated in her grip as her touch brought it to a sudden stop.

I hadn’t even known he was coming. How’d she sense it? Looking down at her, he was struck again by her remarkable instincts.

The Demon Dogs resting at her feet grumbled in dissension and shifted, but seemed unalarmed by the wakkon.

Surprising since wakkon supposedly hunt them.

It’s as if they know he’ll sense they’re not Radix’s. Tev frowned down at them. What is going on?

“Hello, My Friend.” She murmured huskily. Drawing Tev from his thoughts.

I want to answer her when she’s speaking in that voice…His eyes widened on her. Feeling his abdomen tightening in response.

Snowman, the wakkon huffed. Nostrils flaring.

Scenting her.

“Do you think it’s drawn to you?”

“Like the Targue? Maybe… I know nothing about wakkon. But I get the sense that because we hunt the same thing, he knows I’m kindred.”

An intriguing thought. That would explain how he sensed the Demon Dogs were no threat to him.

“Remarkable…I know nothing about them either. I hadn’t known they existed. Much less that Raese had befriended one. Wherever the hell he found it...”

Calisto gave it to him, perhaps? He wondered.

“He is gorgeous.” She breathed. Stroking his satiny neck. The other hand still cupping his cheek to keep him steady as she gave him prolonged eye contact.

The wakkon’s long flowing hair was distinctly different from fur. Too soft. Like baby hair. Flowing in sleek lines down its side. Its’ tail was the same. More similar to a horse’s tail in its long silken strands. It’s ears had white tufts atop it. And it’s eyes were ice blue. Nearly white. Darkly lashed, those eyes were too shrewd to be cute. Looking almost eerily human. It gave a low grunt and took off in a white streak.

Ser’s hands fell as she watched him go, riveted. “Astonishing animal.”

“He is that. I think he has protected this perimeter around Raese.” Tev gestured to the house again. “Keeping them at bay before any of them could get Radix word of him being here.”

“The wakkon was protecting him without the man even knowing it?”

“Seems that way.”

“He’s back.” Tev whispered. Catching her upper arm and pointing at her feet.

“I know.” She whispered under her breath. Staring at the house. Seeming unaware of the white wakkon resting on his belly amidst the Targue there as if he belonged.

Tev have chuckled shaking his head. “It appears, My Dear, that he likes you.”

“Seems that way.” She grinned at Tev. “I like him too. It’s a shame Raese found him first.”

Tev sobered instantly. “I don’t think so. I fear he’d not be alive now were it not for the fellar.”

“So, if you’ve found this friend why has he not rejoined your brethren.”

If only it were that simple.

“I don’t think he remembers us.”

“What?” Ser’s brows shot up.

I understand your confusion.

“Why don’t you just go and get him?” She tossed a frustrated hand toward the house.

“The Captain has said we wait. Let him come to us, if we can.”