Shifters Alliance Page 5

  ‘You should be careful of those claws,’ said the one squatting. ‘You’ll have someone’s eye out if you’re not careful.’

  Sonny looked around the circle. There was just the hint of a smile on their faces.

  They’re playing with me, Sonny realised. I need to escape, I need to get back to the High Lands, he thought.

  He’d felt it would be shameful to attack the older man, still resting with his back to a tree, but now he thought this might be his only way out.

  I’ll charge again at Sam’s right leg, then leap right into the gap between Sam and the old man.

  His paws were searingly hot and stinging when he tried to grip the earth for his final charge and then escape. With his legs tensing, his shoulders stiffening, Sonny made his move. He jumped, hands and claws outstretched at Sam’s right leg, intending to land early and then leap through the gap. As he’d hoped, Sam moved his right leg. He saw his chance and dived for the opening in the circle. In midair he was hit by a blinding pain behind the ear. He lost all control of his limbs and fell in a heap to the ground, his head spinning, ears ringing, and eyes rolling around his head.

  His last thought before losing consciousness was, Where did that come from?

  Chapter 4

  There was a dripping sensation on his forehead. Sonny wanted to keep his eyes closed, wishing this was all a nightmare, but the cool water dripped down into his eyes, over his nose, down his cheeks, and it kept dripping.

  Far away, he heard someone say, ‘Maybe he didn’t like our hospitality,’ and giggles from the others.

  ‘Maybe he didn’t like the fish,’ said the old man to his right. Again giggles, getting louder.

  They were playing with him again, taunting him. He breathed deeply, trying to control himself, but still feeling helpless.

  ‘Do you think he can understand us when he’s like that?’ asked a voice.

  ‘He hears and he understands,’ said the old man.

  Sonny dragged his eyelids open, trying to focus on those around him. They were kneeling or sitting around him in a circle.

  ‘I am a Mountain Lion,’ said Sonny, his voice so low it was barely perceptible.

  ‘You look like an overgrown pussy cat,’ said someone to his left.

  ‘I’m a Mountain Lion … of the Border Pride,’ he said. The sadness and resignation in his voice silenced the banter of the others.

  ‘My name is Sonny,’ he said, the words falling from his mouth without strength or conviction. It was the last thing he had to hold onto, his memories of his family and his Pride.

  ‘We want you to come back with us,’ said Sam. ‘We want you to talk to all of us.’

  ‘Can you choose when you are in this form and when a man?’ asked the old man softly.

  Sonny could only nod his head.

  ‘Then you can walk back with us as a man, or we can carry you back as a tied cat. But we want you to come with us,’ said Sam.

  Their voices were now low and gentle, almost as if they felt sorry to see him in his beaten state. Sonny lay there, sadness overcoming him as he remembered his hopes and dreams, when he’d first stepped out on the trek south. He’d wanted so much to make his family proud of him, of his deeds. He closed his eyes again and saw his valley, the High Lands, and away in the distance the High Peaks soaring towards the deep blue sky.

  Looking up at Sam, he saw concern for him in Sam’s eyes. There was no cruelty there, even after what Sonny had done. It was at that moment he realised he was so young, and knew so little about this land and these people.

  ‘I’ll come with you.’ he said.

  He forced his mind to focus inward, to his heart. Relaxing his breathing, seeing in his mind his heart contracting. Slowing his pulse down, until he could once again feel the claws getting smaller, until he was aware of his toes touching the leaves and soft earth where he lay. His chest took on his human shape, the pads on the palms of his hands becoming smoother, the shape of his face changing back, the muscles relaxing to show his human features once again. In his mind, he felt so much older than the young man who’d jumped over rocks and crevices, trying to impress the Pride. But when he looked at himself, he thought he was seeing a young child, tired and beaten and naked to the world.

  Sam took a blanket that he carried rolled and tied over his shoulders and passed it to Sonny.

  ‘You’d better wrap this around you.’

  Then Sam passed him the water flagon, which he poured desperately over his lips, taking large gulps to relieve the unbearable thirst he felt. No longer able to talk because his mouth was so dry, he nodded in thanks.

  They walked west out of the forest. There were no guards placed around him, and in a very short time they stepped out into the late afternoon sunshine. Sonny was amazed that he’d been so close to the edge of the forest, so close to the fields and making his escape.

  How did I become so lost when I was so close to getting out? he thought.

  As if reading his mind, or sensing his confusion, Grandfather said, ‘The forest is a strange place, it plays tricks on your mind if you’re not careful. I’ve spent most of my life in and out of there, but I still get lost. It seems to change without warning.’

  Sonny didn’t know if he was thinking aloud, or talking to the others.

  They carried on west until they came to the levee, climbing to the top where the ground was drier and easier to cross. They walked through the late afternoon, relieved by the gentle breeze following the river and glancing right to follow the progress of the sun.

  It was dark when they reached the Meeting Place. People stood around in groups, waiting to see the stranger walking in the middle of the line. When they’d assembled near the fire, Grandfather raised his voice for all to hear.

  ‘It’s been a long day for everyone. We should rest with our families and meet here tomorrow for breakfast. Post the guards again for tonight.’

  The clan broke up and moved to their own family areas to eat and rest until morning. The others drifted away, leaving Sonny alone with Sam near the fire.

  ‘You say your name is Sonny, of the Mountain Pride. Will you give me your word, as a man, that you’ll be here tomorrow?’ asked Sam.

  Sonny raised himself and squared his shoulders.

  He nodded. ‘I’ll be here,’ he said.

  Sam led him to an open shelter near the fire. A gentle warmth radiated around the Meeting Place.

  ‘We keep this place for visitors and guests,’ Sam said. ‘But we can make an exception for you tonight,’ he added with a half smile. ‘There’s water in the flagons and fish beside the fire, help yourself. Join us for breakfast.’ Sam turned and left him.

  Sonny lay awake on the cot they’d placed in the shelter for him. Despite an enormous weariness, he lay unable to sleep. His bones and muscles ached, but he could find no rest on the soft bed. His mind was in turmoil. He couldn’t understand how these people could treat him with kindness after what he’d said and done. How could they feed him and give him water after his Pride had taken their children? How could they repair his broken leg, as if he were one of them, after the pain and chaos his own people had brought here?

  The questions kept running around in his mind, the confusion making his head spin. He wrapped a blanket tightly around himself and lay, watching the embers from the dying fire. Slowly, he drifted off into a sleep wracked by scenes of loss and sorrow.

  It was the rising heat from the stoked fire and the scraping of pots and dishes that eventually woke Sonny. He peeped out through half-closed eyes, taking in the activity around him. The clan roused itself for the new day. People passed by the shelter with a casual glance of interest at Sonny’s huddled shape under the blanket Sam had given him. No one stared or came close to intrude.

  After much soul searching, Sonny decided he really needed to face the world and these people. He swung his legs over the side of the cot, wrapped his blanket tight around him and shuffled over to a basin that had been placed near him with cool water. He
tried to wash the forest grime from his hands and arms, bathed his face, and, using his hands as a cup, poured water through his hair.

  Sonny looked down at this leg, seeing the skin had completely healed without scarring. He looked in amazement, rubbing the leg to convince himself he was not imagining it.

  Two days to heal a broken leg, he said to himself. What are these mosses?

  Sonny walked towards the fire looking for a flagon to drink and noticed Sam with his lady taking food back to a sitting area.

  Sam approached and spoke softly. ‘You didn’t eat last night,’ he observed. ‘You should take some fish,’ he offered. ‘You need to regain your strength.’

  ‘I don’t like fish,’ Sonny replied.

  Now it was Sam’s turn to look amazed.

  ‘You don’t like fish?’ he repeated in disbelief. ‘Everyone likes fish.’

  ‘I don’t,’ replied Sonny.

  Sam shook his head in wonder. ‘There’s cheese and bread over there,’ he said, pointing in the direction of a table which had been set up at the other side of the fire. ‘Come and join us here.’

  Sonny returned to the table where Sam sat with his wife, Salli. Opposite them sat Casey, with a young lady next to him. As he approached, he was struck by her beauty. Her dark eyes caught his for a moment, sizing him up from the top of his head to the dirt beneath his toe nails. Sonny watched her, but was unable to get any hint from her eyes as to her reaction to the invader that he felt he was. She gave off an aura of calm and confidence.

  ‘Join us,’ Sam said, nodding to a space opposite him.

  Sonny settled himself at the table, placing his plate in front of him. He noticed Casey staring at the food he’d brought for his breakfast.

  Sam also noticed Casey staring, ‘He doesn’t like fish,’ he said.

  Casey looked at him in astonishment. ‘You don’t like fish?’ he asked, incredulous.

  Sonny could only shake his head.

  ‘I thought all cats like fish,’ said the young lady sitting next to Casey.

  If anyone else had spoken these words, Sonny knew he would be angry, but the way the lady spoke, with laughter in her voice, he could only feel embarrassed.

  He tried to defend himself saying, ‘When I choose to reform, I become a Mountain Lion.’

  ‘A Mountain Lion?’ she asked. ‘Is that a family name, or an occupation?’ she asked, seemingly innocently.

  A smile fleetingly crossed her face as she resumed eating.

  ‘A Mountain Lion is a type of animal, one that lives in the high mountains above the snow line.’ He realised he was trying to justify himself; the young lady was making him feel very insecure.

  ‘Oh, I thought you were a large cat when I saw you yesterday.’

  ‘We are of the feline family,’ he replied, watching her eyes for any sign of her laughing at him.

  ‘Would you like some milk?’ she asked with an innocent smile on her face.

  ‘I don’t drink milk,’ Sonny said.

  There was a stunned silence at the table.

  ‘Oh, I thought all ...’

  ‘Kerri, please!’ said Sam’s wife, Salli. Those around the table tried to hide their laughter.

  Kerri’s eyes were dancing over him and Sonny realised she was playing games with him.

  They carried on eating in silence for a few minutes until Kerri said in seriousness, ‘We have little cats that live at the Meeting Place. They look like smaller versions of you. Do you think you’re all related?’

  Sam choked on a piece of fish.

  Sonny was lost for a reply until Casey picked up the thought.

  ‘Maybe they turn into little people,’ he said.

  ‘That must be so,’ said Kerri, ‘Frank has seen little people, he likes to tell everyone about them.’

  ‘Frank eats too many yellow berries,’ Salli pointed out.

  ‘Hmm. That’s true,’ replied Kerri thoughtfully.

  Sonny felt lost and out of his depth, not knowing what was said in seriousness and what not. This clan was a mystery to him that he was having trouble understanding.

  How could they sit and eat with him after his Pride had entered their land?

  The thought was broken when Sam said to Sonny, ‘Will you follow me? The clan has many questions we’d like to ask you.’

  Sonny’s nervousness must have shown on his face. Salli and Kerri looked down at the table, to save him more embarrassment.

  Sam led the way through the clearing to where the clan were now coming together. Sonny felt his knees shaking, being so nervous. He stood before them as a man for the first time.

  Without any preamble, Sam called loud, for all to hear, ‘Where are our children?’

  There was neither anger nor accusation in his voice, only a strength that demanded an answer. Sonny realised, for the first time, the seriousness of the events he was involved with. Before, this had seemed an adventure, a rite of passage towards becoming a leader of respect like his father, blindly following instructions without thinking to question them. With the statement voiced in the cold light of day, he realised what his Pride had done and the terror he had caused.

  ‘Where are our children?’ Sam asked again quietly.

  Sonny looked at Sam, caught his eye, but was unable to hold his gaze.

  ‘They’re gone... taken,’ he corrected himself. ‘Taken to the High Lands by my Pride,’ he managed to convey.

  ‘Are they alive?’ called Harri Boatman from the right.

  Sonny took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves, knowing he had to explain the actions of his Pride. He was not sure he could any longer justify them.

  ‘They are alive,’ was all he said.

  ‘How far is it to your High Lands?’ someone called

  ‘Why did you take them?’ someone called at the same time.

  Sonny stood confused, unable to choose which question to answer.

  Sam stepped forward and brought Sonny a flagon of water.

  ‘Drink,’ he said quietly, pushing the pitcher into his hand.

  ‘Tell us why you came, and why you took our children. Tell us your story,’ said Sam.

  There was silence while the clan watched and waited for Sonny to drink, wetting his throat, trying hard to put his thoughts, his story, into some coherence.

  Four days previous. Morning at Duma’s House.

  Holly sat at the end of the long table, lost in her own world, twisting and wringing her hands together, grinding her teeth, nervously waiting impatiently for... something. The approaching footsteps came unheard. The opening of the door brought no sign of interest.

  ‘Holly, Holly!’ She slowly registered her name being called. She turned to see the angry man, the one who’d promised her the lovely box, and her face lit up expectantly.

  ‘There’s a visitor come to see you.’

  She turned a little more and saw a boy standing with him. There was a familiarity about him. She tried to focus on his face, but it was so difficult these days. Without the box to play with, it was hard to concentrate.

  ‘Holly? What have they done to you?’

  The voice sounded sad, upset, but familiar.

  She tried hard to look again at the visitor. He was approaching her. Now I see you, she thought.

  ‘Carter, Carter Woodman?’

  ‘It’s me, Holly.’

  ‘Oh, Carter, have you come to take me home?’

  Carter was having trouble recognising her. He saw the small figure, and the dress he’d seen that day, the one Kerri gave her, that she was so proud of. But she looked so much older.

  ‘What have they done to you, Holly?’

  She managed to get out of the chair, and on wobbly legs tried to run to Carter. She threw her arms around him.

  ‘Oh, Carter, it’s so good to see you. I’ve been hoping so much someone would come.’

  ‘It’s okay, Holly, I’m here now, I’ll take care of you. What have they done to you?’

  ‘Oh, I’m helping them,’ she s
aid. ‘They’ve promised me a gift I can show my Mum, you should see it, it’s so beautiful, it’s... ‘

  ‘Holly! Remember our bargain,’ interrupted Duma.

  ‘I remember,’ she said, with sadness in her voice.

  ‘Will you take care of Holly, young man, will you help her?’

  ‘Of course I’ll look after her!’ said Carter angrily, ‘Why have you brought us here, what do you want with us? ‘

  ‘Yes, yes, all in good time, but first I want you to help me, and in return, I can give you a power so great, you’ll never want to leave, believe me. You and Holly are special,’ he said smoothly. ‘I’ll come back later, you just take good care of Holly.’

  His voice sounds friendly, but he smells like that part of the town where they shovel the animals’ droppings, Carter thought.

  His receding footsteps echoed around the empty house.

  That sounds just like the noise old Frank makes when he’s hammering his nails into those boxes he puts people in, he thought.

  ‘Holly, everything will be okay now. I’ll look after you. Come and sit with me, tell me what’s happened,’ Carter said, holding her tight.

  Sonny stood before them, gathering his thoughts, asking for help of his loved ones from his land faraway.

  If you can feel me now, please help, over the endless distance, across the valleys and plains, across the gateway.

  If you can hear me, please help me find the words to tell our story. Help me to explain that we are not evil, that we are afraid as these people are afraid, only we are afraid of losing everything and everyone, Sonny asked silently.

  He looked out over the assembled clan. He saw his mountains in the distance, his mother standing at the edge of the High Plains, watching and awaiting his return. So he began.

  ‘I come from the High Plains beyond the valley, which sits in the shadow of the tallest peaks. When the snow comes, we settle in the Low Plains with our herds. And when the snows retreat, we follow it, to the High Peaks, to the passes where the rivers are born and life begins.’ Sonny breathed deep, imagining he could feel again the cold, sharp air in his lungs, feeling alive for a moment.