Forest Keep 48
#2 of Forest Keep
Chapter 48
Duncan paced back and forth in his study, casting nervous glances at the window and the slowly setting sun. There was a neatly prepared table with a covered platter of steaming mutton and beef that the kitchen staff had gingerly manhandled up the narrow winding staircase as well as a jug of red wine cooling in a damp cloth.
Tugging worriedly at his pale tunic he sat carefully in his chair behind the desk and shuffled papers in a vague form of displacement activity as the light dimmed.
Picking one out at random, he read the plans that Father Champlain had laid out for the wedding, including the guest list. He let his eyes trail slowly down the list of names and sighed before reaching for his pen and signing his approval at the base. Sanding the page dry he laid it atop the pile of others. There would be trouble, especially once the lad's father found out.
He was dreading having to tell Earl Cheltenham that his son had gotten married quietly while under his care, even if he was of age to do so. The social repercussions alone would be sizable, especially if the Earl had already planned a match to another wealthy family. How would Cill cope with his family?
He was pondering the many implications of James's decision when there was a sudden flapping and rustling at the window, followed by a gentle tapping of claws.
Duncan grinned and walked towards the window, holding a hand out to assist Katreen down from the ledge.
"A good eve to you Lady Katreen" he murmured, feeling an odd tingle along his fingertips as the attractive gryphoness lightly stepped down onto the flagstones with her curious smile quirking the sides of her beak.
"And a fine evening to you Lord Duncan" she husked quietly in return, tucking her midnight wings in carefully before cocking her head at the room. It had been tidied significantly since her previous visit and her nares quivered at the delicious scents curling in the steam escaping from the covered platters.
"Please make yourself at home" urged Duncan, pulling a chair out for her, hoping there would be room for her wings.
"My thanks" murmured Katreen, hoping she wasn't appearing too anxious, carefully seating herself on the brocaded chair and curling her lionesque tail into her lap "I hope I have not been too much trouble"
"Of course not" Duncan stated grandly as he seated himself opposite her "It's a great pleasure to have you here"
Reaching over he poured a goblet of wine carefully and handed it to her "You are a welcome distraction from my various problems, I trust things are well with you?" he added, pouring himself a serving as well.
Katreen took a nervous sip of her wine and leant back "Indeed, your news has been welcomed by my pack and the word is being passed to the others by runner. I am glad of the opportunity to get some peace" she cocked her head at him curiously. "Though I am sure your problems are of a different nature"
Duncan chuckled "Oh yes, one thing about having a dragoness living here is that it is rarely quiet now. I have her wedding to organize with many problems and to top it off, last night one of the younger dragons went on a rampage and killed some outlaws to rescue a noblewoman" he sighed and leant back, not noticing how Katreen's ear tufts had suddenly perked forward.
"Unfortunately, her guards obviously thought he was after supper and attacked him as well so he was forced to defend himself" he shifted uneasily in his seat "I don't know what her father will do when he finds out as he killed them all as well"
Katreen nodded slowly, itching to ask a raft of questions but not wanting to seem intrusive.
"Word has reached us of this attack though we lacked the reason behind it; I shall let those concerned know that it was an unfortunate misunderstanding"
Duncan ran a slow hand through his hair, "A misunderstanding indeed, he has been punished by his elders and that will hopefully keep him out of mischief"
Katreen cocked her head at this "You sound doubtful of this" she murmured, her pointy tongue flicking into her wine once more.
Duncan nodded "He is a hot-headed young male who is looking for a female, he did manage to rescue the noblewoman but in doing so managed to convince her he was an outlaw himself"
Letting out a sigh he leaned forward and lifted the lids on the platters of the roasts, noting how her eyes widened in anticipation "Please, help yourself" he murmured "We don't want it getting cold while I ramble"
Katreen swallowed, her mouth flooding with saliva at the scents rising from the trays, beef was a true rarity for the pack as cows were a lot harder to rustle than sheep and she felt her stomach rumble in anticipation. Eagerly she reached for a dripping slice and before she realized, was tearing at it as if it was the last meal she would ever have. Hot juices ran down her beak and she cawed in pleasure at the taste and texture.
Duncan sat back in his chair, feeling a curious mixture of awe and pleasure at being able to satisfy his odd visitor. Grabbing a slice himself he tucked in similarly, privately wondering if this was something both James and Cill had discovered for themselves as well.
The light faded from her window and Caroline grunted in annoyance, reaching to light a solitary candle. The letter to her father was almost finished and she couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt in the way she had painted Tomako's role.
Now she came to write it down a lot of things didn't make sense. Surely he would not have attacked a heavily armed group of soldiers and outlaws without provocation. What she knew of him already showed he would only act in self defense and even then he knew it was wrong to kill.
He had been sorely injured in - if the old man was to be believed - saving her. The guards would have simply assumed he was with the outlaws and treated him as such.
She scowled darkly at the accusing parchment and chewed ferociously on a lock of blonde hair. If only he wasn't so damn attractive! She had eyed his muscles throughout the trip and those eyes seemed to reach into her very soul, making her heart skip a beat every time he looked at her. She growled and crumpled the parchment into a ball, scowling as she threw it across the room.
Her attractive brow furrowed lightly as she wrestled with the internal conflict. Perhaps there was a way to work this out after all. It wouldn't be easy but there was another person who apparently knew Tomako well.
James sat up in his bed and yawned widely; stretching his arms high over his head he let out a satisfied grunt. He felt somewhat refreshed but could feel his mana was lower than usual, it was an odd sensation and one he was coming to recognize as he grew into his power.
Staggering out of bed and tugging on a pair of breeches and shirt he made his way to the door. He was just about to open it when Cill dashed in, still in her human guise. She slammed the door closed behind her and threw her weight against it. "She's coming" she hissed angrily.
James blinked, still somewhat groggy from his enforced rest "Who?" he mumbled.
"That-that human woman!" growled Cill, still pressed against the door "I saw her heading this way!"
James grinned and kissed her on the tip of her nose "You don't need to worry love, she's not going to steal me"
Cill tried to growl and flushed as her human throat turned it into a rough gargle. "You've got that right" she muttered, not moving from her guarding position. There was a hesitant-sounding knock at the door. Cill tensed.
James leaned forward "Let her in love, she can tell us her side of the story" Cill quivered nervously as she reluctantly released her talons from the wood and let him tug her away slowly.
"We'll greet her together" he murmured, wrapping his arm around her waist and reaching for the handle. Cill hurriedly forced a smile onto her face and watched as the door opened to reveal a disheveled and frowning Caroline.
There was a long awkward moment as Caroline took in the view that greeted her. The attractive woman who had been assisting the healer when she had arrived was there with James grasping her possessively around the waist. She flicked her eyes up and down rapidly, not missing the prominent gold ring displayed upon a slender finger.
James stepped in rapidly, his courtly manners coming to the fore "Welcome Lady Hampton" he exclaimed, giving a low bow "It is good to see you again, I apologize for not being able to greet you sooner but I was unaware of your arrival"
Caroline barely noticed, she could feel the other woman's gaze on her and also sensed the barely concealed hostility and wondered what she had done.
James coughed gently and guided Cill a little closer, "May I introduce my betrothed, The Lady Cill"
Caroline's upbringing rescued her from the awkwardness she suddenly felt. A lot of things were becoming clear, she held out a dainty hand "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Cill", she replied, insincerity dripping from every vowel. She had come to a rapid decision and realized she did not stand a chance against this woman. All sorts of warning bells were clanging in her head. That did not mean she had to like her though.
Cill glanced briefly at James, the question already posed in her head. "What do I do?"
James hurriedly sent back "Shake her hand gently for a few seconds" he muttered over the private band, belatedly realizing she needed coaching in a few basic human courtesies.
Cill reached out as though she was touching something nasty and shook Caroline's hand slowly, resisting the urge to crush it. "Pleased to meet you Lady Hampton" she said slowly, taking her cues from her mate.
"Please come inside Milady" murmured James, "I heard you had some trouble on the way here?" he said, closing the door behind her, trying to blot out Cill's mental grumbling as Caroline stepped inside.
"Oh yes, It was dreadful. What have you heard? I'm sure there will have been a lot of rumours" replied Caroline, taking a seat at the table, her heart pounding nervously, unable to avoid the way Cill was staring at her.
James's gaze flickered to Cill and back again, "That you had been set upon by outlaws and that thankfully Tomako was able to assist in your rescue"
Caroline sniffed, her nostrils flaring delicately as hints of dragon musk tickled her sinuses "That is something I need to ask you about." She folded her hands into her lap nervously, unconsciously kneading them slowly.
James seated himself, pulling Cill into his lap "Oh? please ask away"
Taking a deep breath Caroline went through the story from the way she had seen it. Cill watched her intently all the way through, increasing her nervousness.
When she finally reached the end, culminating in Tomako's collapse at the gates, she looked at Cill and swallowed. "I just want to know if you believe he really wanted to help"
Cill's eyes narrowed as she thought for a moment, "Tomako is under solemn oath to protect the area of the keep and its inhabitants. He heard you scream and rushed to help." She finished carefully, not wanting to reveal too much. As abruptly as it had been with Shalla, she had a flash of insight, remembering the clanmasters words about Caroline - this females interest had shifted to Tomako now and her animosity wavered uncertainly.
James nodded slowly in agreement "Tomako is a fine man, he is strong and honorable and I know he would be a fearsome fighter if pressed"
Cill turned her gaze upon her mate and mentally murmured the clanmasters suspicions to him, a humorous glint in her eyes.
Caroline watched the mute exchange curiously and wondered what was going on.
James nodded and turned to her "So why are you so curious? From what I hear you want him to hang" he asked bluntly.
Caroline's hands returned to their random kneading "I know we were attacked, that was not his fault, but he said he had killed them all. That they had made him do so"
James reached over and poured out some water, handing it to the nervous noblewoman who sipped it slowly. "I take it you saw him fight?' he asked carefully, not knowing if Tomako had been indiscreet with his dragon form.
Caroline dropped her gaze and passed a hand over her brow in shame "N-no...I was hiding in the wagon - I heard the screams and a strange roaring - when it all stopped I ran out in fear. He was the only one alive there"
She took a deep breath "He was badly injured but I remembered what my father told me and sewed him up. When we were attacked a few hours later he disarmed the knave that appeared and was going to kill him but I stopped him"
James nodded slowly and Caroline watched as there was another few seconds where the couple seemed to gaze into one another's eyes.
"Tomako is already being punished for his reckless actions" James stated slowly "But I understand that you and your father may have further grievances that need to be addressed. How do you think he should make retribution?"
Caroline blinked, another form of penance had not occurred to her other than seeing Tomako hanged.
"I-I don't know" she said "I think I have wronged him for his actions but my father will not be easily swayed once he hears of the death of his friends"
James sighed and nodded "I've met your father and I agree" he muttered "I think we need to sleep on this problem and you need to talk to Tomako again"
Caroline swallowed nervously and nodded "I shall" and slowly stood up.
Cill and James did likewise, James smoothly moving himself between them and towards the door "I hope you will stay for our wedding" he asked with a grin "I was hoping you would be Cill's bridesmaid"
Caroline flushed and nodded slowly "I would be honored" she murmured and turned to curtsey to Cill, who smiled and leant forward to whisper something to her that James could not hear. Caroline flushed even deeper and fled before James could ask.
Cill gave a giggle "She really fancies him but is very confused" she finally told her mate. "I think she will work something out though"
James grasped her hips and kissed her gently, "Well, I think your glamour has passed its hardest test yet" he chuckled, giving her rump a teasing slap "It certainly feels nice"
Cill gave a mock growl and shoved him towards the bed "Since you're feeling better, perhaps you can give it more of a test then"
Duncan and Katreen sat together in front of the fireplace and talked, every so often her feathery thighs would brush against his or a wing would stroke an arm. He felt his heart pound heavily at each brief contact and felt sure she could hear it.
Katreen was also experiencing similar reactions and felt both confused and exhilarated, she inched a little closer and leaned towards Duncan, the firelight making her eyes glow seductively.
"So tell me Lord Duncan, do you have a mate?" she asked huskily, unsure at how the question would be received.
Duncan, captivated by her eyes and voice shook his head slowly, "No" he murmured in reply "I had a wife, but she passed away" brief pain flickered in his own eyes as they held hers. "It was a long time ago but I have not found a woman that could match her..." Emboldened perhaps by the wine he found himself asking "...and do you have a mate?"
Coyly cocking her head to one side, Katreen kept her gaze locked on his "Not yet" she murmured "Though lately there has been one male who has caught my eye"
She watched carefully and grinned to herself at his look of brief dismay.
"I'm sure he is an excellent gryphon" Duncan said, shuffling awkwardly in the chair "and will be a good provider"
Katreen felt as if she suddenly had two separate voices yelling in her ear tufts, one was exultant in that she knew now that Duncan was as interested in her as she was in him. The other was screaming that she was really going to get into trouble if she let this go any further. She swallowed hard and leant back a little, "Well I don't know if he is a good hunter yet, or will want chicks, but it's not something to rush"
Duncan nodded "I should like to meet him sometime"
Katreen suppressed a giggle, internally aghast at what she was planning.
"Maybe, but we haven't hunted together yet either" she hinted.
Duncan even missed this, "We haven't, have we" he murmured "When would you like to go out? What would you like to hunt - Deer? Boar?"
Katreen's tail flicked nervously as she considered "Boar would be nice" she replied eagerly, leaning forwards once more "How about tomorrow morning?"
Duncan grinned "That would be excellent. Does your pack have a leader?" he asked.
Katreen nodded slowly "Meron Darktail is our leader. He is determined and honorable" she wondered where he was going with the enquiry.
"Do you think it would be a good gesture if we presented him with the results of our hunt?" Duncan asked earnestly. "It would show I mean well for the gryphons"
Katreen gazed at him for a long moment. How on earth could he have worked that one out, she wondered. It would certainly make an impression. A lone human walking into a gryphon pack while carrying a carcass would be sure to create a stir. The social implications alone would be sizable as it would signify a humility and spirit worthy of alliance.
It might interfere with her agenda but the chance was too good to pass up.
"I think that would be an excellent idea" she murmured, her paw covering his hand hesitantly, as if unsure of how the gesture would be received.
Duncan's free hand came up and covered her paw slowly, caressing the back of it as he looked at her. "As do I", he murmured "It means I get to spend more time with you as well"
Katreen felt her nares flushing but found herself unable to look away, a little alarmed at why she suddenly felt like an adolescent facing her first mating? She trembled a little and nodded while her heart fluttered in her chest "You enjoy my company then, Lord Duncan?"
Duncan nodded slowly, not relinquishing his gentle grasp on her paw "More than I have enjoyed another's for a long time" he swallowed nervously "More than I should perhaps"
Katreen's smile grew even broader and she gave a cluck of approval, her head cocked to one side as she pondered what the next day would bring.
Divitchka patiently lay in wait. Careful questioning of several nervous young dragons had led him to this remote cavern, the high ceiling of which was covered in pink quartz crystals that diffracted the fading sunlight into delightful colors against the inner walls. He had been told that Eriga sometimes liked to visit the cavern to watch the display.
Flexing his talons slowly he pondered his actions once he had located the dragoness that had caused all this trouble. She would be alone and unprotected, no puny human would be a match for him so once finished off he would have plenty of time to make an example of her that would last for centuries, Dams would whisper her fate into hatchlings ears to scare them into obedience.
He would have to ensure there were no surviving witnesses as he was acting against the Clan laws. He snorted to himself in disgust; there were times when one had to act knowing that one was right and doing the one necessary thing others were too scared to do. Drawing comfort from this knowledge he settled further back into the deeper shadows of the cave and waited.