Matron Litra watched as the scout was carried out of the room, his feet dragging across the floor. “Well, that is one unpleasantness done with,” Matron Gitzel stated, “Now what to do with them?” as she pointed at the bound hunters seated off to the side.
Matron Takka snorted derisively, “it''s obvious they have been corrupted by that scout,” she said loudly and turned her head to face the hunters, “Perhaps a public whipping and exile”.
Litra watched as the hunters, particularly their leader stiffened at the statement. That they retained the good sense to remain silent as the Matrons spoke was a point in their favor. She opened her mouth to speak but Matron Mvris spoke first, “Now now Takka, that''s a bit harsh. That they deserve punishment is undeniable, but they are not completely without honor, perhaps they should assist Delvik in capturing the Human?”.
“You are right Mvris,” Matron Gitzel stated, “exiling them would only harm the tribe, perhaps some time patrolling the border of the Human lands will show them their folly.”
The Elder Matron waved over the leader of the Watchers, Litra suppressed a shiver as he came before the platform, Telnir had always made her feel unsettled. It was the eyes she thought, the way he had that glassy, far off look when he spoke with you as if you were an insect.
“Telnir, place them in the cells so they can hear what happens to those who betray the tribe.” Matron Gtizel said coldly, “but leave them unharmed, they will assist Delvik in retrieving the Human.”
The head of the watchers bowed before the Matrons, “It will be as you wish Matrons”, was all he said before signaling the remaining Watchers to escort the prisoners away. Turning back to face the Matrons, “With your permission, I will personally see to the interrogation of Delvik. He will tell us all he knows of this Human and its lair”.
“You may go Telnir, get those answers and be mindful of his condition. The Human will likely not come out for any save Delvik. The hunters reported that it had a powerful deathstick and some means of protection.” the Eldest stated warningly to Telnir. He simply nodded respectfully to the Eldest and then to the other Matrons before turning and departing.
Once the chamber was empty, the Elder Matron let out a long breath and sagged into her seat. “What a damned mess this is, that foolish boy”, she said. “I cannot believe he fell for a Humans lies”
Gamir stood and walked over to stand in front of the Eldest before speaking, “but what if it is not a ploy Eldest?, what if Delvik speaks the Truth?”
The three older matrons laughed at her question, causing her whiskers to droop in embarrassment. Litra winced in anticipation, Gamir hated being laughed at. “I ask this seriously Matrons, is it not our role to think and consider, not simply deny outright,” she shouted back angrily at the older Matrons, “What if Delvik is correct, and this Human could help us, with food, medicine and anything else we could use to not simply survive, but thrive?”
The three stopped laughing and stared at the young Matron. Matron Takka quickly stood and stepped forward towards Gamir and a loud slap echoed throughout the chamber, and Gamir went sprawling to the floor of the platform. “Foolish girl, simple child. You would defend endangering the Burrow and the Tribe. Humans are nothing but beasts, no better than the Arvo.” Takka shouted at her.
The other two rose as well and moved over to the fallen Gamir, Mvris pulling Takka back as the Eldest approached the girl. “Youth and inexperience show in your words Gamir. Our people have been hunted and killed by Humans as far back as our history goes.” she said, helping the young Matron back to her feet. “This is for you too, Litra. The blood of our people spilled by Humans could drown this Burrow like a flood. Could a Human be friendly to our kind, it is possible, but would you risk the lives of everyone in this Burrow to test it?” The Elder Matron sighed deeply before continuing, “This is the wisdom you must learn, our role is to guide it forward in a way that protects and preserves our people.”
“Come, let us retire. It has been a trying day, and we must discuss the future. I fear we may need to move again if Humans and Arvo are moving into this area.” Matron Gitzel said, “ I had hoped after fifteen winters in relative peace we were safe.”
As they left the platform, Gamir shot Litra a look that she knew well, and with a sigh resigned herself to an evening of Gamir ranting about the lack of respect from the older Matrons. It wasn''t that she didn''t understand Gamirs’ point, she agreed wholeheartedly with her on that. It was just aht Gamir was quick to speak her mind and even quicker to losing control of her temper. They were both Matrons, but they were the youngest. The others would always look down on them as if they were children, and challenging the older Matrons would only feed into that perception.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
No, they would need to be subtle to find the real reason for their reaction to Delviks discovery. With a last look at the items left scattered around the strange bag, Litra shook her head and began planning for later as she left the platform.
***************************************************
In a shadow and smoke filled room, a figure sat at a table against the back wall. The Master Scouts tail twitched as irritation turned to concern as he waited for his student to arrive. It wasn''t like his pupil to be late, at least not without sending word first. Indral considered Delviks punctuality to be one of his best traits. He tried to ignore the growing worry by speaking with other patrons of the Knotted Tail, catching up with other friends and associates.
Something was wrong, he was sure of it. Delvik would have sent word if he were to be this late. His tail had stopped twitching, and the other patrons took notice. They saw the jovial face turn neutral, the bright eyes go flat. Conversation in the Knotted Tail trailed off, the younger patrons taking cues from the elders. Not all knew the history of the Rakus named Indral, at least not by that name. Some patrons shared knowing looks with their drinking companions, some might go and dust off old boxes that night, just in case things got interesting.
When old Grim got serious, things always got interesting.
Master Scout Indral had questions, and he would get answers.
***************************************************
“My my young Delvik, what a mess you''ve gotten yourself into,” the leader of the Watchers said calmly as he watched his people secure Delvik. “If you had simply come to me first with news of this Human; well, we wouldn''t be in this situation at all”,
“Do you like this setup, I learned it from my time watching those Humans to the south, such interesting creatures they are” Telnir said gently, “the things they do to each other, truly barbarous”
Delvik glared at the watchers leader, “What have you done, what stories have you whispered to the Matrons to make them fear even the idea of working with a single Human?” he said with a growl.
Telnir laughed at the question, “The fear has always been there, especially in the older generations. They remember the times of Human raiders, the burning of Burrow and the hunting of our kind. I simply reminded them that the Human settlements continue to grow, that they expand closer every winter.” he said with a smirk, “oh and i must thank you for those lovely books you kept bringing back. They were quite enlightening on the subject of Humans and their history.”
Delvik spat at him, “You bastard, I am trying to save our people. With Thomas’ help we can end hunger in the Tribe, lessen or end the worst of the sickness that sweeps through the Burrow, maybe even bring pe…” his word cut off as Telnirs fist buried itself in Delviks stomach.
“Pretty ideas, and perhaps some may even come true, with your pet Human on a leash and under my control.” The watcher said in a mocking tone, “I have plans for your pet Human, oh so many plans, especially after hearing from my eyes about that special armor you wore, and seeing the gifts you brought back, so so many plans now.”
Telnir grabbed Delvik by his muzzle, squeezing painfully, “but first, you are going to tell me everything you know about that bunker and what that Human can do.”
***************************************************
In a glade, hidden deep in a swamp that once was a national park, a scaled figure lay prone, shaking in fear before a great stump that had been carved into a throne, and It spoke in a hiss filled language.
…
“So you say a raccoon person, armored as a robot, and a human in a white coat destroyed your entire hunting party” a feminine voice said.
…
“The raccoon person WAS defeated by Alpha Skigg, but then the Human blew his head up. Hmmm.. interesting, go on” the voice replied.
…
“And you played dead in order to escape and report back; I see, quite clever of you.”
The glade descended into a nerve tightening silence for all those but the figure upon the stump. She sat there, tapping a finger against her jaw and seemingly deep in thought. The gathered mass of mutant, alligator-like creatures stood nervously in a semi-circle surrounding the stump. At last she placed both hands on the arm rest of the stump throne, which would be comical due to the throne being designed for someone three times larger, none here would dare laugh.
“Rise and prepare to receive my decision, unnamed one.” she said.
The prone figure rose to stand on shaky legs.
“You three,” she said, her finger pointing out the three figures standing behind the one who had just stood up, “you knew of Skigg’s foolishness and did nothing to stop him, nor bring it to my attention.”
The three she had indicated froze in terror, those closest to them moved away as if they bore sickness.
The female pointed at the one who stood on shaky legs before her, “you participated, but as an unnamed had no choice but to obey the Alpha. That you returned to report has earned you mercy, and perhaps a reward.”
The crowd of Arvo shifted nervously, watching the queen, their Omega, pass judgment. They watched as her milky white, sightless yet seeing eyes settled on the three she had pointed out first.
Guttural screams echoed across the glade as three chests ripped open from the inside, dark blood spraying across the soggy ground and their hearts floated out of the gaping holes in their chests.
They watched in fear and awe as she raised her hand towards the one who had returned, and purple streaks of lightning flickered from her fingers connecting to its head.
Another scream echoed through the glade, but rather than death following, a new life began. As a nimbus of purple energy surrounded the head of the unnamed one, it sank to its knees. Its clawed hands clutching at its head.
As the nimbus faded, so did its screams.
“Arise my new Alpha, and name yourself.” she said.
As it stood, a new light could be seen in its eyes, it thought were clearer than ever before, and for the first time in its life, it truly spoke, “I am Saav,” and it bowed before the throne, “I live to serve, great Queen.”