Sons of Ironstorm: Book 5 - Griffon's War

Gathering the Races

Kastor's appreciation for Storm Keeps sheer magnitude and martial power were echoed a half turn of the big glass later when Lawrence's portals ushered in the kings and queens of the Horus states.

"My Lord Wielder," General Ashengar said with a formal bow as he stepped through the portal first, obviously to show the muraan monarchs that it was safe. "Thank you for saving us a couple days' travel in the cold."

Lawrence inclined his head in reply.

"You are most welcome, General," he said with a wry smile. "I can only imagine your colleagues from the other side of the Rift weren't enjoying the Aramas winter!"

The handsome Ben'havid commander chuckled.

"Not especially, my lord," he said. Then he was stepping aside to let the first of the muraan kings to step through, which was none other than King Kem'gast himself, Mram'met's lord and master.

<My Lord Wielder,> the burly king of Ru'run said as he carefully stepped through the seething circle in space and immediately spotted Lawrence standing nearby.

<King Kem'gast,> the big human replied, his smile becoming a pleased one. <Thank you for joining us here.> He reached out to take the muraan monarch's forearm in greeting. <Welcome to Storm Keep!>

Giving Lawrence's forearm a squeeze strong enough to break most men's bones, Kem'gast nodded as he turned to look at the massive fortress stretching away from the outer wall to butt up against the mountain at its back.

<Now this is a fortress!> he boomed with a sudden laugh. <No wonder you look to make a defense here.>

<And it's fully stocked for a considerable muraan compliment,> Mram'met added as he stepped into the courtyard to stride towards them, his brother Hhe'muk right behind him. <We will not want for supplies here, my king.>

<Only a warm fire and some good ale to drink by it!>

<Ha!> Kem'gast exclaimed, his muzzle rippling with delight. <You survived the battle of Tal Morun, my phiseti! Maker be praised!> Then the two big cats were embracing, fists thumping each others' backs like drums.

Stepping back, Kem'gast acknowledged Hhe'muk with a pleased nod.

<And your brother as well? Fortune smiles on us!>

<Only if the weather abruptly gets warmer!> Vahz'hebedin grumbled as she stepped through the portal, moving aside to let a stream of snow, and frost-covered muraan warriors to tumble through behind her.

<Where is this fire and ale you speak of, captain? Take me immediately to it! My bones are frozen to my guts!>

Mram'met couldn't help the amused shiver of his whiskers in response, an expression that Kem'gast and Hhe'muk both echoed. Before he could say anything, however, a warm presence beside him made him look over. And the big Scion quickly felt an undeniable pleasure to find himself looking at the sleek figure of Dani'isis in her cold weather gear, the delta princess favoring him with a long, blue-eyed look before turning her attention to the two muraan monarchs.

<King Kem'gast, Queen Vahz'hebadin, welcome to Storm Keep,> she said in a formal tone, bowing her head respectfully.

<Dani'isis,> the old queen fairly spat. <What are you doing here, traitor?>

Mram'met felt his hackles rise as his ears laid back against his skull, Vahz'hebadin's tone enough to make him reach for the haft of his mystic weapon. How dare she question the female that defied not only her own mother, but the demon that had manipulated Dani'cheris into declaring war against the entire Horus as well to save himself and Lawrence both from the corrupted queen's dungeons!