The Hunter's Song II: Lost Blood

Ch 8: Hound (Dran)

"Why so glum?" I greeted the grumbling crimson Forged warrior.

Shale sat hunched on a metal bench scrolling through a holoscreen filled with a stream of back-and-forth messages. I spotted Mourning Crow's name among the senders seconds before Shale deactivated the glowing blue letters.

Five cycles ago, I never would have dared to strike up such an informal conversation with the High Council Member, but bonding with his lifemates had made Shale much more approachable.

"Not glum, just deliberating an insoluble dilemma," Shale leaned forward to pet my hound, Dox, when she trotted up to lick his hand.

He scooted over and let me sit next to him on the bench. Like me, the Forged awaited his offspring to be released from their daily communal education.

"Though," Shale raised his brow. "Perhaps I should be the one offering sympathy after your spectacular defeat in the commissary."

"You saw?" I couldn't help but chuckle.

I'd been mindful these last five cycles to withhold my courtship overtures during the integration of Menthla into the Nexus. Lost Coyote was tasked with supervising the transition and I didn't dare interfere with her efforts.

However, all of that changed today.

She was taking on a new vocation and officially transferring to Sahei.

Now was my chance!

Mourning Crow and her sons aided me in composing a bonding song for Lost Coyote these last few months. They offered to mask my natural Zhaguai voice with backup vocals and music, but according to razkur tradition, such an intimate song must be sung solo and a cappella.

I made my first declaration this morning, decked out in my finest jewelry to present Lost Coyote with a large puugo skull for her daily morning meal. It was a known delicacy on Menthla.

As expected, this being my first attempt at a female far above my rank and station, Lost Coyote refused it.

"No," Shale shook his long quills with a laugh. "But I doubt anyone in the crowd will ever forget witnessing the spectacle of an Forged offspring of Oru screech his heart out to the female he desires. I'm told the recordings are making the rounds across all of Sahei."

"For our lifemates," I chittered with a wide grin. "We must go above and beyond."

"Hmmm," Shale agreed. "I take it Kazz'mon has extended your access to the pup."

The red-scaled Forged was kind enough to shift the subject away from my humbling performance.

"Yes," I nodded brightly. "The Doctor granted me temporary guardianship of the Blood Weaver this week while she is on Menthla training razkur doctors on Zhaguai triage techniques. I'm teaching the pup the basics of commanding hounds."

"Ah," Shale smiled. "I understand the pups had a flight test today. It is good your offspring was present to take the exam. Raven Tide speaks highly of her special awareness."

"According to Blood Weaver," I added. "Crazy Wolf excels in coding and mathematics and Raven Tide has an aptitude for defensive maneuvers."

"They should perform well today," Shale folded his arm proudly over his chest. "The boys were enthusiastic in their studies and trained extensively in the simulator."

It wasn't surprising that the twins were formidable students and displayed the makings of superior warriors. They were lankier than males their age but possessed the strength of females twice their age. According to Mourning Crow, Shale had taken the lead in mentoring their combat training. Their high scores and physical advantages would be invaluable for keeping Blood Weaver competitive throughout her standard education.