Spirit Animals: The Keeper's Book

Chapter Thirteen: Place of Desolation

Growing up in Amaya and recovering from the terrible shipwreck, Jenna had heard many stories about volcanoes — tales of fallen kingdoms now buried under blankets of petrified ash. But none of those stories how startling it was to behold an actual live near volcano.
It was nearly an hour before the Ninani's Heart came within view of the steaming black mountain that towered over the horizon. The volcano was massive — large enough to hold half of her home city inside of it.
"Wow, those Redcloaks sure know how to put up an impression," remarked Keith.
The base of the volcano was encased in the thick shell of an enormous icy glacier. Rivulets of steaming red lava snaked through the ice, filling the air with a damp, sulfurous odor. The Ninani's Heart had been docked at another pier that looked to have been chiseled out of the side of the glacier. Small huts and glistening bridges were similarly cut from the ice. Jenna had let Destiny go into her passive form on her left wrist before the small Greencloak team carefully shuffled down the gangplank and onto the glacier's surface. Unlike the snow up north, the ground here was hard — the sort that would hurt to fall on.
"Careful Jenna," Gavi warned Jenna.
"I know." She felt someone gently taking her hand, Jenna turned to see Worthy and smiled at him softly.
But they both separated themselves from each other as Stead led the small team of Greencloaks up some narrow steps that curved around the edge of the volcano, providing them an overhead view of the camp. Glancing down, Jenna saw that everyone was wearing red cloaks — except for a small group pack of kids just a bit younger than her. There were maybe a half dozen of them, all of them wearing sealskin coats.
"Are those...?" Jenna wasn't sure how to phrase gently.
"Yes, those are the other victims of Zerif's parasites," said Stead, his voice heavy. "They have also summoned Great Beasts as spirit animals." Jenna sighed roughly, sympathy went over her features. "Zerif tracked them all down and stole their spirit animals. Sometimes destroying their homes and families in the process. They're here to take back what was stolen from them."
Jenna nodded understandingly as she continued gazing down at them. The children were all working diligently, helping to dig trenches in the ice, cooking food, mending boots. The idea that these Redcloaks had managed to gather the other Great Beast summoners impressed her that a secretive group had managed to find them and keep them safe.
"Right now, we should eat, before King comes," said Stead. "He's going to want to talk to you."
"He does?" Jenna exchanged a confused glance with her gathered friends.
Jenna and the others soon found themselves sitting in an alcove carved into the side of the mountain. A small group of Redcloaks joined them there, but stood aloof several feet away. It was as if they were afraid of the Keeper of Greenhaven and the small band of Greencloaks. Afraid... or ashamed.
Stead removed his mask to reveal a pair of horizontal pupils in his eyes — just like a ram. It encouraged the other Redcloaks appeared to be from different parts of the world, much like the Greencloak team. As they removed their masks, Jenna saw a girl with the flitting black eyes of a bird, a man with pinhole pupils like a lizard, and another with sad, doglike eyes. Jenna tried her best not to stare at them.
Though the air outside was freezing, the temperature in the alcove was comfortable. A vein of red lava flowed through a man-made channel that ran around the perimeter, warming the ground just enough so Jenna could breathe without shivering. The Redcloaks outside were busy tending to an enormous cauldron of stew that was hanging over a pool of bubbling lava.
Stead was watching them, his unique eyes moving between the figures. Many of their masks were off now. It seemed they were preparing to eat. "This is Shadow." The woman with catlike eyes nodded to them. "And these—" He nodded towards two boys who had kept their masks on — a wildcat and a bird with a long, straight beak — "Are Worthy and Jolt." Jenna's eyes widened when she saw her friend again. "Though, Jenna may already know them by different names."
The two boys slowly removed their masks, and Jenna let out a silent gasp. Standing before her and her friends were none other than Devin Trunswick and Karmo — two of the young former Conquerors they'd hunted for Runfuss's talisman and for Briggan's talisman.
In the brief and haunting encounters she'd had with Devin, Jenna had never once seen the boy without a smirk. Now the Euran noble's catlike eyes seemed weighted to the ground — like he was ashamed to be seen by her. Hesitantly, Jenna gently placed a hand on his shoulder and caused him to look at her regretfully, but his expression brightened when Jenna smiled at him and showing him that she had forgiven him for what happened last year.
Jenna took a seat with Keith, Gavi, Kirsi, Desta, Nico, and Emilia. Jolt served them serving bowls of fish stew.
"More fish," grumbled Keith, causing Jenna to roll her eyes knowingly.
"Mind him." Kirsi gave her boyfriend a teasing smirk. "He still doesn't have his sea legs yet."
"Which is strange, considering how much we travel together," added Nico teasingly.
Jenna bit back a snicker at their playful quips towards their annoyed friend as she warmed herself up and ate her fishy meal. That's a complete understatement if she ever heard one, she figured and remembered how seasick he was when he brought her to the Island of Greenhaven. She was surprised to hear sounds of amusement by the Redcloaks. So far, they didn't crack any jokes nor laughed. But now, they are showing their amused laughter.
Jenna could see that the Redcloaks see each other as their family. She could see the love, devotion, care, and support they have for each other. Much like how she sees the Greencloaks and Destiny as part of her family.
Glancing hesitantly at Stead, Jenna pushed back her left sleeve and her right hand gently ran over the passive form of her beloved spirit animal. "Is it okay if I summon my spirit animal?"
Stead smiled softly at her. "Sure. Go ahead Jenna."
She soon longed the presence of Destiny by her side. In a flash of light, the wolf tattoo had disappeared from her left wrist and Destiny had appeared whilst startling the others. The red wolf barked and chased her tail excitedly, increasing the amusement between the Greencloaks and the Redcloaks.
"Nice to see you too Destiny." Jenna laughed softly at the amusing sight. Destiny looked at Jenna eagerly and she soon made Jenna laugh as the wolf licked her on the cheek. She slung her front paws over Jenna's shoulders and pulled Jenna into a wolf hug. Jenna returned the hug and kissed Destiny's forehead. The two of them both pulled back from the hug after a bit and Jolt generously gave the red wolf a bowl of fish stew, in which she excitedly ate it as Jenna gently stroked her fur.
Many of the Redcloaks looked down as they gazed at the affectionate bonding moment between the girl and her wolf spirit animal. They each felt guilty and regretful of forcing their original spirit animals to be bonded with them through the Bile. Some of them even felt guilty for mistreating their spirit animals. Seeing the Keeper and her spirit animal bonding with each other just poured salt into the wound.
There was a sound of footsteps echoing off hard stone. All at once, the relaxed manner of the Redcloaks changed as they put down their bowls and sprang to attention.
"Now that you've all eaten." King's voice was heard from behind them. "It's time for you all to that I used to be known by another name." Jenna turned to see King standing in the mouth of a tunnel, his figure lit orange against the magma glow. They all watched as King reached behind his head and slowly unfastened his mask, revealing himself to the rescued Keeper and the Greencloaks. "You knew me as Shane." Jenna cringed, Keith stiffened, Kirsi glared, Gavi eyed him warily, Desta hid her shock, and Nico and Emilia both exchanged startled glances.
Shane had once been a strong, handsome ruler — heir to the throne of Stetriol. Now he looked like a... hybrid. (No offense to him and his team).
Shane soon told Jenna and her friends everything about the Wyrm and the Great Beasts, as well as the history behind it and the truth of Kovo's intentions. The small team of friends exchanged glances, worried about their families and friends back at Greenhaven Castle.
After a silent conversation between the small team of friends, Jenna broke away from them and met King's eyes boldly with Destiny standing by her side. "We'll stay here and help finish Kovo's plan."

It was late at night. Barely anyone was up on the main deck, preferring to rest below. A perfect time to speak with him. Pushing aside her doubts, she quickly knocked on the door, flinching slightly when the wood gave way, creaking slightly.
"King? Ugh, I mean Shane?" Jenna and Destiny both hesitantly stepped into his sleeping quarters, hand on the sword at her hip. "Are you there?"
It was... quaint, in a way. The room was haphazardly filled with lavish and makeshift items with no rhyme or reason to their placement. A cheaply-made bed frame held up a straw mattress, but on the opposite end of the room sat a expensive portrait with a frame to match. Intrigued, she silently searched around.
She soon heard a pair of footsteps behind her. "Jenna?" Shane's voice had matured and become more gravely, was still as recognizable as the saltwater crocodile he once commanded. "What are you doing here?"
She locked eyes with him, noting the yellow coloring matches the saltwater crocodile he had bonded with through the Bile. Inwardly gathering her courage, Jenna finally spoke to him. "I want to say I'm sorry."
Shane blinked, clearly stunned by her bold apology to him. "Why are you apologizing to me for?"
Jenna sighed, remembering her success of defeating Drina with Destiny and the horrified guilt when Abeke told her about Drina's death upon the ship during her captivity that has been caused by Gerathon. "I'm afraid that I'm partially responsible for your sister's passing." She bowed her head to him, guiltily. "And I'm sorry for that."
Shane was stunned by Jenna's guilt and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, gently comforting her. "Jenna. It's not your fault." A pained expression flickered across his face. "If it's anyone's fault, it's mine... and mine alone. I was the one who gave her the Bile in the first place." He gazed at her pleadingly, which reminded Jenna of Worthy. "Please don't blame yourself for what happened."
She smiled at him gratefully. "Alright. I will. Thank you, Shane."
Just as Jenna left the room, she heard Shane's voice and caught a brief smile on his face as they caught each other's eyes. "No. Thank you, Jenna."