Shift: NOT a Werewolf Story

Chapter Thirty-One: Polish Your Armor

HAHA LAST CHAPTER BEFORE THE BATTLE!!! IM SUPER EXCITED FOR THE END OF THIS BOOK, I HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT!! THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO AN AWESOME PERSON WHO RECENTLY BEGAN READING MY BOOK, HER KIND COMMENTS ON SEVERAL CHAPTERS REALLY BRIGHTENED MY DAY. THANK YOU!

"Hold your arm higher to block, it's more effective." Pather instructed a girl with sandy blond hair. Kiela smiled and moved on. Each shifter had been instructed in all of the different forms of weaponry from Kithna, while the humans practiced. Then, things had switched and the humans had learned how to use all of the shifter's tools.

Kiela looked around and saw all of the elders walking away from the training ground, towards the greeting tent. She swore to herself and then hurried away, hoping to arrive at the meeting in time. She had asked Sylnav to remind her about it, and half thought to berate the goddess, but she changed her mind. Celestial beings had no concept of time.

She arrived at the tent to find everyone already inside. The collected audience consisted of all of the elders and the heads of each house from the village. As the villages to the North and South had yet to arrive the audience was fairly small. They were expected to arrive by that evening.

There was also Cheif Samah, but Jarnvôsk was not present. He had stayed behind to lead those that had remained in Kithna. Samah had also collected a group of his trusted warriors to offer suggestions. Kiela quickly crept in and sat beside Œille, the head of her house, the Bolvek house. She looked to her right, and green eyes with gold flecks stared back at her. "Tori!" She exclaimed.

"Good to see you Kiela." Tori replied. She have Kiela a hug.

"What are you doing here?" Kiela asked, confused.

"I'm the head of the Critius house now." Tori replied with pride, and then a sad expression lit her face. "Levia, the old head was killed by Connix."

Kiela gasped.

"I'm so sorry." She said, internally berating herself for not returning sooner.

Do not blame yourself, you did the right thing. Sylnav comforted her.

The assembled people formed a circle to include everyone in the conversation.

Ramsea and Samah rose and addressed the crowd. The great elder spoke.

"Before the war that will soon be upon us we have a few tactical issues that we must discuss. Samah, it is easy for you to arrange your people as your children are not here and this not in immediate danger. We cannot say the same, however. If you have any suggestions please tell me now." Ramsea sat and looked expectantly at Samah. The two ancient leaders locked eyes.

"I believe that we should evacuate the nurseries. Where we should send the children, though, I do not know." He shook his head sadly. "We have not seen any of the lands near you and therefore do not know of good places."

Ramsea rose again. "We have been far too sheltered and certain in our existence. I fear we will meet the death of our race as a result."

The various assembled people began speaking, throwing ideas back and forth. Kiela racked her brain to find the solution.

Can they not go to one of the places you visited in your banishment? Sylnav asked.

I do not know. Kiela answered. The various places are far and unreachable to children.

Sylnav retreated to silence, but Kiela felt her mind working. Several more minutes and useless suggestions by the heads of the houses later, the goddess spoke.