Shift: NOT a Werewolf Story

Chapter Thirty-Two: Nothing Left But The Sharp, Clean Danger

BATTLE!!! ARE YOU EXCITED? I AM! PLEASE LEAVE ME A VOTE OR COMMENT IF YOU LIKED IT< THEY REALLY MEAN ALOT TO ME <3. EVEN IF YOU HATED IT< I WANT TO KNOW WHY. THANKS AND PLEASE ENJOY!

The Rüjae Cliffs stood outlined in black against the sky, rosy with the birth of dawn. The runner had been mistaken, Drisnôk's army was marching across the desert, and had not yet reached lake Fiölir. As soon as Ramsea had gotten the news, she ordered everyone up and out of the camp. They left at dusk and had marched all day to the west side of the lake, where they had tried to catch a few fitful hours of sleep before morning. Kiela sat like a statue, apprehension and deliberating fear clawing at her. The smoke from the cook fires hazed her vision but she imagined that the army on the far shore was visible. The bridge of lost souls darkly beckoned like a promise of what was to come.

"Here." Kymir's voice spoke from behind her. A warm mug of tea was placed into her hands and Kiela smiled in gratitude. "Don't worry." Kym told her. "Everything will be alright."

Kiela felt like a young child again, scared of the dark. "Have you been to war before?" she asked, forcing her mind to focus on other things.

Kym nodded, pride seeming to swell her up. "My people are warriors." she said. "The fierce hunters from across the sea once tried to invade our lands. We fought them on the rocks, and stopped their attack."

"Is it always the same?" Kiela asked. "This fear, it makes me weak."

We must all fear. Sylnav told her. It shows us who we are.

Kym's face dropped, and she sat down beside Keila. "It used to not be so bad." she murmured. "and then, I lost my mother. She was strong and beautiful and amazing. She fell to a hunter's spear, trying to save me."

"I'm sorry." Kiela replied. Her heart ached for the girl.

Kym rose again. "It's alright. It is best to think of other things. Once the battle starts all fear flees from your mind."

She walked off and Kiela stood, stretching her stiff muscles. She finished the tea in one gulp, welcoming the burning feeling. After returning it to the cook tents she went off to find Tori and Lono. The sleeping people began to stir as the sun crept higher into the sky, and murmurs of light conversaion filled the air. Kiela found her friends at the base of the cliffs, speaking quietly to the other heads of house and elders. She alerted them to her presence with a tap of the shoulder.

"...To hold off the invaders at the bridge. That way they will no the able to overpower us with their greater numbers. I will take the birds and attack them front the rear." Heru spoke. "Collect your houses and meet in half an hour back here."

The assembly broke up. "Tori, Lono." Kiela rushed over to intercept her friends. They both stopped to face her. "I just want to say thank you." she got out in a rush. " You have both been amazing friends, and whatever happens tomorrow-"

Tori placed her hand over Kiela's mouth.

"Kiela. It will be fine. We will both be alive." The older girl said it fiercely, as if daring anyone to say it wasn't true. Kiela nodded, unable to speak through the lump in her throat. "We are expected to meet soon, let us enjoy each other's company while we can, before the battle."

The time flew, and all too quickly they were forced to meet back at the cliff base. Ramsea explained the battle tactocs that they were to use and the army splintered into their houses. The were grouped with one elder assigned to three houses to form groups. Kiela's group consisted of the houses Bolvek , Citius and Yuwæ. She was glad to see that both Fip and Lee, and Tori were in her group. So was Meha, and the coyote gave her a brief nod before melting away into the crowd.