Wolf-Shifter

Dancing among the Stars part 5

"There's a camp nearby, my lord." Senka reported.

"How many?" another man growled, face hidden in shadow.

About five people, sir, four men, one woman." Senka said with a curt nod.

His leader's eyes flashed in the dying embers of the fire. "Rouse the rest and go lead the attack." "Dispatch the guards, I'll get the woman."

"You're going alone?"

The man growled, "Yes." "You are my swiftest partner, no doubt the men are all wolves…"

"Your kind, Rak?"

"They cast me out years ago…it is of no concern to me if they die or not." The leader replied, turning away. "You are dismissed."

The one called Senka bowed and left.

"LeonNamid…it will begin again as it was…"

Namid and four of her personal guard traveled through the wood to Wyvern's Court. It would take about three to four days for them to reach the fortress of bird and snake and soon they set up camp, the eve of twilight upon them.

"Your Majesty?" a guard tapped Namid on the shoulder and she turned as he passed her a bowl of steaming soup.

"Please, Taro, its just Namid." She replied, declining the bowl, "I'll eat after my bath, there's a stream nearby."

The guard called Taro stood, "Will you need a chaperone?"

Namid shook her head and patted the young man's cheek; "I'll give a shout if I do need help, alright?"

Taro nodded and sat back down by the fire, "Yes, Your Majest—Namid." He replied.

Namid nodded and hurried into the cover of the trees, her ears pricking at the sound of the stream as a breath of wind brushed by. Namid looked around, briefly brushing a hand over her hip where a sheathed dagger lay, but found nothing. Although there was nothing in sight, her nerves were still not at ease.

Pretending not to notice the quietness of the clearing, she hurried down to where a lake rested, fed by the stream, and un-strapped the sheath from her waist and placed it on the grassy bank.

Rakab crouched in the bushes, eyes ever so watchful as he skillfully flicked out a knife and prepared to pounce. But as the sun caught the green leaves of the forest his breath hitched and the knife was dropped from numb fingers.

Senka signaled Ginger to move to the left side of the camp with the other four women to completely surround the four wolf guards. "Mana Rak is dealing with the one woman." He explained to one of his men who nodded and shifted into the form of a crow. Senka gave another signal and Ginger shifted into her red rat snake form, while her group took their Demi forms readying weapons.

Silently another few minutes passed and Senka, in jaguar form, narrowed deep brown eyes, "Seize them."

And the ambush began.

He had never seen a woman captivate him as this woman had. Her pale skin caught the sunlight; silky black hair spilled down thin shoulders beckoning him as she tested the water with a hand and unlaced her white shirt and brown slacks to take them off and wash.

Rakab heard a splash and briefly noted that she had entered the water and closed his eyes for a moment. Opening them again, he crouched and picked up his knife, waiting.

Senka dodged the last of the wolves, snarling a challenge and raking his claws across the wolf—Taro's cheek. Taro growled and stepped back, tail between his legs, as serpents, avians and jaguar advanced on him.

A viper stepped up, blue eyes studying the young wolf…

That was the last sight Taro ever saw, before the viper's fangs struck, and killed him.

Namid exited the water, changed into clean clothes, and was instantly grabbed from behind, mouth covered by a rough hand, she struggled and thought of shifting into her Demi form when a deep voice whispered in her ear, "Don't scream."

The she-wolf growled and heard the man chuckle, "Where were you headed, little cub?" "It's not wise to provoke me."

She managed to uncover her mouth, "I'll provoke whom I wish, Master Thief." She replied. Rak, recognizing her voice, suddenly let go of her in shock and backed off.

"Let me guess your…" Namid trailed off, peering at Rakab a moment longer before she gasped, "Rakab!"

Rak nodded slowly and swallowed hard, "Namid…"

"You've changed." She whispered, brushing a hand over his face. Namid now noticed how he filled out his shirt and slacks, and how his sharp-boned face seemed more foreboding; the beginnings of a beard grew on his face and muscles rippled nicely under tanned skin. "Take off your gloves." She ordered.

He did so and Namid recognized the long white scars on both hands. "It is you!" she cried, hugging him tight.

Rakab smiled and hugged her back, "I've come back, my dancer. Ylva has blessed us both today…"

"I've missed you so much." Namid replied, voice muffled by his shirt.

Rakab gathered Namid in his arms and without thinking, kissed her lips softly. Breaking the kiss, Namid gazed at her friend, confused and amazed all the same.

"La keyi gen ferat the same." He whispered.

"I hope you feel the same." He had said.

She answered with a grin. "Ke."

Rakab just smiled and kissed her again, this time passionately.

"Varl'nesera Ylva. Bless her and Fate." He thought.