An Eternal Wintre

Chapter 17

Ulikar's king, Dargo, looks out the window leading down into his courtyard. Men, some in armor, some without, all practicing. They practice for the war that knocks at their doors.

A cold wind has swept over the mainland of Vlarion, bringing with it the promise of harsh weather full of snow and dismal sorrow. Blood wafts throughout the air from Lutenia. King Dargo must be ready to aid his neighbor, his ruling nation, fearing he will fall next.

All the ships are ready to sail the day after tomorrow, several full of men and young lads barely over eighteen, all from the other islands. The king's own men practice till dawn of the next day and do not stop until they are finally ready to depart for Lutenia.

Correspondence reached the king several days ago about a change in the air regarding the shape shifters, something uneasy. Fear crawls its way into people hearts and souls as the clans close in on the capital, Alua. Their means are malicious but admirable. King Dargo appreciates their ambition but he pities the war that'll end soon. Claws were no match for blades and arrows. Only on the front lines would he realize that they weren't the only ones using bows and swords.

His eldest son, readying his men, leaves no room for tomfoolery. The second son prepares the ships, making sure nothing goes awry before they even depart. The third collects supplies and keeps the stock. And the fourth, the youngest, sits in his room, drawing the figure of a beautiful black raven from the north.

Elgird, the fourth son, draws the raven's sleek back, the shine of its obsidian feathers, the curve of its beak and feathers, and the lethal-looking claws at the ends of its feet. Using coal, he colors it and shades it in places, smudging black over his fingers that now match Corax's. His smile is warm as he holds it up to show the bird. "See, look how beautiful you are. I've captured you perfectly," he says and sets it back down to wash his hands.

The water hides the sounds from the connecting bedroom. When he comes back into the room, drying his hands with a towel, the picture is shredded and blood splatters all over the paper and desk. The raven's gone.

***

A scream pierces through the dark night of Lutenia as the Raven marks her return. She glides through the waterfall into Cain's settlement and shifts mid-flight, lightly touching the ground as she lands.

Some shifters are asleep, others fighting one another, training with claws, teeth, swords, and all kinds of other weapons. They use all at their dispose, taking every opportunity.

Corax bypasses them all and knocks on Cain's door. Lothian leans against the wall across the door, arms folded, legs one over another. His eyes glow brightly under the dim torchlight. With a smile, Corax looks at him then enters the room.

Cain's smart enough to never leave his back to the Raven. She picks and chooses her sides and he's lucky enough to have her on his this time. He watches her as she sits on the edge of his bed, bouncing slightly like a child. Her black fingers clench the sheets gently. "How are you today Cain?" she asks, her Lutenian horrendous. She's only ever spoken the ancient language, so why start changing it now? Something drops into the pit of Cain's stomach.

"How is she doing?" he asks instead. Corax pouts at her unanswered question but cocks her head and answers.

"Fine. She seems to be accustomed to their way of life. Are you sure we should trust her? Nymph or not, she isn't one to trust. Nymphs are tricky creatures that only choose whoever's side is the best to win."

"Has she switched sides?" Cain's eyebrows rise.

"No, but the time is only early. Give the little one time and I bet she'd turn her back on us and go running back to what she knows." Corax leaves, cackling. The air in the room seeps out at her exit.

Lothian comes in right after she leaves, his look pensive. "Sir, there's some news." Rubbing a hand down his tired face, Cain looks to his companion. Seeing that his leader is paying attention, Lothian tells Cain of the incident. "The clan was scared off, however. My mates think it's Lea's clan from the east. But that's not all," he looks away, looking for the first time worried. "The Ulikar army is coming in a few days' time. Their coming in aid to Lutenia's king. Cain...We can't fight that many."

"Bah! Of course we can. Any water dwellers in our clan accustomed to the sea water?" he asks, writing down something.

"No sir. Water shifters are mainly in the southern islands or the mermaids but they aren't much of shape shifter as a shape masher." Cursing, he crumples the paper and writes something new.

Finishing the letter, he seals it in an envelope with a wax seal and hands it to Lothian. "Send this to the southern clan." Lothian's eyes widen.

"But sir-"

"Do not disobey Lothian! You'll fly this to Yulis and his clansmen and make sure they get it quickly. We're going to need all the help we can get." His eyes flash angrily before his second-in-command leaves with a bow.

Yulis was rash and dangerous, uneasy in the mind. He's a tiger shifter and the only one Cain's met. His clan is only the best shifters, no children, only the toughest women and men. They're all said to be slightly insane but Yulis is the worst. Some say he's killed his own wife and child many years back, but nobody speaks of it after he lit that person on fire.

Cain was taking a huge risk attempting at teaming with Yulis, risking betrayal and a sword or claws through the back or across the throat, but he needed his help and no other clan would even consider helping. They all care about bloodshed, not organized war and strategy. Yulis was Cain's last resort, especially with the Ulikar army headed its way to Lutenia.

The Ulikar army is one to match even the ranks of Lutenia, maybe even better than it. The men are ruthless but just. They kill what needs to be killed, taking prisoners and only killing them if they are true to their crimes or a shape shifter. Shape shifters never escape the sword.

His canines grow out and poke through the thin skin of his lower lip. Blood dots at the spot and he licks it away. Anai, he thinks. Could she be able to freeze the entire ocean? But how could he reach her? "Corax," he curses.

As if hearing her name –and from still standing outside the door- the girl reappears with a smirk on her face. Her eyes blink slowly, as if slowed by time. Cain's manhood seems to shrivel at the look in her eyes as he asks her for her help again. "Contact Anai and send her a message for me." Corax listens eagerly and leaves as Cain's still saying his last sentence.

The Raven shifts and heads for the castle and to the little Nymph, her still heart soaring high with her in the sky. She may obey Cain, but the Raven plays by her own rules. How should she switch the game now?