Champions of Serenity: Destiny Fulfilled

Chapter 17

“What are we waiting for?” Shrina whined as she played with the stew on her plate. She was restless, feeling the need to be on the move again. She hadn’t sat in one place for so long since she was still living with her mother; it was one of the major reasons she became a killer for hire. Taking a deep sigh, Shrina thought back on her life and realized that ever since she was a young girl, enforced obedience had chaffed her. She was great at self-imposed control and discipline; it was part of what made her so good at killing. Even though there was an entire forest to wander in, it was still too small and enclosed for Shrina to really feel comfortable.

Jehro and Tris looked at each other a moment and the Chameling looked back to his plate. Before Tris could do more than open her mouth to reply, Shrina dropped her fork onto the plate and stood in a swift action.

“I know, we are waiting to see who Drianne picks to be anchors for you, Tris. But what is taking her so long? All this hurry up and wait is driving me out of my skin!” Shrina threw her plate and fork into the pile of dishes needing to be washed and stormed from the cave in a burst of energy.

“I was going to say, I don’t know what is taking Drianne so long, but I too am eager to get our plans off of the table and into the field. Like our friend, Shrelannasha, I too am restless when it comes to waiting. That may be why Drianne is taking so long to decide who would be best for my part of the strike team. She has always enjoyed teaching me my lessons through practical application.” Tris said to the others and took the pile of dirty dishes back to the pot of hot water by the stream to wash them.

“Don’t let it get to you, Leader Tris; she’s been sharp with everyone the past few days. I think we are all on pins and needles waiting for the time to strike. Shrina’s just a little more vocal about it.” Korol said as he joined Tris in washing up.

Outside in the forest, Shrina kicked fallen pinecones and small rocks out of her way as she stomped along one of her favorite trails. It led to a glade at the bottom of a small waterfall and pond with a large tree in the middle of the clearing. She used the tree for target practice and it bore silent witness to the many frustrations of Shrina.

Entering the glade, she stomped over to the fallen log she used as a seat and stared at the tree. “Stupid idea to pick a fight with Tris, she isn’t the one who’s holding us up. It’s that damn tree taking too long to make a decision.” Shrina pulled out her stilettos and started flinging them with what appeared to be careless precision into the meat of the tree.

“Not many people would have the courage to call Drianne a “damn tree.” I’m impressed.”

With a blade poised to throw, Shrina looked around the glade for whoever it was that spoke to her. Since it was almost dark, she couldn’t tell for sure but it didn’t quite sound like Korol. Turning back to the tree, Shrina sent the weapon with deadly accuracy into the heart of the tight circle she had made with her other daggers.

“Again, I am impressed. I’m just glad it isn’t me you are upset with. Maybe I should find someone else to talk to. You don’t seem to be in the mood.”

“Who is that?” Shrina demanded. She stood from her log seat and stared hard into the darkness. Trees, water, rocks, and more infernal trees; what was with all the trees lately?

“Down here.”

Shrina scanned the area, lower this time and still didn’t see anything. A loud sigh sounded and she scanned the ground around the glade.

“Oh for the love of little blue pixies, I’m right here.”

A white and brown rabbit sat up next to the fallen log and started to clean its whiskers with its paws. Shrina watched it a moment and wondered.

“Yes, it is I, the voice in the night.”

Shrina almost jumped out of her skin when the voice came from the rabbit. She drew one of her daggers and poised it to fly.

“Wait, if you do that, I can’t give you the message I was sent with. Now calm down, it isn’t like you haven’t met other talking animals, I mean, look at Noshtra.” The rabbit held perfectly still as it waited for Shrina to relax and put away her preferred weapon. It had witnessed how deadly she could be and it didn’t want to be added to the dinner menu as an after dinner nibble.

Shrina thought about it and was curious enough to hold her hand, for the moment. She lowered her dagger but didn’t put it away. If this rabbit didn’t start talking, she would add it to the stew pot for tomorrow’s breakfast. “Who are you and what is your message?”

“And here I figured a princess would have better manners. Maybe I was wrong, I haven’t met many princesses.” It added quickly as the dagger was tossed thoughtfully a moment. “My name is Butch and I’m a friend of Drianne’s and Tris’s and Noshtra’s. I live at the edge of Drianne’s glade and she lets me eat some of her clover from time to time.”

“Butch? Shouldn’t you be a Fluffy, Cutie pie, or dinner?”

“Now don’t get personal, Princess. I don’t make comments about your name and what I think it should be. And yes, my name is Butch and my wife Dottie loves it. As for the message, Drianne did say I was to give it to Tris herself, but I saw you first.”

Shrina reached down lightening quick and grabbed Butch by his ears and held him up to her eye level. The dagger in her other hand came to rest just under his head against his throat.

“Alright, alright, I’ll spill the beans. Drianne is ready to name those who will be staying and who will be going. She wants to see all of you tonight.” Butch kicked and squealed, leaving a triple streak of blood along Shrina’s arm when he made contact. He stopped moving when she almost broke his neck shaking him to silence. “I’m going to tell Drianne you almost killed the messenger, she isn’t going to like that.”

“I don’t care what she likes or doesn’t like and if you don’t stop that I’m not going to just try to kill the messenger.” Shrina, still holding Butch by the ears, started back to the cave.

“What in the skies above and the earth below is that noise?” Airidon asked as Shrina neared and Butch’s squeals got louder. The others gathered at the mouth of the cave, all except Tris, who recognized the voice.

“Tris, is this someone you know?” Shrina demanded, plowing through the others and standing in front of Tris.

Tris looked from Butch to Shrina and stretched out her legs. “What did he do to you, Shrelannasha? Insult your parentage, proposition you with a litter every thirty days, and/or beg for something sweet like clover, apple or carrot?”

Shrina stopped and looked at Butch and then at Tris. “So you do know him?”

Tris nodded once. “Yes, Shrelannasha, I know Butch. But what are you doing with him? I would think he was beneath your touch.”

“Hey, that’s a low blow, Tris, even for you.” Butch said, twitching and resisting the urge to kick out again to get free.

“You can either let him go, Shrelannasha, or add him to the stew pot, I don’t care which. I’m sure any number of ladies would agree he would make a much better pair of baby booties than a mate.”

“Just for that, Miss Smarty Tris, I won’t give you Drianne’s message. Belong in a stew pot, why, Dottie would be broken hearted along with all the little ones she’s expecting in the next week. How could you, Tris?”

“Very easily, Butch, because Dottie is your mother, with whom you still live, and if she is expecting again then I suspect she would much rather be without you around to corrupt another litter of bunnies. As for Drianne’s message, you have already given it by being here. She’s ready to make her choice and we need to go and meet with her tonight. So once again, Shrelannasha, you can make the choice to either let him go or add him to the pot.”

Shrina looked at Tris and then to Butch. Opening her hand, she dropped the rabbit and watched as he scampered out into the darkness. “He’s too pathetic to kill.” Shrina said in disgust as she waited for Tris and the others to get ready to go.

Tris nodded as she stood and put on her cloak. “Yes, that is why he hasn’t been killed yet. But it would probably be better for everyone if he were to die; his mouth will get him in trouble one of these times. Let’s go see Drianne.”

“It’s about damn time.” Shrina said and started off through the dark to Drianne’s glade. Tris looked at the others and shrugged, motioning them to follow the eager Siblen into the night.

The night was dark and the starlight struggled to get through the dense trees to the ground below. The Circle had long since learned that their stars gave off a soft light in the night so they were never in complete darkness. Using the light from their stars, they moved quickly and quietly down the path leading to Drianne’s glade, each wondering what the Dryad’s verdict would be.

“You should have just killed him, Shrina; you would have done everyone a favor if you had.” Drianne was saying as the others made it into the glade. Shrina was perched on the edge of the old cedar stump; a golden climbing rose wrapped around the dead cedar and dropped down around the small woman. She was playing with one of the silken blossoms and shrugging. “But like most predators, you feel he’s too pathetic to kill so he gets to live, yet again. Oh well, I tried.”

The Sylph’s roses in the glade gave off a glow the color of the blossom, lighting up the glade like a Christmas tree. Tris made her way to her accustomed spot between two roots at the base of Drianne and made herself comfortable. The others followed suit and found places to sit so they could see both Drianne and Tris.

“I’m glad you all came.” Drianne said and then closed her eyes a moment. A light breeze blew through her branches and the moon shown into the clearing, adding to the Sylph’s roses glow. The soft hum of night insects filled the silence that followed Drianne’s quiet words. A frog in the nearby pond croaked out a greeting and was answered by a buddy. A small splash sounded as a fish leaped from the water to capture a dragonfly that came too close to the moon’s reflection on the dark pond. An owl hooted in the distance and was followed a few minutes later by a squeal as a rabbit was snared by a night hunting bird. The yapping of a fox was answered by another fox. The night was alive with sounds and the cycle of living and dying that was nature at its finest.

Tris cleared her throat and used her elbow to get Drianne’s attention. “Sorry, my siblings, but I sometimes get lost in the music of the forest at night. I’m sure that Butch told you I was ready to make my decisions known. And I think that tomorrow night would be the perfect night to strike. News from the mystical plane is that Handsome will be on the move tomorrow to attend the Spring Festival in Meckadon.”

Tris nodded to Airidon and he nodded back. “Sounds like a wise time to move to me.” Airidon said. He looked around and wondered who would actually be coming with him and what skills he would have at his disposal. “So, who gets to come with me, Drianne?” He asked.

Drianne looked over at everyone gathered and lifted an eyebrow. “Where is Noshtra? She was told to be here as well.”

“I’m right here.” The gruff voice they all knew well as the She-wolf lifted her head from the shadows near the dead cedar. “I was here before Shrina and I also happen to agree that it is time Butch died. I just don’t want to sully my teeth with the job. Maybe we can take him with us to Kreben and just sort of forget to bring him back.”

“He can’t be quiet enough, Noshtra, or else I would second that plan. Maybe when we attack the armies in Rehven, we won’t need stealth then. Now, Drianne, stop delaying and tell us who is going with Airidon and who is staying here.” Tris said dryly.

Drianne cleared her throat and looked at everyone again. “It wasn’t easy, I not only had to test the limits of each of your magical abilities and depths, but I also had to test your personalities to see who could handle all the evil that would be flowing through your bodies. I was surprised to find that each of you have a perfect balance within yourselves for both good and evil. I have only seen one other person with such a balance and she’s sitting at my roots. Perhaps that is what makes you the perfect Champions for Serenity, that special balance. And for all of the unpredictability of some of you, none of you will be easily pushed one way or the other. For that reason alone, each of you could be a good support for Tris and the job she must do. Then there is the magical side to be considered…”

“Drianne, we all know this. Just tell us if I get to go with Airidon and kill some of Handsome’s men.” Shrina exclaimed impatiently. She stood up and started pacing in front of the stump, shaking her hands to relieve the tension and give them something to do other than throw daggers.

“No, Shrina, you don’t get to go with Airidon this time; and neither do Korol, or Noshtra.” Drianne said. “The three of you will have to go with Airidon next time, this time you will be needed to clean the magic Tris will steal from the stash.” Drianne continued over the outraged complaints of those she named. “The only two who won’t be taking a turn helping Tris and I are: Tyra, who is needed to transport the attack party, and Airidon, who is the leader of the attack party. Any questions or complaints simply don’t matter because this is what is best for Sandeenai and as Champions of Serenity, you must do what is best for Sandeenai.” Drianne finished and silenced everyone. “Good night now, rest well, for tomorrow, we join the battle. And it won’t be easy, for either group.” Then Drianne faded into sleep and refused to be roused.

“I guess that is that. Let’s go home and get some sleep, we will need it for tomorrow.” Tris said, standing. She looked at each of those in the group and shook her head against saying anything else. She really didn’t want to put any of them in the danger they would be placed in, helping her to steal the power caches of Dreybrenic’s, but she really didn’t have a choice. And as Drianne said so succinctly, they were Champions of Serenity for a reason and that reason was to do what was best for Sandeenai, not themselves.

Without saying anything else, Tris started off back to the cave. She really didn’t notice Jehro’s distraction or when he tried to get her attention a couple of times. Tris was lost in her own thoughts and didn’t pay any attention to anything and was surprised to find herself walking into the cave without realizing how she got there. Shrugging, she went to bed and did her best not to dream.

Jehro worried a corner of his thumbnail as he listened to Drianne’s explanation of what was needed and then felt guilty when his name wasn’t called to stay with Tris. In all his talks with Drianne, he had felt her probing him and had hidden away most of his abilities from her out of habit. Chamelings had not only themselves to defend from detection, but all the Dragons as well. The two races were as close as the Elves and the Unicorns only most people didn’t realize that. No one really thought of the Dragons as being close to anyone, let alone a race of shape shifting empaths. But Jehro’s best friend as a boy had been a sapphire and crimson dragon with gold tipped wings and many were the times they would race across the sky in the wilds at the base of the Spineythorn Mountains. Now he realized that in not opening up to Drianne, he could be condemning those he wanted to protect by keeping parts of himself secret.

Unfortunately, both Drianne and Tris weren’t available to talk to tonight, so he tossed and turned all night. Nightmares of dragons being hunted from the skies as the Wer’s had been hunted out of Trevos haunted Jehro all night. Shrina had to wake him a couple of times as he cried out against the pain and agony he was seeing in his dreams.

Waking early in the morning, Jehro left the cave before anyone else was awake, even Shrina. He ran to Drianne’s glade and knocked on her trunk until she finally woke.

“What is it, Little Brother, which brings you out this early in the morning? Shouldn’t you still be in bed, resting for the battle tonight?” Drianne yawned and stretched her branches high to catch the early morning breezes.

“Test me again, Drianne. I know that I’m the best anchor for Tris, I just didn’t let you see that much of me.” Jehro pleaded. When he saw the skepticism in Drianne’s face he begged. “Please, Drianne, you’ll understand more when you see what I kept hidden from you. Please.”

Drianne motioned him to sit with a shrug and opened herself to him. With a hiss of surprise Drianne saw just how deep Jehro’s magical reserves were and it more than justified his pleading to be tested again. She refrained from saying anything about why he kept this well of magical ability hidden when she found out why. “I never thought the Dragons needed the kind of protection your race provides for them. You are quite right, Jehro, you are the best anchor for Tris. With you, I wouldn’t need either Korol or Noshtra this time, just you and Shrina. And as you said, you would be able to handle helping Tris with this each time, as I am. Go and tell the others and join Tris tonight with Shrina here in the glade and we will attack Handsome’s cache.”

Jehro left Drianne’s glade in a much better mood than when he entered it. He arrived back at the cave about the same time the others were waking and starting on breakfast. Tossing down a brace of rabbits for Fini and Airidon to skin, he went back to talk to Tris. He stopped before he could enter the cave where Tris was getting ready to face the day when Fini laughed and held up a brown and white rabbit. “Is this….?”

“Yeah, I came across him going to bed this morning and he made some comment about Shrina and decided to take him off of everyone’s hands. He’s a tough buck, so you might want to stew him instead of roasting him.” Jehro winked at them and then went to tell Tris the good news.

Tris looked up as Jehro entered her cave and then finished tying her boot laces. “What can I do for you, Jehrones?”

Jehro hunkered down on the balls of his feet, his knees bent, to talk to Tris. “I was up early this morning and paid a visit to Drianne. I was holding back when she tested me before and I felt guilty about it. So I asked her to test me again and this time I didn’t hold back. She said that I was strong enough to act as your anchor each time we took one of the power house catalyst things from Handsome. And with me, you only need Shrina today instead of Korol, Shrina, and Noshtra, so Korol and Noshtra can go with Airidon tonight. Oh, and I killed Butch this morning, he was rather rude to me about Shrina.”

Tris threw back her head and laughed. As her laughter filled the cave, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to the room where Jehro and Tris were talking. In all the months they had lived together, they had only heard a chuckle from her once or twice and never a real laugh. One and all, they decided they liked the sound of her laughter and hoped that she would laugh more often as the war ended and peace was brought forth on Sandeenai.

“Serves him right, Butch was a pest. And good for you, Jehrones, for having the strength of character to finally end his miserable life. Some people were born to die for others and he was one.” Tris reached out and rested her hand on Jehro’s shoulder. “And thank you for going back to Drianne. That took courage, especially knowing what you know about what we will be handling. You look like you didn’t sleep well last night, go and get some sleep this morning, you will need it.”

Tris stood and helped Jehro to his feet and together they left the back cave. In the main cave, when Tris saw the carcass of Butch, she chuckled again and shook her head. “We should stuff his hide and give it to Noshtra to use as a toy for her pups. She would enjoy that as she has suffered most from his lack of breeding. I’ll go tell Dottie the good news. Oh, Korolwyn, you and Noshtra will be going with Airidon tonight, Jehrones will be taking your place with Shrelannasha and me at Drianne’s glade. Rest today, as much as possible, tonight will be long and hard for all of us.” Then Tris left the cave to make her morning rounds of her forest and finish warding it against attack from Dreybrenic as they prepared to attack him.

Chaos sat back and looked at his hands. “She laughs, that is a surprise. We have a demon who laughs and cries and an elf who doesn’t mourn the loss of wildlife; who would have thought it.” Then he sat up and took a look in at Dreybrenic.

Shaking his head, Chaos couldn’t believe how stupid he was being. Dreybrenic was taking his infant son with him on a cross country trip to witness a spring festival in the capitol city. He wasn’t even preparing his stronghold for a possible attack. Who did Dreybrenic think he was some kind of demigod, which he wouldn’t have to protect his own? Well, Chaos thought, I hope that this teaches Dreybrenic to start defending his backside.

Chaos then sat back to watch the attack happen and then to see what Dreybrenic would do when he discovered it. He sent an invitation to Sheagnek to see if she wanted to watch the attack with him. When she sent back her affirmative reply, he brought some popcorn over from Earth and poured some of his private label wine for the upcoming entertainment.