The Prince's Guard

“Hello?”

Jaxson’s eyes snapped open at the voice, the sun blinding him momentarily.

“Err… are you OK?” A male was peering up at him from a safe distance, confusion marring his features.

“Get me down,” he croaked.

“Right… going to need to phone the fire brigade I-” He was in human land…

“No. Ladder. Just… ladder.”

“Are you sure? You… you look like you need a hospital.”

“Please, just… just get a ladder.” He could not be sent to a human hospital. While they looked human they were far from it. If they did any tests it would completely baffle them. He wasn’t even sure human hospitals were designed for a wolf’s weight.

“Alright, mate, if you’re sure. There’s a farm just up there… I’ll see if they can help.” The human looked worried, somewhat panicked and confused.

“Please,” his horse whisper was painful on his throat. The human nodded and scarpered out of view, leaving Jaxson alone.

He wiggled his fingers while he waited, trying to get some feeling to them. He had more movement which he was pleased for, allowing him to begin moving his arms back and forth, fraying the dark rope. It was hard work, harder than it should have been.

“Dude, what the hell happened to you?” a male asked as he emerged through the trees, he was a different one to the first.

“Prank,” Jaxson grunted.

“Sure…” the male drew out the word in clear disbelief. “My brother’s got the ladder, I just wanted to see if that old fart was telling the truth.”

“Thanks.”

“You might wanna stop moving… that rope around your neck’ll break ya if you cut those ropes.”

Jaxson frowned, he hadn’t even contemplated that.

“How long you been up there?” the human asked.

“A while.”

The sound of footsteps echoed before another human came with a ladder on his shoulder. “Could have helped me, you dick.”

“Whatever, wanker, let’s get this guy down.” The ladder banged next to Jaxson on the branch before one of the human’s ascended, coming level with his hands.

“Done a bit of a number on you,” he chuckled a little, removing the rope around Jaxson’s neck. “No offence, dude. But you’re a big lad, don’t think I’m going to be able to take your weight if you fall.”

“I’ll be fine. Just cut me down.”

“On your head be it!” He flicked a pocket knife and began sawing at the frayed ropes until they gave way. For a moment, Jaxson panicked as he began falling, but before he could do anything, his feet hit the dry ground, as did his hip as his legs gave way. He groaned, not sure what hurt most, his muscles from the wolfsbane, or his sensitive bones.

Gah, he was a wreck.

“Break anything?” the human still on the ground asked, the one who had brought the ladder.

“Don’t think so,” Jaxson rumbled as he started his attempt at standing.

He didn’t get very far.

The human male grabbed his arm, a clear attempt at help, but couldn’t pull him up, “Jesus, how much do you weigh?”

“Lots.” He tugged his arm out of the human’s hold. “I’ll be fine, just… just winded.”

“I’d say you look fucked. I think someone needs to have a look at you…”

“No hospital.”

“You on the run or something?”

Jaxson merely gave the pair a hard look.

“Got it… well we didn’t see you.”

“Appreciate it.” Jaxson shuffled until he could pull himself to sit against the tree trunk he’d been dangling from.

“Sure you’re alright? Mum will make you a meal if you come back with us… you know, till you feel better.”

“That’s kind, I’ll be fine in a minute.”

Both males shifted looking uncomfortable. “I’ll stay with you… Don’t want to leave you.”

“I’ll be fine.” Jaxson clumsily rubbed the raw skin on his wrist. Who had taken him? “Live near here?” he asked the pair.

“Yeah, just beyond the trees.”

“Hear anything a few nights back?”

“I… don’t think so, Grant?”

“Nah, nothing.”

Jaxson hummed to himself, “We east or west?”

“Of what?”

“In the country.”

“Oh… we’re kinda in the middle.”

Jaxson held in his sigh of derision. That wasn’t helpful, he needed to know which way to get back to the border. “Got a map?”

“Er, yeah on my phone.” One of the males pulled out a rectangular device, a little like a tiny TV, he turned it around to show a TV screen with an image of a map with a red teardrop. He guessed that was to indicate where they were. He scanned the small image, trying to work out where they were. “Can it show us compared to the sea?”

“Oh yeah.” He flipped the device around, appeared to draw on the glass before tipping it back around.

“We’re west. Thanks.”

“I don’t see how you’re going to be good in a bit… no offence you look like shit.”

“Will be.”

“You want a lift somewhere?”

Jaxson opened his mouth to decline, however, he would get to the border quicker, he wasn’t too far from it, maybe twenty miles judging by the map.

“That would be appreciated, thanks.”

“I’ll pull the truck up as close as I can. Can you stand?”

No. “Yeah, give me a minute.”

“We’ll be back in five.”

Jaxson nodded as the two males disappeared from sight. He wasn’t sure he could trust them, but the idea of walking twenty miles without his wolf in the state he was in didn’t seem too favourable.

He just needed to get to his feet.

He gradually flipped onto his hands and knees, needing something to hold onto, he grasped the wide tree trunk. Getting purchase, he heaved with all his limited strength. He forced a leg in front, securing his bare foot in the fir needle dotted dirt. Bolstering his courage for the pain he knew was about to ensue. He forced himself to his feet, refraining the yell when all his limbs, muscles, bones protested.

But he was up. That was the most important thing. Resting his head against the rough bark, he panted.

“Let me see your hands,” a new voice commanded behind him.

He closed his eyes a moment. Great. He glanced back to see two uniformed males, police emblazoned next to their radios. “Hands, lad.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. If I let go of this tree I’ll fall. There is nothing in my hands.” He inched his hands up the trunk, trying to give them a view without sacrificing his balance.

“You hurt?”

“No. Just a heavy night.”

“We’ll get you help, just stay nice and still.”

Jaxson sighed. He couldn’t run even if he wanted to. If he stood his ground they’d be unable to move him, but that would bring more questions than he wanted. Their kind could not be known to humans. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding... officer.”

“I think you’re in some kind of trouble. These lads said they found you hanging in the tree.”

“Just a misunderstanding.”

“We only want to help. Can we come and check you over?”

“I don’t need it. I’ll be alright,” he reassured. He really needed some strength to walk away. He willed his body to burn the wolfsbane just a little faster.

Something clicked from his training.

“I just need something to eat… my blood sugar.” That was right? That was what humans said… He willed it to be right.

“Alright, lad, we can get some glucose in you when the ambulance arrives.”

“I don’t need to be seen… I can’t afford it.”

“Tourist, eh? Well, A&E is free.”

Shit.

“I’m not good with doctors. I just need something to eat and I’ll be fine, no need to waste the… “ What did they call them? Think Jaxson, think. “Taxpayer’s money.” Yes! That was it.

“Tell you what, we’ll get you something. If you don’t improve though, lad we’ll need to get you to hospital. They’re very nice up there.”

Jaxson rested his forehead against the tree a moment. He didn’t really feel he was getting anywhere.

A howl pricked his ears. He turned to see if the human’s had heard it. They didn’t look around. No indication they heard anything. Could the pack scent him? He couldn’t howl back… he couldn’t even shout back. They could be miles away.

“Going to approach you, give you this cereal bar, alright?”

Jaxson nodded. Balancing and bracing on one hand, he stretched his hand out slowly, not wishing to alarm anyone. A packet was placed in his palm. “Can I sit?” he mumbled, feeling his legs shaking.

“Course, lad.”

Jaxson nodded, twisting to be able to rest his back against the tree, he sunk none too gracefully to the floor. He could think about rising again later.

The tiny little bar wouldn’t do much for him… but it was a start. Taking small bites to stall time, the bar was gone much quicker than he would like.

Another howl twitched his ears. This time, the officers glanced around.

Shit.

He needed to warn them, get them in skin form.

Talking a little louder than necessary, he stated, “Officers, thank you, that helped.”

“No problem. You still look a little pale.”

“JAXSON!”

He purposefully looked to where the voice had come from.

“Here!” he shouted back as loud as he could. The sound of a familiar voice, reassuring.

“You know those people?”

“Yes.” He watched attentively for signs of Adam and whoever else was with him.

“JAXSON!” A chorus of voices this time.

“I’m here!” He winced with the rise in his voice, his diaphragm protesting.

Bodies… thankfully clothed, burst through the treeline. “Jaxson, thank goddess.” Adam skidded to a stop on his knees next to him.

“Chris.”

“He’s fine. He’s at the palace.”

His relief slumped him to the side instantly to be caught by Adam, the battle with his body giving up. He was safe. Chris was safe. That’s all that mattered.

“He needs to be seen by paramedics,” one of the officer’s piped up.

“No, sir. He’s fine. Thank you for your help, we’ll get him home.”

“Home,” Jaxson mumbled.

“Callum’s going to carry you, ready?”

“Sir, he must be seen-”

Jaxson felt himself be hoisted over a shoulder, his arms brought forward over Callum’s chest. He couldn’t help but slump, wanting to go back to sleep, but knew that wouldn’t help his team. Before the officers could protest further, they disappeared amongst the trees, picking up pace as soon as they were out of sight.