The Darkest Heart Chapter 3
The Darkest Heart Part 3 Michelle Teague Sledmetodeath
Sled was taking a break. His training had progressed for three months. He had learned 15 of the 27 movements. He had only mastered the first two. While he was displeased with the progress, Angelica assured him that it was wonderful. He took time to have a meal with the wolfess, asking her questions about what he had done wrong. "You are doing nothing wrong. Everyone learns differently. I learned swiftly, because my father is one of the Elders that created this form of combat. I grew up watching him create it, so when my time came, I was half way there. You will take more time. But we have time. The East has sent us word. The boarders of the East are closed to the Empire. They have placed an army between their realm and your brother. He has no power to fight their magic. He would need support. And the three Southern realms have broken away and gone silent." Sled took comfort in that, and lay back on the ground. He had grown used to the cold. It was still numbing, but not so painful anymore. The forest retained a bit of warmth from all the camp fires. He sighed softly, watching the little flakes of snow that managed to make it through the foliage of the trees. Vanturian came then, bringing with him a lanky white ferret. The ferret was a female, whom leaned on the wolf's arm. "I am going to take my evening meal with the elders. You are invited young prince, to join us. IF you accept, please let me know. I have to ready your attire." The colt sat up, wondering why special attire had to be worn to have a meal. However these people had their customs. He would abide by them. The dire wolf walked off with the ferret, whom looked back at them and smiled softly. Angelica smiled and woofed. "One of my father's new harem. She is beautiful." Sled thought he caught the wolfess gazing at the woman. "Oh? A harem?" he asked. The wolfess lay beside him and smiled, "Yes. Many of the great warriors of our people have the privilege of attracting many mates. My father is one of them. His position as Duke, as well as Eldar Councilman has afforded him many mates of both genders. My mother, Marvina, is just one of the many. I am his forty-third daughter. Of all his children, I am the two hundred and fifth." Sled's jaw hung slack as he took that in. Over two hundred children?!? He could scarcely imagine more than a few himself. Angelic noticed and laughed softly as she kissed his cheek. "Don't worry. I don't mind being your only mate." He glanced at her as she walked away. "But...if you are ever considering it...I don't get jealous..." she took a few more steps and hot off into the tree tops. Sled sat, wondering just what that would mean.
As the evening meal approached, Sled found himself in the hut of the Dire Wolf. Several younger furs, male and female, tended to getting him ready. Placing thick furs and armor on him, placing his sword at his side. His face was marked in war paint. His mane braided tightly and wound up into a large ball. The dire wolf stood to the side, his own armor and weapon ready. His thick mane braided in dreadlocks, bundled together and set on the back of his head. His tail was trussed with many braided ribbons and trinkets. Sled felt them doing the same to his tail and tried to ignore it. When it was all done, he looked at himself in the mirror. The polished steel was all they had, but it sufficed. The colt seemed to admire himself a bit, before the dire wolf patted his shoulder. "A proper warrior indeed. Come, my daughter awaits. As does the Elder Council," he said as he led the horse out. They walked to the Council hut, a massive structure compared to the others. Inside, was one of the largest tables Sled had seen outside the Palace he called home. Around it was nearly twenty furs. Each was old, but still strong looking. Only a few of them were Angels or Half breeds. Most were actually mortals. As Sled was led in, he saw Angelica standing beside the three empty seats. She wore a set of armor Sled had never seen before. Silver chain-mail, set with small spikes at the shoulders and elbows. Her chest was hidden by an obsidian breast plate, which looked to be custom made to fit her specific body. The leggings were plated obsidian, with silver spikes at the knees. Her sword slung over her back, between her wings. Her wings protected by plated bronze, going the length of her wings, but not covering the feathers. Sled realized he was staring at her, because she blushed and looked away a moment before looking back. Coming to their seats, the wolfess sat them both, then joined her mate. Once seated, all feel silent. Sled saw everyone bowing their heads, and did so as well out of respect. Saying his own grace silently at he listened to the head of the council speaking in the northern tongue. He picked up most of the words, understanding that the fur was asking for longevity, strength, and honor, and a blessing over this meal as family. Once it was done the conversations started again. He looked to Vanturian, "What was he saying? I didn't understand all of it." "He was asking the warrior's blessing of Denothor. That the god of war and valor bless our friendship and give us the strength for the coming war." Sled nodded and smiled as he was served. Looking over the plate, he was astounded. He had not seen any wild game, but there seemed to be an abundance of wild beasts to eat. Even the fruit seemed over abundant. Sled tucked in as did everyone at the table. He watched as most of the elders seemed to forget table manners. Even Vanturian was loud and laughing as he ate. Angelica smiled, more reserved, but still eating plenty. Then Sled heard his name being called. One of the elders stood and yelled across the table. "Sled! Sled my boy! How goes your training!" Sled felt it was time to let go of the restraints of his former life. And try his paws at the life of the Arctic peoples. He stood, raising his cup and yelling back, "Not as fast as I want but I'm getting there!" Roaring laughter met his words and he wondered if he said something wrong. Vanturian's voice caught his attention. "Not fast enough he says! Angelica are you babying him?" "No more than you babied me!" she shot back with a laugh. Sled smiled and yelled, "Might not be fast but I've never been so proud of bloody knuckles before!" A resounding chorus of yells and cheers echoed. The meal progressed, as the group traded stories, laughs and jokes. It was very late in the night when the meal finished. Sled was so full he thought he would burst, and yet he found that he couldn't resist another pint of ale. Taking it with him, he staggered out with Angelica. Both laughing loudly with the rest of the Elders. As they came to their hut, they couldn't resist kissing each other in public. Many of the village only passed by, knowing that at points they themselves had done the same. It was then Angelica's eye caught a glimpse of a lithe orange vixen. Sled looked too, seeing the vixen was lean, toned, an assassin. Her clothing all black, her cobalt and green spikes of mane set over the cascade of deep brown. The black of her feet and hands, the creamy white ventral fur. Sled had seen her before. She saw him staring at her and knew she was spotted. She approached slowly, paws in the open. Angelica placed herself between Sled and the vixen. "Your Majesty..." she said before she twitched. Angelica drew her sword. The vixen drew her own blades, twin daggers. The pair clashed, several times before the vixen threw the wolfess on her back and put a foot on her throat. She flipped a dagger up to throw at Sled, when her world spun on its head. She landed on her ass, both daggers flying from her paws as Angelica flipped up with her wings. Guards came running and the vixen knew she had to escape. Failure was to mean death. And capture meant the same as far as she knew. She grabbed for her daggers when a sword landed right in front of her face. A massive broad blade bigger than she was tall. She backed up slowly, looking at the owner as he towered over her. The vixen was then snatched up by Angelica and held clear off the ground. "Struggle, Please struggle and give me a reason to cut your legs off." The vixen went limp, as she was held up. Her eyes moved to look at the wolfess. The faint glow in her eyes, the wings, the incredible strength. This wolfess was a half breed angelic. She was frustrated, but not entirely angry. Setting the vixen down, under several spear points, she spoke. "Who sent you?" "I do not talk about...." her head snapped to the left as the wolfess back handed her. Then she gasped as the wolfess pressed the tip of her blade against the vixen's crotch. "I will not ask again....." Sled came closer, putting his paw on the wolfess' to stop her. "No... not like this. I know who sent her. Seth sent her. To finish me off so there would be no resistance." He turned his soft brown eyes on the vixen. Her own emeralds looked back at him, and he could tell. She didn't want to do it. "He made you....didn't he?" She nodded softly. Angelica put her sword away, and with a simple hand motion sent the guards and her father away. "Come. We can talk in our hut." The vixen stood, hesitant to listen to the wolfess. Sled sighed and picked up her daggers, holding them out to her. She looked at him as if her were mad. "I trust you realize if you killed me here, you would never see the light of day again." She took the blades and walked toward the hut. Once inside, the wolfess hugged the vixen tightly. "Gods are you mad coming here like that?" Sled was confused. The vixen smiled and pet the wolfess softly, "Yes I know. But did you have to hit me so hard?" "What is the meaning of this?" The wolfess smiled at Sled, "This darling is the master spy and assassin your father employed. He hired her to keep tabs on your brother. While she did kill for him, yes, she did also keep records of everything he did. She has been my sparing partner and friend for many years." Sled saw it now, and sighed in relief. "So that out in the village?" "Was an act your majesty. I bare no ill will to you. And in your father's absence I report directly to you. Your brother sent me to murder you yes... however he demanded proof the deed was done. He wants your ring. With the finger still in it." Sled winced softly, both from the thought of losing his finger but also his father's ring. The colt then sat and sighed, "SO what will you do?" "I, my lord, will vanish like the shadow I am. He will never find me. At least not until I am there to claim his life." Sled waved a hand, "No. not like that. The council would suspect I sent you to kill him. And would refuse me the throne." The vixen nodded as she sat as well. "Siouxie, be a dear and tend Sled for me while I fetch some more food and drink for us all." The vixen nodded as the wolfess left. Sled looked at her and sighed, "So what is it that you do when you are not a spy and assassin?" The vixen set her weapons and pack aside. "I spend my time meditating or with my loved ones making them happy."
The next morning Sled awoke. He felt the soft feathered wings of his wolfess around himself. As he went to stretch, he felt another body pressed against his other side. Looking down, he spotted the vixen snuggled tightly to him under the covers. The wolfess and the vixen had linked paws over his chest. Sled vaguely remembered what happened the night before. Drinking, food, and some where along the line the vixen had offered to demonstrate to him exactly where pressure points on the body where that could disable an opponent without killing them. Sled blinked a bit, until he felt Angelica kiss his cheek. "Let her sleep. Come, we have more training to attend to." The horse nodded and ventured forth with her. Coming back to the training field, he resumed his practices. The slow work of learning each movement, and flowing it into the next. He was uncertain of what could have made it better. But the horse was trying his best. As the day began to close and they returned for the evening meal, Vanturian met them half way. "Your friend arrived in the North Hold not but this morning. It is time to journey back. And then, to the East." Sled was confused. He had only begun his training and now he had to leave. But he trusted the dire wolf, and nodded. Returning to their hut, the pair found the vixen dressed and prepared to leave. "I will come along. Whom knows what your brother may have planned should I fail. I have sent a lock of my hair, and a replica of one of my blades to be sent back as a warning. Stained with my own blood. He will take some time to determine his next course of action." She held up her paw, wrapped tightly in a bandage.
The group journeyed South, arriving later because of the arrival of winter. As they entered the village, they noticed the sounds of singing and music. Coming to the long house, they were greeted by Marvina with a tray of hot drinks. "Warm cider to take the chill off your bones. And a meal ready and waiting inside loves. Come, we have guests tonight and plenty for all." Inside the group were met by a rather amusing sight. A pair of succubi, standing beside the table and laughing softly. Their voices mingled with the group as a small band of wolves played happily to entertain everyone. Then the larger succubus laid eyes on the horse. She brightened and called, "Sled! It has been ages my dear!" The horse came to her, offing as she grabbed him in a bear hug. Once she set him back down he smiled up at her. "Midnight Star. It has been too long. And Starlyth! Goodness you have grown! You were but a child when I last set eyes upon you. A beautiful woman indeed!" The hybrid girl smiled and gave a polite bow before hugging the colt. Then she spied the vixen and wolfess. "Is that....?" she asked, the faint glow in her eyes giving away her curious nature. The horse motioned both close. Angelica smiled and bowed. Both succubi bowed back. "This is my mate, Angelica. And our dear friend Siouxie." Midnight smiled softly and gently took both by the paw in a simple greeting. Then they all sat to eat. The conversation turned to the East, the realm of Morindar. "The kingdom of Morindar is holding firm. But the East Hold is impassible. If we are to reach the East, we must pass through the Jesdous Mountains. It is the only safe path," Midnight said. Sled took a moment, before answering. "What of the Out Riders?" She sighed, "The Out Riders are gone. Finished. Your brother disbanded them. In their stead there is a new force guarding the roads East. Headed by the Mages Council. The one known as Minotake heads them." Angelica twitched at that. "She....She isn't...." Midnight sighed. "Even if she is not in league with Seth, the issue remains that she is loyal to the council. She will follow their orders. I prey they do not order her to lay siege to the East. It would become a war of attrition." Angelica sighed as she lay her head on the table. Sled knew that Angelica had considered the Hare a friend. They were almost sisters in a manner. Minotake had taken to instructing the wolf in proper swordsmanship. Sled had watched those practices, and knew that the Hare was a skilled battle mage. Capable of using magic and weapon. Both with great ease.
That night they set out. Midnight led the way, as the group traveled on horses. Vanturian remained to protect the way North, entrusting Angelica to continue Sled's training in their ways. The journey East would take a few weeks yet. As they trekked, Angelica took the time during rests to teach Sled the rest of the movements. He was then left to master them himself as they ventured further into the mountains. The travels left them little time to relax, as they constantly felt they were being watched. They had no time to sleep properly, save for when they found a cave to hide in. The group finally arrived at the boarder to the East. While still high in the mountains, the terrain suddenly became lush and wet. The soft drizzle of rain constantly filled the air. As they came to the first village, Sled slid from his mount and found himself surrounded by soldiers. He slowly held up his hands, as Midnight called out, "Peace! We are friend!" The soldiers disregarded her and one made to grab the horse. His arm slumped off and landed on the ground. He screamed as he staggered back. Angelica materialized there, her blade dripping blood, her image flickered and she vanished again. Sled made to grab her but his hand hit only air as he tried. She bounded forward and pinned the poor sod to the ground, her blade at his throat as her wings flared. The sky blasted with thunder as she snarled violently, "Don't you DARE touch my mate!" The soldier, a fox, cringed and begged for his life. The wolfess drew back for the kill when Midnight grabbed her arm. The Succubus had incredible strength, but even she strained to hold the wolf's paw still. "Peace! Enough. They will not harm us, not now." Angelica got off the fox, wiping her blade on her cloak and sheathing it. "As you wish my lady." The succubus healed the wound on the fox, but could not attach his arm again. As they walked toward the center of town, villagers ran from them. News spread fast, Sled thought. Coming to the main building, Sled looked over the look of the place. As he stood there, an old badger came forward. He eyed them carefully before speaking. "This.... Is not Seth. This, is our friend, Prince Sled. And I see the rumors of your escort are indeed true. Angels, and assassins. Strange for royalty to employ those normally sent to kill them." The vixen kicked Angelica in the ankle, which served only to make the wolfess wince softly. The badger then led them inside. Letting them sit upon the stools, he spoke. "Your brother was seen recently, riding out over our lands. He has turned one of our best against us. Minotake was a gifted student of mine. Skilled in everything, except compassion. I had thought that to let her see the world would teach her such. I seem to have been mistaken...." He looked at his paws. "I know what you seek. And I am too old to teach you Prince. I will, however, allow one of my former pupils to instruct you. You will be trained in fist and weapon." The horse nodded, taking a moment to select his words carefully, "Master, forgive us our arrival. We have journeyed long and my mate is only seeking to protect me from harm." The badger smiled, "I know well of your exploits, Angelica Captain of the royal guard. I also happen to know that you are hungry and tired. Your judgment is marred by physical limitation. Please, I bid you rest and recover. In the morning, I will lead you to the place where you will train. I warn you, this will take much of your time, and will make you doubt yourself." Sled nodded, and stood. He bowed low to the badger, as did Midnight and Starlyth. Once the badger left, Sled motioned to Midnight. "Would you find us lodging for the night. Cost is no matter. I can cover it. I have enough gold on me to buy this village twice over." The cubi nodded softly and took her daughter. Sled took Angelica and Siouxie to sit outside in the fresh air. Though it was constantly damp, the horse loved it here. His father had see the look of his face when he first came here. The place was amazing to him. Soon Midnight returned alone. "My daughter remains at the lodge. They have room enough for us all." Sled stood and smiled, "Good. And I hope that you are going to rest as well. Even you need sleep once in a while." The cubi smiled and ruffled his mane. "That I do friend." After a hot bath, a large meal, and some time to relax beside a fire and share a drink, Sled took Siouxie and Angelica to retire to his room. The vixen went to sit on the side of the room, but the wolfess took her paw. "Oh no you will not." Siouxie seemed confused. "You have shared a bed with us once. You shall at least rest with us. I wont have you laying on the floor." Sled smiled as he slid his clothing off and lay on the bed. He groaned softly, as his head hit the pillow. "Its soft.....and warm," he said with a grin. The wolfess smiled as she slid from her own armor and clothing. The vixen did as well, still perplexed. But the moment she sat on the bed, she was pulled close by the colt. "Come here vixen. I remember what happened that night. You won't be hiding from us." She squealed in surprise but relaxed when he lay her beside him. Angelica lay beside her, catching her between them. Curling her wings around both, the wolfess smiled as she stroked the vixen's tummy. "Now then....we have several hours before sunrise....."
Siouxie arched an eyebrow, until she felt the wolfess' paw caress her thigh. She grew wide eyed, "But... But...Your Majesty.... you're mated!" The vixen was well aware of the marital standard in the Empire. But the wolfess silenced her with a finger. "Shush. The rest of the world works differently. Besides, I think you are very beautiful and deserving of affection." The vixen blushed lightly and looked away a moment. But her gaze fell on the colt's face. He was smiling at her softly, as he stroked her shoulder. "It's your choice, but I would enjoy it very much if you stayed with us......I'm certain that between us all, we have love enough to spare for you......."