51 comments/ 36385 views/ 41 favorites Winds of Change By: whitesabretooth Author's note: All characters and companies mentioned in this story have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone or anything bearing the same name or names. Events portrayed in this story are pure invention and have not been based on any events that have happen in real life. All the characters involved in any sexual acts if their ages are not mentioned beforehand; are over 18 years of age. Enjoy. Hi everyone; Here it is the eagerly awaited next instalment of the of the Twists of Fate series. I apologise for the delay in getting the first chapter out but life has been hectic. As normal thanks goes to my editor and you the reader, all feedback and comments are welcome. So back to the world of Sogol. Have fun Pregnant. Even a week after having Thais declare it and Nathanael confirming it mere minutes later, it still left her shocked. To say Tarval was pleased was an understatement, he was ecstatic but it was tempered with the nerves of a first-time parent as this was his first child. Back when they were new mates and they first started talking about the possibility of children Tarval had made one request, that for their first child he wanted her tended to by people who knew about Da'Vaila pregnancies and the complications that might arise with the birth of a baby with wings. She had agreed because she knew it would be smart to have experts looking after her at least for their first, which was why she was glancing around their rooms wondering what else she needed to pack. She came to a stop before a full length mirror and stopped to look at herself, was she ready to be a mother. Too late now, her beast scoffed at her. Her dark eyes took in her features, dark brown hair fell in gentle waves down to her back; a black and white feather was tucked behind her left ear, the symbol of her union with Tarval. She looked over her body looking for something which would convince her she was pregnant, it just seemed so... unreal to her, fourteen years they had been together and only now were they successful. Her body hadn't started to change yet; it was lean with firmly packed muscles as she trained hard to keep herself safe. After living the childhood she had, she had taken to the warrior arts strongly, building herself up to be able to protect herself from anything life threw at her. Well... anything but becoming a mother. Amy stepped up beside her daughter and wrapped an arm around her. "What's wrong?" Amy asked. Alanna turned to the woman who had given her everything, her mother. Generally if people meet them without knowing they were mother and daughter people assumed they were friends and not even consider their real relationship as possible. Amy looked no older than she did when Alanna first met her, oh her midnight black hair was longer and her body was leaner, ins 'but' you would never believe that she had given birth to triplets or to a fourth. Glowing green marks ran up Amy's arms and neck and as well as over many other parts of her body. Her face was delicate but when needed there would be steel in her blue eyes; considered by those in the know to be the most dangerous creature currently known, she was not to be messed with... ever. However, to Alanna she would always be the woman who held her as she healed, body and soul, her mother. "I'm pregnant nothing is wrong," Alanna answered even as her hands ran over her flat stomach in which the proof of her love for Tarval was now growing, she couldn't even remember going into heat but she must have to be finally be pregnant. Amy sat her daughter on the bed, "Nervous?" Alanna nodded, how could she not be nervous, she had never been pregnant, never had a life so dependent on her before. Children had; up until very recently; been an abstract thought, not something she had seriously thought about, now however she had to start thinking seriously. "Don't be... you'll make a great mother." Amy said in a reassuring tone. "But I'm nothing like you," Alanna complained. Amy snorted in an undignified manner, "don't compare yourself to me, we aren't the same, I did my best and still do my best with all you guys. I made mistakes and you'll make mistakes but everything will turn out fine." She said trying to reassure her daughter. "Besides while it's a baby you'll become confident. I promise." She patted Alanna on the thigh. "Susan and Destiny are going with you so that Susan can learn how to treat wings; you rank them so please keep them out of trouble." Alanna grinned, trying to keep the inquisitive Destiny and the outspoken Susan out of trouble would probably take up most of her free time, "I'll try no promises though." "I heard that!" Destiny complained; as she had been slowly walking pass the door with her trunk for that part of Amy and Alanna's conversation. Alanna and Amy chuckled, Amy hugged her daughter, "you'll do fine and we'll be there the moment Remus comes and tells us you're in labour." Tarval walked in with an expectant look, he was Alanna's own Angel and Black Knight rolled into a neat package, she couldn't image a world without him in it. One of the original twelve Gephalim, he was a large man at eight feet tall with strong broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Straight black hair hung loose and long, framing his pale face; his green eyes were vibrant, he wore no beard and never had as it was something the male Da'Vaila didn't have in their genetics. Glossy black wings poked up from between his shoulder blades, every now and again a flash of white could be seen, the distinctive white feathers which gave him a last name of sorts. "All packed?" he asked as he reached for her trunk and got her nod in response. If she forgot something... well she had Ancient abilities so could just will what she needed into her hand. He lifted the truck easily and left the room with it. Both women stood and followed Tarval out and to the entrance hall, their things plus Destiny and Susan's were neatly stacked. "Susan, Destiny, you will be under Dominic's protection but that protection will only go so far, try to keep out of mischief. Obey his rules and know that if Alanna gives you an order, she ranks you so obey." Wolfgang said firmly moments after he joined them. Susan and Destiny nodded in understanding. "Anything else?" He asked Amy who shrugged, she had always been a guest and everything had been prepared for their visits. "Tarval?" Tarval nodded, "Be respectful but don't take crap, I am sure Dominic will explain that when Amy and Wolfgang are around his keep warriors are always respectful, as Alanna says they taught her to fight and they respect her. They may be a little less respectful without your Alphas around, so show them not to underestimate you." "We'll take them to a sparring session first thing tomorrow morning and the news will spread not to mess with them." Alanna suggested. Tarval nodded, that worked, most of the men in Sogol valued actions, more so in Dominic's keep. "Ready?" Alanna asked the group and got nods in response. She focused and a portal started to appear, she really liked this Ancient ability. Winds of Change Dominic chuckled, "We put your rooms right next to your parents, in fact you have a communal eating hall and kitchen." He explained. "The rooms were finished a year ago but the builders went straight back to work shortly after we appeared in the great hall. See it was breakfast service and Sage jumped on the nearest table and said, and I quote her, 'Alanna's preggers.' They have spent the last week reworking the room next to the master bedroom to make it into a nursery." "The wood carvers say the crib will be ready in a few weeks," Sage explained. "Da asked for a rocking chair to be made but the hardwood needed to make it has to be cut, dried and prepared, so he said you can borrow ma's rocking chair until the carvers have made you one." "Dominic you didn't..." "I know I didn't," Dominic interrupted, "but Bianca would have wanted you to borrow it, at the moment it is just gathering dust. I remember rocking Sage to sleep in it, she loved the rocking motion." He continued with a faraway look in his eyes. "Bianca had it specially made so that people with wings and without them could use the chair." "Thank you," Alanna said as they finally came to a double set of doors, on one half of the doors was Alanna's mark, a sword piercing a heart, on the other was Tarval's mark, four white feathers and between them was the green crest of her mother on the chest of a phoenix. Tarval pushed one of the large doors open and gestured for Alanna to go in first. Alanna walked in followed by the others, Iron-arm tagging along as he had nothing better to do and he was curious about these rooms and how they were laid out. She looked around at the entrance hall which had copies of certain renders on them including the one of Alanna and Tarval together. Alanna led the way down the short hallway which opened into a large open plan area which had doors coming off it, the largest Alanna assumed were the connecting doors. Another hallway led off this room and went further back which would hold the bulk of the rooms. The heavy long table dominated the room, its wood was dark but with a satin smooth finish. Sage grabbed Alanna's hand and pulled her over to the second set of double doors on the right hand side of the room. "This is the master bedroom, I helped to design it." She pushed open the door and dragged her sister into the large room. Tarval followed with a grin as Iron-arm studied the table. Dominic leant on the door jamb and watched as Sage showed her sister the room. It had a large bed which would have put the custom ones Amy and Wolfgang had made look small. At the foot of the bed was a foot locker which held spare blankets for cold nights and was a convenient place to sit and do up boots. A thick rug was near the bed, a place for Alanna's wolf to rest if she shifted in the night. The bathroom door was to the right of the room and beside it was a large set of drawers. Armour racks and weapon racks were near the entrance, other than that the room had very little furnishing. This was a room for sleeping, bathing and dressing, nothing more nothing less. "There is a balcony, in fact this whole wall of wood," Sage released Alanna and opened the bi-folding screens, they slid away with a gentle push, "is actually just to shut out light." Alanna walked out, surprised by just how deep the balcony was, the afternoon sun didn't even come near the small table setting, there were a few plants and a large day bed and the afternoon breeze kept this area just perfect. "Luna... I hope our room is like this." Susan said as she looked around. "I don't care about the room, I hope we have a bath like this one." Destiny said as she walked out of the bathroom. "It's fucking huge!" She told Susan as Susan walked passed her to see. Sage chuckled and grabbed the two women, "Come on and there is only one size of tub that is made here and that is it." She walked them from the room to show them where they would be sleeping. Tarval frowned as he walked back into the room from the balcony, he was positive his and Alanna's armour was still on its racks back on earth, they hadn't packed them because Alanna could just will the racks here. "What's this?" He asked Dominic as Iron-arm finally walked in to look around. "Your new armour," Iron-arm answered for Dominic before he wandered over to the bathroom. "There wasn't anything wrong with our old armour." Alanna said as she walked back into the bedroom and over to the bed. "There were a lot of things wrong with your old armour." Dominic replied, "Alanna your amour was hastily designed so that it was ready for use, the blacksmiths have refined the design, your parents have new armour as well." "Well Tarval didn't need new armour." Alanna stated, "his armour hasn't changed in hundreds of years..." "Thousands..." Tarval corrected. "Thousands of years, why the change now?" She moved away from the bed and over to the armour. "Because Tarval's armour needed to be upgraded." Dominic stated, "Go on see what's been done." Alanna pulled the covers from her armour and stared at it, the design was a little more form fitting, less bulky then her original, although still with a polished silver finish; the etchings were the same as the door only the Phoenix was clutching the sword pierced heart. The back plate hadn't changed; it was still quite plain except for the randomly raised lines placed across the metal. She wished they would stop putting these marks on her armour but she knew they would forever be on her armour even if her skin no longer bore the scars. Those marks were how she became known in this world, for getting up and walking twelve steps after receiving thirty lashes from a nerve whip, a painful weapon from which five lashes rendered a strong Nephalim unconscious. The lines on the back plate matched the slowly fading scars still present on her back down to the millimetre. A new thing was the gold trim on the shoulder guards and around the neck. Tarval turned to his armour and removed the cover, it was still mat black with the signature four white feathers only etched behind them was two swords crossed on a Phoenix's chest. He too now sported gold trim around the shoulder guards and neck. But other than a slight re-work of the design his armour was essentially the same. "What's with the gold?" Tarval asked. "It means you are high ranking, Warlord or other," Iron-arm explained, "Flight leaders get blue trim, Wing leaders get red trim, craft masters get green. It is to help differentiate the warriors ranks, all Nephalim are using this system, you'll also notice you have a gold band in your mail around the biceps." "Then why do I have gold?" Alanna asked. Dominic chuckled, Alanna's insistence that there was nothing special about her really made him laugh. He had told Amy and Wolfgang that Alanna really needed to spend time in Sogol to truly understand that she was important regardless of how she viewed herself. Amy had countered, she's modest and a good leader doesn't show off. "That is simple," Iron-arm said, "for starters you are a sword master and second you are Alanna Brave-heart." Alanna rolled her eyes and put the cover back on to keep the dust off. She smiled at Dominic, "This place is awesome." Sage chose this moment to come back into the room, grabbing her sister's arm she almost dragged Alanna to a door she hadn't noticed before. Sage opened it and walked Alanna into the nursery. "I know it looks a little plain but we generally don't furnish a nursery until after the first month, because if you haven't miscarried by then it is unlikely that you will. Michelle is organising the baby shower." "That sounds like fun," Alanna said as she looked around, Sage chuckled knowing her sister didn't really mean it. There were a few things in the room, a changing table, chest of drawers and some other furniture but the room was essentially bare. Sage walked Alanna over to the rocking chair and opened the shutters which brightened the room. "Give it a try." Sage urged and Alanna complied; moving over to the chair, the wood was glossy and smooth and was a delight to sit in. Alanna leant back and the chair started to do a gentle rocking motion. "Your chair will basically be the same; only the carvings will be different because it will be your chair." Alanna closed her eyes as the chair continued to rock. "Bianca used to rock herself to sleep in that chair all the time," Dominic said gently. Sage wrapped an arm around her father, "She'll come back." "I know... I just miss her." He replied. "So is there anything else we need to know about?" Tarval asked as he glanced around the nursery. "No, you can explore all you want. Travis and Jewel are in charge of keeping these rooms; they will be taking care of your needs." Dominic explained, "and you can eat here or go to the great hall." Jewel entered the room and smiled at Alanna, "I have set up tea at the table." She told the room before she turned and left. "Tea... Luna I want coffee." Alanna complained but walked out of the room. Susan and Destiny were already at the table and examining the food on offer. Everyone sat and took cups as Jewel finished preparing the tea; once it was ready she poured it out then left the room. Iron-arm studied Destiny and Susan, "So... what kind of women are you, are your fighters or..." "We can kick your arse," Destiny interrupted which raised a chuckle out of Iron-arm. "Prove it," Iron-arm said once he stopped chuckling, "early morning training, be there." "Oh we'll be there, I will even promise not to humiliate you." Destiny said sweetly but there was steel in her voice. It gave the warning that she was dangerous. Iron-arm studied her for a moment, "you know... before I met Alanna I may have laughed at that and dismissed your comment. I now know better." He finished and everyone chuckled. "Good," Destiny replied before she sipped at her tea. Iron-arm turned to Susan, "hey... I was trained by Amy." Susan stated. Iron-arm turned to Dominic, "Why didn't we see Bianca in the ring?" He asked as besides Bianca every other Were female he had met was a warrior, proud of it and ready to prove themselves the equal to any warrior they met. Bianca however had been nothing like that. "Because Bianca was a normal ranked Were, an Omega or general pack member. Nothing like the other Were you've met, who are Enforcers and higher, she was never trained to fight in ring, she knew how defend herself but nothing more until she came here. Then I began to train her in private. She wanted it to remain private, to be a secret weapon so to speak." Dominic explained as he picked up a piece of cake. Winds of Change Susan chuckled and copied her sword so that she would have two, then copied Destiny's sword. "Let's show him." "If I really want to show him it should be against Alanna, but Tarval won't let that happen." Destiny replied as they walked into the centre of the space. All activity around in the other sections stopped and everyone turned their attention to the two women. There was no signal to start the fight, one moment they were standing before each other the next their swords clashed against each other, again and again they moved and their swords danced independent of each other. Iron-arm went pale as he realised that it could have been him against Destiny. You know I need to show them that I haven't changed, Alanna told her mate silently. Tarval had been thinking along the same lines and he knew he couldn't be the one to duel her, he would naturally go easier on her since she was pregnant. Fine. He told her. Alanna grinned and copied Wolf Claw, the sword Gabrielle had made, Had enough yet Susan? Thank Luna, get your arse over here. Susan replied as she backed away from her mate. Destiny grinned and turned her attention to Alanna. "So... Tarval is going to let you play." She teased. "Shut up and fight," Alanna told her as she advanced, men cheered as they watched Alanna enter the ring. "Looks like you're the popular one," Destiny taunted. "Screw you," Alanna replied as she was finally in range of Destiny's swords. Destiny chuckled as they started to circle, both waited to see who would throw out the first blow. Destiny got bored with the waiting game and started the deadly dance. They moved with speed and grace, never letting the other get the upper hand. Destiny was well trained and against most pack members she would have won... but Alanna wasn't one of those pack members. Alanna deflected both of Destiny's swords out and away giving Alanna time to go in for the kill. Her swords came up and were crossed in a quick movement, a move later Destiny was met with a pair of swords near her neck in a classic scissor action. "Yield," Destiny declared and a cheer went up from the watching warriors. Destiny turned to Iron-arm, "so... still want to fight?" She asked. "Ah... no..." He replied which caused Destiny to laugh. Susan turned to Dominic, "So did that work? Will we be effectively left alone?" Dominic nodded, his men now knew not to mess with Susan and Destiny, and that Alanna was just as lethal as she was the last time she was here. Winds of Change "Okay... how are we doing this?" Thane said getting to business. "I want to get them good at hand fighting before we introduce them to weapons. It will teach them to control their bodies." She explained. "We know little about hand fighting, we can't help you there." Braken stated. "That I know, we will cross that bridge if we come to it and if I must I will get Sage, Susan, Destiny or Tarval to join the team." She explained. "Now... what is expected in the way of inspections?" Cia smiled, "we can take care of that, for the first week we tell them what needs to be corrected, next week they have daily inspections of dress and dorms. While you are inspecting them before stretching, one of us will go through the dorms, make sure everything in place, if not we report it and we take them back in to correct it then they get punished." "What is the charge?" Alanna asked. "Failure to maintain equipment and quarters to reasonable standards," Thane replied, "my wing got the yard twice for that one. Cleaning weapons for the entire day and doing the afternoon in the laundry the other time." "My wing got that one too, we had to scrub the great hall's floor while on our hands and knees and with little brushes." Braken added. "My wing had to clean the entire barracks." Cia continued. "Suicides for an hour." Alanna told them. "You win," Thane said as it seemed extreme. Alanna smiled, "I would like the practise swords to be packed away. They won't be handling swords this year." They nodded. Winds of Change Ch. 02 Author's note: All characters and companies mentioned in this story have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone or anything bearing the same name or names. Events portrayed in this story are pure invention and have not been based on any events that have happen in real life. All the characters involved in any sexual acts if their ages are not mentioned beforehand; are over 18 years of age. Enjoy. Hi everyone Here is the second chapter, I hope you enjoy it, I know I am probably going to get some angry emails about the ending so I warn you, there is kind of a cliff hanger at the end of the chapter. I would like to apologise to anyone who I may not have gotten back to and I am going to answer a question that quite a few have posed to me recently. Do I have a picture or drawing of Amy's crest, I kind of have a mental picture of what it should look like, sadly every time I've gone to draw it I've never quite gotten it right. I promise the moment I do get it just right I will let you all know what it looks like. As normal all feedback is welcome and I give thanks to my stressed out editor, I hope her work load starts to calm down. Have run Chapter 2 Sage walked into the training field just as Alanna dismissed the wings for their free time and lunch break several days later. Sage wrapped an arm around her sister, how has your day been? Alanna growled her response as they walked into her office; the other instructors were waiting and stood when they spotted Sage. "Sit... this isn't formal, I've just come to see how my sister is doing." She informed the men. Sage sat as Alanna did and as soon as both women were seated the three men sat. "Come on... what made you growl?" "They resist my teaching and all I am trying to do is bring up their fitness." Alanna explained. Sage shrugged, "they have been taught that what they genetically know in the way of battle is the best, and that includes how they train their bodies. To trust the knowledge passed from father to son. Of course they are going to resist." "You didn't resist when ma took over your battle training," Alanna pointed out. "Yeah... but I had been watching ma and you guys and came to realise that perhaps learning what she had to teach me would make me stronger. I wasn't wrong." Sage explained, "I am sure Tarval's second reason for getting lessons from you was because you used moves he hadn't seen before, you challenged him to change." "What was the first reason?" Alanna asked puzzled. "Um... attraction," she replied as if it was obvious. Alanna chuckled, "alright, you doing anything tomorrow?" "Yeah... nothing," Sage replied. Alanna closed her eyes and clicked her fingers, "rest day." "Yeah and its market day," Sage said as she rubbed her hands together. "What will the boys do tomorrow?" Alanna asked Thane. "Nothing... they are restricted to the keep and if the markets are here they are restricted to the school. All will go visit their parents." Thane explained. Alanna nodded. "Okay then, Sage day after tomorrow, doing anything?" "Nothing I can't reschedule why?" Sage replied. "Because I want to show them what is possible with what I am going to teach them. I'll see if I can get Tarval, Destiny and Susan to help give them a full understanding of what is possible. I also want you guys to help me teach the boys." Alanna explained. Sage nodded, "I can do that." "Nathan will resist which means his wing will resist." Thane added. Alanna nodded, "yes... I don't like him as leader, too hot headed." Thane nodded in agreement. "His wing is always the last to form up, the others are formed up and waiting for you before you enter the field." Cia supplied to the conversation. "He'll see his father tomorrow, if it doesn't correct his attitude at the first sign of slight rebellion I'll send them to the yard, the suicides obviously aren't correcting the behaviour." Alanna said firmly. Thane nodded, "and if he continues to lead the wing to the yard they will rebel against him, they will stop following and force him to conform to the group and the new leader." "We'll see what happens after rest day." Alanna told the room effectively ending the post training meeting. Sage and Alanna left together, "So how have you handled being training master." "Dominic said be firm but fair, and that is what I am doing but sometimes I just want to clip them behind the ears." Alanna explained. "A cuff is acceptable if followed by a warning." Sage explained, "One warning and if that doesn't work; send them to the yard." Thane had explained it all to Alanna that first day but as of yet she hadn't needed to take anyone to the yard. "I haven't sent any to the yard yet, I am using suicides as a second chance corrective." Sage grimaced, "I remember the first set of suicides Sammy ordered, I almost collapsed after I did the last set. They will come to hate them but they are young men, they will rebel as that is what they do. Eventually they will all spend time in the yard." Sage explained. "Now Susan ordered me to take you to lunch then to the infirmary," she told her sister. Alanna rolled her eyes as they walked into the keep, "I am only a few weeks along, what does she expect to see?" Sage shrugged, she didn't know, "Maybe she just wants to see what an accelerated pregnancy looks like, week by week." "Great... I'm a guinea pig." Alanna said sarcastically. Sage chuckled, "come on, it's not that bad, I am sure part of it is that the healers here are just as interested and want to see how your little one will develop." "You're the first to call it a little one; everyone else is convinced it's a boy." Alanna remarked. Sage grinned, "Yeah well... Everyone thought I was a boy until I came out. Until someone holds the child up and tells me it's a boy; I'll call it little one." "What if it isn't a boy?" Alanna asked a little anxious. "Tarval won't care, either sex is fine as long as it is healthy and his." Sage grinned, "Ma told me Da was speechless as the midwife handed me to him and declared a girl. I was wrapped firmly up in a blanket, he opened the blanket, he had to make sure, but he couldn't deny the evidence, I was a girl. He had always wanted to call his first child Sage, since it was a pretty androgynous name he decided to keep it. He then clumsily wrapped me again and went to declare me to the keep. Ma wasn't there for that but Iron-arm told me about it, told me that Da stood on the dais and held me out to the men. He said, 'It is a joyous day for the keep, the love of my life is fine as is our daughter.' Iron-arm said the keep was silent until someone said, 'the Dephalim are dead...' Da then unwrapped me and held me out, everyone could see the immature wings on my back and that I was very much a little girl." They walked into the keep and started making their way to the great hall. "One of the women came forward took me from my da and wrapped me again, she glared at him and said, babies need to be kept warm. The keep didn't stay shocked for long, the first female Nephalim was born to their keep, the celebrations lasted for a week." Sage continued. Sage smiled, "The first time I was put down in the nursery they had an argument, the room had been filled with things for a little boy, ma wanted to redecorate for a little girl. Guess who won?" she prompted. "Bianca?" Alanna guessed. "Nope... da did, although he compromised, the little fake swords and armour got to stay, I got to have a rag doll and any stuffed animal ma could make or find." Sage explained. "How long did the rag doll last?" Alanna asked with a small grin. "I was four when I cut its head off with one of the fake swords. I then ran around my room making war cries as I held the head by it hair and waved my sword. Let's just say ma was mortified but da just chuckled and said that's a war lord not a princess." Sage explained before both women chuckled. They got to the main hall which was a hive of activity, most if not all took their noon meal here. Tarval spotted Alanna and waved; she smiled and walked over to him dodging between bodies and chairs. Tarval had already gotten her a large serving of the heavy stew that was on offer, when she got to him she tilted her head up for a kiss and got one, only not on her lips but on her forehead. She pouted a little and Tarval sighed giving her a quick kiss on her lips. "Now sit before your stomach gets so loud it drowns out everything else." Tarval told her. Alanna rolled her eyes and sat; she looked at the stew and felt her mouth water, her stomach made a demand. Slowly she started to eat, dipping soft bread into the gravy between bites of tender meat and vegetables. "What meat is this?" Alanna asked as a woman put more bread in a basket. "Grayatha," the woman replied. "Isn't that the rat like creature that lives around here?" Alanna asked. The woman nodded, "yes and it makes great eating. Mind you it takes a good six mature ones to make enough for the entire keep; the men managed to get eight this morning and are going out to see if they can get a few more, they are great in a pie." "I've only seen the little ones, the Graya, how big do their cousins get?" Alanna asked. "Quite big, I've seen one with a body almost as long as my husband's, an adult male, the hunter who snagged that one nearly lost a few fingers but said he wouldn't trade the experience even if he lost his fingers." She told Alanna with excitement before moving away. "That sounds like fun... think the men will mind if I join them?" Alanna asked. Tarval watched her for a moment, part of him was glad Alanna was fitting in and wanting to join the activities of the keep, but the other part didn't want to put her in danger and hunting Grayatha was dangerous, more so if you stumbled upon a nest that were supporting young. However, he had seen Keira, Amy and Sienna hunt well into the late stages of their pregnancies so it shouldn't be harmful for Alanna to hunt. "My Wolf is interested, I might let her out," Alanna said a little oblivious to Tarval's mood. Sage sat beside her sister as did Susan and Destiny, "So... you want to go on the hunt?" Sage asked and grinned as Alanna nodded. "Count me in," Susan added. "My cat feels like a little bit of a rough and tumble." * "Okay," Sage said as she looked at Susan and Alanna, they were making their way to the outer wall for the hunt. "Grayatha are as Alanna said rat like, but I would say they are more part rat, part wolverine and part dog. They are vicious and will attack in groups if we stumble across a nest. This is rearing season for them and they will protect their young more ferociously than any other time of the year." "So we don't want to stumble upon a nest?" Susan questioned, hitting a nest sounded like a good option when you were after numbers. "Depends, males will be thrown out and they form bachelor nests, once they are old enough they will challenge a dominant male for his and his 'brothers' harem." Sage explained. "So a bachelor nest will be better than a breeding nest?" Alanna asked. "If we even find one," Sage offered a square of fur to Alanna, "you have the better nose... that is Grayatha fur." "Hey are we going or what?" A young warrior said as he jogged pass, a special kind of bow and arrow rested in his hands and a quiver sat at his hip. "Go we'll catch up," Sage told him. "Has anyone told you you've been getting lazy?" He called back a moment before he took flight. "Mich is such an arse!" Sage growled in response. "Hey... when we come back with a couple of Grayatha and he comes back empty handed he will look the fool not you." Alanna told her sister as she looped her sword belt so that her sword was on her back. Sage and Susan copied her; it wasn't safe to leave the keep without some form of weapon. They would be hunting in their hybrid forms as they would need hands to climb the cliff face that the animals called home. Their clothes vanished and the cracks of bones filled the area, some of the warriors going on the hunt watched in fascination, they didn't get to witness complete changes very often, they saw eyes change colour, the hint of teeth but nothing more until after the shift. Alanna stretched and yawned once her shift was over, her long red tongue curling, the wolf was forward in her mind, ready and eager to hunt. She was a magnificent creature, perfectly formed even though she was caught somewhere between human and animal with lean muscles, her coat was grey with black highlights and slightly shaggy. A gold band of metal hugged her neck and was easily seen through her coat, a black and white feather rested against her left shoulder and could be traced back to her own scalp, that feather would always be a distinguishing feature. The square of fur had been dropped during the transformations, she reached down and picked it up, holding it to her nose so that she could hunt her quarry and lead her pack sisters to food for the den and food for the cub inside her. After several deep breaths she dropped the fur and howled calling the start to the hunt. Susan roared in response and Sage snarled; the only time she had a voice was when she was in her hybrid form so she was going to make use of it today. They moved as a group and started down the cliff face using their claws to find cracks until they came to a ledge almost fifty feet down from where they had started. Alanna sniffed, using her far superior olfactory senses to almost taste the air. The scents on the ledge were Grayatha but were weeks old. Old scents. Alanna told the others. Sometimes they move further down during this time of year, Mather won't like us being so close to his forests, whatever we do we cannot leave the cliff face or we risk his people. Sage added. Who is Mather? Susan asked as she hadn't met him before. A Santaur, cross between a man and a deer. Alanna explained as she started to move further down. Ooo, I want to meet one. Susan replied as she followed Alanna further down. And I am sure he wants to meet you, Sage replied slightly amused. Less talking please... Alanna requested as she focused on her path, one wrong hand or foot hold and she would be sliding down the cliff and she didn't want to deal with gravel rash as that stung. After another forty feet descent Alanna came to a new ledge, she sniffed deeply and the scent she wanted she found, and not just one but a few and not weeks or days old but a mere hour. Found some! There is a narrow ledge just above you and to your right, I'll climb up and ambush from above. Sage said as she began her climb. Susan and Alanna waited until Sage was at her ledge and it didn't take long, as a snow leopard was a climber which made Sage a natural. Once Sage was in position they advanced slowly, the ledges were narrow and not good for fighting on. Remember try not to damage the fur or the tail, it is a trophy to the hunter. Sage reminded. So breaking necks is best. Susan surmised. Sounds like it. Alanna agreed as she moved around an outcrop and came to a much larger ledge, she advanced carefully and glanced looking for a cave or opening that would indicate a den. She lowered her head to sniff at the ground and saw a flash of movement just as a large body launched its self at her; two more shapes followed the first. Alanna felt the impact of the firmly built body and went down as it had taken out her legs. She growled as she felt three Grayatha jump on her. She didn't see Sage come to her aide only to be attacked by several more and even more went after Susan. Alanna felt claws dig into her flesh, she flung one of them off just before it bit her, it thudded into the cliff face with a sickening crunch and didn't get back up. Pushing herself up she managed to shake off one and grabbed the other by the neck and tore it from her back. The one she had shaken off was back and sank its sharp incisors into her thigh. Alanna snarled and slammed her fist down on its head stunning it then quickly she snapped the neck of the one she was holding then tossed it to join the other she had killed. The one she had stunned was still attached to her thigh; she worked its jaws and teeth free of her leg and jerked its head firmly snapping the neck. She panted thinking the fight was over and turned her attention to the others, Susan and Sage were dispatching their last foes, she was disappointed that the other two looked to be on track to take out four each while she had only taken out three. The movement behind her went unseen as Sage and Susan finished off the last two. Susan glanced up just in time to see a massive Grayatha launch its self onto Alanna's back, its teeth sinking deeply into Alanna's shoulder and chest. Alanna yelped and went to claw the beast off her; only at the last moment did she remember that the trophy was important. The weight of the animal drove Alanna to the ground as its claws raked down her back. Do we help her? Susan asked. No... she won't get to claim the trophy if we do, check the den for any more. Sage said as she watched her sister. Alanna pushed herself up again and turned her body slamming the animal on her back into the ground. It squeaked and released its bite. That was what Alanna had hoped it would do, keeping it pinned she shifted her body to keep it from biting again and reached around, her hand grabbed the muzzle and rolled off it, she got back to her feet before it managed to shake free of her grip. It launched its self at her again, its jaws snapping, wanting to sink into flesh. Alanna watched as everything seemed to go in slow motion; her hands reached out and managed to catch the muzzle and the lower jaw at the same time, twisting the head away as the body slammed into her. This time she was expecting it and had braced herself even though she was prepared, the impact slid her back a foot. Once the Grayatha's forward motion had stopped she wrapped her left leg around it to hold its body still and wrenched its head sharply to the right, the sickening crunch of the neck breaking seemed almost like a thunder clap but that sound had time returning to normal. She released the body and stumbled away a little to get her bearings. Sage gave her a round of applause as she approached to see the monster Alanna had taken out, Wow... I never knew they got so big, definitely the dominant male. He must have thought you were the bigger threat to the nest than the rest of us. Susan returned from checking out the den, there are six more adults bunkered down in the den, as well as about a dozen young. They aren't coming out; I think we should leave them. She told them and they all started to shift back into their human forms so that Susan could evaluate the damage, they made loincloths and breast bands appear on their bodies as they knew Santaurs would be nearby. Susan glanced at Sage but Sage's wounds were nothing more than scratches. Only Alanna had been group attacked and since the Grayathas methods were new to them it had shocked them all. "Tarval's never going to let me hunt again," Alanna said as she sat on a rock and studied part of the wound on her thigh. Susan chuckled, "Come on remember when Keira came home with an antler tine embedded in her chest because she misjudged her leap. That was near her stomach and sent Ghan mental; thigh and shoulder are much better places to be hurt when pregnant." Susan studied the chest wound first but the bleeding had stopped and was already knitting its self together as she turned her attention to Alanna's thigh. Winds of Change Ch. 02 Sage went around marking the kills with the correct person's mark, she sighed when she looked at the big male wishing it had come after her instead of her sister; it was going to be a great trophy but her sister deserved it. She tied Alanna's mark around the neck of the monster; it was easily nine feet long from shoulder to rump and at least a thousand-- pounds of flesh, not an easy beast to take down. Is the child...? Alanna started to say. Is absolutely fine, I won't let you go hunting the moment you start to show but for the moment it is well protected and you took no direct blows to the stomach. Susan reassured. "Now sit still, your leg needs to heal a little more before we go." Sage made a sled appear and Susan helped stack the kills in it, Alanna's monster went first as she wanted it to be dramatic when they pulled him out. Once the load was secure Susan checked Alanna's wounds again but no teeth had snapped or chipped off into the wounds, they were now more superficial. They all jerked as they could hear a horn being played. "That's da calling the hunt back." Sage said as she tucked the monster's tail into the sled as well as several of the others. She walked over to her sister, "do you need help?" she asked. "Nope I'm good," Alanna stood and walked over to the sled with only a slight limp. The monster could be just made out beneath the other bodies. "Fuck me... he was huge." "Yeah I am surprised you didn't go down the second time he charged you." Sage replied. "Sent me back a foot." Alanna reminded. "True, time to go or we'll get our butts kicked." Sage said and willed them and the sledge back to the keep. They appeared near the other hunters, several displaying their kills. "Back empty handed Sage?" Mich taunted as he held the juvenile he had caught by the tail. It took him a moment to see the scratch marks that marred Sage's body. "Only one... and a juvenile killed by an arrow..." Sage shook her head as they lifted their kills out. Sage laid her four out, side by side. Susan's went next and finally Alanna's, none of the beasts they had killed were juveniles or even young adults, no, all twelve were old adults. Men gasped when Alanna and Sage lifted out the large dominant male. They looked closely at the kills, but none had a single scratch on them. "Close combat?" Mich said as he noticed the way the heads hung lose which meant the necks had been broken. "Yep... and a breeding nest, we left six adults and a dozen young." Sage boasted, she was really pleased with herself, she could have flown with a wing but her sister and aunt hadn't hunted Grayatha before so she had chosen to keep them out of trouble. No one would have wagered on them coming back with this haul. Word spread and soon almost half the keep had come to see Alanna's Grayatha. "Tanners... you better get to work before they start to bloat." Dominic said which was another way of telling everyone it was time to go, they would get to gawk at the size of Alanna's kill when the hide was preserved. The tanners walked forward and started to put the kills into the sled Sage had willed into life, it had wheels so it would be easier to get the kills to where they needed to go. They hesitated when it came to Alanna's monster; they had never seen a Grayatha that big. "Just what are we going to do with all that meat?" The head cook said as she saw all the animals. "I have an idea," Sage said as Tarval finally came to see if the hunt was successful. "Another?" Alanna teased. "I'll have you know I do have good ideas." Sage argued. "Granted they don't happen very often but I do have them." She continued. Dominic smiled, "tell us your idea." "Single serve pies, we can sell them at the markets tomorrow and make a profit as well as use up some meat so it isn't wasted." Sage explained. "We've never done anything like that before." Araha replied. "I have made small pies before, let me get cleaned up and I'll meet you in the kitchens." Sage said as she turned. "Okay." Araha left to warn the kitchen that Sage would be joining them. It would be a first for them as Sage had never come into the kitchens to cook, only to beg for food. "So... how did you do?" Tarval asked, his eyes finding every scratch and bite, none had been near her stomach and having witnessed Keira's last hunt before Nathanael banned her, he knew that as long as she wasn't showing and Alanna was careful, the little one was safe within their mother. "Four each, I got the big one." She told him as she gestured to the biggest one. "And it was quite a fight," Mather said as he approached. "You had some of my men very concerned Alanna." "We didn't step off the cliff although Sage was concerned that we had to go down so far." Alanna replied. Mather grinned, "no... they know you are pregnant and women of my kind don't fight when they are expecting." "Try telling that to a Were." Susan said as she paced around Mather to get a good look at him. "The primal side of their personality doesn't care that there are risks with hunting because if they can't hunt they can't provide food and that would jeopardise the development of their young." She explained. "I'm..." "Susan, Amy's adopted sister." Mather injected quickly to let her know he knew who she was. "Dominic sure is chatty." Susan surmised. "No, I share Thais's talent for seeing the future although I am not nearly as powerful as him." Mather replied as he held out his hand for a shake. Susan took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "I've seen Centaurs but never a Santaur before." Susan said as she released his hand. Mather grinned, "We are unique to this world. I am surprised that you haven't seen me before, I went to Alanna and Tarval's bonding ceremony." Susan nodded, "Yeah, I was still in the navy at that point in time, I missed the ceremony." "You are a warrior?" Mather questioned as in his mind he had a clear image of her tending to a child, like a healer would. "Medic, I became a doctor and a healer after I left the service." Susan replied, "Do those fall off?" She asked as she pointed to his antlers. Mather grinned, "No, we can cut them off if they become entangled in a fight but generally we just leave them alone." "Are they heavy?" Susan asked. Mather chuckled, "Quite but you get used to the weight as the antlers grow." "Thank you for answering my nosy questions," Susan said, she turned to Alanna, "When you are all cleaned up come to the clinic so I can run my scans." "You know I feel like a guinea pig." Alanna stated as she glared at her aunt. Susan shrugged, "It isn't my fault, you are in the early stages of pregnancy and no one has ever documented with ultrasound an accelerated Da'Vaila pregnancy before." "I shouldn't count, I'm Were," Alanna reminded, "Our child may develop differently to a pure Da'Vaila child." "And I have every intention of doing the same thing to the next dozen or so pregnant women who come into the clinic and if Sage manages to hook up with her soul mate and is a man then I will be waiting for her to get knocked up to do the exact same thing." Susan replied. Alanna sighed as Tarval wrapped an arm around her. "Fine..." Alanna replied. Susan grinned and walked off. "So what brings you here Mather," Alanna asked. Mather grinned and gestured to two of his men who were carrying a big chest, "A gift for all your children to come." He explained. "Mather you didn't have to," Alanna said. "I know, but I wanted to." He explained as his men put the chest down. Alanna knelt and undid the latch before opening the lid. Inside the chest there were little wooden figures, she carefully pulled out a Santaur then a Nephalim. There were little trees and pieces that could be turned into a Keep and little houses. There were more and more pieces in the chest as well as a figure that looked exactly like her mother in full cat form. Tarval grinned as he saw what was in the chest, "How long have you been working on this?" He asked as he recognised Mather's handy work as he had made a snow leopard for Sage when she was younger. Alanna glanced up, "You made these?" Mather grinned and nodded, "Yes, and since you married, I've made one or two pieces a week for the last fourteen years. There are almost a thousand pieces in there." "Mather!" Alanna complained. Mather grinned, "Alanna... this is for all of your children. I will replace pieces when they are broken and occasionally add a piece but that is it... I promise. Besides it has been a pleasure to make them, there is a figure in there for every person in your family a whole flight of Nephalim and Gephalim as well as a whole oracle of S'ephalim and the Primes." "Oracle?" Alanna questioned. "A group of three or more S'ephalim," Tarval explained. "And Gephalim and Nephalim as a group are known as?" Alanna asked. "A Mass for the Nephalim and a Mess for Gephalim." Dominic answered as he picked up a little figure that looked almost exactly like him. "A Mass of Nephalim," Alanna said aloud, she liked that term and she could understand why a group of Gephalim would be called a Mess. "A group of outcasts we call a Crew." Tarval added. "More names to remember," Alanna said aloud. Mather grinned, "A group of Santaurs is called a Chase," he added. "Dominic said herd," Alanna stated, she clearly remembered Dominic saying herd. "It was a term I knew you would understand," Dominic replied. Alanna smiled and stood, she placed the pieces that had been removed back into the chest before she closed the lid, and she tapped it and willed it to the nursery although she had planned to turn one of the spare rooms into a play room, but she had plenty of time to do that. "Oh to be Ancient," one of Mather's men said and the other nodded, bringing that chest up here had not been easy. Mather grinned at his men before he turned to Dominic, "I have a list of items I would like you to try to get from the markets." Dominic nodded, "right this way then please gentlemen. I believe Alanna needs to get cleaned up before going to the clinic." "Right, coming?" Alanna asked as she turned to Tarval. "I will meet you at the clinic in half an hour," he replied before he walked off as if he had an important errand. Alanna frowned at Tarval's actions; he knew that she generally liked to make love after a successful hunt. Yet there he was, walking away from her again, in fact he hadn't touched her since Thais told them all she was pregnant. She shook it off and willed herself to her room; she glanced around for a moment before she turned to the bathroom. The bath called to her so she walked over and opened the taps, immediately steaming water started to come from one tap and cold water came from the other. Alanna put the plug in and turned to the bottles of oil, rummaging for a moment until she found the vanilla oil. She frowned as she noticed it was labelled with three scripts, and all three she could make out, one was clearly English. The second was using a flowing script somewhere between early Aramaic and what kind of looked like Dhivehi but the third was made up of some kind of runic system that she had never seen before. She had seen a lot of scripts in books and scrolls over the last few years as she learnt what it took to be Ancient. But she hadn't been able to read it only the translations. Sage? Alanna called gently. Yep, Sage replied. Why can I read the other languages on the bottle? Alanna asked and showed her sister a mental picture of what she meant. The language after English is called Saih, the Da'Vaila written language and one under that is called Mugra the Santaur written language. Sage explained. Why can I read them? Alanna asked as she tipped some oil into the water. Because I can, Sage said as if that was the most logical answer in the world. Genetic memories, Alanna surmised. Your genetic memories. Yep, and that genetic stuff gets passed on to everyone in our family through ma and da's blood and our mates through our own blood, Sage explained. Mind you it sucks that you don't have to be reminded to be able to read it. What about Aunt Susan? Can she read it? Alanna inquired as she turned the taps off having deemed the tub full enough. Yes, but that is because during a fight she managed to claw ma and cleaned the wounds. And ingesting ma's blood, Alanna surmised. You know anyone can get this if they lick some fallen blood. She stripped and slid into the tub with a sigh. Nope, I had that thought and took it to Mryddin shortly after Ash joined the family, so he spilt my blood left it for a few seconds before testing it. Sage began, anyway the tests came back; our blood loses its ability to transfer any of the funky Ancient stuff the moment it leaves our body. He hasn't been able to figure out how we transfer what makes us whatever we are yet. Does ma know? Alanna asked as she used a sponge to clean her arms. You know Mryddin, he told Taliesin and they both went to ma. You know that globe she never lets out of her sight? Sage asked before she moved on not needing an answer as they all knew about the green globe their mother always had in her pocket. Well she finally let the merlins take a look at it, I was there when she showed them all that she had compiled in that other universe, stuff the other Merlins hadn't even thought about looking into like Crystal, Destiny and Vlha's genetics and way much more. She let them copy it and copied the stuff they had. I suggested that they link one of the Atlantian computers so that the two devices always sync to each other and all the information will be kept up to date. Another good idea Sage? You know you are going to damage your reputation for stupid ideas this way. Alanna joked. Sage chuckled; I told you I've been known to have good ideas. The merlins however took that idea one step further, they gave ma a new globe and told her they have synced the globe to the Ancient mainframe, she transferred everything to the new globe turned it green with a yellow stripe and stuffed it back into her pocket. Hm... Alanna hummed as she took the sponge to her legs. It might be wise for all of us to have a globe like that, just in case. Never thought of that, Sage replied, got to go, we're starting to get the moulds lined. Have fun, Alanna said with a grin. Always, was Sage's quick response. ** Alanna chuckled as she and Tarval walked into the great hall for dinner. They were both in high spirits after their appointment in the clinic; they had heard the rapid thrum of their child's heart. Susan had explained that the development was fine and nothing seemed amiss. She had given them the first look at their child and explained at although it had only been three weeks at most since conception the child looked to be about six weeks old to her training, and the wings hadn't started developing just yet. They walked to their seats at the head table and sat, they waited for dinner to be served. Alanna wanted to cuddle up with him, bask in the joy that was the life growing within her. But as he had done for a while he kept his distance. Before Alanna could question him on his behaviour dinner was being served. It would have to wait until they were back in their rooms. "So..." Sage said, "What do you want to do tomorrow at the markets?" she asked her sister. "I should start looking at baby things; I won't be buying much, not until I know what I have gotten from the baby shower Michelle is organising." Alanna answered. "That is if you need to buy anything." Sage commented as she grabbed some bread, "be afraid, be very afraid." She continued. "Shut up..." Alanna said as she nudged her sister. "Don't say I didn't warn you that Michelle can be a little over the top when it comes to parties." Sage replied before she became completely engrossed in her meal. "Okay I've been warned... are you going to do the girly thing with me tomorrow?" Alanna asked in between bites of food. "In your dreams..." Sage replied. "You know I don't do girly." Alanna hooked a finger under the gold chain around Sage's neck and yanked on it to expose the very locket she had given Sage for her birthday fourteen years ago. "Yeah... don't do girly my arse." Sage grabbed the locket and stuffed it down her shirt; she hadn't taken it off since she had been given it. All four of her parents lived inside the locket, each person had a panel just for them and the chain was just long enough to sit level with her heart as that was where they lived. "Cut it," Sage said, the locket was the only thing Sage wore constantly that was even remotely girly, she owned all of her mother's jewellery but never wore it, she even owned a few dresses but again she rarely wore them and if she did it was under protest. Sage simply wasn't a girly girl, she was a War Lord, the men had to respect her and follow her orders and they wouldn't do that if they considered her weak. Sadly the men considered most women to be weak, Alanna was one of the exceptions, no person who had endured what her sister had would ever be considered weak. The men had even changed around her when news had spread that she had endured eight lashes without blacking out or uttering a sound, most of the more sexist members of her race had become more respectful. "The locket doesn't count, people rarely see it." Sage mumbled before she focused completely on her meal, for several minutes they ate in silence. "Fine... if Michelle doesn't claim you I'll do girly... but just this once." "You make it sound like I am torturing you instead of simply going shopping." Alanna complained. "Shopping is torture," Sage replied. "Come on, you don't mind going to the mall with your friends." Alanna replied. "That's because there are other things at the Mall besides shops." Sage answered. "You know I am far more interested in the food then in shopping." "And what will happen when you find your mate?" Alanna asked. "He better accept me for what I am because I ain't changing." She said firmly. "Ah... for a while there I thought you were gay." Alanna replied with a grin. "Yeah... well..." she said with a shrug, "you were wrong." She stated, she could understand why people thought she went that way but it simply wasn't the case, she was interested in men but she knew she had to be careful as she could cause trouble within the ranks. "He is a man... has a really weird scent though, brimstone, moss, wet stone and Meki flower." "Meki flower?" Alanna questioned. Sage nodded, "it's a flower that grows in cracks of rocks, really hard to find as the petals are grey and the leaves look more like moss but its scent is very distinct. Da used to hunt them down and give them to ma before she died." Alanna hummed as she ate her dinner, like Sage she went back for seconds but unlike Sage she went back for thirds. Several people watched her, amused, but they knew from Bianca that pregnant Were were ravenous and would go ballistic if someone tried to take their food. Tarval watched her once he was done. When she pushed her plate away she yawned a little sleepily but she listened to the conversations until she drifted off. Dominic nudged Tarval and nodded to Alanna, Tarval grinned and stood. Carefully he scooped her up, she woke but decided she liked being in his arms so snuggled in. "Ah... would you like me to put you down?" He asked. "Nope." She was actually thinking that this was perfect, once they were back into the relative privacy of their rooms she was going to kiss him until he could think of nothing besides making love to her. It would really round out an almost perfect day and fulfil her need for his body. Winds of Change Ch. 02 She pressed her face to his shoulder and took a deep breath, his scent filled her nose and had heat pooling beneath her skin. Shifting her head slightly she brushed her lips against his neck. "Alanna, you are tired, you fell asleep at the dinner table." He told her as they entered their room. "You need to sleep." "I am never too tired for you," she told him as she tried to kiss his lips but he turned his head away avoiding the kiss. He carefully put her on her feet and stepped away. Alanna frowned, "Tarval... what is wrong?" "Nothing is wrong," he said firmly. "Then why won't you touch me?" She asked. He gave her a puzzled look as he stroked her cheek, "I do touch you." "No you don't," she said starting to feel her emotions start to spike and become a whirlwind of conflict within her. "You haven't touched me as a lover would since we found out I was pregnant." Tarval said nothing, he couldn't lie to her and she was right he had steered away from anything sexual as he was afraid to hurt her and the child. His silence hurt her, "tell me what is wrong..." "Nothing is wrong," he insisted. But Alanna's erratic hormones start working on her own insecurities. "If you never wanted children you should have said so." "Alanna... it's not like that." He said as he went to reach for her. She slapped one of his hands away and stepped back, "no... don't come near me." "Alanna calm down," he said trying to reason with her hormone crazed mind. "Don't tell me what to do!" She told him getting angry. "I thought you wanted to start a family..." "I do..." he told her firmly. "Really? I'm scared and you are distancing yourself." "Alanna," he strode forward to grab her and hold her. "I said don't touch me!" She told him. "My love..." "You don't love me!" she almost screamed. Tarval went to lunge and grab her but her instincts were to protect her child, she threw up a shield and flung it at him. He felt the impact of her shield and it sent him across the room, it took a few minutes but slowly came around and shakily got to his feet but Alanna was gone. Jewel was beside him and helped to steady him, "are you okay?" she asked. "Fine... please... tell no one..." he asked. Jewel nodded, "I don't know where she went, I heard the argument and came to help... she just vanished." "She is fine," he told Jewel using the bond to find his mate before she got into trouble. "She has gone to Sage. I will talk to her tomorrow when she comes to get ready for the markets." He paused, "I didn't know she could do that with her shields, fling them away like that." * Alanna appeared in Sage's room just as Sage was turning back the sheets. "Alanna!" Sage said as she practically dived over her bed and stumbled to her feet before she got to her sister. Alanna flung herself into her sister's arms and started to cry. Sage tightened her arms and just let her sister cry. "What happened?" "He... he doesn't want... our child... and... he doesn't... love me." Alanna explained in between sobs. "He didn't say that. Alanna he loves you and he wants the child." She said trying to calm her sister down. "He doesn't... he doesn't want me anymore?" Alanna sobbed. Sage closed her eyes; she had forgotten to get her father to talk to Tarval, to let him in on what he needed to do to keep Alanna sane at least for the early part of the pregnancy when all her hormones were out of whack. "That's not true and when you wake up you will feel silly for feeling this." Sage willed Alanna out of her clothes and into a night shirt. Gently she got her sister into the bed and crawled in next to her. "Everything will be better in the morning." She promised her sister. "How? He doesn't love me anymore; I don't want to do this alone." Alanna said between little hiccups. "You would never have to face this alone," Sage promised. "Now, take a deep breath, hold it and slowly release." For long minutes Sage slowly talked Alanna through a relaxing technique their mother had taught them. The emotional upheaval and the long day had taken its toll and Alanna was fast asleep in no time. Sage took a deep breath as she gestured willing the candles and lamps out before she cuddled up to her sister and tried to fall asleep. She would deal with this tomorrow. ** Sage sighed as she watched her sister sleep; she simply didn't have the heart to wake her after last night as Alanna hadn't slept well. She had been woken four times to her sister's nightmares which in itself was strange, as Alanna hadn't had nightmares like that since she started sharing a bed with Tarval. There was a gentle knock on the door. Sage went and opened the door; Jewel was waiting with a cart. Sage stepped aside and let Jewel in. "How is Tarval?" Sage asked. "Distressed," Jewel replied. "How is Alanna?" "About the same," Sage replied as she walked over to her sister and sat on the bed. "Hey..." Sage said gently as she shook her sister. Alanna growled not wanting to wake just yet. "Come on... its market day." Sage continued trying to get her sister to wake. Alanna opened an eye as she finally woke; she glanced around trying to figure out why she wasn't in her room. It took her a moment to remember last night and when she did she started to cry again. Sage leant down and rested her head on her sister's back. "Alanna it is going to be okay." She told her sister. "I think I hurt him last night," Alanna said after a few moments. "I flung him away..." "He is fine and more concerned with your mental state than a few bruises." Jewel assured her. "Come on Alanna, remember what Keira did to Ghan before he got control of her, she went from nearly tearing his throat out to grooming him in less than an hour." Sage stated. Alanna took a deep breath; she did in fact remember that. "I said some horrible things." "Yeah well your rational mind was elsewhere at the time, I am sure he forgives you." Sage said as she glanced meaningfully to Jewel. "He does," Jewel agreed. "I don't think he slept well last night, he is concerned but he wants to work this out. He loves you." "Now up, we need to get ready for the markets." Sage reminded. Alanna nodded and got up. "I brought your armour and Megan is getting your breakfast." Jewel added. "Tarval was hoping you would come back to get ready but I told him you might need more time to calm down. He accepted it." "I am stealing a shower." Alanna said as she got out of bed. "Go for it," Sage replied as Megan brought in breakfast. "Yay food!" Megan grinned as she gave a tray to Sage. "I will just go get Alanna's." Jewel nodded as she had already started making Sage's bed so that she could lay out Alanna's armour. Dominic knocked and popped his head in. "Tarval said Alanna was here?" He questioned. Sage listened but the sound of water would drown out almost anything. "Yep," Sage replied. You need to speak with Tarval; he doesn't know how to keep her stable. She replied silently. Ah... that explains it then. Dominic said. I'll take care of it today. "Thanks. So what brings you here?" Sage asked just as the water was turned off. "I need a few words with Alanna." Dominic replied. "She'll be out in a few moments." Sage replied as she started to eat. Is she okay? Dominic asked silently. She'll be fine; I've seen worst spats between mates during the early stages of pregnancy. Sage answered. Moments later Alanna walked out dressed in a light shirt and breeches. "Morning Dominic," she said before she joined them at the table. "Morning," he greeted just as Megan walked in with a heavy tray. "Thank you Megan," Alanna said as her eyes focused on the food. "I'll be back in fifteen minutes to get you in your armour," Megan told Sage. Jewel turned to Alanna, "what she said," she added before both women left the room. "So what brings you here this morning?" Alanna asked before she put some food in her mouth. "I wanted to speak with you, see there might be some people who will come to the markets that I want to introduce you to." Dominic explained. "Why?" Alanna asked before taking another bite. "Because you are Amy's daughter," Dominic replied simply. "And ma can smooth the way if you want to go to earth," Alanna surmised before she frowned, "Sage is also ma's daughter." Dominic smiled, "yes... but she isn't Alanna Brave-heart, the woman who stood up for a Santaur she didn't know. You are a person of true honour and they respect that." Alanna rolled her eyes, "I am never going to live that down am I?" Dominic shook his head, "No... what you did was radical, and radical things get remembered." "So who wants to go to earth?" Alanna asked before she sipped some tea. "The Dragons." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I know I'm evil :P But at least I warned you.