The beautiful, well endowed brunnette pushes the door
open with her foot and walks into the executive office
holding a serving tray. Maybe walk is not an apt
description, as she seems to glide across the floor
like a skater. Barlow sits at his desk, in his designer suit and slicked back hair, brooding over some reports, he doesn't pay attention to her or her entrance.
"Oh honey, you're not angry again are you? Here, I
have a nice cup of java just how you like it and some
chocolate cookies." She says in an over sweet voice.
"Please Tsaan, just how many times do I have to ask
you not to call me honey. It is hard for a dark lord of
hell to get respect if his secretary calls him honey."
"I'm sorry, oh great dark lord of hell. It's just that I love
you so much, I don't like to see you sad. Who do I
have to kill to make you feel better?" Tsaan says
sitting on the floor next to his chair, her head on his
armrest. She takes his hand and kisses it.
"The complete population of this backwater planet
would be nice. Though right now I'd settle for the
White Bishop's head on a spike." Barlow says
putting his hand on her head and strokes her long
hair.
"I have sent another team out my sweet possum.
They'll be back soon."
"Yes, I know they will, in little pieces after Nagrom
Divad finds them."
"We have plenty more where they came from, what
about the young wolf? He was seen going into our
old battleground, as far as the old village."
"Did they retrieve his body, the sword?"
"No, still untouched, his skeleton next to mine,
in a loving embrace. I get emotional everytime
I see it."
"They are making their move, I need the boy,
once he has grown he will make a wonderful
vessel for me. Imagine the irony, the father's demon
visited on the son."
"Once he has grown he will be too strong for you."
"That's why we need to corrupt him now, while he
is still young, unsure of right and wrong."
"I have it, I know. Pick me, pick me." Tsaan says
putting her hand up in the air.
"What are you going on about?"
"Well he is a boy isn't he? Soon he will be thinking
about girls, you know, in a biological sense."
Tsaan says coily.
"And you plan to walk into a forest guarded by
the earth elemental herself, and seduce her little
brother?"
"You are so crude. Nasty crude person, no
subtlety at all. I will just play my lady of innocence
routine, you know, dressed in white with flowing
silks and flowers in my hair. You know, the way
you like me on Tuesday nights?" She says
smiling.
"All right, enough, if you're willing to risk your
pretty little skin go right ahead. Just remember
they'll send you back in a bag if they catch
you."
"It would be a minor inconvinience my dark lord.
For you I'd do anything. She says almost climbing
up on his lap."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
"Can I have a cheese and tomato toasted sandwich to go
with the java? I feel a bit peckish."
"My command sweetums, my command."
Reike walks with Torbe till the edge of the wolf tribe's territory. The land here rises, still covered by forest but the cliffs and rivers take over the landscape. They walk together until they arrive at a pile of bones, some old and bleached others fresh, remains of deer and other small animals.
"This is his territory. Remenber, we love you, but it is time for you to grow." Reike says in a low voice.
"Do I have to go? Therlea is old, she needs someone to care for her. I want to be with her."
"I know, and she wants to be with you. She will miss you as much as I will, but you must be strong and leave the pack. The bear will
teach you."
"Therlea has always taught me, I don't want to go."
"Don't cry, others are watching, don't let them see your tears. At night, alone, cry all you need. Not here, not now." Reike whispers.
"I'm sorry." Torbe says holding back a sniffle.
"Now go, follow the path up the hill. He lives in a cave up there, he will not hurt you. Be strong."
Torbe climbs the hill and finds a grassy knoll, there is a large bear laying down, larger than any animal he has ever seen. It is 12 feet long at least, in its current position, a huge mound of brown fur, surrounded by green grass.
Torbe stands still and watches the bear, he looks around and waits for what seems an eternity. The bear snores heavily in the morning sun. Torbe waits some more and then slowly creeps up, until he is only a couple of yards away. He is only 3 feet tall and as thin as a rake, he wouldn't make a very good meal for the bear.
"Good, you're here. Have you had breakfast?"
"Yes. I was told to come here. I was told you would teach me." Torbe says.
"I haven't had breakfast yet, there is a basket behind those rocks. Down the east side of the hill there is a patch of berries, go get me some."
There is silence as Torbe looks at the bear and the bear just lays there semiconcious. Torbe, used to taking orders from grown ups decides it is best just to shut up and do as told. He finds the basket and goes to fetch some berries. As Torbe walks down the
east side of the hill a flash of pink buzzes past the bears
nose.
"Feel it you did. Power, waiting, scared you are." Princess
says.
"He is only a cub, and yes I felt it. Stop trying to ryle me up.
Be useful and go with him, make sure that he picks some
ripe ones."
"Lazy you are, trouble you smell. Little wolf too strong, no fur, no paws, magic strong, stronger than you."
"Do as you're told princess. I was put in charge, now
try and remember it." The bear says without moving.
Princess looks at him for a second and then disappears,
following the trail left by Torbe.
