The wind softly blew through the leaves as Shanku and Innugati enjoyed a late lunch on one of the many boulders that dotted the landscape. Movement caught the corner of Shanku's eye and she looked off to see two does browsing. And a male kurach stalking them just behind a bush in tan, broad-stitched shorts and a sleeveless shirt in the traditional open-backed style all of their kind wore. He had black hair with blonde tips, and his wings were black and white with grey pinions. His ears were a dark grey and his tail was a soft grey and white. Shanku knew him in an instant.
"Well, look who it is," Shanku whispered quietly to Innugati. "Let's give him a hand..."
Shanku perched on the edge of the rock and spread her wings. Ten years is too long, old friend.
Katari took another cautious step. Almost. So close! He was not close enough to ambush the deer directly, but if he was lucky he would catch them before they had a chance to run far. Like most predators, the success rate of a kurach was about one in ten. Very carefully, Katari moved forward again, trying ever so hard not to rustle the fallen leaves.
There was a flash of black, a resounding thud, and the sound of bones cracking as the doe suddenly lurched toward him. The other doe reared up on her haunches and quickly bounded away into the forest. Katari leapt back and stood, his claws held up before him defensively, as he tried to make sense of what happened. To his surprise, he found another kurach sitting on the shoulder of the fallen doe.
"Hey, what's the big idea? That was my doe!" Katari growled indignantly.
"Howdy!" Shanku grinned mischeivously.
"Sh... Shanku? You're alive?" Katari stuttered, staring in disbelief. "You're back..."
"Know any other black wings? It has been ten years!" Shanku grinned like a fox. "How ya been?"
"You crazy loon, don't you know diving like that is dangerous?" Katari gestured emphatically at the deer.
"It got the deer, didn't it?" Shanku giggled. "Let me get my pack, I'll walk you home."
Shanku climbed back up the large rock. A flood of emotions came over Katari. Joy. Sorrow. Anger. Guilt. Dread. Fear... He absent-mindedly gathered up the doe and placed her over his shoulders. Shanku gathered her belongings and Innugati, and returned to her old friend. "Alright, let's go!" Innugati trilled encouragingly.
"What is that?" Katari asked suspiciously.
"Innugati!" Shanku stated. "Fairy dragon." The little fairy dragon fluttered her wings and tilted her head as she trilled pleasantly.
"Are you trying to get exiled again already?" Katari hissed lowly as his brows furrowed in worry.
"This one's small enough that they'd have to be very insecure to feel threatened by her. She's been a good friend." Shanku shrugged and then nudged him. "And look at you! All grown up and stuff. I almost didn't recognize you! But I guess there are some scents I'll never forget. Some things never change, eh?"
"Neither have you, apparently, Dragon Keeper," Katari sighed. "Go away," Katari said coldly as he turned away and prepared to go off into the forest.
"What?" Shanku asked, taken aback.
"I don't know what life's been like for you on your little adventure, but it's been hell for me," Katari said bitterly. "You were my best friend and everybody knew it. Do you know what I had to put up with when you got yourself exiled?" He turned an accusing eye back toward her. "'Sure can pick'em.' 'Are you gonna get me kicked out too?' 'Don't hang around me, you only like the rejects.'"
"I'm sorry," Shanku said meekly, her ears drooping.
"Hilael was the only one who'd play with me all those years, but I wasn't allowed near a family where two of them had been banished," Katari growled. "By the way, you have another uncle. He got booted not long before you hatched."
"I know," Shanku smiled weakly. "Actually, right after I hatched. And I found him at sea. He took me in for a while. His name is Turai Specklewing."
"Yay, you found each other," Katari said flatly. "Now the one you need to find is Hilael. He's had it worse than me."
"Why? What's happened to Hilael?" Shanku growled.
"If you thought he was quiet before, he's downright mute now. A few good thrashings will do that to ya. Pup's not a fighter, never was. He hardly stands a chance in this clan. I'm honestly surprised he has lasted this long," Katari said bitterly. He sighed heavily. "I've got to get going now. I'll see you later. Thanks for the doe," he said numbly and started to walk off. "Glad you made it home safe."
"Katari, please," Shanku pleaded. Katari stopped and stood still for a few moments. Shanku waited apprehensively in silence.
"I guess you can come with me," he said coldly. "I hope you learned how to fight. I've been after that doe all day and I'm too tired to knock off any thieving cubs that don't like me."
"You know I've always been a good fighter, and I have learned so many new things!" Shanku said deviously and quickly took her place by his side.
"So, where've you been then?" Katari asked. "The scouts said they ran you out of the Nyre and you haven't been back the entire time."
"Oh, let me tell you!" Shanku exclaimed. "First, there were these squirrels," she began and proceeded to tell him her tale. Katari listened in silence as he lead them back to the Scissortail den.
"Wow..." he muttered at length when she finished.
"Yeah. So, here I am," Shanku chirped, ignoring a twinge in her chest.
"You should see your parents before you go see the Elders," Katari said pensively. "They'll want to see you before you stir up more trouble. Maybe even get in a final goodbye before you get yourself done in."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Shanku grumbled. "I intend to go see them. Er, see my parents first, that is. I don't really want to cause more trouble," Shanku said sheepishly. She laughed and nudged him in the ribs again. "I only saw you first because you weren't gonna get the doe!"
"Hey, I was too! I was always better than you, remember?" Katari teased.
"Not anymore!" Shanku stated confidently and laughed. To her great relief, she finally heard Katari laugh as well. "I've missed you, Katari."
"It hasn't been the same without you," Katari said softly and gave her a warm smile. They walked together quietly, enjoying the warm day and the call of the birds and insects around them. After a while, they heard the sounds of a skirmish up ahead.
"Hey, what's that over there?" Shanku asked curiously.
"Sounds like a fight," Katari said worriedly.
"I'm gonna go check it out," Shanku said deeply. "It'd better not be Hilael."
"Be careful, Shanku," Katari warned. "It's always several cubs when it's him."
Shanku nodded and crept stealthily up toward the racket. She stepped on the root of a large tree to quieten her footfalls and peaked around the tree. Innugati slithered off of her shoulder and came around the tree.
...Hilael? Shanku suppressed a growl. Four cubs that were at least her age, if not older, had surrounded a cub with fur, feathers, and hair that was all a dull, dark chestnut. Within a few seasons, they would be full adults. But Hilael was younger than Shanku.
"Why don't you both just leave?" growled one of the cubs surrounding Hilael.
"And take the rest of your lowborn family with you?" jeered another.
Quiet Hilael just ducked his head and said nothing. His wings were drawn tight around him, his ears were laid back, and his tail was tucked.
"How about we just run him out of the Nyre and get it over with? Worked with the last one."
Just leave me alone, Hilael pleaded silently. He was vaguely aware of being struck again. He heard another strike, but was surprised he felt nothing. He looked up to see a pair of glossy black wings and a rather angry female kurach standing over him.
"Leave my little brother alone!" Shanku hissed dangerously.
"Who do you think you are?" growled the one she had struck. "Do you know who I am?"
"Shanku Ravenwing," Shanku drew herself to her full height and glared at them. "I'm the one you're really mad at, aren't I? The one you actually hate? Then come on and let's settle this. As far as I'm concerned, you're just a bunch of cowards!"
"Coward?" Jagan chuckled evilly. "Have you taken a look at what's behind you?"
Shanku growled viciously and suddenly grabbed him by the throat. Jagan yipped and struggled as Shanku let the very tips of her claws dig into his neck. She pulled him barely a finger's breadth from her.
"I've killed bigger and tougher things than you without breaking a sweat. Lay another claw on him, and I'll rip your arms off. Understand?" Shanku threatened gutterally and she glared unblinkingly into his eyes. It felt good. She shoved him back into the other cubs who were tensely standing by. Jagan stood coughing and holding his bleeding neck. Shanku half wished they would make a move toward her so she could satisfy the tingling in her teeth.
"They're not worth it, c'mon," insisted one of the nearby cubs. With further persuasion from his companions, the four cubs finally walked away.
"We'll be back for you, and your spineless brother," Jagan called back behind him.
Shanku snorted in his direction and stood trembling with anger until he was out of eye and ear shot. She sighed heavily and turned slowly to look at Hilael. He was still crouched on the ground and had his wings drawn around him.
"Hilael?" Shanku asked gently and knelt down beside him. "Are you alright?"
"Shanku..." Hilael began in a choked voice. "Next time you leave..." Shanku held her breath as Hilael turned a tear-streamed face toward her. "Take me with you."
"Aw, Hilael," Shanku said sadly as Hilael ducked his head again. She brushed a sweaty lock of hair out of his eyes. "Of course, zuznre."
"You're Shanku?" came a skeptical voice behind them. Shanku looked behind her, expecting more trouble, to instead find a young cub standing there. He could not have been much older than she was the day she was exiled. His hair was light brown with dark brown tips, with matching fur and wings.
"Who are you?" Shanku asked suspiciously as Hilael quickly dried his eyes.
"Shanku, this is Muso. Your little brother," Katari said as he stepped toward the small gathering.
"I have two little brothers now?" Shanku asked in surprise.
"And a sister! Banhi," Muso nodded and placed his hands on his hips. "Usually it's my job to see after Hilael and bloody a nose."
"Like I said, it's not been easy for any of us," Katari sighed.
"Because of me," Shanku stated. There was no point questioning it.
"Yup," Muso rolled his eyes. "Way to go."
"We take turns looking after each other, despite protests from my family to avoid yours," Katari shrugged. "The little irritants don't mess much with me, Muso, or Banhi."
"They don't dare take on me!" Muso said proudly.
"But Hilael..." Katari trailed off.
"I know," Shanku grinned and helped Hilael to his feet. "Was never much of a fighter. That was my role." Hilael looked away and said nothing. "No shame in it, though," Shanku clapped a hand on his back. "You're the smart one. We can't all be brutes."
Hilael shook his head.
"He probably won't say anything for a while," Muso shrugged. "He can't talk often after this kind of thing. C'mon, let's get going, I gotta go home. And Hilael's goin' to Granny Misen."
"And I'll be your bodyguard!" Shanku said excitedly. Innugati trilled and came flying toward them.
"What is that?" Muso exclaimed. Innugati trilled questioningly in his direction.
"Muso, meet Innugati!" Shanku introduced her small companion as the dragon came to rest on her shoulder.
"Awesome, a dragon!" Muso exclaimed. Innugati trilled again and curled up on top of his head.
"I think she likes you," Shanku giggled.
"I'm still not sold on your fighting skills, but you do put forth a violent threat," Katari said.
"You should see my follow through," Shanku grinned evilly. "Besides, didn't I tell you about the minocentaur warlock, the sabrewings, and then all those pirates?"
"Tell me about your exile," Hilael said, although rather hoarse and choked. "Was it worth it?"
Shanku nodded and obliged. She told Muso and Hilael about what she had seen and what she had been through, although she downplayed a few parts for the sake of Muso. The last thing I need is for him to start scampering about and then getting himself banished! But there was that twinge in her chest again...
"It was worth it," Hilael said with a smile.
"Why didn't you bring Turai home with you?" Muso huffed.
"Because I didn't know where he was and I didn't want him dragging me back to that awful boat!" Shanku said exasperatedly.
"Well, here's the den. It's time we take our separate passages," Katari nodded toward a cave mouth. "Thank you for the escort. I think I can find my way from here with little trouble from others."
"Take care, Katari! I'll catch up with you later," Shanku waved as he left. She looked out over the den. It had changed. Instead of a grassy knoll and old stumps, the top of the den had been cleared and a garden with tiled walkways adorned the top. In the center, it seemed that there was a glass floor just to look at as it was barred off from the walking trails. Off in the distance, there was a separate garden, with what appeared to be many chimneys coming from the ground.
"You still remember the way home?" Muso asked as they followed a ways behind Katari.
"No," Shanku said slowly and looked around at the great hall. As always, there were plenty of torches lit in the cavern, but there were no longer any nests. "We all slept in here back then."
"Follow me!" Muso chirped and lead the way through the great hall to a tunnel in the back. There were many passageways now, winding and twisting through the ground. There were many chambers along the way that branched off the main path, each with a curtain draped over the front and a name carved into the rock beside them denoting the various residents. They came to stop at a curtain with "Haro" and "Misen" etched in the wall.
"We live two dens down from Granny Misen," Muso pointed further down the hallway.
"Don't tell Granny Misen I'm back just yet," Shanku said in hushed tones. "I'll come see her after."
"Alright," Muso nodded. He ushered Hilael inside and they left Shanku alone in the dimly lit passage. Shanku walked on slowly, a sinking feeling growing deeper and deeper in her stomach. She stopped outside the den labeled "Zanzen" and "Nari Zefana". Shanku squeaked and wrung her hands together. Oh, what do I say!? She chewed on the joint of her first finger for a few moments, then drew a deep breath.
"Um, excuse me?" Shanku said meekly and held aside part of the curtain.
"Yes?" came a dam's voice from inside. Shanku saw familiar black and deep brown wings and long, black, silky hair. Nari was sitting at a low wooden table and preparing a supper of venison, roots, and mushrooms.
"Hi, Ma," Shanku said with a weak grin. Nari spun around to find a daughter she had long ago lost. "I'm home."
"Shanku!" Nari cried and leapt to her feet.
"Ma!" Shanku said excitedly. She ran to her mother and they embraced each other in a long hug. "I'm so glad to see you again!" She squeaked.
"Oh Shanku," Nari squeazed her daughter. "I haven't heard of you in three years."
"Three years?" Shanku pulled away, puzzled. "But I haven't been home in ten!"
"Mothers have ways of keeping an eye on their children," Nari said with a twinkle in her eye. "Been diving at a charging minocentaur, have we? That was very dangerous for a little cub, you know," she said and wagged her finger at her daughter with a wry grin.
"Aw, Ma, it was just one time! Where did you hear about that?" Shanku asked, embarrassed.
"Oh, no. Not a story from me until I have your whole tale. Sit," Nari said, still grinning, and pointed at the table.
"Well, um..." Shanku began uneasily as she sat down on one of the cushions around the table. She looked thoughtfully at the table as she took off her pack and set it behind her. She had told her tale so many times in the past to others, mentally logged little tidbits to share with her mother should they ever meet again, and now that she was here and had the chance she found she could not speak.
