"Do you think Grandpa Bibot can help any?" Shanku asked nervously as she finished explaining to her father where she had been and why she had come home so quickly as Nari finished up the mushroom stew for the evening meal. She had left out many details that she had shared with her mother and brother.
"I'm not sure. Between your and my actions, he's lost some of his influence," Zanzen said. "He might can get an audience for you to let you state your case."
"Sweetie, you might want to let somebody else handle the talking," Nari said with an uneasy smile as she served the stew to her family.
"Why?" Shanku asked.
"You are a lot like your father," Nari said as diplomatically as she could. "You both are wonderful warriors..."
"But you've got the grace of a drunken mino-bull!" Muso teased through a mouthful of mushrooms and roots.
"Hey, I'm a lot better than I used to be!" Shanku huffed.
"I'll do it," Hilael said.
Shanku tilted her head and turned her ears toward him curiously. "Can you?"
"You're not so good at talking people outta things either," Muso rolled his eyes.
"This is different," Hilael said simply.
"That will be a short audience," Muso muttered. Banhi smacked the back of his head. "Ow! What's that for?"
"Hilael is a lot nicer than you, and I am glad he doesn't talk as much as you do either!" Banhi said with her hands on her hips.
"So who does that little fireball take after?" Shanku whispered to her mother.
"Granny Misen," Nari whispered back with a shudder.
"And proud of it!" Banhi said defiantly and winked. "So, Hilael and Shanku go to court. What then?"
"Then they state their case," Zanzen replied. "Explain that the Arctic, northern Plains, and some human villages are about to band together and attack all the Sylvans they find."
"However doubtful it may be that the humans will actually work with the kurach. We are widely regarded as demons in Arnthian society," Shanku said slowly. "I'm not sure if I ever convinced Rhett otherwise."
The family ate in thoughtful silence, each wondering different things. Banhi seemed the least troubled by it and finished her small bowl the quickest.
"We'll have to go to the Imperials if the council won't listen," Hilael said at length.
"What?" Zanzen asked in shock and looked at his son.
"It's the logical step. The Heyen and other southern Plains clans are on our side and most of the Ferals work with them. The whole of the Arctic tribes and the northern Plains tribes aren't happy with the Imperials. With so many of us angry at them for their actions, and they responsible for all the fighting, it should be them that we try the hardest to convince to end this. And if they won't, we should seek allegiance with the Arctic and Plains," Hilael finished calmly.
"I think that's the most I've ever heard you say in one go!" Muso said, thoroughly impressed.
"And a good point," Zanzen nodded in agreement. "Perhaps that should be the core of your argument tomorrow."
"So, assuming the council doesn't know the finer points, that's what we should do then? Basically play messenger?" Shanku asked curiously.
"It's pretty much what the Arctic sent you here to do," Nari nodded. "With your gathered intelligence across most of L'aernth, it would be a help to the council. And with Hilael's tact, it might be received better."
"And if it doesn't work, off we go, eh?" Shanku grinned. "Sounds like we got a plan!"
"With one problem. You're technically not supposed to be back for another two weeks!" Nari said worriedly.
"I'm hoping they overlook that little detail," Shanku said sheepishly and scratched the back of her head, her wings drawn up a bit around her and her ears laid back.
"We need a good sleep tonight," Zanzen said and stood with a stretch. "Off to bed, all of us. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I need to first talk with my father to get this started."
Nari nodded and began to usher her cubs to bed.
"Um, where do I sleep?" Shanku asked. Zanzen and Nari had a straw nest to themselves, Hilael and Muso shared a nest, and little Banhi had a place off to herself.
"You can sleep with me," Banhi grinned and patted her small nest.
"Oi carendo," Shanku shook her head. "I won't fit. I'll just use it as a pillow. Wouldn't be the first time I slept on the floor. I guess tomorrow I'll be busy making a nest, eh?"
"We'll help!" Muso grinned. "I'll bet Jagan and his little pack will be itching to try something tomorrow."
Hilael shook his head fervently and pushed Muso down into the nest. "You should go to sleep."
Shanku giggled and settled down with Banhi. "Goodnight."
The following morning, Shanku was the first to rise. She stepped away from the beds quietly and looked around the dimly lit room. The nests were in the very back of the room. Directly ahead was the curtained doorway. To her left were closets and chests for storing belongings. Off to her right was the simple wooden table and straw-stuffed cushions that the family often shared their meals on. Shanku smiled sadly when she noted that there were six cushions, and could not help but wonder if they had been waiting for her to come home the whole time she had been gone.
Hanging above the table was a platform suspended by braided strings where the oil lamp hung to provide a bit of light at night. Near the table was a series of shelves holding plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, and various pots and other cooking equipment. There were shelves and frames of different shapes around the small den for things to be stored, like blankets, tools, memoirs, and many baskets and pots full of items, food, and water. Nari had hung a few bunches of herbs to dry and use as seasoning throughout the winter, almost as gone as the cold weather. The walls and floor were smooth, grey stone. A few rugs lined the floor in areas, undoubtedly rugs that Nari had crocheted.
In the center of the room was a ring of rocks circling fire pit where the meals were cooked, over which was positioned a small oven made of cut bricks. The center was hollow and divided into two sections, one to hold the firewood and the other to hold food for roasting. Below the oven was a sandy bottom full of old ashes. On top was a single large, flat piece of rock for cooking things slowly. The chimney came out the back and allowed a faint bit of the morning light to trickle in. Last night's fire was smouldering in the ashen fire pit, providing a dull, red light.
Shanku walked over to the cushions by the table where she had left her pack. She sat down and began her morning routine of combing her hair, brushing her teeth, checking her claws, and preening her feathers. By the time she had nearly finished, Nari had woken and began to get up for the day. Soon, their little den was stirring with life and Nari was preparing a quick breakfast made from berry jam, sheep's milk, lard, and the flour of ground acorns.
"Shanku, Hilael, come," Zanzen nodded to them after breakfast. Shanku and Hilael obediently fell in behind their father and followed him out into the passageway. He lead them through many twisting corridors. Shanku noted that the inscriptions on the walls became more elaborate and intricate. The curtains over the doorways here were embroidered with many colorful threads, some bearing the family name, some of various scenes. They were surely passing from the common quarters to those of the elite of Scissortail society. Zanzen stopped before one of many curtained doors, a dark green with yellow needlework.
"Sir Bibot?" Zanzen called politely.
"Come in," was the gruff reply.
Zanzen pulled back the curtains.
"Ah, Zanzen!" Bibot nodded. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Howdy, Grandpa Bibot!" Shanku said cheerfully and stepped in beside Zanzen. "I'm back!"
"Oh, my!" Ysu covered her mouth. "Shanku, you came home?"
Shanku darted over to her grandparents and happily gave and received hugs.
"Have you learned your lesson, young dam?" Bibot asked sternly.
"I have learned many lessons," Shanku said with a twinkle in her eye. "But that doesn't matter at the moment." Bibot looked at her curiously.
"Sir Bibot, Shanku comes bearing news far from the north, from the Arctic tribes," Zanzen started. He then explained the situation and the need for Hilael and Shanku to stand before the council.
Bibot listened intently, nodding from time to time, and stroking his beard. "You do understand the one problem with this, correct?" He asked when Zanzen had finished.
"Shanku is two weeks early," Zanzen said grimly.
"She may be punished, even in these circumstances," Bibot shook his head and paced the room. "And what proof does she have of this?"
"I have no proof and I'm sure my word is worthless to the Scissortails. I could go to Peridæ territory and wait for them there," Shanku suggested. "The Peridæ seemed to like me alright enough. Or at least, they never had anything to do with me."
"Ah, but the Scissortail council stepping into their territory without informing them beforehand could cause trouble, and this is too urgent to wait for a messenger to go between our respective Elders," Bibot shook his head again. "And surely some know now that you've returned."
"Threatening Jagan probably secured that," Shanku grinned devilishly.
"You threatened the grandson of Niranjan?" Bibot asked in shock.
"Is that bad?" Shanku asked.
"Niranjan is the leading member of the council, the one and the same who handed down your sentence, and Jagan is in line behind him!" Bibot said, very flustered. "He's practically a prince!"
"Some leader," Shanku grumbled. "He sure doesn't treat his clanmates very well. Can't we vote him out or something?"
"I'm afraid not. This kind of behaviour has been going on long before your time," Bibot shook his head sadly.
"Will you help us, Sir Bibot?" Hilael asked.
"Aye, yes. I will," Bibot nodded. "I will send for you later. I just hope I can talk to the others before Jagan wants compensation."
"What was I supposed to do, let that little twerp pick on my little brother?" Shanku demanded. "What if I want compensation?"
"You're not supposed to be here. Technically, you have no rights," Bibot sighed.
"What of Hilael? Certainly he has rights, does he not?" Shanku laid her ears back and crossed her arms.
"It's complicated," Hilael said. "Come, let's go. Let him work."
Shanku sighed.
"I will see what I can do," Bibot nodded. "Run along."
Shank hugged her grandparents one more time before Zanzen lead them back toward their own den.
"Looks bad for us, don't it?" Shanku asked glumly.
"Aye," Zanzen said quietly.
"What happens if they get too focused on my exile?"
"We go to the Imperials," Hilael said simply.
"I must agree with Hilael," Zanzen nodded. "Proof or not, and despite your mischievousness, you've always been honest with me."
"We don't all need to go," Shanku said quietly as they came to stop before their den. "Muso and Banhi are too young to go that far. I'm used to surviving almost completely on my own around all sorts of things, but I wouldn't dare risk them being attacked by a minocentaur, or worse."
"I know," Zanzen said grimly. "I need to stay behind as well, to watch over them. Jagan and the others wouldn't risk trying anything so long as I am here."
"They wouldn't dare attack you, or the cubs, would they?" Shanku asked quickly.
"No, not me," Zanzen said and faced her. "But some weren't shy about attacking your mother when we were courting. They may overlook Muso and Banhi, but they will not overlook you, nor Hilael by this point."
"I do what's right and still get into trouble? What's wrong with these people?" Shanku growled vehemently.
"Politics," Zanzen snarled in disgust and lead them inside.
"How did it go?" Nari asked as she worked on some of her crocheting.
"He will see what he can do," Zanzen said. "Until they've met, we should prepare a kit for the cubs should they have to leave immediately for Imperial lands. I have a feeling they will."
"I'm ready to go," Shanku shrugged. "I've been living out of my pack for months. So long as I've got it, I'm good."
"Then you can help me prepare Hilael," Nari nodded and gestured for Shanku to join her.
"That tickles!" Muso laughed as Innugati slithered up his arm and neck to rest on his head.
"And we should keep that thing a secret as well," Zanzen growled. Innugati flicked her tongue at him.
"Don't you like her? She's pretty!" Banhi said and stroked Innugati's green scales.
"She's fae," Zanzen stated firmly and shook his head. "What is wrong with my family?"
"Absolutely nothing," Banhi said sweetly and kissed her father on his arm, which was about as high as she could reach. "Let's go! I want to go outside and play! Devi and Valli and I were going to play with our dolls by the berry bushes just outside the den today."
"And we can't miss that," Zanzen said with a soft smile and lead his daughter outside.
Shanku helped Nari pick out various supplies that would be good for Hilael to carry, with a little input from Hilael himself. They decided on at least a spare change of clothes, a comb, a cloak, a wooden cup, a spare needle and thread should he need to perform minor repairs, a cloth to keep his teeth wiped down, and a few thick pieces of wood for him and Shanku to chew on to help keep their teeth clean. One thing Hilael insisted upon was several strips of cloth and a rock and stone bowl he liked to keep.
"I think we're set!" Shanku said excitedly. "Some part of me actually hopes we get to go."
Nari was silent and looked at her sadly.
"I know, Ma," Shanku said with a weak smile. "It's just wanderlust. It comes in handy sometimes, you know. I met some people in Mruha, a Bhadarukian and a Long Ear of the Plains kurach. His people had wanderlust too, and they ended up in a desert just in time to save some Bhadarukians from being slaughtered by raiders. They're a strong co-clan now."
"I just don't want anything bad to happen to my babies," Nari said softly.
"We'll be fine," Hilael said gently, and gave a rare smile to reassure his mother.
Afterward, Shanku spent the day gathering up leaves in a sack to expand Banhi's bed so they both could sleep together. Or rather, so she wouldn't have to sleep directly on the stone floor any more. Hilael and Muso kept close by to help her. Shanku strode off lightly into the forest, looking to find a bit of moss as well for their new shared bed.
"I wonder if we'll bump into your fella out here?" Muso asked.
"I don't have a fella," Shanku replied, a bit puzzled.
"You sure? I saw you two making puppy eyes yesterday," Muso teased. "He did walk you home too!"
"We live in the same hole in the ground!" Shanku exclaimed. "That doesn't make him my fellow."
"But you were thinking about it!" Muso laughed. "You talked to him more than us yesterday."
Shanku popped the back of his head and told him to hush. "I'm too young for that."
"Aw, come on," Muso said with a devilish grin as he rubbed the back of his head. "Even Banhi has a little playmate that she likes to hover around all the time. Weren't you two like that once?"
Shanku sighed and chose to ignore him. Romance and complicated relationships were the last thing she was interested in. She found plenty of good, dry leaves for their bed, and even found some of the moss she was hunting for.
"Hey, look! Hilael's gotten some good mushrooms," Muso pointed to his older brother. Hilael had been gathering a few plants along the way and was quickly running out of room in his arms for them.
"Want to put them in here?" Shanku asked and extended her sack to him. Hilael nodded and placed them gently on the moss. The siblings started on their way back to the den when Jagan and his followers stepped out.
"Oh, good grief, don't you lot have anything better to do with your day?" Shanku asked grumpily.
"We have a score to settle, Shanku Ravenwing," Jagan growled.
Shanku passed her sack back to Hilael and he backed up behind her. Muso stepped forward even with his sister, flaring his wings in defiance.
"Bring it on!" Muso shouted shrilly and held his little fists up in front of him.
"Open your palm and use the heel," Shanku whispered to him. "You'll hurt yourself too much close-fisted."
Jagan rushed them with a growl. Shanku came forward and side-stepped as he was on top of them, and brought a knee up to drive into his stomach. With a groan, he dropped to the ground to catch his breath.
Muso tilted his head curiously. "That was fast."
"Anybody else?" Shanku asked boredly. "You can still go away."
With a quick look between each other, the remaining three rushed her at once. Shanku shoved Muso out of the way and rolled to the side. She sprang and kicked the nearest one in the hip. Tilak yipped loudly and staggered back. His friends came around him quickly. Shanku tensed and launched herself at the nearest, driving her elbow into his chest. As Gunjan fell off of her, she quickly turned and and slung her arm out behind her to backhand the third across the face, causing Hiral to stagger as well. She stepped back and assumed another ready stance.
Jagan got up on his hands and knees, and coughed a few times. Tilak was favoring a leg, Hiral was rubbing his jaw, and Gunjan was getting back on his feet while clutching his chest and breathing hard.
"Again?" Shanku asked calmly. All she got was a few growls in return. "If you're quite finished, you should return home." To Shanku's relief, Jagan began to lead them away. Shanku watched them curiously as they disappeared from sight.
"That was great!" Muso exclaimed as he hopped up and down. "Can you teach me how to fight like that?"
"Someday," Shanku chuckled. "Maybe. Da could teach you just as well, most of it is just practice anyway."
Hilael extended his arm to hand her sack out to her, smiling softly. Shanku nodded and took it back.
"So is this a daily thing or something?" Shanku asked as they started back toward the Scissortail den.
"Almost. Well, about twice a week," Muso shrugged. "I think you embarrassed him pretty good this time, so maybe he'll leave us alone for a while."
They returned without further incident. There were many whispers in the great hall as they passed through. Muso looked around uncomfortably. Hilael and Shanku ignored it, until a dame stepped directly in front of them.
"Can I help you?" Shanku asked, an ear laid back and one pricked forward.
"Did you do that to Jagan and his pack?" she asked.
"Do what?" Shanku asked innocently, a bit apprehensive.
"That cub has been such a handful! It's about time somebody put him in his place," she said firmly. "Maybe now he'll learn some manners. He has been bullying many of the cubs for years and nobody has been brave enough to deal with him because of who his grandsire is."
"You're welcome," Shanku said deviously. She nodded to the dame and entered the passages that lead to their little den. As soon as they arrived home, Muso began jabbering incessantly to Nari about the day they had. Shanku gave her mother the mushrooms that Hilael had gathered and began to work on her and Banhi's bed.
"You've barely been home a day and you're already getting into fights again?" Nari sighed and tossed her hands into the air. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Let me go see Granny Misen and Grampa Haro?" Shanku asked sweetly.
"Go on then," Nari shook her head. "Be back in time for supper. No brawling between now and then, ya hear?"
Shanku nodded and started out the door. She was not surprised to find Muso and Hilael tag along behind her. Muso was about to dart into their grandparents' home when Shanku put a hand on his shoulder.
"They haven't seen me in a while, remember?" she reminded him. Muso nodded impatiently and half-shoved her in the door.
"What's going on over there?" Misen demanded. She was heavyset, with long greyed hair pulled up in a bun. Her feathers and fur were soft shades of brown and she wore a simple tunic.
"Hey, Gran!" Shanku said as she pulled back the curtain. "Remember me?"
"Land sakes!" Misen exclaimed. "Come in, cubs, come in!"
Shanku was knocked into the doorway as Muso bolted in. "Shanku beat up Jagan!"
"Niranjan's grandson?" Misen asked in surprise.
"Yeah, that jerk that's always picking on Hilael. Shanku got him this morning!" Muso squealed.
"And you couldn't have come see your Gran before seeing him?" Misen demanded.
"I didn't plan it that way!" Shanku said defensively. "I just got home last night and there he was picking on Hilael. I went out this morning to get some more bedding so I could get some rest tonight, and he confronted us again."
"Because you embarrassed him yesterday," Muso grinned.
"I suppose that's why Hilael wasn't as cut up as usual?" Misen growled and shook her head. "I was wondering who was doing that. You're right, Hilael. If you'd fought back, it 'would not have been good'."
"So he's an Elder's grandson. That doesn't give him the right to do whatever he wants. If he expects to be on the council someday, he's going to have to learn to behave himself," Shanku rolled her eyes.
"You sound just like your mother," Misen said with a wry grin. "I just don't know if I should tell Gramp Haro about you and Jagan, he takes a little too much pleasure in these kinds of things."
"Don't tell Gramp Haro what?" Haro demanded as he came into the room. He was just as old and spindly as ever and still had a crooked cane to walk with.
"Shanku beat up Jagan!" Muso said quickly.
"Let's not over-glorify it, now," Shanku shook her head and turned to Hilael. "I don't blame you for not fighting back. Muso would get on my last nerve too with all that gloating."
Hilael chuckled as Muso went into exaggerated details of the brief tussle. "He has someone to look up to, now," Hilael replied.
"You're not that bad of a role model, either," Shanku said back quietly as Haro went into one of his usual rants about the ruling class of the Scissortail clan.
"But with our father being a warrior, certain things are expected of the rest of us," Hilael said grimly.
"Aye, I know. Like how my hunting was judged so harshly by our teachers," Shanku nodded. She felt very safe around Hilael and hoped they could have some time alone to catch up. Their conversation was ended as Haro, Misen, and Muso turned their attention toward Shanku and Hilael. Shanku stepped forward for an overdue hug from her grandparents and their happy tears to see her again. Misen brought out some baked goods for them to nibble on as Shanku told her tale. They had a pleasant visit as Shanku was obliged to give her story.
Haro shook his head as Shanku finished and had told them of one of the reasons she had returned. "Not good. Magic is always trouble."
Not always, Shanku thought, but she knew better to argue with them about magic. Her mother and siblings were the only ones she expected to be fairly lax about the subject. Shanku then explained their current plan to go before the council and see about adjusting talks with the Imperial clans before things got further out of hand.
After voicing their concerns and their own ideas for the audience, Misen ushered them out the door to go home for supper. "Go now. It's suppertime and your ma is sure to want you!"
When they got home, Zanzen had a good laugh during supper when he heard about Shanku and Jagan's skirmish. "Nari, do you remember when we were courting and you slashed up Devani and Eila?" he asked his mate.
"How could I forget? Those hussies started accusing me of being a witch because you were chasing me and not them," Nari scowled.
"Looks like that was heriditary," Zanzen said and laughed heartily. "Shanku likes to spar with the ruling class too!"
"That's not funny, Zanzen," Nari said coldly.
Zanzen chortled to himself as he cleared away the supper dishes.
