Chapter 91: Words in the court

"Silence!" Ileus's thunderous voice cut through chao.The room fell dead silent. "One at a time. Kael, report." Kael came forward. His face was grim. "Alpha, Luna, our scouts confirmed a contingency of the Dawn family crossed into our borders an hour ago. They are stationed near the eastern border, just outside the shadow of the thick forest. Reika's fingers clutched on the chair armrest. "How many?" "About twenty," Kael said. "Armed but not openly aggressive. It looks like they're waiting for something-or someone." "Waiting," Ileus repeated, his brow furrowing. "That's bold, even for them. They know they're trespassing." Reika leaned forward, her voice cold. "They're sending a message. This isn't just an incursion; it's a provocation." --- Response of the Pack "We should strike now," one of the warriors growled, pounding his fist upon the table. "Show them we will not tolerate their presence on our land." "And walk into a trap?" Kael returned simply. "We do not yet know their full strength or their intentions. Charging in blind would be reckless." Reika nodded in concord. "Kael's right. The family of Dawn are not fools, and if they crossed the border, then for a reason-and prepared for retaliation, too." Ileus laid an assuring hand on her shoulder; his grounding touch stilled her skin. "Then what would you suggest, Luna? Reika's mind was torn, tussled by competing strategies, none of them very good. This was no time for weakness. "We must confront them, but on ground and time of our choosing. Send in our best warriors, at distance, shadowing. Let us see who makes the first move." "And if they do nothing?" "Then we take it to them," Ileus concluded with a decisive thrust of his hand toward Reika. "As one. In less than an hour, Reika and Ileus were standing at the eastern border, flanked by Kael and a handpicked elite. Before them now, in shadowed stillness, the darkness beyond all comprehension waited with unseen depth. Then, from somewhere unseen, the sudden scuffling sound that showed their enemy was there. "Be sharp," Ileus whispered. Reika's wolf stirred fitfully, her senses catching that alien smell. The party of the Dawn family emerged into view just beyond the treeline, standing loose, weapons visible but not drawn. ILEUS x. One man stepped forward, cool natured but his eyes glinting with malice. "Alpha Ileus. Luna Reika," he greeted smoothly in honey-like intonation. "What a pleasure it is finally to meet you in person. "Cut the niceties," Ileus spat. "You've entered our lands unbid. Name your purpose, lest I have my fighters see you back whence you came." The man laughed, hands splaying apart in feigned innocence. "We mean no ill, I promise. My name is Lorcan, and I represent the Dawn family. We wanted only to converse. "Talk?" Reika echoed, tone incredulous. "You really believe we would be stupid enough to fall for such a thing, after all your family has pulled?" Lorcan didn't bat an eyelid; his smile didn't falter. "Believe what you will, Luna. The fact is, we're here to negotiate. Of course, you wouldn't want to turn down the opportunity to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, would you?" Reika's eyes slitted. "Negotiate? Over what? For a moment, Lorcan's face clouded; the amiable mask slipped. "The future of our respective families. We have heard rumors, you see. Rumors of alliances being set up against us. We would know which side you align yourself on." "You mean you're afraid," Ileus said coolly. The tight clamping of Lorcan's jaw was answer enough. "Prudence is not fear, Alpha. We'd simply like to understand your stance. "Our intentions are to protect our pack," Reika said firmly. "And if that means standing against the Dawn family, so be it." Lorcan regarded her afterward, his look on her a little longer than necessary. "You are an amazing woman, Luna. A shame we find ourselves on opposite sides of this field." "Save me the flattery," Reika snapped. "If it were truly a people of peace, you would not have crossed our borders under the veil of night. As things grew more heated, Reika's wolf growled low at the sense of danger, and her eyes darted into the darkness beyond Lorcan's group, where a shift of weight betrayed the presence of others. "They're not alone," she whispered to Ileus. "I see them," Ileus growled, his fist clenching upon the hilt of his sword. Lorcan turned to follow his gaze and smiled wryly. "Ah, you've noticed. I suppose there's no longer a point in concealing it." Yet more members of the family of Dawn emerged from the trees bristling with arms, the air beginning to shimmer with promise of violence. "Is this your notion of negotiation?" Kael snarled, advancing. "Merely insurance," Lorcan said silken. "Surely you understand." Outnumbered, yet retreat was not an option. The mind of Reika raced. She exchanged a look with Ileus, where their silent understanding seemed to have an unspoken consensus. "Ileus," she said in barely a whisper, "we must bleed them. Siphon their troops off separately." He inclined his head imperceptibly. "Kael, take half our people and loop around. We will distract them here." Kael hesitated but finally did as he was told, disappearing into the trees with a contingent of warriors. Lorcan cocked his head to one side, eyes following them with interest. "Plotting something, Luna?" "You will see soon enough," Reika replied, though her voice came out steady while her adrenaline raced. The parried ileus and the resounding ringing of his sword against the blade of his foe sent a great din off in the air, embracing both sides as the forest now took life. Reika fought hard, her wolf giving her strength and agility. Then she saw Lorcan, too, amidst the fray-smirking twisted into a snarl as he was engaging Ileus. "Reika!" Kael yelled, he and his pack returning to find the enemy in a disorganized array. At last, their fortunes seemed to haves started to shift, but Reika knew they could spare not another instant on this site. "Fall back!" her voice lashed out against the tumult. The pack fell back tactically, running in retreat with speed and cohesion. At the borders of their lands, the Dawn family was nowhere to be seen, vanished into the woods. Reika leaned against a tree to catch her breath. "They're testing us," she said-frustration etched in her voice- "They want to see how far we'll go." "They'll learn soon enough," Ileus said grimly. But before they could close in on the packhouse, a scout hastened up to them with news that wouldn't keep: "Alpha, Luna," he wheezed, "a message came in while you two were out at the border. It's from the family of the Dawns.