32. Critters of All Kinds （and Heads）
CHAPTER 32
Critters of All Kinds (and Heads)
ALIA
T he needs were expanding. I was not only feeling needs from those within my tribe, but those from animals in the woods and even lost children or those who were hurt and without homes. All their needs were drawn to me.
“Wait!” I screamed, racing forward as I felt a need scrape against my soul.
The archer in the trees paused. I stopped within ten feet of a stocky creature shaped like an alligator… with three heads. It was a baby hydra, dehydrated and far from her home in the woods outside of the swamplands to the east beyond Wintercrest, which spanned hundreds of thousands of acres.
She already had a single arrow in her hide from Reds trying to force her to flee. She had cuts and missing scales. A tiny mewl came from one of her heads. One head was on the ground, eyes closed as if sleeping, the second was listless, waving back and forth, and the center head was watching me through narrowed eyes. It hissed, but I was used to things like that from Ran, and it didn’t bother me coming from something that was only big enough to fit my arm in its mouth, not my entire body.
“Hey there, little one. You’re safe with me, ok? Let’s get ya looked after and then we’ll get you home.” She blinked, her hiss dying in her throat. Ran landed at my back, leaning forward and booping noses with the center head.
The hydra rubbed her snout against Ran’s, even as Ran tried to retreat.
There was no retreat. Ran sat there stiff as a board as the hydra came and rubbed her snout like an adoring cat all along her neck and chin.
I nearly chuckled.
Don ’ t, Ran said, glaring down at me.
I said it anyway. Looks like you ’ ve found yourself a wittle baby.
Ran hissed at me, even as the hydra curled up beneath her wing and she covered the little one to shelter it.
“Brandt, would you mind getting Doc for me?” I asked.
I glanced back, only to find Brandt staring at the scene before him with an open mouth and hand on a bare sword outstretched before him. “Th-That’s a hydra,” he said.
“Yep. Exceptional skills of observation. Now go get Doc.”
He glanced at me before his gaze went back to the sleeping hydra. “Enforcer Markus would kill me if I left you.”
“I’ll kill you if you don’t,” I said.
“Enforcer Markus is scarier.”
“So help me?—”
“I’ll go, Lady Aurelia,” another voice spoke up with humor coating it. Elder Vera emerged from the growing crowd behind Brandt. She smiled, watching me argue with Brandt. “It seems you do not have great need of a bodyguard, what with the dragon around,” she said with a teasing grin.
I cracked a smile. “See!” I told Brandt. “I have Ran. No one will harm me with her around. And you didn’t even get between me and the hydra.”
Brandt rolled his eyes. “I’d like to see anyone get between you and one of your pets, ma’am.”
I choked on my spit. “Don’t you dare call me ma’am. And they aren’t my pets!”
Brandt stood at attention. “Enforcer Markus told me to hold post. I shall not disobey.” He paused. Then added, “Ma’am.”
I stared at him with a gaping mouth. I was unsure if I should throttle him or?—
I saw the elder turn to get Doc from the corner of my eye. “Thank you, Elder Vera!” I yelled. She fluttered a hand in a wave as she trotted off to get Doc.
I glared at Brandt, who studiously turned his back on me and watched the crowd for any ‘dangers.’
I turned back to the hydra, muttering about idiotic and self-centered jerks who wouldn’t obey their matriarch over an enforcer.
More were coming. More needs converged on our tribe. Before too long, our tribe would no longer be hidden.
The biggest problem was most were not human. Most were magical creatures. There were humans with broken legs, horned rabbits with broken horns—their horns helped heal the land—and creatures with many injuries, illnesses, and diseases.
All converging on us.
Some never made it, their needs abruptly dropping from my soul as they crossed the veil to the other side of death.
It was alarming the way my Gift was like some sort of beacon to those with drastic needs.
“They’re coming. From every direction and… and everywhere. I don’t… I can’t provide for ’em all,” I said, my face in my arms. A horned rabbit crunched on a carrot in the corner, tempting Fenbutt who was told not to chase any small, injured creatures.
This certain little one had lost most of her horn, her eyes dull and glassy when she’d first arrived. She was coming back to life… a little too much, what with her teasing Fenbutt and getting him in trouble.
“No, hon, you can’t. But we can,” Mom said, turning to the others.
We were gathered for lunch. My family had descended on me, bringing my favorite foods just in time for my stomach to be grumbly.
Someone had tattled, telling them I hadn’t been eating. I glanced at Shen in the corner. He sent what I imagined was supposed to be an innocent grin but ended up being a bit scary what with his scars and dark, glittering eyes.
I narrowed my eyes at him. His grin grew impish.
Heck.
“We need a functional team for the needs coming in. Trusted individuals to get the people and creatures to different areas to receive what they’re needing,” Anna said.
I stared at her for a moment. My sister was better. Slowly growing stronger and healthier. She still had days where breathing was hard, and Dad still had to carry her or risk her legs collapsing, but she was here. Talking and eating with us.
I exchanged a glance with Dad, who nodded and tipped his hat at me. I smiled.
“Wow. That would be a big help, sis.”
She sent me a bland glance. “You sound surprised such genius came from me.”
“Not surprised, just?—”
“Surprised?” She laughed.
“Shen, get over here and help before my sister slays me!”
“She already has,” Shen replied, not moving from his post by the door.
“Slayed by wit," Jacob said with a sage nod.
He and Shen exchanged a grin as I groaned. Shen’s eyes softened with the smile; he almost looked younger for a moment in time. I saw the boy in his eyes, the one he wasn’t allowed to be. Maybe we could give him some of that missing childhood back.
Fenbutt, parked at Shen’s feet like usual, barked and wagged his tail. The rabbit darted in front of him, her little gray tail wiggling as she paused to see if he’d chase. He watched but held still despite his whimpers and flicking ears.
Warmth gathered in my soul. Needs still beat against me, yet somehow, having my family and friends here helped them fade. As if they were bearing part of the load without even realizing it.
“Son, take a break from your duty and join us in breaking bread,” Dad said.
Shen glanced at him with surprise on his face. He glanced out the door, as if searching for an escape route. Was he… scared? Of my father?
What man is not afraid of his beloved ’ s sire?
Fair point. But we weren’t… I wasn’t?—
Keep lying to yourself, Two-Legs.
I would, thanks.
Shen moved from his post, slowly coming over to the seat Jacob pulled up for him with a massive grin.
Fenbutt grumbled over his master leaving. He then stretched and yawned before going over to Fina, who was sleeping on a pallet on the floor, her sister cuddling her. Fenbutt curled up in front of them, immediately releasing a round of gas that sent Shen into a coughing fit. Jacob leaned away.
“Wow, that’s rotten,” Jacob said, waving a hand in front of his face.
“You ain’t wrong,” Jess whispered, still cradling a sleeping Fina who merely crinkled her nose and rolled over.
The rabbit darted over and snuggled up just beneath Fenbutt’s snout.
Fenbutt opened his mouth, easing it over the little rabbit’s skull.
He glanced up, catching my eye. I raised a single brow. He deflated, releasing a low grumble before easing his mouth back and closing it—without the rabbit within—and sticking his snout as far from the rabbit as possible. He kicked out a back foot that sent the rabbit tumbling away from him. When the fluffball stopped rolling, she huffed then went around to the other side of the pile and curled up next to Jess with a disgruntled stomp of her foot.
“How can we make Anna’s idea happen?” Mom said.
“We can section out areas in the Matriarch’s Tent. They can separate groups based on Alia’s classifications of their needs. We can have acute physical, chronic physical, and acute mental. Anything else I need to add, sis?” Jacob said, writing in a book.
I stared at my little brother. My family… they were… they were rallying together. For me.
I coughed, trying to remove the tightness of my throat. “Yeah… that would be great. Please also add a hug station with gentle souls who can listen. So many people and creatures just need kind physical and emotional connection without pain.”
Jacob nodded and wrote it down.
“I can get the Reds to gather and set up partitions in the tent. But who helps the people? We need those who won't hold a grudge from the past or try to harm those coming to us for help,” Dad said.
Shen leaned forward. “My pack will be happy to assist. Doc has a few werewolves who are skilled in healing. Are there any in the tribe who would be willing and kind enough to let the past lay in the past?” Shen asked.
I hid my smile. He spoke, and it made me happy.
“Isn’t there a pacifist group? They still aren’t entirely on Alia’s side, seeing as she hasn’t outlawed hunting for meat of the forest critters, but they’ll be much more willing to help than most,” Mom said, dishing out shepherd's pie onto my plate.
I put a spoonful in my mouth without thinking. “Do you know how to reach them? I have a feeling they wouldn’t take too kindly to me showing up at their doorstep.”
Mom narrowed her eyes. “ What did you do?”
I winced. “Me and Brandt might have put a unicorn pelt outside their main entrance when we were kids.”
Mom facepalmed. “What am I to do with you rascals?” she asked. Dad was leaning back with a grin when Mom glanced up. He quickly put on a face of faux disappointment.
“Alia, you know better,” he said.
“Of course I know better now , Dad. But back then, they were annoying as heck.”
Dad shrugged. Mom smacked his shoulder. He jumped. “Woman, you know she’s right! They were annoying as heck.”
“And they were the closest thing to right, despite going against the wind.”
Dad nodded. “You’re exactly right, baby.”
Mom crossed her arms. “Are you pacifying me?”
Dad scoffed. “Of course I am. But you are right.”
Mom cracked a grin, going back to filling up my plate, which I’d emptied.
Shen had a tiny grin on his face as he ate more of Mom’s pie. His eyes nearly glowed as he demolished the food. “This is the best meal I have had the pleasure of in ages, madame,” he said, nodding his head in a slight bow to Mom.
Mom blushed. “Thanks, dear. Have some more.” For a moment, it looked as if he would protest, but Mom was already piling more on his plate.
I hid a grin at his dumbfounded expression. Then he softened, and there was a hint of moisture in the bottom of his eyes before he looked down.
My smile mellowed. My family was a lot, but they were family. And it brought a strange warmth to my heart to see how they welcomed Shen. His responses to even the tiniest of family care nearly tore my heart in two.
Shen turned to me. His brow rose at the tiny smile on my lips, but I just shook my head and shrugged ’cause I didn’t know how to explain the peace and joy in my soul. His smile softened and he nodded. A thoughtful frown crossed his face.
“There are also those you feel outside the tribe, correct?” Shen asked me, his eyes darting back and forth as if he were thinking.
“Yes. Many don’t make it. I think only the most dire needs are coming. But why would my Gift draw them? Nothing like this has happened before.”
“I’ve long wondered if the broken are drawn to you, kiddo. You may not remember, but there was a tiny puppy who’d lost a leg and was bleeding out. You found ’em on our porch when you were a mere toddler and knew exactly how to help. It was when we first suspected you had a Gift,” Dad said, rubbing his chin in thought. “You mentioned your Gift expanded when you accepted the three items. Could it be…” He exchanged a glance with Mom.
She nodded. “It’s possible.”
“What’s possible?” I asked, a bit peeved at their silent conversation.
Mom turned to me. “There was an old legend about the Trident. The Book, the Crown, and the Sword. It was an obscure rumor about ’em somehow being items of power.”
I stared at Mom. “Why didn’t you say anything about this before ? It could’ve been freakin’ useful!”
She shrugged. “You were all very young when it went around, and the Reds quickly shut it down.”
“So it has something to do with the three items given to the matriarch? Could they be spelled like the Book of Rites?” Anna asked, leaning back in her chair as her face grew a bit pale. I asked her with my eyes if she needed to go rest; she shook her head slightly.
When I glanced up, Shen’s eyes met mine, filled with understanding.
He turned back to Mom. “It is possible. The mages of old were greater in power than those of today. A way to augment a ruler’s Gifts to make it serve the people would not be out of the question,” Shen said.
“There’s a legend about the first matriarch that said she had a way with words. Perhaps it augmented a Gift no one knew about?” Jacob asked. “I ’member hearing about how she talked down an entire city guard from invading. They left the tribe alone after, as if they’d forgotten we were even here.” I nodded. Matriarch Victoria the Truthsayer was a tale we were often told as kids.
Shen whistled. “That would explain much. Your tribe is close to Mongolia. You would be seen as a threat. You do not know how many times the king and princes have suspected the Reds are close to the capitol, but even their greatest trackers could not confirm this. And they should have. Many times over. This is not a mere tribe, but an entire city hidden in the woods. A geas laid over the tribe would be understandable and even probable.”
I furrowed my brow and nibbled my bottom lip. A geas was typically of fea kind. They used a geas to either prevent someone from speaking of or remembering certain details. I didn’t realize it could actually be a good thing. But with my Gift… “Does this… Could my Gift undo that? It’s bringing people and creatures to us left and right.”
Shen shook his head, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. Seeing him at ease made a smile tease my lips. “I am trained to resist geas and other magic. It’s the only way I can find my way back here after leaving. That, and your scent. Remembering the way back after leaving is a bit of a muddled mess. Were it not for those two things combined, I could not have returned to you. So no, your Gift draws them here, but after they leave, it would be near impossible to find it again.”
“Good. Would hate to undo centuries of peace because everyone’s blasted drawn to me,” I said. Shen chuckled, catching my morbid humor. I rubbed my hands together, thinking of who could head this up. “Markus and Brandt are two I trust. Get them to set up a team of those they trust and let’s get this started. The sooner, the better.”
“Good. Would your Reds be keen to go on rescue missions for the injured who cannot make it here?” Shen asked.
I stared at him for a moment. Then I cackled with glee and got up without a backward glance.
“She’s up to something,” Anna said.
“That look on her face terrifies me,” Jacob said, his voice wavering.
“The look of innocent chaos?” Shen said, not without a hint of dark sarcasm.
“Yep, that one,” Jacob replied.