Fall

Kane

Grass swayed with the wind. Back and forth it danced to a tune Kane couldn’t hear.

Flint could hear the subtle whistle of the wind and its currents. He could map them out in his mind like game trails others used to hunt his kind.

My herd migrated through here. I remember this part.

Kane couldn’t tell one patch of the West from the next, but through Flint was able to see a faint path. Oh.

We were picked off during our travels. I’m surprised we were as large as we were when you found me. Flint huffed, a small cloud coming from his nose. It’s strange that I don’t feel quite as… a part of them now. I don’t think I would join them if they passed by.

You better not. Kane pat the deer’s side. We have to end this war.

They were close to the East, so close that the earth itself was starting to change. It was darker, sparser, more wild. Untouched for years by the other territories of Eden.

The Northern army stamped their boots and tightened their coats, but it was not the cold they were fearing. A shiver of apprehension quaked through the ranks. Kane hoped the East-West branch felt the same. If help didn’t come through, the North would be alone in hostile land. He wondered if they would be given any quarter by the enemy.

We can’t believe we’ve already lost. We haven’t even begun, Flint thought.

Kane kept this in mind as they marched, as the air grew slightly warmer, as a humidity fought the winter bite. The plains began to show something on the horizon; a sea of twisting jungle. How a new terror seized his heart as a very different sea rippled before them, clad in green and red.

The final battle was less than a mile from them, and there was no turning back.

Piper

It took little time for Tennyson’s words to come into effect.

At first, all Piper could hear was the crunching of underbrush. Reine swiveled her ears to pinpoint the source, but Piper couldn’t find it. “What…?”

Tennyson’s smile grew wider, and he folded his hands behind his back. The tiger-boy looked bored. Finch was just as confused as she was. How had three people slipped by Chip’s scouting?

Finally, the silhouette and then hazy form of a person came through the sunset. He was clad humbly in an off-white artisan apron, his hands tucked behind his back like Tennyson. The newcomer peered cautiously through wire rimmed glassed, lips pursed.

Walking with him, stride for stride, was a magnificent fox. Its muzzle and face were frosted with age, but something far older twinkled in its green eyes. Intelligence beyond the wildness of a new or even middling fera.

It unsettled Reine. I’ve never liked foxes. Too smart for their own good.

The fox was a reminder of Charlotte Harper’s fera. Piper’s heart stirred with wariness, and she found herself siding easily with Reine.

“Tennyson,” the newcomer said with a nod.

“Cedric,” Tennyson gave a small bow. “Silas.”

The fox dipped his head. Piper half-expected Silas to speak for himself.

The man—Cedric—circled them. He touched his grizzled chin when he saw Finch, and pushed his glasses closer to his face when he reached Piper. She took a step back, and Reine filled the space between them.

Give her room, she said.

Cedric understood Reine’s growl well enough, despite his curious expression. Silas sniffed the ground where Piper had been, and sneezed.

“Tell me…” Cedric began in a cautious Kinnish. The tiger-boy seemed to wake up when he heard him speak. He asked something in Seinish.

Cedric ignored the boy, and kept his focus on Piper. “Tell me, what is your name?”

Her name? Piper bit the inside of her cheek. Names were powerful things. If this man knew her true identity—Piper Amur, hero of Elbe—he could surely use it against her. They would be brought to Seine, and be imprisoned. Killed.

But Tennyson was not in good graces with Seine, that much had been shown. And if Cedric was with or harboring Tennyson, wouldn’t that mean he was against Seine too?

“Piper,” Cedric said. She looked up, and his silver eyebrows rose. “That is your name.”

She nodded slowly.

“Piper.” The man had excitement now. “Please come with me.”

They walked back to the cabin, where Cedric took out a key from his apron. Piper caught eyes with Finch as the door swung open.

Reine flexed her claws. I’m ready.

Piper was not.