Torak kept walking without stopping. He left saying goodbye to nobody at camp. He didn't even see anybody. He thought quickly of Wolf and his joy of being connected as a pack once again. But if Renn didn't want him, would Wolf want him too? No matter what Wolf or Renn wanted, Torak just wanted them to be safe. And Torak's 'Crazy Mission' wasn't going to help. So he left. He didn't stop to pack because he didn't have time. The sun was rising and he had to get a quick start before Renn realised he was gone. Or would she be thankful he was gone anyway…? Fin Kedinn had said she'd had enough of Torak. Fin Kedinn, Torak thought bitterly. How could his opinion on him change so quickly? He'd always loved Fin Kedinn. Torak had trusted him! Maybe it was the sickness making him so… rude? Torak hoped so. He tried to forget his last image of Fin Kedinn. He wanted the sweet, caring image to stay stuck in his mind. Why would Fin Kedinn make Torak hate him when he was on his deathbed? What would be the point? Didn't Fin Kedinn care for Torak at all? Of course he did, thought Torak. He just cared for Renn more. He thought Torak leaving was the best for Renn… And who could blame him? Torak thought more of all the things Fin Kedinn had done for him over the years. He'd done everything and all he asked for in return was for Torak to leave Renn forever. Trying to think past his hatred for Fin Kedinn he thought of what would happen to Renn if he dragged her along. She would never ever have a normal life because no matter where Torak went trouble would always follow. Fin Kedinn wasn't stupid, he was right. Renn deserved more than what Torak had to offer. So making his final decision Torak started a slow run.
Torak was suddenly nowhere near the path that travelled through the trees. He didn't know where he was. It just looked like… nowhere. He was alone with nothing but ice. Ice that spread for miles. He looked around, what could have possibly happened for him to get here?
"Haven't got used to this yet?" Torak didn't need to spin around to know who it was.
"It's getting a little old…" Torak replied. Torak still hadn't faced the doppelganger though he didn't need too. The other Torak came in front of him; he was as close as he'd even been before.
"Well I'm sure you didn't suspect to see me again so-"
"Soon? No I did not," Torak yawned.
"Well I'm here because it seems you have left Renn… and Wolf again. Am I right?"
"How did you know that? It's only been five minutes," Torak squinted at his doppelganger. He was defiantly lying to him.
"I just know. So have you thought more of my poem?"
"Well I would of. But I hardly made a step before I ended up here," Torak was getting snappy now. Everything that had happened was crashing down on him.
"That's because I have something to tell you."
"Spit it out then!"
"Narrander," The doppelganget sighed. "I know where he is. But to find him, you must, must do what the poem says!"
"If you know where he is why don't you just tell me now? Bit more logical isn't it?" Torak growled.
"I can't, you must pass some test. I don't know. I'm just a messenger. I'm just you. The part of you that's unwilling to speak out."
"I would never say some of the things you say," Torak stepped closer, so they were nose to nose. Challenging a fight.
"You would though," The other Torak said. "If you opened up you'd see the true you!"
"Okay, I'm sick of this shit!" Torak yelled. He didn't want to look at his other half. He gagged with revulsion. "Is this all you had to tell me? I can go now, can I?" Torak peered around for an exit, somewhere to get out of the dream. But there was nothing but ice.
"Don't you remember how this works Torak? Come to where I am, that's here. Go north, to the ice!"
Of course, Torak thought. Through caves, rivers, those things at best.
…
Renn woke late that morning. She thought of the night before. Torak and her were finally happy and once the whole Narrander business was over they would they would with the Ravens hopefully forever. She was sure the Narrander thing meant nothing at all though because if did it would mean Torak would have to…
"Torak? Torak?" The ruff voice she'd once heard interrupted her thoughts. The voice was coming from a long distance all the way into her tent.
"Renn!" It's calling my name, Renn thought frightened. She jumped out of bed in her sleeping cloths. She pulled on a decent pair of shoes before running out of her tent. She got many stares as she ran pass but all that mattered was for her to find that unusual voice. She had to meet this person once and for all. She had to know what it knew. But she couldn't help thinking about the way it called Toraks name. It was fear.
"Renn!" A new more feminine ruff voice called in alarm.
"Renn? What are you doing?" This made Renn stop in her tracks. That voice, a familiar voice. She turned around.
"Where you running too, Renn?" Dark asked innocently. He'd been crying. His eyes were two red puffballs.
"Someone… Shouting my name?" Renn asked she stepped forward. She had an urge to hug Dark, seeing him so miserable was overwhelming. She couldn't handle it. She grabbed his hand in both of hers. "Something wrong, Dark?"
Dark made a huge sniffle before saying, "There's something you really must see." Forgetting the strange voices Renn had been listening to she waited for Dark's news. When he told her she felt horror. She felt sick to the stomach. She knew it was coming, but was never really prepared for it. She broke down on the floor crying.
Renn watched four boys pull Fin Kedinn's body out of the woods. She saw his limp body bend in weird places. She pushed Bera off her and ran towards the dead figure. Nobody made a move to stop her as she sat herself down beside Fin Kedinn. She looked up at the four boys.
"Where did you find him?" She demanded.
A small boy was shaking though he stepped forward to answer her. "Stuffed in a hole inside a tree." Two sets of hands grabbed her shoulders and sat beside her.
"We know how you must feel Renn," Bera whispered on her right.
"And we miss him too," Dark's voice shook as he rested his head on Renn's shoulder. Renn smiled at Bera, though it wasn't even half real. She looked back at Fin Kedinn's body. They had only found him this morning, last night he seemed perfectly fine. And why, Renn thought, would he stuff himself in a tree if he were sick and dying? Wouldn't something more comfortable be better? Also his body was gross and smelly and… just horrible. He hadn't put himself in that tree, someone else must have done.
"He was murdered," Renn said abruptly. People gasped, she noted a group of people now surrounding her and Fin Kedinn's body.
"Now Renn, I know it always feels better to blame someone else when these things happen, but can't you see-"
"Can't you see? Can't you see his body? Its been decaying for weeks, just look at it! Someone who has been dead one night does not have rotten skin! Well to be honest he hardly has any skin left!" Renn shouted. She looked around at her clan, trying to push some sense into them.
"Yes Renn dear, we know. But he hasn't been dead for months, he's been right here looking after us all. And for him being murdered… possible I guess. But we all know he has been sick for a while now and do we honestly know anyone who would want to kill Fin Kedinn?" Bera said in a soft giggle. Talking to Renn as if she was a baby.
"I'm not imaging it! He has no skin left! Look," Renn jumped up pushing off Dark and Bera. She stood over Fin Kedinn pointing down at him. "Look at him, its just flesh and bones-"
"Renn-" Dark and Bera said together standing up with out stretched hands.
"LOOK!" Renn's voice bombed across the land. Birds fluttered out of the sky in fright. She stared down at their startled faces. They thought she was going crazy and for good reason. She stormed off to find Torak and nobody, not even Bera made one single move to follow her. But after a while Renn understood why. Torak was not here she couldn't find him anywhere. She looked in everyone's tent, not caring for privacy. She stopped finally when she saw Wolf, Darkfur and Pebble running towards her. There tails were flat on the ground and there snouts were bent down low. Torak hadn't left! Renn thought gleefully. He would never leave Wolf.
"He did leave me," the ruff voice said. But it was closer now, much closer. Almost like it came straight from…
"Wolf?" Renn asked quietly. She kneeled on the ground but the wolves made no move towards her.
"Must find Torak, Renn," the ruff voice growled. As it was said Wolf walked towards her. But if Wolf could talk, thought Renn. He wouldn't be using our names.
"I'm not the one talking. Your in our heads," a smile squeaking voice said and Pebble ran towards her also.
"Torak," the last feminine ruff voice said. Darkfur walked towards her. That's all she needed to here. Torak had left, without Wolf, without Pebble, without Darkfur and without Renn. She had to find him.
"Stay here, I'll be right back," Renn didn't know if the wolves understood her or not but they stayed behind as Renn ran for her tent. But as she turned the corner, she gasped out in horror. Fin Kedinn was in her tent, alive! He was looking through her bag! She thought quickly she couldn't make any mistakes. She didn't want to say the wrong thing. She had to figure out this mystery. Fin Kedinn's body was defiantly moons old, yet Fin Kedinn had been walking around freely. Renn thought back to the old Fin Kedinn, and the recent one. The one who had betrayed Renn and told Torak her secret when it wasn't his to tell. Fin Kedinn had been different and everyone knew that. But Bera would just blame it on his old age. But now Renn knew. Fin Kedinn had been dead for moons. But some impersonator has taken his place, and here he is now looking through her stuff. Something the real Fin Kedinn would not do!
"Fin Kedinn?" Renn said. She noticed how her voice shook, but hoped he would not notice. Fin Kedinn or the impersonator spun around in shock. He hadn't heard her coming. After a second he smiled warmly.
"Renn my dear!" He spread his arms open and Renn reluctantly gave him a hug. "I was looking for you!"
"And you thought I'd be hiding in my bag?" Renn asked smoothly, jokingly.
"Don't mind me, I'm just a little nosey. Now come sit," he patted the floor for her to sit by him. When she did he patted her thigh. Renn squirmed uncomfortably.
"What did you want to talk about?" She asked. She grabbed his hand as a distraction from his closeness.
"Torak, dear. Where is he? I'm worried," Fin Kedinn sighed. He was staring at Renn intently, awaiting her reaction. Checking for lies. She thought over her response carefully, she made sure not to say the wrong thing.
"He's gone to find some fresh food for Wolf. He hasn't been eating properly," Renn said. She sniffled as if she was worried for Wolf.
"Oh, that's terrible," Renn, noticed how he flicked the topic off quickly. "So he has talked to you this morning?"
"Of course. He's actually excited about the baby, Fin Kedinn!"
"Did he mention a talk we had this morning as well?" Fin Kedinn was trying very hard to keep his voice even but he slipped up at the end. He half growled through his teeth. He saw the look in Renn's eyes; he saw understanding. He jumped off the bed bent over, suddenly he didn't look sick at all.
"What did you say to Torak you sick bastard?" She screeched. His mouth was foaming dripping down onto his throat. His eyes bulged, bloodshot.
"Torak had a duty!" 'Fin Kedinn' yelled back. His head was twisting in weird directions and his body was flopping around like a bendy straw. He's trying to scare me, Renn thought.
"His duty is with me! I'll help him whatever he does! What did you say to him? YOU CAN'T SCARE ME, SO STOP IT!" Renn shouted and abruptly Fin Kedinn stopped dead. His mouth went back to normal; his eyes were clear and his body straight. He slowly started to smile. This is much more scary, Renn thought as she backed off. She heard loud steps coming towards her. She turned around to call them forward. Bera was running towards her frantically, Dark and half the clan behind her.
"DARK! BERA! LOOK!" She turned around as Dark ran into her side. But they all stopped chattering because there was nothing – nothing! – But a sprayed out bag lying across the floor.
"Renn, are you alright? That was a lot of screaming for nothing. You need to sit down," Bera whispered. She pulled Renn towards her sleeping mattress.
"Stop it, Bera! Stop acting as if I'm crazy! I saw Fin Kedinn he was in my room! Not the real one, the impersonator! Stop it Dark! I'm not crazy," Renn kicked and screamed, but she couldn't hold off the amount of bodies closing in on her. She was laid across the bed legs held down on either side. A small fragile figure walked towards her holding a cup.
"No! What do you think your doing?" Renn shouted. "Get that SHIT away from me! I need Torak. Get me-" But the women had forced the liquid down Renn's throat and she slowly drifted into the darkness.
…
Wolf was confused. He didn't know what to do. He'd messaged Pack-sister using her new powers and she had understood Torak was in danger. But she had just run away again! Then minutes later he'd heard her screeching from a far away shelter. She was screaming in pain. Darkfur had wanted to see her, but what if they got caught too? Who would save Pack-brother then? Pack-brother needed Wolf though he just didn't know it yet. Wolf had decided to give Pack-sister till the next light to come back to them. If she didn't come back to them, they would have to find Pack-brother by themselves.
…
Renn woke up kicking and screaming. She quickly remembered the last minutes of the night before. Fin Kedinn. Bera. Wolf. Dark. Torak. She got out of her bed as quick as possible trying to make as less noise as possible. She was happy with her success of not waking Bera until she climbed out of her tent. Arms grabbed her from either side. She let out yet another loud scream. She had screamed more in the last twelve hours than her whole lifetime.
"Where you going?" A loud booming voice growled. She looked at her captures on either side. A huge young man was sneering down at her, on the other side was… Dark?
"Dark! What are you doing?" Renn whispered frightening. What were they doing to her?
"I'll take her, Loco," Dark said dragging Renn back to her bed. Renn peered over at Bera to check if they had finally woken her up only to see she wasn't there.
"Dark?" Renn said getting really worried now. "Where is everybody? Where's Torak?" Dark sighed and sat down. Renn sat down in front of him. She stared him down, making sure he told nothing but the truth.
"Loco and I are your guards at the moment. Kai has arranged a schedule for us all."
"Schedule for what? For who's guarding me at what time of the day?" Renn scoffed. Dark looked down awkwardly with a sheepish smile. "NO!" Renn shouted. "I don't need guarding!"
"They're afraid you're going to run away, Renn. You were so scary last night. Bera said your really sick and that you're a hazard to yourself. We just want to help you Renn," Dark whispered quietly.
"I'm not sick! I'm the only one here who is actually thinking straight!"
"Renn, please stop shouting," Dark murmured. She noticed him shivering, leaning away from her. She hated to see him so scared of her.
"Sorry," she said sweetly. "Let me try a new approach. Now listen, intently now Dark because I'm only going to say this once. You're going to help me escape – no buts Dark! – Because it's the only way to help Torak. You want to help Torak, don't you? I need you to tell Loco that I'm going crazy ripping up Bera's possessions, just whatever you need to say to get him to come in and attempt to put me back to sleep. But when he comes in I'll knock him out with that rock, see it, the big one? While I do that you'll run straight out to the north end of camp – you know where that is? – There you will find Wolf, he is waiting for me. Bring them to me, he'll come if you just say Torak's name. I'll wait for you by the stream, okay? Have you got all that? Make sure absolutely no one see's you!" Renn jumped up to gather up some shoes and blankets stuffing them into a backpack. She grabbed the big rock with two hands.
"Renn, I can't do all that and drop that rock!"
"Of course you can, Dark! It's all for Torak, remember that," Renn turned around to look at Dark. He sat there motionless thinking it over. Finally he looked up.
"Fine, I'll do it. But wait for my signal, okay?" Renn nodded. She moved over to the corner of the tent out of sight. Dark shot her one last glance before steeping out of the tent. But he didn't fool her; Renn saw the last look in his eyes before leaving the tent, betrayal. Before she could escape through the tent after him, he was shouting.
"BERA! KIA! ITS RENN! SHE'S TRYING TO ESCAPE! HELP US!" Renn dropped the rock on the ground before jumping through the hole straight into Loco's arms. She squirmed around kicking, a repeat of the night before. How could these people being doing this to her? She had grown up with these people! They were family! Loco dragged her back to her room and held her down with one hand. She wouldn't go down this time. She was determined to escape. Dark came scurrying in followed by Bera, Kai and at least five other massive huge muscly men. Kai had another small drink in her hands.
"You can't do this! I'm not crazy, will you listen to me?" Renn begged. They all looked down at her with the same look, pity. They pitied the crazy girl rolling around in front of them. They were all so naïve. They didn't understand the truth and they would all pay for it.
"She told me where the wolves are," Dark said to Kai. "They are by the north end."
Kai smiled down at Dark. "Well done, Dark. Tyco, Willow, will you go collect the wolves for me and bring them back here. Use the ropes to tie them up." Tyco and Willow bowled before leaving the tent.
"You vile women! You can't take the wolves! There free! You're a TERRIBLE CLAN LEADER, YOU BITCH!"
Kai shock her head, tutting. "Oh Renn, jealously is such an ugly thing." She stalked towards Renn with the bowl. Renn made a last plea to the wolves.
"WOLF, DARKFUR, PEBBLE. THEY ARE COMING FOR YOU. PROTECT TORAK, HE'S IN DANGER AND I AM TRAPPED. LEAVE HERE NOW."
Nobody seemed to notice Renn screeching to the wolves. Kia was getting so close now. Renn couldn't give in so easily, she just couldn't. Loco was momentarily distracted by Renn's stillness she flung her foot in the air and kicked the bowl straight out of Kai's hands. She went for a second kick and hit Kai right in the nose.
"Oh you stupid girl. Quick, Bera fetch another bowl!" Bera sprinted from the room while Renn continued to scream betrayal at them all.
…
Wolf heard Pack-sisters plea. It was so loud he was sure the whole forest could have heard her. He looked to Darkfur. She understood what they must do. They couldn't listen to such a painful scream and do nothing about it. They bounded into the camp, Pebble included. They saw two big tall tail-less's coming for them, ropes in either hand. But wolves were much smarter and much faster than any other animal. This was going to be easy. Wolf found it easy to pin point where his pack-sister was. They could sense her emotions from miles away; hurt, betrayal, fear and hope. Wolf attacked the bigger of the two tall tail-less's and Darkfur took the other. Pebble ran straight through untouched. Darkfur took a bite out of the tall tail-less's leg but Wolf mauled his. He had no patience left for these evil tall tail-less's. They continued to hurt Wolfs family and he'd had enough of it. Leaving the tall tail-less's moaning on the ground they ran for Pack-sister. Little tall tail-less's stared at them in awe while some tried to grab them. All failed.
Pack-sister. Were coming, Wolf sent to Pack-sister using her new mage powers. He could tell she'd picked it up because there was a new emotional in the air. Excitement. Wolf saw the Pack-sisters shelter. He sensed a lot of pain coming from it, but not all from Pack-sister. Wolf jumped through the crowd of people straight into the tent. He attacked a small feminine figure first. She was stalking Pack-sister like prey. Behind, he heard Darkfur and Pebble attacking the watchers. Pack-sister herself had picked up a small sack; it was similar to the one Wolf was forced in when they first meet. She pushed the other tall tail-less's out of the way as she ran towards the exit of the tent. Wolf took one last bite at the small figure before following Pack-sister out of the tent. Without stopping or turning around Renn, Wolf, Darkfur and Pebble left the Raven camp leaving all havoc behind.
