Chapter 3

It had been two-eights of days since the Wolfriders had first come to the Sun-village, and things were going surprisingly well, all things considered. The Wolfriders had moved into the caves nearby, but were often seen in village its-self. Many of the Sun Villagers were delighted by the change, spending much of their time with the strange new-comers. Others were more… pensive.

"Shenshen! What are you thinking! We would all do best to avoid those jackals completely! You should not encourage her!"

"By the midday fumes, she grows more ill-mannered by the day!"

Leetah tiredly watched her friend's retreating figure. "The Wolfriders put her on edge, that's all."

Rayek felt herself bristle as she caught Leetah's words. 'On edge indeed!' The village acted as though she had lost her senses! How could they not see the danger the jackal-elves brought? Had they forgotten that the barbarians had stolen from them? Had carried away Leetah to do who knows what with? She hadn't. Nor had she forgotten how they had encircled Nightscream and herself, just like the jackal beasts they rode their weapons inches away ready to kill them. They were beasts! Monsters! And here was Shenshen taking blankets to them. Here was Maleen, Ruffle, and Vurdah inviting any who wished to their huts for the night. Here was Ahnshen, Shushen, Dodia, and all the other unmated elves in the village following their every move like a starving jackal pack.

It made her sick.

She couldn't even walk through the village without seeing them! Just there in Minyah's garden, sat the red-haired male who had been injured when they had arrived along with his mate. And a bit further on was the aptly named One-eye who had held his spear at Nightscream's throat when they had met. And everywhere they were met with friendship! Had the people of Sorrow's End gone wholly mad!?

With a frown marring her features she stalked out of the village, towards the hot-springs. Being around the barbarians left her feeling… dirty.

"I don't like it. That Leetah's got Cutter so turned around that he forgets to sleep or eat. Just look at him! Ribs sticking out like bare branches."

"I know, just the other day he told me that recognition was like sitting in a thorn bush, gulping over-ripe dreamberries with a sandflea up your nose!"

"I just hope it never happens to me! Love is so much more pleasant!"

One-eye frowned slightly, "Part of the trouble is that huntress. Anytime Cutter gets close to Leetah she seems to appear from thin air with that cat-monster of hers and chases him off! She's like a wolf that's scented a long-tooth whenever she sees one of us."

A murmur of agreement swept through the cave.

"I just hope Leetah comes to her senses soon. For her sake as well as Cutter's. Recognition always happens for a reason, none can deny it."

"Aye. It's fixed and nothing can be done to change it. Recognition is recognition."

Night had fallen hours ago, but he was awake still. Golden eyes fixed on the nearby mountain top where the Wolfriders howled.

His young companion gave a small whimper in her sleep, as even now the cries brought up terrifying memories from her childhood.

Leaving his spot at the cave mouth he walked over to the woven basket one of the village lads had given her to keep things in. He removed the lid, reached in, and pulled a thick blanket out. That done he walked back to where his little friend slept and draped it over her shivering form and waited until her breathing slowed to a normal pace before returning to the cave mouth.

He watched as first wolf-chief and then the elder with what they called face-fur stood and told of their past chief. He watched as the pale skinned elves howl with their wolves. And he watched as Leetah left her place below them and ran back to the village.

He shook his head and smiled. Sometimes children could be so stubborn.

Three-eights of days passed. The Wolfriders saved the village from a Zwoot stampede. Leetah and Cutter had finally accepted their recognition and decided to become life-mates. The Wolfriders and the Sun-villagers were overjoyed.

And Rayek felt more helpless and alone than she ever had.

Everything had turned upside-down. Jackal-like beasts roamed the village. Her skills as a hunter were no longer needed. And her oldest friend was now lifemated to the leader of those who had displaced her. She spent as little time in the village as possible, coming only to draw water from the well.

She sat on a rock next to the Bridge of Destiny, looking out towards the horizon. For half a year now she had felt something calling her but she had never even thought about leaving the village. Only… now she wasn't needed. Could she? Did she dare? To leave her home for nothing more than a feeling?

She was so lost in thought that she didn't even hear the Wolfrider walking up to her.

"Hello."

She whipped her head around, fixing the young elf with a withering glare. How dare he sneak up on her!

He shifted a bit under her gaze. "I thought you might like some company."

Company? With one of them!? HAH! She looked away.

…

Why was he sitting down next to her?

"It's a beautiful view, isn't it?"

Oh please. Now she saw where this was going. "Go back to your cave jackal. If I wanted a sad attempt at romance I'd find Ahnshen."

He laughed! He actually laughed! And was he shifting closer to her?! Did he not understand what 'go away' meant? She stood up and turned to go.

The Wolf-rider caught her hand. Angrily she turned, ready to strike if it was what it would take to make him leave her alone, and then… their eyes met.

Suddenly she felt as though she was no longer merely standing near the Bridge of Destiny, but standing on it! Swaying perilously at the edge of a bottomless pit! But wait! It wasn't bottomless at all! There! Below her! The jackals! No, not jackals at all! Wolves! They stared relentlessly at her with gleaming eyes! They were waiting for her to fall! Whether to tear her to pieces or not, she didn't know nor did she care. Rayek had never sent before but now it was pulled from her with a raw and overwhelming intensity.

YOU!

The young elf recoiled under her ferocity, his grip on her hand loosening. She had to get away! She had to run away! Pulling from the stricken and dazed Wolfrider's grasp she turned and ran as she never had before. Ran down the mountain side. Ran past shocked Sun-villagers and Wolfriders. Ran out of the village, all the way to the cave she had called home for centuries. And all the way she was chased. Not by any elf, or any beast, but by a word. A word that struck at her, and pressed against her. A word that already threatened to send her into a world of madness and tears. Collapsing onto her pallet, Rayek drew a shuddering breath and without meaning to let the word slip from her lips.

Fahr