Chapter Four: Journey to the Iron Mountains

It hadn't taken much persuading to convince Derian to go with her when Firekeeper chose to visit with her wolf family one last time before being wed. However, it had taken her much arguing on her part to get Derian to go on foot. She had argued that a horse would merely slow them down on their way to the Iron Mountains. After Firekeeper's quarrelsome tone had done nothing in her favor, she had resorted to soft words and touches. Eventually, Derian had given in to her requests.

So here they were, one exhausted and the other enthusiastic. Derian and Firekeeper were in hiding, observing the motions and routines of the guards inside the guardhouse that blocked the only easily accessible path to the other side of the Iron Mountains.

Before the couple had left Eagle's Nest, they had attempted to obtain a permit to pass through the gap from Queen Sapphire or King Shad. However, they had both been occupied by the birth of their second child, and had no time for matters they thought trivial.

Darkness was falling, and with darkness came the switching of the guard. Firekeeper could see the guards about to flood the area with light from their massive lanterns. She grabbed Derian's hand and pulled him through the gathering shadows.

They were almost too slow. Light near exploded throughout the mountain pass. Firekeeper and Derian dove into the surrounding trees to avoid being seen, but the tremendous crash that resulted from them landing on top of a thicket of bushes could not be avoided. They picked themselves from the bushes, Firekeeper trying to get her bearings. The extreme light had completely destroyed her night vision. Everywhere she gazed, spots danced across her eyes. Over Derian's nervous breathing, she could hear the barely audible sounds of at least two guards coming to investigate the source of the noise. Obviously, these sentries had been on patrol closer than either of them had thought. More than ever, Firekeeper wished she had a wolf's nose.

Once again, she took Derian's hand, pulling him in the direction her senses told her was north.

A few hours before dawn, Firekeeper felt that it would be safe enough for them to rest before going on their way. Derian spread out a blanket on the ground to lie on, but the summer night was comfortably warm, so he didn't bother with a covering blanket. He beckoned her over, but she gently refused. Lying with Derian wouldn't allow her to be on full alert.

Instead, she opted for a high tree branch above where her fiancée slept. Firekeeper curled up in the crevice where the thick tree limb met the trunk.

In the morning, after keeping watch all night, Firekeeper found that she was only the smallest bit tired. However, she knew that if Derian woke to see her awake as well, he would worry that she had gotten no rest at all. When he stirred, she closed her eyes to mimic sleep, but her senses were still pricked.

After the pretense of sleep was getting to be too tedious for her, Firekeeper nimbly leapt from the tree branch, and gave Derian a good morning kiss on the cheek. He smiled at her, his eyes still clouded with sleep. Yawning, he handed her a bowl of the porridge he had been cooking over the small, smokeless fire. She spooned it down quickly, attempting to ignore the taste, or rather, lack there of. Firekeeper vowed to bring down some small game for the midday meal Derian would insist on.

Already, the summer heat was becoming unbearable, even so early in the morning. The cotton shirt Firekeeper wore stuck to her, creating a very uncomfortable sensation.

Ignoring Derian's stuttering, she tugged it off and knotted it around her waist.

"Take yours off," she suggested. "It feels much better."

Stubbornly, he refused.

But as they began the trek to the territory where Firekeeper's wolf pack resided, Derian saw the wisdom of removing his shirt. To Firekeeper's delight, he did just so, allowing the pale skin of his chest to be exposed to the musty sunlight filtering through the trees.

Firekeeper's pace was slowed by Derian, who had never made such a long journey not astride a horse's back. By the time evening arrived again, the couple had only covered a little less than three-fourths of the distance Firekeeper had hoped to travel over.

The moon shining brightly overhead gave Firekeeper a frivolous idea. Tugging a worn out Derian behind her, she led the way into the heart of the forest.

"Run with me," she begged, casting sweet eyes up at him. There was no possible way he could actually refuse. He discarded his pack on the ground, and followed her where she would take him.

Derian was too exhausted to keep pace with her, so Firekeeper ran ahead, teasing him at every turn. She rushed ahead into a clearing, yanking her shirt back on again. There, she paused, mocking him, although lovingly. Breathing hard, he stomped into the clearing, only to find her off again.

Firekeeper finally stopped back where Derian had abandoned the pack. "Good night," she said, grinning wickedly, before beginning to climb up the nearest tree.

"Not yet," he said between gasps for air. He took hold of her ankle to gently tug her down into a kiss. When they broke apart, he said, "Now you can go."

This night, Firekeeper finally slept, even if it was only for a few hours. Ever so slowly, they were drawing near to her birth pack. She could feel it in her bones.

The clearing was alive with wolves. Obviously, they had smelled Firekeeper coming, and were here to great her. Before they had come too near, she had howled the news of Derian's coming, and their upcoming "mating" ceremony, so the wolves were prepared. Her pack mates leapt up, furiously licking her face, and greeting her ecstatically.

Derian was not forgotten, however. He was cautiously being investigated by some of the younger wolves, who obviously did not know what to make of him. But when Firekeeper threw her arms around his neck, and smothered him with kisses, they saw that he was a friend, and began to smother him with wolf kisses as well.

After the 'hello' ritual, the Ones of the pack emerged, strolling easily through the parted mass of wolves.

"Firekeeper," the One Female said, licking her cheek. "I see you have brought your mate to visit us."

She barked, "Yes," scratching under the One Female's chin.

After saying hello to the One Male, Firekeeper asked the question she had been hesitating to. "Mother, is Blind Seer here?"

The One Female appeared sad. "No, dear Firekeeper, he is not. He left our pack two moon spans ago, and did not tell a one where he was venturing to."

"Oh," Firekeeper said, sadly disappointed.

"Never mind him, daughter. Come, and tell me everything that has happened to you since I last saw you. I am curious."

So Firekeeper followed the One Female to a secluded place to tell her tale.

After about a month with the wolves, Derian could actually say minor phrases, such as "I'm hungry," "I'm tired," "I want to play," and "Leave me alone." The adult wolves found his fractured dialogue amusing, but Derian soon discovered the pups made no such judgment. He had soon fallen comfortably into his role as babysitter, but just as soon he found it time to return home.

Firekeeper had taken time to show him all kinds of useful wilderness survival techniques, and before long, he was an adequate frontiersman.

But the beginnings of doubts about the upcoming wedding shadowed the last few days he had. Derian knew they were just regular jitters, but he wondered, did I make the right choice in asking Firekeeper to marry me? And did she make the right decision in saying yes?

A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long in coming out. I understand if it's a bit choppy -- this is the only time I'd have in about a few more months to write any, and I was being pestered by my buddies over in the Jane Lindskold Forum. LOL. So here it is. It may not be very good, but I was forced to get it out. cough moonwolf, misha, cough