Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the book, that is all Diane Duane's, however everything else is mine - plot, a couple characters, etc. I'm not making any money off this, yaddah, yaddah; you know the drill…

A/N: I am SOOOO sorry… I haven't updated this in like, FOREVER. I had massive writer's block and then school and exams and well… ok I know those are lousy excuses, so yea.. HOPEFULLY this will be seeing more regular updates … if anyone's still reading it that is. That being said, enjoy the chapter. Oh... for clarity's sake, anything in italics is mindspeech, and the page breaks are there b/c it won't let me keep my original spacing/asterisks/etc...

Chapter 8: Ultimatum

Avrina let out a mournful howl and threw herself at the stone blocking the cave. Let me out! she snarled at the guards on the other side. They took no notice of her, particularly since the dampening field effects were such that no one could hear her mindspeech. It was about as effective as yelling into a telephone once the person at the other end has hung up. She made up her mind to be as annoying as possible. They might not be able to hear mindspeech, but her lungs worked fine and the air quickly filled with the cries of the imprisoned wolf.


Nysarl woke with a start, ears pricked and alert, his steel-grey eyes scanning the shadows outside the den for any sign of movement. His entire posture conveyed the thought that had shaken him awake; something is wrong. He strained his ears, listening in the darkness. Nothing. Not a single motion and no sound but the wind moaning softly through the trees, yet Nysarl couldn't shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong. He whined softly and laid his silver-gray furred head back down on his black-tipped paws, but still could not return to his previous state of sleep. Resigning himself to a long night, he whined again, and wished he could figure out what felt so wrong.

A few moments later, however, his musings were interrupted by a familiar mindvoice.

Nysarl, are you awake?

I am awake, packleader.

Has Avrina come home?

No, I have not seen her since she left to meet you at the Cave of Guardians this morning.

She never arrived.

What? How can that be? She should have been back ages ago, but I thought she was with you! Nysarl sprang to his paws, and with a single backward glance at the others gathered in a sleepy huddle in the back of the den, he vanished into the dark night.

A black wolf with silver streaked fur emerged from the shadow of a tree. Over here, Nysarl, she growled softly. I'll ask you now, because it is a dangerous mission, will you help me find Avrina?

You did not even have to ask. I will come with you. Let us go!

She smiled at his enthusiasm. One could always count on youngsters to be enthusiastic, and Avrina had always been special to Nysarl. She did not want to involve the rest of her pack yet, but she knew it would be foolish to go searching for her daughter alone, and she knew Nysarl was less likely to stir up a panic if she included him in her search.


Raamath paced nervously in the main chamber of the cavern, his anger at his own frustration evident enough that the others of the pack gave him a wide berth. Finally one, the white female with the shredded ear approached him and asked, Who shall we send with the message? If we wait much longer, she will draw them by sound alone!

Who do you think? Raamath snarled back, unwilling to let even his mate see any weakness or indecision in him, but unable to answer the question straight.

I do not know, packleader. That is why I am asking you.

Leave me, Keira! he growled. The white wolf turned away and began to leave, but her leader shook his head and padded after her. Heartmine, I am sorry. This situation with the wizards is just occupying all of my efforts. >

The white wolf turned to him. I forgive you, heartmine. I was only trying to help.

I know. I just do not know whom to send with the message. For obvious reasons I cannot take it myself. Most of the swift ones of the pack I am not sure I trust completely, and if I am to be sending messengers directly into the enemy's camp, I should like to send messengers I trust. The ones strong in the art though, whom I trust more are not fast enough. It is a dilemma to frustrate the most patient.

I have a solution, heartmine, if you would hear it.

Raamath sighed. I would hear any suggestions now.

Send me.

NO! he recoiled, growling. I will not send you to a packful of wizards! No, you will stay here where it is safe. Besides, I cannot risk them associating us!

The white wolf pinned her ears back flat against her skull and snarled Packleader, mate or not you have no right to deny any wolf her independence! If I should choose danger over safety, that is MY prerogative! As it stands, I fit all your qualifications. I am one of the swiftest in this pack; only Shadar is faster, and only because he is younger. You can trust me, you know that, and I know enough of the art to be able to get myself out of any scrapes. Safety is no longer in our vocabulary; not since we separated from those who serve the Oath. Every wolf must walk her own path. You must let me walk mine.

I still do not like it. he whined.

You do not have to like it, you only have to do it.

Alright. You will go. Be careful, and do not trust anyone.

The white wolf rubbed her muzzle along the side of her mate's face. Am I not always careful? Everything will be fine. Swift as a summer storm, she was gone; a white speck fading into the distance.


Nysarl and Sirena loped down the worn trails in the complete blackness of night that is only seen during the TrueDark. They arrived at the Cave of Guardians some hours later.

Who goes there! snarled a white-fanged shadow.

Sirena! the black wolf called out her name.

Lady, you are welcomed. Two shadows stepped out of the cave.

Amara, Raiyne. I am glad to see you. Have either of you seen Avrina?

Not for several days. We were expecting her and you this morning, but when neither of you showed up, we thought either that we had got the message in error or that you had other, more urgent business elsewhere that you had gone to attend to. The leftmost shadow answered.

A reasonable assumption, Sirena sighed. But Avrina… did not meet me where she said she would. I am not … certain… of her current whereabouts. If you could alert me if you see her…?

Of course, packleader.

Thank you. Sirena nodded to them. Come, Nysarl. Together the black and silver shapes trotted off into the night.


A dark shape leaped over a fallen log and continued down the trail, pausing frequently to raise its nose to the wind or touch the end of its snout to the earth. Gold flashes shone in the faint starlight when the shape stopped for a moment in a small clearing on top of a hill, then dulled and blended back into the darkness of the forest. The wolf ran on, the weight of his task heavy on his shoulders.

Ahead of him ran two other wolves, one black - her scent as familiar to him as his own - the other silver-grey with black paws and black-tipped ears, young and newly coordinated, paws and head still a little oversized. In a flash of gold, he angled to cut them off, feeling the black wolf's gaze on him the whole time.


Sirena stopped suddenly, scanning the forest around them with piercing amber-yellow eyes. Nysarl paused beside her, one paw raised, poised to continue. He looked at her questioningly. She glanced back at the forest behind them, then loped ahead a couple more steps and stopped again.

Someone is following us. She said softly.

Who? Nysarl wanted to know.

We'll see soon enough.

Sirena walking slowly, watching the forest. Suddenly, a dark shape slipped from behind a tree in front of them. Who goes there? She demanded in a snarl.

Sirena! It's me. The strange wolf came closer.

Sirena recognized the scent. Airon! she exclaimed happily, and ran to meet the newcomer. They touched noses and then Sirena remembered Nysarl and beckoned the younger wolf over. Airon, this is Nysarl. She lowered her voice. We are searching for Avrina. You have not seen her, by any chance?

What? Avrina is missing? This bodes ill. I have just come from the third chamber of the Cave of Guardians. Something strange is going on with the book. It is… tainting the cave somehow. All the rock around it has turned black and the very air in the chamber is sickening. It is as though it is being activated, but I have been the only one in the chamber in months. Only one other has such access besides you, but he has been busy training the new guardian recruits. It all smells of Shadows though.

I know, Airon. I know. I do not know what else to do. You cannot accuse him without more proof, but I must admit it does not sit well with me.

I don't trust him.

They were interrupted suddenly by a sharp howl. Sirena's head jerked in the direction of the call. A grey streak raced down from the hill and stopped in front of her.

I apologize for the intrusion, packleader, but your presence is urgently required at the den.

Can it wait a few moments?

The messenger shifted his paws nervously, shuffling the leaves at his feet. I really don't think it can wait. A messenger is here from the Oathbreakers - he fairly spat the word - and she has demanded an audience with you. They - they claim to have a hostage.

Who? Sirena steeled herself for the answer.

Avrina.

The black wolf said only one word. Back. All four wolves turned and headed back for the main den paws fairly flying over the ground.


Well. The great Sirena finally decides to grace me with her presence. A white wolf stood in the middle of a circle of snarling guards. She smirked at the silver streaked leader. Got enough minions to play your games, I see, she commented, looking down her nose at Airon and Nysarl.

The guards growled louder, and a large storm grey wolf sporting several scars on his flanks and muzzle asked, Shall we kill the prisoner?

Kill me and you'll never see your precious daughter again. The white wolf snapped.

The scarred wolf looked at Sirena.

Not at this time, Grenweld. I will hear what she has to say. Then she turned to the white wolf. Come, she said, heading into the den. The guards automatically arranged themselves around the entrance, with many mutterings of "traitor" and "oathbreaker". The white wolf gave them a condescending smile and swept into the chamber after Sirena.

Enough games. What do you want Keira?

You know what we want. The Book.

I cannot give you that! Sirena snarled. It is not mine to give. I have given oaths and I have responsibilities! Two things you could never understand. Ask for anything else, but I cannot give you the Book.

Then we cannot give you your daughter.

Sirena whirled on her. Avrina is not involved! You will return her or suffer the consequences!

The white wolf was unfazed. You will give us the Book, or we will retrieve it. By any means necessary. Avrina got in the way of our… most recent… attempt. Be thankful we are simply using her as a hostage. However if you refuse to meet our demands we may be forced to take, shall we say, more drastic action.

I do not deal with terrorists, conspirators, and traitors! Leave now, and release my daughter, or by the four moons and the seven circles of hell I will wreak such havoc on you and your oathbreaking companions that it will be spoken of in hushed tones for a thousand years!

You are not the only one who can call on the power of the four moons and the seven circles. I warn you now: Give us the Book, or we will perform the sacrifice of Pentacles.

That is a forbidden rite!

Forbidden to those who keep restricting oaths, perhaps.

The Oath protects us! You do not know the consequences of using such magic. It will destroy you, and possibly us with you!

So be it. The white wolf stalked out the entrance, and past the guards. At the edge of the camp, she turned and looked back over her shoulder. Heed my words, Sirena. Or you will never see Avrina alive again. Leave the Book at the base of Claw Mountain in the Forbidden Mountains, at the rock that points to the sky near the Fang Cliffs and we will give you your daughter back. You have three days. And she was gone, her white form eaten up by the hungry darkness.

Shall we go after her? The guards asked eagerly, anxious for an opportunity to take down one of the exiled oathbreakers.

No. Leave her. If she doesn't return they may hurt Avrina.

They may hurt her anyway, snarled one guard. Oathbreakers cannot be trusted. They may have killed her already and here we are standing around!

Peace. They want the Book more than her -- for now at least.

Airon moved unobtrusively to her side. What are you going to do, Sirena? The pain on his face was evident. How can one who is both a parent and a leader choose between their responsibilities to those they serve and the safety of their only child? One choice would doom an innocent life, while the other would doom hundreds or even thousands. Sirena buried her muzzle in the thick reddish fur of his neck. He tried to encourage her, but both knew the situation had reached a head. Something had to be done; something decisive and, in all probability, dangerous. A line had been crossed and now there was no going back. Slowly, the other pack members left, one at a time, to attend to other duties, but Sirena and Airon remained. They were still standing there several hours later when a small pack of wolves trotted up to the den.

Raamath, what are you doing here? Sirena asked of their leader in a voice that betrayed her physical and emotional exhaustion.

Just bringing the new recruits up. The dawn ceremony is still to be held tomorrow, is it not?

Oh. Oh yes, of course. I am sorry - I have a lot on my mind. The black leader said absently.

I am sorry packleader. We could put off the ceremony if necessary - it would only have to be delayed a month - While his words were considerate, the tone was slightly mocking, but Sirena did not appear to notice. Airon, however, took offence.

He glared at the other wolf. Some pressing business has come up. It may be necessary to put off the ceremony.

Certainly, certainly. Whatever the packleader deems necessary. He gave Sirena a mock-bow. I shall leave it to you then to explain to the youngsters why they must wait even longer to earn their positions -

That's enough! Airon snapped. Can't you be a little bit considerate?

I might. If someone could tell me what I am supposed to be considerate about. Raamath replied.

Avrina's been kidnapped by the exiles. Airon declared, and with a quick glance at Sirena, he continued. If I had any proof you would be standing trial for this. I know you are involved somehow; you were all too close to Keira before she was exiled. I do not trust you and if you have anything to do with this, rest assured you will never see the light of another day.

Is that an accusation? Raamath asked, his tone lightly provoking.

Airon growled. He knew he had no proof.

You cannot prove anything. You have no basis for an accusation. You dishonor me; in front of my packleader no less.

I will find proof. Airon snapped. And when I do, I will wreak such havoc on you and your pack of oathbreakers that it will be spoken of by the children of our children's children for a thousand years.

Airon! Sirena began, but the red wolf only stalked off into the forest.

I'll settle the recruits in, shall I? Raamath said innocently, and set off in the direction of his small pack of young warriors, leaving Sirena alone with her thoughts.