NOTE: I don't own this world. I just own the characters and the story.
Many short scenes mashed together. Some are happy, one should make you angry, one is sad, and the one will explain Tiger's hatred for Raven.
LifeEquals42: I got your message from A Shadow and a Warrior. I have gone back and looked at my files on my computer. Some of the missing words are there. Some have been deleted by this website. Don't know why. I promise to do my best to make sure all words are there.
Ranger Charlie: The answer to your question (The Banita one) is in this chapter. Also, Serpent was once known as William (see chapter 21 of A Shadow and a Warrior). He traveled to a far off place many years before and fell in love with their enormous snakes. That's why he changed his name. Also, he does own one.
Sorry but this goes kinda fast through the timeline. I didn't want to make several short chapters in a row.
Review and Enjoy!
Raven's Story Chapter 7
A Year Later:
Today was the day. Raven stalked inside his room in Serpent's apartment. He was dressed in an ornate, black leather vest, a white shirt with gold stitches at the collar and cuffs, freshly cleaned and pressed black pants, and shining leather boots. His two blades were attached to his sides. A black, half cape hung from his right shoulder. His fingers tugged at the black gloves on his hands. Breathing deep, Raven was trying to calm himself down.
Today was the day.
Today was going to be perfect.
Today was going to be the best day of his life.
Today he was marrying the woman of his dreams!
A knock on his door made him jump. With a calming, deep breath, he called for the person to enter. He was surprised to see that it was Serpent. His father and master was a sight to behold. Like Raven, he wore a black, half cape hung from his right shoulder. A gold and green pattern of a snake stood out brightly against the black of his vest. A dark green shirt could be seen, stitched with the same gold thread. Dark green pants ran down smoothly into his black, polished boots. His spikey hair had been brushed as smooth as it would ever go (he still looked like a blond porcupine). A small smile appeared on Serpent's lips. He held out his arms to his son. Smiling Raven stepped forward and embraced the man he loved as a father.
"I am proud of you, my ssssson. I wish you happinessssss forever," Serpent hissed into his ears.
Raven tightened his grip on Serpent as he whispered back, "I don't know what I would do without you, Father."
"Hush. No sssssuch thoughtssss today. You ssssshould be happy, excited," Serpent purred, patting Raven on the left shoulder.
They stepped away from one another. Serpent tugged Raven's clothing back into its perfect position. His blue eyes sparkled with pleasure. Raven, happiness filling his heart, bowed to Serpent. His father let out a small laugh. Serpent's left hand rested on Raven's right shoulder, his right hand held above Raven's head.
"I give you my blesssssssing. May you and Leopard be happy forever," Serpent whispered.
With that, he let Raven return to his full height. Together, Father leading the Son, they headed for the ceremonial chamber. Inside was every Hunter in the cave system at the moment. They fell silent as Serpent entered. With a small movement of his hand, Serpent told them to return to their conversations. They did so willingly. Several stepped closer and whispered their congratulations to Raven as he passed them. To each well-wisher, Raven dipped his head in respect. At the other end of the hall was a statue of a hawk, it wings spread wide, head held up majestically. Before it, Serpent would see Raven and Leopard wed. Raven breathed deeply as he studied it. Then, on the right side, Raven spotted a man standing there…
Tiger.
Mounting the steps, Raven extended his hand to Tiger, "Thank you for being my best man."
"My pleasure," Tiger said with a smile.
Raven frowned as he caught the sarcasm beneath Tiger's words. That smile, though warm when seen at a distance, was actually quite cold and forced. Raven had approached him willingly, wanting his fellow student to be a part of the ceremony in a big way. However, Tiger had initially refused. Two days later he came back and (grudgingly) accepted the honor. Seeing Serpent watching them from his place, Raven had a good idea why Tiger had changed his mind. Nodding to Tiger, Raven stepped up his place on Serpent's left. Almost time…
The trumpets blew, reverberating throughout the cave system. Then softer music began to play. It was not the music Raven was used to hearing at a union but it worked, considering the Hunters had a hard enough time getting food without wasting time with buying and practicing instruments. Stepping forward was a young woman with red hair and brown eyes. She was one of Leopard's closest friends, a woman named Wind. This young woman had been born among the Hunters, her parents once being slaves. Now she gliding down the path in a pale blue dress, the maid of honor. Behind her was a sight that stopped the breath in Raven's throat.
Leopard.
Her brown hair was curled. Her brown eyes gleamed with happiness over her half veil. A long, beautifully sewn white dress went from her shoulders to the ground. Talon walked at her side. As the only man left in her family, it was his job to escort his sister down the walkway. It was the way their people did weddings. Raven had dictated that the wedding was to be perfect, the dream wedding that Leopard had ever wanted. She was nervous and happy at the same time. Seeing him, Leopard smiled beneath the veil.
The oath was proclaimed by Serpent and vowed to by Raven and Leopard. Hands linked, Serpent, acting as Raven's father, wrapped a blood red cloth around their right arms. Talon wrapped a white cloth around their left arms. The white cloth represented purity and love for each other alone. The red cloth proclaimed that they were uniting their families through their blood. With the cloths tied together in the middle, Serpent proclaimed the final words of the ceremony. With that, Raven and Leopard were one, a family before the eyes of all the Hunters who would hold them accountable to their oath.
The festival dinner took place shortly after. There was dancing, singing, music, and (of course) feasting. Several men and women declared toasts to the new couple. Leopard remained close to her husband the whole night, wanting to share the special night with him. Raven did not care. He was happy, no matter what. Near the end of the evening, Raven took her out of the dance floor with the others. Leopard was as graceful a dancer as she was a fighter. She truly lived up to her name. With the evening over, Raven escorted his wife to his room in Serpent's apartments.
The next day:
Leopard hissed as someone slammed her into the rock wall. Whoever it was, the grip was powerful. She twisted hard. Those hands only tightened their grip. The body pushed into her's, pressing her into the rock wall. Bending her right leg, she placed her foot against the rock wall. Then she shoved with all her might. The person behind her skidded a few feet then held firm. That grip still held her arms locked behind her back. Brown eyes blazing in an instant, Leopard let out a growl. Whoever it was attacking her, they would pay for it. She would see to it. Raven would see to it.
Releasing the wall, Leopard spun on toes, a move that Raven had taught her. Her attacker released her. When she turned to face him or her, a hand smacked into her left cheek. The blow was so powerful that Leopard had no choice but to fall to the ground. The soft sand, covering the flattened, hardened rock, scattered as she collapsed. With a hiss, Leopard pulled her arms underneath her. Through her dusty hair, she could see black boots stepping into her vision. That told her nothing. All the Hunters wore black leather boots. A hand seized her hair, shoving her face into the rock. Only when her voice was muffled by the sand and rock did her attacker speak.
"Too weak. Too pathetic. To think that Raven chose you. Your uselesssssss."
Leopard's eyes went wide as she recognized Serpent's cold, bloodthirsty voice.
"Without your brother, without your husband, you are nothing. I had hoped for much more than thisssss!"
Serpent pressed down harder on her head. Leopard let out a muffled whimper.
"Now, however, it isssss too late to change a thing. I knew you would take my ssssson'ssss heart from the moment I ssssssaw you. Therefore, the rest of your life will be dedicated to making him happy."
He lowered his mouth to her ear.
"One wrong move. One wrong word or thought. You understand? Make my ssssson unhappy, hurt my ssssson in any way, and I'll make sssssssure your death isssss ssssslow and painful. If you even think I can't do that, well, than know I ssssspent fifteen yearsssss practicing the art of torture. Within minutessssss, I'll have you sssssscreaming in agony, begging me to end your life."
His other fist connected with her back.
"That isssss your fate if you hurt my ssssson."
A few minutes later, Raven appeared with Talon, Wind, Fox, and Quartz. They found Leopard pressed up against the rock wall. Serpent knelt beside her, using a clean cloth to wipe away blood. She was black and blue everywhere, covered in scrapes and cuts. Her clothing was torn in a few places where sharp rocks, jutting out from the wall, had cut her. Looking up, Serpent nodded slightly to Raven. His blue eyes were hard, as cold as ice. He shifted position, allowing Raven to come to his knees beside his wife.
Raven gently touched her face with a gloved hand, "Leopard?"
"Raven…?" she croaked, slowly opening her eyes.
Touching her forehead with his own, Raven hissed, "Whoever did this to you will pay. I will make them pay." Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Raven…" Leopard said softly.
Her brown eyes slightly turned to look at Serpent, then moved to look at the others. Her left hand came up, revealing a piece of torn cloth. Raven took the cloth and stared at it. Then he handed it to Serpent. The leader of the Hunters took the cloth and studied it closely. It was black except for a few flecks of blood. Turning it over, Serpent let out a hiss. Raven looked up from his wife, the question burning in his green eyes. Serpent, blue eyes blazing with fury, showed his son the other side of the cloth. Seen in the light of a torch, it was a striped pattern of black and grey. Only one person in the Hunters carried a pattern like this…
Tiger!
"I sssssee that Tiger hassss broken my lawssss again," Serpent spat angrily. He looked at Fox and Quartz, "Bring him to me. Sssssearch hisss room until you find any evidence of thissss crime."
Fox and Quartz both bowed low and growled angrily, "It will be done, Master."
With that, they turned and headed off to find Tiger. Raven gingerly picked up his semiconscious wife. Talon stepped forward, clearly worried about his sister. Wind laid on hand on his shoulder. It was comforting gesture. Raven turned and raced towards the sick wing. He had to help his wife. Tiger was going to be dealt with. He knew that Serpent would see to that. Behind him, Talon and Wind followed.
Soon a horn sounded throughout the system.
The hunt for Tiger was on.
Two Days Later:
"I didn't do it!" Tiger screeched angrily.
Fox and Quartz held him in a kneeling position before the hawk statue. Not only were ceremonies performed here but also trials. Serpent stood above him, standing before the statue itself. Curled neatly in shadows, for any with good eyes and a good view, was a snake. It belonged to Serpent and was considered extremely deadly. Raven was standing off to one side. Above that black cloth, his green eyes were glistening with pure rage. This man, a man Raven had wanted nothing more than to be friends with, had attacked his wife. Now she was being cared for by Eagle. The old Hunter was the greatest healer they had. She had assured Raven that Leopard would be alright. Still, Raven refused to leave her side for long. Leopard was his wife! He had to be there for her. On his right was Talon, who also looked as if was about to leap forward and attack Tiger. On Raven's left was Wind. She, alone of the three, was calm and patient. She trusted Serpent to be just.
Behind Tiger was the rest of the Hunters. They all hissed and growled as he spoke. None of them had ever fully liked him. He was mean, inconsiderate, and disrespectful. Now he had broken the only law set down since Hunter first created their group:
"Gen mot yolu werf tenser"
"No member may attack another"
Tiger hissed at them. That only made the Hunters even angrier. Standing at the front of the crowd was the eighteen other Mordasins that Serpent had trained. Each member of this select group put their left foot back, bent their right knee, and grabbed the hilts of their short swords. Eyes glittered darkly at Tiger, daring him to make a move. Raven's mouth curled into a snarl. Tiger was asking for whatever punishment Serpent decided to dole out.
"Quiet!" Serpent snapped, avoiding the word 'silence' so he did not make his hissing sound.
The room quieted down. The Mordasins relaxed, coming back into a standing position. However, their hands remained on their weapons, ready for anything. Quartz grabbed both of Tiger's shoulders while Fox grabbed a handful of hair. With a hard yank, he pulled Tiger's head back. The small man growled, revealing his white teeth, but kept silent. That was smartest thing he had done yet. Behind Serpent, the snake began to slowly uncurl. It sensed a threat to its master and did not like it.
"Tiger," Serpent began, his voice cold and deadly, his eyes as sharp as daggers "Leopard wassss attacked the day after her wedding. Ssssshe was found bruised and wounded, carrying sssseveral cracked ribssss. In her hand wassss a piece of cloth that bore your ssssstriped pattern. Fox and Quartz thoroughly sssssearched your quarterssss and found one of your cloaksssss…with a ssssstrip missing."
"I swear I didn't attack anybody!" Tiger spat.
"Yet all evidence pointsssss to you," Serpent growled. "You have never liked Raven from the beginning. That we all know. You've made that clear. Now you've turned your anger to the next person in line, the only person you can harm."
"No," Tiger growled. "I would never do such a thing. I'm loyal to you. I would never break your laws."
Raven stepped forward and growled, "You've broken most of Serpent's laws in one form or another."
"Yessss," Serpent mused as Tiger glared at Raven. "Yesssss. And now you've broken the greatest law of all and you will be punished."
Tiger looked up at his master. Fear was making his heart pound. Raven crossed his arms, green eyes boring into Tiger. From now on, they would always hate each other. The snake's patched green and brown head appeared from the shadows at its master's feet. A dark, red tongue flickered in and out. Raven could see one of the two amber eyes locked on Tiger. Maybe Serpent would order it to kill. But then Serpent shocked them all.
"Raven, come here," Serpent commanded. Startled, Raven approached his master and father. Tiger watched with narrowed eyes. Serpent signaled for Raven to kneel, which he did willingly. Then Serpent extended his right hand over Raven's head and spoke, "From Viper to me, I gained command over the Huntersssss. Now I chose two apprenticesssss to take my place. One has proven himself worthy, the other has proven himself untrustworthy. Therefore, from thissss day on, Raven will be my heir."
Cheers rang out in a heartbeat. Fox gave a small nod to Raven as the young man rose to his full height. Then Serpent raised his hands for silence. Tiger was staring up at them, mouth wide open. He was supposed to be the heir. He was supposed to be the chosen one. Serpent's throne was supposed to be his! Serpent stepped down towards him then tore the red sash from Tiger's chest.
"You are a Hunter, Tiger. I will not take that away from you. However, you are no longer my heir, my chosen one. You're not even worthy enough to be a Mordasin. Be gone." He waved his hand and turned his back on Tiger.
Fox and Quartz threw Tiger to the floor, stepping between him and Serpent. Tiger rose unsteadily to his feet. A snarl spread across his face. His blue eyes glared deeply into Raven. One day he would have his revenge. One day he would show Serpent that the man had made a mistake. One day Raven would fall. That Tiger was certain of. First, however, Raven needed to suffer as Tiger had suffered…
And that meant losing the one thing he loved the most:
Leopard.
A Year Later:
A scream of pain split the air. Raven winced as he heard it. However, he refused to leave his spot beside the door. Beyond it was everything he cared about. Beyond it his dreams were becoming a reality. Looking around the room, Raven tried to focus on something other than the screaming. He saw his brother-in-law, Talon, pacing back and forth at the other end of the room. Serpent, his master and father, leaned leisurely against the back of a couch. It was clear the he was exhausted but with everything going on he could not possibly get some sleep. Also, he was just as excited as Raven was. Nine long months of waiting and planning. Now it was time…
Time for a new addition to the family.
Raven winced as another, louder, stronger scream split the air. He looked at the door. His heart was hammering inside his chest. He had been nearby when Quince and Henry were born. However, neither birth had been this long. Deep down, Raven feared that something was going wrong. Every instinct told him to rush in and be beside his wife. Every fiber in his being wanted to be there with her. He knew mentally that he could do nothing to help. His gut, however, told him that Leopard was in pain and he should be there, at her side, fighting the pain beside her.
Even Serpent winced at the next scream. Then they heard it…
Crying…
A baby's cry!
Raven leaped to his feet. His green eyes were glued to the door. His heart beat faster with excitement. Finally his child was born. Finally he was a father. It did not matter whether it was a boy or girl. Whichever it was, this was his child. His precious child that he had the responsibility to love and protect. No matter what, he would not be like his father, who abandoned his family roughly six years ago. He would always be there for his child.
The door opened, revealing Wind carrying a small bundle. She smiled up at Raven, those brown eyes gleaming. Raven stepped forward, eyes focused on the bundle. Then he saw the little face. Dark eyes blinked as they looked up at him. Tiny hands batted weakly at the blanket. Tiny feet kicked further down, fighting to show themselves. Gently Wind handed the little thing over to Raven. The new father took his child into his arms, a massive smile lighting up his face.
Slowly a small smile appeared on the child's face.
"It's a girl," Wind said softly, dipping her head and stepping away.
Turning, Raven showed his new daughter to "Uncle" Talon and "Grandpa" Serpent. Talon was beaming with joy at the sight of his little niece. Serpent stepped forward and gently rubbed the child's chest with a finger. Another smile touched the girl's face. Her weak hands grabbed the finger. Serpent did not bother to pull it away. Even his hard face broke slightly, allowing a small smile to appear. The baby girl let out a soft cooing sound.
Leopard was laying on the bed, weak after giving birth. However, as Raven sat next to her and their child in her arms, she seemed happy. Raven still had that huge grin on his face. His green eyes watched his wife and child. He loved his family more than anything. No matter what it took, he would protect them. Nothing would harm his father. Nothing would ever threaten his wife and newborn daughter.
"What should name her?" Leopard finally asked.
Raven frowned thoughtfully. He had picked several long before his child was born. However, looking down at her, he believed that none of them fit just right. Something deep within him stirred. He remember his mother, remember Quince, remembered Henry. He remembered their father striding away as the Skandians loaded them up. He remembered how their father did not even bat an eye at Henry's death.
The Hunters are made up of runaway slaves and outcasts. I became an outcast when my father turned his back on me. Yes, we are all outcasts.
Raven touched his daughter's head and whispered, "Banita, because all of us are outcasts, the forgotten members of our home, doomed to never be remembered except by each other."
Leopard stared up at him, her brown eyes filled with shock and horror. However, she noticed Serpent leaning casually against the doorframe. His blue eyes stared at her unblinkingly. Like a snake ready to strike. The warning was all too clear.
"I like that name," Leopard said with a tired smile.
Two Years Later:
Leopard slinked forward through the shadows. That little bundle was wrapped safely in many blankets, held tightly in her arms. Her brown eyes flashed in the faint light as she glanced around. This was a dangerous mission but one she had to complete. Carefully she looked around a corner and, seeing no one, darted across into a new hiding place. Her heart was beating rapidly inside her chest. There was too much at stake here. One wrong move and everything would fall apart.
With a whimper, Banita twisted in her blankets. Leopard paused to whisper some encouraging words to her daughter. Those dark eyes, turning brown, looked up her. Already the baby's black hair was ruffled by blankets. A small smile lit up Banita's face and her small hands reached towards her mother. Leopard smiled weakly, gently wrapping those hands into the blankets. Then, with a sigh, she continued onward.
Two years ago, Banita had been born.
One year ago, Serpent had blessed Banita before the hawk statue.
Several months ago, Leopard overheard Serpent telling Raven about how Banita should be trained.
Leopard shivered as she remembered Serpent describing Banita's skills once she was finished with her training. The young mother could not imagine her precious daughter becoming a monster like Serpent. Raven had some good in him. Leopard knew that, had to believe in that. However, Serpent's influence was slowly choking it out of him. No matter what, Leopard would not let Serpent train their daughter. Banita would learn to fight, to protect herself, but she would never become one of Serpent's Mordasins.
Rounding a corner, Leopard knew this was the final stage of her journey. Down this hall was the main entrance to the Hunters cave system. Almost there. Almost free. Almost safe from Serpent's dark control. Leopard knew better than to rush forward. Calmly she walked, holding her head high. She had to surprise the guards but in order to do so she had to gain their trust first. If only Banita would remain quiet for another few minutes.
"Where are you going, Leopard?" asked a cold, dark voice.
Leopard froze in a heartbeat. From the shadows in front of her, Serpent stepped forward. His blue eyes seemed to shine in the dark, reflecting the torchlight that was behind Leopard. Instantly Leopard noticed that both of his sabers were drawn. The man approached her. She backed off. Then she ran into someone behind her. Deep down, her heart sank. More than likely it was one of his Mordasins. She was trapped.
Then she heard a familiar voice, one that made her heart leap for joy, "What is going on here?"
"Obviously your wife issss trying to run away…with your daughter," Serpent growled.
Raven's hands rested on her shoulders, his breath in her ear, "Is this true, Leopard?"
"No," Leopard cried, turning to face her husband. He looked down at her, green eyes looking for the truth. "Banita was making a fuss and I couldn't get her to go back to sleep. I decided to take her for a walk. That's what my mother used to do for me whenever I couldn't sleep."
Raven looked from her to Serpent and back. It was obvious that he was torn between them. Gingerly he took Banita from Leopard's arms. The little girl cooed at her father. He smiled slightly, giving her small hands a finger to hold. This made Banita all the happier. Leopard prayed deep in her heart that Raven would believe her. Footsteps behind her alerted her to Serpent's approached. The man circled her, blue eyes studying her. Then they darkened with…
Pleasure…
"If you were telling the truth, Leopard, then you wouldn't be dressed in outdoor clothesssss. It'sssss far too cold for a young child to be outside," he hissed.
"I am telling the truth," Leopard snapped. "I don't want to be walking around here in my nightclothes."
Serpent's blade hissed through the air, coming to a stop mere centimeters from her throat. Those blue eyes sparked with anger. He was the leader of the Hunters and deserved more respect than that. Leopard stood her ground. Only someone who lied would back off. Raven was watching, eyes darting from one to another. Then Leopard sensed it. Other Hunters coming forward through the shadows. From the corner of her eyes, Leopard noticed that most were carrying the red sash. The others were just regular Hunters.
A sickening smile appeared on Serpent's face.
Leopard knew she had been tricked.
And knew he had been playing her the whole time.
"Let'ssss ssssee what the otherssss have to sssssay on your behalf," he growled.
One by one, everyone there stepped forward and described how they had seen Leopard slinking through the shadows. They told Serpent and Raven how she had specifically avoided them all. Each explained how her behavior was that of someone trying to sneak away, like a thief. With each testimony, Leopard's heart winced and sunk. With each description, Raven's eyes grew darker and darker. When it was over, he looked at her and shook his head. He soon began to tremble. His own wife, the love of his life, had betrayed him by running off and trying to take his beloved child away from him.
"The evidence issss clear," Serpent hissed.
Slowly he stepped forward. One of his blades came up into attacking position. Two rough pairs of hands grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her back. Leopard bared her teeth at Serpent. This man was the one responsible for everything. He held the cards that everyone played with. He dictated how things went. That meant everything was his fault, his plan. That blade came back, ready to plunge into her heart…
Then Raven grabbed his wrist.
Leopard's heart leaped for joy as Raven spoke, "Please, Father. Don't."
"Why?" Serpent asked, eyes hardening.
Banita shifted in her blankets, letting out a muffled whimper. Raven held her out to Serpent, "Please, hold her."
Serpent sheathed his blade and did so. Banita let out a gentle coo as she saw her "grandfather's" face. Raven turned and approached his wife. The men holding her released her at that moment. Gently Raven touched her face. Those green eyes shone with love and loyalty. Leopard smiled at him. She knew that he still had some good left in him. Raven hugged her, his mouth coming close to her ear.
"I'm sorry, my love."
Leopard felt the blade enter her stomach. Several gasps of shock ran through the group. Raven lowered his wife to the ground, refusing to look into her eyes. Leopard coughed up blood, the pain making her numb to everything…
Everything but her breaking heart.
Raven looked up at his master and growled, "Once a traitor, always a traitor."
Those were the last words Leopard ever heard.
Serpent smiled as his son cleaned the blood from his hands. Then Raven took his daughter back into his arms. He frowned. Now it was just him and Serpent caring for her. How could Banita grow up without a mother? Would she be mad at her father for his choice? How could he, a man, ever understand his daughter the way Leopard would have? Serpent rested a hand on his son's shoulder, seeing the confusion and fear in his eyes. The crowd around them separated. Stepping forward was Talon and Wind. Talon kept his eyes on Raven, refusing to look at his dead sister. Wind took one more step and went to one knee before Raven.
"A daughter cannot grow without a mother. With your permission, I will care for Banita as if she was my own. I will defend her with every breath in my body. May I perish before I break this oath," Wind said.
Raven looked at the young woman before him, met Talon's eye, then nodded, "I accept and will hold you to your oath."
Later that night, Raven laid in his bed and let the tears fall. Silently he sobbed, his fists striking the pillows beside him. His own wife, his dear Leopard, had betrayed him! Now he was alone. He had nothing to love other than his baby girl. It seemed that every family he ever had was destined to fall apart. Rising from his bed, he picked up Leopard's wedding veil. His hands tightened around it and, with a growl of rage, he hurled it into his small fireplace. Those green eyes darkened as he watched it burned. Only Serpent seemed to truly care about him. That would be enough. It had to be enough.
"Once a traitor, always a traitor," he repeated to the smoldering ashes of Leopard's veil.
And now Raven has lost the only shred of goodness left in him.
I know I created this but man do I want to hurt Serpent! Argh! It's hard to write the happier scenes when I know Serpent going to ruin everything in the future.
Only three or four more chapters until this is done.