Planet in Peril

By E.M. Sinclair

'Princess Mazzen is faced with the imminent destruction of not only
Clemnos but the whole world of which Clemnos is but a small part. The
Mage Tika returns to try to protect the place where she was born and
where she once lived. Long-forgotten gods agree to return at her
request to pit their power against the forces within the very earth
itself. The earth is being attacked by external pressures and tries to
rip itself apart to rid itself of the pressures. Tika manages to locate
six bio ships who willingly offer their help from high above the world
while Dragons give their strength to Mazzen as she tries to calm the
raging earth.'

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.M. Sinclair
• Release date: Mar 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224861491

E.M. Sinclair

From as far back as I can remember, I have always had a feeling that Dragons are real. When you look at a wide sky there is a glimpse from the corner of your eye which must surely be a Dragon whisking past. I always regarded the stories of monstrous fierce Dragons as being completely wrong and I detested stories of St George and his dragon killing tendencies.When I was still a small child my grandfather gave me a copy of Kenneth Grahame's The Reluctant Dragon. It made complete sense to me - a Dragon living in a secluded cave, wanting only peace and quiet to write poetry.

Book preview

Chapter One

When the world broke, it took long years to resume even a shadow of its previous form. The land masses, the great continents, had been shattered to thousands of fragments. The fragments drifted among endless oceans whose currents were confused and unpredictable. The few humans who survived were scattered far from each other. Many of those, having only tiny populations, eked out some kind of existence in the most primitive fashion, any veneer of past civilisation stripped away. One or two islands fared better, restoring some kind of life involving towns, governments, prosperity.

The sundering of the world had jarred this Plane of Existence and other Planes, other realities, had filtered through to enhance the lives of some of the stranger creatures who had once lived hidden away. Many others though came from elsewhere, had never existed on this world. A few were malign to any other life form although the great majority were more benign. Humans had no knowledge of them, perhaps had heard of some of them, in folk tales, stories that had been remembered and passed on even after the destruction.

A very small number of humans saw some varieties of these creatures but after speaking of it perhaps once, they usually mentioned them no more. No one likes being laughed at, after all. The beings from different existences were slightly out of step with this world, so they quite often had complete towns right beside human towns. Many of those kinds understood humans were close but chose to ignore the fact and carried on as they would have in their own Plane of Existence.

Their one major city was in the north of this island. Here many of these strangers carried on lives similar in some ways to humans. They had shops and businesses, they had a government and laws. Occasionally some chance brought them into contact with the few humans who lived in this region. Over many years of their presence, they had, almost, made friends with a few. The humans were called the Arpon people by most other humans on this island, although they called themselves Skallians.

It was through contact with the Arpon, or Skallians, that the inhabitants of the city of Inogda learnt of the troubles among the humans to the south. They heard of a Princess, who asked not to rule, renouncing her titles and answering only to her name: Mazzen. The leading groups in Inogda were divided as to whether she was noble hearted or just stupid, to relinquish the power she could have called hers.

Lately, there were unsettling rumours that this human Princess was developing in the manipulation of the kinds of power those in Inogda were much more familiar with. There was an uneasy truce among those who made the laws of Inogda. In their home worlds, many had reigned supreme over all living creatures. Here on this world, they were crowded together, forced to make compromises to accommodate others of equal power. As each of the other creatures found themselves displaced to this world, all had, at first, approved its lushness here in the north of a large island.

None of them had encountered Dragons before and it came as a rather devastating shock to the Wolf Changers and Cat Changers in particular, to discover they had no hope of ever defeating a Dragon whatever form they took. In their usual form, most looked similar to the humans here, but there was an indefinable otherness. It was difficult to pinpoint the difference. Was it the shape of their faces, their eyes, the way they moved? Whatever it was, there was no doubt humans could tell at once that these people were a different sort of creature to them.

Their city of Inogda had been built long before the human towns and cities of this island. The Elders of the various types of beings who dwelt in Inogda and its surrounds, were the ones in charge. That was the general idea, but with some of these creatures being predatory in their changed forms, the city was an uncertain place. Tempers frayed rather easily and the resulting violence often proved fatal for some participants and any unfortunate bystanders who couldn't get out of their way fast enough.

There were, of course, many who had little or minimal powers. they were still accorded the same rights and respect as any other citizen of Inogda and they had their own representatives within the Assembly of Elders. Inogda was arranged in a large circle, the centre of which was designated a neutral space. That meant predatory groups could mingle with those they might normally consider prey. There were, obviously, occasional lapses of control but, as long as such things didn't happen too often, the punishment was just a heavy fine. Radiating from the central space, were the Houses and Estates of the variety of creatures living here, each surrounded by fortifications, either physical with stone walls, or with psychic barriers.

On this particular autumn morning, the city was its bustling self, the central area full of people in various forms, shopping and meeting friends, or attending meetings or visiting tea shops. Beyond the bounds of Inogda, a young Arpon girl was wandering. The elders of her village had suggested she spend a time alone, communing with the spirits of their land while she considered the choices before her. She had been asked if she would become a link with the southern people as a way of keeping the Arpon people informed of any threat of incursions onto Arpon lands. Or, she could be apprenticed, for many years, to the healers, learning their ways in preparation to become a healer of another Arpon village.

Jenak was interested in both ideas but just couldn't decide which choice she should make. Wandering through the woodlands south east of her home village was no hardship to her. Arpon children learnt the ways of the wild as soon as they could toddle reliably. So it was sheer carelessness. Jenak was lost in thought rather than noticing where her feet trod. She tripped on a clearly visible oak root, fell head first against the large solid trunk and lay unconscious at its foot.

There she was found by a lone female wolf.

Ash was an alpha Wolf Changer from Inogda. There were certain places and times when the two realities connected, forming a way between the two. Ash had found several in her travelling. Her mother was the reigning alpha female in the city and Ash was her heir. A pack was already forming around Ash. They were always furious when she escaped their scrutiny like this. There were fights and arguments when they were in either their near human or Wolf forms but Ash continued to insist she would wander alone if she so chose. Now, in her Wolf form, Ash sniffed the body at the foot of the oak.

There was a quantity of blood from a jagged wound on the female's forehead but there was something else, too. Ash checked the air again but could scent no other humans anywhere in range. Finally she stood, shimmered back to her near human shape and, lifting the girl in her arms, began to jog back to the crossing point to Inogda's lands. By the time she entered the farthest end of the Wolves' Estate, her pack was converging on her at speed. They slowed when they saw what she carried.

'A human!'

'Did you damage her?'

'Why have you brought her here?'

Ignoring their repeated demands, Ash continued through the extensive grounds to the huge house.

'But what will you do with her?'

Still without saying a word, Ash strode on, into the house and up to her own room. Laying her burden on the bed, she glanced at the seven people who'd followed her in. She chose the smallest female. 'Amiri, go to the Witches' Estate. Ask if Feglin would be so kind as to come and help here.' Amiri was gone in an eye blink. 'The rest of you, get out. Now.' Ash snarled when they were inclined to linger.

It wasn't long before Amiri returned with Feglin. Nodding to Ash, the woman went straight to the bed, looking down at the figure lying so still. 'Did you do this?' she asked, glancing back at Ash.

'No. I think she simply fell and knocked herself out on a tree trunk.'

Feglin nodded and began unpacking her bag. 'Warm water and towels please, Amiri,' she said without looking up. Amiri hurried out. 'Why did you being her back here?'

Ash sat down where she could see what the Witch was doing. 'She smelt different. She has power. She's one of the Arpon, I think, but still, she has magic in her blood, Feggy.'

'I know she does, I can feel it too. How long since this happened?' Feglin was carefully cleaning the woman's face around the wound with Amiri's help.

Ash shrugged. 'No idea. I found her about two hours ago, maybe a bit more, and brought her here.'

Feglin gave her a sharp look before turning back to her patient. 'You were Outside again, Ash? You'll get stuck there one of these days. She hasn't roused at all?'

'She groaned a couple of times but didn't wake up.'

Feglin sat back, drying her hands. 'I'll stitch the wound. The bone isn't cracked but it's a nasty injury. Then I'll see about waking her. I would have expected her to come round by now.'

'She must have been there some time,' Ash added thoughtfully. 'The bleeding had just about stopped when I found her.'

The Witch frowned. 'That's not good but she is human isn't she? One of the Arpon?' I hope they don't organise a great hunt for her.'

'She was alone. There were no humans for miles around.'

'Can she stay here for a while? At least until she wakes, if she wakes.'

'She can have the couch in my study,' Ash agreed. 'Unless you'd rather she stayed in my bed?'

'I would prefer not to move her again now. I'll stay tonight, as long as you keep your pack well away from here.'

Ash nodded. 'Do you want to stay too, Amiri?'

'Yes please,' Amiri's light blue eyes brightened. She was cousin to Ash and had always adored her but Amiri was destined to be forever a server, never a leader. She was in the pack because Ash insisted on it. But out of Ash's sight, Amiri was treated roughly by most of the pack, although she never said a word about that. She knew she'd get a beating at the least once they heard she'd spent this night with Ash, Witch Feglin and the stranger, but it would be worth it.

Feglin stitched the wound carefully and neatly then sat back, studying her handiwork. 'That will scar of course, but not too badly,' she decided. 'I'll see if she will wake.' She placed a hand each side of the woman's face and bowed her head in concentration.

Ash watched closely, as did Amiri. You rarely got to see a Witch at such work. Feglin was deep in Jenak's skull. She saw bruising and swelling in two places and focused her power to reduce that swelling. Finally she sat back with a soft sigh, her right hand still against the woman's left cheek. 'Jenak,' she called, her voice warm, gentle 'Jenak, wake, child. Just for a moment. You need to drink some water then you can sleep again.'

Dark lashes slowly rose, as though they were too heavy to lift. Amber eyes, only slightly dilated, tried to focus on three strange faces staring down at her. Amiri handed Feglin a glass of water. The Witch held the glass to Jenak's dry lips while Amiri gently raised the woman's head a little. Jenak drank then tried to turn to thank Amiri. She groaned, eyes closing. Feglin watched the woman's thoughts until she slid into a more natural sleep. Woman, she scoffed to herself. Girl. Child. So young.

'Well?' Ash broke into Feglin's reverie.

'She'll sleep but I will stay. She could fall back to unconsciousness still, or begin a fever.' Feglin rose from the stool she'd been sitting on and stretched. She moved her jacket from the chair where she'd thrown it when she'd arrived and hung it on a peg. 'Her name is Jenak. She's seventeen and Arpon. Human. She was alone because she was sent out to decide whether she should train as a healer or something else.' Feglin pursed her lips. 'It wasn't clear, the something else, but it seemed like a spy of some kind.'

'A spy? Of what? For whom?' Ash snapped.

Feglin laughed. 'We know the Arpon regard their lands as almost sacred and they want no other humans moving in. That is who they would spy on Ash. They know nothing of us.'

'As far as you know. We're all aware you witches know more than you ever say. You scold me for going Outside but your folk go out far more often than I do I'd swear.'

Feglin gave her usual enigmatic smile, a smile she produced when she had no intention of offering any reply.

Ash growled, glancing at Amiri. 'See if you can find some food Amiri. I'm starving. Feglin what will you have?'

Feglin laughed again. 'I'd rather not have a plate of half cooked meat. If you have bread, eggs, a few vegetables? That would be fine.' The Witch grinned at Ash's expression of disgust then sat on a chair near the window after checking Jenak's pulse. Amiri departed on her search for food. A few minutes later uproar broke out downstairs. Feglin frowned. Ash stormed out of her door and shouted various things, well larded with curses. The noise ceased. Ash returned, closing the door gently.

'You've missed the last two Assemblies, Ash. I thought you agreed to attend more often. Your mother said so.'

Ash snorted. 'My mother!'

'I know. I know. We all know what your mother is like.' Feglin sympathised. 'You agreed you'd attend more regularly and that you'd keep your pack under better control. They've caused serious trouble every night for the last six nights. If you truly are their alpha, why have you not ordered them to behave? If you have ordered them, and they disobeyed, are you sure you really can be the alpha?'

Ash bared her teeth briefly then sighed. 'I know all that. Yes, I did tell them to stop. It's always Yamit.'

'Well, either you teach him his place or you step down Ash. The Assembly won't put up with much more. Cast him from the pack, or kill him, but he cannot keep challenging you. Don't you want to be alpha?'

'I'm not sure I really do, Feggy. I prefer going off on my own and all their bickering annoys me. Mother loved all that of course. Still does.'

Feglin grunted. 'I have to say I've heard Anara has always been wild. She came to lead very young too, but she's getting on in years now.'

'She might be but she's even more unpredictable.'

The conversation paused as Amiri returned with food. Ash indicated Amiri should also share the meal. Feglin grimaced at the large plate of chops and steaks which Ash pounced on. Ash laughed at her expression, cut a slice from a steak and offered it to the Witch. 'Go on, you know you love it.'

Feglin took it and chewed with her eyes closed. 'We don't get a great deal of meat in Blackthorn House,' she admitted. During that evening, Feglin attended to Jenak several times. Amiri removed the empty dishes but when she returned, Ash saw the younger girl had a bad cut across the bridge of her nose and bruises bloomed on both cheeks. She got to her feet.

'Amiri, stay here with Feglin. I'm going to speak to the pack. I hope there won't be too much noise,' she added to Feglin. 'You can make tea in my study,' she told Amiri. 'Do not leave here though, Amiri.'

When Ash had gone, Feglin looked at the girl's face. Her gentle fingers tested Amiri's nose and cheek bones. 'Nothing broken, child. I have some ointment that will help the bruises and the soreness.' Feglin found what she wanted in her bag and applied the balm to Amiri's face. 'It happens too often, child,' she murmured.

Amiri shrugged. 'I don't mind. As long as I can stay near Ash, they can do what they like.'

'Are none of them kind to you?'

'No, not really. Only Ash. They hate that I am of her blood and none of them are so closely related. Yamit is the worst.'

Feglin hummed as she worked on the cut across Amiri's nose, observing the girl's thoughts. She understood how Amiri had adored her bigger and older cousin and would endure anything to remain with her. Such devotion, Feglin thought.

The noise began again downstairs, then there was a brief silence. Renewed outbursts, involving howls, snarls, the sound of furniture breaking and wild yelps rose to the bedroom. Finishing her care of Amiri, Feglin wondered if Ash would ask her to attend those of her pack who would undoubtedly be damaged judging by the noise.

The human girl stirred in the bed. Feglin bent over her. 'Hush, child. Will you drink more water?'

Jenak's head rolled to one side and her body twisted then straightened again. Then she lay quietly again.

'Will she take any water?' Amiri asked, already holding a glass ready.

'No. She sleeps now but I will mix a potion to add to the water for next time she wakes. She has a fever starting. I'm not surprised. There was a lot of tree bark and dirt in that wound.'

Amiri watched the Witch choose various pouches containing dried herbs and leaves, from her bag, crumbling them and adding a few drops of a yellow liquid to the contents of the stone bowl she'd produced. Suddenly there came a deep silence from downstairs. Amiri and Feglin exchanged a glance then Feglin went back to her potion and Amiri chewed her lip, watching the door.

Ash came in quietly but her icy eyes were bleak. One sleeve of her shirt had been ripped off and her trousers were torn. When Wolves, or others, changed to either form, they usually changed completely, but now Feglin saw Ash's hands were still clawed, the human nails not yet returned. The Witch made no comment, going to check Jenak once more. Amiri of course said nothing, simply slipping away to make tea in the study.

The silence seemed heavy, ominous as Ash slumped into an armchair. It was Feglin who spoke first. 'Are you hurt, Ash? Is all well with the pack now?'

Ash's laugh was brief and harsh. 'I killed three. Three of my pack. But Yamit will no longer cause any trouble.'

Chapter Two

Jenak drifted for the next few days, aware at times of an oval face with dark eyes hovering above her, a gentle soothing voice murmuring comforting words. She had heard a strange uproar when she first nearly woke, then there was quiet. She knew other people were near her but her eyes refused to obey her orders to open for more than a heartbeat at a time. On the fourth day, Jenak woke properly to darkness. Her body felt cool, familiar again. She finally opened her eyes fully and found only a tiny lamp alight beside her bed. To her right was a window, through which she saw the faintest glimmer of dawn light.

Her head ached with a dull pain but Jenak moved it, very cautiously, to see where she was. In the shadowy dark she saw a woman curled in an armchair close to her bed. She wore a pale grey shirt embroidered with what looked like dark green leaves of some kind. A blanket covered her lower half. Another figure was asleep a little further away but Jenak couldn't see anymore clearly. The woman by the bed moved, turning to Jenak as she pushed the blanket aside.

'Hello Jenak. I am Feglin. A healer. You hurt your head and you've had a small fever but you are quite safe here.' A cool hand rested against Jenak's brow for a moment. 'Would you like a drink? Water, or tea?'

Jenak tried to lick dry lips with a dry tongue and managed a croaky reply. 'I'd love some tea, please.'

The woman, Feglin, smiled and moved softly towards a door. A short time later she rejoined Jenak, carrying two bowls of tea which she put on the stand beside the bed. 'Let's see how you feel sitting up.' Feglin helped Jenak slowly and carefully to a sitting position, arranging the pillows higher to support the girl's head. Jenak felt horribly dizzy for a while and squeezed her eyes shut. Cautiously she reopened them and found the dizziness fading.

Feglin handed her a bowl of tea and drew her armchair closer. 'Amiri is still asleep and so is Ash. This is their house,' Feglin explained. 'I live in Blackthorn House but Ash asked me to come to tend you.'

'House?' Jenak frowned then winced as the movement pulled at the stitches in her head. 'I was in the woods. There are no houses there, none at all.'

Feglin smiled again and sipped her tea. Jenak stared at her and repeated her last words. 'There are no houses anywhere around.'

Still Feglin remained silent, apparently savouring her tea.

'Unless,' Jenak mused aloud.

Feglin's brows rose. 'Unless what, child?'

Jenak drew a breath and met Feglin's steady dark gaze. 'We call it the Sometimes Place, because sometimes you can see it and sometimes not.'

'See what, child?'

'A great city, with towers, and spires, and walls, Sometimes it's clear, other times it seems half in fog or mist. It is not generally spoken of but if some of us do see it and speak of it, then the elders summon us and tell us what they know.' Then Jenak became aware two other women had silently approached and were listening. The light beyond the window was brightening fast as Jenak stared from face to face. Feglin was different to the people Jenak was familiar with but not very different. The other two would definitely be regarded as unusual though.

Their faces were longer, chins more pointed. They had high cheekbones, dark untidy hair in unruly curls to below their shoulders, and such pale, pale blue eyes such as Jenak had never seen. She'd heard that people in the south had blue eyes but surely not like these, slanting up at the outer corners. She stared in silence. Feglin reached for Jenak's hand. 'This is Amiri.' the smaller of the two moved a little closer, giving Jenak a quick nod of acknowledgement.

'And this is Ash. She found you, under a tree which, we think, you somehow seemed to have collided with.' Feglin smiled, squeezing Jenak's hand gently. 'She brought you here because she said no one else seemed anywhere nearby.'

The taller woman smiled and Jenak caught her breath. The smile was genuine and it transformed her unusual face to a face of such beauty Jenak could barely breathe. The sudden silence was broken by several howls from below. Jenak pulled her covers higher and tighter. 'Whatever is that?' she asked.

Ash's smile vanished and was replaced with a scowl. She turned away from the bed, heading for the door. 'It seems some just will not learn,' she muttered as she left.

Bewildered, Jenak looked to Feglin. 'This house is Wolf House,' the Witch said in the mildest tone.

Jenak stared at her. 'You mean they keep wolves here? As pets? I always understood wolves are too wild, too independent, to be more than occasional friends with people.'

'No. We don't keep wolves.' Amiri spoke for the first time. Jenak's gaze moved to the smaller woman. 'We are Wolves,' Amiri told her, even as her human like body shivered into her Wolf form. Padding round the bed, Amiri rested her chin on the covers, staring up into Jenak's face. 'I'm still Amiri.' Her voice spoke in Jenak's head. 'I am always Amiri, whichever form I wear. Please don't fear me. I'd never hurt you.' The large Wolf body shivered and the human form stood beside Jenak. 'I wouldn't hurt you, really I wouldn't. Unless you tried to hurt Ash,' she added.

Jenak saw Feglin's smile behind Amiri's shoulder. As Amiri obviously seemed to be waiting for a reply, Jenak managed a smile. She suspected Amiri might be younger than herself, maybe only fifteen or sixteen. 'You care for Ash?' she asked.

'She's my cousin. She's always been good to me. Kind,' Amiri agreed.

Feglin still had her hand over Jenak's and had slid her fingers a little further to check the girl's pulse. It had jumped wildly when Amiri first took her Wolf form but was now nearly normal again.

Ash returned to the room and, looking at her, Jenak saw the Wolf beneath her skin. Feglin had been monitoring not only her pulse but her thoughts as well and the Witch was surprised how quickly this girl accepted the situation in which she found herself.

'And you speak in my head?' Jenak was asking.

Amiri nodded but it was Ash who replied with the Witch's own thought. 'That doesn't surprise you, does it?' Ash sounded curious.

Jenak suddenly felt tired again. 'No. Most animals do, so we've learnt, except for humans. Humans could use mind speech, long ago, but most have lost that ability.' The girl's eyelids were drooping and she fell asleep.

Ash frowned. 'Is that usual? For her kind to sleep like that?'

Feglin bent close over Jenak. 'It's still the effects of that bang on the head. It may happen for a few more days but she's recovering properly,' Feglin replied. She sat back, turning her attention to Ash. 'What's happening downstairs?'

'Some of the pack were in the city and missed my orders last night. They have now heard my orders.' Ash's tone was quite flat.

Choosing to ask no more on that subject, Feglin asked if Ash had known humans knew of mind speech. Ash sat down, looking thoughtful. 'I knew the animals use it but they never mentioned speaking with humans. I never thought to pursue the subject.

'This girl clearly found nothing strange about it though,' Amiri murmured. She flicked a glance at Ash. 'I changed, to show her,' she whispered. 'Feglin told her this was called Wolf House and Jenak asked if wolves were here.'

Ash smiled. 'Amiri, I like to hear your opinions so speak them clearly and louder. No one will bully you now. I have decided this pack, my pack, will be very different from all previous packs.'

Feglin and Amiri stared at her. She went on: 'We are among the strongest but we are also clever. We will use our intelligence before our physical strength now and see how that might serve us.'

'You will meet with a great deal of opposition,' Feglin observed.

'I know, but it has been in my mind for quite a while, Feggy. I've told those of mine to attend me in a while. I'll tell them of my thoughts and see how they react.' Ash rose. 'Come, Amiri. I choose you as my second so you will join me.'

Amiri gaped in shock. 'But you can't! I am too lowly,' she protested.

'You are not. You are my cousin, of my blood. You will be my second,' she repeated firmly. 'Come. I will send food up for you here, Feggy. It's better to stay here for now,' Ash added to the Witch.

Jenak slept and Feglin thought. After a while, the Witch opened a window. Something buzzed near her face then darted away. Feglin stared unseeing over the extensive grounds of the estate to the fuzzy haze in the far distance. 'What was that?' Jenak asked.

Feglin looked back at the girl propped up in bed, the hazel eyes open and clear once more. 'I sent a message to Blackthorn House,' she replied calmly.

'Can I get up? Do you know where my clothes are?'

Feglin blinked at the question having expected to be asked about the message sending. 'Yes, of course. Your clothes were laundered but the blood stains proved rather stubborn. Ash got you other clothes, the same size.' Feglin went through to the next room, returning with a neat pile of clothes. 'You must be careful for a few days more. You could find yourself dizzy or sleepy.'

Jenak slid her legs over the side of the bed and sat for a moment, her head throbbing at the movement. Feglin handed her garments which Jenak slowly put on. It took longer than usual and left her feeling worn out. She eased herself up to stand and the room spun alarmingly. She squinched her eyes shut and clung to Feglin's arm until the world steadied.

After pacing round the bedroom and then the much larger study, Jenak was exhausted again, but this time Feglin sat her in an armchair rather than putting her back to bed. 'Have you been friends with Ash for a long time?' Jenak asked, eyes shut but mind working normally.

'Since we were small children, yes.' Jenak could hear the smile in Feglin's voice. 'All children go to school in the mornings until we're about eight years old. The schools take all of us so we mix together and gain some understanding of who we all are and our differences. Then we usually have lessons within our own Houses.'

'So all Wolf children are taught here?'

'Well, not exactly. This House belongs to Ash.' Feglin paused to consider how much she should tell a stranger, then chose the truth. 'Ash's mother, Anara, is the leader of all the Wolves here. Ash is her heir. They've never liked each other greatly so Ash had this House built several years ago.'

Jenak frowned, eyes still shut. 'So there's another Wolf House here? Isn't that confusing?'

'The other one is simply Anara's House,' Feglin replied. 'No one confuses them.'

Jenak thought over Feglin's comments. 'What is her mother like then?'

'Anara is appalling. She can be vicious, needlessly cruel, wild although she is ageing. When she's sweet and polite she's at her most unpredictable and dangerous. She is also very beautiful.'

Jenak's eyes popped open. 'I didn't sense any unkindness in Ash, and she is very beautiful too.'

'Indeed.'

'You live in Blackthorn House,' Jenak said thoughtfully. 'Does that mean you change into a plant?'

Feglin stared at her then began to laugh helplessly. When she finally caught her breath, she reached over to squeeze Jenak's hand. 'No, dear child. I do not turn into a plant.' Another laugh threatened but she kept it back. 'It is the House of Witches.'

Jenak's frown deepened as she thought. 'I think I've heard tales of witches. Is it something to do with using magic?'

'Yes it is. Magic, or power, is in everything and we are those who can gather that power into ourselves and use it for various purposes.'

'We have stories of mages who could use power.' Jenak nodded. 'Long ago tales. The elders of the Arpon teach us of power and how it is in all things. That is why we are told to respect all things. We must be grateful for the deer and other creatures which we take for food, and for the trees that give us their fruits, and for the very air we breathe.'

'Most of us would agree with that view, Jenak, but among us it does not guarantee a peaceful life. Are your people peaceful?'

'Mostly, I think, yes. We don't like strangers coming to our lands but we allow it if they are few and offer us no danger or violence. This power, magic, you can use. We had heard the Princess Mazzen, who is really the rightful ruler of all this island, has begun to use such a thing. The elders of my village heard that she used fire against a bad ruler in the east. Can you do that?'

Feglin's eyes narrowed. 'Some can, but it is a very difficult thing, to summon fire.'

Jenak shrugged. 'Apparently Mazzen just raised her hand and fire destroyed a lot of soldiers and most of a room, is what we heard. The elders say there has been no such mage since the world was broken.'

'Broken?' repeated Feglin. 'I have never heard this world was broken.' Just what, and how much, did this girl, or her people, know, she wondered. She really needed to report this to her House as soon as possible.

A maid wearing a white apron, brought in a tray of food, bobbed a curtsey, and retreated without a word exchanged. 'She wasn't a Wolf,' Jenak said, accepting a plate of fresh bread and slices of cheese from Feglin.

'No. There are many here who have no talent or the gift of changing. They are well treated among us,' Feglin told her, understanding the girl's wariness.

'But this city is ruled by Wolves and Witches,' Jenak continued through a mouthful of cheese.

'No! ' Feglin's shocked denial was sincere. 'All here are represented within our Assembly, and all are heard with the same consideration and respect.'

'How did you send a message to your House? Earlier?'

'One of the Razakin folk answered my call. She has taken word to the seniors of my House. I hope you might come with me to tell them of your people.'

'Why?' Jenak snapped. 'You want to know of my people to harm them?'

'No.' Feglin shook her head again. 'Knowledge is what we always seek. Knowledge simply for the satisfaction of learning more of this world.'

There was a long silence. 'This world?' Jenak asked, at least.

'I would prefer to talk of these matters with you, in my House, where there are those who know more of such things. They can also explain more clearly than I can.'

'And your House is filled with Witches?'

Feglin smiled. 'Witches who will do you no hurt, I swear it. The only others we would speak with are the Star Gazers. They live in the House next to ours.'

Jenak took a deep breath. 'How do we get to your House?' she asked. 'Do you magic us there?' The defiant tone held fear which Feglin understood.

'No child. We simply walk across the city.'

Jenak met the Witch's dark eyes, sighed, and fell asleep. She only slept for a few minutes but she kept her eyes closed, trying to sense if she was alone. She felt Feglin had moved away from her, wasn't focussed on her. Jenak's thoughts were clear but there were so many of them. She tried to organise and clarify those thoughts. Was this a different world? But how could worlds be different?

Jenak's head throbbed, both from her injury and from thinking harder than she's ever had to before. She heard the door open and looked up. Ash and Amiri sat down near her as Feglin came from the other room. A third person was with the two women. This was a very young man, slender, whip thin in fact but with eyes a slightly darker blue than Ash and Amiri's, and those eyes were fixed on Jenak with interest.

Ash smiled at the Arpon girl. 'This is Varjo. He will guard you while you're in the city,' Ash explained.

'Guard me? Am I then a prisoner?'

'No, no. I should perhaps say protect you. The city can be - alarming, and Varjo knows it well. He'll make sure you don't get lost or hurt. Some citizens can be a little boisterous.'

The young man smiled at Jenak and offered a half bow. 'It is my pleasure to serve you during your visit here,' he said in a surprisingly deep but soft voice.

'I have asked Jenak if she will visit my House. Not now of course, a few more days of rest are needed,' Feglin said.

'It was a better gathering than I'd dared hope, ' Ash