Changed: Revival series, #2

By J.L. Crandall

With the awakening of the Elder Folk the world began to change, and so did her people. Even the lady Ketdryn had change forced upon her. She abandoned her oath to harm none and set out with an army of Elves at her side.  She would reclaim her lost lover, and kill the man who'd maimed him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prudence MacLeod
• Release date: May 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224384563

J.L. Crandall

J.L.Crandall Lives on a windswept island in the North Atlantic ocean where she makes no attempt to tame the imagination that is as wild as the seas that surround her home. Her hobbies are dogs, cooking, and spinning tales.  Enjoy.

Book preview

New Life

The massacre of Spring Rites followed by the efforts of the bounty hunters and the subsequent battle of Hammer’s Field left the once mighty Wolf Clan of the northern forests decimated.  The clan now could boast barely fifty souls, including the elderly and the young.  Half of those were nursing wounds.  Near the edge of Hammer’s Field lay the clan’s new chieftain, a young and untried man now faced with the task of protecting and nurturing his clan back to health.  Somehow he had to get them to a place of safety if they were to survive at all.

Why did you refuse to be our chieftain, Kiya, Inarr asked as they lay in their sleeping blankets.  You know you’re the better choice.

I know nothing of the sort.  You’ll be the greatest chieftain the Wolf Clan has ever known.

I still think you’d have been the better choice, he murmured into her hair.

I have something else to do, she giggled.  Taking his hand Kiya placed it on her abdomen.  You have placed new life here; she whispered, this will take all my attention for a while.

Inarr sighed and digested this information.  We’ll take the clan far from here, he said at length.  I know a safe place where we can await the arrival of this new life within you. 

Kiya smiled at the new note of determination in his voice.  Inarr would take the leadership of his people, and his task as father, seriously.  Kiya sighed her contentment as she snuggled into his broad shoulder.  This new life before them held great promise.

*  *  *  *  *

Kiya slowly straightened her aching body.  Of all the things she hated about being pregnant, the morning sickness was the worst.  Gently Kiya began to work her way through the warrior’s exercises Silver the Hunter had taught her so long ago.  She practised them each day of her life, although it was getting harder to perform some of the moves now, as her belly had begun to swell over the past few weeks, but she persevered.  At last she got some freedom of movement back and headed to the cooking fires.

It’ll be a girl, Kiya, Silver said with a grin, they always make you sick.  He ducked as Ketdryn took a playful swipe at him.

Don’t listen to him, Kiya, laughed Ketdryn.  A man knows nothing of these things.  Kiya smiled at the friendly banter around the fires.  It helped to bring her spirits up to hear them joking about.  Sipping slowly at the tea Ketdryn gave her, Kiya reflected that it would be a long winter.  She hoped they’d reach Inarr’s hiding place before the snows began.  If they were to do so, it would have to be soon.

Feeling eyes on her, she raised her gaze to see Ketdryn looking at her with a concerned expression.  Kiya tried to give Ketdryn a reassuring smile but wasn’t completely successful.  There was a growing uneasiness she could not name.  You worry too much, she said rising to her feet.  I’m fine.  We both are.  Kiya patted her swollen abdomen for emphasis.  Ketdryn didn’t seem reassured.

As the sun set Inarr returned with his hunting band.  They’d been successful and were feeling quite pleased with themselves.  He swept Kiya into a hug that was surprisingly gentle.  How are you and my new friend, Kiya my love?

Well and happy, she laughed as she hugged him tighter.  How much farther is it to our wintering place?

Another moon at most.  There’s a cave there big enough to hold the whole clan.  We’ll be quite cozy there.

Inarr, called Ketdryn.  I would speak with you for a moment.  This is a perfect place to gather the healing herbs I’ll need for the winter.  We need to stay here for a few days more.

It would be better to keep moving, Lady Ketdryn, Inarr replied, puzzled.  This didn’t seem to such a likely place to him, however, something in Ketdryn’s manner made him change his mind.  I guess we could rest for a day or two.  What do you think, Kiya?

I could use a rest myself, she answered truthfully.

Later that night, as Kiya lay sleeping, Inarr rose and sought out Ketdryn and Silver.  There’s no time to linger, Lady Ketdryn.  You know I don’t want to be caught in the open when the snows come.  Why do you want to delay us?

I’m worried about, Kiya, said Ketdryn.  She would never say anything, but she’s having more difficulty than a woman of her vast strength should be having.  She tires too easily, and she is too pale.  I’d like to give her more time to rest.

What is it you truly fear?  Inarr was a hard man to fool.

There’s nothing to fear, Inarr, said Silver, Kiya will be fine.  Ketdryn is the greatest healer the realms have ever seen.  She just wants to slow the pace a bit, that’s all.

That’s all you’ll tell me, grumbled Inarr.  Very well, we’ll go slow.  If the snows catch us, we’ll have to make sleds and you’ll pull the largest.  Silver just grinned as Inarr walked back to his bed; the boy had become a man in the past year and Silver was convinced that he would make a fine chieftain.

* * * * *

Kiya raised her head to smell the wind, it would snow before the end of day.  In a way she was glad Inarr had taken his time on the march.  On the other hand, she was going to be caught out in the open, and Kiya didn’t feel confident of her ability to handle a march through the snow. 

Inarr slipped his arm about her shoulders.  Silver’s in the forest building a sled for you to ride on.

There are others who need to ride more than I, she replied stubbornly.  I’ll walk.

You will not, Silver declared as he carried a sled toward them.  You’ll ride in this sled.  One look in his eyes and Kiya nodded her head.  She knew that look, and there was no use trying to argue with him.  She’d sit like a queen while he killed himself dragging her across the snow and that was that.  Kiya sighed her resignation. 

Why were they babying her so much anyway?  Women of the clan had been walking all over the realm while pregnant for thousands of years.  She reached to take Ketdryn’s arm.  Walk with me, my sister.  When they were out of hearing she spoke again, Tell me all of it.  What’s wrong with the life inside me?  Why am I so weak when I shouldn’t be?  Why can you not heal me?  Speak to me now; hold nothing back.

There is nothing to fear, Kiya, Ketdryn said hugging the tall woman.  You’re stronger than any other woman I know.  Still, you did take a heavy blow in that last battle.  I just don’t want to take any chances.  With that she placed her hands on Kiya’s abdomen and there was a warm surge of sweet energy through Kiya’s body.  Kiya straightened and felt the strength return to her.  As the healing energy swept through her the playful grin returned to her face.

Truly there is nothing to fear? she asked.

Nothing at all, replied Ketdryn.  I just want you to take it easy, that’s all.  Kiya returned to her place in line as the first snow flakes began to fall.

* * * * *

Silver the Hunter growled and threw his huge shoulders into the harness again.  Kiya and Ketdryn lay together on the sled he was pulling.  Kiya was wrapped up in a huge robe with Ketdryn to keep her warm.  The snow had been falling for days.  Silver had been pulling for days; so had Inarr.

Are we there yet? Silver asked the tall man who plodded along beside him. 

Soon, grunted Inarr as he threw his shoulders into his own harness.  There were three children and most of the clan’s supplies on the sled he pulled.

How soon?

Now, grinned Inarr as a young man appeared out of the snows before them.  He reached out to help Silver with the harness.

This way, he said as he led them through the snow.  Suddenly a wall of rock rose up before them, and soon they were inside a huge cavern with fires burning cheerfully at all corners.  The clans folk spread themselves about the cavern and began to thaw out their belongings. 

Ketdryn continued to fuss over Kiya.  The other women began to set up a separate space for themselves to retreat to if necessary.  Kiya would need that space before too much longer.  With an effort she rose to her feet and began to fuss with the packs.

What do you think you are doing? asked Ketdryn in mock severity.

Cooking.  Leave me be, Ketdryn; I have to cook.  It’s all I’m able to do at this point.

I’ll help, replied Ketdryn.  I’ve been wanting to learn some of your secrets.  Together they set about preparing the meal. 

Kiya continued to cook and feed anyone who wandered close to her fire.  There were plenty of takers. her fame as a cook was well earned.  As the weeks rolled by and she grew larger, Ketdryn was ever at her side.  Ketdryn was now winning a reputation for her cooking as well as her skill as a healer. 

Deep in the darkness of a winter’s night, Kiya felt a gripping pain in her abdomen.  Inarr stirred, but she patted his arm.  Sleep my love, there is time yet, she whispered.  The young one stirs, that’s all.  She tried to go back to sleep, but another pain seized her and brought a grunt of surprise.

Inarr was on his feet in a flash.  He vanished then reappeared with Ketdryn in tow.  They helped Kiya to her feet then Ketdryn led her to the place the women had prepared for her.

Darkness had fallen once again, and Inarr continued to pace about like a trapped wolf.  Relax, grumbled Silver, Ketdryn’s a great healer.  Everything will be fine.

What is taking so long?

A child comes to the realm in his own time, replied Silver.  In truth he was as concerned as Inarr, Kiya had looked drawn for days.

Beside the women’s fire, Kiya squatted in exhaustion.  The pains had wracked her body since the night before, and her great strength was nearly gone.  Another pain hit her and there was a gush of water from her body. 

Kiya moaned as Ketdryn cleaned her, but the next pain hit and Kiya gave a great push.  With all her reserves and incredible strength, she pushed.  First one then another baby slipped from her body and into the waiting hands of the Elf queen.  After the second child there was another gush and much of Kiya’s insides came out as well.  Kiya fainted and lay bleeding on the floor.

With swift but deft movements, Ketdryn rearranged Kiya on a robe.  Tal and Ona were holding the babies as they screamed lustily.  Gently Ketdryn pushed Kiya’s body back together.  Healing energy flowed as she tried to put everything back as it should be.  Once the bleeding stopped, Ketdryn went over Kiya from head to toe, washing and cleaning her.  She then channelled healing energy to every part of Kiya’s body.  Kiya’s breathing shifted back to near normal.

Gently Tal and Ona placed a squirming squalling bundle to each of Kiya’s breasts, and there was a sudden silence in the cavern.  Kiya stirred and opened her eyes.  Looking down at the two nursing babies she grinned.  So that’s why I was so tired, she said weakly, there were two of you.

Don’t talk, just rest, said Ketdryn as she pulled a fur robe over Kiya.  She slipped away into the cavern looking for Inarr.  She found him by the entrance with Silver.

Well? asked Inarr and Silver in unison.

A son and a daughter, she said as she patted Inarr on the shoulder.  He froze as he saw the concern in Ketdryn’s eyes.  Looking deeply into his eyes she spoke again.  You have two children Inarr.  Cherish them, as Kiya will give you no more.  The blow she took in that last battle has torn her up inside.  I’ve healed her wounds, but she will bear no more children.

Kiya, said Inarr as he started past her.

She’s resting, said Ketdryn, griping his arm tightly to hold him back.  I’ll take you to them soon.  Remember to be gentle with her for a time.  Kiya will live, and may even recover some of her strength, but she won’t be as she was before.

That doesn’t matter to me, I only care that she will live.  I’ll see that her days are filled with joy.  I don’t need a Death Angel; I just want Kiya to be well.

She will be in time, whispered Ketdryn, she will be in time.

* * * * *

Kiya stood looking out of the cavern as the snows continued to melt in the warm spring sun.  She held young Kon in one arm and Keena in the other.  Kon was named for Inarr’s father, and Keena was named for Kiya’s mother.  Both children had thrived through the winter.  If Ketdryn had made an error at all, she had underestimated Kiya’s powers of recuperation. 

Kiya had not only survived but was regaining her former strength.  Each day she practised her warrior’s exercises with Inarr and Silver.  Each day she lifted and moved heavy stones about the cave and grew stronger.  When the snows were gone, Kiya would be ready to face the world once again. It would prove to be a good thing she was.

Taken

Once again on the hunt, Tal and Chesa ghosted along behind Kiya, they’d been avoiding the road and sticking to the trees for two days.  Ever since that traveller had told Kiya of a band of manhunters with an old grey bearded captive, she had been on their trail.  Kiya had sent Ona back to the clan with the news and word of her mission, now they were entering a village in search of information.

There are more than a score of them there are, the old woman had said, in answer to Kiya’s question.  That way they went, but they’re not moving fast.  The old one slows them down, he does.  There is a great reward for that old man, so one of them said.

Describe the old man to me, said Kiya, her voice as cold as death.

Big he was, replied the woman.  Must be quite a fighter, for they have plenty of injured.

Does he yet live?

Alive he was when they passed this way, replied the woman, but no matter, burn him anyway, the priests will.  Her last words were spoken to empty space as Kiya was already on the run with Tal and Chesa trying desperately to keep her in sight.  Eventually she slowed so they could catch up with her.  Who is that captive, Kiya? panted Chesa as they reached the tall woman. 

It’s Father.

That had been three days past.  Now they were within reach of their quarry and were keeping to the trees.  They’d have to wait until dark before trying a rescue as three women were no match for a score or more swordsmen.  Not even with Kiya to lead them.

Kiya held up her hand for silence and Chesa heard a familiar sound; the sound of a lash as it strikes a human body.  The sound was followed by a scream of pain and wild laughter.  They could see the men in the clearing now. 

It was the captive who was laughing.  His shirt had been torn from him and he was bare to the waist.  Chesa had never seen so much muscle on one single man before, that was definitely Silver the Hunter.  He was built like a mountain with shoulders wider than an ox.  His arms were as thick as trees, and he looked like a young man except for the grey hair and beard. 

Chains hung from his wrists and there was a length of chain with an iron ball on the end attached to his right leg.  A man lay near him nursing the lash marks on his face.  It was easy to see what had happened.  The captive had yanked one of his captors into the path of the lash.  Throwing back his head he laughed again.

Hold him fast, barked one of the men.  Curse you, hold him fast I say.  The men seized the captive’s wrists again and the man with the lash drew back his arm. 

As the lash snapped forward the big man moved.  Chesa gasped at what happened.  Truly, only Silver the Hunter could be that fast or that strong.  With a wrenching twist of his body the man jerked his captors off their feet as he turned to meet the lash.  A snap of his head and he caught the