Chapter Nineteen

The Teaghlach

Dicey Diplomacy

Reultan checked the map and gave directions to Steve. Directions like, "Did you see that road we just passed? We should have turned left there." And, "I know we've crossed this road before. I'm just not sure where."

Somehow, they still managed to get to a place where both Reultan and Díon agreed they should park the car. It seemed like the middle of nowhere to Steve. The vehicle sat at the end of a long grassy path, more than a mile from the last pavement.

"So now what, guys?" Steve asked as they got from the car.

"We walk," answered Reultan. "You can come with us if you want."

"How far is it?"

"Not far. About a mile or so."

Steve thought about it for only a moment before deciding to go with them. "Will the car be all right here?"

"It should be fine. From what Sgrios said, he was probably the only one in the area who could drive. By now he might be dragging Sandulfr back for some forced diplomacy."

Steve laughed, and then stared in shock as Reultan and Díon shimmered, shifting into their wolf forms. He had started thinking of them as normal. Now, he stood looking at two large wolves. His edgy feeling came back fast. "Maybe I should stay here."

"Can you hear me?"

Not sure who had spoken, Steve nodded.

"I can talk to most people in the silent language. You should come with us. We could be gone for hours."This time, it sounded like Reultan.

"Okay." Steve said. He felt he should go with them even if it was a long walk there and back. He didn't want to have to wait hours by himself. He fell into step behind them, even though he sometimes had to jog to keep up. Every now and then, Reultan would point out some part of the landscape or wildlife.

The mile or so went quickly, and he felt like very little time had passed before they entered a small sheltered valley. The valley was beautiful, cleared of underbrush but still shaded by tall oak and cherry trees. Steve spotted a small rustic cabin standing to one side but saw no other houses. Did they all live in one house? He shuddered at the thought. The cabin was more than rustic. It was primitive, with rough walls and small windows. There were even animal hides pinned to the outside walls.

Steve hadn't expected electricity or cable, but he'd thought they would have more than this. They had lived like this for how long? Centuries?

Reultan changed back into a man and called out, "Acair! We're back!"

A man, who looked very much like Athair, stepped out of the house and waved. "I see Sgrios resisted his urge to kill you for your misbehavior." The man looked around. "Or did you barely escape with your skin intact?"

Reultan laughed. "No. Sgrios is to the west helping Athair."

"He is with the Bear Clan? How did you get back so quickly, and who is this with you?" he asked, motioning to Steve.

"This is Steve. He drove us back in his car. It was great! He even let us drive. You'll never believe how quickly you can get from one place to another."

"Sgrios has mentioned such things. I only half believed him. And you drove one? Very good." Acair grinned, seeming pleased by this turn of events. "Please, come in. We were just sitting down to dinner."

He turned without waiting for their response. Both Reultan and Díon followed him immediately. When Steve didn't, Reultan reached back and dragged him along as well.

The inside of the cabin was much more comfortable than Steve had expected. It contained a spacious combined living and dining room, leading him to guess that the home was also used as a meeting place for the family. Acair was already getting more plates from the built in cupboards and Steve noticed two others setting the table. No, wait. There were three. A young girl darted from behind the table chasing a raccoon.

"Bandit! Give that back!" the little girl shouted, laughing and chasing the critter through the door into another room.

Steve stared after her with a silly smile on his face. Was she a werewolf, too? If so, she was the cutest little monster he'd ever seen. She would be great for public relations. They should keep Sgrios locked up here and take the little girl out visiting. They could have a werewolf fan club started in no time.

Reultan elbowed him. "Pay attention. I just introduced you," came his silent reprimand. Steve looked around to find everyone smiling in the direction the girl had run. Interesting reaction.

"And this is my sister Adhar and her mate, Cradh. That was their daughter, Solas."

Adhar held out her hand and said, "I am pleased to meet you, Steve. I had better go retrieve Solas, or she will miss dinner playing with that beast." She jogged out of the room toward the sound of high-pitched giggles. Soon her rich laughter mingled with the happy sounds.

Cradh shook his hand in welcome but said little else.

Acair handed Steve a plate and said, "You will get used to it. We all wear foolish smiles when Solas shares her laughter."

"What do you mean?" Steve asked, although he thought he knew.

Acair shrugged, "We are all empathic, even Solas. But she doesn't control her emotions yet, which is wonderful when she is happy. Then we all are. She is a strong sender for her age."

Steve just smiled and nodded at the explanation. He wondered how they had survived the terrible twos. What about colic? And teething? If little Solas could have them all smiling like idiots when she was happy, what happened when she cried? Steve shuddered at the thought.

The sudden crash of the door as it was flung open made Steve jump, and he almost dropped his plate. Standing in the doorway were two of the most beautiful people he had ever seen. Obviously, a couple, the woman draped herself around the man in an almost obscene manner. She was tall and slender, with wavy jet-black hair and flashing dark eyes. The man also had black hair. There was a lean, hard look to his body, but he had an open, laughing face. But then, who wouldn't be happy holding such a beautiful woman?

"Look who found me wandering lost in the woods!" The man exclaimed.

Reultan stepped in front of Steve, "Leth! I didn't know you were back. And Lasair—is she back, also?"

Steve narrowed his eyes. Was Reultan trying to protect him from this man? If so, why? Maybe he was another "crazy uncle" like Sgrios. Actually, he did look a bit like Sgrios, except when he smiled. Who was he?

During Steve's musing, Acair ignored the woman, but welcomed Leth into the house while reaching for two plates. Leth stopped him. "Lasair and I already ate. I just wanted to visit with the munchkin I could hear laughing from about a mile away. Where is she?"

A loud giggle sounded from the doorway just before Solas raced into the room and launched herself at Leth. He managed to catch her, but only because he dropped the woman who wasn't quite balanced on her own feet.

Leth giggled along with Solas as he threw her into the air and proceeded to tickle her until she begged for mercy. Steve was struck again by how human these people were. As long as he didn't think about the details, he could easily like them.

Leth's antics left the woman standing alone, and she obviously did not approve of being abandoned. Steve found it interesting that Reultan shifted to the left to shield him from the woman, not Leth. Steve didn't want to be shielded from her. So, without a second thought, he stepped into view.

* * *

Sgrios stayed downwind and well camouflaged as he watched Sandulfr and his fast-moving pack, who were all but invisible despite the bright sunshine that filtered through the trees. They were scattered, but obviously in close communication as they searched for any scent or sign of their quarry.

He was less than optimistic about the upcoming diplomacy. Sandulfr might be the best of the Bear Clan, but he was still of another clan. And he was young. No more than four-hundred-years-old, and likely to be impetuous. Yet the Bear Clan's young Alpha pair was not his problem. He was concerned about how difficult Sandulfr would be to approach.

He followed the group until they stopped for a break. After shifting forms, Sgrios approached Sandulfr, who stood apart from the others.

The wind changed.

Sandulfr spun around, searching for the scent he had caught. His posture spoke of challenge, of a readiness to fight whatever danger he came to face.

Sgrios stepped into the open and concentrated on radiating good will. The best he could manage was a semi-relaxed, somewhat non-threatening posture and a complete blankness to his emotions. He was the wrong wolf for diplomacy.

Sandulfr remained tense and alert.

"I came to talk with you." Oh, great start.

"What about? The murder of seven of my people?" Well, there was that. Sgrios knew Sandulfr would expect justice.

"I was protecting the young of my clan," he said. The thought of what had been done to Dàn nearly had Sgrios growling, but he managed to contain those un-diplomatic sounds.

"They were charged to detain them."

"They tortured them, and nearly killed Dàn." If Sgrios ever found that the attack had been sanctioned by one of their leaders, there would be hell to pay. From his rare dealings with Sandulfr he felt the man was honorable, but experience had taught Sgrios that honor was something easily lost or sold.

"They did not deserve to die for this."

This conversation wasn't going well, and Sgrios knew his nature was to blame. Talking wasn't his thing. And others found the inability to read his emotions as a sign of insult or even worse, as dishonor. But if he let them glimpse what was within his mind it would only prove his lack of sanity. A growl started low in his chest with the frustration of it all.

"They now have no chance for a trial. They are beyond justice."

Hearing those words, Sgrios knew he would fail. "They received what they deserved," he snarled as he considered how he could force Sandulfr to hear Athair's pretty words.

"Is this why you've come? To gloat over their deaths?"

"No." Sgrios sized up Sandulfr to determine his weight and stepped closer to be in a better range to spring. The others had moved away, but surely Sandulfr had them on alert.

"Then why have you come?" Sandulfr's tone inquired rather than challenged.

"I was sent to convince you to help us form a treaty with Bequlf's faction." Perhaps there was still a chance.

"Why would I do that?"

Good question. If Sgrios was to have his way, the vermin would be hunted down and killed. "The Keeper wishes us to attempt a truce." Sgrios said.

"I see. And how will we do this?"

"The Keeper plans to call in Bequlf and his men. I do not know more. I only came to ask you to return to her home with me. Will you?"