Chapter Twenty-Four

Taking a Stand by Force if Needed

Treacherous Voice

Athair watched Ella graciously welcome each member of the Bear Clan by name as they arrived at the secluded picnic area for the meeting. She treated the supporters of both Sandulfr and Bequlf with equal respect. Her only sign of distress came when Belquavir bowed to her. Athair stood close enough to hear the man's quiet words.

"Ella, I am sorry to bring these troubles to your doorstep. Please forgive my part in this."

"Bel, please don't apologize. It is the follies of the young. We can only hope that in time, they will gain our wisdom."

"Even with time, some do not have enough knowledge to choose the best path."

"Truth beyond knowledge, and wisdom beyond years. That is the blessing of age. The acceptance that we are merely leaves cast upon rushing waters."

"I miss days spent with you, Ella."

"I feel the same." She turned the conversation back to their current situation. "Is there any hope for success on this day?"

"I wish I could say yes, but Bequlf is deserving of his chance to lead and determined to force the issue. Sandulfr has brought this upon himself."

"Sounds as if it is a matter for the Bear Clan. Why has the Eagle Clan been brought into the middle of this private conflict?"

"They were only asked to pass a test of faith, which they failed." Belquavir tensed and stepped away from Ella. All warmth dropped from his expression. "How do you wish to begin?"

Athair didn't hear Ella's answer. Hope dug her fingers into his arm and stood tensely staring at the group around Bequlf.

"What's wrong?"Athair asked her silently.

"Who is that man in the center?"She locked her eyes on him.

He followed her gaze. "Bequlf. Why?"

"He's the one who attacked Dàn and Rath?"Hope trembled against his side.

He slipped an arm around her in support. "He and several of his supporters."

"That man is the one who attacked me."

Sgrios and Bequlf shared enough features that their resemblance could be confusing in a dark, terrifying situation, especially with the use of empathic blur. "That doesn't surprise me. Hopefully he will soon find himself before the Council for his crimes."

"I'm sorry that I accused Sgrios of my attack. I was wrong to doubt your judgment of him."Although he sensed her heartfelt thoughts, he noticed that she never took her eyes from Bequlf.

"That's quite all right, Hope. Your concerns were well founded. Sgrios is a dangerous man capable of killing. But he also clings to remnants of his old ways. And no matter what else… he will always be my little brother."

"I wish I had known Sgrios before, because he scares the dickens out of me as he is now."

"I know it's hard, but you can still see the man who was Donnchadh. You just have to look beneath his pain and anger. Admittedly, that is not an easy task."

"Do you think Bequlf will try something?"Hope still stared at the traitor and Athair searched her emotions to see how she was holding up under the strain.

"Dàn thinks he will."Athair shared his pride in her as he felt the controlled anger causing her to tremble. Anger, not fear.

Hope watched Bequlf laugh at a comment made by the woman at his side. He stood grouped with his supporters for quite some time before turning to finally face those waiting for his attention.

He stared at Hope with a malicious grin twisting his lips. "I know you, but from where?" Suddenly, his green eyes widened in recognition and his glowing gaze confirmed her own memory. They were the chilling eyes of her attacker.

Bequlf moved closer with an intimidating, stalking gait. "So, we meet again. It would seem the fates are laughing at us."

She straightened and faced Bequlf squarely. "If the fates have any sense of humor, they are howling with glee. But somehow, I don't find it funny at all."

"Why are you at this meeting?" Bequlf asked with a puzzled look.

Ella looked surprised and a bit worried. "Hope is my grand-daughter. She will be the next Keeper. When did you meet her?"

"When he attacked and tried to kill me," Hope said. Athair's hand came to rest on her shoulder, and she was sorely tempted to back into his support. But she wouldn't allow herself to run from this monster again.

"When he did what?" Ella's voice hardened, and she glared at Bequlf.

"She saw something she shouldn't have seen," Bequlf said without explaining more, as if he could have a valid reason to hunt humans.

"I saw him, and his men kill a young woman. They were hunting humans." Hope challenged him to argue the point, to deny his actions.

"Things are not always as they appear," Bequlf answered enigmatically.

"Just what does that mean? Are you saying I didn't see you attack Sarah Collins? Or are you saying she wasn't killed?"

"I'm saying you should mind your own damn business. Or will you need another lesson before you learn to stay out of my way?"

"Perhaps if I didn't have assholes like you attacking me for no reason, I could live a nice quiet life," she snapped. "But no. You think you can walk all over other people. Well, I'm through being a doormat. So, if you still have anything more to say to me, say it now."

Bequlf growled low in his throat in response to her shouted accusations. His face darkened and he stepped toward her as if to attack her right in front of everyone.

Hope almost stepped back, but she was so livid at all the problems Bequlf had caused and all the people he'd hurt, she stood her ground. Athair tensed beside her, and his hand tightened on the shirt at her back. She fought his effort to tug her backwards. He intended to meet Bequlf, who was now right in front of her. Athair's strength reinforced her own courage. She was in the right and had no need to take any crap from Bequlf. Not now, or ever again.

"You are walking a dangerous path, little girl." Bequlf's voice lowered to a rumble, and she realized he was trying to use his empathy on her. Trying, but not succeeding.

"Does that mean I'll have to bite you again?" Hope mocked Bequlf, even as he seemed about to wring her neck. She pressed her hand to Athair's hip, restraining him when he would have pushed past her to confront the other man. She could easily feel his protectiveness and knew he would be happy to defend her if the need arose. But she needed to show Bequlf that she would not back down, that she was no longer afraid of him.

Bequlf's hands clenched, and his face reddened with anger. The quick tensing of his muscles was the only warning Hope had before Bequlf pulled back his fist to punch her.

The blow never landed. Belquavir interrupted Bequlf's swing by spinning his nephew off balance. "Think, boy," he growled at Bequlf, giving him a hard shake and pulling him away from the others. Whatever the older man said in silence didn't sit well with Bequlf.

Athair wrapped his arms around Hope, and she leaned back against him. He reveled in the contact. He would have enjoyed tearing Bequlf apart for threatening Hope and he would have. Even though she had been courageous enough to stand before the man's raised fist, Athair had still pulled her back. He wished Belquavir had been slower to pull the cur out of his reach. Still, there surely would be other times he could repay what was still owed.

He was proud of Hope's courage in standing up to Bequlf, but he was concerned about how Bequlf might retaliate for his loss of face at this gathering. Bequlf and Belquavir now stood apart and appeared to be having a heated mental debate, reminding him of two bears in a staring match. Talking them into a truce at this point seemed very unlikely. At least the failure could not be blamed on Hope. Bequlf had been the one to attack her, and now that his actions were public, he could be brought before the council for his heinous crimes. Athair reached for Hope's mind and shared his pride with her. "You did wonderful."

"I was terrified."

"It didn't show, not even empathically."Athair rubbed his hands down Hope's arms, sending her a tingle of energy. "Are you all right now?" He allowed his pride to soothe her, sliding his hands over her skin until her gooseflesh disappeared, and she relaxed against his body.

"I think so, but I don't think I helped our plans to arrange a truce."

"An honest truce wasn't possible anyway, given the situation."Although, he had figured that the traitors would agree to the truce, and then break it.

"I still feel responsible for making it less likely. What can be done about Bequlf? What will keep him from hurting anyone else?"

"He should be brought before the council for his crimes. Sandulfr suggested it also for his attack on Dàn and Rath. But it will probably do little good. Bequlf and Belquavir have many friends among the ruling council." According to Sandulfr, they'd been trying to build supporters outside the clan, especially among anyone with ties to the ruling council.

"You mean they might get away with it?"

He hated hearing the disappointment in her voice. "Perhaps some of it, but surely not all of their crimes." He wasn't really sure that the traitors would have any real punishment, but he wanted to comfort Hope.

Then he realized Ella was about to begin again.

* * *

Dàn paid little attention to the meeting as it progressed. Instead, he reviewed every possible future he could see while trying to find one that wouldn't end in despair. Each change he considered left someone dead. And never one the world would be better without.

The primary vision of the future he could find no way to avoid flew through his mind again. It was a vision of Bequlf pulling a knife and throwing it. This time he threw it into Hope's chest, killing her instantly. With it came the knowledge that both Athair and Sgrios would be lost when she died, as well as the line of Keepers. And with the loss of the Keepers, all of the Valàfrn clans would fall into chaos.

Then the vision played again, but instead of Hope the knife was thrown at Sandulfr. Even Sandulfr wouldn't survive a direct hit from that blade. In typical Bequlf style, its edge was coated in silver flakes. Even a small cut would fester until completely cleaned and a mortal wound would indeed be fatal. This view showed Sandulfr dead and was followed by the knowledge that Bequlf would be accepted as Alpha even if the fight wasn't a formal challenge.

Too many details could still affect the outcome. Too many factors remained unknown. He continued to try out scenarios by planning to interfere in one way or another. And with each possibility, Dàn concentrated on the future with that change. Each and every one was no better than if he had stayed out of the scene all together. Someone always died.

Over and over, he watched as a different life was lost to this senseless situation.

Then he heard a little voice whisper another option. A possible way for him to save everyone, and a promise of one who would watch over him.

* * *

Athair held Hope in his arms until the groups began to settle at the picnic tables. Ella made an effort to calm everyone enough to perhaps at least talk about the possibility of a truce between Sandulfr and Bequlf. After they took their seats and had a chance to relax, she began by asking each person to tell their side of the situation.

Sandulfr was asked to go first. He stood up between the benches. "I have no quarrel with anyone here. I seek only to resolve the matter and regain peace among us."

Athair was impressed by Sandulfr's sincerity. He truly wished no ill will on Bequlf and still considered him a clansman, despite Bequlf's actions against them all.

"Bequlf, do you have anything to add?" Ella asked, as Bequlf was speaking quietly to the woman in his group.

"Yes, I do. I understood this to be a truce meeting, but I thought it was between the Bear Clan and the Eagle Clan. There is no disagreement between me and Sandulfr. But the Eagle Clan has slighted and attacked us one time after another, and I demand satisfaction for their insults."

Ella seemed as surprised as Athair was by Bequlf's tactics. He hadn't thought that Bequlf would claim Sandulfr as an ally.

"Bequlf, will you please be more specific in your claims of insult?" Ella prompted.

"When the Eagle Clan came into Lakeside, they were asked to pass a test of faith. Their elder, Athair failed that test and attacked our Shaman. Then the other two joined the fight and aided Athair's escape from justice. Since Athair committed a crime, he should have been subject to our laws. He fled that judgment."

"Please continue."

"When they were tracked and captured, the two younger ones resisted custody and injured several of my men. They refused to help us apprehend Athair despite our questioning. Then the other elder, Sgrios, who has long been considered a rogue, attacked and killed several members of our clan. He is a murderer and should be held accountable for these crimes. The Eagle Clan has shown a history of violence and should not be allowed to be free to continue their atrocities."

Athair stared in wonder at the villain-turned-prosecutor. Bequlf had laid out the case against them so well that even Athair could consider himself guilty. Bequlf had neatly turned the situation around to portray Athair and Sgrios as murdering lunatics and himself as an innocent, law-abiding citizen. At least he had only accused Rath and Dàn of delaying justice. Little could be done to them, even if Bequlf's claims were believed.

"Athair, do you wish to counter these claims?"

"Yes, I do. Not only are these allegations inaccurate, they are completely false."

Bequlf started to interrupt Athair, but Ella stopped him before he could cause more problems. "Bequlf, please wait. Athair must be given time to state his viewpoint in this matter."

Bequlf glared at her but remained silent.

"Athair, will you please explain your side of the faith ceremony?" Ella asked.

"Rath, Dàn and I agreed to complete the ceremony. It is true that I failed to complete the ritual, but the reason I did so was because I was poisoned, which caused me to appear out of control."

"Why did you attack the shaman?"

"I cannot say. I remember very little, except the pain caused by the poison." This was all true. His memories were vague and distorted.

"Do you have any evidence that you were poisoned and not simply responding to the ritual and failing the test?" Ella asked carefully.

Athair could feel her fear and anger at the injustice that might result. "I do not. I have only my own knowledge of what is in my heart. I had no reason to hurt any of the clan we had approached, in hopes of building an association."

"I have evidence," Hope said, interrupting Athair. "I drew blood from Athair when he was ill. It should contain the poison, wouldn't it?"

"Lies!" Bequlf shouted. "She lies for him."

"You accuse the next Keeper of impeding justice between the clans?" Ella asked clearly.

"No, I do not. I am accusing Athair's mate of lying to protect him. She should never be given the chance to be Keeper. She is not impartial to the clans. All tradition states that the Keeper must remain apart from the clan to maintain honesty in the Keeper records. She will never be able to report as a neutral party. I make a claim of improper bonding and request the council be called to pass judgment."

"The council has already been called. The accusation can be heard when they arrive," Ella said in a calm voice.

"What?" Bequlf shot to his feet. "If the council has already been contacted then this meeting is only a pretense of justice! You have no right to call yourself our Keeper with this lack of honesty."

Dàn stood up, as did the others, to face Bequlf's rage on an even footing. Belquavir tried to calm Bequlf and seemed upset over his maligning of Ella. The scene was playing out as he had envisioned, but he felt as if it were occurring in slow motion. Dàn knew what was coming and needed to be prepared for it. He concentrated on centering his energies even as he watched the drama playing out before him.

"Careful, boy." Belquavir said quietly to Bequlf as he pulled his nephew away from Ella. Bequlf fingered the knife at his side, as if for reassurance. Hope stepped to Ella's side and placed herself between her grandmother and Bequlf.

Sandulfr joined Belquavir in attempting to calm Bequlf. "Isn't this what you wanted? The charges can be heard by the council. Justice can be done." Sandulfr placed his large body in front of Bequlf, as if hoping his imposing presence would draw Bequlf's attention.

It worked.

"You have been in league with them the whole time!" Bequlf bellowed. "You let them enter Lakeside. You threatened me for seeking information from the young ones. You joined them and pushed for this meeting. You have betrayed your own clan."

Before Sandulfr could reply, Bequlf drew his knife and slashed at him. The attack caught Sandulfr unprepared, and the blade cut deeply into his forearm. The next swing would have been fatal, except Athair grabbed Bequlf's arm and twisted the weapon from his grip.

Athair took the knife and held it to Bequlf's throat while he gripped Bequlf's arm behind his back. Bequlf snarled and raged, sounding more demented than Athair had under the influence of poison.

"Calm yourself, or I will be facing a murder charge." Athair said quietly.

Instantly, and unnaturally, Bequlf relaxed in Athair's arms.

Dàn knew this was a magical skill Athair possessed. He had learned the technique when Molach and Romach had colic shortly after coming into his care. Usually, the recipient went to sleep immediately, but Bequlf only calmed enough to regain a semblance of control.

But it wasn't going to last.

"You will regret this," Bequlf threatened. "Perhaps I should let your lady pay your debts." He stared coldly at Hope, who was close but not within reach.

Athair tightened his grip on Bequlf.

Dàn knew Athair was tempted to end the conflict with a single slash of the knife. But he wasn't the kind of man who would take a life lightly. Now, if Sgrios were in his place, the situation would have a very different ending.

"I see the first thing you did for her was heal her scars," Bequlf snarled. "I would have, too. Looking at them would have made any relationship, even just sex, impossible."

"You would be wise to stop talking." Athair moved the knife ever so slightly, drawing a fine line of blood across Bequlf's throat.

Bequlf's voice dropped lower. "When I saw her scarred body, I made up my mind to kill her and take her flesh. Perhaps I still will."

Dàn shuddered at the thought of this monster on the loose. He chose to kill and eat human flesh. That he existed was beyond Dàn's understanding. How could anyone become so evil?

Bequlf smiled at Hope. "And I must thank you for the delivery meal last night. You may have gotten the pizza, but what I got was much tastier. Perfect for the carnivore in me."

"Oh my god." Hope gasped. "Jimmy."

"You knew him? That is even better." Bequlf licked his lips, as if remembering a fond taste.

The moment had arrived. Dàn centered his powers as Bequlf slid his free hand under his jacket. In one swift movement, two of his men grabbed Athair. Bequlf pulled out a gun and shoved himself away from his captor, sustaining only a tiny nick to his neck.

He turned on Sandulfr. Perhaps he thought to end the power struggle once and for all. Sandulfr had placed himself in front of Ella and Maura, who had been tending his wounded arm.

Dàn, Rath, and Leth stood between Hope and Ella. Dàn prepared himself for what was to come. Both Leth and Rath started toward Athair, thinking he would be the target of Bequlf's rage. Dàn tried to stop them, but it was too late.

Bequlf waved the gun in their direction and fired wildly.