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The Feres King
Chapter 26
Wren cradled my father's memoria as one by one the leaders of the different factions of the Changeling community pledged their allegiance to me. King Warren went first followed by the Wolf and Leopard Alphas. The last was the Equinians.
All of a sudden, just as Lord Raddi stepped away from the dais, the door flew opened and let in a gust of wind accompanied by loud screeching sounds that permeated the hall.
It caused quite a stir. And among the midst of confusion three giant eagles flew right in. The armed warriors around the vast room took a defensive position only to be ordered back by Commander Nicodemus. That led me to believe that the giant birds were not a threat.
In a triangular formation, they approached and landed in the open space in front of the dais. Just a swiftly, they shifted to their human forms.
I was surprised to see that among the three Eagle shifters stood my friend Seth Ravager. He and the two eagle shifter females with him stood naked until Eric brought them all something to wear.
I glanced at Wren and he smiled. Somehow he knew Seth was coming and he didn't tell me.
Greetings, Your Highness,' Seth said, I do hope we're not too late.'
`Not at all, my friend. What brings you here?' I said for the sake of the assembly.
`Sorry for our tardiness Your Highness, and on behalf of my Mother, Queen Selene of the Eagle shifters, my sisters and I are here to pledge fealty to you our High King.'
Seth was a prince and no one told me!
I was still in shock as Seth and his sisters knelt down in front of me and recited their pledges. When it was done he grinned and winked at me before joining Niall next to the Wolf shifter alphas.
With the ceremony over, Charlie invited the Kings and Leaders for refreshment in the lounge. The Leopard Alpha and some of the Wolf Alphas, including Niall Redhurst, declined and excused themselves in saying they'd been away from their Homelands for far too long.
`Why didn't you tell me about Seth?' I asked Wren as he led me to the lounge. The others had my flank as if I was the most important person in the whole room.
`I'm sorry, but it wasn't my place to say.' What a typical Wren thing to say.
`You could have at least told me he was coming,' I retorted.
Nick and the others sniggered.
`May I be the first to congratulate His Highness for the success of today's event,' Wren's father said the moment we entered the lounge. He was all grins and very generous with his compliments.
`Thank you very much sir,' I replied politely.
`Please, call me Elron. We are friends after all.' He said with a little laugh. His sons were trying their very best not to laugh.
`You are very welcome, Elron. I gather the ceremony was to your liking?'
`The most spectacular event I ever attended. I had no idea His Highness had so many exotic friends.'
`What can I say, I'm a very likable person,' I said with a smile.
After that we exchanged a few more words before Charlie's brother interrupted us. Elron Graylard graciously excused himself and went to engage Commander Nicodemus in a conversation. No doubt to inquire about my army.
Warrick,' I said hugging Charlie's brother, I'm so glad you could make it.'
`The pleasure is mine. I might say you've impressed a lot of us today, Rye.'
I winked at him. `I tried my very best.'
Chase and Mani gave me a hug too.
I saw you looking at Ravi earlier Bro,' I told Chase. Any chance you two would hook up?'
He blushed and glanced at Ravi, who was standing across the room next to his mother.
Chase didn't have to say anything because it was all over his face. Wren rustled his hair. He pouted and pretended to be angry. Mani and the others laughed at his expense.
A few more exchange and Warrick then went to talk to Charlie and Eric.
Wren and Nick guided me to the refreshment table. As we turned to find seats we were intercepted by King Warren and his brothers. Their mergents, some kind of unknown bird species, were perched on their shoulders. They looked much smaller than I expected them too.
`At last we meet Your Highness,' he said. It was only now that I noticed the particularities of his voice. It was composed, dreary somewhat melancholy.
`It is a pleasure to meet you too.'
`I heard a great deal about you. And I might say I like what you've done with the place.'
`Why thank you,' I said not exactly sure what to say more.
`I gather you've met my brothers.' Caden, Farren and Brennen bowed politely.
`Yes, I have the pleasure to meet them a while ago.'
Warren looked pleased. The youthful smile, even if it looked force, on his pretty face made me wonder how old he was. He couldn't possibly be much older than Wren, could he?
I believe we have a lot to talk about,' he said, nodding at my father's memoria in Wren's arm, alas this is neither the time nor the place for such a conversation.'
He then took a long breath. `Thank you for receiving us in your lovely home Your Highness. Unfortunately we have to take our leave. But before we go would it be too much for me to ask you a little favor.'
`Ask and it shall be granted Sir.' I said without much thought.
`Good. Although, my council gave their consent to end our seclusion my people are still a bit unsettle. Guiding them through the changes ahead will take time and I fear we will miss much in doing so. For that reason I will ask you to accept my brother Farren into your fold. He will represent and speak on my behalf, an ambassador of our people if you will.'
`Not a problem at all Your Highness. I'm sure he'll feel right at home here.'
`Excellent! Now if you'll excuse me I will speak to my brother now.'
Farren inclined his head politely at us before following his brothers.
`Do you think it's a good idea having him here?' Nick asked. He was a bit perturbed about something.
`Yeah. Why do you asked?' I said.
`Okay, I'm sure they mean well but these guys are really weird,' he replied. He said the same thing after we met the younger brothers at camp this one time but I didn't really listen to him.
`In what sense?' River asked.
`I can't seem to pick up on their emotions. It's like they don't have any.'
`I thought he was a stuck-up except you can hear it in their King's voice as well,' Rhett said.
`Well, maybe all they need is someone to remove the butt plugs lodged deeply in their asses.' Wain said.
We all enjoyed the good banter.
When all our guests had left, Wren called Charlie and Eric to our chamber. Nick came too.
`Why are we here, Rye?' Eric asked mystified by all the secrecy. He sat holding Charlie's hand on the white leather couch.
Okay guys,' I said perching myself in Wren's lap. I've called you here because I have something very important that I wish to discuss with you.
`When we were in the human realm, Nick, you told me something that up until a few days ago I never gave much thought. Grandma Moira mentioned it in passing as well but it was the conversation I overheard between Xell and Helledon that persuaded me.'
`What is it?' Nick said impatiently.
`You told me that there has never been more than five Feri alive at a time.'
`Yes. What of it?' Nick said.
`Well... you were right.'
`What that's got to do with Helledon?' Charlie urged the conversation further.
`He told Xell this time is no different, that the other four are alive but in sleeper mode.'
Everyone went pensive for a while before Charlie said, `that's great news. Except how do we find them?'
`Helledon mentioned something about the medallion. I think it can help in finding the others.'
`It's sucks to be Helledon, right now,' Nick said in good humor. Eric grinned but the situation was too tense to really take pleasure into the joke.
Then it was Wren's turn to ask one of the most important questions. `Why is it Helledon doesn't want Rye to find his kin?'
Good question, Wren,' Charlie said. I've been thinking the same thing.'
`And,' I said expectantly because I didn't have a clue as to why.
`I believe that Riley and the other Feri children are the keys to bring back all the Feri in this world. Since the shields protecting Targeten are weakening, Helledon planned to weaken it further. So definitely, he doesn't want the Feri to ruin his plan.'
Charlie was making a lot of sense. The only force that ever dared to stand against the Northenders is the Feri. If they're awoken from their eternal slumber maybe will have a chance to save Targeten from the Northenders. For another hour or so we discussed how we would proceed after this day. In the end it was decided that Eric and the twins would be manning the fortress. Commander Nico would take charge of the Camp. He would be assisted by Wain and Rhett. Nick's aunt, Helen would be the army's logistician since she was apparently meticulously good at organizing things. Linda agreed to stay on board as our healer with Jan to help her.
Charlie, on the other hand, would leave for Pixan in a week or so. He'd meet up with his sister Terra and her bond-mate to convince the Mageling community into joining our cause, whereas Wren, Nick and I will be focusing our effort in locating the other Feri children.
Later in the evening, Wren and I left the common hall where our friends were having an orgy. Nick arrived late but he was quick to catch up with Saul, one of Seth sisters.
Before we left, Dale was there too. He and his newly bond-mate Seth were enjoying the company of Reed and River. Wain and Rhett were close but each had someone new in their arms. Rhett had a handsome shifter guy who stayed behind after the ceremony and Wain was making out with Selina, Seth's other sister.
`What's on your mind, atsa?' Wren asked me a while later.
I was in his arms on the ledge of the courtyard overlooking Theran under the full moon.
`Fantasizing again. About you, me... happy in our lives together with our children in a lovely home somewhere quiet.'
`That's a nice dream,' he said quietly.
...
End of chapter 26 and of part 2
Coming soon part 3 of The Targeten series entitled: "The Feri Circle"