The Hunter and the Rogue Workers Union

Chapter 10

Polarweres and a Lady/Hag/Mother Helper

Sally’s mind drifted off, returning her to a distant moment in her past. She was a child again, running through the passageways that led from one rock church to the next. Some were underground while others were deep trenches that were cut into the solid rock. The churches and their connected passages had been carved out of a huge lava flow that had come up through ancient cracks in the earth. The lava had filled a large low-lying area, creating a single block of rock half a mile deep and nearly ten square miles wide. Eleven churches were carved down into the rock connected by tunnels and open pathways stretching from the three separate clusters of churches. She was on ground level again. Sally ran as fast as her human legs would allow, straight to the edge of a hole. A stair case cut out of rock was just a few feet away from her, which led down to the base of the church of Saint Thomas. Dark eyes locked onto her and trapped her for a few minutes. The man suddenly broke eye contact and walked through the huge doors of the rock church, disappearing into the darkness. She then again ran at top speed, which was not much, straight into the church. The man walked straight through the church and out the back, disappearing again at the base of the rock wall. She stood there for some time waiting for the man to reappear but he did not. There had to be a door, but where?

“Sally, what do you remember?” asked the Luna.

“I did not give up looking. That was my mistake.” Said Sally in a faraway voice.

“Mistake? Now Sally, what did you see?” asked the councilman.

“Home,” was all she said before carrying the child to her bed, where they both stayed for the rest of the day and all of the night.

As she slept, the large councilman sat next to her bed with his huge hands lying on her arm. “What is he doing?” asked Russell.

“I think he is monitoring her.” Said the Luna softly. Russell shook his head, almost understanding.

“She is back in Lalibela, back before.” He stopped himself from finishing that thought. “She looks like she is eleven or twelve but the location and the time is off. Something is not right about this memory. I am not sure if she has suppressed something or if someone tampered with her memories. Pieces are missing.” Said Council man Nanook. After a few more minutes, the councilman continued. “I would hate to get a purple magic user to help out with this. I would rather keep this in house as much as possible. Most are not to be trusted. There is a couple, but the one I truly trust, hates to use her powers. Too respectful of other people to go poking around in what is not hers.” The others agreed and waited for more information.

Time seemed to have passed and now Sally was in some kind of underground city. Nothing like the Dead City, with this being a city made up of tunnels and passageways. The same landmarks kept repeating in her mind, and it seemed the child was returning over a span of several days to the same location. But Nanook could not make out where the entrance of the city was, or even how many days Sally had spent exploring the different passage ways and chambers of the city.

Just before daylight the next day, both the child and Sally started to stir. The others were still in the house but they had all claimed different rooms in the house to sleep. The Alpha had a very nice cot brought in for his Luna to sleep on. He slept on the couch next to her with his feet resting on her cot. May had taken Russell’s bed. Russell chose to sleep in a corner of Sally’s room. He did not wish to leave his friends.

Nanook sat in a chair next to Sally and never left it. His large hand made her muscular arm look tiny. Right before daylight, he spoke but only Russell was in the room to hear him. “I keep seeing images of the twelve, but in Lalibela, they only recognized eleven. They are not clear but I can tell there are twelve of them.”

“I have never understood that,” Said Russell from the corner, half in sleep and all in fear.

“Because the twelfth is a trader. When they read the ancient text, they will not even say his name. Oh no, just trader. Five times a day for over fifteen hundred years they sing and chant and not once has that trader’s true name been spoken. All of their art, there only shows eleven. And eleven churches carved by hand out of the rock.”

“Surely, there is not a temple to that trader hidden under the earth in a place that despises him so much?” Asked Russell.

“If there was, why would anyone lead a little girl to wonder its halls alone and what happened to her there?”

May walked into the room and spoke. “She has never spoken a sour word about that place. She only said it was the one place that truly felt like home to her. I can’t imagine something bad happening to her there. Surely some kind of negative emotion would have surfaced by now. Sally is not one to ignore her problems and she has no issues with those who wrong her. Can you tell how she felt in the underground city?”

“Happy for the most part. Like a childhood adventure.”

“Maybe it is just a happy memory she goes back to when she is under a great deal of emotional stress?” Asked Russell in a hopeful manner. But no one seems convinced, not even Russell himself.

“Suki,” said Sally in an awaking tone.

The Alpha’s eyes instantly opened at that name. He left his make-shift bed and walked very calmly down the hallway, stopping next to Sally’s bed. “Who are you asking for, my dear?” He asked, too calmly.

She put her hand on her head to stop the pounding it was delivering to her. My mate, the rogue Alpha, I can’t find him.

The Alpha’s eyes darkened for a moment before he spoke again. “Did he happen to tell you what pack he was from?”

“Ummm…,” She tried to think but the pounding was getting worse. “I can’t think right now, Alpha Siman. What is wrong with my head?”

Nanook had his eyes closed. “Someone is trying to cut the bond. But they are doing a terrible job of it. Alpha Siman, I am taking her to the closest door. Princess Lathar is in the city on business. I will contact her. I am sure she will see us.”

The Luna came walking up behind the Alpha with a worried look upon her face. “What about the child?”

“Her bond with Sally is being damaged by this amateur. That is why the child is still sleeping. They must have wormed their way in. My purple magic is pathetic on the best of days. Today is not a good day. I need someone to carry Starlit for me.”

The Alpha tried to take the child from Sally, but she held her tight. “My love, see if she will let you take her.” Said her mate.

“Please, Sally, let me help you bear this load for a moment while you recover.” Whispered the Luna near her ear. Sally let go of the child and seemed to have slipped into a bad dream, thrashing around in her bed. In less than five minutes, Nanook and Alpha Siman were heading out of the tiny cottage and into a waiting SUV, both holding their precious goods. Both the Alpha’s and Luna’s Betas were standing next to the SUV holding the door open.

“Do not worry, Brother. We will take care of this end until you return.” The Alpha’s eyes flashed mixed emotions as he passed by his younger brother.

The SUV speeds towards the nearest door with Nanook, Alpha Siman, Luna Bethari, Sally and Starlit. Luna could not take the silents so she did what she did best and filled the silents with her own voice. “Princess Lathar, now is that the child that King Ugaine Mor produced by an Old Mother that had saved him from a coven of Old Hags?”

“Yes, and his wife, Queen Cessair, was pregnant with their 25th child at the time of his capture.” Said Nanook.

“That was their last child, was it not? I never get anymore official letters from the Isles announcing any new babies. It did seem like I was getting one of those, every year for such a long time I just expected it and then no more.” Said the Alpha in a matter-of-fact way.

“Good gracious, my dear, she had 25 babies. I would be celebrating someone else taking over that job. I imagine she just handed him over to the Old Mother. I would have.” Said the Luna.

“You would hand me over to an Old Mother just like that with no real thought about it?” Said the Alpha in a shocked voice.

“No, my love, I would get you fixed after four. Twenty-five is just crazy.”

“Fixed! How is that any better?”

“Fixed or Old Mother, make up my mind. But I would not be producing 26, that is just crazy talk.” Said the Luna in a matter-of-fact way, as if it was a real problem for them.

Nanook just shook his head, trying not to laugh at his new friends. “The King did do right by all of his children, including Princess Lathar. He broke up the Isles into 25 provinces with his eldest child as High King over all. The rest of the Princes and Princesses rule their own provinces, but they each have to answer to their High King. This including Princess Lathar. She is different from the rest, of course, being cause of who her mother was and all. Instead of being really earthy like most old mothers, Princess Lathar turned out to be a powerful sorceress. She is still pretty earthy like her mom, but she was born with some purple and black magic. Very few royals I trust, but she is one of them. I would lay down my life to protect that one.” Said Nanook with a slight blush.

The Luna smiled at his confession. Polarweres seldom express endearment towards others. His confession was on the level of a marriage proposal. Soon enough, they were at the door that led to the dead city. Both girls were still unable to wake and had to be carried down the hallway and into the dead city. Nanook stopped at a massive tree and seemed to be waiting for something before entering the city. Finally, the tree bowed ever so slightly and Nanook returned it with a deeper bow. Once they were clear of the tree, Nanook spoke. “That was good. You never know how that tree of Black magic will respond. It wants everyone in the city to abide by the rules, but its own fickle behavior is perfectly fine in its own mind.”

“There is really nothing anyone can do. Who can stand up to such a powerful being?”

“Oh, I have seen one who did. Such a tiny thing, but I swear I thought the tree had tears when she was done with it. I know it is not right to laugh at such a thing, but it was almost too much to hold in. It calmed down quite a bit after that.”

Russell and May, who took the SUV issued by the Luna, were not far behind them, following the group down some back alleys in the Old Hag section of the town. Despite the city being newly resettled, it already had a rough section of town. Soon the polar ducked down through a door way and into a larger than expected living room. To Russell’s surprise, the house, which looked tiny on the outside, was quite large on the inside. In the left corner of the room sat a very tall, well-dressed royal with thick red curls cascading all around her, sitting near a half-dried up old hag, equally as well-dressed.

“Her Royal Highness Princess of the Isles,” said Nanook while bowing his head.

The Princess rose, walking towards him. “Please, Nanook, there is no time for such formalities. Please, follow me.” They walked down a very large hallway past several doors before coming to a grand bedroom with a king-sized bed and its own sitting room. “Please, place the young ladies on the bed.” Both men very gently laid both their precious cargo on the bed. The old woman came into view, “I am Lady, Old Mother or Old Hag Dagmar, depending on your view of me. Any is a badge of honor for me. But regardless, I am and will always offer my services to one of the chosen. With your permission, I will touch my gentle lady and the righteous huntress on their arms. First, I will check the guardian bond between them and I will place a protection spell on their bond. This should allow the sweet little lady to wake up. I will touch the child’s arm in order to help her wake up slowly and calmly. Then I will follow the huntress mate bond back to the source of this little problem. Now, do I have permission?”

Nanook looked at May, who knotted her head in a firm and quick manner. “Processed, Lady Dagmar.” Said Nanook in his booming voice.

The lady sat on the edge of the bed, placing her hand upon Sally's arm. Within a couple of minutes, Starlit's eyes started to open and the child was removed from the bed by the Princess. “Do not touch her, sweet child. Lady Dagmar is helping her to awaken also. It is just a little more complicated than it was for you.” She said with a smile. The child stood next to Princess Lathar holding her hand in silent respect.

Lady Dagmar followed the bond back to a sleeping Siku and the old Hag that was attempting to dissolve their bond. She hit the Hag with a bolt of magic that she would not soon forget, sending the woman flying across the room. A mischievous smile crossed the old mother’s face. “I am always more than happy to remind that nasty old hag to mind her manners and stay away from other people’s bonds. I think my point was just made.” The lady giggled at her own deed.

Sally started to wake, but as she opened her eyes, she thought she heard a menacing growl. But the room she woke to was only filled with worried faces. Starlit let out a happy scream and jumped into her arms. May clapped her hands together, holding them close to her mouth, trying not to cry for joy. Russell gave his mom a comforting hug. Even the Alpha smiled in relief. Luna pulled the child off of her, allowing Sally to set up in bed. “You should not feel any long-term discomfort. I repaired the damage and sent that nasty old Hag a jolt that will hopefully make her think twice before trying a bond dissolving spell again. If you need any advice or aid in any other future issues, you know where I live now. Take your time getting up. I have snacks and drinks in my tea room. One can never have tea time too many times a day. But you know that already.” She turned and smiled at the Princess. “I like this one. Next Wednesday at 2pm when I have my second tea. Luna, I would like for you to bring Lady Sally and the young lady with you. Of course, second tea is the best of the tea times. But aren’t they all? Now help me to the tea room so they can have a moment before tea beginnings.” The very tall Princess and the very short Lady/Hag/Mother made their way to the tea room as hugs and laughter were exchanged.

Ten minutes later, Lady Dagmar seemed very content explaining tea time to “Little Lady Starlit”. Starlit was having a grand time listening to her and copying Princess Lathar's mannerisms to a Tee. Everyone was enjoying watching their interaction. Soon after tea, Nanook, Sally, Starlit and Russell walked May back to her door before walking Nanook to his door. As they walked to Nanook’s door he started to talk to Sally. “Before I leave, I want you to know that I will be back to work with you in two weeks. I have some meetings and arrangements that need to be attended to, but you two will be my main focus for some time.” If you need anything, this is my number. Call me any time and I promise I will be there as fast as I can. Starting off as a guardian in this way cannot be easy. I will stay with you two as long as you need me, in order to help you as best as I can. Little Lady seems to me to be a hand full, but she is most definitely worth it.” Sally smiled and thanked him as they parted ways. “Look for me in two weeks’ time my fair ladies. I am never late.” He screamed before walking through his door. The Alpha and Luna had stayed behind to talk to their new friends a little bit long. Soon enough, everyone was back in the SUVs half asleep and ready to go to their own rooms.

Sally kept closing her eyes on the way back to the pack, but a low growl kept waking her up. No one in the SUV seemed to be upset but the growl kept returning when she closed her eyes. “This was going to be a long night,” she thought, but why not, it would match the days she had of late.