Beast Tamer

Ch 17 Prepping and Bonding Pt 1

It has been a few weeks while preparations were made. The season had begun to grow cold and soon Nyoka would have to go into hibernation if he didn’t leave for warmer lands. Mwezi’s morning sickness faded but Namur continued to make her soups as they kept her belly full and body warm. Paka, Kai and Nyoka would visit on the weekends while they worked with the others to begin preparing for battle. Mwezi had a room in Sabine’s home she stayed in while preparations were made. It kept her safe and the men were able to make plans and move about without being worried for her safety.

“I think one of the funniest things about you being here is watching Namur fuss over the fact that you’re staying with me and not him.” Sabine joked as she nearly joked on her drink. “And why is that so funny huh?” Mwezi asked, trying not to choke on her soup. “It’s what he gets for taking so long to admit his feelings for you, and then admitting it in such a lackluster way. Pfft.” Sabine said, offended. “Well I have to agree with her on that one” Lu’anna said as she came back with adult beverages for her and Sabine. “Oh yall rude.” Mwezi said. “Nonsense my love here.” Lu’anna retorted as she handed her a glass of what appeared to be sparkling cider. “I’m telling dads.” Mwezi said with a fake cry as she drank the cider anyway. They all burst out laughing and this time Mwezi did choke.

Māui, Namur and Tayir came in from the back with cooked meats and rice on large trays they set up in Sabines kitchen. They used the large fire pit she had to cook for everyone. Mwezi’s stomach gurgled at the promise of delicious food and everyone started laughing. Namur even cracked a smile as he and Tayir plated her different meats while Māui got her a bowl of rice and sauces she liked for her proteins. “Feeding yourselves first! How dare!?” Sabine joked as she saw them with the food. Māui scoffed into a laugh as he sat next to Mwezi on her left and Tayir sat on her right. Namur went back to get Mwezi some water and put on some of the hot chocolate she showed him how to make. They fed Mwezi while everyone else served themselves including Kai, Paka, Nyoka and Lu’anna’s mates who all came back. “I’m okay now, go eat, go!” Mwezi said, forcing them to leave her side so they could feed themselves. “Between the six of them you're going to be spoiled rotten.” Sabine whispered and they laughed. 

“Oh Mwezi! I finished the nursery!” Paka said with a smile. “Yay! I can’t wait to see it! I wish I knew the gender or species of the baby at least.” she pouted a bit at the last part. “Oh well you’re far enough along now, why don't you?” Sabine asked. “I can?” she asked, confused. “Of course darling. There’s a tonic for both. One makes this weird smoke cloud that will look like the father’s mark. The other will turn purple for a girl and yellow for a boy. Something about the blood's reaction to whatever is in the tonic, I don't know.” Lu’ana answered, muttering the last part.

Mwezi agreed to the tests and Lu’anna had Etum fly back to the palace to fetch the royal doctor and have her make the tonics. “Once you guys are up and running officially, you will get your doctor a greenhouse. They’ll need it in these mountains.” Kaizo stated. Namur and Sabine nodded with thanks.

There was a sound outside and a few people had shifted into their animal forms. Everyone ran outside while Tayir stayed inside with Mwezi in case he had to fly off with her. The tiger shifter and Jaguar shifts nearly collapsed with wounds. “What happened?!” Ale'te asked, enraged. “There was a feral attack on our border villages. The Eagles ferried them over to the mainland in exchange for help and the promise of mates.” The tiger said as he coughed up blood. “Get the medic!” Sabine yelled out as someone ran up with the doctor in tow. “But the Tiger kingdom vowed to remain neutral, why?!” Mwezi asked, finally coming out of the house. “Eagle Kingdom refuses to accept responsibility. The Queen says she nor her son allowed for such a deal to be bartered but that's what the ferals told us. Why would they lie?” one of the Jaguar shifts said as he hissed in pain from the medicine a medic was applying to his side.

“But the queen lost her mate not too long ago right? Her son, the rightful king, is still a child. What if they're trying to play two fold? Sumir could try and overthrow the tiger kingdom, gives the ferals some land or maybe split between them and the wolves or all three and they would have not only strong allies but nearly that entire side of the country under control. The two major veins that come in at Eagle kingdom feed fresh water to Eagle, Tiger and Wolf through one vein and Hawk, Jaguar and even Owl through another. If they have that much manpower they could drought out those kingdoms for submission.” Mwezi started rambling off until she began to cry.

The realization of everything hit her all at once. She came to terms with the fact that she was never going home but now not only her life but her child or children's life(lives) were in danger, her mates, her new family. Innocent people were going to suffer because people couldn't be decent ‘humans’. She was partially sad but she was so frustrated and angry, added to her pregnancy hormones she wasn’t sure if she wanted to down a tub of haagen daz or to behead someone. Nyoka coiled around her and applied light pressure. She called him her weighted blanket. They all took turns hugging her and she gradually calmed down until she fell asleep in Namurs arms. “This is not good stress for her or the babies.” Paka said worried.

Etum had come back with the tonics in tow and some supplies from the doctor. “I heard about the attack and brought supplies back since the doctor wanted to stay and help. What happened?” he asked, motioning to Mwezi. “Poor baby’s anxiety spiked and her body couldn't keep up. We’ll do the test later. We need to help the Tiger Kingdom.” Lu’anna replied. Sabine sighed, “we need to get the queen and her son out if at all possible. Maybe a few of her court but on those she trusts.” she offered. “She’d never leave her people. When her Tiger King mate fell they tried to kit her out saying she wasn’t fit and she put down the rebellion without outside help.” Lu’anna retorted. Tayir watched Mwezi fuss a bit as her sleep wore off and he left the room to make her some tea to help her keep calm.

Me’eteh sighed. “I have an idea but it’s a long shot. The Merk folk are good with magicks and the king and queen owe me a favor. What if the Eagle kingdom faces a terrible storm. I know it's not fair perhaps, if they truly aren’t in on it but it's not a risk we can take to hit part of them. If they can't deploy, that gives Tiger Kingdom a break and us a chance to attack Wolf kingdom without backup.” he said. There was a knock on the door and one of the Royal Jaguar guards came in with a woman behind him. Though she had seen a doctor she was battered and looked worn and tired.

“They killed him!” she began to cry. Sabine and Lu’anna set the girl down on the couch and wrapped her in a blanket. “Prince Aria. What do you mean?!” Lu’anna asked. Sabine’s eyes went wide with shock. This was the famed Warrior Princess Aria of the Hawk Kingdom. Her wound made so much more sense. 

“I was traveling to the Tiger capitol to discuss trades with the queen when those Eagles attacked.” she explained with disgust, lacing her voice. We had party members who couldn't fly so we took a pit stop in this small village. The people were so warm and kind. There was a farm hand. Alawn. He was so sweet and kind. My brother would have had a fit but he was a three mark, we could have made it work, royalty or not. That's when they attacked. We were spending time together, I didn’t want to mate without my brother's approval, hard won or not. He shifted and protected me from the explosions. They were dropping explosive power from the sky! By the time help came he had to be pulled off me. He used his body as a shield to protect me! I fought him to let me up but he said it was his duty as my future male to protect me! ME of all people!” She broke down into tears and sobbed into Lu’anna's arms.

“I know this may seem cruel, but are Hawks not ledged to be one of the eagles greatest threats. That's why you have that treaty right?” Sabine said quietly as she rubbed Aria’s back. It was as if a switch flipped in Aria and she sat up straight. Her blood shot red eye and dipping nose did not take away from the rage filled look on her face. “And by attacking me, directly or otherwise, they have broken that treaty…” Aria replied. “What I want to know is why and what the hell is going on.” she added.

Māui broke everything down quickly and to their luck Aria understood. She lanced at Mwezi sleeping form in Namur’s arm as she began to stir awake. Mwezi looked around the room and noticed Aria. “Oh hello! I’m Mwezi.” she put out her hand as she introduced herself. Aria smiled and shook Mwezi’s hand. Namur whispered Aria’s story into Mwezi's ear, which nearly caused her to spazz but Tayir came back with her tea. “Please drink. It's good for you and the babies. He offered. Mwezi huffed like a child throwing a tantrum before taking the drink and a few deep breaths. 

“You!” Aria screeched. Tayir’s eyebrows shot up in confusion. “No!” Mwezi stood up. “He is not one of them!” She defended Tayir. Tayir felt pride but also worried this would negatively impact the Hawks wanting to help. “He’s one of them!” Aria retorted. “Sis I'm mated to a f*****g snake. Take it from me. You cannot judge a singular person by the actions of a group of people who are like them. “Tayir’s brother attacked me and my mate Paka the night after we mated and Tayir was the one who saved us. His father, the Eagle general of assholness tried to play it off and Tayir gave up his FAMILY and clan.” Mwezi explained.  

“I get your anger, trust me. Māui’s brother is the cause of all this chaos, this loss. But I don’t blame him or other wolves for his brother's actions. Are there wolves who support Tazeem? Yes. Will they be cut down like rabid dogs? Yes. But that doesn’t mean all of them are guilty. There are men, women, non gendered people, children etc who have no idea what's even going on. You want eagle blood? Fine by me. Join the club. But you ain't getting his. He’s mine.” Mwezi said. Tayir looked from Aria to Mwezi with nothing but awe and love in his eyes. Aria saw and knew what it was because Alawn would look at her the same.

Aria sighed and nodded. “I understand, I apologize… You will have my wings in battle.” She confirmed the Hawk Kingdom helps. Mwezi smiled wide and put her tea down before stepping around the coffee table and hugging Aria. “Murder for brunch and chicken wings for dinner!” she joked. At first Aria didn’t get it but she burst out laughing and could only nod in reply. Aria sent one of her guards off to inform her brother, the king, of what happened and that she would be staying to help prepare.