Snow jogged through the streets holding a bag under her arm. A few vegetables and a pot from sting’s place. Quick errands to run for the three of them. Snow was craving a stew and she was sure she could make something similar to how her Gran made it and she definitely knew that Ryza was getting restless.
She was more than ready to tease and laugh at Ryza’s expense when she got close to their den. The first thing she heard was aggressive barking, some that she recognized as Grey and Ginger but then she heard a deeper set of barks with a whimper. A crash followed and Snow started to worry but the only scents on the air were theirs.
And then Stephanie came running out of the den panting and hands on her knees.
“Snow! Thank God you’re here. Ryza’s on a rampage.”
Snow sighed looking toward the den where a chorus of barks were still coming, “Okay Steph take a deep breath. It’s okay. What’s happening? What’s she doing now?”
She pointed toward the den and Snow could just barely hear Ryza on her way out. She was limping with her staff, a trio of wolves at her legs tails wagging and panting.
Ryza glared at the two of them and pointed the staff at them, “You.”
Snow smiled, “Me! What’s up Ryry.”
“I. Want. Out.”
“Out of what?”
She snarled at her and Snow smiled.
“Out of this den. I’ve been cooped up in here for three days. If I wanted to be stuck inside, I would have stayed at the hospital!” She snapped her teeth at her.
“You need to rest Ryry,” Snow said.
“I don’t want to rest here!”
Her tail thrashed as she glared at the two of them and the three wolves barked sensing the tension in their leader. Snow glanced at Stephanie who gave her an almost pitiful look. Neither of them really knew what to do about her. She was standing a bit better and moving around quicker though she still limped and was having random aches and pains.
“Dogs!” She glared at them and snapped her fingers. “Bag! Book! Dead!”
The trio of wolves’ ears perked up and Ginger and Grey dashed back into the den. Meanwhile, Rustle stayed where he was, his tail wagged as he turned around to look at Ryza before falling over legs in the air. He finally relaxed against the ground going very still except for the subtle wagging of his wail.
After about a minute Grey and Ginger came back to her. Ginger had Ryza’s bag in her jaw and held it out to Ryza. Once she had it she sat down patiently and her tail wagged as Ryza scratched her head. Grey sat up and Ryza took her book and scratched his head as well. Turning she narrowed her eyes at them. “I’ve had enough time to teach these three that. I’m bored and I’m frustrated. If you won’t let me leave, I’m going on my own.”
“That’s actually impressive,” Snow mumbled.
“Right? They listen to her better than me. And I helped birth and raise them,” Stephanie pouted.
“What do we do about her Steph?”
“I don’t know,” she frowned hard but then snapped her fingers. “Wait. I have an idea. I’ll be right back. Can you keep her calm for a bit?”
Snow looked at her fuming mate and nodded. “I think so.” Ryza stamped the ground and Rustle jumped back to his feet tail wagging. “Just don’t be long.”
Stephanie glanced back at Ryza before running back toward the center of the village turning into her wolf form. She was running partially to the scents she could smell and partially to her memory. Taking the path that led her away from most of the bustle and action of the city. Down this side of the village, things were emptier, most of the dens spread further and further away.
These were almost considered on their own and separate from the community at large. The one she found was a tall building that was almost three floors tall. The building itself was thin but it had a set of spiral stairs going up the tower of a den. Stephanie sniffed the air and knew he was there. Jumping to the second floor she padded across the stairs going up to them quickly toward the top.
She didn’t get far with a howl echoed down the steps. She looked up tail wagging expectantly and then sat down as the wolf came forward. Scarred shoulders and back, mangey fur, narrowed red eyes, and a small growl on his lips. Stephanie barked sitting up a light in her eyes and the wulf growled shaking his head.
He jumped back, landing on his back paws and the magic surged. He stood on proper feet, brushing back his hair, and held a scowl on his face. He scratched at his beard and his face dipped away to annoyance. She noted the huge scar across his chest, one that she shared. “What do you want pup.”
Stephanie shifted back as well and cracked her neck, “Can’t I want to see you Dioh?” He snapped his tail. “Fine fine. Ryry’s tired of being cooped up inside. And I was thinking of taking her to the oasis.”
He arched an eyebrow, “The oasis?”
“Yeah.”
“My oasis.”
“Yep.”
“My haven of peace and quiet away from Luthagen and yammering pups like you?”
“I can read between the lines,” she said sighing. “Just figured since you talked it up so much it would be a good place to take her so she can get out of the den without stress.”
He scratched at his neck again and growled. Stephanie lowered her ears and frowned stepping away. Before she could get far he pointed and barked.
“Run south. Keep running until you stop smelling sand and you smell green. You’ll hear it before you see it. And when you do, you’ll know you’re there. One of the only pools of water out of here and hanging vines. Grapes grow on them. Sweetest I’ve ever had. That’ll take your necromancer’s mind off things.”
Stephanie stared at him with wide eyes and mumbled, “Wow.”
“What?”
“Just never thought you were such a poet Dioh.”
“Stop.”
“Really. It was really nice. Lyrical even. You could sing it.”
He growled low his red eyes flashing and she squeaked jumping backward and then off the stairs shifting back to her wulf form. She landed on all fours and tail wagging and looked back at him. She barked happily and he turned away dismissing her with a flick of his tail. “Just don’t go too far to the south or you’ll find the desert sea. And you’ll be wurm food.”
When she padded back to the house things were eerily silent. She sniffed at the air and they were all there. But remembering where she left things, she was definitely not sure if the silence was a good or bad thing.
Going back to her human form she stepped back into the den and had to cover her mouth to stop from snorting laughter. Snow waved at her in her wulf form towering over Ryza. She had one arm wrapped around Ryza’s waist and the other around her shoulders keeping her still. She kept her warm white head on Ryza’s, buried between her ears and in her hair. Snow looked pleased. Grey was beside them, his head on Snow’s lap near Ryza.
Ryza was not happy but she looked tired. Like she’d struggled with her for this entire time and didn’t have the strength to fight back anymore. So she was pouting with her large wulf mate around her. “You’re back. Here to cause me more torment?”
“Actually, I have an idea of what we can do instead,” she said which got the attention of them both. “A place we can go and relax.”
“Really?” Ryza asked her ears perking up and Snow let out a whimper of excitement.
“Yeah. Come on. You guys too!” she shouted to the wolves who jumped at being addressed. Ginger and Rustle ran over and started moving around her quickly.
Snow leaned her head back the warmth of her magic starting but Stephanie held her hands out. “No no. Stay the way you are. If anything, we’ll need to be full four legged ones.”
“Where are we going?” Ryza asked extricating herself from Snow’s grip. She wobbled on her feet but got there properly. Snow stood up and kept a hand at her back to steady her which Ryza didn’t mind as much.
“A place to relax. The rest is a surprise,” she winked and took Ryza’s hand gently walking her out of the den.
Ryza began to complain about being treated like an invalid but she appreciated that she was going slowly at the very least. Once they were all outside together, Stephanie took a step back and turned going down on all fours as she turned back into her wolf form. Shaking herself and getting comfortable she looked at Ryza. In this form, she was as tall as Ryza’s chest and she licked at her face gently.
Snow lowered herself and transitioned to her wolf form as well and leaned against the two of them. She put her hand underneath Ryza’s and whined softly but the moment that Ryza started scratching her head she was content her eyes closed happily. Ryza took a step away from them and pushed them forward hesitant.
This was the first time that she had attempted to transform since recovering. In general, with magic, she hadn’t gone out of her way to use magic. The ache in her chest had been more than enough to dissuade her from doing anything more than complaining about being bedridden.
She called on the magic that rested in her, unlike the cold hand of the grave this was the warmth of fur and the sharpness of teeth. It was soothing to feel the fur against her body. The warmth traveled and covered her body entirely and when she closed her eyes she opened them to new eyes.
She shook herself, fur ruffling, and opened her mouth yawning wide. Swishing her tail and flicking her ears but she looked at Stephanie tilting her head. She nodded excitedly whipping around and started running the others following after her.
As per Dioh’s orders, they headed toward the southern end of Luthagen. This end was where many of the crops were grown. They took their farming seriously since hunting for meat wasn’t always consistent. They were guarded by a pair of wulves and a pair of wolves at all times while the farmers did their thing.
They traveled between the crops and they were almost ready for harvest. Carrots, peaches, alfalfa and even a young apple tree. They got nods from the guards and a few waves from the farmers. They gave barks of greeting and then left through the gate going onto the dirt path.
The dry ground was rough against their paws but at the very least it was easier to navigate than slipping in the sand. Stephanie kept her nose to the air, smelling the heat and feeling it wafting over her. But she kept going traveling forward keeping Dioh’s words in her mind.
They walked in formation, Stephanie at the front because she knew where she was going. Behind her was Ryza keeping at her side. She was keeping pace only limping a little bit but moving stronger in this form. She jumped forward nipping at Stephanie’s leg gently startling her. She then rubbed her flank against hers nudging her as Stephanie nudged back.
Rustle darted forward bumping into Ryza as Ginger jawed at her mouth. Ryza danced back from them playing with the two as Grey sprinted forward not wanting to be left out of the playing.
Stephanie continued forward keeping her nose in the air but looking back at them almost sadly. Torn between wanting to play and also keeping track of where they were going. Snow caught up to her whining and bumping against her gently. Stephanie rested her head on hers whimpering gently. But then the scent hit her nose.
She turned quickly and started breaking into a run toward the sensation where the scent parted away. The others noted her running and they turned and ran with her. They could smell it too, the scent of something else that wasn’t sand and heat. Of vegetation which was a sweet and refreshing scent.
They heard it next, a bubbling of water that was like a dull roar. It wasn’t like the grotto with water coming straight down in a waterfall. This one was more like a fountain of water going up then splashing back down.
As they ran, they saw a rock wall appear in front of them and they jumped one by one up it scrabbling over the sudden wall. Snow stayed at the top helping them all over one by one until they were there. Once the last of them made it over they saw it. It was an Oasis alright. A rough circle of clear water, a white fountain water spray in the center.
Plants were growing from the edge of it, some of their leaves dipping back down into the water. But it spread out in a huge swath of small trees with bright green leaves, smaller brush closer to the water. They entered the area going under the shade of the trees making a beeline for the water.
Snow jumped first diving straight into the water and coming back out swimming and relishing in the cool water. The wolves didn’t waste time diving after her. Stephanie however walked along the edge of the water, Ryza following her. She kept her nose down against the ground looking for something.
But she finally found it above their head, thick red berries high above their head. She hopped up snapping her jaws trying to get to them but they were just out of reach. After the third time she jumped as Ryza changed turning into her larger wulf form. Winking she swiped with her claws bringing down the vines to a manageable height.
She turned to her human form letting out a breath, suddenly very tired, but plucked a few berries out. She fed one to Stephanie as she lapped it up out of her hand and ate one herself. The moment she bit into it her mouth was flooded by the sweet juices shocking her. She smiled broadly picking more.
They heard a cry from the oasis but then barking that turned into laughter. Stephanie looked back at Ryza but she shook her head kissing her head lightly. “Go. I’m coming.”
She sat slightly, looking at her and even in this form she knew that Stephanie was being warry. “I know. You said you’d keep an eye on me. I’ll be there soon. I promise.”
She stroked her face and under her jaw, pressing her nose against her own. Tail wagging for a moment Stephanie nodded and turned around darting toward the water. Ryza watched her go before taking another few berries.
There were more than she could carry and she snapped her fingers casting a quick spell. She picked up a handful of them when suddenly pain lanced through her chest. Like being struck all over again. She gasped feeling fire in her chest and sank down to her knees. The berries all fell down and she held her chest gasping in wide eyed pain.
She nearly cried out but focused on the pain. Focused on the empty feeling in her chest. And eventually it went away. But she stared at her hand and watched it shake. Felt the pain radiate and echo through her body. She shut her eyes tightly and saw the demon’s face. Heard the voice from her nightmare.
And then she saw her wolf in front of her. Saw it sit and stare at her. Not judgmental, just calm and observing. She nodded toward it, breathing slowly. “It’s nothing. I’m just more hurt than I thought. I need time to heal. That’s all it is. Right?”
The wolf barked once and then disappeared. She looked at the berries that had fallen and picked them up one by one, dusting them off, and holding them in her shirt. Walking and making her through the trees, the laughter from the oasis got louder and clearer.
Once she properly broke through, she watched Snow and Stephanie swimming through the water splashing and playing along with the wolves. Ginger was on the beach and panting staring at everyone there. Rustle and Grey were paddling their way forward as Snow swam with them.
Grey turned immediately as did Snow once Ryza came forward properly and Snow waved at her. “There you are Ryry! I was starting to think you ran away!”
“I wouldn’t do that. I wanted to come here remember?” she sat down, letting her feet dip into the water and chuckled. It was surprisingly cool to the touch and she sighed relaxing. “This place is so nice. How did you find out about it Stephanie?”
“Believe it or not it was Dioh.”
“No way,” Snow’s eyes widened. “How’d you make that grump tell you about this place. Figured he’d bite your head off.”
“It’s cause I’m super persuasive,” She winked.
“Super persuasive huh? Super humble too.”
She swam under her quickly and lifted her out of the water. Snow let out a shout splashing backward. Once she was back, she spun around and grabbed her around the waist picking her up into a loud laugh between the two of them. But they both looked toward Ryza and swam over to her and splashed at her quickly.
She made a face warding it off and spun around giving them her back which just made them both come closer and grab at her from behind. “Wait no. I have the berries!”
She shouted as she fell back into the water sinking low. Sputtering angrily, she swam back up her hair soaked and ears down. Glaring at the two of them they laughed and Snow picked a berry out of the water popping it into her mouth. Her eyes widened as she chewed, “Wow! These are great!”
“I know right!” Stephanie’s eyes shined. “Dioh said they were good but I didn’t think they’d be this good.”
The pair scattered around picking berries as quickly as they could. But Grey, Ginger, and Rustle got in on things as well taking them as much as they could. Ryza’s scowl faded quickly and she swam back to the shore climbing out and turning around. She did her best not to wince and smiled at them.
Stephanie and Snow swam over to them as well and leaned against the shore staring up at her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. Good,” she glanced at Stephanie, seeing the remnants of her scar. Ryza touched her chest gently and then stroked her cheek. “How are you?”
“I’m good. The water feels nice,” she kissed Ryza’s hand.
Ryza leaned down and kissed her softly squeezing her hand, “Thank you for finding this place for me.”
Stephanie kissed her again and Snow splashed them both gently. When they looked over at her she was pouting. “I want kisses too.”
They laughed and leaned down kissing her in turn until she was satisfied and that wasn’t a very long time. The wolves got involved and they lay down on the stone in a furry, drying pile, staring at the afternoon sky content.
The Harlequin Library 