The Guardian's Gambit by JR Konkol

Author:JR Konkol [Konkol, JR]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Published: 2024-11-07T00:00:00+00:00

22.

THE NEVER ENDING ROAD HOME

Shaman yawned as he struggled to keep up with Gaius and Loki as they padded down the twisting path. An endless parade of cats wanted to meet him after the Cah’ten Moot, and despite his exhaustion, Gaius insisted he go through with the ordeal. It left him so tired, he could barely keep his eyes open.

Most of the cats just wanted to touch him and wish him luck, but a few wanted him to demonstrate his powers. A couple even asked for his blessing. It was a heady but odd experience. He wasn’t used to being worshipped by other cats. Gaius frequently warned him not to get used to it.

The only uncomfortable moment came when Theodore and Echo asked to inspect him. There were clinical and cold in their measurements. They treated him more like a piece of meat than anything else. Shaman was left with the distinct impression that neither of those cats liked him.

“Hold up, guys. Someone’s coming,” said Loki.

They were on a dark, winding trail. Shaman believed they were within the dense woods lining the edge of Cah’ten Moot. After speaking with that regal looking Savannah Cat, Archer, Loki led them onto the trails. Shaman didn’t understand why, but Gaius seemed to support the decision, and he trusted Gaius.

Branches up ahead rustled as Marcus and a colorful, shorthaired cat emerged from the foliage. Ajax followed along behind them. He looked much better than before. All his horrible wounds were healed. He was still missing fur in a few places, but compared to the last time Shaman saw him, it was night and day.

“Dad!” shouted Shaman as he raced to meet the enormous Guardian.

“Heya, little guy,” said Ajax. “I’m happy to see you too.”

Shaman brushed his face across Ajax’s shoulder, nuzzling aggressively. He didn’t care if the other cats were watching. Ajax was the most important cat in the world to him. The fact that he was doing better made Shaman’s heart sing.

“There, there, little guy,” said Ajax in between heavy purrs. “I’m here. I’ll always be here for you.”

Marcus cleared his throat. “Archer and his team are scouting your paths home. He doesn’t expect Fenris to give up easily. It shouldn’t take his Wildseekers long to track the pack of coyotes. Archer said he’d meet us here once he knew more.”

“Have you considered waiting him out?” asked the colorful, shorthaired cat. “Fenris rarely hunts during the day.”

Gaius frowned. “I don’t think we can wait that long. We’ve been in the Dreaming for quite some time already.”

Shaman didn’t understand the problem. Was their time in the Dreaming limited? “I don’t understand.”

“Remember when we talked about what happens to us in the real world while we’re in the dreaming?” asked Ajax.

Shaman nodded.

“Right now, all four of us are asleep. We’ve been asleep for a long time.”

Shaman didn’t see an issue with that. “So what?”

“If we stay in the Dreaming too long, the hoomans will become concerned,” said Ajax.

Gaius cleared his throat. “It wouldn’t be an issue if only a few of us were in the Dreaming.

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