Sukenar was harnessed next to Scar to pull the clan house, after a few of their dogs have died in the fight against the creature. This was also his punishment for shameful behavior during the fight. Lillium insisted for them to keep moving on the ground in case there are more Lorantid raiders. She wanted to destroy all of them, only this time she sent scouts radially to cover the terrain and prevent another unpleasant surprise. Following Tortuil’s instructions she turned off the road in the dusk. He said Byanki tribe should be somewhere near rock called “pyramid” since it resembles it. And such rock was above them when they turned off the road. Schnew and a few others able-bodied men were walking in front of dogs making the path in the snow. Schnew cursed everything from stars and sun to gods and destiny. Few times the clan house got stuck in the snow, taking hours to get her out. At midnight they had to make camp and spend the night in the middle of nowhere. Subito was unconscious all the time, despite his wounds were getting better really fast under the influence of herbs Lillium used to treat them. In the morning they were awakened by strong whistle, tribesman was standing in front of the clan house “Who are you?” “We are volunteers from Ulan came to help Land of Moving Hills and we are searching for Thakha chief of Byanki tribe.” “Why?” “We will only speak directly to him. Who are you and what gives you right to interrogate us?” “I am a man, who can take you to chief Thakha, but I will take only two of you, your weapons will remain here. Rest of you will stay here as hostages. They will also surrender weapons to my soldiers.” Out of snow around them emerged around hundred tribesmen holding sacks full of barbed balls and menacingly waving their slings.

They were hiding in shelters they dug in the snow making them impossible to be seen by Ulans. “Everything is all right, just let me get ready, me and my daughter will go.” Lillium was showing on Miratur. Miratur looked at her unhappily. “Subito will be ok.” She wrote something on a sheet of paper and attached it to crow’s leg releasing the bird. Two of them followed tribesmen leader. They have walked for some time when he ordered them to stop and covered their heads with bags made of animal fur. He didn’t want them to see where they were going. Earlier he attached kind of miniature broom to his belt dragging it behind him, in order to conceal their traces. By the way they were moving Lillium knew he is leading them in circles, she thought “This is one careful guard!”

Finally, after a short descent, he removed bags of their heads, they were in the cave. Coming from the end of the corridor they could hear human voices. Several feet further big hall at least the square mile in diameter opened before them. In the middle of it was small lake, few warriors were fishing in it. On the lake shore were tents made of rain deer skins. Beneath tent poles were sticking out, radially distributed, and probably used for carrying tents around. Guard had lead them between tents to the big one guarded by two guards. Inside of the tent was padded with animal furs. In the middle of the floor was hole in which was a fireplace. Around the fire twenty or so people were sitting. Oldest amongst them invited the two ladies to sit next to them. When they were sitting he said: “My name is Thakha chief of tribe Byanki and grand chief of alliance of western tribes. You have my assurances we will not attack the army from Ulan or towers on the road. My friends, chiefs of Kiahci and Uluntu tribes can confirm my words, since our three tribes are the ones which make an alliance. We made alliance in order to protect our rain deer flocks from bandit refugees that are coming from Masata kingdom in the north to roam over our land. No you won’t my friends! Our children won’t be hungry because of you. Please eat with us confirming our friendship.” He presented them with roasted fish and bats mixed with uncooked rain deer meat. Lillium and Miratur tasted offerings, after that Lillium started “Do you know there is a war out there?” “It is not our war we have our affairs to take care of.” “It is your war. You just don’t realize it yet. Look at this creature” she presented the jar filled with alcohol, which contained Lorantid’s body “this is Lorantid, one of the creatures that forced those refugees to leave their homes, made them starve and steal your meat. Is it so much of a crime if you steal food when you are hungry?” “But if we let them eat our meat our children will die out of starvation. Is it so much of a crime to protect our children?” “No its not, I understand your concerns. But do you think Lorantides will stop at Masata kingdom? No they won’t! They attach themselves to human skull taking over his body, and leave him entrapped for the rest of his life! Can you imagine what it feels like to be entrapped in your own body like in a dungeon? Is that a future you want for your children? They make slaves of remaining humans and force them to dig btaris for them in underground mines. Is that a future you want for your children?” “How do you know all of that?” “We defeated group of them yesterday and interrogated those whom we saved from the diabolical grip of these creatures.” “How do we know you are not lying?” “If I wanted I could already kill all of you. Two and a half thousand of my warriors already have in captivity that hundred you left to guard my clan house. They could keep patrolling skies following flocks of rain deer, killing your hunters till all of you starve to death. You can kill both of us, but what good would that bring?” She saw anger and worries on their faces, her words made a strong impact. “You see how it is when someone treating you the way you treated me. Arresting someone and then accusing him to lie is not my idea of friendliness. But I will show good will. Take this bag of btaris as a compensation for rain deer refuges killed. I will also send clan house on Ulan Island asking for food to be sent to you. Under two conditions: first your tribes to accept children and weak refuges, I will take the rest as soldiers, and second your tribes to give warriors for war against Lorantides.” Tribesmen were silent for some time “You will give us time to consider your offers?” Lillium nodded. Two women were escorted out of the tent. They spent the next hour walking on the lake shore.

When they were invited back in, they could see by the look on the faces of tribesmen that some heavy discussion took place. “We decided to do as you have demanded.” “That was a wise choice.” “Three tribes I represent can send thousand warriors under the command of my son Talltan as warlord and leader of warrior assembly.” “No, thousand is too small number for such great tribes. Don’t shame yourself by sending fewer warriors than other tribes. They would mock your children, and the children of your children. I have two and a half thousand warriors and I will recruit all able refugees. You will fill up the number to five thousand.” Chief smiled “Let it be that way.” They shook hands. “So do you happen to know where refugees are?” “Yes we do. We followed them, planning to attack them soon.” “Send for them.” “No you will go now, and all able refugees will meet you on the road.” “Ok.” Two of them had to undergo the same procedure of blinding them and walking in circles. When the bag was removed from their heads they were already next to Lillium’s clan house. Same as Lillium has told to chief, Ulans from other clan houses descended and captured tribesmen that were holding Subito and others as hostages. Lillium sent them note attached to crow’s leg. Now tribesmen were released. Ulans tracked back their own trails to road. Two and a half thousand warriors from western tribes and refugees were already waiting for them. Reorganization of the army was made and Subito and Lillium were promoted to captains while others from our hero party became centurions. They kept on walking, in the next couple of days they have entered Ang kingdom and crossed almost his entire territory, and at dusk they camped not more than one hour of walk away from Urusda. They were camping next to the arrow made of stone that was marking the place from where Ulan took Hozs and Surs to Ulan Island. In the morning they walked on, Miratur was happy to walk next to Subito who woke up tonight and was feeling a lot better. She was also concerned. He could fall, so she was near him all the time in order to catch him if needed. Lillium suggested that Subito shouldn’t fight in incoming battle, he just laughed at her “I have come here to fight not to rest.” That was the end of the conversation. Behind the hill covered in snow appeared domed roofs of the capitol city of Land of Moving Hills. Urusda was in front of them with her milky white smooth walls. The walls were made of pykrete - frozen mix of water and sawdust, which is a lot harder than ice. Water was regullary poured over the walls to maintain their whiteness. There was not a single sharp angle in the city, everything was curvy. Roofs were domed, walls cylindrical, windows and doors semicircular and circular. City was directly under the three tops of the mountain, so there was no real danger he would melt. Snows stayed here all over the year, even when in lower areas was time of summer. Every day walls were wetted with water from a nearby river and polished by the city guards. According to the local legend city was built in the place where the white dragon spirit lord of the ice was born. It was same white dragon spirit who was killed by Zurbul, whose eye was captured on necklace Miratur was wearing. City was shining like a diamond in the weak sun, so was Miratur’s necklace. Maybe necklace felt the place it was in, who would know? Lillium and Talltan were just discussing legends about white dragon and Zurbul when guards came out of the city to greet them. All around the city was innumerous tents and shelters made of ice blocks. Whole army seemed to be there. Guard escorted them to the east side of town where they have found the place to set their camp. They had their meal and were waiting to see what will happen next.

In the afternoon messenger came into camp and announced “All of your warlords, chiefs and warrior leaders are invited by seven kings of Land of Moving Hills to come on the assembly in Urusda.” He bowed and walked away. All of the captains, Lord Aenead and warlord Talltan went into town through the big gate on whose top was an ice sculpture of seven headed white dragon, one head for each kingdom in the Land of Moving Hills. They walked down the lanes sprinkled with tiny ice crystals to avoid slipping. Those lanes were winding between numerous palaces branching on all sides and making inextricable labyrinth. The guards lead them to the biggest palace in the center of the town. In front of the palace were two statues portraying Aenead who formed southern kingdom and first king of Militah dynasty whose name was forgotten who formed a northern Talasu kingdom. Both of ancient kings were clad as locals and armed with local weapons. They arms were reaching toward another king like they wanted to shake hands. Lord Aenead came to king Aenead’s statue pouring some suind on the ground in front of it “protect me and my army by your name that I am honored to carry, my beloved ancestor.” He took the golden necklace of his neck and hanged it on statue’s neck. Such were the offerings for a king from the old ages. All of the commanders saluted toward the statue with their swords.

They entered the palace. Big floors were entirely covered with animal skins, softening coldness of ice. Ulans took their seats among other leaders directly on the floor covered with skins next to thermal spring. Thermal spring was just a round hole in the ice floor filled with hot steaming water. Spring was under this water. Whole city was full of thermal springs, which were used for heating. The room was lit with ice mirrors placed on walls, which were reflecting sun light coming from small windows on the edge of the domed roof. There were also wooden torches wrapped in oiled cloths, embedded in walls, for night assemblies. Opposite from the doors Ulans just entered were seven arches under which were thrones made of ice with armrests made in the shape of dragon heads. Above each throne was the coat of arms for each kingdom. Sitting on thrones were all seven kings. One of them spoke “I am Kashavinraj king of Urke and the oldest of seven kings in Land of Moving Hills. I have received the honor to speak in the name of all. We have already discussed tactics and decided that strategically best place for battle would be in the Valley of Gvara River on the border between Urke and Talasu kingdom.” He signaled one guard to show map made in ice to Ulan commanders. After carefully studying map Lord Aenead pointed “It looks good to me. But you know the terrain better so you should decide.” “I am glad you agree. And I am glad you got here, because our army had really low morale. You see, here we have seven kingdoms and each of them have number of tribes. All of these tribes have old conflicts that are like mirrors in the hay. They are just lying there till the first rays of the sun and when the sun comes that is when they start fires. Some of us just wait for an opportunity to attack on our neighbors. This is a time full of such opportunities, but this is not time for inner fights. Refugees from the north that had to leave their homes roam around without food, sometimes they have to steal it from the native tribes, and it is cause for even more disturbances. My scouts report that enemy army numbers over hundred fifty thousand men, and we have under fifty thousand. It is not surprising that some of our units have deserted. But your arrival gives hope. Your army numbers more than a tenth of our total army, and rumors are spreading that more of Ulans are coming. Hope is all we need, and you are the bringers of it.” He gave guard a wink. The guard had run away and swiftly come back, bringing chest made of led on which were engraved the words of the oath. Kings gave this oath when they have formed alliance of seven kingdoms. Kashavinraj read words and others repeated “I swear I will stay fateful to alliance of seven kingdoms. I will treat my allies as my brothers giving them better part than I would take for myself. I will give my life protecting theirs. I will not stop fighting till I make sure that last enemy had left our lands. If I ever betray my oath, let my brothers kill me, because I won’t be worth of living anymore.” Then they opened the chest, pulling out rain deer skin on which was signatures kings made at the last meeting. Old skin was burned and they signed another one putting it in the chest. Chest was then stored in the safe place. With that assembly was finished. When Subito stood up to come out, king Kashavinraj grabbed his hand pointing on bumps on his lamellar armor. Those were places bitten through by squirrels that were repaired by Schnew in the meantime. He knew a little bit of everything. King said: “That armor looks like it was lacerated.” “Actually it was.” “Strange I could swear only one creature could do that, but if my assumptions would be true you would be dead. Or that armor used to belong to some of your friends who died?” “No it is mine. Are you talking about pack squirrels?” “You were attacked by pack squirrels and survived? We are talking about most dangerous animals on this land.” “Yes my friend saved me by pouring beasts with boiled alcohol.” “Nice idea. You see my younger brother was eaten by those beasts. They are especially vicious when they are hungry.” Two of them walked out of the palace.

“Would you like to visit me in my tent?” Kashavinraj asked him suddenly. “Sure, why not?” “My tribe is fifth on the left of the gate of Urusda. Follow me.” Silently they were walking till they reached the big tent belonging to the king, guards silently stepped aside to let them pass. Tent was in the middle of all other tents in order for a king to be safe. Above the entrance was a big bear head with wide opened mouths frightening unannounced visitors with its humongous jaws. “What a terrifying jaws, someone could be spooked” Subito mumbled, proud this trick wasn’t working on him. Inside of the tent was dark, it took him a couple of moments to get used to it and start recognizing the shapes. Kashavinraj was already sitting opposite to the entrance and was making fire burning some strange plants. “You are welcome to sit.” Subito despite burning desire to ask hundreds of questions, intoxicated by the calmness in old man voice, sat next to him. Fire strangely crackled in the silence of the tent. “You probably have already heard some stories about the cult of the wolf?” “Yes I know they are a cult that brought the ruler of your kingdom Urke in power after the civil war which erupted after male line of dynasty Militah ruling over Talasu kingdom had died out. That was the time when todays Talasu, Urke, Toleni and Masata kingdoms were created. People speak some fantastic stories about that cult.” “I am a member of that cult, and I can tell you the real truth. There is some truth in folk stories, but commoners never know the full truth, so they often complement it with assumptions. And most of the times assumptions are totally wrong. Mostly because they root is in fear, and fear distorts the vision. We are the chosen ones, chosen by destiny. Like you are chosen, since you survived an attack of pack squirrels. Destiny blessed you with luck and now you will become one of us. Because our god white wolf is nothing else but the writer of destiny. He writes destiny for every living being, creating one big flow to the common goal which is the destiny of the world. He chooses the best of humans to serve as a dam and prevent river of destiny to spill over its banks. Since many people avoid their duties in life or simply do not understand god’s intentions. The best thing is always to start at the beginning. According to a legend known only to devotees of our cult: once upon the time when gods still often walked the earth and when people were still young race, young human warrior was walking in the woods. He dedicated his whole life to the training of swordsmanship in order to become the best. And he never encountered better one than he was till that day. The thug was blocking his way and with sword in his hand he ordered the warrior to give him all of his money. Warrior whose name was Tir Ksai, which on ancient language means master of the sword refused to give him money and instead of bag he pulled out the sword. In those times humans still deserved the names instead of getting them as a gift from their parents immediately after the birth. Combat has started. Tir Ksai attacked, but thug blocked every one of his strikes countering with even deadlier attacks. The warrior’s hand was getting tired, and his attention was weakening with every passing moment. Hours had passed. Sun was getting unbearable for Tir Ksai, while rivers of sweat were flowing down his face. His shirt was already wet with blood in few places thug cut him. The thug on the other hand seemed restless, without sign of fatigue. He attacked with the same precision and grace. Mocking grin on thug’s face revealed he feels the same thing the warrior felt - that Tir Ksai’s death is approaching. Senses of young warrior were dull. He didn’t seek for victory anymore, now he was seeking only for an end of a duel. His attacks were getting careless, and holes in his defense were getting bigger. His mind was blurred and he was seeing double from all sweat flowing into his eyes. With skilled move thug moved away warrior’s sword and punched him in the face. Tir Ksai was lying on the ground and waiting for death to come, there was a sword in his hand but he was too tired to defend himself. He was waiting for death and she was coming, he could already feel her breath on his face. The thug was standing above him getting ready to pierce him with his sword when the sun reflected in warrior’s sword and blinded him for a moment. He stumbled and warrior pierced him with final leftovers of his strength. He was lying there a long time before he gathered enough strength to stand up and continue his travel. Since that day he couldn’t settle. He still trained every day, but he was going to sleep unhappy and waking up even unhappier. Sun was reminding him, that thug was better than him. He killed better warrior than he was. Soon he started to sleep during a day and to live during a night. One night he wandered deep into the woods. On some big stone he saw the wolf sitting and watching him showing no fear. He was bothered by the gaze, so he attempted to chase him away, but he was frozen in place when wolf told: “You can’t scare me.” “Who are you? How do you speak?” “Don’t you be afraid of me same as I am not of you. And don’t ask so many stupid questions. Answering on them would take too long. And you wouldn’t understand the answer anyway. What would you say if I would ask you, how do you speak? It is the same question as how do you live.” “You speak wisely.” “Answer on your first question is that I am one of the first who walked this world, and that I am a lot older than the world is.” “You are the god” warrior fell on the ground. “That’s how your kind calls us. Get up now, I know what bothers you and I have come to tell you, that you are chosen by destiny. Don’t think your victory was just a chance. Your opponent was a demon not a mere thug. He was annoyed by your pride and skill, and decided to teach you a lesson. Sun and destiny helped you because you were worthy of helping.” Wolf bit his paw making it bleed, and done the same with Tir Ksai hand. Putting his paw in bleeding hand he made two bloods mix. “Now my blood runs in your veins. You can already feel your body strengthen and your senses become sharper. Your path is the path of the warrior, you will walk it hand-in-hand with death. You will give death and receive it. Challenge everyone who insults you because he insults your new father who is also the god. Don’t ever abandon your honor because that way you will insult your new father and god whose blood runs in your veins. Go and find your company with whom you will share my blood, because wolves are fighting in packs and that is the only way they can prevail. All of you should be equal, leader must exist, but he is the one that gives advice and guidance. Only way to defeat wolves is to implement strife amongst them making them defeat themselves. I will not tell you which road to follow. I have to see are you worthy of my gift. It’s up to you to determine have you received the gift or a curse.” Tir Ksai has transferred his gift and it reached to us.” Kashavinraj stood up and pulled out a long needle out of his hair. He stung his finger and Subito’s finger, letting a drop of his blood on Subito’s wound. “Try to hold on to your sanity.” Subito felt intoxicated with smell of strange branches that were burning in the fireplace, his mind was wandering in infinite expanses. Then deep inside of him was born new, unknown feeling, unrest, his body was shaking while darkness covered him.

He was howling like a wolf, all around him, he could feel a multitude of people. Their smell was so strong, so exasperating. He felt their fear when he howled. “Try to hold on to your sanity” in front of him was standing some old man repeating these words many times, or the words echoed in his head. He didn’t care, he only wanted to spill his blood. Rage was spreading his lungs up to the point of breaking. There was something familiar about that old man. He tried to push away that thought, but he couldn’t. It was Kashavinraj, now he knew that. He wasn’t sure how old king got there, and what was going on with him. “Try to hold on to your sanity.” His thoughts were exchanged with unthinkable speed. They were mixing and boiling like water in bubbles bouncing off his head and ceiling of the tent. “Try to hold on to your sanity.” Again that same annoying old man, what does he want? Who is he? Who am I? Wolfs were howling in the night or has it just seemed that way to him? “Try to hold on to your sanity.” His head was clearing. Hunger for blood was still there, but he felt he can control it now. “Once upon the time, when gods still often walked the earth…” He remembered everything. “Now I remember! I am one of you.” “Welcome young wolf warrior.”

***

Earlier in the morning salvation came to him, carried on the wings of the pigeon. Actually one of Utrikat servants belonging to his uncle brought him a message. Pigeon found his way to Lux clan house, where he was born. He was personally feeding those white pigeons since they were hatched and gave few dozen of them to his sword brother. That way they will remain connected even with such a long distance between them. This was the first message Subito sent, he was probably busy. There is a war after all. And what a message was that! He opened the wrinkled paper once more to make sure he was not dreaming:

“Brother,

We were carried off our course by a strong storm, in an unfamiliar and strange land. Only storm was not really a storm, but a work of some wizards. Everything finished well, they were good guys after all. They also have a bunch of black and white writings in their library, they can’t read. I thought this would be of interest to you since you were researching black and white stones. This may help you in your researches. Kings will send clan houses to this land to establish a trading connection. You could probably find a place in one of them. We will be in Land of Moving Hills before this message reaches you. Greetings to you all

, Subito”

On the other side of the paper was the map showing the location of the new world somewhere in proximity of the Great Southern Storm. All of the sudden his curiosity was back, old flame was burning again in his chests. And Red was pushed away from his head. He knew now he would be able to forget her. The only thing he needs is to travel, to be away from her and her boyfriend. Instantly he went to the High Priest. All of his plans were approved and he was allowed to choose ten of the best from his team to accompany him to travel. Preparations didn’t take more than a half of an hour. Nobody questioned his theories anymore, he had a reputation now. And he managed to miss his moment of glory, because of pain. You can’t be a scientist and lover at the same time. Science is a jealous bitch. He decided to departure same day, that will surely annoy his companions. But sacrifices are needed for science. He even considered taking Red in his team separating her from Hremo, but he had to remind himself he is trying to move away from her, not get her even closer. Despite how sweet it would be, she would surely find some way to revenge. One last prayer before travel:

“… Birth

Newborn screams when he sees, where had he come, in what wicked world. He screams till he gets mothers breasts. At that point he learns to demand and take."