Cricket trotted to the tent where Chance was resting. The youngling, Khan, was with him and they were both being groomed by Sylvester and P&P.

*Khan, may I trouble your humans for some help today?* Cricket asked respectfully.

“What’s going on?” Donnie ducked his head into the tent to ask.

*Katarina is most vexed. She . . .* Cricket began then trailed off with a shudder. Her eyes bled white and her little body convulsed. Donnie gave a cry of alarm and swept her up, holding her close and screaming for help.

Angel was suddenly there, one hand on Donnie and one on Cricket as Tom and the rest of the familiars tried to crowd into the tent; while Rhi, Larl and Torin had a shoving match to get in behind them. Lady’s howls weren’t helping either.

“Everyone, calm down!” Angel finally yelled. “She’s a seer! It’s a vision! She’ll be fine in a moment or two!”

The sudden silence was deafening. Khan was gently nosing Cricket as the convulsion eased and her eyes bled back to brown.

*Oh, I am going to bite her very, very hard when she comes back.* Cricket groaned.

*What did you see, Sister?* Khan asked.

*The foolish puppy is going to split her soul from Shi’ahani so that they can have a ‘little chat’.*

“That will kill her!” Larl gasped.

“Or worse, loose that damned bird.” Rhi growled. “Dammit. Get the elf shot and a squadron ready to ride the dragons to her location.”

*No!* Khan thundered over a snarl. *We can hold her. The familiars and Angel!*

*It would take more than we have, Youngling.* Tom sighed.

*Oh, bother.* Cricket snorted, trying to wriggle out of Donnie’s arms. *God save me from stupid males! We’ve enough to call the clans. The Queen is already a focal point for the dragons and unicorns, not to mention the Rock wolves. The little pixie is the focal point for the wolves. The other familiars are links to their clans. Tom, you’re our link to the lions. I’m a link to the canines and Khan can do the weaving.*

“Are you insane?” Rhi screeched.

*Possibly.* Cricket rolled her eyes as she hit the ground.

“Do what you need to do.” Angel said softly. “I’ll keep you grounded.”

“You’re out of your mind!” Rhi yelped, but a sharp poke from Larl had her clamping her lips shut, despite the glare she leveled at everyone present.

In under an hour, Khan was nervously sitting in the center of a small circle, Chance on one side of him and one of the wolves on the other. The next circle out consisted of Angel, Larl, two of her wolves, Isis, Merith and Dar. The next circle consisted of Precious, cricket, Koko, Tom, the raccoons, the coyotes, Midnight, Butch, Sylvester, Torin, Talon and the Quads and the Dragon, Bridget. After that came a circle of Rhi and the Faye. Angus stood apart with Donnie, the other children and Lady’s pups, watching.

“Hold!” A voice called frantically and Kim came skidding to a halt at the outer circle. “Please! Hold!”

“What are you doing, Kim?” Angel asked sternly.

“I don’t know! I just felt like I needed to help you!”

*Come here, Human.* Cricket ordered, unsurprised when Kim obeyed and came through the ranks to stand with the four-legged familiars. *Between Precious and Koko.*

Kim shifted to stand between the two, trembling hard.

“This is a bad idea.” Rhi began.

*Quiet!* Cricket commanded imperiously, then sat back on her haunches. *Now we come to call the clans, four and two-legged! Now we come to hold to humanity that which was born in the fires of sacrifice. Know you, Brothers and Sisters, that in the calling and the holding, again, may we be asked for sacrifice to quell the fires. Our queen calls you to service in the holding of her vassal, Shi’ahani Wolfsdaughter, she who is the Phoenix and the Firebird of lore. We send our pleas to the clans, known and unknown, to aid us in binding the vassal to the flesh of the host, Katarina McKenzie, with the chains of love and light. Search your hearts now. If any feels the darkness of doubt, step ye out of the circles.*

No one moved, despite the pole axed stare Cricket was receiving from several figures, Rhi amongst them. Cricket seemed to nod, then rose to her feet.

*Then we begin.* She intoned. *Chance, you must ground the weaver. I know he is still weakened from his travels here, but this must be done now. Lightning Chaser, you must instruct him, though I believe Khan will know in his heart what to do. Listen to my howl, listen to my song. My mind to yours, my heart to yours, my soul sings to you.*

Cricket lifted her muzzle and began an eerie howl. Tom was next to join in with a sing song yowl. Angel took a deep breath; Larl mirrored her and both began a primal, undulating wail. The wolves and Rock wolves threw their muzzles to the sky and howled even as the rest of the familiars began to join in their own voices. The Faye hesitated only a moment before beginning a chanting prayer.

*Close your eyes, Khan.* Chance intoned into the younger dog’s ear.

*Feel them, my little king.* Lightning Chaser, the wolf next to him crooned. *It resonates in your very soul, yes? Now, take it and make it yours. Sing it into a web. Now!*

Khan rose up, throwing his head back, and began howling. He howled, focusing on his love for his pack, on Donnie and the warmth of Kat’s fingers in his fur. He centered on his bond with Angel and howled again, this time commanding and confident, belling a challenge to all brave enough to serve. Next were Sylvester and a puppy’s love of its mother. Then Chance and a loving father’s wisdom. Dar and the heart of a warrior poet. Midnight, anxious but steadfast and sure-footed. Butch, a solid rock in a storm. The coyotes and raccoons, shady rascals all, but the truest of comrades. P&P, annoying yet loyal to a fault. Lady, truly a gentle born female with a heart to encompass the world. The irascible Morgan Le Faye, the pixie, Larl, the wolves, the unicorn lords, the dragons and that surly human Tremayne and his mate. All served the Queen. All loved the host who was mother to the queen. They found her worthy of saving. He found her worthy of saving. She had tasks yet to perform. Important tasks, chief among these important tasks being mother to one Angelique McKenzie, heir to the dragon king, princess of the unicorns, ally of Morgan Le Faye, powerful war mage, yet, ultimately, just a little girl caught on the cusp of womanhood who would be lost without her mama.

Khan howled and howled and the magic built to oppressive levels of pressure, then exploded outward from his circle onward. He was vaguely aware of screams of pain, then nothing as blackness overtook him.

Khan came back to himself sometime later, only to find he was lying on his soft pallet of blankets in his tent. Sylvester licked at his face wearily.

*You are awake.* Relief was evident in her tone.

*What happened?* He asked quietly.

*We lost Koko, Kim, the raccoons and Daffy. I do not know if Wiley will recover. We may lose him too.*

*Oh gods. P&P? Butch? Midnight?*

*All are well. The backlash made us all rather . . . tired, but we are fine.*

*Chance!*

*Is with Tom and Cricket. Angel has barricaded herself in her tent. She refuses to come out.*

Khan heaved himself to his feet and staggered toward the doorway. Sylvester watched, but didn’t try to stop him.

Khan staggered out into the gathering twilight. He got the feeling more than a few days had passed since their weaving. He took note of Rhi having some sort of argument with Larl, but ignored them. He came to a shaky halt in front of Angel’s tent and sank back onto his haunches.

*My Queen?* He sent tentatively, then heaved a gusty sigh, preparing to snarl. *My Queen! You will present yourself this instant!*

Hoof falls sounded behind him. He was unsurprised to see Torin sidle up next to him.

*She’s being a stubborn twit.* Torin snorted without rancor.

*Right then.* Khan sighed and moved shakily to take one corner of the tent in his teeth. He gave it a tug and a yank, stumbling a bit.

*Oh, I like you more and more, Dog.* Torin chuckled and moved forward, eyes gleaming. Several of the wolves watched them for a moment, then melted forward, followed by the Rock wolves. Several sets of teeth clamped down on tent canvas and the yanking commenced in earnest.

Several minutes later and outraged bellow split the air as the tent collapsed, much to the amusement of the onlookers. A very disheveled Angel dug her way out to glare at both Khan and Torin.

“What the fuck!?!” She screeched.

*My Queen, we must return to your home.* Khan stated conversationally. *We cannot stay here. It is not healthy for your sister and brother, nor is it healthy for the pack. You have responsibilities to uphold. There will be time to howl your grief later. But, you will see to your pack now or I will fill your hide with teeth holes.*

Angel blinked at him for a moment before dissolving into silent tears.

“It’s my fault they died.” She gulped.

*A wise woman once told me that a pack leader is, indeed, responsible for every member of their pack.* Khan sighed softly. *However, all pack members have a choice. They chose to die for the pack, so great was their love. Do not dishonor their sacrifice. Honor their memories.*

“It hurts.”

*Yes, it does.*

“I want my mommy.”

*I know. She’s indisposed at the moment. Therefore, I will have to do. As will the rest of our pack, My Queen.*

Angel let out a soggy, hiccuping laugh, then buried her face in his fur, sobbing as if she were truly heart-broken. Torin moved to stand over them both, his nose resting over Angel’s head. Khan was not surprised that she transferred her hold from his fur to Torin’s great head, her forehead against his as she wept, fingers curled around his horn.

*Well done, Little King.* Came Torin’s private sending in an ironic tone. *Now I shall be water logged instead.*

*Yes, and you would kill me if ’twas me instead of you.* Khan sent back in irritation.

Torin’s sad amusement washed over him even as the young stallion shifted so he was both closer to Angel and brushing Khan’s fur. Khan closed his eyes, wishing he’d never realized his new-found friend was in love with a human.

He sighed heavily, wondering if the human’s penchant for drinking strong spirits on these occasions actually helped.

He certainly felt like trying some of them.

Chapter 5A