Revolutionary

Prologue: An Objective Society


I first met Naya in the 6th year of my schooling. She was fourteen, and I was only twelve, so you can imagine my amazement when an older goddess with brown eyes and matching hair down to her elbows came to sit with me during lunchtime. I heard moans of jealousy from the boys, and I felt a blush creep to my cheeks. She ignored all of that rubbish, and asked my name. I told her, Panchim. She couldn't very well say it was a beautiful name, but I assured her it meant "one of great mind" in my first language. She told me her name's meaning, "beauty" and I said that was an understatement. She was easily the most gorgeous thing I'd ever seen. And how intelligent she was! All languages: French, German, Russian, Spanish, and our own English; she even mastered the delicate hand-sign of the Deafs, although our society permitted no such flaws. Her literary skills were such that every word she wrote was a power of its own, and if she had told me the world was square, I'd believe it. She could declaim so emotionally that a grown man would cry (indeed, our professor did choke up but managed to pass it off as a coughing fit), and she knew more about Law than any of the children in our school. The only subjects in which I rivaled and surpassed Naya's brilliance were Arithmetic and the Sciences. My father was a doctor, and I suppose it was in my bloodline to save lives by science. Anatomy and chemistry were my two specialties, and algebras were my favorite maths. I hoped one day to take over my father's lab coat, which had been passed down father-to-son for four generations.

The year Naya came, we made a friendship bond, such as many young girls make, to secure our places as the "best friend". Little did I realize what importance the actual bond would hold in my life. One day in Gymnasium, our professor split us into two teams, by choice of a captain. One captain selected Naya, and one chose me. When my team went on the defense, I was matched with Naya, to guard her, and to knock her away with force if needed. We all knew our nation's motto when it came to the classes of Gymnasium and War Theory: Give no quarter, use all force. But I couldn't bring myself to even touch Naya, let alone knock her to the floor. Though she was two years my senior, I was taller and more muscular; but I hated the idea of hurting her. Surprisingly, she must have been thinking the same thing, and so neither of us drew any closer than ten inches to the other. We kind of grape-vined our way down the court and back, never taking our eyes off each other. It was as if the game ceased to exist, and there was only our square of asphalt. When the whistle blew, we were both scolded severely, but in the locker room, we held each other and laughed. I would look back on it as the first time anyone outside my family unit had shown me such devotion.

Not long after that day in Gymnasium, we had a visit from the school's superintendent. He was, of course, a Matador. Oh, have I forgotten to mention los Matadores? Incredible! Los Matadores ruled every aspect of life in our country, and held all the leadership positions. It was written in our history books that the original Matadores were heroes who journeyed to our mountainous country, fought off many ferocious beasts, and settled the harsh wilderness into our calm cities and fields. I wasn't sure if I believed it. I wasn't a Matador myself, and for that I was thankful. Who wanted to be aristocracy if you had to be brutish and vulgar? Los Matadores all looked mostly the same, too: white skin, blonde hair no longer than chin-length (girls, too), blue or green eyes. They were unusually tall, too; it was said that the shortest Matador in the city was 5'10, and they were typically hefty. My father was always having to criticize a Matador about cholesterol problems or blood sugars, because they ate too much rich food. But they sure loved their sports. The gorier, the better. Rugby, hockey, football, soccer, and anything with heavy man-to-man contact. I wondered if there were any artists in their clan at all. Not likely, considering money ruled our streets and artists were only hired after the work was produced. Los Matadores controlled politics, law enforcement, education, even the medical field, although there were no Matadorian doctors or scientists. They were unkind, and they demanded heavy taxes which kept them in designer clothing and huge automobiles, and kept us with barely enough money to pay our rent.

Never did I learn what Naya's family did for a living, but they lived in better conditions than my family did. Instead of an apartment, they owned a house in the forest, miles from my school. Naya's father drove Naya to school each morning, and we stared at his black BMW as she got out and gave him a kiss. I asked her about him, but she praised his cooking and his singing, his artistry and the devotion he had to her mother and herself, but never told me what his occupation was. I admit, despite our community's views that a man's work was his worth, I quit caring. Naya meant too much to me. I scarcely would have cared if her father shoveled dung for a living—Naya was my friend. Then one day something happened that changed my whole outlook on life. There wasa pogrom.
Los Matadores had been inactive in our area for so long, we'd forgotten what a destructive force they were. When we returned from school and work to find houses burned, trees cut down, pets slaughtered, we cried and cursed the name Matador. I ran to see Naya, to console her, to vent my anger with her, but she was not at home. I began walking mournfully back to my home, which hadn't been destroyed (thank the Lord), but my pet piglet had been killed. I was vehement. Suddenly, a hand flew out of nowhere and covered my eyes. Another looped around my arms, holding me down. I may have been delirious, but I could swear I heard a familiar voice say, "I'm so sorry," before I felt a stinging bite to my exposed neck.


Revolutionary
Chapter One: Now Everything’s New

I don't remember fainting, but I do remember waking up in Naya's bedroom. She was holding my head in her lap, and when I opened my eyes, she was ready with a cup of water to quench my thirst. I felt as if I hadn't drank water for months, my throat was dry and parched. How she had known I'd be so thirsty, I did not know or care. I guzzled the water, then lay back down, and to my surprise the pain didn't subside. It just shifted from my throat to my arms, which seemed to be stretching themselves taut. My muscles felt tensed and sore, as if I'd run a marathon. Was I dying? Had the bite been venemous?
"Naya," I said, with more breath than volume, "Naya, what happened to me?"
She looked at me mournfully, and stroked my hair. "I'm so sorry, Panchim. I wish I had told you before, but I wasn't allowed to. You see, the Fellowship only just decided you could enter, and-- Oh I'm getting too far ahead. Let me explain. This is going to be very hard to believe, but you'll see for yourself soon enough that all I say is true. First of all, I belong to a Fellowship, a Clan, really, as old as the Moon, our protector. We make it our business to uphold good, and where there is evil, we resist. We are the underground rebellion to the rule of los Matadores." I nodded, but I was still confused. What did this have to do with me? "Part of my assignment when we were transferred to this community was to make a recruit. So I brought your case before our Chief, and he pondered the notion. It normally takes months to pass, but with today's pogrom, they gave me the go-ahead right away. I was taken off my feet when I was ordered to bite you today." She let me absorb this.
"So it was your voice I heard."
"I never meant to cause you pain. I know it hurts something terrible right now, but afterwards, you'll feel like a new person. You'll be stronger, faster, be able to jump higher and see farther, to smell separate components and hear a bird's cry five miles away. Your instincts will be faster than a bolt of lightning; you will feel your opponent's movement before he attacks you. You'll never age, and you'll be almost immortal." She tilted her head to the side, "Of course, it takes a day or so for the pain to fade. But when the transformation is complete, you'll be able to phase whenever you want, and you'll share thoughts with the rest of our Clan."
"Phase? Phase to what?" My head was spinning. I didn't feel so sharp now, for sure.
"Oh, I'm sorry! How stupid of me. I gave you all the details before I explained what you've become. Panchim," her voice grew quieter, more serious, "Have you ever heard of a legendary creature that is half-human, half-wolf? The Anglo-saxon name is werewolf."
My mouth dropped open, and I fainted a second time.

This time when I awoke, Naya and her parents were with me, watching me and waiting. I cleared my throat and sat up slowly. "Thank you," I announced with awe, "Thank you for changing me. I understand I'm to fight los Matadores, which is what I've always desired."
Her father stepped closer to me. "Panchim, when you feel strong enough to walk, we will take you to see the Clan at our hideout. You must meet your new family." A new thought occurred to me when he said this.
"Does this mean I have to leave my old life?"
"Yes. I'm afraid we'll all need to move away from here, closer to the Clan, so that your training can commence. It will be a sacrifice, but I've talked it over with your father. He will pretend you were killed in the pogrom. If we're lucky," he paused, and her mother resumed, "If we're lucky, the people's anger over your 'death' will incite them to riot against their oppressors. But for now, we'll focus on getting you better, then getting you out of town without your being seen." I nodded firmly, and noticed Naya was smiling over me. She kissed my face, and said jubilantly, "You're taking this much better than I thought you would. When I found out, I was crazy mad. I threw a lamp." Her parents laughed softly. I removed the bedcovers and stood up carefully. It hurt awfully, but not for more than a few seconds. Then I could walk freely without pain. I paced the room, then turned to my new family and said triumphantly, "Take me to the Clan."


Revolutionary
Chapter Two: Hiding in Style

On our journey out, I crouched down in the BMW, my head in Naya's lap, covered by the book she carried in her hands. The windows were tinted, but we couldn't risk anyone seeing four figures where there should only be three. When we were ten miles beyond the village limits, I was allowed to sit in the seat beside Naya. I was dreadfully tired, so I rested my head on her shoulder and slept for about an hour. When I woke up, I could see everything with amazing clarity, even though it was nearly sunset and the light was fading. I heard Naya say, "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty!" but I never saw her lips move. Did I just hear her thoughts?
"Yes, you can share my thoughts now, and any other Clan member's. It's much easier than talking, and works brilliantly over long distances." We gazed ahead at the countryside, and I saw that we were heading for the mountains. I'd never lived more than a few miles from the coast, so this was a new experience. The foothills we traversed made for a jolly ride, with bumps and twists. Then we reached an area where the woods clotted densely, green was the primary element here. The road was straight here, and went from highway to avenue. I knew we were in Wolf Territory here. There were lampposts every few yards, beautiful things with intricate designs. There were sundials and statuettes of wolves, and something that looked like a cross of gold sticking up from the ground.
"To keep the vampires away, and all evil creatures," Naya told me solemnly, "It shows them we are under the protection of Jesus the Savior and the Mother Moon. Of course," she added with a smile, "They wouldn't stand a chance against us anyway. But an ounce of prevention and all that jazz."
When Naya's father said we were going to the Clan's hideout, I pictured a group of treehouses, like in Robin Hood, or even an elaborate underground cavern. What I saw before me was the exact opposite; and I felt insignificant before its majesty. I'd never seen a palace before, but this trio of white stone buildings with ivy growing up their fronts, with a front lawn the size of our village square, with a stream and a beautiful little bridge and a rose garden, with a swimming pond to the east side and the mountains to the west took my breath away. We were stopped by a man I knew instinctively was another werewolf. His face was beautiful but angular, as though he was in every bit a warrior. When he saw Naya's father, he bowed us through, and we drove to the parking garage, where a valet took the BMW. There was not a poor car in the midst of these Mustangs, Porsches, Ferraris, limousines, and foreign sports cars. I kept close to Naya, threading her arm through mine, as we walked into the front entrance, led by the fierce-looking guard. Another wolf met us with a cheerful smile.
"Kenjan!" He boomed, and I realized I'd never asked Naya her parent's names. "Cecile! Naya! Cecile, your daughter's nearly as pretty as you today. And our new Clan-mate, welcome. Panchim." He reached out a hand, and I gripped it in friendship. He approved of me from that moment.
"We came to show Panchim the Clan, and to show her to them."
"Wonderful! We shall call a conference tonight after dinner! It is being served as we speak, let us go to the dining hall."
"Which one is it tonight, Mr. Yorkshire?"
"Now, now, Naya, you are supposed to call me Erik. There are no stiff formalities between Fellow Wolves!"
"Yes, Erik. May we go up to our rooms and freshen up before dinner?"
"Yes, of course! Where are my manners! I'll meet you in the Polverian Hall in a few minute's time!" And Erik left us, hurrying to greet a pair of wolves who'd just entered the 'hideout,' which was more of a palace.

Our room was a mixture of the nicest hotel room you can imagine, and the most comfortable lounge you have ever relaxed in. I knew instinctively that I would be surrounded by friends and comfort in this place. Our bed was a queen-sized feather bed, which would be a nice change from the twin-sized box-spring we'd shared at Naya's house. I'd grown used to sleeping with Naya's arms around my waist, and inevitably I always kicked off the bedcovers before dawn. I knew now why she was so warm; werewolves ran a steady temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit, or forty-three degrees Celsius. There were beautiful garments in all the drawers of the wardrobe, and Naya picked a gown of blood red for me, saying it would complement my features perfectly. She dressed to match me in a black gown of the same cut (floor-length, tight bodice and shimmering skirts that layered diagonally). There were sashes across our waists, and she untied mine and swapped it for hers. We traded shoes and accessories as well, and matched perfectly. Then she sprayed me in something with a French name, and I sprayed her back. Then we walked downstairs, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I could walk in the black strapped heels. In my past state I would have surely tripped a dozen times.

The Polverian Dining Hall was a stunning room with one wall completely of glass window. Outside the window was the pond, which I saw now was more like a lake, lit up with thousands of tiny glittering lanterns. I caught my breath when I saw the huge yacht, empty now, beached on the eastern side. Naya caught my hand and pulled my mind back inside the room, where dozens of werewolves, my new Clan, sought to meet me. I felt uncomfortably shy. These charming, cultured people were not the savage rebels I'd expected. But, as Naya explained, that was their (our) greatest weapon. Using our stolen high status, we could infiltrate the highest Matador ranks, and destroy them from within. There were commanders here, and generals who led charges against los Matadores. There were soldiers with medals, but also scientists, doctors, orators even. Naya assured me I might be allowed to continue to study medicine and still be a part of our movement. It was like a dream. I met the Percivals, an ancient family of werewolves which now included Jane and Hans Percival, their daughters Nicola and Robin, and their son Arkule. There was the league of scientists and doctors, which consisted of Dr. Zinser the cardiologist, Dr. Yokel of internal medicine, Dr. Guarantina, the NICU overseer and family practictioner, and Dr. Theronius, the psychiatrist. They all shook my hand warmly and said they would be happy to teach me all they knew. I met Naya's cousins, Zyan and Glichet, who were twins with pale blonde hair who resembled Matadors. When I thought this, they laughed and said they were metamorphmagists-- werewolves who could change appearance at will, beyond the phasing between human and animal. But my favorite acquaintance by far was Jacob. Jacob Ranger was his full name, and he came from the wilderness itself. Child of the Wilderness, they called him. He was a poet and artist, and the first thing he said to me was, "Goodness, you're the nicest thing I've seen all day. Would you mind if I sketched you?" Before I could answer he pulled a small pad from his pocket and a charcoal pencil and began to draw in long, sweeping strokes. When he'd rapidly finished, the likeness was incredible. And yet, I looked much more beautiful in his drawing. He then asked me, "What name shall I put with it? Or shall I simply name it 'Beauty Uncovered'?" I murmured my name, and he wrote it in swirling calligraphy, saying it with a song-like tone.
“Nai-yah. I like it. By the way, I’m Jacob. Just Jacob.”

The hideout quickly became our home, and that week was spent in bliss. We ate like kings, dressed like nobility, and exercised like athletes. There was never an idle moment. When we awoke in the morning, Naya and I went running in the woods, down the shorter of three trails, designated for children and beginners. Sometimes, to my thrill, Jacob would come with us. Naya didn't like this, because she claimed he slowed us down. It wasn't that he was slow, but every so often he would stop to draw a hummingbird, or to sketch out a tree branch that lay across the path. But he always caught back up, and I suspected Naya was just jealous of all the attention Jacob gave me. Not that Naya lacked for male suitors: I noticed from the first night that Sam, one of the beta wolves, showed a keen interest in her. She played oblivious, which seemed to me rather pointless, since we all heard his thoughts. After our morning runs, we'd return to the hideout to shower and dress, and then go down for breakfast. Breakfast was nowhere near as formal as dinner, although it was just as sumptuous; you could see the ladies and gentlemen of the Clan decked out in jeans, polos, and the occasional swimsuit and sarong. After breakfast we had lessons, where I had to leave Naya with her tutor and go spend two hours with the doctors. It was very interesting. I trailed them as they set bones in place, removed bullets, and stitched battle-wounds. Dr. Theronius's work was confidential, though. I did meet with her for counseling myself, so I could observe the process, but I was not permitted to even know the names of her patients. I suspected that every wolf had seen her at some point, as she was well-liked by all.
After lessons, I'd meet up with Naya, Jacob, and Sam for fighting tactics. Sam and Jacob were our instructors. Sam taught Naya, who was under his rank, and Jacob was good enough to teach me. It was an awkward deal at first, neither of us wanted to hurt the other. I remember when he tackled me to the ground right by some bushes, and as he pulled himself off me I heard the reluctance in his thoughts. I tried to reassure him, but then Naya and Sam came upon us. Naya fumed at me the rest of that day. After fighting tactics we returned to the Polverian for lunch, which was a simple thing, usually sandwiches or rice and vegetables. After lunch were dance lessons, with Ms. Leigh, the amiable dance teacher. Sam and Jacob had opted not to take dance, but Naya didn't mind being my partner. We learned to tango, to waltz, to cha-cha, and to salsa. Ballroom dancing we skipped, bringing the wrath of our unfortunate classmates upon us. After dance lessons we met the boys again for swimming and saving. Saving was just as important as swimming, Jacob told me, because there had been so many cases where a Clan member had needed to save a human from drowning. We practiced on each other. I remembered the exhilaration of lying there face-down in the water, and feeling his warm hands upon me. CPR was another enjoyable experience. The only problem I had was that we alternated partners, so I worked with Sam and Naya as often as Jacob. I could hear Jacob's thoughts, screams of fury and rage, whenever Sam bent over me and pressed his lips on my open mouth. Swimming was much safer. We also played Shark, Pirates and Mermaids, and Swim-tag.
After Swimming and Saving, we laid out on the patio chairs beside the lake to dry off, and then bid the boys adieu so we could go dress for dinner. I loved the dinners at the hideout, (and Jacob did dress up nicely, looking unbelievably attractive in a three-piece suit, although he often swung the jacket over his shoulder for temperature's sake). Each night there was a different dress, and Naya and I always matched. The Clan began to refer to us as twins, which I didn't mind. We were of the opinion that we shared the same soul. I cannot describe the bounty found at the long table of the Polverian or Cercumsiol dining halls. I can only say this: the phrase "hungry like a wolf" is quite true, and yet the sheer amount of food left us all stuffed. I ate twice what I had eaten at home, and grew muscle tissue with each day. Finally, one dinner I'll never forget, Erik joined us, and after third course, announced, "Panchim's trials are to begin tomorrow." I must have looked a combination of incredulous and discombobulated, because he beamed and said, "Naya, can you explain to your twin just what the trials are?"
"The trials, which every new Clan member goes through, decide where you will be placed in the Clan. There are twenty-four levels, from Alpha to Omega. Alpha is highest, then Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda, Mu, Nu, Xi, Omicron, Pi, Rho, Sigma, Tau, Upsilon, Phi, Chi, Psi and Omega." She took a breath and Erik nodded to congratulate her in naming them correctly."Your performance tomorrow through Friday (it was a Tuesday night) will determine where you fit in. The subjects are those we've been practicing: Running, Fighting, Swimming, and Saving. Dance is optional, so you'll take it to boost your score. But also there is something called Instinct, and it varies with the individual. The test for instinct is never the same. Our Alpha, Erik, will administer that test, but the others will be administered by the betas. Erik," she asked, "Which Beta has been assigned to Panchim's Saving trial?" Her voice was cold, and I heard the dangerous edge to it.
"Sam. It's his turn on the rotation, Naya. It cannot be helped." But she turned red as a chile pepper, and her expression grew sour. I heard in her thoughts that she opposed with a passion the notion that I'd perform CPR on her beloved.
"Naya, I'm sorry," I began, but she cut me off.
"Don't mention it, dear. It's perfectly fine. After dinner we'll go up and practice some more in the pool." The pool was an ingenious invention, placed underneath the hideout, an Olympic-sized pool ranging from 3 feet to 20. I had no doubt she'd work me harder than ever. I still hadn't mastered the Thrash save, in which the victim tries to drown the rescuer.
"Okay, Naya. Thanks," my voice was hollow. We bid Erik goodnight after dessert, and made our way up to get changed.

We'd been at the pool training for nearly an hour, and save after save, I began to get worn down. It was a struggle for breath that left me gasping and choking when Naya pulled me under. Finally, when I'd locked her arms behind her back, she fell with submission and made it harder for me to tow her to the side. No doubt I'd ace this test tomorrow, if I lived to see tomorrow. Then she had me practice CPR. I must admit, practicing CPR on Naya was not unenjoyable to me. But on this occasion, the worst possible scenario occurred. I was mouth-to-mouth with my friend, when I looked up to see Jacob and Sam, clad in swimsuits, coming down for a midnight swim. I couldn't decide which was worse: the expression on Jacob's face, or his thoughts. "Panchim, how could you? I thought you loved me." Naya sat up and began to explain. But Sam had already stormed off, thinking the same thing Jacob was. I opened my mouth to explain, but couldn't find the words. Instead, I thought as hard as I could, "Jacob it was just practice, just practice!" Naya still lay there, tears running down her face; no doubt she'd seen Sam run away. But Jacob was rooted to the spot. I took a few tentative steps towards him, suddenly aware for the first time that we was bare-chested and I wore only a two-piece bathing suit. "Jacob," I voiced aloud, "It was just CPR. Please believe me." He didn't say anything, but he was so close I could hear him breathing. Then, so fast I could barely follow what was happening to me, he grabbed me in his arms and kissed me, kissed me so hard I gasped for oxygen. It was a wild entanglement, I pulled back on his hair and he gripped the small of my back, pulling me in closer. I kissed him fiercely, letting my animal nature show. It was wicked, how we interacted chemically and physiologically. When finally we parted, he growled under his breath, "I do believe you." Then he turned on heel and walked away, to find Sam, his thoughts said.

Naya sat up, as if coming out of a trance, and I ran to her. She dived into the pool before I could reach her, and assumed a victim's pose. I stood there, confused for a second. Was she truly suicidal? She didn't breathe for almost thirty seconds, and I jumped in to save her. To my surprise, when I approached her and slipped my arms around her, she did not resist, but swam with me against the gentle current of the chlorinated water. When we reached the side, she said laboriously, "Let's go to bed. You'll need your rest for tomorrow." She seemed on the verge of tears, so I caught her arm and hugged her tightly. "It's going to be okay. You'll see," I whispered into her ear. But the tears flowed down my face, and not all of them were hers.

The next morning, I awoke to find myself clinging to her for all I'm worth. We'd spent the night simultaneously tossing and turning, and as a result all the blankets were strewn over the floor. The morning rays of sunlight shone on her face, and soon enough Naya blinked and suddenly sat up. Her nightgown, which had somehow been unlaced in the course of the night, was terribly wrinkled, and her hair was tangled irrecovably, but she was nonetheless gorgeous.
"Good morning, Naya," I ventured.
"Morning, dear," she murmured as she stretched her arms behind her back, "Let's get dressed. You should wear your sweats, and a swimsuit underneath. And pull your hair up tightly, we can't have it falling down in your eyes today." I blushed; my hair always fell in my eyes sometime during Fighting Tactics. I remembered with a shiver when Jacob had brushed it out of my face, brushing his fingers across my face. Naya whacked me with a pillow, to bring me out of memory.
"Get dressed. Now!" And we were up at last. When we dressed and finally unknotted our hair, we headed downstairs directly to breakfast. I barely took anything, just an apple, but Naya piled a plate high with eggs, french toast, and grits, and announced that I had to eat the other half. Then, as if to make her decree official, she hawked the first bite of my apple. I seriously considered stealing it back out of her mouth, but Jacob's eyes were on me, and it was too soon after last night's drama. Instead I bit the other side of the apple, and it was bittersweet. I tried the eggs, but they stuck in my throat. The french toast was too sweet, but I ate all the grits. Naya ladled some more onto our plate as Sam and Jacob sat at a different table. My eyes automatically welled up with tears, but Naya gripped my hand. Then she whispered something in my ear and stood up. I munched away in silence while she went to confront them. Soon everyone in the Cercumsiol heard the shouting. "You swine! Why did you choose NOW to abandon us?! The very day of Panchim's trials, the girl is already all nerves about it!!" Their eyes begged her to be quiet, to see reason, but she was just getting started. "And you, Jacob! Don't act all offended! I know you made up with her quite well last night! We all heard THOSE thoughts!" He blushed deeply, and within seconds they were seated at our table as usual, and almost everything was normal again. There was one exception. Jacob usually sat next to me, but today the boys were ostracized to the other side of the table, where they had to talk to us over three feet of dressings, gravy, and side-dishes.

After breakfast, we went to the Great Hall, where Naya stretched me out thoroughly. That in itself was awkward, but having the boys watch made it seem almost like degradation. But no matter what our thoughts said, they wouldn't leave. So Naya pushed my leg up over my chin to an excrutiating position, and I grabbed her hands and hoisted myself up into a split. I heard the boys wince, and smirked to myself. Then, she straddled me and pulled my arms out as far forward as they could possibly reach, and still further. When we'd finally lengthened my muscles to impossible heights, she pronounced me stretched out, and we walked down to the practice field, on the east side of the hideout. I gripped her hand, my throat caught, and I tried to stay calm. Please, please let me make at least Iota! Naya had started as a Theta. If I could earn one place lower than her, I would be overjoyed. Erik and eleven other wolves were already on the field, dressed in all black. I felt very out of place in my green sweats. Erik announced that dance, my choice, would be first. Ms. Leigh, one of the figures in black, stepped forward, and signaled to her mate to start some music. Was she not going to tell me what genre of music? It was a tango, I could tell from the tempo, and she clearly expected me to lead. I'd only ever followed, but I screwed up all my courage and pretended I was just dancing when Naya. For when I danced with Naya, we danced in the heavens, and surely angels could not move with more grace than one half of a soul swaying and dipping with the contours of its other half. When at last the song had finished, I held the last pose, and reality set back in. I saw Erik write something down on a black clipboard he carried, but he said nothing. When Ms. Leigh thanked me for the dance, and I said "My pleasure," as she'd taught me, then he spoke up. "And now, my dear, phase for us." I'd only phased once before, at Naya's request, but I remembered that moment like no other. It was like a jump into icewater. To think upon it was to return to that state, and with the blink of an eye, I stood before these twelve Fellows not as a girl, but as a red wolf. Erik nodded, scribbled something else on his clipboard, and told me to phase back. So I remembered being human: running through the woods with Naya, stretching with Naya, eating dinner with Naya... Why was she in all my memories? When I'd phased back, I shook my head free of the question, though it lingered. "Fighting Tactics will be next, and you will compete against William, here." He motioned to his left. To my terror, I saw that William had to be a master of the fight. He was easily six feet tall, broad of chest with huge biceps. I was glad at that moment that he was a Clan-mate and not an enemy, to be sure! Even as I assumed the starting position, I noted his chivalry. He waited for me to make the first move. I swiftly striked at his left, but he swung around and tapped my back, behind my left shoulder-blade. Had he used full force, I would be sprawled out on the floor in agony. I kicked at his knee, and he doubled over, more in surprise than pain, but I took the advantage and struck his neck. Erik pronounced me winner. I gave William a hand up, and we shook hands. Then he chuckled, "You have spunk, Panchim! I'm glad to have fought you." My mouth formed an O of surprise, but all I said was, "Thank you." I wanted to come off as courteous and content." Erik tucked away his pencil again and announced, "Let's head for the pool. Swimming will be next, followed by saving. Panchim, you will race Nicola in the butterfly, backstroke, breast stroke, and lastly, freestyle. Then, after that race, you will save your victim Sam from the drowning position of his choice. Once you've ascertained his safety, you will perform CPR until we tell you to stop. Do you understand?" I confirmed, "Butter-back-breast-free, then save Sam. Yes, sir!" He smiled, and one of his mates laughed aloud.

Nicola easily slipped out of her sweatsuit, and I saw she was thin to the point of anorexia. She would certainly have a speed advantage. But perhaps my transitions would be faster. We crouched at the edge of the pool, and Erik whistled for a start. I didn't think about anything, just let my muscle memory take control. How often I'd used this stroke when racing Naya, or even Jacob. I could never beat Sam, for sure. I never once checked to see where Nicola was, but when I transitioned with a flip to backstroke, I noticed she was half a second before me. I swam steadily, if not full-out rapidly. When we reached breast stroke I put my all into it, because breast was my best stroke. I caught up with her there, and when I finished off the freestyle and grabbed the side of the pool, Erik pronounced it a tie. "Nicola is technically the winner, but only by two-thirds of a second." I was amazed. He wrote more notes in his book while I caught my breath, and Nicola congratulated me. "Even my sister Robin cannot get a tie with me," she said jubilantly, "I will have to tell her a beginner whupped her in Swim!" I nodded, still out of breath. Sam dived into the pool, and Erik gave another blast on the whistle for me to jump in. When I surfaced, I saw he'd assumed Drowning #3, which was at the very bottom of the pool. Ah, well, thank God it wasn't Thrash. I hoisted Sam up, kicking as hard as I could, and gasped for air. Muscle certainly did NOT float, and Sam was every inch muscle. But at last I got him to the side. Naya had mysteriously disappeared. I began CPR as quickly as I could, giving him fifteen light chest compressions, and then I pressed my lips upon his and breathed into him. Fifteen more compressions, and mouth-to-mouth, fifteen more... "Time!" Erik called. I wanted to roll over and lay down like Sam, but I sat erect and listened for what would follow.
"Panchim, well done on your first four tests. You are allowed two hours to go back, to dress, and have lunch. I suggest you eat a light meal. At fourteen hundred hours we will have your Instinct test, and you will meet me alone in Room 34." I'd never heard of Room 34. All the rooms in the hideout had illustrious names. The Great Hall, the Polverian, even Naya and my room was called the Lavendar Suite. Room 34 sounded foreboding. I knew then that whether I passed or failed would depend on whatever I found in that room. I thanked my examiners and left with Naya, who had reappeared just as mysteriously, claiming to have been there the whole time. During lunch, she made me eat an entire grilled cheese sandwich, and I gulped two tumblers of lemonade. When we'd finished and were in our room dressing, I asked her about her Instict trial. She paused for a minute before replying.
"Don't expect it to be like this. But when I went in, there was this giant chess set, and I had to play my way out. Erik was on the other side, and he nearly beat me. All I had left by the end was a queen, my king, and one knight. He still had half his pawns and two rooks, but I'd taken his queen. Then I miraculously check-mated him from behind, and the king's sword fell to my last solitary knight. The king had been sealed in to his own doom by two of his pawns!" She laughed as she brushed my hair. "My mother told me about her Instinct trial, and it was nothing like mine. She had to fight her way through a gauntlet of sharp knives, and used her wit and of course her amazing Instinct to survive. All she sustained was one cut on her left cheek, easily healed."
I gulped. Did a gauntlet of steel await me in the unknown Room 34? "My Papa's trial was even worse, I think," she continued, "He had to sift through a hill of fireants to find a key that went in a lock concealed in a beehive. His hand was swollen, but by Instinct he managed to avoid the bee's rage. When he finished, a pearl bracelet fell into his palm. It's the one my mother wears today." She beamed, but I clutched my own hand.

When I left for Room 34, Naya kissed my cheek and assured me she'd wait outside the door. I told her not to, I might be hours trying to pass, but she squeezed my hand and told me she had faith in me. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. What I found I never could have guessed in all my wildest dreams. Jacob stood there, a sword in his hand, and Erik (who'd appeared at my right) handed me another. I was confused. Then, as if to confirm my worst fears, Jacob attacked me. By Instinct alone, I held up the sword, and softened the blow. But my vision was impaired as I involuntarily cried. Why had he agreed to this? He wasn't a Beta! Had he asked for this task? Was he still hurt over last night? I tried to read his thoughts, but the barrier around his mind was unpassable. Instinct made me fight, and Instinct let me win. But even when I had Jacob pinned to the ground, Erik was not satisfied. "The battle is to the death," he announced, his voice devoid of all emotion. "In his blood you will find your prize." I backed away quickly. "To the death?!" I shrieked. "What have I done to deserve this!?" I would have gladly given my life to keep Jacob safe from an enemy, but this was madness! "I will not kill Jacob for some silly test!" Erik smirked, and my blood ran cold. "Is he your Jacob? Try spilling his blood, just a little, and see that he is not what he seems." I had no idea what this meant, but as I pondered what to do, Jacob made up my mind. He struck my left elbow, and I bruised with the blow. I was angry now. This was clearly not the Jacob I'd spent weeks with, in pure love. I stabbed at his leg, and gold flowed from it. He seemed not to notice, but fought continuously, dragging the limp leg. I slashed at Jacob's right arm, and he switched the sword to his left. He struck my chest, and I gasped for air. I stabbed his heart, and screamed in shock and horror. It was empty! No golden blood poured here. But he did fall backward, and his eyes went dull. I swept my hand across them, and found that his skin was cold as ice. "This isn't my Jacob." I asked Erik for confirmation.
"No. It is a Demisa, one of our worst Dark enemies. It takes on the appearance of a loved one, but attacks with a fierce animosity. To you, it was Jacob. To me, it resembled my wife, Carina. Take its blood in this jar, and when you have collected it all, we will tally your score and rank you in the Clan."

"I'm sure you're all eager to hear the results of Panchim's trials," Erik's voice penetrated the Polverian Dining Hall that next afternoon, at lunchtime. "So without further ado, Cecile will pronounce the results." Naya's mother stood gracefully and ascended the podium. She read from that same black clipboard. "In her elected Dance trial, out of a possible 15 points, Panchim merited 13 for charm, grace, and poise. In her fighting trial, she was able to disarm William," there were awed murmurs at this, "which earned her twenty points. She achieved the first full-score in Fighting Tactics since Erik himself was tried." There was heavy applause, and I blushed. "In Swimming, Nicola beat Panchim by only one-half second, so we allowed her fourteen points out of fifteen. In Saving, Panchim skillfully performed a level-3 save and carried out CPR effectively, so we credited her the full 20 points." More applause, and Naya gripped my hand as we awaited the results of my Instinct trial. "Instinct, which we all know varies from person to person, was especially challenging for Panchim. Her first Instinct might have cost her her life in an actual battle, so for that mistake we chose to deduct ten points from Panchim's score, leaving her with fifteen out of a possible twenty-five." My face fell; I wanted to cry. "When calculated, her sum total is 87 out of a possible 100 points. On the Clan hierarchy, this places Panchim at the rank of Theta." I breathed a sigh of relief. Naya whispered jubilantly, "That's right where I started out!" Her mother continued, "This means Panchim has the honor of fighting in the upcoming war." There was an immediate flurry of thought, every wolf had his own ideas. Erik took back the podium, "Friends, Clan-mates, lend me your ears." All attention was upon him, obediently we listened to our Alpha. "For some time there have been rumors at the eastern border, rumors that evil is amassing. The goblins have forged an unsteady alliance with the giants of Beru. We have on good information that they march for the city of Elon in three days time. It is clear to me that they mean to challenge the rule of Man in these parts." He paused, allowing this to sink in. "I say we summon our allies in that region--the centaurs of Eomin, the dryads of Kent, and the witches of Knox Hollow. We cannot fight giants alone. What say you?" There was a sudden chorus of "Aye"s: it was clear we'd follow our Alpha to the ends of the earth.
"Very well. The Clan has spoken. We'll need a contigent of runners to spread the message. Who are my volunteers? Yes, Very good, Sam and Jacob, you can go to the centaurs; Nicola and Robin, you can go to the dryads, and Drs Theronius and Yokel, you to the witches. Now, make haste and run swiftly, for we'll need you back in two days!" They walked quickly out of the hall, without any good-byes. "The rest of you, I need half my Betas: Jean-Paul and Yared, to lead Defense into the Marigold Room. The Defense will consist of Kappas, Deltas, Omegas, Gammas, Mus, Nus, Upsilons, Phis, Chis, and Psis." As he spoke, about half of the population of the room stood up and left. "My other Betas, Shelby and Sam, if you'll lead the Offense to the Azalea Room; those are the Epsilons, Zetas, Etas, Thetas, Iotas, Xis, Omicrons, Pis, Rhos, Sigmas, Lambdas, and Taus. Wolf call on three--one, two, three." "VICTORY" was heard echoing off the walls for more than a minute, as they filed out to their respective rooms.

Naya and I followed Sam and Shelby and the other Offensive strategists. Naya's father took up instruction of a class segment called Weaponry. "This is a katana," he said as he unsheathed a long, lethal-looking sword, "It is large but light, and you wield it just so..." the Weaponry segment lasted two hours, but it was never boring. Spears, daggers, katapults, streaming hot tar, spraying ash, and shooting flaming arrows were the main lessons. Naya's archery was impeccable, but I proved just as likely to miss the target as to hit it. On the other hand, it must be told that Naya was a poor excuse for a sword-fighter, while I laid every opponent flat on his back in under a minute, Naya's father included. There was no doubt, she'd be kept in the back with the archers, and I'd be needed up at the front for hand-to-hand combat. Our next segment was Analysis of the Enemy. Goblins were cunning, but not strong. They were fast, but few. The worldwide goblin population was dwindling, and last year's census keyed them in at less than one hundred goblins. Giants, on the extreme opposite, bred like rabbits, and possessed great strength. And tall? The shortest giant recorded was nine feet eleven inches. They averaged about fifteen feet and seven hundred pounds. The easiest way to take out a giant, we learned, was to first knock it down to the ground and then bash in its brain, which was believed to be the weakest point in its anatomy. Our next lesson was Army Procedures. Unlike Weaponry and Enemy Analysis, this segment was boring and seemed completely useless. We were split into battalions based on rank and capability (I was in the 12th battalion, 7th member, all combat masters) and then taught us the commands for marching, turning about-face, assuming the position, and firing (or in our case, charging). When our lessons finally ended, I felt like a true warrior, a wolf worthy of the Clan's armor. We were also quite exhausted, and when Naya and I reached our bedroom, we fell down on the bed in a heap, and slept immediately.

Revolutionary
Chapter Three: Heroes and Villians

At first, I couldn't remember why I felt so happy. It wasn't until we reached the Cercumsiol dining hall for breakfast and I saw all the battalions eating together, chatting away. I hugged Naya and went to sit with my twelvsies, as we'd begun to call ourselves. The twelvsies consisted of nine other Thetas who excelled in ground fighting tactics. Marcus, Alitha, Festa, Boniface, Zac, Scipio, Alice, Erye, and Eco were my new comrades-in-arms. After breakfast, we skipped off to the yards to practice dueling. The boys (Marcus, Boniface, Zac, and Scipio) squared off against us girls (Alitha, Festa, Alice, Erye, Eco, and me). They lost every time, and attributed it to the fact that we had two more members. So we gave them Festa, and we still won, although she and Boniface took me down on the third attempt. Without a doubt, Alice was our best fighter. When she and I paired up, we could defeat the other eight members in less than two minutes. When lunchtime came, we walked, joking and laughing, into the Polverian and sat together. It was a bittersweet moment when Naya caught my eye from where she sat at the table adjacent to ours, laughing at a story her fellow archer was telling. But the moment passed, and the antics of Zac and Eco drove everyone crazy. They nearly started a food fight. I wound up drenched in iced tea, and we agreed Swimming would be our next venture. When we finished up at the pond (we agreed we'd better leave while there was still water in it), my twelvsies and I headed back to the hideout. But I didn't want the day to be over. I asked Alice if it was possible we could have a sleepover, just the girls, in my room. She wasn't sure it was allowed, but we went ahead anyway. Six sleeping bags and four bottles of soda later, we began to play a common game called Courage. It was like the olden-times game "Truth or Dare", but over time, the Truth portion was ruled out because it was so boring. Now we just dared each other to do crazy things. I nearly balked when Erye dared me to jump from my balcony to the next (some ten feet across), until Alice sighed, "I suppose our new Theta is just too scared." I bared my teeth at her, and jumped right then. Somewhere in midair, I caught a familiar face. Naya was in the next room over, with her battalion, and they were dancing to music. When I landed, I hit my shoulder, and winced. Had I been human, I would have broken it. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. No more distractions; I had to be careful. I gave Erye a thumbs up, and ran to jump back to my balcony. I stuck the landing this time, and exclaimed excitedly, "Yes! I did it!" But to my surprise, none of the other girls were looking at me. They were staring embarrassedly at a tall wolf who stood authoritarianly at the door, looking sternly down at us. He was one of the Kappas, and from his expression, we were in serious trouble. "I am ashamed of the way you have been carrying on, right before a battle," his voice was gruff and even, "If you have such a taste for danger, use it on the giants!" And he slammed the door, storming off. I exhaled in relief. At least he hadn't called off the sleepover. We played several more sedate games, like Keep Away and Hot or Cold and Blindman's Bluff (which is quite interesting when played with supersensory werewolves). When at last the analog clock chimed midnight, all the lights in the hallway went off automatically, as they did every night. A chorus of goodnights rang around the place, and I shouted, "Goodnight, Naya!" not expecting her to hear it. But she did, and shouted back, "Night, Panchim!" In this manner we spent two days, our battalions became as family.

Revolutionary
Chapter 3.5: The Third Day

Tension surrounded the hideout like a dense fog; you could cut the air with a knife. There were many kisses and fond embraces: wolves I didn't even know came to throw their arms around me. We blessed each other, and prayed for our nation. Then, after breakfast, the Allies arrived.

When the centaurs came, it sounded like a terrible thunderstorm. We finally realized those were the vibrating sounds of hooves, and all rushed out to greet them. They were huge, twice the size of any stallion I'd ever seen, and wore chainmail, helmets, and swords. Some carried bows. And in their midst stood two proud wolves: one gray with a black face (Sam), the other black as night under the forest (Jacob). The leader of the centaurs introduced himself as Sheradin, and said strongly, "I bring with me five hundred and sixty fighters for the side of freedom." My jaw dropped. How lucky were we to have them on our side!

No sooned had the Centaur Army amassed in the northern yard when the witches arrived. They made quite the show, sending up red sparks and whizzing through the air on their broomsticks. I'd never seen a witch before, but the children in my village told stories of old, ugly hags with matted hair and warts on their noses. I saw now that my presumptions couldn't be further from reality. These witches were beautiful African women, the first Black people I'd ever seen. They were fair of face and long-limbed, and bald beneath their signature pointed hats. Each wielded no more weaponry than a slender wooden wand, but I had a gut feeling that even totally unarmed, these witches would present a formidable force. Dr. Theronius climbed down off the back of one's broomstick, and Dr. Yokel dismounted behind another witch, thanking her graciously. Their leader, whose name was Ambiance, said, "My sisters and I come to war against the unnatural beasts. There are one hundred and sixty-six of us--one hundred warriors, and sixty-six Healers and Defenders." Naya whispered to me, "The Defenders are the best! One casts a spell on your battalion, and it's like you're immortal. Blows are fleeting, strikes and glancing, you feel like you can do nothing wrong." We led the witches into the Cercumsiol hall, where a feast awaited them.

The last and maybe most impressive group of Allies was the Dryads. They resembled tiny, winged balls of green light, but they arrived mounting gargantuan Redwood trees. "Moving trees?!" I gasped, looking to Naya for explanation. "Wicked cool," she said, "They're forest guardians. The goblins have been demolishing their trees for some weeks now, and from the looks of it, the Dryads are pretty pissed off." The Dryad atop the tallest Redwood acquiesced to come down and speak to us. Her tiny voice reminded me of the wind through the branches, a sound often heard during our morning run. "My name is Nizala. My family of ninety-three Dryads are yearning to avenge the deaths of our loved ones." Erik shook her hand with two of his fingers and we began to group for the march. According to Naya's father, it was sixty miles to Elon. I kissed Naya's face and we separated, each to her own battalion. I counted my twelvsies. There was Zac, Eco, Erye, Scipio, Alitha, Festa, Boniface, Marcus... where was Alice? Suddenly I felt a pair of arms sweep around my neck. "Hey guys, let's bounce out!" she said cheerfully. I stole one last look at Naya--her archer mate was lacing her quiver into the back of her chainmail. Alice slipped her arm through mine, and with one last call of "Victory!" we marched.

Nearly four hours later, we rested on a hillside opposite the city. I could see Elon's towers from here. We roasted marshmallows and awaited instruction from our Alpha. When at last a Delta came with the word, it was this: "Suit up, katanas in hand, fall in behind the 11th line and wait for the wolf-call to charge." We pulled on our metallic gloves, helmets, and swordbelts. I took Alice's hand and followed her from line to line. "8, 9, 10, 11th! We're here!" She sang out as we spaced out behind a stern line of Zetas. We marched with them for about twenty minutes, further up the hill where we'd have the advantage. I could see the enemy now, so far away that fifteen-foot giants resembled ants, and marching so slowly you could only tell they'd moved if you looked away. We waited for what seemed like forever, and Alice began a game of Telephone down our line. Don't ask me how the word "Polverian" turned into "Vegetarian," I haven't a clue. Finally, the enemy was within range of our archers, and several giants fell at the command of "Volleys fire!" I knew Naya's arrow struck the soft head of a giant, and the fingers of my sword-hand itched to slice into him, to finish the job. Instinct was taking control.

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 21.03.2010

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