Wingblade

Round Robin 1

A tall slender elf walked towards the Holt. His hair was long and black and his eyes matched in color. A half-healed cut marred the left side of his face. He looked to be very travel-worn. He was dressed in all black and was accompanied by a black wolf. He had a strange pack on his back, but that was hard to see because of his hair. He carried a well-used bow in his right and bore a bone knife strapped to his thigh. He looked around, but said nothing.

In a very soft voice he asked, "Do you mind if I rest here for a moment?" He walked to a small stump at the edge of the Holt and took off his pack. "I do not mean to bother you. Once I have rested I will continue on my way."

Sunsight looked curiously at him but said nothing at first. Then she asked him "Who are you? We have food if you are hungry." She lock-sent to her chieftess **Tigerstar, ask him where he is from! And who he is! I mean, you are the chieftess after all! **

Lioness came down quietly from her tree and stared for a moment at the stranger, After hearing what Sunsight asked she ran back up and swiftly returned with a haunch of deer. She offers it to the stranger, saying "Here, eat, There's more, as well as drink if you are thirsty."

"Well well aren't we all eager little helpers today ladies" Wildberry smiles as she sat down to watch the maidens fall all over the stranger. She shook her head and laughed to herself. *Dark eye's quit mooning. You're too little. * She sent to the small one who wasn't blinking.

"Thank you for you kindness. My name is Wingblade." he smiled softly then turned to his pack. The pack seemed to be wrapped in furs. As he gently opened the furs, a soft mewling sound was heard. It seemed to be coming from his pack. Wingblade started to hum softly. The wolf pushed closer and nudged the bundle softly woofing. "Patient, Shady. I need to get her untangled."

After struggling with the leather straps, Wingblade pulled a tiny squirming bundle from the furs. As soon as he got it free, he bent and placed it next to the wolf, who lay by the stump. The baby immediately started to suckle. Wingblade slowly sank to the stump, almost as if he has no more strength. Looking closely one could see multiple cuts and bruises on him in various stages of healing. The wolf gently nudged his leg, looked up and whined. He reached down and patted the wolf. "I'm okay Shady, you take care of the little one."

"Pitiful." Kalem shook his head. "Now at least Bramblewood has some competition in swooning the female rats of the tribe." Kalem nudged Dark Eyes who was drooling over the newcomer. "Grow up little one. He's not worth your effort. Let the vulture females have their peck at him."

Lioness smiled softly at the stranger and sent **I'm Lioness** Her wolf, Nightspaw, walked over to the new wolf and her cub and looked at them curiously sniffing the air around them. Absentmindedly Lioness called the wolf back to her. Ignoring Wildberry's jipe she asked the stranger "Are you all right" and at the same time sent **Kestra! We need you**

Tigerstar watched the newcomer carefully. The elves were all welcoming him into the Holt eagerly.

Kestra arrived shortly after Lioness' call. She looked over Wingblade's injuries and rapidly discovered his injuries were beyond her meager abilities. She did what she could to remove the pain and heal the minor cuts, bandaging the rest, but desperately wished Sunheart were here to help, rather than out on an extended hunt.

Wingblade looked at Kestra. "Thank you for the healing. I feel better now then I have in months. I'll be fine. I am more concerned about the child." He glanced down at the baby who was making contented happy baby sounds.

Lioness looked down with surprise at the child suckling at the wolf's teats; she stared somewhat stupidly at the Wingblade and repeated "Child?" She sat down on the ground leaning against her wolverine as Tigerstar came up "You must have some tale to tell Wingblade..." She looked up at him hopefully.

**He needs to rest, Tigerstar. ** Kestra sent.

Tigerstar nodded. She approached Wingblade; he looked up to her, their eyes locking. Tigerstar held his eyes as she formed a lock send with the stranger. She needed to know who he was and what had happened to him.

Lock send with Tigerstar. **I mean you and your tribe no harm. I only wish to rest, and then I will be out of your hair. ** He gazes at the child who is now sleeping curled up against the wolf. **It was a rough journey for the both of us. **

Kestra smiled at the stranger, and then reached over to pick up the suckling baby. She was surprised to see that this was a human baby. She checked it...her...over carefully. The infant squalled because she was pulled from her dinner. Aside from needing a good cleaning and the fact that she is too thin, the child appeared to be fine. She returned the child to the wolf's teats

Wingblade broke off contact with the elf chieftess at the little one's cries. He watched fretfully as Kestra examined the human cub, then replaced her with the She-Wolf. . She then looked from him to the baby, and asks "Whereever did you find a human girl cub?" She noticed his discomfort at her question and turned to speak with Tigerstar instead as Wildberry took a few minutes to examine the wolf. **They need to rest, chieftess. **

Tigerstar nodded and waited for Wildberry to finish her task. The white-haired elf stroked the she-wolf, her eyes closed. Her forehead was furrowed in concentration, a frown on her face. Finally, she opened her eyes and looked to Tigerstar. **Her milk is almost gone. **

"Then that decides it," Tigerstar announced. "Wingblade, I invite you to stay with us here and heal. After that you may chose to stay or go, as you will. Tawn had a cubling a few moons ago, she can nurse your little one."

Relief flowed across Wingblade's face and tears leaped into his eyes. "I... I..." Words failed him; he openly sent to all the elves his gratitude.

"It would probably be best if you treed with Tawn and Brimwave until the cub is older; she will be hungry and demand food at all hours of the day and night," Tigerstar advised him.

"I....I....I don't know what to say." he looked around at the elves watching him and made eye contact with each of them. He shakily got to his feet "I can never thank you enough for what you have offered. I haven't seen such caring since..." His voice broke and he turned away so that no one would see the tears falling down his face. "Thank you" he whispered softly.

Kalem grabbed Tigerstar and pulled her aside. "A human baby! Are you crazy? Get rid of him now! If he has a human baby with him then he's surely not to be trusted. I will not have any human near me!"

Chieftess Tigerstar pulled away from Kalem furiously. "How dare you talk to me in such a manner Kalem! Sometimes you can be such a troll! You have no right to order me around. Charge me again like that and I promise you'll feel the repercussions!"

Kalem, almost challenging the chieftess, turns away disgusted. **If I didn't honor you so much chieftess, I would have taken you down where you stand** In sending there is only truth.

Kalem walks by Wingblade who was tending to the crying baby. He pulled out his dagger and gently stroked the blade with his finger a he walks by. "Not everyone here feel as pleased with your sudden appearance as those smitten rats. For your sake and the child's I suggest you move on when your wounds heal."

Wingblade meets Kalem's angry gaze. "I will not stay where I am not welcome. I am sorry to have intruded." Wingblade picks up the child and after glancing at the assembled elves, he turned and walked towards the woods.

Kestra turned and gave Kalem an icy stare...and then promptly decked him with one punch and raced after Wingblade. She never heard little Dark Eyes' gasp or the child asking, "Kalem? Kalem?"

"No elf and no child, of whatever species and sex...will be left out when we have food and shelter here!" she stated firmly. "Come back to the Holt. Tigerstar will deal with Kalem....after he wakes up, that is." Kestra then realized what she...SHE, who was trying to be a healer! --had done. She had rendered unconscious a member of her own Holt. The guilt hit her like a rock. But then...he was chasing people who needed help, she recalled.

Wingblade reached over and cupped Kestra's cheek. "That is very generous, but I don't know if the others agree with you. It might be better if I just leave."

Tigerstar glanced at the fallen Kalem then at the healer that fell him. **I am the chieftess here, ** she sent to Wingblade, **I have invited you to stay. ** She motioned to Kestra, "Take him to Tawn and Brimwave's hallow. I don't think Tawn will refuse to help the cub." Kestra started to lead Wingblade away when Tigerstar called after her, "Oh, and send a few elves back to help me get Kalem to my den. I can't very well leave him lying in the dirt."

Kestra led Wingblade and the girl cub to Tawn and Brimwave's hollow. As Tigerstar had thought, a cub, any cub, was welcome in their home. She sent to Wolftooth and Tamman to help Tigerstar with Kalem. Tawn and Brimwave made Wingblade feel very at ease, which relieved Kestra's mind. She walked back to where Tigerstar was watching Wolftooth and Tamman gently carry Kalem to her den.

The chieftess had already asked Nearstar to take the concerned Dark Eyes from the holt for now, to return after events had settled.: the cub's "gifts" would be only a problem at the moment. Now Tigerstar looked at the healer and sent **You do know he's is really going to hate you now, don't you...**

Kestra sighed. **I know.** Then she walked over to Tigerstar's den and sent **I don't think he'll allow me near him once he awakes...so I'll do this now. ** Kestra went into a healing trance and got rid of the pain for Kalem. In doing so, she assured that he would not have a nasty headache when he woke up. Once finished, she walked back to her den, in silent thought.

Wildberry came up to her, grinning. "Kestra, I knew you were a spunky one, but I never saw you as the violent type!" she said.

Kestra smiled. "It goes to show what I'll do when someone tries to hurt someone, I guess! And I'll do it again if he touches Wingblade or that cub!"

Wildberry laughed, and said, "Well, I still wish I could have been the one to do it first."

* * *

Lioness rose slowly, eyeing the hide door, of Tigerstar's den with meaning clear in her eyes. If Kalem ever came near her, the carrion birds would be the next sight his sorry eyes saw. Then she stalked off to see Wingblade and the cub. Entering Tawn's den she saw the babe sleeping happily in the furs beside Wingblade, She sat down next to him to make sure that if Kalem awoke, he wouldn't harm either of them. She took out her dagger and played with it, thinking how nice it would be to sink it into his guts.

Wingblade awoke and saw her, and opened his mouth to speak....But before he could say a word, his eyes grew round, and Lioness about to reply, let out a little gasp "Tiar?"

Tears started to stream down her eyes as Wingblade responded "Kat?" laughing and crying at once their arms went round one another and as each sought the wholeness of the other's embrace. Lioness slowly stood and gave Wingblade's hand a tug, and leaving the babe safe in Tawn's sleeping arms they sought the forest's silence to answer the oldest call...that of Recognition.

**Tigerstar! Tribemates** Lioness's joyful sending woke everyone in the holt and they sat up, blinking at the light wondering what in the High Ones' names she was waking them up in the middle of the afternoon for. **Wingblade and the babe will have to stay in the Holt now! We've recognized! ** Gasps of surprise were heard throughout the Holt.

Laughing quietly into Wingblade's shoulder and watching his eyes tearing with laughter. Lioness felt that life could get no better. Her hand strayed to her belly, and she sent very softly **Soon little one you shall see the wonders that awaits you! **

* * *

Kalem slowly opened his eyes to find that he was lying on his back. He was confused at first until he realized that Kestra dealt him a dirty blow. He felt his face for any blood. "No pain? That wretched elf must have used her feeble abilities to heal me." Kalem rose to his feet and dashed out of the den. Full of anger, he reached for his dagger at his side to find that it was gone.

"Looking for this?" Kalem turned to see Chieftess Tigerstar holding his dagger. "I figured you'd be angry when you awoke, so I kept this."

Kalem glared at the chieftess. "I've grown tired of your ways Tigerstar. Why do you persist on mocking me!"

"Kalem! What's wrong with you? I remember when we used to talk for hours on end. We used to be friends. Why have we become so distant?"

Kalem walked over next to the chieftess and pointed his finger at her. "Chieftess, don't you see what your doing? You've invited every blasted elf, troll, and flea bitten animal to live in this Holt! You're only making things worse for all of us!"

"Don't forget Kalem, I invited you here as well."

The chieftess' remark stopped Kalem cold. "Chieftess, you don't understand. You're just attracting more attention to us all. Let me tell you something: I found the scent and tracks of humans to the far north of us. They're getting closer to us. For all we know, they might be following this Wingblade."

"That still doesn't give you the right to cast out a helpless elf like that!" Tigerstar returned sternly.

Kalem chuckled slightly. "Wingblade is not helpless chieftess, he's trouble. Now give me my dagger back and you'd better warn Kestra not to get in my sites. She's making more trouble for herself then she realizes."

Kalem snatched the dagger away from the chieftess and returned it to his side. Kalem began to walk away and turned his head back to the chieftess. "Blasted cub of a chief. You're going to kill us all. Don't forget you're only the chief because of an accident. Not because you earned it."

Kalem turned to leave he bumped into a rather large elf. He looked up to see Bramblewood standing before him.

"Now as I see it, you are going to leave Kestra and that cub alone. I won't tell you that I think the things you just said to my chieftess were out of line; you know that. I just want you to know not all share your opinion. You are not chief and that's final." Bramblewood was saying this in his best matter-of-fact way.

Felladin and Wildberry came up behind Bramblewood.

Kalem wanted more than anything to punch something or someone, but he wasn't going to deal with three elves at once. He knew that Felladin was a sharp fighter and, according to Dark Eyes, he's killed many. He looked at Bramblewood. **Fine, all of you can die from a human horde, for all I care.** He opted for the forest, curious as to why his only ally was missing.

Wildberry smiled. **You do know that he cares for all of us. And he's afraid that humans might hurt us all. He just shows it funny. I believe there's hope for that one.** She smiled.

Tigerstar smiled, too. "I believe so..." The chieftess walked over and put her arm around Bramblewood. "So now I'm your chieftess." She giggled.

Bramblewood smiled. "Yes." His eyes furrowed "I just hate it when he hurts others and I swear if he hurts Kestra, I will..."

Wildberry grabbed his hand. "It will be all right, brother. He will be angry, but I don't think in his heart, he can hurt any of us too badly. He's feeling again and it scares him to death." She smiled again. "I think if we all need to leave him alone. I know when I'm mad and want to hurt something, it's time to be alone to think."

Felladin pulled Wildberry off of Bramblewood and the pair headed for their hollow. **Come here, Starflower.** He gave her his best sly smile. Wildberry giggled as they disappeared behind the hide door.

Tigerstar shook her head with a wry smile. She and Bramblewood exchanged amused glances before both returned to their own hollows to sleep through the day.

Wingblade tentatively approaches Tigerstar before she enters her den. "I am sorry that we have caused trouble. As soon as I can find an alternate way to feed the cub, we will leave." He looked towards where Kalem entered the forest. "He's right you know. The humans are probably looking for me, though not because of the child. They do not even know she exists."

He paused, then turned back to Tigerstar. "I am from up north of here and the humans there are cruel and malicious. The destroyed my Holt for no other reasons then it was in an area they wanted. The lucky elves died. Six of us were captured and were shown just how cruel humans can be. I am the only one that survived, and that is only because of that cub's mother. I would die for that cub, like that cub's mother died to save me." Wingblade turned and walked back to Lioness's den.

* * *

Kalem was not ready yet to leave the Holt. His steamed temper was at its highest and he wanted to hear what this newcomer had to say to Tigerstar. He listened from behind a tree not too far from them. Kalem heard Wingblade's story of being captured and tormented by the humans and his face turned pale as he slid down to the ground. A hundred images entered his mind. Many memories he tried to hold back for many years were flooding forth.

"Humans!" He grabbed his pendant around his neck and began to stroke it. "Kear, my love, I swear..." He looked into the reflection in the pendant and glanced at his scar on the upper right side of his face. He looked at Wingblade who was still talking with Tigerstar. He noticed Wingblade's back was scared with many injuries. Kalem knew that this elf had received a lot of pain from the humans as well. Kalem followed Wingblade after his conversation with Tigerstar. He approached him from behind.

Wingblade suddenly turned around and grabbed Kalem. "What do you want from me?"

"Easy now Wingy. It came to talk with you. I couldn't help but notice that you look as if you've had some bad times." Wingblade seemed confused at this elf who had persecuted him mere moments ago. **Wingblade, together we can make the humans pay **

"What do you know of humans?"

"I too was captive of the humans. It was many seasons ago. More than I can remember. They took everything from me.... Even the one I loved." Kalem struggled to finish his remark. "High Ones Wingblade, they were horrible! You don't know how they made me suffer... how they made her suffer. I swore I'd hunt down every human on this world. Wingblade, together we can make them pay for what they've done." Kalem reached his hand out. "Will you join me?"

"Don't tell me I don't know what they can do!" Wingblade takes off his vest. He has scars criss-crossing his back and round burn holes in his side. "I watched them torture my family. I saw them die before my eyes. Is that what you want for your friends here. Do you want to see them torture like your love was? Do you want to see them die before your eyes? Do you really think that you can take on the whole human village? How many warriors are there here in this tribe...twelve...fifteen? Do you think that they could go against fifty humans? You are crazy."

He shoved Kalem out of his way and walked back to Lioness's den. **I'm tired of fighting, I just want to heal. ** He sent openly to all who would hear.

Opening her arms wide, Lioness brought Wingblade close to her, she turned to Kalem and sent **If you every harm any of us! I swear on my cub's life I will kill you Kalem elf or not, Know leave me and mine alone! **Leading Wingblade away back to her den she looked neither right nor left, her posture showing her absolute anger and the truth in her statement.

"Great, now we have a couple of cowards recognizing. Wonderful! Soon this whole tribe will be full of cowards. I bet Wingblade let his family die just to save his own hide! He didn't fight his way out like I did. They let him go out of sympathy. COWARDS! Lioness, you better take good care of your cowardly mate!" Kalem's yells blasted through out the night.

Wingblade turned to Kalem's his eyes flashing red. "You want to fight, fine lets do it." Lioness put her hand on Wingblade's arm.

** Tiar, no, don't**

Wingblade looked at her for a second. **Kat, stay here This is between Kalem and I**

Wingblade and Kalem circle each other each trying to get the measure of the other, neither knowing anything about the other. Teeth bared the elves came together: the fighting commenced. The anxious Lioness watched not knowing what to expect. Each combatant fought for all they were worth. When the dust had cleared Kalem had Wingblade pinned to the ground.

Wingblade locked eyes with Kalem. ** Does that make you feel better. Are you fighting me or are you fighting yourself. **

Kalem reared back, startled at the truth in Wingblade's sending. He rolled off Wingblade and turned his back to the lifemates. His eyes had a lost, tortured look in them as if he was not even there.

Wingblade slowly got to his feet, holding his side. "Who's the coward, the one who refuses to fight or the one that want to commit suicide." He turned away towards Lioness. He smiled softly, then collapsed at her feet.

Kestra sensed the battle and knew she would be needed.

Lioness sank with a cry of alarm to where Wingblade lay at her feet. She opened her arms wide to embrace him.

Spurred by worry, the healer raced to where lioness and Wingblade held each other. The protective Lioness permitted the healer to examine her life-mate. He was battered, bruised, but nothing seriously injured. Thank the High Ones!

Once certain her beloved would be well, Lioness turned to Kalem and sent, **If you ever harm any of us, I swear on my cub's life I will kill you, Kalem, elf or not. Now leave me and mine alone!** Despite her rage, Lioness gently cradled her Recognized's head as Kestra checked him over for a final inspection. When Kestra seems satisified, Lioness gently helped Wingblade back to their den.

* * *

"Blasted cub of a chief. You're going to kill us all. Don't forget, you're only chief because of an accident. Not because you earned it." Kalem's words rang in her ears.

He's right, she thought miserably. Starlock should be chief, not ME!!

Tigerstar slipped deeper into her sleep furs; she really didn't want to join the others. Her mind wandered back to that fateful day so many turns ago. She could still see Starlock and Firelight leaving for the cave, their faces alive with laughter. Raalie and Falconer rode nearby, while Jumper and Waterfall left instructions with Brimwave. Tailchaser had bumped into her and she hadn't watched Starlock disappear. Tears jumped to her eyes as she again heard the roar of the cave collapsing, felt that brief pained touch of Starlock's mind touching hers for that one last time. **...Zabeth...**

Tigerstar rolled herself over onto her face as the tears flowed freely down her face. She had never wanted to be chieftess!! After the cave-in, everyone had turned to her! She had even tried leaving the Holt, but she had been followed and convinced to return.

Look at my tribe now!! Full of outcasts and trolls! High Ones, Starlock, I wish you were here!!

* * *

After Wingblade was safely asleep with the baby human, Lioness stalked off to find Tigerstar, coming upon the chieftess wrapped up in her sleeping furs. She opened her mouth to speak but found herself too angry for words.

**Tigerstar! If you don't do something about Kalem, I will kill him!**

Turning around she stalked out again not waiting to hear the chieftess's reaction. not even caring, she knew in her heart that she would kill Kalem if he pushed her one hair farther elf or no elf, tribemate or not, he was meat to be wasted, and Lioness looked forward to the opportunity.

* * *

The healer had done what she could to take a way Wingblade's pain and stitch up the few minor scrapes she could. Next, she looked in the direction Kalem had run. Undecided, she looked around. Everyone was slowly starting to come out of their dens and gathering into small groups, talking with one another. No one even saw her as she ran after Kalem. After following his scent and tracks for a little while, she finally found him leaning against a tree.

**Kalem...**

He turned to her. He had been so self-absorbed that he hadn't heard her approach. **What do you want?** The anger in his sending was almost painful.

**I came to talk to you,** she sent stubbornly.

Resorting to speech, he snarled, "What makes you think I could possibly want to talk to you?"

**I may not be much of one, but I am a healer. You have a lot of things buried deep in your mind and heart that need to be cut open, like a festering wound, and drained so that they might heal. I am here. You can yell, scream, rant, and rave all you want... no one will know. But you need to get your anger and sorrow out of your system.**

**Oh, please! What makes you think you, a child, could possibly withstand my inner self? Not that I'm willing to share!**

**Tell me about your beloved, who is now gone...**

Kalem pulled back in shock. He was used to Dark Eyes' prying into his past and sometimes Tigerstar, but he never imagined Kestra would ever be interested in his past.

"What do you care about her?" Kalem snarled.

Kestra knelt down beside Kalem and reached for his pendant. "This was hers, right?"

Kalem slapped her hand away. "I warned you before not to touch that!"

Kestra jumped back to her feet. "Why do you always have to be so rotten?!" She was starting to become frustrated with Kalem. She calmed down after realizing that this attitude was merely his defense against his memories. "Kalem, what happened to you? Please tell me. What was she like?"

Kalem looked upward for a moment and then stared at his pendant. "She was more than everything to me. She was everything I wasn't."

Kalem paused for a moment and then continued his story. "I met her when I was only a few seasons elder a cub. She was everything I wanted in a life-mate. She was kind and gentle, yet strong in her ways." Kalem pulled his dagger out. "Would you believe that she taught me how to use this?" Kalem chuckled to himself. "She was a tremendous fighter and a graceful lover."

Kalem paused again for a few moments. Kestra remained silent as not to disturb this rare moment. "We were together for a great many seasons," he continued. "We went through much together... more than I can bear to tell. We both dreamed of a wonderful life together. A life where we could live in peace and happiness forever. I even remember a time when I was eager to have a child of my own. But that time never came."

Kalem stopped. He picked his dagger up and stuck the point of the dagger into his forearm gently. He slowly scraped his arm and twirled it around. A trickle of blood began to stream down his arm to his hand. Kestra began to feel nervous. "All things must come to an end. For her, it came all too horribly. We were captured by humans and held captive for a longer time than I can remember. They tortured us each and every day. They kept us separate so we never saw each other, but we still had our bond. Each could feel the other's pain and fears. At first, we could send to each other, but as the tortures progressed, we lost strength to even do that. She was a very strong fighter indeed. She fought them all the way, which increased their appetite to hurt her. I, however, was weak and bored them. So they spent most of their time with her. I can't tell you what they did to her... it was horrible. No elf... no creature..."

He sobbed, then embarrassedly sniffed the tears away and proceeded. "...Should ever have gone through that. I remember vividly the day I lost her. I was in my cage, fighting to get out. They had grown tired of her and tied her to a post that was outside my cage. It was the first time I had seen her since we were captured. She was beaten and battered and her eyes didn't carry the glow they once did. Her arms were limp at her side as she stared over at me with those weak eyes. It tore my heart apart to see her like that. I screamed at the humans. I cursed them with all my strength, but nothing would stop their assault on her. They took turns beating her. I screamed until my lungs could carry no more. I ripped at the cage with all my strength, but it wasn't enough. I could feel her mind giving away."

Kalem's voice became hurried and intense, frightening Kestra. "I used all my strength to send out to her, but she never sent back. I called out her soul-name with all my strength. Finally, one of the humans pulled out a knife and took it across her neck."

Kalem paused again. Tears rolled down his face and his voice slowed. "She never called out to me. She never sent to me. I never even got a chance to say goodbye. I watched those monsters as they celebrated their victory over the dangerous, wild demon they valiantly defeated. They collected the blood that ran from her neck into a cup. One of the humans ran over to my cage and tossed the blood upon me. So there I sat, covered in the scent of the blood of my beloved. I tried to cry out her soul-name as if to profess my pain to the world, but my voice was far gone. I remained silent for many days. They left me alone in that cage to die. I don't remember much of what happened. I-I began to feel... I... We dreamed of a beautiful life together."

Kalem started to grit his teeth as he began to cut his arm deeper. "But that time never came! Not for me! NOT FOR KALEM!" Kalem began to gash his arm severely. Kestra rushed to grab him and pulled the dagger away, but Kalem struck her. "GET AWAY FROM ME! It was you who betrayed me! NO! Not you! Another elf! Argh! No! They all betrayed me! They left me!"

Kalem grabbed his head as he fell to the ground in confusion. "Why did you do it, Calistom? Why?!" Kalem fell silent as he remained face-down in the dirt.

Kestra brushed the blood from her nose where Kalem struck her. A part of her wanted to get back up and attack Kalem for all the bad he'd done to her, yet the goodness inside her held her back. She was a healer, despite Kalem's comments of her abilities. To see another in pain was as equally painful for her.

Kalem quickly rose to his feet. His face was full of fury. His eyes were like fire. "You! Kestra! Why have you come to mock me?! Do you enjoy seeing me in pain?! You wretched little cub! You're no healer! You're a disgrace!" Kalem picked his dagger up from the ground. "I'll teach you a lesson, 'healer'! Not everything can be healed!" Kalem dashed at Kestra full of insane anger and his intentions to kill her.

Kestra jumped back quickly. Her heart was pounding with adrenaline. Thinking quickly, she sidestepped, and he, blind in his fury, stumbled past her, only to turn about. Kestra realized it was time to let fate be as it will. She stood still and watched him come towards her, snarling like an angry wolf, the red light of madness and fury glowing in his lupine eyes. **Do you truly wish to kill me, Kalem? I will not fight you if that is what will make you feel better,** she sent. She was frightened -- terrified! -- but she had to see this out.

Her words stopped him instantly. He was used to his prey running and hiding, yet here stood this insolent cub who didn't even have the sense to run!

**I asked about your beloved, Kalem, not to mock you or to see you in pain. I asked, hoping it would ease your inner pain, to let it all out.** In sending, there is only truth.

Kalem stopped, confused. His heart cried out for blood, yet his mind seemed to see a glimmer of her reasons for asking.

**I AM a healer, Kalem. In time, my gifts will grow stronger. This I know, though I didn't know it before. Let me help you, as you, without knowing it, have helped me. I can take away pain, and in your heart there is pain beyond imagining. But it must be your choice. I can help you deal with -- and perhaps someday heal from -- the pain. Not to forget... no, you will not forget her. But to let the past rest, I can help.** Kestra stood there silently, waiting for his answer. Kalem still held his dagger in a trembling hand. **I can wait for your answer, if you choose to think on it. But I will always keep to my promise.**

Kalem stared at her uncertainly for a moment, clearly confused and at war with himself. He slowly lowered his dagger for a moment, then a fierce wave of sheer hatred washed over him, burning him. He eyed Kestra insanely and she realized that she had not gotten through. He charged Kestra in this refreshed rage, and the tender healer was too shocked to move. Her death plummeted towards her and she could do nothing.

Then Tigerstar was between them, but the chieftess had not prepared for defense. The maniacal elf slashed at her, slicing open her forearm before she was able to grab his eyes with hers. Their eyes locked and the Challenge began. Kalem's pain and loss threatened to overwhelm the elf chieftess, but she returned with the loss of her family and her love of her current tribe. She shared that final heart-wrenching sending from Starlock.

Distantly, Tigerstar was aware that Kalem's dagger lay across her throat, but she was too lost in the Challenge to care. Their minds raged back and forth, but neither touched the other. Both were in a world of their own creation. Tigerstar could see the sweet, gentle soul of Kalem lost in the flood of betrayal and pain. She struggled to reach it, but Kalem responded by cutting deep within her soul, seeking the one thing that would defeat the chieftess and give him domination of the tribe. Tigerstar held valiantly to the image of Starlock and Firelight riding away, laughing together. She found herself near Kalem's secret inner self, then realized what it was. High Ones! It's his soul-name!

Tigerstar pulled back so violently that she left herself be completely exposed to Kalem. He swooped in with his mind, ready for the killing blow, then stopped. Tigerstar felt her soul-name teetering in the balance and fought to hold on to it. **Kear.** The sending was full of love and happiness; it was full of pain and loss. Tigerstar felt herself slipping, then Kalem was gone. She collapsed on her knees, Tiera's soul-name running rampant through her mind. Tears streamed down her face; Kalem had won. He had won, but he had not stayed to claim his victory.

Lioness slowly walked into the clearing taking, in the sight of the chieftess bleeding and Kestra standing on her feet, looking ready to fall down at a slight breeze. She sent, **Who won?**

Tne look at Tigerstar's face told her the answer. Lioness had missed the whole spectacle and was blessed in this respect. Otherwise, she would have been as dazed as the sensitive healer. Unfortunately, her ignorance resulted in a fierce lack of compassion.

Furiously, Lioness grabbed Kestra with one arm and yelled at her, "You're a healer, so by Timmorn's blood, heal!" With that, she shoved the still-mortified Kestra at Tigerstar. As if through a daze, Kestra went into a healing trance as Lioness stalked off to find some whistle leaves and Kestra's healing supplies. When she returned the chieftess was sitting on the ground still bleeding with Kestra looking much more alive, waiting for her supplies. When she saw Lioness, she ran over, then immediately returned to tend to Tigerstar.

Seeing that everything was well, Lioness returned back to her den. By the time she arrived, Wingblade had awakened and was cradling the babe in his arms. When she sat down he made room for her as well, she sent to him, feeling content to just be in his arms.

**Tiar, I don't know what's going to happen Kalem is so hurt and now Tigerstar is acting like chief, but will our tribe survive?**

Sighing Wingblade sent back, pain coloring his mind tone **None of this would have happened if I hadn't come to the Holt**

Turning on her lifemate violently Lioness sent **Don't even start that again! You're my recognized, my lovemate, and my lifemate! I'm not letting you go! Not for anything and certainly not for Kalem.** Turning back into his shoulder she burrowed deeper searching for comfort and then sent the entire tribe - since she didn't think Tigerstar was capable of thinking just yet ** I think it's time we had a tribe meeting, or were gonna tear ourselves apart **

Due to the Chieftess's injuries, the tribe meeting was set for the following morning to allow Tigerstar to get some rest. Kalem had not been seen since the challenge. No one knew where he was. Tigerstar had Nearstar and Dark Eyes summoned to return to the holt. Once back, the little girl kept looking to the forest with concern in her eyes. If she knew where Kalem was, she was not saying.

Wingblade waited for Lioness to fall asleep; he gently laid the cub against her for warmth, then left the den. He walked to Tigerstar's den and was met at the entrance by Kestra. "How is she,"

"I'm not sure. Her body will be fine, but I'm not sure about her spirit." Kestra looked into the den and Wingblade could see the Chieftess curled in a ball shivering even though the night was uncommonly warm.

Wingblade closed his eyes for a moment, then turned and walked into the woods. He had not gone far when he heard the soft sending.

** Where are you going? **

Wingblade turned and saw Lioness standing behind him. "I don't know"

Lioness rushed into his arms. ** Don't leave. We will figure this out."

"Yes, but at what cost to your tribe." Wingblade looked down at Lioness as she held the human cub. Everything that had any meaning to him was in his arms. Even the thought of the humans getting their hands on his little family terrified him. Visions of the torture that he had to endure and those he had to witness ran through his mind.

Everything that happened in the last few seasons poured over Wingblade. It was almost as if he were experiencing it again. His body shook with the effort to contain the memories.

Lioness's eyes widened and she reeled from the pain that she was feeling from Wingblade.

**Kat!**

**I'm here Tiar. ** Lioness sensed rather then saw the huge abyss that Wingblade's soul was standing in front of. ** Grab onto me and do not let go. ** She sent mental hand to Wingblade.

He "grabbed" it for all he was worth. When he became aware of his surroundings again, Wingblade found himself kneeling on the ground with Lioness wrapped around him, the cub in her arms.

In the privacy of the forest, Wingblade gathered Lioness close, let go of his control and wept for those he had lost and for what he has now gained.