Canid Captain
That night Reid accompanied Stelio to a meeting tent with the three top Canid generals. Stelio and Reid briefed the three generals on Reid’s plan to train and lead a small ranger element of Black Fangs.
The generals listened with concerns.
“Why would the fearsome Black Fangs need a mere earthman to lead a squad?” asked the old white furred general.
King Stelio attempted an answer, “My generals, you’re aware of Captain Reid’s fighting techn-”
“Ha ha, yes my king! We are aware he shoots thunder and blows things up!” joked the brown furred general.
Reid smirked hearing the accurate description of his fighting style, but Stelio defended his Reid.
“Generals, there’s more to the captain than explosions. He’s a skilled tracker and-”
“My king!” interrupted the grey furred general, “In the times as they are now I won’t go against receiving any advantage in battle and or diplomacy. Now, I watched Captain Reid revive you in your chamber, and I’ve heard great tales of his skill in battle.” The General walked over to Reid and placed his hand on his shoulder.
“But young warrior, you come upon our world in its turmoil when everyone is against us and you offer aid, why?” asked the grey general.
The Canids stared at Reid in the tent. Reid met eyes all of them and answered.
“Generals...ultimately I need to leave this world and get home...and from what I gather there are different ways for me to accomplish that feat, to include going against you and siding with that warlock. But gentlemen, for me to do something so wrong would go against the very fiber of who I am and what I believe in,” answered Reid, capturing the attention of the generals.
“Gentlemen, since I’ve been on this world king Stelio has been nothing but kind to me. Hell he’s the reason I’m still alive and talkin to ya’ll now!” everyone laughed.
“So Captain, you feel you owe king Stelio a debt?” asked the white furred general.
“Not at all sir. But ya’ll need to understand something about me. I’m not a U.S. Army Grunt Captain for the money or job security...no sir...I am what I am because it’s what I’m built to do...And I assure you gentlemen. It’s in your best interest to allow me to do, in your service, what I’m built to do…..”
The Generals said no more and the meeting concluded. They asked Reid to wait in his tent for word. One hour later a Canid private arrived at Reid’s tent with armor, sword, shield and orders to command a five man squad.
“Hell yeah!”
Formation
The next morning, first light. Reid adored his new black/brown leather armor, complete with breastplate, shin and thigh guards and articulating arm guards.
‘Aww man this is wicked!’
Reid fumbled with a side strap trying to seal the breastplate, ‘Kinda hard to reach.’
*I can help you with your armor, Captain, *sent a voice in Reid’s head. Reid spun to the front of his tent and there stood an Elf, with a bow and a quiver full of arrows.
“Oh, uh, good morning, who are you?” asked Reid.
*So it’s true, you humans can hear an Elve’s sending...interesting. Forgive me Captain, my name is Dannus, I’m a mercenary and I’m your first volunteer for your five man squad.*
Reid smiled with his leather strap dangling on his side.
“An archer Elf? Alright! Are you any good?” asked Reid causing Dannus to frown in disgust.
“Am I any good?..Captain...if you can find a better-”
“Ok, I got you man. Didn’t mean to offend you. But um..how come when you talk you have a Scottish Brogue?” asked Reid, puzzled at Dannus’ spoken accent.
“Captain, I don’t know what a Scottish Brogue is, but if I have one it’s because you’ve projected it on me and you think you hear it when I speak,” said Dannus with a deep Scottish Brogue.
“Is that right? Man I be must be a racist then hahaha,” laughed Reid, by himself.
The Elf’s eyes twitched, “Captain, I see you’re kind of an ass!”
“Yup, that and I’m southern. Come on, let’s go meet the rest of the new squad!” Reid laughed patting Dannus on his shoulder as he helped Reid strap into his new armor.
Reid and Dannus walked to an open field where two wolves engaged in mock battle, running and hopping over each other. Dannus whistled for the wolves who perked their ears and ran full charge toward Reid and Dannus.
As Reid watched the wolves approach them, he noticed something familiar about the one dark grey wolf. Reid stared at him as he barreled full speed and forward flipped into his human form, landing in front of Reid.
Reid stared at the big Canid, not believing his own eyes.
“........K...Kerod?.....” asked Reid, barely uttering the name of his fallen friend who suddenly stood before him and answered in Kerod’s voice.
“Darod, Captain Reid. Kerod was my big brother,” said the big Canid who towered over Reid.
“Darod? Holy shit.. You’re like a younger more spry version. Wow I’m so honored to meet you little bro..Man, your big br-”
“I know Captain. Kerod was a brother to everyone he met. That’s who he was,” said Darod.
Reid turned away in shame, “Darod..I’m so sorry man, Kerod..he-”
“No Captain, please don’t blame yourself for Kerod’s decision. For that was the wolf he always was, even in the end. But Captain, Kerod saving you is not why I volunteered for your squad.” said Darod, cracking a smile at Captain Reid.
“No? So why did you volunteer?” asked Reid.
“Hmm hm hm ..Captain. I volunteered because of what you did after my brother’s death.”
“After his death?” asked Reid.
“Yes Captain, I saw the remnant bodies of Osonia, Teirist and Rhistle...The Nightrunners. You slayed them most gruesomely and avenged my brother.”
“Eh? Oh yeah, those three fucks.. You know, your brother owed me a ride-”
The big Canid cut Reid off. He threw himself at Reid’s legs and shifted into his big bear sized wolf form, lifting his new captain on his back.
“Rrraaah! Captain Reid, from here on out, I Darod will be your steed and your protector, carrying the torch for my avenged brother!” growled Darod the wolf, with Reid on his back.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“What? Kerod's brother is my wolf? Yes!” cheered Reid at the Elf Dannus and the other wolf named….uh...
“Ahem! Captain? May I introduce myself?” growled the other Canid volunteer, a tall drop dead beautiful, female.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry! And I bet you’re awesome too, what’s your name?” asked Reid.
“She is Enia the lightning fast, and I am her rider,” answered Dannus, speaking for the bowing Enia, who’s gold amber hair matched her fur.
Impressed, Reid returned the bow, “Wow. A lightning fast runner, an archer and a mighty beast. So cool! Who are we missing?”
“We’re missing beauty!” joked Darod.
“Speak for yourself you bear!” said Enia, punching Darod as everyone laughed, except Reid.
“Missing beauty? I don’t get it?” asked Reid confused.
Dannus pointed to the side of the hill to see two dark haired canid in human form laying out in the rising sun. One long spear planted in the ground between them. Darod howled calling them.
The two sun-tanning Canid raised up and the bigger shifted to wolf. The other pulled the spear from the ground and jumped on the back of the wolf. The wolf, a dark smoke grey with blue eyes, the rider, a long black haired young Canid.
As they charged, the rider threw the spear before him, and both wolves shifted and switched places from rider to runner. The new rider then lifted the spear from the ground as they passed it.
“Damn, those two seem like good fighters, hunh?” asked Reid about the charging wolves. Everyone nodded their head with an, ‘Oh yeah, they’re the real deal!’
The two Canids shifted to human before Reid who finally got the ‘missing beauty’ joke.
‘Jeezis, they’re supermodels!’
The two black haired Canids were the most beautiful people Reid had ever seen, and they were fraternal twin brothers.
Karo: Slightly smaller, with dark green eyes and a pony tale. The more effeminate of the two.
Kane: Slightly bigger, with dark blue eyes and shorter hair cut. The more macho of the two.
The twins bowed in salute to their new Captain.
“Aw man, I heard you guys are tough fighters! So what’s your story, why’d you volunteer?” asked Reid.
“We didn’t good Captain. King Stelio volunteered us, assuring us that you would allow us to perfect our fighting skills, and bring them to another level,” answered Karo.
“Did Stelio say all of that? Ha, ok I’ll go with it!” joked Reid. “But listen, I’m happy to meet all of you. But uh..I’m sure this was told to you last night, but the crazy stuff I plan on doing..it could definitely get ya killed...unless we do it right. And from what I heard...ya’ll are the team to do it.” smirked Reid.
The volunteers smiled at each other. Although young, they’ve all proven themselves in combat against both red guard and the warlock’s imperial forces. And each eager to learn new ways of fighting and perfecting their mettle.
“Captain, what exactly is the mission you have planned?” asked Enia.
“Glad you asked..umm?…”
“Enia!” she growled at Reid.
“Enia, right! Yes there’s a mission!” shouted Reid hopping on Darod’s back, still in human form.
Reid peaked at Darod with a stupid grin and Darod smirked and shifted to wolf as Reid continued, enthused.
“The mission today, ladies and gentlemen, Elves and Canids..is to keep up with me! Heeyah Darod..I oh wait, eeep!” yelled Reid as the big grey and black Darod bolted down the hill with Reid grasping the fur on his back, holding on for dear life.
Enia and Kane shifted as Dannus and Karo mounted them and they all laughed and dashed after Darod and Captain Reid.
Three runners and three riders, all Black Fangs who would soon become….
The First Rangers...
Darod
https%3a%2f%2friflegirl.files.wordpress.com%2f2015%2f10%2fdarod.jpg [https://riflegirl.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/darod.jpg]
Enia
https%3a%2f%2friflegirl.files.wordpress.com%2f2015%2f10%2fenia.jpg [https://riflegirl.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/enia.jpg]
Karo
https%3a%2f%2friflegirl.files.wordpress.com%2f2015%2f10%2fkaro.jpg [https://riflegirl.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/karo.jpg]
Kane
https%3a%2f%2friflegirl.files.wordpress.com%2f2015%2f10%2fkane1.jpg [https://riflegirl.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/kane1.jpg]
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! If you haven't heard I won 2nd place in the Royal Road Mystery Contest ^_^ yay!
And Speaking of Halloween and werewolves! Back on earth they tend not to be as cool as Canids. Or at least our heroine Rica Reyes finds this out the hard way in a two chapter Halloween short story I wrote called
Little Girl Cries Wolf...A Halloween Short Story Muhahahahahahahah!
https%3a%2f%2friflegirl.files.wordpress.com%2f20...-cover.jpg [https://riflegirl.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/wolf-small-cover.jpg]
Rica's plan was simple: Get in the house, eliminate the threats, rescue the girl…Only problem, the threats walk on four legs, and fear silver.
An action packed horror short story starring your favorite pre-teen Assassin: The Rifle Girl- Rica Reyes. Two Chapters of awesome~
Read it on Royal ;) http://royalroadl.com/fiction/3600