..: Clan Taratus -- House H'thraai :..

• House H'thraai: the Arctic •

the continuing stories of the Taratus Clan
by Neishai

Nidus Ryslen | Flurry 2003

One of the strangest creatures to grace the Earth with its presence could be seen peeking out from the depths of a snowdrift.

There have been many strange creatures to live and thrive on (or beneath the surface of) Earth, but few have had the honor -- or curse -- of claiming themselves "man-made." One of these groupings of people, for they are all sentient, is called, very generally, "taratus." Tarati take their name from a Sanskrit word meaning he [a deity] descends. Tarati are in many ways like an incarnation of something better, a hybrid whose mixture of human and animal DNA gives them the best, and worst, of both worlds. In fact, some actually believe themselves a demigod, for all of their physical and mental superiority over mankind.

The tarati in question could care less about ruling over a weaker species. What did she care about those maggots. Their stupidity would be their own undoing, someday…

That is a horrible thing to believe, Kishi.

Chickoa, now is not the time for idle chit-chat. You believe what you want to believe, and I'll believe what I want to believe. There are few times we would agree on something anyway. Why should this subject be any different?

How something should be and how something is rarely are the same. That does not mean it would be nice for them to be.

I know. Don't mind me. Cynicism is my lot in life, optimism yours. Together we make quite the team. And… I wouldn't have it any other way.

That is something we agree on, at least.

There must, obviously, be some form of explanation. The telepathic conversation was, indeed held within the same being, which unfortunately held the consciousness of two distinct individuals. This tarati had the disadvantage and advantage of being a conjoined twin, one with two heads and several duplicate organs. She, they, were of human and timber wolf origin, one black head and one pale gray head, with salt-and-pepper, black, and off-white fur on the body.

They were both beautiful and horrible to look at, capable of great mercy and a thirst for blood, all at once.

The dark sister, Kishi, had a similar personality to her coloring. She was not inherently evil, but she was about as jaded as they come. No atrocity surprised her, and she was prepared to do whatever she must to survive. Her fairer sister Chickoa was blessed with optimism, even in the harshest of circumstances. It made her vulnerable and while the nature of man's evils did not baffle her, it often gave her a melancholy appearance. On the other hand, together each kept her sister afloat so to speak, preventing a plunge into the vast pit of despair, for in the North life is difficult at best, beastly at its worst. There was little room for mercy and tenderness, and yet it was vital for maintaining any semblance of sanity within a gathering of individuals.

Together they were Kishi-Chickoa, and to their kind they were both loved and feared.

Chickoa's nose protruded only far enough from the snowdrift to give her a view of the near-blinding whiteout conditions.

So, what do you see?

The pale-furred nose disappeared once again into the snow. A tiny avalanche of powder filled in the hole it had made only seconds before. Chickoa chuckled into her sister's mind, orange-yellow eyes glinting with humor. You have to ask? I see nothing.

Despite herself, Kishi snorted with irony. Of course.

Beside them, another tarati shivered with fear. A real avalanche had separated them from the rest of their pack. He was young and unsure of himself to begin with, but out here alone with a member (members? He still could not resolve it in his mind) even the seasoned Housemates feared, he was terrified of her.

Chickoa glanced at him and smiled warmly, which elicited a tentative grin from the youngster. Let's take a break from our vigil for now. I think we could all use a rest. The suggestion was directed at all within the tiny, hand-fashioned snow cave. The light wolf glanced at her sister, then the young one, an emperor penguin by the name of Hielo, followed by the polar bear Istas, the lynx L'eot, the snow goose Wauna, and finally the current leader of the sub-House, a silver fox named Soyala. She was under normal circumstances just a Gamma, but she was also the highest ranked of the small group assembled.

She was also the second smallest.

A good suggestion, Kishi-Chickoa. There is no point in wasting energy, or melting the cave with our efforts. The young silver fox was only about seventeen, but she carried herself with quiet, almost modest authority. She was a gentle soul and easily embarrassed, but she had that rare balance between fairness and mercy, determination and duty that few leaders possessed. Even her elders, even the delinquents, regarded her with a measure of surprised respect.

Hielo nodded, settling himself in next to Soyala. His sleek body felt comfortable wedged in between thickly furry bodies, even if, he thought glancing up at the polar bear, he had to sit next to Istas. She was large and snuggly true, but she had a rough humor that bordered on the sadistic. It rubbed him the wrong way, sometimes literally. Soyala claimed that Istas merely did not know her own strength, and often forgot to be careful with those more fragile than herself. Hielo was not convinced.

L'eot stretched his long limbs, and though he was not large by anyone's standards, he managed to touch the far wall with his shoes. Hielo glanced at him when he registered the movement, thinking that three of him could fit into that gaping, fang-filled mouth. He gulped and was promptly poked by a furry white paw in the ribs. He looked up at Istas and sighed inwardly. She had that "playful" look in her eye…

The lynx meanwhile curled back up into his place, regarding Kishi-Chickoa thoughtfully. The conjoined-tarat had not lain back down. "You know, you'll stay warmer if you sit with the rest of us."

Kishi glared at the feline shifter. Speech fills the room with condensation. Talk in your mind or not at all.

L'eot lifted his lip into an indignant snarl. Jeesh, I'm just trying to be friendly. Y'never know how long we'll be stuck here before we 'hear' anything from the alphas.

I currently have no qualms with the lot of you, the dark wolf replied, but nor do I consider snuggling up, exchanging B.S. while we wait to die, a 'good time.'

The lynx rolled his eyes. Can't blame a guy for trying. Chickoa, I don't know how you put up with her all the time. She's soggier than a wet blanket, he muttered silently to the lighter twin.

She is my sister, the grey one replied simply. In her mind there really was nothing else to say.

Wauna, the goose shifter, sat off to one side, neither away from the others nor taking part in the conversation. He was always this quiet, preferring to just be with everyone else, without interacting with them. It had taken time for the others to get used to this, and take it for anything other than arrogant aloofness. He was simply … quiet.

Soyala smiled with a feeling of camaraderie at the goose, or rather gander. He slowly nodded his head with that long neck of his so gracefully as to seem like a dance in itself. She looked up at the conjoined-tarat. You ought to come relax. There is little we can do before the storm is over, so you might as well conserve your energy.

Kishi was loathe to do so, but she finally agreed with a curt bob of the head. She and Chickoa lay back down, between Istas and Wauna, leaning heads back against the hard-packed snow. Their eyes closed almost instantly, oblivious to the world. The others soon followed suit, and within the hour they all had finally fallen asleep.

• • •

It was a sunny day when the small band of House H'thraai members finally emerged from the snow. Istas and Kishi-Chickoa were Omegas, the lowest-ranked members, so they were sent up to the surface ahead of the others. They were forced to dig through two days worth of snow, though the pair needed little time at all to clear it.

Outside the harsh sun glinted with diamond-intensity off the wintry snowfield. A moment of near-blind eye-blinking and they were away from their temporary den, looking about with great suspicion. When no threat was found, Soyala lead the way across the wilderness toward their Housemates' last known location. It was a strange sight that amalgam of animals, from the tiny penguin to the huge polar bear, being lead across the countryside by one diminutive fox that actually preferred her full-animal shape to her tarat.

By her side was probably the biggest paradox: a fully shifted lynx. He was, technically, her equal, though he deferred to her for her expertise. Like Hielo he was young, though this tended to be enhanced by his lack of self-confidence. There were so many flaws he could see in himself that he rarely saw his own potential. The Alphas had seen them, though he would likely never even rise to Beta due to his low self-esteem. L'eot smiled slightly at Soyala, looking down at her on his speckled, stilted legs. "How y' holdin' up, Soyala? You doin' all right?"

Soyala saw fear in the giant cat's eyes but to his credit he had kept a clear head, and was even asking after her. He understood the dire situation and knew that Soyala depended on him for backup. Together they were responsible for the two most unstable members of their House: Istas and Kishi-Chickoa. With an encouraging smile, she nodded to the young Lynx and said, "Yeah, I'm fine, L'eot. How about you?"

L'eot nodded and swallowed hard. "I'm doing okay."

He did not look 'okay,' but Soyala was not going to argue. He was trying, which did him much credit. When they made it back, she would be sure to give him a shining recommendation. She turned her gaze back to the trail. It was important they reach their pack's last known whereabouts by sundown tomorrow.

Behind them, the others were passing the time as well as they could.

"I am so hungry…" whimpered the little emperor penguin, Hielo. Unsuited to traversing long distances on foot, he had been offered a ride, by Istas the polar bear.

She eyed him and smirked. "Me too…"

Hielo squeaked with fright and hid in her own neck-fur. She rumbled with laughter.

Chickoa turned her pale-furred face to glare at the polar bear while her twin paid attention to where they were going. "Not funny, Istas. He is frightened enough as it is without you threatening him." She could see the penguin's eye poke up from behind ivory fur, nodding timidly.

Istas rolled her eyes. "I am not going to eat him, Chickoa. You know that. He terrifies so easily, it's just so much fun."

"You're not?" the penguin asked with a terror-fed pitch to his voice. He had a tremulous look of hope on his face as he peered up at her.

"Yes I am," she muttered out of the side of her mouth, and Hielo was hiding again. She laughed again, a roar escaping her blackish lips.

Kishi finally turned her head and pointed a malefic glare at Istas. "So which is it, Istas," she growled long and low, "are you trying to alert someone to our position, or are you trying to start an avalanche? Or are you just so stupid that you just didn't think about it?" The dark wolf's teeth seemed to drip with venom as she spoke, her moon eyes flashing with inhumanly-orange sparks. The sky was beginning to color, reflecting off of her already dramatic irises; the effect was both dramatic and eerie.

Istas flinched, gathered her wits and glared. "Watch who you're talkin' to, fleabag."

Kishi's growl deepened, her teeth clenching, lips curling into a snarl. "Fleabag, huh? Well at least I'm not a walking tub of hairy lard!"

"Kishi, knock it off! What are you doing?" her twin hissed.

Lay off, Chickoa. If you aren't with me, at least don't resist me!

The grey twin sighed and bowed her head slightly. They had learned and re-learned the lessons of not working together as one. There were scars…some to remain forever unhealed.

Istas roared a second time, her voice carrying an upwelling of rage. "A tub of lard am I? Why don't I show you what this tub of lard can do!"

"Enough!" All involved, including Hielo, spun or jumped in their tracks to stare wide-eyed with surprise at the glowering form of Soyala, beside her -- not behind -- that of L'eot. Even he looked like he should like to wring their necks. Hielo burrowed deep into Istas' neck for warmth in a suddenly colder atmosphere. Chickoa hung her head, but those of Istas and Kishi were cocked in defiance. There was one who hardly responded, one who had remained out of the scuffle thus far with his neutral demeanor: Wauna. Even now he stood off to the side impassively, watching.

"I intend to arrive in good time to meet with our Housemates. That is with or without you two in our company. So you have a choice: either get along or get out! No more names," Soyala speared Kishi with her eyes, "and lay off the penguin!" She glared between the offending parties until they finally began to stir.

"We're done," Istas sulked.

We don't need them-- Kishi began in her sister's mind, only to be cut off by the fairer twin. Kishi, for now we need them. We need their strength of numbers, the warmth, the minds of many bent on survival… Kishi growled finally, "Same here. You won't hear another peep out of us."

Soyala eyed them for a moment longer, snorting a dismissal. She and L'eot continued on their way, followed by the others. They still had a long journey ahead of them, and there was the problem of finding a place to sleep for the night.

• • •

The scene that met the tarati the next day was bleak. Footprints littered the snow, they found evidence that at least most of their packmates had made it safely above ground. The problem was, they also found a pair of boot-prints that were totally unfamiliar, as well as a set -- four in all -- that were by anyone's standards gigantic. There had been a struggle, as well as long periods of stationary (deeper) footprints. Then, at some point, they all disappeared. The owner of the biggest footprints, talons really, did not lead anywhere, simply there one moment gone the next. And those of the tarati did not lead back within the dwelling, though Kishi-Chickoa was sent in to verify that fact.

"Y-you don't suppose that…thing…ate them?" Very near to Soyala, Hielo shivered with fright. It was unseemly that a creature used to the cold should shiver so, even if he had not been chilled...by the weather.

Several heads shook, either in negation or in horrified wonder. There was no way to know for sure.

Soyala shook her head as well. "No…" she began thoughtfully. "No, I don't think so. There is very little blood, as if a battle had begun but was reconciled soon after. It is puzzling."

Wauna spoke up. "Perhaps they were carried away."

Istas frowned and snorted. "Do you see any prints? Do you think some huge bird just up and carried them away?" Her derision was as thick as her coat of fur.

The goose-shifter shrugged, unruffled.

Soyala frowned. "Wauna, do you think it is possible?"

"Anything is possible, though I have never heard of such a thing."

"Perhaps it can jump really far, and we just can't see the prints because of how small we are in comparison." L'eot. He had an idea… Soyala nodded and had parties spread out in every direction, even in general from the direction they had come. There was no sense in making assumptions. Unfortunately, even after an extensive search no prints were found, which continued to confuse and incense them.

Kishi-Chickoa leaned against the den-structure, a huge drift of packed snow with a large hole cut out of it. In their search, the sisters had explored the inside, which consisted of several tunnels, apparently from where each member had been buried to a central area near to the surface. Kishi snorted. "Well we have to stay somewhere," she said, "might as well be here," she added, gesturing with a thumb.

"Ri-ight, and if that big monster comes back we won't be trapped or anythin' either."

Kishi smirked. "What's wrong, Istas, scared?" she drawled.

"No. Why should I be? I'd tear that beast apart myself."

"Heh."

L'eot nodded, reluctantly. "Istas has a point though. There's only one way in or out."

Kishi shrugged. "Chickoa and I've been back there. There's several tunnels we could just dig up to the surface. Create an ice-and-snow trap door or simply set up guards and we can switch off during the night."

Soyala and L'eot looked at one another for a moment then nodded. She said, "All right, that sounds good for now. Istas, Kishi-Chickoa, and L'eot will finish the tunnels. Wauna, Hielo, and I will help finish up the front room."

When the task was finished, the tunnels reflected only the ghostly glow of twilight. In the central chamber the small group of individuals huddled together, hungry for company and warmth. Under the fading glow of stars and the western sky, Istas and Hielo, and Kishi-Chickoa had gone to look for their various sources of meat. Wauna had gone off, under the protection of L'eot, to forage for his vegetarian fare. All bellies were now full. Some, like Hielo, were already dozing off. Kishi fidgeted while Chickoa discussed with their Gammas what to do in the morning. At length, all decided they must leave this area as soon as the sun rose, perhaps a little before. No one knew how to find their Housemates, but nor were they ready to abandon hope.

The next day, they did not have a chance to lose hope.

The day began in the indigo light of predawn. Yawns were prevalent, as was stretching, and dodging of flailing arms for fear of a black eye. Cirrus clouds on the horizon were beginning to flush with a sudden rush of heat when they were ready to head out. Hielo sat on Istas' shoulder once again. Soyala and L'eot lead the way with the others between, except for Kishi-Chickoa, who kept to the flanks, weaving and wandering to keep a watchful eye on the surrounding areas. Amongst his Housemates, Wauna walked in his taratus form on large webbed feet with only a hint of a goose's characteristic waddle, looking at the world with his head perched atop a stalk-like neck.

Suddenly, an eerie wolf's howl with alien duality broke the quiet. Kishi-Chickoa's call was frantic, both defensive and terrified, and coming closer!

"Eyes open everyone! Sounds like trouble's coming this way!" Soyala ordered Wauna and Hielo to the trees, Istas doing the honors by grabbing the gander by the neck and yanking him along. The others dove for cover, knowing full well that their footprints would give away their position. "Prepare yourselves; find a place to defend and get ready!"

A baited silence ensued, but the wait was brief. The conjoined wolf-twins broke through the trees, eyes brandishing all too much white in them. Seconds later, something akin to thunder popped their ears, a massive gush of wind whipping the tops of the trees around as a huge form flew overhead. Those waiting thought the danger must be gone for the moment, began to climb free of their hiding places.

"What was that?"

"Who'd you piss off this time?"

"Are you nuts?"

"Quiet you idiots," Kishi hissed. "It's not gone yet!"

"What is it Kishi?"

Chickoa answered for her sister who was for once speechless. "…A…monster…"

There was no more time for speculation. The thunder had returned, and with it the blast of wind twirling the treetops around. Someone complained about a headache, but no one heard. Istas held Hielo tight for fear of him blowing away. Wauna grasped a fistful of fur in each hand, burying his face into the polar bear's fur.

Do not be afraid. The voice filled the minds of all present, resonating within one's chest like a drum.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

Soyala took Chickoa's arm in her hand to get her attention, and with her, Kishi's. "We all heard that. It's not just you." She watched their chest heave, eyes wide with fear but the terror had subsided.

"It's a monster…" Kishi hissed.

Soyala nodded. "Come with us, we'll face it together."

The sisters swallowed spasmodically, then in unison nodded. She looked as beside Soyala L'eot stepped forward, then looked out to the break in the trees. What do you want? Who are you? he bellowed into the mind of the intruder.

We come from a distant land, in search of the six of you. Your companions are safe.

How can we trust you? Kishi demanded. How do we know you speak the truth?

It was then that they heard a voice echoing in their ears. "Stop goofing around and get out here! What the dragon says is true! They are not enemies, as we learned the hard way!"

The six packmates hesitated only a moment, but soon rushed forward when they finally saw a familiar face, the owner to the voice they had heard. There, atop the nightmarish green-black creature sat Gannon, one of their Betas. Like their male alpha (and Gannon's cousin) Whitney, he was a horse-shifter.

"Looks like everyone has fared well," he remarked when the last of them had emerged. When he saw the fear and confusion on their faces he said, "Don't worry, we're all fine. A few injuries but they're on the mend. We can explain it all later, when we get back to Ryslen. There's been a few more avalanches in the hills since the other day, so we shouldn't tempt Mother Nature."

The urgency in his voice spurred the others onward, though to mount the dragon were reluctant at best. Do we have to ride the beast? Istas grumbled.

The dragon snorted. I am not a beast, I am a dragon, and my name is Auspexeth.

Istas eyed the dragon, who was looking at her intently. Fine. I'm…sorry. She sulked for a moment more before allowing herself to be helped up on her back.

Behind her Kishi snickered, then climbed right up. The twins were still shaken and sat stiff-backed, but that was the only evidence of a few moments before. In fact…they seemed to enjoy the entire ride.

Chickoa caressed Auspexeth's green-to-black hide. It was a shade familiar to this, a region clothed in whites, greens, and blues, a color similar to evergreens deepening with the advancing sunset. Kishi studied what she could see of the dragon's musculature. She was impressively strong and lithe for a creature of her size. She was also mellow, but seemed to have a distinct personality, like any tarati Kishi had ever known. She was pleased, as was her sister. So it was hardly a surprise when they asked in unison, How do we get a dragon of our own?

Minaeya, the dragon's female rider, smiled, waiting to explain anything until they had reached Ryslen.

Gannon laughed, a sound that was both bass-deep and whistling at the same time. Funny you should ask, Kishi-Chickoa, he said, acknowledging the duality of their question. This dragon Auspexeth has bonded to her rider Minaeya, like fowl do to their mothers. He glanced back at the goose-shifter Wauna, who nodded in understanding. They are equally intelligent to any of us, though in some different ways…

I want one too, L'eot interjected, maybe this size or a little smaller.

Auspexeth is a Night Green, which is with few exceptions among the smallest dragons you'll ever see at Ryslen. It makes her faster and more maneuverable than a larger dragon, such as a Purple or Bronze. But she also does not have the stamina of the larger dragons.

Um, I want a female one like her, Hielo said timidly, and Istas looked up at him on her shoulder with a smirk. And I want a male one, she said.

There was a pause as Auspexeth brought them through a rip in the sky. There was a collective gasp as they came out and were suddenly spiraling down over a castle built into a crater. Welcome to Nidus Ryslen, the Night Green announced jubilantly.

• • •