would make rival Kingdoms insanely jealous and the monarchs would strive to woo the lion-eagles to their kingdom. Of course, it never worked so they captured and caged the creatures, keeping them as trophies."
Corleone regarded me, the large golden eyes full of ancient knowledge.
"Why? What was important about Shirdals claiming a territory in a kingdom?" I asked.
"They're symbols of celestial power, guardians of the divine. The kings who had Shirdals were identified as true children, offspring born of the Gods, making them demi-Gods. But the draw wasn't only that, these grand beasts were an outward testament to the character, integrity, and honor of the king. When one graced your lands it was a blessing, but to have two, those were the greatest kings."
I released a snort of laughter, causing Randy to frown at me. "Oh, yeah, I've done a bang up job so far."
Randy reach over, his large hard smacked me on the arm. Corleone's head swiveled, pinned Randy with a fierce stare as he hissed in warning. Randy fished another apple out of the bag but the Shirdal ignored the offered fruit.
"Don't dishonor yourself with such words. I forget sometimes how young you are," he murmured the last more to himself than to me.
"I'm not that young," I said indignantly.
"You're but an infant to those who've been around for centuries," Randy said, his lips twisted with humor. I opened my mouth to ask him what the hell that was supposed to mean, but Randy ignored me and continued. "You've yet to spread your wings in the role of Kingship. In time, you'll gain experience and become more confident in your abilities. Until then, fall back on the teachings of your father. Ramsey taught you exactly as your grandfather taught him. Even though he was second born and not destined to claim the Seat of Zeev, The Wolf Throne, his father trained him as if he would. Ramsey didn't plan for you to rule, Tristan, but he still armed you with the tools to do so."
I regarded Randy with a keen eye. The man spoke as if he had known my father but he couldn't be much older than me. I was ready to demand he explain himself when Corleone's head snapped around, his eagle eyes searching the road that came onto the ranch.
The radios my guard carried squawked. The front gate sent a warning of several approaching vehicles that had breached the gates and were headed toward the main house. The road had been widened and paved to accommodate the traffic of the new warriors. There were a shit load of motorcycles coming down the road.
The yard became a flurry of activity. Corleone raised his wings, extending the twenty-five foot span in the air above us, the downdraft pushed cold morning air around me as he postured, imposing and threatening. The Shirdal moved in front of me, a piercing screech ripping through the air in warning. An echoing reply came from the sky as the other Shirdal circled over us.
Randy drew a curved sword from behind his back I hadn't noticed he'd been carrying. We would have a long talk soon about his sword, his age, and his knowledge of my family.
Warriors flooded the yard and surrounded me in a protective circle. Ushna shot out of the house dressed only in blue jeans, two sheathed scimitars gripped in his hands as he ran straight for me. He examined me for injury but I knew he wouldn't be satisfied with my safety until he could put his hands on me. It was telling that my apprehension bled away when his free hand cupped my cheek before sliding to the back of my neck. Together we turned to the road. The new pavement broke, spitting tar-covered rocks behind the last motorcycles from the impact of bright magical explosions. The riders were pursued by a half dozen black SUVS, people hung out of the windows and hands glowed as magic was used against those who were fleeing from them.
My temper flared quick and hot. I was indignant these intruders dared to use magic as a weapon in front of me on my territory! Using Alpha Command so my warriors would hear me, I boomed, "The
Corleone regarded me, the large golden eyes full of ancient knowledge.
"Why? What was important about Shirdals claiming a territory in a kingdom?" I asked.
"They're symbols of celestial power, guardians of the divine. The kings who had Shirdals were identified as true children, offspring born of the Gods, making them demi-Gods. But the draw wasn't only that, these grand beasts were an outward testament to the character, integrity, and honor of the king. When one graced your lands it was a blessing, but to have two, those were the greatest kings."
I released a snort of laughter, causing Randy to frown at me. "Oh, yeah, I've done a bang up job so far."
Randy reach over, his large hard smacked me on the arm. Corleone's head swiveled, pinned Randy with a fierce stare as he hissed in warning. Randy fished another apple out of the bag but the Shirdal ignored the offered fruit.
"Don't dishonor yourself with such words. I forget sometimes how young you are," he murmured the last more to himself than to me.
"I'm not that young," I said indignantly.
"You're but an infant to those who've been around for centuries," Randy said, his lips twisted with humor. I opened my mouth to ask him what the hell that was supposed to mean, but Randy ignored me and continued. "You've yet to spread your wings in the role of Kingship. In time, you'll gain experience and become more confident in your abilities. Until then, fall back on the teachings of your father. Ramsey taught you exactly as your grandfather taught him. Even though he was second born and not destined to claim the Seat of Zeev, The Wolf Throne, his father trained him as if he would. Ramsey didn't plan for you to rule, Tristan, but he still armed you with the tools to do so."
I regarded Randy with a keen eye. The man spoke as if he had known my father but he couldn't be much older than me. I was ready to demand he explain himself when Corleone's head snapped around, his eagle eyes searching the road that came onto the ranch.
The radios my guard carried squawked. The front gate sent a warning of several approaching vehicles that had breached the gates and were headed toward the main house. The road had been widened and paved to accommodate the traffic of the new warriors. There were a shit load of motorcycles coming down the road.
The yard became a flurry of activity. Corleone raised his wings, extending the twenty-five foot span in the air above us, the downdraft pushed cold morning air around me as he postured, imposing and threatening. The Shirdal moved in front of me, a piercing screech ripping through the air in warning. An echoing reply came from the sky as the other Shirdal circled over us.
Randy drew a curved sword from behind his back I hadn't noticed he'd been carrying. We would have a long talk soon about his sword, his age, and his knowledge of my family.
Warriors flooded the yard and surrounded me in a protective circle. Ushna shot out of the house dressed only in blue jeans, two sheathed scimitars gripped in his hands as he ran straight for me. He examined me for injury but I knew he wouldn't be satisfied with my safety until he could put his hands on me. It was telling that my apprehension bled away when his free hand cupped my cheek before sliding to the back of my neck. Together we turned to the road. The new pavement broke, spitting tar-covered rocks behind the last motorcycles from the impact of bright magical explosions. The riders were pursued by a half dozen black SUVS, people hung out of the windows and hands glowed as magic was used against those who were fleeing from them.
My temper flared quick and hot. I was indignant these intruders dared to use magic as a weapon in front of me on my territory! Using Alpha Command so my warriors would hear me, I boomed, "The
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