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Finding Peace 2 Chapter 5

Lily flew high above the others as they marched across the bridge. The border guards simply turned and fled seeing the mob before them and they continued on, marching right towards the Kingdom. It didn't take long for Lily to see the soldiers army massing in the distance. She swooped down and landed next to Ember who lead their warriors. "They're a few miles ahead..." she said quietly.

"Numbers?" Ember asked without looking away.

"Plenty..." Lily said but she glanced at her with a smirk "nothing you can't handle though."

Ember laughed and said "maybe in my prime. But I just got my ass kicked by a runt."

"Hey!" Lily growled softly "that's Chieftess runt to you."

Ember smirked and kept marching and finally said "he'd be proud of you you know..."

"I know..." Lily replied. She then took to the skies again and watched as the two armies approached each other. Ember stopped the tribals in a field with tall grass and they spread out slowly. Ember dropped low and began a low rumbling growl. The soldiers approached but as more and more of the warriors began to growl and snarl, snapping like wild dogs they hesitated.

"Impressive!" a voice called from behind the wall of soldiers. Lily turned immediately and saw Bane. He was standing next to a covered cage. She could only imagine who was inside. But his cloak... it looked off... He smirked up at her and called "tell you what. I'll let my men have their fun... and you and I can have ours. I won't even burn this field down so your little friends have nowhere to hide. At least... not yet."

"No more games Bane" Lily called. She drew her bow and knocked an arrow, keeping herself out of reach but descending closer. "No games, no negotiations, no mercy, this time you just die."

"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing" he growled in response "Or did you think you were safe up there?" Lily blinked and she paused. The wolf smirked and growled "You know... magic can do incredible things... here... let me show you." With that he reached back and yanked his cloak off. Lily's eyes widened in horror as a familiar pair of wings spread free and lifted the wolf off the ground. He rocketed right towards her with his spear at the ready. She rolled to the side but watched as her father's wings, horribly attached to the wolf's body through twisted magic, carried him past her. She growled menacingly but she paused. She glanced below as the tribal warriors suddenly roared and charged the soldiers in the grass. She couldn't afford to lose her head... they were counting on her. She took aim with her bow and loosed.

Bane knocked it away easily but she loosed again and again, each arrow easily deflected by the wolf. He laughed and then twisted and dove towards her. She dropped her bow and rolled to the side, twisting in the air. His wings were more powerful but he was clumsy with them, and she was faster, more agile, even in the air. She avoided his spear with ease, keeping her mind on the task at hand.

Then it hit her. She almost grinned to herself remembering the game they used to play. Piggy Back. Bane lunged again with a growl and Lily twisted away once again "are you really this pathetic?" she called to him.

"What?" he growled.

"You... you couldn't hit me if I was a rock on the ground" she called to him "Let me guess... the only way you caught my father was with an army bigger then that one hmm?"

"You little shit..." he growled. He swept his spear out and hurled a wave of flames at her. She dove beneath it without hesitation and then rose back up even closer.

"Really? Is that all you can do? Even your son has more impressive magic" she called "then again... not all males are as... blessed... as he is." Bane snarled and lunged at her but this time she was ready. She twisted again and rolled under him, narrowly avoiding the blade of his spear but catching his thigh with her claws. He yowled and tried to twist back but she yanked hard and hauled herself up onto his back. She snarled wickedly to his ear "you don't deserve these gifts..." there was a loud snap as she broke one of his stolen wings. Where Feugen had been silent... been strong... Bane screamed at the top of his lungs at the agony.

Lily kicked off of his back and watched him tumble and flail to the ground. He managed to use one wing to slow his descent, but he still hit the ground hard. Lily landed not far off and started towards him, drawing a dagger from her belt. It was time to end this. But as she reached him he swung one of the wings at her. She sliced through it but he was on her, swinging wildly with his spear. The savagery and strength of his attacks sent her stumbling back. The flames leaped from his blade, biting at her and setting fire to the tall grass around her. It spread quickly in the dry heat of the day, consuming most of the field. The tribals were forced to retreat and the soldiers pressed forward. With their advantage gone they circled up as the soldiers advanced.

"You insolent little CUNT" Bane snarled at her "You really thought you could win with some cheap tricks?!" Lily continued focusing on blocking every blow, keeping her footing, everything her father taught her.

"No..." she growled back as she rolled past a heavy swing, catching him in the side with a wicked slice of her knife. She spun to a crouch and smirked "I can win with honor..."

"HA!" Bane snarled "do you know what your honor gets you?... killed. That's why your daddy's dead. He gave himself up... to save his men. And look where that got him? The same place it'll get you." He snarled and jabbed with he spear but not at her. Instead he pointed it at the covered cage. The flames burned away the fabric and revealed the jackal. He had his arms bound behind his back and a spiked collar around his throat. The violet flames wreathed themselves around the cage, singing his fur as he struggled to get away.

"Sirius!" Lily called desperately.

"Kill him Lily!" Sirius barked at her "Kill him now! He has to die! He's responsible for EVERYTHING!"

"I know Sirius I know it's not your fault I*" she started to say.

"No!" Sirius barked "It's his fault! HE KILLED YOUR MOTHER!"

Lily froze hearing those words. She turned and looked back at Bane. The wolf grinned at her and chuckled "well shit... guess the cats out of the bag now."

"You?..." she whispered "No... my grandfather... Iris told me. She was there!"

Bane laughed and said "Ahhh yes the old King. I had hoped to take the throne by marrying your mother and fucking a baby into her. But... she went and fucked that up for me. You see... magic can do some... incredible things..." As he spoke his eyes shimmered and Lily stumbled as images flashed through her mind.

Bane was a young boy... but already adept at magic. He tried to use it to gain the King's favor, to become his daughter's guard. But Iris had her own blessing and beat him in a fair fight. So he became the King's guard. He manipulated the King. From the moment he was a boy... that man was under Bane's control. He got everything he wanted and set himself up to be the next King. He forced the announcement of his betrothal to River. But when River returned with a baby... with her... Bane lost it. He intended to blame it all on Iris but she escaped. He still took the crown, having been announced as her betrothed he was next in line. Her grandfather hadn't gone mad... hadn't hated her mother. He had loved River, more then anything. He had nearly taken his own life a dozen times to try and protect her... the decision to send her to the tribals had been his own. He had hoped that the Chief with honor would keep her safe.

Tears welled in Lily's eyes as she looked at Bane. This... monster... had been the cause of so much suffering... all for his own personal gain of power. He wasn't a man, wasn't even a person. He was an outright monster. The king you read about in fairy tales. The kind you hear about in legends. And it meant only one thing... he had to be put down. Lily gripped her blade and rose up slowly but Bane pointed his spear towards Sirius.

"Ah ah ahhh..." he growled "enough games. Drop the blade or he dies."

"Don't do it Lily!" Sirius shouted "Kill h*" he choked as the spiked collar suddenly tightened heavily around his throat.

"You'd murder your own son?" Lily growled at him.

"Son? Ha!" Bane laughed "I don't even know if he's mine. His mother was a slave whore. One of your people actually. With the number of men that used that bitch he could be anyone's. But when I saw his mark well... I figured he could be useful... and boy has he proven me right. Now... drop the blade..."

Tears rolled down Sirius' cheeks as he watched from within the cage. Lily looked at him and her heart broke. She couldn't... she just couldn't bring herself to sacrifice him. Despite every fiber of her being telling her to do as he said and just kill Bane... save her people, save everyone... she couldn't give up the man she loved.

She looked back at Bane and at his weapon. She knew what he wanted... what he'd always wanted. More power... He wanted her's just like he took Iris'. She blinked at that thought... and looked at the violet stone. She looked up at Bane again... and the blade fell from her grasp. He stepped over with a wicked smirk and growled "pathetic..."

"Yes... you are" she replied looking up at him "you truly are..."

He growled and then lunged and Lily felt the blade pierce her stomach. She doubled over and felt blood well up in her throat. She could hear Sirius screaming... hear Ember shouting something. But Bane leaned down so he was eye level with her. "They're all dead anyway..." he growled softly "this changes nothing..."

Lily lifted her head and looked him in the eye and whispered "this changes everything..." Bane blinked but he snarled and the jewel in the spear started to shine a brilliant violet light. It blinded Lily's sight for a moment... and everything stopped.

When she could see again she blinked finding herself at the edge of the White Willow field. She was admittedly surprised, but she looked around some, looking for Sirius. She was about to take a step forward when she heard a familiar voice behind her say "I told you she'd figure it out."

She whirled around and found herself facing Iris and her father. She blinked as tears welled in her eyes and she stared at them. They were just... standing there. Like they'd been having a casual conversation. "Iris?" she whispered "You..."

"Laid the best trap ever?" she replied "you bet your ass I did. Cocky prick took the bait hook line and."

"Sinker!" another voice giggled. Iris turned and Silver raced up behind her and jumped into her arms. The two lovely ladies kissed and Silver smiled "I'm so proud of you love, you did wonderfully." Feugen blinked and looked at Silver and Iris and then looked thoughtful.

"Wait a minute does that mean..." he said and then he heard it.

"Feugen?..." a voice called behind them. He turned and Lily hurried forward and stood between them.

"River..." Feugen breathed out. Lily looked up at him and then out at the vixen in the distance. She looked almost like a wingless twin... But Lily immediately recognized her.

"M... Mama?" she whispered shakily. The vixen ran forward and hugged them both tightly. Feugen shook as he hugged his mate and his daughter together for the first time. Lily let out a soft sob as she pulled back. "Mama it's really you!" she sobbed out.

"Yes baby girl" River said with a smile "I am so... so very proud of you angel. You've grown into such an amazing woman I..." she got choked up again and just hugged her tight. Lily melted into that hug, desperate to hold onto it forever. But she blinked and suddenly pulled back.

"W... wait wait does... does this mean..." she started to ask.

"Nope" Iris said "sorry kiddo, you're not dead. At least not yet."

"What?!" Lily whined.

"What she means" Silver growled at Iris "is that it's not your time yet dear. I'm sorry, but this is going to be a short visit."

"But..." Lily started to say.

"No but's" Feugen warned "you're too young Lily. But I promise... when the time is right. We'll still be waiting for you."

She nodded and looked at the four of them. They all looked... perfect. Her father had his beautiful wings back. Her mother's face was completely unscarred... perfect. Iris and Silver were a match made in heaven, almost quite literally. And they were all so young, not much older then she was. But she still recognized them easily. She just... smiled. "I love you Mama" she said softly and hugged River again.

"I love you too Water Lily" she whispered and hugged her back. She eased back and said "I want you to remember something for me okay?" Lily nodded and River smiled and said "you inherited a lot from your father. Including his hard head."

Lily blinked but snorted some "I can be stubborn yea... but..."

River shook her head "not what I mean love. Don't worry you'll figure it out." With that they all stepped back and Lily bit her lip.

"So... what do I do now?..." she asked, looking around again.

"Go to him..." Feugen said quietly "he still needs you. I wish I could've met him... had a little... chat..." River nudged him in the stomach.

Lily turned and looked back at the White Willow. She opened her maw and turned back but the four were gone. Her ears lowered some but she turned back and set her jaw. She hurried up the mountain and saw the familiar blue shape through the branches. "I'm coming Sirius..." she said and then hurried underneath.

She was staring down at the spear still embedded in her stomach. The violet stone had amber cracks all over it and suddenly shattered and fell apart. She looked up and saw Bane looking up from the stone with the same horrifying realization. She blinked and then it clicked. She almost laughed, but instead she set her jaw, reared her head back, and bashed it into the wolf's muzzle as hard as she could. With a loud yelp he fell back as blood erupted down his face. He snarled and looked at her as she clutched her bleeding stomach with one hand and whirled the spear around with the other and stabbed at him.

Bane rolled up to his feet and snarled "you're still dead bitch..."

"You first" Lily snapped back. She tossed the spear up and caught it in a downward grip, reeling back and hurling it as hard as she could.

Bane leaned to the side and watched it sail by, smirking at her. "You missed" he growled.

"Did I?" Lily shot back, even as she sagged to her knees, blood welling in her maw. Bane whirled and saw the spear slip through the bars of the cage and strike the metal collar holding Sirius and binding him in place. The jackal's eyes shot open and began to glow with a brilliant blue light. The cage shattered around him as the light spread over every mark on his body, escalating on his back until two great feathered wings erupted forth. He looked right at Bane and lunged towards him.

The wolf dove out of the way but once again, he thought it was all about him. Sirius landed in front of Lily and held out his hand. She took it without hesitation and felt her strength renewed, her pain fading almost instantly as her wounds were healed. She smiled at him and then looked behind her. Her people needed help...

"Go..." Sirius said quietly "I'll deal with him." She looked back at him and kissed him gently before grabbing her bow and taking to the skies. She gave a whooping war cry and loosed three arrows at spearmen that were advancing on Ember. Ember looked up and raised her spear and gave her own battle cry. The tribals fought back with renewed hope and as Lily flew overhead raining her arrows she turned towards the nearby forests and her eyes shined brilliantly. In mere moments a pack of wolves came charging from the trees, attacking the flanks of the army of soldiers and providing more openings for the tribals to strike.

Bane staggered up to his feet and stared as Sirius started towards him. The jackal's body radiated magical strength that blew away the ashes from the burned grass around them. Every step he took breathed new life into the earth and new grass sprung forth behind him. The wolf snarled and drew a dagger growling "you little SHIT. I RAISED YOU!" He lunged and Sirius easily avoided him, grabbing his arm and twisting it sharply, just as Lily had showed him. There was a snap and Bane howled as he dropped the blade. He looked up as Sirius loomed over him, glaring at him with his good eye.

"You used me..." Sirius replied "you never cared about me... you've never cared about anything in your life... I almost pity you..."

Bane snarled, enraged by his words. A bloody red pentagram began to appear on his eye as he rose up in front of the jackal. His body began to smoke as he roared at him "you'll never beat me you little shit! You're nothing! You're pathetic! You'll always be nothing! And you'll never be good enough for her!"

Sirius didn't say anything. The wolf raged and raw power erupted out of him. He just reached out and placed a paw on his chest and said quietly "goodbye father..." Bane roared but there was a thunderous crash and a blast of brilliant blue light. The wolf... exploded... in a shower of raw magic.

The blast radiated outward across the field, causing the soldiers and tribals alike to stumble. They all turned, even Lily. As Sirius turned back towards them. All that was left of the wolf.. was a smoldering scorch mark. But at it, a flower bloomed, a beautiful blue one. The jackal approached the group and his wings slowly dissipated into dust... his magic slowly fading. He stopped and he pointed to Lily and called out "She... is the daughter of River Rayne... Daughter of Marcus Rayne... she is the true heir to the throne. Any who would challenge her... step forward now. Otherwise, put down your arms."

Lily landed beside Sirius with a glare at the remaining soldiers. She dared a single one of them to step forward. But one by one... they dropped their weapons... and knelt down before her. The tribals cheered and Sirius barked out "Long live the Queen!"

With a single... united voice. Every person in the field responded as one...

"Long live the Queen!"