2-Routine

Kimarhi - Spring of 2000 - Lion Island

Why me? Why am I stuck in a meeting on this beautifully sunny day? Well, because my second in command, Theo, has a habit of changing the training schedule. He should be here, discussing these boring matters, but he's at the training arena without me. If I must listen to outlines of the patrol guard duties for the Summit, then so does he. I look outside, hoping to be done soon, as I need to eat and kick Theo's ass.

"A sentry warrior will be placed at each entryway of the clan house and along the border every hundred feet as the clans arrive. The warrior patrols will also run the perimeter every hour," Our tactical director, Peters, drones out like any of this is new to me. "I'm sure the other Clans will use their guards for personal protection. We need to focus ours on the ground and perimeter."

He's one of our retired Lion Warriors in charge of clan security and is extra cautious during the summits. Alongside Theo and I, and he's third in line to deploy the warriors– he needs my final say in these matters.

"I would expect nothing less. But let us also have some of the Candidates shadow senior warriors. So, they understand sentry duty," I replied, looking at him. "Anyone caught intoxicated this time will be cleaning the latrines for three months and sparring with me during training," I say with a devilish smirk blooming across my face to show how serious I am. We both remember last year's Summit on Wolf Island and our few issues.

"As you command, My Queen. We can organize a celebration for them after the Summit if all goes well. They do an excellent job and need release," Peters suggests, so I nod in agreement.

The Summit allows all the clans to discuss trading for warriors and medicine. The clans are self-sufficient but need protection.

The conversation continues with more talk about the Summit, but I think of strawberry tea and a nice hot meal. My stomach growls ferociously at the idea, the sudden interruption causing all eyes to fall on me. My expression fades while a moment of silence befalls Peters. Everyone chuckles except him and Dorian.

Dorian is our public relations officer, doing all the leg work for trades and offers. Sir Tavers, head council member and the oldest person I know, quickly chimed in.

"I'm quite hungry myself, My Queen," he says, and I smile tightly.

"You are dismissed," and nodded to everyone thinking I should have eaten breakfast.

Peters, standing already, grabs his roster, heading for the door. Dorian followed. He nods and waits by the door for Sir Tavers. He didn't get a chance to speak at this meeting. But he leaves the dossiers for the Summit on the desk.

"Before I leave, My Queen Kimarhi, there is still the matter of your escort," Tavers interjects with a sweet voice.

He is wise and knows all eyes will be on me at the Summit. As host and un-chosen, I need an escort as the only female head of the five clans. My eyes darted to Sir Tavers in surprise, and I blushed.

"Does this need to be discussed now?" My tone is flat, and my hunger is rising. Dorian seems uncomfortable looking away from us. Sir Tavers bows to my non-answer and leaves, closing the door behind him.

I am still deciding if I want an escort. I don't want to think about that now. I gather my nerves before heading out for the food I desperately need. All other matters can wait; food first, and then a good fight with Theo because he purposefully changed my routine. I intend to make him pay by being my escort; he will love that.

Stomping as I walk through the clan house to the kitchens, everyone bows and steps to the side, not uttering a word. Sometimes I'm not too fond of that. Does my hunger make me look that menacing?

I smile as I enter the central kitchen, seeing a short and slightly aged she-wolf, Anya. She's barking orders at the kitchen staff, and I come up behind her to silently mimic her motions. A few kitchen staff stop and look. No one dares laugh, choosing instead to watch the spectacle.

Anya realizes it before I do. She takes the wooden spoon and swings it accurately at my hand, pointing at the staff. Everyone giggles and then hurries to their duties before being chastised by Anya.

This scene isn't anything new to them. They see a different side of me; when I'm playfully hungry and around Anya. She's like a mother to me since tragedy stole mine.

Anya watches while the staff works. Turning to me, she harrumphs, stomps to the sink, throws the spoon in, and turns around. Crossing her arms over her chest, she scowls at me, knowing why I'm here.

"Your breakfast went untouched and is now cold, and lunch won't be ready for an hour yet. Eat an apple," Anya snarls at me.

I know she hears my stomach growling, and still, she mocks me. As Queen, I can command her but don't.

Instead, I go with shy pleading eyes and the softest face I can muster. I slink over to her and lay my head on her shoulder. I'm not sure how it looks, but not like the ever-poised Queen I'm supposed to be.

"But I'm hungry," I whine, and she smiles. Bringing her hand to my cheek, lightly slapping it like only a mother would. She's good at things like this but shoves me off her, exasperated by my whining.

"A Queen shouldn't slouch and always eat her breakfast when it's hot and delivered." Anya points at me, again as a mother would.

On cue, I stood up straight, giving her a small victory. But snap my teeth at her finger with a playful growl, like the lioness I am. She swats my arm and motions me to sit at the table by the stove. Both of us are laughing at each other.

This kitchen dining table is meant more for small breaks between meal services for the staff and my escape from the outside world.

Being the King and Queen of our clan, my parents were often away in meetings. My brother, next in line to the crown, would also be too busy to spend time with me on most days. At least I saw him and Father at the arena.

When Mother wasn't available, I would always come in to eat in the mornings before training or classes, not allowing the community to see me sulk in their absence.

Although Anya is strict about her kitchen, she always indulges me. She even tried teaching me how to cook. It took some convincing. Though short-lived, it was fun.

I smile, remembering her calling me a menace in the kitchen. After that, I would watch her and the staff making the best meals I have ever had.

Anya comes over with a tray full of grilled chicken, freshly baked bread, plus all the fixings for a sandwich, along with a pitcher of her famous strawberry tea, my favorite.

She sat the tray before me, and I couldn't wait to dig in. I managed to eat a small piece of shredded meat before she could stop me. I go to grab more when she thumps me on the wrist lightly with her hand.

"A Queen should have patience and manners," she scolds.

I sit there while she serves me a nicely built chicken sandwich with a tall glass of tea. I growl at her sulkily while she places each dish on the table before me. I don't particularly appreciate that she feels she needs to do this. I am capable.

"Well, dig in," she says, sitting down and finally allowing me to eat.

I smile and do so happily as she watches and waits. Anya likes doting on me, and I let her as I love the motherly attention. She looks at everyone working in the kitchen, content at being able to take a break with me. When I have only two bites left, I push it away, giving up. She is not amused.

"Someone must not have been very hungry after causing such a scene." She tries to remove my plate. At her challenge, I smirk, grab the sandwich, finishing it in one bite.

"There's My Queen," she smiles, leaving with the dish.

I smile back at her with my mouth full and drink the rest of my tea. Anya returns with a piece of cheesecake and strawberry topping but pulls it back.

"Wait. You're full, aren't you? I'll eat this myself," she says. I pout and flutter my big eyes at her as she tries to bite my cheesecake. Giggling, she hands it to me with a hug.

"Oh, here, my Queen, eat," she says, again sitting down to join me.

Anya doesn't pry or ask questions; she sits and watches me like my mom would. Dad and Griff, my older brother, were the chattering busybodies, even. She stands once I have finished, needing to direct the lunch rush.

"All right, you have eaten. Get out of my kitchen, My Queen Kimarhi." Wrinkling my nose up at her, not for the request but for the title, although I know she means well.

"You never have to call me that, Anya," I say in my sincerest tone.

"You are a woman of power and should always be shown respect. No one can take that from you. Not even me, my sweet girl. I may do motherly things, but you are my Queen," she bows in respect but continues.

"Women must prove themselves to hold power. You are no different, and challenges lay ahead with the Summit." With that, she nods to the door– my cue to leave. I stand, kissing her on the forehead, making her blush affectionately.

"Out, out, My Queen Kimarhi, out," she says, swatting the air behind me with a tea towel. The staff giggles while she shoves me out the door like I'm late for school.

It's about one o'clock now; I have eaten, and the boring meetings part of my day is done now for training. Leaving the kitchen, an announcement sounds over the PA, and Theo's voice booms with authority.

"Attention all new candidates. Groups A and B, you are dismissed—groups C and D to the training field. Late arrivals will be running laps. You have five minutes, starting now. Senior warriors to their posts for shift change. That is all." The PA cuts off with a scratch heard throughout the village.

Training here is tough. I smirk at the thought of breaking in a few warriors and even Theo to make a point. By the time you're a candidate for the warrior program, you are lethal.

Training here starts early and is mandatory, so no younglings are defenseless. Our sentry warriors and trackers are the first lines of defense against attack, alerting the troops.

We have a diverse community of all kinds of shifters and a few humans too. Most patrol warriors are lion or wolf shifters, as strength, speed, and stamina are needed to take on a breach from the Shadow clan. They are relentless as the only clan who doesn't want peace and cooperation.

Approaching the arena, a massive oval building circles a large open field for training. Along the arena's edge are luxury boxes for spectators to watch out of the way. The building is equipped with shower rooms and exercise equipment throughout the building. A pool with a small diving board for the kids was installed a few years ago. There's also a steam room and massage tables for relaxing after practice.

Entering the training grounds down a long tunnel, a candidate comes racing past me, not paying attention. Blinded by his rush, he knocked me into the wall. He falls to the ground with a thud, my shoulder stinging from the wall impact. I growl from the minor pain, and he submits with his head down.

"I am so sorry!" he says breathlessly and in complete shock.

"What's your hurry?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"My Queen, I must do my laps before training, as I was shamefully late," he confesses.

I shook off my impact with the wall, reaching out a hand to help him up. He's a considerable size to knock me about like that.

Dressed in athletic shorts, a "D" on his arm shows his training group. Not allowing him to get up immediately, I squeezed his hand harder.

"Better get back to it then, or I will double those laps, Warrior," emphasizing the word.

He quickly stands with a confused look; we both know he's not one yet. He bows apologetically again, about to speak, but I cut him off.

"Go quickly before I change my mind," I say sharply, and he nods.

He quickly runs off in the opposite direction, a look of relief on his face. I remember being him once. Father always doubled my laps while also being the reason I was late.

Making my way again, I see Theo, tall and average athletically built. Not bulky like the candidate from earlier. He's busy demonstrating to the candidates a maneuver he wants them to try. Taking his time, he then dismisses them into pairs. Witnessing a few failed attempts, a few show genuine promise. Theo takes a few steps back, standing next to me now. We watch together in silence.

'Well, princess, nice of you to finally show up.' Theo's voice rings in my head.

I hate when he calls me that, not because I'm the Queen, but because I was a princess before my brother died. But it's Griff's nickname for me, and now Theo has adopted it. He's also the only one still allowed to call me that, but he pays dearly.

Growing up together, he knows me all too well, like a second brother. He and Griff acted like brothers, and that carried over to me. Theo would have been Griff's second, but that also transferred to me upon his death. That being said, no one else can handle the role or me.

"I was in meetings all morning because you pulled a fast one with the training schedules. Again!" I snarl back at him. He laughs, bowing his head in submission at my tone, knowing his crime.

"Honestly, I would rather be tortured with silver and nightshade than attend council meetings. Besides, Sir Tavers hates me," he says, raising his head.

He does have a point. Silver hurts all shifters, which makes it a good punishment, but it can also be used for torture. Nightshade is deadly to all shifters if not treated and healed correctly. Again, suitable for suffering.

"Careful, Theo, I might arrange that for you," I reply sarcastically, and we laugh.

"And Sir Tavers doesn't hate you. He won't stand for your silly behavior. That old lion soul is tired and is set in his ways." I said, watching the field again.

"Very true," Theo says, paying attention to the sparring ahead.

"So, feel like showing these candidates a thing or two," he asks, pointing a thumb to the practicing groups.

While he is distracted and just for fun, I crouch down into a spinning kick, taking his legs out from under him. Theo falls hard, not expecting it, but he should have. Jumping up, I land, straddling his chest, with my fist half an inch away from his face.

"Sure, but you can't do that laying on your back being bested 'by this princess!'" I finish through pride link, winking at him and lowering my fist.

"Ugg, you always do that." He says in frustration and a little embarrassed. I smile, get up and then help him in turn.

"Then you should expect it and learn to counter," I growl while he brushes himself off.

Blowing his whistle, all the candidates line up before us and await further instructions. Speaking slightly aggressively, I turn to them and wonder if they are tired.

"You call that a practice? None of you has a scratch!" I bellow out, and they all bow their heads in submission.

"I would swear you were asleep during that demonstration," I say, pacing in front of them to show my aggravation.

"How do you expect to protect our borders on limp tackles, weak throws, and soft punches!" My question is rhetorical, and they are silent, but everyone's tensing at my words and movements.

"Now try again! This time you stop when you have drawn blood on your opponent." I challenge everyone, and they stand up taller, looking forward.

"Those who bleed will try till they get it right. Now, go bleed!" I say with a menacing roar.

"Yes, our Queen," everyone shouted with enthusiasm.

They bow and pair up again, sparring a bit harder this time. The sound is terrific as bodies hit the ground with grunts. The first bleeders are all puffed up, now going against the other bleeders.

Just as the spars are getting better, the candidate from earlier jogs up. He bows and kneels before Theo and me, taking heavy breaths, looking exhausted.

"Took you long enough," Theo hounds, still paying attention to the others.

"Yes, Sir, sorry, Sir. I doubled my laps for my tardiness." He says, with eyes slightly jetted to me. Damn, I tried not to show it, but my brow twitched at his words.

"Fine, get some water and go team up. You have not bled yet, so get to it." Theo states, and the candidate rises.

He bows again, looking straight at me, with eyes so yellow and piercing I almost swoon, and he leaves. I look to a new group of candidates to shrug off my thoughts before turning to ask Theo about him.

"What is his name?" I ask as smoothly as I can. Theo shifts through his clipboard haphazardly. He needs to be more organized when it comes to paperwork.

"Ahh, here it is, Magnus," he says like he just found the jackpot, and I feel myself grin as he continues.

"Good candidate, top marks but sometimes tardy," Theo says, glancing at my expression, making fun.

"Oh shit, I know that look." he mocks, crossing his arms over the clipboard.

"What look?" I choke out, clearing my face of any evidence of my mood.

"That look that says he's going to die. What did he do?" Theo questions trying to piece together the puzzle.

"Nothing horrible. On his run, Magnus' body checked me into the wall. It was accidental, but my shoulder still felt the impact. I admit staring right at Magnus. "He has some strength."

"OK, so do you want to kill him?" Theo pauses a second.

"Or fuck him?" He concludes with a light chuckle to gauge my reaction, and again I grin.

"I'm intrigued. Magnus doubled his laps after I said I wouldn't do so because of the incident."

"Ahh, are you going soft, Princess?" Theo jabs my arm a bit with his elbow.

"I'm not going soft," I say, punching him on the bicep to prove my point.

"Ouch, that's going to leave a mark. See, it's turning purple already. My Dr. Helena cannot fix bruises." Theo grumbles, rubbing his arm with a sneer, but his eyes have no malice.

"Too bad. Just let her know there's more where that came from." I snicker at him knowing Helena won't care.

"So, what's the sudden interest in Magnus then?" Theo persists more to get a reaction, I'm sure.

"If he is determined to be a warrior, I will show him how. My father would have seen to it as well." I continue my thought but trail off, feeling I sound just like him.

"Candidate Shows Promise!" Theo's booming imitation of my father, King Vikram, is uncanny. I slowly look at him and turn up my brow sweetly.

"Sorry, I hear him too. I try to channel what I feel he wants for these warriors." Theo says bashfully, knowing what that means to me; I nod to him in agreement and understanding.

Like my father, we train daily, with the warriors helping improve their skills. Looking over their weak spots, we discuss a few more maneuvers to try with the candidates.

We split them into two groups. Theo takes the one with Magnus and me the other. I make it my goal to take them both down in this skirmish. A., because Theo always deserves it, and B., to see if Magnus is warrior material. Even though I already know the answer, this will still be fun.

"OK, candidates, it's time to group spar. Pretend this is a real attack from Shadow Clan." Theo instructs while we stand between the two groups.

"Know your team, but get your opponent. And get ready to bleed," I add, more to Theo than them. We each go to our group, pride linking a few directions, and begin.

Pride linking allows clan members to speak to each other or me telepathically. It makes for accessible communication on simple matters in human form, but it makes you zone out, so conversation must be short.

Handy when shifting during battle, as it's meant for that purpose, and there is no distraction. Theo and I are the only ones that can link everyone simultaneously, being the heads of the clan. All the shifters have it, but it's only valid if you have a high-ranked shifter to activate the link.

Once we're ready to start, Theo's in the middle of his group; I'm more front and center with mine. Scanning the candidates, I find Magnus quickly, about 20 feet away from Theo.

A buzzer sounds from just the arena PA speakers and a few candidates, still in human form, bound forward to their targets, others waiting for their moment.

Two candidates leap at me, and I easily duck out of the way of one, kicking him as he tries to dodge. I spring back up to catch the other with my right hand at his throat. Using his momentum, I threw him into the first. They fall together and groan. I bound off through the crowd taking out another candidate as I went. Easy picking today.

Continuing to run for my target, who hasn't moved yet. Grinning at Theo, he has a look of surprise.

"Oh, Shit." He says while I flip over him proficiently, kicking at his back with both my feet. That sends him flying towards two candidates, sparring.

I land on my back hard while he rebounds expertly and comes at me with a look of determination on his face. Still lying, I kick my legs to deflect his attack.

Theo hunkers and strikes again, trying to barrel into me. I succeeded in laying him out instead with a kick to the chest.

Theo's lying next to me, stunned. I finished him with a one-two elbow punch to the face. He's fine, only bleeding a little; my mission is complete.

Backward somersaulting into a crouching position, I dodge an attacker. Jumping up, I kick off of him, flying back in the air. I land effortlessly a few feet away from Magnus, catching the tail end of his spar. He's good; let's see how he does with me.

Having just shrugged off his attacker, he prepares for another, turning around to face me as his opponent. Although shocked, he readies, adjusting his stance and raising his hands to fight. He didn't take the first blow, a big mistake.

Expressionless, I explode a flurry of attacks at him. A one-two punch to the face, followed by a jab to the kidney. Crouching as he swings, I spin and kick his legs out from under him, like I did Theo earlier.

Straddling him, I add the punch at the end, making him bleed. He's stunned by my speed, unable to block any of my attacks but recovers quickly. He flips me off him, springing back up, and readies for more.

Lunging forward, he misses and stumbles, frustrated he kicks off the ground, and I notice the two candidates from a moment ago join in our fun. Finally, a challenge to my day, how did they know I needed this?

The three candidates are spread evenly apart, me in the center. Circling me like predators, they're using the link again, cheaters. I'm just waiting for one of them to strike first.

The one to my left, Candidate One, leaps toward me while Magnus rushes forward. I calculate to kick the first in his gut, ducking out of reach of Magnus. Only to be captured by the third from behind. How did I miss that?

I head-butt him in the nose, making him bleed. He releases me to swing mindlessly in my direction. Easily deflecting, I take him out with a heavy uppercut, sending him to the ground. Candidate two is down and out cold; that's for catching me off guard.

I will need to learn their names if they make it through the program, but they must be taken down for now.

As candidate one and Magnus begin their second attempt, I notice Theo and the others are now watching—time to finish this.

Ducking into a ground summersault, they tackled each other over me with a thud. Leaping back up, I kick Magnus's head into candidate one, making him stunned but still alert.

Candidate one rebounds slowly and does not rise. And look, he's bleeding too.

Magnus, however, stumbles up, continuing the challenge, determined and running towards me. With a spinning roundhouse kick, I hit him in the chest. He falls back into candidate one. I take my win as they both lay panting in defeat, looking up at me, holding their injuries bleeding.

'OK, OK, I won't change the schedule again. Stop breaking the candidates. You'll scare the rest!' Theo says through the link, to me only.

"And she wins! Return to your sparring candidates," he says aloud to break up the audience. Theo then makes his way to the four of us, looking at my victims on the ground, impressed.

"So, what have we learned," he asks with a grin. He sounds even more like my father. It is scarily accurate.

"That our Queen hits hard," Candidate One says, pointing at number Two, still out.

"Our Queen is fast and smart, and we should strive to be like her in battle," Magnus scoffs at one after getting up.

Part of me is bashful at the comment, but it's so cheesy that I snort in reply.

"Such a suck-up," Theo mocks, making Magnus turn bright red.

"Now, get him up and finish practicing. Move it. Move it." He commands in a marching tone.

They hustle to Candidate Two, still out cold, to rouse him. Theo then turns to me, amused, and so begins my questioning.

"Feel better?" He asks, and I roll my eyes, sticking out my tongue.

"Yes, I do. Thanks for asking." I smile, wiping blood from my knuckles.

"I think I need an alignment now," he adds, rolling his shoulders.

"Alrighty, I can help with that too." I offer, moving towards him and cracking my knuckles, but he backs away hurriedly.

"Um, no thanks." Theo retorts, waving his hands in surrender.

"Now, about that silver torture. You will be escorting me to the Summit," I say playfully.

Theo pales at my words, and his mouth drops open.

"Speak with Dorian for the itinerary and get your special Doctor's permission. She'll be OK with it; she loves to torture you as much as I do, and I know she won't be attending, so no excuses," I say and walk off, grinning, leaving him speechless.

'You're in charge. I'm off to bathe,' I tell Theo through the link.

'Enjoy and leave some hot water for the rest of us, Princess!' Theo jokes back, and I shut him out as I hear him chuckle—finally, silence.