Clouds drifted, gray and heavy, over the forest blocking out what should have been a cheerful sun. The trees seemed to bow their great heads under the oncoming storm, Watching gloomily as a middle aged man passed under their weary buffs.
James, Of mid hight, deep solemn face and plain features, walked through the darkening woods looking for a suitable shelter to hold him before it became too dark to travel further. A deep shadow with in a rock face indicated an opening to a small cave just large enough to admit him in and comfortably house him and his things with a little room to spare. Ducking inside he dropped his pack to the side. before sliding down to sit in front of the entrance. The air was cool and damp but not uncomfortably wet, not yet. Watching as drop by drop it began to rain and then pour in fierce gales of wind that whistled through the trees that bent under the wind’s battering gusts.
Setting his back against the cool wall, determining that the storm would pass in good time, He closed his eyes to rest his weary body before the storm blew over. It been a long hard journey from his poor hometown, a dying place, a dead place. Raides and slaughter. Eventually the town could not support itself and the demands of the marauders. Where he was supposed to go as one of the few fleeing survivors he knew not. There were many kingdoms that would surely take a willing worker at these times.
He woke later, Finding that he’d dozed off only to be woken by the sound of something being dragged across rough dirt. He rolled over for a moment putting it out of his mind and paying it no attention until he remembered where exactly he was, nowhere. He set up and looked around.
It was still raining but the brutal wind had settled to a dull beating against the branches, that's not what took his attention, what caught his eye was the fact that his food pack was not where he had left it. He pushed himself up into a crouch peering around the empty, dark, space for anything lurking there, nothing. Standing he made his way over to it curiously.
Obviously an inanimate object couldn’t move on its own. So how did it get there? Something darted to the back of the cave as he reached for his pack. Something he hadn’t seen in the dark. He watched the dark shape as he kneeled down by his pack and picked up a piece of dried meat. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as took note of the obvious chew marks, he looked over to the two small golden eyes watching him. A wolf but as his eyes adjusted more to the darkness he saw that it was just a pup.
After a long moment he held out the piece of meat to the small pup. “Come here.”
The pup didn’t move an inch.
He waited a moment before getting up and walking slowly over to it.
Bearings it’s small white fangs at him it let out a small pathetic puppy growl that wouldn’t have even scared away a butterfly, It tried to scramble away as he scooped it up around the middle, being careful to keep his hands far from its mouth.
Looking it over he noted how small it was and decided it must be a runt. Which could explain why it was alone, Despite being so small it squirmed fiercely snapping at his fingers with vicious little teeth. He waited for it to tire itself out and calm down before holding the meat to its nose.
It stopped its squirming for a moment staring at the meat with wide eyes. Both fear and curiosity betrayed the golden gaze as they turned to look up at him.
“Go on eat it.” He coaxed. Not only was it runt sized he could feel its little ribs against his palm. He wasn’t even sure it could eat this hard dry stuff, but he hadn’t anything else to offer it.
Watching him for a long moment it cautiously grabbed into the piece and gnawed it while watching him out of the corner of its eye.
He placed it back on the floor leaving it with the meat as he walked back to the front noting that it had stopped raining and he would have to be off soon. He leaned against the cave wall crossing his arms before looking back at the pup who was now gazing back at him crouched over the meat as it tried to break a piece small enough for it to swallow. Eventually it seem to give up with what could only be described as a wistful expression.
“Come.” He commanded in a quiet voice while watching to see how it would respond.
Hesitating for a moment it crawled over with it’s tail between its legs. It recognized him as stronger presence now. He was grateful now for all those times he’d help train the hunting dogs.
Once it was at his feet he reached down and picked it up gently. He took a quick look confirming that it was young female. “Well…“You won't survive on your own, But there’s no guarantee that you're strong enough to survive anyways.”
She gave a little whine as he gently ran his hand over her back., Contemplating the pros and cons of taking on such a young pup. It was another mouth to feed on a journey he didn’t even know where it was taking him, and there was always a possibility of her turning on him as she grew older. But if he gained her loyalty and trained her well she’d make a good hunting companion and fighter. The roads were dangerous but it be some time before she was fighting ready.
“Why are you alone?” He asked not expecting any sort of an answer from the sentient little being, and sure he already knew the answer. But the pup looked back towards the back of the cave then back at him almost imploringly.
Curiously he set the pup down and followed as she scampered off to the shadowy back of the cavern. She led him to a large hole at the end that looked like it have been chiseled at to make bigger. Frowning he peered into the darkness, the order of decay wafted out as he covered his nose and let his eyes adjust to what little light came though. On the cavern floor was the obvious remains of a larger mammal, more than likely the mother, he couldn’t make out any other shapes but by the size of this thing it would have had more than just one small runt.
He backed out breathing in the fresher, damp air. That wasn’t any normal wolf, it was huge! He glanced to the little black fur ball near his feet would this little runt get anywhere near that large?
He scooped her up and brought her to eye level for a moment. What had happened here? It seemed unlikely that she would have been spared had it been another pack, was there people looking for this type of animal and she just didn’t fit the requirement?
“Your lucky I found you.” James said after a moment. “You wouldn’t survive on your own.” He tucked her under his arm before gathering up his things and throwing them over his shoulder before striking out of the cave. Clouds still covered the sky beyond the foliage, but they were lighter now, not weighted down by the weight of their tears.
James set with his back against a tree as he sighed the setting sun was still warm on his face as he set for a rest. The pup set in lap looking around the new area with interest but hesitance. He coaxed her out of his lap and leaned back, He wasn’t to worried about her wandering off to far, she’d be back and he needed to rest a little before starting a fire and thinking about dinner, he wasn’t all that hungry but that pup needed meat on her own bones, he’s probably have to boil some of that leftover meat down soft enough for her to chew.
What could have only been minutes later his eyes popped open when he felt something holding him down only to realize that there were three men holding on to him. A fourth stood back watching as he tried to wrestle the others off of himself.
“Better calm down or someone could get hurt.” Sneered the one watching.
James only glared as the three individuals managed to keep him down but just barely.
“Alright-” the man started but was stopped at the pitiful attempt at a growl. “What do we have here?” all four men turned to look at the scrap of fur bearing its unimpressive snarl.
James saw his chance heaving with all his might he pulled one arm free, elbowing the man in the face before he grabbed ahold of the one holding his legs down and shoving him at the other one that was holding his other man, their heads collided with a loud crack. He rolled up onto his feet before diving forward tackling the legs of the fourth man.
He snatched up the knife as he scrambled back to his feet facing the four. “So, this is how this is going to go, you're going to leave quietly in that direction.” He said flicking the knife point ever so slightly to the left. By the looks of these fellows they were a bunch of cowards who wouldn’t take the chance of getting stabbed if the tables turned.
The one holding his face scrambled to his feet and fled without a second glance leaving his three companions to slink off after him, watching their backs. Despite their corporation James didn’t let up until they were out of sight and even then he kept a sharp ear out as he could up his bags and threw them over his shoulders before scooping up the pup. “Dinner can wait.”
James soon had to slow his pace through the dark, breathing heavily as he continued to move by what little light the stars and the moon gave off. The forest was quiet enough that he knew they were not being pursued. He stumbled over a rock grunting at the pain of stubbing his toe before he crouched, holding his breath for a moment to make sure nothing else stirred. Finally convinced that their pursuers were far behind he looked down at the pup who was squished between his arms and chest but had remained quiet the entire time.
“You okay?” he asked loosening his grip. It looked up at him with shining golden eyes, blinking once before she fell back into a sitting position and let out a heavy sigh. “You seem just fine.” He let her down. “That was a close one eh pup?” he said cracking one eye open at her.
The she-pup crawled back into his lap and set there looking up at him while her tail thumbed his leg.
Smiling her ruffled her ears “You did good girl.”
Licking his hand he could almost swear she was smiling at him. Shaking his head he leaned back again as she curled up on his lap with a small yawn. He wasn’t sure he could sleep again yet, it wasn’t safe out here as was just proven just a little while ago. He needed to find a village or a town soon. He watched the pup as it fell asleep under his warm hands.
It could only have been moments later that he opened his eyes as a warm, wet tongue rapidly licked his face. “What do you want?” he asked cracking his eyes open then closing them again as he pushed the small runt off his chest and onto his lap. Opening his eyes once more and looking down at her she only stared back with her head slightly cocked to one side.
“Silly runt.” He said tiredly picking her up and setting her to the side before sliding forward and laying back once more with his hands behind his head. Maybe she was hungry, for that matter so was he. It was dark out and the sky was filled with stars, but there was plenty of night game, it was just a matter of getting it.
He looked over at a rustling tensing for a moment before a small rabbit came flying out, bounding right towards him in a hurry only to realize too late. James instinctively caught it, It thrashed against his chest as the pup came bounding out of the bushes panting heavily as it came to a stop in front of him.
With some difficulty he managed to keep ahold of it and snap its neck making it go limp in a hurry. “Well… that’s one way to catch a meal.” He said watching as the pup wagged its tail for a moment. He rubbed his face for a moment before setting the rabbit down and getting up. If he was going to eat it, he was going to cook it first.
It only took a few moments to gather enough wood for a fire, but it took longer to actually get it started. When he was confident it would take he began to skin the rabbit as the pup set back and watched with a cocked head and forward ears.
“Unlike you I can’t eat things raw.” He said reaching out and rubbing the runts ears before he finished pulling the skin off and tossing it off into some bushes he carefully stuck the rabbit and held it over the fire. It was going to be a good while before it was done. Pushing the stick into the ground making sure it was positioned over the fire he leaned back.
He watched as the runt watched the fire, not yet old enough to know to be afraid. He made sure to keep a close eye so she wouldn’t venture too close but he needn't have worried, she was well aware of the heat coming off the pile of burning sticks. He fed the fire some more twigs and sticks he scrounge up before turning the rabbit.
“It will be done soon.” He told the pup as she whined sniffing the air.
Jame took the rabbit off the fire, allowing it to cool before her took his knife and cut into the meat, making sure it was cooked before he took off a chunk and set it down in front of the pup.
She sniffed at it once before looking up at him with her head cocked for a moment. He offered her a smile. “Eat.” He coaxed before taking a bite of his portion, watching her sink her little fangs in and began to gnaw on it.
When they were both finished with their meal he threw dirt on the fire quickly smothering it and pushing himself up while grabbing his pack.
“Come little one it's time for us to get moving on.” He said slinging his back over his shoulder and kicking a bit more dirt over the fire before walking off.
He looked back to see the pup scampering after him as fast as she could but could not quite keep up. Reaching down her scooped her up and held her as they continued on.
James shaded his eyes as he looked over the vast open field of waving,wild grass with a few fairy trees here and there. It been some time since he’d been able to see so far, and he was only two days journey into this wide open plain.
His bag shifted with a sharp yip before a furry black head poked out from under the flap and began sniffing at his ear.
“Awake are you?” He asked waving away her tongue with a smirk. Carefully swinging his bag off his shoulder he pulled the pup out before putting the strap back over his shoulder.
She was certainly no runt now, hard to hold onto as she squirmed, she was almost the size of one of the full sized barn cats back home. “You’ll soon be too big to ride in the bag, but you should be able to keep up now.” He said setting her down. “Sit.”
The black pup hesitated only a moment before planting her rump on the ground.
“Good.” He ruffled her ears. Now all she needed was a name, nothing came to mind that seemed fitting, he still had some time.
Looking about he spotted what appeared to be a small cabin nestled between two small rises, under a large tree.
“What do you think girl?” He asked looking back at the pup who only regarded him with her small golden eyes.
Nodding he turned towards the small home and began to make his way through the fields approaching the door. Knocking when he was within reach he waited a moment for an answer. Luckily he didn’t have to wait long as an older man opened the door with a faintly annoyed look.
“Can I help you?”
“Can you tell me where the nearest village is?”
The man hesitated for a moment studying him and seeming to weigh his options then finally sighed. “Come in I’ll show you.” The man stepped aside letting him in. Shutting the door behind him he turned and walked into a small room where a table and a large map rested in the center.
James leaned over the map for a moment as he looked over the landmarks, not sure he recognized any of them, he had expected to see more villages marked on here, but there were a handful at best.
“You're here.” The man said tapping his finger in the middle of a large golden spot, a large golden field. “You will have to move further west.” his finger slid across the map and tapped a small marking just on the edge of a wide river. “This is the closest town to this point.
James nodded as he studied the route to the village before glancing at the further villages, tracing routes with his fingers before he stood back. “Thank you very much.”
They both began to head back to the door when he remembered. “Wait.”
“What is it now?” The elder sighed heavily as James looked around his feet.
“She’s not here, did a wolf pup walk in with me?”
“A what?!”
Both him and the man gave a small jump at the sound of shattering glass, The man took the lead through the little home flinging open an ajar door. Sure enough there she was huddled with her tail tucked between her legs as she stared at the mess of glass and goo.
James groaned internally as he scooped up the little culprit. “I’m so sorry.” He turned to the older man who didn’t look the slightest forgiving as he stared down the whimpering pup before turning his hard gaze on James himself.
“Get. Out.”
James wasted no time pushing past the man and through the little home to the front door. Once it was safely closed behind him he picked up his steps through the swaying gold field of grass.
He had walked for some time, the cabin had vanished a long time ago and the sun was slowly setting, casting bright hues of orange and pink over the sky. The pup began to squirm, whispering as if she were in some kind of pain.
James set down and began to look over her in what was left of the sunlight. There were small cuts through her fur, all dried blood, he brushed some glass away ignoring the small cuts they left on his hands as he looked at her paws but he couldn’t find anything beyond the small insignificant cuts along her flank. But she still seemed to be in discomfort.
“What was in that bottle?” He mused with a frown as he watched her. Poison? Antidots? A potion? He glanced back the way he’d come but he knew going back to ask was out of the question. He wasn’t sure what more he could do for her.
He let out a heavy sigh holding her against his chest. As she whimpered softly he began to walk. It took awhile but her whimpering finally stopped and she slowly fell asleep. He kept walking, his steady footsteps carrying them onward through the darkening land.
James found a little clearing under some thick bushes, thinking it best to rest himself now, he carefully crawled under their low hanging branches for some shelter. It wasn’t much and the roots sticking through the ground made it difficult to find a comfortable laying spot but with some care and some shifting he was able to lay his head on his pack and rest the sleepy pup upon his chest.
He woke sometime later, the warm spot on his chest was growing cold with the pups absence. Glancing around he could see nothing in the darkness and heard nothing but the sounds of night bugs chirping from afar off.
Grunting as he rolled over and wiggled out of the grasp of the bushes he stood looking around under the faint light of the moon. Nothing stirred, not even the wind. James licked his lips before letting out a high pitched whistle and waited quietly. Nothing, not a rustle, not a whimper. Had she gone off to die? The thought lingered, it was plausible and he was unable to push it aside. She had been doing so well so the only explanation was the substance in the potion.
He turned as the grass behind him rustled. Cautiously he stepped forward. “Come out.” He commanded squinting into the darkness, but he couldn’t make out anything as the silence stretched.
Slowly, very slowly a small black shadow stepped out of the grass. He immediately recognized the small form and let out a sigh of relief, not only was it not something he had to fend off, but it was the pup, alive. Concerned still he crouched down and held out his hand. “Come.”
He couldn’t make out much in the darkness, he was sure his eyes were playing tricks on him. Her golden eyes seemed to be glowing without the moonlight, She had had intelligent eyes before but now they looked a depth of confusion and fear that he didn’t expect from an animal and there was something strange upon her back.
“Come here girl.” He coaxed gently but the pup would not move a step closer. He could only wonder what was keeping her as he moved to step forward. A breeze fluttered over the grass brushing the clouds away from the moon.
His eyes widened at the sight. It made sense now the form upon her back, two small wings hung from her back in an uncertain, awkward fashion. He could make out the delicate membranes of the wings under the bright moonlight, the glint of the small scales that ran down her back into the shadows where her tail was.
She seemed to notice his surprise and took a step back. Before she could retreat much further he lunged scooping her up and holding her against him. He wasn’t sure what to think at first, this couldn’t be his pup, but it was. What had happened? That bottle, what was in that bottle? He reached into the bush, snatching up his pack as he turned in the direction he was sure that man’s house was in.
Despite his concern he couldn’t help but look over the whimpering pups new wings, studying what little he could under the light of the moon. Glimmering black scales, along spade tail and bat like wings. It almost reminded him of the stories of… dragons.
He hadn’t realized how tightly he was holding her until he felt a sharp pain in his wrist. She dropped to the ground as he shook his hand, his good hand releasing his bag and gripping over the wound, he watched for a moment as a thick liquid seeped out from under his hand for a moment before he felt the dizziness hit him.
Letting out a shaky breath he sank down to his knees before sitting back. She got him good, he had to stop the bleeding. He reached for his pack, feeling his body shaking from the shock as he dug in searching for a bandage or a cloth, anything he could use to wrap around the wound. He was vaguely aware of the pup huddled against the ground, whining softly but all his focus was on was stopping the bleeding and waiting out the sick feeling.
It took only a moment for him to regain his senses, but when he looked around there was no shadow of the strange little pup. “Pup?” He asked looking around again
He very slowly got to his knees as he looked around, aware of how shaky his body still was. There was no sign of her, where had she gone now? Had she… been aware of what she’d done? No that was ridiculous but he couldn’t explain what was happening to her, but that man could. He staggered to his feet picking up his bloodied bag and began to walk. He needed help and answers.
He searched for that house all night only to stumble on a small village where he was able to get help, but never any answers, no one had ever seen or heard of that strange old man that had given him directions before.
He searched for the pup after but found no trace of her. That night was the last he’d seen of the pup. 20 years later he’d all but forgotten those days. He was older and much wiser and despite that night, very much alive.
James peered down at the castle from his vantage point from a hilltop, his mount danced beneath him. “Steady.” He murmured patting the side of the gray stallions sweating neck. “Almost there.” He told the tiered mount before gently kicking him into a walk down the hill.
Upon reaching the front gates he dismounted and walked over the small bridge spanning the moat. The castle itself wasn’t large but it was still quite grand for the duke of the area.
A stable boy greeted him in the courtyard and took his horse, leading it to the stables as James quickly made his way up the steps and through the grand front door.
Being a knight was well, the pay was good and the privileges. But the callings could be hard, rough and dangerous he wondered what exactly his task would be this time. When he was presented to the duke he gave a simple but well trained bow before he stood with one hand on the pommel of his sword awaiting for the man before him to speak.
“Sir James, I have an important task for you.”
“How can I be of service?”
“There is something to the east terrorizing the villages around the area of Yohon.” He sighed softly looking as if this task was a heavy weight on his mind. “You are among the best, Others have ridden to the call and none have returned.”
What could it be? James nodded. “Of coarse.”
“You will be paid handsomely.” The duke said motioning for one of his servants to come forward. “Take this in advance to help you on your travels.”
“Thank you.” James murmured bowing again after accepting the small but heavy bag of coin.
The Duke stood and waved him away before striding off to the side door to take care of other matters. James watched him for a moment, not envying him being a knight could be a lot of work but he couldn’t imagine the work that being a duke came with.
Once the duke was out of sight he took his leave heading back to the stables to pick up his rested mount. A two days ride to the Yohon region.
The two days of travel had been uneventful, as had the first village he’d investigated. Some inquiry led him to another village and the information there and led him here, the smallest village at least by population. It could almost be called a town, if it wasn’t for the empty houses that surrounded the center where the remaining villagers had taken up refuge.
They stopped at the edge of the street to watch his entrance, some looked hopeful, frightened but hopeful. He couldn’t help but notice that those lining the streets were women and children, only young boys under the mark of thirteen were present. He could only assume most of the men had perished while protecting family or living.
He dismounted at a small inn, passing the reins to a stable boy along with a small tip to ensure his horse would get good treatment. With that out of the way he made his way inside and to the small bar at the side where an elderly man was cleaning out some mugs.
“What can you tell me about this thing?” He asked setting a few coins on the counter and gesturing for a drink to be made. The man was silent for a moment until he’d set the ordered drink down for James.
“It only comes at night. Steals the sheep, when someone goes to do something about it, they don’t come back.”
All the men must have gone off to find the beast James thought quietly.
“At first we thought it was just a pack of hungry wolves, but no… There were signs of something else, something bigger but no one’s gotten a good look at it and lived…”
“Where do you keep your flocks at night?” James asked taking a sip.
“There’s a field at the west side of the village we used to keep them in, but some have started bringing their flocks into the center of the village, we only leave a few so the beast won't come further in than it has to.”
They had tried everything else, sacrifice seemed to be the only other way as no one else returning. James quietly nodded as he took another sip of the watered down beverage. “Have some warm food ready in the morning, I’ll be back.” He tossed a few more coins onto the counter as he took one last swig, emptying the mug, and stood from his seat.
The innkeeper nodded but looked doubtful at his confidence as he swept up the coins.
James wasted no time making his way to the field, when he reached it he could make out the few old sheep grazing, unaware of the fate awaiting them to night to preserve their much younger relatives.
He found a low hanging tree and climbed below the overhanging limbs to settle against the trunk and find a good position to watch the sheep that were slowly forming into a huddled group as the sun slowly set.
Before the dark fully set in a young girl picked her way across the field with a small sack to offer him. Inside was some bread and a small bottle of crude wine. Thanking the child he dug into his pouch and placed a gold coin in her palm. She stared at it wide eyed for a moment till he spoke again.
“Go home, It well get dangerous out here soon.” She nodded quickly and ran off back to the village where she vanished into the long shadows, which soon covered the entire land.
He settled back down against the trunk as he pulled the bread free from the sack and tore a small chunk away to eat as the moon rose.
the breeze picked up rustling the leaves softly and making the moonlight dance over the grassy fields. Shadows passed over the ground as clouds drifted across the moon.
James couldn’t help but glance through the branches at the sky as he watched the clouds. Ever so slowly the moon was uncovered allowing more light to see. When he glanced back down he looked to the sheep to see them quietly huddled in slumber.
He scanned the dark field and the small crest, he could just barely make out the forest that was behind it. He assumed the creature would come from those sheltering woods but it was difficult to make out anything against the dark figures of the forest.
He was about to look away when a small glint caught his eye. It vanished into the tall grasses for a moment. James tensed and carefully shifted his position as he scanned the field in front of him. But he could see nothing till the glint caught his eyes again on the ridge. Had it stayed there the whole time? He could make out the very faint outline of the shadow now as it turned and vanished over the ridge.
Quickly he crawled from his hiding spot and made his way up to the top of the ridge to see if he could catch up to it.
It was smaller than he expected but size did not always tell you how deadly it was. He wasn’t worried about this, and the worry he did feel he pushed it to the back of his mind. With a smile he silently started to crawl down the slope to the forest.
It was heading back into the woods, he feared that he would lose it if it got too far ahead of him, he picked up the pace as quietly as he could.
It didn’t seem to notice the soft rustling sound as it was followed it’s ears perked forward as it stopped at the edge of the dark woods, the soft wind through the grasses covering the little sound he made as he crept on the dark shadow. It took moments but it felt like hours before he got close enough to make out more of a shape. It seemed to be wolf like, could it be the villagers had mistaken a wolf for a vicious beast? granted they often hunted sheep and they could easily kill a man if they were not careful.
The beast perked up suddenly as if sensing something, not wanting to wait for it to find him he launched himself into the air as he drew his sword to bring it down upon the beast's back. With a startled growl it leaped away the sword passing harmlessly by its side and burying itself in the ground. He looked up ready to defend himself only to see two golden eyes staring at him only a pounce and a hop away. It stared at him with something that looked an awful lot like disapproval. That was not the oddest part of it, on its back set two large, bat like wings spread out wide to make itself look bigger. the moonlight shone through them showing off the delicate work of membranes and tissue. At its rear where a furry tail should have been it was graced with a serpent like scaly rear end with a snake like tail curling away into a spayed tip.
Something tugged at the edge of James's mind but he pushed it away as he tugged his sword out of the ground swinging it in front of him but it moved away.
“Another human fool...” It growled lowly.
James was taken back. “You can talk?” He breathed in disbelief.
“What of it?”
He pushed this strangeness away glaring at the wolf... thing. He didn’t have time for this! Lunging for it again. It leaped over the sword wings spreading to carry it over his head to land lightly behind him.
“Fight!” He shouted at it whirling around to see it calmly walking away from him.
“Go home.” It called over his shoulder.
James let out a growl as he charged her. “Fight me monster!”
The creature whipped around and leaped under his swing, her head met his stomach knocking him back onto his back.
“Your a fool!” It snapped. Placing a heavy paw upon his chest. “Leave me alone.” He could see the glint of fresh white fangs as she bared them at him.
He freed his knife from its sheath and stabbed it into the side of the beast. The weight on his chest left as it leaped back with a howl of pain.
He picked himself up as it staggered with a knife protruding from its flank. He smirked at the blood starting to glisten around the wound, It reached back yanking the knife from its flank and tossing it to the side before staggering a little further.
It came to a halt and gazed back at it’s wound before its golden eyes shifted to him. “Happy now?” It growled before turning unsteadily and lurching towards the woods.
“Oh no you don’t.” He leaped tackling her, she let out another yelp and struggled to throw him off. She thrashed until she finally collapsed from exhaustion.
He pushed himself to his knees, as she lay there panting, feeling for his knife then cursed as he realized she’d tossed it somewhere into the grass.
He looked down… into her eyes but he didn’t see any anger or hate, just pain and sadness. He almost felt pity for the monster. Again something twitched in his mind but he pushed it away.
She pawed at the ground in a futile effort to get back up. “You always fear things you do not understand!” She groaned.
“Why should I trust a monster?”
“I am not a monster!” It snapped, its tail thumping the ground loudly before it finally lay still, breathing heavily.
As he looked over the length of the beast he couldn’t shake that nagging feeling he had. She reminded him of something…
She looked up at him her golden eyes shining softly in the moonlight as she studied him. “You compare all beasts to those you have encountered before.” She laid her head down her sides heaving. “I’ve only killed one man...” She said softly before closing her eyes though she still breathed.
Having a conversation with a beast, one that killed villagers even if she only said she’s done it once. Still he couldn’t help thinking back, he had faced many beasts and they had all been wicked. Even while dying they had sought to tear him down with them. But strangely enough this one just laid here waiting.
“Just one?” He found himself asking making her open her eyes once again to gaze at him.
“He was frightening me, I tried to get his attention but what was meant to be a warning nip turned into a lethal bite where the blood runs fast.” She closed her eyes once again her breathing growing more shallow.
He looked to her in silence as she curled up slowly, giving in, ready to die. Now he remembered, that little pup he’d found in the cave, that runt that had followed him around, His companion who he’d lost. But could it really be?
“You didn’t kill that man.” He said finally pulling a bandage from his pouch.
Her eyes opened slowly. “And you would know this how?” Her voice was weak but her golden eyes studied him.
Pulling down his sleeve James showed her the scare. “Because I’m him.” He carefully began to wrap up the wound he had inflicted on her. He set down beside her after he had tightened the bandages.
“Why did you come here?” She asked.
“I came searching for a monster terrorizing this area.” He replied looking her over absently. She’d lived, she’d grown. So big. He nearly smiled, sadly. She had been so small when he’d first found her.
“You can’t fight it!” She struggled up to her paws and faced him to his surprise. “It will kill and devour you as it has every other man that has tried!”
“I can’t just leave.” He responded.
“I’ve fought it many times! I cannot beat it, no man can!” She growled back.
“You know what it looks like?” He asked slowly standing.
“More than that! I know it can kill you!”
“I can’t leave until it's dead, it's my duty as a knight!”
She growled opening her mouth for a reply but her head whipped around to the forest.
“What is it?”
“What you came here for.” She growled taking a few steps forward before wobbling. “He smells blood.” She murmured quietly. Causing him to look at the wound he had given her.
“You're in no condition to fight.” He said seeing the shadow deep inside the forest.
“And you have no weapon.” She responded as the sound of snapping limbs grew louder. The Silhouette of the beast was twice James’s height and twice as wide.
“How did the villagers miss this?” He breathed taking a step back.
“Get back!” The she-wolf shouted leaping into him and knocking him further away from the woods as splinters of wood exploded out, showering them.
“Get out of here!” He shouted rolling to the side to pick himself up quickly.
“No.” Came the curt response from beside him.
“That was an order!”
“I wasn’t trained to obey!” She barked back before she shot forward with surprising speed for being injured.
Growling he looked around for any sign of his sword, he’d dropped it near here. There! A soft glint under the moonlight just before it was covered by a passing cloud. He dived for it as a roar shook the air followed by a yelp.
He got up just as the She-wolf hit the ground to his right, vanishing into the tall grass.
He looked up at the creature as it’s heavy steps moved closer, The moon freeing itself once again to reveal the giant. It was covered in thick fur like a bear but stood like a human. Its softly glowing eyes stared him down.
James raised his sword before charging at it. It raised a hand as if to pluck him up but out of the grasses the She-wolf leaped, latching onto the hand. The beast roared again rearing back leaving its belly exposed to James as he swung.
His sword sliced a shallow cut into its skin, its hide was tougher than he expected. He pulled his sword free taking a few steps back, she monster's hand brushing just in front of him causing him to stumble back.
Again the wolf hit the ground beside him. “You shouldn’t push yourself!” He called to her hoping she could hear him before he turned to the monster again.
“I don’t have a choice.” The grass parted to show the limping wolf. “You cannot take this alone.”
“You’ll kill yourself if you continue this.” He growled swinging his sword to fend off the beast's hand, slicing into its palm making it reel back.
“So be it!”
“No wait!” He reached out but only his fingers brushed through the black wolves fur, grazing her scales before she was out of reach. She bounded forward her wings flaring wide as she leaped into the air.
James righted himself before charging after her, raising his sword as the beast faced them. It swiped at the she-wolf batting her aside like a fly before James’s sword dug into the wound she’d created, his sword sinking half down the blade before stopping. The beast roared in agony before swatting him away.
He skidded through the grass before coming to rest, the wind knocked out of him and his body ached. He must have broke something from that force. He slowly rolled over and began to push himself up. He could vaguely make out the monster's footsteps through his daze.
His sword was still stuck in the beast's belly if he could just run it the rest of the way through, would that be enough? He shook his head before feeling a large hand grab a hold of him and begin to drag him back.
No! He hadn’t a weapon if he was caught he’d be crushed. The moon glinted on metal as he clawed at the ground and without thinking he reached, grabbing onto the glint before he was fully pulled from the ground. His knife! As the beast roared at him he buried his knife keep into the things hand making it drop him to the ground.
He stumbled but pushed himself back to his feet before making a dash for the sword. He didn’t think he was going to make it but a shadow dashed around the back of the beast before it could snatch him again. It fell to one knee with a groan as James reached his sword.
“Finish him!” The She-wolf called from its back. “Now!” It roared and clawed at its back as James shoved against the sword Pushing it deeper into its belly. He leaped back as the thing howled, swiping at him. Its hand caught the sword, tearing it across its belly and opening up its gut. It swayed with a deep groan before it began to topple forward.
James only had enough time to dive to the side, looking back as the ground shook he watched the wolf was flung forward into the thick grasses that had not been trampled during their fight.
His body shook as everything went still but he heaved himself up and began to stumble in the direction the she-wolves body had been flung. She lay lifeless when he finally found her. Her sides coated in blood, softly brushed by the breeze as he dropped to his knees beside her.
“We did it” He breathed watching her, hoping she would answer. “It’s gone, it won't bother anyone anymore.” Her lifeless eyes stared up at him, nothing changed…
He slammed his first into the ground for a moment. He’d only just found her, all those years ago he’d looked but never… and when he’d given up here she was. And now she was gone again and there was no finding her this time.
He set listening to the wind through the grasses. “You need a name,” He said finally reaching out and cupping her face before brushing his hand over her eyes to close them. “I’ll name you Areous, you tried to fight off the beast on your own and watched the village in the night, you did everything on your own for 20 years.” He bowed his head and set in silence for a long moment before gently picking her limp body up and venturing into the forest.
He didn’t stop nor did he slow when he came across a small stream, instead he turned following it up until he came to a small pool, the stillness here seemed fitting for a burial. He laid her down beside the water and proceeded to bury her broken body under a mound of pebbles and small stones.
When he was finished he set down against the small mound and listened to the waters lull him quietly into slumber. When he woke a group of villagers had found him. Fearing that he had succumbed to the wounds the monster had had given him. Joyful that he was alive and they had not lost another valiant knight and returned him to the village, Fed and lodged him until his strength returned.
Many years later he married, settled. But he never forgot that faithful little pup who grew into something quite different... He told his children this story, never quite knowing if they believed him but he refused to forget little Areous as he had before, he’d silently promised, at her grave.
He told the story to both generations, passing strangers and friends alike. The story of a young runt that grew into a powerful beast, and died protecting a brave man she had known many years before.
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