The Wolf
The First Tale From Carrock
Page 5 of 7
Early evening was settling again and Tabea had decided that she wanted to take a short snooze in the bough of a tall tree some ways away from the pack. Something inside her was moving, even though she didn’t know what it was. Just an uneasiness, as if something special was about to happen. It reminded her of the times when Dylan came to visit her. Shortly before he arrived, after all the work was done and she had made herself pretty, when she had nothing left to do, the expectation of his coming was thick in the air, making it impossible to sit down and do anything for even a minute. Even through the cool, collected feline nature of her enchanted form, she was giddy. What was going to happen? Why did she feel like this?
She stared down from the bough of the tree she was reclining in and suddenly noticed that the Wolf was slowly walking away from the others. Curiosity pricked her and she silently bounded from her comfortable perch to another tree some ways away. Then came the next tree, and the next. She finally decided that going along the ground would be easier and launched herself out of the branches and onto the small path that Dylan was following. The going was not easy, even for a Cat, but she somehow managed to follow him as he moved quickly through the woods.
The terrain was changing, becoming more rocky. Until now she’d been able to hide herself from the probing green eyes of the Wolf as he looked back. She knew that he’d sensed her following him. The trees had thinned out and she was quite certain that they were close to the promontory overlooking the Lands of Carrock. The Wolf stopped and gazed up at the fingers of the sun that were still clinging to the sides of the mountain. Then he looked east and eyed the place where he knew the full moon would be rising. He threw his head back in a solitary howl. Tabea could sense his melancholy attitude as she crouched among some large rocks.
The sun went down and suddenly she felt like her arms and legs were filled with pins and needles, pricking her in all places. There was also a strange sense of freedom, like when your hands were untied from behind your back and you were let go. She pushed herself back, rearing up on her hind paws and suddenly stood straight and tall, no longer a cat, but a beautiful woman clad in what seemed to be a singlet of cat skin. Her arms and legs were bare as was her neck and a small part of her chest just below it, forming a decently cut collar. The soft fur came down just a short way down the top of her legs. It was not immodest, but it would pass more for an undergarment than as a dress she’d want to wear in public. She sighed and brushed one hand against it, staring out to where the Wolf had been. She just noticed Dylan’s tall figure standing there before he turned and saw her.
“It’s full moon,” was all he said. She nodded and he quickly whisked down to the side of the hill to his hiding place. A few moments later he returned, dressed in the tunic and trousers, the cloak over his arm. He stepped up to her and gently laid it around her shoulders.
“That should do for now, but we have to get some real clothes for you.” She nodded slowly.
“Let’s go to your farm,” he suggested. “Stev will be waiting for us there.”
“Really?” she asked, speaking clearly for the first time since her enchantment. “How does he know about that?”
“Haven’t you guessed?” he asked, giving her a gentle look of reproach. “Stev can talk to animals and understand them. He’s been looking for Savoy for me.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” He shrugged.
“Yes, but he knows how to do it without gathering any suspicion.”
“Oh.” They continued their way in silence.
Stev was sitting uncomfortably at the table of Tabea’s empty house. He’d repaired the door and his little sister had come to take care of the chickens. The cows were now at his farm. The house itself was in good condition, carefully cleaned and set in order by his mother once a week. Tabea would be happy to see it again — if she was alive.
He remembered the short talk he’d had with Dylan two days after the meeting.
“Find me Savoy,” the Wolf had commanded. And Stev had. It hadn’t been easy, but he’d done it. Dylan would be really happy tonight. There was a quiet rapping on the door that shocked him out of his reverie.
“Come!” he called, rising to his feet. The door swung open and Dylan walked in, followed by a slightly smaller figure with black hair. Pulleny blinked twice before recognizing the pale face of the woman with the cat-eyes.
“Tabea, you’re alive!” he cried and rushed forward to hug her. She didn’t resist it, but he also sensed that she was very uncomfortable about it.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s — it’s just this enchantment,” she sighed. “I’m going to get some real clothes on.” With that she disappeared into the small bedroom and closed the door after her.
“How’s she taking it?” Stev wanted to know. Dylan sighed, sitting down across from him.
“Okay, I guess. This is the first time she’s been human and when she realizes...” He trailed off sadly. “It’s just going to be very hard on her. She’s a lot more sensitive than I am.” He sighed to himself. “Sometimes I wish I could give her some of my strength of mind.” He shook his head and then regarded his young friend carefully.
“I’ve found him,” he said with a laugh. Dylan instantly leaned forward.
“Where?”
“He’s living a good ways east of here in Wiston. Four or five days on a horse if you really push it. You should be able to do it in maybe a week.” The wolf-man leaned back and put his head down, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Pulleny could almost hear the complicated circuits clicking audibly.
“One week,” Dylan mused. “It might just work. It will be murder on me. I hope Tabea will stay here.”
“Why?” She just came out of the back room in time to hear what he’d said. He reached out and took her hand.
“Lady love, I’ve got to go away to the east and it will be very hard traveling, even for a wolf. I know that I will be nearly dead when I arrive back here, because Alick’s birthday is only six days after full moon this year. If I leave Wiston before sunrise, I’ll make it to the promontory an hour before sunset, but only if I can move unhindered.” He put up his free hand to shush her protest. “I want you to stay with Pulleny and protect them, Tabea. They will need someone strong there, who isn’t afraid of Alick. Will you do that?” The wolf-eyes stared into the blue depths of hers for a long moment. She nervously shoved at her long, tangled, black hair. Then she dropped his gaze.
“Yes, Dylan, I will — if —” She looked away.
“If I stay with you as long as possible?” A quiet nod.
“All right, lady love, I will stay for a week, but then I really must leave, so that I can save my strength for the fast return. Is that okay with you, Stev?” He just nodded with a bright smile on his face.
“Good.” The young lord was smiling thoughtfully. “I have one more thing to tend to before the night is up. I’ve got to go back to the promontory. When I get back, I want to talk with Tabea alone.” Stev nodded and got up to leave.
“See you in the morning,” he yawned. “It’s still a good way to the farm from here and my mother will be waiting. Anyway, I’ve got a bed to go to.”
About an hour and a half later Dylan returned to the farm. Tabea was sitting there forlornly picking at the arm of her mother’s rocking chair. The big man entered silently and pulled a chair up across from her.
“It’s hard isn’t it?” he asked sadly. She nodded, the tears nearly spilling over.
“I can’t understand it, Dylan, but —” A silent sob shook her body. “— but I can’t love you anymore. Not the way it was before Alick did this to us.” She pressed both fists into her eyes. “It’s like — like trying to love an animal. You feel affection and maybe — care for it, but nothing more, nothing like we had.” Suddenly the sobs broke out loud. She couldn’t control her shaking anymore. He reached out and pulled her to him, like a father comforts a crying child.
“Now you know how I felt all those nights when I thought of you, lady love,” he told her, his own voice cracking. “There’s nothing I miss more than that sense of belonging.”
“Why couldn’t I be a wolf, too, why?” she demanded, pounding at his broad chest.
“It’s your character.” His voice was smooth again, though his eyes still showed his pain. “You are free, wild, cunning and smooth, just like a cat. My character is like that of a wolf, that’s why I am what I am and that’s why you are what you are. It’s hard to realize how different we are, but that’s the way we were born — and look, we’re still together.” She nodded almost invisibly.
“Now, do you want me to carry you to the Pulleny’s?” he asked gently. “We should get there before sunrise.”
“No, I’ll walk,” she said, her voice resolute. They left the house a few minutes later, hurrying into the night, just two black shadows in a world of even less light. The full moon was hidden behind the clouds now, making them invisible to all who were going along.
“Tabea,” he whispered, catching her attention, “I have to tell you something.”
“What?” She sounded breathless.
“In one month and one week, we will be fully human for one day and two nights — I mean fully human, nothing about this enchantment bit. Your feelings are free, too, but that can be very dangerous. You will have to control yourself until after the enchantment is broken.” She nodded silently and they pressed on for a while.
“What’s it like to suddenly have your feelings free again,” she finally asked.
“Like a landslide, very hard to control, but easy to get out of the way. That’s what you should do, get out of the way!” She nodded again. Slowly her movements were beginning to feel unnatural. The enchantment was taking over again, she knew it. There were only a few hours left. She stumbled and fell with a cry and suddenly found herself swept up in Dylan’s strong arms. His jaw was set and he suddenly increased his pace to a run. Only an hour, must hurry! Suddenly they broke from the forest on the edge of the Pulleny’s farm. It was dark and seemed empty. He sighed, set her on her feet and began pulling off his clothing. She did the same and then they waited. Suddenly she gasped and fell forward on all fours. The pain, it was all she could think about. She threw back her head and a mournful cat-scream came from her black lips. In an instant it was gone, but she still felt unnatural.
“It will go away soon,” the Wolf said quietly. He gathered his clothes carefully in his teeth and padded into the yard, finally lying down and resting on the porch. The sun rose on them from behind the clouds. Tabea turned her blue eyes to the shine and for the first time in her life despised its light, knowing what it had stolen from her. She stared out towards the north, where Alick’s castle lay. He was going to pay when she got her claws on him.
Night was settling on the lone Wolf. He had come a far way. It was slow going to conserve his energies, but he still felt so tired. He’d left part of his heart back there, with that girl he loved. The week had passed too quickly for him. And even though his feelings were “maimed,” he still enjoyed the times better than ever. Prisca Pulleny had been an ever-present companion to the enchanted people and had done much to lighten their hearts. Still, the gravity of what Dylan had to do struck him heavily. He remembered the second night after full moon, when he’d returned to the Gray Pack and given the leadership to Brownie. The new lord of the wolves pledged ever-lasting fidelity to the Lords of Carrock and all but Yashira were delighted. She was an odd-ball anyway and Dylan had a bad feeling about her. Traitor? Possibly, but not certain. Brownie was told to keep an eye on her.
Then, as the week ended, he had a quick talk with Stev.
“Have Tabea meet me at the promontory six days after full moon,” he’d said quietly. “And make sure that she brings some clothes for herself.” The young man nodded and then Dylan had turned and vanished into the forest. That was nearly three weeks ago. It was two days until full moon and he still had a good ways to go. He would have to reach the city gates before dusk. Press on, press on.
Night passed into dawn and now he could see the pinnacles and shining roofs of the city through the high trees. He’d be there by the afternoon if he moved quickly. Good, ahead of time. He came to the end of the woods, overlooking the clear, clean valley. Water flowed from a low grille in the city walls. It was crystal clear and clean, filling a small pond some ways away from where he was standing. He looked up at the sky. It was early afternoon yet. He could take a quick rest. He reached over his shoulder with his head and bit through the principal rope holding the bundle of clothes he’d been wearing on his back. A light shake and they fell on the ground next to him. He lay down in the soft grass and closed his eyes, resting and yet watchful.
A rustling behind him made him look around. His stomach was growling now. It had been four days since his last meal, and that had been very little. He silently rose and nosed through the high grass. Suddenly laughter touched his sensitive ears. What — children? Here? The keen wolf-eyes peered through the plants and there he saw them, two girls and a boy, probably between six and nine years of age. They were dressed in white and playing happily among the tall grasses, oblivious to the fact that day was nearly over and that the Wolf was watching them. Perhaps they could help him get in the city. He glanced towards the setting sun. It would be dark very soon and then he could speak to them like a human being. He growled to himself impatiently and returned to get the pack of clothing. He sat there, staring at the city, and yet listening to the happiness of the children behind him. They had no idea of the evil grasp of the wizard many miles to the north and west.
The sun now hurried to its resting place and vanished. In the same instant the Wolf rose to become a man again. He could hear the whimpering of the children behind him. He threw on his clothes and turned towards where they were. The three of them were huddled together, the youngest girl crying quietly. They were staring towards the woods, as if afraid of what was going to come from there.
“I knew we should have obeyed Mom,” the older girl was saying importantly.
“Will you shut up, Lea?!” the boy snapped back. “If you hadn’t suggested it, we wouldn’t have come out here in the first place. Now the gates are probably shut. We’ll have to sleep here tonight.”
“And what about the wolf that was seen near here a few days ago?” Lea returned, slowly heating up. At the mention of the beast, the smaller girl wailed, wrapping her arms around herself and shaking violently.
“He won’t hurt you,” came a quiet and gentle voice behind them. The boy jumped to his feet, fists raised.
“Who are you?” he demanded, staring at the tall stranger in front of him.
“I’m a friend,” the man answered. “My name is Dylan.” He knelt beside the shaking girl and laid one hand on her small shoulder. The wailing turned to a whimpering, that slowly subsided as she reached out and put her arms around the big man. Dylan picked her up and held her to his chest. Then he reached out with his free hand.
“Come on, I’ll take you home,” he told them. For some reason they weren’t afraid of him any more. Lea took his hand in hers and her brother walked beside the wolf-man.
“What is your name, big guy?” the young lord asked.
“I’m Brendan,” he returned. “And that’s my big sister Lea and my little sister Lora.”
“Do your parents live in the city?” The two older kids nodded. “What were you doing out here?”
“Playing,” Lea answered a bit lamely.
“You see, we weren’t supposed to leave the city today,” the boy explained self-consciously. “The farmers have seen some wolves around the area.”
“Some wolves?” Dylan asked, suddenly interested.
“Yes, one of them is really big with a white spot on his chest. The other one is normal sized and has more white than gray and a black line running along her nose and up between her eyes, at least that’s what my Dad said.”
“Yashira!” the wolf-man muttered to himself.
“Do you know them?” Lea asked. Dylan nodded emphatically
“I do. The big wolf won’t hurt anyone, but the little one could be dangerous.” He bowed his head in deep thought and for a long time they walked in silence. They had nearly reached the city gates and these were slowly closing. A young couple was dejectedly turning back to the large gates, hand in hand.
“Daddy! Mommy!” Lea suddenly screamed, tore herself away from Dylan’s gentle hand and rushed up to the couple. The woman knelt and put her arms around her daughter. Brendan just continued walking with the big man until they reached the parents.
“Come quickly,” the man was saying, “or we’ll be shut out.” All six of them hurried up and through the gates just in time. Moments later they closed with a crash.
“Well, here we are again,” the father said, trying to be stern, but elation sparkling in his eyes. “And you, young man and young woman, are in big trouble, but I’m happy that you made it home.” The woman turned to Dylan, who offered Lora back to her. The little girl laughed and clung to her mother.
“Thank you, sir,” the mother said with a glowing smile. “We thought the wolf would get our kids.”
“Actually, he did,” Dylan answered with a smile. “I am called the Wolf. But perhaps you can help me. I’m looking for Savoy the Scholar. Could you point me to his house?” The man looked at him surprised.
“I am Savoy, called the Scholar,” he answered. “Who are you?”
“I am Dylan á Carrock.” The Scholar regarded him thoughtfully for a moment.
“Very well, your highness, come with me.”
The fire in Savoy’s room blazed quietly. Dylan was now sitting in a comfortable chair, a large glass of clear water beside him, while the Scholar tended to the fire. This gave the wolf-man a few moments to observe him. He was a bit smaller than Dylan and his hair was like coal. His swarthy skin told of southerly origins. His beard was well-kept and his brown eyes carefully watched the flames until they leaped the way he wanted. Slowly he stood and brushed his hands over his white robes. There was a small round cap on his head that he now laid aside. He then bowed slightly to the young lord, before taking a seat in an ancient chair. He now regarded the wolf-man, not saying a word. Finally Dylan broke the silence.
“I have heard a lot about you and am very glad to meet you, sir.” The Scholar smiled.
“If it hadn’t been for your wizard’s successful plans, I believe we would have seen each other much sooner, Lord Dylan.” He made a lavish gesture with one hand. “The Lords of Carrock and the Scholars have always been closely acquainted.”
“Is that so? My father told me he’d never met you before, but he’d heard about your being great when he was quite young. I would guess that you are quite old by now.” Savoy allowed himself a quiet chuckle.
“Your father heard about my grandfather, after whom I’m named. I am not quite as great as he was, but I am still a Scholar and I would be glad to put my knowledge to your service.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I believe, Lord Dylan, that you are enchanted.”
“Why — yes, how did you know?” It was all he do to keep from gaping at this gentle man.
“Your eyes, your hair, and the whole air around you speaks of it. I also know that you want to find out how to break this enchantment. Very well, I will show you.” He rose and turned to a low table covered with a white cloth. He pulled it off carefully to display several small devices. Two were artfully carved and painted wooden statuettes of animals. One was a wolf, the other a cat. Behind both of these lay a clear crystal ball on a black velvet blanket. Savoy picked it up carefully.
“These are exact replicas of the things found in Alick’s den,” he explained. “These are representatives of his power over you and your lady.”
“How did you find them and how do you know about me — and Tabea?” Now the young lord couldn’t keep his mouth shut. The other just smiled gently.
“My lord, I am a Scholar and the Word has blessed me with a very close relationship with him. He told me about your problems and he took me to Alick’s tower room and showed me all these things. He is the one who deserves credit for your disenchantment, Lord Dylan, he and no other. Now watch!” He weighed the crystal ball in his hand for an instant and then hurled it into the flames. There was an explosion and the flames glinted with a bluish light for an instant. As the white and black spots in front of Dylan’s eyes cleared, he could see the Scholar pointing to the two figurines. They had blackened and turned to ashes. Savoy’s face was grim.
“Destroy the center of his power, Dylan á Carrock. It must happen this year, or else you will not be able to stand against the instincts of the wolf. You have only one chance. Do not waste it.”
“Is that all I have to do, sir?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes, but you can’t do it in your own strength, Lord Dylan. The Word will assist you. You already have his power in you as a descendant of the Lords of Carrock, whom the Word himself sent from the North to protect the people of these lands. You have that power and that authority, but they must be under the Word’s authority to work. You have already used it justly — on Tennek.” The Scholar smiled at Dylan’s surprised face. “Oh, yes, I know all about that from the Word. It was correct, as was what you did to your father, even though that hurt you.” Dylan bowed his head silently. Savoy took his seat again.
“Thank you very much, sir,” the young lord finally said. “I have to go now if I want to make it back to the promontory on time.” The other nodded.
“Drink your water first, lord of Carrock, it will give you strength,” he advised. “And one more thing, think twice about bringing your father and his wife back to Carrock. She is more dangerous than you realize.” Dylan nodded and did as he was told. He finished the pure, clear tasting water and rose. Suddenly he remembered.
“And Yashira?” The Scholar rose, smiling gravely.
“She won’t bother you anymore. She’s dead, shot by one of the hunters this afternoon.” He placed one hand on the young lord’s shoulder. “Don’t be sad about her my friend. She was a wolf and not a very noble one. Now,” he continued taking a ring from his finger, “give this to the man at the gate, he will open it for you and you will be on your way.”
“Thank you for everything, sir,” Dylan said as they stood at the front door.
“I’m glad I could help.”
“Will I see you and your family again?”
“Perhaps. We might come to Carrock for your wedding.” Savoy the Scholar reached out and placed his right hand on the wolf-man’s head. “The blessings of the Word go with you and his wisdom rest upon you for all times. Be assured, he will open your way and give you success. Go in peace.” Dylan bowed and left the Scholar’s house, finally sure that he would see the enchantment broken — maybe not in his own strength, but broken and that was all that mattered.
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