A Walk With the Chosen
#19 of The wolf and the rose
Alrighty, before anybody says it, yes, I realize it has been almost a year since I put the last chapters of this storyline on the site, but things have been...shall we say, hectic. Overall it was good for me to take a break from it, as I know have my ideas well sorted out for the rest of the story. In any case, here is the first of the next two chapters of the Wolf and the Rose. I hope you will enjoy it.
As always, comments are appreciated and requested.
Continued from 'Heated Moonlight...'
I lay back against a pile of boulders beneath the roof of green aspen leaves, my ears standing at attention, alert for any sound, sheltered out of sight of the path by the cool stone. The vast expanse of the Aspenhald stretched away to the south like an ocean of trees, flecked here and there with lighter green surf as the wind stirred the treetops, the leaves whispering secrets in a language known to none. The wolf in me seemed to be conflicted, prowling back and forth in my mind one moment, eager to be moving, as it always was when we were idle, and then curled up comfortably in the part of my mind where it seemed to dwell the next. Of course, none of that was particularly strange to me now. It had been that way for the last few days, ever since that incredible night in the secluded clearing, when Julianna and I had made love in the peaceful moonlight. And even as I sat, concentrating to hear the distant tell-tale sounds of visitors, my attention was constantly drifting to my companion.
Feeling my mate shift a little in my arms, I looked down as she drew one grey furred limb closer around her as she slept against me, a shaft of warm sunlight filtering through the trees alighting gently upon the silver Moonsilk flower she had tucked into her hair, beside one of the white furred ears that stuck up through her brown hair. Smiling at the sight, I returned my attention to the peaceful forest that surrounded us, my hands gently stroking through her ever soft white fur without my input.
We had been waiting near to the path leading north out of the Aspenhald for hours, waiting for Aldric and his Slayers to meet up with us and Julianna had quickly gotten bored with waiting in silence. We had started by laying back side by side against the rocks, the multicolored boulders hiding us from prying eyes. But, after about an hour of lying there in silence, Julianna had shifted over so that she was lounging back against me in my lap, pulling my arms around her like a blanket, her head nestled in under my chin. We had sat like that for a while, Julianna softly humming a slow, melodic tune like a lullaby, and then gradually, she had dozed off, leaving me to watch for our new friends. Still smiling, I let my mind wander for a while, trusting my instincts to watch for me. The last few days had been something truly special, something that I hadn't thought I could experience. It had been almost like some force was trying to make up for the decades of endless pain that had been my life before I had met my mate.
The day after our first, blissful night in the aspen forest, we had taken to wandering the hilly slopes, arm in arm, exploring the wonders of this incredible, untouched land, as if there was nothing and no one in the world except for each other. Among the many wonders we had seen was a grove of aspens that had had flowering vines growing up their trunks, the many hued blossoms looking akin to orchids in shape, but their scent was infinitely sweeter, almost as sweet as honey straight from the comb. The vines and the trees were so closely intertwined that the flowers peeped out from among them as if it had been planned that way, each blossom surrounded by a corona of whispering green. Then, we had passed a graceful waterfall that fell in many tiers down an entire hillside, the pools and rills catching the sunlight just right to make it appear to be a fall of glistening, polished gold. And there were more, many more that all seemed to blur into a single memory of serene beauty. And yet, for all the wonders I had seen these last days, they seemed to be no more than a backdrop for another wonder of even greater beauty; the woman who now slept in my arms, warmer and lovelier than all else. Nothing seemed to compare to her, not the glimmering silver of the aspen trunks in the moonlight, not the wholesome scent of the wood after a brief shower of rain, not even the clearings that seemed to be nothing but wild flowers, alight with more colors than we had names for.
The whole time we had wandered the pathless wood, I had felt this indescribable feeling of warmth and satisfaction within me, more than the wholesome feel of the air in this blessed place could bring. It felt as though something had changed between us, as if there was a new link connecting us, something older and even more powerful than magic. Whatever it was had made every moment I had spent with her a joy, every instant perfect. The worries of our past journeys, even the disconcerting sensation of perpetual wrongness that the memory of the demon realm had left in our hearts, had gone as if they had never existed. We had wandered where we had wanted, sitting side by side in the sunlit meadows, listened to the whispering trees, the endless songs of the birds as if we had all the time in the world to spend. And even walking ever northward, ever on towards our departure, we had wound a slow wandering pace, our only cares for one another. And when the cool nights had come, we had settled down in the soft and fragrant grass and slept, snuggled close, our senses filled with one another, and through it all, all the days of wonder, not a single moment had felt wasted, every instant we spent together a gift, as meaningful as our first loving touch had been. And such was the power of this place, that even now, as we sat waiting for our companions so we could continue to the Slayerhold, leaving this place for what might have been forever, I still felt utterly contented, not even a whisper of foreboding touching my soul.
And then, moments later, my nose twitched, catching a familiar scent on the breeze, wafted upon the wind that swept up the hill to our hiding spot. Letting out a breath in a long sigh, I reluctantly shook Julianna, waking my mate from her nap. Yawning and stretching, the sensation of her warm fur against mine delightful, she looked up at me and smiled warmly, planting a gentle kiss on my muzzle before shifting off my lap, settling beside me once more. Grinning at her, I turned over, peeking over the top of the rocks, my ears perked up and searching the wilderness for the sounds that would herald that it was time to leave, half hoping that they would somehow not come. But despite that vain hope, the first sound drifted to my ears a few moments later.
It began with the slow clop-clopping of iron-shod hooves on the beaten path, then the distant clinking and rustling of weapons and packs. And then, suddenly, I scented something new on the breeze, something different from the odor of the Slayers I had grown accustomed to since leaving Gulnia. More scents drifted to my nose with each breath, earthier and somehow tinged with a botanical quality, like the scent of fresh herbs. Looking over at my love, I saw that she could smell it too and her eyes filled with sudden worry. Reaching over and taking her paw, I smiled reassuringly and then looked back at the base of the hill, listening as the sounds came closer, watching for movement beneath the gently swaying canopy of leaves.
Already, I could hear the voices of the young Slayers as they chatted easily on their march, a faint flash of the old annoyance flaring despite the content mood I was in. Then, I tilted my head a little to catch a new sound, a peculiar, rhythmic thumping I did not recognize. It sounded like wood hitting stone, the rhythms almost like discordant music and I wondered what could possible make such a sound. But then, I instinctively folded my ears flat a moment later, only my eyes visible above the rock I was crouched against, still instinctually hiding most of my body from the people who would soon come into view. And then, a few moments later, my brother ducked out from the thicket of trees at the bottom of the hill, leading his horse by its reins, followed swiftly by the other white clad Slayers, each appearing suddenly as if by magic from within the tree trunks. And then, walking behind them were more figures, figures clad all in green and brown of many shades. As the group walked nearer, I saw my brother scanning the tree line of the hill, obviously looking for us. And yet, even as his gaze swept over the rocks behind which I crouched, I felt a distinct reluctance to be noticed, something that was more than just being wary of the strangers. It was as if something in me wanted them to pass us by, to remain here in the Aspenhald for the rest of my life, and I had to admit, it was certainly a tempting prospect. But then, the old instincts that had drawn me to the life I led reasserted themselves over the reluctance and I allowed my ears to perk back up, the motion caught by the Master Hunter's trained gaze.
Waving for the others to halt, Aldric let go of the reins and walked up the slope towards us, an easy half smile on his lips. He had obviously enjoyed his time in the Aspenhald, much as we had, though I was sure it was for entirely different reasons. Returning his smile as he walked around behind the boulders, I waited for him to explain the presence of the strangers.
"Hello Galen, Julianna." he said, nodding to us both. "I was starting to think you weren't going to meet us."
"Aldric, who are the people with you?" Julianna asked, dismissing the pleasantries. At her blunt question, my brother's smile faded slightly, his eyes taking on a troubled cast.
"They are a group of priests and priestesses of Alarand and an escort of Alarand's Chosen." he answered, looking back down the hill towards the contingent that was starting to spread out off the path. There were at least thirty new faces, many carrying weapons. "It wasn't my idea that they travel with us, but something is happening in the wide world, something the like of which hasn't been seen for generations. The ruling council of the Slayers of Auré has summoned emissaries of the other groups of demon hunters, as well as priests of Arnath and Alarand to come to the Slayerhold. And more, a messenger was waiting for me when I arrived in the main settlement of Aspenhald, as if they knew I was going to be here. The message said to come with all haste to the Hold, with all the Slayers I could gather."
I shook my head in amazement when he said this. The ruling council only issued such summons when they wished to coordinate a strike with the other organizations, an event that had only happened a few times in history, when the Slayers alone had not had enough strength to meet a coming threat. But, to the best of my knowledge, members of all the priesthoods had never been summoned at the same time before. Shaking my head, I set aside the serious events that were foretold by my brother's news; there was a far more immediate concern to be addressed.
"Aldric, what did you tell our new companions about us?" I asked and my older brother's smile returned.
"Well, that is a strange thing." He said, peering back towards the small knot of individuals who wore robes of deep forest green with wide brown belts who now stood together on the path, talking quietly. "I barely even get a word out when we arrived before the priests asked me where you two had gone. They seemed to know already who and what you were. They even seemed eager to meet you." Julianna and I both looked at each other in disbelief. Seeing our look, Aldric continued. "I know, I didn't believe it either, but it's the truth. Come on, I will prove it to you."
Taking a deep breath and drawing myself up to my full height, I followed my brother down the slope towards the company, my mate at my side, our hands still clasped. When the Slayers saw us coming down the slope, they stood at attention, quiet for once, putting on a show of respect and discipline for our guests, but the newcomers were not nearly so quiet. Instead, they burst into discussion when they saw us, their eyes wide, seeming to be excited, not fearful. When we were at the base of the hill, Aldric paused, the small knot of about a dozen green cloaked and green robed priests stepping respectfully apart to reveal an older woman, her long grey hair braided into an elegant plait. In addition to the dark green robes of a priestess, she also wore an amulet of jade around her neck, inscribed with an elegant oak tree of gold. But it was the look on her face that caught my attention most. She looked on us with an eager, pleasant expression on her lips, her face seeming strangely youthful, as if time had had no power to touch it. And yet, her dark green eyes held the wisdom of many years, more than her body's apparent youth would seem to indicate.
"When I first heard of you, I could only barely believe it, but now that I have seen you for myself..." She began, her voice warm, almost motherly in tone. "You must be Galen." She said, looking me up and down carefully before openly meeting my eyes, her smile wide. "It is a shame you decided to part company with your fellows, Hunter. You would have been most welcome in Aspenhald. And this, can only be Princess Julianna." She said, turning to my mate, who blushed and looked away at the woman's obvious joy at the meeting. "The trees spoke of you in detail, but I never expected you to be so beautiful."
"Thank you." Julianna said quietly, bashful in the face of the strange woman's attention.
"Please pardon me if the question seems impertinent, but, 'the trees' told you of us?" I asked, feeling oddly formal. There was just something in her manner that seemed to command respect, though I couldn't for the life of me guess what it was. The woman's smile widened at my question and she nodded.
"Of course." She replied with an easy smile, clasping one hand to the amulet she wore. "I am Ovate, and all things that live speak to me. I knew of you long days ago, before ever you came within sight of Aspenhald." I felt my eyes grow wide at her words, for I had heard of Ovates before, but had never had the good fortune to meet one. They were mystics of the highest order and by far the most rare of the sects of Alarand's priesthood, so in tune with nature that they were said to actually be able to speak to trees and plants with the same ease as one might converse with another person, to say nothing of animals. There were even rumors that the most powerful of the order could, when in need, call upon nature itself to fight.
"I am honored to meet you, Ovate." I said, finally glancing around at the other priests who waited at a polite distance. They were all strangely youthful, though many were white or grey haired, as though some power kept age from them. They each bowed when they saw my gaze on them and I felt my nervousness start to fade in the face of their open admiration and obvious pleasure.
"No Hunter, the honor is ours." The Ovate replied, "I have heard many tales of your deeds over the last few days. You deserve praise for simply surviving all you have, much less succeeding in all you have done." Then, she looked around and her smile widened once more. "If you will permit me to introduce our escort," she said, motioning behind me and I looked around to find that the warriors of the Chosen had quietly surrounded us while we had been speaking, but strangely, I felt no fear at the prospect, not because of my skill and experience, but more because I didn't sense so much as a hint of malice in them. At the Ovate's signal, an older warrior, scarred as all veteran demon hunters were, stepped up before me, holding out his hand with admiration on his face. "This is Captain Talos, of the Chosen of Alarand."
As I took his hand, I examined the warrior, finding his appearance strange, but I couldn't tell why at first. He was auburn haired, tanned by long days in the sun, his eyes a cool, light green. He wore a brown leather vest over a tunic and breaches cut in the same style as those worn by Slayers, but the cloth was dyed in many shades of green, ranging from the hue of aspens at the height of summer, to the darkest of pines. His green clothes were rimmed with bands of dark brown, marking him as an officer, and he wore a sheathed short sword in his belt. In his hand, he carried a staff, steel shod, made of a wood I could not identify, for it was the color of honey, shining as if polished, veins of jade and silver interlaid within it. And, as I examined the weapon, I realized that each of the Chosen carried one, which must have been the source of the odd sound I had heard. But even his weapons were not what made him look strange. Then it hit me. He wore no shoes upon his feet, not even sandals. Instead, only a long strip of green cloth, stained by long use, wrapped his feet. In fact, all of the Chosen were similarly clad, as were the green clad priests. A glance at my mate told me she had noticed that as well, and she seemed amused at it, though we too wore no footwear.
"Hunter Galen," Talos said, nodding, his voice pleasant in tone, with the slight touch of harshness that all officer's voices eventually acquired from shouting orders over the din of battle. "I have been waiting for a chance to meet you ever since I first heard rumors of your existence. I doubt you will remember, but I have seen you before, almost five years ago now. You were fighting with a band of demons in the southern reach of the mountains. I didn't understand then why you would be fighting them, but I always thought your performance in that clash was excellent."
I nodded in acknowledgement of his praise, but he was right. I didn't remember ever having seen him before. The captain then introduced his lieutenant and two sergeants, then the rest of his small company, and I promptly lost track of the names. Like the Slayers of Auré, most of the chosen were young enough that wounds and the horrors of our endless conflict had yet to mark them. But, even so, all of them bowed to me and my mate, offering their hands freely, some of them eyeing Julianna appreciatively while they did so. It was a decidedly refreshing change from the usual reception we got from people, though I did feel a slight flash of the strange urge to interpose myself between them and my mate; an urge the wolf in me easily quashed without my input. Both halves of myself, wolf and human, knew with utter certainty that our bond transcended such mundane dangers.
When we were finally done exchanging greetings, the whole group finally fell into marching order once more and walked on up the hill, leaving the Aspenhald and the wondrous memories it would always hold behind...
***
Sitting back against the fallen tree, I looked around the campfire, trying to find enough joy in my heart to smile. It had been a little more than a week since the followers of Alarand had joined us and we were finally drawing near to the Slayerhold. The Chosen had turned out to be a very personable bunch, the younger green clad warriors fitting easily in with the young Slayers. It taken all of about a day for the officers of the two groups to set up a separate campfire a distance away from the younger warriors at night, the combined exuberance they displayed overpowering to the more experienced fighters. Now, my brother and his captain, as well as Talos and his lieutenant, were wrapped in their bedrolls across the dying fire from Julianna and I, the Ovate and the eldest of the priests completing the circle opposite the two of us. Behind me, about thirty feet away, the first watch of the young Slayers and Chosen were just settling in with their backs to their fire, their songs and stories done for the evening. I was sitting up on watch once more, as I had done on the journey to the Aspenhald, but Julianna was not awake, having fallen asleep beside me in a familiar position, her head on my shoulder, our arms curled around each other. Looking at my mate, I knew it should have been easy to smile, easy to relax, but something was still holding me back.
It was a strange thing, but when this trip had begun, we had refrained from showing our affection around our comrades since they had seemed to be uncomfortable with it. But ever since we left Aspenhald, it hadn't seemed to matter anymore. We openly held hands while we walked, and cuddled close as we sat around the fire at night. Whatever had changed in us in the aspen forest had gone far deeper than it had appeared at first. I couldn't imagine not being near my mate anymore, as if her touch was as essential to me as breathing. And, something more was happening too; my mate's behavior seemed to be changing once again. It was a subtle change, one that my companions hadn't noticed, but it was quite obvious to me. She seemed to be becoming more...loving as time went on, though that didn't quite cover it.
It was just little things; the way she looked at me, a sort of warm, welcoming smile that was different from the one she used to give me; snuggling close to me whenever we stopped to let the others rest; the way her scent made me feel, or just how I felt when we were close like this, at least, on every occasion except tonight. And more, I had found myself eagerly reciprocating the attention, returning every ounce of affection she showed me. And, maybe it had something to do with the still present ethereal note in her scent, or the wonderful, soothing warmth that had seemed to fill me ever since that night, but whatever it was, it made every moment enjoyable. And more than that, the others in the traveling company seemed to have gotten over their uncomfortable feelings about us. I had even caught a few of the experienced members of our company looking at us with a soft sort of smile as we cuddled around the nightly campfires.
And then, even as the image of my mate's fire-tinted fur stirred the warmth to begin its journey through my body once more, something else doused it; a cold chill that had nothing to do with the night breezes that flitted beneath my grey cloak. As pleasant as things had been, there was still something that troubled me. It had taken me a long while to find its source, but when I finally had, it seemed to crop up at every opportunity. All through my life, and indeed, as far back as the stories of my order reached, the demons I fought had eagerly attacked every demon hunter they could find, even when we traveled in large groups, their hatred for us far out weighing good sense. And yet, we still had not seen so much as a single demon track in more than a month. It was starting to get downright spooky. And I knew I wasn't the only one to have noticed it either. Though most of the young members of our group seemed oblivious, my brother, as well as the other experienced demon hunters, all looked warily around in the daylight, and slept only fitfully at night, their battle-honed instincts keeping them from finding peace.
And so, though it would be so easy to pass on the watch to someone else, I had stayed awake, night after night, my senses keen, my mind alert and ready, the wolf spirit in my heart watchful. Heaving a deep, troubled sigh, I reached under my cloak and clasped a hand to the sun cross I wore around my neck one more time. The motion had been habitual before I met Julianna, a source of comfort that I had stopped needing after falling for her. But now, when unease kept me from rest, and I needed all the comfort I could get, it brought none, its silver, four pointed design against a golden sunburst cold in my grasp. And then, even as I released the medallion with a slight sigh, I felt another chill wash through me, a chill that sent a shiver down my spine. And then, as the shiver stood my fur on end, I felt a far different feeling well up inside me, a strange, unearthly sensation that seemed to grow strongest in the painted marks that covered my torso and the backs of my hands. The marks had been fading all month, their powers eventually wearing off, just as I had expected them too, but now, as if in defiance of the orange firelight, they gave off a faint glow, silver-white and pale green tinged with gold.
And, far from looking out into the forest, where a threat might lie in wait, I found my gaze drawn instead to the coals of the fire, glowing like a pile of rubies within the circle of stones. And as I sat staring at them, I found my vision growing indistinct, the coals merging into a single glowing mass in my vision, and I found my eyes blinking more slowly, the camp seeming to be growing distant. And then, images appeared before my eyes, a strange mishmash of pictures like a waking dream, many events unfolding in my mind like memories half remembered, all out of order and jumbled. All at once, as the flow of time seemed to stop altogether, a new image appeared, as coherent as if I were watching it happen in that moment.
I saw a grove of trees before me, trees with pale green bark like that to the branches I used to carry in my pack, their leaves like polished gold. But unlike the Sacred Grove of Auré from which my branches had come, this copse stood alone on an endless plain of grass, lacking so much as a single bush or shrub to break the endless field. But even as I watched, the sky seemed to grow dark, as if a storm was brewing, though no clouds could be seen. Darkness spread across the blue horizon like ink in a standing pool, the day growing suddenly as dark as midnight. And then, spreading like a wave through the plain, a change began to come over the green grass. It seemed to be turning yellow, sickly as if a weight of disease or drought were laid suddenly upon them, and then steadily to become grey, as if they were decaying into death before my very eyes. And then, as the dark wave, creeping like a mold, reached the edge of the grove, the trees began to twist in silent agony, the gold in their treetops tarnishing as copper left exposed to the elements. My view seemed to draw nearer then, parting the twisting trunks, finally revealing a once tranquil clearing to my sight.
A jade fountain, elegant and beautiful with tracery of gold seemed to stand in the center of a clear pool, surrounded by the trees and many vines and plants. But the change that had come over the world reached even here. The green vines began to twist and writhe, darkening swiftly, changing until they were evil, thorny things of sable, choking the life from the trees upon which they grew. And then, with a terrible sound that set my teeth on edge, the fountain cracked, splintering, its elegant form becoming twisted, covered in spikes and runes that glowed orange, the gold becoming onyx, the jade obsidian. And the water that flowed from it was no longer clear and shining, becoming the color of blood, staining all that it touched with a foul crimson light. And then, the sky lit as if with fire, the darkness giving way, and lo, it was not the pale, powder blue of our world, but the dull, sickly orange of the realm from which the demons came.
A sudden movement brought my mind back from the horrific vision, a shudder rippling my fur as I sat. Blinking hard, I shook my head, one hand clasping the medallion I wore so hard that its points were poking painfully into my skin, its metal surface suddenly seeming warm to the touch once again, the other clasping the hilt of my longsword, ready to draw it from its sheath across my back. But instead of an enemy poised to attack, I found only the Ovate sitting up in her bedroll, hunching forward and putting her arms around her knees, her forehead wrinkled and worried.
"Can't sleep Hunter?" She asked, smiling at me wryly as I released the hilt of my sword. I shook my head, trying to put on a face that would hide the troubles that burdened me and she nodded. "Me neither. Though, doubtless, it is less of a burden on you."
"I suppose." I replied, speaking softly enough so I didn't disturb my mate. For a moment, I considered sharing the disturbing sight I had just seen, but I shook that thought out of my mind. I had never before possessed the power of foresight, and though the image had been nightmarish and horrifying, I felt certain that it wasn't an image of anything that had happened. Rather, it seemed more like to a warning, the faint foreboding of a gathering storm. "I just can't understand it. All my life, and indeed as far back as anyone can remember, the demons have never stopped attacking us. And yet, now..."
"Yes, I know. The world seems free of them for many a league in every direction. And I have no light to shine upon the subject. Nothing like this has ever happened to the best of my order's knowledge as well." The Ovate stated, her brow furrowing even more deeply as she looked into the coals of the fire. "Perhaps the demons have run out of servants to send." Even as she said it, I could detect a dubious note in her words, and I shook my head.
"No, I know that isn't it." I said, looking back into the orange light of the coals as a stick popped, sending a few sparks skyward, the memory of the oozing creatures that wandered the barren wastes of the demon's realm coming back to my mind, making me shiver once again. "There are beasts in their realm, horrid things I have no name for, that endlessly make more demons from the souls of the fallen. They will never run out of minions."
"I thought not." She said, looking sympathetically at my grim expression. "I apologize for bringing up such memories. I cannot imagine what it must have been like going there, no living thing as far as the eye can see. Only barren ash and dust, and hard, cold stone. And demons, demons beyond count wandering the wastes."
"I imagine that it would be worse for the followers of Alarand." I commented as the Ovate shivered, imagining the terrible images that I had seen in the realm of the demons, drawing her forest green cloak closer around her as if she were chilled even in the warm night. "But, speaking of living things, can't the plants tell you something?"
"They are trying." She said, a strange look appearing on her face, as if she were listening to something distant, or quiet. "But all the world seems...unsettled."
"How does that work anyway?" I asked, grateful for the distraction, watching her with interest as she absently caressed a sprig of grass with her fingertips. The stalk seemed to bend at her touch, almost twining around her fingertips like it was embracing an old friend. "Do they actually speak?"
"Not so much in words," She answered after a few moments, looking back up at me. "It's more like... impressions almost, like half formed thoughts. But to understand what they mean, you often have to think from their perspective, not from ours."
"That sounds difficult." I stated, thinking that the way she described it sounded familiar, akin to the way that my companion spirit used to communicate with me and she smiled, pulling her fingers back from the grass sprig.
"It can be, especially when they are like this." She confirmed, "But I would imagine that it is much more difficult to live with a second soul inside you."
"Yes, well, it took me twenty years to make peace with my wolf half." I replied, looking down at Julianna as she murmured softly in her dreams, her head shifting closer to my neck. "It was our love for Julianna that forged the first true bond we shared." At the Ovate's curious glance I explained. "It is more than just having two souls in one body, for we are more closely bound than I can find words to explain. We feel together, but think apart, if that makes any sense."
"So when you say that you love Julianna, both you and the other spirit feel love for her?" The Ovate asked and when I nodded, she smiled once again. "How did the two of you come to be together? I mean, when we heard that there were now two werewolves that were free from the demon's influence, there was scant detail on where you had come from. We knew of your origins, Hunter, from your brother, but he never did go into detail about your lovely companion."
"Well, some weeks ago now, I hunted a party of demons to near the King's road. They ambushed Julianna and her guards just before sunrise and I stepped in to help. Well, back then, because of the blessing of Auré, at every sunrise, I would become human again, and like this at sundown." The Ovate nodded for me to continue, seeming greatly interested by our tale. "Well, all of her guards died either in the ambush or in the days afterward as we tried to get to the refuge of the Golden Wood, each falling to the demons. But finally, we were ambushed once again, and I was forced to transform in front of her. As you can imagine, it was quite a shock. She nearly attacked me when I did it. But the leader of her guards, a close friend of hers, had been taken captive by the demons during the fight, and she begged me to help her save him. I agreed and I think that more than anything convinced her that I was worthy of her trust. Unfortunately, we reached him too late." Pausing in my tale, I thought back to the solemn promise I had made to Captain Isander as he lay in the horrible place where Redamarc had dwelt, just before he had died by my hand. So far, I had kept it, though perhaps not for the reasons he would have expected. Shaking my head slightly, I continued our story once more.
"So, from then on it was just the two of us, traveling together back to her homeland and...well...things just sort of developed." Finally, as I remembered the first time that she had comforted me on that night, I felt a smile come to my lips at last. "Even the first time she saw me like this, once she got over the surprise, she never seemed to really be afraid, or even to care about what I was. Instead, she just seemed to be curious. And, as we journeyed together, we became closer and closer and eventually, it just sort of happened. We knew we couldn't be together, what with her being royalty and all, but the differences between us didn't seem to matter while we wandered towards Gulnia. I don't know what was worse at the time, fighting the curse or the knowledge that we could never be together."
"And when she was taken in her homeland, you went willingly into Hell to find her." The Ovate filled in, nodding. "Your brother explained that part though, now, I think I better understand why you went. But I am curious, how did she come to be a werewolf? The Master Hunter said that that was a matter for you and you alone to explain."
I sighed, trying not to remember the horrible moment when my mate, suffering in agony from demonic poison, had begged me to bite her, tried not to remember the feel of my fangs as they pierced her, the taste of her blood in my mouth, and worst of all, the knowledge of what I was doing to her, of the life I was forcing on her...I shook my head once more, trying to dislodge the memory, feeling a shudder run the length of my spine.
"After I brought her back out of the demon's realm, her father, the king, released her to go where she would, and do whatever she desired." I explained, my arms unconsciously tightening around my mate's warm body as I thought about what had come after that. "We had intended just to travel together, hunting the demons in the wild places, but we hadn't gone far when we ran into...something... something I still don't quite know what to call. It was almost like a half demon, half human. Well, when we were fighting it, Julianna was wounded, and infected by the necrosis toxin." The Ovate winced in sympathy at my words, and then, when I hesitated to continue, her eyes went wide as she realized the implications of the tale.
"You bit her?" She asked. When I nodded, she shook her head. "I can't imagine making that choice, even to save someone I loved from a horrible death, as you did."
"I didn't want to." I confirmed. "She had to beg me to do it. I swore to myself when I became a werewolf that I wouldn't inflict this on anyone else, but..."
"You would do anything for her." The Ovate finished, her tone softening with understanding, a warm, almost motherly smile on her face once more. "It is obvious from the way you two act how much you love one another. It is rare, truly rare to see such a love, especially in two who are so young, and so different."
"And I can't imagine being without her." I said, smiling down at my sleeping mate as she unconsciously nuzzled in closer to me.
"I wouldn't think so, seeing the way you two are." The Ovate said, lying back with a sigh and closing her eyes. "Well, I am not like you, werewolf. Once, perhaps I could have gone without sleep and kept up in the morning, but I am not as young as I once was. Goodnight, Hunter Galen."
"Goodnight, Ovate." I said, returning to my silent vigil, looking out at the wilderness that surrounded us once more, the dark vision swimming murkily through my mind, and wondering what it could possibly mean...