~ Magical Spirits ~
by Wolf Nightwind and Hippie Squirl
Disclaimers
See Part one for disclaimers.
Chapter 3
Karine, the iron cross! No! No no no! Mama! Where's Karine? Mom where are you? Shadow woke up with a start, breathing heavily. "Momma?"
"I ain't yer mother Jin."
"What?" Shadow looked back at Wolf. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was having a bad dream."
"I noticed. It's very hard to hold a squirmy little girl on a horse."
<Mm.> Shadow was quiet. <I miss my family.>
<Poor Shadow. After we go to White Tree, I can take you home.>
Shadow started to cry quietly. Wolf wrapped her arms around the girl. "My butt hurts." Shadow said between tears.
<You mean you're crying cuz your butt hurts?>
"No." Shadow wiggled around, but just then Jellybean stepped over a root and she was thrown off balance. She started to fall off the horse, but luckily Wolf was holding her, so she didn't fall completely.
"It's that bad, huh?" Wolf smirked.
Shadow made a face and snapped out. "Shut up. That wasn't my fault. And I was crying cuz I don't have a home anymore. It got burned down."
"So where's your family now, or don't you know?" Wolf's smirk turned to a frown.
<My family's all dead.>
Wolf hugged the girl closer. "Shadow, I'm sorry."
"That's okay. It just still hurts to think about, cuz it was so recent. And I haven't had anyone to talk to, either." Shadow took a deep breath. "My mom was gonna marry this one man, but then figured out it was only cuz she could do magic. Then this guy got all mad and got together with a bunch of his friends when mom married dad, and he came to get us all. He didn't know who married mom, only that she was married, and my dad was one of his friends so he found out and came to tell us, but they killed him before he could. Then they all came wearing dark robes and black hats. There were about 20 or 30 of them, all riding black horses. The horses had on steel armor plates, and the torches made them glow red. They looked like angels of death riding on demons from hell. Midnight I heard them coming down the road, not talking, just the hooves on rock. I went downstairs and mom was locking the door, but they just kicked it open. The leader grabbed mom and held her hands behind her back. Some others came in from the back, and one had an iron cross around his neck. They went into Karine's room and I shouted to her, but she didn't hear. they grabbed her and held the cross to her chest, and the iron burned in. They took her outside and hung her from a tree by her hands, with the cross burned on her chest. Then they whipped mom, and she couldn't get away cuz the knew her name. She sent me away before they could brand me, but she couldn't save Karine. I went back the next day and our house was burned. Mom and Karine were in unmarked graves." Shadow stopped for a moment. "I left, and was working as a barmaid for a while, then the Vampri got me." Shadow sniffed.
"Oh gods, that's awful!"
Shadow started crying again. That's not even all.
Oh crap. how do I handle this! The best Wolf could do was tighten her hold and whisper nonsense words of comfort to her friend. Friend. I really have a friend. Wolf could feel herself smile inside. She bit her lip as one bump jarred her shoulder.
"Shh, it's ok, it'll be ok." Wolf chewed her lip for a bit. "Shadow, please listen, I know it hurts, but the pain will fade in time. Just keep the good memories in yer heart. Ok?"
"I don't know if I can." A pain-felt whisper.
"Sure you can. Just give it time." Wolf swallowed. Emotional chats weren't her strong suit by far. "At lest either way yer'll have memories of yer family." She said at last, looking at the passing world but not seeing it as she slipped into her own memories.
Sniffling, the brunette looked over her shoulder. "What do you mean?"
The blonde shook her head as she came back to herself. "Umm... nothing...it's nothing. Listen there's a town just up ahead. Think yer up to a crowd.
"Sure." The Halfjin said as she wiped the last of her tears. Wolf grunted then looked down at they're makeshift clothes and mentally groaned. Dress like this we may get more company then we like. Oh well, it can't be helped. Sighing the Were guided Jellybean towards the gate entrance to the small city of Jaston Creek. An on duty guard of the city army stopped them before they fully reached the light of the torches.
"'Lo strangers. What be your business in this city."
"'Lo M'lord. We be but weary travelers, lookin' fer a meal and a bed. We be gone shortly after daylight on the morrow." Wolf spoke. The guard stood a bit straighter after be called a lord, a term of that was not worthy of his class, to call him one showed great respect and not a little bit of sucking up.
"Come forward strangers." Wolf gentle kneed the mare forward. The guard's jaw dropped as he found himself looking at two young people, bruised, muddy, bloody, and bone tired.
"Maiden, Mother, and Crone! Your but children! How have you made it this far? There's not a few highwaymen between here and the next."
"We have been very lucky M'lord, but alas we are now very tired. Please, may we enter yer fine city?" Wolf was growing tired of this lily footing and just wanted to start worrying about paying for food. Maybe I can talk a tavern owner into a meal and bed for Shadow in return for a nice mopped floor. I could morph and hunt for something to eat later and sleep in the barn with Jellybean. Distracted Wolf didn't hear the guard's ok and had to be prompted by the Halfjin.
<Hey you in there? He said we can go.>
"Huh? Oh thank you M'lord. We'll be on our way, thank you."
"Thank you." Shadow smiled at the guard on there way by. Wolf had to bite back a laugh and the young man's returning goofy grin. I don't think my little Jin knows her own power....wow wait a minute. MY little Jin? Where the hell did that come from???? Oi! yer getting it bad, Smokey. And you really don't care do you? Hell no! Wolf mentally chuckled at herself as they came to a stop in front of Red Rain Tavern & inn.
"Nice name." Commented Shadow dryly as Wolf hopped off and held her arms up to help her down. The Were tighten her arms around the brunette's waist as she slide off the mare. Gentle setting the Halfjin on her feet the blonde took Jellybean's reins and tied her to the hitch 'n' post.
"Oh shush, hopefully this place will be cheap." As Wolf led the way in Shadow thought of something.
"Umm Wolf? How are we going to pay. Neither of us have any money."
Ignoring the pain in her shoulder Wolf reached behind her for Shadow's hand so they wouldn't get separate. "Just let me worry about that." She answered. As they walk through the swinging doors, they were hit by a wall of smoke and noise. The smell of unwashed bodies and ale flowing freely was thick as pea fog. The Were's eyes began to water from the smoky air. The place was dark and packed with shadowy figures. A few turned to watch the two barely clothed girls make their way to the bar. One set of eyes took special interest. Shadow jumped as an old, bent, haggard man slapped her rear as they passed his seat.
"Hey sweet thing wanna give some of that ta me?" Wolf turned and growled at the man. He looked her up and down and grinned, showing missing teeth. "Ow, a feisty one..." he got cut off when Wolf's hand clamped down on his throat. Never releasing her hold on Shadow's hand Wolf tighten her grip until the man began to change color.
"Leave the girl alone." She said simply. The old man nodded vigorously until Wolf let him go. He stumbled from his chair and made for the door, leaving behind his sheathed long dagger. Wolf picked it up and with one hand tossed the covering on the table. The wicked blade curves slightly with double edges sharpen to razor points. Comes dang near to my shoulder, blasted mini sword! Thought Wolf. Sliding it back, she placed the dagger in her belt. Shadow stayed quiet as they started again for the bar. A dark form began to walk towards the front as well. A short gray haired man stood wiping the counter with a dirty rag, his shirt spattered with unidentifiable stains. He nodded to Wolf and the blonde nodded back.
"Got a meal and room?"
"Yeah."
"How much?"
"Two shyns for a meal, three for a room, one and a shynlette more for a bath." At lest five shyns. Damn! "You need yer floor mopped?"
"In return for?"
"One meal, one bed, no bath. "Wolf nodded towards Shadow, who furrowed her brows at the mention of only one.
<Wolf, we both need to eat.>
<You need to eat. I'll survive.> Shadow's frown deepen. A low voice behind them spoke.
"Bartender, fix these two a hot meal, room, and baths." Ten shyns were slapped down on the bar by a hooded person. Wolf jumped three feet straight up before turning her head to see who had spoken. The figure walked to the other side of Wolf and lowered his hood.
"Yotay!" Wolf hugged the large black man. Yotay wrapped one massive arm around the blonde, grinning to himself as the Were never let go of her friend's hand.
"Little sister, what are you doing out here?" Both of the Half Jin's eyebrows shot up at hearing the bear of a man call Wolf 'little sister'. Wolf however just grinned.
"Gettin'' inta trouble, and kickin' butt on the way out!"
A low rumbleing laugh came from the black man. "Always the feisty one, weren't you? Are you going to see WhiteTree, we're not far."
Wolf frowned. Taking a deep breath she said. "Yeah we are. Just need a night to rest good first. Oh!" Wolf gently pulled Shadow forward. "Yotay this is Shadow, Shadow, my big brother, Yotay." With one hand still being held, Shadow held out the other and watched as it disappeared in the man's massive hand.
"Um, nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine M'Lady." Yotay bent down and softly kissed Shadow's hand. Wolf rolled her eyes.
"Flirt!"she teased.
Yotay arched a bushy eyebrow. "Not flirt, just an admirer of beauty." Both began to chuckle at the flush rising from the Halfjin's neck.
Yotay straightened and turned serious. "I'm afraid I'm on my way out of town for business and can't stay. I expect to see you at WhiteTree's though, you hear me? You've been gone far too long little sister. Far too long. We're family Nal…Wolf, and no matter how hard you try, you can't outrun us."
Wolf swallowed hard. "I know big brother. I know. Thanks for the room we'll see you at WhiteTree's. My word." She stepped forward to hug the man again.
"No. I'll see you at home." He said as he hugged back, slipping a small pouch of money into her free hand. Giving Shadow a long look, he removed his short cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. The thick heavy material nearly dragged on the floor, but she felt less exposed now. Smiling her thanks she said good bye. Yotay smiled back and left.
The bartender showed them to their room, a small square area with a table and chair in one corner and a small bed along the wall, under the only window. Wolf finally released her grip of the brunettes hand, instantly mourning the lose feeling of the hand in her own. She sat on the bed and looked at the Halfjin who stood, arms crossed, tapping one foot.
"Nano?" Wolf asked.
"Well geeze, I guess I should have know right away, the family resemblance is unmistakable."
Wolf groan and fell back on the bed. "Ok, ok, I'll spill." Sitting up and scooting against the wall she motioned to the spot next to her. Shadow sat down and leaned against the headboard. Wolf took a deep breath and sighed.
"I don't know who my parent were. Don't know where I came from, how I got where I was, nothing. When I was about two years old, they say, the man you just met found me sitting on a river bank crying. He picked me up and took me to WhiteTree. Ya see, White Tree runs a safe home. Place where kids who's folks get killed, or who choose to abandon them, can go and live and grow. He has his own son, probably bout thirty-five now, but forever with the mind of a six year old. Yotay grew up there too. His folks were killed in the cross fire between two armies I guess. Him and his little brother Tomah, been there bout five years before they found me. There also was Crystal and Misty, twins a year or two older then me. Their momma died bringing them into the world and their father dropped them off then headed to the cliffs, he never came back." Wolf's eyes had grown distant and the Were shivered at the thought of what could drive a man to take his life like that.
"Later there was little Anna. Don't know how she ended up there. Just showed up on the door step when I was bout ten or so." Wolf smiled. "We grew real close, family I suppose, I was happy. Little Anna followed me everywhere. Looked up to me like the little sister that she was. And I did everything I could ta make sure she never got hurt. Till my real family came a hauntin' that is." Wolf closed her eyes at the bad memories.
"When I turned 14, womanhood embraced me. I was changing from a girl to a woman...and from a human to a wolf. Back then I couldn't control it. Happened when it wanted, usually with my monthly cycles. But when I did change, the wolf inside was strong, stronger then me. I'd spend the night hunting prey, come home bloody, crying, scared. I didn't know what was going on. Neither did anyone else. My brothers and sister started shying away, afraid. Even WhiteTree kept his distance. Everyone, but little Anna. She stuck by me through thick and thin. Never lost her faith in me to protect her. As I grew I learned to control the wolf usually, eventually controlling the changes. But I still wasn't in complete control. When I was 17, little Anna, she didn't mean to, but she snuck up as I was fighting for control and scared the crud out of me. I lost it. I morphed, turned, and bite her little hand clean to the bone before I could stop myself. She looked at me with big blues eyes filled with the worst hurt of all, betrayal. I couldn't take, I ran. Haven't been back since." A tear slowly tracked down the blondes cheek. Shadow softly reaches out to wipe the tear away before hugging the older girl.
"Some time later I ran into Yotay and Tomah. They convinced me it wasn't my fault. But I was afraid to go back and face Anna, I guess I still am."
"But you gave Yotay your word."
"I gave my word. I'll be there when Yotay gets back."
"No." Shadow spoke softly but firmly. "We're be there." Then a little shyly "Right?"
Wolf smiled and returned the hug. "Yeah we're be there." A few moments of silence passed. "So how bout a bath and a hot meal?" Wolf stood and winced at her shoulder.
"Hey you're hurt!" Shadow jumped up and turned Wolf around to look at her shoulder. Pulling the loose sleeve up she look looked at the nasty wound. "Aww Wolf, why didn't you say something!"
The blonde shrugged her uninjured shoulder. "What could you have done?"
Shadow's eyebrows knitted. She reached out and gently placed her fingers on Wolf's shoulder. "This." Shadow's hand began to glow white. Wolf left a strange tingling replace the pain. She looked to the younger and found an intense look of concentration. The Were could feel Shadow's hand tremble before a flash of light caused her to pull her hand away. Wolf grabbed Shadow around the waist when the Halfjin began nearly fell. The blonde looked to see her shoulder completely healed.
"How did you…?" Wolf faded off.
Shadow answered breathlessly. "It's harder to heal someone else but I healed my ribs, what did you think?" The Halfjin finally caught her breath and blushed when she realized the older girl's arms were still wrapped around her. "Umm, how bout dinner?" She asked shyly.
Stepping back, the tension broke, Wolf cleared her throat and nodded. "Yeah let's go."
Continued in Chapter 4
The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive