~ Magical Spirits ~
by Wolf Nightwind and Hippie Squirl
Disclaimers
See Part one for disclaimers.
Author's Ramblings: Sorry bout the delay, dealing with finals and everything else. Thanks for waiting.
~Wolf Nightwind~
And now chapter 5…
Shadow sat up in bed, the effect of the berries instantly worn off. "Wolf!" Bad dreams, it's just a bad dream. Shadow looked around the room. No, I don't think so. She jumped out of bed and went down into the tavern, looking for her friend. Where is she
"Hello!" a voice behind her said.
Startled, the Jin jumped a little, then looked at the boy behind the bar. "Hi."
"I was wondering..." He started, but Shadow interrupted him.
"Have you seen my friend? She's kinda short and has blonde hair."
"Yeah, she went out to the market I think. Ya know..."
"Okay, thanks." Shadow nearly ran out the door and into the street. She decided
to go to the left, following the sounds of people.
Wolf walked into the tavern, smiling to herself.
"Hey!" The boy behind the counter called to her. "You're pretty friend's lookin' for ya. And maybe..."
"Yeah, I'll bet you were lookin' for her, too." Wolf's mood was instantly dampened. "Where is she?"
"She left, probably goin' to the market. Could you...."
'Damn. Okay, thanks." Wolf went back into the bustling streets.
Shadow was frantically running around the town, an intangible fear closing in on her, making her panic. Wolf where are you? Gods, what happened? Rounding a corner, she almost ran into a man carrying a stack of straw baskets.
"Watch it miss!" He sidestepped quickly. "By the way, have you seen a little monkey around here? He seems to have run off on me."
"No, sorry I haven't." No! This can't be happening! Shadow looked down the street and saw Wolf walking away from her. She ran up and hugged her from behind. You're safe. You're safe. Thank Gods.
Wolf jumped when she was suddenly hugged. She had to clamp down on the instinct to turn and attack, recognizing the spicy blend of smells that she came to connect with Shadow's scent. When did I start recognizing her scent?
"Hey! Where'd you go?" Wolf turned around despite Shadow's hold. "I thought you were asleep."
"I had a bad, bad dream. A demon was trying to get you, and he disguised himself as a black goat. And he sent a monkey to lure you into the trap. Then this man asked if I had seen his monkey, and I thought he got you!"
Wolf held onto the shaking Shadow. "I'm all right, but later we need to talk. I don't think I should just now." She shaking bad, this really scared her. I bet she not completely over the Ale either. Wolf looked around the alley and began moving back to the tavern. She kept a firm but comforting arm around the taller girl's waist.
"Umm, excuse me?" Wolf looked up and saw the boy from the tavern standing by them. "Can I speak to your friend for a minute?"
Glaring at him, Wolf said, "No you may not. Come on Shadow; let's go up to our room now where we can have some peace."
"All right." Shadow looked back at the boy, confused.
"I guess I'll talk to you in a bit, huh?" He stood there looking awkward.
I don't know who you are, and I don't really care now because Wolf is safe. I'm so glad she's safe.
"Oow oow ah ah."
"What the?" Shadow said staring at the leather bag Wolf had drop. The bag was squirming and moving.
Wolf grinned as Sketches crawled out and looked up at them.
"Oh Gods." Shadow began to back up until the blonde grabbed her hand.
"Wait."
"No. No, no, no! It's a monkey. Wolf the demon sent a monkey!"
"I know but just wait!"
"Hey misses!" They both turned to see the man at the alley end.
"Yeah?" called Wolf.
"I found my monkey thank you." A nearly pure black monkey perched on the man's shoulder. Wolf felt a chill pass down her spine when the monkey looked at her. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glint and focused on the necklace the man wore; an upside down pentagram. Wolf's breath caught.
"I'm glade M'lord. Come on Shadow let's go." Without giving the brunette a chance Wolf took off, the Halfjin in toll. Unseen by them the man grinned and vanished.
"Wolf wait! What is it?"
The Were sighed. "That monkey was the one you saw Shadow. That man had yer inverted five star. I think Sketches here may have just saved me." Wolf smiled down at the little girl monkey that cuddle against her shoulder. Wolf could feel the hand in hers begin to shake.
"This is too much. Gods what's going on?"
"I dunno, but we need to find out. Come on." They walked back to the tavern. Wolf still held Shadow's shaking hand when they entered their room. Looking at her new friend she bit her lip. If I tell her the rest. It's gonna scare her and she's scared enough! But she was worried about me, she cares! Wolf couldn't help but smile at that thought. "How bout this? I'll go grab some grub and bring it back then tell you what happened in the market place ok?" Wolf set down her supplies. Shadow began to panic.
"No! I mean I want to come with....please?" The Were looked into frightened blue eyes. Gods what ever scared her, scared her good. "Ok, we go together. You comin' Sketch?" The little monkey hopped from the table to the bed and curled up in a ball. "I'll take that as a no."
"I still don't trust that thing." Shadow frowned at the monkey and took Wolf's hand. The blonde bit her lip to keep from grinning goofily.
"It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure. Come on friend. I'm starved." In answer Shadow's stomach growled. Wolf smirked while the Halfjin blushed.
"Oh hush you!" Wolf just grinned more. The tavern was about half full. Unlike the night crowd the room seemed to be mainly made up of families catching a warm meal. A robust woman with a thick middle met them at the foot of the steps.
"Excuses me M'ladies, have you seen me son, Aracus? He done and run off and left the bar unattended." Wolf and Shadow exchanged looks.
"Nope haven't seen him, sorry." Shadow spoke. Both of Wolf's eyebrows shot up but she asked instead.
"Think we's could get a good lunch?" The lady smiled.
"Oh sure, sure. Right this way." She led them to a bench in the corner. Wolf sat so she could watch the room and have a clear view of all the doors. Shadow sat down beside her and leaned back against the wall.
Wolf asked. "Why'd you save his behind for?"
"Who's?"
"Aracus's."
"Save him? I've never seen him." The Halfjin's brows furrowed.
Wolf looked surprised. "Shadow, that was the kid in the alley, the one who' been trying to ask you out to some dance tonight."
"WHAT?"
"Yea..." the blonde was interrupted by a commotion from the kitchen.
"Aracus yer as worthless as ah tit on ah bore! Get out there!" The boy rushed out of the kitchen like the fires of hell themselves was burning his heels. He brought two steaming bowls of stew and set them plus two mugs of ale down at the girl's table. As he turned to leave, Wolf caught his attention.
"Do you have anything else other then ale?" The Were nodded towards Shadow, who stuck her tongue out in return. The lad thought on it.
"There's a well out back you can draw up some good water. But I can't leave again so your have to get it yourself M'lady, sorry."
Wolf nodded. "Fair enough." She picked up Shadow's mug and walked out of the tavern. Dumping the contents out she hauled up a fresh bucket from the well and scooped out a mug. Walking back she frowned as she spotted Aracus still talking to Shadow. The Halfjin smiled and the boy nodded and left. Wolf frowned. I knew it was too good to be true. Sighing, Wolf set the mug down in front of Shadow and started eat her stew, not even tasting it.
"So you heard about the dance tonight?" Shadow asked after a bit. Wolf nodded, not looking up. "Are you going to go?" Wolf shrugged. The brunette fell silent for the rest of the meal.
Wolf finished first. "I'll be up in the room." Shadow nodded. The Were turned her back and walked away, never seeing the frown on the Halfjin's face. Shadow hurried through the rest of her meal and rushed upstairs. Upon enter their room she found it empty but the window opened. On the table sat and small bundle and a note. Picking it up she read the chicken scratching that Wolf called handwriting.
Me and Sketches went to see what we could find out bout our goat friend. We'll meet you later. Hope you and Aracus have a good time. The bundles for you.
~Wolf
Shadow opened to bundle to find the two bracelets. "Oh Wolf." She said softly, looking sadly at the window.
Shadow spent the afternoon in their room. She placed the bracelets on her wrists and smiled at the swirl design. I can't believe she got me these. They're so pretty. Looking up to notice it was getting dark out she wondered. Where is Wolf? She should be back by now. The Halfjin's tummy let out a complaint and Shadow placed her hand over it. "Oh you hush." She waited a few moments, and then sighing went down into the tavern to see about getting something to eat.
"Hello!" It was Aracus, still tending the bar.
"Hi."
"You still goin' to the dance tonight with yer friend?"
"Ummm," Shadow frowned. "I don't know, she left and isn't back yet. Plus she has all the money, so I'm wondering if you could give me something to eat and I could pay you back later maybe?"
"Sure!" Aracus grinned. "You can pay me with a dance."
Despite herself, Shadow laughed. "All right. Seems fair enough, but it better be a good meal!" Wish I could offer Wolf a dance for the bracelets. Oh stop it!
"I'll see what I can do." He went into the kitchen, and came out with a sandwich, apple, and a slice of cake. "Does this seem worthy of your tastes?"
"Thanks." Is he flirting? Shadow ate her meal and listened to Aracus talk about the festival, his work, and his plans for the future.
When Shadow finished, she listened to him for a while, because she didn't want to be rude and interrupt. Oh please just shut up! Finally, someone called for him from the kitchen, so he left. Shadow let out a sigh, and because of the quiet could hear for the first time the sounds of the festival.
"I'm back!" Aracus said cheerfully. "And Maw said I could go now, so what say we go to celebration now?"
His grin is a little too big. Shadow thought. "Well, Wolf isn't back yet, but I guess I kinda haft to cuz I owe you a dance huh?"
He nodded his head vigorously, still smiling. "Come on!" Grabbing her hand, he led her out of the tavern and started showing her around the market place. Everyone was in high spirits, and many were dressed in flamboyant clothes. "I just love Dalston's shop, cuz for once his stuff is free!" Aracus showed her into a festive shop, and she couldn't help smiling when she saw that it was a sweet shop.
"And what pleases M'lady this night?" The owner of the store came up to shadow, all decked out in a green and orange costume.
"She wants to try some of the caramel chocolate thingies over there." Aracus pointed to a display on the right. "They're delicious, but cost a fortune." He whispered to Shadow.
"I can see you have good tastes lad." He handed Shadow a little paper bag, decorated with ribbons. She took one out and tried it.
"Mmmm! These are good."
"Come on now, lets go see some other stuff." Before she could thank the store owner, she was pulled out into the street again. Aracus took her to all the food stands, and to the different vendors to see what they had to sell. I wish I had known there would be so much free food, I wouldn't have had to beg some off Aracus. This is fun, but I wonder where Wolf is.
Suddenly Aracus stopped. "What?" Shadow asked.
"Hey, I think they're starting the dance now, wanna pay me back?"
"All right."
"Good." He laughed and started in the direction of the music.
"Wow!" Shadow was stunned when she saw the rainbow tent set up in the town square, streamers hanging from all the trees, and paper lanterns strung all over, lighting up the streets. "Yeah, I know. They decorate better every year. This is the main part of the festival, and most everyone is here." There was a small crowd already inside the dance tent, and a group of musicians playing their first song.
"May I have this dance?" Aracus pretended to bow for Shadow.
She laughed. "Sure!" He led her around the tent in a fast-paced folk dance, nearly knocking over some other people along the way. When it was finished, Shadow was breathing heavily, but laughing because it was so much fun. Then Aracus spontaneously kissed her full on the mouth. Shadow stopped laughing and stared at him, startled. A strange look came over Aracus's face and his eyes seemed to harden a little bit. He lean in again when suddenly, he was knocked to the floor by a flying Wolf.
"You jerk! Kasu suzah! Gibatato!" Her fists smashing into his face and chest, Wolf was swearing at him between growls in a tongue foreign to Shadow.
Oh no! It took Shadow a moment to realize what was going on. "WOLF! Stop it, stop!" She tried to pull her friend off, but Aracus came out of his shock and started fighting back. Everyone around them stepped back, and the musicians stopped the song they had just started. Two burly men came over and each easily picked up the two fighters.
"All right kids. Knock it off, this ain't the place ta kill each other." One of them said. They set the two down, and Aracus got a smack on the head. "Ye shouldn't be hittin' no little girl, neither boy."
"I ain't no little girl!" Wolf slurred. Shadow frowned. One of the man shoved Wolf back towards the makeshift bar she had been sitting waiting for Shadow. The ale was free and Wolf had nearly drained a small keg by herself.
Shadow began to follow when a hand clamped down on her arm. She turned to see Aracus, wiping blood from his nose, looking at her strangely. "Where are you going?"
Shadow tried to pull her arm free. "To my friend."
"You call the she wolf your friend! I'm not done with you." Aracus's eyes narrowed. Shadow swallowed hard.
Across the tent Wolf slumped down at the bar. Sketches pulled her head out of a half empty mug and hiccupped. "Yer drunk." Wolf scolded the monkey.
"So are you." Said the barmaid as she looked Wolf up and down. Wolf's eyes grazed the tall curly blonde's body.
"So?" I have a reason to after what I just did. You dumb fur brain you finally get a friend then you fuck it up by attacking her date! But he kissed her! And what wrong with that? I wanted to be the one kissing her. Wolf sighed.
"Trying to drink away your problems?" Wolf nodded. "That's usually best done with a friend."
Wolf winced. After what I did I doubt I still have one. "Don't got one."
The maid leaned forward, showing ample cleavage. "Do you want one?"
Wolf looked up into dark brown eyes. "Don't need no one."
The maid ran a finger down Wolf's jaw line; the Were couldn't control the shiver that ran down her back, the ale clouded her judgment.
"Maybe it's bed time for you little girl?"
"Ain't no little girl!"
"Well what about your bed time?"
Wolf licked her lips and the maid continued her onslaught, the finger now pressing over a furiously beating pulse point. "Depends." Wolf said a little hoarsely. "When's yers?"
"Hmmm?" The maid leaned forward more. "Oh I go to bed quite early, but I don't sleep very much. A bead of sweat trickled down Wolf's neck as the maid leaned in to kiss the Were. Lips a hair's breath apart, screaming broke out from the other side of the tent.
"WOLF!" The blonde's head jerked away at hearing Shadow cry out. Wolf shook her head clear the ale as she jumped to her feet. Running through the crowd, she reached a small circle of people. Pushing her way through, Wolf pulled up short when she saw Shadow be held by some creature. It had the body of a man, with legs of a goat, and horns on its head. Leathery wings, like a bat's, surround the creature and Shadow like a shield. Dark coarse fur sprouted from the top of its head and carried down its neck to spread across its shoulders. Long scales covering clawed hands gripped the frightened Jin. The creature wore a necklace of an inverted pentagram and had the matching symbol burned on its forehead.
Shadow screamed in thought speech.
In a gravelly voice Aracus called out. "The master wants this one." He ran a hand through Shadow's hair. "Power she be, untrained she is. The Master shall tame her, shall make her his!"
"Not if I can help it." Wolf growled out and let the morph begin.
Shadow could feel the rough wings tightening their grip as Wolf turned into her animal counterpart. She leaped at the monster, teeth bared and ready to fight. Letting out a sound half way between a growl and a scream, the demon raised one giant wing to bat Wolf away. Latching on with her teeth, Wolf was swung around, suspended from the menacing appendage.
Hoping that he would be distracted by the fight, Shadow tried to slip down beneath Aracus's grasp, but found she was held to tight. "Let me go!" she yelled and kicked behind her, smashing her foot into the goat leg. "Owww!" The force hurt Shadow more than it did her captor, which only made her madder.
Hearing Wolf get knocked to the ground, Shadow squinted up her eyes.
Undaunted, the Were jumped right back up and bit the leg of the monster. He roared and bucked his leg, but Wolf held on. Suddenly, the demon stopped moving, and loosened his grip on Shadow, who slid to the floor. A crown of daisies sat upon its head, pink ribbons tied around the horns and draped down its back. On the hooves of the fiend appeared white little booties, trimmed in lace. Stunned for a moment, its eyes got wide; then it let out a pathetic squeak, like a baby bird crying for its mother. Wolf released her hold, and took a step back.
Shadow thought said to Wolf as she slid away from the pathetic demon. Some people in the bewildered crowd started laughing, thinking the scene a festive show put on for their amusement. Seeing that Shadow had gotten away, the former Aracus stepped forward and fell over. Still on the ground, Shadow crawled out of the way and over to Wolf.
But even as she spoke, the wings and horns receded, and Aracus once more was in the tent. He stood up shakily, and then regaining strength sought out the Jin. His eyes blazed red, and he lunged at her.
Wolf told Shadow, and growled at the boy.
Heeding her friend's advice, Shadow ran out of the tent. Behind her, she could hear people shouting and laughing, still unaware of what was going on. She had to walk through the streets, people carrying foods and shoving things at her, trying to get her to buy them.
At the town's edge, her long legs carried her quickly into the forest, where she climbed a tree just inside the small stand and waited.
Shadow was still close enough to the city wall to hear the festivities and songs. A cold breeze picked up and Shadow wrapped her cloak tighter around her. no answer. "Oh Gods." The Halfjin sat shivering for a time before a fury of fur and chatter scamper by her. Letting out a screech the brunette nearly fell off the limb she sat on when two chipmunks chased a squirrel up the tree. The little black squirrel, with a plump nut in its mouth, jumped branches and skirted around trying to avoid the two angry rodents. Shadow smiled. "Steal their nut did ya?" She asked the jumpy squirrel. Finally being cornered on a branch, the black rodent dropped the nut. The two chipmunks climbed over each other to get back down the tree and get to the food first.
Wolf dodged as Aracus lunged for her again. "My Master will not be denied. He will have the Powerful One. He will rule the sky, and will be stopped by none!" Wolf dodge again, dashing under a bench and jumping up on the bar.
"You sound like a bad muse!" People drunk beyond good reason laughed and pointed as the talking wolf knocked over mugs. When Wolf had morphed her shirt and loin cloth stayed on, but loosely. Her dagger, however, had fallen. Now Wolf spotted it and leaped over the boy's head. When she landed, she was in Were form and picked up her dagger, drawing it in the same move. Too many people here for a fight. Wolf stuck her tongue out at Aracus and ran from the tent.
People outside weren't so inhibited and began screaming at seeing a werewolf. Aracus roared after her and in one swift move the Were removed the demon's head. If what I read was true, then in 3,2,1..." The body reverted back to its demon form before exploding in a blinding flash of red light and orange smoke.
People screamed even more and scattered. Shifting into human form Wolf blended with them and ran back to the tent, dashing to the bar she grab her bag and Sketches. Heading back to the inn the blonde talked to the monkey. "We have to find Shadow, Sketches, we have to find her now!"
The squirrel sat dejectedly on the branch only a few feet from Shadow. "Hey little guy, you hungry?" The rodent jumped and chattered at the Halfjin as if finally realizing it wasn't alone. "Hey now, take it easy." Reaching into the pouch she had tied to the belt of her loin cloth, the brunette removed one of the little chocolates. Setting as far as she could reach between the two she sat back and said, "It's probably not healthy for you but it's something. The little squirrel hopped and branch over and approached the sweet. Sniffing it carefully, it picked it up in its mouth. Looking to Shadow it ran off. "Hey don't go…" She was cut off when a lasso came out of the darkness, closing around Shadow's feet. Tightening, the Halfjin was pulled from the tree and fell with a thud. "Owwww." She moaned as she kicked off the rope and tried to climb to her feet.
A bag came down over her head as she heard a male voice holler, "Got one!" Shadow felt an involuntary release of magic followed by a yell, then laughs as she was picked up.
"Geeze Domarko, you sure look purdy in purple."
"Shut up!" Shadow continued to struggle until pain exploded in her head and she knew of nothing more.
Wolf burst into the room and started gather their meager things. Wolf shook her head clear before sitting down on the bed. Pulling a tatter paper from her pouch she read it.
When the Wheel has turned full,
over the world Darkness will pull.
The Dark Lord, Vampires' Master,
will control the Earth and into turmoil cast her.
Only the Power One will stop his coming,
brought forth by blood shed summoning...
From there the rest of the page was burnt and torn. Wolf could make out the words giveth and Guard. Wolf sighed. "He called her the Powerful One, Sketch. She's in trouble." So what are you sitting around here for? Wolf jumped up as if her thoughts had slapped her. Putting Sketches on her shoulder, she picked up their stuff and ran to the stables to get Jellybeans.
Wolf rode the mare out of the city gates and into the closest patch of trees. She didn't know if Shadow was even out here but something almost drew her to this place.
Wolf waited a bit. "Aurora?" Nothing. "AURORA!" Wolf screamed. Silence fell except for Wolf's echoing voice. Wolf was about to turn back when something caught her eye. Walking closer she came upon a small clearing just inside the trees that was totally doused in purple. In the center near a tree was a small area of clean ground, and the tree itself showed signs of being shielded from the color invasion.
"Shadow." Studying the ground some more, Wolf discovered foot prints and the signs of something, or someone, being dragged. The Were followed the trail to the road and looked at the globs of purple showing her the direction they went. The Were's eyes narrowed.
"Only The Powerful One will stop his coming." Wolf Jumped and whirled around see see and old bent elderly man leaning on a walking stick. His cloak was a pale blue, almost as white as his long beard and mustache. The rest of his head was bald aside from the blue tattoo of a regular pentagram, waxing and waning moons on either side. Wolf let out a growl.
"Hush now small one, it is not your duty to fight me."
"My duty?"
"Yes, Guardian."
"Guardian? What's going on old man!" Wolf stepped forward one hand on her dagger.
The man raised his hand in a calming fashion. "The Guardian must protect The Powerful One."
Powerful One is Shadow. I'm The Guardian? I'm protecting Shadow? Huh?
"Yes you are to protect your friend."
Wolf grumbled. "Why is everyone reading my thoughts these days!"
The man chuckled. "So says the words of the Great Lunar Runes."
"Nano?"
"Only from life giveth shall the dark star be beaten by the moons."
Wolf growled in frustration. "Make sense old man!" But with a flip of his cloak the man disappeared in a cloud of light blue smoke. Wolf scanned the surroundings. Hearing chattering over head she jumped and turned to see two chipmunks sitting on a branch looking down at her with black eyes.
Wolf growled up at them. "Yeah, are ya gonna speak prophecy too?" The rodents didn't answer. Wolf climbed onto Jellybean, with Sketches clinging to her back and road the way the tracks went.
The two chipmunks look at each other before scampering down the tree and on the hands of the old man. Watching Wolf's diminishing form in the rising sun, he said to the wind.
"The Guardian will protect the Powerful One,
and keep harm from coming by night or sun.
Only from life giveth will the Dark Star be beaten by the Moons,
so says the words of the Great Lunar Runes."
Shadow groaned and sat up. She could have sworn she heard Wolf scream her real name. Looking around she was greeted by other girls her age, all looking terrified. Shadow looked up to realize that the sun had risen, and they were in a big cage wagon being drawn by thieving men. "Slavers." Shadow's eyes grew wide at the realization. Whimpers could be heard from the other girls in agreement. Shadow was chained to the two girls to her right by shackles and chain to everyone' legs. They were chained loosely enough that even in threes they could walk, but the Halfjin figure they wouldn't be able to run.
Looking to her chain mates the brunette looked into a worried pair of brown eyes. Between them sat and smaller blonde girl with curly hair. The blonde was curled against the brown eyed brunette, asleep. Streaks down both their faces showed where they'd been crying.
Swallowing hard the Halfjin spoke. "I'm Shadow."
The brunette nodded. "Biatri, Tri for short." Nodding to the blonde. "My sister Kaila. We call her Smallfrye."
Shadow nodded. Looking forward at the bawdy men laughing amongst themselves. "They say where they were taking us?"
"Gatomai." Biggest city for slave trade.
Shadow squirmed as she felt little feet across her belly. Opening her cloak she found the little black squirrel sitting on her tummy. "You came along for the ride huh?"
Tri smiled as the black squirrel chatter as if in answer Shadow.
The Halfjin shook her head and looked out through the bars. "Wolf." She whispered. "I need you."
"What?" Biatri asked.
"Oh, nothing." Shadow turned around and looked at the other girls.
"Can I see the kitty?" Smallfrye was awake now, and looking at the black squirrel. She reached her arms toward it. "Kitty!"
"It's not a kitty, it's a squirrel." Tri said.
"How bout I give you a nut to try and tempt it over?" Shadow asked the little girl.
"Yeah!"
Shadow concentrated on putting a nut in the small girl's hand, but with a loud crack, the wagon turned into a giant nutshell, windows carved out of the sides. The horses were suddenly loose, and the men in front all fell onto the ground cursing. Smallfrye squealed with delight, and the rest of the girls screamed.
"Oh, no!" Shadow cried.
"All right!" said Tri, "Come on, lets go while they're all confused." Girls began climbing out the windows, many tripping and falling due to being chained together. "Hurry up!" Shadow, Tri, and Smallfrye made it out with minimum trouble.
"Kitty!" Smallfrye tried to run back to the nutshell.
"No ya don't." Tri picked her up and started to half walking, half jogging away from the pandemonium.
"I can never do anything right." Shadow said as she followed Tri.
"It worked great but..." She turned around. "One of them is coming after us now!"
Ummm, Shadow thought. Put a tree in the way! She tried more magic, hoping that it would help her for once. Nothing happened that she could see. Grrr. Why can't I do anything? Then the man stopped coming after them. He started scratching his head, and suddenly all the other men weren't chasing their escaped slaves anymore.
"He got fleas!" Smallfrye started laughing. "Just like kitty!"
Scratching all over, the man ran back to the horses. He grabbed a water canteen and dumped it on his head, trying to drown the fleas. He grabbed another one, but the leader tried taking it away from him, and soon they were all fighting over the water.
I've gotta keep them there. Chain them down, that wouldn't work, traps, I know! Shadow did a little more magic, this time hoping to turn them all into babies like she did with the monster. All the men were suddenly slipping about, unable to stand on their own feet. One stumbled into a horse, sending the animal galloping off. Another pitched forward and tried to grab onto something to steady himself. He ended up clinging to another man's pants, bringing them down with him. The now half nude slaver tried to turn around to see who took his pants, but ended up falling backwards into horse dung.
Smallfrye was laughing hysterically at the grown men acting like clowns, slipping all over and tripping on each other. Shadow and Tri started laughing, too, but had enough sense left to start heading away from them.
"We should try and get as far away from them as we can, in case some more show up." Tri said.
"Good idea, and my magic doesn't always last long enough."
"I can't thank you enough, because you just saved both our lives."
Shadow smiled. Now if I can just figure out how to save my friendship with Wolf, I'll be good. I've got to find a way to let her know where I am, but not obvious enough to anyone else who might be trying to follow me. Shadow tried to make an oak tree turn blue. She would see rainbow trees and think that I did it on accident. What ended up happening was that the tree became a pineapple tree, even though pineapples don't grow on trees. Grrr. Good enough anyways.
As she walked with Tri and Smallfrye, still chained together, she occasionally tried to change something. Soon the forest had a new species of purple apples, a pile of teapots, dandelions that reeked of cinnamon, a part of the path that squeaked as you walked along it, and a river of ice.
I hope you get all this Wolf, just follow my trail.
Two days later, the sun was setting as Wolf walked Jellybean down the path while munching on the last of the purple apples she picked. It's so weird that they taste like banana! Thought the Were as she fed the core to the mare. The horse suddenly reared up when the ground beneath their feet squeaked at them. Sketches, sitting contentedly on Jellybean's back let out a cry as she clenched her tiny paws in the horse's mane. Wolf herself yelped at both the squeak and Jellybean, then losing her balance she stumbled forward, causing more squeaks with each step. The surrounding wild life scattered at the ruckus the three were making. Finally the ground went quiet. The Were let out a sigh of relief. Looking to her animal companions she spoke. "Has to be Shadow, huh?" The two mammals just stared back at her. Wolf sighed again. Shadow, I miss you. Taking a deep breath Wolf looked at the sun and talked to herself. "Time to set camp."
"Don't wanna!" Smallfrye crossed her arms and shook her head.
"You don't get a choice!" argued Tri loudly. Shadow tried to block out the sibling squabble and continued to eat the meager meal of wild nuts, berries, and the coconut that landed on Tri's foot when the Halfjin tried to turn a bush red and ended up with it spitting out coconuts. The three had to duck for cover and hide, not an easy task while chained together. Shadow had courageously grabbed two more coconuts before they ran off. Now Tri was trying to convince Smallfrye to drink the milk from her coconut. The small blonde flat out refused.
"Smallfrye, if you don't drink it then I'm going to." Shadow snatched the coconut and made as if to down its contents.
The little blonde cried out and reached for the coconut. "Mine!"
Shadow handed it back over and Smallfrye contentedly began to drink. Tri grinned at the Halfjin. "Thanks. She can be so stubborn." Shadow just shrugged. Tri looked thoughtful then asked. "So you're a Jin?"
"Halfjin. My father was human." Another shrug.
"Oh. Well Smallfrye and I are only half sisters, different fathers. Actually we..." Tri fell quiet when she realized Shadow wasn't listening. The Halfjin's faced showed worry and maybe a little pain. "What's wrong?" No answer. Finally Tri reached out and shook her shoulder. "Hey?"
Shadow jumped and came back to herself. "What?"
"Where'd you go there?"
Shadow shook her head. "I dunno, just felt like, ....like she was in pain or something." Her voice faded slightly at the end.
The older sister's brows knitted. "Who's she?" Shadow just shook her head, looking up at the first brave stars in the sky.
Miles away Wolf turned over in her sleep and dreamed.
A young girl of about 15 years stretched contentedly on the bank overlooking the bayou. It had been an okay day, but the sun was about to set and the rays would stretch out across the water and filter through the thick swampy leaves to leave the mossy woodlands sparkling. The blonde loved it every time. She sat and watched until the sky was filled with stars.
A small frown formed on the girl's face as a tingling started in her gut. Within seconds the tingle had spread through her body and turned into a burning sensations as the wolf within began to fight for control. "Gods no, not again." The girl whimpered as she crouched, arms wrapped around her stomach. She began the internal fight to control her own body, or at least her mind. So focused was she, that she didn't hear the little red haired girl approach.
Little Anna frowned at her big sister, who seemed to be in pain. Sweat had broken out on the older girl's body and muscles twitched. Slowly the red head reached out a little hand and touched the blonde's shoulder.
"Rooaarr!" The older girl lost the precious hold on control and the morph quickly took over. The werewolf turned and bit into the little hand that had been on her shoulder. The taste of blood oozed into the werewolf's mouth and with a start she realized what she had done. Stumbling away she looked at the little girl in horror as blood dripped from the mauled hand. "Anna?" She whispered.
The little girl looked up and the werewolf gasped as she saw betrayal, hurt, pain,...and hate in dark green eyes. "No." whispered the werewolf. "NO!" She screamed as she climbed to her feet and began to run mindlessly through the bayou.
Suddenly the trees and moss gave way to stone. Wolf stood in a large gloomy room. The walls were decorated with inverted pentagram overlaying goat heads. Black and red were the main colors that the werewolf could see. In the front of the room an altar stood over looking a platform of another inverted pentagram. Who was on the platform made the Were gasp.
Shadow, devoid of clothes, was tied down spread eagle. On the altar stood a black goat, staring down at Shadow with a look only described as sinister. Wolf made a step towards the Halfjin when a demon, similar to the one Aracus turned into, swung a spiked club at the Were's head. She ducked and noticed the room was filled with other demons and the Vampri. She began to fight as the evil creatures attacked her. Some blows connected, leaving her gasping in pain. With Were strength and speed, the stronger but slower demons, and the weaker vampri were losing. Out of the corner of her eye, Wolf saw a vampri anoint Shadow with blood. Then a demon drew a long straight dagger and held it, ready to plunge into Shadow's heart.
Wolf picked up her pace and realized she was not fighting alone. Yotay and Tomah were off to one side, bloody but picking off vampri with slashes from their weapons. And a young, tall, redhead was taking on demons with twin short swords. Wolf was the closest to Shadow. The demon began to strike as Wolf made a leap for the platform. A robed figure blocked the Were's path and she watch helplessly as the dagger plunged into the Halfjin.
"NOOOO!" A red cloud rose from Shadow's body and enveloped the goat. When the smoke cleared an evil laughter rose as the beast stretched out his black feathered wings. The upper body was that of a man, except with four arms. The two lower arms ended with lobster like claws while the upper two were human hands. It's skin was red and scaled, but from the waist down it was the body of a horse sized goat, standing on four legs with thick black fur. Bones covered it's chest in a demented coat of armor as well as part of a human skull for a mask. Horns shot from it's head as well as a spike on it's scorpion like tail.
Wolf saw none of this; she could only see Shadow's face, life fading fast, and the look of betrayal, hurt, pain,...and hate. The same as little Anna.~
"NOOOOO!" Wolf shot upright, scaring the crud out Sketches who had being sleeping on her chest. Jellybean nickered in the background. Wolf panted as her heart slowly returned to normal. Her skin and hair were soaked in sweat. A cool breeze blew through the clearing, and Wolf began to shiver. Too real. That nightmare was too real. "Anna. I haven't dreamed of that since, since...." Since I met Shadow. "Shadow." She whispered to the wind. Wolf curled up in a ball, and cried herself to sleep.
To Be Continued...
The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive