Wolf Of Fire

23* Lepers and a Sacrifice

The greatest reason why the Sanctuary had stayed safe and hidden from predatory eyes
all the moons was because of the Great Goro River.

It surrounded the mountains which hid the Sanctuary, guarding her like a watch dog.

Obinna stood at the bank of the river,under its darkness and eerie stillness and silence.
He needed to cross the river and that required a costly sacrifice.

Many moons ago, when the inhabitants of the Sanctuary were trying to cross the river. Fourteen beings which included humans, wolves, witches, mermaids and vampires had to sacrifice their lives to the dark waters for it to let the others through.

They were warriors!
Strong and selfless_never to be forgotten!
Now Obinna had to also make a sacrifice. He had to prove to his people that their sacrifices were not in vain.

The waters were silent and still shaded by hundreds of sleeping willows and oaks whose branches and leaves bent so much that they touched the river on all sides.

Bones and remains of different species lay scattered across the bank. These were remains of those who had once tried to trick the river to cross without a sacrifice,but ended up being consumed in its hollowness.

The darkness and silence of the river sang a song__a hollow and empty song which held tales of hopelessness.

Are you sure you are willing to
sacrifice that much? Did you think this through?

Mechi's voice was calm despite his questions.
He was Obinna's wolf and just like his human, he was calm and level-headed. He had an aura as peaceful as water but could also be as ferocious and dangerous when he wanted to.

The questions were expected.
As the tall and heavily muscled wolf stood at that bank he could think of a million reasons to turn back.

He took a long and sad look at the direction he had come from.
If he turned back now, what would become of his people?
Would he be able to avert the impending doom? Would he ever be able to find his mate?

"It is all for the greater good, Mechi!"

With those words, he rolled out his hair from the iron pins that had held them in place.
The three foot long locs came rolling down his back like waves.

You could lose your power as an Ose!
Mechi tried to reason.

They hardly disagreed on anything but today, Mechi was very skeptical about the necessity of Obinna's plot.

Your powers would be gone forever! You would never be able to feel people's emotions, see the future or sense your mate!

Obinna brought out his knife from his goat skin bag.
Ignoring the words of his wolf,he cut off his beautiful long locs.

The feeling was empty, painless but weakening. As the locs faded to ashes and were carried by the wind, he collapsed to the floor.

He could feel his power drain from him.
"It is for the greater good...it is for my people...it is for the future...it is for my mate..."
His voice was weak but his words were strong enough!

The temperature of the river dropped.
The air had become very cold and there was a slow and eerie whistling.

The darkness had become even deeper and the bones at the bank seemed to come alive.
HE was here!
Samo,the soulless fisherman!

According to legend, he was cursed by Obiojor the goddess of the underworld to ferry people across the river for all eternity.

He paddled through the river slowly,as though he was counting the ripples.
Obinna could remember vividly how he looked his face was  backwards with an eye in the middle of his head one which never opened. His black cloak was torn and shredded with a skeleton of a man covered underneath.