At long last, my knights, Kamir and I have arrived in the wilds of the Endless Forest. Fifty wolfen knights under my control, prowling forward through the towering pines and thick undergrowth. I guide my horse forward, carefully picking out roots and holes with my keen sight. Maneuvering the great stallion around each hazard, while Kamir stalks with long legs on my right.
After six days of marching, we are all tired from the hard journey through mud clogged roads, swift hungry rivers, and blistering winds roaring down from the snowy mountain peaks. Towering sheets of ice that don't melt, even in the throes of boiling summers. But here, amongst the thick trunks of trees to cut the wind and the branches above obscuring the sickle moon. Exhaustion is pushed back to the front of our minds, for in the air is a feeling of excitement.
My knights in wolf form, howl in anticipation as the faint scent of human grows and fades between the trees and gurgling creeks. No other animal sounds fill the air, for they know to hide as the hunters prowl the wood. Silent, sniveling creatures buried in their holes, quivering in the trees, shaking in the brush.
As the moon rises through the treetops, I call the men to a halt at the edge of a fast moving river, that when crossed by smooth gray stones. Leads to a raised incline of earth, with ancient roots twisting in and out of the packed dirt. Forming an intricate web of earth, rock, and plant. Mist flowing from the eerie black rushing water, entwines around the trunks of two towering oaks. The trees so large, that three full grown wolves would be needed to wrap around their ancient trunks.
Metal, leather, and claws clang and grind to a halt as a strange breeze trails down from the incline and down to us. A unearthly warm wind that chases away the chill in the air, and fills my nostrils with the scent of summer roses. A thought comes to the forefront of my mind, one long wished for and expressed in one single word.
It is dashed as a series of rocks tumble down the incline, forcing my knights into closed ranks. Shields are brought up, swords drawn, and hackles raised as a figure appears at the very top of the incline. The wind flutters the folds of the figure's dark cloak, while the silver rays of the moon shine down on their mask. A bone white creation in the shape of a large crow's head, long black feathers attached to the very top of the carved skull.
Silently, I maneuver my mount to the front of the line. My knights part before me, none daring to stop me from maneuvering the horse to the edge of the dark oil like river. The figure remains unearthly still, surreal, even though the figure's scent wafting down towards me says otherwise. A handful of breaths passes in the tenuous silence, before the figure begins their descent down the incline.
I watch this cloaked figure move with a grace unheard of in its kind. Not even a rock is forced down the sloped packed earth, bringing to mind that it might have been their intention to be spotted. An intriguing thought, but a thought nonetheless that would give credit to this strange figure's intentions.
Ever so slowly, the figure stops on the opposite side of the river, their form much clearer as is the cloak that is doubtlessly made from the fur of a great black bear. A hunter it seems of fearsome beasts, but that is swiftly dismissed when the figure speaks in a tone both haunting and soft.
"My lord, I am honored to greet you in these humble woods," the figure says, voice raspy but light. "But why have you come when all are asleep?" The figure cants their head to the side, the feathers of the mask rustling from the movement.
Unmoved, I dismount and greet the ground with the steeled heels of my boots. My knights at my signal, put away their weapons and reposition themselves back into ever watchful sentinels. "Little human," I drawl, tracing a finger across the pommel of the sword sheathed at my waist. "Your question is of no consequence to me, for I answer to no one but the Moon Goddess herself."
"I see your Lordship," the human replies, placing a scarred hand over their heart. "Forgive me my lord, as one of the Marked among the Tenebrae, it is my duty to see to the protection of my people. As your knights put forth their lives for their people, I must do so for mine."
Kamir appears at my side, as the human's voice emanates across the river. "Do not speak in riddles human," my friend growls, at the strange human who dares compare themself to noble, pure wolves. "Speak plainly and true, or certain measures will be carried out to guarantee just that."
The human stays quiet, motionless. As if taking time to contemplate my general's words, without even showing the quivering fear that I smell from the human. An illusion that is breakable, but it seems not so easily done.
"Very well," the human answers, taking the same scarred hand and removing the mask. "I have come to see to my people's safety, and to know why you have come here when we have but a month ago payed the yearly tithe."
The human's words slowly creep into my mind, for they fight for dominance with her haunting beauty. Sun burnished skin lies thin and tight across her sharp cheekbones. A single thin scar trailing from her mouth, across her right cheek, to just shy of her right ear. Piercing eyes, the color of emeralds, seem to take in my knights and I, with a quiet calculation hidden beneath her facade of calm indifference.
"You are correct human," I say, internally grinning as another band of wind blows her scent towards me. "Your village has payed the yearly tithe, a sign of your people's loyalty to the kingdom. However, there is something you have that is of vital importance to the stability of this land. I wonder if you happen to know what that is."
The human scrunches her brows together in feigned confusion, a flicker of thought rushing across her eyes. Failing to hide the keen intelligence buried behind the mask of a meek human forester.
"The Silver City has long been in need of a queen my lord," the human answers, voice calm, courteous even, but tinged with disdain. "But surely only a great wolf would be worthy of such an honor. That is what you must be searching for then I take it."
Amusement fizzes in my veins, my wolf purring in satisfaction at such a well conceived play of honeyed words. "What is your name human?" I drawl, signaling my knights to unsheath their blades. "I would like to know who I must thank for your offer of finding my queen."
True confusion paints the humans face, her eyes turning dark as drenched summer grass. Her red tinged lips, twisting as if having tasted something sour. While the wind again blows down the incline, fluttering her nut brown hair in the breeze.
"My name is Nyx Ursus Carver Arden," she answers, dropping her mask onto the ground. Like a whip, one of the large roots below her snakes out and grabs hold of the mask and settles it onto a nearby fallen log. "I am a Marked, and blessed with the sole purpose of watching over my people as the next Tenebrae Shaman. I have no use for rewards."
I can't help but let out a stilted chuckle, amused by this human's gumption. A shaman's little tricks are nothing compared to a wolfen knight, but it seems that this one has a far deeper connection to the earth, than any of the ones now locked behind my castle walls.
"Spoken like a true queen," I say, watching with delight as her eyes widen in shock. "Now come with me my dear, no need for any blood to be spilled over this."
I make to cross the river, but another root lashes out of the incline and crashes into the cold rush. Spraying ice chilled water in all directions, while handfuls of dirt and rock litter the air. As the cloud of debris clears, I find my darling mate breathing hard and fast. Her eyes dark and filled with an unspoken threat of merciless death.
"I am no sniveling maiden so weak and stupid to believe your lies majesty," she seethes, clenching her fists tightly as the massive root reaches up towards the dark canopy. "If you want me, then you must prove yourself worthy. Prove that you deserve a mate. That you deserve me."
Unclenching her fists, the root falls down at her command. Making the ground tremble from the force, and spraying another round of chilling water. "But first," she begins, as six other dark figures emerge atop the incline. "Let us discuss how you shall show your worth, and who else among you is in search of a mate among the Marked."
YOU ARE READING
Forest of Lies
WerewolfA thousand years past, the world was run by humankind. But it changed, when countries became embroiled in a war that gave the werewolves the opportunity, to recreate the earth in their own image. Now humans are the lowest on the food chain, little m...
