The Novalunian Frontier: Short stories

Wolf and Warrior (Alistair Skoll Cormier)

I don't remember the exact occurrence or even what caused the original altercation but what I do know is that I am ashamed of my missing eye. I lost it for no reason. What came as a surprise for everyone is that the school allowed us to duel. My opponent was Kierce Austin, the annoying rich bird. To my unfortunate surprise he had taken fencing lessons before the school, I was the only one with no knowledge of sword fighting. That was not about to stop me. Over the years Kierce has calmed down and became kinder to other beings. As have I.

The college had two rules, 1 it couldn't be with guns, and 2 we were not fighting to kill. Estelle came up with the bright idea to use swords. Remind me to kill her someday. They set us in the training field and pulled up the fences. Despite my training, my werewolf instincts could cause problems. The collar snapped around my neck and lit up as it came in contact with my skin. I remember how I could feel the pinpricks of the needles as they set in. They had these collars crafted for were-beasts in training in case they went feral. The needles contained various medicines to take down the were-beasts. It was intended for use for transport and training, in any case where they got too aggressive they could be taken down in an instant.

Kierce tugged at his sleeves freeing his nearly useless wings. They rested on the side of his arm and went all the way up his entire arm to his back. They were almost entirely useless due to a genetic deformity. He was offered the box with the two swords by Curt, our local weapon expert in training. They seemed to talk for a bit before Kierce took his sword. He glared at me as he grabbed his sword from the box offered to him. I took mine as it was offered. It was a flimsy-looking blade most likely used to train. It looked sharp enough to cause some damage but dull enough that it wouldn't hurt too badly. Too bad for me. Looking back now I should have known he would rig the game. Curt had never been a fan of me, even now he stares at me like I'm going to eat him for lunch.

"Lowella! Are you ready to prove your dominance?" Kierce spat at me. I remember he looked calm. Too calm. Much too calm for comfort. At this point, I believe he was unaware of what would happen next, but sometimes the guilt he holds tells me he did.

I remember that I grinned at him showing my teeth, I recall that the referee glared at me from the sidelines. "Maybe, are you ready to put your money where your mouth is Austin?" I taunted back at him. My stance was generally loose, I was taunting him in more ways than one. Or at least I was trying to.

His stupid useless wings fluffed up at me, he was skinny and tiny no matter what he did he was non-threatening to me. "Maybe" he echoed back imitating my accent. He had always looked down upon me for my 'terrible use of words' from my heritage. The werewolves from Crystal Coast all spoke in varying degrees of a Southern accent. I was born and raised in the Crystal Coast, and I have never been lucky enough to be rid of it. This battle could have been settled over a drink or something, Kierce was always just dramatic. This battle was also where I learned there was truth in the warnings about werewolves and silver weapons. I always believed that was a lie so we would be sold more expensive weaponry, I was a fool. An awful, delusional, angry fool. Well, maybe I haven't grown out of the angry part, but still.

Soleil tugged on the collar, they were the only one allowed to get close to me. I had a reputation for biting the people who would put them on, can't say I blame myself it hurt like hell to take off. They stared at me for a while and tugged once again pulling me awkwardly down to their level. "Don't hurt him too badly Skoll" they whispered at me, the small chameleon stared at me with concern.

I remember that I had growled back at them, "Fine, but only because you asked so nicely" I teased barely even looking at them.

"Please?" They said. This pulled my attention to them, they sounded so desperate as if hurting him would hurt them. I sighed and rolled my eyes as they let me go. I took my stance and looked back up at my opponent, he was already ready. His sword rested at his side comfortably while mine dangled from my hand loosely. He was well-practiced, I had never used a sword before. Believe me, I learned to use one after this. I was determined to get my revenge at some point, if he ever asks to duel again I will be ready.