Hell Bound

CHAPTER 4~ PART I

Under the full moon's ethereal light, the villagers gathered in the valley of Thesis. To their left was the ever hulking mountain of Thalia, with its many dangers and to their right stood its sister mountain, Ge'darnia. Where Thalia was dark and hulking, Ge'darnia was her complete opposite; all tall and graceful and home to many beautiful wild flowers and herbal plants. While Thalia was a traveler's nightmare, Ge'darnia was a man's paradise. And between them, they nurtured Thesis, the valley.   

And tonight, this is where the villagers of West Ridge clan gathered, to celebrate another rise of a full moon and another completion of a moon cycle. Tonight, they were going to celebrate. For tonight was more special than any other night of festivities for tonight they were going to celebrate the joining of their leader, their alpha, and his mate. Fate was smiling down upon them indeed. 

In the middle of the valley stood the unlit bonfire, waiting to be lit...

The drums were beating a rhythm tonight, as villagers started to pile into the valley. Children's laughter and men and women's voices drifted around the meadow breaking its silence. 

The drums stopped beating. Everyone had gathered.

The sizzling of the fire as it lit the torch could be heard and everyone's attention focused on the thin, wiry man who held it. Shadows danced across his face as he held the burning torch near his face, careful not to let it touch him, but still close enough he could feel its heat. 

He lifted the torch, it's light illuminating the silhouette of those who sat near him. 

"Welcome!" He shouted, his voice echoing in the silence. He looked around him, and saw the excitement in the young lads faces who were joining the ceremony for the first time. His gaze focused on the newly wed couple, who sat on a log a few feet away from him. His bowed his head. His smile was gentle. "My lord and lady,"

They both acknowledged his greeting by giving a gracefully bowing their heads to him in return. 

The man looked around him, brandishing the torch. "Brave warriors, and gentlemen," his gaze focused on few of the clan warriors who stood with their arms folded across their chests, their gazes impassive, but nodded to him curtly nonetheless. The gentlemen and noblemen gave him a bow. 

His gaze landed on the fairer sex. "Fair maidens and ladies," The women in question curtsied. Some giggled and the mature women chuckled in amusement. 

Then his eyes softened and landed on the future of the clan, sitting cross legged at the feet of their mothers, looking at him with rapt attention. He lifted his torch. "And children of all ages!" He called out. The children all grinned, happy to be acknowledged. 

He took a few steps away from the gathered villagers and stood near the bonfire. He lifted the torch again, in a graceful arc. Then grinning, he turned towards the bonfire. "Let the festivities begin!" And shouting he threw the torch into the bonfire, which roared to life, lighting up the meadow, and with it, so did the villagers. The villagers all roared out their excitement. The drums beat a rhythm, matching the villagers' excitement. 

The man turned towards them and clapped his hands, once, twice, and thrice. The drums stopped. The villagers quietened. All their gazes focused on the village shaman. This was the most exciting part. And they all leaned forward to listen to the story, told many times over, but never getting tired of hearing it again and again. It's the most important part of their history after all.

"The hell bound watches over," he said and his cry was taken up by the villagers, who gave their own thanks to the Hell Bound. 

"Centuries ago, when demons ruled the world, when angels were earthbound and were but rebels, and supernaturals were but slaves to our dark masters, Hell Bound came to be," he said.