Wolfheart

~Hanon~ (12)

"Why are you not shocked?" I blurted a completely unrelated question. It had been nagging at the back of my brain ever since her presence was first brought to my attention. Both of these young women were making my head hurt. Lanakila had befriended me immediately, and now this Hanon did not appear to be afraid in the slightest that I could take the shape of a monstrous wolf.

There was a moment of silence as Hanon remained immobile, and during that moment I felt something like a cold hand brushing through my mind.

"You do not shock me in any way." Hanon said plainly, sheathing her sword. A smile was tugging at her lips. "Save for one thing," she turned to again face me. "If you have been alone for fourteen winters, how have you stayed alive in this forest? How have you managed to keep somewhat decent clothing?"

I looked down at myself briefly. I knew they were not all that wonderful, but they were still clothing. "I made them," I said, bringing my eyes back up to meet hers.

"Out of animal skins." Hanon finished for me, the somewhat playful smile still decorating her features.

"How--"

"You stayed alive because a particularly lonely female wolf cared for you when you were young."

"You--" I stuttered, backing away a step.

"You will not share your name because of that collar." She raised her hand to point almost accusingly at the green, metallic object tight about my throat. "You would prefer I called you by anything other than your real name. You can become a wolf at will, due to magical experiments. You have such a large vocabulary due to the fact that you were talked to daily by an Evermore Sage Owl while you were young. Unfortunately the Owl passed away some two winters ago."

"How do you... please, how do you...?" My head began to hurt, as though something were pushing at my mind from all sides.

"You carved those two necklaces you wear yourself because the meaning of their symbols is great to you. You have told only one lie in your whol life, and you have a particular fondness for fish meat because you think squirrels are too cute to eat." A small giggle escaped the young lady's lips.

I found I had no words that I could use to defend myself. All I was able to do was stammer an incoherent sentence and shake my head. I began to back away from her, all senses going haywire.

"And," she added gently, harsh green eyes softening, "you acquired those injuries in an attempt to avenge something precious." The probing feeling reatreated from my mind upon those words, "I will not explore any farther than that." Hanon said, watching me carefully.

"What did you do?" I had my head down, in my hands, becoming thoroughly tired of people and beasts alike playing with my thoughts, playing with my being in general.

"I was merely determining whether or not you were trustworthy." I heard her begin to approach me, and the scent of wildflowers again grew strong.

"I am sorry..." she said gently, demanding demeanour completely dissipated. I saw the toes of her boots impose upon the edge of my vision. "You also do know where the creature I am hunting is located... that was quite valuable information and I thank you for it."

Raising my head again quickly, left hand still tight against the side of it as I felt a headache coming on. "You cannot go against it!" I said hurriedly, determined not to see or be the cause of the death of another person. "It was what gave me the injuries," I slowly lowered my left hand back to my side.

Hanon blinked twice, big emerald eyes wide, she reached out with her right hand toward me. I flinched a little, afraid she was going to probe through my personal thoughts again. She just smiled and instead pressed her palm against my temple. A soothing wave of something like magic took away all the pain that had begun to build up in my head. Her hand retreated and she backed up a step, positively beaming at me. "Does that feel better?"

"Yes," I said hesitantly, thoroughly baffled and fascinated.

"Would you like to come along with me?" Hanon offered fairly, "I would not mind having someone who knows this beast by my side. It could very well be an advantage for both of us."

Though I knew it was an innocent and kind gesture, all her words reminded me of were Lanakila. I did not want to kill her either. "I do not know, perhaps it would be better if I were on my own." I began to undo the belt at my waist, intending to return it to Hanon, as it should really rightfully belong to her. Or so I thought.

"Please, keep it for the time being. You may need it until Lanakila wants it back." The young lady said.

That overwhelming feeling of guilt threatened to churn my stomach and make me upheave what little substance was still within my stomach.

Hanon looked up at me from where she stood, as though contemplating something. Then quite suddenly her hand shot out and patted me on the head.

"Wh--" I moved away from her hand instinctively.
She just chuckled, "do not most dogs, wild and tame, like a scratch behind the ears?"
"But I am not a wolf, right now!" I sputtered indignantly, hopping away from her.
"Keep the sword, right?" Hanon smiled, turning away from me again. "If you so decide to help me, just sniff me out." She raised her hand and waved as she began to recede into the forest, away from the creek, clearing, and me.

"Okay..." I could not think of anything better to say.