Violet Riding Hood

Chapter 4

Vallery was already sleeping quite deeply when the last climbers reached a rocky slope very high in the mountain, the winds were fierce and everyone looked exhausted after the long and dangerous climb from the forest far below them...

The cave that was supposed to be the Wolf's Lair could be seen at the highest part of the slope, a dark opening into the mountain that looked very threatening indeed.

"Are you really sure this is a good idea?" Catherine called out to the others, her voice barely audible above the wind.

Mount Grimdark was the highest mountain nearby Swordhorn, and one of the highest in the Northern Mountains. The steep, sharp peak towered two miles above the village and its valley looking like a giant horn covered by glaciers and snow, and a long time ago many climbers had died in their attempt to reach the summit.

It was rarely climbed anymore because most people preferred to keep their distance from Swordhorn those days, but the mountain remained as a powerful and inspirational presence for the local villagers anyway...

"Come on, we are already up here!" Harry replied, looking around at everyone- "Now, we have to organize and enter the cave in small groups- Hawthorn is coming with me, and after us..."

"Look down there!" one of the Carpenters yelled, his hand pointing at somewhere far down- "Who is that coming?"

Catherine forced her eyesight to see something through the snow, soon discovering a pair of blurry figures that were climbing on their way to the slope as fast as they could. The first was wearing a heavy black coat while the other looked purple, and very soon both men had joined everyone else.

"Stop this madness!" said the man wearing a purple cloak, and Harry rolled his eyes with frustration.

Father Novembrus was the Priest in charge at the Swordhorn Church, and he was the only Priest living at the village as well. The young man featured a friendly and gentle face with soft, blue eyes and long brown hair, and he was always busy looking after the injured Woodcutters, the sick children and other people in true need of religious charity.

"Father, we have to kill the Wolf once and for all!" Harry replied.

"I have called the Wolfhunter" Novembrus went on, shivering in the cold wind- "She has destroyed Werewolves and Witches in cities and villages all over Watz Eyll, she will rid us of this beast!"

The armed villagers started to look anxiously at each other following those words, as they were, deep down, very afraid to enter the cave and try to kill the Wolf on their own. All they wanted was to return home and wait for the Wolfhunter, but Harry had paid them all with silver and now they could not simply go back...

"Let's kill the Wolf!" Carrow said.

"Please, the Wolfhunter will be here tomorrow..."

"Let's kill the Wolf!" Carrow repeated, and the discussion was over after that point.

The villagers advanced towards the entrance of the cave, torches lit and silvery weapons gleaming ready in their hands. Harry and Catherine were joined by the tall, black-hooded man that had climbed the mountain beside Father Novembrus, and Harry looked up at him for a moment without talking.

"How is it going, Dad?"

"I knew that you were going to do this no matter what, so here I am! Better watch yourself, Harry..."

They drew closer to the entrance to the cave, Father Novembrus visible far behind them as he prayed to the Heavens for their lives.

There were countless bones everywhere at the higher parts of the slope, some belonging to animals and others to people, and then everyone came to a halt and waited for Commander Harry to give instructions as to what to do next...