The Tale of Tales

Chapter 16

It was a windy day in the woods. Erza was skipping merrily to her grandmother's house with a basket of her medicine for her. Titania once again had caught a nasty cold so Erza had to go see Reverend Makarov to get medicine that would cure her. She was halfway home when suddenly she heard a twig snap. She stopped and looked around to see if anyone was following her. When it seemed like she was alone she continued on her way only to bump right into a man.

"Oh!" She gasped.

"Miss did I startle you? I am sorry." He said politely.

"Oh that's alright. I apologise for bumping into you sir. Now if you'll excuse me I must be on my way."

"Where are you off to young lady?"

"With all due respect sir it's no where that concerns you."

"You know it's dangerous for someone to walk in the woods alone."

"Well you're alone in the woods."

"That's only because I've lost my companions. I say would you mind if I escorted you to wherever you are headed?"

"No thank you."

"Have I insulted you young lady?"

"No but my Granny always said that when you're a young woman you should never go off alone with a man you just met especially when you just met him in the woods."

"Why is that?"

"Well don't you know that there are wolves around here?"

"Yes but what does that have to do with me?"

"Well these wolves in particular can change into men."

"Oh come now. Don't tell me that you believe those ridiculous wives tales about the cursed race."

"You're new around here aren't you?"

"As a matter of fact I am."

"Well then you should know that both the village and the woods are filled with hunters and woodsmen who believe in the cursed race and kill them on sight. And you should also know that there's one woman in this village who knows everything about the cursed race."

"And would this woman be?"

"Me."

And before he could stop her Erza grabbed the man's wrist while wearing a silver ring and as soon as the silver band touched him, it burnt his skin. The man howled and broke away from her in fear.

"I got you, you dirty wolf!"

The man tore off his shirt exposing the tattoo of blood on his shoulder and began to transform into a vicious, blood thirsty wolf. He glared at Erza with his yellow eyes and prepared to lunge for her only for her to pull a cross bow from her basket which was loaded with a silver tipped arrow. She then fired it straight into his chest before he could even think about running away. The wolf let out another howl as he fell down dead.

"Ah the old innocent girl lost in the woods act. Works every time." She said proudly before continuing on home. "Granny I'm back."