Dragon Bride

Chapter 4 Wolves

Karliene and Unni walked into the village and approached the home of Geert the blind speaker of the law. His wife answered their knock. "Karlie, Unni, Ragnar went out looking for you yesterday. He's not back yet."

"He's blind!" Karliene gasped looking horrified. Geert approached the door.

"Some of the village boys went with him, Karlie." Geert said, "I'm sure he'll be fine. He was worried that you had run off." They retraced their trip through the village. Everyone was looking at them as they walked. No one said a word to them or approached them but Karliene heard whispers about trolls and her brother's name. She could feel her heart pounding and felt dizzy and sick to her stomach as they approached the farm. Then she saw the wolf standing nearly hidden by the woods. The wolf seemed to beckon her. So taking Unni's little hand in a firm grip she followed the wolf into the woods. The wolf lead them in silence then spoke.

"We believe he was part of your pack. We found his body here and my pack has been guarding him."

"My pack?" Karliene repeated confused. "My family. Yes he's my older brother." Ragnar lay on his back unmoving. His body broken and bloody. "Did trolls do this?" Karliene shielded Unni from the carnage.

"We thought so when we found him," the wolf said softly. "But this was the work of men. Three of them lay in wait for him and he was led to them. It was staged to look like the work of trolls but trolls would have eaten him."

"Why didn't you?" Karliene felt numb. She was having difficulty processing the information.

"Your family and mine have a covenant." Wolf said. "We are guarding the fallen one."

"Why?"

"If we had not the trolls would have eaten him during the night."

Unni had not noticed Ragnar but has been distracted by two large she wolves who gently led her away and allowed her to pat and rub them. "Kay-Kay the doggies are talking to me?"

"She is a cute puppy...your's?" the wolf asked.

"My little sister, can she talk to you too?"

"We will continue to guard the body but remain unseen," the wolf said. "Go get other men to return his body to your pack." Karliene took Unni's hand and lead her off. "The dragon will be at the pond in two mornings," the wolf said.

"Can I keep the doggies?" Unni asked hopefully.

"Those are wolves. They are our friends but you have to keep it secret."

"I'm good at secrets Kay-Kay."

"I know you are baby." As she and Unni returned to her uncles farm her unrelenting sadness of the last few days returned. She and her sister where the only ones that remained of her birth family. This thought overwhelmed her yet she was unable to find tears. Instead she was furious with anger. Her family had been murdered and she could prove nothing. Twelve year old girls who spoke to animals would never be believed and Unni needed her protection.

The next morning after the funeral Karliene took Unni to the pond and they bathed together in the warm spring. Ragnar's body hand been put to rest. And Karliene had finally was able to tearfully say good buy. After bathing and drying the dragon approached.

"Unni. This is Loki. He is a friend." They spoke together for a long time and the dragon flew both of the girls on his back. Then while Unni busied herself picking berries Karliene spoke to her friend.

"You are positive Lothar killed them?" the dragon asked.

"Yes but I have no proof, and if I accuse Lothar he can claim ritual combat to prove his innocence. Then my uncle could be hurt or killed."

"So what are you going to do little one?"

"I'm simply going to live my life and do what will make me happy," Karliene said. "I will do all I can for my family and take care of my little sister. My family is with God now, so I'll leave them with him."

"You are a very wise huldra," the dragon teased. Karliene laughed at him.

"I'm no huldra, Loki. I'm just a simple girl."

"I would call you a special girl. You and your sister can speak to dragons and wolves after all."

A few days later at the dinner table Eric spoke to Karliene. "I have sold your fathers farm to Lothar. I only got a fraction of its value but all the money will go into a dowry for you and Unni."

"Why did you sell it?" Karliene asked.

"Lothar would have found a pretense to take it anyway. I believe he intends to claim kingship. Then he can claim the land. This way I can preserve a part of it for you."

"You did the right thing for us uncle," Karliene whispered. "This way we will be left alone. I don't think I'll need a dowry. I have no plans to marry."

"The money is yours, Karlie," Eric said, "Yours to do with as you please. I'm sure there is man that will love and cherish you. Give it time."