Internal Conflict

Enigma

Nightwolf heard a voice, a faint voice but it was there. It pleaded for help and sounded pained and forced. He could hear it clearly as he left his village and trod carefully on the forest growth that surrounded the northern side of his home. Lycyrian and his nose picked up the scent of fresh blood, and the wolf snarled, hurting Night's head.

'My my, the blood of a young woman. *sniffs* It really does wet one's appetite no, Night?'

Night shook his head and the wolf howled, now hurting his ears.

'It does for me. It is a rare delicacy nowadays, a tasty, young, female mortal. Although...*sniffs again* This one is spoiled. Such a shame'.

Night ignored the depraved spirit and stepped into a clearing, cracking a few branches underfoot as he did, and so he prayed to the Earth goddess to forgive him, and that annoyed the wolf so it made him smirk. He saw indeed, as the wolf has said a young woman, in a pool of her own blood, and saw a nasty looking scar on her hip. She opened her eyes, but could not move, despite her being frightened of this huge, imposing figure in the distance. She barely managed a shuffle, and she screamed in agony, much to Lycyrian's delight and Night's distress. He sensed no threat from her, even if she were in perfect health. He carefully approached the woman, not wanting to panic her any further. His shaman training told him she would be fine but only if she received healing and soon. She instinctively grabbed his hand and he jumped, he felt her pain, and it was agonising.

The woman tried to speak but he shushed her, picking up a stomach turning stench of a herb which would stop the bleeding, any infection from entering the wound and kill any if there were any present. He placed it on her wound and she fell unconscious. He carefully picked her up and felt her heartbeat, it slowed considerably and he almost grew nervous, he couldn't understand why he felt like that.

Night brought the frail woman back to his tent and placed her under the wolf pelt that he used as a blanket. Her wound was cleaned, and more of the herb was put on it. It was bandaged and the woman's heartbeat stablised, making Night calm down. She awoke a few hours later, groggy hazel eyes opening to see a tepee, and feeling a fluffy blanket on top of her. She realised it was a wolf pelt and jumped up, screeching and then regretting her sudden movement, and realising she only had her underwear on. She heard heavy footsteps and grabbed the pelt, covering her body. Night had heard her screech and walked quickly into the tepee. "Miss, be careful, you were gravely wounded only hours ago". The woman stared at Night, her eyes wide. "Wh...why I am I in my underwear?" He kept his voice calm. "I assure you I did not undress you. My Grandmother did, to clean your clothes of the blood. I found you in the forest. Do you know what happened and why you were there?" The woman shook her head and frowned. "I don't know, I don't even know my own name. I, why can't I think? My head feels jumbled up, like it a complete puzzle that was shaken and messed up, and some pieces fell onto the floor". Lycyrian growled.

'Oh the little thing can't remember a thing. Frail, delicious specimen'.

Night battled the now lust driven wolf and looked at the girl to see her fiddling with the pelt, and then he noticed how pale she was. Her skin was alabaster white, and she was tiny, looking very young too. Night almost growled, the poor woman didn't know who she was, and did not need him silently admiring her. She sat back down but cried out, her injury was bleeding again. Night shook his head and his wolf made him gag with the smell of it. The woman laughed a little, but he saw in her eyes that it meant no harm, and that she was telling the truth about her amnesia. Her hazel orbs scanned him and he saw the cogs in her mind, moving around and wondered what she was thinking. He grabbed a clean cloth and some warm water to clean the blood, and some more of the herb on it. She smiled at him. "May I ask your name?" Night put away the bowl and cloth. "It's Nightwolf, and you are in my village now. You are safe here". "I guess I need a name. What is that revolting yet helpful herb's name?" He laughed. "It is called Heivala". "Hmm, well, how about Vala? It's short. And I hate to be a burden but I really need something to wear". Night stood up and retrieved some of his clothes for the time being, and giving her a belt as they were too big for her. "Thank you". He smiled at her politeness. "You're welcome Vala. Now, you also need to rest. I know you have rested already, but as you sleep, I ask may I use my healing magic on the injury? I do not need to touch your skin, and I can get my grandmother to do it, in case you prefer a woman to". Vala shook her head. "I am okay with you healing it".

She stood to dress and so he left the tepee. Lycyrian had a field day with him now.

'She would be such a tasty morsel, so small and delicate. An appetiser at best, but that is better than nothing at all. I am so very hungry shaman, why do you deprive me of sustenance? And as for admiring her, I cannot fault your actions. I am sure you would like to taste her as much as I would'.

"Wolf! I have no need for your prattle. Now quieten down, dog". The wolf growled but shut up, and Vala called his name so he reentered the tepee. "Oh and if I am seemed rude earlier, I apologise. It is nice to meet you Nightwolf and I thank you for saving me". Night tilted his head a little, he did not recall her being rude. She lifted up her hand and he shook it, feeling her warm, tiny flesh against his calloused and tanned flesh. "Thanks are not needed. It is good to make your acquaintance as well Vala. Now rest, you should be better in the morning and I shall bring you something to eat". Vala laughed and feigned upset. "Yes Dad, haha". Night left the tepee and caught himself smiling. Lycyrian was smiling too, but only because he had found a new snack and wanted to play with her like a child would a toy.

Vala fell asleep, the pain wasn't too bad now. She fell into the world of dreams and embraced every one, hoping that they would bring back some of her memories and more importantly, her identity.