Disclaimer: Don't own the characters and I make no money.
Acknowledgment: In loving memory of kydasam.
BEFORE THE WOLF'S BANE BLOOMS
Carl heaved another log onto the dying campfire, jumping back in shock when a spray of bright orange sparks flew in his direction. Catching himself, he quickly did a cursory inspection of the bottom of his robe for burn marks, then smiled nervously when he realized that he wouldn't be bursting into flame anytime soon.
The young friar was exhausted from riding three straight days and nights with Van Helsing, trying to meet up with a roving band of Gypsies before they moved into the Transylvania mountains for the winter. Once ensconced in their warm caves for the duration, there was no chance of finding the tribe again until spring.
Carl knew that time was not an option for all involved. Besides finding the Gypsies, their beloved queen was very frail and there was much concern for her well being. He also knew that Van Helsing had much to lose if he failed to meet up with the tribe before their secret trek into the hills, so he was grateful for the little time that the hunter had allowed to refresh themselves and their horses.
The young friar watched Van Helsing out of the corner of his eye as the older man paced like a chained dog around the perimeter of their camp. Every few feet, he would stop to sniff the air, nostrils flaring and head tilted, listening. Then, without warning, his eyes would blaze amber into the moonlit night, watching things that only his savage beast could see.
The air was thick and shimmering, something that Carl had only experienced once before in his young life, and he knew it was a bad omen. He started, drawing in a sharp breath, when he heard the first low, mournful howl of a lone wolf. His insides roiled as another howl joined the first, then another, until there was a cacophony of wolves voices on the wind.
Van Helsing had caught the sound of the first howl before it had reached Carl's ears. It burned into his brain like fire and he fell to his knees, burying his face in his hands, his body shaking uncontrollably with long, hard sobs.
Carl covered his ears as the noise rose higher and higher into an unbearable crescendo. He stumbled over to his friend and collapsed beside Van Helsing, reaching out to wrap his arms protectively around the hunter. Van Helsing slowly turned his tear streaked face toward Carl.
"We're too late, Carl..." he sobbed. "Kydasam..."
"I know..." Carl choked out.
Van Helsing's eyes flashed amber as he threw his head back and howled, his long, mournful cries joining those of his lycanthrope brethren.
"God speed..." Carl whispered as he closed his eyes and began to pray for their friend's joyful entrance into Heaven.
Van Helsing and Carl had continued on their sad journey, finding the Gypsy camp just as they were ready to move on.
After paying their respects, the two friends collected the little bundle that Queen Kydasam had promised them. Van Helsing's hands shook as he tearfully opened the small box and removed a parchment along with a ruby red amulet on a sliver chain.
"To help you fight Dracula before the wolf's bane blooms." was written on the parchment in her unmistakable scrawl.
Van Helsing showed them to Carl, who nodded in understanding at Kydasam's words, then blessed the amulet and kissed it before he gave it back to his companion.
Van Helsing put the amulet around his neck and fingered it lovingly. Before he refolded the parchment and put it into his pocket, he looked at the last line one more time.
"Go with God." it said simply.
"You, too, Kyda..." Van Helsing sighed.
"You, too..."
Fin
