Feast of Hunter's Moon
Synopsis: On the night of the Red Moon, the Unseelie Court conducts a Blood Hunt. The Goblin King plans to win it, even at the expense of his beloved. J S
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Extended Synopsis: Sarah unwittingly becomes an 'honoured guest' in the Unseelie Court's blood hunt. She has to evade her hunters for three nights if she wants to return to the mortal realm.
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Chapter 1: The Strix
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Sarah Williams had always second guessed herself, until, that is, she met him, Brendan Keruz, a twenty-seven-year-old zoologist. She'd first seen him at the Arctic Wildlife Conservation convention in Vancouver, about two months ago. His appearance had somewhat unnerved her: his hair and eyes as dark as a raven's wing but his skin was as pale as the first snows of winter. He'd reminded her of another that she'd met a lifetime ago. And she'd been drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.
She recalled his speech and the passion and fury with which he described the uncontrollably melting snow. His fervour had intrigued her, and she'd sought him out. She had explained that she was doing her MBA and was researching businesses that supported wildlife conservation.
He'd asked her to dinner that night, and she'd gladly accepted his invitation to a Thai restaurant on Robson Street. He had given her a gift that day, a ring with a platinum band and a crimson stone. She'd only accepted it because he let her pay for dinner. She remembered how nervous she'd been at his forwardness before she put on the ring. Afterwards, the nervousness seemed to dry like morning dew in the afternoon. She felt strangely calm but exhilarated by his presence.
Sarah Williams went to her apartment in Richmond that night and decided she was in love. They had moved into a house right on the beach, overlooking the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. The house was his property and she had insisted that she pay some rent, but he would not hear of it.
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"This is an unbelievable view."
Brendan smiled at her, "I told you, you'd enjoy this hiking trip." He was setting up their tent, having ample trouble hooking it to the earth because much of it consisted of solidified lava.
Sarah sighed at the breath taking beauty of Mount Edziza Provincial Park, located in the north-western shoreline of British Columbia. She was clad in khaki hiking shorts and a light, full sleeved sweater. She marvelled at the weather, smiling as she thought of the early snow storm expected in Edmonton that day. They were far more north than Edmonton, yet the weather was warm enough that she only required a light sweater.
"Okay, I give up," Brendan said suddenly and she turned to look at him.
She laughed: he was wrestling with the giant orange beast. "We should have bought the tent in Mountain Equipment Co-op instead of the clearance section of Canadian Tire. Like I'd suggested," she added, teasing him.
Brendan's laughter mingled with her own. "Absolutely not. Mountain Equipment Co-op is way overpriced."
"Looks like we're sleeping under the stars tonight," she said, looking up at the sky. The horizon was darkening, but she knew the night would not be completely dark. The north sky followed a rule of its own, one that it followed strictly. Until the fall equinox, the night shone brightly, unable to leash its dark fury. After the September equinox, the night grew more powerful and swallowed up the day.
Sarah shivered, she suddenly felt very cold.
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She heard a distinct drumming that grew louder and louder with every breath she took. The owl like bird was flying, its talons exposed as if ready to strike down its prey.
The dark haired girl-child was oblivious; she was dancing in the moonlight with no care in the world.
The owl screeched as it drew nearer to the girl but she kept dancing, her arms flowing gracefully, in a sensual yet innocent motion. The owl swooped down on the girl, its talons stabbing into her flesh and its beak biting her flesh.
The girl did not notice and she kept dancing wildly, her bare feet on tiptoes
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Sarah awoke wildly. She exhaled in short, jagged breaths. Perspiration drenched her forehead.
The owl…the owl had been him.
She inhaled sharply, her heart beating as wildly as drums in her dream. Everything's fine, she reassured herself, Brendan is sleeping next to you, and everything is fine. She looked at him, reassuring herself with his presence.
She watched him sleep at night, in their home; it was as if she had no control over herself. His beauty had a hauntingly addictive quality to it. Sometimes, she would feel like doing nothing at all and spend her time simply watching him. This feeling usually scared her, but now she sought solace in his ethereal beauty.
A jarring screech filled the night sky.
"Brendan!" Sarah screamed.
"Morning already?" Brendan's muffled voice answered her.
She heard the screech again, but further away this time. Sarah exhaled without realising that she'd been holding her breath. "No," she said, embarrassed now, "I heard screeches and was scared."
He laughed, his magical voice melodious yet distinctly male. "There are many kinds of owls that inhabit this land Sarah, they hunt at night."
She felt even more embarrassed. "I'm sorry for waking you," she told him softly, regret tinged her voice. She always felt inexplicably sad when she felt she disturbed or disappointed him. She could feel her lips curve downward and negative thoughts begin to take control of her mind, almost as if a dark cloud had settled over her head.
Brendan rose and touched her shoulder gently with his fingers. "I'll start a fire, they won't venture here then."
"But-" One of them would have to stay awake to make sure the fire did not spread.
"I'll stay awake to monitor it," he said, hushing her. He lit the 'fire can' (as she called it) and placed a warm blanket around her shoulders. "You seem afraid of owls, Sarah, is it because you have heard of the Strix?"
"No, I had a bad experience as a kid," she replied.
"Tell me your worries and I will brush them away," he told her softly, his black eyes reflecting the crimson flame of the fire.
Normally, Sarah Williams would not have told a single soul, not even her brother Toby, about her experiences as a sullen fifteen-year-old girl. But Brendan's sweet melodious voice always compelled her to do as he asked. "You're going to think I'm crazy," she said shyly.
"Try me."
She sighed, "I wished my brother away to the Goblin King when I was fifteen. My memory's vague, but I ran through a kind of magical maze and got my brother back. The Goblin King turned into an owl at the end…"
They looked at each other for a few seconds before she laughed, the story sounded ridiculous when she said it aloud. She felt very secure, now that Brendan had placed a protective blanket around her slim shoulders. "It was probably just a bad dream."
Brendan laughed with her. "Here I thought you were worried about the Strix."
"The Strix?" she asked, she'd never heard of such an animal before.
"I'm not saying anything," Brendan said, smiling at her mischievously. "You seem to be owl phobic."
"I'm not owl phobic!" Sarah glared at him in mock anger. "You've piqued my interest; now tell me what a Strix is?"
Brendan suddenly turned serious as the spark in his eyes faded. "The Strix are birds of prey that resemble owls, but their screech is much louder. Their talons are much sharper, and their beaks are designed to bite into human flesh."
Sarah felt her mouth go dry and her heart beginning to thud again. She wanted to tell Brendan to stop, but could not.
"The feed on human blood, and sometimes human flesh. They search for their prey early in the year and hunt them on the night of the Blood Moon."
"During the Hunter's Moon?"
"Yes."
She felt a surge of helplessness as she heard his words. Her pale green eyes downcast, she spoke quietly, "the Hunter's Moon rises tomorrow night."
"Sarah, don't be ridiculous," Brendan consoled, half concerned and half amused. "It's only a story."
Sarah smiled at him, trying her best to look sincere. "You go ahead and sleep, I'm going to read," she said, placing herself in front of the fire.
"Unacceptable," he replied, grinning at her.
"No really, I brought a book that I've wanted to read for a while," she said, pulling out a copy of 'The Devil Wear's Prada' from her backpack. It was her turn to grin when she saw the look of disdain Brendan threw at the book. He had made clear that he thought some of her books ate away women's minds, programming them to be robots in a consumer driven society.
"Only because you insist," he said, kissing her quickly before getting back into his sleeping bag.
He fell asleep almost instantly; his features relaxed as he embraced peaceful slumber. Sarah felt a single tear slip down her cheek. Her heart ached from just looking at him, drinking in his image. She put her book aside because she knew she would not be able to read it. Instead, she gazed at her lover's sleeping form.
Hours passed, but Sarah Williams remained seated near the fire, her pale eyes hungry for something she couldn't describe. She could hear no screeches of owls, howls of wolves, or even the gentle thrum of the wind beating against her ears.
"You find him beautiful."
Sensation returned violently to Sarah as she immediately recognised the luscious, deep voice of the one standing behind her. She felt adrenaline rush into her blood stream and her muscles tensed, preparing her for flight. "Jareth," she said, turning to face him.
"Sarah," he replied, mirroring her.
A sickeningly cold fear gripped Sarah's body as she cast her eyes onto her enemy. "Why are you here?"
The King of the Goblins stood in front of the shivering mortal, his ageless face showing no expression. "I'm not here for you," he replied.
'If not for me, then…no!' Sarah Williams' mind reeled at the sudden realization. "You cannot have him."
His lips parted into a horrifying smile, as a dangerous emotion graced his piercing eyes. "He is already mine, I claimed him long before you did."
'They search for their prey early in the year and hunt them on the night of the Blood Moon.'
"No," she whispered. The thought of losing him was unbearable. She felt as if her soul would be ripped out of her body if he was taken from her.
"He was chosen by the Winter Court, Sarah."
He was chosen?
"We choose…capable beings so they can take part in the Blood Moon hunt. Your lover is a resourceful being, one that knows the rules of the Earth and her creatures."
"Take part?" she asked, incredulously. "Take part!" she repeatedly, anger seeping into her voice. "You hunt them down and eat them!"
He laughed, his voice rolled deeply from the base of his throat. "He will be our honoured guest."
She felt sick now. She imagined the owl's talons piercing into his beautiful skin, bleeding him as it feasted on his flesh. "Take me instead, please."
"Pardon me?" he asked, his voice deceptively quiet.
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Author's Notes:
-This idea has been in my head for a long time. Sometimes, I think the only person interested in these kinds of storylines…is me. Tell me what you think please.
-Yes, I set the story in Canada. Sue me. :P
OT-Damn, I had no idea that 'A Comedy of Fate' would garner so many hits. Glad to know I'm not the only one who likes a little silliness in her Labyrinth fanfiction.
