The Frightful Adventures of Vincent Van Ghoul
Chapter 2
I recently found out yesterday that Cartoon Network only aired 13 of the 26 season 1 episodes of Scooby Doo Mystery Inc. so i've been watching it and have been reinspired by ep 19 where Scooby and Shaggy win a contest(Well, it was them, and an eskimo that wrote his essay in Inuit) to have dinner with Vincent Van Ghoul at his house.
The chill wind howled as the dark, overcast sky spit snow. The Iroquois village was nestled between the river, and the woods. Van Ghoul dismounted from his horse and led it towards the village. Several braves in buckskin and war paint approached, forcing him to stop. The tallest was lean with broad shoulders, his long black hair was tied back with two eagle feathers, a line of black paint covered his eyes and the bridge of his nose. The Indian extended his hand, Van Ghoul did the same, and clasped each other on the forearm.
"It is good to see you again my friend," the brave said, as he hugged Van Ghoul. "I only wish it could be under more happy times."
"As do I Black Wolf," he replied. "Tell me, why have you summoned me?"
"We can't talk here," Black Wolf said, looking around to see if anyone was listening. "Come with me. Take his horse and see that it's taken care of."
Van Ghoul handed the reins over to the closest brave, before following Black Wolf. They weaved their way through the camp, villagers stopped what they were doing to watch them, for most had never seen a white man in such strange robes. They approached a large teepee in the center of the village. Black Wolf held the flap open to allow the sorcerer to enter out of the cold, before following after him.
They seated themselves on opposite sides of a fire.
"Several of our braves have gone missing in the forest, my brother Many Arrows among them," Black Wolf said, as he produced something wrapped in rawhide. Van Ghoul was surprised to see it was a finely crafted tomahawk. "This was my brothers, it was all our hunting parties found."
"Let me see that," Van Ghoul said, as he held out his hand. Black Wolf looked at the outstretched hand, then the tomahawk. A look of despair crossed his face, as if handing over the weapon would cause him great pain, but; the Iroquois chief finally placed it in Van Ghoul's hand. Almost immediately the visions came to him. He saw the deep woods, snow fell in blinding droves. The trees loomed like phantoms in the distance, he felt fear.
'It's out there,' he thought, no, Many Arrows thought. 'I have to make it back to warn the others'
Van Ghoul watched through the young braves eyes as he turned to try and gain his baring, when a tall, gaunt shadow startled him. Turning he ran headlong in the opposite direction. He didn't get far before a shaggy form lunged out of the darkness, dragging him screaming to the ground. Van Ghoul released the tomahawk, letting it fall to the ground.
"What did you see Vincent?" Black Wolf asked, raising to his knees. "Where is my brother? Is he alive?"
Placing a hand to his throbbing head Van Ghoul tried to stop his swimming vision, as psychic visions took their toll on him.
"I am sorry Black Wolf, but; your brother is dead?" Van Ghoul said. "He was killed…. By a Wendigo."
"It is as I feared," Black Wolf said. "Game has been scarce, and the winter has been harsh we've been forced to…. Do the unthinkable."
"You mean," Van Ghoul said, Black Wolf looked at him, his face emotionless.
"We've done what was needed," he replied. "They gave their lives for the survival of the tribe, but; our actions have brought the Wendigo."
Van Ghoul looked into the fire and thought.
"It must be destroyed, but; I do not wish to endanger your people anymore than I have in the past," Van Ghoul said. Black Wolf placed a strong hand on his shoulder.
"You have saved my people many times, when my father was possessed by the spirit of the mad chief Brave Eagle you were the one who drove the spirit out, when the witch woman K'tunka'ka sent cursed creatures against us it was you that beheaded her. We have lost many, but; for as long as my people survive, you will forever be our friend," Black Wolf said. "We are a brave people, we are proud to give anything, even our lives to help you Vincent Van Ghoul, for, you have given much to us."
Vincent placed his hand over Black Wolf's and looked up at him.
"We have much to do my friend," he said.
The night descended on the camp quickly. Great fires burned brightly, chasing the encroaching shadows away. Van Ghoul, shrouded by the darkness, waited just outside the protection of the campfires. The sound of trees trunks snapping in the distance, and the sour smell of rotting meat heralded the coming of the creature. Drawing his sword, Van Ghoul took a defensive stance.
He did not have long to wait as the trees parted to reveal the Wendigo. The great monsters body was tall and gaunt, thick fur was stretched tight of the emaciated body. Large ram horns curled atop it's head, as yellow eyes glared at Van Ghoul, who only slid the blade of his saber across his palm, drawing blood, a fat, maggot-like tongue slid out from the Wendigo's cracked lips as the scent of blood came to it's nostrils.
With astounding speed the Wendigo charged. Van Ghoul swung his sword at an arch, slicing through the creature's arm easily, halving the appendage at the elbow. The monster let out a shriek and stepped back in surprise, as black blood ran from the wound, and stained the white snow. Almost immediately Van Ghoul watched in horror as the Wendigo's arm started to grow back. Almost a minute pasted before the arm was fully grown back, the amputated limb on the ground had rotted away.
The Wendigo came forward again, but; was more cautious of Van Ghoul's saber. The sorcerer stepped forward to attack, but; the monster swatted him away with ease, sending him crashing against a tree. Van Ghoul's vision began to swim as the Wendigo came closer. A loud yell distracted the creature, as Black Wolf leaped in defense of Van Ghoul. Jumping onto the Wendigo's back, Black Wolf repeatedly chopped at the creature's back with a tomahawk.
Van Ghoul regained his wits, just as the Wendigo struggled to remove Black Wolf, causing the monster to stumble into the camp. The villagers fled in fear from the monster, which, in it's blind rage to dislodge the Iroquois chief, slammed into a teepee, causing the structure to wrap around both of them, sending the two crashing to the ground.
Rising to his feet Van Ghoul rushed to the camp, and, seeing the Wendigo trapped, seized a burning branch from the fire and hurled it onto the teepee, setting it ablaze.
"Forgive me my friend," Van Ghoul said, watching as the shrieks of the Wendigo died away, and the frantic struggling to get free finally ceased. "I wish there had been another way."
Dawn found a pile of ashes, as well as the skeleton of Black Wolf. Van Ghoul gathered the bones and buried them, before placing a spell of protection over the grave.
"This is the only thing I can do for you Black Wolf," Van Ghoul said. "Bravest of the Iroquois chiefs, rest easy my dearest friend, you have earned it."
End Chapter 2