2. Wolf Tale
Long ago, in the days before Rome ruled the world.
"Oh great Gods, look down upon your servants and be merciful. We, the people of Wolfgar, till the land, revere your works, and live in peace!"
The elderly man had his arms stretched upwards as he spoke. When he had finished, he crossed his arms across his breast, bowed, and kissed the ground. The elder man then rose from the ground and turned to face the small group of people that stood behind him. He frowned when he saw how few of the villagers had come today. Just by looking into the faces of those who did come, he could see their faith waning. Nevertheless, Remar, high priest of the town of Wolfgar would not be deterred. Remar walked towards a nearby table where the sacrificial beast lay. He picked up the slain animal and laid it in a pyre ten feet away from where he had previously been kneeling. Once more a stretched out his arms and spoke in a loud and booming voice.
"May this sacrifice be worthy of you!"
Remar kneeled again on the ground. This time he stared into the thick forest that lay ahead of them. Remar and the crowd behind him were silent. All of them became intensely aware of the slightest gust of wind, the slightest movement of body, and even the sound of each other's breathing. While others allowed their gaze to wander, Remar never broke away from the patch of forest before him. Minutes passed and he sensed something moving in the woods. He closed his eyes for a moment and begged that the goods would accept this sacrifice. It had been the fifth over a span of several days. Each time Remar performed the ceremony as he had for years, and each time the wolf rejected their generosity. With his eyes, Remar followed the wolf as it walked back and forth, hidden behind the bushes. Finally, after several minutes, it disappeared. When Remar was certain that the wolf had abandoned them he merely allowed himself to gently fall to the ground. As his forehead touched the ground he began to pray incessantly. He did not bother to check if anyone from the village decided to remain. He knew that none would. After he had finished his twelfth prayer he saw two clothed feet appear in his peripheral vision.
"Waste. Great waste." The figure from behind said to him. It was a young voice.
Remar looked up from the ground. The face of the young man that greeted him was the one he expected. "It is called faith, Kern." Remar walked towards the table where the animal sacrifice had been before. On it lay several sticks. Remar took two in his hands and turned to walk towards the pyre. Kern grabbed Remar by the arm.
"Women and children are starving, and you would waste away meat that can still be cooked?"
"The laws of our Gods must be obeyed."
"They have abandoned us!"
"They have not. They are displeased. When your parents are displeased with you, do you cease to honor them?"
"Remar! We are dying! You come here every two days and try to feed a wolf that needs no feeding."
"If we please the Gods then the land will become fertile again."
"The land is stricken with a blight. We must leave here or die. If you tell our leaders to move then they will listen."
Remar freed his arm from Kern's grasp and continued to walk towards the pyre. Kern watched in frustration as Remar kneeled before the pyre. With the two sticks and the stones tat lay underneath the pyre Remar set it alight. Kern watched Remar fan the flames until he could no longer bear to watch. He then turned and began to walk through the path that stretched through the middle of their village.
The village of Wolfgar is a small village hidden opposite a thick wooded forest and backed by the base of a large mountain range. Many years ago the ancestors of the Wolfgars were a nomadic tribe traveling over vast stretches of land. They hunted until the game moved onwards. As they traveled they always competed with the wolves that also hunted similar game. According to the stories passed down through the ages, the ancient Wolfgars spared the life of a ferocious wolf. The wolf was the carrier of the spirit of the Gods and therefore they were pleased at this. The Wolfgars and the Gods made a deal to live in harmony with the wolves. Thus, the Wolfgars settled and have lived in the village of Wolfgar for many years.
As of late, the land they farmed has become sterile. The game they hint is insufficient because the wolves hunt quicker and better than they do. Food is now a scarcity and many have died or fallen ill. As Kern walked the path he could see several mothers sitting outside their huts with their children crying. They cry because they are hungry. Kern felt as his own stomach began to ache. He had not eaten in a day or more. Kern reached his own hut. There he lay on his bed and tried to forget his hunger. For many hours he lay there but the more time passed the greater the pain became. Night had fallen and the pain did not allow Kern to sleep. He could bear the pain no longer. Kern jumped from his bed and grabbed his bow and arrow. He would go into the woods and find his own game. As he stepped out of his hut, Kern stared up at the sky. It was pure back save for one spot. A crescent shaped moon hung above their village. Around it was a light blue aura that surrounded it. Kern looked at it and hoped it would bring him luck. Kern then disappeared into the woods.
For many long hours it seemed, Kern wander through the woods. He was not an exceptional hunter, but he knew the basics. After searching endlessly, Kern's quiver was still full. He had not shot an arrow because he had not found anything at all. It seemed as though all the animals had gone into hiding for the night.
"How could this be?"
Then Kern stumbled upon something unexpected. It was a small pond. Kern held back the urge to charge in. Ponds were known to attract thirsty animals. Inwardly Kern smiled, for he himself was very thirsty. As Kern waited for some unsuspecting prey, he studied the pond. It was nowhere near a perfect circle. Its shape was inexplicable. Its most significant attribute was the beautiful halo effect caused by the water reflecting the moon's light. It made the wooded area around the ponds light up in a most magical way. Kern found himself entranced by it. So much so, Kern did no feel time slip by him. He did not recover his senses until a silhouette moved in the bushes. Kern slowly, quietly, and carefully pulled an arrow from his quiver and readied it with his bow. As the silhouette came out of the shadows Kern hesitated to release his arrow. The figure was a wolf. In silence he watched as the wolf approached the water of the pond and began to drink from it.
"A damned wolf." Kern cursed inwardly. He could not kill a wolf. They were sacred. They carried with them the spirit of the Gods. At least that is what Remar said. After watching his people starve Kern was no longer show what he believed. Kern began to speak to himself inwardly.
"Remar says that the Gods can hear our thoughts. If the wolf carries them in this plane, then the wolf should hear what I am saying. Shouldn't it?"
Kern saw that the wolf continued to drink from the pond but at one moment seemed to pause. Its head seemed to be scanning the area around it. Kern could not deny that his spirit leapt. "Can you hear me? Are searching for me? I am here, in the bushes. I am to your right!" Kern continued to speak internally. The wolf then continued drink its water. Anger began to swell inside Kern's heart. He felt foolish. Thinking that the animal could hear him. Nevertheless he continued to speak to himself in the same manner.
"Can you hear me?"
He raised his arms once more.
"Can you?"
Kern brought the bow level with his eye.
"Can."
His hand pulled the bowstring backwards, gently."
"You."
His aim brought him level with the wolf.
"Hear."
Kern felt his breath heighten.
"Me!"
The wolf suddenly turned and looked Kern directly in the eyes. As a reflex, Kern released the string and the arrow shot out like the wind.
"No!" Kern yelled out loud. He leapt out from the bushes and charged towards the fallen wolf. The arrow went straight through the heart. The wolf was dead. Kern's mind raced as the gravity of his act dawned upon him. He felt fear fill up within him. Doubt floated up through his thoughts.
What if he was wrong? What if Remar was right and the Gods were angry? This would bring bad fortune to all of them.
"The village!"
Kern stared at his blood filled hands and then ran back into the woods. He neither knew in which direction to go nor cared, so long as he got there and everything was all right. Behind him he failed to see how the moonlight being reflected by the pond water changed. As the blood of the wolf flowed into the pond, the water changed color and the pond no longer reflected the moonlight. The moonlight now reflected the color of the pond and it was blood red.
As Kern ran through the forest he felt everything becoming colder. By the time he reached Wolfgar it was snowing. There he found everyone in the village outside of their huts and screaming.
"What's happening? What wrong with you?" Kern yelled.
"You did this!" A voice from behind said.
Kern turned knowing already who it was.
"This is your doing!" Remar said. His face was one filled with infinite pain.
Kern stared up at the sky, the moon was now blood red. The sight of this signaled the beginning of his pain. He fell to his knees and joined the others as they screamed. The pain came from inside them. Soon Kern saw what was happening to them. He felt his nails grow longer. He watched, as his feet became larger. He sensed every fiber of his being transforming. As the hair began to grow on his arms Kern looked before him, towards the path that was the entrance to Wolfgar. To his surprise, Pack upon pack of wolves began to enter the village. The wolves surrounded them in a giant circle. As Kern's vision became blurry and his consciousness began to fade, Kern could hear the cry of the wolves. The man-wolves had been born.
When his eyes opened once more, he had no memory of Kern. He felt confused. A voice in his head told him, "your name is Cornell. You are the blue crescent moon."
Long ago, in the days before Rome ruled the world.
"Oh great Gods, look down upon your servants and be merciful. We, the people of Wolfgar, till the land, revere your works, and live in peace!"
The elderly man had his arms stretched upwards as he spoke. When he had finished, he crossed his arms across his breast, bowed, and kissed the ground. The elder man then rose from the ground and turned to face the small group of people that stood behind him. He frowned when he saw how few of the villagers had come today. Just by looking into the faces of those who did come, he could see their faith waning. Nevertheless, Remar, high priest of the town of Wolfgar would not be deterred. Remar walked towards a nearby table where the sacrificial beast lay. He picked up the slain animal and laid it in a pyre ten feet away from where he had previously been kneeling. Once more a stretched out his arms and spoke in a loud and booming voice.
"May this sacrifice be worthy of you!"
Remar kneeled again on the ground. This time he stared into the thick forest that lay ahead of them. Remar and the crowd behind him were silent. All of them became intensely aware of the slightest gust of wind, the slightest movement of body, and even the sound of each other's breathing. While others allowed their gaze to wander, Remar never broke away from the patch of forest before him. Minutes passed and he sensed something moving in the woods. He closed his eyes for a moment and begged that the goods would accept this sacrifice. It had been the fifth over a span of several days. Each time Remar performed the ceremony as he had for years, and each time the wolf rejected their generosity. With his eyes, Remar followed the wolf as it walked back and forth, hidden behind the bushes. Finally, after several minutes, it disappeared. When Remar was certain that the wolf had abandoned them he merely allowed himself to gently fall to the ground. As his forehead touched the ground he began to pray incessantly. He did not bother to check if anyone from the village decided to remain. He knew that none would. After he had finished his twelfth prayer he saw two clothed feet appear in his peripheral vision.
"Waste. Great waste." The figure from behind said to him. It was a young voice.
Remar looked up from the ground. The face of the young man that greeted him was the one he expected. "It is called faith, Kern." Remar walked towards the table where the animal sacrifice had been before. On it lay several sticks. Remar took two in his hands and turned to walk towards the pyre. Kern grabbed Remar by the arm.
"Women and children are starving, and you would waste away meat that can still be cooked?"
"The laws of our Gods must be obeyed."
"They have abandoned us!"
"They have not. They are displeased. When your parents are displeased with you, do you cease to honor them?"
"Remar! We are dying! You come here every two days and try to feed a wolf that needs no feeding."
"If we please the Gods then the land will become fertile again."
"The land is stricken with a blight. We must leave here or die. If you tell our leaders to move then they will listen."
Remar freed his arm from Kern's grasp and continued to walk towards the pyre. Kern watched in frustration as Remar kneeled before the pyre. With the two sticks and the stones tat lay underneath the pyre Remar set it alight. Kern watched Remar fan the flames until he could no longer bear to watch. He then turned and began to walk through the path that stretched through the middle of their village.
The village of Wolfgar is a small village hidden opposite a thick wooded forest and backed by the base of a large mountain range. Many years ago the ancestors of the Wolfgars were a nomadic tribe traveling over vast stretches of land. They hunted until the game moved onwards. As they traveled they always competed with the wolves that also hunted similar game. According to the stories passed down through the ages, the ancient Wolfgars spared the life of a ferocious wolf. The wolf was the carrier of the spirit of the Gods and therefore they were pleased at this. The Wolfgars and the Gods made a deal to live in harmony with the wolves. Thus, the Wolfgars settled and have lived in the village of Wolfgar for many years.
As of late, the land they farmed has become sterile. The game they hint is insufficient because the wolves hunt quicker and better than they do. Food is now a scarcity and many have died or fallen ill. As Kern walked the path he could see several mothers sitting outside their huts with their children crying. They cry because they are hungry. Kern felt as his own stomach began to ache. He had not eaten in a day or more. Kern reached his own hut. There he lay on his bed and tried to forget his hunger. For many hours he lay there but the more time passed the greater the pain became. Night had fallen and the pain did not allow Kern to sleep. He could bear the pain no longer. Kern jumped from his bed and grabbed his bow and arrow. He would go into the woods and find his own game. As he stepped out of his hut, Kern stared up at the sky. It was pure back save for one spot. A crescent shaped moon hung above their village. Around it was a light blue aura that surrounded it. Kern looked at it and hoped it would bring him luck. Kern then disappeared into the woods.
For many long hours it seemed, Kern wander through the woods. He was not an exceptional hunter, but he knew the basics. After searching endlessly, Kern's quiver was still full. He had not shot an arrow because he had not found anything at all. It seemed as though all the animals had gone into hiding for the night.
"How could this be?"
Then Kern stumbled upon something unexpected. It was a small pond. Kern held back the urge to charge in. Ponds were known to attract thirsty animals. Inwardly Kern smiled, for he himself was very thirsty. As Kern waited for some unsuspecting prey, he studied the pond. It was nowhere near a perfect circle. Its shape was inexplicable. Its most significant attribute was the beautiful halo effect caused by the water reflecting the moon's light. It made the wooded area around the ponds light up in a most magical way. Kern found himself entranced by it. So much so, Kern did no feel time slip by him. He did not recover his senses until a silhouette moved in the bushes. Kern slowly, quietly, and carefully pulled an arrow from his quiver and readied it with his bow. As the silhouette came out of the shadows Kern hesitated to release his arrow. The figure was a wolf. In silence he watched as the wolf approached the water of the pond and began to drink from it.
"A damned wolf." Kern cursed inwardly. He could not kill a wolf. They were sacred. They carried with them the spirit of the Gods. At least that is what Remar said. After watching his people starve Kern was no longer show what he believed. Kern began to speak to himself inwardly.
"Remar says that the Gods can hear our thoughts. If the wolf carries them in this plane, then the wolf should hear what I am saying. Shouldn't it?"
Kern saw that the wolf continued to drink from the pond but at one moment seemed to pause. Its head seemed to be scanning the area around it. Kern could not deny that his spirit leapt. "Can you hear me? Are searching for me? I am here, in the bushes. I am to your right!" Kern continued to speak internally. The wolf then continued drink its water. Anger began to swell inside Kern's heart. He felt foolish. Thinking that the animal could hear him. Nevertheless he continued to speak to himself in the same manner.
"Can you hear me?"
He raised his arms once more.
"Can you?"
Kern brought the bow level with his eye.
"Can."
His hand pulled the bowstring backwards, gently."
"You."
His aim brought him level with the wolf.
"Hear."
Kern felt his breath heighten.
"Me!"
The wolf suddenly turned and looked Kern directly in the eyes. As a reflex, Kern released the string and the arrow shot out like the wind.
"No!" Kern yelled out loud. He leapt out from the bushes and charged towards the fallen wolf. The arrow went straight through the heart. The wolf was dead. Kern's mind raced as the gravity of his act dawned upon him. He felt fear fill up within him. Doubt floated up through his thoughts.
What if he was wrong? What if Remar was right and the Gods were angry? This would bring bad fortune to all of them.
"The village!"
Kern stared at his blood filled hands and then ran back into the woods. He neither knew in which direction to go nor cared, so long as he got there and everything was all right. Behind him he failed to see how the moonlight being reflected by the pond water changed. As the blood of the wolf flowed into the pond, the water changed color and the pond no longer reflected the moonlight. The moonlight now reflected the color of the pond and it was blood red.
As Kern ran through the forest he felt everything becoming colder. By the time he reached Wolfgar it was snowing. There he found everyone in the village outside of their huts and screaming.
"What's happening? What wrong with you?" Kern yelled.
"You did this!" A voice from behind said.
Kern turned knowing already who it was.
"This is your doing!" Remar said. His face was one filled with infinite pain.
Kern stared up at the sky, the moon was now blood red. The sight of this signaled the beginning of his pain. He fell to his knees and joined the others as they screamed. The pain came from inside them. Soon Kern saw what was happening to them. He felt his nails grow longer. He watched, as his feet became larger. He sensed every fiber of his being transforming. As the hair began to grow on his arms Kern looked before him, towards the path that was the entrance to Wolfgar. To his surprise, Pack upon pack of wolves began to enter the village. The wolves surrounded them in a giant circle. As Kern's vision became blurry and his consciousness began to fade, Kern could hear the cry of the wolves. The man-wolves had been born.
When his eyes opened once more, he had no memory of Kern. He felt confused. A voice in his head told him, "your name is Cornell. You are the blue crescent moon."