Chapter 15.

The Battle Rages

Wolf sighed resignedly, hearing yet another set of priests approaching his cell. Another two days had passed, during which he had been subjected to endless hours of badgering by the silly men. At all hours of the day and night they came. Some came with different questions every time, others just asked the same over and over. They tried all different tactics, from false kindness and cajoling, to outright threats and insinuations. He tried to answer honestly, most of the time anyway, but that seemed to get him nowhere.

"Are you in league with the Devil?"

"I don't know anyone called Devil, so no"

"Oh, but you do! Say your master's name, tell us!"

"I answer only to myselfs"

"Your selfs? How many selfs do you have?"

"Well, two of course. My wolf-self and man-self. In case you hadn't noticed" said Wolf, sarcastic now.

"Would you give up your wolf-self, your evil ways?"

"Never. Why would I want that? I am not a perfect person by any means, but nor am I evil. I have met evil before and I know it well"

And so it went on night and day. Sometimes the men didn't speak to him, rather they stood around reading from their little books. He didn't really understand what they were reciting, only that it seemed dark and full of violence. Nor could he reason why anyone with so much coloured glass would want to pray for hail, but evidently Mary wasn't listening, for none came. He longed for the feel of sun on his face, to feel free air again. It was so dark and gloomy here.

At least some of the questions at least made sense to him.

"How much can you hear? Can you tell things about us by our scent, like a dog does?", this coming from the younger man Frederick.

"I can hear you snoring from the other side of this place. I can smell your fear-sweat and the fact you had eggs for breakfast"

"What makes your teeth come down? Can you do it at will?"

"Yes, I can do it at will, but sometimes my body will react that way if it feels threatened, as your Clement found out for himself. Where is that man anyway? He hasn't ever shown himself again"

"He refuses to come here. He sits in his quarters in the city, sweating and trembling in fear that he will be turned into one of you next full moon"

"Don't be fools. The only way I can make another is the old fashioned way" replied Wolf, gesturing rudely to the boy, who blushed.

"So, your teeth. Can I see them now?"

"No"

Wolf knew that they were trying to wear him down with their constant barrage, but the worst thing was he knew they were succeeding. They hoped to provoke him, to see some "demonic behaviour", therefore to justify their suspicions. His main problem at the moment was the lack of food. They still hadn't provided any meat for him and hour by hour his wolf-self was getting more insistent, demanding he hunt, kill, eat. He had plenty of water, but lack of food was making him less tractable by the day. He knew the moon time was drawing closer, but he doubted if he could make a decent attempt at escape if he were so weakened. His answers became shorter, sharper, when he bothered to reply at all.

Wolf listened to the approaching men, knowing them by scent enough to identify Peter, Connor and Frederick without even getting up from the floor. Of all the priests, Peter seemed the most determined to break him. Wolf had realised. It had become a personal thing with him, but he had no idea why. Wolf could hear the pride and the love of power in this man's voice, and Connor was proving himself a willing underling. He heard the man clear his throat loudly and wondered idly what the fool would start raving about today.

"On your first day here, you made mention of others of your like. You will tell us where they might be found"

"I will not" replied Wolf, without getting up or looking at him.

"It is our task to protect and guide the community, whether they will it or not. I will not suffer such as you to live amongst us"

"And who protects the community from you? Why have I no advocate, no one to speak on my behalf? You seek to judge me, yet you know nothing of me"

"Brother Peter, this is pointless. It will never see the light, this thing. It will tell us nothing. It is a damned thing". This was Connor now, and Wolf could hear the edge of madness creeping into his voice. How could the others not hear it?

"Hmm. So. This woman that Connor saw you, ahem, fornicating with. Tell us about her" Peter grated.

Wolf stayed silent.

"Should we bring her in. Ask her?" the priest continued, ignoring Wolf's silence.

Wolf rolled over, sitting up to face his tormentor.

"She means nothing to me. She fulfilled a role, nothing more" he answered quickly. The last thing he wanted was for these men to go hunting for his darling Virginia. As usual, he was not believed.

"Hmm, well, we will see, I think. Care for a little reunion?" Peter smiled, leaning forward.

Wolf leapt without warning, unable to control his reaction as he thundered into the bars, reaching, snarling for the man, who had jumped backwards just as quickly. The priest had fallen on his rear and Wolf had the satisfaction of seeing real fear on the man's face as he bared his fangs, growling through the bars. Connor had gone as white as a sheet, though he had seen such a reaction before. The younger Frederick had stood his ground, just, and had found himself unable to take his eyes off the huge teeth. Peter had clambered to his feet now, brushing down his clothes with quick, angry gestures. He had recovered all too quickly for Wolf's liking. He stood to his full height, glaring at Wolf, before turning on his heel and stalking away, followed by the simpering Connor. Wolf turned his attention to young Frederick, willing himself back to normalness. The man was still stunned, but looked relieved as Wolf sat back down again, turning his back once more.

Frederick could see the creature was upset, almost to tears even. Surprising himself, he went closer and knelt down by the bars, well within reach.

"How can I ease you?" he whispered to Wolf.

"I need food, meat. The lack of it is making me react like this. It will only get worse" Wolf replied dully.

"What sort of meat?"

"Lamb, sheep, rabbit, anything"

"I will do it"

"Thank you"

Some hours later, Frederick returned with the whole group of brothers. Tucked under one arm was a bleating lamb. He had taken Wolf's request for fresh meat all too literally.