Cry Of the Carniave

I stared in horror at Jay. Was this the Jay I knew as kind and gentle? Was this the person that gave the bead necklace to me? Fear of the people showed in Jay's eyes, I could see it.

"Grrrrr… Rrrrrooowwwl!" Jay let out a terrifying growl that made me tremble with fear.

By now people recognized Jay as the Carniave of Glade Forest. Intense hate showed in their pitiless eyes.

Suddenly one person exclaimed, waving a long stick:

"That person was the Carniave that brought terror to us all those years ago! Let's hunt it now and it will never see daylight again!"

People agreed loudly, holding up jagged sticks and brittle stones. They were going to kill Jay and stuff him! I took a huge risk and stood between Jay and the rioting people, shielding him. The now-complete Carniave, Jay, whimpered softly, his stunning white wings quivering with fear.

"NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!" I yelled, startling several people. "Can't you see this Carniave was human? That Carniave was my BOYFRIEND! My kind, gentle boyfriend who gave me this diamond necklace!" The people were unmoved by my clamours. Instead they shoved past me, pushing me into the muddy ground. This was outrageous!

One massive man (the ring toss keeper) grabbed poor Jay roughly by the scruff of the neck, his wings hanging limply at his side. I ran to the man urgently, trying to prise Jay from his powerful grip. His fists were so tight around Jay's neck; I could tell Jay was suffering from lack of air. HOW DARE THAT MAN HURT POOR JAY!

"LET JAY GO!!!!! HE'S INNOCENT! DON'T DARE YOU HURT HIM!"

"So, the little girl wants me to let the wolf go!" The man mocked me, his cruel rapacious eyes glinting dangerously in his gaunt face.

To my horror, he tried to wring Jay's neck, but Jay wouldn't take being handled like that and bit the man's burly hand until it drew blood. The man immediately let go, cradling his wounded hand as though it was a baby. Blood was spilling out of the cut as I saw sharp fang marks covering his hands.

"OOOWWWW! THAT CARNIAVE!" howled the cruel man.

Served him right! I thought viciously.

Jay fled away into the dark dim forest, mournfully howling at the top of his voice. He vanished into the dark trees, the hunters trailing after him like the tail of a comet.

"HOWW-OW-OW-OW-OWL!" I felt remorse, knowing that Jay was gone forever."Jay! Come back!" I called to him. A heartbreaking howl was the only reply, echoing dismally among the trees…

Two weeks later…

I knocked on the door, hoping that Laura was inside the house. What should I say to her? Would she still want to talk to me after that nightmarish incident? I thought. I remembered what happened earlier in the forest. The angry people pursued me as if they were chasing a deer. I could remember the ways they tried to trap me, their faces full of hate and anger. Their faces sneered at me, faces flickering in the torch-fire. They thought they had me cornered, getting closer to me. But if they thought I was going to beg for mercy, I had another thing coming for them! I spread my dazzling white wings, letting the silver moonlight reflect off them. The moonlight warmed my wolfish body, giving me renewed energy to flee. The effect was enormous, blinding the people temporary as I got away. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, through the Glade.

I wondered whether I should tell Laura about myself, since she knew about my secret already. But she refused to go near me, preferring to stay a long distance away. That single action broke my aching heart; I thought maybe she didn't love me anymore because of what I was. Finally, I picked up the courage to ask her personally. Well, here goes…

I opened the door blearily; it was 7 am and time to make breakfast. Who would call at this time of the day? I wondered, rubbing sleep from my eyes. When I saw Jay standing there in his green cloak, I was surprised, standing there in my dressing gown.

"Jay! What are you doing here so early?" I said, shocked by his arrival. Jay shuffled his feet nervously. I was puzzled. What did he want? Why was he standing there?

"Laura! I just came to ask you a question. When you refused to go near me earlier, you broke my heart! Don't you love me anymore, because of what I am? A horrible half human beast? Or do you hate me now because of that incident at the fair? Please say no, I'll just die if you said yes!" Jay was now on his knees, as if he was begging for mercy. Was he… Crying? To my shock, I could see crystal tears spilling down his face. He must be serious about it…

I pondered Jay's question, thinking back to the time I saw him transform into the fearsome beast. I remembered how the hunters pursued him into the woods before he disappeared. I remembered how I defended him, his terrified expression. Even when the hunters rioted, I protected him from their weapons. Did I really love him? I asked to myself. Yes, I did. I defended him.

"Jay, of course I still love you. Remember when I protected you against the hunters?" I said gently, my voice sounding soft as a feather. To my relief Jay stopped sobbing, his beautiful sapphire opaque eyes gleaming. He looked ecstatic, his face lighting up with an enormous grin. It was the most beautiful thing in the world, to see Jay finally beam.

"You really mean it??? Do you really forgive me Laura? All right!" His voice sounded hoarse and cracked as he wiped away tears of joy. After a few minutes however, it seemed that he came for another reason…

I looked at Laura gratefully. A few minutes ago it seemed as if Laura was going to dump me. Now I had something to look forward to after all. But I needed her help most of all, at this very moment. I needed to look for the Carniave cure, but would she understand how important it was for me? Would she help me look for it? Would she… I slid my hand over Laura's hand, feeling more than tense.

"Laura, I need to tell you something," My voice sounded urgent, breathless.

I looked up at Jay curiously. What did he want? His eyes were a serious azure, reflecting the radiant sky outside. His blonde hair, although untidy, was like an angel's hair, wavy and clean.

"Laura, I need to tell you my history. About how I was and why I need to journey with you to find my cure for being this winged wolf beast." Jay continued, his narration sounding much like a fairytale…

"Once in Glade Forest a long time ago, there was a peasant and his wife who lived in a cottage at the edge of a forest. The wife was expecting a firstborn child in a few months time. Life was peaceful. However, one day they took in a handsome blue-cloaked stranger and prepared a meal for their visitor in a fierce blizzard. They were poor and they couldn't afford much to eat. When the mysterious stranger saw how meagre the meal was, he flew in a terrible rage, sending plates crashing to the ground. Pointing to the wife he cried furiously to her:

"Cursed be you and all this household! Your firstborn will be a human at day, but a terrible beast at night, terrorizing Glade village forever! He will bring awful luck to anyone in your family!" With that pronounced jinx, he disappeared with a bang, never to seen again by the family.

When the parents learned of the curse, they decided to abandon the child, leaving him to live with a rich blacksmith. Mr. John was a cruel and abusive alcoholic to the boy over the next couple of years, treating him like a servant, swearing and beating him whenever he stopped working. The boy had several cuts and bruises from the man. In the end, the boy had to flee. He tried to get in touch with his biological parents, but learnt they both died of influenza. Since the peasants were poor and John was stingy, the poor boy had to rough it, training as a thief, for he had no other way to get money. That boy was me. I grew hostile to the world. Eventually I met you; you were the only person who ever loved me for what I am, instead of what I was on the outside."

"Now I have to get rid of this horrid curse and I think I know who can help me, the knowing, powerful Sorcerer of Glade Forest! Will you help me in my valiant quest?" Jay turned to me, my stunned face clearly showing. I blushed, my face showing a pink hue. Jay's life seemed more bizarre than ever before. Who would have ever known that his life was so unusual in so many ways? It was as if I had been hit by a sledgehammer.What could I say to him? I opened my mouth…

One week later…

"Are we there yet, Jay?" Laura asked as we passed a bubbling brook. Songbirds twittered prettily in the fresh morning air, the forest around us was strangely silent. Too silent. I thought wistfully to myself,

giving a grimace. I just couldn't stop thinking about the soft-spoken female companion beside me, my really sore legs rubbing the tough leather saddle. And her face. Her wonderful, cheery face that seemed to light up the world with its radiance. It seemed like ages since that nightmarish incident at the fair and yet- she was closer to me than ever.

Hard for me to believe that I once thought she was annoying and bratty. Now she was more intimate than a friend. I could feel her warm, loving body pressed against mine as we rode. But now I had more things to think about. Like that sorcerer. I wonder if the sorcerer will cure me of my curse?

Freckles kept frolicking on the dusty, winding (and muddy- it had poured heavily) track. Freckles kept grazing the lush grass, her neck craned as she nibbled it. I adjusted my green robe, it had been pretty dusty from all the dust, but the dust would wash away with a little scrubbing. We had to get to the Vale of the Glade to request the mighty magician, which was deep beyond the heart of the forest.

"Freckles! Keep on the road did you hear me?" Laura yelled; her legs straddled on Freckle's back. The roan pretended not to notice. Laura was wearing a French country frock with petticoats inside, which made it difficult to ride. She groaned. "I hate this dress!" she cried.

Freckles abruptly swerved to the right, her gait quickening with every step. With every step we were taken into the heart of the Glade, dark shady trees surrounding our insignificant figures. Laura huddled against me, her slim graceful shoulders touching my broad back…

We were in the heart of the Glade. Terrifying animal eyes glared at us through brambles. The immense towering trees, darkening the forest scene, blotted out the life giving sun. Animal noises surrounded us sounding threatening. An owl screeched out a warning as it clawed me with its huge talons.

Jay nodded slightly, his head concealed by his hooded mantle. Beyond the darkness of the woods, I saw a distant glimmer of green, a valley up ahead. I felt Jay stiffen with fear, as if he had turned to metal.

"Yes, this place is the Vale of the Glade." Jay murmured, his eyes glazing. What on earth was happening to Jay? He wasn't like that a moment ago!

I shivered; it was so chilly in the dim forest even when the sun was shining.

I touched Jay's hand for comfort. But a shock of cold ran through my body as I touched him. He was freezing! Jay seemed to not be himself, looking distantly.

Suddenly he leapt from the saddle and started running! Running north of the Glade!

"Jay!" I cried. He vanished into the mists of the Glade, leaving me all alone. I galloped after him, urging Freckles onwards, getting more lost than ever before. Will I EVER catch up with Jay? Where was he going? I wondered as Freckles cantered.

Before long Freckles and I reached a grassy glen. It had steep sides to it. Rocks were sprawled among the edges of it. Grayish clouds swirled into ethereal mystical patterns. Blocking my view of the valley, a huge tree trunk stood in my way. Jay's voice could be heard chanting:

"When the Carniave howls its eerie cry,

And the silent Sorcerer doesn't reply,

I, Jay, evoke thee from the depths of the Vale!

Unless I, Jay, have to endure hell!"

Immediately, there was a huge cracking sound and the tree trunk divided, sending a shower of splinters all over the glen. I ducked on my knees, avoiding the pointed edges of the fragments. Freckles was terrified of the trunk, rearing. It seemed to me as if the world had split apart. When the cracking stopped, I peered between my fingers timidly.

I was astonished by the gaping hole in the vast shoot; the trunk of the tree seemed to be hollow! This thick stalk seemed to be the dwellingof a forest sprite, for there was crude furniture made of branches and leaves strewn around the room and some type of woven bag. But on closer inspection it seemed to be the home of a sorcerer, for there was a few worn, tattered sorcery books with dog-eared pages and a noble egret with a nerving glare perching on a protruding branch. Jay should have been here, but where was he? I panicked. Just then Jay raced into the peculiar place.

"Sorcerer! I command you to appear!" he demanded.

The white egret with the plumage swooped down from the branch with a bloodcurdling screech. As we watched, the jutting beak became a normal nose; the glowering eyes became the hostile, artic-blue eyes of the magician and the white feathers fused together to become long ebony hair.

The magician stood before us, his glowing eyes showing fury. He surprisingly looked like a youthful teenager; I had expected an old man with a long white beard. Was he the all-powerful magician that Jay commanded? He looked too young to be one. He wore a garment of long flowing velvet, weird mysterious patterns swirling across the robe.

Jay stepped forwards, his face showing respect for the teenager. He bowed lowly to the stern faced teen. The teen-magician grunted, obliviously irritated by Jay.

"Master Glen Usawai Of The Vale Of The Glade, I, Jay, have come to your humble service to request the permanent removal of the Carniave curse." Jay muttered, reverence showing on his face.

The sorcerer chuckled, his face showing amusement

"Oh, Jay, I remember you. You were the unfortunate child of the parents that infuriated me not so long ago. I see that you have company with you. Your girlfriend I presume?" My face felt very hot, embarrassed by the teasing of the magician. I hid my blushing face in my hands. Jay continued looking energized at the prospect of encountering Master Glen.

"She is my girlfriend, Master. I adore her, but it pains me greatly to transform into a beast of the night, that's why I came, Master Glen." Jay paused for a moment.

Glen thought for a while, stroking his chin.

"Jay, this is a difficult situation that I must think about. You will have to prove yourself worthy enough to claim the remedy, for it only works for the valiant and daring of hearts. But the treatment comes at a costly price. When I transform you into a human, your companion must sacrifice something that would cost her, for once the curse is pronounced, it cannot be undone." I wanted to cry out the unfairness of it all.

Master Glen continued mumbling about the cure while Jay kept nodding.

"You must prove yourself worthy of the cure, for I will set you seven quests you must complete within two weeks. The items I will retrieve from you will be the ingredients of the Carniave remedy. Without them, I'm afraid I'll fail to cure you, Jay. These tests of strength are extremely difficult and I do warn you one thing Jay. If you do fail any of these quests you will be a Carniave for all eternity, understand? These are the seven quests, rated from lowest to highest. Fire's feather, Water's scale, Ice's silver armour, Air's breath, Sun's glory, Shadow's gloom and Storm's eggs. I wish you good luck on your journey! Farewell travellers of the true destiny!"

With a flash of brilliant blinding light, Master Glen Usawai disappeared as briefly as a flower. Jay turned to me, his azure eyes full of sincere hope. His eyes reminded me of two shining marbles in his small piercing face. His warm hand twined around mine, interlocked by a gesture of passion, destiny and hope, all in one move. It was sudden, yet gentle to the touch and I liked it. His isolated look was no longer, replaced instead by warmth and friendliness of his nature.

"Let's go." He whispered, a silent voice in the dark room. Flames flickered in the prevailing darkness of the den as Glen's voice filled the air like a vibrating gong. "Your quest begins,"

So what did you think of it? Did you like it? What challenges do Laura and Jay face on their quests? Will their love survive? Will Jay admit that he loves Laura? Find out in the next exciting and romantic chapter, "Hell's Gates"!