Circle Of Sisters
9. Wendell's Questions
The farm cart drawn by the swaybacked old pony was becoming a familiar sight at the Castle White. Some court lackeys thought it a dreadful disgrace that such important folk continued to travel in such a manner, when surely they knew that they could have the finest carriages and horses for the asking. Others, those either jealous or disproving, felt that the human and half-wolf couple arrived in precisely the right style. Virginia knew that these types of people dwelt within the castle but she rarely let their predjudices upset her. Still, she was glad that she and Wolf had status enough, thanks to Wendell fawning over them at every opportunity, to at least silence the detractors in public. She always took careful note of who came forward to greet them when they came to the castle. Wendell might believe that all his retainers and hangers-on shared his views and opinions, but Virginia was not decieved. She didn't actually think that anyone at the castle could be construed as an 'enemy', but as they alighted into the usual crowd of smiles and well wishers, she held Caelum close to her. She and Wolf could look after themselves for the most part, but he was so little, so vulnerable, even if he could already catch and kill his own chicken dinner. Caelum had been to the castle rarely and Virginia could sense his sudden interest. He sniffed and nodded in the way that she had come to know as his scenting of someone familiar and all at once Wendell appeared from the cloud of nobility.
"Virginia! Wolf! What a nice surprise! And shame on you for not stopping to see me yesterday! What have you two been up to? The guards told me you arrived in the back of a cheese merchant's wagon. Of course, it's no problem that you commandeered one of my carriages. Anything I have is yours, as I said" Wendell said in his typical cross between being royally pompous and giddy with schoolboy excitement. Virginia wondered how much she should tell him. He didn't even know what she had become. The well meaning crowd would dissipate in a flash if they guessed the truth. She fidgeted a little, sure for a moment that her nascent condition would betray itself in a very public and embarassing way. But Wendell continued beaming at her. Virginia glanced for Wolf, seeing him standing back in a way which was very unlike him. He usually did all the talking, but he just smiled his gorgeous smile at her now, indicating with a tilt of his head that he was leaving things for her to deal with. Great. Virginia worried at his sudden deference to her. She knew she didn't feel as confident as she looked. There was a quick bustle of the crowd and Caelum squeaked in the wolf tongue. Tony came bounding down the steps to greet them.
"Honey, are you up to visiting so soon? We could have come to you much easier you know" he said, kissing her cheek. Virginia thought he looked so concerned he was about to pick her up there and then. He glanced to Wolf with a slight frown on his face. "You should have kept her at home, she shouldn't be here, visiting or doing whatever you were doing yesterday". Virginia sighed loudly before Wolf could shoot back with one of his biting remarks, but she was angry at her father's attitude.
"Dad, lets take this somewhere else" she said firmly, seeing the avid attention of the crowd gossips. Wendell came down to take her arm and escort her up the stairs. Within minutes they were in one of the castle's endless array of sitting rooms. Servants appeared from all sides, bringing drinks and an early lunch. Virginia saw that Wolf had shrugged off his irritation at Tony's questioning of his care and she gave Caelum into his arms so that they could ravage the newly laid lunch table. Wendell drew Virginia aside before Tony could bail her up again. Virginia saw that his earnest blue eyes were tinged with worry and mentally braced herself for another barrage of doubts. But the young King surprised her.
"You're on another mission aren't you?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Well, yes, you have that look on your face. That 'no nonsense, get out of my way look'. What's happened to you Virginia, that you need to trouble your life again? Will you not confide in me as I once confided in you?". Virginia met his gaze openly, yet the truth that lay on the tip of her tongue refused to slip out. Wendell held her in the highest regard, she knew. He lifted his admiration and respect for her so high that she couldn't bring herself to topple the pedestal he had put her on. But how easy would it be to just run to the highest tower and shout to the world? I am a monster. How would Wendell look upon her then? Probably with the very same expression that he used even now as she felt Elias come up behind her from whatever dark corner he'd hidden himself. Wendell's face went blank in an attempt not to betray the fear he must have felt at seeing the werewolf.
"It's about him, isn't it? You're still searching for some sort of a cure for this man. Surely you must realise that the magic failed, and look at what happened as a result. You would put yourself, and my subjects, in further danger? Let me take this creature, lock it up in the strongest dungeon where it can't hurt anyone again. Please Virginia, don't take it with you wherever you're going. I don't trust it, I don't like it. It, repulses me"
"And do I?" Virginia asked, unable to help herself.
"What?"
"Repulse you?"
"No, of course not. How could you think such a thing of me? I love you. We're family Virginia, and I don't care how much Wolf growls at me about it" Wendell replied earnestly. Virginia very nearly breathed a sigh of relief. So, he didn't suspect, but then why would he? The legend of the werewolf and what became of it's marked victims had never been told in this land. So why hadn't her father put two and two together? Had anyone ever mentioned to him that the stranger she and Wolf had brought back from New York had been a lycanthrope? Obviously not, for his concern for her was over her initial injuries, no more. Perhaps the facts had been overlooked, or forgotten, in the shock and panic of the attack. She let her gaze wander of it's own accord to Elias where he stood close by. His eyes bored into hers. I won't tell. Virginia blinked, unsure if she really had just heard his thoughts. Wendell still needed an answer though.
"Wendell, I had a dream. Someone came to me and told me where a real cure might be found, for Elias. I know how you feel, I understand it. But look at him, Wendell. He's a man first and foremost. A good man. He has no control over his actions when he runs as a wolf, not like the half-wolf's can if they really want to. I don't blame him for what happened and I can't leave this chance untested just out of fear"
"But he can do the right thing, right now. Lock himself up and stay there, so that he is no danger to anyone. What happens in less than three weeks time, Virginia, if he is still at liberty in my Kingdom?"
"He won't be"
"But you can't guarantee this"
"No. But, Wendell, can I tell you a secret, just between ourselves, on how your soldiers might slay the monster?" Virginia said in a whisper, leaning forward.
"There is a way?"
"Yes. Silver will do it. In a crossbow bolt would be the best, but an ordinary arrow would probably suffice. But don't tell the soldiers, just make sure each carries a silver tipped weapon on the next new moon. Then, if all has failed, and any monster of wolf-like manner crosses their path, let them use these weapons and it will surely slay the creature"
"How do you know this, Virginia?"
"It's always been a part of the legend, and if 9th Kingdom stories can be made real in my world, then it must work the same in reverse" Virginia answered, still whispering despite the fact that Elias could probably hear every word. She just hoped Wolf was too engrossed in his lunch to overhear her plans to protect the 9 Kingdoms from herself should Hera's secrets lead her astray. She watched as Wendell absorbed her fractured truths, breathing in relief when he finally nodded.
"Very well Virginia. I'll do as you say and tell no-one. But you haven't told me everything, not by a long way, I know" he replied finally. Virginia could see that he was still far from happy but she silently praised his gentlemanly discretion. He was taking a big risk on her behalf she realised. She hoped she wouldn't let him down. She looked askance at Elias, but his expression was unreadable. Over at the table, Wolf was glowering once more at Elias, and Caelum, held in the crook of his arm, had on his face a small imitation of his father's expression. Wendell stirred a little at the underlying tensions in the room.
"What do you need Virginia?"
"Ah, some horses would be great. Plus, if you would let Caelum stay a while with Tony. Elsie will stay on as well, to look after him. I'd like to leave this afternoon if possible. As you say, we have not much time to chase down this lead"
"Very well, I'll organise it. I don't suppose you'll agree to an honour guard or escort?"
"No Wendell, but thank you"
"No spoiled and bored young King either?" he asked, putting on a fake simpering smile. Virginia laughed and hugged him impulsively. He felt awkward in her embrace, like one not used to being held.
"Ah, no. You've done enough for us, risked enough. Besides, if you tag along, then my father will surely want to come, and half the court as well just to see what you're up to"
"Very well then. Will you at least tell me where you're going?"
"Firstly, to Little Lamb Village, then, who knows?"
"That place? That'll make Wolf happy. It'd be worth coming just to see the expression on the Peep's faces when he comes riding back into town!"
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Within a few hours of arriving, the small party of Wolf, Willem, Virginia and Elias were ready once more to depart. They stood idly in one of the small courtyards outside the stables, waiting and watching as the four fine steeds that Wendell had picked out were saddled. Virginia went forward to make friends with the smallish red-brown mare she had been given.
"'Er name's Apple, miss" said the groomsman as he readied the bridle and took Virginia's small pack to stow in the saddlebags. Virginia stroked Apple's velvety nose. She'd always loved horses, even learning to ride one summer when her Grandmother had paid for Virginia to attend one of those upper-class school camps. She looked over the horse's back to see Wolf and Willem already mounted. Wolf sat somewhat uneasily, not used to riding, but Willem seemed quite at ease on his gray gelding. Both the half-wolf's steeds looked decidedly put out at having to carry one of their natural predators. She saw old Jed looking over the door of his stall and Virginia fancied that he was probably laughing at his taller, finer cousins at their equine indignity. Virginia heard the crunch of boots behind her and turned to see her father. He held Apple's head and he surveyed his daughter with narrowed eyes.
"You're determined not to tell me anything, aren't you?"
"Dad, please..."
"Oh, don't start making excuses. I know I'm just an old fuddy duddy to you. I know, you're a grown woman, make your own decisions and all that. But you're just refusing to explain, well, that just makes things seem worse to me"
"You'd prefer if I lied, made something up?"
"No, not that, it's just..."
"Then you'll just have to trust me. If all goes well, and it will, I'll tell you everything, I promise. We won't be gone long, and I need you to stay here with Caelum. And yes, I am 'up to it'. Please don't make it hard for me Dad. You know I love you" Virginia said, wanting to reassure her father but maintain her illusion that nothing was truly wrong. He hadn't fallen for it, just as she knew he wouldn't. Virginia tried to imagine how the truth would sound. Dad, I'm infected with a deadly disease and the witch who corrupted my mother has told me how to remove it. Oh, and by the way, Elias is a werewolf, and so am I. Virginia almost giggled out loud at what her father's reaction would be. He stood, fingering the reins as she went to mount up. When she was safely seated he went to stand at the stirrup but he did not speak. Not that he needed to. Virginia knew she had hurt him with her silence. Elsie came forward with Caelum and Virginia bent down to take him into her arms. But where she had been able to maintain her calm exterior with Wendell and Tony, this was not the case with her son. She wept quietly into his curls while he buried his little fists into her shirt front.
"Mama, mama...hurt" he gurgled in his infants' voice. Virginia held him up close to whisper in his shell like ear.
"Yes, my little son. Mama hurts. Mama will be back soon, and Dadda too, and Uncle Will. You stay with Papa now and Auntie Elsie. Be good, Caelum. I love you so much". Virginia gently disentangled his hands from her shirt to hand him back to Elsie, quietly wondering how she could ever leave him again. She wiped her tears away and clucked to her mare, seeing Wolf coax his black horse forward to scoop up his son and speak to him in the wolf tongue. When he'd finished and handed the baby back she saw that he too dashed tears away. Tony snorted behind her.
"Hah, I remember your mother shedding tears over leaving you, just to go shopping! When you where very little Virginia"
"Thanks Dad"
"You're welcome. Good luck then" he said softly before turning away. Virginia resisted the urge to call after him. Dad, don't you know, that if I turn into this monster, and Wolf refuses to leave me, you'll be the only family Caelum will have left? She held her tongue, simultaneously forcing herself to face an unpleasant reality and chiding her lack of faith in happily ever after coming true for her family. Virginia straightened in the saddle and with a gentle nudge of her heels Apple moved off smoothly. Wolf and his horse fell in behind her, then Elias on his bay mare. Willem brought up the rear. Virginia looked briefly at the small map in her pocket showing the outlying villages of the 4th Kingdom. They would travel by a more direct route than the first time she had come to the village. No stepping off the road this time, no dallying with gypsies, tramps or thieves. Straight there, and straight back again. Virginia looked back over her shoulder to see the fluttering pennants atop the castle towers disappear from view as the road went behind a small rise. Come to us. The strange voice fluttered on the edge of her hearing. Virginia shivered and drew her cloak close.