Cressidor Marie Blan-Virgine wondered sometimes if she was getting too big for bedtime stories. Her dog Shuck, after all, had gotten too big to sleep on the bed with her (most child's beds not being constructed to support quarter-ton barghests) and now had to stay on his fluffy rug on the floor. There was a point, she was certain, when a girl got too old for her mama to sit by her bedside at night and tell her a tale to help her get to sleep. It was just a fact of facing the responsibilities of growing up.
As Lillet Blan pulled her chair into its usual place next to the bed, though, Cress decided that she was definitely not yet old enough to face the solemn duty of a story-less bedtime. If nothing else, Shuck wasn't even four yet! She definitely knew that was too young to miss story time. From the way he raised his shaggy head and thumped his tail, he clearly agreed with the sentiment.
"So, where did we leave off last night?" Lillet asked. This wasn't a quiz; the problem with bedtime stories was that the audience tended to nod off during them so that the last thing Lillet had said often came several minutes after the last thing Cressidor had heard.
"Mmm, I think it was when Sir Gareth and Lady Lynnette went into the Forest Perilous to seek the Fallen Monument?"
"All right, then; we'll take it up from there."
As the daughter of the kingdom's Mage Consul, Cress tended to get a different picture of the role of magicians in adventure stories than was strictly conventional. Lillet preferred, the variation of Sir Gareth's story where he married the enchantress Lynnette instead of her sister, damsel-in-distress Lionors, just because it made a better romance, but the continuing adventures where they traveled around together as a married couple righting wrongs, slaying dragons, and performing other sundry deeds of knight-errantry were Lillet's own invention entirely.
"Now, as you may recall, the son of the Knight of Baedric had been struck by an elf-shot arrow meant for his father and his bleeding wound would not heal, so Gareth and Lynnette had sallied forth into the Forest Perilous to find winterdew root, which could be used to make a curing potion."
"Is that true, Mama?"
Lillet nodded.
"Actually, yes. Tincture of winterdew can be used as the base for an elixir that dispels enchantments on injuries, allowing natural or magical healing to operate."
"Oh, thanks. I know you sometimes change up the magic to make a better story."
"Or to keep you out of trouble."
Cressidor pouted.
"Mama, that was one time. And I was seven then. I'm old enough to know better than to mix a potion out of a book, now." There was, after all, a huge gulf between seven and nine in terms of education and maturity, at least as Cress saw it. "And it wasn't even a real potion anyway, since you keep the laboratory locked up so only you and Mother can get in."
"It did take a week to get the kitchen fully cleaned, though, and we almost lost another cook."
"Another cook?"
"They kept quitting back when Amoretta and I first got this house. It was before you were born."
"Oh. Were they jealous of you?"
"I can spot the 'flatter Mama about her cooking' technique, you know. I tried it a lot when I was your age."
"Did it work on Grammy?"
Lillet grinned.
"Sometimes. But, back to the story. Now, the Forest Perilous was not just called that because of the strange and ancient magics that lurked there, but also because it was known to be the home of large and ferocious bands of wolves. Because humans didn't go there very often, food was plentiful. However, Sir Gareth and Lynnette weren't worried about that, since wolves are not likely to attack two people on horseback unless they're starving, and that wasn't the case for the wolves of the Forest Perilous. No, they were wary of the magic, for it was said that in ancient times the borders of Faerie and our world had mixed in the area, and the woods were once home to a kingdom of people said to be ten feet tall."
"Giants? Really?"
"Not really, but they were sometimes remembered that way. The Fallen Monument was an ancient obelisk that some tremendous force had broken near its base so that it had toppled, and was believed from its carvings to be dedicated to the long-dead kings of Fomor. Lynnette knew that winterdew grew freely around the Monument, where it grew rich on the ancient magics that had leached into the soil. However, it seemed that the magic of the place had more effects than just aiding the plants to grow, effects of a much more frightening nature."
Cress sat up straight. Now they were getting to the meat of the story!
"When Gareth and Lynnette entered the clearing where the Fallen Monument lay, they saw a wolf sprawling at its base—and not just any wolf. They realized at once that it must have been affected by the ambient magic—"
"Mama, what does 'ambient' mean?"
"Oh, I'm sorry." Cress wasn't sure if Lillet really meant that (for breaking up the flow of the story) or was deliberately slipping some new words for her to learn into the tale. Her mama could be tricky like that! "It means something that's present in an area, usually spread out through it instead of coming from one single source. So ambient light would be like that in the library, and ambient magic would be spells and supernatural changes to the air, water, earth, and so on."
"So the wolf ate something or drank water from a pool or like that, and the magic changed it in some way?"
"That's exactly right, Cress."
"That's why you shouldn't eat things in Mama's magic garden," the little girl told Shuck. He gave a whimper.
"Now, even as the questers took in the sight of the great beast, so did it become aware of their presence, and rose to its feet to turn and face them, as tall at the shoulders as Gareth's head even though he was mounted, growling deep in its throat. With grim purpose, Sir Gareth set his lance, for he knew the wolf would defend its territory, and due to its great size and power could not be frightened off by the two humans, even with their horses.
"'I mislike this,' he said, 'for is this great wolf, despite its fearsome size, not but a beast of the woodland at heart? Yet if we do not get past it, an innocent young man shall die. Is there no other way?'"
Cress grinned. She always liked how Lillet gave Sir Gareth archaic speech patterns, like in the books that had codified the original stories hundreds of years ago.
"'Perhaps I can try something,' Lynnette said, and raised her ash-wood staff. She leveled its tip at the snarling wolf, and a bolt of green light shot from it at the beast, striking squarely between the eyes. The creature shook its great head, blinking, and fixed its gaze on the enchantress as if she was an especially tasty morsel.
"'I was afraid of this,' she said, her voice tight. 'That was a sleeping spell. It should have put the wolf out; size and strength don't matter to that magic.'
"'Then, prithee, why does it yet stand awake?'
"'It must be on account of the magic it's absorbed that changed it into its new form. It's so full of spell-power that any lesser magic just bounces off.'
"'Then how cans't we fight it?' her husband asked.
"'I'm not sure that we can, not like this.'
"The wolf, however, had had enough of waiting patiently for the two humans to discuss how best to dispose of it. Its territory had been violated, it had been stung by the light from the human's stick, and it would hesitate no longer. With a savage growl and gaping jaws it leapt at Lynnette!
"The enchantress would swear, afterwards, that she could feel the wolf's fetid breath on her face when Gareth drove his steed against the beast in mid-leap, using the horse's weight to help push it away. He rammed his shield against the side of the giant muzzle, keeping the snapping teeth away from Lynnette."
"Yay!"
Shuck whimpered.
"Shuck, it's a bad wolf. It's trying to bite innocent people. Like when the Duchess of Sazerac's silly lapdog went after Marcia's ankles…or that fox you chased out of Grammy's henhouse bit you on the nose!"
He whimpered again, this time thinking of past hurts instead of a fellow canine getting bashed in the face with a shield.
"Resolute now, Gareth tossed aside his lance and drew his sword for close combat. He didn't want to hurt the wolf, but with not only his life and Lynnette's on the line but also the innocent young man's, his choice was plain. Man and beast glared at one another, and Gareth thought he could see the same grim determination and respect that he felt reflected back at him in the wolf's eyes.
"Then they struck, the wolf snapping and biting. Gareth wielded his shield desperately, keeping it between the wolf's fangs and anything they might fasten upon, protecting the legs and throat of his horse. He couldn't really attack effectively, only getting in some short thrusts that managed to inflict tiny cuts and nicks, but he was unable to land a solid blow. Against a giant beast like this, a knight's best weapon was the lance, allowing him to use the strength and weight of his horse, so Gareth knew it would be a hard fight.
"In the next moment, though, he felt a cool feeling surge over him, like a wave of refreshing water, and a glittering shower of blue-green sparkles began to shine from his armor. Lynnette's magic might not be able to affect the wolf, but it could still enhance and protect Gareth himself."
"But Mama, isn't it considered dishonorable for a knight to use magic in a fight?"
"Only if it's a joust or duel with another knight. That's supposed to be a test of pure skill and determination. But in war or when fighting opponents like bandits or monsters, then a knight can use any advantage they have. Otherwise no one could ever use their magic swords."
"Oh, that makes sense. I hadn't even thought about that."
Lillet grinned.
"Besides, if a giant wolf was trying to chew on Amoretta, I'd use all the magic I could to help her and 'honor' could go jump in the lake!"
Cress giggled. Her mothers could be so silly when they were talking about love. Even so, she did hope that some day she could find someone like they had; the example turned "and they lived happily ever after" from a story ending to a viable part of her future goals.
"Anyway, Gareth flung himself back into the fight, but just as he raised his sword, Lynnette called to him, 'Gareth, try to hold it off for a while. There's something else I want to try.'
"'Another way to let the wolf live?'
"'That's right. I'm not sure, but I think that I can make it work.'
"'Then try it I shall.'
"With that, Gareth launched himself back into the battle, but rather than seeking a chance to attack he fought defensively, keeping his shield between himself and the beast. It was hard work, for the wolf's jaws were strong enough to tear through steel, and even his magically-enhanced armor would provide only a few extra seconds of resistance. Thus, he had to make sure to deflect the wolf's attacks with his shield in such a position that it couldn't close its jaws on it, lest it tear through his only defense."
Shuck thumped his tail on the floor, applauding the offensive power of large, magical creatures.
"Likewise," Lillet continued, "he had to deflect its leaps at an angle, so that its full weight did not crash against his mount and knock them both over, for that would surely leave them both too vulnerable to stave off the next attack. And as he did not truly want to hurt the animal—not if Lynnette could find a way past it without killing—he could use his sword only as a kind of spur, to poke and prod and keep the wolf's attention on him instead of letting it be tempted to go after the juicy, unarmored prey that was his wife.
"It was exhausting work; his left arm throbbed with pain from wrist to shoulder with all the shield-work, and sweat ran down into his eyes beneath his helmet. Yet he fought on, desperately striving to give Lynnette the time she needed to complete her magic.
"And she had been working, as desperately as he. She'd dived into her saddlebags, tearing through their supplies and tossing out items until she could find what she was looking for. Once she did, she quickly began to draw out a magical Rune, whipping her staff in quick arcs and her free hand as well so that she could fill it in twice as fast. The shining pattern of lines and symbols took shape around her, outlined in glowing green flame as she furiously wrought the Rune, until at last she thrust mana into the completed design and kindled the magic. The Rune glowed green, not the rich emerald of new growth but a bilious, sickly color as of rotting weeds in a poisonous swamp. Then, with a rush of power, that light flowed up from the ground, flowing across her and into the apple she'd taken from the travel packs."
Cressidor scrunched up her nose in confusion. An apple? She didn't speak up out loud, though, not wanting to break up the climax of the story.
"The apple looked so red and perfect that it almost gleamed, and even Lynnette herself, in the full knowledge of what she'd done, still felt the pull of it, the temptation to take just one bite. She shoved the thought away, though, even as she swayed in the saddle from the exertion. She let her staff drop and grabbed the harness for stability, then flung the apple towards the open maw of the wolf.
"It was partly her good aim, and partly the magical allure of the fruit that the beast's jaws snapped closed on the apple and swallowed it in one gulp. Immediately the wolf swayed, its eyes rolled up in its head, and it toppled over, crashing to the forest floor.
"Gareth looked back to Lynnette, and was just barely in time to catch her as she started to slip from the saddle. She curled up against his armored torso, the steel plate somehow feeling as comfortable as a feather mattress, probably because of the arm holding her fast against him.
"'Are you well?' he cried in shock.
"'Just…really tired. That took a lot out of me. That Rune should have needed nearly an hour to set, but I forced it in much less time.'
"'Ten minutes, no more,' he told her.
"'That little…No wonder I feel as weak as a newborn calf. But I should be all right in a day or two. Just don't expect any major magic from me over the next month.'
"'An be it worth it, to test yourself so?' he challenged.
"'Of course. I'm married to a soft-hearted, gentle knight who'd be struck to the heart to slay an innocent creature.'
"'Think, then, that I would not be so struck to see you laid weak like this, and for my sake?' he told her sternly.
"'Please, I'll be fine. I can even brew the potion for the Knight's son, if his minister can't do it; it's almost all Alchemy, so it'll take little from me.'
"Gareth sighed. Lynnette had been a willful, stubborn woman since the day they'd met and he'd hardly have loved her had he wanted that to change, even if it meant she would spend her courage where he might prefer she not. Rather than complaining, he instead asked, 'But how were you able to affect the wolf with your magic, when it did not work before?'
"'I took a lesson from your brother Gaheris: I used brute force.'
"'That is why you said your Rune would take an hour, had the need not been so dire?'
"'That's right. Rather than try to find a key for the lock, I chose to simply smash down the entire door. No matter what magic the wolf had absorbed, I didn't think it would stand up to the full force of an ancient curse.'
"'A curse!' Gareth gasped."
"That doesn't sound nice at all," Cress agreed. "Wait, that's why the magic was all creepy-looking!"
Lillet nodded.
"That's right. Curses are very dangerous, because they're magic that directly causes harm to another. They aren't like, say, conjuring fire, which can be used in a variety of ways. They tend to exact their own penalties on the magician if misused. Of course, most curses come from Sorcery, and dealing with devils to hurt people has very direct and obvious consequences. Lynnette's curse was Glamour, though, and was based upon the powers of the Fair Folk, which have more subtle ways. But in this case, Lynnette was casting the curse not only to protect her husband, but also to save the life of its victim, so she rightly believed the cost would only be that of the magic itself."
"But what was the curse, anyway? And why an apple? That sounds like Snow White!"
Lillet grinned.
"It ought to. It's the same curse that Snow's mother used." Cress being an adopted daughter, it will be noted that Lillet also didn't bother editing stories to follow the "natural mother good, stepmother evil" narrative that some variations inserted.
"So it put the wolf to sleep until it received a kiss of true love?"
"That's exactly right."
Cressidor blinked.
"But it's a wolf! Would that ever happen for him?"
"Of course it would. Haven't you ever heard of puppy love?"
Shuck whimpered and hid his face under his paws.
~X X X~
A/N: This story was inspired in part by the fight against the Great Grey Wolf Sif in Dark Souls.