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Chapter 3: Remus
Remus hurried along the familiar path tightening his cloak against the cool fall air. "It'll be alright." Clariel stated, but the slight quivering in her voice betrayed her braveness. Remus only tightened his death grip on her as he forcibly moved himself through the dark path he traveled twice a month. Remus had always had a strange relationship with his daemon. Ever since he was bitten by a werewolf their bond had changed. Their range had extended drastically, almost to the point that they could be called separated. Separated like the old Witches of the North that had traveled the earth during the time of the Great Armored Bears. But even though they could stand being a part, their internal bond was closer than it had been before the attack. They could communicate mentally even if the other was miles away, and when the wolf took over, Remus could retreat to the sanctuary of his daemon's body.
And although the wolf would attack Clariel at every opportunity, She could change form and match his strength blow for blow. Especially when Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail were there. But this full moon was different. Clariel had settled. And she wasn't in one of her usual time-of-the-month forms such as a Wolf, Tiger, Leopard, or Lion. No, Clariel had settled into an otter. An oriental-short clawed otter at that. The smallest otter species in the world known for their playfulness, curiosity, and strong community bonds. The wolf would eat her alive. And Remus was terrified. Clariel gently snuffed in his ear, trying to be brave even in the face of the tremors that racked her body. For although they could travel long distances from each other, if she wasn't there with Remus during the transformation the wolf could take over her body, permanently.
Clambering up to a high shelf in the corner of their usual room she quietly waited as the anxiety burned at her stomach. Remus turned mournful amber eyes to his daemon, "I'm sorry Clar, just hold on until Prongs and Ayrie get here. They'll be able to hold me off, I promise."
Clariel nodded, not trusting herself to speak, but Remus understood anyway. They'd get through this together, month-by-month, they'd be strong. As the moon rose and Remus's body contorted as it shifted into the body of a wolf, Clariel closed her eyes, Moon by moon she vowed.