Chapter 5- The Forest God's Wrath
It was well after sunset when Clary woke in a cold sweat. She had dreamed that she was running rapidly through the forest. Her beautiful blue dress tore each time she fell into the underbrush or on top of twigs and roots. A loud growl behind her caused her to panic. Something was chasing her. What it was, she couldn't remember but whatever it had scared her to death. In the dream Clary had almost gotten away when she turned and met a pair of bright golden eyes looking at her from the darkness. Screaming out in terror she awoke.
Sitting up in her bed panting, sweat laced her brows as her hand covered her frantically beating heart. It was just a dream but it had seemed so real. It was just like the dream she had when she lived in Ignis. Which turned out to be a premonition of sorts. The redhead feared that this dream might be one too. Deciding to get up and join the others she fell to the ground as the house began to rock.
"I know the outsider is here." A loud voice spoke. She looked around hesitantly but could not find the source of the voice. It was as if it was in her head yet all around her. Then, another loud howl echoed outside. Rising from the floor she rushed for her shoes, relieved she had kept them beside her bed. Old habits die hard.
"Show yourself now!" The voice commanded. Clary stepped out of bed. She heard the others outside the house stirring as she left her room and rushed to the front door. Magnus met her by the door. Looking out she saw the villagers as they began chanting something in a language she didn't recognize. She turned her head to face the forest and almost fell back at the sight that welcomed her. Standing at the base of the forest and towering over fifty feet tall was a giant white wolf. His golden eyes raked across the village as others were exiting their houses. His gaze briefly met hers and she felt a sudden chill run down her spine.
"By the angel, he is real." Clary whispered.
Magnus was too busy getting his boots on to hear her. For years she had heard the various superstitions. One did not live by the pits in Ignis without hearing the workers talk about the various deities. All respected the angel, however there were lesser known spirits or creatures that people would worship. Clary had always questioned their existence but respected their beliefs. Now that she was faced with one of these gods she feared they might have all been right to seek out such help.
"I seek the outsider. I know he is here. Give him to me and no harm will befall you. If you keep him you will face my wrath." The wolf's voice warned. Clary felt her body go numb as her hands trembled in fear. It was the same golden eyes that had haunted her in the dream. The ones she had been running from. He found her and now he was going to kill her. Her terrified mind wanted to laugh. All this time running and fighting the king only to end her life in the jaws of a giant wolf. Who could have seen her life ending this way?
She took a few hesitant steps forward from the cottage. She was so lost in her own thoughts she didn't notice the others. Magnus and Alec appeared from behind the door and were now standing in front of her. Even poor Max was clinging to her in fear. She was in such a state of shock that she didn't even hear what Alec was trying to tell her. Clary watched in horror as a broad hairy man approached the wolf sheepishly.
"My god, we honor you and thank you for your protection." He began. "Please, I beg of you. We know not who you speak of. We have not seen any new male outsider." He stuttered. The wolf's lips lifted back in a snarl.
"Lies!" the wolf growled. Clary watched in horror as the house behind the man ignited into blue flames. "I can sense him. I can smell him. The scent of the Morgenstern Kingdom is here, carried on the breeze as you spout your lies."
Another house bursted into blue flames causing the people to run. Clary looked at the flames. These were so different from the red and black flames she had seen in Ignis. Still, she could sense a powerful magic about them. Despite their appearance, they didn't seem to be burning the houses at all. The guardian released another howl as chaos broke loose. People screamed and ran for cover, others fell to the ground begging for forgiveness.
Alec had tried to run towards the wolf but it glared at him and snarled; clearly not willing to listen. Clary looked on in horror at the innocent people who were suffering as Max left her side and ran to Alec.
"Is he listening?" Max's little voice called after his brother.
Alec shook his head and was yelling for all of them to go back into the house. Clary wasn't listening though. She had to stop this and she had to stop this now. She refused to let Magus, Alec, and most importantly young Max suffer. They had been so kind to her and didn't deserve this. Max and Magnus ignored Alec and continued to shout at the wolf. It had little effect as the wolf continued its advancement towards the burning village. Gathering her strength she ran back to the house and grabbed Alec's bow and arrows from the floor. She flipped the quiver of arrows onto her back and rushed outside making her way towards the tall hill beside the forest entrance.
By this point, Magnus and Max noticed her and were running towards her begging her to come back. She heard them but refused to listen. If the god of the forest wasn't going to listen to them then SHE would make him listen. The wolf had paid her little notice, as he continued his ascent towards the town. He seemed to be moving slowly… was he trying not to hurt anyone. She had to give him credit for that. He was probably giving the villagers an opportunity to bring him the outsider. After all, he was supposed to be their protector.
She hoped what Magnus had said was true and that he didn't want to harm them. It was a shame the villagers didn't know who he was looking for and worse that they were looking for a man; not a woman. She panted up the hill with renewed vigor, before finally reaching the top. Clary glanced briefly towards the house where Magnus and the others now stood frozen; watching her in disbelief. She could see Max's eyes fill with tears shaking his head as he watched her load the bow. Alec looked on in dismay. They didn't want her to hurt the creature and that was apparent. She didn't want to hurt him either but he was a danger. Clary knew what she had to do. Cursing under her breath she aimed and shot the arrow towards the white wolf.
Her friends screamed out as the arrow sang through the air towards the unsuspecting beast. Clary watched with bated breath as it zoomed past the wolf's snout, missing him completely. She was a good shot and would have shot the wolf through the heart if she wished to. Looking at Max's face though, she couldn't do it. Instead, she opted to get the thing that Alec and Magnus had been attempting to gain since they awoke; the god's attention.
Judging by the snarl and the furry in the creature's eyes, she had its attention now, that was certain. The villagers stood frozen as the god's golden eyes met hers. She shivered trying to push the thought of her nightmare away. Tears welled in her eyes as she met his gaze and refused to break it. Taking a deep breath she held out her arms in surrender; dropping the bow and the quiver of arrows to the ground. The wolf's eyes narrowed, watching every movement. She felt his stare boring into her skin but he didn't attack. Clary continued to meet his gaze head on, not backing down.
"I AM the outsider that you seek." She announced loudly. The god's eyes appraised her swiftly. Swirling with surprise and anger.
"YOU are the outsider?... YOU? A delicate little girl? You are the one I've been searching for?" he bellowed. She nodded solemnly. "This is surely a trick." He hissed.
"It's not a trick." She argued. "My name is Clarissa Fray and I am from the city of Ignis. I came here to escape the rule of King Valentine and…." She hesitated. She looked deeply into his gaze, never breaking it, even as tears fell down her cheeks.
"I meant you no harm. If your lust for my blood is so great that you would threaten those you have sworn protection ... .then I beg you to kill me now and spare these innocent people." She pleaded, extending her hand in a gesture to the villagers.
The wolf gazed at her coldly before turning to look at Alec who nodded his head silently in agreement. Even Magnus had tears in his eyes as he shielded a quivering Max behind him.
"Please, they're my friends. Spare them, I beg of you!" she yelled, lowering her body to the ground and turning her gaze to the ground. The wolf's gaze softened as the forest god took in the scene around them. The houses were on fire, the people's fear and the onlookers who stood in silence.
"I will forgive them if you follow my orders. Only those who receive my blessing may stay here…. Come to me in the woods tomorrow. Be at the center of the forest by sundown. Come alone and be prepared to never see your friends again. If you do this, I will forgive them." He commanded.
Clary looked at Magnus, Alec and Max in fear gazing longingly at her friends. Tears fell down her cheeks. They had taken her in. She had never felt such warmth and sense of belonging since Simon and Isabelle. Losing them was like a knife in the gut but seeing them hurt would be worse.
"I accept your terms." the redhead replied solemnly. What reaction she expected from the god, she didn't know. Still the god's silence startled her. It was as if she could see the regret in his eyes of what he was asking her to do.
Growling, the wolf looked back towards the villagers. The blue flames that had engulfed the buildings vanished. Clary's jaw dropped in surprise before the god's voice resonated once again.
"An agreement has been made. Remember who it is that protects you from the outside world and the mad king who reigns there. I accept this girl's sacrifice and leave you now." Then, turning its head the god walked back into the forest. His figure disappearing into the very air itself.
Clary watched him leave before her legs finally gave out from under her. Sobs shook the young redhead's body as Magnus's warm arms wrapped around her.
"I am sorry, so so sorry for everything. If I would have known coming here would have put you all in danger… I never ever would have come." Clary wept into the warlock's chest.
The townspeople that had remained looked down at her with sorrow and many with admiration. It was clear that despite their distrust of strangers, she had gained their favor. Clary looked up to see Max's saddened expression before Magnus whispered something that made her eyes close and her mind rest.
The sun was shining high in the sky when Clary finally began to wake from her deep sleep. She was warm and cozily tucked away in a soft bed. The events of last night weighed heavy on her heart. Clary kept her eyes closed, wishing with all her might that she would be back home in her old bedroom when she opened her eyes. She could picture the soft green walls covered in hand-painted murals that Imagoen had reluctantly agreed to allow her to paint. Her ears focused, waiting to hear the sound of Isabelle groaning as the maids had to force her out of bed. She sniffed the air for the scent of bacon and eggs cooking for breakfast. She at last opened her eyes as her stomach fell in disappointment.
Unfortunately, it had all been wishful thinking. She looked up at the wooden beams of Alec and Magnus's guest bedroom. The noise she thought might have been Isabelle was Max running to her door, calling her name. She sniffed the air again allowing the aroma of food to course through her lungs and down to her growling stomach. At least the breakfast her brain had gotten right.
"Clary! Food!" Max's voice called out opening her bedroom door. She sat up slowly on the bed and looked at the small boy.
"Breakfast?" she asked. Max nodded.
"Well, more like lunch but after last night everyone slept in," he explained. Clary gave him a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I understand. I'll be there in a moment." She announced. Max smiled and promptly left the room. Clary rose from the bed and went to the water basin on the side table. She washed her face and brushed her hair. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she sighed. Her eyes were still puffy and her skin pale, making her freckles stand out even more. Her hair had become unruly and messy again. She huffed, finally giving up on her appearance and left the room. The others were sitting at the table waiting for her when she appeared. Alec and Magnus gave her a soft smile as she took the seat beside them.
"Bacon and eggs? I haven't had a warm breakfast in so long." She smiled, taking a bite out of the bacon. The other's looked at her meekly as she blushed.
"Did I do something wrong? Are we supposed to give thanks to the god of the forest before eating or something?" she asked. This time, Alec started laughing. Clary looked on with confusion.
"No, we do not give thanks to the wolf god. No need to feed his ego anymore." He explained composing himself. Clary raised her eyebrows at him taking another bite of bacon. They fell into a light silence before Alec cleared his throat.
"Listen, Clary.." Alec began. "I am sorry for how things turned out. I know you have to leave today and I just wish that things had turned out differently." He explained. Clary gave him a warm smile. This was the shy Alec that she had been told about. The one who spoke more with an expression than with words.
"I am as well Alec but if going to the forest to become wolf chow saves all of you then it's worth it." Clary smiled sorrowfully, scooping egg on top of her toast with her fork. Max looked at her sadly.
"He won't eat you. You're too beautiful to become wolf chow." Max answered. Clary was flattered by the complement. Yet given what he had told her yesterday about the wolf god, she wouldn't toss the idea out.
"Thank you Max but we shall see."
"I am going to miss you, Clary. Maybe if you're good Jace will let you go and-" Max began but was cut off by a sharp look from Alec. Clary chuckled.
"I'm not sure how much weight this Jace has with the guardian but I promise that I will do my best to be "good" Max." She replied. "and if the Wolf lets me go I'll come back and play with you okay?"
Max's face brightened.
"Do you promise?" he begged using his wide gray eyes. Clary smiled and placed her hand lightly on top of his.
"It is in the god's hands but if he lets me go, I promise to come back and play with you Max." she replied. Magnus looked like he wanted to say something but a look from Alec told him to remain silent.
Lunch had gone by quickly and before she knew it Alec was clearing away her plate. Magnus had gestured her back into the room for another quick bath and to wash her hair. Why? She didn't know but she wasn't going to deny Magnus anything after causing them so much trouble. When they were done Magnus had braided her hair on each side of her head and then braided it into a loose bun at the base of her neck. It was cute and reminded her bitterly of something a mother would do with her daughter's hair. She shook the thought from her mind.
"Thank you," Clary whispered. Magnus nodded and looked at her sadly.
"You look beautiful my dear and Max is right; you're much too pretty to become wolf chow." He uttered. Clary rolled her eyes.
"I don't think wolves really care about pretty girls when deciding to make someone a meal or not. It's not like the forest guardian is some man with "male urges." She teased getting up from the stool.
Magnus looked away quickly. She assumed the intensity of the situation was getting to him.
"It will be sundown in a few hours and I best get going if I want to get to the center of the forest before dark," Clary announced walking to the door. Magnus came up beside her and wrapped her into his arms.
"Everything will be alright, biscuit." he whispered. For her sake, she hoped so. Making their way out of the room they met Alec at the table.
"We packed you a bag of essentials. There is a net, some food, a canister of water that you can refill with fresh lake water, some basic medical supplies, and some potions Magnus thought would be useful in the forest." Alec explained.
Clary took the bag and was about to thank him when Alec took a step forward holding something else.
"This is also for you. Use it to keep you safe." Alec spoke, handing her his bow and quiver full of arrows.
Clary lifted her hand and brushed the bow's long handle with her fingers.
"But Alec, you love your bow and arrows." she implored. Alec shook his head and wrapped her fingers around the bow.
"I'm assuming you meant to miss the fifty foot tall wolf in front of you last night? So, I am trusting that you know how to use these." He teased.
Clary giggled and nodded before taking the bow and arrows from him.
"Thank you, Alec. Your gift…well it means the world." The man smiled and wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't worry Clary. Our friend Jace lives in the forest. He will help you with anything you might need. The wolf god won't hurt you." Alec whispered. "I know you are scared but I promise you that If he had wanted to kill you, he would have last night. I have no doubt he just wants to make sure that you are not a threat. You should earn his blessing and return in no time." Alec continued whispering sweetly.
Clary hugged Alec tighter in response.
"Thank you, Alec. I hope you're right and that I will be able to see all of you again…someday." She replied, weakly.
"You will. I know you will biscuit." Magnus grinned.
He leaned forward and helped her secure the quiver of arrows to her back along with a sack of supplies. Clary elected to hold the bow in her hand.
"Well, I suppose it is time for you to go and tame that wolf." The warlock teased.
Alec shot him a glare but Clary just giggled in response.
"Yes, I'll get right on that. I hoped you packed me a giant bone in that bag." Clary retorted, waving goodbye.
The others laughed and watched her leave. The forest was not far from the house. If she had turned back she would have noticed that her friend's eyes never left her until she entered the dark woods. She didn't turn back though, it would have been too painful.