Howling 7

It was the following morning, and the new year was fast approaching. It was still gloomy inside the house. Sam and Mike were sent to the mainland to order unique supplies for Captain Harris. The maids made sure the house was clean. Victoria, the head maid, made sure she had every cent accounted for. Adolpha was in the cabin, and Wolf was crafting spears.

Wolf stops because he senses something; he gets up and heads to the docks. Mike and Sam arrive with some men on another boat. The men then unload some furniture. They take it to the house; Victoria speaks with the men's boss. It was something Lord Michael ordered for Captain Harris.

One of the maids showed the men where to take the furniture. Wolf went back, and as he walked by the cabin, he heard Adolpha talking. "Brother Ardolph, your uncle will teach you many dumb things, so don't listen to him. Father will be a little scary, but don't worry, he is strong…" Wolf continued walking.

The maids entered the cabin; they had Adolpha's lunch ready. Adolpha got up from the ground and went to sit. The maids stayed with her and asked if she was talking to Wolf, "We heard you talking," one of the maids said. Adolpha became embarrassed and told them she was talking to herself. They ate and continued to enjoy their time together.

Wolf was working on other things; he looked like he knew what he was doing. He stops, "No, not like that; you need to tie it tighter, or else it will break." Wolf began to remember glimpses of what he was taught. He also remembered fighting for Lord Michael. It upset him, but he did not show it; he continued working.

Later that night, Adolpha was walking with Wolf, "Wolf, what was it like living with Lord Michael?" Wolf was curious about why she asked that. Adolpha told him about herself. She told him about always being locked up. Wolf looked towards the ocean, "Lord Michael likes to show power; he made me fight anyone who challenged him."

The cold wind blew again, and Adolpha saw the scars on Wolf's body again. She became sad and thought about how Wolf felt about his life. Wolf looked at her, "I gave up on being free long ago. Seeing you and being with you has changed how I feel; I will not let you suffer any longer. I will see that you and your child will be free to choose how you live." "Our child," she said.

Adolpha blushed and looked away. "Thank you," she said softly. Wolf also felt embarrassed, so he changed the subject. He went to the traps and pulled them out; there were some lobsters. He killed them and left them inside the trap. Adolpha was confused, so he lowered the trap and waited.

Fish got closer to eat the bits of lobster. Wolf had gone and brought back a wooden spear. He quickly thrust into the water and got several fish. Adolpha was amazed by it. Wolf waited again and did the same, "This will be our food for the trip." Adolpha didn't look too happy; she didn't like fish much.

As night turned to morning, Adolpha was asleep in the cabin; Wolf was smoking the fish he caught. He made sure not to draw attention. The workers for the islands were arriving. Wolf returned to his camp and slept. The maids were waking up and getting ready for work.

In the afternoon, Mike and Sam headed to the mainland to hang out with the townsfolk. The New Year celebration was just around the corner. Mike drank with some while Sam was gambling. They were having a great time. Someone approached Mike, "Mister Mike, I presume." Mike looks at this man; he seems like a messenger, "Yeah, what can I do for you?"

He was indeed a messenger; he pulled out a letter and handed it to Mike. Mike took it, but it was weird that he knew he was there. Mike ignored it and continued drinking. It got late, and they decided to head back home. Sam was sad because he had lost his money, and Mike scolded him for it.

They got home and headed to the kitchen, looking for something to eat. Mike felt his pocket and remembered the letter. He took another look at it; he was surprised. "What's wrong?" Sam asked. Mike didn't say anything; he opened the letter slowly. Sam was eating some bread; Mike grabbed and shook him. "This is bad; what are we going to do?"

"What do you mean," Sam said. Mike told him in a high-pitched tone, "Lord Michael is coming back!" Sam dropped his piece of bread, and his soul left him. Mike began to pace back and forth. Victoria, the head maid, came in to see the commotion. She saw the letter on the floor. She picked it up and read it; she sighed, "Looks like the time has come."

"How are you not worried," Mike asked. Victoria stared at him, "Control yourself, and think about what you will do." She takes the letter and leaves; Sam is still spaced out, and Mike is overthinking the situation. Victoria heads to her room and sits in her chair, "Looks like time is up; what are you going to do?"

Wolf was catching more fish; he was looking at the boats leaving. He needs a decent one. He headed into the orchard and began to pack some dried fish into sacks he took. He hid the sacks in the hole he dug. He covered it with a stick door covered in leaves.

The following day in the afternoon, Victoria, the head maid, called everyone in the backyard. Wolf was packing some dried fruit he made from the orchard. He hears Victoria and goes to look. Victoria notices him and begins to speak, "Yesterday we received another letter…" The girls whisper, "Lord Michael is coming back…" The girls talk among themselves. Wolf is surprised; he clenches his hand into a fist.

Victoria tells them he had felt the capital and was heading back. She also tells them that Captain Harris will arrive in a few days. Wolf has left the area and goes to the beach. He jumps into the water and begins to swing. He gets to the other island and sneaks around, "I need to find a map."

Wolf goes to the boats and looks around. The workers are in the middle of work, checking the trees and cutting unnecessary branches. Wolf finds a fishing rod and takes it; he also finds some containers. Wolf hears someone approach, and he leaves. Wolf, after some time, makes it back to the island.

Later that night, Adolpha snuck out and went looking for Wolf. Wolf was making sure they had enough supplies. Adolpha notices him acting strange, "Wolf, she calls to him, "Are you alright?" Wolf looks at her, "I only need a few more things." Adolpha asked if they could go for a walk. "No, not today," he said in an angry tone.

Adolpha approached him and asked him to talk to her. "Not now, I…" Adolpha got sad. "Okay," she said, leaving him and heading back to the cabin. Adolpha stopped at the door; she didn't want to go in and went alone. She was upset and bad-mouthed Wolf; she walked to the beach. Adolpha stared at the waves coming in; she started to feel cold.

Adolpha decided to head back; she turned around and hit someone. She almost fell back, but she was caught. Adolpha looks up and sees Wolf; she remembers how he acted and shakes his hand off. Wolf sees her upset, "Sorry," he says; Adolpha doesn't know what to do. She wanted to leave, but Wolf asked her to stop. He tells her to follow him. They head to his camp; Wolf puts more wood into the fire. Adolpha sat down; she was still upset.

Wolf again apologizes for his actions: "I should tell you; I was wrong for hiding it. I was upset because I heard that Lord Michael is coming back…" Adolpha becomes surprised. "I didn't want to worry you, but knowing he is coming back made me upset." Adolpha looks at him: "I am scared, but as long as you are here, I feel safe."

Wolf felt relieved and told her about Harris, "There is more problem." "What sort of problem," she asked. "There is a man he sent; his name is Arnold Harris. This man has ties to Lord Michael and works for the human army…" Adolpha didn't know what that meant. Wolf told her a little about it.

"Harris can be a cruel man; he shows no remorse for what he does; as long as he gets money, he will do what he is good at…" "And what is that," "Torturing and making anyone submit to him," Wolf told Adolpha about his encounter with him. Adolpha figured out why he had so many scars; she hugged Wolf. "We need to get out of here."

Wolf told Adolpha he had enough food for a couple of days; he wanted to leave on the day of the new year. Adolpha asked how they were going to escape. Wolf told her they would sail out, "Lord Michael has set up many traps along the islands; they activate when your collar passes by without him turning it off. The kidnappers didn't know it would happen."

Wolf told her everything he was told; he knew the only way to sail out. Wolf told her to be ready for when the time came. Adolpha was hesitant, but Wolf reassured her that it would be better than staying here. Adolpha had a look of doubt, but she agreed. "What about the maids, Lady Victoria…"

"If they don't know, it could help them," he said to calm her down. He was not sure Lord Michael or Harris would allow them to live after this. He was only thinking about Adolpha. Adolpha felt sad; she didn't want to put them in harm's way.

After reconciling, Wolf continued preparing. Adolpha returned to the cabin to sleep. The following day, more things were delivered to the house. According to the men's boss, Lord Michael ordered them for an event. Several barrels were in the supplies. Victoria had Mike and Sam help.

Adolpha was again eating with the maids; they looked to be in a better mood. Adolpha asked if they were scared of Lord Michael. The girls stopped eating; one told her she was. "My family owes a lot to Lord Michael; I am only working to help them. He can be scary at times," the other said.

Adolpha felt terrible. She then asked them what they would do if they didn't have to be there. One of the girls said she would work on a farm with her family, and the other said she would work in a bakery. Adolpha got excited and asked her what that was. Their mood changed, and they happily talked.

Finally, the day before the new year, Wolf had enough supplies to last them almost a month; Adolpha had packed some things. Wolf went to her cabin window, "Relax, just get through the day like usual. I will take care of everything after." Adolpha felt worried; she rubbed her belly, "Today is the day we get out of here."

It was the afternoon, and Adolpha was sleeping. Wolf got everything ready to take; he then felt a presence. He turned around and saw Victoria, the head maid. Wolf grabbed a spear that he had made. Victoria told him to relax; she sat on a log by the fire. Victoria closed her eyes and let the ocean breeze hit her face. "I haven't taken time to relax and enjoy many things; this is a nice change of pace."

Wolf was wary of her. Victoria stared at him, "You can put that down; I am not here to fight. Even if I were, you wouldn't stand a chance. I have this…" Victoria showed him the bracelet. Wolf sat down. What do you want?" Victoria smiled; she looked at everything he had. So, you plan to escape then?" Wolf stayed quiet. Victoria again smiled.

"I have worked for Lord Michael for a long time. I know what he does, but I do nothing because he is my employer. I have seen many girls come and go. They all begin working for him because they are paying off their family debts. It's sad sometimes because it doesn't always work out…"

Wolf puts the spear down and listens to her. "Lord Michael is a smart man; he is ambitious and will do what it takes to get what he wants. I have seen other nobles fall because they went against him. Adolpha…Adolpha, when I first saw her, I thought she would be like the rest…" Victoria has a saddened expression. Another poor soul taken from their home to be sold off…"

Victoria told Wolf that Lord Michael had made a business of kidnapping; he had made a lot of money from it, "He also began kidnapping special girls and auctioning them like slaves," she added. Wolf had a mad expression. Victoria continued. She said that she had gotten tired, "I don't ask for forgiveness; I just saw that I had enough. Adolpha had no emotion and looked like she had given up, but then you came along and brought her life…"

"What do you mean?" Wolf asked. I've heard of you, but this was the first time I've seen you. Wolf, Lord Michael's champion, The Beast Killer…" Wolf was not surprised. "No one dares mess with him when you are around. When Lord Michael told me he was leaving me in charge of her, I would keep doing what I have always been doing…"

Victoria looks at the cabin, "When I realized she had become pregnant, I knew it would only bring problems; I asked her to get rid of it, but she showed determination. Of course, she was afraid, but it brought her back to life; you, of all people, brought her back…" Wolf didn't like how she said it. Victoria laughed.

"I decided to help you…" again, Wolf is surprised. Victoria told him that she had been closely monitoring him since then. She then suspected they would try to escape. "When Lord Michael finds out you have taken her, he will not be too happy; I also prepared for this…" Wolf was confused, "You prepared?"

Victoria told him the other girls would be in danger and had made arrangements to help them. "I want to help them all, so I prepared a plan," Victoria told him she would take care of things when they were gone. Wolf was not sure if he could trust her. Victoria gets up and tells him to be ready to leave. "Leave the rest to me," she says as she leaves Wolf's campsite.

"How much time has passed since I felt this way," Victoria smiles. Wolf keeps packing; he can do nothing but trust her. Victoria enters the house and calls everyone. She waits for them in the kitchen. The maids all gather. "I know that some of you are worried about Lord Michael returning. I assure you everything will be alright, so with that, I know you deserve some time off. I will allow you to celebrate the New Year with the townsfolk."

The girls become excited. "I just want you to behave yourselves; don't cause problems that would bring shame to Lord Michael's name. Leave Adolpha's needs to me." The girls cheer up. They talk about their worries but ultimately agree to go. Victoria told them to prepare and that she would have Mike and Sam take them.

After preparing dinner for Victoria and Adolpha, the girls got ready. Mike and Sam were also happy about being able to go to the mainland. The girls were all dressed up; they thanked Victoria and headed off. Victoria waves at them as they depart. She then looks back at the house. Wolf took the supplies to the beach; Adolpha took what she could and waited for him. Wolf brings the rest of the supplies; Victoria appears before Adolpha. Adolpha becomes scared. "As to be expected," she mumbles. Victoria smiles as she approaches her.

"Adolpha, don't be frightened; I am not here to take you back." Adolpha was confused. Wolf returned and saw Victoria. "It looks like all is ready; how are you planning on leaving," she asks. "I made sure one of the boats the workers use was felt behind," Wolf points to the other island.

A boat was still at the docks, "I stuck the anchor, and they didn't have the tools to break the chain. They had to leave it behind." The sun was setting, and all the workers had left; Wolf went into the water and swam to the other island. Adolpha and Victoria were left alone.

Adolpha was nervous and didn't know what to say. "Have you thought of a name yet?" Adolpha was surprised, "Not yet, I don't know if it is a boy or girl." Wolf pulls the anchor and gets on the boat; he has trouble steering it but makes it back. He sees Adolpha and Victoria talking; they look happy.

Wolf gets off and begins loading the supplies. "Wolf, once you are done here, follow me; I have something to give you." Wolf doesn't know what she is going to give him. Adolpha is left alone; she is collecting more seashells. Wolf follows Victoria back to the house. They head to the storage room.

"Take those barrels; they have fresh water," Victoria also takes some jars with something inside, "These are preserved fruit; take them. They should last you a long while." Wolf didn't know what to say; Victoria said she needed no thanks, so he took the barrels. Adolpha saw him bringing the barrels. He had four, which should last them a month.

Everything was loaded, and it was cramped. Before they left, Victoria asked him what his plan was. Wolf told her they would travel south and then hit land; from there, they would travel to her tribe's territory. "Lord Michael has a lot of people in the Umbridge Kingdom; we would easily get caught if we go north."

Victoria agreed; she then suggested they head towards the neutral kingdom. "The only land protected by all, King Lands…" Victoria told him that Lord Michael's influence was limited there; he could also find people who could help. Victoria pulled out a knife and a scroll, "This is the last thing I offer you."

Wolf took the knife and scroll; it was a map of the world. Wolf looks at her, "I will forever be in your debt." "Just make sure she turns into a wonderful mother… and you a father…" Wolf bows and thanks her. Before he left, she had one thing to say.

On the mainland, the celebration was joyous; the townsfolk were partying, singing, dancing, and eating. They were waiting for the fireworks. The maids were enjoying their time; Sam and Mike were drinking. The first firework was launched.

Adolpha heard and was amazed by it; she could see it this time. Wolf listened to Victoria's last words, "You know I can't fully release you. Those collars are special; only Lord Michael can do so. At the same time, I will keep the bracelet; it is the only thing that will make my plan to protect the girls work." Wolf says nothing, and he goes and gets on the boat.

Wolf tells Adolpha to sit; they depart. Adolpha was too caught up looking at the fireworks, and Wolf was still learning how to steer correctly. They were close to open waters. As soon as they crossed, Adolpha's collar began to glow. At the bottom of the ocean, something woke up. Wolf is surprised: "I should have known he had a trap here…"

"Wolf, I trust you to keep her safe; I have several traps through the islands in case they get past you. I am not worried about them coming from the sea or taking her that way because you would spot them before they knew it, HAHAHAHA."

A whirlpool began to form; Wolf had trouble steering, and Adolpha screamed. Victoria watched as the sea became fierce. Wolf senses something; tentacles emerge from below the boat. It was about to wrap its tentacles when Wolf grabbed and attacked with one of the spears. The creature makes a terrible sound.

"Adolpha, hang on!" Wolf heard no reply; he turned to see Adolpha in pain, grabbing the collar. Wolf turns to the tentacles; he throws the spear and hits one. The creature screams again; the fireworks mask its cry. The townsfolk have no idea what is happening. The beast tries to smash the boat, but Wolf keeps it from hitting it.

They are getting close to the whirlpool. Wolf tries to think of a way to stop it, but he also needs to think about Adolpha; he doesn't know what is happening to her. Wolf was getting angry when suddenly his collar glowed. Clouds began to form overhead. Wolf steps close to the edge.

"That's strange; there are storm clouds over there." "You drunk; they reported good weather tonight." Some townsfolk notice the clouds in the distance. The fireworks keep blowing up, distracting them. They then believe it is the fireworks smoke. The music continued to play, and the people drank some more.

Wolf looked at the beach, where Victoria, the head maid, was watching this. She unsealed his power. "It is temporary, but it will help." The creature attacked again; Wolf drew Mana, and wind surrounded his claws. He unleashed a powerful wind attack, and the creature's tentacles were cut off. Wolf drew in more Mana.

The creature screamed and retracted what remained of its tentacles. Wolf then saw something huge swimming their way. He looked at Adolpha, still in pain, and grabbed another spear. Wolf leaped into the air. The creature saw him and emerged from the water. A great monster fish opened its jaws. Wolf poured Mana into the spear. The rock tip glows.

Wolf throws it; the spear goes into the beast's mouth. The spear tip pops out from the monster's back. The beast screams in pain; it stops its attack. Wolf lands on top of it. He digs his claws into its skin; thunder hits the beast. The monster's tentacles frail around. Wolf unleashes one more attack, and the beast floats dead.

The waters calmed, and the whirlpools disappeared. Wolf, worried, swam back to the boat. He saw that Adolpha was no longer in pain. She had passed out; he picked her up and moved her to a small cabin. The boat left the islands. Victoria smiled in relief, "You are free."

"Adolpha, you did great; now it's time to wake up," Adolpha opened her eyes; she was on a small bunk bed. She saw that the small room was moving; she got up and went out. The sun hits her face; Wolf is figuring out how the sails work. "Wolf," she calls.

Adolpha then realized they were off the island. The sun was bright, and the sky was clear. The sound of the waves and birds made her happy; she was finally free. She goes to the edge of the boat and looks out. Adolpha could see the mainland in the distance—the New Year winter 844.

Adolpha enjoyed the warmness of the sun even though it was still freezing. Wolf told her to cover up. He told her that Victoria also gave them warm blankets. Adolpha thought of Victoria, "Is she going to be okay," she asked Wolf. "I don't know," he replied. Adolpha looks back at some faraway islands.

Adolpha remembered the conversation she had with Victoria. Victoria told Adolpha about herself; she revealed her past. "Adolpha, you must survive and return to your family. I regret living and working for that man. I only started working for him because my family went into debt…"

Victoria had a sad expression, "My father lost to him, and he couldn't do anything. He was cheated out of money, and when my father found out, he would report him to the kingdom. Do you know what he did?"

Victoria then had an angry expression, "He had him killed; I had two brothers and a sister. My brothers disappeared, and my mother was turned into a prostitute. My world crumbled. I later reunited with my sister. Lord Michael had other plans. That is when I offer myself to him; he would leave her alone in return."

Victoria has worked for him since then, which is why she has remained silent about his deeds. "I have gotten old, and my sister is long gone," she says. "What!" "That doesn't matter; I just want to see the face of that bastard when he learns you are gone. Don't worry about the other; I plan to keep them safe."

Adolpha cried for her. Victoria told her to cheer up, "If we ever meet again, please introduce me to your child." Adolpha agreed, and they both smiled. Adolpha thanks Victoria for everything she did for her. Adolpha looks ahead and thinks about her family.